Tech Lovin - Kindle Fire vs Samsung Galaxy Tab

My tech toy senses are tingling!

(Courtesy of Samsung)

Sooooooo my tech lovin eye wants a tablet of some sort. I'm lightweight anti-Apple, so I don't see myself getting an iPad. BUT my eye has spied the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3! I read the reviews on the Galaxy Tab 2 prior to the 3 launching. The reviews for the most part were very good.

(Courtesy of Amazon)

Then I've been thinking about the Kindle Fire. I'm an Amazon Prime member and other than the free shipping I don't take advantage of the other benefits. I know you can download the Amazon app if you have a tablet but I'm not sure about the instant videos and other Prime benefits. Something I need to look into.

(Courtesy of Amazon)

Also the new Kindle Paperwhite has caught my eye too. So many tech toys, so little time.

My laptop is cool and all but it's big, heavy and hard to maneuver if I just want to lay down and watch YouTube videos and such. It's also not fun to travel with on work trips. So an alternative would be nice. But even my laptop is starting to pluck my nerves. I don't even want to think about it. Now here is where I miiigggght consider an Apple laptop. Keyword might! Hmph!

Anyone own either one? Thoughts?

Princess Tag!! (Favorite Luxury Beauty Products)

Another tag. I love watching these on YouTube. Some of the items I'll mention may be more of mid-range vs high end. And of course there may be two products mentioned in a particular category. Also I was kind of lazy for this post when it came to pictures. Some items I've mentioned/shown before in previous posts and some you will see in about a week or so (hint hint).  Plus I've linked the products either to the brand's site or Sephora. They'll have better pics than what I could take. Also Google is your friend :) Here we go!

Share your all time favorite high-end products in each category (If you don't own a luxury item in every category talk about a product you are wanting to try & why you're attracted to it) ; D

- FOUNDATION
Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Foundation was my favorite foundation before Bare Minerals. I was HOT when I found out that it was being discontinued. I was going to purchase at least one more bottle before it went away but I waited too long.

- CONCEALER
Bare Minerals Stroke of Light isn't really a concealer. It's an eye brighter that does provide coverage. Well enough coverage for me. For the face I like Bobbi Brown Touch Up Stick that I have but cannot find which is odd and annoys me to no end! So I see a purchase in my future.

- POWDER
I gushed over Bare Mineral Bronzing Mineral Veil in yesterday's post which is more mid range in price. I also really like Bobbi Brown's Sheer Finish Loose Powder.

- BRONZER
My favorite Bronzer hands down is Bobbi Brown's Bronzing Powder. I purchase Deep Chocolate which she released some additional shades in a previous Fall collection. I didn't know at the time that this shade was limited edition. Had I known, I would have purchase a backup. I hit pan on it last year. The pan has gotten bigger but I still have a lot of product left. I use this every day!

- BLUSH
I have two for this one. Tarte's Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blushes are pricey but amazing!  I have eight of them and there at least two more shades that have caught my eye along with the holiday blush palette. I also have to mention Bobbi Brown's Blushes. Some of her newer shades have caught my eye. Blushes from both brands apply smoothly, are pigmented but not to the point that you'll look like a clown and aren't powdery.

- HIGHLIGHTER
I don't really have any "high end" highlighters. I have quite a few Radiance powders that can be used as highlighters from Bare Minerals. I consider those mid-range. On that is on my wish list is Laura Mercier's Spellbound. If I can get my hands on it. It's selling out pretty fast. Crytalis007 showed this in a video and I swear I gasped when I saw it.

- EYESHADOW
Oh gosh...lol. Ummm....I'm going to go with Bobbi Brown's eyeshadows. They are smooth, easy to blend and long lasting.

- EYELINER
If we're are talking pencil liners then my favorite is Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils. If we're talking gel liners then Bobbi Brown's gel liner are my stizzle. If we're talking liquid liners then LORAC's Front of the Line PRO liquid liner is my favorite.

- MASCARA
This is an easy one....Lancome's Definicils Precious Cells mascara. I love everything about this mascara (the brush, the formula, how my lashes look, how my lashes feel, how it removes easily...I could go on). I don't have a tube on hand and was debating on picking up another one. But I may have found a drugstore alternative. Stay tuned...

