Christmas Hiatus

Currently ready: to go run errands
Currently doing: making a list of what to pack
Currently feeling: excited

I'll be on hiatus from today until around Monday, January 4th. I'm heading home for a week and I'm super excited! I also have plans for the first few days of January. So I hope you guys understand. :) I hope you all have a fabulous holiday season with lots of fun and good memories made.

When I come back, I'll share my hauls from Christmas and my trip home. Also, more reviews and swatches to come! Love you all!

Enjoy your holidays! Please be responsible if going out. Don't drink and drive. Don't get in a car with someone who is drunk and call a taxi, if needed. Wear your seatbelt. But feel free to overdose on good food, yummy sweets, and fun times! :)

What's On My iPod, Pt. 11- Christmas Edition

Currently attempting: to get rid of a migraine
Currently happy: it's Friday!
Currently feeling: STRESSED

1. Last Christmas - Glee Cast
2. My Grown Up Christmas List - Kelly Clarkson
3. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas - Gayla Peevey
4. Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt
5. Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
6. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Leon Redbone ft. Zooey Deschanel
7. White Christmas - Bing Crosby
8. A Marshmallow World - Dean Martin
9. Greatest Time of Year - Aly & AJ
10. Mary's Boy Child - Jim Reeves
11. Christmas Don't Be Late - Alvin & the Chipmunks
12. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings - Barenaked Ladies ft. Sarah McLachlan
13. Here Comes Santa Claus - Bing Crosby ft. The Andrews Sisters
14. Tell Me A Story - Hilary Duff ft. Lil' Romeo
15. Blue Christmas - Elvis

What are some Christmas songs that you can't get enough of? Those 15 up there are barely the tip of the iceberg for me. I love Christmas music. Are you someone that loves it or one that gets sick of it by the end of the season? :)

What I'm Using: Meme Pt. 2

Currently listening: Christmas music
Currently drinking: water
Currently feeling: horrible...migraine
I did this for the first time back in August here, but I thought I'd do it again since it's been a few months. A few of my answers have changed and are noted as such. The ones that are the same...well, you can just tell how much I love them since I'm still using them! So here we go!

As always, I don't mind recommendations at all. So if you have a favorite product for one of the topics below, please share. If you do a list of this on your own blog, feel free to link me to it!

Shampoo - Bumble & bumble Seaweed Shampoo (changed)

Hair Mask - The only thing I do is deep condition with Aussie's Three Minute Miracle
Styling Products - John Frieda Brilliantly Brunette hairspray, TreSemme Heat Tamer spray, CHI Silk Infusion
Body Wash - Soap & Glory Clean On Me
Body Moisturizer - Soap & Glory Righteous Butter
Deodorant - Dove Invisible Solid
Fake Tan - I just use a makeup bronzer or I don't even bother.
Makeup Remover - Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Makeup Remover (changed)
Cleanser - Cetaphil and Neutrogena Anti-Oxidant Age Reverse (changed)
Exfoliator - St.Ives Apricot Scrub
Primer - Gosh Velvet Touch primer (changed)

Foundation - L'Oreal Bare Naturale or Clinique Almost Makeup
Concealer - MAC Studio Finish or Maybelline Mineral Power (partly changed)
Powder - Mac's MSF Natural in Light
Blush - NARS Orgasm layered with MAC's MSF Porcelain Pink (partly changed)
Bronzer - Annabelle
Highlighter - Benefit High Beam
Eyebase - MAC's Paint Pot in Painterly or UDPP (changed)
Eyeshadow - Urban Decay Sin is my everyday go-to! (changed)
Eyeliner - CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus and Almay liquid eyeliner
Mascara - Benefit BADgal Lash or Maybelline Pulse Perfection
Lipstick - MAC's Creme D'Nude
Gloss - MAC's C-Thru (layered over Creme D'Nude)

Nail Varnish - OPI's Russian Navy

Taylor Swift Look-of-the-Day

Currently watching: Rachael Ray Show
Currently happy: one week until I am home!
Currently feeling: chilled

So I saw this adorable picture of Taylor Swift last week and decided to have her be my first LOTD on here. I think it's pretty impressive that she has found a way to mesh different patterns and textures and make it work in a cool funky way. I decided to try to find a few cheaper counterparts to her outfit while keeping at least one original piece of the ensemble. I did not include the scarf, because I'm sure most of you have a fun colorful scarf that you can throw on with it. Cute ones can be found at F21!

