face, outfit, & nails of the day (& some busy kitties)

Hello, friends! It's tax-free weekend here in Orlando, and that makes this shopaholic one happy girl! My friend and I went shopping together on Saturday to take advantage (I'll show you what I picked up in my next post!). It's kind of my ritual to go shopping/browsing on Sunday, when I'm off work, and I'd even gotten my grocery shopping done Saturday, so I'd been thinking, "What will I do with my day now??" Well, of course, this morning I go to take my allergy pill, and it's the last one.  Oh, darn, another trip to Target? ;)

Anyways, the sun was out in full force when I went outside to take some face pics before I left -- it was brutal!! I just snapped these really quickly (I think I even had a brush/kitty hair on my nose!) and ran back inside. I'm not a summer girl! Needless to say, I wanted to keep the makeup simple. I'm really liking light makeup looks lately.  I find them easier to pull off when my hair is lighter, too - when my hair was dark, light makeup made me look even paler than I already am -  not good.

FACE 

Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation (my new HG foundation, no question!)

Dior Aurora

Chanel Bronze Rose (as blush)

TheBalm Mary Lou-Manizer

Garnier Anti-Dark Circle roller

EYES

UDPP in Sin

Buxom Stay-There shadow in Mutt

MAC Shadestick in Nurture (under eyes, in inner corners, and cupid's bow)

MAC Lingering brow pencil

FairyDrops Scandal Queen mascara

LIPS

MAC Blossom Culture sheen supreme lipstick

NAILS

OPI Uh-Oh Roll Down the Window (still cringing at that name)

TOP: Gap

SHORTS, BAG, NECKLACE: Target

FLATS: J.Crew

And I picked up something unexpected at Target...

(will be whipping out my Spanx for this!)

Next month, my parents will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary here in Orlando with my brother and me (and my birthday just happens to be in September, too), and I thought this dress would be a nice choice for when we all go to dinner together. :) I'm so excited for their visit!

I'll show you the rest of my tax-free shopping from Saturday in my next post, which should be up by Tuesday.

I can't go without sharing some pics of my little guys - I can't believe how quickly they're growing! As you can see, they've been very busy this week....

Donating to Goodwill...

Doing the laundry...

Doing the dishes...

Trying on shoes...

...and making me smile, of course :)

As always, thanks so much for reading! 

xoxo,

<3 Jess

my recent purchases (ulta, b&bw, chanel, aldo, target, anthro)

Hi ladies! I did a bit of shopping this past weekend... It was so much fun to let loose a bit, as funds have been tight lately, and I haven't been able to have a fun shopping weekend like this in a loooong time. Of course, I still didn't go crazy or anything, though, and I took advantage of coupons, as always! :D Coupons are a girl's best friend!

Enjoy! :)

ULTA:

($8.50 in coupons)

• John Frieda Go Blonder controlled lightening spray
• Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller
• OPI Uh-Oh Roll Down the Window (WORST NAIL POLISH NAME EVER!!)
• Smashbox Girls on Film blush rush in Silhouette
• Redken Guts10 (mini)

• Smashbox Doubletake Lip Color in Gossamer (Macy's)
• Royal Apothic Extract of Macaroon fragrance rollerball (Anthropologie)

Smashbox Doubletake Lip Color in Gossamer

Bath & Body Works:

(buy 2, get 1 free; $10 off total purchase)

• C.O. Bigelow Lemon & Ginger tinted lip balm
• C.O. Bigelow Mentha Supreme 2X lip shine
• C.O. Bigelow Mentha lip shine in Cinnamint

C.O. Bigelow Lemon & Ginger tinted lip balm

Bath & Body Works: 

($10 off total purchase)

• mini emery boards
• Apple Crumble home fragrance refill
• Caramel Apple home fragrance refill
• Fruit Punch pocketBac hand sanitizer
• Black Candy Apple mini body lotion
• Marshmallow anti-bacterial foaming hand soap

• Raccoon home fragrance plug-in cover (B&BW)

• Chanel Rouge Allure Desinvolte (Nordstrom Anniversary Sale exclusive - bought this last week, the very last day of the sale!)

• NYX Summer Love lipstick (Ulta)

• Feather earrings + studs set (Aldo)

wearing the feather earrings (and a goofy face)

• Merona leopard-print faux animal hair flats (Target)

Cosmetics swatched...

TOP: Chanel Desinvolte, C.O. Bigelow Lemon & Ginger tinted lip balm

MIDDLE: NYX Summer Love, Smasbox DoubleTake lip color in Gossamer lip liner side, Gossamer lip color side

BOTTOM: Smashbox Girls on Film blush rush in Silhouette

Of course, as always I had some assistance in the making of this post!

Mouse: "Okay, now you grab the other side, then we can make a run for it with the loot!"

Sammy: "Is there Chanel in there? I like Chanel..."

Both: "If we stare enough, she will acknowledge our cuteness with treats."

One more for the road!

Thanks for reading. Love you guys!

xoxo,

<3 Jess (and Sammy & Mouse!)

natural makeup on a rainy day (w/ootd, notd, and kitties!)

Hello lovely ladies! I've had a quite a fun weekend, full of shopping and kitty-snuggling - two of my all-time favorite things!  I'd originally planned to take photos for a haul post this morning, but alas, the weather was against me, as it rained most of the day. :P I'm still planning on doing that tomorrow, though, because I'm so excited to share what I picked up, and I haven't done a haul post in forever! I know some might disagree, but I always LOVE reading haul posts. Same as with favorites posts, they give me loads of ideas for new things to add to my wish list, and my wish list and I are BFFs. :) Besides, sharing your finds with friends is half the fun of shopping!

Anyways, back to *this* post! I was walking tutorials on Smashbox's website Sunday night (I'm crushing on their Girls on Film collection!), and they inspired me to do a simple, natural look today. The yucky weather was added motivation.

FACE: 

Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm

Dior Aurora

Smashbox Girls on Film blush rush in Silhouette

The Balm Mary Lou-Manizer (applied *very* lightly!)

EYES:

Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller (under eyes)

MAC Painterly paint pot

UD Naked palette: Naked, Buck, Smog, Darkhorse

UD 24/7 liner in Whiskey (smudged on upper lashline)

MAC I Get No Kick eye kohl

MAC Lingering brow pencil

Maybelline The Falsies Flared mascara

LIPS:

C.O. Bigelow Lemon & Ginger tinted lip balm (this stuff is amaaaazing - so glossy, hydrating, and yummy!)

Zoomed to show glossiness of the lip balm!

NAILS:

Essie Going Incognito

(savvy mall elevator shot!)

TOP: Gap

SCARF: J.Crew

SHORTS: Target

FLATS: Vivienne Westwood for Melissa

BAG: Zara**

WATCH: Michael Kors Rose Gold

**Mini Bag Rant: I bought this Zara bag about 2 years ago (you can't see in the pic but it has an adorable bow at the front and gold hardware - which I love!). Well, much to my chagrin, the zipper broke about a WEEK into using it. I stashed the bag away because I liked it too much to get rid of it, and didn't know how to fix it.  I've been using it again the past two weeks, and already the handle seams are tearing. I believe I paid about $80 for it, and while it's no "luxury" brand, I expect better quality for that price.  I've bought bags for $15 at Target that have lasted years! :P

I stayed home most of the day, but I had to mail a blog sale package, and one of the malls near me happens to have a post office in it, so I took advantage as I was in a browsing mood anyways (I did pick up one tiny thing at Anthropologie, though, which you'll see shortly!). I continued my browsing tour over at Barnes & Noble, reading some magazines and drinking a lackluster Starbucks Chocolate Banana smoothie (tasted like chocolate powder, banana, and water...). Despite the smoothie, it was a really relaxing day!

Then, of course, I get home and Mouse pulls the runner off my coffee table... while I had a half-full glass of Moscato on it...

And later he tried to jump on my lap but slipped and dragged his claws down my leg as he fell.  I never knew a howl like that could come out of my throat.

Minor disasters aside, adopting these babies was the best decision I've made in a looong time.  They bring so much joy to my life! And since you guys seem to like them, too, I thought I'd share some more pics of them. 

Alright, alright, that's all, I promise! Love you guys and thanks for reading!  Haul post to come soon...

xoxo,

<3 Jess the Crazy Cat Lady

my current skincare routine

My skin and I have been getting along pretty well lately, so I thought it'd be a good time to share my current skincare routine. I'll preface this by saying that I do take a women's multivitamin and a cod liver oil pill once daily, as well as something else a lot of women my age take when they're not ready for young'ns, if you get my drift. ;) That might be TMI for some of you, but I know for a fact that it helps my skin - I was actually prescribed it at first to help with my skin.

I had pretty bad acne as a teen, and was put on a pill (unfortunately I can't remember what it was; not Accutane!) by a dermatologist in high school that really helped clear it up. Currently my skin problems are redness and the occasional breakout (usually around my chin or jawline). My skin is combination - oily t-zone, dry cheeks. My skin is also sensitive - lots of products break me out!

Hope this is helpful!

1. Basic Cleansers

I use bareMinerals Deep Cleansing Foam in the shower in the AM most days. It's very gentle and has a nice light scent. I love how it builds up a lather when you rub it between your hands.

At night I use Origins Checks and Balances Frothy face wash (which has a relaxing, herbal scent) with Sephora's pink rubber cleansing pad. I just wet the cleansing pad, put a pea size amount of face wash on the pad, then apply it in circular motions all over my face.  I then use a hot, wet muslin cloth (trust me, you don't want to see a photo of that rag!) to rinse my face. I feel so refreshed afterwards!

2. Exfoliators and makeup remover wipes!

Before I cleanse my face at night, I remove my makeup with Neutrogena's Makeup Remover cleansing towelettes. It only takes one towelette to get rid of pretty much everything. However, I don't find it sufficient to just use this without washing my face afterwards.  Trust me, without cleansing, there *will* be makeup left behind!

I use Origins Brighter By Nature peel pads twice a week (as directed) after cleansing at night. They leave my skin feeling extra clean and refreshed. 

Two to three times a week I use Lush Dark Angels cleanser in the AM. It does an amazing job of exfoliating and has a beautiful herbal scent that really wakes me up. If you liked MAC's Volcanic Ash exfoliator, you'll love this.  I can't believe it doesn't get more love. One thing I will recommend, though, is that you really rinse this stuff off good, or else follow with a toner, or you might find pieces left behind.

3. Toner, Moisturizer, and Spot Treatment 

On the rare occasion that I use a toner (overall I find them unnecessary), I reach for Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free Toner. I like that it's alcohol-free, so it's gentle on my sensitive skin.  The rose scent is very light and non-offensive as well.

Origins Vitazing is my go-to daily moisturizer. It goes on smooth, contains SPF, makes skin "glowy," and is just fun to use (beads!). I don't currently use a moisturizer at night as I have yet to find one that doesn't irritate my skin.  Right now, I think my skin's doing just fine without the extra moisture. :)

A skincare trick I've learned is that clay masks make AWESOME overnight spot treatments! My favorite is the Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox Ultra-Cleansing Mud Mask. I just dab it onto problem areas at night before bed and by morning any pimples are significantly shrunken.  It works especially well when you feel a pimple coming in - when I apply this, the pimple that was forming under my skin is gone by morning! I've used Fresh's Umbrian Clay treatment bar for this purpose as well (not photographed, because it's in a well-loved state!), and while it gets the same results, it's also waaaaay more pricey than Deep Down Detox, which is $5.99 at Ulta (and coupon-eligible). The Fresh treatment bar is $38 at Sephora.  Pick your poison.

So that's my routine!

For reference, my completely bare face. Oh, by the way, I'm blonde again! :)

And after makeup... (sorry it's not the best quality - it was getting dark out!)

FACE: 

Boscia BB Cream

Dior Aurora

NARS Luster blush

TheBalm Mary Lou-Manizer

EYES: 

Wet 'n Wild Walking on Eggshells palette

MAC Blacktrack fluidline

MAC I Get No Kick eye kohl

Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara

LIPS: 

Clarins Rouge Prodige in Tender Rose

Thanks so much for reading!  And please, if you have any recommendations for a nightly moisturizer, do share!

xoxo,

<3 Jess

July Favorites :)

• Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation (Shade 51) - Dare I say I've found my HG foundation? I know I've sung the praises repeatedly for Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua and NARS Sheer Glow (which I still think are amazing foundations), but this one blows them out of the water. It has perfect medium coverage. It's dewy but not oily. It has a pump dispenser (yes, this is important to me!). It lasts all day. It doesn't break me out.  And the best part - it cost $17 from ASOS.com! Seriously, this baby doesn't get enough recognition for how amazing it is! Thanks so much to J for convincing me I needed to try it!

• Origins Vitazing - My go-to moisturizer this past month.  It doesn't break me out, moisturizes really well, smells nice, and has SPF. The end.

• Aveda Volumizing Tonic - This is one of my all-time favorite hair products.  Not sure if you can tell, but this bottle is empty! I had to repurchase this past weekend. It is basically a root boost spray. I spritz it on my roots after blow-drying and give my hair a "jush" (yes, I just said "jush") and helloooo, volume. It almost doubles as a hairspray as well, as it holds my hair in place perfectly! And please don't get me started on the scent - it's gorgeous!

• Topshop Nevada lipstick - This is pretty much perfection in a tube.  It's what I wanted Desert to be when Topshop first released their makeup line last year. It's a soft beige with just a hint of pink. I love the light rose scent of Topshop lipsticks, too - it's very light and not cloying at all, as rose scents often are. The formula's not perfect (though most lipstick formulas aren't!) as it does dry out my lips and can't withstand a night of work for this reason. But it's great for nights off!

• YSL Rouge Volupte Perles for Fall 2011 - Insolent Beige, Celestial Mauve, and Incandescent Orange - As I'm sure you all know, I am a YSL lipstick ADDICT. I should seriously work for them, considering how much I sing their praises.  When YSL first came out with the Rouge Volupte Perle line, though, I was completely underwhelmed and disappointed.  Well, they've outdone themselves with the Fall 2011 collection.  These shades are real stunners.  I even devoted to posts to them this month, which you can find here and here. I found mine at Neiman Marcus, but YSL has the collection up on their website with free shipping now, and I've also seen them on Nordstrom's website.  There are some other beautiful things in the collection, too - I'd highly recommend checking it out! 

