Introducing Lola :)

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you already know that I have a new little one in my family. Her name is Lola, and she was a stray kitty that I'd been feeding for some time. She was always so unbelievably friendly with me, that I'm certain she was abandoned. She'd let me carry her, pet her, and weave herself around my legs when she'd see me. When I learned she was declawed I couldn't bear the thought of her living outside and lacking her biggest defense mechanism. How could someone declaw a kitty and then abandon her? The cruelty astounds me.


Anyways, I was perfectly happy with my two little monsters, but I'm even happier now to have Lola, too.  I feel like our little family is now complete. :)

I was talking to Mom one night, and she said I seem to be recreating our pet family from my childhood. We had two male cats (Casper and Tiger) and one female (Stephanie, who was also a rescue!). I hadn't even thought of that, but I think maybe subconsciously I was! We also had a dog, but I don't think I can handle four pets on my own! haha Even a crazy cat lady has her pet-housing limits! ;)

And a couple of funny Sammy pics, just because... 

(doin' some yoga-napping!)

Love you guys (and your pets, too!), and as always, thanks for reading!

xoxo,

<3 Jess

...and Sammy, Mouse, and Lola ;)

Blog sale updated, new items added :)

Hey lovelies! Just wanted to post a quick note that I've updated my blog sale. I've added some new items and also reduced prices on a few things as well.  You can see the post by clicking here. Thanks!

xoxo,
Jess

Too Faced La Creme Color Drenched Lip Creams: Review & Swatches

I'm surprised to see myself saying this, but I think Too Faced's fall 2012 collection is my favorite I've seen so far. It sure doesn't hurt that it includes a new 16-shade line of lipsticks, all with pretty adorable names I might add. They're called La Creme Color Drenched Lip Creams, but I'll just be calling them La Cremes, because ridiculously long product names irritate me. ;)  Anyways, I love these, and had to share my thoughts - along with swatches, of course!

Nude Beach, Naked Dolly, and Marshmallow Bunny

(top to bottom) Nude Beach, Naked Dolly, Marshmallow Bunny

Nude Beach

Nude Beach

Naked Dolly (my favorite - reminiscent of YSL Tea Rose *swoon*)

Naked Dolly

Marshmallow Bunny

Marshmallow Bunny

All three shades are creamy and opaque, and have a sweet sugary lemon taste (bakery lemon, as opposed to medicinal/kitchen lemon) that fades a bit after application. Marshmallow Bunny has a quality to it that I find hard to describe. It's not shimmery, frosty, or even pearly, but it does have more of a "glow" to it than Nude Beach or Naked Dolly. I also think it doesn't look as smooth on the lips, though it feels smooth when applying. I can't help but think Marshmallow Bunny will be the runaway hit in this line - it's a pretty unique pink, neutral and bright at the same time, and not too cool-toned. 

As I noted in the swatches, Naked Dolly is my favorite.  It reminds of YSL Rouge Pur 148 Tea Rose, just a tad sheerer (nothing beats the opacity of YSL lipsticks, in my experience!).  Nude Beach reminds me of a more nude MAC Patisserie. Like I said, Marshmallow Bunny is pretty unique, and no dupes spring to mind right away. Maybe the Revlon lip butter in Strawberry Shortcake - though I think this is much, much better!

To sum it up in one sentence: I love pretty much everything about these. The packaging is sleek and slim, and the outer cardboard packaging is even lovelier (I haven't been able to get them into the trash bin as of yet...). I love the formula - it's creamy, glossy, and feels light on the lips.  It's not perfect (tell me if you find a lipstick that is!), and my lips do begin to feel dry after a few hours, when the product begins to wear off. And these shades? SO ME. As previously mentioned, there are 16 shades in the line in total, and I'm so happy with the three I blind-ordered that I'm curious to try more. 

I ordered from TooFaced.com, which I'd never done before.  I used a 10% off promo code, and shipping was free over $50. I was really pleased with the presentation when I received my package - pink box AND pink filler? Yes, please! Also love the three generous samples. The shade of gloss (Barely Legal) is a shade I'd actually gravitate towards (pink nude, of course) and the Lashgasm mascara (name cringe) is surprising fantastic. I have yet to try the Beauty Balm, though - new face products make me nervous!

So sorry for my obscenely long absence from my blog. I basically lost motivation, but it's slowly coming back to me, so don't give up on me yet. :) And if for some odd reason you need to see or hear more from me, you can find me on Twitter, YouTube, or Instagram (dontcallmejesse - I post all my photos to Twitter as well) in the meantime! 