- LIP LINER
Smashbox's Nude Lip Liner in Dark. I've talked about this lip liner multiple times. Before I discovered the NYX lip liner in Expresso, this was my go to lip liner that I used every day.

- LIPSTICK
I don't really have a favorite high end lipstick that's a favorite. I do want to try YSL's Rouge Volupte lipsticks. I also want to try Bare Minerals Moxie lipsticks and Urban Decay's new Revolution lipsticks. I have heard good thing about all 3. Especially from Bare Minerals and Urban Decay.

- LIP GLOSS
At first I was like I don't have a favorite and then I remembered my Buxom lipglosses and lip creams! How could I forget about those??!! Duh! *head palm*

- BROW PRODUCT
I don't have any high end brow products. I do want to try Bare Minerals Brow pencil since they now are a dark shade. I like that it's a retractable pencil that you don't have to sharpen and the pencils part looks like it will be good for filling in and defining your brows vs a traditional pencil.

- MISC... (CANDLE, BATH GOODIE, TOOL ETC)
Philosophy Shower Gels. I love the gels that match back to their fragrances and the "fun" shower gels that range from fresh scents to fruit and food scents. My favorite of these kinds is Cinnamon Buns. My favorite of their fragrance shower gels is Amazing Grace.

- NAIL POLISH
Chanel's Black Pearl nail polish (link to Temptalia's blog post). It's unique shade that I haven't seen from any other brand be in high end or drugstore.

Backup Products In My Stash

Ok at first I didn't think I had a lot of backup products in my stash until I started digging through drawers and what not. Sheesh!!! Most of the backup items I have are limited edition or are no longer available for purchase. One was an accidental purchase and one was a just because purchase. Quite a few are from being on auto delivery with various beauty Today Special Values (TSV) from QVC. Here we go.

Mally Volumizing Mascara 
I got several of these tubes through her TSV sets she brought to QVC. I given some away and I still have this many on hand. Good think it's one of my favorites.

Bare Minerals Mascara (Flawless Definition and Curl & Lengthen) 
I got these via Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty when they were half off. If you like their mascaras then this a good time to stock up on them. I picked up the Volumizing one as well but decided that I don't care for it. So the back up tube I have has gone into my gift giving basket.

Maybelline Gold Shimmer Color Tattoo 
This was part of Maybelle's Fall collection last year. I liked it so much I got a backup. Do I really "need" it? No. So it may end up in someone's Christmas bag. We shall see.

Maybelline's Touch of Light 
This is a cream highlight that I love. I wasn't a big fan of highlighting products. I've gotten more into highlighting within the last year or so. This one is my favorite. I got my back up via my beauty pusha.

Mally Poreless Face Defender
I had originally ordered this as a single shipment then I wanted to get on auto delivery for it. So now I have two. One stays home and the other is in my purse. I hadn't been using it a lot but recently I have been using it a lot more for touch ups. I've hit pan on the one that's in my purse.

Mally Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Liner in Midnight 
This is her black eyeliner. Again more than likely got this from two different sets since this in the liner that she includes in a lot of her sets. It's not my favorite black pencil liner but I do like it.

Bare Minerals Big & Bright Eyeliner in Black Coffee
This is my FAVORITE pencil liner. I got this in two different sets from QVC. I used the last bit of the one I was using the other day. So I will be cracking open my back up. I have found sellers on eBay selling this liner. I will be getting another backup or two.

MAC Evolution Revolution Lipglass 
This was part of the bloggers collection that MAC did. Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog created this lipglass. It is the perfect pink. When I don't know what lip to do, most of the time I throw this on. It goes with just about everything.

MAC Call My Bluff Lipstick
This is one of my favorite nude lipsticks. I lucked up and found another via a blog sale at a decent price. Some folks are lightweight crazy with the prices that they charge.

MAC Heroine Lipstick
This is hands down my FAVORITE purple lipstick. Like I could wear it every day favorite. I was kicking myself for not get a backup when MAC released it. When they re-released in a collection another lipstick was in order.

