Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Blog SALE Time!!!

http://soco210.livejournal.com/24605.html

MAC, Urban Decay, NARS, Dior, Rock & Republic, Too Faced, OPI, China Glaze, Sinful, Mary Kay, Avon

** Message me on the LJ posting if you can, if you aren't an LJ member and don't have access message me here, but please know I don't check this as much as my LJ email!

MAC Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner Review & Swatches

*sigh*
I love these. There is really a warm and fuzzy feeling in my heart for how stunning these eye liners are. Sadly, I can't wear them. This is the THIRD time I've bought them and tried. Something in the formula makes my eyes water like crazy and go bloodshot. My contacts fog up. It's just not a pretty sight. No other liner or eye makeup gives me a reaction like this. I've tried just using it on the top, just on the bottom.... it doesn't matter where I put it, I react the same.

The first time I bought these were the original release of Undercurrent and Black Line. Reaction. Return. Bought Undercurrent again, hoping it was just an issue with the batch. Sold on LJ sale. This time I bought Undercurrent, Black Swan, Lord It Up, and Black Line PRAYING the formula was still wonderful, but different enough that I can wear it. Nope. I tried Black Swan and Lord It Up and I was a mess both times. I actually had to wear my glasses for a few days after because of the intense burning in my eye balls.

These glide on smoothly and have decent staying power for such a soft liner. I scrubbed at my arm with a MAC Bulk Wipe and there is still some liner stainage.

For your viewing pleasure, and my memories, here are pics and swatches:
(in order from top to bottom in both photos: Undercurrent, Black Swan, Lord It Up, Black Line)



They are sparkly gorgeous goodness and they can never be mine. =(

These liners retail for $14.50 each plus tax at maccosmetics.com as well as MAC Stores and department stores such as Macy's, Nordstroms, etc.

MAC Sweep Me Off My Feet Brush Set for Holiday 2010

I rarely buy the MAC Brush Sets. The brushes simply aren't the same quality as the full size. You hear that everywhere, and it's definately true. The Sweep Me Off My Feet Brush Set ($49.50) is part of the MAC Holiday 2010 color collection Tartan Tale. If you're just starting out with brushes, or simply love the bag, it's a great item to get. Originally I wanted A Lady And Her Tricks but in person this one seemed more ideal for me once I saw it all in person.

From the MAC site:
Love sweeps you off your feet - so do these! The five most wanted brushes for that perfect application of powder or blush: the 129SE, 190SE, 212SE, 227SE and 275SE. Presented in a multi-tartan/black patent bag, with heraldic crest and metal rivets. Bag Measures: 7.25 " x 7.25".

OPI Extra-Va-Vaganza Review & Swatches

Another day.... another glitter!!

I am absolutely in love with glitters. Sure, they're a pain to get off, but dang are they pretty. It's fun to stare at your nails glinting in the sunlight... bling bling!

OPI Extra-Va-Vaganza was picked up by me at Trade Secret ($8.50 plus tax for each bottle). It was on my original lemmings list but I hadn't picked it up yet. I popped into TS with no intention of buying... but this is literally the prettiest glitter polish since OPI Mad As A Hatter. Copper and gold with maybe a few more light flashes of other colors... can't be beat!

Here is my swatch photo, though it does the shade NO justice:


AND, for those that celebrate, how was your Turkey Day?? We did a TON of travelling and visiting. I'm still not caught up on life lol

Monday, November 29, 2010

EBATES Reminder!!!

Before you do your online holiday shopping PLEASE remember to sign up for or use your Ebates account!!

I've been using ebates since 2008 and they send you cash back to your Paypal account or a check in the mail 4 times a year. It's pretty awesome.

Click HERE for my referral link and sign up today for cash back at places like Sephora (5% cash back), Ulta (7% cash back), Toys R Us (2-4% cash back), Borders & Barnes and Noble (8% cash back) and MORE!

The cash back percentages above reflect the amounts that are given back as of this posting, percentages are subject to change.

Monday, November 22, 2010

PhiBetaFit Giveaway!!

My bestie from STL is having an awesome giveaway on her NEW blog!!! Tracy is chock full of healthy information. You got questions about health and fitness? She can answer them.



Tracy is giving away two of Tosca's Best books.
Eat Clean Diet Recharged and her brand new, hot off the presses, Your Best Body Now!

Click HERE to enter! Contest ends December 9 so hurry!!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Guerlain Rouge G Lipstick Gracieuse Swatches & Review

One of my birthday prezzies from Lindsay out in California was a long time wishlist front runner:

Full name - Guerlain Rouge G de Guerlain Jewel Lipstick Compact in the color Gracieuse (05 - soft copper nude). Whew. Mouthful.

