Kate's Gift Guide: Sweets, Charity & beauty buys...

WoW! It's been a while since my last post! I've been moving and such. No excuse, right? ;) Anyways. It's  Christmastime! Hoorrrayyy! I live in NJ and lately it doesn't FEEL like Christmas so much, but that's okay! ;) One of my favorite things is getting Christmas cards in the mail! I love the anticipation of all the fun holiday cards. What's one your favorite things about Christmas? This year we are spending the holidays with my husband's family, which I'm pretty excited about. My Aunt hosts and everyone goes all out on Christmas Eve- presents, amazing food and of course, lots of fun! 

As you can probably imagine, with moving and all, my Christmas shopping is going to be quite last minute this year but I LOVE giving gifts that are thoughtful to each person. I'm also a HUGE fan of homemade gifts and gifts that make a difference. So here's my personal HOLIDAY GIFT SHOPPING GUIDE! It's fun, easy, and thoughtful.

 1.Sweet Treats 

Every year I usually make some sort of canned item- jams or pickles. This all started about six years ago when a lady from church taught me how to can. I'm so grateful because I love it and they make great gifts! (Thanks Chris Kinon! xo). This year I'm going SIMPLE, yet delicious...Homemade Caramel Sauce and cookies.

Recipe/Photo Source: Mel's Kitchen

This year I'm going Gluten-Free with my baking. 

Hope you like these ones! 

Gluten Free Iced Cherry Cookies

Flourless Dark Chocolate Expresso Cookies w/ Butterscotch chips

2. Gifts that give back

• 31BITS: Okayyy so I'm pretty much obsessed with these beaded beauties! They are just so darn cute & trendy! So here's the scoop: these are handmade by jewelry designers in Uganda. Each woman has a story of suffering that they've joyfully overcome. What an inspiration! Every purchase you make helps them to receive fair wages & supports their family. (aka fair trade) 

31Bits

• GoInternational: This next one is dear to my heart. When I was in college I had the best roommate in the world (besides my sweet friend, Lisa)... Christa! For one, we had the coolest apartment in Tulsa because I can guarantee NOBODY had a zebra couch, hand-painted furniture, butterflies hanging from the kitchen ceiling and an ASTRO TURF kitchen floor! And yes, it was purposefully laid there by us with flowers glued to it. There was no mistake in any of this decor. In the time we spent together, Christa became a friend, a mentor and someone I respected. So although I do not get to see her much with us living so far apart, I'd like to give a shout out to her and her hubby's ministry. Christa and her hubby, Greg are the founders of GoInternational, a christian-based missions organization that leads groups of young adults all over the world on short term trips, which is something that has greatly impacted my own life and my husband's. Currently they reside in Ecuador with their adorable son, Zion.  For the holidays, they are running a campaign: Add One. Check out their website for more details! 

• Next, for all you coffee-addicts out there! Have you heard of Three Avocados?!! It's a non-profit coffee company that provides CLEAN WATER and HOPE to the people of Uganda. Also, it's high quality 100% Arabica coffee! Mmmm. Go buy some for a friend ;) ...or yourself!

• Last charity fave is The Love Alliance. I came across this great organization a few years ago at a Christian music festival. They had these cool postcards on their table that said "Remember the Poor", "Remember the Thirsty", etc. Since then I've followed them through email. Their goal is to educate individuals on social justice issues and then put their knowledge to work with community groups, monthly action projects, partnerships and events. Also, they've got some pretty rockin' threads at their store! 

3. Great Beauty buys

• Mary Kay has a great holiday look book out with lots of affordable pampering gifts for everyone on your list! I'm a fan of the Satin Hands & Lip exfoliator treatment. These are amazing during the winter! Go here to see more & receive free shipping online.

Hope you got some great ideas for gifts! Have a great Christmas! 

