MAKE UP FOR EVER Fifty Shades of Grey - Give In To Me

Dior & Fifty Shades of Grey

February 15, 20151 Comment

This particular work week has been the toughest since starting at this new company about 3 months ago. So last night I needed some serious retail therapy and that means Sephora! Also I was trying to kill some time as I had tickets to Fifty Shades of Grey at 11:05 p.m. After Sephora I ended up in the cosmetics section at Dillard’s.

At Dillard’s I was drawn in by the Dior displays. I have always admired the Dior cosmetics for their flawless packaging and designer heritage but had never sampled any of their products. Currently I have a sample size of the Miss Dior scent Blooming Bouquet which I love so I stopped to smell the other Miss Dior scents.

The lovely sales woman got me talking about what type of make-up I used and what I had recently purchased at Sephora as I had the bag in hand. She could tell that I was fully stocked on the most essential beauty items so she brought me over to show me the new Dior Cheek and Lip Glow. I was instantly hooked by the product as it was a two in one item that was a lip gloss stain as well as a cheek tint. I do not have anything like it in my current beauty collection so I new I had to have it and that it would be a great first Dior purchase. Currently it only comes in the one shade 001 which is described as a “blushing rosy tint” so it is very pink. I am not sure if Dior plans on coming out with other shades but I believe 001 is a fairly versatile shade although I recommend going into sample it before purchasing. And if you go to the Dillard’s at the UTC Mall in Sarasota, Florida ask for Marlein at Dior she is wonderful. Before I left she made sure to make me an appointment for the Dior Backstage Artists who are coming at the end of the month.

Dior Cheek and Lip Glow – Shade 001

Last Sephora Saturday I wrote about my purchase from the MAKE UP FOR EVER limited-edition Fifty Shades of Grey collection so if you haven’t read that post I would read it now before continuing.

I know I said I was having a hard time justifying the purchase of the additional MAKE UP FOR EVER limited-edition Fifty Shades of Grey items but with the movie finally here I lost all self control and went ahead and purchased both the Give In To Me Makeup Kit and the Tease Me Lip Set in the shade Innocent.

MAKE UP FOR EVER – Give In to Me (keepsake box)

The Give In To Me Makeup Kit comes with four Artist Shadow palette in I-514, ME-612, S-556, I-625; a Graphic eyeliner; a Smoky Extravagant mascara; a Rouge Artist Natural lipstick in N4; a Lab Shine lip gloss in D14; and an exclusive keepsake box. The shadow palette shades are my typical everyday neutrals so it was a perfect purchase which I know I will get a lot of use out of. The lip gloss is fabulous although I realized when I got home that I already own the shade D14 which I purchased on Black Friday as one of the $10 Sephora deals. The graphic eyeliner is so precise I may switch from my favorite Sephora brand. This eyeliner applicator is made for perfecting a winged look or cat eye. The mascara I currently have a sample size of so I new the full size would make a great addition to my growing mascara collection. I have been thinking about doing a review on all the mascaras I own, let me know in the comments if you are interested in a post like that in additional to weekly Sephora Saturday’s. And if you did what I suggested by going back and reading last weeks post you know how I feel about the Rouge Artist Natural lipsticks. I will not stop until I own them all.

Artist Shadow palette in I-514, ME-612, S-556, I-625; Graphic eyeliner; Smoky Extravagant mascara; and Rouge Artist Natural lipstick in N4.

Artist Shadow palette in I-514, ME-612, S-556, I-625

MAKE UP FOR EVER – Rouge Artist Natural lipstick in N4; a Lab Shine lip gloss in D14

The Tease Me Lip Set in the shade Innocent includes an Aqua Lip lip pencil in 3C, an Aqua Rouge lipstick in shade 3, Clear and a Lab Shine lip gloss in D16 which also came with the Black Friday $10 Sephora deal. Currently the Sephora website no longer has the two shades of the Tease Me Lip Set available for purchase so I would hurry to your local Sephora before they are gone. Especially for the passionate shade as it contains the Limited Edition Shade 50.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Tease Me Lip Set – Innocent

Tease Me Lip Set – Innocent – Aqua Lip lip pencil in 3C, an Aqua Rouge lipstick in shade 3, Clear and a Lab Shine lip gloss in D16

All of the items that are part of the MAKE UP FOR EVER limited-edition Fifty Shades of Grey collection come with pamphlets on how to re-create Anastasia’s looks from the movie. I cannot wait to sit down and start re-creating looks from the hottest movie of the year. There are sure to be some photos to follow.

