BOO! it's october favorites time! beauty, books, barbie, etc.

Hello lovelies! Happy Halloween to you all. :) Sorry for my absence the last two weeks or so.  To be honest, work's been very stressful and when I'm home, I just want to sleep! I have sooo many photos ready for posts I have yet to do, it's overwhelming! I have a Lush haul, new lipsticks post, makeup storage post, what's in my bag post, updated skincare routine, etc. If there's one you'd particularly like to see first, please let me know!

Anyways, as it's the very last day of October and all, I thought I'd go ahead and post my October Favorites - some of which I haven't gotten around to posting about until now, ack! 

• Love & Beauty Cream Cheek Color in Pink & Coral (Forever21)
• MAC Ice Cream Cake nail polish
• OPI Rainbow Connection nail polish
• Bare Escentuals Round the Clock waterproof eyeliner in 5 PM
• MAC Let's Skate paint pot
• Lush Day of the Dead fragrance
• Benefit Watt's Up
• YSL Volupte Sheer Candy in #9 Cool Guava and #10 Tangy Mandarina
• Crabtree & Evelyn Pomegranate body lotion (I use this as a hand cream)
• Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Creamsicle
• MAC lipstick in Patisserie
• Smith's Strawberry lip balm (HG material!)

the lipsticks: Patisserie, Creamsicle, Cool Guava, & Tangy Mandarina

swatched in the same order (top to bottom)

MAC Patisserie

Revlon Creamsicle

You can see me wearing YSL Volupte Sheer Candy in Cool Guava and Tangy Mandarina here.

Benefit Watt's Up, Love & Beauty Pink, Love & Beauty Coral

Benefit Watts Up, Love & Beauty Pink, Love & Beauty Coral (blended)

I meant to take lip swatches with the Love & Beauty cream blushes, too, as they actually work REALLY well on lips, too! However, I forgot. If you'd like to see lip swatches, please let me know, and I'll add them into this post later.

• Chanel Beige Lame
• NARS Lola Lola
• Chanel Tweed Brun Rose blush

swatched in the same order

MAC Let's Skate paint pot on its own (top)

Chanel Beige Lame over Let's Skate paint pot

• Tokidoki x Barbie tote 

I do have a Barbie collection, and I was thinking of asking for the Tokidoki Barbie doll for Christmas (should've bought it then, but I wasn't expecting it to sell out so quickly!), but when I saw that there were other products in the collection, I was like a giddy schoolgirl! I *had* to have this tote. I bought it from Tokidoki.it (Tokidoki's official website) and it came with a bunch of Tokidoki stickers and two massive Tokidoki catalogs, too, which I loved looking through. Not sure if I'll actually ever *use* this tote (I don't want to ruin the lining!), but I love looking at it displayed in my room!

the lining is what really sold me -- LOVE. IT!

As for what I've read this month...

Let's just say it wasn't the most uplifting reading month.  I know some of you may already know about Jaycee Dugard from the news or what-have-you, but the news can't begin to cover her story as she tells it in her memoir. I read A Stolen Life in one sitting (I was up until 8 AM reading it!). It just completely destroyed me - the fact that this is nonfiction, that all these things really happened to her. I couldn't handle it. It's not the type of book that you can just read a chapter of and then go off and do something else. The more I read, the more I thought, "Okay, I have to get to the end.  I have to see things get better for her."  And, I'm not kidding, I had a nightmare after reading it, and continue to think about it every day. 

I know you might be thinking, "Well, there's something I'm NOT going to read," but even though this really shook me up emotionally (I cringed, squirmed, cried, etc.), it was absolutely worth the read. It opened my eyes to things in the world that maybe I didn't want to acknowledge, but now I feel stronger because of it.  If you still don't want to read it, but you're interested in her story (as told by others instead of by her), you can always Google "Jaycee Dugard" -- but be warned, what comes up may upset you just as much.

I've had Room on my bookshelf since it first was released, but I hadn't been up to reading it.  However, I thought, "if I can get through A Stolen Life, I can get through Room." Room is another story of abduction, albeit a very different one. It's fiction, and it's told by Jack, the five-year-old son of "Ma," who was kidnapped at age 19. Both live in a shed in the backyard of her abductor. Having it told in the boy's perspective is what made it so interesting to me.  I'll say this, though, the middle of the book was the best part, and the last hundred pages kind of dragged on in comparison.  

