fotd from wednesday

Here's my FOTD from Wednesday.  I had a gyno appointment in the AM (ugh) - I REALLY hate the gynecologist, so I always feel like I deserve a little "reward" after the visit! So, of course, I treated myself to a little shopping afterwards.  I've come to HATE Black Friday, so I figured I'd do a "Black Wednesday" instead.  I did find some deals, too! I'll show my little haul in my next post. :) 

I took this pic when I got home, since there was actually some daylight left! I was too rushed to do it in the morning... I'm always running late when I get ready, yet I almost always get where I'm going on time! 

FACE: YSL Perfect Touch foundation, YSL Touche Eclat (under eyes), MAC Blot Powder (t-zone), NARS Douceur blush, MAC Shell Pearl beauty powder (highlight)

EYES: UD Naked palette: Toasted, Hustle; MAC Smoke & Mirrors palette: Spell No. 9 (brow highlight); MAC On the Hunt superslick liner, UD Lucky 24/7 pencil, Lingering brow pencil, Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara

LIPS: NARS Little Darling lipstick (something I picked up that day...)

Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving! Did anyone brave through Black Friday today?  If so, let me know what you bought! :)

Lots of love,
xoxo
Jess

happy thanksgiving! :)

Hi guys!  I've been wanting to blog the past few days, but I've been sick AGAIN!  I'm definitely over being sick, I tell ya.  I had a fever and sore throat Sunday night and into Monday - I had to call in sick to work Monday and go to the doctor.  Luckily I was well enough today to go to my friend's house for Thanksgiving dinner.  See, I work at Disney and Thanksgiving is one of the biggest days of the year for us, so I always have to work. :P  So Thanksgiving usually comes early or late for my coworkers and me. :)

I just wanted to share some of pics I took tonight with you all!

So much yummy food!

A Wizard of Oz-themed tree - love it!

 

w/some of my girlfriends (& part of a guy! lol)

Bonding with Edward Cullen...

Yes, I took a pic in her bathroom! lol

Grr, frizzy hair!! 

Also, I wore the Lancome foundation today...

not the best pic, though!

I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving and that you have lots of wonderful things and people to be grateful for! 

Love you all!

xoxo,

<3 Jess

haul, part two: everything else!

Here it is, the rest of my recent mad hauling.  I've been buying gifts, too, so you better believe my wallet is just THRILLED with me right now!! :P

• Voluspa Crisp Champagne candle (Anthropologie)
• C.O. Bigelow Rice & Bamboo Gentle Dermabrasion (B&BW $10 of $30)
• Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream (B&BW $10 of $30; this a repurchase - the tiny bottle lasts ages!)
• Benefit So Hooked on Carmela edt (20% off Sephora F&F)
• Daisy by Marc Jacobs rollerball (20% off Sephora F&F)
• Silk Road Caravan by Stephen Nilsen fragrance pencil ($10 @ Anthropologie - this stuff is a DEAD-ON dupe of LUSH's Honey I Washed the Kids soap; if you like that, you'll like this!)
• Carmex Healing Lotion ($5.99 @ Walgreens)

Ulta (I never go there without coupons!):

• L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes mascara (okay, not great - also learned that they test on animals after I bought this, which really disgusts me)
• Seche Vite Dry Fast top coat
• Zoya nail polish in Shawn
• Revlon Matte lipstick in Sky Pink (disappointing)
• Essie nail polish in Going Incognito
• Deep Down Detox Ultra Cleansing Mud Mask Orange + Bergamot (LOVE this!)

Essie Going Incognito on the nails - love it!

• Glee: The Christmas Album (I love Christmas music - this doesn't disappoint!)
• Origins Modern Friction gentle dermabrasion + A Perfect World moisturizer (this was on sale as a gift set @ Target for $20! They're full sizes, too. Total steal.  I don't usually trust salon products sold in a supermarket, but these were definitely legit and not off or anything!)
• Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style mini rollerball coffret (20% off Sephora F&F)
• Virgo necklace (Urban Outfitters)
• Tyler Candle Co. Mulled Cider candle (a gift from Mom!)

close-up of the necklace

And last of all, I can't forget my new favorite thing - this super cozy throw blanket from Target! I was feeling pretty yucky on my days off, and curling up in this baby definitely helped! That and some ThermaCare heat wraps and I was set. :)