Let me know what you think of these products and be sure to see Fifty Shades of Grey which is in theatre’s now!!! “Laters Baby!”

Shiny Copper Penny from 2008

February 13, 2015February 13, 20153 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Buffalo Nickel.”

“What was I doing in 2008?” I thought after actually finding a penny that was minted after I was born.

It took .5 seconds for me to feel ridiculous because at 25 years old 2008 happened to be one of the most important and transitional years of my life.

In March my fiance and I got engaged. It was his sophomore and my freshman year and we had been together for 3 years (and will be celebrating 10 years this March). We still aren’t married mostly because we were focused on our educations and careers and partly because weddings are expensive.

That summer we both spent ninety percent of our time at the baseball stadium we worked at. Our days consisted of inventory, receiving concession stand food, and cleaning. Our nights were spent running concession stands full of teenagers who were selling overpriced popcorn and soda. We made a lot of money and we had a lot of fun. It was out last season working for the Sea Dogs and as much as we enjoyed ourselves we wouldn’t go back.

In September we officially moved out of our parents homes in Maine and into an apartment together in Boston where we both went to college. We adopted a cute kitten and named him Nelson. My mother moved from Maine to Long Island NY to move in with her now husband.

The first few months living together were tough but we bought an air conditioner and we got through it. We became best friends with Billy and now he is like family.

Thank you Daily Post for reminding me of an important time in my life.

Fifty Shades of Sephora

February 8, 2015February 8, 20159 Comments

This Sephora Saturday is all about Fifty Shades of Grey. I recently picked up some items from the MAKE UP FOR EVER limited-edition Fifty Shades of Grey collection. If you knew me personally you would know all about my obsession with Fifty Shades of Grey, I have read each book so many times I’ve lost count. So when I saw these limited-edition pieces from MAKE UP FOR EVER I knew I had to have them. All the pieces were used on the set of the Fifty Shades of Grey movie by Victoria Down, Head of the Makeup Department for Fifty Shades of Grey. Definitely check out Sephora’s Glossy interview with Victoria Down where she spills all her secrets from the set.

The first item I picked up is the Tease Me Lip Set in the shade Passionate (it also comes in a nude shade called Innocent). This set includes an Aqua Lip lip pencil in Matte Raspberry 10C, an Aqua Rouge lipstick in Limited Edition Shade 50, Clear and a Lab Shine lip gloss in D4 Shimmering Grenadine. The set also includes a pamphlet on how to re-create the different looks from the movie.

MAKE UP FOREVER Tease Me Lip Set – Passionate

Now let me just say my favorite, and everyday, lipstick is MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Rouge Artist Natural in N9. I love the quality, the moisturizing formula and how it just gives a little pick-me-up to my natural lip color. So I was not surprised when I tried on the Aqua Rouge lipstick and was blown away by the quality and long lasting wear. The first time I wore it was to a party where I was constantly sipping a cocktail and not one spec of that lipstick came off on my glass the entire night. That was the night I also realized that limited-edition Shade 50 is MY color. It packed just the right punch of sass without making me look like I had tried on my mothers lipstick. So basically no one buy it so I can purchase every last set. Just kidding, but not really. I would recommend this set to all and especially the Aqua Rouge lipsticks from MAKE UP FOR EVER. It is the perfect lipstick for all day wear, and special events where you need long lasting coverage.

From left to right: Aqua Lip lip pencil in Matte Raspberry 10C; Aqua Rouge lipstick in Limited Edition Shade 50; Shade 50 with Clear; and Lab Shine lip gloss in D4 Shimmering Grenadine

The second item I picked up was the Desire Me Cheek Set. This set includes three Artist Shadow blushes in I-526, I-808, S-748, a Travel Precision blush brush in 150 and an exclusive keepsake pouch. The set also includes a pamphlet on techniques and backstage secrets from the set of Fifty Shades of Grey movie. The set is designed to let you go from a healthy innocent glow to seductive flush of desire and everything in between.

