50 Followers Contest

I'm at the 50 followers mark! That means I can start my contest! Below, you'll find the rules and prize list.
Rules:
1. To enter my contest, you must be a follower. I will check!

2. Leave a comment on this post saying "Enter me". That will count as one entry. The only way that I'll allow more entries from one person is listed in rule #3.

3. To gain two extra entries, you can post about my contest to your blog. If you do so, please comment here with the link to your post.

4. I will choose the winners by making a numbered list with your name on it. If you have three entries, I will list your name the three times. I will then use random.org to choose the winners and if your name is by the number given, then you win! Pictures and screencaps will be provided to show you that it is fair.

5. I've decided to give first and second place prizes. So you have a good chance of winning!

6. Please don't hate on the prizes, if you think they are too small or cheap. I bought all of these with my own money and my contest is not sponsored by anyone. Don't like 'em? Don't enter. :)

7. You must be 18 or have the permission of a parent. You also have to be comfortable with emailing your address to me so that I can send your prize.

8. Contest will end at 11:59 PM EST on February 28, 2010.

First Place Prize:

MAC Pigment Sample in Teal - I scooped a massive amount into the container, so you get way more than if you were to buy a sample online! Not to mention, I always use my pigments with a clean scoop and put it into little jars. So this sample comes from a completely sanitary jar!

MAC Sample of Prep + Prime Powder- Again, this comes from a completely sanitary jar.

Betty Brush Bag from Benefit- Brand new makeup bag from Benefit!

Soap & Glory Mother Pucker Lip Gloss- Everyone needs something from Soap & Glory!

Eyeko Face Wipes and a Vamp Nail Polish- Eyeko is a great brand from the UK! Cute packaging too!

Second Prize:

Rose Salve- I got this from Eyeko. I love rose salve and it has many uses!

E.L.F. Contouring & Blush Set- I have this in my own collection and I think you'll like it. :)

E.L.F. Blush Brush- The E.L.F. brushes are the best in their price range.

Heck, if I'm feeling in a good mood...I might add an extra or two to the prizes! Good luck to all of you! Thanks for following my blog! XOXO.

Alloy + Lady GaGa Store Hauls

Currently worried: that I haven't been updated on my uncle
Currently browsing: formspring...finally broke down & made one
Currently feeling: nervous
Putting the finishing touches on the contest prizes, so expect the post next week! :) Alloy had a code for $20 off that covered my shipping...on top of an amazing end of season clearance. Only one of the items that I got were priced at regular price.

1. Bow t-shirt - This is the only full-priced item I bought. It was too cute to pass up, though. My love of bows knows no end.

2. Navy military cardigan- This was a last minute addition to my cart, but I realized I don't have a cardigan like this with the buttons. Plus, it's a steal at $10 when it was around $33!

3. Mickey & Minnie t-shirt- I love me some Disney, so I had to get this. I'm hoping to go to a Disney park in the next few months and definitely plan on wearing this. I won't lie...it was between this t-shirt and a Golden Girls one. It was honestly a tough decision!

4. Vigoss Patchwork jeans- When I can get a pair of $40 jeans for $20, I'm going to. These look cute with the little design on the back pockets. I've never tried this brand, so I'm interested in seeing how they fit and feel.

5. Embroidered tunic dress- Was $40 and I got it for $10! My plan is to see how this will look layered over my denim leggings (jeggings, if you so prefer).

Awhile back, I also bought two shirts from the Lady GaGa store. On January 24th, she offered all of her proceeds from her online store to help Haiti. I thought it was a great time to get something that I would have ordered anyway and to give back at the same time. I'm glad that I waited and did not buy a shirt at her concert, because knowing that the money went to a worthy cause will make wearing these even more enjoyable.

Now that I have the shirt...I need another GaGa concert to wear it to. :)

She still has this Haiti shirt available with all proceeds going to Haitian relief. And I think that is pretty dang amazing. So if you're wanting a GaGa shirt, you can get this one for US$25 and you'll be donating to charity at the same time. It's a win-win situation, I believe.