XO Kate

October Awareness Month

I am a strong advocate of bringing awareness to both of these topics for several reasons. For one, I personally think everyone should be an advocate of something. Secondly, I have had people in my own life that have dealt with these issues and I can guarantee you have met and had a relationship with someone that has struggled with one or both of these issues, whether you realize it or not. Neither topic is easy to talk about but I know from a tough experience my friend dealt with, domestic violence is somewhat taboo.  However, if you know me, I'm not one to "look the other way". If I see anyone hurting or in trouble, I'm there in a second. However, there is a way to handle a sensitive situation like this... I recommend calling a hotline to get some information. Check out these shocking statistics from The Mary Kay Foundation: 

• 78 percent of domestic violence shelters nationwide (nearly eight out of ten) report an increase in women seeking assistance from abuse.
• 74 percent of survivors stayed with an abusive partner longer because of financial issues.
• 58 percent of shelters reported that the abuse is more violent now than before 2008.
• 87 percent of domestic violence shelters (nearly nine out of ten) expect their overall situationduring the next 12 months will be worse than now, or the same as now, due to the economy.
• 95 percent reported that survivors needed to stay in shelters for longer durations of time.
• Of shelters that were forced to reduce services, 47 percent decreased childcare efforts, which meant that they were not able to help one in four children.
• 86 percent of shelters witnessed negative social effects on children such as bullying or withdrawal.
• 62 percent reported that young women (age 12-24) are requesting help in greater numbers.
• 92 percent of shelters had to end or scale back specific programs and services.

Be sure to check out these MK campaigns that are empowering women today: www.loveisrespect.org 

http://www.marykay.com/dontlookaway

***10% of all purchases this week (10/15-10/20) will go towards the Mary Kay Foundation in support of these causes or you can make a donation at www.marykayfoundation.org***

Later this week I will write more about Breast Cancer Awareness... 

10 Fall Faves: Music, Fashion, Beauty

Music. It was hard to pick only two albums but here they are! I've currently been in love with these! Check 'em out and let me know what you think!        

     #1 The Lumineers

#2 Passion Pit

FALL FASHION & BEAUTY :) Aaah. Someone get me a cup of coffee now because I could be here all day!

#3 I am obssssesssed with these adorable socks from Free People! Great to wear over a chunky pair of socks with boots!

 #4 The Atzec-inspired sweater is amazing! I'm all about comfort, cozy Fall trends so this is perfect over a Tee, as pictured. 

#5 Combat Boots...preferably with a little studdage! (yes, I made up that word).

#6 Accessories: Stack those bracelets! Remember those DIY bracelets you used to exchange with friends at lunch in 5th grade?!?!! Well, go find your Caboodle case because they're back! (Yes, I still have my Caboodle from 5th grade- don't judge;) 

#7 RR Clutch. Kinda just love this cute clutch. It supports Orphan Aid and I love all things Rachel Roy. 

                                    LACY, VINTAGE-INSPIRED SOCKS TO WEAR WITH BOOTS (Free People <3) 

AZTEC PRINTS AND CHUNKY, COZY SWEATERS

                                         

Studded Combat Boots :)   

 

Stack those bracelets!!! 

If you can get your hands on one of these adorable little clutches, you'll be in luck!
This is Rachel Roy and these came out for her birthday in efforts to support Ghana OrphanAid. My kinda girl! :) I LOVE her style and heart! <3 

 #8 I love this Dark Green Nail polish- Going Incognito by Essie. This really looks great on! (I'm also a fan of these- MK's red & teal)

#9 Mary Kay Color Compact- These are great for traveling and keeping your makeup organized! Plus it's eco-friendly. The compact is re-usable! Gotta love green companies!

#10  Nicole Richie and Rachel Zoe. I tend to like their fashion sense- it's most like my style which is boho chic meets rocker.

Hunter Green Nail Polish! 

I love my MK compact :) Lots of different color combinations. Go here for more Beauty Tips!

LASTLY :)

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY! <3 Katie

Intensify the Color of your Eyes!