Desire Me Cheek Set – Three Artist Shadow blush in I-526, I-808, S-748; Travel Precision blush brush in 150; and Exclusive keepsake pouch.

My favorite shade has been I-808 which I like to use on my brow bone and then also mixed with the S-748 on my cheeks. The S-748 is a lovely color but on my skin tone it looks a bit orange by itself which is why I combine it with the I-808.

From left to right: I-526; I-808; and S-748.

The one set I have not yet purchase because firstly its pricey and second I have just not been able to justify it is the Give In To Me Makeup Kit. This set comes with four Artist Shadow palette in I-514, ME-612, S-556, I-625; a Graphic eyeliner; a Smoky Extravagant mascara; a Rouge Artist Natural lipstick in N4; a Lab Shine lip gloss in D14; and an exclusive keepsake box. As the movie release draws closer I find I have less and less self control and may cave in and buy it.

Please let me know your thoughts on these products and the MAKE UP FOR EVER brand in general. Also let me know if you decide to go out and purchase these items after reading this. I love to know that I am not alone in my Sephora or Fifty Shades obsession. Be sure to come back next Saturday for my next Sephora Saturday post.

Call Me Ishmael | Part 2

February 6, 2015February 6, 20158 Comments

His silent departure no longer bothered me like it used to. The first time he appeared in my room did startle me and it took about two weeks and a few visits to a therapist to convince myself I wasn’t crazy. I turn back to the stack of cardboard boxes and resign myself to a day of unpacking.

My move to London about a month ago had been surprisingly smooth for a last minute decision. My family did not take the news well but they understood. My mother had been the first and only person, besides the therapist, that I told about seeing him again. It was my mothers idea that I seek the help of a therapist first and then when I found out about the dream marketing job that could take me across the Atlantic ocean and away from all my memories of him it was her who told me to go. I think she thought that I could leave him behind and I did for about a week and then he showed up again in my new apartment and I decided to stop running. His presence had become comforting even though I knew it was unhealthy.

The unpacking took the rest of the day and he didn’t come back until I returned from bring the boxes down to the recycling. He was sitting on my couch staring at the wall so I walked over and sat next to him without saying anything. We just sat there both staring at the wall, neither of us talking, neither of us needing to as we both just found comfort in the silence together. My stomach growling is what eventually broke the quiet and I got up to fix myself a sandwich in the kitchen.

“It is so strange never being hungry.” he says as I close the refrigerator. He has moved from his position on the couch to a stool at my kitchen island.

“I wish I knew what that felt like. I would be a lot skinnier.” I say trying to lighten his mood.

“You don’t need to be any skinnier you are beyond beautiful just the way you are. Besides you have lost weight this past month. I suppose that is my fault. You always forget to eat when I am around.” as I come around the counter and take the empty seat next to him. He turns so we are facing each other and smiles at my sandwich.

“Peanut butter & jelly?” He says with a smirk.

“Hey,” I say with a frown “ I haven’t had time to grocery shop and I only have this cause mom sent it from the states.”

He doesn’t say anything and continues to sit silently next to me as I force down the sandwich and a glass of water. Once I finish I clean the dishes and put them away. He follows me around the house as I get ready for bed. Tomorrow is Monday which means back to work so I take extra time setting out my outfit and organizing my bag. The firm I work for is full of young professionals, almost all from the UK and so I find myself attempting to blend in with them as much as possible. This means putting extra thought into my clothes and accessories so that I don’t scream American.

“You are working tomorrow?” he asks.

“Yes.” I say and see him frown.

I change into my pajamas and climb into bed, turning off the bedside lamp. He is barely visible in the dark laying atop the covers so I turn to lay on my side facing him. He reaches over and pulls the comforter up to cover my shoulder.

“Don’t go.” I say fighting to keep my eyes open.

He reaches out and tucks some stray hair behind my ear. I lean forward into his touch instinctively moving my hand up and over to where his chest should be and feel the top of my quilted comforter. I open my eyes and he’s gone.

