AprilAthena7 Beauty Blog

✿ Little Black Bag, A Gorgeous Bag filled with GOODIES! ✿

2012-01-28T22:18:00.000-08:00

After only a few days of making my order I received my Little Black Bag package!

I'm so excited to share with you friends what's in my box!

The Little Black Bag is a monthly subscription service that allow you to select one item, usually a bag, hence the name Little Black Bag and then two other items are personally selected for you after taking a style quiz.

You're probably thinking that this is probably just another subscription service popping up among the plethora of ones out there from jewelry, beauty boxes, tshirts and even food samples but The Little Black Bag is quite unique because once you purchase your order you are given 7 days to trade the twomerchandise that was selected for you with anyone else signed up with Little Black Bag.

Here's an example:

A monthly subscription with Little Black Bag is $59.95 plus free shipping for first time orders.

Yikes, you're probably thinking the price is pretty steep, but you get more than what you pay for. You get to select one item and then are given 2 more selected for you by LBB.

I selected this gorgeous red clutch, I don't have anything like it and it retails for $58.00

LBB then added these two items to place inside my bag:

A scarf that retails for $40

Earrings that retail for $20

I'm not a hoops wearing type of gal, I prefer pearl studs on a daily basis so I was given the opportunity to trade the hoops for something else with anyone signed to LBB.

Since Little Black Bag is fairly new I was unable to trade my earrings, but they will not go to waste, I have a lovely cousin who can rock them! :)

After a couple of days my Little Black Bag arrived:

My cats gave it a sniff of approval:

The box was carefully packaged:

My chosen red bag:

Earrings:

Scarf:

If you're interested in giving The Little Black Bag a try here is my invite for you.

If you decide to try The Little Black bag, please share what's in your LBB!

Thank you David & Dan of LBB for my complimentary first month's shipment of

The Little Black Bag! :)

DIY Homemade SHAMPOO!

2012-01-27T15:17:00.000-08:00

I've been so obsessed with DIY lately and always wondered what it was like to make my own shampoo, let's make shampoo together, shall we?

❤ INGREDIENTS:
1 cup pure castile soap
1cup green tea brewed
½ tsp. or more of your favorite fragrance oil
Olive oil

❤ DIRECTIONS:
Mix all ingredients together and store in empty bottle.
This shampoo really deep cleans the hair.
I would recommend only once a week as a clarifying shampoo.
Please refrigerate because it does not have preservatives.
Last a couple of days. :D

Rosemary Bread & How to Remove ALL MAKEUP!

2012-01-24T13:11:00.000-08:00

Happy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday!

Learn how to make rosemary bread with me!

I also have a new video on my AprilAthena7 channel, how I remove all my makeup,

even this crazy makeup look:

January Conscious Box

2012-01-22T23:04:00.000-08:00

What's in January's Conscious Box?

Golden Earth Aromatherapy & World Centric Forks & Knives

Ancient Minerals Magnesium Gel

Ancient Treasures Tea

Guayaki Yerba Mate Chai Spice Mate

Jo-Sha Eucalyptus Wipes

Clean Well Hand Sanitizer

Eco-Dent oral care products

Raw Revolution power energy bar

Thank Thin fruit and nut bar

Parma, vegan parmesan taste

Kelapo coconut oil

Scared Chocolate MYLK sample

Green Tara Sprirulina Energy Bites

Guayaki Yerba Mate-strength of coffee, benefits of tea and euphoria of chocolate. Ohh excited to try!

Information & coupon

Information about each and every item in this month's conscious box

New postcard every month. :D

DIY Pink Gem Dangle Earrings

2012-01-22T12:03:00.000-08:00

DIY Pink Gem Dangle Earrings:

DIY Banana Body Scrub

2012-01-18T19:08:00.000-08:00

Every single morning I have Glowing Green Smoothie for breakfast. At times all the bananas I buy ripen too quickly. I was taught very early in life by my parents to never waste food so with that said instead of getting rid of the banana I give my body a delightfully scented skin softening banana body scrub.

Shit Girls Say, Shit Beauty Gurus Say!

2012-01-14T03:18:00.000-08:00

I think the Shit Girls Say series are hilarious so today I decided to dedicate my whole day and night filming my take on Shit Beauty Gurus Say! I've been making YouTube videos for over 2 years and have had my fair share of silly sayings and habits and have watched thousands upon thousands of beauty videos. I hope you friends take humor in my video and please know I am only making fun of my self and no one in particular! Thank you so much for watching and for your support! :D

And it you find it funny enough I'd love for you to share this video with your friends! :D

I am undecided on the thumbnail, I need your advice should I put this one up?

A crazy makeup one?

