I only managed to drag myself out of bed at 215 this afternoon (due to Nyquil, not booze) so I thought I would do a quick lazy day post of the blogs/ articles I've been reading and re-reading this week.
Leanne at The Lacquer Lounge continues to feed my nail polish addiction/obsession. I am blaming her if I find myself in nail polish debt. Awesome swatches and comparisons.
Following that, Nail Polish Canada is pretty much my new addiction. They have the BEST customer service ever, the fastest shipping around and FREE shipping over $29 (that was two OPIs and a Zoya). My first order arrived in just 36 hours and they were kind enough to add on to my order when I realized I NEEDED China Glaze Material Girl or I would just die.
Jen at Prairie Girl in the City has made me want out and hit up EVERY SINGLE EVENT in Vancouver... I've been missing out!!!
And finally, Christine, the girl who needs no introduction, uber blogger extraordinaire, from Temptalia, made me run to my local Bay, talons at the ready to pick up Dior Exquis polish with this post. Seriously, I know everyone reads her blog, but if you didn't check out that post in particular do. The swatches make me want to eat that polish for breakfast.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Friday Faves: Cream Shadows!
Because of the length of my morning commute, the hours the work and the job I have I prefer not to wear a lot of make up to work. I like a really quick routine that I can do without paying much attention to and that doesn't require a lot of product to haul to the gym with me (and to remember to take OUT of my gym bag if I'm not going the next morning!!!!)
Then I found cream shadows. I have to admit I was pretty much a cream shadow virgin until September when I went a little crazy with a Sephora birthday haul... I had tried (I think) one of the Maybelline cream shadows many moons ago and found it creased, rubbed off, melted etc. Since then I had just never bothered to look into creams.
Then comes my birthday shopping trip with my bestie. She was kind enough to give me a gift card (and I was smart enough to bring my credit card that's NOT shared with hubby) and I believe I put my first cream shadows into my cart while saying, "F%*k it, it's my birthday." I grabbed the Eye Gotta Annie Collection from Benefit, which has three powder shadows and two creams. I also grabbed two Paint Pots from MAC and some Buxom creams that are waiting for Christmas to go in my stocking!!!
My new AM make up routine takes me all of two minutes to put together, looks professionally minimalistic and, best of all, is EASY! I conceal, fill in my eyebrows, throw on some eyeshadow primer, one of my cream shadows and then mascara and I'm DONE! I find this look really makes me look rested too.
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| MAC Paint Pot on the left and Benefit on the right |
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| MAC Morning Frost on the left, Benefit Flash top right, Benefit Foiled bottom right. |
Now, in the pot MAC's Morning Frost and Benefit's foiled look IDENTICAL. But on the eye they are nothing alike. Morning Frost is a really nice mauve/silver wash of shine and colour and Foiled is a darker pewter kind of colour. There is a swatch at the bottom, but sadly it's a terrible iPhone swatch (I swear I asked Santa for a camera).
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| MAC Let's Skate! |
And then there is MAC's Let's Skate! I was most excited about this one... It swatched beautifully in the store - a nice icy pink with a slight gold sheen to warm it up. But on the eye? YIKES! Hello glitter-ball fairy princess freak show. It's too creamy and WAY glittery. I think mine is a lot more glittery than it was in the store. Maybe I have to get a little further in to the pot or maybe mine is just a freak. I have heard a few people say the same thing about this shade though. Maybe it's just one you want to love so much you convince yourself it's beautiful.
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| Bad iPhone swatches L-R: Let's Skate! Morning Frost, Foiled, Flash |
Thursday, November 24, 2011
TopBox Update etc
I just wanted to give you guys a quick update - after I tweeted about the atrocious customer service experience I had with TopBox someone got in contact with me and offered to subscribe me to the January TopBox. Because the month of the box was the LEAST of my problems I graciously declined. I might sign up for TopBox one day, but it was such a horrible experience signing up, I just can't bring myself to do it right now.
Besides that, I've decided to do a Make Up Out 2011. I'm sure you all have heard about Gloss Outs, where you basically use up what you have and only allow yourself a certain number for the entire year. I'm going to do a Bath Product Out 2011, Lip Product Out 2011 and a Nail Polish Out 2011. I'm only going to allow myself one shower gel and one (scented) lotion. I have to go scent free during the week, so I count those as necessities. Lip products I will allow myself three (and these will probably all be Revlon Lip Butters) and finally five nail polishes (although there is a polish or two in my Christmas stocking that I won't count).
I'll update with photos of my hoard later ;)
Besides that, I've decided to do a Make Up Out 2011. I'm sure you all have heard about Gloss Outs, where you basically use up what you have and only allow yourself a certain number for the entire year. I'm going to do a Bath Product Out 2011, Lip Product Out 2011 and a Nail Polish Out 2011. I'm only going to allow myself one shower gel and one (scented) lotion. I have to go scent free during the week, so I count those as necessities. Lip products I will allow myself three (and these will probably all be Revlon Lip Butters) and finally five nail polishes (although there is a polish or two in my Christmas stocking that I won't count).
I'll update with photos of my hoard later ;)
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Nail Me, It's Hump Day: Nail Fail
Do you ever buy a colour of nail polish that is everything you've ever looked for and then get it home and it just WILL NOT work for you?
That's OPI's Princesses Rock! for me. I desperately wanted a pale, shimmery barely there pink for occasions that warranted subtle nails. This is just a hot mess. I've tried it alone, over light pinks, over whites and over nudes. I have a VNL (visible nail line) every time and the shimmers don't show up very often. I love this polish in the bottle but on me it just doesn't work :(
PS- this is one coat of pink base and THREE coats of Princesses Rock!
That's OPI's Princesses Rock! for me. I desperately wanted a pale, shimmery barely there pink for occasions that warranted subtle nails. This is just a hot mess. I've tried it alone, over light pinks, over whites and over nudes. I have a VNL (visible nail line) every time and the shimmers don't show up very often. I love this polish in the bottle but on me it just doesn't work :(
PS- this is one coat of pink base and THREE coats of Princesses Rock!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Battle of the Brands: TopBox vs LuxeBox
This is a review that is coming much earlier than expected. I had originally planned to get a monthly subscription to both TopBox and LuxeBox for a couple of months, decide on my favorite and then cancel one subscription and keep the other.
To those who have been living under a rock and never heard of these subscription boxes, you basically purchase a subscription and get a package in the mail every month with samples in it. I love me some samples, so this sounded like a really attractive idea. These two are the Canadian equivalent of a BirchBox or Julep Maven subscription (YouTube these babies if you want a better idea of what they are).
I believe the LuxeBox has been available in the US for quite some time and has recently realized that we Canadians like to get prezzies in the mail too (YAYYYY). On it's Twitter account ( @Loose_Button ) it promises "3-5 Deluxe Samples" where as on the website it promises "4-5 Deluxe Samples." It costs $12 per month for the subscription and can be cancelled any time. They also offer 3 months at a time or a yearly subscription that gives you two boxes free. I will likely opt for this option soon, but with Christmas coming and having never experienced one of these boxes I wanted to test it out first. Payments cannot be refunded for these options (but they can be cancelled at the end of the term, so long as the next payment hasn't been processed). I managed to create an account and finalize my subscription in about two minutes, and it could have been less if I didn't use my credit card so much the numbers are almost illegible. I also managed to get the December box!!
TopBox on the other hand is a relatively new Canadian company, also offering fabulous mail prezzies to Canadians. Their website promises 4 samples with every box and runs at $10 per month. I believe that they currently only offer monthly subscriptions and can be cancelled at any time. Up until Isigned up attempted to sign up for one of these boxes I thought the TopBox would likely be the clear winner for $2 less and guaranteed 4 samples. I was sorely mistaken. When I went to the website the December box was sold out, but the January box was still available. This didn't bother me in the least, so I began creating my account. I entered my personals with no problem and chose to pay with PayPal, as my credit card wasn't with me at the time. It gave me a strange error, so I checked my e-mail to see if I had been invoiced and tried again, this time with my credit card in hand. After entering my details again and this time choosing to pay with credit card it gave me the same error. When I went to my account home page it showed THREE subscriptions, none of which had an invoice attached to it.
I proceeded to contact customer service and told them what my dilemma was. They promised to look into it and told me people had been having trouble with that page on FireFox. I told them I was using IE and asked them to please cancel two of the pending subscriptions. They e-mailed back again quickly saying they would be back in touch soon. Nine days went by and I still heard nothing from the company. So, I e-mailed again asking for an update and stating that I was anxious to make sure I didn't miss out on the January box. The only reply I got was, "There are no problems with the website. The January and February boxes are sold out, so you will have to wait for March." Ummm... excuse me?
I promise I am no diva... But if I successfully signed up for January and was unable to complete my transaction due to an error in the website I feel like I should be given the January box and an invoice. So, long story short, I e-mailed customer service back, told them I was no longer interested in trying their product and requesting that all pending subscriptions be cancelled. I haven't heard back again yet, but I certainly don't recommend TopBox. If it's a nightmare trying to GET an account, imagine how terrible it will be trying to CANCEL an account? It'll be like those book a month boxes my mom used to get in the 90's!!