My version:

Dress: Old Navy Striped Dress $15
Tights: J. Crew Herringbone Tights $22.50
Shoes: Free People Oxfords $109
Bag: (the bag that Taylor was carrying) French Connection Stitch Handbag $100

I had fun doing this. If you like this kind of thing, let me know. I'll keep it mind and do it more. I used to do it for a few Gossip Girl looks back in the day on a fan chatboard. I love trying to find ways to save money! :)

Christmas Wishlist

Currently out: Christmas shopping
Currently behind: on everything
Currently feeling: stressed
Thought I'd share a few things on my list with you! By no means do I expect to get all of this. I'm sure someone is going to say "you're so spoiled". Let me tell you that this is a WISHLIST. It is not a "I'm getting this and this" list. And also, I've never hidden the fact that I'm spoiled. I think we all should find ways to spoil ourselves. Rather it be something like a dream handbag (and I don't mean just going and put it on credit- I mean spending within your means, of course) or even just an evening hot bubble bath. We deserve to have some good things in life! :)

1. The following items from MAC:

Baroque Boudoir lipstick in Treasured

Baroque Boudoir lip gloss in The Lap of Luxury

Cremesheen Glass in Partial to Pink

Put a Spell On You Pink Lip Bag

DSquared Lip Erase in Dim

Dazzleglass Creme in Soft Dazzle

Eyeshadow refills in Antiqued, Mulch, Cranberry, Brule

Eyeshadow in Satin Taupe

217 blending brush

Brush cleanser


2. The following things from Sephora:
Yves St. Laurent Holiday Collection
Make Up For Ever Aqua Creamliner in Matte Black 1
Make Up For Ever 10 eyeshadow palette


3. Tiffany Notes I Love You Ring


4. CDs:
Glee Volume 1
Glee Volume 2
Lady GaGa's The Fame Monster
Taylor Swift's Fearless Platinum Edition
Britney Spear's The Singles Collection

5. I love giftcards!
Old Navy
Sephora
MAC
Starbucks
movie cinema

6. DVDs:
Up
Gossip Girl Season 1
The OC Season 4
Harry Potter and the HBP

7. Nikon Coolpix P90 Digital Camera


8. Keurig coffee maker and various K-Cups


9. Shelf stereo system with iPod dock


10. Viva La Juicy perfume set


Already received/know that I'm getting:
Dell Mini laptop
Coastal Scents palettes
Coastal Scents lip gloss
random makeup items
American Eagle shoes

Feel free to share your own list with me! Links to your list, your big ticket items, whatever! I love seeing wishlists! :)

American Eagle Shoe Mini-Haul

Currently listening: Last Christmas by Glee
Currently eating: Christmas cookies
Currently feeling: bored
I haven't gotten any new shoes in awhile and these were too adorable to pass up. I had a 25% off code + free shipping offer, so that helped. I am having them shipped to my mom's so I can pick them up at Christmas, which means I have to wait for about a little over a week to get them! That's the only sad part. Haha!

Leopard flats - I told you guys that I like leopard print. I saw these on a girl at a hockey game and loved them. When I found them, I had to get them!

Embellished flats - I love the rhinestones and bow! These are going to be fun to wear to add a little extra flash to an otherwise casual outfit!

P.S.- For those of you on the Marc Jacobs Daisy site, I'm the Daisy of the Week! And for those who are not on the site, you should join. You can get wallpapers, screensavers, and more. :)

Cetaphil Cleanser

Currently watching: The Simpsons
Currently thinking: what to have for dinner
Currently feeling: creative

I'd been hearing beauty gurus talking about this all over YouTube, I decided I wanted to see what all of the fuss was about and the perfect opportunity came when I found this giant bottle at Costco for a really good price. I got the normal/dry formula. My skin is really dry and with winter weather here, it's only going to get worse.

The cool thing about this cleanser is that it can be used with or without water! How fantastic is that?! You just put it on and take it off with either water or just a cloth. It removes your makeup, also. I've noticed a bit of moisture added back to my skin and it has not caused me any breakouts. It doesn't really have a scent. Cetaphil has pretty much taken the place of my Dove facial cleanser, because the Dove one foams. Foaming cleanser can dry your skin out, so I can't use it in the winter. Cetaphil does not foam.

Because the bottle is this big honker of a fella, I poured some into my soap dispenser I was not using for anything. You can see the size comparison just to see how big the Cetaphil is! The fish dispenser doesn't exactly go with my bathroom decor (aside from my fish cups!), but it was given to me by my grandmother so it holds sentimental value. :) It's turned out to be perfect to hold the Cetaphil!