Someone legit asked me to do a tutorial on this look, bwahaha that was hilarious!

I had so much unused footage because the video was too long as is, but this was soo much fun to film!

Did you enjoy this video? If so share with friends and Tweet about it! :D

THANK YOU soo much for your likes and comments! I love commenting back!

The silly video may have made you laugh, but are you ready to cry your eyes out? Watch THE MOST MAGICAL MARRIAGE PROPOSAL EVER and share with your friends! Give them hope that true love and magical romantic love still EXISTS! Congrats James and Tati!!! :D

MOST MAGICAL WEDDING PROPOSAL EVER!!!!

2012-01-11T20:08:00.000-08:00

Days before Christmas my friend Tati's (aka GlamLifeGuru on YouTube) boyfriend James sent me a text message asking me to meet him for lunch to discuss a special project, a special PROPOSAL video for his love, Tati! I was absolutely thrilled to help in anyway I can and I feel truly honored I was a part of such a special time in both James' and Tati's life! CONGRATULATIONS! I love you two and I will always be here for you! <3

Tati, the moment I knew you were an important and special friend to me was when you emailed me and told me that you think the world of me. I kept that email, shared the email to my husband and continue to read the email! Friend, I think the world of you too and absolutely adore you! You deserve all the happiness in the world and I am soo happy you found unconditional true love in James! James you are AMAZING for working so hard on this special proposal!!!

James' most magical marriage proposal ever!

Watch Tati's reaction and James' live proposal here:

Pictures of the day of the shoot! More pictures are on Facebook.

I'm receiving many questions about my blazer, so here's a break down of my outfit:
❤ H&M Blazer (similar here, here and here)
❤ Forever 21 White Lace Dress (similar here and here)
❤ Brown Belt (similar here)
❤ Franco Sarto Fisherman Sandals (brown and black available)
❤ Very Audrey Jewelmint Earrings
❤ Astoria Jewelmint Necklace
❤ H&M bracelets (similar here)

❤ YOUTUBE BEAUTY CHANNEL

❤ YOUTUBE COOKING & BAKING CHANNEL

❤ FACEBOOK

❤ BEAUTYLISH
❤ TWITTER

Get Your Freak on Tag

2012-01-11T10:29:00.000-08:00

My friend Evelina and I answer the Get Your Freak on Tag! :D

It was so wonderful seeing her! I wished we lived closer!

Homemade Cat Treats & Carrot Cake!

2012-01-03T10:16:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year friends!!!

I've been busy in the kitchen making homemade goodies for my furry friends!

Learn how to make homemade cat treats, tuna cat cakes!
My cats Sunrise, Charlie and Bobby are the taste testers!

My father in law visited for a couple of days and I wanted to surprise him with a delicious carrot cake and found an excellent recipe! Learn how to make carrot cake and delicious pecan cream cheese frosting!!!

This is one of my fav dessert I have ever baked thus far! Justin, my hubby loved it!

All my cooking and baking videos can be found at my new channel
COOKwithAPRIL!!!
I would greatly appreciate it if you subscribed to my COOKwithAPRIL channel!

Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce

2011-12-27T09:54:00.000-08:00

Happy Tuesday friends!

It's Tasty Tuesday on my cooking channel COOKwithAPRIL!

I upload a new cooking and or baking video every single Tuesday!

Today I have a simple and delicious cheesecake how to video!

Here's how it turned out:

Learn how to make cheesecake:

Learn how to make the homemade strawberry sauce too:

Remember to subscribe to my cooking channel COOKwithAPRIL for weekly updates! :D

Top 3 Beauty Favorites of 2011 with NikkiPhillippi!

2011-12-24T16:25:00.000-08:00

2011 is quickly coming to an end and my friend

Nicole and I wanted to share our top 3 beauty favorites of 2011!

Wishing you and your loved ones the happiest holidays and Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate Christmas! :D

My top 3 beauty favorites of 2011:

Adovia Tinted Moisturizer with spf 20

Castledew Lipglosses found at Asian Stores

Buxom Eyeliner in Chocolate Citrine

Please share your top beauty favorites of 2011! Looking forward to trying out your recommendations!

Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies from Scratch

2011-12-20T15:24:00.000-08:00

Let's make chewy peanut butter cookies together!
This is also a cute gift idea! You can place your cookies inside a cookie jar or plastic gift bag.

All of my new food related videos will be uploaded on my new CookWithApril channel! :)

Holiday Gift Guide for Him & Her & YSL, Caudalie GIVEAWAY!

