14 Karat Rose

Is the name of the NYC Sparkle Eye Dust I worse today for RtS. I love the cute container with a brush built right in. It makes me feel like I am putting on fairy dust. However, this pink does nothing for me. Super cute in the jar, drab on my lids. I think Kate would love to play with this one though.

Yesterday, I found a new blogger that I love!! Her blog is the new edition to my sidebar - The Musings of a Not So Desperate Housewive. Mrs. Not So Desperate writes wonderful, intersting entries AND she posts pics of what she wore that day. And let me say, NSD has killer clothes. They are simply to die for!!

And so, because of her inspiration and the jcrew sale notification I got today, I did some shopping:





Sadly, I didn't get that shirt, my size sold out, but I really, REALLY wanted it.

And then from vineyard vines:

Box of Chocolates

RtS for today are two shades from the Bobbi Brown Chocolate Palette. If you remember, this caused quite the frenzy last fall. It was also my first, major have to have it, sold out product. I scored mine on makeupalley, by trading a $50 sephora GC for it. And while it is great, and I do love it, it is not the holy grail of eye shadow palettes. I also think I love it more for it's status than substance.

So today, I used Frappe and Cocoa Shimmer Wash. Usually frappe gives my eyes a great dusty taupe color, today it went on lighter. Cocoa Shimmer is a great dark, but not too dark color; the shimmer it in helping to keep things bright.

I still have 5 colors to go in the palette.

Smashbox Freebies

Monday's and Today's RtS's were both Smashbox freebies. One from a Let's Do Lunch, and the other a spend $X get this free.

So Monday was Eye Shadow Single in Posh. This is lavender shade with grey undertones and an iridescent finish. It is a totally stand alone color, supplemented only by black liner and mascara. And it is not a goes with anything color. It would be much better for a night look, but since I don't really go anywhere at night, I make all my stuff work for day. So I wore this with my schmatas going to target, to give a little oomph to my other wise blah-tastic ensemble.

Today I used the Hollywood Premiere Color Compact, and I went for using the whole she-bang. The major Pro: Since I was running late, I did my base make-up (concealor, powder, liner, mascara) and hit the road. I used the compact to do all my color on the bus. The major Con: The colors pretty much suck. I used the highliter on my brow bone - didn't do much highlighting. Used the gold color on my lids - I like this one. Used the copper on my outer corners - too much red in it. Used the navy as a liner - I like. Used the blush - don't like. Fiddled with all three lip colors - disgusting. So is the gold shadow worth the compact?? Hell No!!!
To Kate it goes.

**picture is of the same style compact - different colors.

Jane Iredale

Today's RtS are the Jane Iredale shadows I received from the first TestTube. The colors are natural, coffee, and maple. I used natural on the brow bone, coffee on the lid, and maple in the crease.

There's really nothing special about these. I can't tell what makes these mineral shadows any different from standard shadows. They have an OK amount of pigment, but there is a red/orange cast to the browns that I don't like. They also have no shimmer and fall flat on my eyes. They really don't do anything to make my eyes pop. Especially when I have the Bobbi Brown Chocolate Palette with better shades and shimmer!!

I never would have bought these on my own. I also tried to find a picture, but it seems they are no longer available. I think these are going into the "Give to Kate" bag.

Toki no Smoki

Today's RtS choice was the Smashbox Tokidoki Eye Shadow Quad in Celebrita. I used the white shade all over, the grey on my lids, the purple in the crease, and the pink in the corners.

What made me buy this compact was the artwork. I loved the mix of girly and punk, little flowers with black eye smiley faces, and the glam girl with tattoos (like me!!) I also loved (more than the cover) the little make-up fairy on the mirror. She reminds me of some sanrio cups I had as a girl. I also loved the four colors in the quad.

But they are very low pigmented, and therefore a huge let-down. This compact should make for some serious smokey eyes, but no matter what I do I can't get enough POP!! Especially with the purple and pink shadows. Especially, especially the pink, which is the biggest let down of all. I always skip that shade in this compact, and reach for MAC Pink Freeze. If this was in any old compact, it would go into the "Give to my lil sis" bag, but I can't let go of the compact, its way too cute.

Today is also a very exciting day for me work-wise, because from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend, our office has summer hours, which means we get to leave at 1 on fridays!!!! YEAY!!!! Ok, back to the grind.

Wink, Wink

I've started off Rock the Shadow with mark. Winkstick in Heartfelt. I don't use this very often, so I thought it would be great to kick-off with a lessor used product.

mark. introduced the Winksticks (along with the Gleamstick lipsticks ) last fall. These products fit into the whole Hook-Up Line. Instead of being a tube with applicator like all hook-ups before it, these two products are twist-up sticks.