Revlon Mink Lipstick
This was an accidental backup situation. This is called you are in the drugstore too doggone much and you don't remember what you've purchased. I think I purchased one from Ulta and then ended up purchasing the another one from Walgreens. This made me start keeping lists on my phone of certain products so that I don't make this mistake again. It's another favorite nude so I wasn't too upset. I keep one in my purse.

Maybelline Colorsensational Lipgloss in Mirrored Plum
I love these glosses and Mirrored Plum is an amazing purple gloss. So of course I "had" to get another one. If it was a part of the regular line then I wouldn't have gotten a backup. This whole limited edition mess at the drugstore really grates my nerves. Plus going from store to store trying to FIND these items. Don't get me started.

Maybelline Colorsensational Lipgloss in Lavender Lavish
I gushed over this gloss and in my September favorites. So no surprise that I got another one.

Bare Minerals Original Foundation in Gold Deep
I prefer the matte version of the foundation. I ended up with these due to sets I ordered from QVC. They never include the matte foundation in any of their sets which is very annoying. I had one of the in my "at work" makeup stash but wasn't really using it. I use the original version more so in the fall/winter.

Bare Minerals Bisque in Deep
Again ended up with multiples of this via QVC sets.

Bare Minerals Perfect Light Mineral Veil
Right now I have 3 of these with another on the way via a QVC auto delivery. This is my second favorite mineral veil. But at least one of these is going on my gift giving basket.

Bare Mineral Bronzing Mineral Veil
This mineral veil right here is MY FAVORITE! Yes Gawd! When I use this you can't tell me my face isn't beat OK!!! Of all the mineral veils, this one is the most brown girl friendly in my opinion. I never really cared for the tinted mineral veil. I have the regular size with the blue lid that launched with the spring collection. Then QVC brought back the super size of it. So I picked that up as well. I didn't purchase it when it first aired I think in 2011. It's still available and I'm tempted to get another. I am dead serious. It is not a game on how much I love this product and I don't want to be without it.

Wet n' Wild Sugar Plum Fairy Lipstick 908C (not pictured above...whoops)
Now this lipstick isn't limited edition. But it is hard to find in stores. So when I saw it one day when I was out and about, I scooped up another one. This is my one of my favorites for fall/winter but heck I wear when I want.

I think that's it. I may have forgotten a gloss and something else. Not that many backups but then again....I had a backup of Wet n' Wild's Vanity palette and Bare Mineral loose eyeshadow in Drama. I was like you really don't "need" these, so I passed them on to other makeup lovers. They now have good homes lol!!!!

Let's Talk Skin Care

I didn't know what to do with this post. I didn't know if I wanted to talk about my routine, current favorites, some new stuff I picked up or what. So how about a little bit of this and that? My goal has always been to keep it simple and try not to use a lot of products. BUT the older I get, I realize that my skin has certain needs and what not. So I have to adjust my routine and products accordingly. And compared to some folk's routines, I don't use a lot.

I had been using a mix of products that I liked for a while. Some I've mentioned in past favorites posts, but I felt like my skin needed "more". So I started to reevaluate the products I had been using and what I wanted to address. First off my skin in oily/combo. In the spring/summer it's oily. During the fall/winter months it's combo. I'm also prone to breakouts and I'm like seriously. I'm in my doggone 30s! Good grief!! Anywho...

Back in March I picked up Proactiv Solutions's Super Size 6pc Day & Night Acne Treatment set from QVC. I have always been curious about Proactiv. So I was like why not and QVC gives you 30 days to return a product. I honestly like everything in this set. The only thing not pictured above is the toner (step 2). I used that up pretty quickly. I purchased Dickinson's Witch Hazel toner (pictured below) and it's just as good as the Proactiv one.

