✿ APRILATHENA7✿

How to Make Your Man Propose (Parody)

2013-03-09T21:22:00.001-08:00

Happy weekend!

Here's a new comedy video my husband Justin and I filmed last weekend. Hope you enjoy!

How to make your man propose:

New Drugstore Makeup Swatches, Haul & Review!

2013-02-28T08:06:00.002-08:00

I purchased some new drugstore makeup and have swatches and reviews on my YouTube channel! I also share a terrible product everyone should avoid at the drugstore:

What new drugstore products do you recommend?

Pasta Fagioli Recipe

2013-02-28T07:57:00.000-08:00

This is a delicious soup to enjoy with bread and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, pasta fagioli! :D

DIY FLOWER PENS

2013-02-22T11:34:00.001-08:00

Hi friends! I'm uploading every Friday! :D

Here is a new DIY flower pen! Perfect decor for your room, office and gift idea!

I hope you like!

Join me on PINTEREST!

I love drugstore makeup tag!

2013-02-13T11:13:00.002-08:00

I love drugstore makeup! Here are my favorites!

Would love for you to join the tag too!

Here are the I love drugstore makeup tag questions:

1. What is your favorite drugstore makeup brand overall?

2. What are your favorite face, cheek and lip products?

3. Least favorite product?

4. What is the best makeup bargain?

5. What is your favorite underdog product? (Something you love that often gets overlooked?)

6. A drugstore product that is overpriced?

7. Show your best drugstore dupe(s)!!

8. Drugstore product that isn't worth the hype?

Some of my drugstore favorites:

Amazon.com Widgets

Valentine's Day Cookies & 10 Outfit Ideas for Valentine's Day

2013-02-12T10:56:00.002-08:00

Home made gifts are always the BEST!

Here's an easy Valentine's Day cookie recipe on this episode of Tasty Tuesday on my COOKwithAPRIL channel!

If you prefer candy I have an easy DIY chocolate caramel video too!

Don't know what to wear for Valentine's Day? I have 10 outfit ideas!

Hopefully one will spark an idea!

Hope you have the happiest Valentine's Day ever! :D

Cute workout clothes: ELLIE

2013-02-06T12:07:00.004-08:00

Ellie is a new site that sells high quality workout clothing and they are sooo cuute! I want them all! You can purchase the workout gear seperately but they also have a Fit Fashionista Club membership where you can select a top and bottom for only $49.95 which includes free shipping and that's a deal because some of the bottoms sold separately are close to $60 and tops are $30-$50!

Here are some of the cute workout clothes they have:

Honestly if I had this Ellie outfit I'd probably want to workout more

just to wear this cute little outfit. LOL!

Looking through the Ellie workout tops I love all of these!

Hot pink with back design

Pink racerback tank

White open workout tank

My favorite workout bottoms are black leggings or yoga pants.

These look comfortable!

The Fit Fashionista Club

Includes the following:

*Any 2 pieces from the Ellie site for only $49.95

*Free shipping and free return shipping too!

*Priority Access: You get to reserve pieces before they are released to the public!

Exclusive events: First to learn about flash sales, limited edition, and exclusives!

You can cancel anytime!

Join here!!!

Huge Makeup Giveaway & White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

2013-02-05T19:25:00.000-08:00

Happy Tasty Tuesday!

On my CookwithAPRIL channel I share a delightfully delicious White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie recipe. It's my mom's favorite cookie so I had to learn how to make it for her!

Today I also uploaded my January Beauty Favorites with a huge collab giveaway included:

All giveaway rules and information are explained in the YouTube video.

The prizes include:

7 $100 giftcards

the grand prize winner will win $100 gift card and these amazing makeup goodies worth over $500:

Tarte/QVC Exclusive Journey to Natural Beauty Set

2013-02-04T12:15:00.001-08:00

QVC has an EXLUSIVE Tarte Journey to Natural 6 Piece Beauty Set and I have one to giveaway!

Woohoo!

GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED! Winner is:

In my recent haul video I mentioned Tarte sent me a preview of their Journey to Natural Beauty Set, you guys left so many comments about how much you wanted one so.... Tarte and I are teaming up to give one away! Woot woot!!!

This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL!!!

If the winner lives within the U.S. Tarte will be shipping out the prize directly to you.

If the winner lives outside of the U.S. I asked Tarte to mail me to prize and then I will mail the prize out to the international winner. I wanted this giveaway to be open international so I made it happen, yay!

