the xtinatron chronicles

I'm Still Alive!

2012-02-02T11:53:00.001-07:00

Hello my lovelies!

I hope everyone had a great holiday season! The move wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and I'm glad to be back home! My husband and I are currently staying with his parents until we get situated and find a place of our own. I haven't really set up a place to film yet because the lighting in our room isn't the greatest. I'll try to figure something out but in the mean time I plan on trying to blog on a regular basis.

That's my update so far but I did have one more thing to share with you all...I finally bought a vintage vanity! I got lucky and found it on craigslist so I hurried over to Chesapeake to snatch it up! It was a pretty good deal and it has minor wear but nothing a little restoring couldn't fix!

An Update...

2011-12-09T21:14:00.002-07:00

Hello my dears!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I just wanted to pop in and make a quick update. As you all know my husband is in the Army. Well he was supposed to be getting out in March but they decided to push his ETS date to January. Nobody had informed him of this until a couple of weeks ago so it was a big shock for us. We've been so busy trying to get everything done in time for the move on the 19th. So much to do in so little time! That's the military for you lol. I will admit I have been stressing big time lately because I have felt very overwhelmed. Can't wait until this move is over! So this is the reason I haven't posted any videos recently and I apologize. I will try and do a Christmas vlog if I can and once we get settled I will get more videos done. I hope you all have a great holiday season and I will see you soon!

Don't forget to like my Facebook page! It's an easy way for me to communicate with my awesome subscribers! :)

Review: Stiletto Cosmetics

2011-10-28T13:50:00.003-06:00

Hey dolls! Today I'll be doing a long overdue review on a couple of products from Stiletto Cosmetics. It all came very nicely packaged in a leopard print box which I thought was very cute! I was sent some business cards, a blush in the color Afterglow, and a gel eyeliner in Midnite Black. Each product also came in a little black mesh drawstring pouch.

The Afterglow blush is a pressed mineral powder in a nice bubblegum pink color. Perfect for any pin up look! It's packaged in a small round tin and embossed in a neat wave design. It also comes with a handy brush to apply it with. The blush retails for $32.00 but right now it is on sale for $29 on the Stiletto Cosmetics website. I know that may seem like a steep price for a blush in today's economy but if you can spare the money for it then I would give it a try. It's a nice quality blush with good pigmentation!

I was in desperate need of a new gel eyeliner so I was very happy to be sent one for review! Midnite Black is a jet black color with a bit of gold shimmer in it. It's not too much shimmer though and doesn't make you look like a disco ball. It has a very creamy consistency and easy to apply which I love! The eyeliner also comes with an angled brush to use with it but it's a little too thick for my taste. I actually use it for my brows instead. So if you don't want to use it for the eyeliner you can certainly find another use for it! It retails for $17.00 which is a reasonable price in my opinion.

Here are the swatches of each product on my hand.

Overall I think this is a company worth checking out. They carry good quality products and the pin up packaging is adorable! Right now they are having a 40% off sale on their website and free shipping so it would be a great time to try some products out if you are interested!

Like My Facebook Page!

2011-10-22T21:37:00.002-06:00

Hey my dears! I created a Facebook fan page for my subscribers. I thought it would be a good way of communicating with you guys! So please feel free to like my page and leave any comments or questions you may have. Hope you all have a great weekend!

P.S. Don't forget to enter the giveaway that's going on right now on my YouTube channel! :)

Planning a giveaway!

2011-10-04T21:22:00.004-06:00

Hey my lovelies! I am currently planning a giveaway and I'm super excited about it! I'm just waiting on all of the prizes to arrive and then I will announce it on YouTube. I'm so grateful to the three ladies who are being so generous by donating the prizes. I just know you guys will love them! I've been wanting to do a giveaway just to say thank you to all of my loyal subscribers and to all of the new ones as well. I really do appreciate your love and support! I will make another post soon with more details and keep an eye out for when I make the announcement on my channel!

Gotta love a bargain!

2011-10-04T01:28:00.005-06:00

My husband and I were at Costco over the weekend and I came across these TCM Greatest Classic Films dvds. I was pleasantly surprised! They had quite a few and it was hard to choose but I picked the murder mysteries volume. The set has 4 films on 2 discs and it includes The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Big Sleep, Dial M For Murder, and The Maltese Falcon. Best of all it was only $9.99!

Movie of the Week: The Clock (1945)

2011-09-14T23:02:00.007-06:00

Starring: Judy Garland, Robert Walker
Directed by: Vincenti Minnelli
Synopsis: Soldier Joe Allen is on a two-day leave in New York, and there he meets Alice. She agrees to show him the sights and they spend the day together. In this short time they find themselves falling in love with each other, and they decide to get married before Joe has to return to camp.

I am a huge Judy Garland fan but had never seen this movie before until a few nights ago. This was such a charming movie. Plus Robert Walker is just so adorable in it. Definitely worth watching in my opinion!

Trailer:

Nails with glamour!

2011-09-10T17:33:00.004-06:00

Kiss has collaborated with Dita Von Teese and have created vintage manicure press on nails! I love the Kiss press on nails so I was extremely excited about this! I have tried doing a half moon manicure on myself but don't have the steady hands for it lol. I find this will be a more easy and convenient way.

This past Thursday Dita announced that if you purchased a set of nails from her website by midnight on that day you will get a free autographed card complete with a lipstick kiss...and yes it will be a genuine autograph and lipstick kiss! I'm sure she had to kiss a lot of cards over the weekend! I ordered mine and will do a review after I receive them!

Yikes!

2011-07-26T20:58:00.004-06:00

Well it's been quite a while since I have blogged or made a video. I always come back and then I'm gone for a while and then come back again. I apologize for my inconsistency! Things have been a bit hectic around here. We have less than a year before my husband gets out of the Army and we've been deciding on what we are going to do and trying to plan ahead. It's been quite exhausting.

I've also been trying to figure out a better setting for filming videos. The lighting is not always the best in our apartment. I have a few ideas though so hopefully they work out. I have a couple of reviews that are long overdue that I need to get done as well. I'm pretty stumped on what to do for a tutorial right now. There are so many people on YouTube so it can be hard to try and be original. I'll have to keep brainstorming!

In other news I have been contemplating on trying to create my own pomade. I've been giving it a lot of thought lately and think it would be fun! My husband thinks I should just go for it so maybe I will. He can be my guinea pig..haha!

Okay dolls I hope you all are doing well and I will try to update more often! :)

My New Dolly Bag!

2011-05-13T17:18:00.007-06:00

I was so excited to see that my Dungaree Dolly package had arrived today! This is my second bag from this company and I absolutely adore it!

It's always so nice to get a package from Dolly because it's wrapped just like a present and feels like Christmas! Mine was wrapped in hot pink and green leopard print tissue paper with a neon green ribbon...so cute!

This is the front of the bag. This is the Charlotte bag I believe and I picked the monster fabric for it. I'm obsessed with Universal Monsters so when I saw that she had this print back in stock I had to jump on it! I especially love the little faux leather bows and accents in the corners.

This inside is a bright neon green and has pockets inside for your cell phone, sunglasses, etc...oh and even a little place to put your pen!

This is the back..

Beth makes all her bags from scratch so you know you are getting something one of a kind! I highly recommend this company. She is very sweet and gives great customer service. Oh and let's not forget the beautiful handmade bags! So head on over to DungareeDolly.com!

Fast & Easy Retro Hair!

2011-05-06T10:53:00.005-06:00

Don't have a lot of time to get ready or were just plain lazy to set your hair the night before? This tutorial may help! :)

April Blossom of the Month

2011-04-14T16:56:00.003-06:00

This month's BOM is the Azalea. I think it's gorgeous! I absolutely love the color as well. A great reminder that Spring is in the air! :)

"Petals of silken brilliance,

In colors of luscious pinks,

To deep reds,

Grace your tender branches,

With a sweet woodsy perfume aroma,

That floats through the air,

As I walk down the path,

Landscaped with Azaleas." - Hortense Foster

Retro Makeup book

2011-04-04T17:37:00.009-06:00

So I happened to stop by the Bobby Pin Blog today and learned that Lauren's Retro Makeup book is finally done! I am so so excited about this!

I own the 1st edition of her Vintage Hairstyling book and love it. It's so informative and beautifully done.

You can pre-order your copy of the Retro Makeup book now on RetroMakeup.net or Amazon.

R.I.P. Elizabeth Taylor

2011-03-25T02:15:00.003-06:00

I am so heartbroken by this. She is and always will be one of my favorite actresses of all time. You will be greatly missed Liz.

Movie of the Week: The Awful Truth (1937)

2011-02-22T18:20:00.011-07:00

Starring: Cary Grant and Irene Dunne

Directed By: Leo McCarey

Synopsis: This captivating screwball comedy stars Cary Grant and Irene Dunne as Jerry and Lucy Warriner, a married couple who mistakenly suspect each other of infidelity and file for divorce -- but then go to ridiculous lengths to make each other jealous.

This is one of my favorite films! I absolutely adore Irene Dunne and Cary Grant was such a great comedic actor. They had such wonderful chemistry together which makes it a joy to watch. That chemistry is probably what led them to make two other films together after this - My Favorite Wife (1940) and Penny Serenade (1941). This film also stars a little terrier named Mr. Smith who is quite the scene stealer! Even though I have seen this movie many times I still laugh at the same parts over and over again. I think that's one of the reasons why this is a favorite for me...I never get tired of it! If you are a fan of comedy films or just love old movies like I do then I would suggest seeing this!

Movie Clip:

Mildred Pierce

2011-02-19T19:24:00.008-07:00

I am soooo excited for this! I'm a fan of the Mildred Pierce film from 1945 starring Joan Crawford and Ann Blyth. This new adaptation is going to be a five-part miniseries on HBO starring Kate Winslet and Evan Rachel Wood. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge Kate Winslet fan so I know it's going to be nothing less than an amazing performance. It premieres Sunday, March 27.

Kate Winslet as Mildred Pierce

Evan Rachel Wood as Veda Pierce

Apple Cidar Vinegar as a toner?

2011-02-18T23:28:00.007-07:00

I'm not going to lie...I was a little hesitant about using Apple Cidar Vinegar as a facial toner but I have been pleasantly surprised. I mixed green tea and the vinegar together to make the toner and have been using it for about a week and I actually really like it. Apple Cidar Vinegar is a natural treatment for acne. It unclogs pores and encourages skin renewal. I've noticed that a few of my blemishes have greatly reduced in size since using it and my skin just looks better overall. So if you suffer from acne or just get the occasional breakout I would suggest trying this easy and inexpensive treatment. Oh and DO NOT put the vinegar straight onto your face without diluting it with something first! It can be very irritating to the skin if used alone. There are numerous recipes for Apple Cidar Vinegar toners on the web but I am using the one PETA has provided in the following video...

Movie of the Week: Gone with the Wind (1939)

2011-02-14T21:03:00.007-07:00

Starring: Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland and Hattie McDaniel
Directed By: Victor Fleming (George Cukor and Sam Wood) Uncredited
Synopsis: American classic in which a manipulative woman and a roguish man carry on a turbulent love affair in the American south during the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Okay I have to admit that I've never seen this movie all the way through until a few nights ago. 31 Days of Oscar has been on TCM and I just happened to catch it. Running almost 4 hours it is quite a long film but I didn't mind. There is an intermission halfway through so you do get a small break haha. It had a good mix of drama, romance, and action. I'm a big fan of period dramas so I can't forget to mention the costumes. They were amazing! In my opinion I thought it was an excellent film. If you haven't seen it yet then I highly recommend watching it if you get a chance because it's definitely a classic.

Trailer:

February Belle Blossoms BOM

2011-02-11T16:17:00.008-07:00

The first week of every month is always super exciting for me because I know to expect the new Blossom of the Month from Belle Blossoms! If you are not familiar with the Blossom of the Month Club I suggest you head on over to the website because it's definitely worth checking out!

This month's blossom was a rose in a really awesome leopard print!

P.S. Each card the blossom comes on has a hint for the next month's flower! I always like to try and guess. :)

2011-02-11T02:59:00.004-07:00

A preview image from Dita Von Teese's DIY beauty book! The book is supposed to be out by mid-2011. I personally cannot wait. I've been dying for it to come out for ages now!

Skin Care

2010-09-08T17:41:00.008-06:00

I've received many compliments on my skin from you all and have been asked a number of times what skin care I use. First off I would like to say that I do not have prefect skin at all! Oh how I wish I did. Makeup and lighting can do wonders haha. I have a bit of redness and some scarring from past breakouts which have faded quite a bit from a couple of other products I use but I will save that for another post! I have oily skin which can be really frustrating at times but mattifying products are my friend and help keep it at bay. So with all that being said here is my skin care routine..

Morning

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser for all skin types
Acne.org Treatment (The only thing that works for me and keeps my breakouts away! It can be purchased at www.acne.org!)
Up & Up Oil Free Facial Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 15
Soap & Glory Eye Maintenance Moisturizing Gel

Night

Philosophy Purity Made Simple one-step facial cleanser (My favorite cleanser in the whole world! Literally melts all the makeup off and gently cleanses the face.)
Acne.org Treatment
Acne.org Moisturizer
Soap & Glory Eye Maintenance Moisturing Gel

I also use..

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque (I use this about 2-3 nights a week.)
Up & Up Facial Scrub for Blemishes and Blackheads (I like to use this in the morning in place of Cetaphil about 2 times a week.)

That's pretty much it! I hope that this helped some of you and if you have any questions about anything just leave me a comment or email me!

2010-09-08T16:31:00.004-06:00

Hello out there to all of my lovely YouTube subscribers! I finally decided to start a blog because I have been really slacking on making new videos. I apologize for being so inactive. I've either been too busy, tired, or just plain lazy haha. It can take a lot of time to film and edit one video. I still plan on making videos just not as often as I used to. So I want to make good use of this blog in the meantime. I'll be posting tutorials, reviews, my thoughts, and other odds and ends. If you have any requests, questions, or just want to contact me shoot me an email at xtinatron@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter. Thanks again to everyone who has stuck by me since the beginning and to all of my new subscribers! I hope you all are doing well and I'll see you soon! :)