Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop 2010---CLOSED

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Read more...

e.l.f studio eyebrow kit review

We all know that I love e.l.f products! So it's time for another review.
I have been using this product for a while now to get the feel of how it looks and feels. (bought with own money)
I bought it from e.l.f Canada, USA, or e.l.f UK for $3! I got mine in the light color. It comes in light, medium, dark.
It comes with a dark wax and a light powder and a dual brush, you use the angle end for your wax and the dome brush for the powder.
You apply the wax first then go over with the powder.
I find the wax part is to dark for my eyebrows. But it fills in the brows really good! I love how my brows look after they are filled.

Rating
4.5 out of 5
I would repurchase this item and would recommend it to my friends!

PS
I have more reviews upcoming in the next month and the new year!

Read more...

November Favorites

Here is a detailed list of my November favorites, along with approximate prices.  Remember though, prices vary by store and location.  To watch the YouTube video for more details on each product, click here!

1. NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in Chestnut: around $4.19 @ ULTA.com

2. NYC Liquid Eyeliner in Black (with an angled liner brush!): under $3 @ google shopping

3. e.l.f. studio powder brush: $3.00 @ eyeslipsface.com

4. e.l.f. 32 piece eyeshadow palette: $5.00 @ eyeslipsface.com

5. Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation: $9.98 @ walmart.com

6. Maybelline Mineral Powder Finishing Veil: $9.18 @walmart.com

7. Pixi Correction Concentrate in Brightening Peach: $15 @ Target.com

8. Benefit Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer: $18 @ ULTA.com

9. Too Faced Absolutely Invisible Candlelight: $25.00 @ ULTA.com

10. Gilette Satin Care Shave Gel in Alluring Avocado: $3.00 - $4.00 @ google shopping

11. Microfiber Elastic Spa Headband: $1.00 @dollartree

12. Redken Hot Sets #22: $13.99 @ Walgreens.com (I bought mine for $12.99 at The Hair Cuttery!)

Read more...

Great Giveaway on Being alison, everyone's a winner!

I couldn't pass this giveaway up and thought you might like to know about it. Right now on Being Alison she has a giveaway for Mywinesdirect.com.  Everyone who enters and complete the mandatory entry will get a $20 e-certificate to use on mywinesdirect.com. One winner will also win a $100 e-certificate.  So you're a winner no matter what.  But my readers are all winners anyway. 

Here is the link: http://beingalison.com/holiday-gift-guide-mywinesdirect-review-100-e-gc-giveaway/comment-page-3/#comment-32208

Ends 12/14

Free Stuff, Fun Sites, Contests, and More

Read more...

They've Dried Up!

I've been meaning to post this for a while..After a year of trying out this product, its time to talk about it.

When I first bought the Bobbi Brown liners, I had never used a gel liner before. The sales assistant slicked it on my eyes and I fell in love. For months, I have been using it on nights out and it really is amazing.

Only one little glitch: they dry up so quickly. I bought Chocolate Shimmer Ink about a year ago,within a month or two it had completely hardened and what I was left with was a hard, cakey mess. I decided to let this go and bought two more in a gel liner set (I can't find the brown one atm).

Should have learned the first time! Not only did the same thing happen again, but it has began to flake. Trying to get any products out of these babies is absolutely impossible. And I've tried everything, wetting the brush before I use it, putting them on the radiator before use. You name it, and I've tried.

And its such a pity, because the range has some beautiful colours and when they are new, they truly are stunning. But at 23euro a pop I won't be making the same mistake again and repurchasing. From now on I'll be buying a cheap drugstore brand so that once it dries up I can buy it again without the hefty price tag and I won't be so disappointed. Any recommendations?

Black Ink Liner



Chocolate Shimmer Ink Liner

Read more...

Miss Highspeed internet!!

That's how I feel!

Just wanted to tell you why my posting has been lacking lately, I've been visiting my parents and they live on a farm and don't have highspeed internet :( I didn't think I would miss it so much but trying to upload a picture takes to long, that my butt starts to get numb from sitting so long! I have so many entries to add when I get home. Sorry again I'll try to do some other entries. If you have any request feel free to email me with your ideas! I would love to hear them.

Cassie

Read more...

The Body Shop Cyber Monday sale!

Ohh, I spoke too soon in my last post! I forgot about Cyber Monday, and just what do I see in my inbox but The Body Shop's Cyber Monday sneak peek!

Their sale: 3 items for $30 - the same that was in stores Black Friday! AND they have free shipping with any order! So basically, the same deal without having to get up at the crack of dawn :) Hooray! It looks like the sale has already started, so you don't even have to wait until tomorrow!

