The Look Of Love: Ipsy Feb 2014

Last week I received my monthly self-given present, also known as my Ipsy glam bag. With it being Valentines week it couldn't have arrived at a better time. 

This month's theme is "The Look Of Love", probably my favorite so far. Of course the color pink had to be used more than once and I am completely okay with that! I heart pink!

See what I mean? What's not to love??

1. City Color Be Matte Blush in Fresh Melon-$2.99

Although at first glance this blush looks orange it is not. The color is a flattering shade of pink and perfect for any occasion. Whether you are trying to pull off a casual or formal look this blush will work great. I love affordable products that also include great quality!

2. POP Beauty Plump Pout in Peony Petal-$7.53



Lip gloss!! As one of my obsessions I LOVE lip gloss! This mauve colored shade is the perfect color for me. Although the scent of the gloss is not the best it didn't leave my lips feeling sticky like some glosses.

3. Zoya Nail Polish in Dot-$9.00

One of the reasons why I like Ipsy so much is because they send their subscribers full sized nail polishes. They recently sent out one in October and now this one. Each shade coincides with the season so it doesn't get much better than that! Loving this color!

4. Tini Beauty Cordial Cream Shadow + Base In One in Spiced Rum-$18.00

My go to eyeshadow color is brown. I own a ton of shades from golden light brown to dark cocoa brown. I feel it is the best shade to accent my features. When I received this creamy eyeshadow I was delighted. The shimmery bronze shade definitely made my eyes pop.

5. IPKN New York Moist and Firm-$35.00

I'm not really a fan of this cream. The shade was perfect because I have started tanning so my skin is a bit darker but it felt cakey and had a shine to it which I do not need on my face. I think I'll pass on this one. 

The total bag value was approximately $72.52 which is good being that the bag only costs $10. Once again I'm highly impressed with Ipsy and the products offered. I look forward to each bag and each product! Happy present to self!!

Freezing Frozen Friday

This post was written last night around 8:00 due to the fact that I had no idea how early I needed to be up to get to work on time. Sometimes the meteorologists have it right and then most of the time they have it all wrong. This time they had it right. Temperatures fell to freezing and we gained a mixture of rain, ice and snow. Meh.

The winter advisory went into affect around 7pm and lasts until 10am today. Fun stuff. If you live anywhere where it is sunny, warm and beautiful...soak it in! I will be back in a warm paradise in May and I am counting the weeks, days, hours, minutes, seconds until that time comes.


Coffee in hand...this girl loves her caffeine!

Honeymoon in Miami, LONG tragic story about a girl and a guy who miss their honeymoon cruise by two mins due to a heart attack and misplaced luggage. I may have to write a future post on this one!

Today I am linking up with Lauren over at From My Grey Desk to bring you my weekly highlights, also known as "High Five For Friday!".

1. Girls night out with my mama and daughter happened Wednesday night. T.G.I. Fridays was our dinner of choice and man was it satisfying!

Because we LOVE to take selfie pics (don't judge) we HAD to snap a pic on the way to moms/grandmas house

Garden Salad and Broccoli Soup=mouth watering goodness

Strawberry Rum Smash, next to Lady Of The Sea at Cheeseburger In Paradise, this is my fave all time drink!

2. Did I mention I am participating in a wonderful giveaway with some amazing spectacular ladies? Make sure you enter the giveaway and win yourself some goodies! a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
3. Sponsors, they seem to help me a lot! Exposure, blog design ideas, friendship and so much more is involved when you sponsor a fellow blogger or are a blogger yourself. I have decided to jump on board with the amazing and talented Kaitlyn over at Wifessionals. I also am pairing up with the sweet and highly productive Neely over at A Complete Waste Of Makeup. I couldn't be more excited to start my journey with these two!

 

 

 

 4. My Birchbox and Ipsy glam bag arrived this week containing some really great products! Read the reviews here and here!

 

 



 5. We have finalized our plan for next Friday night, our five year wedding anniversary. Wow how time flies! We are having dinner with our bridal party at Fujiyama! If you haven't heard of this place it is basically a hibachi style restaurant. Steak, shrimp, chicken, rice, veggies soup, salad and fruity drinks...sounds like I might have to pace myself!

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What are your five highlights for the week?
Anything you are looking forward to?
Are you linking up today?
If not and you want to, grab the button below and join in on the fun!
 

 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 



Are We On The Same Ride?

The beginning of this week has been a rough one for me.

One ticket aboard the express train to Crazyville.

I have been emotional, antsy and have been questioning every decision I make.

I may or may not be having a mid life crisis.

Do you ever feel like you want to pick up everything and move to a different state?

Surround yourself with new people?

Find a new job and be happy for once when you go to work?

That's what I want to do.

Start over.

I am finding myself not happy with much these days.

I hate to be a debbie downer but I can't help it.

