Halloween Makeup

As today is Halloween, I thought I'd show you a cool makeup look I found and tried out for myself. It's an eye look inspired by Harley Quinn, which I know is a popular costume this year with the release of Suicide Squad.

So, I found this youtube video tutorial: Harley Quinn Halloween Makeup Tutorial and her look is based off a picture she saw on Instagram: Kiki Makeup

I am not a makeup artist at all, but I was able to recreate this look pretty easily. I did try to do it on the cheap though. Following the video tutorial, I tried to mix some $1 white Halloween "makeup" with my usual foundation and it didn't work very well. I think the costume makeup is meant to be caked on, instead of brushed (or sponged) on like regular makeup. I did find the white makeup she used in the tutorial, but it's $38: MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation. Not cheap and I don't know when I'd ever wear it again. If you have a local place that sells MAC, you may be able to get a small sample of the product for free. Otherwise, I would just go with your normal foundation. This isn't based on an actual Harley, so you get some creative freedom.

Next, I used a black liquid eyeliner I already had to draw the line down the middle. The eye shadow I used, I picked up pretty cheap at Target for less than $7: NYX Femme Fatal. It had both the red and black that I needed. If you watch the tutorial, she also used a purple and some other reds, but I found that you couldn't even see the purple when I brushed it on, and this red was very buildable, so you can get different hues by using more or less product. This NYX pallet is really all you need. I will warn you though, the black is very pigmented, so go very very easy on it. I felt like I had barely any on my brush and it did almost the whole eye look. (You can also see my disastrous "white" makeup.)



I used the same red eye shadow for the eyebrow. And honestly, I have no red lipstick. I don't usually even wear lipstick, so using a flat brush, I patted the same red eye shadow on my lips. I did do a splurge and bought a sheer black lipstick from Ulta for $24 (ouch!). It looked really good over the red powder. I did not, however, draw the Joker-ish smile on, and I did not use fake eyelashes as I was keeping the cost down and I never worn them before and didn't want to start now.

Overall, pretty easy look to recreate and it looks really cool when you're done. Pair with a "Daddy's Lil Monster" shirt and you're all set!

Following Other's Advice (My Labor Story)

***Slightly Graphic Post Ahead***

My Pinterest is filled with all manner of pregnancy and baby-related pins that I might like. Pinterest labels them "Picked For You". Recently, this particular pin popped up as something I might be interested in and it worried me. See, the whole basis of this person's post is that you can recognize the different stages of labor. And I don't think most people can. I went through childbirth classes where we went over the different stages and how you would know what they were and what happened in each stage. We even had different breath exercises that would supposedly work best in each stage. Now having gone through childbirth, I can say that none of that was in my mind while in labor and I wouldn't know the stages even if someone had told me at that moment which stage I was in currently.

Now, I know my labor story is not yours. Everyone goes through something different. I also recognize that laboring at home can be less stressful; you can eat, you can move around. But, sometimes things can move quickly and that's what worries me about people urging others to labor at home as long as possible.

My water broke around 4pm. I didn't know that's what it was though. I was 36 weeks and 2 days pregnant with twins. I had been to the doctor that morning for my weekly bio-physical profile, non-stress test, and exam. Nothing had changed. The doctor seemed to think the babies would stay put at least another week. I had been one cm dilated and almost fully effaced for weeks now and I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions for about ten weeks. After my appointments, I met my husband for lunch, gave him the (non) update and went home to lay down. So, I was laying down in bed resting after my morning of tests and when I sat up, I felt a flow of liquid escape, not unlike if I was on a heavy period day. My first thought was I was bleeding and quickly checked, but it was clear. Now, I know what you're thinking. How could I not know it was my water breaking? Well, lots of disgusting and horrible things happen to your body while pregnant and I hadn't had my "bloody show" yet, so I thought about it and then rejected the idea, but it kept coming back. After all, in childbirth class they said that very few labors actually started with your water breaking. They made fun of the TV shows and movies that depicted labor happening that way. I texted a nurse friend and she told me to go to the hospital if I thought my water had broke. So, I called my husband and while he was on his way home I took a shower and finished packing my hospital bags. I foolishly packed not only a book, but a movie as well. See, I had read all the articles and knew that labor is a long process. I was in no hurry to get to the hospital. I had heard all the stories about false labor and getting sent home from the hospital to wait. Even when we checked into labor and delivery and I told them I thought my water had broke, they seemed very laid back about the whole thing. It was right about 5pm. As I changed into my hospital gown and fluid continued to run down my legs, the nurse seemed to think she wasn't going to find anything. But as soon as she lifted the sheet, it was obvious and my fears were confirmed. Baby A's water had broke and I was officially in labor. Huh? These were the same contractions I had been having for ten weeks. I was at the doctor that very morning. There were no immediate warning signs. Not only that but I was three cm dilated. They wheeled me into a labor room and less than an hour later I was at 4 cm. And then even with the stress of the hospital and the flurry of activity as my doctor was called, and the staff readied for twins, even with the epidural, both things I was told would stall labor, all of a sudden I was at nine cm. Within the space of a few hours from checking in, I was being prepped to push.

