{black friday sale!!}

Mark your calendar!  

One day sale on homemadexojules on 11/29/2013

20% 

off your entire purchase

{tissue paper tassel garland}

NOW AVAILABLE ON HOMEMADEXOJULES

hurry and get yours

{review: lime crime lipstick}

Lime Crime's lipstick is known to be bold, colorful, highly opaque, and highly pigmented.  I agree that they are everything they claim to be and worth the purchase.  Because Lime Crime isn't readily available in stores to swatch, I found I relied on blogger photos and search engine photos to determine if the shade is right for me.  With that in mind, I wanted to create this post help with that decision for anyone else.  As a re-cap, I have a neutral beige undertone.  I wear NC25 in MAC, #35 in MUFE, and 240 Medium Beige/320 True Beige mixed together in Revlon Colorstay.  I found Coquette and Babette washed me out when worn alone without any colored gloss.  If I were able to try those two in store, I probably would not have purchased them.  Countessa Flourescent, Centrifuschia, and Retrofuturist on the other hand are gorgeous colors on and I am totally in love with them.  Hope this post helps!

{year long tan}

If you're like me, you like a golden tan no matter what time of the year it is.  I can't even count how many tanning products I've tried, and with that said, I wanted to share my all time favorites with you.  I'm not a said tan guru, however, these products have done me well.  I'm not the type to use tanning beds so this post will have nothing to do of that sort.  Some of the products and colors below are to achieve a medium to dark color.  In MAC terminology, I am a NC 25/NC 30 and in MUFE I am number 35.  I have a neutral beige undertone and I am from an Asian decent. I thought I'd disclose that in case it were to help you decide if these products could be good for you.  I will also list the lighter options in these brands if that is the color you would like to achieve instead.  

one. Million Dollar Tan - Tan Icon Extreme.  ($26)  A sponge brush is included in the shipment and that is what you use to apply the solution.  This is the self tanner I've been using lately.  It gives a gorgeous dark golden tan that is not orange at all and it smells deliciously like a vacation in the tropics (has a coconut smell).  The color of Million Dollar Tan is very comparable to St. Tropez but at a fraction of the cost.  The color lasts about 4-5 days on me and I have not had it streak.  When applying this product you will notice it being brown/green - don't freak out, it's the guide so you can see where you've applied.  It washes off when you shower and you'll be left with a nice golden tan.  It does take time to brush this product on so if you don't have the time or day or patience, I wouldn't recommend this product to you.  I have wondered if the application mitt for St. Tropez Mousse would work with this product to make a faster application but haven't tried it yet.  Have any of you?  Does it work?  Lighter option is the regular Million Dollar Tan - Tan Icon.  

two. St. Tropez Self Tanning Dark Bronzing Mousse.  ($44)  I highly recommend purchasing the application mitt ($6.50) if you want an easy, efficient application.  St. Tropez Dark also gives a beautiful dark golden tan that is not orange.  St. Tropez is faster to apply than Million Dollar Tan and is almost double the cost.  It last about 4-5 days on me and I have not had it streak.  St. Tropez also has a colored guide so you can see where you've applied the product - it will wash off when you shower.  Lighter option is St. Tropez Self Tanning Bronzing Mousse. 

three. Tan Towel Plus ($27 - $74.50 for Full Body Towels, $27 - $40.50 for Half Body Towels)  These towels are SO easy to apply and it has a refreshing lemon smell.  It doesn't leave a sticky feel at all.  After applying it I don't feel like I have any self-tanner on - it's great!  The Plus isn't dark at all compared to St. Tropez Dark and Million Dollar Tan Extreme.  To me it gives the color of a regular self-tanner.  If you're very fair, I would suggest to first try the Classic Tan Towel and see how that color is before moving on to the Plus.  I would recommend Tan Towels if you want a quick, hassle free self-tanner.  I have had this product streak a little bit on me when I did multiple applications but not when I did a single application.  

four.  St. Tropez Wash Off Instant Glow Mousse ($22.50) I use this when I need a tan the day of.  True to St. Tropez's style, it gives a nice golden tan color.  I haven't had the color rub off/transfer on anything.  

five.  bareMinerals Faux Tan All-Over Face Color ($19) I don't tan my face so a powder bronzer, wash-off liquid bronzer, or darker foundation is a must.  I love the instant summer glow this product gives.  You don't need to use too much of it; just apply it to the areas where the sun would naturally hit your face.  

six.  St. Tropez Wash Off Instant Glow Face ($15) Just like it's sister product for the body, it gives an instant warmth to your face.  I apply it after my primer and before my foundation.  This product hasn't made me break out and it is fine on sensitive skin.

What are your tried and true tanning products?

{homemadexojules}

It is finally here!  

The grand opening of my etsy shop homemadexojules!  There are a few products listed and there will be a ton more being added that I am in the process of making or have on my to-make list!  Please keep checking back (or add homemadexojules as one of your favorite shops) to see new items that are being added!  Lots more pretty stuff coming soon!  

A HUGE thank you in advance for your support to small handmade/homemade businesses.

xo, jules

{calling all connor fans!}

If you are a fan of Connor's, please take a quick second to vote for him here for Gerber's Photo Search 2013.  He greatly appreciates it and gives everyone LOVE & KISSES.  You may need a Facebook to vote.  You can find him by the Entry ID of 35630 if the link doesn't directly take you to him.  I'm sure you have better things to do everyday, but Gerber is allowing people to vote once a day until December 1st, 2013.  If you think of him, feel free to vote for him again!

