Thursday, September 29, 2016

Midweek Polish Change: OPI CIA and Pale to the Chief #Kerry4OPI #OPIWashingtonDC



Happy Thursday!

It is a wet and dreary day here in the DC area. A perfect day to stay home *insert long deep sigh*. Anywho!

Today I am wearing CIA = Color is Awesome and Pale to the Chief from the OPI Washington DC collection. CIA is described as a dusky blue and Pale to the Chief is described as nearly nude. I am wearing two coats of both polishes I am really digging Pale to the Chief. Can't wait to try it on both hands instead of just and accent nail.

See you Monday!

Monday, September 26, 2016

#ManicureMonday OPI Never a Dulles Moment & We the Female #Kerry4OPI #OPIWashingtonDC




Happy Monday!

Not the best pics but here we go! Today I am wearing Never a Dulles Moment. It is described as a curry yellow. I definitely had to work with it and had to go in with a third coat on a few fingers. Typical for a yellow nail polish. I am wearing We the Female as an accent nail. It is described as an empowering garnet shade which is very pretty and I really like it. I had no problems with this one and I am wearing two coats.

See you later in the week for another shade combo from the OPI DC Collection!

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

August 2016 Top 5 & More

Late again. Curses *shakes fist* I was determined to get this up on August. Dah well. Here it tis!

Top 5


philosophy Pure Grace Shampoo, Bath & Shower Gel

Last year, I mentioned how I had really enjoyed using the Pure Grace Whipped Body Creme. Well I ordered the philosophy grace & love 4-piece fragrance set back in June that included a super size of the shampoo, bath & shower gel and regular sizes of the body lotion, olive oil scrub and fragrance. I did auto delivery (surprise surprise) and I got Pure Grace as my first scent. I have been OBSESSED with the shower gel. I ordered the set towards the end of June and I got it the beginning of July. Due to travel I may have used it a few times. So I didn't really get into until maybe the end of July. I've used almost half of the shower gel. This usually does not happen this quickly with supersize shower gels. The Pure Grace scent is described as soap and water clean and it's just that. I've used as my shower gel with other philosophy fragrances and it has mixed well with them, I also used with Wen's Summer Mango Coconut fragrance and it was fine as well. So glad I picked it up.

Laura Mercier Artist Palettes

As I've mentioned in my recent Less Stuff post that I'm planning on sending some items to Glambot. I pulled the two Artist's Palettes that I have which are the first two palettes. The first palette has been a long time favorite and I have traveled with it many times over. I also do really enjoy the second one as well especially the purple shades. There is some overlap with the shades and I hadn't used them in a while. I was ready to write them off since I hadn't reached for them. Then  I said well use the for a week or two and then decide. I did just that and decided that they are staying lol. These are nicely pigmented and smooth eyeshadows. They remind me of Bobbi Brown eyeshadows (more shadows I have not used in a while). The packaging is nice and slim for easy storage and travel.

Essie Strut Your Stuff

I wore this shade multiple times in August. I rarely repeat shades since I pull out so many nail polishes to play around with for the month. I did a Manicure Monday post with this shade. It is described as bright blue creme. It applies nicely with two coats. It was definite favorite polish over the summer.

Butter London Shadow Clutch Palette in Natural Charm

This palette was given to me by a friend and it's available at Ulta. I said ok another neutral palette. I've used every shade in the palette and this is a really nice palette. It's great for everyday and you do have some color in the palette with the coral and olive shades. The shadows are smooth, pigmented and easy to blend. At first I wasn't going to mention this palette but the more and more I used it I said nope gotta talk about it. It goes with the small palette kick I've been on and it's a super easy palette to use. I would definitely travel with this palette. There is another palette available called Pretty Proper. I may swatch it the next time I'm in Ulta. *shifty eyes*

Chapstick Total Hydration in Coconut Hydration

This in an item  I got in the May Allure Beauty Thrill box. I was able to purchase the box on sale. I'll mention more in a bit. This reminds me of the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment but at a fraction of the price of course. This is a 3 in 1 formula. It moisturizes, renews and transforms. I mainly have use this at night. It keeps my lips hydrated and they are nice and soft the next morning. They also come in colors which are sheer. I got Rose Hydration in the August Allure Beauty Thrill box. I haven't cracked it open yet but I cannot wait to try it.

Yays


Allure Beauty Thrills Box

When I was at my work meeting in July, I got an email to pre-order the August box and to get the May box on sale I was having a bad day and said why not and ordered both boxes. The May box was waiting for me when I got back to the office and it was FULL of stuff! There were 3 or 4 products that I knew I would not use. I passed those items on to coworkers. Still with what was left over was a lot. Then I got the August box and was really pleased. There was only one product I passed on. This box had a Wen seasonals cleansing conditioner in it. If you order from their website it costs $40. The August box I paid the normal prince of $49.95. I'm not sure if I'll get another one but if you're somewhat curious about this box, I say give it go. It's totally worth it. Also a portion of the proceeds of both boxes were donated to two different causes. The May box was the Melanoma Research Alliance and the August box was Cancer and Careers. I absolute love beauty with a cause.

Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant Toothpaste & Mouthwash

The toothpaste was an item I got in the May Allure Beauty Thrills box. I was curious because I had heard good reviews on this line. I went to Walgreens and got the mouthwash and lucked up on a buy one, get on free sale. I've been using it for a few weeks and I really like it. It gets my teeth clean and it refreshing. I was looking for an alternative to the Super Smile set I got and I've found it. Woohoo! So I am going to cancel the auto delivery set that I was getting from QVC and stick with these prodcuts.

Essie Jiggle Hi, Jiggle Low

This was a random find at Walgreens for $2.99. Walgreens clearance section is quite good check it out the next time you're there. This is a silvery gold  metallic shade with flecks in it and is super pretty. I usually don't like shades like metallic shades. They can be hard to apply and look weird on me. Well I think they looked weird on my. But I rather enjoyed the how it looked when I was done. I think this is my first metallic shade from Essie. Now I'm curious about other metallic shades in their line. It is still available on the Essie website.

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Mad Max Brown

I used up my last Eyeko liquid liner in Mocha and it's discontinued waaaaahhhhh. So I was on the hunt for a new dark brown liquid liner. I went to Sephora and looked at their liner and Kat Von D's. I liked the swatch I did of Kat Von D's more. So I brought it home and have been using it ever since. It reminds me a lot of the Eyeko on so woohoo! When I run out on the black Eyeko liner I have I will purchase the Kat Von D one in Trooper.

Makeup Sponges

After watching Jennifer Wan talk about the Ulta Small Super Blender sponge. I  decided to scoop one up I also got the Super Blender sponge and the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponge. I tried the beautyblender years ago and I did not like it all. One thing I like about the Ulta sponges and Real Techniques sponges in that they are inexpensive. I like the way both sponges feel on the face and how they applied my makeup. I was kind of surprised how nice my face makeup looked. The smaller Ulta sponges I used for my undereye concealer. The only drawback I feel is that it seems to take longer to do my face makeup. Maybe once I get more used to using sponges it'll go quicker. My preference is still makeup brushes.

Starbucks Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew

This has been my go to drink over the summer. The Cold Brew coffee is very smooth. The Vanilla Sweet Cream is just enough sweetness without making it too sweet. If you think other iced drinks at Starbucks are too sweet then give this a go.

Boos

Nothing this month. Woohoo! Makes me happy when I'm enjoying the items that I reach for.

Let's see what September brings! I am determined to get my September post in in September!

Monday, September 12, 2016

#ManicureMonday Zoya Finley


Happy Monday!


I ordered 3 nail polishes from Zoya's Fall/Winter Urban Grunge collection. They came after my shop my stash post. So I couldn't include them but they will get some play this month! I picked up 3 of the Metallic Holos. I picked up Finley, Merida and Britta. Today I am wearing Finley. It is described as a "deep royal purple scattered holo" and it is so pretty! These polishes are my absolute favorite from Zoya. Honestly they are my favorite polishes to wear in general. I forgot to grab the bottle this morning to take a pic of it with my nails. Dah well lol! It is what it is.

See you next Monday!

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

September 2016 Shop My Stash



It's September. It's really SEPTEMBER!?!??! Where has the year gone? Seriously. Oye vey. Here's what I am playing around with in September!

Palette Play


I'm going to play around with the The Nubian 2 and The Masquerade palettes from Juvia's Place. I've used them a bit here and there. I've had them for a while now but haven't really used them.

Insert rant: It's not really a rant BUT I would like to say that I knew about the Juvia's Place palettes BEFORE certain YouTubers found out about them and others are now on the "bandwagon". I'm excited for the additional business that Juvia's Place is getting but still.

Polish Play


Soooooo OPI has collaborated with Kerry Washington for the OPI Washington DC Collection! When I found about this collection over the summer, I said just take my money! There are 17 polished in the collection. 17! *wall slides and insert deep sigh*. Two of the polishes are exclusive to Ulta (Front Runner and Politically Polished). So I got the two mini sets and 4 full sizes polishes (Squeaker of the House, Suzi - The First Lady of Nails, Shh...It's Top Secret and Front Runner). I got the 4 piece mini set (shades included are: We the Female, Pale to the Chief, CIA = Color is Awesome Never a Dulles Moment) from Sally Beauty and everything else from Ulta. The 3 piece mini set includes: Inside the ISABELLEtway, Kerry Blossom, "Liv" in the Grey. I wasn't able to get Politically Polished but a friend of mine was able to scoop it in store and is sending it to me *twirls*. I will try and do some nail posts since this is recent collection and swatches on deeper skin tones seem non-existent online. I had to trim my nails down, so bare with me.

Fragrance Play


I'm going to show some love to the Lancome fragrances I own, La Vie Est Belle and Tresor. I'm also going to see I can use up the shower gel and body in Cashmere Glow by Bath and Body Works.

