Amberlee, Author at Starfocal

iPad Mini Giveaway!!! Closed

November 23, 2012 By Amberlee Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again, time to enter all the giveaways you can in hopes of winning the perfect gift! One of the most popular gifts you can give is an iPad, so here is your chance to win one! Good luck to all you Star Focal Fans and be sure to let us know if one of you wins!

iPad Mini Giveaway Event

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The iPad Mini has a beautiful display, powerful A5 chip, FaceTime HD camera, iSight camera with 1080p HD video recording, ultrafast wireless, and over 275,000 apps ready to download from the App Store. The iPad mini is an iPad in every way, shape, and slightly smaller form. Easy for on the go with that same great Apple power punch!

One lucky reader will receive a iPad Mini {white}!

Giveaway ends December 5th at 11:59pm, open worldwide {residents outside of the US will receive cash equivalent of $329}, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

Special thank you to our lovely co-hosts: Mommy Bear Media, Red Barn Boutique, My Vegan Gluten Free Life, What’s Up – Giveaways, Contests, Promos and Deals, The Coup Diva, PR Mom Ambassador, Chant3llo’s Blog, The View From 510, The World of ContestPatti, Just Davey & Me, The Flower Hazard, Sanity is for those without children and Creative Theme Wedding Ideas.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Star Focal is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

Filed Under: Giveaway, home, shared giveaway

Candle Warmers Review

November 21, 2012 By Amberlee Leave a Comment

Nothing reminds me of Winter more than a great smelling candle! I hate dealing with lighting all the candles in the house and with the girls constantly trying to play with them. This next company lets you have the best of both worlds!

About Candle Warmers, Etc.

Founded in 2001, the idea was conceived that a different method should be used for releasing fragrance from a candle and Candle Warmers, Etc. was born. Today Candle Warmers Etc. is the market leader and innovator in the candle warmer category. Recently ranked by Inc. 500 as the 57^th fastest growing consumer product’s company in the United States (2007) and the 11th fastest growing company in Utah by Mountain West Capital Network (2007), Candle Warmers, Etc. develops, manufactures, and distributes patented candle warming appliances and other related giftware appliances and accessories to accent and fragrance the home. Candle Warmers Etc. also domestically manufactures and distributes candles under the “Jamie Clair” brand of hand-poured, scented candles bringing both wicked and wickless candle options to discerning customers.

Candle Warmers, Etc. commitment to enhancing the home with affordable and safe candle warmer appliances and accessories has contributed to its success with several varied product lines. Among the Candle Warmers, Etc. product categories are: traditional plate candle warmers, candle warmer lamps and lanterns, the Jamie Clair line of wicked/wickless candles, candle warmer lamp accessories.

What I think:

I loved that you can have your candle without all the problems. They have so many different options that it is unbelievable. They have actual warmer lamps like above, or wax warmers. They have come up with a lot of unique ways to get the scent from the candles you love without the flames.

They also offer candles and wax melts from Jamie Clair which smell absolutely amazing! When I first heard about this product I thought that I would lose some of the scent, but I swear the candles actually smelled better when warmed.

You can find these and other great Candle Warmer products on their website here.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Radio Flyer Black Friday Deals, and 25 days of Giveaways!!! Closed

November 19, 2012 By Amberlee Leave a Comment

So we’re all looking for the best deals for kids toys, and Radio Flyer has them! To make things even better they are also giving away a toy a day starting on Black Friday for 25 days on their website! That’s a total of 25 toys! I know what page I’m going to be bookmarking! So how do you enter? Visit www.radioflyer.com and click on the ‘25 Days of Holiday Giveaways’ section of our home page to register and your name will be automatically entered into the drawing every day from the day you enter, until the contest ends. How easy is that? I hope that one of us wins!

Now onto the Black Friday deals. This year Radio Flyer is offering 40% off of select toys while supplies last. Here are some of those toys!

#740 Bumper Car : This award-winning, furniture-friendly ride-on is safe on walls and furniture. B umping action triggers 7 fun sounds; for ages 1-3.

# 73 Inchworm : Classic toy encourages play via bounce-and-go motion; for ages 2-5.

#312B Push, Pull & Ride : Converts from a push walker to a ride-on, to a pull wagon in just seconds; for ages 1.5 to 3 years.

#34TP Classic Tricycle w/ push handle (pink) : Removable push handle; for ages 2-4.

#442 2-in-1 Trike : Two trikes in one: twists from trike to chopper; for ages 2-7.

I know of a couple of these that my daughter would be obsessed with!

That still not good enough? Well they will also be having a MAJOR Cyber Monday sale. You can get 50% off of some products, but here’s the catch: The sales will only be valid for 2 hours!

