ellamarie84

Top 10 Beauty Products Tag

2011-07-24T16:09:00.001-06:00

I was tagged by the beautiful Nora Schu from Botoxey to do my top ten beauty products! Thank you lovely!

It was difficult to narrow down to just 10...so my Top 10 may or may not have been bumped to Top 11. Hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me.

So without further ado, here are my Top 10 (eleven) beauty products:

--Covergirl Lashblast mascara--

--Shiseido eyelash curler--

--MAC Eyeshadow in Patina--

--Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Brunette--

--Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer--

(all have been depotted)

--Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm--

--Bonne Bell Glimmer Bronze in Gold n' Glitz--

--NARS Blush in Lovejoy--

--MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack--

--Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Wheat--

--Armani Master Corrector in #1 Pink--

--Mineral Foundation. I use these three interchangeably:

Pur Minerals, Laura Mercier, and Sephora Brand--

I know I'm really late on the bandwagon doing this, so I would like to tag anyone else who hasn't done their top 10! I really enjoy reading other's top 10 posts...it's a great way to find some of the best products!

What are your top ten? Have you done this tag? If so, I'd love to read yours!

♥ ♥ ♥

NOTD: Sally Hansen Barracuda

2011-07-06T13:06:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a great holiday weekend (if you're in the U.S. or Canada, that is)!

Last night, I decided to apply Sally Hansen Barracuda. It is a lovely robin's egg blue creme.

Left, no flash, right, flash:

I was hoping it would apply true to how it looks in the bottle, but it seemed to turn a little aqua (more China Glaze For Audrey, if you will) on me.

Regardless, I am pleased with how it turned out. I'm always game for an "ice cream cone color" polish, and Barracuda definitely fits the bill.

Have any of you tried this color? What do you think?

p.s. I've heard this color has been hard for some to get a hold of, but I've spotted it at Ulta, Target, and Walgreens. So if you're interested, those are some good places to start!

♥ ♥ ♥

Fedora day.

2011-06-15T17:50:00.001-06:00

Hello again...Today, I thought I'd do a quick post on the accessories I wore. I was gonna do a full OOTD, but truthfully, none of the pics turned out and I'm only wearing a tee shirt and jeans anyway.

Today marked my first time wearing a fedora. I enjoyed it. I like this straw version as it has a more casual vibe.

Just a few bracelets:

And all together, complete with camera. Gotta love the heap of shoes on the floor behind me. Only the most professional-grade photos will do for this blog ;)

Top: Zara

Jeans: Jbrand

Bag: Kimchi Blue from Urban Outfitters

Hat: Mossimo Supply Co. from Target

Shoes: Seychelles (purchased last year but you might still find them on 6pm.com)

Bracelets: Charm bracelet is iluck, sparkly bracelet...no clue

I'm curious: do you rock the fedora with pride? What summer hats do you like to wear, if any?

♥ ♥ ♥

Greatest Hits: Skincare

2011-06-13T00:05:00.001-06:00

Today I thought I'd showcase some of my favorite skincare products. I've used all of these for 6 months at least. Only the absolute best make it in the Greatest Hits collection!

About my skin: I have oily, somewhat acne-prone skin. I get hormonal breakouts typically around my jawline, but in the last year or so, I've had breakouts on my cheeks. In the process of trying to heal my skin, I wound up using more and more products, thus exacerbating the problem. Anyway, I have come to find less is more. Just in the last month, I have cut down on products and am back to basics. I have also (mostly) stopped picking/scrubbing my skin.

I am sure most of you know this..but obviously, not everything that works for me will work for you. I think it is best to take skincare reviews with a grain of salt. Now, on to the all-stars:

Dickinson's Witch Hazel Toner (been using for 2+ years)

Some of the greatest things are also the simplest, and this toner is evidence of that. The ingredients are 14% alcohol and witch hazel..and that's it! Witch hazel is known for its skin healing properties and is a natural acne fighter. It helps to calm irritated skin and takes the redness out. I love this toner because it doesn't have an astringent feel, yet it cleans amazingly well. It works wonderfully to make my skin feel 100% clean but not parched. Another plus is this toner comes in a large 16 oz. bottle..and is under $5 at Walgreens (I usually get it on sale for $3). I cannot recommend it enough! I have gone through many bottles. There is a definite herbal (witch hazel) scent to this toner...I hated it at first, but have grown quite accustomed now.

CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM (been using 6+ months)

This is a fabulous moisturizer. It is very emollient, but not creamy or greasy. My skin just soaks it right up. I think it is best to use it at night, but I have oily skin and I've used it during the day with no problems. I have never broken out from using this. I believe it has truly calmed and improved my skin. It is so mild that I use it around my eye area as well. This lotion would suit most skintypes, imo. There is absolutely no scent.

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes (been using for 5+ years)

These are far and away my favorite makeup wipes. I love how they get rid of makeup but also leave my skin feeling comfortable and moisturized. I do not get a squeaky clean, astringent feeling from these..it is as if I washed my face and applied a very light moisturizer. I typically use these in the morning to refresh my skin and prep it for makeup (and often don't even need a moisturizer afterwards). These don't irritate my eyes at all, and have a light, pleasing scent.

Make Up For Ever Sens'Eyes Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser (been using for 1+ years)

This is the best eye makeup remover I've tried. It is a gel/lotion consistency which melts off my eye makeup effortlessly (and I wear waterproof mascara most days). It doesn't feel greasy at all. I can put makeup right back on after and not have to worry about oily residue. It leaves the delicate skin around my eyes feeling clean and comfortable. It is expensive but sooo worth it. Plus, I'm still on my first bottle (just purchased a backup) and probably have a good 2 months use left. There is no scent.

Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Facial Wash & Mask (been using for 6 months)

I remember Sardun on youtube raved about this forever ago and I ended up finally buying it. I have not looked back. This face wash is absolutely amazing at exfoliating dead skin cells. It feels kind of trippy using it because there are no exfoliating beads/granules, but it really lifts all of the dead skin away, truly making my skin feel squeaky clean. I've never used anything like it. If I have a zit, it takes the redness and pain out of it, making it heal faster. It's not like I've never had a blemish since using this cleanser, but there has definitely been a reduction in the severity and longevity of my breakouts. I also like how this product is truly all natural. It has a very light, unoffensive scent. I imagine it would suit most skintypes.

So, there you have my Greatest Hits. I hope you enjoyed them. May I also give some parting words:

My skincare philosophy (although I'm no expert)

Minimize what you use, especially if you're prone to breakouts.

The very thing which you think clears your skin might in fact be breaking you out long term.

If you are having skin troubles, try to get back to basics...and then go from there.

Don't over-scrub your skin..try not to use washcloths because they may cause more irritation.

Not the most groundbreaking advice, but anyway...

What are your skincare all-stars?

♥ ♥ ♥

NOTD (nail of the week, rather): Illamasqua Jo'Mina

2011-06-12T15:19:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone! Hope you've been having a good weekend. I'm a little sad it's coming to an end..but the next one will be here before we know it. Summer has officially begun here! It is heaven.

I've been wearing Illamasqua nail varnish in Jo'Mina all week..and I'm in love.

**Warning: I took the pics today, after wearing this polish for 5+ days..so it's a bit worse for wear. And the dryness on my middle finger is driving me crazy too. Apologies.**

Left pic is natural light, and the one one on the right is flash. This color definitely has a fluorescent quality (which is notoriously difficult to pick up in photos)! In real life it is a bright pastel violet creme.

Edit: I found a pic from my phone which captures the fluorescence and a little better:

The formula is really nice and opaque. I applied two coats and it was smooth sailing.

What nails are you sportin' these days? What's your favorite summer polish color?

♥ ♥ ♥

Big Sephora Haul (complete with feather hair extension)

2011-06-07T17:36:00.001-06:00

I anxiously awaited the arrival of my Sephora package today (now 1.5 weeks ago..lazy blogger alert! But you already knew that). I squealed with delight as soon as I heard the doorbell ring. Squeeee!

