h&m garden collection, torrid, target haul

Hello ladies & gents. It's been a rough day in my little home -- I've got a bad air conditioning leak, and it's a nightmare!  I was being a Debbie Downer and not feeling like posting, but I thought it might actually cheer me up, so here I am. :)

As promised, here's a round-up of yesterday's haulage!

top from h&m ($5!) -- this one wasn't from the garden collection

tunic/dress from h&m's garden collection 

(taken in a torrid fitting room -- i tried on a nude color in the store, 

but decided on the blue last minute!)

jacket is from the h&m garden collection, high-waisted ruffle skirt from torrid 

(the lighting in torrid's fitting rooms is really awful! i look preggers :P)

Tried on but didn't get (from H&M)....

Really loved both of these but just couldn't squeeze 'em into my budget.  Oh well!

I also got these from Torrid... took this photo from their website -- not really into putting actual photos of my undergarments (even brand new, unworn ones!) on the internet!

And finally, from my beloved Target:

Law & Order: UK!!  The packaging said it was a Target exclusive, and it was the only copy left.  DEFINITELY an impulse buy, but I'm really excited about it!  I didn't even know there *was* a UK version of Law & Order.  Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream is my absolute favorite.  I haven't been buying ice cream lately (trying to cut down the junk!), but I had a weak moment... and it's been brilliant. :)  Also snatched up the Sex and the City movie on DVD, which I've pretty much wanted to own since it was released.  Can't wait to watch this in bed, a la Chelsea Handler!

Target wasn't kidding about the L&O DVD being an exclusive -- check out Amazon's best price! Yikes! It was $29.99 at Target.

See you lovelies soon!

face & outfit of the day (haul post tomorrow!)

I had to return the #13 MUFE HD blush today, and I also wanted to check out the H&M Garden Collection, which debuted earlier this week.  I'll be posting more on that tomorrow (warning: I took tons of photos!).  For now, here's my look for the day.  Good thing I took the first photo right when I got in the car -- it poured later!

FACE OF THE DAY

Face: Benefit Some Kind-a Gorgeous, MAC Studio Finish concealer, MAC MSF Natural (medium), MAC Dainty mineralized blush, MAC Shell Pearl beauty powder

Eyes: peach, light brown, and dark brown matte eyeshadows from the Tarte Treasure Chest (Holiday '09), Smashbox Heartbreaker liner pen, MUFE Aqua Eyes 18L (under eyes), Stila Topaz eye kajal (inner corners), Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara


Lips: MAC In Synch lip liner (Too Fabulous collection), MAC Hue lipstick (permanent), MAC Perennial High Style lipglass (Give Me Liberty of London)


OUTFIT OF THE DAY

Dress:  Dorothy Perkins
Tank:  Gap
Leggings (stir-ups!):  NY&Co.
Boots:  Sam Edelman (the same ones Lorraine - TheCurrentCustom/TheCurrentBoobies - has! Love her!)
Watch:  Betsey Johnson
Bag:  "Marc Jacobs" (a gorgeous fake!)
Headband:  can't remember the brand... : / from Nordstrom

*Bonus!*  

My book of the moment:

The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  I'm halfway in, but I can already tell you this one will be one of my favorites when I'm through. You can click the link below to head to Amazon.com for more info!














Thanks for reading! I'll be back soon!

xoxo Jess

beautiful monday!

Let me start this by saying that any person who loves dogs really should watch a wonderful movie called Hachi: A Dog's Tale.  

Seriously, I haven't cried so much during a movie since the King Kong remake (and let's not discuss that further, okay?).

Yesterday, like I said, I went shopping for Mom's birthday, but I also got a few things for myself... because I'm selfish. haha

From Lush, I repurchased Big shampoo, Veganese conditioner, and Honey I Washed the Kids soap (my favorite Lush soap).  Big and Veganese frustrate me, because with both, I LOVE the smell (and the texture for Big!), but not really the effects.  They're definitely fun to use, though, and they make my hair smell SO good!  I also got I Love Juicy shampoo (smells like grape candy -- oddly very similar to the NYX lipgloss I got from Ulta the same day) and Dream Cream for my horribly itchy arms and legs (seriously having a problem with dry skin right now -- not fun!).  So far, so good!  It has a lovely lavender and chamomile scent that's very light and doesn't overpower whatever fragrance you're wearing.  There's also something to be said about body creams that come in a tub container.  They feel so... well, *lush.* ;)

I actually snatched up New Moon at Walmart at midnight Friday night with my friend Jordyn, but of course I had to include that in this shot, too. ;)

The box of haircolor and NYX sheer lipgloss (in Vintage) I picked up at Ulta.  I had a $5 coupon, so the total was just $10 -- steal!

