The Beauty Lover Tag

August 25, 20165 Comments

If you could have anyone in the world do your makeup, who would it be?
Joyce Bonelli, the go to makeup artist and friend of Khloe Kardashian.

What’s your top makeup tip?
Eye shadow primer. It makes ALL the difference.

What one makeup item could you not live without?
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz & Brown Gel

What one skincare item could you not live without?
Daily facial moisturizer

What are you worst at when it comes to applying makeup?
Highlighting/Contouring

What’s your biggest pet peeve when it comes to beauty?
Cost. Beauty is art but it’s also a trend that many companies are currently cashing in on. This increased hype and easy access to professional products has increased demand which means constantly increasing costs.

What’s your favorite makeup era?
The 80’s, all those electric neon colors.

What’s your guilty pleasure product?
Anything Christian Louboutin beauty.

What’s your underdog product?
Sephora waterproof liquid eye liner

What’s your favorite makeup product of 2016?
SEXY Too Faced eye shadow palette

Life is Short…

May 4, 2015June 19, 20152 Comments

So we have all heard the old adage “Life is Short” and while I live by this mantra every day I wonder if the way I interpret this age old saying is correct.

I have always lived the way I have wanted to. I do not typically do things I don’t feel like doing and if I want to purchase something I typically do, after paying my bills first. I live within the boundaries I set for myself and no one else’s. If someone is a jerk and doesn’t deserve my time well then they don’t get any of my time. No one is an exception to that rule, that includes family, blood or otherwise.

There are many of you out there that I am sure do not agree with my take on this. But let’s pretend for a moment that you do. Our time spent living on this earth is short. A hundred years when you are 10 seems like a long time but when you are 40? Now that seems like no time at all. So why spend it doing something you hate or spending time with people who do not appreciate you?

I am sure that each and every one of you has been in a situation with a ‘difficult’ family member. We make excuses for them time and again because well ‘they’re family’. This is all well and good, no need to disown someone over a broken family heirloom or a missed birthday, but what about those family members who really screw you over? The ones that steal from you, abuse you mentally or physically, destroy your future, and/or stand in the way of your happiness? What do you do with those people?

My knee jerk reaction is to get as far away as possible. Just because you’re my family doesn’t mean you can treat me badly and then say sorry and everything will be alright. It just doesn’t work that way. Not in my world. So here is what I fundamentally do not understand. Your family can screw you over, mother, father, sister, aunt, brother and then you forgive them because ‘they’re family’. Why? What does that mean? Family shouldn’t mean a free pass to destroying your loved ones lives and getting to go on like nothing happened.

Family is about love and support, and to a certain extent forgiveness. But there are times when forgiveness doesn’t include continuing along with the unhealthy relationship. So how do you tell a family member ‘it’s over’? And how do you know it’s the right time? That the last straw has finally broken the camels back?

That is currently what I am struggling with. Because after all “Life is Short” and you can’t replace your family.

IPSY | Negative Online Reviews & Comments

April 23, 20159 Comments

Disclaimer: This is a rant. Which means it may annoy some people. You have been warned.

Ipsy was founded by YouTube beauty guru Michelle Phan and is a monthly beauty subscription service that is $10 a month and provides you with 4 deluxe beauty samples, and 1 full size item, all in a themed “glam bag” i.e. a cosmetic pouch. For $10 dollars it’s a really great deal especially if you are interested in trying new products, learning about new up and coming companies or trying out a deluxe item from a veteran company that you may not be willing to spend the money on. The one catch? You do not get to decide what comes in your bag every month and not everyone gets the same variation of products.

This leads to my rant. I have noticed after receiving the April Glam Bag that a few of the products for some subscribers have been damaged. There have also been issues where some packages have not arrived or arrived late and even some when subscribers have complained about be on the “waiting list” and wondering why they haven’t received their bag.

What really upsets me are those who instead of contacting Ipsy Care, which in my personal experience has been extremely responsive and considerate, they upload photos of broken products and comment on others photos about all their “issues” with Ipsy. So I would like to set a few things straight for these people.

