♥Nail Tutorial | Gradient Nail + Animal Print Stamp and Giveaway♥

Hi All,

It's been a while since I've filmed a tutorial. In fact, for a while, I was going with nude nails. I just didn't have time to do my nails. It was sad. After realizing I couldn't film other videos due to limited lighting, I figured a nail tutorial will be my best bet. Problem... I have torn up cuticles due to a recent bad habit of chewing on them. :(

Sad, I know. I'm trying to stop, but it's hard. I still filmed it regardless. I apologize if my cuticles look bad. There's also a crack in my nail bed from an accident with a chef knife, while cutting vegetables.

Any who, I was asked to do more stamping designs, and so I wanted to do one of the full nail patterns, and this one seems to work the best in this kit. I will say, it's not large enough, so many of my nails weren't completely covered, but that's ok. It's still cute.
Hope you enjoy!

Gradient Nail + Animal Print Stamp Nail Tutorial

Items Used in This Tutorial

• Base Coat - OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener
• Lavender Polish - Color Club Nail Polish in Lavendarling
• Turquoise Polish - Color Club Nail Polish in Age of Aquarius
• Black Polish - Sinful Colors in Black on Black
• Top Coat - ACI In a Hurry Top Coat
• Makeup Sponge
• Scissors
• Q-tips
• Nail Polish Remover
• Nail Plate
• Stamper
• Scraper
• Napkin or paper towel

Giveaway

Today, I am also giving away 2 Salon Express Stamping Kits. It is the kit that I used to do this tutorial. I also have a review that I did at the early stages of my YouTube channel, and I'll link it here: http://youtu.be/tWBKGB8cUU0

Giveaway Rules

1. Must be a subscriber to my YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/frombrainstobeauty
2. Must be 18 years or older, or have parent's permission

How to Enter

1. Comment on the video which of my nail tutorials is your favorite: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1ACB988C1899D7F4 (Nail Tutorial Playlist)

This giveaway will end December 14th, and I will post a video announcing the winners that evening.

If you want to see more tutorials, hauls, reviews, have any suggestions or recommendations, please send me a message, send me a tweet, post on my Facebook or comment below! Thanks for watching!

✿Daily Thoughts | Choir, Nails and Migraines✿

Yesterday, we got up to find our dog was sick and decided to throw up under the bed. Fun way to start the day. Long story short, I got to work late.

Usually not a big deal because I can stay as late as I need, to make up hours, but that wasn't an option yesterday as I had choir practice after work. If you didn't know, I am part of my church choir and recently became one of their cantors (choir leader/soloist). We have 6 cantors, so we are on a rotating schedule, so I get to do it every 4-6 weeks. This week is my turn, so of course, I didn't want to miss practice. Practice went well and I think I'm ready!

After that, I decided to film a new nail tutorial. *If you follow me on Instagram, you've already seen the picture.* I have been avoiding nail tutorials as I have began an old habit again of chewing on my cuticles. My new job isn't stressful exactly, but it is more challenging and so I have been nervously hewing my cuticles. Any who, with the limited sun light, I can't really film anything else, so with a ton of cuticle oil, I managed to film a tutorial and hide my ugly cuticles. Hopefully the footage came out ok. I haven't seen it yet. I'll check it tonight after work and bible study.

For now, I am home. I am blogging from a dimly lit cell phone (so I apologize if there are auto correct errors and poor spelling) as I am home with a migraine. I can't sleep as my left eye feels like it's going to pop out and won't stop watering. I can't see well and my head feels like it's going to explode. I wish I could sleep it off but it's not letting me. I would love to watch TV, do chores, edit or something but bright lights make me dizzy, hence dimly lit cell phone.

Any who, hope you guys are having a great Thursday! Thanks for reading! If you ever get bored, or wanna chat, come see me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram!

✿Daily Thoughts | Time with the Hubby Bear✿

So, I wanted to share what's been going on this past week...

Other than Thanksgiving, cooking for my husband and his mom, we had a pretty uneventful week.
However, we did go to dinner at the  Melting Pot from a Groupon we got from a friend. But we also went to a friend's wedding. It was a great time to just spend with my husband.