The rest is from Sephora. I had a 10% off VIB (Very Important Beautyinsider) coupon, so I picked up more than I'd planned! >_< I got two of the new MUFE HD blushes (#13 and #14 -- I'm going to return #13, though; it looked like Illamasqua's Katie blush when I swatched it, but on my skin it's just too light), a Sephora by OPI nail polish in Ocean Love Potion (a dark teal -- I've wanted this one for over a year!), Benefit's Some Kind-a Gorgeous "foundation faker" (I'd wanted to try Nars Sheer Glow, MUFE Mat Velvet +, or repurchase MUFE's HD foundation... but somehow I chose this instead -- it's the packaging, I tell ya!), and Nars Lola Lola eyeshadow.

Here's my Face of the Day, featuring some of yesterday's finds:

Face: Benefit Some Kind-a Gorgeous "foundation faker," MAC Studio Finish Concealer, MAC MSF Natural (Medium), Make Up For Ever HD blush #14 Star Struck (pale peach), MAC Shell Pearl beauty powder (as highlight)

Eyes: Nars Lola Lola e/s (lid, under eye -- you can hardly see it in the pic 'cause my lids are so hooded!), MAC Black Tied e/s (crease, outer V), Smashbox Heartbreaker liquid liner pen, MUFE Aqua Eyes in 18L under eye, Stila Topaz eye kajal in inner corners, Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara 

Lips: Wet 'n' Wild Mega Last Matte Lipstick (tongue-twister!) in 901B, MAC English Accents lipglass

OUTFIT OF THE DAY

Dress: Banana Republic (got on clearance two or three years ago!)
Belt, Necklace: Target

happy sunday! :)

Today was an ugly, rainy day, but I forced myself out to get groceries and hunt for birthday presents for Mama (her birthday's April 23, but I like to start early!).

This is just going to be a quick post to show you my makeup and nails for the day (no outfit of the day post today -- it was too dark in my apartment and I didn't enter any fitting rooms when I was out! Oops!). Enjoy!

(indoors)

(in the car -- dark and rainy out, yuck!)

Face: YSL Teint Resist (Opal), MAC MSF Natural, MAC Strada blush (bronzer), Illamasqua Rude cream blush, MAC Shell Pearl beauty powder (highlight)

Eyes: MAC Painterly paint pot (base); MAC Cross-Cultural (lid)/ Showstopper (crease, outer V)/ All Races eye shadows (highlight) -- these were all colors from the All Ages collection; Smashbox Heartbreaker eyeliner, MUFE Aqua Eyes 18L liner under eyes, Stila Topaz eye kajal in inner corners, Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara

Lips: MAC In Synch lip liner, Illamasqua Filth lipstick w/MAC Perennial High Style lipglass (from the Give Me Liberty collection)

Here's a tip: If any of you have tried Illamasqua lipsticks, you may have found them to be drying (not all are, but most of the shades I've tried are).  I've learned that the trick is to dab the lipstick on and then I just blend with my fingertips.  If I just swipe it across my lips, it's a thick, crayon-like mess!

I ran into Ulta because I had a $5 of $10 coupon and needed to pick up some haircolor, and I also picked up an NYX Sheer Lipgloss in Vintage. I'd also slipped into Sephora earlier and tried a Make Up For Ever dark teal eyeliner under my eyes, MUFE's new HD blush in No.14, and Nars Barbarella lipstick (aside from Jungle Red, I've decided I'm not a fan of Nars lipsticks -- they're crazy expensive for what they are -- which is mostly a sheer tint of color that doesn't last). I layered the NYX lipgloss on top, and here's what my face looked like end-of-day:

And here's a pic of the nails -- one of my all-time faves, Essie Mint Candy Apple:

And because that was an awful lot of Jessface for a single post, here's one of Sparky before I go:

Always with the weird positions...