Does anyone else get absolutely giddy when they receive mail?

I tore into the box with delight..and here is what I beheld:

-Sultra Feather Hair Accents in Sunkissed-

-Sephora Mattifying Foundation-

-Donna Karen Cashmere Mist Deodorant-

-Dior Addict Lip Glow-

-Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Jo'Mina-

-Sephora by OPI polish in I Don't Bite-

-Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Honey-

-Eye Love Too Faced Kit (only available through the Sephora Beauty Insider program. It is a 500pt bonus)-

-MUFE Sens'eyes Eye Makeup Remover-

-Shiseido Eyelash Curler-

-Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes in Tipsy and Exposed-

Here are some closer pics:

Illamasqua Jo'Mina and Sephora by OPI I Don't Bite:

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes in Tipsy and Exposed (I've worn Exposed for a week straight now. Perfect nude):

Eye Love Too Faced palette. I wish we could just buy this but as of right now it's only available as a Sephora Beauty Insider perk:

And here are some pics of the Sultra Feather hair extension in my hair:

It clips in with a little button-like closure pictured below. You just snap it at the root of a very small section of hair. It stays very secure. I've worn it about three times now and never felt like it was going to fall out. I like the freedom that this clip in extension offers. I can take it out or put in in anytime.

...So there you have a very belated haul. Better late than never, eh?

Have any of you tried a feather hair extension? Do you own any of these products?

I hope you all have a wonderful week..tomorrow is hump day! So we're halfway through :)

♥ ♥ ♥

Something every gal should have.

2011-05-04T20:16:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone! How are you?! It's been so long!

I'm happy that I got a bit o' blogging mojo back. There are many things I want to share with you, but for fear of overwhelming myself, I'm keeping this post to one item of business.

Today I felt the need to proclaim my love for this Minimergency Kit!

This tiny pouch houses 16 items that any lady might need in case of emergency. Here are the contents:

Lip Balm, dental floss, breath freshener, emery board, clear nail polish, nail polish remover, hair spray, clear elastics, earring backs, stain remover, double-sided tape, mending kit, deodorant towelette, band-aid, tampon, and pain reliever.

Here are some pics to try and demonstrate how small this thing is (it's 3.5" X 2" if you want exact measurements):

Fits in the palm of my hand.

pictured next to a MAC blush (well dressed if you're curious).

See? Pretty small, right? Knowing the size of handbag most of us lug around, I'm sure we could all add this in (along with the kitchen sink in my case) with no problem.

If you're a weirdo like me and really enjoy perusing the "travel size items" section of your grocery store, you will absolutely love the Minimergency Kit. The geek in me gets a real thrill! I think this would be fabulous for travel or to keep in your car. It would also make a great little gift for your girlfriends!

I purchased this at Sephora for $13. Here is the link if you're interested.

Finally, here is a gratuitous pic of me blogging just now:

This is in case you forgot who I am because I've been absent for so long ;)

I hope you have all been well!! I'm excited to make the attempt of catching up on your blogs!

What are your emergency beauty essentials?

♥ ♥ ♥

Mannequin Hands

2011-01-02T21:43:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Happy New Year!

Hope you had a wonderful holiday season! It went by so quick for me. I just took my Christmas decorations down today. Feels nice and clean, but a bit empty in my house.

I bought a new polish yesterday and hurried to apply it. The result is pure mannequin hands:

This is Deborah Lippmann nail polish in Fashion. I definitely do not own anything like this shade, so I'm not used to sporting nude nails. I feel like it matches my skin almost exactly!

I do admit that I like it. Took a bit of getting used to, but it's nice. It creates a no fuss, clean look. The formula is nice and it applied well; only needed two coats. This is the first Deborah Lippmann polish I have tried.

What do you think? How do you feel about mannequin hands?

