Stay Tuned...

I am off having a fabulous adventure! Stay tuned for updates <3

Ulta Haul...

I caved. Yep. It happened. I made a special trip to a Chicago area Ulta to pick up the It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty palette.

And thank goodness, because it is my new obsession. It is an all matte palette with a transforming shade that gives each color a 'pearl' finish. This has become my new spring/summer palette as the orange and purple hues are so 'now'. Highly, highly recommend running to your local Ulta and grabbing this ASAP! 

I also picked up some single eyshadows from L'Oreal's Infallible line. Holy moly, they are gorgeous. Especially the silvery-purple! And with those, I picked up Maybelline's Summer 2014 Color Tattoos. They are both beautiful iridescent, duo-chromey blue shades. However one leans more green and the other more purple/silver. Amazing bases for summer!

And I could not walk past those new Corset Lashes from Ardell! 

NYX was on B1G1 1/2 Off. I will give it to Ulta for this, they always have amazing sales consistently on their drugstore products. Not so much the higher end. I've been wanting to try NYX's new Butter Lipsticks. So I picked up a nude in Fun Size -- which is quickly becoming my new favorite nude lip. If you're fair with pinkish undertones, this is perfect for you! And to snag that 50% off, I picked up their new Infinite Shadow Pencil in Sweet Pink. I thought it would be a great base for the Naked 3 palette!

And finally, of course at checkout (where they leave the tempting items--basically a beauty store's version of a candy aisle) I was ensnared by a Benefit mini set which included their Dandelion blush (which I've been meaning to try for ages) and mini of my favorite, their Porefessional primer. So onto the counter it went!

So of course, I went in for the It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette and walked out with much more. Isn't that always how it goes?

Best Oatmeal Combo Ever!

McCann's Irish Oatmeal

Splenda Brown Sugar Blend

Dried Plums (aka prunes, yes prunes. But they're delicious...and full of fiber!)

A History of Britain on Youtube

Amazing news. The entire History of Britain series is available on YouTube. For history nerds like me, this is fabulous news! So make some tea, hunker down and learn something new <3

The Answer to Gel Eyeliner for Rookies

I'm not ashamed to admit it, I am a total rookie when it comes to gel eyeliner. After many years, I still have not mastered it. Besides, liquid eyeliner pens are about as easy and amazing as they come. But sometimes, nothing beats the rich color and matte quality of my beloved Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner. But my application skills left much to be desired...

But not anymore!

I'm a fan of the Real Techniques brush line. Created by YouTube sensations, Pixiwoo; Sam and Nic Chapman have created a line of affordable, high quality brushes. A recent addition to this line was their Silicon Eyeliner Brush. Instead of a conventional hair brush, which can have wayward bristles, the silicone applicator provides smooth, even and precise application without tugging on the eyelid. It's pointed tip also makes the classic winged liner look fast and easy! I have fallen in complete love!!

Oh, and did I mention that it's only $5.99 at Ulta? Go get you some!

Photo Credit: Ulta

Photo Credit: Ulta

Mother's Day Wknd/Early Week

Firstly, I apologize for my absence. It has been a wonderful few days with my beautiful Mommy in Chicago for Mother's Day. She was in town on business and the plan was to spend mother's day with her. (We also were able to spend Mother's Day with my bestie and her amazing Mommy). It was all around wonderful and far too short.

Well, Sunday turned into Sunday, Monday and Tuesday! Unplanned but such nice quality time as I hardly ever see my lovely Mommy! But not to worry, I found an Ulta and have a haul coming. Stay tuned!

The Palmer House Empire Room

Peacocks at The Palmer House

Amazing shower head. I need you!

Reaching VIB Rouge Status

It happened. I achieved VIB Rouge status at Sephora...and my wallet did not thank me. Luckily, my vanity did. And I am more than underwhelmed on the perks of achieving said status.

For those who don't know, VIB Rouge is Sephora's new level of membership in which you attain by spending more than $1,000 in a calendar year. Their perks are the following:

- Access to exclusive VIB Rouge events
- Free 3 day shipping on every order
- Special gifts (mainly seasonal)
- Unlimited access to their beauty studio on the house
*these are on top of their Beauty Insider and VIB perks

Now, all of these are well and good. However, I live an hour from my nearest Sephora. So special events and access to the Beauty Studio are basically out of the question. It's nice if you live within a reasonable distance. But it's not as if you're going to be going in to have your makeup done everyday. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of buying your own products? 

