I’d known that stores often held regular events, but hadn’t ever attended one. I wasn’t really sure what to expect.
It was suggested to attend the Nordstrom Spring Beauty Trend Event, so I obliged. After making an appointment at the Nordstrom in West Farms Mall and kind of just showing up, I got my makeup done and enjoyed a nice little gift with purchase (minus the makeup bag, which I gave to my mom. I’m really picky about bags and she collects them).
Given my shopping habits [link to Clinton Crossing event], I don’t think I’ll attend these type of events often.
However, I am happy that I did and even happier with my purchases.
Smashbox is one of my top beauty brands. I talk about and recommend them so much that my mom starting buying their products off of HSN and/or QVC, and she’s not even big on makeup.
All the products I purchased were used to do my makeup that day. Picking three (the minimum in order to get the gift with purchase) was harder than I thought it’d be. But I ended up getting the three things that made the most sense.
Now that it’s basically summer I want to switch up the makeup I use everyday. I really liked how the primer was also essentially a moisturizer.
And the foundation didn’t even feel like I had any on at all!
I shared on Instagram that my mom had bought the Full Exposure palette and (still to this day) hasn’t used it. I wanted it. Bad.
I opted for the Double Exposure palette for a number of reasons.
If my mom does finally decide to hand over the Full Exposure palette, I won’t already have it.
The Full Exposure now comes in a mini, so I can alway get that and see how I like it.
I have all three naked palettes so I really don’t need the Full Exposure (I don’t think I actually mean this).
Smashbox used to have the full face kits for different complexions, I got the one for dark skin and loved it, but waited too long to buy a second kit and they discontinued it. So stupid on my part. But three of the shades in the Double Exposure palette match the three shades of eyeshadow for the dark set.
What Smashbox products do you love? Any recommendations?
When I got my makeup done for my boudoir mini sesh, I asked for a natural looking lip. This is the color (Love Child) that was used. The texture, the color, the shimmer. Love!
When someone pulls out an oil a oil absorbing wipe and then offers you one, you know you’ve made a real friend. True story. But since you don’t want to be a mooch, you eventually go get your own. They can also clean your phone screen pretty well.
I got this brush to try out and liked it for a number of reasons. The way it curves and kind of hugs your head, the fact that it’s vented so it helps cuts down drying time. It wasn’t until I figured out that the end was double sided and also had a sectioning pick, that I totally lost it. In a good way, a very very good way.
So, Where’d You Go, Bernadette was a book I’d picked up a while ago. I put off reading it until Memorial Day weekend. I think I must have complained about it the entire time I was reading it. But I read it in one sitting, I only stopped reading it to tell the manfriend about it and to eat. If I don’t like a book I won’t read it. I’m weird like that.
Taco Bell is my favorite fast food restaurant, period. For the longest time you could only get Baja Blast at Taco Bell. It was rumored that if you mix blue Powerade and regular Mountain Dew together it tasted like Baja Blast. I tried it and it did taste vaguely similar, but it wasn’t the same. The fact that this soda (even if only for a limited time) is available in a bottle is a dream come true.
Taco Bell also has a new hotter sauce, Diablo. It didn’t make the cut this month, but that’s mostly because I can’t go to the store and buy it.
There are so many different types of subscription boxes that it’s crazy.
Good crazy.
I tried quite a few, with the exception of clothes and jewelry. Part of my hesitation was that these services are typically rentals. Not horrible, but I know I want to keep it all. Even when offered to try Rocksbox for free, I was worried I wouldn’t like it because I’d have to return it all.
Don’t worry, I promise this story ends on a good note!
When I opened my Rocksbox, for the first time ever, I didn’t find a single thing that I didn’t instantly swoon over.
So, here’s how this works, you pay $19 per month of service, but you get to wear the jewelry until you send it back. If you want to buy a certain piece keep it and send back everything else. Then Rocksbox will send you your next box of goodies.
In my Rocksbox:
Jules Smith Open Geometric Necklace
Jenny Bird Flagstaff Earrings in Gold/Lapis
Wanderlust + Co V-Bar Crystal Gold Ring
There’s also ways of earning points to spend towards pieces you can’t stand to part with. The ring was favorite, and I came SO close to keeping it!
If this sounds like something you’d like, use the code tspxoxo to try your first month of Rocksbox for totally FREE!
About a year ago I joined Polyvore. I had learned about it at Alt Summit, but I really only used it to do a couple of wish list style blog posts.
This year at Alt, one of the sessions talked about Polyvore in a community sense. I must be a sucker for community, because I have been on it creating sets and entering contests like a madwoman!
I seriously can’t get enough.
You know how you go on Pinterest to “pin a few things” and the next thing you know it’s been two hours? Same concept. Except in stead of pinning outfits that you wish were in your closet to your style board, you’re creating those outfits.
Here’s a little outfit inspo I created using Polyvore:
I know I would SO wear both of these outfit options…if I had all those things, that is.