Out of My Face

Here's what I used up in August:
  • Serious Skincare A Defiance A Force XR Retinol Serum Concentrate 1oz 
  • Serious Skincare Vitamin A Retinol Pads 60 pads
  • Harmon Face Values Hydrating Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes 
  • Wen Cleansing Conditioner in Fig 32oz 
  • Covergirl Queen All Day Flawless Foundation in Mocha
  • Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Milk Chocolate...FINALLY! Woohoo!
  • philosophy Hands of Hope 4oz
  • Ambi Even and Clear Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30
  • Neutrogena Hydrating Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
  • Influance S3 Spray
  • One n Only Argan Oil Treatment 3.4fl oz
  • Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser
  • Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hand Cream
  • Bare Minerals Bareskin Complete Coverage Serum Concealer - I didn't finish this but was ready to be down with it. So in the trash it goes
Sorry that the pics aren't the best. Need to figure out an alternative. The change in season is upon us and daylight is getting shorter Waaaaaahhhh!!! As always Google is your friend and I try to mention product names and where I got something/where it is available.

Let the play commence!

Less Stuff - 2016 Update



My last update was over a year ago. So I decided to check in.

Books - I recently donated six tote bags (various sizes) to my library. The bin was about a fourth of the way full. Once I was done it was more than halfway full! Whoops! LOL! I should have snapped a pic. This purge was my "let's get real" purge. I may do another small purge before the year is out. I'm making an effort to read some of the print books I haven't read. I've gotten so used to reading on ereaders and my phone that I don't like reading print books anymore *sigh*. Some books are so awkward to hold especially since I read on my bed,

Clothes - I think it was a few months ago I donated two huge trash bags of clothes. I also tossed items that needed to go. I plan on doing another once over in my closet before the weather gets cold. Now I'm to the point where I have items I do like but a lot of similar items. For instance I have quite a few maxi dresses. I like all the ones I have and the fit fine. But there are some I reach for more than others. So do I get rid of the ones that I do like and wear but not as much? Then I'm kind of at a transition work wise. Where I work now, I can pretty much wear whatever I want. I've been looking here and there for a new job. So I don't want to purge a lot of say my more business causal clothes, if I end up somewhere that I have to "dress up" more than I do now. Then I have some items that I wear for certain activities that I need to keep on hand even though I don't wear them often like suits and some dresses. For suits, I have always wanted a three piece grey suit for the longest time but have never gotten one. So I may look for one. If I find one I like then I may get rid of the other suits I have with maybe the exception of one green one I have. I may do the same for some dressier dresses I have. I may keep two or three and get rid of the rest.

Handbags - *gasp* I know right lol! I've always pulled some to give to family and friends. I was watching one of my favorite YouTubers Jennifer Wan and she mentioned that she was going to sell some stuff to thredUP. I was said bwah?? So I went over to their site and they accept clothing items and accessories from various brands. I've mentioned before that I don't have the patience to try and sell stuff through eBay or Craigslist. So I checked the brands they accept and Dooney & Bourke is on the list. They also send you a packing envelope to mail your items. So I have some bags and accessory pieces pulled aside to send to them. Less expensive bags I'm planning to sent to Change Purse. They accept purses and their efforts help raise awareness and help victims of human trafficking which I think is a totally awesome concept.

Nail polish - I had post a video on Instagram Stories of some of my nail polishes and had gotten a couple of comments from a couple people that I know that really irritated me. I deleted the video. They go away after 24 hours but I didn't want to be bothered by other's comments. One said I should be embarrassed. I know she was "joking" but I didn't find it funny. Anywho. I don't know what to do with nail polish I'm ready to let go of. Most places will not accept used nail polishes. I've given more than enough away to family and friends. So I'm drawing a blank. I know I could just toss them. I may check and see if it's ok with my hairdresser if I bring some to my next appointment and just leave them in her shop and ladies can take what they want and she can trash what no one takes. *shrugs*.

Makeup - this is forever ongoing *sigh*. I think I was watching one Jennifer Wan's vlogs and she was mentioned how she was seriously going through her makeup collection and blog selling items that did not absolutely love. Now she's a totally makeup /shopping girl so I know her actions were not on decluttering or downsizing her stash. So I got inspired to go through mine. I got rid of a TON of lippies. Then while Google searching on what to do with used makeup, I came across the site Glambot. I remember Jennifer mentioning that she sent some makeup to them and from what I remember her experience with them was good. I did search on some reviews for Glambot. The "bad" ones I ran across were from people mad about the amount they got. They felt it should have been more. One review I ran across was sensible and was like look keep an open mind. They are providing you with a service and you're not going to get "full price" for an item. Which makes sense and I'm fine with that. I just want stuff gone and if I can get a little something for it then cool. They provide you with a shipping label which I like. Whatever they give you for the makeup first comes as a credit to use with them to shop and I believe after 14 days you can get the cash. If you're not satisfied with their offer then you can get your stuff back.

So I'm still chugging along. I'm happy with the progress that I have made but still have a ways to go. Hopefully I've given you some ideas on what to do with items that you're ready to part with. I'll follow up on my experiences with thredUP and Glambot.

Onward and upward!