Within the 'welcome' kit, you receive a mini Bite lipstick in a shade exclusive to VIB Rouge members. It's a lovely thought, and an even lovelier red shade. However, it is tiny. The package is 2" long, and the actual lipstick is 1". It's a doll lipstick. But not to worry, you can buy the full size for $28. Meanwhile, their other lipsticks in the range are only $24. So you spend a boat load of money to access the product and pay $4 more. Strange. 

I will say though, Bite Beauty is a fabulous range. They manufacture their products with food grade ingredients -- which are super safe for consumption. Because let's face it, we end up ingesting our lipstick. I'm sorry ladies, but it's true.

I was hoping to get a discount card of 10% or more within the welcome kit. Because you do receive such a thing with the VIB welcome kit. But sadly, only the Barbie sized lipstick was there. Frankly, I'd like to do a swap for the coupon, let's be real.

Overall, while I am infinitely happy with the products that got me to this level--the 'perks' that come with this badge of overspending leave much to be desired. Let's step it up a bit, Sephora!

OOTD -- Had to Share

Quick iPhone quality photo of one of my outfits this week. I went a bit overboard at JCrew/JCrew Factory/Madewell last week and this outfit is a part of the plunder...

I'm quite obsessed with the selections at all three stores right now...and I'm very grateful for their 40-50% off sales. I am going on holiday in a couple of weeks and of course, needed more clothes for said holiday. Because obviously, one never has everything you need for a foreign country! In preparation, I decided on a number of chinos/comfortable walking pants and modest but cute/feminine tops. I also popped in a new pair of sneakers--because cute chinos need cute sneakers, right?

Top - JCrew Factory Peter Pan Eyelet Tee 

Bottoms - JCrew Factory Gigi Pant with Pockets in navy

Shoes - Vans for JCrew Canvas Authentic Sneakers in white

Bag - Zara winter 2013

Sunnies - Ray-Ban Clubmaster Oversized 4175

...and of course my trusty Camelbak -- stay hydrated, my friends!

Maybelline Eye Studio Quads -- Legendary & Mad For Mauve

I always stop in the makeup aisle at my local grocer. While they are slow to get (or never get) new products, it seems they almost always have sales within every brand! This week, the Maybelline Eye Studio quads were on sale for $5 or $6...either way I thought it was a good deal and decided to give them a whirl. I picked up 2 -- Legendary (a purple quad) and Mad For Mauve (which ironically only has one color that I would consider mauve-like...but it's still not mauve).
Of course, when I got home I broke into them immediately. I've had Maybelline little eye palettes in the past and have never been impressed; often finding them to be chalky. Not such the case with these. They have great pigmentation, blend really well and not into one muddled color...as their older counterparts would do. 

Overall, I am very impressed! I was finding good drugstore eyeshadows harder to come by...a little bit of hope has been restored! So far I have only used the Legendary palette...stay tuned for a look using this beautiful purple quad :).

Mad For Mauve

Legendary

A look using the Legendary quad

                                     

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette - Review

I recently wrote about my experience with HSN and my journey to finding this little beauty for only $29 (it retails for $49) ...read more about it here.

I was so excited to receive it in the mail. Everyone in the beauty blogosphere has been falling head over heels for this palette...and now I understand why. It has everything you need for a multitude of different eye looks. Both matte and satin/shimmery finishes. A great mix of neutrals and pops of color. And a matte and shimmery highlight shade! The formula is so soft, pigmented and super blendable. What else could you ask for? Oh...that is smell like chocolate...which it does!

Here's what Sephora has to say:

"This beautiful assortment of chocolate-inspired shades were formulated using real cocoa powder. Encased in a playful chocolate bar tin, the rich selection of the perfect browns, neutrals, and little pops of color appeal to every candy lover. "

Swatched L-R: Salted Caramel, Marzipan, Creme Brûlée, Gilded Ganache

Swatched L-R: Strawberry Bon Bon, Candied Violet, Amaretto, Cherry Cordial

April 2014 Favorites

Jergens BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream

This is the lotion I've been putting on before going out. It makes your skin look so even, glowing and all around amazing. It comes in 2 shades, and I use the medium to dark. And while it's not a gradual tanning lotion like it's popular cousin; it does deposit a hint of color. And those who say that it doesn't, I say consult one white bra strap of mine...and you will change your thoughts. It is moisturizing as well and absorbs into the skin pretty quickly. 