I have been so busy juggling my new work schedule, choir, house hunting, and young adult ministry that I've been too busy for my husband (not just YouTube). So it was really awesome to get to spend some quality time with him!

Hopefully, I will figure things out and get to spend more time with him and do more for you guys!
Until then, I'm slowly getting my husband used to taking more pictures (which he hates), and maybe, someday, we'll do the husband tag!!!

<3 Erica, frombrainstobeauty

Tino and I at a wedding

Tino and I at the Melting Pot

✿Daily Thoughts | Blogging, Filming Restrictions, and Pugs✿

After realizing I couldn't film every day, I have decided to start blogging more often. I think I'm going to start sharing the random events of my day, so that I can keep up with you guys and so you can know what is going on with me. It'll be like my little journal... that you all can see.

As you know, I haven't had any time to film lately, and I have all of these ideas bubbling up in my head and it's so frustrating that I don't have time in the day to film :(

Unfortunately, I am at the mercy of the sunlight. With daylight savings time and the Winter days (more like nights) around the corner, I have almost none. The only time I'm home when natural light is available  is on the weekend, in the morning (if I'm running late to work), and on my every other Friday off, (which has been crazy busy lately).

Anywho, since I'm trapped in the house, without the ability to film, I have just been doing stuff around the house, to include spending quality time with our pugs. We have 4 dogs in total, but our pugs are camera hogs. They love getting their picture taken. It's like they are constantl posing for their picture. So if you're wondering why I've been posting so many pics of them, that's why.

Dizzy mean mugging me

Dizzy passed out after Thanksgiving Lunch/Dinner

Leela and Dizzy enjoying daddy time on the couch

Leela waiting for daddy to come sit with her

Old picture of Dizzy being a good girl, sitting with mommy



The fawn pug is Dizzy. She is the baby of the family. She was originally my brother's dog, but we got her after he was in between selling his house and moving, and we ended up keeping her permanently. As for the black pug, Leela, she is the oldest of the 4 dogs. She is about to turn 8 years old next January. I get sad just thinking about it. She's my first baby bear. Love her to death.

One of these days, I promise, I will do the Furry Friends Tag video. I just need to find the right time and a moment when the dogs are calm.

Anyway, I love sharing and talking with you all, so don't be shy! Message me, comment, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or where ever. I'm all ears!

Thanks for reading!

✿Review | Palmolive Fresh Infusions✿

Picture from Palmolive.com
DISCLAIMER: I did receive these soaps to test out for free from Influenster.com

Palmolive Fresh Infusions

 

This is not beauty related, but I really wanted to share these from my first Influenster box. Especially after hosting Thanksgiving here at our house. After slaving in the kitchen, seeing all of the dishes overwhelm our house made me a little frantic, but this made it seem like it was nothing.

 

This cut right through the grease, fat, and oil. Even the burnt edges left over on our casserole dish from our 5-cheese mac n cheese. The scents are so fragrent and delicious that they make your kitchen smell light and fresh.

 

I don't know about you, but the scents of food cooking is amazing at the beginning, but the following day, waking up to a turkey fiasco scented home, almost makes you wish you left the windows open over night. This definitely helped that out. All those burnt on smells of the dishes sitting over night was gone in minutes after a quick soak in this wonderful soap.

 

Each scent is unique and absolutely breathe-taking on its own. My personal favorite, Ginger White Tea. The other scents are much stronger, and are better and removing odors. Overall, I love them all.

Also, I shared this with a neighbor of mine, and she loved it. I gave her the Lime Basil. We both agree, it smells like a twist on a mojito.

If you want to try them our yourselves, go and check them out: http://www.colgate.com/app/Palmolive/US/EN/HomePage.cwsp
You can also find these at Wal-Mart or Target!

I would definitely repurchase these. In fact, I plan to, once these run out! They really bring a completely different dynamic to washing dishes!
 

♥Sample Society | November 2012 Unboxing♥

This is a few days late, but this is my 2nd Sample Society and so far, I am totally still in love with this subscription. Not as many makeup items, but still totally awesome products!