Here is the schedule:

8 am -10 am CST Trike 50% off
10 am – 12 pm CST Wagon 50% off
12 pm -2 pm CST Scooter 50% off
2 pm – 4 pm CST Build-A-Wagon Bonus
4 pm – 6 pm CST Ride-on 50% off

Make sure to visit their website here to get all these great deals and so much more! Let us know in the comments what toy you want for your kids this Christmas!

Happy Holidays!

Filed Under: fun, kids, shared giveaway, toys

e.l.f. Studio Endless Eyes Pro Eyeshadow Palette Review, Swatches, and Looks!

November 19, 2012 By Amberlee 9 Comments

I have recently discovered e.l.f. or eyes lips face, and have fallen in love. e.l.f. is a very inexpensive brand that actually has some really great products. On my latest shopping adventure I found their e.l.f. Studio Endless Eyes Pro Eyeshadow Palette 100 Piece Marble Eyeshadow.

Product Description From eyeslipsface.com

“Become your own makeup artist with our amazing Professional Eyeshadow Palette from the luxurious Studio line of cosmetics. In this complete Makeup Artist Eyeshadow Set, you’ll find everything to go from dark & smoky eyes to fresh & bright, to totally funky looks, thanks to the 100 eyeshadow colors in every set.

Create the look that reflects your personal style from our 100-Piece Palette, formulated & tested by our professional team of makeup artists. Discover instantly beautiful, healthy-looking eyes for the makeup lover in you!

Our convenient, Professional Eye Makeup Palette comes packaged in a sleek design perfect for home, travel or on-the-go beauty touch-ups. And everyone loves the price. The complete 100 Studio Eyeshadow Palette is offered, for a limited time, at only $10 – half off the regular prize and a fraction of its value of over $100!”

I wanted to expand my eyeshadow collection and this was the perfect piece to add. At only $10 I just couldn’t pass it up. All the colors are truly beautiful.

I really love that there is such a variety in both colors and shadow types. This palette not only has matte and shimmery shades but also includes a couple marbled shades as well. While some shadows are more pigmented than others, I wouldn’t necessarily say that’s a bad thing. I love that I can use this palette for any occasion. I can use the lighter, not so pigmented colors when I’m out during the day. Or I can use the darker shades while I’m out at night. It is so much fun to just play around with the colors, and for $10 you really get your monies worth of product.

Above are some of my favorites from the palette. To get the colors to really pop I used the primer included in the e.l.f. Studio Eye Primer and Liner Sealer ($3). I love this primer because it is a natural color and it really works great!

I love that the front of the case is clear so that I can see the colors while it is closed, it also has a built in mirror and includes two double ended eyeshadow applicators. While I would rather use brushes than the included applicators, it is nice to know that they are there to use when I need them. I tend to have a hard time opening the case, which is actually good for me because it means that my two year old also can’t get into it. I think that if the top was removable or if you could fold it all the way back it would make it easier to hold. I have dropped this palette many times since I purchased it and I am proud to say that nothing has broken and all the shadows are in tact.

I highly recommend this product! My only suggestion would be to also pick up primer as the shadows aren’t as bright on their own. If you are looking for an inexpensive give to give this year this would be great for anyone. So will I buy it again? Obviously I won’t need another one anytime soon, but because of this palette I will definitely be buying some of their smaller palettes to carry around with me. If anything happens to this one I will definitely be buying another.

So what have I been doing with my palette? Check out some of the looks I created below, and stay tuned for more!

You can find this palette, and many other great e.l.f. products on their website here, or at your local Target.

**Disclaimer** I bought these products with my own money. I was in no way paid, or obligated to give a positive review, or a review at all for this company. If you would like to read my full disclaimer for reviews you can find it here.

Filed Under: beauty, makeup, women

Upcoming iPad Mini Giveaway!! BLOGGERS WANTED

November 16, 2012 By Amberlee Leave a Comment

Looking for a great Christmas gift that you don’t have to pay for? Keep an eye out for this giveaway, coming soon!

iPad Mini Holiday Event

Hosted by Mom to Bed by 8

Prizes: iPad Mini

Event dates: 11/21 – 12/5

Free Blog Event! Sign-up here, BLOGGERS WANTED

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Pickawall and The Girls of the Nexus $100 Visa Card Giveaway!! Closed

November 5, 2012 By Amberlee 4 Comments

Who doesn’t need an extra $100 for the holidays? Maybe you would buy makeup, groceries, holiday gifts, or even put it toward your own awesome Pickawall wall mural!

Pickawall and The Girls of the Nexus have come together to bring you a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!!! Keep reading and enter the form for your chance!!

Pickawall is a customizable removable wallpaper! It has a special self adhesive backing that allows your image to be removed and re-applied several times! Best of all Pick-a-wall requires no prep, no glue, and no mess!

Pickawall has a huge photo library so you can really capture any mood. Never been to a tropical island? No problem you can just turn your whole room into a tropical island with a Pickawall mural! You can even use your own high-res image to have a custom wallpaper made!

