Hi! Did you miss me?

I found the product that would end my laziness/busy-at-work induced slump and get me blogging again. I've had slumps before, but this was one was worse: I even stopped reading all of the blogs on my Blog Roll. I guess you could say the Beauty Gods stages an intervention.

My desire for the Limited Edition leads me into buying things I have no true need for. They are just so pretty!! I was going to get P.S. Kiss - the LE Peter Som did for Lancome, the next in the Pout-a-Porter collection. But then I saw some pics and it wasn't really the color I was going for.

Beauty Gods bless Jean Godfrey-June, the beauty editor at Lucky, she always finds the products I like I would die without. Page 144 of the October issue featured Imitation of Christ for Smashbox's lipstick. It's deep burgundy with a dash of plum. o0o just like my Material Girl nail polish I love.

I went to Smashbox's website to check it out and saw that they made only 200!! Add Limited Quantity to Limited Edition and you get zero hesitation on my part. I added it to my bag, along with another burgundy lipgloss from the sale that had been lingering in it, and promptly checked out.

The color is called Enchanting, and it truly is. The Sila Silk formula is amazing. I think I might become a Smashbox lip stick devotee. It goes on so silky, it feels better than a gloss. It also makes applying a super dark lip stick foolproof.

The one thing hampering my dark lips is that I can't just slap on a touch up during the day. It actually requires a few minutes, two products, and lots of blending. And did I mention that my boss (the guy one) came to my desk while I was mid lipliner needing me. I covered my mouth with my hand and explained my momentary freak status. He, being the awesome boss he is, let me turn my back to finish and we continued when I returned to normalcy. But I do not want a repeat performance of this, so I now have to take my touch-ups to the bathroom.

It seems that there are still some left. The color is part of the regular line, but this one has a gunmetal finish on the tube. Unfortunately there is no IOC anything on the tube, just on the slip that went over the box:( So if you want the color, you can always get it.

It's Been So Long

Please forgive, I just didn't have much to say.

I've been trying to be good about not buying excessive make-up, and so far so good. I did do a make-up alley swap for MAC lip-liner in currant. It's a deep burgundy, and I think it will help me get that super dark look I want. I have been playing around with my new colors and I just feel so weird!! It doesn't look like me. I think after wearing them a few times, and having a fall outfit on, will help me adjust to this new look.

I needed a shower-cap upgrade, because my hairlines was getting soaking wet. I ordered the bathina cap from benefit (it was on sale!) but I'm not impressed. Maybe I have a small head or something, because I am just not getting a snug fit and it allows water in. With my purchase, I was able to use a promo code from Lucky Mag to get a free bluff dust - this is a yellow powder that counteracts redness.

I needed to replace my thick black eyeliner because mine was a year old. I went for benefit BadGal. I love how the fat pencil makes it really easy and fast to get a smudged look. You don't have to smudge, the thickness of the pencil does it for you.

And because I am getting a little nutso on the dark lip thing, I picked up a burgundy lipstick on sale for $8.

I'm also eyeing two dark glosses at smashbox that are on sale. I was going to buy them on yesterday to get the Let's Do Lunch product, but it was green eye shadow. I'll have to see what they do next week.

Today was the last half-friday of the summer, so Shannon and I went shopping to make the most of it. First stop: J.Crew - our favorite. I tried on all kinds of stuff, but only bought the madison stretch chinos in charcoal, and the super skinny bangles in navy and plum. There's not much point in buying anything else now. It will still be a few weeks before the weather is right to start wearing it all, and by then it will be on sale.

The other thing I got was the second product of my new skin care regime: Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream for my morning exfoliation. Reviews once I start using it.

Allure, You Have Failed Me

You can download a copy of the Editor's letter from the September Issue and Linda Wells will explain why she put this atrocious representation of the human race on her cover this month. But it is a really dumb reason, and I don't understand what she was thinking. I think I am going to have to rip off the cover, the cover photo-shoot promo page, and the associated article, and then burn them, before I can go on to read the issue.

And why September?? Why does the most important issue of the year have to be marred by this creature? Are you mad at someone Linda? Is this a big "f*ck you" to your readers?

We may need to send you to rehab with your girl, because you have to be on something to put >gasp< Britney Spears on your cover.

And she said putting Paris on would be the first sign of the apocolypse. Seriously? In what world is Paris the bigger offender over Britney?

I Had to Have It

Oh yes, I got my bottle of Covet.

Over the summer, I happily discovered that I love the smell of magnolia. So when I saw in the August Allure that SJP's new perfume had notes of magnolia and musk (another fav), I couldn't wait to take a whiff.