The creme sticks are tiny! Smaller than the width of a pencil and about 1 1/4 inches long. There are eight colors: coy - purple based, envious - emerald green, moody (shown) - light slate blue, glitzy - bronze, wealthy - deep bronze (mark says this is the most popular and wearable color) demure - I'm not sure, but I think it is pink, innocent -beige (i also have this one), and heartfelt - a deep beige/taupe color.

Medium bronze/taupe-y colors are my favorite. I like how they deepen the color of my eyelid without being totally obvious. I also like when they have shimmer, which this one does.

I have a handful of these colors in powder form, but i *think* this is my only creme in this color range.

Definately a product worth trying, especially since it is only $5.

Caudalie Scrub Trio

I just finished taking my nice, hot shower using all three of my new scrubs, and it was de-lish!! Each of the three, Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet, have a different texture and purpose, from top to bottom. Sauvignon is the finest grit and is meant for face, neck and decollete. The grit in this scrub never faded away, so I just kept scrub, scrub, scrubbing and my skin feels soo smooth. Merlot is medium grained, and the firming effects are best for arms and stomach. I didn't like how quickly the grit in this disintegrated. I didn't have enough time to get the product really rubbed into my skin. Cabernet, coarse grit, has slimming action meant for hips, butt, and thighs. The grit on this one lasted through all my scrubbing, and I could feel it really getting my blood flowing. I love how having all three in one set allows me to have this little scrub all over routine. I like it so much, I am going to try and make it a weekly ritual. Of all three scrubs, I would say Sauvignon is my favorite. The small grit is more densely packed, and would work head to toe.

Pamp-Le-Peau

My latest Sephora order included a deluxe sample of the new Guerlain fragrance Pamplelune. There are five fragrances in this new series: the former plus herba fresca, tutti kiwi, angelique-lilas, mandarine-basilic.

I DO NOT like the way this smells. Everytime I catch a whiff of myself, I smell stink. Seriously, I smell like a sweaty mess, and it is making me feel dirty all over. A nice hot shower is in order tonight. Then I can try out the caudalie scrub trio I bought that brought me this horrible scent.

On a better note, just like my Rock the Gloss challange, I am going to start a Rock the Shadow. I'll start tomorrow by using every single one of my eyeshadows (it should take roughly a month) with no repeats. I'll do my best to have daily postings filling you all in what color(s) I am wearing for the day.

If you are like me, and you can consider your make-up to be a wardrobe; like your closet, it needs pruning every season. Reasses what doesn't work for you; both what is past it's prime and can lead to pimples and infection, and what doesn't make you look your best; and throw them away!! I know it is hard, but it is worth. You know having a closet filled only with clothes that are in good condition and look good on you makes getting dressed a cinch. Well only having make-up in good condition and flattering colors makes putting it on, faster and more enjoyable, plus there aren't any midday moments on horror.

So do your own Rock the Shadow with me, or Rock whatever you most need to de-clutter. Post your comments on what you are wearing and what you have decided needs to go.

The No-Product Lip Enhancement

Yesterday, we had a little accident. My husband was tossing me the remote, and instead of catching it, the thing hit my in face. Right on my upper lip to be exact.

So, first the shock, then the blood, then the crying. But we're all right now.

What I am left with is a small scratch above my upper lip (that was mistaken for a lipstick smudge today. People - me? with make-up astray? I don't think so).
Also, my left upper lip is swoooolleeeen.

But, I kind of like it!! Now I know what a little bit of collagen would do for me, and while I always thought a little lip enhancement might be cool, I have just taken a big step towards considering my first injection. With all of the available fillers out there right at the derm's office, you know I'm going to wonder in sooner or later. I think I may have found my sooner.

So any recommendations for a good Doc in DC/NoVA?

***UPDATE***
So instead of jumping straight into the chair.::.gotta do my research first.::. I have purchased LipFusion XL.

The site says: "Powerful combination of 2X micro-injected pure collagen™ plus micro-injected hyaluronic acid™ in one high-performance topical nighttime treatment
"

It's kind of like slathering Restylane on top of my lips instead of in them!!

The Home Front

You all know that I spend exorbitant amounts of $$$ on my beauty products. And this habit of mine has always been at the expense of my home.

You would think that trying to have a glamorous life includes having a glam home to be all glam in, right?? Well it does, but I'm having trouble making it a reality for myself.

But this weekend, I made some major progress.

#1 the big ticket big impact item(s): The hubs and I finally got nightstands!!! Previously I had been using a side table that was meant for our living room and he was using a plastic tote. Now we both have these awesome nightstands from target:

They have completely transformed our bedroom. Plus I know have a table in the living room to set my drinks on!!