Giveaway rules & details:

1. Please follow my blog AprilAthena7 and my Pinterest.

Blog: http://www.aprilathena7.blogspot.com/

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/aprilathena7/

2. Leave only one comment below sharing your favorite Tarte product OR if you have not tried Tarte please share what you would like to try from Tarte.

3. Please leave your email address or Twitter handle so I can contact you if you won the giveaway!

4. Please re-pin this on Pinterest. :D

That's it! This giveaway is short and will end Sunday February 10, 2013.

I only announce winners through my social media sites:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aprilathena7

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/AprilAthena7/191732370873969

The selected winner will be able to select their perfect shade:

Fair, Light, Medium, Tan or Deep.

Here are more pictures of the set:

If you don't win the giveaway, you can purchase the EXCLUSIVE QVC gift set here.

Good luck friends! :D

Please tune in to my AprilAthena7 beauty channel tomorrow February 5, 2013 for an even BIGGER giveaway with makeup and prizes worth over $500 and 7 winners

that will win $100 giftcards!

Here are some of my YouTube videos if you missed it:

These are some of my favorite Tarte products:

Amazon.com Widgets

Check out my blog on cute workout outfits!
Cute workout outfits here!

Braided Donut Bun with Conair Bun Maker

2013-02-03T22:01:00.000-08:00

I was at Target weeks ago and saw the Conair Donut Bun maker and decided to give it a try. I really like it! I decided to braid and wrap the extra strand of hair around my bun and here I came up with braided donut bun.

Here's a quick tutorial if you're interested:

Amazon.com Widgets

How to Make French Macarons

2013-01-29T07:00:00.004-08:00

Happy Tasty Tuesday at COOKwithAPRIL! Today we're making french macarons!

This baking video has been highly requested since I started my cooking channel.

I hope this how to video is helpful! Recipe included in the video information box:

You can use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. I prefer a silicone baking mat because it doesn't brown the bottom of the macaron.

A delicious filling, homemade caramel sauce!

A delicious filling, salted caramel sauce:

Helpful items for baking macarons:

Amazon.com Widgets

Enjoy! Let me know how you like it!

MAKEUP EXPIRATION DATES! Your guideline to makeup SHELF LIFE & GIVEAWAY!

2013-01-24T19:54:00.000-08:00

Rashes, breakouts, pink eye, styes and other terrible skincare problems and infections can happen when you use expired makeup. Here's a guideline on when each makeup product expires.

I also have an international giveaway at the end of the video!

Watch my video for more details! :D

Prizes:

Shany Cosmetics Lip Gloss Set

Baby Lips, Benefit Lip Plush Gloss, Mally Beauty Mascara, Mally Beauty Heated Lash Curler, Mally Beauty Gloss, Youngblood red lip liner and gloss, Cargo Gloss, Mehron Pigment

Cream Blush, Bath & Body Works body wash, Sees candy, LimeCrime lipstick,

Dr. Scholl's Ball of Foot Pad

Gorgeous DailyLook burgundy purse

Urban Expression wallet, Carol Dauplaise earrings, Parian Spirit, Blush, Julep nail polishes

Some products that help disinfect your makeup and makeup brushes:

Amazon.com Widgets

Some prizes the winner will win!!!

Amazon.com Widgets

Benefit San Francisco Weekend FUN!

2013-01-18T21:05:00.003-08:00

Last weekend I had the amazing opportunity to spend the weekend with Benefit Cosmetics and other sweet beauty vloggers! It was an amazing and memorable experience! I've never been given an opportunity like this and I am forever grateful for Benefit Cosmetics for the invite!

Friday all the girls visited the Benefit headquarters!

We got to test out the new Benefit Cosmetic products launching soon!

Here's a review of the new Benefit Ultra Plush lip glosses!

I love how they designed their headquarters! I wish I had a makeup room just like it!

We all flipped when we received a pink train case filled with new Benefit makeup!!!

There were YAY and screaming if I recall correctly, LOL!

Cupcakes with Benefit on them! Bite size deliciousness, I had to eat 3 or more, lol!

A pink limo to take us to dinner, unreal! I think the last time I rode a limo was when my mom married my stepdad when I was six years old! LOL!

Of course we all took Instagram (@AprilAthena7) shots of the limo, lol!

Dinner with Carah and all the Benefit girls! :D Carah is such a sweet friend! I'm so happy I got to see her for the weekend! I absolutely love her and feel like it's such a great blessing when I see her! It's as if she's been my friend forever! If she and I lived close I know we would be great neighbors and friends! I love positive friends and she's always smiling and makes me want to smile too! :D

Delicious dinner!

