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New Target Beauty Box is here!

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Target just launched a new beauty box yesterday. For just $7 you get 5 nice big deluxe sample sizes of some really great products. It Includes:

1. Elnett Extra Strong Hold Hairspray (2.2 oz): A favorite of runway stylists, this massive-hold spray adds brilliant shine and brushes out in a flash, leaving hair with a clean, satin finish.

2. Fekkai Professional Blowout Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo (1.7 oz): Revive your blowout instantly with an airy mist that absorbs dirt and oil leaving hair clean, fresh and lively.

3. Laneige BB Cushion Sample (Target Exclusive): Pat and press your way to perfect skin with revolutionary 5-in-1 cushion technology that brightens, protects, cools, covers and prevents shine.

4. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil (.18 oz): Glide-on glam. A velvety blend of mineral oil and powder, this creamy pencil does double beauty duty as a radiant eyeshadow.

5. LOréal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lipstick (.18 fl oz): Knockout hues meet conditioning care in a gorgeous formula infused with precious micro-oils that intensify color, smooth lips and add shine. Colors will vary.

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I did hear some rumblings about the fact that Target used to offer this box for free and then they charged $5 and now $7. The fact is the free one was really small samples and this is much larger in size. And you’re getting about $30 worth of product for $7, no shipping. I think it’s an incredible deal, especially when you consider an Ipsy or Birchbox probably wouldn’t include this much swag and you’re being charged $10. I say you get what you pay for and I’m more then thrilled to snag this up. There were some questions regarding the Laneige color and if you don’t get the right color you can actually exchange it in Target for a new one. So win/win! Go grab yours because I’m sure they’re going to sell out fast!

DIY: My first time chalk painting.

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You’ve seen it everywhere, all over Pinterest, DIYers across the board are raving about Annie Sloan chalk paint. I was surprised to hear it has been around for 20 years in England and America has only recently gotten ahold of the chalk paint craze. I was naive in my pursuits, simply walking into a Hobby Lobby and asking for it. I was simply told “we don’t carry it”. What?! Well after a little internet research is when I saw it’s origins and how you have to purchase it through a select few boutique DIY stores across the country. It’s got a high price at $34.99 for a quart. And shipping doesn’t help either. But I really wanted to try it, so I ordered several colors and received it within 48 hours from a store called The Purple Painted Lady.

Of course I couldn’t simply just paint one solid color, I was all in. I was desperate to try to achieve this subtle multi colored finishes. In the end, I was thrilled. I had one little hiccup but it was easily fixable. I don’t usually do “finishes”. I like solid clean looking colors but I really wanted to try something different. It was hard at first to get ahold of the concept of just simple brush strokes, not heavy and full coverage, but once I saw the effect, I got the hang of it and really liked it. I will say even with the hefty price, everything where it says it covers 50% more is accurate. I was blown away by that. You can add water for washes or if you do full color it covers and covers WELL. By the time this desk was done, I think I chalk painted pretty much everything in my house. I tried it on fabric, candle sticks, frames and other furniture. I felt like for a $130 investment I was able to revamp some old furniture and give it that “boutique” look that I love. Annie Sloan chalk paint lived up to its hype which is pretty cool since few things ever do. But here’s my DIY with chalk paint. Give it a try and let me know. If you have questions, feel free to ask!

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June’s Glossybox

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Oh how I love my monthly glossybox! I swear it’s like a monthly gift to myself that I don’t know what’s coming. I gently unwrap it, and get giddy excited over what it may contain. Truth be told I’ve never been let down. I’ve had other monthly beauty box subscriptions and maybe they started out okay but eventually just kept getting more and more let down. Why would anyone get excited over a pen, gum, or toothpaste in a beauty box?! Not Glossybox. High end beauty box samples on large size samples to full size?! Yes, please! I love it. I’m totally addicted and I’m never let down. Every month is a gift to myself and I believe we deserve those little surprises in life. So this is my June Glossybox and a little nail art that I did from the nail polish that was included. And, oh my god, love the nail polish! I could totally use these colors separately and I will. Very nice application and great colors! Glossybox has turned me on to Sumita. They’ve had eyeliners in their boxes before and I’m totally addicted. This box included a highlighter/eyeshadow/eyeliner pencil. Loved it! Soft golden glow, almost perfect for anyone. This month you also received a C Wonder gift certificate worth $5-500!! Love! The Rusk texturing spray is amazing and a great large sample size. If you’ve never tried Glossybox or wanna give them a shot, heres the link: http://www.glossybox.com/referal?CI=NDEzMzg=

 

My Cinderella Moment wearing Bel & Beau

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Who doesn’t love a floor length taffeta maxi skirt?! Well certainly this girl does. Bel & Beau inspires women to dress up, but their skirts are meant for both dressing up and dressing down. I think it’s important as women and mothers to have those moments of feeling pretty – Cinderella moments, I like to call them. I attended my in-laws 50th anniversary party so comfort was also extremely important since all four of our children would be attending (ages 3 to 11). I felt really comfortable in this to be able to look put together but still be a mom of small children.