As with all unsolicited (and solicited) advice, including my own, please take it "with a grain of salt". Obviously some people choose to not only labor, but also deliver at home, but I'm talking to the people who want to and know they will be delivering in a hospital. I know if I had waited any longer to go to the hospital, I would've regretted it. There are good reasons to labor at home, but there are good reasons to labor in the hospital too. We are fortunate to live about 15 minutes away from the hospital and they have a policy that they'll administer epidurals right up until it's time to push. But, if we lived further away, if there was traffic, if you got there too late for the pain medication, then it might make for a good story, but it's terrifying enough going through labor, especially the first time, why add to it?

Worth A Mentions (WAMs)

I'm cheating a bit this week as me and the kids are sick again. So, here is a quick list of WAMs (Worth A Mentions), otherwise known as things I'm excited about right now:
     - Now that the twins are over six months old, they can have Motrin. This is exciting because 1: it lasts longer than Tylenol, and 2: it comes in a dye-free formula. No more red stained burp cloths!
     - Last time I was visiting my parents (sans children, even), my mom introduced me to a show "Call the Midwife". Since we don't have cable, I was excited to see the first season is streaming on Netflix. I'm hoping to watch it soon.
     - Speaking of Netflix, I'm excited for the Gilmore Girls reunion, but I somehow don't think I'll have time to re-watch all seven seasons before it premieres. Side note: if you like fast-talking, I highly recommend "His Girl Friday". It's a Cary Grant classic.
     - There is a basket in the "dollar" section of Target that I'm regretting not getting. Since I saw it (and decided I didn't need it), I thought of an awesome craft to do for Christmas. I just hope they still have them when I go back. I've been getting almost all my craft supplies from this section in Target, or from the dollar store lately. I miss the true craft stores, but this makes my hobby so much more affordable.

Twin Tips: Freebies

It turns out, when you have multiple children all at once, people want to help. And not just your Great-Aunt Trudy, either. There are companies that will send you free stuff if you’re willing to carry and birth multiple children at once. In all honesty, they’re probably just trying to sell you on their brand for life (or for as long as you need diapers or whatever they’re marketing).

So, I gave up my precious personal time while the children were napping and made some phone calls and sent some letters. Here is what I found.

Gerber

I called 1-800-284-9488 and asked to sign-up for their multiples program. I received about a half dozen coupons for formula and baby food.

Beechnut

I went on their website (beechnut.com) and emailed them asking to sign up for their multiples program. They sent me a dozen coupons for their products.

Pampers

Send name, address, and copies of birth certificates to:

Pampers Multiple Birth Offer

The Procter and Gamble Company

PO Box 599

Cincinnati OH 45201

I received about a half dozen coupons for diapers. You can also sign-up on their website (they also have an app) for their Pampers Rewards program. We go through a bunch of diapers and each package has a code I enter. You can redeem points for Shutterfly paraphernalia, or more diapers.

TOMY/First Years

Send name, address, and copies of birth certificates to:

TOMY

Attn: Multiples Birth Program

2021 9^th St SE

Dyersville IA 52040

I received two packs of Take and Toss sippy cups and two penguin squeak toys.