The packaging is super heavy, and of course (being Guerlain) super gorgeous. As you pull the lippie out a little mirror pops out for quick reapplication perfection. The color really isn't anything special. The formula on par with other high end brands. Not a horrid scent. NOT worth the $46 price tag. I think it's nice to have ONE. Especially if you can snatch it up during an F&F sale, but any more would be excessive. It's so fun to play with, but does finger print up easily. And, on a more embarrassing note, an acquaintence thought it was a pocket rocket. =\ So that wasn't fun. LOL





Guerlain Rouge G lippies are available at Sephora.com and fine department stores. They retail for $46 plus tax. Ouch.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

OPI 100,000 Facebook Fans Contest

(click pic to enlarge)

OPI has announced on Facebook a new contest! They need to get 100,000 fans on there and they'll randomly be selecting 100 of them to win 6 "HTF" shades. I put the HTF in quotes because you can still pick them up in many placed lol but it's still fun to enter!



Click HERE to enter and make sure you tell them Brooke Pakulski referred you!

Monday, November 15, 2010

OPI Sparkle-iscious Review & Swatches

I did a lot of picture taking this weekend. Even though I didn't update (other than the giveaway winner!) I was thinking of your guys!

I turned 30 (dirty thirty) on Saturday. Feels like 29... no difference. It didn't depress me like I thought it would. I think a lot of people make turning 30 into a big drama fest, but really... it's like any other year.

The first thing I want to share with you is my birthday mani. I had fully intended on using NARS Zulu but my bday package from Lindsay in CA arrived and I dove directly on the glitters. OPI Sparkle-iscious to be exact!



I wanted to use this because it totally reminded me of birthday party confetti. It's a mix of blue, purple, and gold. I did have to do 4 layers and it still wasn't totally covering the whole nail, but I got a TON of compliments on it, and it actually wore better than most glitters. I'm pretty sure I need all of the others now!!

OPI polishes retail for $8.50 at places like Trade Secret and nail salons, but you can pick them up at online retailers as well, sometimes quite a bit cheaper.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

MAC Sinister Lipstick Giveaway WINNER!

(click pics to enlarge)

Happy Birthday to me means cool stuff for you!


Recently I had my second giveaway and today was the final day for entries. My Daughter Lydia picked the winner (after dumping the hat, and eating a few entries, she found one slip of paper that she deemed appropriate and handed it over!)


The winner is LUCISEK!!

Another International follower! Too cool!

I'll be doing another giveaway soon, these are SO much fun!! This time I'll need to do some sort of auto-bot pick tho, there were a lot of slips of paper to cut up this time around! LOL

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Finger Paints Holly Good Time Swatches & Review

A biggie on my nail polish holiday wish list was Holly Good Time from Finger Paints. After my daughter got her flu shot today I ran out to Sally's with my 20% off coupon and grabbed up the last one.



I don't own any other Finger Prints polishes, so it's hard to compare it to those, but I thought the formula was pretty nice. The red and gold glitter is fine and covered well in 3 semi-thick coats. It reminds me of the holidays, all cheerful and glittery. If you enlarge the photo (by clicking) you can see how flashy it all is.

Finger Paints are $3.99 right now at Sally's!!! Go go go!

China Glaze Mistletoe Kisses & Party Hearty Swatches & Review

An early birthday presents arrived from BFF Tracy in St. Louis!!! She already sent me the UD BOS a few months ago but surprised me even MORE by sending over a few of my nail polish lemmings.

Pictured first is China Glaze Party Hearty 3 coats (top)


It is REALLY cool. Obviously meant to be worn over another color, but the red chunk glitter, green glitter, and very fine gold glitter scream Christmas time! My son calls it the Christmas Polish. It was quite easy to remove, which I was happy about since I didn't use a base coat.

Next we have China Glaze Mistletoe Kisses (3 coats)


Check your stash, people. You will not find a more gorgeous, glittery green. You will stare at this shade ALL day long and compliment yourself outload to the point of public embarrassment. What more can I say?

China Glaze retail for $6 usually at Sally's but you can sometimes fine them cheaper elsewhere and sometimes Sally's will run Monthly deals that include China Glaze. Keep your eyes peeled!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

NARS Cheyenne & Wicked Eye Shadow Duo Swatches & Review

During the Sephora.com Friends and Family event they had two (YES, TWO!) NARS Eye Shadow Duos on sale for $10 each, after discount $8 each. I didn't even bother looking up the colors for swatches, I just ordered.

Wicked is pretty ugly. I wouldn't have paid MORE than $8 for it. Based off of swatching it seems pretty sheer. I don't know how much I'll use shades like these, but it's unlike anything in my collection and may come in handy some day.



Cheyenne is much more gorgeous in person. The right side reminds me a bit of MAC Star Violet but less purple. I'm extremely impressed with this one.



Normally NARS Eye Shadow Duos retail for $32 each plus tax. Wicked and Cheyenne are still available at Sephora.com for $10 each. You can either click THIS LINK or (there is a bit of a trick to it) add Wicked to your cart, click it from your cart, and Cheyenne will show up.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Holy Giveaways, Batman!!!

In addition to my Giveaway there are some other blogs who are doing a few giveaways as well!!

