I Hope This Inspires You: I'm in Elle Magazine

I am not writing this to show you, "ohhhhh look I'm so cool, I'm in a magazine!" I'm writing this to encourage you all...
that I once felt like a failure that could've never imagined I'd ever be in a magazine....
So, if you just happen to see the May issue of Elle Magazine with Miley Cyrus, and you flip to one fo the last perfume smeller-pages...right next to Givenchy, you'll see a familiar little blonde face. What's not familiar is seeing me in a dress! hee hee hee hee

 Photo cred to the fabulous: Jackie Russo

Here's the pic of me before it went into the magazine:

Make-up by: me

Hair by (and she let me wear her shoes): Anna-Lee Fiorino

I hope this inspires you all...that years ago I felt like a failure and like I would never amount to anything. But God knew I wasn't a failure and that He had bigger plans than all the failure I thought was just waiting for me. We can't ever see the awesome things waiting for us around the corner, especially when we're feeling sad and depressed. But take hope and know that God has big plans for all of us, we just have to keep going!

 (as I wrote on Facebook yesterday)...

many years ago I felt hopeless and like a failure, I was a divorced, single mom at a young age, and felt like I didn't even know where my future would go.

I always worked hard from the time I was a teenager. I worked cleaning houses and as a waitress, then I went to beauty school. I decided to be a make-up artist, and apprenticed for no pay, while still waitressing. I eventually started getting paid and doing jobs on my own.

Years later and after being a freelance make-up was my official career, again when I was feeling like a failure and all my friends were more successful than me...

I had moved out of LA and felt like my dreams were really over.

I started Youtube to help people by sharing my tips and tricks as a make-up artist and hopefully inspire people in any way I can.

Yesterday my little heart was blown away to discover, after you guys had let me know, that I was on the Yahoo homepage:

Most girls would think it would be a nightmare to be featured on the Yahoo homepage without make-up on, but to me it was awesome! click this to see it!

I am not writing or showing you guys this stuff to say," ohhhh look how cool and fancy I am",  I'm writing this in hopes that someone out there is feeling like they are far from their dream, maybe hopeless or even depressed...

and I want you to know, that I was that girl.

Feeling like everyone was doing great, but me. I didn't even feel like I had a dream to go after.

But sometimes when we don't even see a plan, God is there and I imagine him saying:

"Oh hang on lil sweetie, if you only knew what is waiting for you up ahead, you won't believe it. Just keep looking for the little happy things in life and trust me, I've got a good plan!"

I may not have long luscious model-like hair, I'm no where near being model-thin, but none of that matters...

You shine your heart, your kindness, your hard-work ethic, and the strength to say, no matter what I'm going through, it's just going to make my success story that much better.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

Never be jealous of someone else's success, because you have your own success waiting that could be 10 times more amazing than what you are "jealous" of. Success has no time for jealousy, only time for you to keep going, with a happy heart!

I'm going to be uploading a video today, click here to travel to my youtube land to see if it's up yet!

Huge hugs from your very non-modely friend, Kandee

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Special Edition Transformation Tuesday: My best friend

This is my best friend, the person who makes me laugh harder than anyone, the only person to play Barbie's with me, and always be ready for whatever silly plan I had when we were little...she is my sister.

Tiffany on the left, me on the right in my red sweater with Tenderheart bear! ha ha ha We both loved Carebears.

For a little recap, my sister has Advanced Lyme Disease, and she has a rare form of Lyme, which only effects 1% of diagnosed. It is attacking her heart. As I type this and realize that we are both posing with Tenderheart bear, it makes my me think of my sister and her lil tenderheart. And I can't thank you all enough for every prayer you've included her in. I know the world is so full of things and people to pray for, I'm just so thankful for anyone who's added her in their prayers. My sister hasn't been able to leave her house to much, because the heart episodes she experiences, most times send her to the Emergency Room. My sister used to write her blog and make youtube videos, which she wants to do again. She is a mom to two little girls, Sydney 5 and Audrey 1, so on top of dealing with Lyme, she is very tired trying to chase after her lil ones.

Since she can't go out and go shopping or anything like that, I wanted to bring the make-over to her. So I came bearing bags of make-up, hair products and I had worked on a Macy's shoot and they were so amazing and offered to send my sister so many outfits!