If your products come damaged, contact Ipsy Care by email. They will send you a replacement at no cost to you. Ipsy does not have time to troll Instagram looking for subscribers who are posting images of their damaged products.
If you are on the “waiting list” you have to wait. This means you will not receive an Ipsy Glam Bag or be charged until Ipsy contacts you by email to notify you that you are off the waiting list. I am sorry you have to wait but we all were in your shoes at some point so get over it and stop complaining.
If you have not yet received your glam bag, first check your email. Did you receive your tracking number from Ipsy? No, then it hasn’t shipped yet, be patient. Yes, check your tracking number. If it says it was ‘delivered’ someone stole your shit so contact Ipsy Care. If the tracking says it’s ‘in transit’ then sit down and be patient the postal system does not move very quickly that is just reality.
If the month ends and you still not received your bag, contact Ipsy Care. They will either send you another bag or issue a refund. Your choice.

And last but not least please remember the world does not revolve around you. Ipsy has thousands of subscribers they have to work with and while they strive to make each of us happy sometimes you have to put in some work of your own to get what you want. Being negative on social media does not guarantee happiness. At least not for us ‘normal’ people.

Please stop bashing the company or the service and products they provide. Just unsubscribe and move on with your life.

Thanks for reading. Please share to spread the message.

Beauty Before Brunch | Sephora Event

April 13, 20158 Comments

As a VIB Rouge rewards member I received an invite to the Beauty Before Brunch event this past Sunday at Sephora. This was the first event I was eligible for and the first one I have attended.

Purchased Items

Sephora Green Tea Mask
Peter Thomas Roth Mini Masks
Tarte “the sculptor” face contour stick in “Park Ave Princess”
Tarte “Amazonian clay” concealer in “fair-light”
Sephora Collection waterproof liquid liner in “Black Lace”

Purchased Items | Sephora

Gifts/Samples

Living Proof night cap overnight perfector
Clarins Shaping Facial Lift
Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume
Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara (100 rewards points)
Tarte Flush cheek stain (gift after purchasing two Tarte products)

Samples/Gifts | Sephora

VIB Rouge Gift Bag

Fold-over Sephora pouch
Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume sample
Formula X Nail polish in “Paramount” (full size)
BUXOM Lip Cream in “Pink Lady” sample
Benefit Puff Off sample
Shiseido Ultimune sample
Caviar Repair Instant Recover Shampoo & Conditioner sample
Nude Omega treatment milk sample

VIB Rouge Gift | Sephora

As a new VIB Rouge member I was not sure what to expect as I had read reviews from other members that said Sephora events rarely happened and when they did they were disappointing. The Sephora I attended for this event was in Sarasota, FL at the new UTC Sarasota Mall. This mall opened back in October so it is still in its first year.

While the event was lovely and I received several sample gifts as well as the VIB Rouge gift bag. I felt a bit like the mini-makeovers and help I received was geared too much towards getting me to make a purchase. As a VIB member I have obviously spent a significant amount of money at Sephora. So I would really like to see the event be geared towards teaching me new beauty techniques, thanking me for my continued support of their store, etc. It felt more like I was at one of those at home jewelry parties that shove overpriced products down your throat while telling you how philantrophic the company is. That was my only suggestion but the event was fun, the associates were very friendly and welcoming. I cannot wait for the next event.

March Favorites

April 7, 2015Leave a comment

Beauty: Benefit Watt’s Up! Highlighter
This highlighter has been my every day highlighter for the past 3 years. I would recommend that everyone try it out. I use it on my under eye to hide dark circles and give me a dewy glow. Plus it has been doing great in this Florida heat. Find it at Sephora here.

Fashion: London Fog Purse
This bag is my new everyday handbag. I wasn’t sold on it in the store but I couldn’t beat the price for a medium sized well structured bag. I purchased it at the new DSW in Sarasota for a steal at $24! Checking out the London Fog website I realized my fabulous find as similar bags go for $150 retail. My best work friend loved it show much she went and bought the other one. It is not really a great spring color but I wear a lot of dark clothes at my job so it works for me.

Blogger(s): Daisy from weardaisywent
Been loving the weardaisywent blog since I started on WordPress this past November. She has amazing photos and I especially love how diverse her posts are. She is definitely an amazing lifestyle blogger so go check her page out.

Technology: Yelp App for iPhone
The Yelp app for iPhone has definitely saved the day/dinner more than once. I am one of those people who doesn’t think about eating until I am already hungry and then I can’t make a decision. During our anniversary weekend in Orlando we used the app to find some fun places to eat and so thankfully we did not go hungry.