The standout products for me in the Proactiv set are the Repairing Treatment (step 3), Clarifying Night Cream and the Oil Free Moisturizer. The Repairing Treatment helps keep the oil at bay during the day and keeps my skin smooth. The Clarifying Night cream is a rock star and replaces 2 products (Bare Minerals Skin Rev-er Upper and Alpha Hydrox Res Q) that I used to use and loved. This has salicylic acid and retinol in it. Addressing acne and anti-aging! Loooove! I am very picky when it comes to daytime moisturizers. Especially those with sunscreen in them. I usually don't like ones with sunscreen in them because they make me oily. The first time I used Proactiv's I was like oooooh! Sinks into my skin nicely and doesn't make me oily! It's only SPF 15 but I did see that they have an SPF 30 one that I may check out.  I am on auto delivery for this set and have one more shipment coming but I haven't decided if I am going to get it or not. I have repurchased the Repairing Treatment and Clarifying Night Cream via eBay since I was getting low and didn't necessarily "need" the whole kit.

A few weeks ago I got the urge to use Philosophy's Purity Made Simple again. So I went to Ulta and picked up the 3 oz bottle. I've really been enjoying using it in the evening with my Clarisonic to take my makeup off. I have mentioned that Bare Minerals Purifying Cleanser before as a favorite cleanser to use for removing my makeup up. I still like it but I think I like Purity just a lilllllllttle bit more. So now I'm trying to decide if I want to purchase a large size of Purity, play around with Bare Minerals cleanser again or something else all together.

So I felt like the majority of my skin issues were being addressed with the items mentioned about but I still felt like my skin needed an extra boost in terms of brightening and some lingering acne scarring. Soooo let's backtrack to September.  Serious Skincare had a Today's Special on HSN (Serious Skincare Resurface, Smooth and Brighten). I was curious when I saw the email in my inbox but really didn't think much of it. I think I forward the email to my beauty pusha (Crystalis007) and she said she loved the brand. I was like realllly now. So I watched the video on the presentation, decided it was good deal ($49.95) and caved. I waited too long to order and the option I wanted was on extended delivery. I just got set last week. I've used all the items except the CC cream. First initial use, the products are not bad. The C Extreme Results Advanced Vitamin C Skin Resurfacer 2-Part Beauty Treatment reminds me of a similar product from Philosophy but not as abrasive. Still I can't call anything a favorite since I haven't been using it long. I can say that it has played with the Proactiv items I've been using. They did mention during the presentation that this was a good set to incorporate if you already have a set skincare routine in place. Hopefully I'll get some good results in the next couple of weeks.

In terms of eye creams, I haven't found a favorite. Well I take that back. I had received Bobbi Brown's Hydrating Eye Cream when I had purchased some other items at the makeup counter. It's pricey so when I used it up I didn't purchase it. So we shall see if I ever purchase it or find a less expensive one that does the job.

Last but not least, a quick shout out to my Clarisonic. When I first got it, I used it twice a day. Now I use it pretty much every evening when I remove my makeup. It helps get everything off. I actually have two. I originally got the Mia from QVC. Then I ended up getting the Clarisonic Plus. Also from QVC. Can you tell that I like to shop at QVC? I debated on selling the Mia but it good for travelling and I use it when I have to charge up the Clarisonic Plus.

The only items I didn't mention were some masks I use. Maybe another day. This post is long enough as is. And there you have it. Just a mix of this and that of what I've been liking and playing with when it comes to skin care.

If something doesn't make sense....my bad lol.

Current Obsessions - TV Shows

There are very few current shows that I keep with. Most of the time you can find me watching reruns or marathons of various shows like The Golden Girls. But there are a few shows that I have to watch.

The Big Bang Theory

My coworker turned me on to this show and it's hilarious! It pretty much focuses on a group of "nerd" scientists and their everyday life. Simple premise yet not. Bazinga!

Sleepy Hollow

This is a new show in this year's fall lineup and I'm digging it. It has a mix of history, mystery and supernatural things going on. Some of it is kind of creepy. Have me thinking I need to watch this in the daytime LOL!!!!

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Ok can I say that I LOOOOOOOVVEEEDDD the Avengers movie. Like LOVEEED! I need to pick up the DVD but it has been On Demand for a while. When I heard that a TV show was coming, of course I was curious. I've watched the first few episodes. It's not bad. We shall see if it makes the cut and gets picked up for another season.

