tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11766906488725961832024-03-04T02:16:39.283-08:00Adorable NapalmGirly Goodies for Glamorous GeeksErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.comBlogger696125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-88549763311381488412014-06-02T13:54:00.000-07:002014-06-02T13:54:22.965-07:00My Geeky, Creepy, Accidentally Shining-Inspired HallwayA few weeks ago, I <a href="http://adorablenapalm.blogspot.com/2014/05/while-i-was-out-where-bleep-have-i-been.html">posted</a> this picture with the explanation that it was my newly renovated hallway (still in progress), and that it kinda, sorta, unintentionally started to resemble <em>The Shining</em>. Granted, I was a little high on paint fumes when I came to this realization, but looking back on it, I don't think I was too far gone.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKH0HKen2wek1uFKLAnY_PWWOz6DNTCyhvQ66Tnp8g-zarRL0r_UW1K4KZZilm_eXOhIK9usNlFNwwbrR0ll9JxoJ6SU1SQjqkjhlF4FrbIIW55h1efl8B3aBewNQtdYV5R0aBYsvTYDf/s1600/IMG_20140515_092200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKH0HKen2wek1uFKLAnY_PWWOz6DNTCyhvQ66Tnp8g-zarRL0r_UW1K4KZZilm_eXOhIK9usNlFNwwbrR0ll9JxoJ6SU1SQjqkjhlF4FrbIIW55h1efl8B3aBewNQtdYV5R0aBYsvTYDf/s1600/IMG_20140515_092200.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hallway in progress.</td></tr>
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See? Here's a screenshot from the movie.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tested.com/art/movies/457145-shining-and-steadicam/">Photo Credit</a></td></tr>
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Granted, the colors aren't in exactly the same places and patterns, but the color scheme is eerily similar. If I could have found the accent pieces in red, I would have nailed it. Of course, as I said, any resemblance is coincidental and purely unintentional. That said...if you can't beat 'em... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKg20K98W87JwhYjiDM0PKxKZXWI2WHHHV2OkI-OYqeQAsUH9ptUtrOSg6TUHhc9FNaGGF0FVJvns9pHIJUrNYplSOVazXhLLgX1tdiDjK7aqqQGfKWAtfgpCM1ghaGmfB2nO2YSljVuOK/s1600/IMG_20140530_210048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKg20K98W87JwhYjiDM0PKxKZXWI2WHHHV2OkI-OYqeQAsUH9ptUtrOSg6TUHhc9FNaGGF0FVJvns9pHIJUrNYplSOVazXhLLgX1tdiDjK7aqqQGfKWAtfgpCM1ghaGmfB2nO2YSljVuOK/s1600/IMG_20140530_210048.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Come play with us, Ronnie. Forever and ever..."</td></tr>
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This is my geek-ified, accidentally <em>Shining</em>-inspired, vaguely <em>Haunted Mansion</em>-y new hallway™! And yes, those are my puppy's dinosaur toys standing in for the creepy twins. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">I should probably seek help.</span><br />
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Of course, you can't have a <em>Shining</em>-inspired *anything* without 237, and what self-respecting hotel leaves numbers off the doors? This door leads to the office, which can, on occasion, double for a gateway to Hell. Seemed appropriate. These numbers are rusted brass, and were clearanced out for 68-cents apiece at the local craft store.<br />
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While we were at it, we stuck 42--the meaning of life--on our room...</div>
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...and 1138 (George Lucas' directorial debut) on the guest room. </div>
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You could also argue that 42 might be for 42nd Street and the Broadway theatre district in New York, but that would be silly...right? *whistles innocently*</div>
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Here we have the distressed mirror and sconces I showed you in the previous post. They haven't changed. They're still slightly disturbing and remind me of <em>The Haunted Mansion </em>ride for some inexplicable reason. I think it's the pattern in the sconces and the filigree around the mirror. I don't know, but Thomas gets that vibe, too. Maybe we've just got our crazy in sync. </div>
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Originally, I'd planned on getting a minimalist <em>Shining</em> poster to frame and hang here (across from the mirror/sconces), but then we found this little gem, also on clearance at the local craft shop. The inside of the frame is clear, so don't go nuts wondering how we matched the orange paint <em>that</em> perfectly. I loved how distressed and worn it was, and the typewriter went perfectly with our accidental theming. Most importantly, though: there's glitter in it. Kid you not. I have no idea <em>why</em> there is glitter in this frame, but there is, and it's gold, and it got all over Thomas when he toted it out to the car for me. If I hadn't already fallen in love with it, that last bit would have sold me on it. (I love you, honey!)<br />
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Lastly, I figured as long as we were putting numbers on the doors, I might as well label the bathroom, too. There's nothing geeky or creepy about this. It's just practical and kind of pretty. </div>
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Again, the letters were on clearance at the craft store, and lightweight enough to be attached using bits of Command strips. This picture shows the letters a little more clearly, and also gives the best shot of my favorite part of the hall: the door paint. </div>
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If you look very closely, you can see little bits of sparkle. You can also see, from the light hitting the paint, that there's quite a bit of depth to the color. This is Oil-Rubbed Bronze paint from Rustoleum. Now, not going to lie, it's a b*tch to use. This stuff is oil-based (I had no idea) and goes on like molasses in December, but it looks amazing in person. From one angle, it looks black. From another, it looks brown. From another, there's a field of shimmer. I. Freaking. Love. It. </div>
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Word of warning: if you use this, do not use anything that contains a heat source until after the paint has dried. By that, I mean, don't paint and then make yourself a piece of toast. Don't paint and then run the washer or dryer. Definitely do not paint and then cook on the stovetop. This will--and I am not making this up--cause a chemical reaction with the already considerable fumes, and your entire house and everything in it will reek of kerosene. You will think you're going to die. I would also suggest using *only* disposable rollers and brushes, and not even attempting to clean them off after using. Just toss them. Trust me, it's easier that way. On a completely unrelated note, lemon juice, salt, steel wool, hand scrub, and pure acetone make a fantastic hand exfoliant that you will <em>never</em> want to use again. </div>
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Ow...</div>
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<br />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-52891448805727114222014-05-16T12:16:00.000-07:002014-05-16T12:16:07.672-07:00While I Was Out: Where the *Bleep* Have I Been, Anyway?Hi guys. I know, it's been forever since I posted, but I can explain: life is weird. <br />
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Here's the deal. Over the past couple of months, things have gone from the ridiculous to the sublime at my house. To start with, Thomas and I have written a script, and stuff is kind of starting to sort of, maybe, not completely but could-at-any-moment happen with it. I can't really go into it ('cause there's nothing to go into), but we optioned it (it's Facebook official, and everything), and now we're just pacing the delivery room, waiting and hoping to pass out cigars, eventually. <br />
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Now, as those of you who have been around here already know, we've also been steadily trying to <a href="http://adorablenapalm.blogspot.com/2014/02/if-you-decide-to-paint-sunroom.html">renovate our sunroom</a>. Well, the good news is: we finished it! And it's gorgeous! The bad news is: it immediately flooded, along with a good chunk of the rest of the house. No joke. Our area experienced "historical" rainfalls, and pretty much half the city ended up with at least <em>some</em> water in their houses. Before anyone tries to organize a fundraiser, or anything, though, let me assure you that we are perfectly okay. Thomas and I were extremely lucky that the water that came in was minimal, did absolutely no damage to any of our furniture or belongings, and was quickly cleaned up. We only lost the carpet in our room and the hallway, and for about a day, we honestly thought we'd saved it. It was really not a big deal. We also have a very elaborate system of drains that normally works perfectly. There was just so. much. rain. Like, half a foot in an hour, or some such nonsense like that. In any case, here's a shot of part of the sunroom. Thomas took a really nice panoramic video of the whole thing, but it hates me and won't embed. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInqaxxfdkSb3RC6sOTx6NVq-O5593npAtsqFHbzTEVJ295bqOhDPY3eBiZupQuigFAiiCWRP77tNX9ZGHMFlwU2WWRBKoPTr_ZcIRauyr4oDF2nnUpO9MoXuful9dj90CPGgWtEjhyiey/s1600/IMG_20140331_092545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInqaxxfdkSb3RC6sOTx6NVq-O5593npAtsqFHbzTEVJ295bqOhDPY3eBiZupQuigFAiiCWRP77tNX9ZGHMFlwU2WWRBKoPTr_ZcIRauyr4oDF2nnUpO9MoXuful9dj90CPGgWtEjhyiey/s1600/IMG_20140331_092545.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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You'd never guess it used to be teal with white trim and white-ish carpet. There's still junk in there that needs to be cleaned up, and an extra air hockey table (any takers?), but I'm calling it done.</div>
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And, since the carpet was up in the hallway, we took the opportunity to paint in there, as well. Since we already had orange and brown, that seemed a nice, warm and cozy color scheme to stick with. </div>
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And...it looks like <em>The Shining</em>. Ronnie has two identical stuffed dinosaurs (his baby and a backup), and I <strong>really</strong> (like, you have no idea how badly) want to put them side by side at the end of the hall. We were about three-quarters of the way through painting when we realized the similarity, so we decided it was easiest to just go with it. We got the creepiest mirror and sconces we could find, and I'm planning to put a framed <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/164530644/the-shining-original-art-print-poster?ref=sr_gallery_14&ga_search_query=shining+movie+poster&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery">minimalist poster</a> for the movie on the opposite wall. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1fpBbmwX2xS7GadvkcwdUyV5ROAES73M9qq8Dbzg-VJXadPnt6OoqzNzazM26XqH-fE9utVBzovuaQS6Lz5WgyXdjZeQFArhjGRosMPh-cj8_slkUmP-v5C6TegL39NQ0IHE10sNVdsM/s1600/1907341_10100471137968043_1037147324497235660_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1fpBbmwX2xS7GadvkcwdUyV5ROAES73M9qq8Dbzg-VJXadPnt6OoqzNzazM26XqH-fE9utVBzovuaQS6Lz5WgyXdjZeQFArhjGRosMPh-cj8_slkUmP-v5C6TegL39NQ0IHE10sNVdsM/s1600/1907341_10100471137968043_1037147324497235660_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's hard to tell, but those are all distressed, and the candles are black. I'm planning to have a virgin light them on Halloween night to see if the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107120/">Sanderson Sisters</a> show up. <br />
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Anyway, while all this was going on, Thomas and I learned that <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aETor3byDVI">Night of the Krampus</a></em> was nominated for a <a href="http://rondoaward.com/rondoaward.com/blog/?p=32">Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award</a>. Holy crap. People like Joss Whedon and Greg Nicotero win those things. Plus, the other shorts nominated were all <em>amazing</em>. It really and truly was an honor to be in their company, and associated with this award in any way. The winners were announced Monday night, and I am happily shocked to report that we walked away with First Runner-Up. The winning film was a shot-for-shot remake of the 1931 <em>Dracula </em>trailer, made by the folks over at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxhl9TPHWmc">Cinefix</a>. It's absolutely hilarious, and I highly encourage all of you to check it out. I subbed to the channel after watching it. Congrats to them on a well deserved win!<br />
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Finally, I'm finishing up rehearsals for an Andrews Sisters tribute act, and we have our first gig next week. I've had a <em>Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy</em> earworm alternating with <em>Do You Want To Build a Snowman</em> for weeks (freaking memes). Blood may be shed soon. <br />
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Anyhoo, that's what's been going on around the Smith house--oh! We're filming tomorrow, too. I knew I'd forgotten something. Basically, it's a circus, but at least most of the acts are really cool. <br />
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In conclusion, I leave you with a chihuahua assembling a bed frame: <br />
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Awwwwww!!!!</div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-15664764712743176432014-04-24T13:22:00.000-07:002014-04-24T13:22:35.261-07:00Lessons In Humility From a Six Dollar BB Cream: Wet 'n' Wild Fergie BB Cream ReviewI am a snob.