I'm not big of celebrity perfume lines, but I adore SJP, and I feel that her celebrity-endorsed lines are more about her being a style icon than just a name (ahem britney spears - I would never buy anything with your name on it, you swamp trash which I despise)

Any who, I got a sample last weekend at Ulta and I knew this would be my new addition to the perfume line-up: players include: the MVP Thierry Mugler Angel, the pinch hitter Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, and last years rookie Vera Wang Princess, plus other body sprays.

While I love my shower gel and body lotions to smell like something I whipped up in the kitchen, BBW Pecan Pie and Cinnamon Bun Heaven and VS Slice of Heaven for example, I really like my perfumes to be deep, sexy, sultry scents. I don't want someone to say I smell nice. I want to smell intriguing, incredible, so, so igood, but not nice, never nice. (This excludes the summer - I take a three month hiatus and do nice clean scents)

Covet is exactly what I like. Miss Parker even describes the scent as being more aggressive and bolder than her first scent, Lovely - which fell into that nice category.
I'm thrilled she did some more dangerous, more glam, for all us girls who love wearing head to toe black, kohl-rimmed eyes, and sexy rumpled hair. Which is why...

The Ad Campaign is the way it is. I heard a lot of bashing on the print ads and commercial, but please take a step back with me. Let's remember that Parker is an ACTRESS. She is not herself in these ads, she is playing an obsessed French Fashionista. Note that the girl I described above is either french, a francophile or europhile, or a New Yorker. This is not a perfume for everyone, and the ads are geared towards the women who will wear this scent. I think the ads are genius. She breaks through the glass to get to the bottle with her Loubs for crissakes. And the contrast of her in the pristine white ball down in a jail cell with a bunch of dirty, grubby women is fantastic. So please stop judging the commercial on a superficial level and calling it deranged, because if it were a movie trailer, we would all be lining up to see it opening night.

I found my Fall Anchor

With all my shopping for new fall things, I knew that until I found my bag, my look would be incomplete.

I feel that a handbag is the achor to your wardrobe, since it is probably the only piece you are wearing on a daily basis.

So, without further ado, I present my chic new bag and wallet, courtesy of Coach:
New HAMPTONS SIGNATURE MEDIUM CARRYALL


HAMPTONS SIGNATURE NEW FRENCH PURSE

Painful Mascara

Back in my mark. days, I used Scandalash mascara all the time. I had an unused tube that I just started using and WTF?!?!

Last night, after the gym, I rubbed my eyes a bit and my lashes hurt!! My mascara was glueing my lashes together.

And then it happened again just now.

It feels like I have thick glue on my lashes, it is horrible.


I'm going to throw it out, and use my sample of Definicils Pro. I don't like that one because it has a curved brush, but at least the formula is good.


So, this weekend I will be buying Dior Show Unlimited in Blackout. I have been wanting to try this for a while, but I am trying to be good with not buying too many products.

FALL-ing all over myself

I am so eager for Fall to begin, I'm bordering on obsessed. This weekend I was able to get the basics for my fall make-up wardrobe. Now we all know that I never stop buying the new and pretty things. But I was able to get the bold nail and lip colors that will serve as my foundation and focal points for the coming season.

I've been refining my clothing choices for a while now, and yesterday I began purchasing. I am more excited for this season than I have ever been. It think this is mainly due to the fact that I have finally honed in on my personal style. It is amazing how coming to this point makes everything much easier. I can see the big picture and how everything will fit together, and it feels amazing.

What made yesterday The Day, was a Banana e-mail in my box. "New Styles Added to the Sale" it said. And what would you know a pair of pants and a button-down from my wishlist were marked down.
I got those, plus the 3 Back Button Sweater and a Cute V-neck top, all on my new Banana card - Yay!!


Then on J.Crew today, a blouse that had gone out of stock came back, and only in my size and the color I wanted. I have gotten burned waiting too long on the j.Crew site before, so I didn't hesitate to buy this. (Side Note: I can't even post a picture because it has already sold out!!)

Now all I need is for this heat-wave to break. And I also need to find a fall handbag.

Just Like A Bad Husband

I can't believe it, but I missed my blogs birthday!!! Yesterday C&L turned 1 year old!!

I can't believe I have been on here sharing all my beauty craziness with you for a year now.

Thanks so much to everyone who has been reading along with me. And thanks to all of you newbies who are coming to check me out.

I hope you all enjoy what I have to say. Whether it is advice/reviews, or relizing that I am even crazier than you when it comes to shopping habits. Have I become your "see I'm not that bad" rationalization?? I sure hope so.