You can tell I was feeling yucky because of the lack of makeup! Mascara only! :P

Before I go climb into bed, I just wanted to say a huuuuuuge THANK YOU!!!  I hit 100 followers this week and I'm so excited!  I just love being a part of this awesome blogging community. :)  I think I'm going to have a giveaway sometime in the next month. I already have something in mind... ;)

As always, thank you SO MUCH for reading! Love you guys!!

xoxo,

<3 Jess

haul, part one: makeup (mac, chanel, ysl, nars, lancome, mufe)

Let's just say I've definitely been taking advantage of sales and promotions this past month. Some of this haul was sale-motivated, some was "ordering a Christmas gift but need to purchase more to get free shipping" motivated (have you done that before???).

Anyways, here's what I hauled!

• YSL Rouge Pur Couture #10 Beige Tribute
• YSL Rouge Pur Couture MINI (so cute!) #1 Le Rouge (this was a freebie!)
• Chanel Taupe Gris eyeshadow
• NARS Sex Appeal blush (20% off Beauty.com F&F)
• YSL Perfect Touch Radiant Brush foundation in 05 Peach
• Lancome Teint Miracle foundation in Ivoire 2C (20% off Sephora F&F)
• MAC MSF Natural in Medium
• MAC lipsticks (from A Tartan Tale): Cut a Caper, The Faerie Glen
• MAC Amber Lights eyeshadow
• MAC Partial to Pink cremesheen glass
• Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer (20% off Sephora F&F)

I wasn't that excited about MAC's holiday collection this year.  Last year I got a bunch of stuff, most of which I really love and still use (especially the Smoke & Mirrors palette!), but this year all I wanted were two lipsticks: Cut a Caper (a light peachy coral) and The Faerie Glen (a mauvey nude). I did repurchase the MSF Natural powder (my favorite) - I must've loved that thing, because I used it all up the last time! - as well as Amber Lights eyeshadow and Partial to Pink cremesheen glass, two things I've been lemming for quite a while.

I was pushed to order another YSL Rouge Pur Couture lipstick because Neiman Marcus had a promotion for a free mini #1 Le Rouge lipstick with any Rouge Pur Couture purchase.  So I picked up #10, which is a lavender pink/beige nude, and is almost my exact natural lip color. Oddly enough, its consistency is less creamy than #6 (my all-time fave - in a month I've almost run out!), and I prefer it with a similar-colored gloss over the top (MAC's Glamour for All is perfect!).  #1 Le Rouge is a gorgeous cherry red with a glossy, creamy consistency similar to #6.

NARS Sex Appeal is a gorgeous pale pinky peach matte blush (I think I "ooo"ed when I opened it!).  It's quite chalky and requires some work (read: lots of layering!), but I think it will suit fair skin tones well.  I've only used it once so far (too enamored with Douceur to stray...), but I thought it gave a pretty, natural-looking flush.

Really loving both foundations and the concealer so far as well.  I'll let you know more when I've gotten more use out of everything!

I'm sure you'll be seeing these products (some you already have seen!) in future FOTDs, but if you'd like to see swatches of anything, please let me know!

All in all, I'd say it's been a very successful shopping month, don't you think? haha

See you all soon - with part two (yikes, there's more??)!

<3 Jess

face of the day w/some new stuff i'm loving :)

FACE: YSL Perfect Touch Foundation (05 Peach, the brush is useless - I use my fingers to apply; this is the best YSL foundation I've tried - in fact, one of the best foundations PERIOD!), MAC MSF Natural (t-zone only!), Clinique Airbrush concealer (under eyes), NARS Douceur blush, Dior Amber Diamond (highlight)

EYES: Chanel Taupe Gris e/s (lid), MAC Showstopper e/s (crease, lower lashline), MAC Sand & Sun e/s (brow bone), MAC Amber Lights e/s (inner corners, lower lashline), MAC Superslick liner in On the Hunt, Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Zero, MAC Lingering brow pencil, Lancome Hypnose Drama + Givenchy Phenom'eneyes (I've had this almost a year now and it's still not dried out - crazy!)