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<br />
I don't mean to be. It's certainly not intentional, and I absolutely don't think I'm better than anybody else. That's not it, at all. I just have a real problem believing that a six dollar BB Cream from the drugstore is going to be anywhere near as good as an exponentially more expensive one from, say, Sephora or Ulta. Somewhere along the way, I got it into my head that cheap equaled, well, cheap. <br />
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I am a snob.<br />
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The thing is, I'm only like that with certain products. I will happily skip off to the drugstore for skincare. My lipliners are almost exclusively Rimmel. Cream shadows? Maybelline Color Tattoos ftw. Powder shadows, on the other hand? Pretty much going to be Urban Decay or Stila. Eyeliners? Urban Decay, period. BB Cream? Too Faced or Urban Decay, and the Urban Decay isn't even that good. Occasionally, I'll be in a pinch and have to use a Garnier that I've had for probably too long for it to still be sanitary, and I will marvel at how much I like it, and wonder why I don't use it more often. Then I'll put it back in the cabinet and forget about it--just like my CoverGirl Outlast foundation that is freaking amazing, but gets passed over for Urban Decay or MAC. Why? Because, apparently, I am a snob. <br />
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This needs to stop.<br />
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So, about a week ago, I had to go for a physical (ain't that fun?), which led to a trip to Walgreen's, where I decided I deserved a treat, goshdarnit. While perusing ye olde wall o' cosmetics, I saw this little darling by Wet 'n' Wild, and curiosity got the better of me:<a href="http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/wet-n-wild-fergie-bb-cream-8-in1-beauty-balm/ID=prod6206024-product"> Fergie BB Cream 8-in-1 Beauty Balm</a>. Everything about this screamed, "BAD IDEA!", but I just had to know. <br />
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You know what? I like it. I mean, I <em>really</em> like it. I've used it several times since purchasing, and have been impressed. Let's break it down:<br />
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<strong>Packaging:</strong> The packaging looks fantastic. I have it on my counter alongside NARS, Urban Decay, Tarte, and a few other high-end beauties, and it fits in surprisingly well. The product comes in a black squeeze tube with silver accents. A clear strip near the bottom shows the cream, so you can check the color, as well as see when you're running low. The cap is flat, and allows the product to stand up on its own. I do have a problem with the absence of any sort of safety seal, but there are advantages (more on that later).<strong> 9 out of 10</strong>.<br />
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<strong>Scent: </strong>Here's where things get tricky. The tube I own has a very distinct maple syrup fragrance. It smells <em>exactly</em> like you just smeared pancakes all over your face. I have absolutely no problem with this, as I happen to enjoy pancakes, and the smell disappears once the cream is applied. However, other people have purchased tubes with a drastically different, far more unpleasant scent. I believe I heard someone use the words "toxic" and "waste". That sounds dreadful. My advice: take advantage of the no safety seal issue. Buy a tube, keep the receipt, and before you leave the store take a good whiff. If it stinks, swap it out. I DO NOT advocate opening a tube you have not paid for. It really sucks when you buy, for example, a lipstick and get it home, only to find a fingerprint or worse waiting under the cap. Don't be that person. Plus, if the tube is defective, it's better the store know so that they can prevent someone else from buying and using it. <strong>8 out of 10.</strong><br />
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<strong>Texture: </strong>The cream has a very light, gel-like consistency, and is slightly tacky. It feels like nothing on the skin. <strong>10 out of 10.</strong><br />
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<strong>Range: </strong>Five shades are available, as of this writing, ranging from Light to Deep (a vast improvement to most brands' one- to two-shade ranges). I am a MAC NW15 and have been using Light/Medium, which is, perhaps, a skosh too dark. It looks fine in my bathroom lighting, but in natural (as you'll see in a moment), it's iffy. I think it'll be great during the Summer, though. Right now, I'm two shades lighter than Casper. <strong>9 out of 10.</strong><br />
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<strong>Application: </strong>I've been using my fingers, and the product has absorbed quickly and blended easily. I do recommend finger application, as opposed to brush. I find BB creams and tinted moisturizers (which, face it, Western BBs tend to be repackaged tinted moisturizers) apply better with fingers, because they warm up the product, which aids in blending. <strong>10 out of 10.</strong><br />
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<strong>Coverage: </strong>This is very light coverage. I wouldn't go so far as to say light to medium. This is strictly for evening out skin tone, and not for covering blemishes or extreme redness. It's definitely recommended for folks who don't need the coverage of an honest-to-God foundation, but just want a little something to keep from being completely bare-faced. It covers a little better than the <a href="http://adorablenapalm.blogspot.com/2013/02/magic-bag-o-samples-urban-decay-naked.html">Urban Decay Naked Beauty Balm</a>, but that's not saying a whole lot. Here's a shot of my cheek after applying the cream. You can still see freckles and a slight amount of redness. The skin's texture, however, is nice. You don't see a whole lot of pores, and there's a slight glow. <strong>4 out of 10.</strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ61VlLA9UIDnI8peEaAvyhDfRnN2YAaPyuLl0tXfjl_bCH5d9-RYEFtX9zsuR-VQ8tqfOBRWO7zrDFPX_e9UXqL_FG5vjTePhdh3DXFniFb7jPUk4JF0PilNq25hDsn0HbH4TvXuNbL4S/s1600/IMG_20140424_091145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ61VlLA9UIDnI8peEaAvyhDfRnN2YAaPyuLl0tXfjl_bCH5d9-RYEFtX9zsuR-VQ8tqfOBRWO7zrDFPX_e9UXqL_FG5vjTePhdh3DXFniFb7jPUk4JF0PilNq25hDsn0HbH4TvXuNbL4S/s1600/IMG_20140424_091145.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See if you can find a constellation among the freckles! I have the Big Dipper on my right arm. I don't tan; my freckles just connect...</td></tr>
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<strong>Finish:</strong> I've found this to leave a very natural, glowy, but not shiny or oily finish. I think it's quite lovely, and much nicer than expected. It looks much more expensive than any other drugstore BB I've tried. There's no shimmer, either, which also sets it apart from others I've looked at. Everything about this reminds me of the Stila tinted moisturizer I used to swear by around the time I graduated from college. This is just slightly less sticky and a heckuvalot cheaper. <strong>10 out of 10.</strong><br />
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<strong>Wear: </strong>On my normal-combo skin, in 64% humidity (I checked), with slightly above-average exertion (I had a voice lesson and took a whirlwind trip to the mall before heading on to work), no touch-ups were required by the time this godawful selfie was snapped. That was about three and a half hours. I don't look shiny, and there doesn't appear to be any wear or rubbing off. I did touch up with a little bit of powder about half an hour later, but it wasn't absolutely necessary. I was checking my lipstick and figured I might as well.<strong> 8 out of 10.</strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQAwHbPDkOJnKfHN2g2D4ZPjVlfED43VeMZJsPiXfLHYUBvYSe4ujXoRtAthxGitVnNJ73li_yuUe6H4oY7Qma2EgLuZBmDH8ef3nAz1iCJZlcSkUhj41oYpiWgMu_hth2di0BIB_Quvj/s1600/IMG_20140424_122553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQAwHbPDkOJnKfHN2g2D4ZPjVlfED43VeMZJsPiXfLHYUBvYSe4ujXoRtAthxGitVnNJ73li_yuUe6H4oY7Qma2EgLuZBmDH8ef3nAz1iCJZlcSkUhj41oYpiWgMu_hth2di0BIB_Quvj/s1600/IMG_20140424_122553.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pay no attention to the catterpillars over my eyes. It's pollen season, and I don't want to sneeze while holding tweezers near my eyes. I'm uncoordinated. It would end poorly. I'm making an appointment at the Benefit Brow Bar soon, I promise.</td></tr>
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<strong>Other: </strong>This BB cream is cruelty-free and contains SPF 15. That's kind of low for a BB, but better than nothing. <strong>No score.</strong><br />
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All in all, I think this is a winner. I especially like it for traveling, when you might not want to bring your expensive makeup for fear of it being lost or damaged. Plus...six bucks. Really? I mean, really? <br />
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<strong>Final Verdict: 8.5 out of 10. It's super cheap and works like a champ. Kind of a no-brainer. </strong>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-38295431421559455432014-04-23T11:28:00.000-07:002014-04-23T11:28:26.144-07:00Aren't You Supposed To NOT Sniff Paint?: Revlon Parfumerie Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last night, after putting together all of my music and altering most of my costume (that's another post, entirely), I had just enough time to do a quick and dirty manicure before bed. I had a producer's run on a show today, and needed vintage nails. Originally, I was going to use red, but it turns out, I don't own a red creme nail polish. Not one. I have red satin and red glitter, but no creme in all the gazillion bottles cluttering up my bathroom. Go figure. </div>
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Anyhoo, yellow was on the list of historically-accurate colors for the time period, and I'd just gotten my hands on one of the new Revlon Parfumerie scented polishes that I've seen advertised for so long, so I decided to take this opportunity to test it out. The color is Sunlit Grass, and the (freaking adorable) bottle was about six bucks at Walgreen's. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Hau8FrgTc5vt3cGdB03KozTZcQq-Y9Si3ydRc2ypJ10ZGvqeb7qLemggdknHqF6ccaVWI5NCgSJT3sVbxrwYutXdtDeElFo9cpJNQ6r7iWAy4X6TBs_TXGryoEE_q71bT1n1swsZiqSW/s1600/IMG_20140422_134210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Hau8FrgTc5vt3cGdB03KozTZcQq-Y9Si3ydRc2ypJ10ZGvqeb7qLemggdknHqF6ccaVWI5NCgSJT3sVbxrwYutXdtDeElFo9cpJNQ6r7iWAy4X6TBs_TXGryoEE_q71bT1n1swsZiqSW/s1600/IMG_20140422_134210.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I told you it was quick and dirty. This ain't no pro job, that's for darn sure. In fact, there's still a little glitter left over from the last polish on my pinkie. Nice. </td></tr>
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It is, indeed, scented. Whoo, boy, is it scented. I had actually used this before, but on my toes. I don't know about you, but I don't recall the last time I sniffed my own toes, so that wasn't exactly the most useful experience for review purposes. Now that I have the stuff on my hands...I kind of wish I didn't. It doesn't smell bad, but the scent is very strong, and my sinuses are very not happy with me right now. The fragrance is sort of a mix of floral and grass, and would probably be lovely as a spray or rollerball, where you develop a tolerance after wearing for a few minutes. In this case, every time I push my hair out of my face, the scent hits anew. Pretty as the color may be, it's coming off as soon as I can get to some polish remover.<br />
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As far as formula goes, I'm not crazy about it. It's streaky, patchy, and took forever to dry, even with a quick-dry topcoat. There are bubbles throughout. That said, the color is gorgeous, vibrant, and very true to what it looks like in the bottle. <br />
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<strong>Final Verdict: 4.44 out of 10. It's not the worst I've ever used, but it's not the best, and the gimmick is certainly not worth the price. Cute bottle, though.</strong>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-86517165295241161002014-04-09T14:15:00.001-07:002014-04-09T14:15:45.027-07:00Vintage Vixens: Historically Accurate WWII Era Makeup (1940s How-To)Recently, I've had the extreme pleasure of working in an Andrews Sisters tribute trio with two lovely and talented ladies. We're still in the rehearsal stage, and only just ordered costumes yesterday, but I thought it would be fun to do a post on historically accurate makeup from the WWII era. Even if you're not Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy-ing, this might come in handy for Disney Dapper Day, Halloween, theatre, or if you just feel particularly glam one day and want to rock your inner Rosie the Riveter. At the end, I'll give recommendations for modern day product options. Now, come along with me on a Sentimental Journey. Who knows, maybe Grandma was cooler than you thought.<br />
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Let's start with the basics (and a good giggle): Face shapes. In the 1940s, the oval face shape was most desired. Great care was taken with hair, lipstick, and clothing choices to create the illusion of an oval shape if the natural bone structure could be considered round, square, or anything else other than oval. Here is a fantastic (and hilarious) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_9JwjRyD0E&list=PLD3497EE39F94C94D">vintage film tutorial</a> on creating an oval shape. I'd embed, but it's been disabled. I'll just wait here while you go watch. <br />
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Go on.<br />
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Did you watch it?<br />
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Seriously, that made my day. <br />
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Next comes the actual makeup. Here is a simplified tutorial, hosted, again, by our friend in the red dress. The gist is that makeup was to be minimal, and only used to emphasize natural beauty. The entire routine shown in the film consists of moisturizer or light foundation, rouge that is blended out to near invisibility, lipstick (in a coordinating shade to rouge and nail polish), and powder. <em>And that's it.</em> No eyeshadow. No liner. No mascara. No freaking nothing. I can embed this one, so here you go:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/75TwRLgxMXo" width="420"></iframe><br />
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The lipstick application process was surprisingly specific. They didn't mess around back then.<br />
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Now, these videos have been, well, adorable, but if you'd like to watch something a little more in-depth, here's a fantastic modern tutorial that retains the integrity of the era:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fy7SjCCLWWI" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://glamourdaze.com/2010/03/1940s-fashion-makeup-guide.html">Glamour Daze</a> is a fantastic site for figuring out a vintage look for everything from a <em>Downton Abbey</em> viewing party to a Woodstock reenactment, and <a href="http://www.return2style.de/swingstyle/makeup/40amimup.html">Return2Style</a> has a great guide with color samples. According to these sites, foundation should be slightly darker than your actual skintone, with powder just a bit lighter. The powder should also have a rosier cast to it if your natural skintone is on the yellow side, and, universally, blush should stay on the pink side, as well. Eye makeup is kept minimal, with only a light contour of gray, taupe, or brown to define the socket. Liner should be thin, if not altogether non-existent. The winged-out cat eye didn't gain popularity until the 1950s, so skip that. No eye makeup should be used on the lower lashline, but loads of <strong>clump-free</strong> black mascara should coat the top lashes. You can go the false lash route, but keep 'em natural. <br />
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Besides the lashes, the emphasized parts of the face are the brows and lips. Brows should be neat, but not overly plucked, and the definitively arched shape defined by pencil or powder in a shade that matches their color. A little vaseline or clear gel will hold the brows in place, as well as add glossiness. Lips should be well-defined, and the shape should yield the most attractive, full look possible. This might mean drawing slightly outside of the lines if your lips are thin. The upper lip was commonly exaggerated at that time. When choosing a lip color, any shade of red or pink, and even red-based orange would be appropriate, depending on how natural or bold you want to go. A dot of clear gloss or vaseline in the center of the lower lip will help achieve the shiny "Hollywood" look that was popular at the time, but is not necessary.<br />