We have been dressing up since we were little, I  know we are looking like high fashion Little House On The Prairie (I'm on the left in blue and she's on the right in the white):

I made a video of her transformation and a little before and after fashion show! My favorite part is when I bring our her surprise cake though hee hee hee hee:



My sister means the world to me, and I just want her to feel happy, and my favorite part is when she laughs and the cake...I have tried to make it a tradition to send her funny cakes. Last year the lady didnt' believe she had the right how to deliver the cake because I put something like: Happy 73rd Birthday Sister, on it! ha ha ha

Huge hugs from my and my sister to you...hope you liked this special edition: Transformation Tuesday with My Sister Tiffany!

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Our Cartoon Family Portraits

Why have regular portraits when you can have awesome ones like this!?!? While we were at Legoland for out Springbreak wildness and fun...we saw the mot talented portrait artist I've ever seen, you can fin him on instagram here . I love how he drew in the make-up table and camera on the tripod too!!

Ellie went first...and wanted to look like Frozen!

Then Alani went, and she wanted to look like a Native American princess (her blue eyes would fool ya, but she's Native American on my side and her dad's side!) with a bow and arrow...

And Blakey, who is in love with baseball, requested the ball flying at him and the Dodgers uniform.

And Jordan was was hanging out with his friend so he missed he "portrait session".....
And the kids love this video of when they got to be real cartoon too! Why is everything more fun when it's a cartoon:

After seeing this I kinda wish I was a cartoon like Jem or Spongebob...ha ha ha ha

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Life is too short not to make Mondays fun.

Giant, fluffy, cloud-like cartoon hugs, from Kantoon, I mean, Kandee

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Happy Birthday To Diving Girl!!!

(this picture was many years and birthdays ago, when Alani was about 4)

Today is my Alani's 9th birthday! I can't believe my precious, blue eyes baby is 9. I remember this day when she put on her swimming goggles, and was jumping from my bed onto a lil matt in front of my bed. She said her name was "diving girl". And I remember that day she called Blake her "little precious".

We are off on a birthday adventure day, so this is going to be short and sweet!
Huge birthday hugs to anyone who's birthday is today too!

I spent hours at Starbucks yesterday trying to upload a video, which didn't work very well, so we'll see if I have a little time today or I'll just try to upload it tomorrow! Click here to check my youtube!

PS. If you want to see more blogs about all my lil ones, you can go visit: kandeeland (I stopped blogging there because I didn't think too many people read it anymore, maybe someday I'll start again)

Huge hugs from me and birthday-diving girl

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How to Look Like 90's Madonna

Madonna went through a very Marilyn-Monroe-esque phase in the 90's, 

but with her own thick and bold eyebrows twist! 

I'll show you every step of re-creating this look in the video below!

Get ready to learn tons of fun tips and tricks and you can pick and choose some tips you can use in your own everyday make-up too! It's a 2 in one tutorial, learn to look like Madonna, who was looking like Marilyn Monroe too!
SIDENOTE: I photoshopped my eyes blue because there's no way I was gonna try putting contacts in my eyes!

Come and watch transformation #2, from my video series Beauty ReCovered, on the Glamour Magazine Channel on youtube:

Madonna always the trend-setter! Long before Cara Delevigne was making a statement with her brows, Madonna was doing it back in the 90's!

And here is me with my original brown eyes:

Key Madonna Make-Up For This Look:

FACELIFT TAPES (only for like a costume look or exact replication)

CONTOUR PALETTE - RCMA VK Foundation Palette

EYEBROW COLOR - Anatasia Dipbrow in Chocolate (I also used this for her "beauty mark)

MADONNA RED LIP: (*TIP: make sure the red lipliner is freshly sharpened for a crisp lip line)
Red Lip liner - Cherry Lipliner from MAC
Burgundy Lip liner - Currant from MAC

BLACK GEL LINER - I used the Make-Up Forever Aqua Cream Liner in Black

FAKE LASHES- I used the "Kim" lashes from Flutter Lashes (they are amazing!)

Next time you want to look extra glamorous or especially if you're in need a Madonna costume, I got your back, or really, I've got your face! ha ha ha Don't forget there are 6 more videos in this series that, even I can't wait to see!

And if you want to see the latest video on my channel, click here for a "glamorous" adventure in the wild hee hee hee:



Huge hugs and huge 90's Madonna hair from me to you....Madonna I mean Kandee

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Rarely Seen Outfit Of The Day: Skirt, Bow Heel & a little Leopard

Yesterday, a rare thing happened. I wore a skirt AND heels to church for Easter. I know many of you might be shocked my outfit, but you'd be surprised to know I secretly wish I lived in the 40's when women wore skirts and heels everyday.