I'll update you when I get my first LuxeBox (in December might I add...)
To those who have been living under a rock and never heard of these subscription boxes, you basically purchase a subscription and get a package in the mail every month with samples in it. I love me some samples, so this sounded like a really attractive idea. These two are the Canadian equivalent of a BirchBox or Julep Maven subscription (YouTube these babies if you want a better idea of what they are).
I believe the LuxeBox has been available in the US for quite some time and has recently realized that we Canadians like to get prezzies in the mail too (YAYYYY). On it's Twitter account ( @Loose_Button ) it promises "3-5 Deluxe Samples" where as on the website it promises "4-5 Deluxe Samples." It costs $12 per month for the subscription and can be cancelled any time. They also offer 3 months at a time or a yearly subscription that gives you two boxes free. I will likely opt for this option soon, but with Christmas coming and having never experienced one of these boxes I wanted to test it out first. Payments cannot be refunded for these options (but they can be cancelled at the end of the term, so long as the next payment hasn't been processed). I managed to create an account and finalize my subscription in about two minutes, and it could have been less if I didn't use my credit card so much the numbers are almost illegible. I also managed to get the December box!!
TopBox on the other hand is a relatively new Canadian company, also offering fabulous mail prezzies to Canadians. Their website promises 4 samples with every box and runs at $10 per month. I believe that they currently only offer monthly subscriptions and can be cancelled at any time. Up until I
I proceeded to contact customer service and told them what my dilemma was. They promised to look into it and told me people had been having trouble with that page on FireFox. I told them I was using IE and asked them to please cancel two of the pending subscriptions. They e-mailed back again quickly saying they would be back in touch soon. Nine days went by and I still heard nothing from the company. So, I e-mailed again asking for an update and stating that I was anxious to make sure I didn't miss out on the January box. The only reply I got was, "There are no problems with the website. The January and February boxes are sold out, so you will have to wait for March." Ummm... excuse me?
I promise I am no diva... But if I successfully signed up for January and was unable to complete my transaction due to an error in the website I feel like I should be given the January box and an invoice. So, long story short, I e-mailed customer service back, told them I was no longer interested in trying their product and requesting that all pending subscriptions be cancelled. I haven't heard back again yet, but I certainly don't recommend TopBox. If it's a nightmare trying to GET an account, imagine how terrible it will be trying to CANCEL an account? It'll be like those book a month boxes my mom used to get in the 90's!!
I'll update you when I get my first LuxeBox (in December might I add...)
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Animal Testing and Your Cosmetics
UGH! What a topic for me to chose to blog about today. It is a topic that I feel is important. But, it's also a subject that has a very fine line between educational and preachy. I promise to make my very best attempt to stay on the educational side of the line.
I believe this is a topic you need to educate yourself in and make your own decision about. No one can make this decision for you as it requires you to sacrifice some favorite products (the upside being that you get to find some new faves)!! When I first made the decision to go cruelty free I found it difficult to find information without horrendous pictures. I understand people are trying to make a point, but when I already don't believe in animal testing I don't want to see photos of maimed bunnies whilst doing my research.
I've turned this into a two part research. The first part, which is what this post is all about, is the elimination of products from companies that directly test on animals. I plan to start researching which raw ingredients are tested on animals and then doing another product elimination after (hopefully there will be any products left!!!), but I thought that would be a far too large project to do all at once. I also am NOT going into the testing of animals for pharmacological purposes. There are laws requiring the testing of animals for these products and I am currently not trying to change that, just attempting to make my beauty station a little bit more friendly.
So, a little background on me and my beliefs: I think it's one thing to use animals to find a cure for cancer (I don't like it, but I don't think it's as bad as using an animal to see if my moisturizer will give me a rash). I think that some pharmacological animal testing has helped us to make leaps and bounds in medicine, but it still makes me sad. The only non-cruelty free product I am still using is Sensodyne toothpaste as I have horrifically sensitive teeth, and I haven't found another toothpaste that helps yet. I am a flexitarian, which means I eat meat if my body tells me it wants it, but I make a good attempt at eating non-animal proteins often. I choose knock-off UGGs that are made from synthetics and, while they aren't as cozy, I feel good that I'm not wearing Mary's little lamb. I also believe that it's entirely your choice whether you feel comfortable consuming or wearing animals.
Once I discovered which products were animal friendly (most of my cosmetics, YAY!) and which were not (most of my skin care products, BOO!) I didn't immediately toss all the cruel products out and run out to buy cruelty free ones. I feel like the companies only care if you BUY their products. So long as you buy them it doesn't matter if you toss the product or use it. So, I returned any back ups I had and am in the process of using up any already used products.
It is not required by law to test non-medicinal ingredients on animals. However, some companies make this choice based on the ease of testing (you don't need to recruit people that don't mind a rash!) and sometimes based on the cost-effectiveness. There are other tests that can be performed - human study groups can be put together (with a lot of wavers!) and there are many tests they can run on human tissue created in the lab or donated. I won't go any further into this portion, but if you're interested - Google is your best friend!
It's much harder to find out that a company tests on animals than to find those that don't. I would say easily 95% of companies that don't test on animals advertise it either on the actual packaging of the product or the box that the product comes in. That was my first indicator when I was sorting my products. There is no particular symbol that is used, in fact many just say "Not Tested on Animals." Here are a few examples of the symbols:
I believe this is a topic you need to educate yourself in and make your own decision about. No one can make this decision for you as it requires you to sacrifice some favorite products (the upside being that you get to find some new faves)!! When I first made the decision to go cruelty free I found it difficult to find information without horrendous pictures. I understand people are trying to make a point, but when I already don't believe in animal testing I don't want to see photos of maimed bunnies whilst doing my research.
I've turned this into a two part research. The first part, which is what this post is all about, is the elimination of products from companies that directly test on animals. I plan to start researching which raw ingredients are tested on animals and then doing another product elimination after (hopefully there will be any products left!!!), but I thought that would be a far too large project to do all at once. I also am NOT going into the testing of animals for pharmacological purposes. There are laws requiring the testing of animals for these products and I am currently not trying to change that, just attempting to make my beauty station a little bit more friendly.
So, a little background on me and my beliefs: I think it's one thing to use animals to find a cure for cancer (I don't like it, but I don't think it's as bad as using an animal to see if my moisturizer will give me a rash). I think that some pharmacological animal testing has helped us to make leaps and bounds in medicine, but it still makes me sad. The only non-cruelty free product I am still using is Sensodyne toothpaste as I have horrifically sensitive teeth, and I haven't found another toothpaste that helps yet. I am a flexitarian, which means I eat meat if my body tells me it wants it, but I make a good attempt at eating non-animal proteins often. I choose knock-off UGGs that are made from synthetics and, while they aren't as cozy, I feel good that I'm not wearing Mary's little lamb. I also believe that it's entirely your choice whether you feel comfortable consuming or wearing animals.
Image courtesy of howcanulikethat.wordpress.com
It is not required by law to test non-medicinal ingredients on animals. However, some companies make this choice based on the ease of testing (you don't need to recruit people that don't mind a rash!) and sometimes based on the cost-effectiveness. There are other tests that can be performed - human study groups can be put together (with a lot of wavers!) and there are many tests they can run on human tissue created in the lab or donated. I won't go any further into this portion, but if you're interested - Google is your best friend!
It's much harder to find out that a company tests on animals than to find those that don't. I would say easily 95% of companies that don't test on animals advertise it either on the actual packaging of the product or the box that the product comes in. That was my first indicator when I was sorting my products. There is no particular symbol that is used, in fact many just say "Not Tested on Animals." Here are a few examples of the symbols:
PETA Logo
Courtesy of fuckhls.wordpress.com
These (and other similar) logos can usually be found by the expiration date located on the back of the packaging. If you can't find one of these logos I recommend going to the product's website and checking out the FAQ before banning it from your stash.
If all else fails PETA has a fairly comprehensive list of cruelty free products. Beware of sad photos on that website though!!! PETA also has an iPhone app called BNB or Be Nice to Bunnies for $2.99 which divides all the products into cruelty free and non-cruelty free as well as by category. I LOVE this app for when I am in the pharmacy buying shampoo and can't remember who is cruelty free. I was surprised by some of the non-cruelty free products (Playtex tampons - really?). I also found it was much easier to find "kind" products in higher end lines (ie - things I could buy at Sephora) than drugstore lines (bye bye beauty budget!!)
I won't make an enormous list here, but I thought I would just list a few products from each category.
Non-Cruelty Free (BOO!)
- Clairol
- Clean & Clear
- Crest
- L'Oreal
- Maybelline
- Neutrogena
- Vichy
Cruelty Free (YAY!)