LIPS: MAC The Faerie Glen lipstick + Fashion Whim cremesheen glass

I've been all about smoky eyes and nude lips lately (as usual!). I've gotten some new makeup in the past few weeks - so many web sites and stores have been doing promotions (20% off @ sephora.com & beauty.com, gifts with purchase, etc.), I just couldn't resist! I've got most of my Christmas shopping done now, too! Needless to say, my wallet hasn't been happy, but I sure am! And I can't help but think my Christmas tree likes having presents wrapped underneath it already (my family's having Christmas in Florida with me again this year!). :) 

I know, I keep saying I'm going to do my October favorites, but I'm so unmotivated! I've already taken the pic, too - it's just the writing bit! Argh, must do it tomorrow, or it'll be too late to bother!

Alright, awesome friends, I'm turning in for the evening. And goodnight to my little 1-year-old bloggy blog, too! ;)

<3 Jess

Happy 1st Birthday, little bloggy!

not my photo - found in Google Images, but I forgot the specific source! :\

I can't believe I've had this blog a year - yay! I've made a lot of wonderful new friends through this little thing, and I've had so much fun with it! I hope you've enjoyed it, too.  I'll be back later today with my October Faves post, but I just wanted to pop in quickly to say thank you! :)

And a special thank to my friend Tiffany who gave me a shout-out on her awesome blog! I was thinking last week how cool it would be to get to a 100 followers this month, and now I'm actually thinking it could happen! :)

Thanks for reading - love you guys!

<3 Jess

holiday hauling! (lots of LUSH, bath & body works, target)

Hey beautiful people! As promised, here's the haul post.  Good thing I saved it for today, because I made an unplanned trip to Target earlier.. oops. >_<  

So let's just jump right in, shall we?

LUSH:

Matryoshka gift

The Olive Branch shower gel

Iced Wine shower jelly

Bath & Body Works:

Apple Wreath moisturizing hand soap

Frosted Cupcake candle (looks small but it's actually massive!)

Homemade Cookies home fragrance plug-in

I went to Lush specifically for the Matryoshka gift - it's so ridiculously cute! It contains two So White soaps, So White Matryoshka bath bomb, and Cinders Matryoshka bath bomb.  The bath bombs are actually inside the soaps, so they are smaller than regular-sized bath bombs, and the soaps are oddly shaped on the "backs"/"bottoms" because of this as well.  Either way, I loooove this and can't wait to use it all! It retails for $19.95 or £9.95 in the UK. 

The Olive Branch is just a nice, clean, masculine scent.  The Iced Wine shower jelly was something I wasn't even remotely interested in (not a fan of shower jellies!), but the salesgirl told me it was just restocked and it sold out really quickly, so being the sucker I am, I had to give it a whiff - and I was sold.  It smells really fruity and sweet and delicious! I only wish it were a shower gel or a soap instead of a jelly. They're just not enough bang for your buck, even though the concept is pretty fun (like cleaning yourself with jello!).

I had a coupon to get a large candle for $10 (usually $19.50) at Bath & Body Works, so I stopped in to snag Frosted Cupcake, which I've wanted for a while but was holding out to use the coupon! Lucky I went when I did, because there were only two in the store. And now there's one...  The other stuff was just yummy stuff I impulse-purchased!

Back to the topic of Lush, I've been meaning to show you the rest of my Lush holiday haul. I ordered from Lush.co.uk - it always works out to be cheaper that way, and the shipping time is about the same (sometimes quicker!).  Oh, and this isn't how the order came, of course - this is after I sorted everything! I store my Lush bath ballistics, soaps, and bubble bars in ziploc bags - no mess and the scents don't combine! I think it helps them stay fresh, too.

Lush.co.uk:

(in no particular order)

Bearded Lady bubble bar

Snowcake soap

Maple Taffy lip balm

Mrs. Whippy bath ballistic (came broken - so sad)

Honey I Washed the Kids soap (not holiday - but it's my favorite Lush product, period!)

Snow Fairy lip tint

Sugar Plum Fairy sugar scrub

Gingerbread House bubble bar

Glogg shower gel

I'm really excited to try everything! I'm already using Honey I Washed the Kids (a rererepurchase - lol) as hand soap. I was a bit disappointed with the Maple Taffy lip balm (no flavor?), Snow Fairy lip tint (really drying, sheer, but smells yummy at least), and Glogg shower gel (too masculine? I'll give it another sniff, otherwise I'll be gifting this).

