AprilAthena7 Beauty Blog

✿ GIRL TALK with Jessika (TheStyleSegment): Food, Fashion, Laughs ✿

2012-02-25T09:22:00.000-08:00

Make my day by subscribing to my best friend Jessika!!!

Tasty Tuesday: Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

2012-02-21T12:37:00.000-08:00

It's Tasty Tuesday!

Let's make the best hot spinach artichoke dip!

The best spinach dip according to my taste tester, my husband Justin. :D

Please remember to subscribe to COOKwithAPRIL for more recipes and baking! :D

HAUL:Sephora, Lush, Ebay, Drugstore Makeup, CANON XA10

2012-02-19T14:50:00.000-08:00

Hi friends! It's been quite a while since I made a haul video. I'm not much of a hauler, but when I do haul I tend to talk so much...the video ended up being 15 minutes long, ohh my! If you have time and enjoy haul videos here is my collective haul of items I purchased from Sephora, Lush, Ebay and more:

Of everything purchased I am most excited about my new camcorder, Canon XA10 and new lighting and my lavalier mic for voice overs! I purchased this new camera primarily for my cooking videos and future DIY jewelry videos.

What have you been hauling lately?

Lush Loves!

2012-02-18T23:21:00.000-08:00

Happy weekend everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the weekend! I quickly stopped by Lush to pick up my favorite fresh face mask Cupcake but ended up coming home with more goodies to try. I've developed rashes, hives or breakouts all over my face from testing out new skincare devices and products. My skin is so sensitive sometimes it's no fun!

My Lush Haul

Hottie Massage Bars for the hubby.

Justin loves the pepper scent and this is great at relieving aching muscles!

I've heard amazing things about the Vanishing Cream. I hear it fades away acne scars, but it was rather pricey at $39.99. Typically I will spend any amount for Caudalie skincare products since they work for me, but I had to give this a go since I'm all out of facial moisturizers.

CUPCAKE face mask! I discovered this from my beautiful friend Jessika.

Lush fresh face mask lasts for only 3 weeks and must be refrigerated, also they are only available in stores and not online. I wish this little guy would last 3 weeks for me, but unfortunately whenever I purchase it I use it up in a week or 2 because it feels and smells so amazing on my skin!

Since my skin is completely raw, red, in a lot of pain, hives and bumps all over from rediscovering the PMD skincare device I needed help. An associate at Lush kindly helped me and said the BB Seaweed fresh mask would help relieve redness and skin sensitivity and right when I got home I immediately tried it and oh my word it is amazing! This mask really alleviated the redness on my skin, my husband noticed a drastic difference after I washed the face mask off! This is a must try for sensitive skin!

I purchased this Dark Angels cleanser/mask/exfoliator a couple weeks ago online. I love that I can use it to cleanse, exfoliate or treat myself to a mask. :)

What are some of your favorite Lush goodies?
Here is my new haul video:

lush

Win a 1 YEAR CONCSCIOUS BOX SUBSCRIPTION!!!

2012-02-17T12:36:00.000-08:00

Win a ONE YEAR

CONSCIOUS BOX

SUBSCRIPTION!

Just fill out this form to enter!

What's inside February's Conscious Box?

Let's take a look:

Watch the giveaway video here:

You can enter to win a year subscription to Conscious Box just by simply filling out this form.

❤ Places to find me, please subscribe and follow if you like: *COOKwithAPRIL

*APRILATHENA7 *FACEBOOK *BLOG *TWITTER

Honey Soy Glazed Salmon (Healthy Dinner Idea)

2012-02-14T11:56:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day friends!

Wishing you the happiest love day ever, whether you share your love day with friends, family, pets or the love of your life. I will be spending my love day with the loves of my life, Justin (husband), Sunrise, Charlie, Bobby (cats). :D

My friend Tati called me and a couple of my girlfriend Crafty Crazy Cat Ladies and I love it! It's so true! :D Aside for my love of crafts and cats I sure do love to cook too!

Here's a new Tasty Tuesday video from my CookWithApril channel!

Enjoy honey soy glazed salmon! As always, hubby Justin is my taste tester!

Also, since it's Valentine's Day here are last minute outfit ideas, you might have these or similar in your closet already:

✿ DIY EARRING DISPLAY ORGANIZER ✿

2012-02-12T14:30:00.000-08:00

Need ideas on how to organize your jewelry? I know that my costume type jewelry is all over the place! Sometimes my earrings are so unorganized I miss a matching piece then realize it was just lost in complete mess! Here's a cute way to organize your jewelry:

Watch my how to video here:

What are you friends up to this weekend?

Hubby and I went to a dinner cruise last night then I filmed this craft video. Today I am going to film more cooking videos for COOKwithAPRIL and just relax. :)

DIY CELLULITE TREATMENT! AT HOME CELLULITE REDUCING REMEDY!

2012-02-10T12:01:00.000-08:00

As promised new videos every single Friday on my AprilAthena7 channel and of course new videos on Tasty Tuesdays on my COOKwithAPRIL channel. :)

It doesn't matter if you are skinny, curvy, bigger, tall, short or small cellulite just appears in places we wish they wouldn't! Here's a simple home remedy to reduce the look and feel of cellulite:

❤ Valentine's Day LOOKBOOK, Ideas for what to wear on VDAY! ❤

2012-02-08T06:12:00.000-08:00

My husband Justin and I spent the weekend in Palm Springs, one of our first little vacation destinations when we first started dating. After 5 years of dating and almost half a year of being married we still love it. 2 years ago on February 6th my now husband proposed to me. I feel so incredibly lucky to have someone like Justin! He is everything I could ask for and more!

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and at times figuring out what to wear can be daunting. I share some of my personal ideas on what I'd wear on Valentine's Day.

This year I've decided to cook my husband a special meal at home instead of a dinner date. We're celebrating early this weekend by taking a mini dinner cruise, hopefully I don't get nauseous!

A special thank you to my husband Justin for filming this video!

Thank you John Baumgartner for editing my video so beautifully! I am so honored an LA filmwriter & director edited my video!

Last but definitely not least thank you so much Matthew Jordan for allowing me to feature your beautiful version of "God Only Knows", one of my favorite songs by the Beach Boys. :)

❤ DIY Valentine's Day Lollipop and Candy ❤

2012-02-03T00:57:00.000-08:00

Give the loves of your lives the best gift of all, a homemade gift!

Let's make lollipops and candy hearts with almond slices. :D

Decorate with ribbons with hearts

Purchase foil wrappers for your own homemade candy with nuts.

Seal it with a homemade sticker! <3

DIY box of chocolates! :D

Watch my DIY Valentine's Day video here:

Wishing you the happiest Valentine's Day! <3

January Favorites: Lush, Chanel Vitalumiere, Lashes, Rimmel Lipstick

2012-01-31T09:24:00.000-08:00

My January Favorites of 2012, Beauty & Fashion favs:

✿ 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!!! :)