Room was a good read, and I'd definitely recommend it, but if you're choosing between Room and A Stolen Life, I'd go for the latter, without question.

What I'm loving on TV right now:

• The Vampire Diaries
• Once Upon a Time
• Ringer
• Modern Family
• Happy Endings

my Halloween NOTD, using Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips :)

Of course I can't leave you without some kitty photos!

All aboard the kitty train!

Look at how I found them sleeping the other night!!

Surprise!

You can't read your Sephora holiday catalog until you give me treats!

As always, thanks so much for reading (seriously, as I type this I'm at 399 followers - I'm FLOORED! Thank you guys!).

Hope you all have a safe and unhealthy (duh!) Halloween! See you soon! :)

xoxo,

<3 Jess & her silly kitties

product rave: bareMinerals Putting on the Glitz set (w/swatches)

So technically I raved about this in my last post, but I wanted to do a separate post to go into more detail with product photos and swatches.  If you missed my last post, you can see me wearing some of the items in this kit here.

What it includes (copied from Sephora.com):

• 0.13 oz Pretty Amazing Lipgloss in Perky (warm rose)
• 0.1 oz Prime Time Primer Shadow in Toasted Almond (iced coffee) *READ: TAUPE!*
• 0.02 oz Eyecolor in Glamtastic (warm champagne luster)  
• 0.02 oz Eyecolor in Glitz (smoky plum sparkle) 
• 0.044 oz Round The Clock Waterproof Eyeliner in 5 pm (deep plum) 
• 0.33 oz Flawless Definition Volumizing Mascara in Black 
• 0.03 oz Blush in Gorgeous (petunia pink) 
• 0.03 oz All-Over Face Color in Luxe Radiance (apricot pink) 
• Double-Ended Luxe Cheek & Eye Brush  
• Sparkling clutch 

These are all full size products, too. It says on the box that it's a $157 for $54, and I really believe that the individual products combined are actually worth that estimated amount. Some of the items are exclusive to the set, too. It was the Prime Time Primer Shadow in Toasted Almond and the Eye Color in Glitz that really pushed me over the edge and coerced me into buying this set, but I've honestly loved all of the products so far! The only things I haven't taken for a spin yet are the blush and the brush (but I do plan to use them). I haven't used the clutch/pouch either, but I can say that all of the products in the kit fit inside it.

Eye Colors in Glitz and Glamtastic

I bet these would be gorgeous applied wet! For the looks I did this weekend, I applied them dry with a sponge-tip applicator (putting a double-ended one from a Sleek palette to work!). Love them both!

All-Over Face Color in Luxe Radiance and Blush in Gorgeous

I wouldn't recommend using Luxe Radiance all over your face, as it's a rosy peach shade and pretty packed with shimmer.  I love this as a highlight, though (used it in both looks in my last post). I bet it would work well as a shadow as well.  I haven't worked out the best way to apply this, though.  Maybe a fan brush? My regular angled brush picks up too much product, even when I reeeally try not to!

As for the blush, while it looks scary bright in the pan, it looks pretty non-threatening when swatched. A nice rosy shade. I haven't had the best luck with bareMinerals loose blushes in the past - I find them hard to apply evenly and blend (I've never had to work so quickly to blend something that wasn't foundation!). But we shall see...

Top: Glitz, Glamtastic, Luxe Radiance, Gorgeous

Bottom: Toasted Almond, 5 PM, Perky

The Toasted Almond Primer Shadow (exclusive to the set) is a gorgeous taupe. I have the shade Sundance from the permanent range, and I love it, and this one is equally as awesome.  I think it would be perfect for lazy days. One step!

The eyeliner in 5 PM is another winner.  I wore it today and it wore all day without smudging or fading. It's a deep plum that almost reads brown in some lighting.  I don't have another liner in a shade like this one.  Love!