Read more...

Black Friday finds

Hey everybody! I hope you all had a great holiday weekend. A full week of work is ahead of me and I'm not looking forward to it, but at least I had a nice relaxing mini-vacation. Thanksgiving went off without a hitch, and it was good times all around with friends and family.

I wasn't going to do any Black Friday shopping, but we ended up venturing out in the afternoon to see what was going on. Traffic and crowds weren't too bad, so I guess that was the time to shop if you weren't looking for any doorbusters! Kohl's had already finished their sale at 1:00 so we missed it, but it was no big deal. We ended up going to Old Navy and Walmart.

At Old Navy I got two pairs of pajama pants for $5 each, and a sweater for $15. If only I hadn't just bought a bunch of pjs, I would have bought more - they have such cute designs and $5 is so cheap! I've had my eye on the long john-type bottoms, but they were $14.50 and hadn't been cheaper than $12, so I was quite excited to see them included in the deal!

Can you tell I like pink? Actually I really only have like 2 pink shirts to my name - it's really not a color I wear often...

At Walmart I didn't really get anything that was on sale! I picked up this awesome little portable external harddrive, not even knowing it SPARKLES!! (I have a thing for little sparkly lights)

I have been wanting one of these since my computer failed, because my old external HD is a behemoth of a thing that needs to be plugged into the wall to work, and I end up tripping over it or knocking it over (seriously, it's crashed to the floor so many times, I'm surprised it still works at this point - although it is built like a tank!). It always takes way more effort than it should, so I back up everything less than I should. This is barely bigger than an iPod and gets all the power it needs from the USB!

I could have waited for it to go on sale, but I'd been checking the prices online and they were all about the same, and there were no Black Friday deals that I could find for external HDs, so I just bit the bullet and bought it. 

The one sale we did pick up was a flat-screen TV for the second living room - the room with the fireplace. We've been having fires almost every day now it's cold, and I've been spending most of my time there, but there was no TV (actually there was, but it was a 1989 model and was so crappy we didn't even bother turning it on!). Believe it or not, around 4pm at Walmart there were PILES of TVs at the front of the store, and the sale price was still valid. We were pretty amazed, and since we'd wanted a TV in there for a while - we actually bought one last year but my dad appropriated it for his personal use - we decided it would be a good time to get it.

So it was a stress-free Black Friday, but I'm happy with the things I bought! If anything, I'd have liked to go to The Body Shop to hit up their 3 for $30 sale, but I've spent so much money there lately it seemed kinda silly! They're always having good sales so it's no big loss.

Did you get any good deals this weekend?

Read more...

Dress of the Night

Hi! I hope everyone is having a great night! I just got home from my friends wedding... I can't even explain to you how breathtaking it was. Every detail was perfection. I'm so excited for her. One of the best weddings I've ever been to!

So, this is what I wore! You can find the dress to buy here -----> West Rags {if you even care, that is}. The only problemo is I don't think they ship to the US yet... I had to ship this dress to my dear friend in Europe...and she was nice enough to let me send it to her house then she shipped to to me in the US. YAY!

I'm not normally a "panty hose" person but seeing as it was 25 out, I just had to suck it up. Also, I got the ones that only went up to my knee { from Target} so I wasn't constantly uncomfortable in the belly area.

Fur scarf to keep me warm { sorry if you are anti fur}

Love,

Sarah

Read more...

Black Friday Hauls! (Makeup, Bath/Body, Clothes)

Black Friday could very well be my new favorite day of the year.  Almost better than Christmas- you just don't see these kinds of deals on a regular basis!  And it wasn't until I started working in retail that I realized just how many sales go on.
So obviously I did a little shopping, first Friday morning at 3:30am with my cousins, and then Friday afternoon/today with my mom of course (she's my favorite person to go with!).  It's just not the same by myself.  This was the first year I woke up super early and braved the crowds, too.  Let me just say it isn't worth it for me!  My cousins and I stood in lines at Target and Kohl's that wrapped all the way around the stores.  It was beyond insane, and the things I bought I could have gotten any other time.  But hey, you live and learn.  :)
Shopping Friday afternoon/today with my mom was the most fun.  The clothes she bought for me as intentional Christmas presents, but then decided I could just have them now.  Mom, you are seriously too good to me!
(I think it's because I'm home on break and have been gone all semester.  She did the same thing when my sister was away at school!)

Anyway, here's everything I got (It looks like so much!  I'm telling myself it's OK because I've been really strict with my purchases the last couple of months.. haha, oh, rationalization).