- Bobbi Brown
- Clinique
- Essie
- MAC
- Ole Henrikson
- OPI
- Revlon
- St Ives (cruelty free and vegan)
- Too Faced
- Urban Decay
There are a ton of others on both lists so do your research! Once I've got my skincare regime working for me again I will do a "Bunny Friendly Skincare" post. As I mentioned before it is pretty easy to find out who does not test on animals. I have never seen "WE TEST ON ANIMALS" written on the back of any product.
I hope you guys enjoyed this and it wasn't a preachy information over load!! Let me know in the comments if you'd like to see more on this topic in the future. Happy Sunday!!!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
First iPhone Blog Post
Just a really quick post to see how iPhone blogging works. The only things I love more than make up.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Pale Girl Forgotten
They always forget about me :(
I'm not going to deny it - I am one of those horrifically pasty people who has a lot of trouble finding a foundation. I'm not pasty in that charming way that looks beautiful on some people. I am just plain old pale.
Now let me give you an idea of what shade I mean... I am Nars Sheer Glow in Gobi. That is their third from lightest (I believe) or Revlon Colourstay in Ivory (and if my memory serves me that IS their lightest). MAC NC15 is not light enough for me. A lot of brands don't even make foundation that pale. If they do I am often the lightest shade.
I am so sick of companies forgetting that we pale girls like foundation too!!
I'm not going to deny it - I am one of those horrifically pasty people who has a lot of trouble finding a foundation. I'm not pasty in that charming way that looks beautiful on some people. I am just plain old pale.
Now let me give you an idea of what shade I mean... I am Nars Sheer Glow in Gobi. That is their third from lightest (I believe) or Revlon Colourstay in Ivory (and if my memory serves me that IS their lightest). MAC NC15 is not light enough for me. A lot of brands don't even make foundation that pale. If they do I am often the lightest shade.
I am so sick of companies forgetting that we pale girls like foundation too!!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Confessions of a Shopaholic
I admit it. Every now and again I get a nasty bite from the shopping bug. Especially when there are 20% off codes (thanks Sephora) and Christmas shopping happening!!!! I find that whenever I go out to get Christmas gifts I seem to come home with one for me, one for a loved one... That can't be normal.
Recently I've gone on a monstrous hauling phase. THERE HAVE JUST BEEN TOO MANY GOOD SALES!!!!!!!!! Ok, Ok. That's just an excuse. Unfortunately I don't have photos because a) my lighting is almost as bad as my camera and b) I just haven't found a good set up for photos. I know this makes for a rather dull beauty blog, but I'm working on it. I think I might actually attempt to blog from my iPhone and see what happens.
Anyways some recent good purchases:
Brown boots from Payless! They're so cute and will look amazing with some skinnies.
Bath and Body Works: I went to the grand opening at Metrotown a few weekends ago with a 10% off coupon in hand. Also, the first 50 people got a gift card AND buy three get three was on. So, I got a bunch of signature products for Christmas gifts and I got myself a set of Dark Kiss and a set of Sensual Amber. I also picked up the cute Christmas Scent Portables for stocking stuffers and a few Wallflower refills - Peppermint Bark!
Body Shop also had some crazy buy two get two sale going on so I grabbed four body butters. Two of the cranberry, a satsuma and a pink grapefruit.
Finally, I went to MAC and picked up two of their holiday release Paint Pots. I grabbed Let's Skate! and Morning Frost. I LOOOOVE Morning Frost. I thought I loved Let's Skate too, but on my eyes it's a bit of a hot mess. Maybe I just need to work with it some more....
I've also grabbed a crapload of stuff from Sephora, but that will all be in my Christmas Haul, when I hopefully have pictures!!!
What have you hauled lately?!
xoxoxox
Nail of the day: OPI's French Quarter for your Thoughts
Candle of the day: Candles By Victoria - Peppermint Bark
Recently I've gone on a monstrous hauling phase. THERE HAVE JUST BEEN TOO MANY GOOD SALES!!!!!!!!! Ok, Ok. That's just an excuse. Unfortunately I don't have photos because a) my lighting is almost as bad as my camera and b) I just haven't found a good set up for photos. I know this makes for a rather dull beauty blog, but I'm working on it. I think I might actually attempt to blog from my iPhone and see what happens.
Anyways some recent good purchases:
Brown boots from Payless! They're so cute and will look amazing with some skinnies.
Bath and Body Works: I went to the grand opening at Metrotown a few weekends ago with a 10% off coupon in hand. Also, the first 50 people got a gift card AND buy three get three was on. So, I got a bunch of signature products for Christmas gifts and I got myself a set of Dark Kiss and a set of Sensual Amber. I also picked up the cute Christmas Scent Portables for stocking stuffers and a few Wallflower refills - Peppermint Bark!
Body Shop also had some crazy buy two get two sale going on so I grabbed four body butters. Two of the cranberry, a satsuma and a pink grapefruit.
Finally, I went to MAC and picked up two of their holiday release Paint Pots. I grabbed Let's Skate! and Morning Frost. I LOOOOVE Morning Frost. I thought I loved Let's Skate too, but on my eyes it's a bit of a hot mess. Maybe I just need to work with it some more....
I've also grabbed a crapload of stuff from Sephora, but that will all be in my Christmas Haul, when I hopefully have pictures!!!
What have you hauled lately?!
xoxoxox
Nail of the day: OPI's French Quarter for your Thoughts
Candle of the day: Candles By Victoria - Peppermint Bark
Saturday, November 5, 2011
October Loves
A quick diet update before I get to my loves.
I've managed to gain (wa wa) 2.1lbs, but I'm really hoping it's due to my gym visits. I hit up the gym 3 times last week and kept my diet fairly reasonable (with the exception of one night of take out after trafficaggeddon).
I also grabbed an AMAZING app for my iPhone called My Net Diary Pro. I think it was about $2.00 and it calculates the amount of calories you're burning and the amount you should be consuming. It also has a barcode scanner on it so you can scan a grocery item and the nutrition fact automatically enter into your calories. It also gives you thumbs up and down at the end of the day. For example yesterday it congratulated me for having 0g of trans fat, reducing risk of heart disease and my thumbs down was not having 5g of fibre for breakfast.
So, hopefully this time will be a success.
Now onto my October Loves!!!
Nars Sheer Matte foundation - This is the first high end foundation I've sucked it up and paid for, and I absolutely love it!! I don't know if the coverage is a whole lot better than say, Revlon Colourstay, but it's the longevity that really impresses me. I put my foundation on just over twelve hours ago and it still looks almost as fresh as it did this morning (with no touch ups). I'm someone who normally oils up around my t-zone within a couple of hours typically, but with this Sheer Matte I just get a hint of dewiness.
OPI's French Quarter for your Thoughts - REAL GRAY!!! I thought it would be a dead hand kind of colour on my, but it actually compliments my skin tone quite a bit. I love this colour so much!!! It is also a really easy to wear colour and goes with just about everything. OPI's Ginger Bells is another favorite of mine, but it clashes with a lot of clothes. Run and grab it while it's still out!!!
Revlon's Copper Penny - Another nail polish, but this one is effing beautiful!!!! It looks exactly like a brand new penny. It's kind of a half matte colour without a top coat, and with it is beautiful and glossy. The Revlon metallic polishes this season have been really fabulous.
MAC Sheen Supreme lipsticks - Bare Again is my favorite right now. It's very different from my typical blue based pink that I typically choose. They have a ton of colour and are so moisturizing and shiny. The only downside is that they aren't particularly long wearing.
BBW Leaves & Cozy Autumn Vanilla - OK so my house has smelled like Leaves since it was re-released this fall LOL. I have candles in that scent everywhere and I also have a Wallflower going near my front entrance. So amazing! Cozy Autumn Vanilla is that slutty vanilla scent, but it's so amazing. I've grabbed so many of the lotions when they went 75% off I will smell like a whore forever!!!
Getting to wear boots again! - Let's put it this way... as much as I looooove summer, it's often most important to stay cool and fashionable comes second. In the fall time it's so much easier to look cute! And really.. skinnies, a chunky sweater and some UGGs are way more comfy.
I've managed to gain (wa wa) 2.1lbs, but I'm really hoping it's due to my gym visits. I hit up the gym 3 times last week and kept my diet fairly reasonable (with the exception of one night of take out after trafficaggeddon).
I also grabbed an AMAZING app for my iPhone called My Net Diary Pro. I think it was about $2.00 and it calculates the amount of calories you're burning and the amount you should be consuming. It also has a barcode scanner on it so you can scan a grocery item and the nutrition fact automatically enter into your calories. It also gives you thumbs up and down at the end of the day. For example yesterday it congratulated me for having 0g of trans fat, reducing risk of heart disease and my thumbs down was not having 5g of fibre for breakfast.
So, hopefully this time will be a success.
Now onto my October Loves!!!
Nars Sheer Matte foundation - This is the first high end foundation I've sucked it up and paid for, and I absolutely love it!! I don't know if the coverage is a whole lot better than say, Revlon Colourstay, but it's the longevity that really impresses me. I put my foundation on just over twelve hours ago and it still looks almost as fresh as it did this morning (with no touch ups). I'm someone who normally oils up around my t-zone within a couple of hours typically, but with this Sheer Matte I just get a hint of dewiness.
