Bag of the Moment - Dooney & Bourke Leather Crescent Tote

I purchased this bag from none other than QVC. I hadn't reached for this bag in a while. I love the green shade. It's perfect for transitioning from summer to fall. The green isn't too bright but not super dark either. This is a nice size tote for everyday. But it's not too large to carry around on weekends and such.  It doesn't get "in the way" like some tote bags can. There's a zip pocket on the back of the bag and one on the inside. It also has two pockets on the front. I got this back when the cell phone pockets were smaller. But my phone fits in the one of the front pockets nicely. I'm kind of bummed that it's not longer available. Kind of wanted in another color. Like I really need another bag LOL!

Makeup Brushes I Would Repurchase

October's Blogapalooza is underway!

I started this post back in October of 2012 and it has been sitting in my draft folder ever since. Sheesh! This was supposed to be a "top 10" but of course I went beyond 10.

I have quite a few makeup brushes. Some I like more than others. If I had to up and repurchase makeup brushes, here is what I would get:

Elf Studio Powder Brush - I love using this blush to apply my Bare Minerals foundation. I have 2 and may pick up another one. A lot of people like to use this brush for liquid foundation. I didn't like for that.

Elf Angled Contour Brush - this is an eyeshadow brush but I use it to blend out whatever undereye concealer I'm using.

Real Techniques Powder Brush - this brush is super soft and applies face powder nicely.

Sigma F05 Small Contour Brush - I use this brush to apply my Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder on the outside of my face and hollows of my cheeks to contour. I've also used this brush as a blush brush and like using it that way as well.

Elf Studio Small Stippling Brush - this is a newer favorite. I like this brush to apply cream blushes, really pigmented blushes like La Femme blushes and highlighters (power or cream).

Elf Studio Eyeshadow "C" Brush - this is my favorite brush for packaging eyeshadows on my lid and into the crease. I have also used the brush to apply cream eye products like Maybelline Color Tattoos. I currently have 2 and wouldn't mind 2 more. You can't beat the price of $3. My looks are very simple so this brush along with the next brush mentioned, gets the job done.

Elf Studio Contour Brush - this is my favorite brush for applying eyeshadows in my crease. Also it has a little give to it so that you can blend a little bit as well.

Sigma E25 Blending Brush - this is dupe for MAC's 217 brush. I have a bunch of these in the mini size. Got them as a gift with purchase with various Sigma Beauty orders. This a good all purpose eye brush and I always have one in reach.

Bare Minerals Crease Defining Brush - to me this a blending brush. I really like for applying a brow bone highlight, cleaning up the edges on an eyelook and of course blending.

Smashbox Arced Liner Brush - I originally got this brush in a set with 2 of their gels liners. When I thought I lost this brush, I went out and got another one. I know there are similar brushes like this that are cheaper, but I wanted the same brush and not an alternative to it.  Of course once I bought the replacement brush, I found the one I thought I lost. Which was fine at the time. Now I have a back up when the other one is dirty or in between washings. 

Sedona Lace Synthetic Blender Brush - I use this brush to mainly apply Maybelline Color Tattoos on my lid. I also like using this brush for 1 eyeshadow looks.

Bare Minerals Tapered Eyeshadow Brush - I've had this brush for a while but only started using it within the last few months. I love that this brush is small. You can lay eyeshadow all over your lid easier. Especially in the inner corner. It also double as a smudge brush for the lower lash line.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush - this is another brush I love to use for applying Bare Minerals foundation. I've also used it with cream foundations as well. Unfortunately this brush is not available for individual purchase. It is included in their Core Collection set. If it was available for individual purchase, I would get another one.

Sigma Large Angled Contour Brush - I love angled brushes like this to apply blush. It makes it easy to place on your cheek and blend it out. I have one from Bare Minerals that I really like as well.

Bare Minerals Contour Brush - I love this brush to apply blush and bronzer. I got this brush in various sets. I don't see it on their website currently which is a bummer. I think I have like 3 so I'm good lol!!