Target: (not pictured- Maybelline Mineral Power Powder Foundation- I needed another!) Aveeno Positively Radiant moisturizer SPF 30, Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash scrub, Yes to Carrots Pomegranate lip butter, Secret Fresh Effects Cucumber Aloe deodorant/body spray (came as a set), Venus razor refills

Walgreens: Maybelline Mocha Velvet blush (on clearance for $2.99 and I used a $1 off coupon from redplum.com, making it only $2!)

Dollar Tree: NYC Deep Plum liquid eyeliner, Almay Pure Blends mascara, Maybelline Pink Halo Dream Mousse eyeshadow, Revlon Tempting Teal matte eyeshadow

A few quick notes- I'm currently suffering from severely dry lips and heard good things about these Yes to Cucumber lip balms.  My first impressions of it aren't the best, but I'm hopeful!  Also, the NYC liquid eyeliner and Almay mascara are going in the trash- thankfully they were only $2 total from the dollar store.  I used to love the Aveeno Positively Radiant moisturizer when I was younger, so I'm excited to try it again.  And I'm LOVING the smell of the Secret deodorant/body spray!  Usually I dislike "fresh" scents, but I'm a fan of the quality of these deodorants and Target had bonus packs of deodorants and body mists for only $3.99.  This one is lovely.  I used to use the "coco butter kiss" scent, but grew tired of it.

Bath & Body Works: I haven't been to a Bath & Body Works in FOREVER!  They don't have one near me in Chicago, so I was just so anxious to go shopping.  I used my coupon for a free item up to $13 with a purchase of $10+, and got the Dark Kiss body lotion+spray.  I bought these in the mini sizes when they first came out and I repeatedly get compliments when I wear them.  I wanted the eau de toilette but didn't want to spend more money on perfume, because when I was at working at Victoria's Secret I bought...

(I forgot to take a picture, sorry!)

VS Shine Pink perfume!  It was on sale for 50% off, so I only paid $15 after tax.  I've loved this one ever since it first came out, but couldn't justify buying it.  It has peach and tiare flower in it- a lovely fruity-floral.  

Hollister: The leather jacket and ruffled cardigan are from here.  I've steered clear of Hollister for years, and it wasn't until I somehow came across the website that I decided I needed to give it another shot.  If it weren't for the logos splattered across half of the clothes I would have totally bought more!  The jacket was a great deal, though- $50- half off of the regular price of $99.

Charlotte Russe: The jeans I got along with a skirt, lace top, and two pairs of tights, but last few are getting wrapped up for Christmas.  :)  I really needed a new pair of jeans, so I hope these last a fair while!  Charlotte Russe had everything 25-50% off, so they were discounted a little. 

The lace print headband I got from Target.  They have a lot of cute, girly ones!  

Whew!  Thanks for reading, guys.  Unfortunately I left my camera at school (I used my mom's), so no makeup swatches/pictures.  I tried to change my mom's camera's settings but I just couldn't get it right.  

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving/shopping time!  The weekend isn't over yet, though, and Cyber Monday is around the corner.  And my bank account hasn't been totally emptied.... ;)

Read more...

FOTD: Cranberry Almond Truffles

I thought it had been awhile since I had posted all the makeup products I had on my face that day so here it is!  I also have a tutorial on this I look that I will be posting to my YouTube channel. Here is the link to the video!

FACE:

- Maybelline Superstay 24HR Makeup in Porcelain Ivory

- Pixi Correction Concentrate in Brightening Peach (undereye)

- Benefit Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer in 01: Light (undereye)

- Maybelline Mineral Power Finishing Veil Powder

- e.l.f. Studio Blush in Mellow Mauve (apples)

- N.Y.C. Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny (contour)

- Too Faced Absolutely Invisible Candlelight (highlight)

EYES:

- Too Faced Shadow Insurance

- Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Trio in Almond Truffles (apply as instructed on package, also use crease shade to line lower lashes)

- Savvy Satin Eyeshadow in Burgundy (to crease)

- Jordana INCOLOR Fabuliner Liquid Eyeliner in Brown (top lashes)

- Maybelline Unstoppable Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Espresso to waterline

- e.l.f. Lengthening and Defining Mascara in Black (top and bottom lashes)

LIPS:

- Wet N Wild Mega Slicks Lip Color Pencil in 673: Plum Pudding

Read more...

I LOVE CYBERMONDAY!!! Here's Why...

---Ok all. It's been a while since I did a meat and potatoes post. You know, what my blog is really about. Saving money! I found some super awesome online deals i wanted to share with you. I took advantage of some of them. Wish I could do them all but even at these great prices I'm still a poor gal. Anywho, hope I save you some money here:


--The Children's Place has a "Fleece Frenzy" This weekend only. $5 fleece for boys, girls, and babies. Includes Fleece pants. Also if you use code FSholiday you get free shipping Too!  You kind of have to search through the "sale" section in the categories for them but they're there.  Some of the big boys fleece is already selling out so jump on it if you want some.  I bought an outfit for the baby.


