tuesday's face/outfit/nails & books!

Yesterday was an all-caps WEIRD day. I didn't get to sleep until 6 AM the night (morning?) before -- I just couldn't get to sleep! Then the GE repairman came a few hours later to fix the washing machine in my apartment. So basically I got maybe 4-5 hours of sleep.  I got ready, went out to run my errands (bank, grocery essentials, mall -- all I bought were two body butters, raspberry and blueberry, for $5 each and a strawberry home fragrance oil from The Body Shop! My wallet was shocked!, bookstore), and at around 7PM, my boyfriend and I went out to dinner at TGI Friday's.

We got back from dinner earlier than 9PM, and I'm not joking, we both passed out asleep! I jolted up at 1AM and was awake again until 4! I'd planned on blog-posting last night, but yeah, that didn't happen! haha Unfortunately (fortunately?) what DID happen is that I did a little unplanned online shopping.  Oops!

Anyways, getting to the title of the post! Here's the face/outfit/nails from yesterday.

FACE: Chanel Bronze Universal, NARS Sheer Glow, Benefit Hoola bronzer,YSL Touche Eclat (under eyes), YSL Matt & Radiant pressed powder, Illamasqua Rude cream blush, NARS Enchanted cream blush (highlight)

EYES: MAC Painterly paint pot, MAC Sand & Sun eyeshadow, Smashbox Heartbreaker liner pen, MUFE Aqua Eyes 10L, Stila Topaz eye kajal, MAC Lingering brow pencil, YSL Mascara Singulier, Givenchy Phenomen'eyes (top coat)

LIPS: Illamasqua Over l/s

NAILS: Essie Pretty Edgy  (toes are Essie Haute as Hello -- loving both these shades!)

sorry for the crappy bathroom pic! :P

DRESS, NECKLACE: H&M

BRACELETS: Target, Macy's

RINGS: Target, Forever21

SANDALS: Miss Trish of Capri for Target

BAG: an Old Navy tote similar to this one (not a foldover)

I saw these two books at Barnes & Noble yesterday, and ordered them online last night -- they look great!

I love to go to the bookstore to find new reads, but almost always end up ordering them online instead.  I just can't stand to pay the retail price when I know I can spend so much less online! For example, if I would have bought these two books in the store, it would have cost $50.95 + tax! Online (Amazon.com), $30.77 plus free shipping.  I mean, seriously, that's a $20+ difference! Does anyone else do the browse store, shop online thing?

What are you reading?

Let me know!

I really want to see Eclipse today, but not sure I'm up to it... (get me, ladies?)... we'll see... (I still need to see Toy Story 3, too!)

See you soon!
<3 Jess

Jewelry, True Blood, & my current reads/TV faves!

I tried to avoid shopping altogether (aside from groceries!) this week, but I did getting something fabulous in the mail yesterday: this Lenora Dame alphabet bracelet.  As a girl who graduated with a writing degree and has a writer for a mother as well, this really spoke to me!

Lenora Dame alphabet bracelet

Here's what it looks like on my wrist:

I love, love, love it.  It's very lightweight, which was a really nice surprise! The only disappointing thing about it? No "J"! : \ The vain part of me really wanted that "J" to be there!

I also forgot to show you this ring I got a few weeks back from Forever21.  It reminds me of a ring my grandmother gave me when I was a lot younger that was a silver star with blue sapphires (my birthstone) all over. 

And then, okay, so I did makes *ONE* impulse buy this week.  I finished the first season of True Blood today, and I was desperate for season two.  There's a wait for it on Netflix, and I was too impatient, so I ran out to get it ASAP. I ended up going to FOUR different stores before I found a copy. I went to Walmart first -- out of stock.  Target -- $50. :P Best Buy -- $50. :P  So I went to ANOTHER Walmart, and YAY! It was in stock! :)

<3 <3 <3

With the World Cup going on and my boyfriend glued to the television during the day, I've been doing a lot of reading. haha I just finished an amazing book, Water for Elephants.  Let's just say I know why it's being made into a movie (I believe Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon are leading the cast) - I just hope they do the book proud! It's about a second-rate circus in the depression era, and the main character is the circus' vet.  I don't want to give away any of the plot, but please do check it out for yourselves if you haven't already. :)

my beat-up used copy!