MAC Compacts Old vs. New

Currently worried: my uncle Dean is in the hospital
Currently craving: a vacation
Currently feeling: worn out
MAC just recently changed their quad compacts with the launch of their new Spring Colours collection. I know they also changed the shape of the pigment bottles recently, which I do not care for at all. Here are pictures comparing the new compact to the old, as well as my thoughts.

In retrospect, I should have cleaned off my old one a bit...but oh well. Disregard the eyeshadow dust! :)

They changed the color of the MAC font.

While you're disregarding the dirty old compact in the last two pictures, you can add my chipped nail polish to that list. Eek! You can see that the new compacts have a black rim as opposed to the old clear rims.

I don't like that the new design has added a bit of bulk to the compact. They are now slightly thicker and wider.

I'm not sure if you can tell in this picture, but the old ones had a plastic clasp closing. The new ones are magnetized. I actually really like this addition, because it's foolproof and adds ease. I also like that the new lids flip completely open and can lay flat.

While I can handle the bulk if I have to, this next thing is the number one thing I dislike about the new quad compacts. They took out the nice little swoop above each eyeshadow, which made them a lot easier to take out to look at shades or to put in different compacts. Now you have to use something to pry the new ones out.

All-in-all, I'm not a big fan of the new design. I'm happy that I rarely use the quads. I much prefer using the 15 eyeshadow palettes. I think this is a downgrade! That's just my opinion, of course. If you have the new quads, feel free to share what you like or dislike about them!

P.S.- On a personal level, I'd love it if you would offer prayers, wishes, and positive thoughts for my uncle Dean. He had emergency open heart surgery yesterday along with two heart attacks. He's in the ICU now and is not doing well. Thank you!

MAC Spring Colour Collection

Currently listening: Monster by Lady GaGa
Currently doing: editing pictures
Currently feeling: tired
So this post will be lengthy and picture heavy, just to warn you. I want to talk about what I got, the swatches, and what went on at the party. So keep reading, if that interests you! :)

You call in to RSVP with your name and they ask which time you want to come in. I asked which would be the least crowded time to attend and was told 8pm. It was still very crowded! If you've been to MAC, you know that most of them are already pretty cramped. Add about 40-50 people to that tiny space and you'll be able to picture what it's like to be at the party. It was crazy!

They offered little finger foods and drinks as you browse. They put parts of the collection at different parts of the store so that the crowd wouldn't be all in one zone. If invited to a party, I recommend doing what I did and getting a look at the collection online so that you have a general idea of what you want. It saved me a lot of time! They give you a card for you to write everything down to hand in and that's about it. I managed to weave through the crowds and be out within half an hour. Some people might like to stay longer, but I really hate crowds and I was by myself so I found what I wanted and got out. Anything else you want to know about the parties, just ask!

As I assumed, some things I was interested in changed and one thing won me over that I didn't expect. That never fails! On to the pictures and swatches of what I bought!



Cultureclash lipglass. It's a really pretty pink that I think would also look good over Plink! lipstick, if you have that.

Phlox lipstick. It's a glaze finish and very sheer. It looks good under Cultureclash, but I would say it would probably also look good under MAC's Love Nectar or maybe NARS Orgasm gloss.

Colour Me Coral lipstick (frost finish). This is the color that surprised me in person. I planned on looking at Victoria, but this one interested me more. It's not a crazy coral color. I intend to wear it with my Euro Beat Dazzleglass over it.

^swatches

^Phlox lipstick paired with Cultureclash

^Colour Me Coral paired with Euro Beat

Quad 3. Pretty purple quad! I'll compare the new compacts to the old ones in tomorrow's post. I'm not impressed by them, sadly. All are LE and Mink Pink is a repromote.

Sorry for the somewhat blurry swatches. My camera and I were not getting along today. You can guarantee that he will be punished for not behaving. :P

Quad 4. This is much more gorgeous in person than it is on the MAC website! All are LE and Flip is a repromote.