2011-12-18T15:00:00.000-08:00

❤ Enter giveaway here! ❤

❤ Giveaway prizes:

❤ $75 Halloween Express Gift Card ❤ YSL Ombres 5 Lumieres ❤ YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick Nude Beige ❤ Macadamia Healing Oil ❤ Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream

Happy Holidays!!! :)

Holiday Outfits

2011-12-17T00:26:00.000-08:00

Some of my favorite pieces I share in my Holiday Outfits video:

Shoemint Edith Heels in Blush

I purchased these heels the very minute ShoeMint released their site!

Currently these are sold out, but the Steve Madden Cougarr is similar and the

Steve Madden Viktoree looks identical!

Of all the Jewelmint pieces own I think the Very Audrey piece is actually worth the price. If I am not wearing my daily pearl studs I am definitely wearing these.

I might as well get rid of all my other earrings since I rarely wear them!

I also love the Ardell Demi wispies, of all the lashes I wear in YouTube videos my husband loves these the most and that means a lot to me since he usually likes the natural look.

I love this necklace the most out of EVERYTHING mentioned because it was handmade by my friend Evelina! She never ceases to amaze me with all her talents!

I've been pretty obsessed with my ruffled pink scarf (sold out at Vanity, similar here) as well as my Forever21 faux leather jacket (similar) I happily purchased for such a deal, less than $30!

I purchased these Steve Madden suede platform heels at DSW months ago, but I wish I would have waited because I saw one of my fav bloggers Jean blog about ones that look similar at Payless!

I'm pretty excited! My husband is helping me move my blog to AprilAthena7.com soon!

We're still working on it, but wouldn't that be better than AprilAthena7.blogspot.com.

Saves a bit of typing for you! :D

What are your weekend plans?! I'd love for you to share! I read them all!

Beauty Cache

2011-12-16T10:48:00.000-08:00

SkincareRx releases a Beauty Cache every quarter filled with deluxe beauty samples and sometimes full sized products for $29.95. Lately, the Beauty Cache has focused more on skincare rather than cosmetics, which I remember from years ago. Here's what came in my beauty cache:

I'm excited to try the Boscia Primer!

New Cooking Channel

2011-12-14T23:00:00.000-08:00

❤ Today I I reached 4,000 blog followers!

Thank you so much each and every single one of you!

This is so exciting for me!!! I have other exciting news:

I started a new YouTube channel dedicated to cooking, baking and anything related to food!!!

I'm soo excited! Will you please join me on my new cooking and baking journey?

I would greatly APPRECIATE it if you subscribe to my new cooking and baking channel:

❤ CookWithApril ❤

To start my cooking and baking channel I decided on an extremely easy DIY holiday gift idea, hot cocoa mix:

The hot cocoa mix was pretty delicious!

Will you be making the hot cocoa mix for anyone for the holidays?

Wishing you the happiest holidays!

Thank you all for your support!

If you need any outfit ideas

I uploaded a new holiday fashion video today on my AprilAthena7 channel.

Concscious Box December

2011-12-13T07:25:00.000-08:00

Conscious box is a monthly subscription to pure and sustainable product. Food samples are organic and beauty products are vegan. A one time purchase of the Conscious Box is $12+ $7 shipping costs, for multiple monthly subscriptions there is a discounted rate.

He's what came inside my December Conscious Box:

What are your thoughts on the Conscious Box?

Shoedazzle December picks!

2011-12-11T10:57:00.000-08:00

For a couple of months I have not been too interested in the selection of Shoedazzle shoes, but this month I was drawn to these platform sandals. Do these look familiar to you? They look identical to the Steve Madden Gretta that retails for about $90! Shoedazzle Taylyn is only $39.95 with free shipping both ways. I received my pair in the mail and they are so comfortable and lightweight.

Steve Madden Gretta $90.00

Shoedazzle look a like $39.95

I also noticed these Jeffrey Campbell Lita look a like in black, red and grey!

Jeffrey Campbell Litas $159.00

Shoedazzle look a likes $39.95

I'm sure the quality of the Jeffrey Campbell are far superior, but if you just want a pair of trendy shoes that you don't care to hold on to for years and years Shoedazzle is great. I have heard of horror stories of terrible heels made by Shoedazzle and heels coming off while walking, but thankfully I have NOT experienced that and have chosen pretty sturdy shoes such as my fav Chanelle patent nude pumps with the pink soles.

These look like a fun and festive pair of platform sandals to wear for the holidays.

Jeffrey Campbell Foxy $137.00

Shoedazzle look a like $39.95

I wanted to purchase these cute booties with sweater like detail but unfortunately they are sold out in chocolate for now:

What are your thoughts on the look a likes? Do you think they look similar?

I have yet to purchase a bag or accessories from Shoedazzle, have you? What are your thoughts?