And since I finished Water for Elephants, I've been re-reading Daughters of Eve by Lois Duncan, one of my favorite books of all time.  My copy is so old and loved! It's even signed by Ms. Duncan herself, who's a friend of my family's. It feels cool to say that, because I love her books so much! A lot of her books have been made into movies -- I Know What You Did Last Summer, Killing Mr. Griffin, and most recently Hotel for Dogs (I think there were others, but I can't remember...). I've heard she's developing a television series as well -- I really hope it comes into fruition!

And a package came in the mail today from Mama with Joshilyn Jackson's new book Backseat Saints inside. I really loved her book The Girl Who Stopped Swimming (I also read Between, Georgia, which wasn't nearly as good) and this looks equally as promising!

And while I'm on the topic of media, I might as well share my current fave summer shows!

Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family)

The Bachelorette (ABC)

So You Think You Can Dance (FOX - go Kent!)

I watched the premiere of The Gates on Sunday -- so far, so good! And I'm looking forward to ABC Family's new series Huge as well. Summer's all about guilty pleasure-type shows in my opinion! Nothing too deep or serious, please! ;)

What are your current favorite summer shows? What are you reading right now? I'd love to know!

<3 Jess

face/outfit/nails of the day

FACE: Chanel Soleil Tan (Bronze Universal), Revlon Mineral Mousse foundation, YSL Touche Eclat (under eyes), YSL Matt & Radiant pressed powder, MAC Dollymix blush + Marine Life, MAC Shell Pearl beauty powder

EYES: MAC Firecracker e/s, Glamour Check e/s, Sand & Sun e/s;  Urban Decay Freelove e/s; Smashbox Heartbreaker liquid liner pen; MUFE Aqua Eyes 10L; Stila Topaz eye kajal; MAC Lingering brow pencil; Maybelline The Falsies mascara

LIPS: MAC In Synch lip liner + Vegas Volt l/s (dotted and spread w/fingertips)

DRESS: H&M

VEST: Gap

SANDALS: Cynthia Vincent for Target

NECKLACE: ?

BRACELETS: Fred Flare

RINGS: Forever21, Target

NAILS: Essie Knockout Pout

Sorry this post is so to-the-point -- my internet and cable were out all morning and now that it's up again, I need to run out for a bit!  Be back soon!

<3 Jess

yesterday's face of the day & revlon mineral mousse rave

FACE: Revlon Mineral Mousse, YSL Matt & Radiant pressed powder, YSL Poudre Soleil, MAC Dollymix blush, MAC Shell Pearl beauty powder (highlight)

EYES: Too Faced Neutral Eye Palette: Honey Pot (lid, lower lashline), Push-Up (lid), Cocoa Puff (crease, outer V); Smashbox Heartbreaker liquid liner pen; MUFE Aqua Eyes in 10L (lower lashline, waterline); Stila Topaz eye kajal; MAC Lingering brow pencil; Maybelline The Falsies mascara

LIPS: MAC Lazy Day l/s

I do love my NARS Sheer Glow, but Revlon Mineral Mousse is GREAT for summer weather.  Through the heat and a night of work, it does not budge on my skin -- it still looks flawless when I come home at night! It doesn't have the "glowing skin" appeal that NARS Sheer Glow has, but it does give an airbrushed effect, and the application is MUCH easier, too -- not to mention the price point! I'm kind of obsessed with how things smell, in case you haven't noticed, and while NARS Sheer Glow has no scent (which doesn't bother me at all!), Revlon Mineral Mousse has a slight clay/play-doh scent that I *LOVE* but may turn some off.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly, matte foundation that can take the heat and gives really nice coverage, I definitely recommend picking up Revlon Mineral Mousse!