So here's a toast to another year!!

Ready, Set, FALL!!

I cannot WAIT for the weather to start dropping so that I begin sporting my new fall look.

Friday, I went into Pure Beauty and got my coveted bottle of Material Girl. It isn't the blackest purple I was expecting, it's more of a purple-tinged deep wine color. Still totally gorgeous. In my new love for deep nail colors, I'm heading over to Ulta tomorrow to pick up the dark delights mini 4-pack. The set includes Lincoln Park After Dark, Lincoln Park After Midnight, Espresso Your Style, and Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ. I have been an Essie devotee because she does whites and pinks like no ones business. But when it comes to the darks, I know that I need to check out OPI.

I also went a bit bizerk at Nordies. I got my Jezabel from Lancome. The colors are actually the same even though the site made them look different, and they are the red color. It's such a shock to see my self with red lips, but I am really liking it. I also got the lipliner in Enchantment from the Fall collection. It's great because it has a brush on the other end.

My gift with purchase is fab too. My favorite is Beach Plum Juicy Tube. I can get my dark fix with the easy application of a gloss. It also has Amande Sucree Lipstick, a really pretty deep bronze, Definicils Pro Mascara, Bi-Facil, Star Bronzer (super pretty), and eyeshadow quad with filigree, impress, best dressed and faux pas.

I also went to MAC to finally pick up my Novel Twist purchase. I went for my Rushmetal Pigment as well. I was going to get CocoMotion, but when I tried it on my lips it looked like poop. I ended up getting Gold Mine instead, and got the clear lipglass refill so that I could make a gloss with the pigment. Right now it is a really pretty sheer golden color. I might see how it looks with more pigment added to it. It's really cool how easy it is to make a lipgloss with pigment, and it turns out awesome. If you have one you really like, try this!!

Even though I am loving this whole dark lip thing, I'm still addicted to pale pinks, and I got Lightswitch from the 3D collection. This is the kind of pink I dream of. Shimmery without visible flecks, pigmented but still sheer. The perfect light pink to make my lips look full and sexy. This is going to look amazing with a seriously dark eye. I can't wait to do this look tomorrow.

My last Nordies counter was Chanel. Tulipe Noire is supposedly the Black Satin of this season, so I had to see it. Unfortunately they didn't have any. I saw a picture of it when I got home, and since it has shimmer in it, I know I won't like it. I did try on Lotus Rouge, which is a beautiful red, but it wasn't special enough for me to pay $19 for it.

If you remember, a few months ago I said I was going to use up the skin care products I had and then only buy L'Occitane and Caudalie. Today was my first full-size purchase: L'Occitane Shea Ultra Rich Eye Cream. I love how gentle and moisturizing this product is. I don't need to spend the $$$ yet on anti-aging creams, but this one should keep my skin nice and supple, and thus keep the wrinkles at bay.

I'm also gearing up for my fall wardrobe, I've pick out some pieces from Banana and ripped out all the things I want from the J.Crew catalog. 70 degrees, I'm waiting for you...

Ch-Ch-Changes

Sorry I haven't posted in so long!! Hubbie and I took a long weekend to visit his family. Got back to work and I have been swamped!! I'm still not done catching up, but I had to carve out a few minutes to post.

It seems that every season there is one object that just sets my tone of style. Last fall, it was all about purple. This spring/summer my pink "Palm Beach Princess" shoes led me down a very Lilly & Preppy path.

This season is bringing about some major changes in my style. I adore black clothing for the colder months. I think a black monochromatic look is so chic, especially for the office. But when it comes to my lips and nails, I have been a die-hard the paler the better kind of gal.

But the winds have changed, and I think maybe I am maturing a little too.

My defining moment product was seeing Essie's new Material Girl on AllLacqueredUp. I have been intrigued by the whole dark polish trend. I even bought a bottle of black polish, but it felt too harsh. Then I saw this blackest purple color and I knew I had found what I needed. Plus the name is just too spot on for me to pass. The color isn't out for another month, but I can't wait for September to begin my transformation into some serious vampy glamour, meow!!

A week after having my moment with that polish, I found a lipstick in Allure that looks like the perfect compliment. Even more weary than I am about dark nail polish, I have been adament on the whole red lips deal. Lancome's Jezebel is a black cherry like color, and I think this is the year when I will feel confident wearing such a bold color. Two of their lipsticks have this color, one looks more red, the other more purple. I will have to try on both before I decide which one suites me.

So, Rain Rain come my way, take away this Heat today. Because I can't wait for Fall!!