In my swatch, the Pretty Amazing Lipgloss in Perky looks really... orange. It isn't.  On my lips it's a neutral rose "MLBB" shade (reminds me of NARS Dolce Vita).  I have another one of these in the shade Freewill -- Perky is definitely less thick and more forgiving. It's not a shade I'd usually choose, but I like it. You could wear it over a lipstick, but I think it looks good on its own.  I didn't notice it gathering in the center of my lips when I wore it to work Saturday either.

Pretty Amazing Lipgloss in Perky

*just to show the multi-colored shimmer particles in Glitz - gorgeous!

To sum it up, I think this kit is a great buy, either as a gift for yourself or for someone else. It's exclusively at Sephora, and regular price it's $54 for eight full size products, a dual-ended brush, and a clutch - and during the Friends & Family sale, it will only be $43.20! Honestly, I think that's a total steal. All of the products are gorgeous and perfect for everyday or night-out looks. 

I promise I didn't get paid for this post (ha! I wish!!), I just really, really love this kit!

Happy Sephora Friends & Family sale shopping! The only things on my list at the moment are Benefit Watts Up, the Ultraflesh Perfect Pinks set, and probably one (or two?) of the Tokidoki Arte palettes. What's on yours?

xoxo,

<3 Jess

what i wore this weekend (on my face, body, & nails)

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a lovely weekend. I've probably mentioned it before, but my weekend is actually Sunday and Monday, so mine's just wrapping up! I'm happy to report that my weekend went pretty much without a hitch. I did my usual routine of shopping, kitty snuggling, and catching up on my DV-R (I also had a little Disney movie marathon last night!). Nothing all that exciting, but that's how I roll, my friends. :)

I actually set out with a plan for my makeup looks this weekend. I wanted to wear:

1) my new YSL Volupte Sheer Candy shades, because they are amaaahzing (as Penny from Happy Endings - which no one but me and Elise from Blush is the New Black watch, apparently! - would say) and I wanted to show them in action. :)

2) items from the Sephora-exclusive bareMinerals Putting on the Glitz set. I picked it up Saturday with a gift card I was too excited to wait until next week to use! I'm so impatient. :\ Anyways, I'm going to do a separate post with swatches and product photos, too.  I think a lot of you ladies would LOVE this set, and might want to check it out during Sephora's Friends & Family sale (Oct. 20 - Nov. 2, I believe). I'm not usually a big fan of bareMinerals products, but this set has totally won me over.

Anyways, let's get on with it!

FACE

Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation

YSL Touche Eclat (use it every day, but always forget to list it here!)

YSL pressed powder

Chanel Tweed Brun Rose blush

bareMinerals Luxe Radiance (as highlight)

EYES

bareMinerals Glamtastic e/s

MAC Cross-Cultural e/s

LORAC Front of the Line Pro

MAC I Get No Kick eye kohl

Maybelline Define-a-Brow

YSL Faux Cils Shocking mascara (sample)

FairyDrops Scandal Queen mascara (bottom lashes)

LIPS

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy #10 Tangy Mandarina

 

*note Sammy getting into mischief!

DRESS: Macy's

LEGGINGS: New York & Co.

BAG: Aldo

WATCH: Michael Kors

NECKLACE: Charming Charlie

FLATS (not shown): Gianni Bini (basic black ballet flats)

SCENT: Betsey Johnson Too Too

I was inspired by Laura @ Buy Now, Blog Later to include what scent I wore - fun idea!

FACE

Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation

YSL Touche Eclat

YSL pressed powder

Love & Beauty (Forever21) cream cheek blush in Coral 

(this blush was only $1.50 and is AMAZING! There's a baby pink, too, which DUH, I also picked up - if you like cream blushes, you need to try these!)

bareMinerals Luxe Radiance (highlight)

EYES

bareMinerals Prime Time Primer Shadow in Toasted Almond

bareMinerals Glitz e/s

Essence Metropolitan e/s

MAC Sand & Sun e/s

bareMinerals Round the Clock waterproof eyeliner in 5 PM

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Amethyst

MAC I Get No Kick eye kohl in inner corners

(every time I type that I start to write "Eye Get No Kick"!)