I'm just not happy.

I guess today's link up with Jamie over at This Kind Of Love is just what I need.

To focus on what does make me happy and what I'm loving!

If you haven't joined the link up before for "What I'm Loving Wednesday" we basically share items or things that we have been loving lately.

Either in our daily lives or on Pinterest.

I am taking the more personal route and sharing things in my daily life instead of so many items from Pinterest. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Pinterest but hey I like showing things I have actually bought or made! Hope you enjoy!

Grab a button and let's share some positivity shall we?

 

 

 

I'm Loving...Victoria's Secret's new line of products! This little bottle of delight is my new fave! Very Sexy Touch

 

I'm Loving...when I get to lunch on Monday morning, start scrolling through my picture gallery and find pictures that Madison has taken of herself. Does someone look like they need a nap?

 

I'm Loving...that I received my Ipsy Glam Bag! More great samples! Review to come tomorrow!

 

I'm Loving...that Madison has an artistic side! Her dad is an artist and I have no artistic bone in my body so it's nice she gained that skill! She is already staying in the lines better and using colorful bright colors!

 

 I'm Loving...warm yummy hot meals at home! The weather has been rather how do I say it FREEZING! So saving money and staying inside with the heat has been very fulfilling.

 

What are you loving these days?

Food, crafts, beauty, your job, family, friends etc?

Drop a comment and share with me what makes you smile and your heart flutter :)

Have an awesome positive Wednesday!

 

 

 



Birchbox Jan 13' And A Little Happy Dance!

I am excited because now I can expect to receive my Ipsy Glam Bag and my Birchbox in the same week! Does anyone else love receiving bright colored sparkly things in the mail? Even on the worst of days these two little packages bring a smile to my face!

 

 

This month's Birchbox theme is "The Best Year Ever!"
"We don’t think a new year means a whole new you. After all, you’re pretty awesome. But a fresh calendar is as good a time as any to refocus on the things that keep falling to the bottom of the to do list. That’s why we’re heading into 2013 with the personal goal of making it the best year ever. (Until 2014, that is.)"

 

Catchy little intro huh?!?! It makes you want to accomplish bigger and better things in 2013!

So let me share with you what I received in my pink box of happiness #12

 (Birchbox sent out 34 variations and mine is #12)..... 

 

 

About Birchbox:
Birchbox is a subscription service that delivers a box of luxury samples to your doorstep every month. Each box is customized to match your beauty profile to ensure you get the samples you want, you will usually get 4-5 samples and sometimes even full-sized products! The samples vary from make-up and skincare, to food and beauty accessories, and each box is carefully hand-wrapped. At $10/month Birchbox is one of the cheapest monthly beauty subscriptions out there, the value of each box usually ranges from at least $15 and can be as high as $60. They also have a nice rewards program, where for each product survey you complete you get 10 points, every 100 points earns you $10 in Birchbox credits which you can redeem in their online store for full-sized products.

Clark's Botanicals Smoothing Marine Cream: .5 oz Value $33
"All Clark’s Botanicals’ skincare products use Jasmine Absolute to re-balance troubled skin. Culled from nocturnally blooming jasmine flowers, the precious oil has anti-inflammatory and immuno-boosting properties. In addition, this moisturizer features a gentle dose of glycolic acid to slough away dead cells, plus marine algae extracts to soften skin."

This cream seems to be very moisturizing. I tried some on my face after my daily face wash and could feel a slight tingling sensation. It really felt like the cream was working into my skin. I will continue to use this product daily and eventually upgrade to a larger tub!
(Plus it has my first and last initial on the top of the lid, I mean can we say it's a sign?)

 

 

amika Color pHerfection Shampoo: .68 oz Value $1

"Especially great for color-treated hair, the sulfate-free formula locks in color and balances out your hair’s pH levels. The wonder ingredient is Obliphica oil. Sourced from sea buckthorn berries, it contains rare omega 7 acids (typically found in fish oil) plus a mega-high dose of vitamin C (about 15 times more than an orange)."

 

I have yet to use this product but since I color my hair, I am very interested in testing out this product. I am still in search for the "perfect" shampoo. I tend to have a lot of static but it also becomes oily within a day. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know!

theBalm Cosmetics Put a Lid On It: 3.7 mL Value Value $5.63
"The mattifying formula instantly absorbs excess oil and provides a smooth canvas for layering on shadows. It’s designed to keep vivid hues crease- and smudge-free all day. Plus, the lightweight formula glides on without tugging or pulling on sensitive skin."

 

The Balm will be coming out with this eye primer in the spring so it is still a tester item. I can say I am impressed. I am not a huge fan of eye primers but this one definitely locks down the eyeshadow and keeps the color lasting all day long! It is a must try!