With my handsome husband! :D

After dinner we saw a screening of the Benefit movie Glamouriety!

It was hilarious! If you watch the movie you're going to want to get your hands on Benefit's Dr.Feel Good , LOL! :p

Who here is a Heart fan? I loove Heart!

She's the sweetest and the more I see her the sweeter she gets!

I don't know about you, but I never knew what a macaron was until I saw her Instagram pics, lol!

She's such a kind and positive person, the type of girls I love to hang out with! :D

Leina and Carla! I have been wanting to meet Leina for a long time! She is extremely talented in makeup and drop dead gorgeous! I have been watching her FOREVER! :D Carla in the pretty yellow planned the Benefit event and she's AMAZING!!! Thank you Carla for a memorable weekend!

I looove Dulce! I think you guys all know that! She epitomizes a modern day super woman! She does it all and she looks fabulous ALWAYS! I just love love love her! She's so positive and her husband Jesse has an amazing personality as well! :D Love them!

My friend Missy is seriously one of the most beautiful girl I have EVER met! I tell her all the time she's so pretty, lol! Not only is she so darn beautiful but she's so sweet and funny! Have you seen our outfit of the day collab? We filmed it at the Benefit headquarters here!

Speaking of FUNNY, there was a hilarious comedian before the Glamouriety screening! I laughed out LOUD so many times! Loove her!

Ford Danielson sisters are AMAZING!

My gorgeous super model looking friend Rachel! I am so happy we met last summer at IMATS! She is so incredibly nice! :D

Group shot! :D

Benefit took us on a bus tour and we got to see the FULL HOUSE!

Who here was an uncle Jesse fan? Seriously I still memorize the FOREVER song he sang to Rebecca on their wedding day! Makes me cry every time!

Here's the song I was talking about, OMG! I was soo cheesey that this song was included in my very own wedding! LOL!!!

With my handsome love Justin! :D So happy he came with me! :D

My weekend isn't complete without my best friend, my husband, the love of my life Justin! :D

Oh gosh we were in makeup heaven at the Benefit Boutique in San Francisco! Carah and I were really eyeing the lipsticks! :D We wanted EVERYTHING at the store, absolutely EVERYTHING! LOL!

I loved Heart's vest!

Athena waxing my brows! :D

Athena has been working with Benefit for over 20 years!

She's a Benebabe for sure, look how hot she is!

Maggie Ford Danielson helped fill out my brows! :D

I soo need Benefit high brow in my life since she introduced me to it! It highlights my brows without any shine or shimmer! Loove it!

Carah and I standing inside the Benefit Boutique window, lol!

Golden Gate Bride

Chillin with Samone at the Golden Gate Bride

With Dulce! :D I'm such a Dulce fan! :D

Love of my life Justin

Group shot with all the girls!

Lombard Street

Saturday night we got to meet up with Justin's best friend Ryan for sushi! :D

Thank you BENEFIT COSMETICS for the best weekend ever! I had an amazing time and I am forever grateful for this opportunity!!! Thank you so much to my YouTube friends/viewers if it weren't for you I would never have this opportunity and I thank you soo very much!

Love,

April

Here are some of my favorite Benefit goodies, what are yours?

Amazon.com Widgets

Little Black Bag One Year Anniversary GIVEAWAY!

2013-01-17T15:53:00.001-08:00

Hi friends! Hope you're all having an amazing day so far and I hope to make it even better...with a GIVEAWAY! I have a new video up on YouTube and Little Black Bag is going to send one lucky winner this gorgeous BCBG clutch, enter here! This gorgeous sequin clutch t retails for $78!

Watch my YouTube video to learn more about Little Black Bag and what it's all about!

Little Black Bag is a monthly subscription that you can of course cancel anytime. For $49.95 you get to select one item and LBB will select the other 2 items:

If you don't like the two items LBB has selected you can trade with others!

This is when it gets fun!

Here's what I ended up with:

BCBG clutch $78

LaVanilla perfume $10

LaVanilla lip gloss $10

TOTAL: $98

Little Black Bag subscription is only $49.95

You saved nearly $50.00!!! (48.05 to be exact)

Let's be twinsies! Enter to win the same BCBG clutch I own! :D

Watch my video here to learn more!

Outfit of the day!

2013-01-15T18:34:00.002-08:00

Hi friends! YouTube is having glitches lately, here's my new video with my friend Missy if you missed it! :D

Tasty Tuesday: Dinner Rolls, PANDESAL

2013-01-15T10:27:00.001-08:00

Happy Tasty Tuesday friends! Today I show you friends how to make DINNER ROLLS!