Manila Paper was near impossible to get to show up. It's a very pretty highlight color!

MAC Spring Colour Collection Party

Currently watching: YouTube videos
Currently excited: about the MAC party
Currently feeling: cold
I'm on my way out the door and heading to MAC. I got invited to the Spring Colours Collection party for tonight. The collection is supposed to hit the online stores in Canada and the US today. It's a four part collection basically separated into four color spectrums (what they are calling forecasts). That's the best way I can think to explain it. This is also the first collection that MAC is using their updated compacts.

I've made up a bit of a wishlist, but obviously what I actually buy could change upon seeing the items in person. So tomorrow, I'll provide pictures and swatches of what I purchased. I cannot say it will be a lot since I just had a huge haul from MAC already. I do want to take advantage of the preview party, though! I'll be sure to share the details tomorrow.

1. Eyeshadow Quad 3- I don't recall MAC ever doing a purple quad, but with not being a MAC addict for a long time...it's very possible that I'm wrong. The colors are all LE with one being a repromote. The colors are Mink Pink, Jungle Moon, Bruised Plum, and Black Tulip. Retail will be US$36 and C$43.

2-3. Blush Ombres- These have me intrigued. These are definitely what I want to see in person before I buy them. The two I really like are Springshine and Ripe Peach. The other two blushes offered seem too dark for myself. Retail will be US$25 and C$30.

4. Phlox Lipstick- Phlox is in the pink spectrum. It's a glaze finish and LE. My mind could completely change on this, because there are two or three others that interest me. I suppose I should stop having such a weakness for pink lips every now and then. ;) Retail will be US$14 and C$16.50.

5. Cultureclash Lipglass- I love a lot of the lipglasses this go-around, but my attention went straight to Cultureclash! If I do end up getting Phlox, I think this will be a perfect companion for it. Retail will be US$14 and C$16.50.

Other possibilities that I'll be looking at:
Hush Hush Rose
Cha Cha lipglass
Eyeshadow Quad 4
Victorian lipstick

January Favorites

Currently listening: Skinny Genes by Eliza Doolittle
Currently drinking: water
Currently feeling: behind on everything
This past month has been spent mostly at my mother-in-law's house. So most of my favorites come from what traveled with me and was used the most often. My first favorites post of 2010! Feel free to tell me any of your favorites from the last month. Did you find a holy grail product?!


1. Bare Minerals Matte foundation - I have to do a review on this, but I'm liking it so far.
2. Bumble & bumble Thickening Spray - Best thickening spray that I've ever used!
3. MAC Baby Sparks Dazzleglass - A fun gloss by itself or layered on pink lipsticks.
4. 3 row teasing comb - I don't know how I ever lived without this. 3 is much better than one!
5. Maybelline Dream Mousse concealer - Review to come. I love that it's easy to blend.
6. Maybelline Dream Mousse blush in Peach Satin - Pretty peach color on its own or layered under a blush.

Also on a more serious note, thank you for the warm and kind messages about my family's loss. I appreciate all of your wishes, thoughts, prayers, etc. tremendously. I thank you with all of my heart!

Extended Hiatus

As in my last post, you all know that Nan was suffering from pneumonia. She's no longer suffering as she passed away on Friday night. It is hitting me really hard as I grew really close to her the minute I met her. She gripped my heart instantly and never let go.


- on Nan's 90th birthday in 2008

I loved everything about her. I loved coming over to help her and watch after her. I loved listening to her stories that she would tell even when she had already told me the same story five times before. I loved talking to her about our common interests. I loved our inside jokes. I LOVE HER.


- Nan on her 91st birthday last November! She was so funny especially when she would pose for the camera!

I suppose I can't really say that at 91 years old that she was exactly taken too soon. She lived a long life! Not many people even reach that age. It just feels that way to me, because I only came to know this fantastic woman in 2004 when I moved here to be with my husband. I'm completely selfish in saying that I wish it had been a longer time frame. I enjoyed every single second.