#2 the little ticket but still big impact purchase: The farmers market near my house started on friday, and my main goal in going, (and for future weeks) was to get fresh flowers. I got these beautiful deep pink tulips because this was the last week they would be available this year. This also fueled my going to Ross to score some super cheap vases which I did: $3 for a bud vase, $4 for a small blue glass vase, and $10 for a large glass vase. I just love having fresh flowers in the house, esp. on my new nightstand!!

other things of note: I tried my new polish, Starter Wife, and it is just too sheer. It's one of those pinkish gloss things, and I really prefer pigment in my polishes. I think in a future order I'll try the other 2 pinks from the starting over collection.

I also got a blackberry this weekend. I am having tons of fun figuring out how to use it. Plus it works on the metro (goodbye sprint, hello verizon!!), which to me is the coolest part, second only to the fact that I can email!!

Summer Collection 2.0

The real Essie Summer Collection has been unveiled, and it isn't so great. Turns out the tasteful collection of pinks and reds that I thought was the collection is a promotional line for the USA Network's The Starter Wife.

Our real summer collection takes its inspiration from all the metallic seen on the runways this spring; but Essie did it oh so horribly. So unlike her!!

What we do not have to look forward to are: Click It or Ticket - metallic coral, It's a Cinch - metallic coral-pink, Loophole - chrome, Huckle Buckle - metallic purple (only acceptable if worn by Shannon while supporting her alma mater, TCU), and Chastity - a bright pink. This one actually isn't too bad, but if the metallic factor is too high....

The only saving grace is Below the Belt - a glaring white. Score! yet another one for me to obsess over.

It's a good thing that we have two new collections to satisfy our cravings this summer, b.c Buckle Up for Summer is a wreck!

100th Post!!!

Let's take a moment to celebrate my 100th post. Unfortunately, it comes at a time when I seem to be in a blogging slump. I'm just not getting any inspiration for witty bits to tell you all about.

But there was Tues Night. Me and Kiks (yes that’s Kira, I am renaming her) did a double header. First we went to the Momzillas Book Party thrown by Miss BabsieD on your right (Blog Roll!). The Author, Jill Kargman, has also co-wrote The Right Address and Wolve in Chic Clothing. I' thrilled that I now have a signed copy of her latest.

But the most awing part of the night were the rest of the women in attendance. I felt so plain and poor! These were the women Kargman writes about in her book. Perfect hair, makeup, nails, etc. and the clothes!! Designer’s all around. We are talking things I have only seen in print before, now right before my eyes. And I have to say, even the less than pretty ones still looked amazing. Most notable, a Chanel Chiffon Dress.

Then as we are leaving the venue: the Ralph Lauren store in Chevy Chase, we are handed our goodie bags. And what does it hold? Ralph Lauren Pure Turquoise fragrance! Oh, I also took home a linen cocktail napkin as a souvenir, don't tell.

Party Numero Duo was the Strange Hybrid Launch Event at the MAC Store in Georgetown. I was really drawn to Eye shadows in Rose Blanc and Seedlings, and both of the pigments. I took home Seedling, a great light smoky taupe, and Jardin Aires Pigment, a wonderfully sparkly golden color that just looks magical. I also got a brow pencil.::.at my latest brow wax, we discovered I have a hole.::. and a skin toned lip liner. I hate the look of a liner, but love the staying power.

I guess, since this is post #100, I should jam pack it with all kinds of beautiful goodness so here goes:

New purchases: Neutrogena Illuminating Microderm Cleansing Pads. A steal at $6.99 a box. I was expecting a $10+ price tag. You can really feel the exfoliation on these pads. My only complaint: a bit hard to keep on my fingers.

Boots Botanics Vitamin Recovery Mask: this is doing wonders to help heal my old pimples. It also stays creamy, so it’s great for wearing overnight.

I got my magnolia blossom perfume from B&BW for $5; holy bargain, batman!! I also picked up DL Vinyl Collection This Must Be Love and Fade to Black; haven't tried them yet. Also, Wexler Acne Spot Treatment, benzyl peroxide works so much better for me than salicylic acid.

Major Life-Changing Decision: I have taken off my fake nails, and am attempting to repair my nails and make them lovely. I'm doing this with the help of Rejuvacote, and when I start seeing results, we'll talk about them. I also used Essie It's In The Bag. This beautiful white with a hint of pink is a new fav.

And to round this post out: The Devil in the Junior League is one of the best books I have read this year. I am the total opposite of the main character, but I feel like I'm in her world and I want to be her. This is one of my must reads, and I am telling all my friends they have to read it.

Thanks to everyone who has been reading my blog, I’m thrilled that we made it this far. If you like what I have to say, offer me some encouragement to help me get back into my groove. I would love to have fresh posts for you everyday!

xx Heather