 

 

Harvey Prince Skinny Chic: .05 oz Value $2
"The dominant note of crisp green apple is tempered by marine mint and lovely lotus blossom. In the background, notes of grapefruit, bergamot, fennel, white cedarwood, amber, and iris mix and mingle."

 

I am kind of a perfume fanatic. I try all new scents of perfume, mists and whatever else might attract my nose. I usually do not like these small samples. They are usually too flowery for me. This perfume smelled great! I could see myself owning a full size bottle!

 

 

100% Pure Nourishing Body Cream: 2 mL – Value $.15 each
"Packed with nourishing cocoa and avocado butters, as well as skin-softening fruit oils, this super hydrating formula replenishes and soothes dry skin. There are three lush scents: tropical Coconut, fresh Green Apple, and relaxing Vanilla Bean. And, since they’re formulated without water, artificial ingredients, or fillers, the lotions are ultra-rich and concentrated."

 

Through the winter my poor skin suffers from a lot of dryness and cracking. This cream was a little oily for my liking. I don't think I would see myself using this. The plus side was the Vanilla Bean smelled great! I am not a huge fan of grape so I cannot say that I loved it.

 

 

The Verdict:

The value of this box was over $40, which is awesome when you are only paying $10. I am always excited to try new samples. What did you get in your January Birchbox? Any products you recommend?

 

Thx again to all of my wonderful followers, your comments are very much appreciated! I look forward to each and every one of them!

 

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

ONE MORE DAY. ONE.MORE.DAY. YAY tomorrow is FRIDAY!

 

See you back here tomorrow for my favorite day of the week, you know, the one where "we're going to get funky funky. Everybody clap your hands. Clap, clap, clap ... clap your hands. Slide to the left. Slide to the right. Take it back now y’all. One hop this time. Right foot let’s stomp. Left foot let’s stomp. Cha cha real smooth."

(I'm hoping you just did your happy dance, laughed and smiled for at least 10 seconds)

 Oh yea if that beat just popped into your mind you are right on track! At least I am since I am 100% sure that will be played at the wedding I am attending this weekend!

 

Have an awesome, carefree, stress free loving kind of day :)

 

 

 

 

 

Ipsy Glam Bag January 2013

Who gets the school girl excited giggle and overwhelming thrill when they see this little package in the mailbox?

That would be me! If you don't know what this pink/sparkly package entails then let me give you more details:

The company's website is Ipsy. It is a beauty subscription called the "Glam Bag" and it’s only $10 a month. You receive 4 to 5 beauty products plus a cute little makeup bag. This allows you the chance to try out new/popular products that you might have never tried!
I don't know about you but I seriously LOVE receiving mail, that is, other than bills and junk mail!
So every time I see this little pink beauty in my mailbox I squeal with delight! I am never disappointed with what Ipsy sends me each month!


Check out the awesome products in January’s bag:

 This month's theme is "Super Stars" "You'll be ringing in the new year with some fantastic star products from amazing brands! Get ready to indulge in the best finds that the beauty world has to offer."

January Ipsy Discounts

This card tells you what discounts are offered on the products in this month’s bag.

 

 

Navy Make-Up Bag

$2.00-We are never given the true value of the cute petite makup bags given to us but I am sure they hold some value.  The star inside print and label puts a smile on my face, too cute!

 

 

SOHO Concealer Brush

$7.99-I have never used a concealer brush? Have you? What are your thoughts? I am interested in giving this a try! A girl can never have too many brushes right?!?!?

 

 

Sexy Hair/Spray & Play Volumizing HairsprayS

$2.48-I was thrilled to receive this little bad boy! I had recently ran out of this wonderful hairspray and needed to get some asap! Ipsy came to the rescue! Strong holding but light weight! If you haven't given this a try, go now and get some!

 

 

Nailtini/Straight Up Color Nail Lacquer (Frappe)

$15.00-I am loving this color! I believe Ipsy sent out various colors to glam bag subscribers. This color looks great and lasts awhile also!

 

 

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil

$4.67-I have never used an oil for anything before. Apparently this can be used on skin, hair and nails. I am interested in seeing how it will affect my body. Have you tried an oil products before? Did they work? Have you used this one?

 

 

Pacifica Body Butter (Tuscan Blood Orange)

$7.00-This body butter smells AMAZing! Madison said I smelled like a large jellybean! Hey, the kids has taste! She know when something is delicious!

 

Overall the bag totaled $39.14 which is amazing since the subscription itself is only $10! If you are interested, click here. It seems to me that the Ipsy glam bags are in a close race with Birchbox. Which one is your favorite? I am falling more and more in love with Ipsy day by day. If you are still trying to make your mind up, I would say go with Ipsy, hands down. Lots of great products and the makeup bags are a bonus!

 

What's in your bag? Catch you here tomorrow linking up with Jamie with

"What I'm Loving Wednesday!"



 

 

XO