OPI's French Quarter for your Thoughts - REAL GRAY!!! I thought it would be a dead hand kind of colour on my, but it actually compliments my skin tone quite a bit. I love this colour so much!!! It is also a really easy to wear colour and goes with just about everything. OPI's Ginger Bells is another favorite of mine, but it clashes with a lot of clothes. Run and grab it while it's still out!!!
Revlon's Copper Penny - Another nail polish, but this one is effing beautiful!!!! It looks exactly like a brand new penny. It's kind of a half matte colour without a top coat, and with it is beautiful and glossy. The Revlon metallic polishes this season have been really fabulous.
MAC Sheen Supreme lipsticks - Bare Again is my favorite right now. It's very different from my typical blue based pink that I typically choose. They have a ton of colour and are so moisturizing and shiny. The only downside is that they aren't particularly long wearing.
BBW Leaves & Cozy Autumn Vanilla - OK so my house has smelled like Leaves since it was re-released this fall LOL. I have candles in that scent everywhere and I also have a Wallflower going near my front entrance. So amazing! Cozy Autumn Vanilla is that slutty vanilla scent, but it's so amazing. I've grabbed so many of the lotions when they went 75% off I will smell like a whore forever!!!
Getting to wear boots again! - Let's put it this way... as much as I looooove summer, it's often most important to stay cool and fashionable comes second. In the fall time it's so much easier to look cute! And really.. skinnies, a chunky sweater and some UGGs are way more comfy.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Sunday evenings. Perhaps the most depressing evening out there. You know there are five long days of work ahead of you and, regardless of how much you like or dislike your job, it's nearly impossible to imagine yourself surviving another five days. Oh Sundays.
So, what's new with me after another long absence... which really is to be expected by now. I'm on a spending coo at the moment. I've realized that somehow I've managed to shop myself into a huge accumulation of "back ups" and "options" and it's gotten a little beyond ridiculous. Options are good. 10,000 options is not as good.
I went on a giant make up purge today. There's a program on the downtown east side in Vancouver that accepts "gently used" cosmetics for women in need, so I feel a little bit better about sending my bright orange Dazzleglass to someone who will love it than to the trash (really.. orange.. what was I thinking?) Besides the purge, I'm not buying any new make up items (besides necessities that I run out of obviously). I don't have a ton of money right now and it just doesn't make sense to pack more make up that I don't use into my bathroom. I don't wear make up to work because I don't feel like it's particularly appropriate at the hospital. And on the weekends A HATES a lot of make up. He says it looks clownesque, so I wear a natural look most of the time.
As for candles I've also stopped buying those (and BBW Wallflowers... I got a little obsessed). I have enough wax to last me years, so I am going to burn through most of that before I order or buy any more. Same as any product from BBW really (although I am going to allow myself ONE Vanilla Bean Noelle lotion). I have a ton of body products and Pocket Bacs and just don't need any more until I've just about used them up.
I am not buying any more clothes until I've worn out some of the ones I have. I seem to use all the same things each day anyways and I'm sick of not being able to fit anything into my closet. Really, I wear scrubs five days a week anyways. I don't really need a whole closet full of things.
Finally, as I sit here munching candy corn like it won't be back next year I'm singing that Weird Al song, "I'm fat, I'm fat, I'm really, really fat." After a few years of really dedicated gym visits I got really tired of getting up at five every morning, so I let myself have one sleep in and that was it. I was done and, besides a sporadic visit here and there, I haven't been since. I am at the heaviest I have ever been and it just sickens me. That's part of the reason I am going on a no clothing binge too. I wear hoodies over everything so you can't see my giant muffin top. So, it's come time for me to suck it up and set my alarm an hour earlier and start doing this again. I want to look better and feel better. If you start sweating trying on shoes there's a major problem.
So, with that I will brave it and tell you guys that on the first day of my diet blog I am 190lbs and ready to change. I think I will aim to have a weekly update and weigh in to keep me accountable.
Finally, I'm thinking I will end every blog post with a few "of the day" items/looks. So, for today:
Today I'm burning BBW Apple Crumble.
Nail of the day: OPI Ginger Bells with OPI Pros & Bronze on top. It looks fab!!!
xoxoxox
So, what's new with me after another long absence... which really is to be expected by now. I'm on a spending coo at the moment. I've realized that somehow I've managed to shop myself into a huge accumulation of "back ups" and "options" and it's gotten a little beyond ridiculous. Options are good. 10,000 options is not as good.
I went on a giant make up purge today. There's a program on the downtown east side in Vancouver that accepts "gently used" cosmetics for women in need, so I feel a little bit better about sending my bright orange Dazzleglass to someone who will love it than to the trash (really.. orange.. what was I thinking?) Besides the purge, I'm not buying any new make up items (besides necessities that I run out of obviously). I don't have a ton of money right now and it just doesn't make sense to pack more make up that I don't use into my bathroom. I don't wear make up to work because I don't feel like it's particularly appropriate at the hospital. And on the weekends A HATES a lot of make up. He says it looks clownesque, so I wear a natural look most of the time.
As for candles I've also stopped buying those (and BBW Wallflowers... I got a little obsessed). I have enough wax to last me years, so I am going to burn through most of that before I order or buy any more. Same as any product from BBW really (although I am going to allow myself ONE Vanilla Bean Noelle lotion). I have a ton of body products and Pocket Bacs and just don't need any more until I've just about used them up.
I am not buying any more clothes until I've worn out some of the ones I have. I seem to use all the same things each day anyways and I'm sick of not being able to fit anything into my closet. Really, I wear scrubs five days a week anyways. I don't really need a whole closet full of things.
Finally, as I sit here munching candy corn like it won't be back next year I'm singing that Weird Al song, "I'm fat, I'm fat, I'm really, really fat." After a few years of really dedicated gym visits I got really tired of getting up at five every morning, so I let myself have one sleep in and that was it. I was done and, besides a sporadic visit here and there, I haven't been since. I am at the heaviest I have ever been and it just sickens me. That's part of the reason I am going on a no clothing binge too. I wear hoodies over everything so you can't see my giant muffin top. So, it's come time for me to suck it up and set my alarm an hour earlier and start doing this again. I want to look better and feel better. If you start sweating trying on shoes there's a major problem.
So, with that I will brave it and tell you guys that on the first day of my diet blog I am 190lbs and ready to change. I think I will aim to have a weekly update and weigh in to keep me accountable.
Finally, I'm thinking I will end every blog post with a few "of the day" items/looks. So, for today:
Today I'm burning BBW Apple Crumble.
Nail of the day: OPI Ginger Bells with OPI Pros & Bronze on top. It looks fab!!!
xoxoxox
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Candles by Victoria... AGAIN! :)
Well, I broke down when Victoria put on another fabulous sale and ordered wayyyy more than I should have... oops. However, I can justify it because fall scents are my absolute fave!
Random note before I get started though... I picked up a mini of the BBW Leaves and OMG! I need a big one!!! (Sorry Victoria) It's like earthy plus apples. So random, but SOOOO delicious!!!
OK - Back to CBV. For those of you who don't know Candles by Victoria ( www.candlesbyvictoria.com ) I have to tell you that it's a family run company run by amazing people. They go absolutely out of their way to make their customer satisfied. You can e-mail Victoria any question you may have and she always replies with a helpful answer. Their shipping and customer service are speedy and, on the very rare occasion when a mistake is made they are SO quick to fix it. I feel in my years of ordering CBV that I've gotten to know Victoria slightly and I think she is an amazing person. I hope she does this forever.
Before I start reviewing I have a few disclaimers. One, subscribe to the belief of 'don't judge until you burn.' I got a few candles of scent shots that I just couldn't stand... until I burned them. Two, to me, fall equals cinnamon. Sadly, cinnamon on cold throw (pre-warming) is INSANELY strong and reminds me of Fireball... which reminds me of highschool and we just don't want to go there. So, beware, cinnamon mellows out.
I won't be using the scent descriptions - just going by what my nose knows. I shall start with my scent shots.
Country Bumpkin - This is one of those judge when it's warm scents. Frist sniff I get cinnamon (shocking), but hiding under there I get a bit of sweet potato and marshmallow. I feel like this is one I'll really like when it's warm.
Peppercorn - I think this one smells like a spicy, sexy man. I think it smells more like a cologne than an earthy type scent. It reminds me a bit of Old Spice.
Granny's Pie Crust - I got this one entirely because of message board raving. I thought it sounded like a kind of meh bakery scent... Was I ever wrong!!! It's a sweet, creamy scent with a teeeeeeeny bit of cinnamon. I can't stop sniffing it. This is a 10.
Cinnamon Donuts - Please see disclaimers. All I get is cinnamon now. Hoping I get the donuts when it's warm! This is a wait and see.
Brown Sugar Gingersnap - Mmmmm this one is perfect!! I wasn't all that impressed with Buttery Gingerbread, but something about the brown sugar completes the scent. Fabulous!!