So now that you know a little about Pickawalls cool options be sure to cruise by their site at http://pickawall.com/ for even more details!

And now for your chance to win a $100 Visa gift card from Pickawall and The Girls of the Nexus!

Entry is simple!

Just like all of the Facebook pages and follow the Twitter links in the form below and you’re entered! The more you share the more likely your chances to win so be sure to come back often!

All entries are mandatory and will be verified.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Giveaway, home, shared giveaway

Grow your lashes with Lashem

October 26, 2012 By Amberlee Leave a Comment

I am still not sure why, but after having my first daughter I lost all of my eyelashes. No matter how hard I tried I could not get them to grow back to their natural length. After months and months of trying I decided to take action and try some lash growing products!

I was able to score some products from Lashem, which are products to help grow your lashes and the overall quality of your lashes. Keep in mind, this is not a miracle products and it does not give you miracle results but I did see a growth in my lashes and it has helped make my lashes stronger so they are not always falling out.

First let me tell you about their Measurable Difference Lash Gel. I have tried some similar products before but the application for those products were not user friendly. I love that this product comes in a mascara like tube and I love the applicator brush! It is the perfect size for easy application onto the edge of your eyelids!

The first couple of nights that I used this product caused my eyes to be a little itchy, but after doing a little more searching I realized that it was not the product itself that was causing my eyes to itch but that my lashes were growing back and trying to break back through the skin. I was very excited but still pretty nervous that they would not stay put. After hearing some horror stories from my friends I was afraid that my lashes would be gone forever! I could not imagine being without my lashes for any longer!

After religiously applying this product for quite some time I can proudly say that my lashes are on their way to recovery! They have not gained their full luster back, but at least it’s a start. I believe that if I keep using this product they will be back to normal soon!

I was also sent their Double Trouble Mascara. This Mascara has two different brush heads to help spread your lashes as well as to give them that volume that everyone craves!

volumizingmascaraopen

I was very impressed that this mascara helped make my lashes look like they had grown. Here is some pictures of my lashes after using Lashem Products

Before applying Lashem Mascara

After

If you have any issues with your lashes, I highly suggest checking out Lashem and their products here. They have helped me and I am sure they will help you to!

**Disclaimer** I was in no way paid, or obligated to give a positive review, or a review at all for this company. If you would like to read my full disclaimer for reviews you can find it here .

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Diamond Candle Review and Giveaway! Closed

October 26, 2012 By Amberlee 4 Comments

When I was younger I used to make candles. I loved all the smells and colors, and it was just plain fun. Over the years I have really learned to enjoy a good candle, there are way too many candle companies that just don’t cut it. This company does more than just making a good smelling candle!

So what is so great about a Diamond Candle? Well the answer is in the name! Each Diamond Candle has a ring wrapped in foil hidden inside. Diamond Candles are made with high quality scents and all natural Soy Wax. They have so many wonderful scents that it is truly hard to choose just one. I received “Enchanted Forest” to review for you.

Enchanted Forest is a candle explained as: “Upon lighting this candle, you will enter the enchanted forest – whisked away into a magical land. Exhilarating scents will touch your face: Cinnamon, some nutty acorns, fragrance of the forest, and a light touch of wild fruit bearing trees along the way. While on this journey, you may see a some creative creatures along the way. One thing is certain about the enchanted forest: A surprise is hidden within.” To me this candle smells like pumpkin spice mixed with a forest scent. I was very surprised at how well the scents mixed.

Since I used to make candles I know what will make my idea of a great candle. One of the first things I notice is the scent. I love Powerful candles! I will only buy a candle if I know that it will actually make my house smell. I also make sure to smell the candle for a while to make sure it’s not a candle that will give me a headache as certain scents will give me the worst migraine ever! I like to be able to light a candle for about an hour and still be able to smell it after I blow it out. I like to make my candles last as long as possible because I love high quality candles which usually come with a pretty high quality price. Luckily for all of us Diamond Candles are a great price for their quality ($24.95).

Another thing I look at before I buy a candle is the wick. I like candles that have an extra thick wax-coated wick because I love to be able to see a big flame and make sure that all of the wax is being used. In my personal opinion a thicker wick helps the candle last longer especially if its coated. As you can see in the pictures below, Diamond Candles have a thick candle wick and a really nice flame.

The only issue I had with my candle was that it took a long time to burn. The worst part is having to sit there and wait for the candle to burn to get my ring out of it. I compared it to the saying “How many licks does it take to get to the center of the Tootsie Pop?” and how in the commercial the owl always just takes a bite. In this case it would be how long does it take to get to get the the ring in a Diamond Candle. Sadly I cannot answer this question because just like the owl that caved into biting the Tootsie Pop, I couldn’t wait for this candle to burn and I ended up digging out my ring after about an hour of it burning.