Sample Society | November 2012 Unboxing

Items Listed In This Unboxing 

• diego dalla palma The Lipstick Deluxe Sample-42. Frost Golden Brick
• Alterna Bamboo Smooth Kendi Dry Oil Mist Deluxe Sample
• L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream Deluxe Sample
• Diptyque Volutes Eau de Toilette Deluxe Sample
• Dermalogica Precleanse Deluxe Sample

If you want to sign up, here is the link: www.beautybar.com/SampleSociety/LandingPage.qs

If you want to see more tutorials, hauls, reviews, have any suggestions or recommendations, please send me a message, send me a tweet, post on my Facebook or comment below!

Thanks for watching!

♥GIVEAWAY | 1000 Subscribers NYX and Color Club♥

As you all know, I recently reached 1,000 subscribers and I couldn't be more thankful! Life on YouTube has been a blast and you guys just make it amazing and exciting!!!

This is my thank you for all of the love and support! I wouldn't be having so much fun if it weren't for you guys! Days when I feel so down on myself, your comments and likes lift my spirits!

1000 Subscriber Giveaway - NYX and Color Club

Giveaway Prizes

1st Prize

• NYX Crismson Amulet Palette based on the Movie Dark Shadows
• 2 Color Club Mini Sets (of your choice)

2nd Prize

• NYX Crismson Amulet Palette based on the Movie Dark Shadows
• 1 Color Club Mini Set

NYX Crismson Amulet Palette based on the Movie Dark Shadows

This palette comes with 24 eyeshadows, 5 blushes, 1 highlight, 4 lip creams, HD eyeshadow base, and black liquid liner. It has a large mirror and some tips and tricks to achieve some 

Color Club In The Fashion - Kit A (Chromes)



Color Club In The Fashion - Kit B (Creams)

Color Club Winter Affair

Giveaway Rules

• INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY!!!
• Must be a subscriber to my YouTube Channel
• Must be 18 or older, or have parents permission
• Must "like" my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/frombrainstobeauty
• Comment on my FB page saying "Please Enter Me - YouTube Channel/Username"
• Must comment on the YouTube video which two nail polish minis you would want if you were the 1st place winner (1 comment per day)
• If you choose to follow me on Twitter and Instagram, make sure to include your usernames for both so that I may verify your entry

For additional Entries

• "Follow" me on Twitter, @brainstobeauty: http://www.twitter.com/brainstobeauty
• "Follow" me on Instagram | @brainstobeauty

This giveaway ends on November 25th, and the 1st and 2nd place winners will be announced on Facebook. You will need to direct message on YouTube or Facebook to claim your prize. You will have 1 week to message me, otherwise I will select a new winner. As mentioned in the video, the 1st place winner will get to choose 2 of the minis and the 2nd place winner will get the 3rd.

THANK YOU FOR SUBSCRIBING!!!

Again, thank you all for being such amazing subscribers and followers. It has been a blast making videos for you guys. I hope you enjoy them as much as I love making them!

If you want to see more tutorials, hauls, reviews, have any suggestions or recommendations, please send me a message, send me a tweet, post on my Facebook or comment below! Thanks for watching!

♥Favorites | September and October 2012 Favorites♥

I kicked myself over and over again when I could not get my September favorites done. So, I decided to combine September and October together because there are just so many things I've come to obsess over these last two months.

I hope you guys enjoy! Please let me know if you have questions, want me to test anything out, or do a more extensive review on any of these items.

September and October Monthly Favorites

Items Mentioned in the Video

Yes To Cucumbers Face Cleanser Towelettes

Amore  Pacific Treatment Cleansing Foam

Urban Decay Naked Palette (Original)

theBalm Nude 'tude Eyeshadow Palette

Maybelline-Expert Wear Eyeshadow Charcoal Smokes

NYX Crimson Amulet Collection Palette

Milani Liquif'eye Metallic Eye Liner Pencil in Black and Brown

L'Oreal Infallible 24 hr. Eye Shadows in 888 Iced Latte

Maybelline Bouncy Blush in 50 Plum Wine

L'Oreal Infallible Lipstick in Opulent Organza

(forgot to take a picture)

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation



Color Club Nail Polish

 

 

If you want to see more tutorials, hauls, reviews, have any suggestions or recommendations, please send me a message, send me a tweet, post on my Facebook or comment below! Thanks for watching!