Arbonne Ginger Citrus Body Butter

I received this body butter in a gift set from my beautiful mommy for Christmas. The scent is out of this world fresh. It's a super thick formula that feels amazing on the skin. Definitely one of those body butters that you shouldn't put on if you have to be out the door shortly after applying. So luxurious though and you wake up to super plump, moisturized skin!

Ambient Lighting Blushes by Hourglass

Oh my goodness. I can not say enough about this amazing product. The entire Ambient Lighting line from Hourglass has my eternal loyalty. I recently added the blush in Ethereal Glow to my collection and it is the best everyday, dolly pink, slight hint of color. I've also loved combining it with the Dim Infusion blush (a coral) for a bit more color. The combo is simply stunning.

Jordana Fabuliner in Brown

While the Jordana Fabuliners are an awesome value ($2.99 at Walgreens), I find they dry out rather quickly...not to mention the applicator is more firm than I would like it to be. This means that obtaining a good 'flick' with winged liner is nearly impossible (for me). But...for an easy everyday not so harsh makeup look, I love lining my upper lash line with the brown color to give some definition!

Stila In The Light Palette

I debated for months on getting this palette. It looked like any other neutral palette...but when Sephora had their 15% VIB sale, I decided to throw it in the virtual cart....and I'm so glad I did. I have been loving using this palette for quick neutral eye looks. Particularly just throwing the Bubbly shade all over the lid for subtle color and shimmer. And let's face it, at $39 it's definitely one of the more affordable palettes out there!

Youtube Favorite: SACCONEJOLYs

This family is by far the cutest family ever! They are a real YouTube family from Ireland that upload daily vlogs showcasing their ordinary family life. They have 6 teeny white doggies and 2 babies...an adorable little girl and a newborn baby boy. So sweet! Watch them here.

The New Couches Are Here!

Hooray!

Best of the Drugstore -- For the Face

Revlon Age Defying Firming + Lifting Foundation  $12.99

Now, I have dry skin. So this dewy finish formula may not be the best for those on the oilier side. But if you're on the dry side, you will love, love, love this formula! It doesn't settle into any fine lines and after being set with powder, lasts me all day. My only gripe is that their lightest shade is still a tad too dark. But this is not a new thing for me, sadly. Luckily, summer is right around the corner!

Revlon Colorstay Foundation  $9.99

If I know I'm going to be out all day...and outside too...this is always the foundation I will grab. A semi matte finish that lasts for ages and ages. Although I will say, be careful with how much you can apply, because this thick, full coverage foundation can easily turn into a mask! This will definitely be getting used more as the summer approaches!

L'Oreal Miracle Blur  $19.99

Talk about a heavy duty miracle working primer! I wear this under my foundation to fill in pores and fine lines so the foundation goes on smoothly! Although next time, I'm definitely going to buy the oil free formula! You can even wear it alone just to even out your skin's appearance.

Maybelline FitMe Concealer  $4.49
The best drugstore foundation for everything except the under eye area! It's a thicker formula with high coverage that's great for any blemishes or around the nose. It really reminds me of the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer.

L'Oreal Magic Lumi Highlighting Concealer  $10.99

Not only is this my go to under eye highlighting concealer, it's also great for down the bridge of the nose, on the cheek bones, middle of your forehead and above the cupid's bow. It's the best brightening  'I just got 12 hours of sleep' highlighting concealer!

Physician's Formula Bronze Booster Bronzer in Light to Medium  $14.99

This is a newer discovery of mine. I never thought I would stray from my high end bronzers because, as someone with fair skin, it is very difficult to find the right shade of contour that's not too orange or muddy on my skin. Consider that no longer a problem. This almost creamy formula, while it looks like it would be on the warmer side, transfers onto the skin as the perfect contour shade that blends out beautifully on the skin.

ELF Studio Blushes $3.00

So pigmented and applies so smoothly! And at $3, it is easy to amass quite the collection of these blushes! The only negative is that some shades are a bit chalkier than others and they aren't super long lasting. Personal Favorites? Mellow Mauve and Candid Coral.

NYX Powder Blushes  $5.99

Hands down the best blushes at the drugstore!! The color is so pigmented and smooth, not chalky at all. And they last for quite some time! The shade range is incredible as well. CVS is now carrying NYX, so head on over and pick up a few of these! Personal Favorites? Angel and Dusty Rose

L-R: Physician's Formula Bronze Booster -- ELF Studio Blush in Candid Coral and Mellow Mauve -- NYX Blush in Angel and Dusty Rose