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Okay, folks, here's where things get interesting: Nail Polish! For <em>years</em>, I've thought 40s polish had to be red or pink. Boy, oh boy, did I have that wrong! The popular style was a half-moon mani, with just a sliver of unpainted nail at the top, and the color <strong><a href="http://www.inspirationail.com/history-40s/">matched your outfit and accessories</a></strong>. That's right. It matched <strong><a href="http://blog.caseybrowndesigns.com/2010/06/40s-nail-colors-2/">the outfit</a></strong>. <a href="http://theglamoroushousewife.com/2013/09/1940s-makeup/">Revlon did release a line of coordinating lippies and polishes</a> around that time, and that look became popular, too, but--believe it or not--there was some serious color experimentation going on with greens, blues, yellows, and even black. <br />
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<em>(Think about that for a sec: Gra'ma could've rocked some b*tchin' goth nails.)</em><br />
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So, that's a lot of info on 40s makeup, but what should you use to recreate that style nowadays? Well, let's see what we can come up with:<br />
<strong><u></u></strong><br />
<strong><u>Foundation</u></strong><br />
40s makeup calls for a flawless base, so you'll want something medium to full-coverage with a matte finish. I like CoverGirl Outlast 3-in-1 as a drugstore option. High end (well, higher end), MAC has something for darn near every skin type and shade, and an artist can help you color match.<br />
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<strong><u>Powder</u></strong><br />
Rimmel Stay Matte powder is a clear winner, with CoverGirl Oil-Control Pressed Powder meriting an honorable mention. I'm also a fan of E.L.F. HD Powder, but as a finishing powder over something else that actually sets the makeup. High End, I like Laura Geller Balance and Brighten Baked Color-Correcting Foundation (it's a powder foundation, but sets makeup beautifully when applied with a fluffy brush). <br />
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<strong><u>Blush</u></strong><br />
NYX does a great powder blush, and Dusty Rose, Rose Garden, or Bourgeois Pig (love that name) would all work quite well. E.L.F. Studio Blush in Pink Passion looks downright frightening in the pan (matte hot pink?! The heck?!), but gives a very natural pink flush to the cheeks. It's in my film kit now, actually. High end, I'm digging the new Julep blushes, so I'd recommend Petal Pink. (If you have the NARS One Night Stand palette, go for the hot pink one. I'm just not putting it here because it was limited edition.)<br />
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<strong><u>Eyeshadow</u></strong><br />
I only have one rec for this one, and that's the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette. Either W.O.S. or Foxy all over, with Naked 2 in the crease. Done. You can also use Naked 2 or Faint in the brows, and the $27 price point for six shadows keeps this in the "affordable" realm. That's $4.50 per shadow, which is squarely in the middle of the price range for drugstore single shadows. <br />
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<strong><u>Liner</u></strong><br />
I'm going rogue and recommending Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Perversion. It's so dark that it looks like liquid, but you get the control of a pencil. MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack is another good option. Drugstore, you can't beat Essence gel liner. It's fantastic, and super cheap.<br />
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<strong><u>Mascara</u></strong><br />
Drugstore, Maybelline The Rocket. High end, Buxom Buxom Lash. Waterproof, in both cases. Benefit They're Real would be here if you could remove the stuff without ripping out your lashes. That stuff does look gorgeous on, so if you're feeling adventurous, go for it.<br />
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<strong><u>Lipstick</u></strong><br />
NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams are beautiful, inexpensive, smell delicious, feel good on, and last forever. Pick a color, any color. Revlon Kissable Balm Stains are another viable option. High end, MAC Russian Red. It's classic and doesn't budge. It does dry, though, so keep that in mind.<br />
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<strong><u>Nail Polish</u></strong><br />
Apparently, the sky's the limit. Pick a cream finish in a vampy navy or army green for a fun twist on a classic half-moon manicure. I'm considering Julep Kendra or Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Thinking of Blue.<br />
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Have fun getting all dolled up! Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-59384250493040332812014-03-31T13:28:00.001-07:002014-03-31T13:28:53.489-07:00Attack Of the Pint Glass!: Quirky B-Movie Themed Coaster DIY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Hi, all! I'm back (sort of)! Things have been nuts, but I'm happy to report that my sunroom renovation is about 90% done. There's still some light clean-up to do, and a couple of small decorative pieces to buy...and, of course, an air hockey table to <strike>pawn off</strike> find a good home for, but the room is functional again. That's huge, y'all. I was starting to wonder if we had a house elf sabotaging us--sort of a "Harry Potter must not finish the sunroom!" kind of deal. </div>
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Anyhoo, while I'm not quite ready to inundate you with pictures just yet, I did want to share a DIY project that worked out. I'm not even going to say "worked out well". It did, but the mere fact that it worked out, period, makes it one of the most successful projects I've tried, to date. Basically, the idea of spending upwards of twenty bucks for a set of coasters made me ill. We needed them, but even the cheapest, ugliest ones at, oh, pick a store, were hella 'spensive. I don't want to spend more on something to set a glass on than I did for the glass. Maybe I'm cheap, but it irritated me. </div>
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Somewhere along the way--can't remember where, but if I can find it, I'll link it--I heard about using decoupaged ceramic tiles, and thought, "Well, duh. Why didn't I think of that?" I already had the perfect decorative pieces ready to go. Thomas bought some B-movie poster postcards a few years ago, but we repurposed their frame, so they've been collecting dust. How cool would they look sitting around the bar? Thomas loved the idea, so I set to work.</div>
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This is a very simple project, so very few supplies are needed, and you probably have most of them if you're even slightly crafty. I wanted to make six coasters, so I needed:</div>
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6 movie poster postcards. I already had mine, but you can find them for pretty cheap on <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-B-Movie-Monster-Movie-Poster-Postcards-New-Forbidden-Planet-/310914380898">ebay</a>. The linked ones are $5.99 for a lot of six.</div>
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6 ceramic tiles. These cost a whopping $.16 each at Lowe's. </div>
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Mod Podge. This was the priciest component at $7.99, but I barely used any. This bottle will last for ages, and pay for itself in future crafts. </div>
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Clear spray paint. You need this to seal the coaster, and take away any of the tackiness from the Mod Podge. (side note: Thomas wanted to know if we could use clear spray paint to take the tackiness out of other stuff, like reality shows or leisure suits. I said I didn't think so.) Again, I already had this, but it runs about $3 at Walmart. </div>
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Plastic bumpers. I got two packs for $5 at Walmart. </div>
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<li>A brush of some sort. I had a sponge applicator left over from another project, so I used that. Honestly, a makeup wedge would probably work. You shouldn't have to spend more than a few cents on this, if that.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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If you have to buy everything, this project could run about $23, which is more than the store-bought ones I refused to buy on principle. That said, I had some stuff, already, bringing the total down to slightly less than $14. The next time I do this, I won't need to buy the Mod Podge, which will bring the total down to about $6, plus whatever decoration I put on the tiles. </div>
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I apologize for not taking in-progress shots, but this is pretty self-explanatory, anyway. </div>
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Measure the tile, then cut your decorative piece to fit. You'll want to leave a little room on the outer edges, so, if your tile is 4"x4" (for example), you might want to cut your decoration to 3.5"x3.5". </div>
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Using your sponge applicator, spread a thin layer of Mod Podge over the tile.</div>
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Center your decorative piece, and allow to dry.</div>
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Using your sponge applicator, spread another thin layer of Mod Podge over the tile, covering the decoration, and allow to dry. Multiple coats may be needed, depending upon the thickness of your decoration. I used four thin coats, with a little extra built up over the corners. The finish will be textured, so keep that in mind.</div>
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Seal with 1-2 coats of clear spray paint.</div>
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Attach bumpers to the underneath corners, to prevent the tile from scraping up your furniture. You could also use felt or cork--anything that can act as a safeguard for your tabletops.</div>
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This may seem like a lot of applying and waiting for tiles to dry, but each coat only takes about 15 minutes to set. If you do these in an assembly-line fashion, by the time you finish the last tile, it's time to start in on the first again. Here's the finished coaster:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLvW3pixH-lShD8UdGme2B2I1OEoUpaYxPLtiRVLrRxUBLAF5aAEfB3V1iV2RCZKIzLc9yMyClnC5Tl-hIgVR8csvIXdTt4ZyqCQBZdevJKabpqoGkzPx2arrdMWTN0M53Ljfr1Cpo4i2/s1600/IMG_20140331_093101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLvW3pixH-lShD8UdGme2B2I1OEoUpaYxPLtiRVLrRxUBLAF5aAEfB3V1iV2RCZKIzLc9yMyClnC5Tl-hIgVR8csvIXdTt4ZyqCQBZdevJKabpqoGkzPx2arrdMWTN0M53Ljfr1Cpo4i2/s1600/IMG_20140331_093101.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top View</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxsv4sWUzcb9LbQ6u7qqR_0isUryEXxNskYJS8N4cp5LQYfbZfcFbvb4ln-klsJUc2OjluNvISclf8vGylmrVkyW_YIfDwG3Bq5E3eIXSIHYE3Ljzdf80RlHPnPFxIwRauOYdOT4kgj2o/s1600/IMG_20140331_093054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxsv4sWUzcb9LbQ6u7qqR_0isUryEXxNskYJS8N4cp5LQYfbZfcFbvb4ln-klsJUc2OjluNvISclf8vGylmrVkyW_YIfDwG3Bq5E3eIXSIHYE3Ljzdf80RlHPnPFxIwRauOYdOT4kgj2o/s1600/IMG_20140331_093054.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side View. You can see some of the texture, and where the bumpers lift the tile off of the table.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XXYOEJplP7Qgr5SjrWyFsSSqyvKIvGJfzhE3UomKXhsEYYlJLE-b3uK8RkzcLNuwLE3Qt_W_qWW2GfXnBKE9RbAAAGzNFSgJJiTUov53wQ1MpSZR2GotF7Z53MFs0vRKXDk8BScNn0Dq/s1600/IMG_20140331_093113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XXYOEJplP7Qgr5SjrWyFsSSqyvKIvGJfzhE3UomKXhsEYYlJLE-b3uK8RkzcLNuwLE3Qt_W_qWW2GfXnBKE9RbAAAGzNFSgJJiTUov53wQ1MpSZR2GotF7Z53MFs0vRKXDk8BScNn0Dq/s1600/IMG_20140331_093113.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are a few on display in the wine bar. I think they work well with the orange, gold and brown color scheme.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JjYP3-u29klVeLAhgECuBhM3Ss4LsQUXaivHobNd5BEuXq-GOA1rLyvpnMv_sFgQfd3PkmfYsQxnWY6nqIyeOpbl_FvfTtQrIL9jE-Y9tjL5NZgPBg-438OjyurWo6joIHzJqQuUR6tA/s1600/IMG_20140331_093028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JjYP3-u29klVeLAhgECuBhM3Ss4LsQUXaivHobNd5BEuXq-GOA1rLyvpnMv_sFgQfd3PkmfYsQxnWY6nqIyeOpbl_FvfTtQrIL9jE-Y9tjL5NZgPBg-438OjyurWo6joIHzJqQuUR6tA/s1600/IMG_20140331_093028.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here's a final look at a couple on our pub table. The shot glass centerpiece is going to hold candles...eventually. Until then, tequila, anyone?<br />
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I hope you've enjoyed this project and sneak peek at the finished room. Have a great week, everyone!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-7009127921759668422014-03-11T13:33:00.000-07:002014-03-11T13:33:55.322-07:00InstagRandomnessI am so tired.
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I mean, I am flat-out, fall-on-your-face, dear-God-I-should-not-be-driving exhausted. Poor Thomas is, too. I'd like to blame it all on the time change, but we've been burning the candle at both ends for so long now, this was bound to happen. At this point, I'm sitting upright. Please don't ask any more of me...and pass the coffee. Thank you.<br />
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Now, for your viewing entertainment, I give you: Random Instagram Photos! InstagRandomness, if you will. If you enjoy these, you can follow me @adorablenapalm. I don't have a hashtag (I'm not hip with all this newfangled social media hullaballoo. In my day, I had to dial-up to get to the world wide web. I had to wait for a connection and listen to a whole lotta screeching, just so I could reach America Online. Also, I'm apparently 106 years old now.) but I am always open to suggestions. <br />
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And now, the InstagRandomness!<br />
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Considering the March ipsy bags have already started arriving, I should probably show you a picture of the February bag. I actually took about two-dozen photos, with close-ups, swatches...the whole nine yards...and they all turned out orange. All of them. This was the best one of the bunch. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvisPjEfhxJbNQXqmvue64sQuNw7-iTrFEAJoGTWb_-s3fehxGQJULA3GBFiYY1eFaBlU25mxfl-iUaQKnPR29PMqZU3MV4WVcQ7iABbPWceNtWFKMuTAXw8J8IkU4WNhZgm-bv-KLVZm/s1600/IMG_20140220_090230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvisPjEfhxJbNQXqmvue64sQuNw7-iTrFEAJoGTWb_-s3fehxGQJULA3GBFiYY1eFaBlU25mxfl-iUaQKnPR29PMqZU3MV4WVcQ7iABbPWceNtWFKMuTAXw8J8IkU4WNhZgm-bv-KLVZm/s1600/IMG_20140220_090230.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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My bag contained Zoya nail polish in Odette, City Color Be Matte blush in Fresh Melon, Tini Beauty Eyetini in Spiced Rum, POP Beauty lip gloss in Peony Petal, and a Nume hair mask. The bag was a very cute hot pink with pink leopard lining. <br />
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Briefly, the Zoya is a lovely plum cream. For me, the name Odette conjurs up visions of soft white feathers, but this is beautiful, just the same. The blush is ginormous, crazy pigmented, and the perfect Spring-y coral. It's sitting in my current rotation. The Eyetini is <em>fabulous</em>. It's a rich bronze cream that applies easily, blends well, and reminds me a lot of my favorite MAC eyeshadow, Woodwinked. I lucked out with the POP Beauty lip gloss. It seems that several subscribers had issues with a gasoline-like smell, but mine is fine, so far. The rubber cap does have a distinct rubber odor, but that's to be expected. The gloss itself is more like a liquid lipstick. It's opaque, a pretty orange-leaning pink, and stays on fairly well. It's not my favorite thing, but I've worn it quite a bit. Lastly, the Nume hair mask conditions nicely and smells of Patchouli (to me, anyway). All in all, February was a very good bag month.<br />
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Now, if you've been reading this blog for any length of time, then you probably have noticed my complaining about the renovations we're doing to our sunroom. Well, folks, here's a sneak peek:<br />
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The walls are Orange Spice (or Spiced Orange? I can't remember) from the Better Homes and Gardens collection at Walmart. The door is Tierra Brown from the same line. The blue is painter's tape, and I'd better get used to it, because it has embedded itself into the walls and glass. Yay.<br />
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The floor is mostly done, now (just a few more planks. Thank God), but here's a shot of the new floor going over the old laminate tile. <br />
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I am in love with this floor. The wooden planks are actually stick-down vinyl tile! You can cut it with scissors (and I have...oh boy, have I ever). The brand is Style Selections in Antique Woodland Oak, and Thomas and I found it at Lowe's. If I hadn't put it down myself, I'd never believe it was stick-down tile. It even feels like real wood. Ah-maze-ing!<br />
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This little "weekend project" has been going on for a solid month and a half. Of course, we did take one weekend off to go to the brand-new Pensacon convention in Pensacola. Remember, this was the first year EVER of this con. First. Year. Now, look at the vendor floor:<br />
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Holy hordes of people, Batman! There were<a href="http://wuwf.org/post/pensacon-shows-us-money"> eleven thousand attendees</a> on Saturday. Not over the course of the weekend. <em>Saturday</em>. That's nuts. And awesome. We were there Saturday and Sunday, and had an absolute blast. I got to see Axel from <em>The Walking Dead, </em>and nearly bumped into Nicholas Brendon in a hallway. It was magical.<em> </em>If you get a chance, read the article I linked to and join me in being highly impressed with this fledgling con. <br />
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In addition to celeb-spotting and souvenier shopping, Thomas got to participate in a panel on Indie Filmmaking. I sat in the front row and grinned like an idiot while snapping pictures. I'm so proud of him. There were six other highly accomplished speakers, and we were so honored to have Fighting Owl counted among their work. <br />
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So, this happened...<br />
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I kind of love him. He sits in our office/studio, next to a shadow box filled with zombie faces. That seems fitting. My voice students haven't had a chance to meet him, yet, so I'll have to let you know how that goes. The dog likes him. He also likes the Krampus. However, Batman is not allowed anywhere near him. The chihuahua may not be the best judge of character...<br />
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Speaking of Ronnie, I leave you with a visual representation of the word "spoiled":<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zYAv6lX1WoDOqZsA16zAS9xqOOJEaJF5fvPKI2ROfEUAY12BMiyLogbmWJJ_HcZC1MeTMHwkMeEsfWdXHIo2xNchiWohsmJ_EP6hRenuJFSLg06rvusKBhVX6sUIp9GblLGNrJyNjWCg/s1600/IMG_20140307_211127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zYAv6lX1WoDOqZsA16zAS9xqOOJEaJF5fvPKI2ROfEUAY12BMiyLogbmWJJ_HcZC1MeTMHwkMeEsfWdXHIo2xNchiWohsmJ_EP6hRenuJFSLg06rvusKBhVX6sUIp9GblLGNrJyNjWCg/s1600/IMG_20140307_211127.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love that little face. Both those faces, actually. :)Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-5811919456808530322014-02-28T12:54:00.000-08:002014-02-28T12:54:57.318-08:00Glam Gams: Jergens BB Body Skin Perfecting Cream ReviewIf you've been following along lately, then you know that I'm currently <strike>living in squalor</strike> renovating my sunroom, and that it hasn't been going exactly according to plan. This has, unfortunately, cut into my blogging time, and for that, I offer my sincerest apologies to all four of you. <br />
<br />
In all honesty, I have more pictures than I care to count, ready and waiting to be pasted into a post. I would really like to get them off of my phone at some point in the near future.<br />
<br />
That day is not today.<br />
<br />
Anyhoo, in the .7 seconds I have to write this, I wanted to pop in and tell you about a new(-ish) product that I am <em>really</em> excited about:<a href="http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/jergens-bb-body-skin-perfecting-cream/ID=prod6230351-product"> Jergens BB Body Skin Perfecting Cream</a>. (Oh--incidentally, after <em>months </em>of not being able to click inside the "compose" box on Blogger, I can finally link, highlight, and basically function again. Miraculously. Things should be a lot different from here on. Thank God.)<br />
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Believe it or not, sundress season is around the corner. Heck, I wore one Tuesday. I also wore a heavy sweatshirt on Wednesday. Mother Nature is having hot flashes, but I digress. Sundress season is around the corner, and that means bare legs and arms and whatnot, and I'm not ready for that. In the past, I made up for my pale, patchy legs by slathering on this stuff from Super by Perricone, Supermodel Legs, which is, basically, tinted body lotion that's infused with capsacin to temporarily tighten up the calves. It's magic, and I love it, and it has been woefully discontinued. Of course, it has. <br />
<br />
When I heard about the Jergens and its claims, I had to test it out, so I picked up a travel size for about three bucks at Walgreens. They only had the light skin tone version, so that's what I went with. In case you're wondering, here's what it's supposed to do (from the Walgreen's website):<br />
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<span>Instantly: </span><br />
<ul sizcache="26833" sizset="0" start="1" style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li value="1"><span>Hydrates & Smoothes</span>
<li value="4"><span>Illuminates & Brightens</span></li>
</li>
</ul>
<span>In 5 Days:</span><br />
<ul sizcache="25468" sizset="0" start="1" style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li value="1"><span>Evens Skin Tone</span>
<li value="3"><span>Visibly Firms Skin</span>
<li value="6"><span>Helps Reduce the Appearance of Imperfections</span></li>
</li>
</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
I started using the cream last Saturday, so six days have passed. Did it work? Yeah, I kind of think so. Let's break it down:<br />
<br />
<strong>The Good</strong><br />
The first thing I noticed (okay, second, but I'll get to that in a bit) was that this stuff is <em>thick</em>. It's not an opaque leg makeup, but it does make me think a lot of Too Faced Primed and Poreless face primer, as far as color and texture go. The product blurs, but does not cover imperfections, and isn't sparkly or shimmery. You won't look like a Cullen. The most impressive result of using this, however, was that I was legitimately taken aback this morning when I looked in the mirror and noticed that my cottage cheese thighs appeared smoother. Don't get me wrong, there's still some serious cellulite going on, but there's definitely been some improvement. I would say that it's just wishful thinking on my part, except that I didn't realize that was one of the claims until I started writing this review. I'd misread the package, and only expected temporary results, like I saw with the Perricone. Surprise!<br />
<br />
<strong>The Bad</strong><br />
The price. It's up there. A full-sized tube runs anywhere from <a href="https://www.google.com/#q=jergens+bb+body&tbm=shop">$10-$13</a> (or $23, if you're nuts. <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/131115957398?lpid=82">Thanks, ebay</a>!), depending on where you buy it. That's a bit much for a drugstore lotion, especially considering how often you're going to have to repurchase. See, since this is such a thick lotion, you have to use a pretty generous amount each time you apply. My travel-size tube will have lasted a week, if I can eke out enough for tomorrow, and I only use it on my legs, arms, and occasionally my chest. Full-body, this might have lasted three days, at best. To put this into perspective, in my entire adult life (no exaggeration), I think I've finished one full-sized and two travel-sized lotions, and it took <em>months</em> each time. Heck, I think the full-sized might have taken a year. Normally, my lotion expires before I finish the bottle.<br />
<br />
<strong>And the More You Know</strong><br />
Here's the real first thing I noticed, and depending on how you feel about scents, this could go either way: bottom line, it smells <em>exactly</em> like <a href="http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13088481&cp=12586965.12587140.4191846">Bath and Body Works' Twilight Woods</a>. When I say "exact", I mean, I used the Jergens and then used the BBW hand sanitizer <em>and could not tell a difference</em>. It is spot. on. Now, Twilight Woods is a favorite of mine, so I'm absolutely OK with the fragrance, but take heed if you're not a fan of the BBW version, or of scents in general. I will say that I don't find it to be overpowering, and it doesn't seem to linger. Okay, now here's the part where I say, "and if you do like Twilight Woods, you might be able to save some cash by buying this at the drugstore!" No, wait--nope. You can't. The BBW version is $12.50. It's entirely possible that you might spend more on the drugstore "dupe". It won't have the same skin-enhancement properties, but if you're only after moisture and a nice fragrance, you can save money by going to the specialty store in the mall. For once. Wow...<br />
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<strong>Final Verdict: 8.3 out of 10. Absolutely does what it claims. I just wish it were more affordable.</strong>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-56205337749117471312014-02-21T08:01:00.000-08:002014-02-21T08:01:58.215-08:00The More You Know *Cue Shooting Rainbow Star*The longer this room renovation goes on, the more I've come to view it as a learning process. For example: I now know that I will hire professionals in the future.<br />
<br />
Recently, I posted an<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_You_Give_a_Mouse_a_Cookie"> <i>If You Give a Mouse a Cookie</i></a>-esque <a href="http://adorablenapalm.blogspot.com/2014/02/if-you-decide-to-paint-sunroom.html">recap</a> of the construction side of the project. We're still nowhere near done with that, but I decided to go ahead and work on getting the decor part going, so that when the room is finished, it might actually *be* finished. I mean, how hard could it be to pick up some pillows and a throw rug? Right?<br />
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<u><b>DID YOU KNOW</b></u> <br />
<br />
If you paint a room orange, you will realize that the most common color for whatever it is you're looking for is orange, but never the right shade--not even close?<br />
<br />
Once you buy a curtain with an accent color of, say, yellow, you are stuck with that color, and have to find a way to tie it into the rest of the room, no matter what? <br />
<br />
The color yellow is downright impossible to find? Closetmaid doesn't even make a yellow fabric bin for their ever-popular cube system. No one does.<br />
<br />
Stein Mart has gorgeous stuff? I had no idea. Unfortunately, their website doesn't specify colors. They do have a wonderful return policy, though. They also only carried one (1) yellow pillow in the shade I needed. I got it. Of course, I need two...<br />
<br />
For every three cans of spray paint you buy, at least one will have a faulty, broken, or missing spray nozzle? <br />
<br />
Furniture can reject spray paint? The color can, literally, slide right off. (And yes, I used "literally" correctly. I watched this happen.)<br />
<br />
The price difference between DIY-ing a questionably attractive drink cart out hardware store and amazon finds, and buying a beautiful, ready-made, actual-piece-of-furniture wine bar is surprisingly negligible?<br />
<br />
Oil-rubbed bronze is all the rage until you actually need it?<br />
<br />
Circleware Moonlight wine glasses are ginormous, and only $6.99 for four at Ross? Who wants to help me put together the wine bar? There may still be painter's tape on the walls, and the subfloor may be completely visible, but I'm sure it'll all look much better once the furniture's in place. Right? Now, be a dear and pass me that Moscato.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-75863881632709637432014-02-10T11:37:00.000-08:002014-02-10T11:37:32.477-08:00If You Decide To Paint the Sunroom: A Cautionary TaleIf you decide to paint the sunroom, you're going to have to take down the curtains and blinds.<br />
<br />
When you take down the curtains and blinds, you're going to find that not all of the window trim is intact, and some of it doesn't even exist. You'll also see that none of the windows are completely straight, so blinds don't fit well. For a while, you won't have any window treatments, and your neighbors will get to know you quite well.<br />
<br />
That's when you'll decide to frost the windows.<br />
<br />
When you decide to frost the windows, you're going to need a dust mask, and white powder is going to blanket everything in the room. You'll have to keep a designated pair of shoes out there, so you don't track toxic dust into the house, and the dog will be afraid to walk through the room to get outside, so you'll have to carry him. The windows will look great, though, and you can finally get around to painting.<br />
<br />
When you finally start to paint the sunroom, you'll notice what looks like water damage near the floor. You'll have to pull the carpet back to inspect. There won't be water damage (thank God!), but you will notice cracks and breakage in the subfloor. You'll need to rip up the carpet to fix it. Luckily, you were already planning to take up the carpet, so you go ahead and throw the carpet outside until the next trash day. <br />
<br />
That's when it'll snow. In lower Alabama. For the first time in God knows how long. <br />
<br />
When it snows (okay, ices) in lower Alabama for the first time in God knows how long, the trash schedule will be thrown completely out of whack, and you'll end up with wet, mildewing carpet on your courtyard for three weeks. It's okay, though, because the neighbor's cat will love to use it as a scratching post. At least now you can lay down the new floor.<br />
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When you go to lay down the new floor, you're going to find that it doesn't completely fill in the gap that the carpet left between the subfloor and the wall. When that happens, you're probably going to curse a bit, and then go to Lowe's to get transition pieces. While you're there, you can pick up that window trim you're going to need, some drywall tape and mud, and pick out a new light fixture and ceiling fan for the sunroom. You'll probably waste the remainder of the time you could have been working in the sunroom, but at least you'll have escaped the fumes from the window frost for a bit. <br />
<br />
Once you have the transition pieces and window trim, you're going to realize that you can't use any of it until you've painted the walls. That's when you'll finally slap on the first coat of paint.<br />
<br />
When you slap on the first coat of paint, it will become apparant that you'll need at least two more coats. That's when you'll have to go to Walmart to get another gallon.<br />
<br />
When you get to Walmart, you'll find that everyone in the paint department is on lunch. While you're waiting, you'll notice that pool tables are on sale. You'll spend the next fifteen minutes on your phone, trying to see if you can get one delivered. You won't be able to, but the diversion will keep you from snapping. Eventually, a very nice, albeit disgruntled, manager will come and mix up your paint, and you can go home.<br />
<br />
When you get home, you'll start painting again. Somewhere between the second and third coats, you'll discuss the possibilty of re-enacting <em>The Shining</em> with the chihuahua and his toys. That's when you'll realize that the fumes have gotten to you, and you'll open the outside door to let in some fresh air. <br />
<br />
When you open the outside door to let in some fresh air, you're going to look out onto your patio and notice that it's uneven.<br />
<br />
And when you notice the patio's uneven, you're going to want to level it. <br />
<br />
And when you want to level it...<br />
<br />
...you're going to admit that you need help and call a licensed professional to come out to your home and do it properly. <br />
<br />
The End.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-4636521725600148522014-02-07T13:20:00.001-08:002014-02-07T13:20:21.297-08:00Systematic, Hydromatic, Ultramatic Walgreen's Whitening!: Walgreen's Extra Strength One-Hour Whitening Trays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm a coffee drinker. Well, actually, that's kind of like calling Jurassic Park a petting zoo. I have a Starbucks Gold card, for crying out loud. I worked my way through both college and my time as a theatre gypsy tending coffee bars. I mostly drink decaf, but I drink a lot of it. </div>
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Oh, and tea. I like tea. I'm Southern, so of course I like sweet tea (and it's <em>all </em>sweet tea. If you want unsweetened, you need to specify), and it better be syrupy enough to pour over pancakes. I'm also a vocalist in the land of pollen, so chamomile is my friend. </div>
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And my teeth show it. </div>
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I adore my Crest Optic White toothpaste. Without it, I'd probably look like I smoked a carton a day. That stuff is magic, but great as it is, there's only so much it can do. Sometimes, you have to pull out the big guns and go for a whitening kit, which sucks because they're so gosh-darn expensive. Normally, I'd just scrub harder and hope that the Tooth Fairy would show up to grant wishes, but I've got an event coming up in a couple of weeks. I bit the bullet, grabbed my purse, and headed to Walgreen's. </div>
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Name brand whiteners tend to run anywhere from twenty bucks to over fifty, and that's before you get into the fancy-schmancy kits with lights. I didn't need all the bells and whistles; just a basic kit that might whiten my teeth. It didn't need to sing or dance or do my taxes. Then, my eyes fell on a generic, Walgreen's branded box that said "Extra Strength Whitening Trays...Whitens teeth up to 3 shades in 1 hour". Beneath the box was a sale sticker for $9.99. SOLD! When I got up to the register, I found out I had three dollars in Balance Rewards, bringing the total down to $6.99. Seriously, you can't beat that.</div>
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The instructions were pretty straightforward: rinse with the accelerator for 30 seconds, wear the first set of trays for 25 minutes, rinse with the accelerator for 30 seconds, wear the second set of trays for 25 minutes, rinse with the whitening rinse. The end. Everything was included, and the trays were pre-filled, so there was no mess and no guesswork. <em></em>It normally takes me about an hour to get showered, dressed, and ready in the mornings, so I decided to try to multi-task and use the kit during that time.</div>
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This morning, I rinsed with the accelerator, popped in the trays, and jumped in the shower. By the time I got out, applied some body lotion and did my morning skincare routine, it was time to rinse again and use the second set of trays. While those trays were doing their thing, I put on my makeup, fixed my hair, and got dressed. I was ready to walk out the door when I removed the trays and did the final rinse. Basically, what I'm saying is that this didn't take up any extra time or require much additional effort. </div>
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So, did it work? Did a ten dollar whitening kit actually do anything? Yeah. It did. Did it make a shocking difference? Can I star in a toothpaste commercial? Oh, gawd, no. The box only claims to whiten three shades. I feel like it did that, but this is, by no means, a professional job. I'm making a dental appointment next month, and plan to check into whitening while I'm there, but this is a definite improvement. I took before and after photos to compare. These are cropped really closely because, really, who wants to see two sets of my teeth bared? Not me, that's for sure. These are the same three teeth, and the pictures were taken with the same camera, with the same settings, in the same room, with the same lighting. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSl1b-PJ2UCcisgnt97i0yrgy-ynz2rhxGxpP_2gUe780PxaSTjaqyFdgKDf3H3mSPmrkInpeFqqmOqm4Z75PiPiENcGVqtqTzwPLDzERwzECdwnzL1DJrXYUYPiHf1s1nvvFLPDQ5_uN/s1600/Before.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_649411="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSl1b-PJ2UCcisgnt97i0yrgy-ynz2rhxGxpP_2gUe780PxaSTjaqyFdgKDf3H3mSPmrkInpeFqqmOqm4Z75PiPiENcGVqtqTzwPLDzERwzECdwnzL1DJrXYUYPiHf1s1nvvFLPDQ5_uN/s1600/Before.bmp" dta="true" height="282" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj30AqokQfJze5lm-zr9GEKrmoLczvs-iLzilxkLnlNQbVG38U5RiZXAPy32n1j3psVHU__y6HNLgK0BZG4M5quh-XHWYl_6OgbMJd9vgrPDfd3DHkGV1tZ71kpLhRE3IUW1ZW7-gq3c38/s1600/after.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_649411="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj30AqokQfJze5lm-zr9GEKrmoLczvs-iLzilxkLnlNQbVG38U5RiZXAPy32n1j3psVHU__y6HNLgK0BZG4M5quh-XHWYl_6OgbMJd9vgrPDfd3DHkGV1tZ71kpLhRE3IUW1ZW7-gq3c38/s1600/after.bmp" dta="true" height="251" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After<br />
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</tbody></table>
As I said, it's not a drastic difference, but it's enough that I can tell. The staining is significantly lighter in the bottom photo. I think a touch-up pen may help even more, or at least sustain these results until my event.<br />
<br />
Okay, so it worked, but how was the experience? Oddly enough, not completely unpleasant. The two accelerator rinses tasted just like regular mouthwash. They did bubble up more than my usual mouthwash, and that caught me a little off-guard the first time around, but it wasn't horrible, by any stretch. The final whitening rinse was less fun, unfortunately. It had a very heavy peroxide taste, and I'm not entirely sure I made it the full 30 seconds before I sort of involuntarily spit it out. The trays were the part I was most concerned about, and they turned out to be the best part, believe it or not. I don't normally do well with trays. They're typically plastic, uncomfortable, and restrictive. These trays, on the other hand, were foam. They were soft, flexible, and I was even able to stick out my tongue at the dog when he looked at me like I was from another planet. I won't say that I forgot I was wearing them, but I wasn't chomping at the bit (sorry!) to get them out of my mouth. The gel tasted like peroxide, too, but wasn't as difficult to deal with as the final whitening rinse.<br />
<br />
Oh, in case you're wondering, tooth sensitivity and temporary bleaching of the lips and gums are possible side effects, but I didn't experience either. In fact, I'm drinking an ice cold drink right now. I can't promise that you won't have any problems, but this is the first kit I've used that <em>didn't</em> leave me with touchy teeth and white gums. Just sayin'. <br />
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<strong>Final Verdict: 8 out of 10. It works, and it's not a pain in the...er, mouth. </strong>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-85244083976180841292014-02-06T14:24:00.000-08:002014-02-06T14:24:21.805-08:00A Buyer's Guide To the Urban Decay Naked Palette Collection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7cWhyphenhyphenxYVZASFQTnXfi9kLH1Im8MGL1MjQcKO9iUIF27caEfD6K8KPgC4I7wbcghsMv8SEn1BIkWjox_z0w3gTmdE9PtKEcXr3sjBZPx8oSZdmgehh9-2TMtPjC1BqYtiqbTUIiCLpref/s1600/14.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_416198="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7cWhyphenhyphenxYVZASFQTnXfi9kLH1Im8MGL1MjQcKO9iUIF27caEfD6K8KPgC4I7wbcghsMv8SEn1BIkWjox_z0w3gTmdE9PtKEcXr3sjBZPx8oSZdmgehh9-2TMtPjC1BqYtiqbTUIiCLpref/s1600/14.bmp" dta="true" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Not long ago, a friend of mine posted on her Facebook page that she couldn't understand all the hype over the Urban Decay Naked palettes. After all, it's just eye shadow, right? <br />
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Personally, I get it. I'm a neutral girl to begin with, and I also don't have a whole heckuva lot of time to spend getting ready in the mornings. It's nice--nay, essential--to have something I can grab, knowing that I'll be able to pick a color, slap it on my eyes, and not have to deal with pigmentation or blending issues. Urban Decay (who is not paying me to write this, and has no idea I even exist) makes some of the best shadows around, so a palette filled with twelve coordinating shades is kind of a god-send for me. Key words: "for me". Everyone's tastes and needs are unique. Some people crave zillions of bright colors; others may be good with a flesh-toned single. Me? I prefer these 40 neutrals.<br />
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If you're reading this, you're probably considering picking up a Naked palette. Here, I hope to share with you everything you need to know to decide which one(s) will be right for you. Please note: I'm not going into detail over every single shade in each palette. They will be touched on, but odds are, the inclusion or exclusion of one shade isn't going to make or break your decision. You know, generally speaking. All descriptions and recommendations are my own, and may or may not differ from those found elsewhere. <br />
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Alrighty, then. Let's start with the <strong>Basics</strong>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGWPZNYCfGxmyBWMzO5xzQ3AoQVJy2vP5gqOd2LJKjGt9nK6HH01woYsYqe2LnUcQQEZXs6FElIutDfpgptkZlR5RhwZMfrtz24xDXn53KZfzKnI2cOdpQXKcaZtks0-EOY9bLqcfz0C4/s1600/8.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_416198="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGWPZNYCfGxmyBWMzO5xzQ3AoQVJy2vP5gqOd2LJKjGt9nK6HH01woYsYqe2LnUcQQEZXs6FElIutDfpgptkZlR5RhwZMfrtz24xDXn53KZfzKnI2cOdpQXKcaZtks0-EOY9bLqcfz0C4/s1600/8.bmp" dta="true" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Packaging:</strong> Hard plastic with a rubberized finish and raised logo. Slightly larger than a credit card. Very secure closure. Full-length, usable mirror on the inside lid.<br />
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<strong>Extras: </strong>None.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyBKSeEpwxoyJCX6mQTRICOaJl__7F-0KjMDf24q7-azs33pgyhnnsaMXTVk9XcYbS2eyAd4BYU0ltEIX_MSGFgjawue6CpHjVZqudvax-ifY9TQNwYdyfcr_dkzebHYso70b4QvILcz3/s1600/1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_416198="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyBKSeEpwxoyJCX6mQTRICOaJl__7F-0KjMDf24q7-azs33pgyhnnsaMXTVk9XcYbS2eyAd4BYU0ltEIX_MSGFgjawue6CpHjVZqudvax-ifY9TQNwYdyfcr_dkzebHYso70b4QvILcz3/s1600/1.bmp" dta="true" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Shades: </strong>Six full-sized shadows. Five matte, one satin. Pigmentation ranges from fair to excellent, with the darker shades being best. Easily blendable. Could be considered slightly powdery.<br />
<br />
<strong>Versatility: </strong>Blending, highlighting, liner, brows. Can create a limited number of looks. Works best in conjunction with other palettes.<br />
<br />
<strong>Swatches:</strong> For reference, I'm an NW15 in MAC, and around a 2.0 in Urban Decay. And yes, that is my leg, and yes, my lighting does kind of suck. I have work with what I've got, sometimes. Believe it or not, colors are actually very close to true to life. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNtVVEgr5Q-CGJv28LBQDwPlveU7St_2VVB_Al9SoqDLggGXAL29aFrlzUJZEpj1LxfajzOUy_6r3z619DZ1HMLhZUQ9V08N97eFaiffoDnwH7N9E79PcYo05mvlUvO5WS6ybc2bi3aKJ/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_416198="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNtVVEgr5Q-CGJv28LBQDwPlveU7St_2VVB_Al9SoqDLggGXAL29aFrlzUJZEpj1LxfajzOUy_6r3z619DZ1HMLhZUQ9V08N97eFaiffoDnwH7N9E79PcYo05mvlUvO5WS6ybc2bi3aKJ/s1600/10.jpg" dta="true" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row, L-R: Venus, Foxy, W.O.S. Bottom Row, L-R: Naked 2, Faint, Crave </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>Repeats: </strong>Four shades are exclusive to this palette. Foxy is also found in Naked 2 and the permanent range. W.O.S. was also available in some build-your-own palettes, but is not in the permanent collection.<br />
<br />
<strong>Recommended For: </strong>All skin tones. Fair to medium may benefit most. <br />
<br /><strong>Naked </strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAekG9RpGYy3shVtXag3whd0GKNSJMr_Ul2LwcdCh0vxsiJOJkWxSTsfAJUE5KwU1DQ7os4myfprKXsElq_iYIu-RH16KOziFMZVhMCIVR19qNmykOpPZqMDH8rrm3TyqFLL9_5LMGi-L/s1600/2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_416198="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAekG9RpGYy3shVtXag3whd0GKNSJMr_Ul2LwcdCh0vxsiJOJkWxSTsfAJUE5KwU1DQ7os4myfprKXsElq_iYIu-RH16KOziFMZVhMCIVR19qNmykOpPZqMDH8rrm3TyqFLL9_5LMGi-L/s1600/2.bmp" dta="true" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Packaging: </strong>Sturdy cardboard with velveteen covering. Embossed logo. Magnetic closure. Small, high quality mirror on the inside lid. <br />
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<strong>Extras: </strong>Eyeshadow brush and mini Primer Potion (at time of purchase).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXebZDo2kyUc1Gi4pGOPra25KzVOEDBXOEZohN1U5b6DL1w_jylCQc2GCKSwf7IFCMgsl78kkqXs7UUGYA6Lg2JpfsZ5YxL1ytf3OAidYOTEbqPIC3UYwQuSM9MBkKTI6Amm5ekHvIoVk/s1600/3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_416198="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXebZDo2kyUc1Gi4pGOPra25KzVOEDBXOEZohN1U5b6DL1w_jylCQc2GCKSwf7IFCMgsl78kkqXs7UUGYA6Lg2JpfsZ5YxL1ytf3OAidYOTEbqPIC3UYwQuSM9MBkKTI6Amm5ekHvIoVk/s1600/3.bmp" dta="true" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Shades: </strong>Twelve full-sized shadows. Two matte, one satin, six shimmer, three glitter. Pigmentation generally excellent, with the exception of Naked, which has good pigmentation. Easily blendable. Generally creamy. Moderate fall-out on glitter shades. Overall warm tone.<br />
<br />
<strong>Versatility: </strong> Blending, highlighting, liner. Possibly brow fill. Evening and heavier daytime looks, with limited lighter looks possible.<br />
<br />
<strong>Swatches:</strong><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJf1vYs9Ke7_bxvMgOaIgojvLYU956I5G3Jx-Cl4w9k6IC4hSBipVa6S-GZeeyqNVGwcQiwVkmQ2ivECaNuVOv8L9LtxshkxLx3rDrjeZr7j4Sweiei4XrD1S3iYGQdpYKU-joGwiy02d1/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_416198="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJf1vYs9Ke7_bxvMgOaIgojvLYU956I5G3Jx-Cl4w9k6IC4hSBipVa6S-GZeeyqNVGwcQiwVkmQ2ivECaNuVOv8L9LtxshkxLx3rDrjeZr7j4Sweiei4XrD1S3iYGQdpYKU-joGwiy02d1/s1600/11.jpg" dta="true" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row, L-R: Virgin, Sin, Naked, Sidecar, Buck, Half Baked. Bottom Row, L-R: Smog, Darkhorse, Toasted, Hustle, Creep, Gunmetal.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>Repeats: </strong>Smog and Sin are in the Ammo palette. Half Baked is in Naked 2. Only Sidecar, Hustle, and Creep are not part of the permanent line. <br />
<br />
<strong>Recommended For: </strong>Warmer and neutral medium to deep skin tones. Fair skin tones may find the majority of the colors require a very light hand.<br />
<br />
<strong>Naked 2</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgS3v1GrtF-IzjDrQLmAMs9E7z_xkSdvOE3u8bAuM3pcFsn0amg4Xa0dXV_OvouyDYaoxeuSYZLMBR7KzSZhRLWDU_JbI8S7ChzpqiPrWV9n4wmPoKNtpPJ3PinA5CH_sXOG3ykqLgQyOB/s1600/7.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_416198="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgS3v1GrtF-IzjDrQLmAMs9E7z_xkSdvOE3u8bAuM3pcFsn0amg4Xa0dXV_OvouyDYaoxeuSYZLMBR7KzSZhRLWDU_JbI8S7ChzpqiPrWV9n4wmPoKNtpPJ3PinA5CH_sXOG3ykqLgQyOB/s1600/7.bmp" dta="true" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Packaging: </strong>Metal with raised logo. Secure closure. Usable mirror fills the inner lid. <br />
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<strong>Extras: </strong>Double-ended eye shadow brush and mini Lip Junkie lip gloss in Naked (at time of purchase).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQ2t8174nPbirY6YL4ROG3smsivPiRlVe9JT4PHSRDlD8OlkYR7fo20Hx7L9dcbTPBWIj_f_tM8vLGb4P5kLVfqr5yJCoZ7dbA-JT7zhzKwAhsax42XpTwNrh_q7vJFOzQsm1xMn5IEvf/s1600/6.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_416198="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQ2t8174nPbirY6YL4ROG3smsivPiRlVe9JT4PHSRDlD8OlkYR7fo20Hx7L9dcbTPBWIj_f_tM8vLGb4P5kLVfqr5yJCoZ7dbA-JT7zhzKwAhsax42XpTwNrh_q7vJFOzQsm1xMn5IEvf/s1600/6.bmp" dta="true" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>Shades: </strong>Twelve full-sized eye shadows. Three matte, one satin, two glitter, six shimmer. Pigmentation ranging from very good to excellent, with the exceptions of Foxy, which has good pigmentation. Easily blendable, though Tease can apply somewhat patchy. Generally creamy texture. Moderate fallout on glitter shades. Overall cool tone.<br />
<br />
<strong>Versatility: </strong>Blending, highlighting, liner. Best for lighter to medium daytime looks, with some evening looks possible. <strong> </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Swatches: </strong><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnePoR8hBY6AtxT-Z8SsQ3IvaRpZahwCaDxKKb08UePqyKNuAiE4cVODBgc-RMtWZzuDTR4jnnxhKaTGcmwebsbK4lEhkiRyZRiiosC3Bmu5cK1oQAr48MaSBbNiQaafWl_u4LsMUOEyL/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_416198="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnePoR8hBY6AtxT-Z8SsQ3IvaRpZahwCaDxKKb08UePqyKNuAiE4cVODBgc-RMtWZzuDTR4jnnxhKaTGcmwebsbK4lEhkiRyZRiiosC3Bmu5cK1oQAr48MaSBbNiQaafWl_u4LsMUOEyL/s1600/13.jpg" dta="true" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row, L-R: Foxy, Half Baked, Bootycall, Chopper, Tease, Snakebite. Bottom Row, L-R: Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted, Blackout. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>Repeats: </strong>Foxy is in the Basics pallete. Chopper is in the Ammo palette. All but Busted, Snakebite, and Bootycall are in the permanent line. <br />
<br />
<strong>Recommended For: </strong>Cooler and neutral skin tones. Fair to medium skin tones may benefit most, but could work for deeper tones.<br />
<br />
<strong>Naked 3</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_8be9Zl9V8PEG0bSX1eDEbblEE1N6nT5o-QTKxSGxfR1L6Hn_ZwUXRR6cf26FOOqnUTiRL4d6XQt5egfZCwjs4hwZYoHM0M0Eh5q-UMEktx_eHIQC_llRfbb6WOvvTSGA-TWQYCopXfI/s1600/4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_416198="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_8be9Zl9V8PEG0bSX1eDEbblEE1N6nT5o-QTKxSGxfR1L6Hn_ZwUXRR6cf26FOOqnUTiRL4d6XQt5egfZCwjs4hwZYoHM0M0Eh5q-UMEktx_eHIQC_llRfbb6WOvvTSGA-TWQYCopXfI/s1600/4.bmp" dta="true" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Packaging: </strong>Metal with raised logo. Secure closure. Usable mirror fills the inside lid.<br />
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<strong>Extras: </strong>Double-ended eye shadow brush and sample blister packs for the Primer Potion line. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMzNeEgNqlBnKA-jGsrea7mHU4y0G6kahk-khKvKiS_bTJ5fDrFmEoN9K0yvH1HAQLWdPv5mMN9kb7fKFuYtwmLl4cAwBZslCFQE8-WLjEps_ejfRx5H7O64X7E-iRhG9rGS4cTH1huUv/s1600/5.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_416198="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMzNeEgNqlBnKA-jGsrea7mHU4y0G6kahk-khKvKiS_bTJ5fDrFmEoN9K0yvH1HAQLWdPv5mMN9kb7fKFuYtwmLl4cAwBZslCFQE8-WLjEps_ejfRx5H7O64X7E-iRhG9rGS4cTH1huUv/s1600/5.bmp" dta="true" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Shades: </strong>Twelve full-sized shadows. Three matte, three glitter, one satin, five shimmer. Pigmentation generally very good to excellent, with Strange ranking as fair, and Dust acting more as a glitter topcoat. Easily blendable, generally creamy. Moderate to heavy fallout on glitter shades (particularly Dust). Overall rosy tone.<br />
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<strong>Versatility: </strong>Blending, liner. Best for glowy, natural daytime looks, with some evening looks possible. <br />
<br />
<strong>Swatches: </strong><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxlfQ6pMDNZ7cbTIl7rxU8bb-ixE3sZQnah1AEP4qK1z5Z8qct49eSmldMavY14xYXBprNnwyGOELVyHWgQJzbbn_WTFv5vT4QprYEI7AV74U9WBCqBsB0-SV7NbSSusaqL_DZfGHtXtQ/s1600/12.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_416198="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxlfQ6pMDNZ7cbTIl7rxU8bb-ixE3sZQnah1AEP4qK1z5Z8qct49eSmldMavY14xYXBprNnwyGOELVyHWgQJzbbn_WTFv5vT4QprYEI7AV74U9WBCqBsB0-SV7NbSSusaqL_DZfGHtXtQ/s1600/12.bmp" dta="true" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row, L-R: Strange, Dust, Burnout, Limit, Buzz, Trick. Bottom Row, L-R: Nooner, Liar, Factory, Mugshot, Darkside, Blackheart. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong>Repeats: </strong>None. All are new shades, exclusive to this palette. <br />
<br />
<strong>Recommended For: </strong>Warm, Cool, or Neutral. Fair skin tones may benefit most, but also recommended for medium. Deeper tones may be able to make it work. <br />
<br />
Good luck getting Naked! Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-65471475855199497822014-01-27T11:50:00.001-08:002014-01-27T11:50:51.794-08:00Is That...? Oh, God! *Gasp* NOOO!!! Part III: L'Oreal Youth Code Power Trio Well, it's been three weeks with the L'Oreal Youth Code Power Trio, and I have what I think are some interesting results. Let's have a look, shall we?<br />
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First off, let me mention that I quit using the cleanser, as it didn't work worth a flip, and I also used a pore clearing mask and an exfoliating mask to try to undo the damage. The cleansers that I have used instead have been the Olay makeup removing wipes and the Olay Regenerist exfoliating cream cleanser (which is what I used prior to the L'Oreal). The end. <br />
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So, here are week 2 (right) and week 3 (left):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_c8EwWz8O8IlCONYAFTR4Gd1sQPRjbqymE12-cCw5EicP2B46B_pnyDeby8ETo48sueHJWTGBn1LovffoIreQhKCiS81E4W655xldGok64HYSzR94s4j3SIRAb6dR5KDW1GrqaVhcXfl/s1600/wrinkle3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_600708="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_c8EwWz8O8IlCONYAFTR4Gd1sQPRjbqymE12-cCw5EicP2B46B_pnyDeby8ETo48sueHJWTGBn1LovffoIreQhKCiS81E4W655xldGok64HYSzR94s4j3SIRAb6dR5KDW1GrqaVhcXfl/s1600/wrinkle3.bmp" height="320" mta="true" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZlBGUQcWJHWwS3xv6SP5-kz2nMYkWuVoKwZ2ucRo-Xq6AMc-NY8FdehS5nYSUjjE_DpKEzb9Tzb0y1HDOaZkb2NOhkR2dVYKeh9DS0e9_OEVGLhpzPUcb8CwMcq7hN3rsRaj7393yuzz/s1600/wrinkle2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_600708="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZlBGUQcWJHWwS3xv6SP5-kz2nMYkWuVoKwZ2ucRo-Xq6AMc-NY8FdehS5nYSUjjE_DpKEzb9Tzb0y1HDOaZkb2NOhkR2dVYKeh9DS0e9_OEVGLhpzPUcb8CwMcq7hN3rsRaj7393yuzz/s1600/wrinkle2.bmp" height="320" mta="true" width="240" /></a></div>
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It's very subtle, but there is some change. The skin's texture is smoother, and pores are less pronounced. The crease is still there, and while it's more noticeable in the week 3 picture, it does appear to be shallower. As with last week, these photos were taken in the same room, with the same camera, and the same settings. <br />
<br />
For a more dramatic difference, let's compare week 1 (left) with week 3 (right):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpo0Y5CniH5Ytt7vC2l4DzkTnE9dhQnDsWPLMec84usI9_kv68meNtO3MZ0Nfwgc6tLbHbUQo41Uuytz_9qWEF09kMdItR0-lSTySdaPx_fSCavWrsk807d5WPCNpm_lJOyDmkLrqpiuZ/s1600/wrinkle3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_600708="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpo0Y5CniH5Ytt7vC2l4DzkTnE9dhQnDsWPLMec84usI9_kv68meNtO3MZ0Nfwgc6tLbHbUQo41Uuytz_9qWEF09kMdItR0-lSTySdaPx_fSCavWrsk807d5WPCNpm_lJOyDmkLrqpiuZ/s1600/wrinkle3.bmp" height="320" mta="true" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YeT_tzQSHf8TWHkhpdvBEv4T_1ABp512e1D8X8CxFIuJCCHMYQ-rclGCeYZG72OtWKGAuAPt2O0VsBmuxa1JxzckARse7aoBkYw9obyRdWKdG0ouTMd4gv0tycJI0KfsVdz0hu63qEQz/s1600/wrinkle1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_600708="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YeT_tzQSHf8TWHkhpdvBEv4T_1ABp512e1D8X8CxFIuJCCHMYQ-rclGCeYZG72OtWKGAuAPt2O0VsBmuxa1JxzckARse7aoBkYw9obyRdWKdG0ouTMd4gv0tycJI0KfsVdz0hu63qEQz/s1600/wrinkle1.jpg" height="320" mta="true" width="240" /></a></div>
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Wow. The skin's texture is significantly smoother and brighter, pores are noticeably minimized, and everything seems firmer and lifted. The area around the nose also appears a lot drier, however. <br />
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As I've stated, the cleanser didn't actually clean, but it does look like the serum and moisturizer are doing <em>something</em> for me. My thoughts on those products have not changed, and you can read a full run-down on them <a href="http://adorablenapalm.blogspot.com/2014/01/is-thatoh-god-gasp-nooo-part-ii-loreal.html">here</a>. All in all, I've got to call this a win, and I intend to repurchase the serum and moisturizer when I run out of the travel sizes. <br />
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Have you guys tried anything like this? Did it work? Please share in the comments.</div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-33904732381205599792014-01-20T13:30:00.000-08:002014-01-20T13:31:33.793-08:00Is That...? Oh, God! *Gasp* NOOO!!! Part II: L'Oreal Youth Code Power TrioOkay folks, it's been a week. Let's check in and see if the L'Oreal Youth Code Power Trio has made any progress on my wrinkle-ette. You can find my first impressions from last week <a href="http://adorablenapalm.blogspot.com/2014/01/is-that-oh-god-gasp-nooo-loreal-youth.html">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2fciEKReTdJ4gchCK53LO-oR0T186NAGlTpX7ozIfpCv5HSTiYqY5UQdPhmRzrncPgHR3gGta0V6wmRNTTyCWj7o1lAyLrslJ5VRZhAfTpg8bjfD5Wqjm2al6jZyuW8dCMGGCBld3YHZ/s1600/wrinkle2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_319026="null" cua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2fciEKReTdJ4gchCK53LO-oR0T186NAGlTpX7ozIfpCv5HSTiYqY5UQdPhmRzrncPgHR3gGta0V6wmRNTTyCWj7o1lAyLrslJ5VRZhAfTpg8bjfD5Wqjm2al6jZyuW8dCMGGCBld3YHZ/s1600/wrinkle2.bmp" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim892Q9L0K33HCQ_vh3M58LhEWWEzgbR9jMG9xJU7VhQfytqywQyIVUwbowwGSOpZrdFky-pLtYUFclKUi8fahtVB9hUSogekNe8IwP0Gp3XF8s0AuYrOemeHe14cI7x174AB0a0DuJbU4/s1600/wrinkle1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_319026="null" cua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim892Q9L0K33HCQ_vh3M58LhEWWEzgbR9jMG9xJU7VhQfytqywQyIVUwbowwGSOpZrdFky-pLtYUFclKUi8fahtVB9hUSogekNe8IwP0Gp3XF8s0AuYrOemeHe14cI7x174AB0a0DuJbU4/s1600/wrinkle1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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On the left, we have a photo taken last Monday. On the right, we have a photo taken today. The crease in question is the faint marionette line. Personally, I think it may have lightened some. It doesn't appear to be quite as pronounced in the second photo as it is in the first. It's not gone, but it appears to be better. My skin's tone and texture also seems to have improved, with increased brightness and a firmer appearance. Pore size looks about the same. Lastly, my skin feels noticeably softer. Photographs were taken in the same room, with the same lighting, by the same camera, with the same settings. Positioning is as close to the same as I could manage, and no makeup or products were on the skin at the time. I'm trying to be scientific, y'all. <br />
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For the past week, I've solely used the L'Oreal. I've washed my face with the cleanser, applied the serum, and followed with the moisturizer twice a day, religiously. No other skincare products were used, save for a few makeup remover wipes of various brands, but more on that in a minute. Based on the results above, I can definitely see where its claims have merit.<br />
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Now, for the good, the bad, and the ugly.<br />
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<strong>The Good:</strong> The products are seemingly effective, thus far. All three of the products have pleasant fragrances and textures. The price point is affordable and the product is readily available at Walgreen's and Ulta. The trial sizes are large enough to get a good idea of its effectiveness. I've used this for a week, and have at least another week's worth left.<br />
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<strong>The Bad: </strong>The cleanser just flat-out doesn't work. To prove this, I give you Exhibit A, a Yes To Grapefruit facial wipe used <em>after</em> cleansing with the L'Oreal:<br />
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That's not clean, y'all. In addition to the eye makeup (which I kind of expected), there's also face makeup. I don't wear much face makeup (mostly BB creams or powder foundation), so there wasn't much there to remove in the first place. </div>
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I also don't feel like the moisturizer hydrates very well. I've experienced some dryness around the nose, and noticed a dull cast once my makeup was applied. My makeup hasn't changed, so I feel the need to attribute that to the product. </div>
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<strong>The Ugly: </strong>I broke out. Not much, and nothing a little spot treatment couldn't fix, but I did break out. Normally, my skin stays pretty clear unless it's that lovely time when we'd all like to sing a rousing chorus of "I Enjoy Being a Girl". This wasn't that time. I shouldn't have broken out. </div>
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Overall, I really do like this set. I think that it did what it said it would, and I have every intention of purchasing the full sizes of the serum and moisturizer. I will not, however, use the cleanser anymore. I need something that deep cleans and exfoliates, though I do wonder if the L'Oreal would work better with a Clarisonic. I will also, most likely, mix a little argan oil into the moisturizer to boost the hydration level. For now, I'm chalking up the breakouts to the lack of actual cleansing from the cleanser. </div>
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Tune in next week for the dramatic conclusion!</div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-52195745519405231062014-01-17T14:06:00.000-08:002014-01-17T14:06:15.068-08:00'Ip, 'Ip, 'Ooray!: January Ipsy UnbaggingDoes everybody know what time it is? IT'S TOOL TIME! Er, no...wait...no, it's actually ipsy unbagging time. First, the usual explanation:<br />
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*ahem*<br />
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ipsy (yes, it's all lowercase) is a monthly sample subscription service. Every month, for the cost of ten dollars, you'll receive 4-6 deluxe- and/or full-sized beauty-related products and a makeup bag. There's always a theme, and this month's was "19 Reasons", as in "19 Reasons" 2014 is going to be the best year ever. The 19 referred to the number of possible brands they were sending out, but a 20th was added at the last minute...whoops...<br />
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Anyhoo, that's the deal. I pay for this. They, most likely, don't know this blog exists, so I'm not shilling for them. All opinions are mine and mine alone. <br />
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*end of spiel*<br />
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Let's see what we got!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkxaiKz6XnaWOcvTt70tpbTtvlWaDPVMp61FWyGae1-nmSBg0aWZex7lo5KtR_3gNc3F08R0Srts9F-eBi1Cd7nVHLp4OzlpGN63Krxt3fdI7MwV_wbwpNGvTiaDqktiE2xBlmwjX2C-X/s1600/all.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_505758="null" cua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkxaiKz6XnaWOcvTt70tpbTtvlWaDPVMp61FWyGae1-nmSBg0aWZex7lo5KtR_3gNc3F08R0Srts9F-eBi1Cd7nVHLp4OzlpGN63Krxt3fdI7MwV_wbwpNGvTiaDqktiE2xBlmwjX2C-X/s1600/all.bmp" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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This month was really skincare heavy. Normally, ipsy is more color cosmetic-centric, and the change was a little surprising. I dig skincare, though, so bring it on!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmY0O6RY5gr67kkV1cyVC9Ug9FvHuMJro3RkKBRfsPpqavMzBOA6A-FuqBdlzU3AeHiDFwCfeqoc_gaOCzvOqIrKAvv0teE4naU3wq-XwK3RL2dBa1UmjLS76EBF8dIpVo9QKSLOhula9P/s1600/bag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_505758="null" cua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmY0O6RY5gr67kkV1cyVC9Ug9FvHuMJro3RkKBRfsPpqavMzBOA6A-FuqBdlzU3AeHiDFwCfeqoc_gaOCzvOqIrKAvv0teE4naU3wq-XwK3RL2dBa1UmjLS76EBF8dIpVo9QKSLOhula9P/s1600/bag2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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First, let's check out the bag. This month is a bright blue (the camera is muting the color. This is a true "healthcare" kind of blue. Think: Blue Cross blue) with lind drawings of cosmetic bottles. The fabric is a thick, plastic-y material, and looks like it would be fairly water-resistant. It smelled like a beach ball, but airing out has faded that considerably. I think it's kind of cute.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2LpFuI_BE1Bijtb3Hjc9qJB-Z4ZUB9uQ9_OzdhSj8gmW35G5S3tzOuHOEg_AtqTCjKj1beb2bLVfxE5jKUmC6dwybI1Tyjm-A6YqW10uTPW8t7EC5wgeLsJsdcUs9Mie9NN0ZyvfcjJ9/s1600/bag.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_505758="null" cua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2LpFuI_BE1Bijtb3Hjc9qJB-Z4ZUB9uQ9_OzdhSj8gmW35G5S3tzOuHOEg_AtqTCjKj1beb2bLVfxE5jKUmC6dwybI1Tyjm-A6YqW10uTPW8t7EC5wgeLsJsdcUs9Mie9NN0ZyvfcjJ9/s1600/bag.bmp" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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The bag has a zip closure with the ipsy logo embossed on the pull. Again, I like this one. It's not the most glamorous of bags, but it'll go well with the other travel bags I have for shoes and laundry. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2OqcqDiInU8foItuaD7jXw_u8UxMoJAxA_u3ZjnteyqAqMFHuwq6SQlQYV-W6XHgyTLr7C4TvgEFhn84tjgcZuanCnUgKPy_7RwdN85oECn1BMHtL5eE3GidPYJr4MqJLmtmqw1Ls00B/s1600/alterna.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_505758="null" cua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2OqcqDiInU8foItuaD7jXw_u8UxMoJAxA_u3ZjnteyqAqMFHuwq6SQlQYV-W6XHgyTLr7C4TvgEFhn84tjgcZuanCnUgKPy_7RwdN85oECn1BMHtL5eE3GidPYJr4MqJLmtmqw1Ls00B/s1600/alterna.bmp" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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The first product on the block is this Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Dry Shampoo. Retail price: $22.00. Sample value: 88 cents. <br />