Her visitation is Wednesday and her funeral is Thursday. With that said, I feel that I must take this week off from blogging. I just do not feel in the mood to be posting at this time when my heart, emotions, and thoughts are elsewhere. I will be back next week with my reviews, swatches, etc. etc. Hoping you all understand! I'd also like to thank all of you that offered prayers, wishes, and positive thoughts for Nan (and for me and my family, as well). They do not go unappreciated. It means a great deal! Love to you all.

Smile, Though Your Heart is Breaking

You'll have to forgive me for having no post today. As I've stated in past entries, I've been helping my mother-in-law for the past two weeks while she has been in the hospital. I have been watching over Nan (my husband's grandmother). Last night was a really rough night for her and she was complaining of being cold and not being able to breathe.

She went to the hospital where we found out that she had a fever of 101 and pneumonia. I stayed behind with my MIL, because she just had knee surgery and can't really get around. It was truly a rough night of emotions and sleep was next to none for all of us. Nan's fever is gone now and they are taking care of the chest congestion. At 91 years of age, they are taking this all very seriously and giving her great care.

With all of that said, I can't promise an entry for tomorrow either. I won't deny that I have been an emotional wreck, but that's what I do to myself after something like this happens. So I'd like to take some moments for myself and find my footing again. Thanks for understanding! Prayers, best wishes, and positive thoughts for Nan are always appreciated. Love to you all!

Huge MAC Haul

Currently listening: Glee!
Currently missing: my husband...I'm still at his mom's helping.
Currently feeling: worn out
So I almost called this post "Big MAC Haul", but that just made me think of McDonald's so I chose huge as a descriptive instead. :) I decided to spend my Christmas money on something that would make me happy and something that I would use...so of course, I chose to spend the majority of it on makeup. That's the fun thing about getting money on birthdays and Christmas because it's expected to buy something that you would have asked for in the first place!

I ordered ten things and they are expected to arrive tomorrow! As always, I'll be sure to do swatches later! I never find the swatches on MAC to be anywhere close to true-to-life.


A blush palette. I already own one blush that I plan on depotting. If you plan on owning more than one blush, buying the palettes and refill pans will save you money. And it takes up less room in your makeup storage.

Two blushes. I don't have any blushes that are light in color like these. I thought it would be a nice change and would look really good layered with other blushes and MSFs.

Two Dazzleglasses. Both of these are LE. Euro Beat is from the Euristocrats II Collection and Goldyrocks is from Double Dazzle Dazzleglass Collection.

Plink! lipstick. This gets a lot of raves, so I thought I would try it out. I was thinking of seeing what it would look like with Euro Beat layered over it.

A lipgelee. This is my first lipgelee and it's LE from the MAC in Lillyland Collection that is out now. I thought of getting the pink or purple one, but this one caught my eye the fastest. It looks gorgeous!

Three eyeshadows. I only needed three more eyeshadows to fill up my palette, so I picked up three that I've been wanting for awhile and that have top reviews. I also think that these will be very versatile and will fit nicely in my neutral palette.

My 400th Post! - Mini Drug Store Haul

Currently watching: Oprah for Susan Boyle and Adam Lambert!
Currently preparing: to cook dinner for everyone
Currently feeling: busy

I'm still away all this week so I'm trying to come up some posts for what I have around me. I got these things this past weekend, so luckily they are on hand! It's just a small haul, but there were sales going on! 25% off of Revlon products and 15% off of Gosh products. :)

I decided to add to my lipliner collection since I don't own that many. I took advantage of the Gosh sale to purchase Darling, which a lot of beauty bloggers rave about. I particularly got it to see how it compares to Creme D'Nude and to do a comparison blog for you guys later. And with the eyeliner pen, I wanted to see if I like the pen applicator. I have been wanting to try MAC's Penultimate liner, but I don't want to pay C$20 for something that I may not like.
Swatches: