Why, hello again, old friends.

Three facts about me: 1.) I just turned 30. 2.) I moved from Orlando to Chicago two months ago. 3.) It KILLS me that I haven't written a real, non-blog sale related post in over a year.

I am making it a personal goal to get back into a regular posting schedule. I've been posting regularly on my Youtube channel (which you can get to by clicking on any of the video links in the left sidebar, or by clicking here) and posting swatches and other photos regularly on Instagram (dontcallmejesse). However, I've always loved writing (I have a Bachelor's degree in English, another fact about me!), and neither of those social media outlets allow me to express myself in the way I've always been most comfortable.  And some things just can't be said in a video or an Instagram post as well as it can in a blog post.  So hold me accountable, friends - I need to get back to business where I first got my start. :)

Anyways, I just wanted to say hello again.  I've just uploaded a Fall Haul video, so I'll link that below to make this post less bare-bones. 

Any ideas for upcoming blog posts are welcome! Welcome back, self. ;) (Oh yes, I'm still the same cheeseball I always was.)

Thank you for reading, watching, looking, etc.!

Lots of love,

Jess

Spring Cleaning/Moving to Chicago Blog Sale!

Hello friends! If you haven't yet heard, I'm going to be moving from Orlando to Chicago later this summer. The prospect of moving has really motivated me to purge the excess "stuff" I own (I've already taken 3 or 4 bags of items to Goodwill!), which includes makeup. I just seem to accumulate too much makeup to really appreciate certain items.  Some of the items I've listed this time I really do adore, I just don't get around to using them like perhaps one of you could.

Anyways, below is a sampling of the items I've added to my blog sale post, which you can access by clicking the text below.  Happy shopping! :)

BLOG SALE, YAY! 

Thank you for sticking beside me, even though in the past year this blog has been on an unintentional "hiatus" for a long time! Hopefully I will get around to posting on a regular basis again, but until that happens, please keep in touch through Instagram (dontcallmejesse), Twitter (@dontcallmejesse), and YouTube (jemorjerrica) - I DO post in those places regularly at least! ;)

Lots of love,

xoxo,

<3 jess="" p="">

blog sale update...

Hi guys! Yes, this blog still exists! Sorry I've been neglecting it so much. And sorry again that this is just a measly little blog sale update post. :P #bloggerFAIL Anyways, here's the link to the updated blog sale:

UPDATED BLOG SALE.

I promise, I will add some new ACTUAL content very soon. In the meantime, you can see too much of me and too much of my kitties on YouTube,  Instagram (@dontcallmejesse), and Twitter (@dontcallmejesse) if you so desire!

Love you guys!

xoxo,
<3 jess="">

blog sale updated!

I've updated the blog sale with loads of new items!  Please click here to head over to the blog sale post.  Thank you! :)

xoxo,
Jess

Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush (review & swatches)

Hello, friends and fellow lipstick lovers! Today I'll be talking about a new product that I'm seriously loving - Dior's Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush lipsticks. Dior has been blowing it out of the park in the past couple of years. They're quietly overstepping YSL as my favorite high-end cosmetics brand. What's always pushed YSL over the edge for me has been their lipsticks.  However, I have to say they've been slacking in that department for me lately. In fact, I haven't bought a single new YSL item in months. I think they really need to step up their game to keep up with Dior and Chanel's consistently impressive collections. Sorry, going off topic! 

Anyways, I've been tauting the Dior Addict Extreme #336 St. Tropez lipstick as one of my all-time favorites all summer, and with this new range of "nude" lipsticks (I put it in quotes because which shades fall into that category will entirely depend on the individual), I think I've stumbled upon another HG lipstick from Dior. Color me impressed!

I believe there are 8 shades in the range (although some retailers are listing 6, like Sephora). Three of them stood out for me:

Trompe L'Oeil 123, Indiscrete 228, Swan 263

swatched top to bottom in the same order

Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush in 123 Trompe L'Oeil

Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush in 123 Trompe L'Oeil

Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush in 228 Indiscrete

Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush in 228 Indiscrete

 Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush in 263 Swan

Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush in 263 Swan

Trompe L'Oeil is a pale peach nude that looks a bit pink when applied to my lips. All three shades are glossy and sheer, but buildable. Trompe L'Oeil, however, required more layering to get an even, more opaque coverage. For those who like shades like GOSH Darling, Revlon Creamsicle, and MAC Creme d'Nude, I think you'll love this shade.  It's not my favorite of the three, but I don't regret purchasing it, and I do like it.

Indiscrete is my favorite favorite favorite! I love this shade so much that I'm a bit panicked about whether these are limited edition shades.  I WILL use the whole tube. The shade reminds me of YSL Rouge Pur Couture #06 Rose Bergmasque, one of my all-time favorite lipsticks EVER. It's glossy and reasonably moisturizing, and leaves minimal "damage" behind after several hours of wear (i.e. dried bits in the center of the lip - my PET PEEVE!). Here are a couple of photos of me wearing it to work the other day (no balm under or gloss over):

Pretty much the definition of a "my lips but better" shade!

Swan is the shade that I didn't expect to love, but do.  When I first saw swatches on Fruity Lashes, I completely overlooked this one. However, when I saw them at my Macy's counter and swatched it on the back of my hand, I loved it! Sometimes it's wise to just swatch things for yourself instead of judging from someone else's swatches, especially when it comes to lip products. I think this a great everyday pink that would look good on a multitude of skintones. Like Indiscrete, Swan is a very easy-to-wear, goes-with-anything shade.

The Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blushes do have that signature slightly rose, slightly powdery scent/taste. I remember it being stronger in the regular Rouge Dior line, but I could be mistaken (I don't currently own any shades from the regular Rouge Dior line). If you're sensitive to scented lip products, you may want to test it out at the counter first.

These are definitely Jess-approved, and highly recommended! Dior is on a roll, and I'm pretty freaking happy about it. :)

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,
Jess

Goodbye Summer, Hello Blog Sale!

Hey beautiful people! I completely redid my blog sale post, adding loads of new items, including some non-makeup items like skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Definitely trying to clear house! You can see the post by clicking here. Thanks so much, and happy shopping!

xoxo,
Jess

I'm alive, just a slacker!

Hello lovely blog readers! I realize that it's been ages (almost two months!) since I've posted here. I've been such a slacker!

Oh, hi! Remember me?

What about us?

There are lots of excuses (it's been a rough summer, I was traveling, etc.) but to be honest, I just haven't been motivated lately. I've been posting on Instagram TONS (I'm @dontcallmejesse there, if you'd like to follow me there! I also share all my Instagram photos to Twitter, where I'm @dontcallmejesse as well), but I've been slacking in all other areas!

I was really getting into making YouTube videos... and then my camera lens broke (it wouldn't retract). I've filmed two videos with my phone camera since then, and I've filmed two others I have yet to upload (blargh!) but I just can't afford to buy a new camera right now, but next month is my birthday month, so fingers crossed, friends! >_<

I have some beauty-related posts I plan on putting up in the next week or two, but first I thought I'd give you two "life updates."

1.) Lola is now Charlie. Yep, he's a boy.  He also was not a stray! He actually had an owner in the next building.  Long story short, though, he's still my cat and his previous owner and I have become friends (and she comes to visit him often). He's been an indoor cat since I took him in, and sometimes it's been a struggle - he and Mouse don't always get along, and when I let the kitties on the patio, I have to "supervise" to make sure Charlie doesn't try to escape through the screen!), but he's getting more and more used to his new home and family, and I love him very much!

2.) I'm officially an aunt/ my brother is a dad! Aaaand I got to meet her! I went to Chicago and Cincinnati to visit my family, and though Kim (my brother's fiance) wasn't due until August 7th (when I'd be back at work in Orlando), she actually gave birth on August 3rd, when I was in Chicago! I'm so excited to be an aunt, and I can't wait to watch her grow up. :) Introducing my beautiful niece, Adaline Patricia...

(I can't believe my baby brother is a daddy!)

3.) I said goodbye to my childhood home.  Well, technically my home from 4th grade on, but still. My parents are selling their house and moving to a condo in Chicago. Pushed by the birth of their new granddaughter? Perhaps! I was lucky that I had an opportunity to visit Cincinnati for a few days in the middle of my Chicago trip (yay for Megabus!) and spend some time with my parents there. It was so bizarre seeing my old bedroom almost completely bare (nearly the whole house, in fact!). I've never been very good with big chances, but I'm pretty excited for them to get settled into their new place. It will be nice having everyone in the same city - except for me, of course. But maybe someday that will change...

Thanks so much for reading, and for sticking with me through that awful dry spell! >_< No more of that! Let me know if there are any posts you'd like to see from me in the near future - I'm definitely open to ideas! Thanks again! :)

Lots of love!

xoxo,

Jess