My ring was way too big and not a color I would have chosen, but it was so much fun that I will definitely be buying more of these candles again very soon. I might even invest in some for Christmas presents. You can find this and many other awesome candles on their website here.

Okay, now for the part most of you have been waiting for! Enter to win your own Enchanted Forest Diamond Candle in our giveaway below! Make sure you don’t miss our great giveaways by subscribing to Star Focal’s Newsletter by entering your email in the box in the top right of the page! Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**Disclaimer** I was in no way paid, or obligated to give a positive review, or a review at all for this company. If you would like to read my full disclaimer for reviews you can find it here.

Filed Under: Giveaway, home

Warmly Yours Under Desk Heater Review

October 24, 2012 By Amberlee Leave a Comment

I hate sitting at the desk when its cold outside. My feet always get too cold and its difficult to keep them warm. Warmly Yours has come up with a great solution for cold feet at the desk, a under desk heater!

Warmly Yours is a really great company that offers some really great heating products. They have a heater for just about anything you can think of! When looking through their website I found a copy of their core values that I would love to share with you:

“Here at WarmlyYours, we believe that the word, “radiant,” goes far beyond our heating products, it resonates in our company culture and to the very depths of who we are. We believe that “radiant” is a way of life – a definition of our living brand. To us, our brand is not simply a logo or a product, but it’s our reality.
When we say, BE RADIANT at WarmlyYours, it’s not just a thought or a suggestion – but rather, we take it as a commandment, a charge, a deeper calling to be our best selves, while positively encouraging our peers to be the same.
So, what does it mean to BE RADIANT as a WarmlyYours employee? To BE RADIANT means to let your inspiration drive you to take projects to the next level; to achieve excellence through our “blood, sweat, and tears;” to create a full radiant experience for the customer; to go above and beyond for each other and for our customers; to seek to professionally and personally improve each other and ourselves; to be compelled and propelled by new ideas and innovations.”

I thought that this really makes the company stand out from some others. I love that they work so hard to bring us the best products they can. And their products look really great!

Now back to the Under Desk Heater. I love that it can fit easily under my desk, and keeps my feet warm. It is a pretty Merlot color that looks great with just about everything, and it is extremely soft and cozy. I love that I can kick off my shoes and still be able to keep my feet warm.

The only issue that we had with the heater was when my husband decided that it would be great for our dog to lay on. He ended up leaving it on for at least 2 days and it ended up burning the sheet. Luckily we caught it in time before anything else happened and both the sheet and the heater are fine. Just don’t leave it on for more than a couple hours.

I would recommend this product to anyone that works in an office that just gets a little too cold. It really does help beat that winter chill. You can find this and other artfully crafted products on their website here.

**Disclaimer** I was in no way paid, or obligated to give a positive review, or a review at all for this company. If you would like to read my full disclaimer for reviews you can find it here.

Filed Under: home

Kisspat Hair Color Chalk Review

October 23, 2012 By Amberlee Leave a Comment

I love having colors in my hair, but sometimes I don’t want to keep that certain color permanently. For this Halloween I wanted to be able to share my love of hair color with my daughters but obviously cannot justify dying a toddlers hair pink. Of course you could use the colored hair sprays or gel but they never stay in very long and for most of us do not get very bright either. So you end up spending a decent amount of money on products that you will only use once that don’t even work in the first place.

One of the latest trends has been Hair Chalk. Hair Chalk is very similar to pastels but is for hair. It stays in your hair for a long time, and will wash out easily with soap and water. I love how many different color options there are. To color your hair you can either dampen your hair or the chalk itself and apply it to your hair. The only issue that I have come across is that not only does it color your hair but it also colors your hands and depending on what area of your hair you are coloring it can color your clothes as well. I would not recommend color chalk to someone that wants to color their entire head of hair on a daily basis, but for someone that wants to color parts of their hair on special occasions this product is perfect.

The ends of my hair are a faded shade of pink. I decided to try out the chalk by using the black to color my hair somewhat the same color as my natural hair. It covered the pink great! It did leave my hair a little stiff, but no more than hairspray and with the bright color I couldn’t complain. Not only did I try this product on myself, but I also had my best friend and my daughter use it. I was very surprised that the color not only worked on my daughters blonde hair but also my friends brown hair.

I love that Kisspat comes with so many colors. You can choose just one color, or you can do a whole rainbow of colors. Your hair definitely will not be boring when you are using these colors! I definitely think that every girl should have color chalk. You never know when you’re going to want to spice things up!

Before and After (colors used: purple, red, dark blue)

You can find this and other great Kisspat products on their website here.

**Disclaimer** I was in no way paid, or obligated to give a positive review, or a review at all for this company. If you would like to read my full disclaimer for reviews you can find it here.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Filed Under: beauty, hair