I love these bow heels! I got them a while ago, so I'm not sure if they still make them, but they are from Melissa Shoes, and they are the collaboration she did with Vivienne Westwood. They are all rubber, and pretty comfy for heels! I think they are the cutest heels I own!

And my favorite outfit of the day belongs to Ellie Bellie (which is how she refers to herself..hee hee):
We got Ellie this fancy dress at a craft fair called, The Candy Dance. I love it because not only was it handsewn, but it looks like a dress that Shirley Temple would have worn.

Her shoes are her favorite pair of "heels", ha ha ha. They are Minnie Mouse heels that we scored at the Disney Store in Santa Monica.

 And of course we take the princesses with us everywhere: Ariel, Anna (from Frozen) and Belle, with us! It's our Princess Posse! ha ha ha

We all dined on Chinese Food after church, then headed home to pack out back and drive to my sisters! It's springbreak and we are officially Spring Breakers! Stopped driving late last night, slept at a Best Western, continental breakfast and now I'm typing this from Starbucks then it's back on the road again!

I've got a car full of kids and 2 teenagers, with Jordan and his friend....we are having lots o' fun!

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY BRAND NEW VIDEO!!!!!!! My mom said it's her favorite video I've ever done!

Huge hugs from your favorite girl, I hope, named Kandee

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1920's Gatsby Prom Dress, Makeup & Hair Ideas

I love all things vintage! So whether you're going to a Gatsby 20's themed prom, or your want to have your own style instead of wearing the same dresses as everyone else at your prom, or a wedding, or any even where you need a dress, I've got you covered from shoes to make-up!

Let's head back in time for some 20's Prom, inspiration....

I just filmed a tutorial for 1920's Inspired Make-Up for the make-up I did for Jessa, last weekend for her prom, you could actually wear this look everyday too:

We wanted her to look pretty, and not too "costume" or exact 20's, with the shaping of the mouth, and thin down-turned brows, and really dramatic lip color, so we went for "soft, romantic, Gatsby Glam", here's how we did it:


THE DRESS:

 Here is the same 20's flapper style dress that Aria Montgomery wore in the 20's costume episode of, Pretty Little Liars. It is a 20's replica dress, click here for more info.

This Flapper Style Deco dress, is the same dress, that my beautiful make-up model (below) wore to her prom night: (it was even more beautiful in person)

20's GATSBY JEWELRY:
 60 inch "pearl style" necklaces were all the rage in the 20's, and with this length you can knot them. You can get black, bronze and traditional pearl from Unique Vintage.

20's EARRINGS:
Long art deco inspired earrings, will still look great worn today! Just look for a drop-dangle earring with art deco detailing like these I found on Etsy:

 or these vintage inspired earrings from Claire's:

20's PURSE:

Art Deco design is still stylish today, and this Art Deco purse is something I would just hang on my wall too. And it's a bit of a bracelet and purse in one!

 Just look for any purse of clutch with 20's inspired details, beading, pearls, art deco design and patterns.


SHOES:
Of course you're going to want to opt for the 20's T-Strap Shoe, to cut a rug!
These 20's inspired, Classic Confection shoes from ModCloth are as cute as cake:

They also come in Bubble Gum:

And the classic 20's t-bar or t-strap shoe that comes in ivory, black, grey, plum, and this fun navy blue from Zappos:

20's Flapper Gatsby Headband:
These beaded flapper headbands from Unique Vintage are great:

or you can do like Jessa did, and DIY your own 20's flapper headband. Glue a little flower, feathers and netting to a lace headband or ribbon and you can have your own in minutes!

20's Hair:
Finger waves or Rag Curls,

like Jessa did (above with her date) are fun and perfect! Be warned rag curls are not so fun to try to sleep in, but the result it great! If you'd live to see me do a tutorial for finger waves or rag curls, comment below and I'll cook one up for ya!

And for more dramatic 20's Flapper, Gatsby, Vamp make-up,  you can watch this video I did, that might help you win a 20's costume contest ha ha ha:


Huge hugs and hope this post was the bees knees (20's slang for cool, I think we shoudl bring it back)...
your gal, Kandee

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Stomping Through The Boonies

Oh the sweet, sweet light of sunset. It's delicate like lace and soft like a painting.
I took a "hike" through some rugged terrain in a pair of ridiculously, not-the-right-shoes-to-be-walking-here-boots, with my camera crew, I mean me, carrying my tripod and camera. And a small man the holds my heart in his hands, who took this picture, who happens to be 6 and goes by the name of Blake.