Maybelline Define-a-Brow

bareMinerals Flawless Definition Volumizing mascara

LIPS

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy #9 Cool Guava

 

TEE: Old Navy

SHORTS (I switched into jeans!): Target

SCARF: Missoni for Target*

BAG: Aldo

SCENT: Lush Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead was an LE Lush forum release fragrance that I bought (a year ago?) per Muse's recommendation. I've yet to try Lady Catrina soap, but I hear they have the same scent.  To me it smells like a sweet fruity soap (hard to describe!). I don't wear it often (I don't want to run out!), but I looooove it. <3 It's more a fun, summer scent, but being that it's still in the 80's here, I'm going with it!

 

*Mouse-oni for Target?

NAILS: Essie Licorice w/OPI Spark-tacular top coat

Also wanted to show you my new loves, which were featured in the FOTDs above (I posted about Volupte Sheer Candy #9 here). I couldn't wait to share! :)

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy #10 Tangy Mandarina

bareMinerals Putting on the Glitz set

Like I said earlier, I'm going to post product photos and swatches in a separate post (should be up tomorrow) - I've already got too much going on in this one! I also think it deserves its own post, 'cause it's just that awesome.

And blah blah blah, that is all!

Or is it?

(it looks like they're wrestling, but Sammy was actually cleaning Mouse's head - too cute)

Okay, now that's all! ;)

Thanks as always for reading!

xoxo,

<3 Jess

collective haul, part two: body, home, food stuff, etc.

Okay, so part two of this haul situation is a little random. Just a warning! And may I just say, I'm looooving that stores are already beginning to stock Christmas items. There's no such thing as too early when it comes to Christmas if you ask me! Bring it on! :D

The Body Shop Spiced Pumpkin bath & shower gel (from the Originals range)

Just sniffing this in the bottle, it's not quite what I expected, but I still really love it. And I love the price of the Originals range, too - $5.99 or 2 for $10!

**UPDATE: I pre-wrote this last night, and today I used this in the shower. It smells totally amazing in the shower! Really spicy and sweet at the same time, and the scent lingers on your skin (though not in an overpowering way). I'm kind of wishing I'd taken advantage of the 2 for $10 deal now... (Which, by the way, if you do that, I'd also recommend the Raspberry Ripple bath & shower gel -- I've had that one and used it up. It's yummy!)

Philosophy Marshmallows for Toasting marshmallow fluff body lotion

This definitely smells like toasted marshmallows.  It reminds me a little of Bath & Body Works Vanilla Bean Noel. If you like that, you'll probably like this one.

Slatkin & Co. Winter Candy Apple candle 

(I love this more than words)

Slatkin & Co. Winter Wonderland candle

(peppermint & cinnamon make a surprisingly good combo!)

Slatkin & Co. mini candles (such a smart invention)

B&BW gift bag - how cute is this??

Swan Creek Gingerbread candle, Gingerbread Man tree ornament, Candy Cane soap

Halloween decorative plate

Mom got these goodies for me from a little country store in Haines City - it was chock-full of holiday items for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas! Total heaven.

I don't usually do much of anything to decorate for Halloween (I got the Mickey votive holders from a hotel guest last year, and they were my only decoration!).  This year I got a bit more festive! :)

Birthday cards, Mickey votive holders, fall candles, mini pumpkins, Halloween hand towels (Target)

Happy Halloween door hanger (Barnes & Noble)

I keep the giant bow wreath hanger up all year, even though it's meant for Christmas. ;)

Skull plate (bought last year at Target)

Sammy hanging out with the hanging skeleton (Target)

Now on to non-Halloween home things....

cutest deer pillow ever (Mod Cloth)

Missoni for Target stuff...

Missoni for Target throw

Missoni for Target storage box

Missoni for Target scarf

Missoni for Target cosmetic bag

the interior - really spacious, with lots of compartments!

earrings (not from the Missoni for Target line, but thought they fit with the Missoni patterns, and I bought them the same day), hair clips

Random food things...

Spotted these last month at Walmart and fell in love...

Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts (Target) and Pumpkin Cream Cheese muffins (Whole Foods)

Starbucks Toasted Marshmallow Hot Cocoa, Precious Divinity Spiced Chai (TJ Maxx, from Mama)

Alright, lovelies, that's all for now. Hope you're having a wonderful week! 

As always, thanks for reading!

xoxo,

<3 Jess