All That Glitters

Ah, Vegas!  Where fantasies are reality, fortunes are made, and the ATMs are filled with gold! 

Okay, so one out of three ain't bad.  Seriously, though, Vegas actually has an ATM that dispenses 24kt gold bars and coins instead of cash.  It's located in the Golden Nugget casino, and while not the first of its kind, is the first and only one in the city.  There's another machine in the Town Center Mall in Boca Raton, FL, and several have sprung up across Europe. 

The machines, invented by Thomas Geissler and manufactured in Germany by Gold To Go, hold approximately 320 gold pieces of varying sizes.  A customer inputs how much gold they'd like to purchase, inserts either cash or card, and out comes the gold--neatly wrapped and sealed in a little black box.  Prices are recalculated every 10 minutes to accomodate the rapidly-changing market value.  The manufacturer claims that the machines are, "largely burglar-proof and tamper-resistant," and a great alternative to purchasing gold from pawn shops.  What will they think of next?

Photo Credit:  Chocomize.com

Speaking of weird places to find gold, how 'bout in a chocolate bar?  I don't know how many of you are fans of Rizzoli & Isles, but, apparently, there was a pretty gold-flecked candy bar featured in an episode.  Well, folks, you, too, can have one of your very own!  Chocomize is a custom candy bar company, and the creator of the confection used on the show.  Chocolate lovers can choose a base chocolate (milk, dark, or white), then pile on up to five of their individually-priced toppings, including 23kt gold flakes.  Or, if you're not into DIY candy, you can pick from their selection of most popular combinations.  The Spicy Special and S'mores bars have me intrigued.  $3.95 and up, Chocomize.com.

And now, how 'bout a gold-infused product review?  I thought I'd give Urban Decay Primer Potion in Greed a spin.  According to Sephora:

This primer makes color more vibrant and lasting without any creasing. Try a sexy glimmer applied at inner corners of eyes, or wear it alone to transform your eyelids into those of a fierce seductress. This potion even works as a radiant brow bone highlighter, and can add a golden sheen underneath any eyeshadow.

According to me: 

It's a good primer.  I put it on this morning, and have had zero creasing or fading, so at least we know that it works.  The color is less gold and more like a yellow-toned champagne.  It's very light (almost whipped, really), and exceedingly shimmery.  By itself, it makes for a sheer, pretty wash of color, and would work well as a highlighter.  I layered some neutral brown shadows over the primer (Stila's Sparkle, Grand, and Kitten), and noticed a very subtle golden hue peeking through the lighter colors.  It's not overpowering, just a slight undertone.  With the right shadows (these worked well), it could be very flattering.  Greed was only available, up until recently, in a four-pack sampler, but can now be found on its own for $18.  Sephora.com.