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Yeah...this is a disappointment. Not the product, so much, as the size. I love dry shampoo, but I'm honestly not sure I can get a single use out of this. The bottle is small, but there's also a lot of empty space on the inside. I'm just going to call this a miss and move on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwvDQ3jncg8Tlg6omNN2Y-xl1_TC2mA1vo25o4nqD4wI0gyaPOuaJzMxL-qI1O4w3Y6L_IjlMWf9rTvYDKL8JMHVFpm61URmyjaml4EqLeXZnzPjnO8C8B8JQYWRYMvnfwclaaJQBqFE1/s1600/wipes.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_505758="null" cua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwvDQ3jncg8Tlg6omNN2Y-xl1_TC2mA1vo25o4nqD4wI0gyaPOuaJzMxL-qI1O4w3Y6L_IjlMWf9rTvYDKL8JMHVFpm61URmyjaml4EqLeXZnzPjnO8C8B8JQYWRYMvnfwclaaJQBqFE1/s1600/wipes.bmp" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Next up, Absolute! Make-up Cleansing Tissues with Cucumber Extract. Retail price: $2.49 for 10. Sample value: $2.49.<br />
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Okay, now we're talking. I haven't tried these yet, but face wipes are generally welcome in my house. If I can't use them, maybe Thomas can, or they can go in my kit. In any case, they're getting used. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9sIWtqo47STzQ2rj0J9L1m96QOHYWufb7zOxkgj53oekA4mvF75EPL8LIBqqQ3eLaa-XNpHinTehZkEqh9Hn9Wt-n2ppy-3UoIMC6QvD8tt9aPoZuEqEmpVeeFFx-H9pDCzvO6RBb7pO/s1600/oil.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_505758="null" cua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9sIWtqo47STzQ2rj0J9L1m96QOHYWufb7zOxkgj53oekA4mvF75EPL8LIBqqQ3eLaa-XNpHinTehZkEqh9Hn9Wt-n2ppy-3UoIMC6QvD8tt9aPoZuEqEmpVeeFFx-H9pDCzvO6RBb7pO/s1600/oil.bmp" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Moving on! Pure Marula Facial Oil. Retail price: $58.00. Sample value: $3.92. <br />
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This is a small sample, but that's okay because you don't need a lot for each application. This little guy should last long enough for me to decide if I like it or not. The spray applicator is a really nice touch. I can see this coming in handy on road trips, when the combination of recycled car air-conditioning and dry hotel rooms love to wreak havoc on my skin. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeU1XCfatqexIz9VvbpJlN-GgRCzSBbXBbY3tp0zQOJzAqxHZD64XGWmn65l7vUsv35NeeIS5ZP-ZhyphenhyphengNXUliKFVcogWtRSw1yKyT2DtLZPnvINMVnpJGv8FyKri9SbO4oL0iOFTbKa2Kr/s1600/liner.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_505758="null" cua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeU1XCfatqexIz9VvbpJlN-GgRCzSBbXBbY3tp0zQOJzAqxHZD64XGWmn65l7vUsv35NeeIS5ZP-ZhyphenhyphengNXUliKFVcogWtRSw1yKyT2DtLZPnvINMVnpJGv8FyKri9SbO4oL0iOFTbKa2Kr/s1600/liner.bmp" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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On to the next! Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow Pencil in Penny. Retail Price: $14.99. Sample value: $7.00.<br />
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This was a pleasant surprise! I'm an eye makeup junkie, so a shadow pencil is right up my alley. This pencil is <em>exactly </em>the color of a penny--not just some vague shade of copper. I found that it applied smoothly and easily, and could be used as either a very sheer, glittery shadow, or as a light liner. I haven't tried it as a shadow, mainly because I'm not sure how to apply it, exactly. The pencil is the size of an eyeliner pencil, and not like the chubby pencils you think of when you think "shadow pencil". As a liner, however, it added a pretty pop of color and shimmer, and didn't budge when worn all day. <br />
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Here's a swatch of Penny sheered out, and used as a liner. You can see that neither are super dark, but that's not due to lack of pigmentation. It's just a very light color. The product has a very creamy consistency, and once set, it's set. <br />
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(Please ignore my brows. I've been letting them grow in a bit. They're getting cleaned up this weekend. My apologies.) This shows Penny on my lower lash line. There's just a hint of sparkle and color. The rest of my look is W.O.S., Naked 2, and Faint shadows from Urban Decay Naked Basics, and the Naked Basics pencil in Crave on top lash line, and the same pencil in Venus (double-ended pencil) in the inner corner. Mascara is Maybelline The Rocket. Brows are Anastasia Brow Wiz in Brunette and Brow Gel in clear. You know, in case you were interested. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuN7cQnEa2CmJ4G7IOlgTkeU5A9M0m49FXrLeuM9tWib-PFQkMnR2jfxicj24wWiDYd5J1RScfhrPSVUwb1OJ_Ciz07H7xi7bwu3feSTSH21OlLxOwz4SLZT-Jc9IPCWDAdb_El_-dlW8t/s1600/balm.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_505758="null" cua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuN7cQnEa2CmJ4G7IOlgTkeU5A9M0m49FXrLeuM9tWib-PFQkMnR2jfxicj24wWiDYd5J1RScfhrPSVUwb1OJ_Ciz07H7xi7bwu3feSTSH21OlLxOwz4SLZT-Jc9IPCWDAdb_El_-dlW8t/s1600/balm.bmp" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Lastly, we have Mica Beauty Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm in Natural. Retail price: $30.00. Sample value: $18.75.<br />
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This is just a shame. Let me preface this by saying that the Mica lip balm and the Cailyn lip balm that I received in an earlier bag are the exact same product. Seriously. Compare the websites, if you don't believe me. They have the same product names and numbers, same packaging (save for this sample version), <strong>different prices</strong>. This same product from Cailyn is only $19.00. Now, let me also say that I really liked my Cailyn lip balm in Big Apple, but only for the color. Big Apple is a pin-up red, but viewed through a soft focus lens. The balm's texture keeps the color from looking too harsh. Also, the red stains your lips a bit, so you can go over the color with an actual lip balm, if you so choose.<br />
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Okay, now that that's out of the way...I don't like this. The texture is <em>strange</em>. It feels like it would be creamy, until you put it on your lips. Then, it's matte and dry and kind of gritty. It also only lasted about thirty minutes before fading in patches. The color, however, is <em>gorgeous</em>, and that's what makes this a shame. ipsy nailed finding a flattering color for me, though, which gives me hope that maybe ipsymatch is beginning to kind of, sort of, maybe work? Maybe? Please?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHO3KPAApMCmnhIeaN_ACLXiWCCnXz1aQXtGJAIqiR3sJpkKOPM3moiY7RsARnglVDb1B73rh1MCX5EMkzVrbWtWQH2PpE7oVNYvcGvWlfgv43jjKZ7zmAGVXbLrH1IpLO52H3AepdLm-/s1600/both.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_505758="null" cua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHO3KPAApMCmnhIeaN_ACLXiWCCnXz1aQXtGJAIqiR3sJpkKOPM3moiY7RsARnglVDb1B73rh1MCX5EMkzVrbWtWQH2PpE7oVNYvcGvWlfgv43jjKZ7zmAGVXbLrH1IpLO52H3AepdLm-/s1600/both.bmp" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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When the color started to fade away, I grabbed my go-to lippie from my purse to touch it up. This is the Em Cosmetics Creamy Color Sheer Lipstick in Nude, and also from an ipsy bag. The two looked so similar, I had to compare.<br />
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The top swatch is Mica, and the bottom swatch is Em. They're not identical, of course. The Mica is much more opaque, and the Em is sheer and shiny. Also, the Mica is pinker, where the Em leans more toward orange. Still, they are <em>very </em>similar. Of the two, I'd recommend the Em, and it's only $16.50, compared to either $30.00, even $19.00 for the Cailyn. Of course, E.L.F. also has a tinted lip balm in Nude, that is far superior to the Mica/Cailyn in creaminess, longevity, and moisturization, and you can get it for a whole two bucks. I don't have a swatch of it, but it's, again, very similar, but not quite identical. The only difference in packaging (from the sample) is that the E.L.F. has a white lid. There is nothing to justify a $30.00 price tag. Nothing. </div>
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<br />Total value of the bag: $33.04</div>
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Price paid: $10.00</div>
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The shadow pencil, wipes, and Marula oil made this bag worth the money. I'm really looking forward to using those items. The way I look at it, three out of five ain't bad.</div>
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Do any of you get ipsy? What'd you think this month? Please share with the rest of the class in the comments.</div>
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-24704718716148371642014-01-13T13:44:00.000-08:002014-01-13T13:44:00.439-08:00Is That...? Oh, God! *Gasp* NOOO!!!: L'Oreal Youth Code Power Trio Short version: over this weekend I have A) been told outright, by someone who is not related by blood, marriage, or even close friendship, that I am "fat", and B) found a wrinkle that seems to come equipped with an Invisibility Cloak, because it appears I'm the only one who can see it. <br />
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Considering the fact that I'm fat in the way that Jennifer Lawrence has been labeled fat (read: not at all. Curvy, yes, but in the right places, thankfully. Don't get me started on that business with the gorgeous J-Law.), and I've actually lost weight recently, I'm trying to let that first part slide. Besides, if their judgement tells them that it's acceptable to tell someone that (as a greeting, no less), then how good can their judgement really be?<br />
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The "wrinkle", on the other hand, is a different story. Yesterday morning, I found it, and was...let's call it upset. I showed it to Thomas, who leaned over, squinted hard, then chuckled and told me there was nothing there. He was sweet enough to go with me to Walgreen's, and even helped me search through the rows of pink and green gunk, shining silver labels, and empty promises until I found something that might help me reverse my, most likely, imaginary line. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQkjRNa0b94vWAn24Z4xsPOIw_P7Boq2eb5uMXsqT8rLWq7DtJhO6CTHaFwjey_ZLtsFMqOSUcByG8bQfhNTW6sPj31TVFfFzbqeH_D0Cg4ZVo8jpBW2-3Egz-Y_dqZUE4Op6aoiXSFIM/s1600/IMG_20140113_095823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_290442="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQkjRNa0b94vWAn24Z4xsPOIw_P7Boq2eb5uMXsqT8rLWq7DtJhO6CTHaFwjey_ZLtsFMqOSUcByG8bQfhNTW6sPj31TVFfFzbqeH_D0Cg4ZVo8jpBW2-3Egz-Y_dqZUE4Op6aoiXSFIM/s1600/IMG_20140113_095823.jpg" height="320" iua="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See it? The little marionette line? Grrrrrrr!</td></tr>
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Seeing as this line is in it's infancy, it seemed like a good candidate for the "see results in one week" claim on <a href="http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/l'oreal-paris-youth-code-power-trio-kit/ID=prod6172234-product?ext=gooBeauty_PLA_Treatments_prod6172234_pla&adtype={adtype}&kpid=prod6172234&sst=27a80d72-2e72-af49-92b1-000038b1c365">this set</a> from L'Oreal Paris. The Youth Code Power Trio Kit contains a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer that are all used both morning and evening. According to the box, this is supposed to reduce fine lines and smooth and illuminate the skin. It was on sale, and I had five bucks in rewards, so I figured I'd give it a go.<br />
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I've used the three products twice each now, so all I have for you are first impressions, but I thought I'd share them.<br />
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<strong>Cleanser: </strong>This is a clear gel that smells like Rose Petal Place. Personally, I like that smell, but if you have any sensitivity to perfumes, you might want to skip this trio entirely. I feel like the cleanser does a fine job of ridding my face of dirt, but you definitely need a separate makeup remover. My eye makeup didn't budge with this cleanser alone.<br />
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<strong>Serum: </strong>I like serums. No idea why, but I always feel sort of fancy putting on a *serum*--like it's some sort of spiffy, super-scientific potion that will make my skin glow and dance and, I don't know, spin plates. Again, this is a gel, but slightly cloudier than the cleanser. I only need one pump for my face and neck, because it feels almost like it multiplies as you apply it. It's very slimy, but in a good way, if that makes any sense. It's a good slime. Like Slimer in the <em>Ghostbusters </em>cartoon. Not the movie (definitely not the movie). Oddly enough, the finish is dry. It's...it's just very strange. I'm intrigued. There is a fragrance, but it's not the same as the cleanser, and I can't quite pinpoint what it is. It's not unpleasant, but it is perfumed.<br />
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<strong>Moisturizer: </strong>The moisturizer is, again, perfumed, and with the same mystery scent as the serum. Also, like the serum, it has a dry finish, which is odd for a moisturizer. The texture is somewhere between a cream and a mousse, and very light. I'm enjoying it, so far, but I don't feel I'm getting quite as much hydration as I need.<br />
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Will this reverse my wrinkle-ette? We'll find out in a week! Let me know in the comments if you've had any luck with stuff like this. <br />
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-53647317677008251562014-01-02T13:16:00.001-08:002014-01-02T13:18:12.771-08:00The Perfect Palette!Happy New Year!! To start things off on just the right foot, here's a tag that no one asked me to do!! YAY!!!<br />
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Actually, I read a blog that tagged all of its readers, so there you go. I thought this would be a really fun post to do in January, since it's, more or less, a look at what products we've all used and loved (or hated) over the past year. Some of my answers surprised me, while others were no-brainers. I hope you have fun with this post, and let me know if you agree or disagree with me in the comments. <br />
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And away we go!!!<br />
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<strong>Best Packaging</strong><br />
M.A.C. 2004 Limited Edition 6-Eyes Crystal Palette<br />
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Obviously, I can't still use this, since the shadows are a decade old and smell apalling. Still, this is, by far, the prettiest packaging of any palette I have owned, before or since. It's a small compact, about the size of a credit card, and the thickness of an E.L.F. Custom Color compact. The casing is lavender metal, with the MAC logo inlaid in rhinestones. Inside, a mirror takes up the top, and a decently usable brush rounds the bottom portion, where the shadows, themselves, are located. A velveteen sleeve was included, to protect the compact when not in use. I freaking <em>love</em> this thing. Currently, I'm trying to figure out how to remove the eyeshadows so, maybe, I can use the case for something else. Anything else. Heck, I might toss my business cards in it. <br />
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<strong>Best Color Payoff</strong><br />
Urban Decay Naked 1<br />
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These shadows are so saturated with pigment that they're almost difficult to apply, but they're definitely worth the extra effort! During the Summer, these bronze and gold shades are simply stunning.<br />
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<strong>Most Versatile</strong><br />
Urban Decay Naked 2<br />
NARS Guy Bourdin Cheek Palette<br />
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This was a tie. For eyes, in my opinion, you can't beat Naked 2. The range easily goes from daytime casual to dramatic evening. Bootycall and Tease make for a simple, sophisticated nude eye, while Verve and Pistol are two of the most gorgeous silvery taupes. For an easy one-color eye, Snakebite is a go-to. Really, I can't say enough good about this palette.<br />
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That said, I've also found that my NARS blush palette has become a nearly irreplaceable staple. It contains four blush colors that range from neutral peachy-pink to what I can only describe as a hothouse rose. In addition, there's a sheer, yet buildable bronzer, and a universally-flattering, subtle highlighter. This was limited edition, but you may still be able to get your hands on one, and I definitely recommend it.<br />
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<strong>Best for Traveling</strong><br />
Stila Not So Nude<br />