In A Flash

I had to make a few returns yesterday. I bought what I thought was a L sweatshirt from VS, but when I got home I realized it was an XS. I was going to exchange it, but I went to a different VS and they have a very condensed store because of a renovation. (Side Note: Pentagon City Shoppers: The New VS is going to be the size of 6 normal stores)

I also had to return a bra & pantie set from Nordies - I was getting some pretty bad spillage.

Now you know being in Nordie's I couldn't leave without seeing Flashtronic and Rush Metal

I really like Cocomotion pigment from Rush Metal, but I didn't want to buy too much stuff. I think next time I am wandering the beauty floor, I'll find myself back at MAC buying this. I also plan on getting a clear lipgloss and turning this pigment into a super pretty semi-sheer bronze gloss. EXCITING!!

What I did get, is By Jupiter Mineralize Eye Shadow from Flashtronic. It's a really pretty golden bronze with lots of depth because of the marbling.

The Skinfinishes are also really nice; Global Glow is a great bronzer. I have too many to buy another, though.

I also got a new brush; 239 eye shading brush. I don't think it is limited edition, just featured with the Rush Metal collection.

So my recap on these two: The shadows, finishes, and pigments are all great and you will definitly find a color you love.

The glosses and lipsticks that accompany these were really blah, pass on these, but do check out the lippies that are a part of the Novel Ties collection. Or do like me, and turn a pigment into a lipgloss.

I Open at the Close

My weekend was an all-consuming Harry Potter Mega-Fest.

11:00pm Friday Night - Arrive at Borders, can't believe it really is this packed.
Get in line to get my number for buying the book - I am 661.

11:10pm Friday Night - Continue making my way to the back of the store, trying to find the end of the coffee line.

11:15pm Friday Night - Get in line for coffee; chit chat with the girls behind me.

11:55pm Friday Night - Girls offer me their extra number - 144, which is 500 people ahead of me. I glady accept.

12:15am Saturday Morning - Arrive at the coffee counter, order a Cocoa Trio. Realize that they are serving Butterbeer. Yell for barista and ask, oh so sweetly, if he would mind making me a Butterbeer instead. This causes mass confusion, but I do get my butter beer.

12:20am Saturday Morning - get into the third line of the night. This time it's to actually buy my book.

12:30am Saturday Morning - I am the proud owner of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

1:00am Saturday Morning - Get into bed and begin reading.

2:00am Saturday Morning - Time for Bed.

11:00am Saturday Morning - Wake up. Make Coffee.

11:15am Saturday Morning - Read.

12:15pm Saturday Afternoon - Get ready for beautification appointments.

1:15pm Saturday Afternoon - I have my highlighting appointments. I read while my color is developing - it's rude to read while she is standing there doing my hair.

3:15pm Saturday Afternoon - Time for mani/pedi. Read while I am having my pedicure.

4:15pm Saturday Afternoon - have dinner.

5:30pm Saturday Evening - begin reading again. Continue reading

5:00am Sunday Morning - Finish Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!!!! WooHoo. Thanks JK, you gave me all the endings I wished for, I love this book, I love this story, I love you. Take some time off, you deserve it, but please don't let this be the last book you write about this wizarding world.

5:05am Sunday Morning - Fall asleep, dream about HP.

Finally, a Lamp!

Ok, so I know I have gotten away from make-up a bit, but my tagline does say all things fabulous. So anyway, check out the lamp I got from restoration hardware

I got the small one for my nightstand. Now I can finally read before going to sleep!!

I also got this tray in lavender to hold my make-up(ok so I am actually talking make-up in this post, kinda)

Give Simple

Give Simple is a great resource for easy gift giving, and for things for yourself, too! I got my gym bag from here, and I get compliments on it all the time.


In my email today, they advertised their new baby items, and one of the featured items is PERFECT for my cousin who is turning one next month. His mom did his bedroom in a jungle theme, so these will go so well with all his things. They also are giving 10% off the baby items if you use code "BEBE"



The case has a floor puzzle in it. They also have ballerina and pirate themes.

I Love a Good Monogram

Well, *finally* as promised here is a picture of the tote I got for Cailtyn:


This is all the stuff she is getting in it:



When I got my Serious Skin Care kit with my Dry-Lo (the best pimple vanishing potion I have ever tried) it came with this cute little bag. It started crying to me, saying it felt naked and please, pretty please, monogram me. So I tried, and it came out pretty good:

We Have A Winner!!

Congratulations Bobbiebobbob, you are the winner of a brand new bottle of Calvin Klein Euphoria Blossom.