Kahlua Cafe O'Lait - Chocolatey Coffee amazingness. I think it smells a lot like CBVs Espresso Brownie Comfort Candle.
Sugar Cookies - I get some bakery sugary scent. This one needs to be warmed up too.
Orange Cranberry Muffin - There is something about Victoria's cranberry (or any berry) that just doesn't agree with my nose. I always get something plasticy. This one isn't as bad, but I still get that weird note from the berry. Probably won't be a reorder for me. If you like berry scents give it a try though!
Carrot Cake Orange Delight - Well, I will tell you know that I don't much care for the carrot cake scent cold. So, I get that scent with a bit of orange. I think I will absolutely LOVE it once it's warm.
Kokamo Cave (free) - I LOVE this one!!! It reminds me a lot of Jamaican Vacation which is my absolute FAVE tropical scent. It's heavy on the fruit, light on the floral and absolutely delish.
Whiskey Sour - I got this one because I had heard it's more like Egg Nog than the actual egg nog scent it. And, I originally got that one because I am CRAZY over the Philosophy Egg Nog shower gel. I get kind of the spicy egg nog essence, but at the same time it's almost fresh and not so heavy? Still, it's amazing!
Pink Grapefruit - I love pink grapefruit. This is no exception. Smells just like the real thing!
Pumpkin Cider - My fave out of the whole order I think. Wish I would have gotten a big candle in this scent. Pumpking plus cider... perfect description.
Now on to my 8 ozers.
Coco Lime Verbena - If you like the BBW scent, this one is amazing too!! Slightly limier, but it's SO GOOD.
Baked Apple Strudel - A re-re-re-order for me. Apple scents are my fave and this one, in my opinion is the best one! Baked apple and some spice. How can you go wrong?!
Carrot Cake - Again, really weird on cold throw, but it warms up into the perfect fall homey scent.
Pumpkin Apple Cinnamon Bread - Pumpking with apple and cinnamon and some sweet bakery. Don't love the pumpkin, but I think this one might grow on me when it's warm.
Citrusmoon - This is another top fave. Fresh citrus with some musky sexy scents. It's sexy citrus.
Graham Cracker Crust - Mmmmm sweet cinnamon buttery goodness.
Cinnabon - I smelled this one cold when I bought one for my mom and it was an instalove. Smells like cinnamon bakery with frosting... and lot's of it. And who doesn't love smelling a Cinnabon?
Peanut Butter Cookies - Another one I was neutral on cold throw... but it smells JUST like fresh PB Cookies when it's warm.
Apple Gingerbread Spice - Just like the name says. It's a close second to BSS, but nothing will dethrone that scent in my world...
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies - This one is for my mom. I've had it before though and it smells like sweet bakery with some cinnamon. It's a good one.
Vanilla Hazelnut - Another one for my mom. I am neither a big fan of hazelnut or of vanilla so not my thing... But mom will love it.
Finally, Brown Sugar Shortbread - My fave big candle of the order... So amazing. Smells like carmelized sugar to me. Delicious!!
Random note before I get started though... I picked up a mini of the BBW Leaves and OMG! I need a big one!!! (Sorry Victoria) It's like earthy plus apples. So random, but SOOOO delicious!!!
OK - Back to CBV. For those of you who don't know Candles by Victoria ( www.candlesbyvictoria.com ) I have to tell you that it's a family run company run by amazing people. They go absolutely out of their way to make their customer satisfied. You can e-mail Victoria any question you may have and she always replies with a helpful answer. Their shipping and customer service are speedy and, on the very rare occasion when a mistake is made they are SO quick to fix it. I feel in my years of ordering CBV that I've gotten to know Victoria slightly and I think she is an amazing person. I hope she does this forever.
Before I start reviewing I have a few disclaimers. One, subscribe to the belief of 'don't judge until you burn.' I got a few candles of scent shots that I just couldn't stand... until I burned them. Two, to me, fall equals cinnamon. Sadly, cinnamon on cold throw (pre-warming) is INSANELY strong and reminds me of Fireball... which reminds me of highschool and we just don't want to go there. So, beware, cinnamon mellows out.
I won't be using the scent descriptions - just going by what my nose knows. I shall start with my scent shots.
Country Bumpkin - This is one of those judge when it's warm scents. Frist sniff I get cinnamon (shocking), but hiding under there I get a bit of sweet potato and marshmallow. I feel like this is one I'll really like when it's warm.
Peppercorn - I think this one smells like a spicy, sexy man. I think it smells more like a cologne than an earthy type scent. It reminds me a bit of Old Spice.
Granny's Pie Crust - I got this one entirely because of message board raving. I thought it sounded like a kind of meh bakery scent... Was I ever wrong!!! It's a sweet, creamy scent with a teeeeeeeny bit of cinnamon. I can't stop sniffing it. This is a 10.
Cinnamon Donuts - Please see disclaimers. All I get is cinnamon now. Hoping I get the donuts when it's warm! This is a wait and see.
Brown Sugar Gingersnap - Mmmmm this one is perfect!! I wasn't all that impressed with Buttery Gingerbread, but something about the brown sugar completes the scent. Fabulous!!
Kahlua Cafe O'Lait - Chocolatey Coffee amazingness. I think it smells a lot like CBVs Espresso Brownie Comfort Candle.
Sugar Cookies - I get some bakery sugary scent. This one needs to be warmed up too.
Orange Cranberry Muffin - There is something about Victoria's cranberry (or any berry) that just doesn't agree with my nose. I always get something plasticy. This one isn't as bad, but I still get that weird note from the berry. Probably won't be a reorder for me. If you like berry scents give it a try though!
Carrot Cake Orange Delight - Well, I will tell you know that I don't much care for the carrot cake scent cold. So, I get that scent with a bit of orange. I think I will absolutely LOVE it once it's warm.
Kokamo Cave (free) - I LOVE this one!!! It reminds me a lot of Jamaican Vacation which is my absolute FAVE tropical scent. It's heavy on the fruit, light on the floral and absolutely delish.
Whiskey Sour - I got this one because I had heard it's more like Egg Nog than the actual egg nog scent it. And, I originally got that one because I am CRAZY over the Philosophy Egg Nog shower gel. I get kind of the spicy egg nog essence, but at the same time it's almost fresh and not so heavy? Still, it's amazing!
Pink Grapefruit - I love pink grapefruit. This is no exception. Smells just like the real thing!
Pumpkin Cider - My fave out of the whole order I think. Wish I would have gotten a big candle in this scent. Pumpking plus cider... perfect description.
Now on to my 8 ozers.
Coco Lime Verbena - If you like the BBW scent, this one is amazing too!! Slightly limier, but it's SO GOOD.
Baked Apple Strudel - A re-re-re-order for me. Apple scents are my fave and this one, in my opinion is the best one! Baked apple and some spice. How can you go wrong?!
Carrot Cake - Again, really weird on cold throw, but it warms up into the perfect fall homey scent.
Pumpkin Apple Cinnamon Bread - Pumpking with apple and cinnamon and some sweet bakery. Don't love the pumpkin, but I think this one might grow on me when it's warm.
Citrusmoon - This is another top fave. Fresh citrus with some musky sexy scents. It's sexy citrus.
Graham Cracker Crust - Mmmmm sweet cinnamon buttery goodness.
Cinnabon - I smelled this one cold when I bought one for my mom and it was an instalove. Smells like cinnamon bakery with frosting... and lot's of it. And who doesn't love smelling a Cinnabon?
Peanut Butter Cookies - Another one I was neutral on cold throw... but it smells JUST like fresh PB Cookies when it's warm.
Apple Gingerbread Spice - Just like the name says. It's a close second to BSS, but nothing will dethrone that scent in my world...
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies - This one is for my mom. I've had it before though and it smells like sweet bakery with some cinnamon. It's a good one.
Vanilla Hazelnut - Another one for my mom. I am neither a big fan of hazelnut or of vanilla so not my thing... But mom will love it.
Finally, Brown Sugar Shortbread - My fave big candle of the order... So amazing. Smells like carmelized sugar to me. Delicious!!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Changes
So, I won't keep promising to write and blog and make myself crazy feeling like it's something I need to do.
From now on this blog will happen when it happens and I won't lose my mind over it. Writing should be enjoyable, not a chore.
From now on this blog will happen when it happens and I won't lose my mind over it. Writing should be enjoyable, not a chore.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Reading Cook Books and French Manicures
First I would like to take a moment to remember Miss Elizabeth Taylor; an incredibly beautiful woman and one of my icons....
I am sad to see her go.
Sometimes I wonder if I aspire to be too much.. (wonder? I'm pretty sure I know...). Sometimes I feel like I need to spend hours grooming, be a triathlete, a CEO and Martha Stewart all at once to be a success.
