I am trying to will the warmer weather to exist via body lotion scent

OK, so who else is tired of this cold? Who else is OVER IT with the dry skin, chapped lips, weird hair, etc that just won't stop? Cause I sure the heck am.

To cheer myself up, and to try and will the nature gods to hurry up with spring...I bought a fun citrus scent the other day at Sephora for $5. FIVE. It was a whim purchase, but what a good whim it turned out to be. So good, in fact, that I'm considering buying other products with the same scent.


Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange. Reminds me of the blood orange mimosa's at Marche (Nash peeps will know about this deliciousness) It's light, citrusy with a mix of berry, and a bit musky (but not overwhelming) at the same time. When I wear it I usually don't wear perfume as well because it smells so good. Oh, and bonus that it is also a damn good moisturizer...in a decent size...for FIVE DOLLARS. I would pay full price of $12 for this in a heartbeat. It's also vegan and made with 100% natural products.

On sale at Sephora now. I believe the "limited time" designation is just for this particular size and price...so get yours while they last! Here's the LINK.

New eyeliner!

I don't know where I read about it, but I stumbled upon Revlon Color Stay eyeliner. (Revlon has been really getting it right lately with me...first Photofinish foundation which I STILL LOVE, and now this). I actually like it better than Stila eyeliner (discussed HERE), and it's a third of the price at only $7.49. It goes on smoother than most pencils I've tried, doesn't smudge at all, and lasts all day. It has a small sharpener at the bottom. There are a bunch of colors to choose from. I have Charcoal and Blackberry (a dark purple) that I really like. So, no more Stila for me....I'm sticking with the better and cheaper brand!!

photo courtesy of Walgreens.com

The dress I plan to wear every day until next winter

So I ran to Target today and decided to scan the new clothing...and I'm glad I did. Found this dress for $15. I bought two, one in bright blue and one in navy (stylin it below!) Pretty sure by the end of the day I will have gone back online and gotten black as well. Is it ridiculous to have the same dress in three colors? Maybe. But this dress is pretty versatile, so I think I'll get a lot of wear out them.

Thus my uniform for spring...this dress, a cardigan, leggings, and flip flops. This summer...this dress and flip flops. Easy to dress up or down with cute shoes, jewelry, and such. And I did say FIFTEEN dollars. The sizes are S, M, and L. They don't run big or small, so just get your normal size if you decide you also like this dress! Another plus...you can wear a normal bra with this, the straps won't show!

Here's the deal. Most of the time I work from home, and a girl needs to be comfy, but not look like a slob. I can't concentrate on work when I'm not properly dressed; it's a complex I have. Anywho... I also figured out a few years ago that knit dresses were basically pajamas for all intents and purposes...thus totally more comfortable than any other outfit AND they look cute. Win win situation here.

Target link: Mossimo Juniors Value Tank Dress

Just had to share

Did you know you can make lipstick with crayons? Ha! Cause you can. I read about it on Beauty Blogging Junkie, and she read about it on instructables.com. So click her site or..just click the other site HERE. Make sure to click the little pictures by each step to get the full details.

Seems pretty straightforward...get a chapstick tube, melt the crayon over a double boiler with various ingredients such as jojoba oil and lanolin...viola! Lipstick.

I have to admit...the ChemE in me is EXTREMELY interested in testing this out. I will have to go purchase crayons though...will let you know!

Things I didn't know...but sure wish I had earlier!

Um, so did any of you know that Rite Aid takes returns? As in you bought a beauty product...ANY product...and didn't like it so you can return it for a full refund?

CAUSE THEY DO.

I bought my husband some hair pomade...but accidentally bought the wrong one. We realized once it was opened and being used that it made his hair all Backstreet-boys-circa-99 shiny. Not cool. But I still had the receipt and had seen a small sign last time I was in there about returns. I thought surely they wouldn't take something back that was opened AND used. Wrong...they totally did! $18 bucks (yep, boys have expensive products too) right back in my pocket. I'm pretty sure they just toss the opened products, so you don't have to worry about getting something that someone else has used there.