Have you purchased a pair of Shoedazzles recently? If do, please share!

If you are not a member, it is free to join.

Here is my invite to Shoedazzle.

November Favorites 2011

2011-12-09T11:23:00.000-08:00

Charlie wishes you happy holidays too! Actually, no, he just said "meeeoow" LOL!!!

Fun with Friends

2011-12-07T23:01:00.000-08:00

One of the highlights of my week is spending time with friends.

Friends have an amazing ability to make you laugh and cheer up your day.
I was also excited to wear my new scarf!

Food can cheer you up too!

Lobster crabcake eggs benedict

Jessika had the same with fruit. :)

She's taking an instagram pic.

Tati was vlogging her meals.

Tati's curried chicken salad

We've never had macarons before and we finally indulged in these delightfully delicious desserts!

Jessika's box of goodies:

Tati's single macaron:

My mini box of goodies:

Tati and Jess will make appearances in my November favorites uploading in a couple of days!

I can't wait for you to watch their favorite products!

After filming we turned around and noticed the Hollywood sign. :)

Thank you for joining my lunch date with Tati and Jessika!

I love these random post! Will update again soon!

Hope you're having a wonderful week so far!

❤ Nars Danmari All About Cheek Palette Giveaway!

2011-12-06T13:19:00.000-08:00

I love YOU my subscribers and followers so much!

Thank you so much for taking the time to watch my videos!

Thank you so much for all your encouraging comments!

Thank you so much for everything!

To show my appreciation I purchased a Nars Danmari All About Cheek Palette to giveaway.

❤ How to Enter:

1. This gift is for my YouTube subscribers and Blog followers.

I would greatly appreciate it if you followed my Facebook and Twitter too.

2. What are you thankful for?

Please leave your comments in the blog comment section.
I can't wait to read your comments!
In addition to that, I'd love your feedback on the type of YouTube videos you prefer watch from me. Your feedback means a lot to me! Thank you!

3. Giveaway is open WORLDWIDE.

4. Giveaway ends January 3, 2012.

The winner will be randomly chosen and
announced on my Twitter and Facebook account.

❤ Join my Julep Giveaway too here.
❤ It would mean so much to me if you shared my giveaway with friends!

❤ Giveaway prize: Nars Danmari All About Cheek Palette!

❤ YOUTUBE

❤ FACEBOOK
❤ BEAUTYLISH
❤ TWITTER

Thanksgiving Weekend

2011-12-06T10:15:00.000-08:00

My husband Justin and I flew to Minnesota to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and most importantly to celebrate our grandmother's 90th birthday!

When Justin and I start to pack I'm positive our cats know we're leaving for a couple of days.

For example, Bobby on Justin's clothes. Thank goodness for our amazing cat sitter I felt fine leaving my Sunrise, Charlie and Bobby for a couple of days.

I took a walk with my mother in law and her dog Louie and it was absolutely gorgeous! I wish California had gorgeous parks like this!

To celebrate our Baube's (grandmother) 90th birthday we saw the musical Hairspray!

It was so much fun!

I'd love to share family pictures, but I'm unsure if they will allow me to post pictures

so here's the man who allows me to always post his picture, my sweet husband, hehehe!

Baube's cake! The next day Justin surprised his grandmother with a song. :)

Enjoying sweater tights to brave the cold weather. :)

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

Thank you so much for some of your sweet comments on the Pumpkin

Apple Pie video! Some of you made the pie for Thanksgiving Day

and I am so happy your family enjoyed it!

Get Your Free $20 Body Shop Groupon!

2011-12-05T12:13:00.000-08:00

The other day I received a mass email from Groupon.

They are offering $10 off a first time Groupon purchase.

I saw a deal on $20 worth of Body Shop for only $10.

I applied the $10 Groupon code emailed to me and pretty much got the $20 Body Shop Groupon

certificate for free!

Yay for deals! This reminds me of couponing!

I wish I had this certificate a couple of days ago!

I shopped at The Body Shop with my best friend last Friday and picked 4 of my favorite lip balm Born Lippy in Raspberry and Strawberry!

Never shopped at The Body Shop before?

I recommend trying Born Lippy in Raspberry and Strawberry!

They are moisturizing and smell fantastic!

These are exactly what I am using my new Groupon gift certificate on!

Proof I got it FREE, just blocked my order #:

Hurry the Groupon deal is almost selling out!

Join Groupon here!

Ribbon Curls and Four Easy Hairstyle Idea

2011-12-05T09:41:00.001-08:00

New hair tutorial on ribbon curls! In this video I share four easy curly hairstyles.

These curls remind me of Emmanuelle Chriqui's hair in the movie

"You Don't Mess with the Zohan!" :)