--Urban Decay cosmetics has awesome $6 and $12 deals. It's only while supplies last. If you are an Urban Decay fan you know that these prices are less than half of what they normally are for most of the items they have on sale. There's a lot so I won't list them all here but you can click the hyper link in this bullet and it will take you there.

--I totally took advantage of this one on Drugstore.com.   Drugstore.com is having a "Cyberweek sale"  I found this "Splatter Mat: The Magical Color changing activity mat"  It's supposed to change colors with body heat and/or warm water.  You can draw on it with your body heat.  And no mess.  They are originally $35 but they have them on their Cyber week sale for $5!  I bought 3: 1 for the baby, 1 to donate to toys for tots, and 1 more just incase.  Why not at that price?  I ordered the 3 splatter mats and the digital keychain and my shopping cart said "you saved a total of $102"  LOL

They have lots of other deals too like a Magellan Roadmate 1424 GPS originally $150.00 for $90, a digital photo keychain originally $20 on sale for $7, 40% off select energizer batteries,  and lot of other stuff. 


--Toys R' Us buy one get one 50% Lego sets, and 50% Kung Zu's for today Sat. Nov. 27th Only.  BUT the ad in the email I got says that is the "deals of the day" so they must be doing different deals each day.


I'm definitely not a Black Friday Shopper but I am certainly a Cyber Monday shopper.  As I find more I'll add them to the list.

If you look around, especially on Monday but many started their online sales Friday.  Many places like The Children's Place, Old Navy, Toy R' US(orders over $40 I think), and more are offering free shipping.  Overstock.com has free shipping but excludes music, books, Movie, games, and international orders.





Free Stuff, Fun Sites, Contests, and More

Read more...

Face of the Day (outfit of the day to come)

My best friend from middle school is getting married today! I haven't been to a wedding in a while so I'm pretty excited! 
I just wanted to share my face of the day with you before I leave! ;)

FACE:

Boots No 7 Firming and Lifting Foundation in Blonde

St. Tropez Whipped Bronze Mousse

NYX Bronzer in #2

MAC Stereo Rose MSF

Dior highligher in Amber Diamond

Anastasia concealer

Benefit Brow Gel

EYES:

MAC Grand Entrance

MAC Naked Lunch

MAC Satin Taupe

UD 24 7 liner in Zero

Smashbox Waterproof liner in Starstruck {LOVE THIS STUFF}

L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in Carbon Black

LIPS:

A random nude lipliner {the name rubbed off of it}

Revlon lipgloss in Firecracker

Hope you all have a wonderful night! I can't wait to show you my dress. I saw www.youtube.com/lizyartur wear it in a video/blog post and had to get my paws on it. :)

LOVE,

Sarah

Read more...

Win a $500 Amex gift card and a year return protection onChampagne living

Champagne Living has an awesome giveaway for a $500 Amex gift card and a year of premium return protection. This would be unbelievable to help with holiday expenses.

Here is the link if you want to enter: http://www.champagneliving.net/2010/11/no-more-regrets-from-american-express.html

Giveaway ends 12/10 



Grab this button



Free Stuff, Fun Sites, Contests, and More

Read more...

A sea of purple

This look was a little bit more complicated than what I usualy do but I will explain it step by step.

I used Sally Hansen's Deep Purple from their Xtreme Wear collection as a base.  Like most of their polishes, it was very easy to apply, smooth, and opaque in 2 coats.

We are going to apply a tape diagonally to each finger and then use our base color to paint the nail.

Then, we are going to stamp our nail with a swirly design from image plate bm19 and a Silver Foil Nail Polish (Finger Paints Easel come, easel go).  Remove the tape carefully and slowly to protect your design.

Apply silver glitter to the line that divides your design and your naked nail with a fine brush.  I used Kiss Nail Art Paint in Silver Glitter.  If you are shaky like me, you need to do this slowly so you can get a straight line.  Finish it with a nice and glossy top coat, like Seche Vite.

After removing the tape

Apply a thin line of silver glitter and voila! 

Nail Polishes that I used from start to finish!

Read more...

Applying Foundation and Types

Benefits of applying foundation are:
-cover imperfections
-give the appearance of flawless skin
-helps conceal open pores
-hide little pimples and discoloration
-even skin tone
-covers blemishes
-protect the skin from the sun and environmental pollutants
-give a smooth, matte finish
-give a smooth texture to skin
-reduce shin
-cover dark circles under the eyes

There are many foundations on the market, liquid, powder, mousse, stick.