They taste similar to Filipino Pandesal! It's a great idea to learn how to make dinner rolls because they're great for dinner and you can even make breakfast sandwiches with them too!

Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss

2013-01-14T13:17:00.001-08:00

Hi friends! I'm back from an amazing Benefit weekend in San Francisco! Will update you all soon with a blog post and vlog going over the fun filled Benefit weekend soon! Today I'm here to review the new ULTRA PLUSH LIP GLOSSES by BENEFIT!

These brand new Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Glosses will be available March 2013

Retails for $16

AMAZING PACKAGING!!!

The moment I saw these glosses at the Benefit headquarters I had to grab them and start playing around!

6 colors available! These glosses are sheer with hints of color!

From left to right: A-lister, Lollibop, Fauxmance, Poutrageous, Kiss You,

Icebreaker(clear not shown)

The glosses are moisturizing, they glide on so beautifully and they SMELL amazing! I am horrible at describing scents but it has a hint of a sweet and floral fruity scent. The scent isn't too strong, which I love!

I love that these glosses aren't sticky. I dislike lip glosses that are too thick and sticky, these are just the PERFECT consistency! It won't get caught in your hair! :D You're gonna love them! The glosses appear sheer and provide an excellent shine on the lips!

The box the lipglosses are packaged in are so beautiful! A great gift for a gal pal or for future subscribers and blog followers. ( hint hint giveaway soon)

Love that the lip glosses can stand!

Come March 2013 you can get your hands on these lip glosses! What shade will you be wearing?!

Here's a video review of some of the other new Benefit products recently released:

DIY SCARF RACK, ORGANIZER!

2013-01-09T18:46:00.000-08:00

Hi friends! Here's an easy way to store your scarves! All you need is a hanger, curtain rings and your scarves! :D Found the idea on Pinterest! Don't you just love Pinterest?!

What you will need for this easy DIY:

Amazon.com Widgets

Watch video here:

Chicken Parmesan

2013-01-08T07:51:00.001-08:00

Happy Tuesday friends!!! Today I show you how to cook Chicken Parmesan! :D

How to Get Rid of Cracked, Dry, Stinky FEET! Baby Foot Review!

2013-01-03T21:06:00.002-08:00

When I visited Tokyo, Japan back in August I saw these boxes with photos of cracked feet and smooth feet. I knew it had something to do with feet but I couldn't read the labels so I passed on purchasing it. Next thing you know Baby Foot asked me to review their product, what a coincidence?! Long story short, it really works!!! It peels the feet with fruit acid and your skin is left so smooth! I share my detailed experience of the peeling process, where to buy Baby Foot and more before and after footage in my new Youtube video.

Here are some tips to keep you feet nice and smooth after the peeling and treatment!
Moisturize your feet regularly with your favorite lotion! If you can, moisturize your feet before bed and then wear socks to lock in the moisture. I can't seem to sleep with socks so I just moisturize my feet everyday. :D Here are some inexpensive lotions for the feet:

Amazon.com Widgets

If you have stinky feet try spraying your feet with tea tree oil or peppermint. Tea tree oil has antimicrobial effects.

Amazon.com Widgets

Remember to scrub feet once a week in the shower to keep your feet smooth:

Amazon.com Widgets

If you don't like using a pumice you can exfoliate your feet but make sure you are sitting or have something to hold on to because this can get slippery!

Amazon.com Widgets

I hope these tips were helpful!
Watch my video for my baby foot review for more information and details!

Thrift Store Haul & Show with my husband Justin!

2013-01-03T09:47:00.002-08:00

Hi friends! One of my goals for the new year is to save more and spend less. That means no more Christian Louboutin or Chanel purchases --everyone can look chic on a budget! I've learned that just because you can afford designer brands doesn't mean you have to buy them just because everyone else is doing it. I've never been the type of person to care for designer labels until the blogger world and YouTube world sucked me into their materialistic lifestyle. I'm not here to judge, everyone can spend their money on what makes them happy but things don't make me happy, memories and helping others brings true joy to me. I'd rather donate more to Feed the Children and save for my dream house. I sponsor a boy from Malawi through Feed the Children and it's my greastest joy seeing him send letters. I cry happy tears every time I get his letters and that puts things in perspective --helping others is what matters most, not the brands on the clothes on my back. I'm going to be TRUE to who I really am and shop on a budget and maybe every now and then buy a nice purse that I know I will have for years. I have nothing to prove to anyone. My other joys in life is traveling and spending time with my husband Justin and cats so that's where we enjoy spending. My husband and I have this motto: We like to spend money on memories, not material. Memories as in traveling, trips visiting family, date nights, events and concerts.