Food(s): Skinny Pop Popcorn
If you are in need of a salty snack without the salt filled calories than buy Skinny Pop Original. Only 150 calories in 3-3/4 cups. I take a sandwich size bag to work with me everyday and it saves me from the unhealthy snacks my office stocks in our kitchen. Find Skinny Pop here.

Movie(s): The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
My fiance and I watched this over our weekend away for our anniversary. We stayed at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Orlando which provided HBO and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty came on one night. The movie is about Walter (Ben Stiller) who has found is simple life in danger when his job is in jeopardy. Walter sets out on a grand adventure learning things about himself he never knew before and finding is bravery. Definitely an A+ movie for any night in.

Music: Spring Break 2005 Radio on Pandora
Depending on your age this radio station needs no explanation. Go listen and you’re welcome.

I’ve Moved!

April 6, 20152 Comments

Hi Friends!

I am ready to get back to blogging. A part of me has been missing these last few weeks as I have been too busy to blog. March was busy with many events, both work related and personal. My fiance and I celebrated 10 years on the 26th and this past weekend we moved into a new apartment.

While I haven’t discussed a lot of specifics about my life before I will explain that last October we moved from Massachusetts to Florida. There were several factors that influenced our move the biggest one being that I wanted to be closer to my mother and grandmother. So 6 months ago we got really close and moved in with my mother and step father. While it was surprisingly easy to stay with them we missed having our own space and my mother is allergic to one of my furry children.

So on April 3rd we got the keys to our new place and began the slow process of moving from mom’s hows to our new apartment (which is only about 7 miles down the road). While moving all weekend we also had to celebrate a good friends birthday as well as Easter with the family so we have been busy.

Now that we are mostly settled I hope to get back into the blogging groove and share as much of me with you as I can. With that said I would like to share a link to my Fiance David’s and my Youtube page in case anyone was interested. It has been several months since we posted but now that we have our own space again we will be getting back into it as I love making videos.

Check out The Burds here! And thanks for the support!!

Have a great week!!!

Liebster Award

March 11, 2015March 11, 20157 Comments

First let me say Thank You to TiffancyC from Life According to Tiffany for nominating me for the Liebster award. The word “liebster” has German origins and several definitions: dearest, sweetest, kindest, nicest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, welcome, sweetheart and even boyfriend. The Liebster Award is a way to share and discover new blogs with less than 200 followers (I dislike this number lets make it 1000). This “award” given by bloggers to fellow bloggers includes answering eleven questions and posing eleven new questions for the newly nominated bloggers. So let’s get started!

1. If you could only blog about one topic, what would you choose? I would have to choose beauty, only because I really enjoy taking still photos of things like makeup and other beauty products and finding ways to make them visually interesting.

2. What is/was your major? My B.A. is in Communications specializing in Graphic Design

3. What’s your favorite physical attribute about yourself? My eyes.

4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, MA.

5. How many makeup products do you own? A LOT. Too many to count right now. More than 100 but probably less than 200.

6. How often do you work out? 3-4 days a week

7. How much would you pay to have your makeup professionally done? Maybe a couple hundred bucks. Depends on the occasion.

8. What’s your favorite brand of makeup? MAKE UP FOR EVER

9. Day or night? Night

10. What’s your dream vehicle? Range Rover

11. City or country? Country

NOMINATIONS:

glitterinhereyes

typewriterial

lightsabersandlipsticks

THE ENDEAVOURS OF EVERYDAY LIFE

Diary of A Marketing Misfit

ANNA VS DESIGN

losingscrews

QUESTIONS:

1. Why did you start your blog?
2. If you could make a living blogging would you quit your current job?
3. What topic do you wish you could blog about, but are too afraid?
4. Do you share your blog with family and friends?
5. Has your blog ever upset a family member or friend?
6. Everyone on earth subscribed to your blog, what would your next blog post be about?
7. Name one celebrity you wish was reading your blog. (This person can be living or dead.)
8. Who/what is your favorite blogger/blog?
9. Would you ever want to collaborate on a post with another blogger?
10. Which blog topic is your guilty pleasure?
11. What is the one thing you really dislike about blogging?

RULES:
1. Answer the 11 questions posed by the blogger who nominated you.
2. Nominate 11 new bloggers with under 200 followers (I dislike this number lets make it 1000).
3. Ask your nominees 11 new questions.
4. Inform the nominees of their nomination by leaving a comment on their blog.