Thank you so, so, so, so much!  

xo, jules

{local library}

Have you looked into your local library to see what activities they offer?  I had never thought of doing so until recently when I decided to take Connor on his first trip.  The library near our house offers story time, games & movie night, shows (i.e. magic shows), arts & craft, music... and it's all FREE!  Amazing!  If you haven't already, I encourage you to!

Connor sure loves the library.  He pulls books off the shelf left and right, carries them to the toddler chair, pulls the chair out, climbs on top, and sits his bottom down.  Oh, he sits there for, say 5 seconds, and then hops right off to collect more books.  I could sit there and watch him all day.  :)

{snapshots}

{by far the cutest photo of Connor and his cousin, Juliana.  can you tell already that they are going to be best pals?}

{hosting dinner parties is a thing i enjoy doing.  making things beautiful is something i love doing.}

{all bundled up during yesterday's gusty winds!  he loved playing in the large pile of autumn leaves!}

{going for the bright pouts and plum pouts this fall/winter.  this here is NYX Plush Red lipliner, Lime Crime Red Velvet, Lime Crime Retrofuturist.}

{mr. man in deep thought at the park.}

{pm skincare: current routine}

To give you a background on my skin type, I have super sensitive oily acne prone skin with hyperpigmentation in problematic areas.  Yeah, it sucks.  As a young adult, I always thought acne was a teenage stage.  WRONG.  NEGATIVE.  Until the day I face menopause, I don't think I'll see the end of these nuisances.  Anyways, some products I'm attracted to are products that brighten the skin, products that anti-age/restore the skin, and products that are gentle on the skin.  I like using my Sephora points towards free skincare samples to see what works well with my skin without shelling out money and regretting it later.  Some good size samples I was able to try were Algenist and Ole Henriksen.  I loved every product in the Ole Henriksen sample.  It came with Eye Cream, Vitamin C Serum, Vitamin C Night Cream, and Make Up Remover Wipes.  I feel their products really improved the appearance of my skin, giving it a nice healthy youthful glow - even my husband randomly commented, "wow, your skin looks really nice" - and this was without make up!  *gasp*  I ran out of their night cream and Vit C Serum and I just can't seem to justify spending that much to buy the full size products.  I know there are comparable products out there that work just as well so let me know if any come to mind!  Don't hoard great intel!  I found some good reviews on Amazon on OZ Natural Vit C Serum which I just started using today.  I'll let you know how well it works in a few weeks!  Below are the current products I'm using for my PM skincare routine.  The Boots Clay Mask is used once every 1-2 weeks, everything else is nightly.  Are there any good skincare products you'd recommend!  

Thanks!

xo, jules

1. Olay Foaming Face Wash Sensitive Skin

2. Algenist Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer (I have the wrong one pictured) 

3. Boots Botanics Conditioning Clay Mask

4. OZ Naturals Vitamin C Serum + E + Hyaluronic Acid

5. Ole Henriksen Ultimate Life Eye Gel PM

6. Clarisonic Mia (I use the sensitive brush head)

7. EOS Organic Lip Balm

{maybe next year}

This year was Connor's first time to the pumpkin patch - we were very tired, sleep-deprived parents last year to take him.  I know, so mean of us.  Well, Connor had a good time at the patch and did his little heart wish he could go on the big kid rides!  Maybe next year, Connor boy, you will be old enough.  It was a hot, hot Autumn day here in California of 85 degrees!  Scorcha!  We were only able to enjoy the pumpkins and two rides for a little bit before we ran for some shade under a tent and played there for the remainder of the time.  Good thing the patch isn't too far from our home so we can use the rest of the ride tickets we never got to.

Have you visited the pumpkin patch yet??

{one}

Our little boy turned one in August and gosh has the time surely flown by way too quick.  It has been quite the adventurous year.  He was born a quiet happy baby.  Got his first pair of teeth at 4 months.  Loved every food introduced to him (and still LOVES all foods... food in general he loves... the apple does not fall far from the tree).  Crawled at 8 months.  Walked at 10 months.  And now, he has become a spunky happy (and, I won't lie, tantrum-ous) active toddler.  So spunky and active that he tires this hyper mama out.  And we love this boy the way he is.  We love him oh-so-much that his Daddy and I have a hard time imagining what it would be like to love another child.  Don't get us wrong, we have plans to add to this little family of ours but for now we are enjoying this little boy.  Continue reading to see the details of how we celebrated a great first year; his birthday party!

{we went with a Nautical theme.  in love with envelop liners and how they give a personalize pop.}

{Connor at every month & the sweets table}

{an amazingly talented local home baker made this gorgeous cake right out of her house kitchen.  i love supporting small businesses and will be ordering future cakes from her.}

{a close-up of her great work}

{blue jello as water, orange slices + paper sail as boats, and of course blue dotted wooden spoons taped on w. gold dotted washi tape.  oh, the details!}

{powdered donuts, gummy rings, and mint lifesavers as life savers} 

{red vines as sailor's ropes}

{gummy worms as live bait!}

{gold fish crackers + swedish fish as the catch of the day!}

{rice crispy treats as starfishes.  i used a star cookie cutter & added eyeballs with royal icing.}

{this was some-what of a disaster.  i thought i could cut a corner by using pillsbury's pre-made sugar cookie dough.  major fail.  the cookies didn't hold it's shape and expanded to an unrecognizable blobs.  next time i'll stick with making the dough from scratch.}

{chevron stripped goody bags + labels that say "thanks for sailing by" + lifesavers hanging from twine. paper boats. nautical bunting flag. an adorable photo of Connor.}

{more paper boats & more adorable Connor.  this photo totally depicts his happy demeanor.}

{smash cake!!}

{he pushed the cake away and cried.  totally not what we were expecting.}

{1 year smash cake photo shoot}

{the end}

Professional Photos: Photographed by the talented Shawnee.