I think I'm going to purchase the lotion to try next. I've heard they make a pretty good combination when used together each day. Sorry today's entry is a little late. Someone cut a wire in my neighborhood, so I've gone the whole day with no phone, internet, or cable TV. Needless to say, I was quite bored at home today! Luckily, Christmas DVDs and Glee music kept me entertained. :) Have a great weekend!

Coastal Scents Smacks

Currently listening: Smile (Charlie Chaplin version) by Glee Cast
Currently thinking: how much I relate to lyrics of said song
Currently feeling: tired

This was supposed to go in my stocking for Christmas, but I worked my magic on Larry to get it early. :) It's a Coastal Scents Smacks lip gloss. I only got one color because I like to test formulas, quality, and other things before buying several of one thing. I very rarely order multiples of something the first time.

I got it in the color Pep Pink and it is a baby pink. The color is actually a pale pink without me putting on a lip base. The picture below is with concealer on my lips to cancel out the pigmentation. I really like the color and the different ways to wear it. It is quite pigmented. That part of the product gets an A+. Now for the negatives...

I don't like the smell at all. There is no pleasant smell like Benefit or MAC glosses and you can smell it well after applying it to the lips. It does not have a very sticky consistency, but because of this the staying power is not that long. Like all glosses, it lasts a little longer on top of a base (concealer, lipstick, etc.) than it does by itself. After awhile, it does sink into fine lines on your lips and looks a bit streaky. Touch-ups are needed with this gloss.

Other things to know about this product are that I purchased it for US$5.95. They used to be $2.95, but they have since changed the amount of product, packaging, and the applicator. The new tube is well-made, because I already dropped it once on my bathroom tile floor and not a single crack or scratch! It has a doe foot applicator, as opposed to the old brush applicator they had.

Would I buy this product again? I'm torn, but leaning more towards no. While the price is good and the color is pretty, I don't enjoy the smell or like how it ends up looking streaky after about an hour on the lips. I suppose if I were to put it on to run a quick errand, I wouldn't mind.

RIP, Kandys.

"What do you say in a moment like this when you can't find the words to tell it like it is? Just close your eyes and let your heart lead the way."
- Reba McEntire, What Do You Say lyrics

Today's scheduled blog will be postponed. It will have to wait until tomorrow. I found out about the death of a dear friend last night and I find myself out of sorts.

My friend Kandys was fabulous. She never failed to make me laugh. I'll never forget when she pulled a tampon out in the middle of our science class thinking it was a Twix candy bar! That gave her the nickname "Twixie" for the rest of our senior year! We had great years traveling and performing in the marching band together. I had spent the last three years or so trying to reconnect with her without any luck except for mutual friends.

To share with you the type of person she was, I found an old journal that she had given me for Christmas during our senior year in high school. She wrote me a letter inside the first page and I'd like to share it:

"Wendy,
I have enjoyed being in your company. Mr. Meade's class has been the best and band also. Guess what? I LOVE YOU! And I always will! Never forget that. Hope you have fun and great luck in your future. Follow your dreams and most of all your heart. You are special and you can do anything your heart desires. Don't let anyone say otherwise! I ♥ U! Bye bye! Don't miss me too much! Don't forget me!

Love ya always,
Kandys"

Those words will always stick with me. I'll never forget the laughs and good times. Thank you for everything, Kandys. You will be missed! I'll love you forever!

First Designer Fragrance

Currently thinking: about my grandma
Currently procrastinating: doing Christmas cards
Currently feeling: ok
On my Christmas list, I've asked for two perfume things (I will post some of my list on here in a later post!). That got me to thinking about what my first designer perfume was. Not the "fake designer" smells that you can find in certain stores, but the real deal.

I think it was around age 11 or 12 that my grandmother bought me a bottle of Acqua Di Gio for Women by Giorgio Armani. I wore it every single day and loved it. I kept the bottle for years not wanting to get rid of it, not wanting to use the last drop. It wasn't until the likes of Clinique Happy and Tommy Girl came along later on that swayed me away. I gave in to the trends of Happy and Tommy Girl and forgot about my little bottle of Acqua Di Gio.

It still holds special memories since my grandmother bought it for me. She bought me a lot of the finer things in life and it took me losing her to realize just how much she truly did for me. I would not be where I am or who I am today had I not had her in my life. So my first designer perfume has a soft spot in my heart!

It's true when they say that scents can trigger memories. For an example besides the story above, when I smell Bath and Body Work's Country Apple I think of my high school years. I used that scent almost everyday!