Bye guys.  Be back soon! Love you!

Lush Haul, Face of the Day, & Some Chelsea Handler Lovin'

Hello again!

So Monday I had to run out to pick up my bridesmaid heels for my cousin's wedding, and also to return a t-shirt and pair of sandals. I swung by Lush while I was there, and yay! Their Easter collection was in! So I basically spent the money from my return at Lush instead. :)

Here's my haul:



Mostly bath bombs! Honey Bun (same scent as Honey Bee, but shaped like a cute bunny!), Fluff Egg (Candy Fluff scent), Think Pink (not an Easter one, but it smells yummy and is so girly and pretty!), and Hippy Chick (grapefruit/citrus candy-scented -- probably my fave of the haul -- I already used it!). Also got the Dorothy bubble bar (Figs & Leaves soap scented) and Porridge and Sea Vegetable soap. I love Lush soaps for hand soap. So far the only one I can use in the shower is Honey I Washed the Kids, and even that's a bit drying. Porridge smells amazing, a coffee-type scent. Sea Vegetable has an unsurprisingly "ocean" citrus-y scent. It's also one of Lush's ugliest soaps! haha

They had a free gift with purchase, too. Inside was a sample of Olive Branch shower gel, Rub-a-Dub shower scrub, and a full-size Golden Slumbers bath bomb (lavender-scented). Also got samples of Big Shampoo and Shave the Planet shaving cream.

I was told they'd be getting lots of new stuff in in the coming weeks, including the Turkish Delight shower smoothie, lip scrubs, and color bases that are currently available on the Lush UK website.

FACE OF THE DAY:



Face: YSL Teint Resist foundation (No.3), MAC Studio Finish concealer, MAC MSF Natural (Medium), MAC Shell Pearl Beauty Powder (as blush)
Eyes: Urban Decay Sin Primer Potion, Urban Decay Smog e/s on lid and below eye, MAC Cross-Cultural in crease & outer V, Smashbox Heartbreak eyeliner, MUFE Aqua Eyes 18L under eye, YSL Mascara Singulier
Lips: MAC Petals & Peacocks

The nails are the same from the last post - OPI Jade is the New Black + OPI Mad as a Hatter on the ring finger. :)


In sad news, I just finished Chelsea Handler's latest book, Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang...



This is sad news because I loved it and didn't want it to end! She is so hilarious. I want her to write another right now. Got that, Chels? ON THE FLY! Thankyoumuchly. ;)

Love ya guys. Bye!

i love target! did some liberty haulin'...

I was soooo excited for the Liberty collections from Target that hit stores yesterday (March 14). I felt like a child on Christmas Eve (or, who am I kidding, ME!) the night before, itching with anticipation!

And I wasn't disappointed. I found a few really wonderful things. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the watering can I so desperately wanted to get for my mama, but I haven't given up on that just yet. ;)

Here are some pics of my haul and my makeup/outfit/nails of the day.

CLOTHES (ignore the tank + bra strap - oops!) :D

xhilaration dress:


liberty dress (cutest print ever!):


xhilaration romper:


I think I might return the romper. I thought it was super cute in the fitting room, but when I look at this pic, I think it looks sooo short!

THE BEST OF THE REST...

I got several cans of Coconut Water... yummy! ;) The Green Ginger Tea is also super-delicious. Love! Also pictured: lip balms & a lip scrub, mini Liberty frame, Liberty storage boxes, the standard weekly gossip mag (usually I go trashier than People, but it was a double issue!), and a cereal weakness...



One of the new lines in the Beauty/Cosmetics section is For Kings and Queens. I got the Nefertiti Honey Body Butter (smells like raw honey -- amazing!) and Queen Elizabeth Sugar Shower Gel (fruity, floral, and equally gorgeous-smelling!). Also in this pic: Bella Vanilla Amber candle (lovely scent again..), Wet & Wild lipstick in 901B, Sally Hansen Shrimply Divine nail polish, Sonia Kashuk glitter eyeshadow quad, elf Blush/Bronzer duo, earrings, faux flowers (love!), and the same storage boxes that were in the pic above...



I love this bed-in-a-bag set sooo much, and so does Sparky! ;) It even goes with the striped pillowcases, sheets, ottoman, and beside table I already had. Yay!