• Chanel Prelude Quad - My darling Rachel enabled me on this one.  It's just a really nice basic palette that's perfect for work, but can be dramatic, too. And I love that top left shade!! Although I agree with Rachel about the bottom left shade - it's a dud (too sheer!).

• MAC Warmth of Coral mineralize blush - Before MAC's Semi Precious collection was released, I was only interested in the Pressed Amber mineralized blush. Well, as things turn out, I ended up with the Blue Sheen mineralize eyeshadow (pretty, but not sure how to wear it!) and this blush. Initially I thought, "eh, I have too many coral blushes. Pass." Well, I'm so glad I didn't! This is such a gorgeous blush. It looks incredibly natural on my skin, and though it's matte (which I also love), it makes my skin look more radiant. It's perfect with smoky eyes, as it doesn't compete for attention. Love it.

• Maybelline The Falsies Flared + MUFE Smoky Lash mascaras - Maybelline's The Falsies Flared is possibly the best drugstore mascara I've tried to date. It added lots of volume and quite a bit of length, too.  However, as is the problem with many drugstore mascaras, it's just not black enough! That's where Smoky Lash comes in. It's super black and lengthening - perfect as a top coat!

• MAC Lord It Up Pearlglide eyeliner - This was released with the Tartan Tale collection this past winter. I gave it some love initially, but kind of forgot about.  Well, I've rediscovered its gorgeousness this past month.  It's perfect on the waterline when I do a smoky eye. I especially love it blended with Urban Decay's 24/7 liner in Lucky (another favorite). It already has depth, but combined with Lucky, it's really stunning. The wear time on these is really great, too!

• Philosophy Frosted Animal Cracker 3-in-1 - Something you might not know about me is that I loooove Philosophy 3-in-1s. You could say it's an addiction.  When the circus-themed products were released, I ordered this and the Pink Cotton Confection lotion from Sephora without even giving them a sniff first. I knew I would love them - and I was right! This smells like creamy frosting with a hint of lemon. Yum!

• Desert Organics Spicy Vanilla Chai hand & body lotion - This lotion smells exactly like it sounds, and for someone who is obsessed with chai tea, that is a very good thing! I keep this at my bedside table and put it on my hands before bed - it's such a relaxing scent, and moisturizes quite well. Desert Organics products are available at Whole Foods Market.

• Philosophy Pink Cotton Confection lotion - This lotion smells a bit like Aquolina Pink Sugar, but in my opinion much better (I've never liked Pink Sugar!). It's a light, non-offensive scent that works great as a body lotion, as I've yet to find a perfume it doesn't complement. And besides, how cute is that packaging?? Ridiculous.

• Chanel Graphite - This is one of two Chanel polishes I own (the other is Gold Fiction, which is oooold!). I'm just not a fan of pricey polish, when there are almost always dupable shades for cheaper. However, when I saw this in person I couldn't resist. I just couldn't imagine finding a perfect dupe for this - it has so much depth!

• Sally Hansen Without a Stitch - This is a can't-go-wrong nude that is opaque in two coats.  It's perfect for when you want a simple "mannequin hands" look!

"I can has makeups?"

Other non-beauty things I've been loving this month:

• The Nine Lives of Chloe King (ABC Family)- I'm really getting tired of Pretty Little Liars and its crappy storylines (anyone with me?), but this show, which airs right after PLL, hasn't disappointed me yet! I would watch this show just for Alek (Benjamin Stone) and his smexy British accent.

Benjamin Stone

• Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block (if you read my last post, that's a DUH!)
• The 90's are All That! (TeenNick)- Hello, reruns of Clarissa Explains It All, Doug, All That... I am SO THERE! And with TheHUB airing Jem (my favorite 80's cartoon), too, my inner child is in HEAVEN.
• Degrassi: Now or Never (TeenNick)- This show is so ridiculous yet so addictive. And I love that it's on four nights a week!
• True Blood - It's back on, yay!!
• The video for Jennifer Lopez's "I'm Into You." To quote SNL's the Antonio Banderas show, "Too sessy, no, too sessy!" Seriously, just watch it.

And, of course, my favorite favorites of all, my little babies Sammy and Mouse! 

I've woken up to Sammy snuggling up against my face the past four days in a row - cutest way to wake up ever!

Mouse likes to have his tummy rubbed - I think he's part puppy!

Okay, that's quite enough favorites for now, don't you think? ;) See you soon, lovelies!

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

<3 Jess