I filmed a surprise video that may just inspire a new series of videos! ha ha ha ha I can't even give away what the video is about because it's too, well, I can't even say that! hee hee It's gonna be fun, is all I can say!
In case anyone wanted to know, because I already got some questions on good ol' instagram

 LACE CARDIGAN- Free People |  STRIPED TANK DRESS- Forever21  |  LEGGINGS  |  BOOTS - Steve Madden | Hat - I got at a hat store in Toronto  | Gold Earrings - vintage earrings I got at a flea market
Warning: all these items are "old" as in I got them 6 months to a couple years ago, so they probably aren't even available! ha ha ha But they can "inspire" your clothes-hunting-eyes! hee hee

SNEEK PEEK:
I will be uploading a video today! I was up til 2:33am, editing this baby...it's going to be a Romantic 1920's Inspired Make-Up look for Prom that I did last weekend for Jessa, who was actually going to prom after we filmed it! The look is beautiful and you could wear it whether you're going to prom, and went to your own prom 20 years ago! hee hee

I edit in FinalCutPro, if anyone was wondering. I've never taken a class, and I don't think I'm that great at editing, but I do ok, and finally I think the video is good enough to stop editing. Ha ha ha

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Set your self free from judging others today. And in the freedom, your heart will be open to have greater understanding and appreciation of other people's hearts...and you will feel more love flowing through you!

Huge hugs and ridiculous-to-walk-in-the-rocks-fringe-boots, your Kandee

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9 Of The Funniest Photoshopped Celebrities

Celebrities are just like you and I. Without fancy wardrobe stylists, make-up artists, trainers, chefs, well, they were just one different choice away, from being a regular person. So here's, quite possibly the funniest celebrity photoshop creations by the Photoshop Genius, Danny Evans. He has just put the actual faces of these celebs on some pretty awesome, everyday peeps portait bodies! I love this!

The next time you see a waiter, hostess, sales clerk, just imagine them all glammed up, they still could be the next big thing!

Yes, that up above is none other than JAY Z and BEYONCE!!!

RIHANNA

MILEY CYRUS

Average BRAD PITT and ANGELINE JOLIE

Aw KANYE WEST & KIM KARDASHIAN:

looking as fashionable as ever.

MADONNA

SCARLETT JOHANSSON

JENNIFER ANISTON

OH JOHNNY DEPP

And I'm not saying I'm a celebrity in any way, I just couldn't help but want to be photoshopped onto an awesome 80's portrait, so here's mine too, horrible photoshopping courtesy of myself:

Hope this brought a smile to your face or at least gave you fun pictures to post, pin to pinterest or whatever....

PS. Don't forget to watch THIS, it's a a video revealing my new hair, starring my "twin", well not really a twin, I'm older, but just watch this for more laughter, but THIS is my real new hair color:

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Throwback Thursday and 10 Things About This Picture

1. This was not my horse. This was my sisters horse.

2. Did you notice how my silk, yes I said silk, shirt matched the horses halter.

3. A halter, is the strappy looking thing on the horses head, to lead them around with a lead rope.

4. I also seem to be wearing a decorative pin up at the collar of my shirt, yes this was the 90's. And yes, like a bolo tie but without the dangly tie parts hanging down. I know, I know, I was cool. ha ha ha

5. Silk shirt are hot. Not as in, hot = cool, but as in hot = sweaty.

6. I like horses but was always more afraid of the distance at which they could eject me from the saddle on their back. Once we were doing this demonstration of riding horses for all these little Girl Scouts at this indoor Arena, and a bird flew all crazy out of the rafters and scared my horse, and it took off running and jumping all crazy with me on the back and it scared all the little Girl Scouts, AND ME!

6. Silk shirts are not flattering for your figure.

7. This was my daily make-up look in high school. Yes, there is make-up on my face.

8. The horse's name was Leo.

9. I have never, and will never buy another silk shirt.

10. I look like I stole my clothes from a 90's boy band. Just cover up my head and yep, Justin Timberlake

And get ready to see MY BRAND NEW HAIR.....
After you see this awesome picture of me and my "faux twin" sister (I'm 22 months older than her)

Here's our before picture, and watch to see what color my hair is under this wig:



Huge hugs, from me and my huge silk shirt, your friend, Kandee

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