If you like this post be sure to check out the Daily prompt post that started it all here “DAILY PROMPT | Call Me Ishmael” and be sure to follow Lost Girl if you want to continue the story.

Give ‘Em What They Want

February 5, 20155 Comments

If my blog was a baby it would be a newborn who had to spend a month in the NICU before going home. I started it this past November because I needed an outlet for some of my feelings and thoughts I didn’t get a lot of traffic until January when I started Blogging 101. Naturally thanks to Blogging 101 and all the wonderful people I have connected to through that January was my highest traffic month to date. My goal is to double the traffic for February.

Here are the top 3 most popular pages & posts on my blog:

Having my home page come in first was not a surprise as I tend to share links directly to my blog as opposed to a specific post. However the fact that my About page came in at number 2 was a big surprise. I never thought that many people who visited my blog would care to read my About page. Knowing this means I will definitely be updating it soon and adding some more content. If you have some suggestions on what you would like to read on my about page please let me know.

Coming in at number 3 was my post An Uninspired Lost Girl. This was a post in response to an assignment in Blogging 101. I did not think this was a particularly extraordinary post but looking back at the comments I can see how the honestly behind it really resonated with some people. This post really showcases my feelings behind blogging and how much I rely on it to provide me growth in my everyday life.

I would appreciate any and all feedback on the above listed pages/posts and even the posts that didn’t make the top three. Thank you to those of you who have already provided some amazing feedback it is truly appreciated and helps my blog grow.

Versatile Blogger Award

February 3, 20155 Comments

Thank you Janet Berridge for the nomination! My deepest gratitude for the nomination and encourage my readers to check out her blog SpanishMossSeries. These awards are given by peers to recognize each other for a job well done, keep us motivated to continue writing and in this particular situation share their versatility.

We also use these awards as ways to pay-it-forward to other bloggers that we have found to be putting in the time and effort to create great blogs.

Nominees, here are the rules:

Show the award on your blog
Thank the person who nominated you
Share seven facts about yourself
Nominate 10 blogs
Link your nominees’ blogs, and let them know

Seven Facts About Lost Girl:

Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Food: Queso
Favorite Human: David Burdwood
This is her first attempt at blogging.
She falls asleep to Phineas & Ferb every night.
Just moved to Florida from Massachusetts, originally from Maine.
Engaged to her high school sweetheart (celebrating 10 years in March).

Lost Girl Nominates:

The Lost Girl Blogs 3 Goals for 2015

February 2, 20154 Comments

Get 1026 followers (cause that seems like a nice number).
Make lasting friendships with other bloggers.
Chat with other bloggers from at least 8 other countries outside of my own.

Why do you blog?

This question is remarkably difficult to answer because the reason I started blogging is different than the reason I have continued to blog and why I plan to keep blogging.

To make this quick I blog because I have a lot to say that does not necessarily fit into my day to day human interactions. By blogging I am able to share what I have to say when I want to say it and the readers can choose when they want to read it.

I also blog to share things that I otherwise would never share with those around me. This is all about bravery. One day I hope that I can be as brave offline as I am online.

If your blog exceeded your wildest dreams, what would that look like?

My dreams aren’t usually ‘wild’ per say just a bit ostentatious. Ideally the blog design would be completely customized by yours truly. I don’t pay my student loans every month so someone else can design my blog. Though I know the more followers the better I would be happy with a cool million. Anymore would just be ridiculous. I would be able to live off my blog, aka pay my student loans, by posting everyday and starting my own brand. My life goal is to have my own line of nail polish, every shade would be created and named by me and reflect the content of my blog and ultimately my personality. If that happened it would definitely exceed my current dreams. Which are limited to paying off my student debt before I die and being happy.

Sephora Satur… I mean Sunday

February 1, 20159 Comments

While I planned on getting my first Sephora Saturday post up on time sometimes life just gets in the way. So the first Sephora Saturday post has turned into a Sephora Sunday post.

I went to my local Sephora on Friday night with a friend because she really needed to pick up a few new items. While I wasn’t really shopping for anything myself I always find something I must have. This week I was introduced to the Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow Custom Palette Case and MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Eyes.