When you get the chance check out the following:
Bec's Beauty Buzz is giving away 7 Ozotic Polishes (sneak peek below)!!! Ends DEC 5


GildedNails is giving away the 2 new Deborah Lippmann Polishes!! Ends NOV 13

GildedNails is also giving away a bottle of RBL Catherine H! Ends NOV 25

Kitschy Suburbia is doing a HUGE giveaway (check out the teaser pic below), you need to see it to believe it! Ends NOV 27


Varnish Vixen is giving away a TON of cool prizes!! Ends December 5.

You can also always check my side bar (to the right) for a list of current Giveaways and Contests from the awesome bloggers that I frequent ;)

Friday, November 5, 2010

NARS Douceur Blush Swatches & Review

(pics are clickable)

NARS Douceur is a limited edition blush that was put out as part of NARS Fall line. Swatch wise, it seemed right up my alley. Therefore I took full advantage during the Sephora F&F sale.



The blush looks different because it's the first blush to be imprinted with the NARS logo rather than having the logo printed on the plastic covering. A lot of people remarked that this made the blush look like a fake. I actually like it better. The imprint DOES fade rather quickly, I've only used it twice and it's starting to disappear.

Quality wise this blush is top notch. Nice pigment, though not so much that you'll look garish. Smooth, applies evenly. I think NARS blushes are a lot nicer without the sparkle.

Pics & Swatches


Lightly Swatched


Really Heavily Swatched




I purchased my NARS Douceur from Sephora.com during the friends and family sale, but it is now sold out on their site. You can check your local Sephora and also purchase this at fine retailers such as Nordstrom.

One Lovely Blog Award

Wooo hooo!!!! I absolutely ADORE getting blog awards! What a cool way for bloggers to connect.



I received this award from my girl Polish Insomniac. Obviously she's extremely awesome for passing along this award to yours truly ;)

All you have to do is tag 15 people! I did some clicking around for a few and found some GREAT new blogs (who I am now following!).... check em out - in no particular order:

1. Kayla Shevonne
2. GingerKitty Designs
3. Magic Maid
4. Wife Check, Mom Check, Now What
5. Contests & Such
6. Body & Soul
7. Swatchcat
8. Birds Decorate Branches
9. All You Desire
10. Christopher & Tia
11. Nail Tailz
12. Never Unpolished
13. Getcha Nails Did
14. Beauty Vibes
15. Glitter Is My Crack

Kayla's 50 Follower Giveaway!!

Fab blogger Kayla is doing an AWESOME giveaway on her blog!! I almost hate to tell anyone because I NEED to win this ;)



CLICK HERE to enter - Giveaway ends November 25, 2010.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

NARS Kalahari Swatches & Review

(pics are clickable)

NARS Kalahari Eye Shadow Duo has been one of my NARS favs for awhile. I had it a long time ago in NARS Best Palette. I used it all the time and have no idea why I swapped the damn thing away. It's one of my biggest swap regrets to this day.

In rolls the 2010 Sephora Friends & Family sale. Put aside the fact that I'm irritated that it gets pushed up every year (it used to be AFTER my birthday, so I used to be able to haul from it considerably more).... (just had to whine about that a bit lol) One of the things I ordered had to be Kalahari. I was tired of swatching it and staring every time I went into Sephora. It was honestly starting to get traumatic.




Normally I'm not a huge NARS shadow fan. They tend to really fade on me throughout the day regardless of what I do underneath them. Kalahari never did that. It never failed me ;) It's smooth, pigmented and buttery. A definately WIN for NARS and if you can snap this up, go for it. A few other awesome duos are Habanera, All About Eve, Earth Angel... really anything with some shimmer. I have issue with NARS mattes... =\

I got mine at Sephora but right now Beauty.com is having their Friends and Family sale for 20% off and you can order it there as well.

Before the discount NARS Duo's are $32 plus tax. However, if you spend $30 or more on NARS you get a free travel size cleansing oil. Lots of freebies and goodies. Beauty.com is an awesome site!

The Beauty.com sale ends November 5th at midnight and shipping is free if you spend $25 or more. The discount will automatically reflect in your cart at the time of checkout. Excludes gift cards and Jane Iredale.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Home Renovation Update

I fully intended to update weekly, but the reality is, a lot of boring stuff was done and I didn't take pics of a lot of it. Electric work... who cares. Show me walls! Doors! FUN THINGS!

If you're a new follower CLICK HERE to catch up on the first renovation post.

Setting up the framework and boards for walls 9/19!


Pic of the exterior on 9/19


Roofing on 10/13


Windows and french doors and house wrapped on 10/15


Back of the house 10/15


Door cut from old basement into new basement 10/22


New basement 10/22 (hi daddy!)


We have insulation 10/27



Ready for plaster (this is part of the new master bedroom) 10/28


Old back door removal 10/29



That's it so far. Gosh it REALLY feels like it is taking forever. I'll be back SOON (hopefully) with more updates. Cross your fingers for great weather so they can get as much done as possible!!
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