♥ ♥ ♥

Festive Weekend Pics and Gold NOTD

2010-12-18T19:16:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Here's some pics from the last few days. The NOTD is at the bottom if you're interested in things pertaining to beauty only :)

I absolutely do NOT have a wrapping paper obsession. I have no idea what you're talking about.

Finally found a star for our tree!

I put my 'barbie tree' up. It's totally tacky as I've said before, but dear to my heart nonetheless.

Pink poinsettias from my grandma. What a sweetheart!

My aunt sent me this cute little light-up snow globe (snow house?) And, it changes colors! Oooo...Ahhhh..

Stocking stuffers from World Market...the most 'mature' ones are for my brother.

And lastly, the NOTD. This is Golden Honey by Savvy. I've never heard of or tried this brand, but spotted this shade at Sally's and had to purchase. It covered perfectly with two coats; you could almost get away with one.

I loved the color in the bottle, but sadly I think it kind of washes me out. It looks good in certain lights but I don't like it in others. Maybe in the summer I'll try it again.

I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

♥ ♥ ♥

Accessories of the Week

2010-12-02T20:49:00.000-07:00

Hello dear friends! Hope your week has gone well so far...mine has been flying by! Is the time passing abnormally fast lately for anyone else?

Today I'm stopping in with a little accessories of the week post :)

Tote Bag: Forever 21 (was only 16 bucks!)

Necklace: House of Harlow 1960

Leopard print shoes: Target

Notepad: Pier 1

Earrings: purchased locally, but you can find tons of these on Etsy!

Here's a closeup of the earrings and notepad. I love the notepad because a) it's really cute, and b) it has a magnetic closure so the pages stay straight. It was under 5 bucks, so if you're looking for a cute little notepad to carry in your purse, go to Pier 1!

I love the earrings because of the color. They kind of remind me of China Glaze For Audrey nail polish, which is my favorite.

Lastly, it would be wrong if I didn't mention this other necklace because l literally haven't taken it off since I purchased it! It's a little sideways lightening bolt from Dogeared. I'm sure some of you are aware of how much I love Dogeared jewelry...it never lets me down.

So, there you have it! Very exciting as always ;)

Talk to you soon!

♥ ♥ ♥

Deck the Halls

2010-11-28T23:16:00.000-07:00

Got almost all of the Christmas decor up today. Arlene and Suzy inspired me to post some pics...they both put up pics of their lovely decorations...and I got all excited and festive-feeling :)

Can you tell that I enjoy sparkly things?

Have you put up any holiday decorations?

♥ ♥ ♥

School/Every Day/Typical OOTD

2010-11-23T21:14:00.000-07:00

This pic was taken at the end of the day, so I'm not exactly fresh as a daisy (my sincerest apologies).

I wear stuff like this most days..I always love my grandpa sweaters, skinny jeans, and boots. I'm a pretty casual girl at heart.

Sweater: Urban Outfitters (old)

Black t-shirt: Target

Jeans: J Brand

Necklace: Lisa Taubes 5' gold fill

Boots: Minnetonka

Watch: Michael Kors

Rings (the closeup is bad I know..eek!):

Horseshoe Ring from Etsy (michellechangejewelry)

Copper Ring from Etsy (don't recall the seller)

Wedding Ring

What do your daily outfits usually consist of? Any key pieces you always go for?

Enjoy the rest of your week!

♥ ♥ ♥

Easy Curls/Waves

2010-11-10T23:48:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! Hope you have been doing well over the past month ;)

I love long, loose curls, but despise the time-consuming techniques used to achieve said curls. I may not have a problem taking extra time when putting my face on, but if my hair happens to be givin me guff, I just default to a ponytail. I have no patience with it. So when I find something easy to do with my hair that yields good results, I stick with it.

I've been doing this style a lot lately, so I thought I'd share with you how I do it. It's easy-peasy.

I use hot rollers (they're my best friends).

I spray each section with a heat protectant (Got2B Guardian Heat Protect 'n Curl) before rolling it.