wednesday: blues & purples & h&m

Hello again, lovelies! :)

FACE: MAC MSFN, MAC Get-Away Bronze blush, MAC Shell Pearl Beauty Powder

EYES (see eye pic below): Urban Decay Show Pony palette: Painkiller e/s (believe "Alice" in the Alice palette is the same shade); Urban Decay Ransom e/s, MAC Sand & Sun e/s (under brows), Barbie Loves Stila Cobalt Clutch smudge pot (liner on top lid), Shu Uemura Vivid Blue painting liner (lower lashline), MAC Lingering brow pencil, Maybelline Falsies mascara

LIPS: Illamasqua Obey + J.R. Watkins Raspberry lip balm

NAILS: OPI What's with the Cattitude?

DRESS: Forever21

TANK: Gap

SANDALS: J.Crew

I picked up this steal of a cute summer dress at H&M. I love the leaf and hummingbird print. :) And the price was the best part - $7.95!

And the reason I went back to H&M... yesterday's "wish I bought it" dress:

Consider it bought! ;)

Have a great week, lovelies!

<3 Jess

tuesday haul (body shop, ulta, food!); FOTD + OOTD

I had a lot of fun yesterday. People were super-friendly everywhere I went (I kept getting compliments on my makeup and my strawberry necklace!) and I got REALLY good deals on almost everything I got!  :)

The Body Shop (all 50% off, except the Tea Tree toner!):

Raspberry Body Butter

Honey Moisturizing Shampoo & Conditioner

Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner

Wild Cherry Body Scrub 

Ulta ($3.50 off + $5 off coupons + $4 points discount!):

Blum Tea Tree Cleansing Wipes

Essie nail polish (buy 2 get 1!): Haute as Hello, Pretty Edgy, Knockout Pout

Seche Vite top coat

J.R. Watkins Raspberry lip balm (LOVE THIS!) 

C. Booth Honey & Almond hand cream

Whole Foods:

Kettle Salt & Pepper chips (my favorite)

Curried Chicken Salad w/cranberries

Callebaut dark chocolate

Gouda + Mimolette cheeses

Walmart:

Verde Sparkling Wine ($5 and yummy!)

Hillshire Farm Beef Summer Sausage

I was craving Summer Sausage so much that I even had a DREAM that I went to the grocery store and forgot to get it and I was devastated! hahaha I literally went to Walmart SOLELY for the summer sausage! The wine was just a bonus. ;)

FACE: NARS Sheer Glow, MAC MSFN, YSL Poudre Soleil, MAC Get-Away Bronze blush, LORAC Baked blush in Plush, MAC Shell Pearl Beauty Powder

EYES: MAC Free to Be e/s, Firecracker e/s, Sand & Sun e/s, Glamour Check e/s, Smashbox Heartbreaker liquid liner pen, Urban Decay 24/7 liner in 1999 (lower lashline), Stila Topaz eye kajal, MAC Lingering brow pencil, Maybelline Falsies mascara

LIPS: YSL Rouge Volupte #27 Rose Paris

TOP: Forever21

SKIRT: Gap

BELT: Target

SANDALS: Cynthia Vincent for Target

BAG: Topshop

NECKLACE: SeaUnicorn (etsy)

WATCH: Betsey Johnson

RINGS: Topshop, Forever21

And check out my awesome parking at Ulta! hahaha I was laughing at it when I got out and had to take a pic. ;) It was raining... that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

I did go back to H&M today to get that red polka dot dress (they had two 14's left - yay!) and I managed to score another steal, too (a super cute dress for $7.95!)... so it was worth the trip! I went back to Whole Foods, too (deja shopping vu?), for a bigger tub of the curried chicken salad -- it's so delicious!! -- and some Newman's Own cinnamon mints I forgot to get yesterday. :)  And of course I took pics of the face and outfit and the second dress, so I'll be back soon!

On a final note, I watched The Lovely Bones tonight, and I have to say it was really good! 

I was really surprised, because I thought it was going to be awful (I loooooved the book). There were definitely some inconsistencies and some "tamed" bits, but overall I thought as a film it really held its own.  And the music was beautiful, too. I definitely recommend it!

And I think I'm going to watch True Blood on DVD next... I've only seen the first few episodes and I wasn't that into it, but I'm going to give it another shot. :)

Be back again soon, gorgeous things!

<3 Jess

have you ever had "wish i bought it" remorse?

I have it right now!  I tried on this dress at H&M today, and I loved it, but didn't think I'd get much wear out of it, so I walked out empty-handed.  Now I'm thinking I should have gotten it! Argh...

Here's the dress in question:

I just love that style (very similar to a Target dress I got in the past month) and the red w/white polka dots! <3 So cute.

Other things I wish I'd bought today but didn't:

+C.O. Bigelow Mint candle

+NARS Copacabana multiple (why don't I have this already??)

+Fekkai Glossing Cream (I've really been liking it again lately, and now my tube is almost empty)

+Lush Big shampoo (I've been without for a month -- too long!)

Anyways, I'll be back before you know it with some haulin'.  I got a few things at The Body Shop and Ulta... and I've been kind of a foodie this week, so I thought I'd show you my "days off food" haul, too! Any kind of haul is a fun one, in my opinion! :)  

Love you ladies (and gents, too!)!

<3 Jess

P.S. I watched the last episode of Sex and the City (not for the first time!) last night, and now I'm craving another TV series to watch on DVD.  Any recommendations??

Outfit & Face of the Day from yesterday :)

FACE: NARS Sheer Glow foundation, MAC MSF Natural, YSL Poudre Soleil in Light Sun, LORAC Baked Blush in Plush, MAC Shell Pearl Beauty Powder (highlight)

EYES: MAC Glamour Check e/s, Black Tied e/s, Stila Topaz eye kajal (inner corners), Smashbox Heartbreaker liquid liner pen, Milani Brown Liquif'Eye Metallic eye liner pencil (lower lashline), MAC Lingering brow pencil, Maybelline The Falsies mascara

LIPS: MAC Hue l/s

Yesterday's outfit was all about simple, lightweight, and easy to throw on and off since I was just going to and from work (I wear a Victorian-style costume at work -- too hot for summer!).  

Dress: Gap (just a basic staple w/an empire waist)

Scarf: Alexander McQueen-type from eBay

Sandals: J.Crew (black w/gold studs)

I did manage to get my two days off this week after all, starting today - yay! I plan on spending some time at the pool for sure!

In other wonderful news, I got the results of last week's colposcopy exam, and the doctor said everything looks great. Phew! I was really worried that something was wrong. :)

See you all soon!

<3 Jess

Sunday's FOTD: YSL Slate Green, MAC Get-Away Bronze & Beachbound

FACE: NARS Sheer Glow foundation, YSL pressed powder, MAC Get-Away Bronze blush

EYES: YSL #05 Slate Green e/s (lid, lower lashline), MAC Glamour Check e/s (crease, outer V), Smashbox Heartbreaker liner pen, MUFE Aqua Eyes 20L (lower lashline), Stila Topaz eye kajal, MAC Lingering brow pencil, Maybelline The Falsies mascara

LIPS: MAC Beachbound l/s

I'm really, really loving Maybelline's new The Falsies mascara -- it is AMAZING! Definitely the best drugstore mascara I've ever tried.  I've actually been choosing it every day since I got it over my HGs, Lancome Hypnose Drama and YSL Mascara Singulier.  I'm telling you, if you like crazy long, voluminous lashes, you need to try this mascara!

Also really loving the items I hauled from MAC's To the Beach collection -- I've been wearing Get-Away Bronze and Beachbound pretty much daily! <3

I've been re-watching Sex and the City, Seasons 3 through 6, and already I only have two discs left to watch.  It's just one of those shows I can watch over and over and it never gets old! :)  For reading, I'm immersed in The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, the Twilight "spin-off" novella by Stephenie Meyer.  Short and sweet!

I'm working 6-day weeks this week and next, so I may not be around as much as I'd like, but I will definitely try!

See you soon!

<3 Jess

FOTDs (MAC To the Beach!) - and a tiny haul :)

I look like two different people in these photos! haha

Here's Tuesday's FOTD:

 

FACE: Chanel Bronze Universal (as base), NARS Sheer Glow foundation, YSL pressed powder, MAC Get-Away Bronze blush, NARS Enchanted cream blush (as highlight)

EYES: MAC Lingering brow pencil, MAC Sand & Sun e/s (under brows), Firecracker e/s, Sweet & Punchy (lower lashline), YSL #05 Slate Green e/s, MUFE Aqua Eyes 20L (lower lashline), Stila Topaz eye kajal (inner corners), Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara

LIPS: MAC Ever Hip l/s + MAC Beachbound l/s (I love layering this!)

And Wednesday's:

(Um, I hated my hair today. I need a haircut BADLY!)

FACE: NARS Sheer Glow, YSL pressed powder, MAC Marine Life (as blush -- YAY, I USED IT!)

EYES: MAC Lingering brow pencil, MAC Sweet & Punchy e/s (lid, lower lashline), Urban Decay Alice palette: Absolem e/s (crease, outer V), MUFE Aqua Eyes 20L (lower lashline), Stila Topaz eye kajal (inner corners), Maybelline The Falsies mascara (this is a really great drugstore mascara!)

LIPS: MAC Victorian l/s

NAILS: OPI Catch Me In Your Net (thank you, Nick & Ryan!)

Yay Marine Life! (wearing Vegas Volt l/s here)

And this is my mini haul -- a tank and strapless dress from Forever21 - I like them worn together!

...and the new Christina Aguilera CD (the basic edition - I didn't realize the deluxe had so many extra songs! Kicking myself...)

Okay, lovelies, guess that's all for now.  I need to go lay down -- I can only breathe through one nostril right now! Ugh. :P Hopefully this will pass quickly and I can get back to my usual upbeat self soon!

Hope everyone's having a great week!

<3 Jess

i'm back -- it's been a busy, chaotic week!

So sorry for my absence, fabulous readers.  I've had a really busy week (the good kind!), but unfortunately, there's always downs with the ups -- I had a very unpleasant doctor's appointment yesterday and I had laryngitis for a few days, and now I have a cold.  I think I set some kind of record about an hour ago for most consecutive sneezes! haha

Anyways, on to the happy stuff!

Nick, me, & Ryan at the Magic Kingdom :)

Saturday and Sunday were full of fun because my bestest friends, Ryan and Nick, came to visit me! Saturday we went to the Magic Kingdom at Disney (I had to go to work after -- boo!), then Sunday we just hopped around the mall and Downtown Disney.  I'm on a tight budget right now, so I only bought one thing at the mall -- and it was only because I don't plan on going back again anytime soon!  The one thing was this dress from H&M.  It was just too gorgeous to pass up!

H&M dress -- pardon my "bedtime hair"!

Anyhow, I had a great time with the boys, and I was especially happy that my boyfriend got along with them so well, too. :D  And, how sweet are they, they brought me gifts!! In a Spidey gift bag, of course -- these two are Marvel fanatics (and I like a good superhero, too). :) And they clearly know me well -- NAIL POLISH! Eee!

OPI Hong Kong Collection Tiny Takeouts, 

OPI What's with the Cattitude? (from the Shrek collection), 

OPI Summer Flutter Minis

I love them all so much!  Nick knew I wanted What's with the Cattitude? from the wishlist in the left sidebar on my blog! haha I'm wearing Catch Me In Your Net from the Summer Flutter collection today. :)

Sunday, before goodbyes :(

I can't wait till I get to see my boys again! 

I'll be back with another post *very* soon -- I've taken FOTD pics and have a miiiiiiini haul (and I mean MINI! I'm budgeting, like I said!) to show you as well!

LOVE YOU ALL!

xoxo,
Jess