FACE OF THE DAY:



Face: YSL Teint Resist Foundation (No.3 Opal), MAC Studio Finish Concealer (to cover pimples from the MAC foundation! :P), MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (Medium), MAC Shell Pearl Beauty Powder (as blush)
Eyes: MAC Bough Grey on lid and under eye, MAC Black Tied in crease & outer V, Smashbox Heartbreaker Liner on lid, MUFE Aqua Eyes 18L under eyes, Sephora shimmery pink pencil (forgot the name) in inner corners to highlight, Lancome Hypnose Drama + Givenchy Phenom'eneyes mascara
Lips: MAC Viva Glam Gaga (my current fave!)

OUTFIT OF THE DAY:



Tee: Fifi Lapin by Alloy
Skirt: Gap
Belt: Dorothy Perkins
Brogues: Steve Madden
Bag: Topshop
Necklace: Vintage (mom's)
Earrings: white thumbtack studs (not shown) from H&M

NAILS OF THE DAY:



OPI Jade is the New Black + OPI Mad As A Hatter on ring finger (please excuse the sloppy job I did! Yikes!)

That's all for now, but I'll be back soon for sure. I had to run to the mall today to pick up my bridesmaid shoes for my cousin Amy's wedding and stopped at Lush while I was there... and the Easter stuff was in! I also want to post about some MAC Give Me Liberty and some other makeup stuffs I've gotten in the past month or so.

Love you all & see you soon!

Alice in Wonderland + a bit of shopping :)

Sorry about the lack of posts lately -- I'm so into reading everyone else's blog, but I can be so unmotivated in updating my own!

This past Monday I went to see Alice in Wonderland in 3-D with my friend. Loved it!



The nails are Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Yellow Kitty (snagged at Target the day before) + OPI Mad at as a Hatter. I'm loving the one-glitter-nail trend right now. :)

I don't remember exactly what I wore, makeup-wise, aside from MAC Studio Fix Fluid foundation + Illamasqua Rude cream blush + Lancome Chris & Tell lipstick (over MAC Fleshpot). I remember the foundation SPECIFICALLY because I wore it on both of my days off (Sunday and Monday), and NOT KIDDING, I broke out HUGELY come Tuesday morning. I love the finish of the foundation, but it is NOT worth the aftermath. I'm really frustrated about it, too. (I've only ever had one other product break me out in the past -- St. Ives Apricot Scrub!) I guess I just need to suck it up and get the NARS Sheer Glow!

Anyways, back to the look of the day! The sweatshirt I wore is this Hello Kitty one, which I picked up at H&M the day before <3:



And here's a closer look at the ring, a $5 steal from Forever21 (again, picked up the day before!):



And this is the look from "Shopping Day Sunday" (which it usually is!):



Dress: Old Navy
Sweater: INC
Belt: Dorothy Perkins
Boots: Target
Bag: Topshop
Necklace: TheSeaUnicorn @ etsy.com

I tried on this INC top + skirt at Macy's and looooved them, but didn't buy. However, I've been thinking about them ever since so I may get weak and go back to purchase!



I also snagged some things from the new MAC Give Me Liberty collection this week, and I'll be heading to Target tomorrow to scope out their Liberty collection, too, so keep an eye out for upcoming posts on those! :)

For now, here's a couple of pics of Sparky for good luck.


(He's always doing this when I'm on the computer!)




Love you guys. Talk to you soon!!

TAG - 40 Beauty Questions

God, it's been so long since I've posted! Ack! I've almost been overwhelmed with ideas, and I've been taking loads of photos for posts, but I've just been lazy, I suppose. :( Anyways, here I am again to talk about beauty stuffs. Yay!

SKINCARE

-How many times do you wash your face daily?
Once in the shower during the day and remove my makeup at night with Soap & Glory's Off Your Face wipes. (I really hate washing my face at the sink because I hate water running down my arms and splashing on the mirror! haha)

-What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)
Combination.

-What is your current face wash?
Dark Angels by Lush. I also use MAC's Cleansing Oil and good ol' Cetaphil (generic versions are fine, too).

-Do you exfoliate?
Yes.

-What brand do you use?
Ocean Salt by Lush at the moment. But it's really rough so I have to be gentle!