Have you tried the Revlon Just Bitten lip sticks? I love them! I'm wearing SMITTEN, a vibrant gorgeous RED!

I found this Forever top at the Goodwill for only $5.49

Lola Pants

Boots you can find here

Nixon watch

Revlon Just Bitten in Smitten lips

I found this Old Navy sweater at the Goodwill for only $5.49

Lola Pants

Boots you can find here

Nixon watch

Revlon Just Bitten in Smitten lips

I found this O'Neill sweater at the Goodwill for only $5.49

Lola Pants

Boots you can find here

Nixon watch

Revlon Just Bitten in Smitten lips

I found this Forever 21 top at the Goodwill for only $5.49

Lola Pants

Boots you can find here

Nixon watch

Revlon Just Bitten in Smitten lips

I found this Banana Republic top at the Goodwill for only $5.49

Lola Pants

Boots you can find here

Nixon watch

Revlon Just Bitten in Smitten lips

Watch our video to see what my husband found too!

Instead of buying fancy schmancy expensive clothes I'll just pin them on Pinterest and enjoy looking at them there, lol!

A story about life...

2012-12-31T21:14:00.000-08:00

Hi friends I hope you have an AMAZING NEW YEAR!!!! I wanted to share this story I found on Facebook about life and what matters most:

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles roll
ed into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.The students laughed..

‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things—-your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—-and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else—-the small stuff.

‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.

Take care of the golf balls first—-the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’ The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

Life is about loving your family and spending it with them because they are what matters most!

I wish in my teen years I spent more time with my grandfather instead of going to the malls. I miss him so much! BUT I'm glad I got to sleep over and spend so much time with him and visit him in the hospitals after school when he got sick.

When Justin and I are parents we are going to make it our priority to have family time all the time!

Love you friends soo much!

Love,

April

My TEETH TRANSFORMATION: Invisalign, Zoom Whitening, Veneers

2012-12-30T13:56:00.001-08:00

I remember three years ago I was hesitant to make YouTube videos because of my severely crooked teeth but I'm glad I didn't let it stop me! BUT I'm glad I finally got to fix them!

Check out my new YouTube video where I talk about my teeth transformation journey from Invisalign to Zoom whitening and lastly porcelain veneers. I go over my experience, pricing and more! Hope you can watch! :D

A lot of you guys asked me what at home teeth whitening products I've tried and I really like these! Crest Whitestrips worked really well on my husband Justin and his teeth are whiter than mine!

Amazon.com Widgets

Tarte NeutralEyes Natural Eye Palette GIVEAWAY!

2012-12-29T11:08:00.000-08:00

Hi friends! This is my very last giveaway for 2012! Tarte is one of my favorite makeup brands and I am giving away one Tarte NeutralEyes Natural Eye Palette!

Giveaway is international!

Prize: 1 Tarte Palette

Retails for $44

(ftc: I purchased the prize to giveaway)

To enter the giveaway:

1. Subscribe to my AprilAthena7 beauty channel.

2. Follow my blog AprilAthena7.

3. In the comment section of this blog post tell me what you would love to see in future blog posts and YouTube videos for 2013.

Example:

I would love to see more product reviews.

Email: AprilAthena7@gmail.com

You may comment as many times as you like but with different answers each time.

4. Leave your email address so I can email you if you are the winner!

Additional information:

The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL!

Giveaway ends January 11, 2013

I will announce the winner's name on this blog post in the bottom when it ends as well as on my Facebook and Twitter account.

Wishing you friends the HAPPIEST NEW YEAR!!!

Here are other blog posts on new year's eve outfit ideas:

Sequin Skirt

Little Black fitted dress

Some amazing Tarte products I love!!!

Amazon.com Widgets

I have a baking channel! Would love for you to check it out!

GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED THE WINNER IS:

CONGRATULATIONS!

Unique Vintage Fitted Little Black Dress: Mad Men Inspired Dress

2012-12-28T21:11:00.000-08:00

This Unique Vintage Stop Staring fitted black dress is an addition to my little black dress collection. It's one of my favorites! It's inspired by the 1940s Mad Men outfits!

I love the length and cap sleeve!

Unique Vintage Stop Staring Dress Size Small

Jewelmint Earrings

Christian Louboutin Simple Nude Heels

Sequin Daily Look Clutch

Shop this look:

Amazon.com Widgets