Saturday, December 27, 2014

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from us to you!


Hey babes! I hope you had a very merry Christmas or an amazing holiday and will see you in the new year! I'm logging off until January 1st to hang with the family and catch up on blog posts. As always, thank you all for an absolutely awesome year. Here's to another great one! :)
Thursday, December 18, 2014

The Beauty Wonderland Gift Set by TotalBeauty.com


Hey gorgeous! Look what I got my hands on! It's the Beauty Wonderland Gift Set by TotalBeauty.com and I'm going crazy over all the cute stuff inside. This 16 piece set includes the collection itself, three bonus items, an exclusive stocking stuffer and a scratch off ticket to win up to $1000 in prizes! 


What's inside the gift set?
  • Lo Swim Hair Lollies - full size ($3)
  • GO SMiLE - Teeth Whitening Gel - deluxe size ($8)
  • Yes To Cucumber Facial Wipes - deluxe size ($2.99)
  • Purlisse Pur-Moist - deluxe size ($18)
  • Chella Brow Lace Highlighter - full size ($18)
  • Lashem 3 in 1 Eye Bright - deluxe size ($15)
  • BONUS: NuFACE Trinity Coupon Card for $65 off
  • BONUS: Evolvh Shampoo - deluxe size ($7.50)
  • BONUS: Evolvh Conditioner - deluxe size ($7.50)
What's inside the stocking stuffer?
  • Neutrogena Lip Balm - full size ($3)
  • Ferro Blush - deluxe size ($6.38)
  • NYX Lip Balm in Merci - full size ($3.75)
  • NYX Roll On Shimmer in Pink - full size ($4.50)
  • Alfaparf Hair Serum - deluxe size ($4.42)
  • Juara Candlenut Body Cream - sample size (.79)
  • Beauty Wonderland Scratch Off Ticket - I won 10% off a TotalBeauty Collection!
TotalBeauty.com also has three themed stocking stuffers - "Sugar", "Spice" and "Everything Nice" for $8. LOVE that!
Today (12/18) is the last day to purchase for guaranteed arrival for Christmas! 
The Beauty Wonderland Gift Set Buy
* Contains affiliate links. Press sample.
Sunday, December 14, 2014

ColourPop Forget The Fruitcake Holiday Lippie Stix Set - Swatches & Review


Can't stop, won't stop. Seriously. ColourPop is a serious addiction I can't get enough. At $5 a pop, it's at least one that won't make my wallet cry. And by wallet, I mean my fiance. And by fiance, I mean his wallet. Kidding. 

The newest additions to my collection is the Forget The Fruitcake Holiday Lippie Stix Set - a limited edition holiday set with six lippie stix. Four have a matte finish while the other two are their new hyper-glossy finish.

Don't even get me started on this packaging. My heart is legit exploding from the cuteness.

Love that they have the names at the bottom as well as what the finish is.
  • Tutu (matte) - a blackened red violet. Mmm. Tutu reminds me of a nice merlot. Super deep and luxurious. Leaves a nice stain. The magic that is ColourPop's matte finishes allows this to be matte but very smooth and not drying at all. I think it's made from unicorn tears. 
  • Cookie (matte) - a true nude beige. At first, I thought Cookie was going to be the dud in the group. I'm not really into "nude beige" because they always look brown/orange against my pale skin. Surprisingly, not the issue with this one! It still remains a nice nude but pulls the slightest pink in my lips to make it look flattering on me. Thumbs up!
  • Cheers (matte) - a deep raspberry. CP is just killin' it with these colors. Cheers makes me want to wear a comfy sweater and curl up near a fire with some tea (and I don't even drink tea!) and a good book. It just seems so cozy. Not to mention the pigment is insane and with that mystery matte-but-doesn't-dry-my-lips-finish, I can wear this until the last chapter is read and the fire goes out. Cheers also leaves a nice stain. 
  • Confetti (hyper glossy) - a true blue-red. My first thought when I wore this was that my lips reminded me of a candied apple - just without all the stickiness! I'm so, so in love with it. In the picture, it looks like it moved on my lips a little but it's actually the reflection of my window! IN-SANE.
  • Tuxedo (hyper glossy) - a cool-toned neon pink. How can you not swoon over this? It reminds me of a liquid MAC Candy Yum Yum. Very easy to work with, pigmented and wear time was about four hours.
  • Lady (matte) - a cool-toned dirty burgundy. Lady mixes this years trend of 90's grunge with next year's Pantone Color of the Year - Marsala! Very flattering, pigmented and smooth. My lips never felt dry or cracked nor did it ever settle into my lines.
(L-R: Lady, Confetti, Cheers, Tuxedo, Tutu and Cookie)

Overall: If I had to recommend someone what they should get from ColourPop it would, hands down, be this set. Not only is it limited edition (which I'm such a freakin' sucker for) but it has the nicest variety of colors and finishes. I would say each shade is flattering on all skin tones. 

Which one is your favorite?

ColourPop Buy - $30
Friday, December 05, 2014

ColourPop Lippie Stix & Shadows - Swatches & Review


Hey chickies! Thank goodness Christmas is right around the corner because I'm about to show you your newest addiction! They're the ColourPop Lippie Stix and Shadows and I can guarantee they'll be on the top of your list. My mom's motto is, "If you don't believe, you won't receive." Touche, madre. Touche. #do26yearoldsstillmakechristmaslists #stillgonna 


ColourPop is known for their insanely bold and pigmented lippie stix, lippie pencils and shadows - all at only $5 each. Yes, you read that right. $5. You're welcome!  Each lipstick made has a coordinating lipstick pencil so you never have to worry about finding a match. The lipsticks have three finishes: matte, glossy and satin. 

As for the shadows? The consistency is almost cream-like but I think they're pressed powders. They're just that smooth that you can't even tell what they are. They come in a bunch of finishes ranging from metallics to satins to ultra metallics. From uber bright neons to classy neutrals. They really cover all the bases. 

Alrighty. Let's check these babies out now!
(L-R: Hustle, Animal & I Heart This)
*I (as well as ColourPop) recommend using a flat lid brush or even your finger to apply for the best results! 
  • Hustle | a satin burgundy violet. I've been looking all over for a gorgeous burgundy that wouldn't make me look like I'm high or sick. This. Is. Perfect. Not only is the pigmentation on point but I also didn't experience any creasing or fall out from this.
  • Animal | an electric bright neon coral with a gold flash. I'm normally not one to wear neons (not that I don't want to, I just don't go out much to have an excuse to wear it) but I just had to have this! Sure, it's neon but it's so wearable. Again, highly pigmented, easy to apply and no fall out. 
  • I Heart This | a cool-toned silvery taupe with multi-colored glitter. Ugh. Just stunning! I love using this on my inner corner for a gorgeous pop of light!
 Lid: Animal | Outer V: Hustle | Inner Corner: I Heart This

 (L-R: Bound, Clique, Skimpy & Creature)
  • Bound | a glossy light nude pink. For the longest time, I've been looking for the perfect pink! A lot of "pinks" I've come across end up looking way too orange-y (I'm looking at you Babette!) against my pale skin but not this one. Bound is simply amaze balls! It's super smooth and creamy on the lips. It's just perfection!
  • Clique | a matte vivid true orange red. Totally channeling my inner Taylor Swift this one! With other matte lipsticks, I kind of expect to experience a little dryness on the lips. Total opposite with this baby. If this isn't the most hydrating, creamy matte you'll ever come across in your entire life, than you can slap me in the face and call me "Justin Bieber". 
  • Skimpy | a glossy soft pale nude beige. I don't even know where to start with this awesome sauce. A nude lip is always hard to achieve when you're of the pale variety. I don't know if there's unicorn tears in this or what but it's SO flattering on my light skin as well as tanned skin. Super glossy but never sticky!
  • Creature | a matte deepened blackened burgundy red inspired by Eugenie Grey of FeralCreature.com. Hello must-have fall lipstick! Super creamy, hydrating and the lasting time is six hours +.  I think this is my new favorite lipstick ever. I've received so many compliments on it!

(L-R: I Heart This, Animal, Hustle, Bound, Clique, Skimpy & Creature)

SO. I'm obsessed. This is hands down, the biggest bang for your buck that you'll ever come across. The pigmentation and quality rivals that of MAC (and dare I say maybe even better?). Their matte lipsticks blow me out of the water because never have I ever come across a matte that's actually creamy and hydrating. I thought that was only in fairytales. 

Stay tuned for more swatches of ColourPop's holiday lippie collection as well as other random lippies. I *ahem* may have an order coming in as well as an order being placed soon! What addiction? ;)

ColourPop | Facebook - Shop
Friday, December 05, 2014

PopSugar Must Have December 2014 Box - Review


Whoop whoop! Christmas has come early because mama got herself a PopSugar Must-Have box! When it comes to these boxes, I'd consider them pretty top-of-the-line. I've never received a bad box. Like, ever. 