I admit, I read cook books. I don't know if it's weird. It's one of those things... like saying, "I always pee myself when I laugh!!!" People look at you with horror, when you thought you were stating a totally normal fact. I read cook books and dream of amazing home cooked meals. I fantasize that I will come home from work every day and make a juicy pot roast, a luscious whole roasted chicken, or a perfectly glazed meatloaf with decadently frosted chocolate cake or a fruit pie with home made crust for dessert. In reality, I throw a lasagna from freezer to oven or dump some pre-washed lettuce into a bowl and open a can of tuna and call it a salad. If I'm feeling particularly gourmet I will put bread and cheese in the grilled cheese maker and pat myself on the back for "really cooking."
Let's face it - by the time I wake up, drag my ass to the gym, work and get home through rush hour traffic, I've been in constant motion for thirteen hours!! Who is going to make a frikkin pot roast by that time?! I guess a girl can dream...
And now onto another random thought of perfection and time management. At home French manicures... I love a French.. I think they are classy and always appropriate. I work in one of those jobs where I'm TECHNICALLY not supposed to do my nails and I never feel like I'm crossing a line when I have a French going on. One of my favorite combinations is OPI's Princessess Rule!! with white tips. I love Princesses, but I feel like it is lacking something when I wear it alone.
Oh, but doing your own French manicure... I don't know if I am alone in this or not, but I'm pretty sure they're impossible. I've tried the kits with the incredibly annoying strips that you put on, paint and peel off. I don't think I've gotten them on straight once and if I do manage, it bleeds underneath. Then there are those white nail polish "pens" made specifically to help you with the annoying task of drawing perfect white tips. Sometimes, I do the first nail and I know immediately that it's a bad idea. Those days are good, because you can wipe the one tip off and keep your polish. Other days, I do my entire left hand, think that my some miraculous intervention I've suddenly been given the skill of straight line drawing and then I move on to my right hand and I realize I am horribly mistaken. This turns out to be a horrible embarrassment.
Today I've managed to make my nails passable (for one day anyways), but it's just not the same. Maybe I need to think of investing in some gels again...?
I am sad to see her go.
Sometimes I wonder if I aspire to be too much.. (wonder? I'm pretty sure I know...). Sometimes I feel like I need to spend hours grooming, be a triathlete, a CEO and Martha Stewart all at once to be a success.
I admit, I read cook books. I don't know if it's weird. It's one of those things... like saying, "I always pee myself when I laugh!!!" People look at you with horror, when you thought you were stating a totally normal fact. I read cook books and dream of amazing home cooked meals. I fantasize that I will come home from work every day and make a juicy pot roast, a luscious whole roasted chicken, or a perfectly glazed meatloaf with decadently frosted chocolate cake or a fruit pie with home made crust for dessert. In reality, I throw a lasagna from freezer to oven or dump some pre-washed lettuce into a bowl and open a can of tuna and call it a salad. If I'm feeling particularly gourmet I will put bread and cheese in the grilled cheese maker and pat myself on the back for "really cooking."
Let's face it - by the time I wake up, drag my ass to the gym, work and get home through rush hour traffic, I've been in constant motion for thirteen hours!! Who is going to make a frikkin pot roast by that time?! I guess a girl can dream...
And now onto another random thought of perfection and time management. At home French manicures... I love a French.. I think they are classy and always appropriate. I work in one of those jobs where I'm TECHNICALLY not supposed to do my nails and I never feel like I'm crossing a line when I have a French going on. One of my favorite combinations is OPI's Princessess Rule!! with white tips. I love Princesses, but I feel like it is lacking something when I wear it alone.
Oh, but doing your own French manicure... I don't know if I am alone in this or not, but I'm pretty sure they're impossible. I've tried the kits with the incredibly annoying strips that you put on, paint and peel off. I don't think I've gotten them on straight once and if I do manage, it bleeds underneath. Then there are those white nail polish "pens" made specifically to help you with the annoying task of drawing perfect white tips. Sometimes, I do the first nail and I know immediately that it's a bad idea. Those days are good, because you can wipe the one tip off and keep your polish. Other days, I do my entire left hand, think that my some miraculous intervention I've suddenly been given the skill of straight line drawing and then I move on to my right hand and I realize I am horribly mistaken. This turns out to be a horrible embarrassment.
Today I've managed to make my nails passable (for one day anyways), but it's just not the same. Maybe I need to think of investing in some gels again...?
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Take Two
Well, here I go again - starting a blog and then abandoning it just when I see where it's going. I'm going to keep going with this one though, but I'm giving it a make-over (don't we all need one of those this time of year?). So, A Daily Dose of All Things Beautiful has transformed into Beautiful Ramblings. And instead of being a beauty-related only blog it has transformed into a beauty and life related blog. I will chit chat about anything I darn well please.
I figure seeing as I've been out of the blogging game for so long I will start off with a nice easy Take It or Leave It II post.
Taking
SPRING! - Can I say how happy I am that spring has been with us for close to an hour already? I feel like I've made it through one more winter! And Peeps are out. YUM!
Texture in Hair - I am so happy that hair is more than just pin straight. I feel so glad to wake up every morning and not feel like I am fighting with my hair.
Goals - This one sounds a little odd, but I feel as though I've been making a lot of goals lately and I'm really staying dedicated. It's changing my day to day life from surviving to having a purpose.
Leaving
Fashion - Right now I look in the fashion mags and the first thing that goes through my head is... "ughhhhh." Not the reaction you really want to have. Normally I am pretty adventurous with fashion... but right now all of the mixing prints and weird shapes?? I feel like in fifteen years fashion today will be worse than the big perms of the 80's.
Pastel Nail Polish - OK that's partly a lie. I love how they look. I HATE sitting around for hours fighting with them to make them look alright. Last night I painted my nails peach... when I woke up I realized they looked terrible. So, I painted them yellow this morning and they were so streaky and gross that I took the polish off right away. Then I went to my amazing signature hot pink, because it works.
I figure seeing as I've been out of the blogging game for so long I will start off with a nice easy Take It or Leave It II post.
Taking
SPRING! - Can I say how happy I am that spring has been with us for close to an hour already? I feel like I've made it through one more winter! And Peeps are out. YUM!
Texture in Hair - I am so happy that hair is more than just pin straight. I feel so glad to wake up every morning and not feel like I am fighting with my hair.
Goals - This one sounds a little odd, but I feel as though I've been making a lot of goals lately and I'm really staying dedicated. It's changing my day to day life from surviving to having a purpose.
Leaving
Fashion - Right now I look in the fashion mags and the first thing that goes through my head is... "ughhhhh." Not the reaction you really want to have. Normally I am pretty adventurous with fashion... but right now all of the mixing prints and weird shapes?? I feel like in fifteen years fashion today will be worse than the big perms of the 80's.
Pastel Nail Polish - OK that's partly a lie. I love how they look. I HATE sitting around for hours fighting with them to make them look alright. Last night I painted my nails peach... when I woke up I realized they looked terrible. So, I painted them yellow this morning and they were so streaky and gross that I took the polish off right away. Then I went to my amazing signature hot pink, because it works.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Take It or Leave It?
What do you do when you desperately feel like writing a blog post but it's three am and you're a little drunk? You do a Take It or Leave It (aka In and Out). These are easy and moderately mindless and really enjoyable to read!
Taking
Highlighters - I've been obsessed with highlighters (a la Nars' Albatross) lately. I think the slightest touch of shimmer on your cheeks is oh so flattering. Which leads me to the next...
Dewy Skin - Normally I'm all about the flawless skin... not completely matte but I wouldn't say dewy either. Now that the hot months have returned and I tend to sweat off my make up I've (luckily) realized that I love the dewy look! I've been slapping on nothing but a light tinted moisturizer and I think it makes me look healthier. My skin tone is still even, but I look a lot more natural.
Metallics - I'm loving the metallics out this season. Nails, shoes, make up, all of it. I'm really loving the Lorac trio I picked up recently. BEAUTIFUL!
Floral and Feminine - This part of fashion right now is my fave. I love soft feminine clothing that screams, "I'm a girl! You can't wear this!" There's something sexy about being thought of as a woman.
Leaving
Almost All the Rest of Fashion - OK That's not entirely true. I'm loving the rocker bits (in small amounts) but NOT loving the giant prints, nauticals, and everything else that's going on in fashion right now.
Teal Eyeshadow - Teal looks terrible on me. It washed me out and makes me look like I have the flu. Not really what I'm going for.
All of my Friends Being Pregnant - Yes I'm happy for them, but I'm not necessarily happy for our friendships!
Taking
Highlighters - I've been obsessed with highlighters (a la Nars' Albatross) lately. I think the slightest touch of shimmer on your cheeks is oh so flattering. Which leads me to the next...
Dewy Skin - Normally I'm all about the flawless skin... not completely matte but I wouldn't say dewy either. Now that the hot months have returned and I tend to sweat off my make up I've (luckily) realized that I love the dewy look! I've been slapping on nothing but a light tinted moisturizer and I think it makes me look healthier. My skin tone is still even, but I look a lot more natural.
Metallics - I'm loving the metallics out this season. Nails, shoes, make up, all of it. I'm really loving the Lorac trio I picked up recently. BEAUTIFUL!