I roll each roller towards the back of my head, or behind me/away from me...if that makes sense :)

I start in the front middle and go back to the nape of my neck; then do the sides.

I leave the rollers in for 5 minutes or less (I wait til they're really hot before putting them in), take them out, then separate with my fingers.

I flip my head over and then spray the hell out of it with hairspray (I use L'oreal Texture Expert Freezing Mist. Smells like candy!).

Voila!

This technique is hardly groundbreaking, but it might have been helpful?

What are your tried and true hairstyles?

♥ ♥ ♥

NOTD: Orly Rage

2010-10-16T01:26:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone!

This is Orly Rage. I showed this polish in my last haul, and actually applied it a few days ago. All I gotta say is I'm in love.

I took a few pics because I wanted to show how it can change depending on the lighting.

On the left it looks more rose, and on the right it appears golden.

This pic on bottom is what I would classify as most true to life.

To me, Rage is a hybrid of rose gold, yellow gold, and a tiny pinch of silver.

I highly recommend this one! It's very unique!

What polish have you been sporting lately?

♥ ♥ ♥

Haul-iday

2010-10-10T00:52:00.001-06:00

I did a bit of shopping this weekend. None of said shopping was premeditated in the slightest (except for one thing...impulsive, much? I just had to run out and buy LC's latest book...and a few other "essential" items).

Of course, I felt compelled to share all this stuff with you. Hope you enjoy :)

So I dropped in to Borders and picked up the latest installment in Lauren Conrad's L.A. Candy series, Sugar and Spice. I like these books because they're light, fluffy, quick reads. Definitely a guilty pleasure for me. I also couldn't resist picking up her other (more how-to) book, Style. I haven't even cracked it yet but I'm sure I'll like it. To me, Lauren embodies the whole "effortless chic" look quite well.

I then made an impromptu visit to Ulta. They had TIGI Rockaholic dry shampoo for $7 a can (review if you're interested). There is an awesome special for breast cancer awareness month going on right now. They typically retail for $18.95 each, so I snagged 3! All of the nail polishes were buy 2 get 1 free, so I got 3 Orlys. The Brushlab round brush was on sale as well. Lots of good deals today!

The Loot (from L to R, top to bottom):

-Brushlab jumbo round brush-

-Sugar and Spice-

-TIGI Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo x 3-

-Style-

-Orly Won't Chip Topcoat-

-Lorac Perfectly Lit powder in Spotlight-

-Orly polish in Rage-

-Orly polish in Luxe-

-NYC polish in Polyester Pink Creme-

-Dermalogica Clean Start Bedtime for Breakouts (trial size)-

Closeup time!

Lorac Perfectly Lit in Spotlight. I'm so excited to try this as I've heard rave reviews from LisaLisaD1 on youtube! The camera did a good job of picking up the subtle luminosity of this powder. I will definitely report my thoughts on this.

Polishes: Rage, Luxe, and Polyester Pink Creme. Can't wait to try the Orly ones!

And the Dermalogica Clean Start Bedtime for Breakouts. I've read favorable reviews of this on Makeupalley. Its active ingredient is salicylic acid, and it's supposed to unclog your pores and clear your skin overnight. I found this trial size in the checkout area at Ulta for $6.

If you've used any of these products (or bought LC's new book), I would love to hear your thoughts!

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday enjoying the last hours of the weekend!

♥ ♥ ♥

Bargain Bags!

2010-10-03T16:25:00.002-06:00

So I was moseying around the mall this week, and as soon as I waltzed into Forever 21, I zeroed in immediately on some sequin bags. Without hesitation, I snatched a gorgeous pastel pink one up, vying for it to be mine. I then looked at the pricetag, and about died. $10.50??!! I thought it was some sort of error at first and checked a few other pricetags, but alas, they really were $10.50 each. Amazing! I bought two: pink and black. There were two other colors as well, which were gunmetal and silver. I think I might go back for the gunmetal. For ten bucks, why not?

You might be able to tell from the pics that the black one is already in use. The pink one doesn't have anything in it, so naturally, it looks more flat.