The SC Custom Palette case comes in a 3-shade palette and a 6-shade palette but I decided to go with the 3-shade. My everyday routine includes an eye shadow look that typically is 3 neutral shades as I have blue eyes. I like to try new shades but am not interested in the large palettes with multiple colors I know I will never use. This seemed like a great alternative and I get to choose my own shades and Sephora has many to chose from. Also Sephora has a deal where if you purchase 2 or more shadows you get the 3-shade palette for free (a $12 dollar savings) and if you purchase 4 or more shadows you the the 6-shade palette for free (a $14 dollar savings).

The shadow shades I chose were: Girl talk N45, Safari N95, Sirens charm N111. My plan is to use the Girl talk on the inner of my eye as a highlight since it is a beautiful champagne color with sparkles, then use the Safari across most of my eye lid, and finally blend the Sirens charm across the brow bone and into the eyelid.

The other item I picked up was the MAKE UP FOREVER Aqua Eyes waterproof eye liner in the shade Turquoise 7L. This turquoise is so stunning I won’t even try to describe it, GO SEE IT IN PERSON. It is a beautiful blue with some sparkle and I would recommend it to everyone. This eyeliner with set you back $19.00 but since it is MAKE UP FOREVER it is totally worth the price. This brand is very quickly becoming my go to as their products are truly professional, long lasting and come in many diverse shades.

So my recommendation at this point is for you all to head to Sephora right now and try these products for yourself. After all you can’t believe everything you read.

DAILY PROMPT | Audience of One

January 12, 2015January 16, 201510 Comments

The only days I see in color are the days I wake up beside you, I am not sure you knew that.

I worry sometimes that you will never understand how deeply I love you. This fear has been created and maintained by my own selfish need to keep you just far enough away so that it appears you could never hurt me. But you hurt me.

When you get cut I bleed, you probably didn’t know that either. If I could take all the pain you have ever felt, or will ever feel and put that inside me I would. Even though some of that pain is caused by me.

Did you know that you are the only source of happiness I need to survive? We could be trapped in a room with no light and just being able to hear your voice or touch your hand would be enough to sustain me.

If we had only one more second together this is what I would need you to know. This is how I feel, have always felt and will always feel.

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Audience of One.”

DAILY PROMPT | Call Me Ishmael

January 10, 2015January 16, 20159 Comments

I scowl with frustration at myself in the mirror* cursing my unruly hair knowing my frustration had less to do with my hair and everything to do with the man standing behind me. Our eyes meet through the reflection in the bathroom mirror and I instantly relax dropping my brush on the counter. I turn to face him and he reaches up and tucks a stray piece of hair behind my ear, his fingers brush my ear and I feel a cool tingle race down my back. I want to lean forward and rest my face against his chest but I know I can’t. The frustration creeps back in and I step out of the bathroom and out of his reach knowing he will follow me anyway.

Walking down the hall and into my room I turn on the light and begin searching for my favorite pair of jeans. I find them at the top of a pile of cardboard boxes, which I still have not unpacked even though I moved into this new apartment almost a month ago, and pull them on. He is sitting on the bed watching me and I realize I am not embarrassed by this. Granted he isn’t looking at me like he wishes I was taking clothes off rather than putting them on. His stare suggests vague interest like when your flipping through the television channels trying to find something to watch.

“You know if you’re bored you don’t have to be here.” My words come out a bit more harshly than I anticipated and I sigh frustrated with myself.

“Boredom is not something I feel anymore.” he says getting up to come stand in front of me.

I notice his brown eyes look sadder today than usual and I instantly regret what I said. I want him here all the time regardless if he is bored or not. I take a moment just looking up at his square face and short brown hair. I wish right now more than ever I could touch him. I have always been better at expressing how I am feeling with a touch than with words. I reach up as if to touch him and he steps back out of my reach.

“It isn’t fair.” I say dropping my hand and my head.

“Life’s not fair kid.”

“You know I hate when you call me kid.” I say looking up but he is already gone.

*The book I chose was Fifty Shades of Grey.

If your interested in being a Lost Girl or Lost Boy (or any other oxygen breathing organism) then come back tomorrow because I bet it’s a lot more fun being lost together. To make it easy just press the “Follow” button on the upper right hand side of this page and get email updates every time I post.

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