Today I went to Target... out of boredom.  Let me first say that this is NEVER a good idea when you're a shopping addict like me! I literally squealed with delight when I came to see this display: 

Seeing the holiday section all set up is a clear message that Christmas will be coming soon! I love everything about the holiday season - I'm always in such a good mood during these months! I've already - yes, I'm serious - almost finished all my Christmas shopping! And my Christmas tree's been up for two weeks.  Two weeks! Okay, so I'm a little Christmas-crazy. :)

This made me squeal, too - Egg Nog and Ciders galore!! 

I looooove egg nog. Some people think it's gross or weird - not me! Target has some specialty-flavored egg nogs as well, like Chocolate Mint and Red Velvet. I got a bottle of TG Lee (the Santa-faced one) yesterday when I did my grocery shopping - I'm proud to say I haven't touched it yet. :)

And here's what I hauled (some of which is gifts!)...

Target:

Reese's miniatures (mix of dark & milk chocolate - large bag - on sale for $2)

Sonia Kashuk mini cosmetic bag (to gift or to keep.. hmm)

Yorkie & Owl ornaments (scroll down for close-ups!)

Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon palette in Vanity

Bolthouse Farms 100% carrot juice (I love this stuff!)

"J" mug

Extra Mint Chocolate Chip gum (so wrong but so right!)

Neutrogena Skin Clearing oil-free makeup (Nude 40, $2 off)

Burt's Bee's spot treatment (30% off)

Kings & Queens Jasmine shower gel & Sugar shower gel ($2.24 each)

Haribo Gold Bears & Rolos (Rolos were $0.30 each!)

The shower gels and candy on the right are to put in with Christmas gifts.  Also, I wanted to mention I will be returning the Neutrogena Skin Clearing oil-free foundation - I was suckered in by the name and the "on sale" tag, but I did a trial of it tonight and nooooo likey.  It didn't make me oily, but it did make my skin look really dull and feel ridiculously dry and tight - it created wrinkles I didn't think I had before! So yeah, I don't recommend it!  I'm gonna use the Wet 'n' Wild palette tomorrow - I wanted it after seeing it used by a blogger - all of the Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon palettes are really pigmented!

These are the ornaments I picked up:

looks like my doggy!

pretty teal owl <3

Sparky got something from Target, too. :)

Alright, I guess that's all! Hope you enjoyed - I know some people loathe haul posts, but I really enjoy seeing what other people buy - probably because I'm both nosey and a shopaholic (and looking at hauls allows me to shop vicariously through others - and also get ideas I don't need! lol).  Anyways, I hope you like hauls, because there will definitely be more in the future! haha :)

Love you all!

xoxo

Jess

face & outfit of the day (it's been a while!)

I haven't really been doing FOTDs lately, because I'm not really loving any of my foundations right now - my NARS Sheer Glow is too light at the moment (and looking too matte?) and the Clinique Redness Solutions, which I actually love, just doesn't seem to photograph well.  Oh, and I decided I *HATE* YSL Teint Resist. It dries soooo powdery and blotchy and really emphasizes my pores. I'm always surprised to see so many people love it.  I'm also not loving my hair lately... I keep thinking about getting bangs again... hmm...

Anyways, today I used some products I haven't touched in ages (the blush products!) as well as some staples.  

FACE: Clinique Redness Solutions foundation (02 Calming Fair), YSL pressed powder, Illamasqua Katie blush, NARS Enchanted cream blush

EYES: MAC Sable (lid), Vainglorious (crease), Sand & Sun (under brows), Star Violet (lower lashline); MAC Superslick liner in On the Hunt, MUFE Aqua Eyes 18L (lower lashline/waterline), Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara, MAC Lingering brow pencil... and a pencil to highlight inner corners (I forget which!)... 

LIPS: YSL Rouge Pur Couture #6

TOP: H&M

JEANS: Torrid

SCARF: Target

CLUTCH: Forever21*

WATCH: Michael Kors

FLATS: Vivienne Westwood Anglomania + Melissa

The pic was taken in Forever 21, and I was "trying on" the clutch, but I didn't have anywhere to put it down to take a pic of my outfit, so.. there it is. Oops!  I was trying things on because I had something to exchange, but didn't really like anything.  Then when I went to the counter, I couldn't get store credit because their system was down (it was raining earlier). Annoying!

Luckily it wasn't a wasted trip (it never is, is it? lol), as I picked up a couple of things at Lush and Bath & Body Works (coupon!).  I'll show you my haul in my next post! Oh, and October favorites is on the way as well, of course. :)

See you lovelies soon!

xoxo

Jess