I Hate Packing!!

(Courtesy of Microsoft)

Ok sooooo next week I have a work trip and I hate packing.  It's a process that really starts for me like two weeks out.  I've mentally in my head started packing.  I'll have to dress somewhat business like during the day and then the evening it's whatever.  Then since I'm a makeup/product junkie I have to get that side of my packing together.  I needs my stuff!! :) I just sat here an went ahead and pulled out what makeup items I plan on taking.  THAT in itself is a task.  I had so many lip gloss and lipstick swatches on the back of my hand.  Luckily enough I recently ordered the smashbox Photo Op Mega Palette from the Q.  So that helped a lot teehee!  I did grab some additional items just because *shrugs*.  Next task is to do tackle the mountain of laundry and then start pulling clothes together.  My tech toys, I said I was going to make an effort to work out so there's that stuff and let's not talk about shoes!! Oye vey.  Then a last minute store run if necessary.  If I had the money I would just get on the plane, go and buy what I needed when I got to my destination.  This packing stuff is for the birds LOL!!!!  Then there's the lovely task of unpacking.  A vicious cycle I tell ya!

March 2012 Favorities

Like to hear it, here it go!

Eyes

The Tarte TEN palette has been the main thing that I have used for the month to do my eye looks. It a versatile palette that you can do neutral and smokey looks.  You also have some nice colorful shades thrown in as well.  It would make the perfect travel palette because you can create so many different looks.  Also it a magnetic palette so when you use up a shadow you can replace it with another tarte shadow.  I had fun rediscovering this palette in March.

Lips

I played with various lip products this month but the only one that stuck out to me was Pretty Amazing Lipgloss in Sass.  I got this in a mini size that came in a set of four.  It was one of Bare Escentuals 2011 holiday sets.  I pretty nude color that's your lips but better color and can go with any look.  I really want this in a full size.  I even emailed Bare Escentuals to see when it would be available.  No official word yet.  It is available in full size in another BE set that's at Sephora.

Face

I picked up Black Radiance's blush in Toasted and used it a good part of the month.  It adds subtle color and warmth to the cheeks.  Very very purrrrty!

I've had the Bare Escentuals Full Flawless Brush for a while and never really cared for it.  Picked it back up this month and use it to apply my BE foundation and really liked the application.

Nails

Played around with two purple shades from Zoya.  Nimue is described as a smoky muted purple #kanyeshurg.  Yasmeen is described as a dark blue toned purple.

This and That

Baby Phat Luv Me was the last perfume that Kimora Lee Simmons launched before she left Baby Phat.  I never tried any of her other perfumes but after trying this one I'm intrigued.  I think I remember her mentioning it had a hint a vanilla and I was like welp I'm sold!  I picked it up from Target for about $25 I think (picked this up some time ago).  While I was trying to use up a vanilla shower gel and body cream by Carol's Daughter, I layered with this scent.  I used it everyday for about two weeks.

Inside Out Stuffed Green Peppers is a recipe that I made twice this month!  Yep twice!  I follow @400cal on twitter and she tweeted this recipe.  All of her recipes are under 400 calories.  It was on a Sunday and I had to go out run errands.  So I picked up the few ingredients that I didn't have and made it that evening.  It was soooooooo good!  Simple to make tooooooo!  I ended up making it again like a week later for my lunch during the work week.

(From 400caloriesorless.com)

Ahhhhhh Pinterest, my recent addiction!  I love it because you can put your favorites/wish list items in one place!  I have a board for recipes and I have gone to it and pulled a few recipes to make.  I have one for clothes and shoes.  I recreated a couple of looks from what I have in my closet.  I have many other boards with this and that.  It's a nifty concept that have taken the internet by storm!

Wendy Williams Medium Leather Satchel w/Detachable Strap has been the bag that I've been carrying for well over a month.  I got this in green and loooooove it!!!!  I started carrying it towards the middle/end of February and I'm still carrying.  I have gotten tons of compliments on this bag.  I more than likely will pick up another color (probably cognac).  It says medium but to me it runs larger.  Fits and my crap and then some lol! I love all the pockets it has.  There several on the outside of the bag and inside.  I hate hate hate haaate bags that only give you one teeny pocket!  I also love the lining on the inside is a light color.  I also hate bags with dark lining!  This bag is a winner all around.

Short and sweet.  Not a lot this month.  See you in April!

Shopping, Errands and Such

We all have our errands and shopping that we do weekly, biweekly or whatever.  I usually don't have a particular time in the day that I go out.  When I was in college I didn't have a car.  I would catch the bus and I would get up early!  I wanted to hit Walmart or whatever store, get back on the bus and be back on campus before everyone else was up and ready to start their day.  Once I graduated and came back home I would still do the early thing. I am not a fan of Walmart but if I have to go, I go eeaaaarly.  Target is where I usually go.  It never really bothered me no matter what time I went.  Recently though the times I have gone later in the day, I've gotten super annoyed.  One time I was tempted to leave my cart and walk out of the store.  The same goes with the grocery store.  I've been a few times in the afternoon and it wasn't that bad.  So I've come to the conclusion that in order to keep my sanity and not appear on the local news I need to run my errands first thing in the morning.  Just my random musings on my recent shopping and errands escapades lol!