Of course, be reasonable on your returns. It needs to be pretty obvious that you either never used it or only used it once. Otherwise I doubt they will take it back.

Soooo...lesson learned. If you are trying out something new--lipstick, foundation, shampoo--and realize pretty quickly that it's not going to work, at least at Rite Aid you can return!

All About Eyes

Just got my Allure in, and they have a good article about various moisturizers which I will blog more about later as I have time to test some of the drug store brands. (LaMer is in there, but you know, at $625 for an ounce this girl will be sticking with the cheap brands).


I digress. There WAS a department store brand I realized I hadn't mentioned yet. Clinique All About Eyes. I lurve this stuff. I was informed a few years ago by the Clinique lady that I had "very thin under-eye skin" (which is why you can see ALL my veins. Gross. I know.) and that I "MUST" start using some sort of cream, even if it wasn't Clinique. Well, wouldn't you know it the "all about eyes" came with the bonus that time. So I tried it out and really haven't switched since. It's this strange mix between lotion and gel. The "Rich" version IS more like lotion though, so if you have very dry skin I would go with this one. I only use it at night, but sometimes I will mix the teeny tiniest little dab with under eye concealer or foundation...it moisturizes my eyes AND helps the makeup go on smooth so I don't get that "She totally has on concealer cause it's cracking" look kickin.

So it's $28.50 for 0.5 oz, but this stuff really lasts for me because, again, I only use it at night. And it's so rich that you don't need much to do the job. HOWEVER...if you already buy Clinique they put this stuff in the bonuses all.the.time. I seriously have gone through a sample tube, a 0.25 oz rich version, and I'm still working on the 0.5 oz...all from bonuses. So if you want to test without a big commitment, keep your eyes peeled for a bonus. (Dillards is having one in March I think, but I don't know what is in the bonus pack yet). Or, just splurge and get it. Worth the money!

It was a winner in Glamour and Allure, btw. So people other than me have tested it out as well! :)

Stila Valentine's Set

I will go ahead and say right out that I REALLY don't like Valentine's day and do not celebrate it at ALL (LG I know it's your fav, but I'm just not down with it).


That being said... I can appreciate a fun little beauty buy for the day. And I may not like Valentines, but I DO like kitten eye shadow that I wear every.single.day. I've also been pleased with Stila mascara that I got in a set recently. Goes on well, not clumpy. The black shimmer would be fun for a night out as well. Those two alone would be close to $34, so to get that plus the stain and the skin luminizer is a nice deal.

Go to the STILA WEBSITE if you are interested in purchasing!

Busy day over at Allure

Hi all. This is a pretty nice little sweepstakes, and a GREAT time killer. :) But I NEVER procrastinate, so I wouldn't really know, right??

Anywho, it's the reader's choice awards from Allure. The survey is extensive, but you do not get penalized for skipping sections. For example, if you do not have a fav dept store lipstick, then you don't need to fill out. There is no purchase of Allure mag required. They do ask for your contact info. They also ask you to subscribe, but you can just click "No" if you aren't interested. I do, however, enjoy this mag, and if you have been wanting something new to read I recommend. Obviously up to you!!

Here's the details (copied from my email to you!)
"No matter how many sections you complete, you'll be entered to win a trip for two—with airfare and treatments—to the Exhale Mind/Body Spa at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, worth $7,890. If you complete all of the sections, you'll also have a shot at winning a $500 Beauty360 shopping spree, $350 worth of Neutrogena skin-care products, and $300 worth of gorgeous makeup and fragrances from Benefit*."

Click HERE or put this link in your browser:
http://www.tsgonline.com/studies/CN/allure200912/default.asp?id=DB

You have until Feb 28 to fill everything out!! Have fun!

How to Look Good In Heels

I thought this was interesting from the Allure Daily Reporter:

How to Look Good in Heels (Without Killing Your Feet)

Most interesting tip? Buy shoes that are slightly big to allow your feet to swell a bit...which I never do. Kinda makes sense though. There is really nothing worse than feelin smokin' hot but simultaneously contemplating cutting your foot off at the ankle. :)

Happy Tuesday!