Who wants to go shopping?!
A while back, I found the perfect fence for my #ootd photos on Instagram (I don’t share them everyday, but when I do it makes me happy). One of the first times I posted one, it was captioned Fence on fleek.
Are there any hashtags that you follow? I know that #stateyourstyle is one that I really like and #uhmoodring is a fun one that encourages you to dress how you feel.
A friend told me that the Clinton Crossings Premium Outlets were looking to host their first ever CT Blogger Spring Fashion event. I emailed and was able to score an invite.
There was food served at Saks off Fifth, and bloggers were given a gift bag that included a gift card they could use at any outlet store.
I didn’t even make it out of the second store before spending said gift card, which was not my goal when I set out.
What store?
DKNY.
Can you blame me?
First let me tell you what I didn’t get. I didn’t get the “cozy” sweater that I still want super bad. Or any of the three dresses I tried on. Or either of the two jumpsuits. Or the really cute white tank top that I spotted right as I left the fitting room…
After talking to the super friendly and helpful DKNY staff (loved them) about the current sales and promotions, I was able to get the leather jacket that I first tried on.
What I really liked was that it felt like I was shopping with friends.
Actually, that was pretty much that case for most of the stores that I stopped in.
As a part of the event, I got a free iced coffee and chocolate sample of my choice from Lindt.
I snagged something from the major sale at J.Crew…
And a couple of things from Designer Fragrances & Cosmetic Co. (along with a few goodies they gave out, including a Lancôme lipstick). This place was seriously a dream for anyone obsessed with beauty or skincare products. Full size Essie polish for $4 a bottle, half price for full size Urban Decay lip gloss. I am still in shock that I managed to only buy two things. I kid you not, I wanted everything in the store. All of it. Plus, the three ladies working there were the absolute sweetest!
Then Aéropostale made my night with another gift card and a cute tumbler, perfect for summer. I used the gift card for a pair of jeans and I’ve already worn them more than I care to share, because it’s probably borderline gross.
Such a great experience! I mean outlet shopping is usually enjoyable, but this was remarkable and I’m already planning my next trip. Who’s in?
Currently my skincare routine consists of a cleanser (or an exfoliator, depending on the day), hyaluronic acid serum and a moisturizer.
Considering I’m still fairly new to the skincare game, I try to keep it as simple as possible without sparing the necessities.
The hyaluronic acid serum I’d been using, smelled like dandelions and I noticed contained a few extra ingredients that I wasn’t sure if made a difference or not. So, naturally, I wanted to find out.
I reached out to Oz Naturals, about trying their hyaluronic acid serum, because it’s a large percent natural and organic, but didn’t contain dandelions (or Vitamin E).
How that go?
It worked just as well as the other serum!
They both helped my skin retain moisture and stay hydrated throughout the day. The main difference is that OZ Naturals didn’t leave my skin smelling like flowers (weeds, whatever). If I was concerned about skin sensitivity I would probably go with OZ Natural.
Better safe than with hives…
It also didn’t leave my skin feeling as sticking (the lack of Vitamin E, maybe) afterwards, not a huge deal against the other hyaluronic acid serum, because it went away after applying moisturizer, but still worth mentioning. Oh, and I liked the pump better than the dropper. Again nothing major, but thought I should share.
Although on Amazon they cost about the same, the list price of the OZ Natural hyaluronic serum is significantly more affordable, by about $30! Plus, it’s an Amazon #1 Best Seller.
I mentioned that I was super excited about my May Birchbox. And I am!
If you know anything about blogging, then you know who Emily Schuman is. And if you think you don’t, then you’ve at least heard of her blog, Cupcakes and Cashmere.
So, when Birchbox announces that this month’s box would involve curated products selected by Emily herself, you don’t even care what the other box options are.
When I got Hello by Harvey Prince I was pumped, and Yogini resulted in basically the same feels. Other Birchbloggers shared that it smelled a bit mature, and goes on strong and then fades. While this isn’t untrue, I don’t hate it. I mean I hadn’t gotten a new scent to try in a while, so I was happy to get this.
But that being said, I won’t be buying it.
I love, love, love getting makeup samples. Lollibalm is great! It adds just a hint of color and is a cute (mini?) balm to keep in your purse.
I don’t have very many negative experiences with samples I get in my Birchbox boxes. Sometimes I don’t like them, but it happens. TokyoMilk was a product I wanted to love. But instead, it broke me out. The scent was a little overwhelming anyways, but still…
Sad panda.
I’ve gotten a similar Cotz product (not exactly the same) before, and this was way better, smoother. I like that it blocks harmful UV rays while also not clogging your pores.
I really like Macadamia Professional products a lot. So whenever there’s the option to select one, I almost always go with it. I’m glad I did!
I can’t decide what I want for my sample choice in next month’s box, so I guess I’ll just have to be surprised!
Do you subscribe to Birchbox? If you do, what did you pick for your sample choice? If you don’t get Birchbox and want to, sign up here!