The maxi I chose came in the most beautiful fuchsia. Bel & Beau skirts are made to order, so there’s no “out of stock” or “backordered” which we all hate. And for me being a petite, I was thrilled that was an option (tall is also available). But bear in mind it generally takes two weeks for it to ship since it is made to order, so give yourself plenty of time to order in case you need it for something particular. They also have the most beautiful tulle skirts, and that’s definitely next on my list!

Black tee: JCrew – Skirt: Bel & Beau – Shoes: Target with custom jeweling (see previous post) – Clutch: Target – Cuff: Forever21 – Nail polish: Orly Grape Crush – Earrings: JCrew

 

 

DIY : Jeweling your shoes like Gap and JCrew

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I ordered these heels from Target in silver and black just so I could try my hand at DIY jeweled heels. I love the versions that are sold by JCrew and Gap but they can be pretty pricey. I have a handful of broken necklaces that I’ve been saving in case the jewels might come in handy. So I took out a couple of broken JCrew knock-off necklaces and started taking the jewels off with needle nose pliers. So easy. I use E6000 glue which really is the best crafting glue on the market. I played around with the jewels until I achieved a look I liked and then glued them in place. It took maybe 10 minutes and I’ll have a fabulous pair of heels to wear tonight! I’m ready to jewel some sandals next!

Finished

Just break some jewelry and have fun creating your own jeweled shoe brooches!

4th of July Mason Jar Craft

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So I’m a TOTAL and COMPLETE Pinterest addict. I love getting inspiration on everything from home design to outfits to makeup to how to decorate for a party. I’ve seen these 4th of July mason jar crafts on pinterest for the last couple summers and have been waiting to try it. I intend on using them on my deck with tealights to add some cute summer decor. Who doesn’t love a mason jar craft?! I swear I’m ready to make vases and soap dispensers and all kinds of things. Now I’m not a hard core crafter so don’t expect perfection. I guess I’m more of the “wanna be” crafter so my stuff has flaws and it’s far from perfect. But through my trial and error, I may be able to offer some better alternatives to what I did. And, of course, you can always take this and do a different spin on it. My different spin was the monogram that I added. Us southern girls sure like to monogram everything!

The finished version

I used stand paper to gently scrap the Ball Mason letters to pop back out of the paint and LOVE how the striped one came out. It was harder to see the edging with the navy and since I applied so many layers of paint to the stars trying to correct my previous mistakes it pulled hunks of paint off the stars instead of light scrapings. But if you did white paint first (like I recommended above) then when you scrape the navy the white would come through and that would be a better effect. I trimmed the stars jar in a red glitter ribbon and finished it off with a wooden B that I painted with the silver glitter paint.

Sunday Brunch Outfit

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I’m slightly addicted to my Gigi New York Uber Clutch. I absolutely adore it! And any chance I can to build an outfit around it, I jump at. I decided to do a play on red, white and blue for a Sunday Brunch honoring a dear friend’s upcoming wedding. This lace peplum is absolutely lovely. I feel so girly in it. It is from Lily & Violet which is a small online boutique with some really feminine and flirty pieces. I think red/white/blue is a great summer trend that extends beyond just 4th of July. It really is a beautiful color combination. Necklace and cardigan are by JCrew.

Lace peplum, gigi new york clutch and a JCrew statement necklace to finish it off.Lace peplum, gigi new york clutch and a JCrew statement necklace to finish it off.

Red and Blue accessories added a nice POP of color. Red heels by Steve Madden.

Red and Blue accessories added a nice POP of color. Red heels by Steve Madden.

Essie's 5th Ave

Essie’s 5th Ave

Have you tried pairing red/white/blue other then for 4th of July?