Are you always wandering around the cosmetics department wondering what eye makeup colors to buy? Well search no more! Here is your easy peasey guide to intensifying YOUR specific eye color! Now, if you are creative, you can play with colors and just have fun, but these are the BASICS and you are sure to shine and look your best with these professional makeup artist tips!
MaryKay Tips and Trends

Neutrals: Browns are best!

Blues. Sometimes a blue liner can do the trick too!

Purples and Golds!

                                                        

                                                           Neutrals and Golds! 

FREE VIRTUAL MAKEOVER!!! <3
I'd love to show you more color and makeup application tips specific to YOUR face shape and skin tone! Contact me at kseidler@marykay.com to schedule your complimentary appointment!
www.marykay.com/kseidler

Red Lips, Jewel Tones, and Vintage Vogue....

Fall 2012 has arrived and if you thought Mary Kay was just your Grandma's makeup, you were wrong!  haha! ;) Check out The Fall Trend Report. I am obsessed with these Makeup Artist looks, especially the Vintage Vogue. They are so hot and on-trend! If you don't wear a lot of makeup or you need something quick to run errands with the kids or go to class, I'd suggest the Beautiful Basic look! What I love about all these looks is that any woman, at any age can wear them! They are on-trend AND classic! Take a look and let me know what YOUR fave is! 

I'll be offering a special for all you beautiful ladies...if you see a makeup look that you like here and would like to purchase the entire look, you'll receive the compact FREE! All you have to do mention this blog post in the note section when placing your order and I'll adjust the price! Feel free to email me with any questions: mkmakeupgrl@gmail.com. To place orders: www.marykay.com/ksiedler. Thank you! :)

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MY Mary Kay Story- Why I Started

Truth be told when I first started Mary Kay I was just looking for some extra income and something to put on my resume- I was a little embarrassed of the fact that I had spent time and money on a college degree and here I was selling Mary Kay. (Let's just say I quickly swallowed my pride and lost the ego LOL ;) I had just moved and with the economic downturn, was having trouble finding the right job within my field of study- Int'l Business. Along with my business background I've always had a passion for helping others and volunteering, specifically with teens. They're fun, and usually looking for guidance. I'm always up for fun and lending a helping hand. So when I found myself giving facials and makeovers to high school and college-aged girls, I thought maybe I could do this full-time! So I turned it from "something to put on a resume" to I'm going full throttle, all the way. I used to think you couldn't make money selling Mary Kay, then I saw the Pink Cadillacs, the bonus checks and prizes. Although money does not buy happiness, it does give you options. I've currently worked my way to management and have been one of the top consultants in my unit of over 50 women since I started in February of 2011. Here are a few of my achievements thus far:

• Star Consultant Four times consistently
• Team Leader (8 Team Members)
• #1 Retail Sales 2011, #2 Retail Sales 2012 (within unit)
• #1 Team Building 2012 in unit
• Coach Bag & Ring Challenge Winner

My goal is to reach directorship so I can continue training women about this great opportunity, playing with my makeup ;) , meeting more awesome women and being my own boss! 

If you'd like some more info about the Mary Kay business opportunity, I'd love to chat. Email me at kseidler@marykay.com.

 Learn more about Mary Kay Inc.

MK Success Stories

Be a Beauty Consultant

Be a Beauty Consultant
The holidays are just around the corner and money may be tight. Are you in need of some extra income? This month ONLY, Mary Kay Inc. is offering an amazing promo-- $75 to start your business! You will receive almost $500 in products for only $75 Annnnd you will receive a FREE bronze tote for signing up with me! (while supplies last, so act fast!)
You can contact me at kseidler@marykay.com for any questions. I always want my team members to feel comfortable about their business decisions, so you don't have to worry about me pressuring you. I understand everyone has different needs and expectations for their business. I look forward to hearing from you! www.marykay.com/kseidler