Gifts under $50

Today I have my top picks for gifts under $50! 

1. Marc Jacobs Rollerball Trio - $38.00 - Rollerballs are a great way to try out new scents!

2. Marled Terry Funnel Pullover - $49.95 - Linda is my inspiration - see it here.

3. Lurex Striped Pullover - $49.95 - Love the metallic stripe!

4. Fair Isle Cardis - $42.94 - I'm still on the hunt for the perfect print wrap sweater!

5. Serenity Small Stone Drops - $34.00

6. Flannel PJs - $34.95

7. Two-Tone Leather Clutch - $39.95

8. Lodge Moccasins - $39.50

9. Shimmer Brick - $40.00 - If you aren't familiar with this product, check out MM&L.

Gifts under $25

Happy December! We started decorating for the holidays last week and today during half time of the football game (Roll Tide!) we are going to decorate our tree! It's officially Christmas time!!

Here are a few things I'm loving that would make perfect stocking stuffers or small gift for a friend. All are under $25!

1. Bliss Hand Cream - $18.00 

2. Gold Polka Dot PJs - $24.99

3. Black and Crystal Bangle - $20.00

4. Orly Luxe Nail Polish - $5.38 - Recently picked this up - it's a great gold!

5. OPI Skyfall Nail Polish - $8.00

6. Slipper Socks - $15.00 - an updated version on my favorite!

7. Minted Rose Lip Balm - $7.00 - This has been on my wish list for awhile!!

8. Personalized Chevron Note Cards - $10.00

9. Tartan Scarf - $14.99 - What a great price for such a classic piece!

Shopping Trip!

Husband was away for an Army weekend so Saturday I took care of some errands! After a yummy breakfast with the in laws I went to the mall. I had a return to make and intended to simply explore the other stores. ;)

Instead I came home with a couple of bags..

1. Fresh Sugar Passion Tinted Lip Treatment - this had been on my wish list for sometime. It does not disappoint! And you know I'm a self-proclaimed lip junkie!
2. Nars Blush: Orgasm - I was just about out of this! Btw it really is worth all the hype! A beautiful color that is known to look great on all skin tones and still looks great at the end of the day!
3. Chambray Shirt - I picked up a chambray shirt at Target (worn here- sold out online), but sadly it's just not the right fit. I like it ok with my trouser jeans, but somehow it's just off. I think my torso is too long or something! This one is darker (in case that was the problem) and it's longer in length!
4. Yellow Belt - I've been on the hunt! Love the price (compared to this look-a-like)! Sold out in yellow online, but check your Old Navy store!
5. Bath & Body Works Wallflowers - these are on special 4 for $20! I purchased White Palm, Spring, Lilac Blossom, and Sunrise Lagoon! I picked White Palm to try first as it's pretty neutral and not too spring-y. I'm saving Lilac Blossom for the bedroom when our current one runs out! It's lovely!

Did you make any purchases this weekend?

My New Makeup

Tina and I were talking a few weeks ago about makeup.  I was telling her that I had just gotten some new eye make-up and was loving it...this convo all came around because of her post.  So what did Tina say "you should blog about it!"  Here I am letting you know about my inexpensive eye makeup regiment (All of these products for about $25!!).

First let me preface, I don't like wearing a lot of makeup and this is more than usual for me.  I tend to focus on my eyes.  My reasoning for wearing more especially through this brutally hot southern summer, I'm just needing a change!! 

1. I use a flat brush to apply Almay Nearly Naked Loose Powder in Light (or whatever matches your skin color the best) on my eyebrow and brow bone.

2. Then I use Revlon's Eye Illuminance Crème Shadow in Copper Canyon.I take my finger and dab it in the white shimmery color and rub it all over my eyelid and brow bone.  Make sure it is even.

3. Then I use another color in the palette to put on my eye lid (I tend to use the rose color, but I have used all of them, even the blue and they look awesome!)  I grab the same flat brush I was using in #1 and apply what ever color I chose to wear that day.  I apply the color to the eyelid crease then use the brush to shade the color down.  Then I use my finger to blend.

4.  Then I take my eyeliner and apply it to my top eyelid only.  I use Almay Intense Eye Color in Brown Topaz (it's supposed to bring out blue eyes)  though I think a brown eyeliner would work perfectly.  

5.  I take the flat brush and brush it over my eyeliner to make it look blended.

6. To keep everything in place I brush the loose powder over my eyelid with the flat brush.

7.  Finally, I use an eyelash curler and apply Almay's One Coat Dial-Up Mascara (which I just started using and love).

It usually takes me 10min to apply my makeup which is great because I tend to be rushed in the morning :)

Tina asked if the makeup ended up the creases of my eyelid at the end of the day.  And it does not.  I think it holds up pretty well, even through my post-work workout.  I tend to use Almay products because I am prone to eye allergies/infections.  I've had less issues with these products, but anything similar will work great as well. Let me know what you think!  

Lip Junkie: Product Reviews

On the weekends I try to tackle one area of my apartment and tidy.. a little.. ok just sometimes, when I'm especially motivated! ;) My makeup area definitely needs attention! In trying to bring some order, I was almost embarrassed when I noticed I'm a huge lip product junkie! My lip balm and lip gloss collection is slightly out of control!

Rationalizations for my problem: Last year before getting married I bought many different products to try to get my lips kissably smooth.. who wants to see chapped lips in wedding pictures? Not this girl. Also, lip balms are typically  a more affordable beauty product impulse buy - too easy to stock pile! 

Here are some hits (and a few misses) .. from a chap stick junkie just in time to help get those dry summer lips in control! These 10 items are currently in my possession:

1. Burt's Bees original - Sure to be familiar to everyone! My oldest friend, this standard has a yummy mint tingly ability that makes it addicting. This product used to be my go-to favorite, until I met #8.

2. Burt's Bees acai berry - Being a junkie anytime I see a new Burt's Bees product, I just have to try it. This was a bit of a disappointment. No mint tingly goodness, and not very effective at healing chapped lips! 

3. L'Occitane - I picked this up before my wedding after reading about it in a magazine, and it fell short. It's too waxy and doesn't glide on, and is just kinda cakey. Not worth the price. Would not buy again. 

 

4. Eos Sweet Mint - My newest find! I'm sure you're not surprised I was most attracted to the packaging! It's not as quality as #8, but I'm a sucker for mint, and feel that this isn't just a fun package, it actually works and has a similar Burt's Bees tingle! 

5. Palmer's Swivel Stick - This fun balm is the size of glue stick, which adds to its appeal! It actually is a great product too! The light cocoa butter is very soothing, and a change from all my favorite minty products!

6. Nivea - Not sure when/ why I picked this one up? It's the sickness, I guess. Not great, wouldn't recommend. 

7. Laura Mercier Lip Silk - Another pre-wedding purchase! At first I hated this product and was so bummed I shelled out some money on this! Somehow after a few months, the product became more soft, and now I love it! I keep this by my bed and apply it at night! It's less glossy/ goopy than #9!

8. Carmex mint - my newest favorite!! I find it's MUCH better than Burt's Bees - I don't have to keep reapplying throughout the day. The mint version makes it less medicine-y than the original. If you can find it, give it a try! I think you'll become fast friends!

9. Kiehl's original - next to Burt's Bees, my oldest favorite! The flavor is not especially delicious (like #10, mango) but it works! Perfect to apply before bed time, but be warned, it's a little glossy and may not be loved by your bed mate!

10. Kiehl's mango - a fun twist on the original, but in my opinion, not as good at staying or moisturizing, but the flavor is simply delicious! This one stays in my purse! 

Summary:

-My favorites: #4, 5, 7, 8, 9

-Nice, but not as fabulous: #1, 10

-Would not buy again: #2, 3, 6

Not pictured, but also in my collection: 

-Carmex cherry and strawberry -- it's nearly impossible to find the mint, so in helping me look, family picked these up for me. They're just ok - I find it too similar to the original and has a funny taste.

-Eos summer fruit - I couldn't find the sweet mint at first and was disappointed in this product. The scent was nice, but too light. The sweet mint is much better!

What did I miss? What are your favorite lip balms??

Makeup time!

I can be pretty snobby when it comes to my beauty products, as my husband will attest. Granted we're just babies in the marriage department (a little over a year!) but he has told me more than once if he added up all the money I spent on beauty products in a year he could buy something pretty cool with that money (whatever babe!). Well folks, not that I'm officially turning over a new leaf, but I have some good drug store beauty products to share with you!! And when they're good, and less expensive.. why not?

This past winter I received what I feel is my holy grail of eye shadow: Urban Decay's Naked palette.

Its price tag is around $48 for 12 eye shadows. Insane, right? Well it's wonderful, and Santa brought it to me, so no feelings of guilt here! :) Here's the problem, I'm especially in love with one of the colors "sin" (the second from the left) and to buy it individually it's $17!

Determined to find a look for less I went to the drug store and picked up an eye shadow that does a pretty good job in matching color - Loreal 101 Satin Tutu. While unfortunately I notice a slight difference in its staying power (turns out sometimes you do get what you pay for) and concentration (I  have to apply multiple coats for the same effect) the color is surprisingly similar and at a much more affordable price point! Try this color on the lid paired with a lighter color on the brow bone, or all over for an easy, effortless summer shimmer!

My second find is a lip balm/ gloss. I can't remember where I first heard of Covergirl's NatureLuxe gloss balm (perhaps a magazine?) but it's yummy! It's nice and light, but has enough pigment to matter. I'm really bad about reapplying lipstick, so I need something that will fade subtly over the day and not leave weird stains. The color I have is 230 coral, which is a nice way to jazz up my lip color! An added bonus, this balm has SPF 15 and is incredibly moisturizing!

Last but not least - a nail polish. I learned of this color over at Kendi Everyday in this post (if you're not familiar with Kendi's blog - go check it out right now! So jealous of fashion bloggers with photographer husbands!). The color is Revlon's Top Speed 405 Peachy. I think it's a great light peach color that is hard to resist! Right now I love a soft color on fingernails and a more bold color on toenails! This does just that. I'm surprisingly impressed with how speedy it dried as well! Good job Revlon!

Have you discovered any beauty products you have to share? Let us know!