Earth’s Best Baby Foods

I called 1-800-434-4246, but they were out of food coupons and did not know when they would be getting more.

Happy Family

I went on their website (happyfamilybrands.com) and emailed them asking if they had a multiples program. I got a prompt response saying that they did not have a formal program, but if I gave them my mailing address they would send me some coupons. I did, and they did. I received a few coupons for their products.

Another one worth mentioning is Similac and Enfamil. I know at the hospital they put little miss on Enfamil and sent us home with a nice supply of ready to feed bottles and some sample sizes of powder. We ultimately went with Similac because the NICU put little man on that brand and we figured his transition home should be as seamless as possible. Also, the Enfamil stuff seemed to stain clothes more, but mostly that first reason. In any case, I signed up online with the Similac Strong Moms program and they continually send me $5 off coupons. I know Enfamil has a similar program too.

What I learned is that you can pick your favorite brands, get in touch with them and ask about a multiples program. Even if they don’t have one, a lot of times they’re willing to send you some coupons. And let’s face it, these slacker children of mine won’t be paying for their own stuff for a while, so we’ll take the help.

Sizing Up

Some of you may have seen a facebook post I did a while ago about the difference in size of some outfits I bought from Carter's. These were one-piece pajamas that came as a set of two. After washing, one of them had shrunk so there was now a two inch difference in length. I did contact Carter's about it and after shipping the pajamas back to them (with a prepaid shipping label they emailed me), they sent me a gift card back for the purchase price (they did also offer to refund the money back, but I opted for the gift card). The person I spoke with in consumer affairs said that they would show this discrepancy to their quality department.


Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence among children's clothes, or at least the clothes I buy. It seems to be an overall problem with quality control, as it is not just limited to sizing issues. I have also noticed that baby clothes tend to pill and become very "worn" looking even though all babies do all day is just lay there. Case in point, here is a sock that has been washed (on delicate!) twice. My babies do not even crawl yet, so there is absolutely no wear going on during usage. I find this extremely disappointing. And yes, this is a Carter's sock. I'm not picking on them, I just tend to buy a fair amount of baby clothes from them. (Why, you ask, since I have such issues with their products? It's the demon you/I know. So, if I know their problems, then I can account for it.)


Frustrated with Carter's, I started buying some clothes from Gymboree, even though their sizing is weird to me (6-12mo, 12-18mo, vs. 6mo, 9mo, 12mo, etc.). Sadly, I ran into the same problem again. Here are two one-piece pajamas bought separately that are labeled the same size, but have over two inches difference in length. I know the one on the right looks like shirt and pants, but it's sown as one piece. I actually bought several of both kinds and they all have different lengths.


Expecting the "major" brands to be more consistent in their sizing, I was pleasantly surprised when I found Little Me pajamas at Costco the other day. These were selling for about $8 per piece, which is the same price I usually pay during a Carter's sale. The first picture is three different 12 month size pajamas and the second picture is three different 18 month pajamas. I didn't even have to get out a tape measure for these ones. This consistency is what I naively expected from clothing manufacturers in the first place.

Now, I know there exists all kinds of horrible inconsistencies within women's clothing. I have a range of clothes in my closet from size small to size large that all fit me about the same. When I buy jeans from a store, I usually take five pairs "in my size" into the fitting room to find the one that is cut best. One time I ordered two pairs of Silver jeans from Buckle online. I thought I was safe since Silver sizes their jeans much like men's pants, with both a waist and length measurement. When they came though, one was several inches longer. Thankfully Buckle altered the long pair for free, although it might have been faster to do a return and order a new pair. Of course, who knows how big or small the new pair would've turned out.

But, with children's clothes, and especially baby clothes, where an inch or two means another month or more of growing, I find it so irritating that the companies don't seem to control the quality of the products being sold.

In closing, I leave you with this final picture. On the left is a 12 month pajama, and on the right is a 9 month pajama. So, yes there is supposed to be a size difference, and yes, the 9 month one has been washed (on delicate!) a few times, but does Carter's truly expect my son to grow six inches in just three months? That's going to be one heck of a growth spurt!