I love the Chanel-esque chain straps and the tote design. I confess, I've been wanting a way more expensive Coach sequin bag, but didn't know if I loved it enough to justify the price! With these beauties, I can satisfy my sequin craving for a tiny fraction of the cost of a Coach bag. These F21 totes are cheaply made to be sure, but I know I'll get my moneys worth out of them!

Also this last week, I won an eBay auction for a Chanel facial self tanner (Sidenote: I HATE bidding on eBay. I must be of a more delicate disposition than I thought, because my little heart can't handle the excitement of it all. The chance that I might not win the auction just kills me. My heart was literally pounding as I was watching the time run out. Anyone else get this way? I know I'm probably nuts).

I just barely applied this for the first time, so I can't comment much about it yet. It is discontinued in the US now, but I believe it's still available in Canada and Europe? Please correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway, the scent is pleasant for a self tanner, and it was easy to apply. I will keep you updated if you're interested!

Well, that does it for now! Monday always comes too soon, doesn't it? I hope this week goes well for you all!

Have you found any bargains lately?

♥ ♥ ♥

OPI Done Out in Deco NOTD

2010-08-30T15:17:00.001-06:00

Today's nails are painted with an old favorite: Done out in Deco by OPI.

After last weeks nail color, I thought I would tone it down a bit. I'm sure all of you know this shade well! It's a beautiful dusty grey lavender, which is neutral in a way but still unusual. This is one of my all time favorites!

What's on your nails today?

♥ ♥ ♥

Random Stuff

2010-08-29T13:19:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone! Hope the weekend has treated you well?

Thought I'd do a quick post of a few things I've purchased recently, none of which are regarding actual makeup.

I dropped by Target the other day, and decided it was time to expand my workout dvd collection a bit (as I only have one right now, ha!). I decided on these two: Banish Fat and Boost Metabolism and No More Trouble Zones. I'm staying with the Jillian Michaels theme as you might gather.

I finished the 30 Day Shred, and am really happy with the results! I lost around 5 or 6 pounds, but the inches lost is more significant I think. I bought a smaller pants size the other day which was exciting! And my friends have asked me if I've lost weight, which is always a wonderful thing. More importantly though, I just feel better about myself. I have more energy in general and it is true that exercise just makes you feel good! If you're thinking about trying the shred, you should do it! Trust me, if I can do it, you definitely can :)

Next, I've bought these two books (my mom just bought the third one, too): The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire. I'm excited to read them, have heard lots of good things. Have you read these books?

I also finally purchased a camera case! I got my camera for Christmas and have been storing it in a ziploc bag up until now...ghetto much? I found this at Target and think it's pretty cute.

So what are your random buys as of recent? Do you have any workout dvd or book recommendations? I'm all ears!

♥ ♥ ♥

China Glaze Shocking Pink NOTD

2010-08-23T00:05:00.000-06:00

I haven't painted my fingernails in ages, so I figured I'd bring the ritual back with a bang! I chose one of the brightest colors in my collection to do so. This is China Glaze Shocking Pink (one of their neon shades), and I love it! I've owned it for at least a year but haven't actually applied it til now.

As you can see, the picture on the left captures the neon aspect of this color better than the one on the right in which it just looks bright pink. Beautiful in either pic though, imo! I will say the pic on the left is more true to life.

Shocking Pink is a very summery shade, so I needed to squeeze in an application before fall begins (booo)! I'm hanging on to the last remnants of summer while I still can!

What's on your nails today?

♥ ♥ ♥

Accessories of the Week

2010-08-17T00:37:00.000-06:00

It's been months since I last did one of these posts, so thought it was about time to bust one out!