Home – Photography 101

March 9, 2015Leave a comment

Home is when I am with you.

“Home” by Kassandra

February Favorites

February 28, 20152 Comments

Lost Girl – February Favorites 2015

Beauty: MAKE UP FOR EVER
Basically anything from MAKE UP FOR EVER Professional. Their Rouge Artist Natural lipstick is to die for. My everyday shade is N9. I have finished my sample size I received from Sephora and already purchased a full size. If I could afford a lifetime supply I would purchase it now just to be sure I would never run out. And do not even get me started on their Limited Edition Fifty Shades of Grey collection. Check out these two posts to truly understand my obsession: Fifty Shades of Sephora and Dior & Fifty Shades of Grey.

MAKE UP FOR EVER & Fifty Shades of Grey

Fashion: Black
To be fair I have always been a fan of black. It’s slimming, it’s classy and it basically goes with everything. Lately though I have been doing a lot of all black outfits. This is something I never used to do because I just felt either too dressed up or too dark, it’s a fact that bright colors tend to make us happier. This past month I have really embraced the “all black everything” motto and I love it. If you haven’t given this classic look a try go for it! I still pair my all black outfits with a colorful shoe or at least a gray shoe just to keep it interesting.

Blogger(s):
VELVETGH0ST – Gabby is my #1 Youtuber so when she started her blog back up I could not be more excited. If you don’t know Gabby you are definitely living under a rock (or you just have more of a life than me). She is super sweet, down to earth, hilarious human being, and she has a killer accent since she is from the U.K. Go check her out if you haven’t yet!!

Technology:
GroupMe app by Mindless Dribble Inc. – This is app allows you to start group conversations with all the people in your life. You can name each group so you know who is in it, for example you can have a group for your work friends, college friends, and cousins all separately. The app allows you to send photos, emoji’s along with your typical text messages to all devices. So an IOS device can share emoji’s and photos with an Android device. The app has it’s own emoji’s as well as ones you can purchase through their store. You can also use your own emoji’s already loaded on your device. Try it out it’s wicked fun.

Food(s) & Restaurant(s):
Healthy Wraps – I make mine with sliced ham, cheese, lettuce, cucumber, and shredded carrots with ranch on the side for dipping.

The Rice Bowl in Bradenton, Florida – This is my go to when I am in the mood for sushi/maki. I am also a big fan of their beef lo mein.

Movie(s) & T.V. Show(s):
Fifty Shades of Grey – This does not need an explanation, go see it if you are over the age of 18. Here is the link to the Fandango site to order tickets, you’re welcome.

Cinebistro – Fifty Shades of Grey

Firefly – This is a space western T.V. show from around 2002, I know it sounds strange but watch it. There’s one season and then a movie to wrap it up called Serenity.

Music:
Fifty Shades of Grey Soundtrack – Again this does not need an explanation, go to iTunes and buy it. You’re welcome in advance.

A Perfect Circle Radio on Pandora – This is a station I listen to a lot at work. I have a very broad musical taste and this is not a mainstream top 40 type of station. If you like Tool, 10,000 Days or Puscifer you will like this station.

Feeling Really Lost

February 26, 20157 Comments

Lately I have had some major writers block.

A lot of what I do at my day job revolves around creativity in writing, graphic art and brainstorming new unique ideas. As my job demands more of my brain I find my myself unable to accomplish all I want to do with my blogging.

I never want blogging to become a job, or something I feel guilty about walking away from for a few days. Unfortunately my inner nature does not allow me to avoid this guilt so when I missed my first Sephora Saturday post last week I have felt miserable ever since.

This week my effort outside of work has been to keep moving on a story I started called Call Me Ishmael. This story developed from a Daily Prompt and has become a real creative outlet for me. After getting some really useful feedback from Izzy Grabs Life I have felt compelled to write more and write better. I want to be deserving of the time and effort other bloggers have put into reading my posts and writing comments to help me grow as a writer.

If you have experienced this same writers block please let me know how you’ve handled it. Are there any particular tricks to getting the creative juices flowing when they have basically run dry?

Thanks so much for all the feedback, I appreciate all the comments, as each one helps me become a better blogger.

Call Me Ishmael Part 1
Call Me Ishmael Part 2