Thanks for reading! Love you guys!

xoxo,

<3 Jess

blog sale (yes, again...)

You don't know how much it pains me to find myself posting a blog sale again after too many weeks have gone by without any posts of any sort... and my last post was a blog sale post as well. What can I say, though, times they are a'tough. :\ However, I couldn't deal with seeing two blog sale posts back to back, so instead of creating a new one, I just amended the original post and moved all the older items to the bottom.  Keeping it simple or something to that effect!

Anyways, my sincerest apologies for my absence.  I've been pre-occupied with YouTube (click here if you'd like to see my recent videos) and Instagram (you can find me there as "dontcallmejesse" - I've been posting swatches and product photos there as well!). Basically the time I was spending blogging before has been spent filming videos instead.  I promise I will try to find a way to balance both in the future.  I can't just abandon my baby! >_<  Thank you for sticking with me. :)

Cutting to the point, here is the link to the blog sale. Happy shopping, lovely ladies and gents! :)

Love you all lots and lots. <3

xoxo,
Jess

the official blog sale post! *ON HIATUS*

**UPDATE: Due to current weather conditions in Chicago (and the fact that I am no longer driving), I will not be making any trips to the post office in the near future. When weather improves, I will be able to ship items again, and will probably add new items to this post as well. Thanks for understanding!**

Yes, it's blog sale time again! In other words, time to purge the overflowing stash. >_< 

All used/swatched lipsticks will be wiped clean before shipping. Further disinfecting is at the buyer's discretion.

If an item's box is shown in the photo, the box will be included.

ALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN USED/SWATCHED 1-2 TIMES UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.

If you are interested in anything, please CONTACT ME by e-mail @ jewel1996@aol.com. In the initial e-mail message, please include the item(s) you would like along with your full name and shipping address. I will reply promptly with the total and my paypal information.

Payments must be received within 24 hrs from when my response e-mail is sent. If I do not receive payment for an item(s) by the 24-hour mark, it/they will be taken off hold.  Please note: I WILL NOT SHIP ORDERS UNDER $10. (I no longer have a car, and it's not worth the effort!)

SHIPPING

US: $5 (includes tracking number). 

EVERYWHERE ELSE: $10.

ALL SALES ARE FINAL, no refunds or returns.

Now that that's out of the way, on with the fun stuff!! :D

• YSL Rouge Volupte Perle #108 Celestial Mauve $23 SOLD
• Estee Lauder Vivid Shine Pure Color lipstick in Mauve Struck $15 SOLD
• Estee Lauder Vivid Shine Pure Color lipstick in Hot Coraline (used ~3 times) $12 SOLD
• Dolce & Gabbana Classic Cream lipstick in Mandorla $23
• Clarins Rouge Prodige #101 Tender Rose $14 SOLD

• Chanel Rouge Coco Shine #68 Candeur (LE) $25 SOLD
• Chanel Rouge Coco Shine #48 Evasion (used ~3 times) $20 SOLD
• Chanel Rouge Allure Intense #112 Fantasque (LE) $23
• Tom Ford Lip Color in Spanish Pink $35 SOLD
• Dior Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush #123 Trompe L'Oeil $21 SOLD
• Dior Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush #263 Swan $21 SOLD

• Kevyn Aucoin Expert Lip Color in Bloodroses $21 SOLD
• Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Color in Melba $18
• Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Angelic $18
• Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited BG 911 $21
• Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Parisienne Pink (LE, Mon Shu Girl packaging) $21

• MAC lipsticks (LE): Deepest Wish, Dramatic Encounter $12 each

• Flower Beauty (Drew Barrymore) Velvet Kiss Sticks in Set Me Freesia, Chocolate Lily $3 each

• Topshop Lip Bullet in There She Goes $9
• Khroma Beauty Joystick in Modern Mauve $6

• MAC eyeshadows (all LE): Surf USA, Vainglorious SOLD, Smoke & Diamonds SOLD (S&D used 3-4 times) $10 each
• Urban Decay Moondust shadow in Diamond Dog $8 SOLD
• Armani Eyes to Kill shadow in #6 Khaki Pulse $20 SOLD
• NARS single eyeshadow in Etrusque $15 SOLD

(all used 1-3 times)

• LUSH Gorilla Perfume Forum Special (LE) Snowshowers (1 oz) $30
• Robert Piguet Fracas (1 oz) $25
• Tokyomilk Dark Everything & Nothing (2 oz) $20 SOLD
• Fresh Cannabis Santal (1 oz) $25 SOLD

Items still available from previous blog sale:

• Topshop Lips in Fawn (swatched 1x) $9
• Topshop Lips in Wicked (swatched 1x) $9
• MAC Reel Sexy (worn 1x) $12 SOLD
• MAC Watch Me Simmer (swatched 1x) $13 SOLD
• Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous (worn 1x) $3

• Burberry Lip Cover in #27 Tulip Pink (used 2x) $21 SOLD
• Dolce & Gabbana Passion Duo Gloss Fusion lipstick in #200 Imperial (used 2x) $20 SOLD
• Paul & Joe Sheer lipstick in #103 Just Peachy (used 1x) $15
• Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited OR520 (swatched 1x) $18 SOLD
• Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited BG907 (discontinued, used 2-3x) $12 SOLD
• Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited PK320M (discontinued, swatched 2x) $12 SOLD

• Sephora Color Last lipstick in Oh My Beige (used 1x) $6
• Barry M Lip Paints: #100 Baby Pink, #52 Shocking Pink SOLD, #146 Dolly Pink SOLD, #129 Palest Lavender (all swatched 1x) SOLD  $2 each 
• Victoria's Secret VS Perfect lipstick in Heartbeat (swatched 1x) $5
• Topshop Lips in Ohh La La (worn 1-2x) $10

• Revlon Colorburst lipstick in Fashion's Night Pout (LE, never used) $4
• Revlon Colorburst lipstick in Peach (swatched 1x) $3 SOLD
• Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake $3 SOLD
• Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Siren $3
• Revlon Matte lipstick in Smoked Peach $3 SOLD
• Revlon Colorstay Soft & Smooth lip color in 375 Ripened Red $3

MAC Pigments:

• The Family Crest (new packaging, LE, swatched 1x) $8 SOLD
• Pinked Mauve (mini from holiday set, never used) $5
• Royal Flush (discontinued packaging, used 1x) $8

• MAC e/s: All That Glitters SOLD, All Races SOLD, Bough Grey SOLD, Maira's Mood, Sushi Flower SOLD $7 each

• Urban Decay e/s: Woodstock $6
• Make Up For Ever e/s no. 09 $6

Thank you so much for looking! :)

If you see anything you like, please e-mail me @ jewel1996@aol.com with the name(s) of the (items) you would like, along with your full name and shipping address. I will get back to you as soon as possible. 

Thanks again. :D

xoxo,

<3 Jess

my life via instagram, pt. II

Hi all! Sorry I've been utter crap about updating my blog. I don't have a lot of time (when I'm not exhausted) during my week, and lately when I have had some time I've been posting on Instagram, Twitter, or trying to make videos for Youtube. I did also have a teeth-cleaning appointment on one of my days off last week, does that count as an excuse? ;) Anyways, to sum it up, sorry for my slacking. I know not everyone has Instagram, or follows me on Twitter, so I'm going to continue to do these "my life via instagram" posts on a somewhat-regular basis. Hope you enjoy! :)

By the way, I'm going to be having another blog sale very soon! It should be up by Sunday, so keep your eyes peeled if you're interested. :) I'll also tweet about it before it goes live.

On with the show! (heh, I wrote "shoe" first.)

multi-colored mani 

my kitties turned 1-year-old! (oldest pic i have of them, with their litter mate marcel)

another picture of muh bebes as tinies <3

...and another.

Revlon Photoready Cream Blushes in Pinched & Coral Reef

...swatched in the same order

rainy day

wrist (j.crew, michael kors, loft)

matchy-matchy (illamaqua nomad on nails)

face pic.

less filtered.

...and no filter.

yogurt boobies.

out.

cutest thing i've ever bought? (littlest pet shop mama & baby deer)

awesome window display (louis vuitton) - was this the work of katniss everdeen??

tuxedo chunk <3

black velvet chunk <3

my lover, chanel bronzing powder in sable rose.

my beautiful mother turned 60 this past monday. <3 <3 

(i'm the one with the baby-mullet.)

new revlon scented nail polishes in apricot pastry & strawberry cream

 

"creative" nail swatching (opposite order, obviously!)

the yummiest candle.

face again, this time wearing chanel sable rose.

Like I said, I hope you enjoy these photo-heavy posts. And if you would like to see more of me (God help you), you can also find me on Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram (duh... *see title of post*). My Instagram name is dontcallmejesse (same as my Twitter username) if you'd like to find me there.

I've posted four videos in the past week, but here's the most recent one (filmed the same day that the last photo was taken) if you care to watch me being a dork whilst doing the 10 Little Secrets Tag:

Thanks so much for reading (and watching, and following, and any and all of the awesome things you guys do!). Love you guys!

xoxo,

<3 Jess