My most loved accessories of this week (month actually for most of these) are:

-Red by Marc Ecko Aphrodite handbag in Mustard-

-Pink/purple sunglasses from Target-

-White wayfarers from BP dept at Nordstrom-

-Sanuk Yoga Mat flip-flops-

-Purple plastic watch (bought from a UK website that I don't remember the name of now...)-

First off, I love this handbag..it is such a cheerful and bright color! Although it's not actual leather, it feels like buttah, which makes it very comfortable to wear. I bought this on the Mark Ecko website (link if you're interested) where it's already on sale, plus there is an extra 30% off all handbags right now! Was right around 35-40 dollars shipped..what a steal for a nice bag!

Next, I've been loving my sunglasses lately! I've worn these white ones all month, but if you read my last post you know I've been enjoying my pink and purple shades as well! Both pairs make me happy every time I wear them.

I know these Sanuk flip-flops are by no means glamorous, but they are BY FAR the most comfortable flip flops I've ever worn. They blow Havaianas out of the water, no battle. Maybe I'm getting old because I really cherish comfortable shoes these days :) If you're looking for plain flip flops that feel like walking on clouds, look no further. I have them in black and brown. LOVE!

I've been really enjoying my purple watch! It's a piece of crap quality-wise, but you can't really tell just by looking at it (or maybe you can..? haha) And it works fine, except it ticks quite loudly ;) Wearing it to work is great because I don't have to worry about it getting dirty. I've been drooling over the neon purple Toywatch that this is a dupe of, but didn't want to shell out the cash...and I love my cheapo version!

Well, that does it for now! I hope you're all doing really well and enjoying the tail-end of summer!

Are there any accessories that you can't get enough wear of?

♥ ♥ ♥

In and Out: Numero Uno

2010-08-10T20:37:00.000-06:00

I've seen a lot of bloggers do these types of posts, namely Lollipop26 who I'm sure you all know :) I felt like doing one today, hope you enjoy!

The 30 Day Shred: This is a Jillian Michaels workout dvd for those of you who are unaware. I am currently on day 18, and am loving it! It's a good workout for me because I don't like to devote a lot of time to exercise (it's only 20 minutes). I find it easy to fit it into my day. And, it kicks my trash! I'm on level 2 for two more days and I am still huffing and puffing the whole time. I'm proud of myself that I have stuck to it for this long! I never stay with any exercise program!

Brightly Colored Sunglasses: My brother showed up at my door today with these Target shades for me! How nice is that? The pink/purple combination cheers me right up! I feel as though Barbie would be a fan of these :)

Being a full time student soon: I just put my two weeks in at work and I'm going to attempt to be a very studious pupil this fall (taking 18 credits..eeep! Can I do it?) I'm really excited to be done with my job (although I'll still be able to pick up shifts if I need extra cash) and just push through school! We'll see how it goes...

OUT

Fall being just around the corner: I know this kind of contradicts my "Being a full time student soon" bit, but I am NOT excited for cooler temperatures. I am a summer girl through and through! I live in a mountainous place that gets really snowy, so I should be accustomed to all things wintery....but I'm not. Fall is pretty and all, but it's a precursor to winter, so it has a negative association in my mind :)

Breakouts: I'm certain this would be on most of your "OUT" lists, so there is no need for an introduction. I'm at the tail-end of a 2 week chin strap-area breakout session (that pesky hormonal jawline acne got the best of me!), and it was not pleasant. I think it could have something to do with my new cleanser, but the jury is still out on that. Do any of you break out when switching up the face routine?

So, there you have my first meager attempt at an In and Out post!

What are the INs or OUTs in your life? Do tell!

♥ ♥ ♥

New Horseshoe Ring

2010-08-01T00:01:00.000-06:00

I purchased this gold ring recently from Etsy, and am in love with it. Thought I'd share with you guys :)

I've been searching high and low for a delicate little horseshoe ring, and I was so pleased to happen upon this one online...it's exactly what I wanted!

It has already been promoted to an every day staple along with my Dogeared angel wings necklace pictured here:

Here's the link to the seller's shop if you're interested! I've got my eye on many pieces of hers, and plan on buying more in the future (when I save my pennies).

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend! It always goes by way too fast for me!

What's your "daily wear" jewelry?