LaurenB Nail Polish Review

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Lauren B is a nail polish and nail care line that I recently discovered through my Glossybox about four months ago. I have since been able to try a couple other colors, along with a gel-like top coat, top/base coat, and their lovely hand cream. Lauren B touts themselves as “nail couture” and it definitely is a luxury brand nail care line. The Nourishing Hand Creme with Orchid and Peony has become a personal favorite of mine. It is like hand perfume. It is moisturizing and leaves a lasting scent on your hands that is just lovely.

The gel-like top coat was something I was most interested in trying and it didn’t disappoint. It gives you an at home salon effect to your nails, giving them high shine without all the damage of applying gel manicures in a salon. Lauren B’s brushes are a little different too in that they have extra bristles on the wand, so that it is easier to apply polish. The polish is long lasting and holds up well against chipping.

Lauren B products can be found on their website http://www.laurenbbeauty.com

Shopping Addiction to Jane (Formerly Very Jane)

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I stumbled upon Jane.com about a year ago and ever since then it’s been an addiction. I was sucked in by cute boutique style items with low prices. I obsessively checked every day for the latest deals and even got up early to secure an item before it sold out. I told you I was addicted! When I started making a daily order for 3 weeks straight I finally had to admit my addiction and take a step away. I started deleting the emails and not checking the daily teasers of what was being featured the next day. I “get on the wagon” for about a month and then when I do “fall off the wagon” I do so in great flare. I order everything from maxi dresses to jewelry to tops for me, for the kids, to even cute straws. I love a deal and I even more so love a deal that can be gotten online from the comfort of my own home without a trip to the mall with four kids generally making me miserable trying to shop.

I’ve had a few hit and miss items. Sometimes I’ve ordered one thing and something else has come in. There have been times the quality has been so poor that I haven’t ordered anything for a couple months before I get sucked in again (which generally helps me to “get back on the wagon”). Generally speaking, I find that when I have had issues they have been resolved. Sometimes I just like worry free shopping so I take my money and go to JCrew where I know I’m going to be happy even if I’m paying soooo much more. I think the real CON of Jane is it can take forever to get something shipped. I generally wait two to four weeks to receive what I’ve bought and paid for. I do feel like it’s getting better there though. I feel like they’re trying to address that and I have noticed that some things are shipping quicker. But you still need to expect longer shipping times of 2-3 weeks. And checking the “expected to ship” on an item before purchase helps to know if it will arrive in time if you’re buying as a gift or need it for an event.

I can say that after a year of probably being one of their best customers and having several issues, I will still always go back to Jane. They have some amazingly cute things at really great prices! Here are a few of my most recent purchases that I love!

Summer Makeup Routine

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So it’s starting to finally become summer which means it’s hot and humid, and generally your makeup could go running off your face into a puddle on the floor. It’s generally the time to time change not only the colors you’re using from dark to light and bright, but what you’re using for protection from the sun and what will hold up on a hot day so you look radiant and not sweaty. If I had to pick just ONE go to product for summer it would be Dr. Jart+ BB Cream which is a tinted moisturizer with an SPF of 45! I have tried so many BB creams, CC creams, tinted moisturizers and this one is still my number one pick. It goes on light and smooth, super hydrating, but also you get this amazing coverage like a foundation. I like getting a tan in the summer but never on my face, so this offers amazing protection from the sun.

Two new products that I’m trying for summer are Bobbi Brown’s bronze brick and YSL Baby Doll Lip/Cheek tint, color no. 1. I was really excited to try the Bobbi Brown bronze brick since I first saw it on Pinterest. I’m not 100% sold on it. I don’t know if it’s the color or the shimmer but it’s not perfection, which is what you want when you’re  spending nearly $45 on a bronzer. I feel like I’ve gotten better results with products that are far more cost effective. So I can’t say I’m a fan, but I will keep trying it out until I’ve mastered it. I do like that you can pick individual colors or a combination to use for different things. Such as the highlighting color can be applied only with a sweep of a smaller brush and that’s pretty awesome.

I am a HUGE fan of YSL lipstick and lip tints. It is a very pricy thing to collect at $35 but I really believe that it is truly the best. The YSL Baby Doll Lip/Cheek tint comes in at $40. I guess they added that extra $5 for its versatility. Who knows? But I found this to be a bright and fun fuschia to wear this summer. It is a matte formula that is hydrating and has decent staying power, not as good as a YSL lip stain though. I have tried it both as a lipstick and as a blush. I thought the blush was a little bright for my skin tone but maybe it’s just a less is more kind of thing.

My Summer Essentials: tinted moisturizer with coverage and good spf, a bronzer with a little shimmer, and a lip tint that can be used both for lips and cheeks.

What are some of your go-to products for summer?

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