Liquid-
Appropriate for all skin types
Good for dry, sensitive skin
Good coverage
Provides natural look

Powder-
Appropriate for combination and oily skin
Good coverage to blemishes, pimples, marks, spots
Applied dry or wet with a sponge

Mousse-
Combination of liquid and a powder foundation
Appropriate for older skin
Good coverage
Settles into fine lines

Stick-
Appropriate for normal to dry skin
Acts like a concealer
Precise application and even touch ups








How to apply foundation
Step 1
Cleanse and tone skin
Step 2
Moisturize your skin
Step 3
Use concealer (you can use before or after foundation)
Step 4
Application, best way is with your finger tips, sponge or brush
Step 5
Apply in the center of you face
Step 6
Blend outwards, don't forget to apply foundation to your neck, you don't want a mask or look unnatural
Step 7
Set foundation, apply a loose powder, Dab the brush all over you face, then stroke evenly over face.

Read more...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fluffy and Panini bird watching - Molly's out in the background!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I certainly have a lot to be thankful for. I took Panini to the vet yesterday because she'd been sick since the weekend. I had taken her for her shots on Friday, and to get a culture of this strange lump she has on her neck. She got sick the next day so I figured it was a reaction to her shots or something with the lump, since it had been punctured.

Well, the lump turned out to be a localized infection and not cancer or anything (thank goodness!) and seems to be going away. But she was still sick, and getting sicker. She hadn't eaten in 2 days and we were getting really worried. Yesterday she just seemed in pain, so I called up the vet and whisked her in. Well, it turns out she wasn't sick - she was injured. She had eaten one of my mom's sewing needles, and it lodged in the back of her mouth, several inches down into her neck! :( I'm still cringing at the thought - my poor kitty!!

Mom keeps her sewing supplies on a high shelf, out of the cats' reach, but she must have sneaked one away while Mom was sewing. It still had the thread attached. She needed emergency surgery to get it out, and after a little resting, we took her home. She immediately chowed down a whole can of food upon her return, and I hadn't seen her so active and animated since we first brought her home from the shelter!

I'm glad that trauma is over and she's feeling a lot better now. Now we need to work on beefing her up, as she's almost 5 months old and only 3.5 lbs - look how skinny she is! She's always been half the size of her sister (who got adopted the other day, by the way!), but her multiple illnesses have just set her back. She'll have a special serving of turkey set aside for her today :)

And on the subject of cats, today is Murphy's 7 year anniversary with us!

Thanksgiving 2003, he followed the neighbors home while they were walking after their meal. They called us up and asked if we were missing a cat - we weren't, but because they're not cat people, they dropped him off with us. We posted "found cat" signs, and several people came to see him, but no one claimed him. He's still with us after all these years!

Read more...

The White Stripes

This was the easiest manicure ever.  I really wanted to take off that fall manicure attempt that I had in my nails but didn't have much time, so I went for the easiest way out.  I stamped the striped design on bm20 on my naked nails with White Konad Special Polish and topped it with 2 coats of good ol' Seche Vite. I was done in no time, and got a lot of compliments!  The only thing that gave me a hard time, was  trying to get the thumbs right, because Bundle Monster plates are TINY so if you have long nails, or fat thumbs like me, you'll have to get a little creative.  I stamped twice, tried to make it as unnoticeable as possible and I think it looks alright. My husband said it reminded him of candy canes and that I should try it over red for Christmas… Well, maybe I will.  Meanwhile I hope you like my lazy, fast and uncreative manicure as much as me. 

Read more...

Fall

Sorry for the delay between posts, there's been TOO MUCH stuff going on in my life, but I am pretty sure you're not reading this blog to hear that, but to see some manicures… On with the nails!

I wanted to do a Fall or Thanksgiving inspired manicure but wasn't feeling so creative.  Also, I had just received some faux Konad image plates (Bundle Monster, 21 plates for 17 bucks) and I wanted to try them out.  

As a base, I used Sally Hansen Laquer Shine in Glossy. A-ma-zing shade!  I've had this for a long time but I forgot about it, and trust me, Im glad I found it! It has the most perfect goldish burgundy shimmer to it. Once the light hits this baby, it just comes alive. 

On top of it, I randomly stamped some leaves with Orly Luxe and White Konad Special Polish.

This is the final result.  I didn't really like it that much, I think it came out a bit matronly. 

I hope you guys have a great Thanksgiving!

The final result

Sally Hansen Glossy.  Can you see the shimmer?

Read more...