♥ ♥ ♥

Favorite Products Right Now

2010-07-18T16:29:00.000-06:00

I don't do the monthly favorites thing very well because...I'm not punctual enough. So, thought I'd just talk about a few products I'm loving right this minute. Here we go!

We have:

-Chanel Glossimer in Blizzard-

-Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Mosaic Blush in Afterglow (d/c'd now I think)-

-Make Up Forever Sens'eyes Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser-

-Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray-

-Milani HD Advanced Concealor in shade #2-

-Milani Liquif'eye Metallic Eyeliner Pencil in Black-

Some swatches of the liner, concealor, and glossimer:

And, a little blurb on each product:

Chanel Glossimer in Blizzard: I have recently rekindled my love for this lipgloss. It completely holds the Holy Grail title for me because I've gone through about 4 tubes and used it for at least 8 years...each tube lasts forever! It is the perfect mauvey-pink with a hint of brown, and just really makes my lips stand out but not be the star of the show. It's such a gorgeous shade and makes me look polished but not overdone at all. I wore it on my wedding day, and I wear it to the grocery store. Perfect for every occasion. FIVE STARS!

Here's a pic (very grainy hence why it's so small) of me wearing it, just so you can get a very slight idea of how it looks on :)

Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Mosaic Blush in Afterglow: A great natural blush. It comes off as a dusty pink with a hint of brown. It's a no brainer to apply and that's why I like it. The formula is very finely milled and not insanely pigmented so you can just swipe it on and go. Love it!

Make Up Forever Sens'eyes Eye Makeup Remover: This is one of the few eye makeup removers I actually liked enough to buy the full size after getting a sample. I am not a fan of oil based removers so I love this one because it's more of a gel/lotion consistency, and doesn't leave a greasy film at all. Strong enough to take off my MAC Liquidlast liner with minimal rubbing. Sadly, it's a way more expensive version of my old fave (and long discontinued) Nivea Visage remover that came in a blue tube.

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray: I looove this stuff. It is made by a company called Skindinavia, which I have purchased their makeup setting spray from before. This is the exact same product in UD packaging. I'm glad UD makes it as well now (through Skindinavia) because it's more accessible than Skindinavia, which I had to buy online. Highly highly recommend for long lasting makeup! Especially if you have oily skin, this will greatly reduce the makeup sliding off your face, trust me. A must have!

Milani HD Advanced Concealor: From all of the undereye concealors I have tried so far, this one is my favorite. It is yet another YSL Touche Eclat dupe, but is a fraction of the price and works amazingly. It is a wonderful peach shade that lightens and brightens the undereye. The texture is fabulous: creamy yet thin, so it sinks into the skin effortlessly and lasts all day. Does not cake or settle into fine lines. You need to try this, especially since it's only 7 bucks!

Milani Liquif'eye Eyeliner Pencil in Black: This is the best liner! It is what I wanted UD 24/7 in Zero to be. It's super creamy, easy to apply, UBER pigmented, and stays on my waterline longer than any pencil liner I've tried! It is one that you have to sharpen often though because of its creaminess.

Well, there you have it!

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

What are your faves right now?

xoxox

What I Love About Summer

2010-07-11T18:32:00.000-06:00

Sunbathing

BBQs

Swimming

Fairs/Carnivals

Sunglasses

Popsicles

Flip Flops

What are your favorite things about summertime?
xox

(all images from weheartit.com)

GIVEAWAY WINNER!

2010-07-04T17:05:00.004-06:00

I just want to start out by saying thank you for reading my blog and also for your kind comments :) The interaction with you all is so fun for me; it's the reason why I have this blog! Thank you for participating in this giveaway!

To decide the winner, I wrote down all the entries on paper. Then I cut them up and put them in a bowl.

I then closed my eyes and shuffled the papers around and picked one!

And the lucky winner is.....

SUZY_GIRL!!!!!!!

Congratulations, Suzanne!

I'll email you soon to get your info!

Thanks again to everyone for entering!

And Happy Fourth of July (if you celebrate it)!

xoxox