-What moisturizer do you use?
Olay's Daily Regenerist Serum.

-Do you have freckles?
A few. My mom's a natural redhead.

-Do you use eye cream?
Not regularly.

-Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
I did as a teen. I still have some scarring from it. :\ My skin's pretty clear now (thanks partly to oral contraceptives!), aside from two huge monsters that popped up on my chin yesterday that I suspect are from using MAC Studio Fix Fluid foundation. NEVER AGAIN! (Why didn't I listen to the other beauty bloggers??)

-Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?
No. I really don't like them as a company, just because it seems all they care about is celebrity endorsements! :P


MAKE-UP

-What foundation do you use?
YSL Teint Resist. I used MAC Studio Fix Fluid a few times this month (I wanted to try it out for myself despite some bad reviews I'd read) and I LOVED it.... until it broke me out! Does anyone know of a brand that offers the same coverage/finish without the breakout issues? I'm NW20, if that helps!

-How about concealer?
MAC Studio Finish concealer. Worked SO WELL to cover those nasty bumps their foundation gave me yesterday! :P

-Do you know your undertone color?
Blue veins, so cool-toned.

-What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I have some but I've never used them! I need to try them!

-Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
Yes, but I have so many that I just can't bear to throw any away! If they feel crusty or smell off, I'll toss 'em!

-What brand of mascara do you use?
YSL Mascara Singulier is my current fave. I also love Lancome Hypnose Drama and CoverGirl Lash Blast.

-Sephora or MAC?
I can't choose!

-Do you have a MAC Pro card?
I wish!

-What makeup tools do you use in makeup application?
Brushes and sometimes fingers.

-Do you use makeup base/primer for the eyes?
Yes -- MAC's Paint Pot in Painterly is my everyday.

-For the face?
I think facial serum doubles as a primer -- but I don't use a primer intentionally. :)

-What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
At the MOMENT, it's this combo: Tarina Tarantino's Cord on the lid and under the eye, MAC's Black Tied in the crease/outer corners.

-Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
Either Smashbox's Heartbreaker Liquid Liner (amazing) or MAC's Blacktrack Fluidline for the winged look on the lashline; pencil liner (fave is MUFE's Aqua Eyes in 18L) below the eye.

-How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Never. More likely to poke myself with mascara -- it burns!!


-What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
I like them but I rarely use them. They're too much work/too time-consuming, for everyday.

-Do you use mineral makeup?
I used to use BareMinerals and Maybelline's mineral powder foundation, but since I've gone makeup-obsessed, I love my liquid foundation! I set my makeup with MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, though.

-What is your favorite lipstick?
At the moment, MAC Viva Glam Gaga, YSL Rouge Pur in 148, and MAC Fleshpot (which is perfect as a base!)

-How about lipgloss?
MAC Glamour for All from the All Ages, Races, Sexes collection.

-What is your favorite blush to use?
Illamasqua Katie, MAC Dainty mineralize blush, Illamasqua Rude cream blush. I use MAC Strada as bronzer/contour.

-Do you buy your makeup on ebay?
Rarely, and only if it's something I can't get in a store. I bought a Sleek palette, NYX Runway palette, MAC Via Veneto dazzleglass in the past few months.

-Do you like drugstore makeup?
I really like Revlon lately, and Sonia Kashuk makes AMAZING brushes.

-Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets)
I love the CCO! I have two right by me, but I rarely go. I tend to shop with specific things in mind, so the CCO is kind of scary -- I can't plan ahead!

-Did you ever consider taking makeup classes?
I would love to.

-Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
Not at all -- I'm too much of a perfectionist!

-Name a makeup crime that you hate?
Lipliner that's shades darker than the lipstick/gloss. Drawn-on eyebrows.

-Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
I love brights in theory, but I tend to stick to neutrals, just because I think they look better on my face!

-Which celebrity always has great make up?
The Kardashians for sure, except I think Kim wears too much translucent powder under her eyes. Also love Katy Perry and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

-If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?
Mascara.

-Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
I've done it occasionally. But I just feel better overall if I'm wearing makeup. I don' feel fully awake without it!

-Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
Not bad, not great!

-In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
MAC. So many options!

-What do you think of makeup?
Isn't it obvious? I love it!