And there you have it. These are the brushes that I reach for/enjoy using the most. I probably could have listed 5 more. I think this is enough ;)

September 2013 Top 3

Fall is here!!!!! I love when the weather transitions from summer to fall. Bring on the boots, cozy sweaters and yummy good food!! Football is back!!!! Woot! Also bring on the deeper shades of makeup. Especially the lippies! Speaking on lippies, I feel like this is the favorite lippies edition since everything is a lip product. Excuse the nail polishes show below. If you're wondering it's Essie's Damsel in a Dress.  This polish has been on my wish list forever and I randomly stumbled upon it in Walgreens. Now for my favorites!

I am OBSESSED with Maybelline's Lavender Intrigue lipstick....OBSESSED. I gushed about this lipstick on Instagram. Called it the wrong name and everything! *head palm* It is just gorgeous. I could wear it everyday and be happy. It's not too dark, wears well throughout the day and feels comfortable on the lips. I don't have a lot of Maybelline lipsticks (outside of the Vivids) but I like the ones that I have. One of the "trends" for fall beauty is purple lipsticks. These trends kind of irritate me. I'm like where have y'all been? Purple has BEEN the trend. At least with a lot of people I know. So I guess we're ahead of the curve LOL! If you are a purple lippie lover then you should definitely check this out. It's limited edition which SUCKS! It's part of Maybelline new Fall collection.

Mary Kay True Dimensions lipstick in Rosette was given to me courtesy of my beauty pusher Crystalis007. I swear she's become my beauty BFF lol! I hadn't tried this line of lipsticks from Mary Kay before but had seen posts about them. These are great. They remind me of Revlon Lip Butters. This color matches my natural lip color. So it's a good everyday shade that I can throw on with any eye/blush combo.

Maybelline Lavender Lavish lipgloss is the BUSINESS!!!! It's also part of Maybelline's Fall collection. My beauty pusha Crystalis007 did a post recently on this gloss and she mentioned that she's already gotten a backup. I said to myself I wasn't going to purchase anymore back ups of color products (lipstick, glosses, eyeshadsows, etc) because Lord knows I do not need them (you'll see this during October's Blogapalooza). BUT she was nice enough to scoop one up for me when she was out and about! I have looked in couple of stores but some trifling people had OPENED them up! I hate, hate, HATE THAT! It's sealed for a reason you big dummies! Hmph! Anywho...This gloss pairs well with lighter purple/lavender lipsticks. I've paired it with MAC's Daddy's Little Girl, Revlon's Berry Haute and another lipstick that escapes my mind right now but it was in the same color family. I was like OMG with each lip combo. So I'm glad that I got a backup since I plan on wear this lipgloss a lot!

Something a little different...I guess I'll call this the surprise item of the month. There are times when I want to mention an item but it's not necessarily a favorite because I haven't used it enough. If that makes sense and these items did take me by surprise. I picked up two of the Maybelline Eye Studio quads that are part of the Fall collection. They are limited edition. I saw them in CVS when I was looking for some of the lip products from the collection. I told myself no, you don't "need" them. I ended up in Walgreens looking for one of the lipsticks that I couldn't find and ended up picking up Violet Femmes and Fall Temptation. Neutrals and purple shadows are my weakness. I've played around with them and they are really nice. I've never tried these quads before. Some have compared them to the Lancome Color Design palettes.

Let me mention a quick regret purchase for the month. I had picked up Sonia Kashuk's Jewel of an Eye palette from Target. A couple of weeks ago there was a deal on Target's Cartwheel app. If you are a Target lover then download this app to your phone and save on various products. The deal was 20% off her larger palettes. So I was like sweet! I didn't have any of her palettes at the time and people have spoke highly of them. I had 2 single shadows of hers, but never really used them since they were colors I didn't really wear (I don't have them anymore). I've played around with this palette and now I'm like meh. I could have done without it. The brown/neutral shades are nice. Some of the colors I had to DIG into to build up color on my lid. I thought maybe I was tripping. I had mentioned to a friend of mine who got different palette with the Cartwheel deal. She felt the same way about the palette she picked up. I was going to pick up her other 2 neutral palettes but now I'm not. Debating if I was to keep this palette or put with my giveaway items.

And there have it! Maybelline got a lot of love from me this month. Let October Blogapalooza commence!!!!! \O/ Hopefully I can keep up.

We Remember...

I posted this on my various social networks today. My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones on this day 12 years ago. I'm sure we all can remember where we were when the events of this day happened. I know I gripe about the ills and happenings of the United States and "joke" about moving abroad, but at the end of the day there is no where else I really want to be. In times of tragedy I amazed how we can all come together. I only wish it didn't take a tragedy for everyone to come together.

Never forget...

Be easy good people.

October Blogapalooza is Coming!

I was going to try and do this in September but didn't give myself time enough to prepare. Next month I am going to try to do a blog post everyday. Keyword being TRY O_o. I'm in the process of making a list now and will get to work on it in the next week or so. A lot of beauty related posts but I going to throw some other random things in the mix since that's what I do lol. If there is anything you would like to see/hear about let me know.

Stay tuned....

August 2013 Top 3

Let's jump right into my top 3 favs for August!

I picked up Revlon Pink Pout  lipstick from CVS when I had a $3 off Revlon coupon. It's a matte lipstick but it's not super matte or drying on the lips. A makeup loving friend of mine mentioned it to me. She's a pink lipstick lover. I can't remember off the top of my head what MAC lipstick it's a dupe for but it is one. I'm leery when it comes to light lipstick shades and my skin tone. I'm worried that it's too light or will look milky on my lips. When I put it on I was like ooooohhh! I really like it! First time I wore it on its own with a little Carmex on top. Then I wore it with MAC's Going Casual Cremesheen gloss. Loooooove this combo! Both are a pinky lilac color and complement each other nicely.

I mentioned this as an early fav in July for August and I called in right lol. I had a work trip this month and for some reason deciding what makeup products to take was the worst! I went back and forth and in circles. Then I got fed up and said I'm taking the Smoked palette and that's that. This is a really good palette to travel with and just plain good for everyday use. It's a great mix of neutral, colors and smoky dark shades. It also has my favorite black pencil liner in Perversion. I used it with some Maybelline Color Tattoos and MAC's paint pot in Eclair and the shadows on their own over a primer. This palette is also good because you can do quick looks that look like you did a lot but didn't. At most I used 2 shadows and was done with my eye look. I really enjoyed this palette and glad that I finally picked it up! I had to force myself to put it away when I got back so I can use some other eyeshadows.

Went back to a favorite face primer of mine during my work trip as well. I took Black Radiance's Shine Control primer and I used it with Urban Decay's De-Slick. I still have the old bottles. I have the XL size and I refill the little bottle. This combo is BOMB.COM!! It kept my face makeup looking good all day. When I looked in the mirror later on in the day I was shocked. Now mind you it wasn't as humid in Cali and it can get in the DC area but still these two together was awesome. A few times I did use Mally's face defender but I really didn't need to. I have some other face primers on my "to try list" and they are pricier ones. But now I'm kind of like why bother?! You can't beat the price on the Black Radiance primer. It's less than $10 at the drugstore and if you can catch a BOGO or have a coupon you can save even more on it. So dare I say that I have found my holy grail primer?

And there you have it! This was easy to do this month. I can't believe it's almost fall and boot season!!!! Can't wait. 2013 is almost done! Wow! I'm already thinking about how I'm going to do my monthly favorites for 2014. I may do categories or something like I did before but maybe do the top product in each *shrugs*. We shall see. September goooooooooo!!

Bag of the Moment - Dooney & Bouke Large Luna Bag

**Ok I had did this post probably a couple weeks ago but kept forgetting to take a pic of the bag *head palm* I just switched to another bag I want to test out to see if it'll do for an upcoming work trip. Any who here it is...excuse the mess in the background and my messed up work chair.

I still have the order confirmation for this bag lol! I bought this bag in 2010 from.....you guessed it QVC! The Luna bag is my second favorite silhouette after the satchel from Dooney and Burke. I have two other ones in croco (dark olive and red which is a little smaller). The one downside is the cell phone pocket. It is small and doesn't fit my phone. I think 2011 is when they started making the pockets larger to accommodate the large cell phones. How fun is the color? Great for spring and summer. I love the shoulder strap and how it fits perfectly under the arm. The lining is nice bright so you can find your items in your bag. I carry way too much stuff but I can still zip it up without issue.