Floral and Feminine - This part of fashion right now is my fave. I love soft feminine clothing that screams, "I'm a girl! You can't wear this!" There's something sexy about being thought of as a woman.
Leaving
Almost All the Rest of Fashion - OK That's not entirely true. I'm loving the rocker bits (in small amounts) but NOT loving the giant prints, nauticals, and everything else that's going on in fashion right now.
Teal Eyeshadow - Teal looks terrible on me. It washed me out and makes me look like I have the flu. Not really what I'm going for.
All of my Friends Being Pregnant - Yes I'm happy for them, but I'm not necessarily happy for our friendships!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Mini Sephora Haul!
So, My BFF is getting married in a couple of months and her bridal shower is in a few weeks. Technically, I'd like to be a "good friend" and actually pick her out a nice, heart-felt gift, but I know that she is like me and would very much prefer a big, fat Sephora gift card. So, I ran into Sephora last night to grab the card for her and "accidentally" picked a few things up for myself. Funny how that happens each and every time I get withint the city limits of a Sephora.
I'll be honest here and tell you that I got this one 99% because of the packaging. I also got one for C. to put with her gift card. This is the tokidoki Cromatico Eyeshadow. For both of us I grabbed the colour Carnivora which is a pinky, ivory creamy colour. Temptalia (www.temptalia.com)had mentioned one should STAY FAR AWAY from the glitter shades and I agree completely (and FYI you can tell the ones that are supposed to be glittery because the cover of the packaging is glittery too). On swatching they were pretty blah. Carnivora is honestly nothing very original, but it's a pretty shade I will wear often and hey even if I don't it's a cute eyeshadow to sit on my make up center.
Can I just say a big props to the ladies who swatch everything for us make up geeks? I think I've taken about five hundred swatches before getting them to come out somewhat ok. Still working on it though so I appologize if they suck. At least they were postable.
My next purchase was a LORAC Starry-Eyed Baked Eyeshadow Trio in Superstar. To be honest with you I've never really taken a good look at LORAC products, but as I was madly running through Sephora (no friends to focus me!) I was swatching every neutral eyeshadow gift set I could find trying to find a good one to get C. I swatched the Little Black Book set from LORAC and was instantly in love. I think that this trio is three of the four colours that were in that set, but I'm not sure.
Did I mention that I AM IN LOVE!? Argh these things are SO beautiful. The three colours remind me of different shades of MAC's Woodwinked if that makes any sense. You know that shine you get from Woodwinked? These all have that. One is a really beautiful bronzed gold, then the medium colour is a nice bronze (the closest to Woodwinked I would say) and the dark shade has a lot less of the shine, but it still a bronzed chocolate with some shine. AMAZING. I wore two of the three shades today and I don't want to take it off.... ever.
Next is something that's been on my HAVE TO get list for forever, although I didn't pick up the shade I was planning on getting and I'm a little sad about that. Kind of. I wish I had gotten both really. This is the MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Blush in #13 - Smooth Talker. It is the ultimate Barbie pink and reminds me a lot of Benefit's Thrrrob blush (which, by the way, I can't find any where. Did they d/c it?). Not a colour for everyone by any means, but for super pale ladies like myself it is a miracle worker. It takes pale from being washed out to looking super healthy. I was planning on picking up Nip Slip. Next time... Because we know there will be a next time soon.
Finally I grabbed one of Urban Decay's Stardust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy. Contrary to the crappy reviews these shadows got from pretty much everywhere I am SO IN LOVE with them (how many times have I said that in this post?). I love that they aren't insanely pigmented. I love the glitter. LOVE IT. Yesterday I wore it (dry) alone over a neutral base so all you got were pretty flecks of glitter when the light hit it just so and I got multiple comments on it. And not comments from the girl at the MAC counter or my make up addicted friends (because, let's be serious, they're the only ones who can ever distinguish a slight change in eyeshadow shade/texture/finish), but from real work people and even a random on the street.
That being said, I would want to own a ton of these. I think that one of them is a must and more might be a waste of money (unless you're into bright greens and blues, which I am not). As far as glitter shadows go this one is really unique and I can see myself reaching for it over and over and over again.
Lastly, I redeemed my Beauty Insider points and grabbed the Ole Henriksen Three Little Wonders set. I've always wanted to try out pricy skin care products, but I just haven't had the heart to shell out big money on something like that. I haven't tried it yet but it looks interesting.
And now a random honourable mention or two:
OPI's Instyle Red. My mom sent it to me because she got it free with her Instyle subscription but didn't think she'd use it. Red isn't the right word to describe it. It's not quite red, not quite hot pink and it is beautiful!!
As I was leaving the mall I made a quick stop to Chapters because I had a gift card. I tend to read heavier things in the winter and a ton of chicklit in the summer. I love me some good chicklit.
I grabbed:
Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris which is the second book in the series. It's the basis for HBO's True Blood. I love that show. Who doesn't love slutty vampire sex?
I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk - this is a new author for me, but it sounded like a delicious book.
Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger - I'm just finishing up Everyone Worth Knowing (which is great by the way) and I read the Devil Wears Prada which was also amazing. So, I figured I would probably like this one too.
4 Blondes by Candace Bushnell - who doesn't love anything and everything by the goddess who created Sex and the City?
ELOTD
Finally, my eye look of the day! Excuse the brows in MUCH need of attention. Today I took the lightest shade of the LORAC trio all over the entire lid. MAC's Firecracker on the outer 2/3 and MAC's Amber Lights in the crease and outer V as well as the darkest LORAC shade from the trio in just the outer V. MAC's Vanilla was my highlight and then I finished it off with black cream liner (I'm currently using a Maybelline one I don't love) and a few coats of L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
The Merits of Fake Hair, Fashion Musings, Etc.
Yes I am seriously debating the merrits of extensions. Let's face it. I want long, bombshell hair and I certainly don't have the hair that can make that happen. Not even close. Yes my hair is pretty long but it's also dry and frizzy. That's not exactly the "hot" look I was going for. More of a hot mess.
And, let's face it, I am the kind of person who thinks that everything looks better fake. That's not saying I'm going to go all Joan Rivers and get a scary plastic face, but I wouldn't be opposed to a little "work." People always say, "if God wanted you to have long hair/ great nails/ a perfect nose he would have given you strong hair/nails." Yeah, yeah. But where does THAT philosophy stop? "If God wanted you to have clean teeth he would have given you a self-cleaning mouth?" I kind of doubt it. As for me liking fakeness, I should explain. I think there is a very fine line between fake good and fake bad. Fake bad is platinum blonde with a perfect golden tan in July with waist length hair, inch and a half nails and double E's or whatever the going size is now. I like practical length acrylics (and personally think they actually look better than natural long nails. I think fake boobs are fine if you're unhappy with the ones you have. Just keep them naturalish (because really, no one will believe you that they're yours anyways). I believe in a nose job if you hate your nose or an eyelift if you start to sag. It's all in moderation, baby, just like everything else.
So, that being said, I am debating whether or not to get extensions (once I have the cash of course, seeing as I've just spent all of my money on make up). I've always wanted really long hair and I've been growing mine out for YEARS. It just never quite seems to get as long as I want it to. Probably because I am continuously cutting it in hopes that it won't frizz quite so much. A. thinks that extensions look slutty and I will give it to him that often they can. However, I think that is when they are mixed with a bandage dress, black and silver smokey eye and the aforementioned double E's. Perhaps I will just grab some clip ins to see what I think.
Now, that being said I have been obsessing over fashion lately. I am both loving and hating what is happening in the fashion world right now. Nautical? So not my thing. Big, sloppy boyfriend stuff? Also not my thing. But the rocker chic and the romantic looks are totally my thing. I know since high school (which was far too long ago if you ask me) I have been mixing pink dresses with combat boots (except I do it far more stylishly now). But I do love a flowy floral dress paired with an awesome leather jacket or a pink cardi over a lingerie inspired cami with dark wash skinny jeans and some killer black heels with silver studs.
I have a little book in which I glue clippings from magazines of any kind of fashion inspiration. If I find a whole outfit I like I will glue that in. Or I will glue in single articles of clothing, accessories or ever swatches of colours that I would really like to encorporate into my wardrobe more. That way when I am going shopping I can look in my book and see if there is anything in particular I want to look for. I also love vintage but to be honest with you I don't often have the time or patience to actually go shopping for it. You have to sort through a lot of crap before you find a real gem and I am not always a fan of that.
On a final note, my LouLou came in on Friday. I totally discredited this magazine when it first came out because I felt like it was distinctly Canadian. But, after reading a few issues at my mom's house last time I was back for a visit I realized it has some great stuff in it. And it's also great to find stuff I can ACTUALLY buy. Anyways, this issue had a few great links in it that I'd like to share.
gofugyourself.com is dedicated mostly to fashion mishaps.
looklet.com let's you try clothes on different models and create outfits. I can see many an hour being wasted here.
chicheroin.blogspot.com is an awesome fashion blog. I am loving it. Totally love this girl's style.