(Courtesy of Microsoft)

Product Junkie Files: Informal Project 10 Pan

So I've slipped on my beauty no buy *head palm* d'oh!!  Buuuuut I said for each day I mess up is an additional day tacked on to my no buy.  So let's see how this goes #badjen.  In more happy news I've used up quite a few products in the last few weeks! *fist pump*  The products were hair care and skin care products.  Wish I could say they were makeup products lol!  Oh well lol!

I used up my Ojon Restorative Hair treatment.  I've had this jar I swear for like three years!  You're only supposed to use it once a week and the jar is a pretty decent size.

Another hair product that I have used up is the Ashea Shea Butter Pomade.  I started using this when my hair dresser recommended it to me a few years ago.  I looooove it!  Kind of obessesed with Shea Butter products.  I use this on my hair daily when I style it in the morning.

I used up quite a few Carol's Daughter products.  I used up the Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure, the Khoret Amen Hair Oil, Sugar Dipped Vanilla Shower Gel and Body Cream.  The hair oil used to be available in an 8 oz bottle.  Now it's available in a 2 oz bottle that comes in a set with a hair smoothie in the same scent.  It was the 8 oz bottle that I finally used up.  It took foooooooorever!

I used up the Exuviance Purifying Cleansing Gel.  I got suckered into this when I went to Ulta to repurchase Bare Minerals Purifying Facial Cleanser.  In January Ulta had a skin care event going on and a rep for the brand was in the store and pretty much told me the Bare Minerals face wash was trash and that Exuviance was soooooo great since it was created by dermatologists.  Well whopdedooooo! I kinda got pissed because, one I hate pushy ass sales reps and two it's a product that has worked well for me.  But like a big dummy I got what she was pushing.  She threw a deluxe sample of their facial mask to try out which is just ok to me.   The cleansing gel did cleanse my face along with removing my makeup but I just wasn't wowed by it and I didn't see any vast changes to my skin.  I had a small amount of the Bare Minerals cleanser left and went back and forth between the two until I used it up.  Bare Minerals is better hands down!  At least for me it is.  So I will not be repurchasing this the cleansing gel!  I already have a bottle of the Bare Minerals one ret to go!

Another skin care product I've used up in the Bare Minerals Purely Nourishing Cream for Dry Skin. Let me first say that I do not have dry skin!  I had been using the same moisturizer for combination skin which I love.  However with this wacky winter my skin needed something a little more.  I had a same of the Perricone Face Finishing Moisturizer that surprisingly I really liked and was tempted to get the full size once I used up the sample.  It's expensive though.  The regular size jar is $69.  Then I was like well let me try the Bare Minerals one for dry skin since I like the other products I had been using.  Also it's less than $30.  I've been using it since December twice a day and just now finishing the jar.  I probably will go back the the combination skin one once the weather warms up.  I may get another jar and use it as my night cream.  We shall see.

So progress is being made.  Woohoo!!!   Hopefully I'll report back soon on some other items!

Antisocial....Introvert

(Courtesy of Microsoft)

This morning I had a meeting to go to.  So I get up and go through the motions of getting ready.  In my mind I'm like I could reeeeaaalllly not go.  But I continue getting ready.  I leave and head over to my meeting.  I got there kind of early.  I could have went in but I sat in my car.   There was this somewhat paralyzing feeling that came over me.  I wanted to put my car in reverse and high tail it home! After the meeting I had an orientation to go to.  I'm sitting there at a long round table of sorts with the other people and I just wanted to leave.  I started getting antsy.  I didn't want to talk to anyone.  I didn't want to be social.

I remember a while back that someone posted a link to Twitter about the 10 Myths About Introverts.  When I read this I was like yes, yes, yessssss!!!  Myths #1, #2 and  #5 spoke volumes as to what I was feeling today.  Oye to the vey!  At the end of the orientation I was waiting on people, was getting very irritable and I just left.  I couldn't get home soon enough!  I'm sure I'm be called out for my behavior #kanyeshrug

Your Work Environment

I realize it more and more that your environment can have an impact on your well-being (for lack of a better word).  If you have a full time job you spend a good portion of your day at work.  Depending on your job you may have extra responsibilities that go beyond 5 o'clock or the typical 40 hour work week.  Yes everyone in an office have their on quirky personalities and such buuuutttt......o_O  When folk's nonchalant attitudes and the constant "I don't care", "I hate this place", etc is a constant everyday doggone day it starts to rub off on you.  There are several things you can do.  You have to have an honest "conversation" with yourself.  You can join your coworkers and take part in their b.s mindset.  You can say I'm not going to fall for this, do my work and keep it moving.  Or you can say to yourself, self this is NOT the place for you and take the steps you need to find a new gig.  Of course there are other things to consider especially if you love what you do (I'm not there lol!!)  Now don't get me wrong I know that no work environment is perfect BUT I'll be damn if you should have to put up with "whoa is me" people every doggone day. It's very draining believe me.  It also doesn't help when your so called "boss" adds to the mayhem.

Until next time....

(Courtesy of Microsoft)

February 2012 Favorites

Going to try and not list 50-11 thangs for this month lol!

Eyes

I've been loving Benefit's They're Real Mascara this month.  I think I mentioned last month that overall I have pretty decent eyelashes.  Also I can't get into the whole false eyelash thing.  This mascara is super black (super black? ha!) gives you length and volume.  I know some people get into the whole debate on "high end" mascaras since mascara is one beauty product that you should cycle out often.  If you like it and you're fine with your purchase then do you.  I have some drugstore mascaras that are favs as well.

Bare Escentuals Big & Bright Eye liner in Black Coffee has been my go to liner for the longest time.  I don't think this is available for individual purchase through BE's site which sucks!!  You might find it via a seller on Amazon or eBay.  I originally got this in one of their holiday sets and got a back up from another smaller set.  For me this is the perfect liner to go with any eye look.  Sometimes black can be too harsh and other times brown doesn't give you enough (if that makes sense).  I'm hoping that they make this one a permanent edition to their line. *shakes fist*


Bare Escentuals Drama Eyeshadow is just *sigh* lol!!  I can't remember how I stumbled upon this color but it's my go to when I don't know what to do.   Or if I can't be bothered doing a whole lot for an eye look.  Usually I wear it alone all over the lid and up into the crease, line my eyes with Black Coffee and call it a day.   It's a glimmer shadow but it's not loaded with glitter like some shadows.  I don't experience any fall out with it.  It's hard to describe but it's a cool brown bronzey color with a hint of pewter?? *scratches head*   I scooped it up from Ulta awhile ago when it was on sale for $6.  I got two.  Don't know why since it'll take forever to use just the one lol!!

I stumbled across the Smashbox Shadow Brush #32 when I was switching out my brushes.  I got in a set that came with other items.  It's no longer on Smashbox's website.  Amazon and eBay is the way to go if you're interested in it.  I haven't used this brush in a while.  I forgot how much I really liked it.  I usually don't do extreme eye looks.  So with this brush I can really do my whole eye look.  You can pack on and blend color with ease.



Lips

The Gloss D'Armani Lip in Rouge #405 is from the spring collection.  Crystalis007 reviewed this lip gloss on her blog and showed in a haul video on her youtube channel.  I was transfixed and haaaad to have it lol. I posted a comment to her blog when I received it (ordered it online) that the lip gloss whore in my swooned when I tried this gloss.  I think this is one of the second most expensive glosses I own.  I've never tried Armani lip glosses.  Love the color and the feel of this gloss on the lips.  It's long wearing which is strange to say for a lip gloss.  The color is a perfect everyday color.  It's a your lips but better color at least on me.  Lightweight tempted to get a back up.  I know terrible right?

MAC Marquise'd Lipstick is described a sheer pinky nude and it's just that.  This was a part of MAC's Wonder Woman collection.  A nice pink color when you do want to have a whole lot going on your lips.

Face

MAC Amazon Princess Blush was also a part of the Wonder Woman collection.  I not a big MAC fan but I lost my mind when it came to this collection lol!  I pulled out this blush and have been loving how it looks.  It has two pink shades.  One medium pink and a deeper pinky purple shade.

Real Techniques Powder Brush is a super duper soft powder brush.  One peeve I have with the Real Techniques brand is that I wish more of their brushes were available for individual purchase versus the sets.  This brush is available on its for $9.99.  Other than that I love to use this brush with my Bobbi Brown Sheer Powder.  I've also used it with Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil.

Nails

I've been into Taupe/Taupe Purple and dark blue polishes this month.  I've been loving Essie Mink Muffs, Sephora by OPI Metro Chic, Zoya Pasha and Butter London Big Smoke.


This and That

I think I first tried Cascadian Farm Organic Granola Bars in one of those snack boxes you can buy on flights.  I got a $1 off coupon from Target's website and was like what the hey.  I've the Chocolate Chip and Vanilla kind.  They're quite tasty.


Carol's Daughter Goddess Flower "delicate floral scent of orchids and jasmine" on Carol's Daughter's website.   I can't describe it other than  a wonderful scent.  I the set that includes the shea souffle,  body wash and dry oil spray.  I also have the rollerball.  I've worn this for a good part of the month.


A song that I have been jamming to pretty has is Another Round by Fat Joe featuring Chris Brown.  I've been playing this song back to back to back *shimmys*



See not too bad this month :)  See you in March!