Do you remember what your first designer perfume was? Does the scent hold a special memory? Did someone special give it to you? Tell me about a scent that you hold dear in your heart!

MAC Go and Mink & Sable

Currently thinking: what to have for dinner
Currently excited: we got our first snow of the season!
Currently feeling: emotional

These eyeshadows are from the Starflash collection. I've said it already, but the Starflash formula is my favorite. I can't say enough good things about it. I picked these up at a CCO in Michigan for around $8 or so each.

I actually have a pretty good dupe for MAC's Go eyeshadow, so if you can't get your hands on it you have another option! It's very close to Urban Decay's Smog.



As you can see, they are very similar! MAC's Go is a little darker, but with a little layering Smog can look the same. It has a bit of shimmer to it when it hits the light. Gorgeous as a crease or all-over lid color!

Mink & Sable - I'd say that I classify this as a muddy green. I haven't experimented with this one that much yet. I'm thinking of wearing it along with All That Glitters e/s from MAC. I think those two will compliment each other very well. I'm also thinking of combining it with a gold pigment for a holiday look!

Kirkland Borghese Brush Set

Currently listening: Russian Roulette by Rihanna
Currently excited: to go home in the next few weeks!
Currently feeling: festive

I finally got my hands on a brush set from Costco! I had to drive to the one half an hour away, but by jolly I got one! They come out with these special brush sets every Christmas, though this is the first year that I've actually purchased one. A word of warning, only take these out of the box they come in ONCE. Don't put them back in it. I say this because they can be difficult to get out and one of the only ways is to pull up on the bristles to do so. Once won't kill your brushes, but let's not damage them before we get to use them!

This is the normal-sized set. The holder is very nice with the black quilt. There is a place for each brush as well as flaps that come down to protect the brushes. The brushes are as follows:

1. Large powder brush
2. Flat-top bronzer brush
3. Angled foundation brush
4. Eyeshadow brush
5. Flat eyeliner brush
6. Eye smudger brush
7. Brow brush and spooley
8. Eye blending brush

They have really nice black rubberized handles. They aren't going to slip through your fingers. The handles are a little thick to also help your hold on them. The bristles are just dyed that way on all of the brushes and are not dual fiber.

That's a close-up of my absolute favorite brush from the collection- the large powder brush. It's fantastic! It's very densely packed with bristles so it picks up the perfect amount of powder. It is super soft and does not scratch my skin at all. I've used it for my MSF Natural, my blush, and my Prep + Prime powder. Love it!

Along with the everyday set, you also get a small travel brush set along with case. The brushes include:

1. Small powder brush
2. Small concealer brush
3. Small eye blending brush
4. Small flat eyeliner brush

And to top it all off, you also get an eyelash curler with the set! Some people don't like the quality of it, but I don't mind it. My eyelash curler before this one was horrible and just didn't work. This one has allowed me to get closer to my face and curls my lashes really well. If anything, I think it's great for a beginner!

This set has really impressed me. I got the whole box of goodies for around C$20. The brush quality is impressive for what you are paying for. They are well made and I've had no problems with shedding so far. I have my fingers crossed that next year they will take out the eyelash curler and add in a kabuki brush just to toss things up a bit! If you have any questions about the set, just ask!

P.S.- New signature! :)

MAC Tendertones

Currently waiting: to see if FedEx chooses to show up
Currently watching: YouTube videos
Currently feeling: annoyed

I got these three Tendertones at a CCO in Michigan for around $8-10 each. This is actually a good price compared to a few other places that still have them available. They can be hard to find because they have such a loyal following and after finding these and trying them, I can see why!

I bought Tender Baby, Warm Smile, and Take a Hint. Tendertones are along the same line as MAC's Tinted Lip Conditioners. They don't have the typical vanilla smell that most MAC products have, though. Some of these smell differently, but the three that I chose smell fruity. Not a citrus fruit, but kind of more along the lines of how Juicy Fruit gum or maybe how those strawberry Starbursts smell.

They are conditioning and stay put on the lips while providing a very sheer tint. I reach for mine on days that I just want a little color but more shine. I do layer them on lipsticks sometimes, as well. If you're wondering about the size of the pots, they are packaged in the same exact packaging as MAC's paint pots. Because the jar is glass, they are a bit heavy to carry but still a good size to throw in the purse for touch-ups during the day.

My personal favorite? Take a Hint. I love that it's pink with a purplish pink sheen when the light hits it. It's unlike any other lip color in my collection. I'm going to look for more at the CCO when I head home later this month! If you want to know anything else about them, just ask! :)