And, let's face it, I am the kind of person who thinks that everything looks better fake. That's not saying I'm going to go all Joan Rivers and get a scary plastic face, but I wouldn't be opposed to a little "work." People always say, "if God wanted you to have long hair/ great nails/ a perfect nose he would have given you strong hair/nails." Yeah, yeah. But where does THAT philosophy stop? "If God wanted you to have clean teeth he would have given you a self-cleaning mouth?" I kind of doubt it. As for me liking fakeness, I should explain. I think there is a very fine line between fake good and fake bad. Fake bad is platinum blonde with a perfect golden tan in July with waist length hair, inch and a half nails and double E's or whatever the going size is now. I like practical length acrylics (and personally think they actually look better than natural long nails. I think fake boobs are fine if you're unhappy with the ones you have. Just keep them naturalish (because really, no one will believe you that they're yours anyways). I believe in a nose job if you hate your nose or an eyelift if you start to sag. It's all in moderation, baby, just like everything else.
So, that being said, I am debating whether or not to get extensions (once I have the cash of course, seeing as I've just spent all of my money on make up). I've always wanted really long hair and I've been growing mine out for YEARS. It just never quite seems to get as long as I want it to. Probably because I am continuously cutting it in hopes that it won't frizz quite so much. A. thinks that extensions look slutty and I will give it to him that often they can. However, I think that is when they are mixed with a bandage dress, black and silver smokey eye and the aforementioned double E's. Perhaps I will just grab some clip ins to see what I think.
Now, that being said I have been obsessing over fashion lately. I am both loving and hating what is happening in the fashion world right now. Nautical? So not my thing. Big, sloppy boyfriend stuff? Also not my thing. But the rocker chic and the romantic looks are totally my thing. I know since high school (which was far too long ago if you ask me) I have been mixing pink dresses with combat boots (except I do it far more stylishly now). But I do love a flowy floral dress paired with an awesome leather jacket or a pink cardi over a lingerie inspired cami with dark wash skinny jeans and some killer black heels with silver studs.
I have a little book in which I glue clippings from magazines of any kind of fashion inspiration. If I find a whole outfit I like I will glue that in. Or I will glue in single articles of clothing, accessories or ever swatches of colours that I would really like to encorporate into my wardrobe more. That way when I am going shopping I can look in my book and see if there is anything in particular I want to look for. I also love vintage but to be honest with you I don't often have the time or patience to actually go shopping for it. You have to sort through a lot of crap before you find a real gem and I am not always a fan of that.
On a final note, my LouLou came in on Friday. I totally discredited this magazine when it first came out because I felt like it was distinctly Canadian. But, after reading a few issues at my mom's house last time I was back for a visit I realized it has some great stuff in it. And it's also great to find stuff I can ACTUALLY buy. Anyways, this issue had a few great links in it that I'd like to share.
gofugyourself.com is dedicated mostly to fashion mishaps.
looklet.com let's you try clothes on different models and create outfits. I can see many an hour being wasted here.
chicheroin.blogspot.com is an awesome fashion blog. I am loving it. Totally love this girl's style.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
To The Beach Haul
YIPEE! I finally went in to MAC to check out To The Beach (finally?! It just launched yesterday...). I was going to go in Thursday after work but I've been working the morning shift and I was just TOO tired. I know I said I wasn't interested in Marine Life, but I REALLY wanted to at least check it out. Anyways, when I hopped in my car I had high hopes that I would be seeing everything except for Marine Life. Well, I was terribly wrong. I was surprised to find that at least half the collection was already sold out!!!! But, being in good shopping form, I managed to spend way more than I had planned anyways.
Marine Life, Sweet and Punchy, all of the eye and lip pencils, one of the blushes and one of the lipglosses were already gone!!! But I did find something from Prete a Papier and a few regular eyeshadows to supplement my need to spend.
The first thing I picked up, I had no idea that I had ever wanted, but apparently I had. I hadn't been in to swatch Prete A Papier yet because I wasn't very excited about it. So, I just got Tissueweight online (because I knew I wanted it) and went on my merry way. Well, as I was fighting through the massive crowd at MAC I stopped at the PAP display and found a mineralized blush in Warm Soul. I had no idea how much I needed this colour. It's a really beautiful shimmery peachy-gold and I think it will be PERFECT in summertime! Who would have known?
My next little tasty was Gorgeous Gold eyeshadow. I never looked at this one because I figured I have Goldmine and I love it. Why ruin a good thing? And who needs two golds anyways? I was so wrong. This is a yellow with a green shimmer in it. It's amazing. I paired it with Lucky Green tonight but I also think it will be AWESOME with Sumptuous Olive!
My second eyeshadow was Lucky Green. I was so disappointed that I didn't at least get to swatch Sweet and Punchy that I grabbed this one. I've swatched it about a million times in the store and have always loved it, but never picked it up because I tend to do neutrals on my eyes all the time. In part because my job requires neutral and in part because my boyfriend HATES a lot of make up. This is a bright grassy green with a ton of gold in it. Sooooo pretty!
And now for my To The Beach stuff!
I grabbed the Firecracker eyeshadow. It's unlike anything else I have and, while I may not get a ton of use out of it, it's actually pretty flattering to my eye colour. It's a not quite coral, not quite red, which I love because corals tend to go too orange on me and red makes you look like you're hung over. I think what makes this one slightly more wearable for me is that it's got just the slightest blue based sheen in it, which cools it down just enough for me.
My next purchase was the Splashing lipglass. It's a really pretty rosy pink without too much sparkle. And let me just say, it clashes really horribly with the orange top of the packaging. Who let that one slip by? In the tube it is a lot darker than something I would normally reach to swatch but it's actually a really pretty colour. Everything in this collection makes me think summer. This one in particular makes me think of seven o'clock dinners somewhere on a patio.
My final purchase was the Lazy Day lip stick. Did I need another blue-based pink lipstick? No, probably not. But I really like getting the special edition packaging in lipsticks because a) I depot eyeshadows, special packaging or not and b) I think lipsticks are fun because that's the only make up that I actually put on in public. However, I was really pleased with this one anyways. It's unlike any of the other blue-based pink lipstick I have (which, let me tell you is a lot)! It's lighter than Lovelorn (my go to) but darker than Angel/Creme Cup, which I think makes it more wearable. Lovely!
So, that concludes my haul. I will leave you guys with a quick ELOTD. And let me tell you, I now have all the respect in the world for the girls who routinely photograph their own eyeball without getting the colour washed out or the picture blurry and extra props to those who can do it with their eyes closed to boot.
For this look I started with my Clinique Touch Base for Eyes in Canvas. I then took a flat brush and packed Gorgeous Gold on all over lid, up to crease. I then took a fluffy domed brush and brushed Lucky Green over the outer third of my lid. I used Vanilla as my highlighter and then put Woodwinked in the outer V with a pencil brush. Then I blended! A lot! When I do looks like this I really like the colours to flow absolutely seamlessly so that you almost don't notice it's changing. I finished the look off with a line of L'Oreal Lash Stiletto liquid liner on the top, MAC's Pearlglide Eyeliner in Blackline (black with olive reflects) in the water line. Then I finished it all off with a coat of L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black on the upper and lower lashes.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
To The Beach!
I just have to say that I am ridiculously excited that To The Beach is coming out soon. I know it's already out online, but I try my hardest not to order off the computer unless it's a product I am desperate for whether I will use it or not. Take, for example, Marine Life which I personally am not particularly interested in. There are a lot of people out there who want it for their collection so, if I was interested I would probably bite the bullet and order this one right away.
However, if my make up obsession has taught me one thing it's no matter how beautiful it looks on Christine from Temptalia (www.temptalia.com) it won't necessrily look good on me (re: Dressmaker, Dressmaker). I've also gotten some real winners from her posts too (Laugh A Lot)!
Either way, I think To The Beach is full of a ton of products which could be an epic fail for me or a major win. I'm going to look at Firecracker and Sweet and Punch eyeshadows, Splashing lipglass, Lazy Day lipstick and perhaps Thrills lipstick as well. That one has potential to be either very right or very wrong on me. As for Lazy Day and Splashing I don't REALLY need another blue pink lip product but I'm loving the lipstick packaging in this collection and I'm really suspecting it will be the only combo that will suit me.
What else is everyone else excited for? Are you Marine Life people or not?
However, if my make up obsession has taught me one thing it's no matter how beautiful it looks on Christine from Temptalia (www.temptalia.com) it won't necessrily look good on me (re: Dressmaker, Dressmaker). I've also gotten some real winners from her posts too (Laugh A Lot)!
Either way, I think To The Beach is full of a ton of products which could be an epic fail for me or a major win. I'm going to look at Firecracker and Sweet and Punch eyeshadows, Splashing lipglass, Lazy Day lipstick and perhaps Thrills lipstick as well. That one has potential to be either very right or very wrong on me. As for Lazy Day and Splashing I don't REALLY need another blue pink lip product but I'm loving the lipstick packaging in this collection and I'm really suspecting it will be the only combo that will suit me.
What else is everyone else excited for? Are you Marine Life people or not?
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