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Richard Darrah with Self Made Beauty

Avon Independent Sales Representative

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Monday, December 31, 2012

Fresh Water Pearl Sets

$9.99
$9.99
$14.99

Curves Products at AVON!

Curves Line! Check it out at my store!
FREE 2 week guest pass with any Curves purchase!

Virtual Makeover Tool

This a great makeover tool! The new way to try before you buy!

Jumbo Wooden Train!

Look at this great wooden block train that even rolls! Santa found it at Costco this year! Cost? I think Santa might have paid under $20 for it! Both girls 2 and 4 just play and play with it! I love the building blocks! It really is a great toy!

Sleep Deprived!

Ugh! Just came back last night from another work session. Left for work at 1300 on Friday and just got home Sunday night at 2000. I was able to get about 8 hours of broken sleep during this session this time. Yes, this was for my law enforcement job and I'm totally exhausted again. However, with a two year old and a four year old at home there is no time to "catch up" so to speak.
I was able to crash around 2200 last night after re-connecting briefly with my husband and two small girls. Of course I woke up at 2:30am because my clock is so out of wack. What does that mean? Ahem, waking my husband and lalalalala. Thought that would get me back to sleep...nope! Okay, husband did, but not moi. I ended up going and getting my iPad and looking up new hairstyles to chop it all off for the new year (refer to previous post). 2 year old came a waddling to our bed at 6am. DAY MUST START!
So, here I am again starting a new year after over a decade of job sleep deprivation (additional lack of sleep from two small additions) and obligations to keep me from sleeping, lol.
1) Blog, social media and AVON site updates(now)
2) Childcare Drop Off
3) Haircut
4) Bank Run
5) AVON Paperwork
6) New Year's Eve Prep,
7) Childcare Pick Up (prior to 1500 due to early closure)
8) Liquor Store Run (probably should do that prior to getting the kids)
9) Food Prep
10) Kid Prep
11) Go to the Murphys Home! BRING IN THE NEW YEAR!!!! Try to sleep in tomorrow..... With a toddler and preschooler? RIGHT!

First AVON Bonus Check

This is our first AVON bonus check for recruitment in our new leadership role! One of the 10 ways to earn money with AVON! To learn more about the AVON Opportunity click on our AVON opportunity links on the right side of our blog page! www.djdarrah.blogspot.com

Chopping it all off!

Okay, I'm getting rid of the hair! I'll be welcoming in 2013 with a new do tonight! We'll see what our close friends the Murphy's think tonight at their place!
I'll be going to a salon today and chopping it off. I want to get something similar to the picture below. I'll be posting a before and after cut after it's all done. I'm excited!
I've had nothing but hair issues since 2008 after having Abby (1st child)at the age of 38! My entire life I've had straight hair until after having her. Now it's frizzy in the back and straight as a board in the front. I've tried everything. The only thing that has worked decently is AVON's Advantage Techniques Shampoo and Conditioner with Moroccan Argan Oil in combination with the AVON Moroccan Argan Oil after on damp hair. Oh, and lots of time with a straight iron...
I've come to the conclusion it would just be a better life for everyone in our household if I just changed my style to a short cut with it VERY short in the back to avoid the frizz!
I'll post the before and after pics later today! Stay tuned!Here is the look that I'm aiming for!

<---Goal
Well, My hair was a monster at the salon...ugh! It wanted to stick straight out at the sides! I have such thick hair that she had to thin it forever! I decided to shorten the sides more and leave the top longer than the goal photo. I'll work with it a couple of days and she'll layer up the top more if I decide to do it. Happy New Year everyone!
Here's one from from 01/04/13!

Live by Your Own Rules

Live by Your Own Rules: "Viva is fresh and unexpected. A sexy daring blend of notes that brings out the duality of a woman. The Viva woman is powerful, yet seductive. She lives life by her own rules."
- Fergie
Fergie is the lead vocalist of the world-renowned music group, the Black Eyed Peas, and a multi-platinum solo artist.
Click on the link above to view her comments! (You will need a flash player capability for this)
This is a new fragrance available through AVON! A sexy contradiction of captivating cool herbs spiked with fresh lavender and intriguing vetiver.  Contact me at www.youravon.com/donnadarrah for more information!

Live by Your Own Rules

Friday, December 28, 2012

ANEW Review

I have been using a department store 3 step skin regimen faithfully since I was in my late teens at college. It's been expensive and well now that I'm in my forties my skin has changed. I'm takng the plunge into the AVON's ANEW Reversalist product line!
The above picture is actually the starter system.

I started my Avon Anew Reversalist regimen with the basics: Renewal Foaming Cleanser, Renewal Serum, Illuminating Eye System, Day Renewal Cream SPF 25 in the morning and Night Renewal Cream at nightday. I started on Monday, December 17, 2012. I decided to go all out and add to it the Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel every other night and the Clinical Eye Lift Pro at night on day 2.


I have had problems since my last pregnancy in 2010 with a skin condition called rosacea. It kind of looks like acne but isn't. I've been on metro-gel and an anti-biotic since 2011 with some improvement but it just wasn't clearing up. Within a day of using the Avon reversalist regimen the redness started to go away! I was really impressed so I tried the Clinical peel every other day at night right after the cleanser. Ok, I'm seriously impressed. My face redness from the rosacea has disappeared and the acne like blisters are clearing up! Not only that but my face is softer! My husband loves touching it so much he is actually driving me nuts! However, I do secretly love the extra attention.

Oh and ladies....my monthly visitor came and went without so much as a single breakout! Yeah!

I actually started on day 2 using the Clinical Eye Lift in place of the Illuminating Eye System in the evenings. I chose this product because I've noticed some drooping of my upper lid/brow area. I am surprised how fast the products actually work. My right upper eye area is worse than my left but I can visibly tell the difference! Within a week my bags and dark circles were gone and my upper eye/brow area looks younger and lifted without the surgery. I'm sure with continued use on this problem area I will keep seeing improvement.

The Anew Clinical Resurfacing Expert Smoothing Fluid is on sale in the current campaign 2 brochure for $24.99. (reg. price $38) I'm purchasing this to use as my 2nd step. I will replace the Renewal Serum with this and see if it works even better on the rosacea issue. I will start using it on January 12th, 2013. The brochure states this product is "79% effective as a professional microdermabrasion--without the same irritation.*"

"*Based on a clinical study vs. three professional microdermabrasion treatments over 12 weeks."

I am just amazed at all the different products that AVON offers within their ANEW Skincare line. I wish I had discovered them 25 years ago. AVON always has their products on sale every few weeks and they're evidently good products that work!

I'll keep everyone updated!


Friday, November 30, 2012

Friday, November 23, 2012

Shop my AVON store!

There are some great gifts for under $10 at AVON. FREE standard shipping for $10 orders use shipping code: SHIPTEN Enjoy!
Snowman Building Kit $9.99
Angel Birthstone Ornament on sale for $5.99 while supplies last. Reg Price $9.99
Deluxe Roulette Set on sale for $9.99. Reg Price $24.99
Light Up Holiday Bag on sale for $$5.99. Reg price $8.00

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Chapped Lips? Easy Fix...

All you need is a soft bristled toothbrush and some lip balm. I use a child's toothbrush.

Simply lubricate your lips generously with lip balm and brush your lips gently with the toothbrush. I do this in the morning and prior to bed. This will exfoliate the lips and remove flakes from chapped lips.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Informant: Islamic Compounds in America are Training for Jihad

This was very interesting to me... In Hancock, NY an Islamic community that sits on 80 acres of land has decided to form its own government. They call their community: The Town of Islamberg. They have their own mayor, deputy mayor and five town council members. None of them are elected, of course. To read more click on the link: Islamic Compounds

Monday, November 5, 2012

Shop my AVON store!

Shop my AVON store!: Here's a sneak peak at some of the latest products available at Avon. Be sure to click

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

AVON Glimmersticks Review

I have been using the AVON Glimmersticks Chrome Ultra Violet for about 3 weeks now.  I have to say that I absolutely love it!  OMG!  It is the best I have ever used so far. It doesn't fade or smudge.  It goes on smoothly and stays put. I work very long hours as a federal law enforcement officer under varying conditions and it looks great after I get off.

The product has a pearl finish with color-changing effect. It wears for 9 hours, is waterproof and smudgeproof.  (It's lasted past 10 hours for me!) It is retractable, self-sharpening and is .01 oz.

I have such sensitive skin and eyes that I usually can't wear makeup every day.  However, since switching to the AVON products (highly advised since I became an AVON Independent Sales Representative at the end of September) I haven't had a single eczema break out on my eyelids at all.  It's amazing to me.  I haven't had watery eyes except when I had a touch of a cold the other day.  When I did have watery eyes the product didn't run!  I am truly impressed.

I picked Ultra Violet due to having it as one of my favorite colors and the purple really makes my hazel eyes just stand out and pop. 

I'm going to try the waterproof Glimmersticks Blackest Black color this weekend.  I just got it in with my delivery today.  I'll see how it stands up on the Susan G. Komen 60 mile walk in 3 days that I'm participating in over in Dallas on November 2-4, 2012.  It is scheduled to rain at some point Saturday night or Sunday morning.  It will be interesting to see how it holds up under those conditions.  I'll be sure to update the blog and let everyone know.

I actually had a friend of mine come up to me at a mother's group that I belong to and state that she loved the Glimmersticks as well.  She had a co-worker tell her that her eye liner always looked great.  She inquired whether she had tattooed eye-liner (yes that is done in parts of our culture).  Wow, what a compliment.

I'm definitely going to try some of AVON's other long-lasting makeup.  I don't have the time to keep applying make-up continuously all day long.

I did try another eye liner called Kohl eye liner by Avon.  It is great for a smudged look and it is easily applied even on the inside of the lower lid (like we used to do in the 80's--it's coming back).  However, I travel a lot and the cap just doesn't stay on in my make-up bag.  I've had two ruin during my travels and just cover all my other products.  It was a real mess and the eye liner was toasted.  I liked the product but it just doesn't compare to the Glimmersticks.  I probably won't be buying the Kohl eye liner again anytime soon until they improve the packaging.

If you'd like to try the AVON Glimmersticks you can do so by visiting my official AVON store at www.youravon.com/donnadarrah or just simply click on the brochure at the top of my blog and it will take you there.  I currently have a free shipping special for the grand opening of my e-store for purchases of $10 or more.  Use code FIRSTREP10.  It is good for one time only.  I hope you enjoy the product as much as I have. 

I start trying out the ANEW Reversalist skincare line starting next Monday for a two week trial and review.  I'll be blogging about those products soon so stay tuned in!

Usually choose by age but it could differ depending on a person's skin type:
Rejuvenate (Blue) = 30's
Reversalist (Red) = 40's
Ultimate (Gold) = 50's
Platinum (Purple) = 60's

I'll also be trying the Anew Genics Treatment

Happy Halloween! Wait, Americans spend how much on candy?!

Happy Halloween! Wait, Americans spend how much on candy?!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

iPod Touch & Preschoolers, Argh!

Oh my, let's just start by saying that my husband got the bright idea to let my daughter finish watching her movie on the iPod touch last night while taking a bath.  Yes, I know what you're thinking.  However, to give him the benefit of the doubt, everything was fine because he had it across from the tub on the bathroom counter.  That is until he walked out of the bathroom for a brief minute.  She then got out of the tub and took the iPod in the tub with her so she could see it better.
Well, of course it slipped right into the tub with her and she panicked because she knew she couldn't get it wet and she wasn't to have it in the tub.  A minute later the situation was discovered due to a four year old panicking in a bathtub and mommy had to take over....

I had dad console 4 year old, took the iPod, turned it off immediately and placed it covered in a container of brown rice (that's the only rice we had.)  

You see, that was her very own iPod that mommy and daddy had engraved and given to her for Christmas last year.  (We really wanted our iPads back too!)  She was very proud because it represented that she was a big girl.  She was very upset.  

You have to understand something else.  My husband has no patience when he gets something in his head.  He's been impatiently waiting 24 hours to turn the device back on.  I wanted to leave it off for at least 72 hours.  I figure it is what it is....Nope, hubby has to turn it on tonight.  Great, everything worked on it.  Well, everything but the freaking sound.  The thing was stuck in headphone mode.  The ringer would work in settings but nothing else would unless headphones were actually plugged in.  

Mommy had to come to the rescue again because of course Richard can't let it go for another couple of days...I start searching everything on the internet.  Trying all the suggested methods like blowing out the headphone jack with compressed air, q-tip with alcohol, tissue, inserting headphones in and out really fast several times, sucking on the headphone jack, hard reset of the headphone jack, etc...We tried all but freezing the iPod and resetting it on iTunes to wipe the whole thing.  Then I came across a post about the iPod being confused.  It actually thinks that it's sitting in a dock and playing.  Well, what else could we lose right?
I went and dug out one of the free very soft bristled toothbrushes from my frequent airline travels.  I rubbed the charging slot gently for about 20 seconds with the toothbrush. 

Wallah, now it actually works!  Woohoo!!!! No, replacement needed.  ( I wouldn't have replaced that expensive thing for a pre-k age child anyways)

So, lessons learned are:
  1. NEVER let husband, iPods, children and baths gather together in one place
  2. NEVER let husband panic from impatience
  3. ALWAYS listen to mom because she will always find a calm solution and is ALWAYS right!  LOL
Disclaimer and note to husband:   I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH RICHARD!  Now let me go to bed please.  I have a P.T. test early in the morning for my job.


Hello World!

Hello, everyone!  Well, here I go.  I'm starting this blog to record my crazy busy life with my husband, Richard and my two beautiful daughters, Abby and Brie whom are 4 and 2 respectfully. 

Let's just start off with some history:
  • May 1998-Donna starts career at 28 years of age as a U.S. Border Patrol Agent
  • June 2002-Donna transfers to a different federal law enforcement agency and moves
  • Dec. 2004-Donna meet Richard from Match.com
  • June 2005-Donna and Richard are crazy in love and get married

  • Jan 2006-Richard gets activated in Navy Seabees and leaves for war
  • Nov 2007-Veteran's Day Weekend-Richard and Donna meet up in Las Vegas for his 72 hour liberty
  • Dec 2007-Donna find's out she's pregnant (You got it!  The November hookup)
  • Aug 2008-Richard barely gets home from war to be at Abby's birth (another crazy story!)
  • October 2008-Richard finds out employer didn't keep his job like he was legally obligated to.
  • April 2009-Richard finally gets another job but it's a crazy commute
  • Jan 2010-Donna realizes she's pregnant again (oh, boy...no, wait it's another girl!)
  • October 2010-Brianna blesses us with her presence (16 hours after being induced!)
  • August 2012-Richard gets laid off (here we go again...)
  • September 2012-Donna signs up for AVON as an Independent Sales Representative while working full time as a federal law enforcement officer (okaaaay....)
  • October 2012-Richard gets accepted as a Junior to UNT for the spring term in case he can't get another job.  YAY! (I'd love for him to get his degree...new GI Bill will pay for it too!)
...and here is where we are...

I figured that the rest of the world would love to here about our crazy life...So here it goes...I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.