Please contact Marlen with your mailing address
[Marlen at perfumecritic.com]

I just wanted to thank everyone who participated and has started reading my blog. I'm glad you all enjoy my writing, please stick around and keep commenting!!

XX Heather

Beauty Addicts Anonymous

I've really been on myself lately about how many products I have. I buy more than I can possibly use and I feel that so much is going to waste. I also feel that at a certain point I get overwhelmed by my choices and revert to only using a few of the many items I have.

I also love the idea of developing my own Signatures. Nail Polish, Perfume, Lipgloss (yeah, right) etc. I think having a signature is so sophistacated and chic, it carries with it that je ne sais qoui.

I know that if I had a perfume, it would be Thierry Mugler Angel. But there are too many other scents out there that I really like, and I can't give them all up just for Angel. I also have about 5 polishes that I could pick from, but I'm not ready to commit to any one of them.

So I ponder: is my dilemma a symptom of my age? As I mature will my tastes refine to the point that I can be satisfied with just one item? Or is it just my personality? Will I forever feel the need to have the next new thing and never get throw away an empty bottle?

I would love to hear your thoughts, espcially those of you who would like to form Beauty Addicts Anonymous with me and those of you who could be our sponsers.

I try, I really do

I keep telling myself to stop buying more beauty products. I have more then I need, but there is always something new drawing me in.

So yesterday, on a shopping trip to get my hubby some new shirts, I found myself over at the MAC counter. Nordstrom is having an exclusive collection called Novel Twist. You can't actually buy anything until Friday, but I was able to pre-order the Tan Lip Palette and Groundwork Paint Pot. All the packaging for this collection is super cute. All tweedy with crazy embroidery. The paint pots are awesome too. They are cream to powder eye products that can be worn alone or used as a base. The color I got falls in line with all my favorite colors and is a great foundation for a smoky eye.

At Sephora, I got a new lash comb (mine fell apart) and the Oscar Blandi Exfoliating Treatment. This product just seemed so cool. I used it today, it wasn't as gritty as I thought, but it did feel really invigorating. I also discovered Dior's Jersey Pink gloss. I didn't let myself buy it, b.c i have way too many pink glosses. But as soon as I finish one, I will replace it with that one.

I got lured by the Victoria's Secret sale as well. The 3 for $27 Beauty Rush found me with the entire collection of Slice of Heaven (smells like cake batter). 2 for $10 on the beauty rush glosses got me another slice of heaven as well as I want candy. And because they have repackaged the garden collection, the old bottles were 3 for $12, so I got three Love Spell sprays (the best fragrance VS makes, if you have never tried this, run and get a bottle). There were also some super cute little glitter glosses and I decidedto go with Kiss and Tell.

The Sephora purchases and MAC were planned, but the VS was sooo not, when will I ever stop being lured in by the beauty fairy?

On a more positive note: to make room for all the new stuff I can't help buying, I cleared out the glosses I never use and I will give them to Caitlyn. She is getting so much stuff!!

Here I Go Again...

Today is payday, and you know what that means. I couldn't help buying a little bit of fabulous-ness for myself.

#1) Happy Homemaker did a post featuring some invitations from Boatman Geller. My bookplate stickers are from the same company, and since I love them so much, I went to check out the website. And fell in love. With this:
So now I am just waiting for it to be done up with my name, yeay!!
You can check out their products here: Boatman Geller
You can buy them here: Stationary Studio

#2) The Banana Republic sale was getting too good to pass up, especially when I saw the shoes I wanted were starting to sell out in different sizes. I originally wanted these, but my size sold out, so I got the wedges instead:

Both styles are on sale for $19.99 down from $98(heels) and $88(wedges)

I also felt that my wardrobe really needed a wide braided leather belt, so I picked this one up for $24.99:

Check This Out...

Stay cool this summer by brushing up on your beauty! Leave a comment at all four sites below with "I visited the Fab4" somewhere in your comment for your chance to win a brand new bottle of Calvin Klein Euphoria Blossom!

#1MegsMakeup.com Not Animal Tested, Human Reviewed!

#2PerfumeCritic.com The international online magazine dedicated to olfaction and scent: Fragrance reviews, advice, interviews, artwork, giveaways, and more!
#3BitByTheBeautyBug.com Bit by the Beauty Bug...And there's No Cure.

#4 (ME) ChampagneAndLipGloss.Blogspot.com To life, love, and the pursuit of all things fabulous!!

The winner will be announced Monday July 16th at each Fab4 site. Have fun discovering these great new resources and happy commenting!