Football

Football is back baby! Woooooo!!! I've watched football for years. But within the last maybe 2 or 3 years I've been really getting into. Picked a team, paying attention to football news and stuff lol. This year I was itching for football season to start! I didn't know how to act when football was finally back on TV. And my team is 5-0! WHODAT!!!

Scandal

On Thursdays at 10pm, I am here for Scandal! Yes Gawd! It is not a game! This show right here baaaabbbbaaaayyyyeee! Gives me LIFE EVERLASTING!!! After every show it does seen like folks are ready to check into rehab. The show goes so fast. I feel like if you blink you'll miss something! Every Thursday I say that damn Shonda!!!! If you are a Scandal fan then you have to watch Funky Dineva's recap of the season 3 premiere. Hilarious!

 

Current Obsessions - Food

Every now and then I get the taste for something and I get stuck on it. So I'm currently crushing on...

Hot chocolate - I had been drinking hot chocolate even before the temps turned cooler. When I was younger I would drink hot chocolate like people drink coffee. Hershey's syrup, some milk and helllooooo hot chocolate!

Tuna - has been my go to for lunch at work. Especially since it's inexpensive and usually on sale.

Almond Milk - one of my sorority sisters turned me on to almond milk. I had tried it a while ago but it was just ok. Now I like it a lot.

Candy Corn - a fall favorite that has been around the office a lot lately.

Pumpkin Spice Latte - it is not fall until I have me a Pumpkin Spice Latte!!!!! When the weather was still warm I would get a frappuccino too. I also like the Via Pumpkin Spice packs. Dunkin Donuts, McDonald's and 7-Eleven have their version. I tried 7-Eleven's yesterday. It'll do in a pinch.

Pretzels - this has been my go to when I have tuna. Nice change up from potato chips

Raisin Bran - my go to cereal.

Peanut Butter - I go through phases with peanut butter. I always get Jif but Skippy was on sale and I'm watching my pennies as best as I can.

Current Obsessions - Music

I love music. I know a lot of people say that but I loooooove music! Here are some songs/artists I've have been lightweight "obsessed" with lately.

Bruno Mars

I had been digging on Bruno Mars when his first CD came out. But when he did the song "It Will Rain" I was like oh ok Bruno! Then when he dropped his second CD! I was like dat boy be sangin!!!!!!  There are very few CDs I can listen to from beginning to end without skipping a song. His one of them. My three favorite songs from Unorthodox Jukebox are Gorilla, Locked Out of Heaven and If I Knew. He came to the DC area over the summer and I am so bummed that I didn't go see him! I am looking forward to him performing during the Superbowl.

Jay-Z and Beyonce - On the Run (Part II)

I heard this song on the radio one morning and instantly fell in love with it. I love it so much that I bought the single from Amazon and play it non stop on my phone via their mp3 app.  I love it when these two collaborate together. Its not forced. It just works.

Justin Timberlake

I've always been a JT fan but when he dropped The 20/20 Experience, I was like Justin's getting his grown married man sexy on! I bought his CD when in came out last March. I has been in constant rotation okay...constant! I gushed over this in my April 2013 favorites. I need to pick up part 2.

Drake - Hold on, We're Going Home



I know some people clown Drake but I like him. When his new song, Hold On, We're Going Home came out I was like I'on know. But it has grown on me and I really like it. I've heard some songs of his newest release and I like what I've heard. I'll probably pick it up at some point.

Sevyn Streeter

When heard her sing I Like It and I was like this is nice. But when I heard It Won't Stop, I was like yes yes!!! Definitely has an Aaliyah vibe to it. Was just talking to some friend the other day on how much we missed Aaliyah and where we were when we got the news that she had passed.

Mario - Somebody Else

I've always liked Mario and he always comes out with that one good hit when he has album that's about to drop. The beat on Somebody Else is vicious! The is a song that gets turned waaaay up in the car ;)

Kanye West - Graduation



I've been playing Graduation like it JUST came out. I love me some Kanye. Yes he does the most at times but he is talented. When Good Life comes on mannnnnn!!! \O/

And there you have it. Maybe I'll do this once a month. Nice change up from all the "pretty" talk. We shall see.