The PopSugar Must Have Box is a monthly subscription box but with a twist! Not only do you receive beauty and hair products but they also throw in hand-selected items in fashion, home, fitness and food to make for an awesome and unique box every time. All products are either full-size or premium size.

What inspired PopSugar for December? Cheers, party ready, indulgence, holiday treats, sparkle and glamour.

SPUN by Subtle Luxury Speckled Metallic Scarf - ($62)
Mmmm, talk about luxurious. It's like having a cloud wrapped around your neck. The speckled gold dots are perfect for basically any holiday outfit. Love it! || Wearing: Smashbox Lip Lacquer in Bordeaux

Sparklepop Sydney Necklace - ($42)
DROOOOOOOOOL. How stunning is this 18K gold-plated necklace?! Not only does this look pretty by itself but y'know, it always plays well with others and can be layered for a more casual look.

Canvas Dauville Platinum Bowl - ($29)
Well, you know you're an adult when get way too excited over a bowl. Like, way excited. This is so, so chic! The bowl is a crisp white porcelain with a hand-painted platinum interior and is perfect for holding rings or snacks!

Smashbox Be Legendary Long-Wear Lip Lacquer in Bordeaux - ($24)
I can't get enough of this bordeaux/oxblood color! It's so flattering just about every skintone. It being a lip lacquer, it has both a gloss/liquid lipstick feel without being sticky. It also leaves a nice stain behind!

Knot & Bow Parcel Tags - ($4)
Okay. These are adorable! One of my favorite things to do is to wrap presents. Seriously. I put insane an insane amount of time and effort into picking out wrapping paper and tags and what-not. I'm that girl! These are a pretty universal color that'll go with just about any wrapping paper (if you're into matching and that sort of thing).

Williams-Sonoma Cupcake Mix in Vanilla - ($14.95)
You can never, ever, EVER go wrong with cupcakes. EVER. I have yet to make these but I can promise you I probably won't be sharing. That's just not my style ;)
PopSugar Must-Have Box | Shop
* Use code: CHEER for $5 off  (ends 12/31) or DEC14SELECT for $10 off a 3 month subscription (ends 1/2/15)
* PopSugar sent me this box!
Friday, December 05, 2014

Holiday | Top Four Ways To Capture Your Baby's First Holidays


As a new mommy, I can tell you the holidays are way different when a baby comes into the picture. There's a new little person to start traditions with and it makes things so much more exciting! Naturally, I want to capture my little one's first Christmas in as many ways as I can so I've come with my top four ways to do it! 

Make Your Own Photobook with Shutterfly.com
There's no better way to capture a moment than with pictures. Shutterfly is a great site to help save those moments in something tangible (like a gorgeous photobook) that you can keep for years to come or give away as an awesome holiday present. All you have to do is upload your fave pictures to the site and wa-la! That's it. How easy is that? You can choose a more custom photobook that has themed-layouts and text or keep it simple photobook that has just your pictures. I love that they always have awesome deals going on!
Holiday Cards With Treat.com
Another great idea! Take a family photo together and make them into holiday cards. With Treat, you can upload your own pictures and personalize your card. Then, for the cost of a stamp, Treat will ship out your cards for you! You can also personalize each card with the names of who you're sending it to using the new Card Multiplier feature on the site.

Art Projects
As a daycare teacher, I can come up with a footprint art project for any holiday! Our favorite to do at the daycare for Christmas would be to paint the children's feet green and make "mistletoes" out of them! Gently press their feet on a sheet of paper. Then add a bow at the top of the heels and waa-laa - mistletoes! Too cute :) Another fave is taking your little babe's hand, painting it green and then gently pressing their hand down on a piece of paper, fingers pointing down. Then take their fingers and paint them different colors and use their fingerprints as "ornaments" all over the tree. Lastly, draw a star at the top and wa-la - Christmas tree! PS. Can you tell he likes to stomp with his left foot? :)

Baby's First Ornament
Lastly, baby's first ornaments! You can find these just about anywhere and can customize them with their names or pictures. My mom actually saved all of my "first" ornaments and I really love looking back at them! She also started a tradition where she would buy an ornament every year for us depending on what we were into. Needless to say a lot of my ornaments are Barbie-related :)

What are you doing to capture your baby's firsts? What are some of your family's holiday traditions? 

the latest on the 'gram.