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Toss in a tinted moisturizer, bronzer, and mascara, and this is really all you need for a weekend. The thin, booklet-esque palette opens to reveal a (not so useful, sadly) mirror on one side, and a plethora of products on the other. Six neutral shadows range from matte baby pink to shimmering deep grape. Below those, you find a natural-flush cream blush/shadow/lippie, as well as Stila's famous Kitten highlighter. <br />
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<strong>Biggest Regret</strong><br />
E.L.F. 22-Color<br />
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This was a bust, and I really hate that. There just isn't one single redeeming quality. The packaging is bulky and unattractive. The shadow colors are weak, kind of ugly, and don't really go well together. The lip colors are chalky, and the blushes are so tiny as to be unusable...I think you get the point. It's just a miss. <br />
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<strong>Best Color Names</strong><br />
Urban Decay Glinda<br />
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Tornado, Aura, Magic, Illusion, Oz, and South. If you're a Wizard of Oz fan, like myself, then you've probably already squeed a little over this palette. The colors are beyond gorgeous (have you seen South? Holy Moly!), but there's just something, erm, magical about putting Magic on your eyes.<br />
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<strong>Least Used</strong><br />
Too Faced Spun Sugar Glamour To Go<br />
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I should use this more. It's a really beautiful palette. The thing is, I bought this for travel, but the sugary nature of the shadows doesn't really lend itself to that. The shadows are lovely as toppers, but aren't very effective on their own. I do, however, use the gold highlighter on a regular basis. That thing is spectacular!<br />
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<strong>Most Used</strong><br />
Urban Decay Naked Basics<br />
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This is one that caused me to eat a little crow. When this palette came out, I didn't see the need for it. The colors looked boring and easily duped. Shortly after, I found myself with a gift card or discount or something (I don't remember what) that made the palette pretty much free, so I picked it up. I don't think I've put it down since. Foxy and W.O.S. are fantastic blending colors for my fair skin, and Naked 2 is the best crease color I've ever used. Hands down. Faint fills in my brows, and Crave makes a fabulous liner. I don't use Venus very much, but five out of six ain't bad. I finally took this out of my palette drawer and stuck it in my countertop organizer. <br />
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<strong>Most Loved</strong><br />
Urban Decay Naked 3<br />
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This probably isn't a fair category. I just got the Naked 3, and I'm sure part of my current obsession with it is due to it being the shiny new toy under the Christmas tree. That said, I don't see myself shelving it anytime soon. The rose-gold shades are perfect with my skintone, and the color range puts its versatility on par with the Naked 2. It's a truly remarkable product, and one that can picture using regularly for a very long time.<br />
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<strong>Desert Island</strong><br />
NYX Crimson Amulet<br />
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What? Not an Urban Decay palette? The heck, you say! Yeah, it surprised me, too. Still, were I stuck on an island (obviously, with other inhabitants and a well-stocked, comfy hotel) with no other makeup options, save for one palette and some sunscreen, this one would take care of everything. Decent shadows in an array of colors and finishes? Check! Several pretty blushes? Check! Glowy highlighter? Check! Lippies? Check! There was even a liner and eye primer included when I bought it, but those went the way of the dodo ages ago. This was another limited edition, but most of NYX's palettes are just as versatile, and they're all high-quality for a low price point.<br />
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Well, that does it for this tag, so now, I tag all of you! Go forth! Have a lovely new year, y'all.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-47770607995580233932013-12-20T13:27:00.001-08:002013-12-20T13:27:57.521-08:00No Shouting, Crying, or Pouting--Krampus Is Coming To Town!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You know, I've always considered myself a holly jolly Christmas kind of person. The weekend after Thanksgiving, my living room and tree are decorated within an inch of their lives. My gifts tend be ordered by Halloween and wrapped by Black Friday, and I spend most of the Fall googling cookie recipes. There have been years where Buddy the Elf would have looked at me and thought, "Dear sweet baby gumdrops! Dial it back a little!" So, imagine my surprise a couple of years ago when Thomas introduced me to the Krampus. </div>
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What? What was this Christmas thing I'd never heard of before? OH...it's a demon-thingy that eats children...lovely. OH...just the kids on Santa's "Naughty List"? Well, that's...so much better? </div>
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Actually, yeah. It kind of is. </div>
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I kind of dig the Krampus. </div>
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Last year, Thomas wrote and directed a sequel to our feature, <em>The Night Shift,</em> centered around the mythical figure. He thought it would be fun to do a holiday special with a talking skeleton. When he realized it could also have a moral that might scare bratty little urchins straight, the deal was sealed. Over Christmas and New Year's, we shot a made-for-TV (and Internet...and DVD...) movie about the Krampus. Last week, it finally aired on local television. It was between Johnny Carson and <em>C.S.I. Miami. </em>For reals. </div>
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I took a picture. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9umTu7Ip05-CSPip_5W8HoGUANvZEclISvy24qBA7PIqoDSuHiwoafKhm7vKTHjYcuRRQCUqM7WeArsmYlHhYjcBqCH3PIKlyqS7p1qNBXRHMAccDdln5cNOhl2sDYIUbNV6tv-CZEy64/s1600/untitled+2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_350497="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9umTu7Ip05-CSPip_5W8HoGUANvZEclISvy24qBA7PIqoDSuHiwoafKhm7vKTHjYcuRRQCUqM7WeArsmYlHhYjcBqCH3PIKlyqS7p1qNBXRHMAccDdln5cNOhl2sDYIUbNV6tv-CZEy64/s1600/untitled+2.bmp" gua="true" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me!! I'm blue!! (Darn camera hates TV screens)</td></tr>
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Thomas worked insanely hard to get this to happen, and I'm so proud of him. From the Facebook comments and posts we saw, I think a fair amount of people from Mobile and Pensacola tuned in, and they seemed to enjoy it. It was intended to be an all-ages fantasy/adventure, and I know of at least one kindergartener who watched it from behind the sofa--twice! <br />
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The Friday before (Friday the 13th, natch), we screened the film at the Downtown Art Walk, in the coolest industrial artist's space. It's an old building that has been completely gutted, and is used by local artists as both a work and gallery space. The walls are dotted with an ecclectic variety of styles and mediums, while jewelry, pottery, and even hand-crafted furniture fill the open floor area. Even the rafters are artistic, with hand-painted glass pendant lights, and an absolutely gorgeous twinkle-light encrusted rustic chandalier. I just...I wish I had a picture, but I was too stunned to take one. Our set-up was on a covered stage, surrounded by art and lights, and was just unbelievably funky and awesome.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib0AQy92ki1Pzt_8c8IB3tq9_dddrBk1AgWX4h6G2USdT_Fn5yaKSM5GFGsRADd7m8k5sW4B5qk2NFXFYUy8awoinet8WGUCaxBay1uRP2jEmr7HtMjl24GZcicF-2yA1T3yUP2bsYvov/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_350497="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib0AQy92ki1Pzt_8c8IB3tq9_dddrBk1AgWX4h6G2USdT_Fn5yaKSM5GFGsRADd7m8k5sW4B5qk2NFXFYUy8awoinet8WGUCaxBay1uRP2jEmr7HtMjl24GZcicF-2yA1T3yUP2bsYvov/s1600/untitled.bmp" gua="true" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was really crowded (yay!), so this was the best I could do. Trust me, though; it was amazing.</td></tr>
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By now, you might be wondering what the devil the movie's about. Well, it's about our lead characters from <em>The Night Shift,</em> as they investigate the disappearances of several of the area's "naughty" children in the days before Christmas. It <em>is</em> a sequel, but you don't have to have seen the first film to understand what's going on. It stands alone pretty well. <br />
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During the shoot, I Instagrammed a few pics (@buddybear1221) of "Kramps", other actors, props, etc., and thought I'd pull out the better ones for a little jaunt down memory lane. 'Cause, really, why not? What else are we doing? We're playing around on the interwebs, that's what.<br />
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Here's one of our principal Krampus, Brendon, in costume. Looking at the final film, you'd never know that this scene was shot around 9am. That's our lovely P.A., Amanda, photobombing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuY-jlEdAccGiTakSWy2jphMxcbShkwiJUIhA8Sfwyd4HZAze7MeP5N0KWMRpQO5cyaDKYLkxx15R_pFiHmcK0dfW5O4SgTlhKtXc7tf0HhWNYVLIyAuRfgZfR3lE5fvyra-9ow61NS8G/s1600/untitled+6.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_350497="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuY-jlEdAccGiTakSWy2jphMxcbShkwiJUIhA8Sfwyd4HZAze7MeP5N0KWMRpQO5cyaDKYLkxx15R_pFiHmcK0dfW5O4SgTlhKtXc7tf0HhWNYVLIyAuRfgZfR3lE5fvyra-9ow61NS8G/s1600/untitled+6.bmp" gua="true" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Naughty!"</td></tr>
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If you look carefully, you might spy a prime example of my holiday over-achiever-iness (a real word, I swear) in the form of a chocolate gingerbread house. Ladies and gentlemen, I made this. It took either three or four bricks of almond bark, peppermint sticks, a cookie, M&Ms, vanilla icing, candy dots, gumdrop mushrooms, several hours, a string of curse words, and the threat of divorce. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgNUk19anJcYiUlO2pOpYqjNNgw-NNuwRsa9CqF-UisnrV3Qx4uCsbyigwEcmgskEb48v1decbqW5oXiwmQ6__Vl2-ZIKkB8LYYTgCn1tKVckB_Jwm0F9iX_Q5AyF7c3uOnONvpCF4aDU/s1600/untitled+3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_350497="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgNUk19anJcYiUlO2pOpYqjNNgw-NNuwRsa9CqF-UisnrV3Qx4uCsbyigwEcmgskEb48v1decbqW5oXiwmQ6__Vl2-ZIKkB8LYYTgCn1tKVckB_Jwm0F9iX_Q5AyF7c3uOnONvpCF4aDU/s1600/untitled+3.bmp" gua="true" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year, I'm making cookies.</td></tr>
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And, of course, while I had leftover melted chocolate, I figured I'd make sugared marshmallows. These were actually suprisingly easy, and looked beautiful wrapped in cellophane and attached to gift bows. I swear, I think something inside me snapped last year, and I became a somewhat rabid combination of Martha Stewart and Clark Griswold. Family and friends, I apologize. I had no idea until just now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iokqCkkyZOj7niF7f6eSGyEnoEqIHZBwn7iZAr9-efAgXn-95rkzncWfPdFJerC5Nh6ZZxgbdeV8THRjZcAEXurOQ4oAfXdgx_LlDdk04KOv5Hp5apwuLO8G4ouwg3O9i5270X7dB-iw/s1600/untitled+5.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_350497="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iokqCkkyZOj7niF7f6eSGyEnoEqIHZBwn7iZAr9-efAgXn-95rkzncWfPdFJerC5Nh6ZZxgbdeV8THRjZcAEXurOQ4oAfXdgx_LlDdk04KOv5Hp5apwuLO8G4ouwg3O9i5270X7dB-iw/s1600/untitled+5.bmp" gua="true" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's like a tiny, shimmering, sugar coma-inducing forest.</td></tr>
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This is completely off-topic, but what the hey? This year, I tried the marshmallows again, but with jumbo marshmallows and crushed graham cracker. They're heat-free s'mores! They're nowhere near as pretty as their sugar-coated brethren, but they sure did taste fantastic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryLLQgQAsNEYIsbDPrr4X1FLsVeDQQjyk77QMSG2i1nq6Gv4p3GczNCB_-DTEqgeqHhgby9xyeSvM271oE1oDF5YZhVdYO542MIzTmrhDcIuJSN3bExkJMH8wBjKorgITDiiaQcVvltfx/s1600/untitled+7.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_350497="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryLLQgQAsNEYIsbDPrr4X1FLsVeDQQjyk77QMSG2i1nq6Gv4p3GczNCB_-DTEqgeqHhgby9xyeSvM271oE1oDF5YZhVdYO542MIzTmrhDcIuJSN3bExkJMH8wBjKorgITDiiaQcVvltfx/s1600/untitled+7.bmp" gua="true" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They look...fuzzy...but they're tasty!</td></tr>
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This next picture is actually from a deleted scene (that is available on the DVD as a special feature), but is probably my favorite shot from filming. One of our awesome child actors had to jump off the bottom step of the staircase, and managed to get some impressive hangtime. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0yJLbAhQ0hQuFZ3FkTOkKLrUJdxaelCf4XhglNw7QaFzScLOiy4LgDgPnrmQOl0ThvPI-If4pcx4QGDJzrvQ5UTeBX59mluBeJ8EVEfNQXAHglCgMabPiq1d-dS2CAgUiseLGq9fdLWg/s1600/IMG_20121209_152741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_350497="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0yJLbAhQ0hQuFZ3FkTOkKLrUJdxaelCf4XhglNw7QaFzScLOiy4LgDgPnrmQOl0ThvPI-If4pcx4QGDJzrvQ5UTeBX59mluBeJ8EVEfNQXAHglCgMabPiq1d-dS2CAgUiseLGq9fdLWg/s1600/IMG_20121209_152741.jpg" gua="true" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the hat. Insert your own "Elf On the Shelf" joke here.</td></tr>
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In conclusion--because it's my blog, my rules--here's a sickeningly cute picture of my adorable puppy in last year's Christmas jammies. Nothing to do with Krampus, other than the fact that the dog <em>likes</em> Krampus. Thomas wasn't allowed in the house in his Batman Halloween costume, but Krampus was deemed okay. Let me say that again: Batman, the Dark Knight, is not allowed in the house, but Krampus, the eater of children, is. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lxYk6hdUs_JqZV2SWpWDXVO3IKs57gK_b1kzb8GvbHzegR43g7sXDkVw0m7o0pjFWj48l6I9Nmwc0Jup_4iU5lGtkZLQNXR2rpeJEY7isRvAIjAk-iPNpwgkIqIYlU7VqpXdwOBzxczD/s1600/untitled+4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_350497="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lxYk6hdUs_JqZV2SWpWDXVO3IKs57gK_b1kzb8GvbHzegR43g7sXDkVw0m7o0pjFWj48l6I9Nmwc0Jup_4iU5lGtkZLQNXR2rpeJEY7isRvAIjAk-iPNpwgkIqIYlU7VqpXdwOBzxczD/s1600/untitled+4.bmp" gua="true" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I need professional help. And more jammies. He's so cute!!</td></tr>
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If you'd like to see <em>Night of the Krampus</em>, here you go. It's gotten some wonderful reviews, for which we are entirely grateful (<a href="http://www.aintitcool.com/node/65367#6">here's one from Ain't It Cool News</a>), and we just broke 1,000 views on youtube. We're used to counting our views in the hundreds (if that), so I'm really excited. Thanks to everyone who's watched it and shared it! We really appreciate it!<br />
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So, here you go. Merry Christmas, and don't let the Krampus get you!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aETor3byDVI" width="420"></iframe>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-31026487078620684992013-12-13T13:25:00.000-08:002013-12-13T13:25:36.370-08:00Sparkle, Baby!!: Easy DIY Holiday Decor Ideas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Seriously? Are there really only eleven more days until Christmas Eve? Two more Saturdays? The heck?</div>
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Given that we are at, basically, the last minute, here are a couple of last minute ideas for gussying up the old homestead. The first one should take, oh, maybe half an hour, tops. If the second one takes more than five minutes, I'll be gobsmacked. </div>
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First up, how about a fancy-schmancy candle-holder? Granted, I'm using mine to store makeup brushes and pencils, but a flameless candle would be equally at home and worlds prettier.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1elzqfJjWp-LddqS6tf3gFsPV8SoUHt25MwHt8IoPyGdH2cPo8ZWyfqn7tK8IFnJYoVrcaiQ8OyYDTCskjuKQK6BxIOrdk_qhEuyojCriwDyQisZ0HfY2KJpWwPlKBgwDEKoebVNyh7M5/s1600/IMG_20131110_165357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_362924="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1elzqfJjWp-LddqS6tf3gFsPV8SoUHt25MwHt8IoPyGdH2cPo8ZWyfqn7tK8IFnJYoVrcaiQ8OyYDTCskjuKQK6BxIOrdk_qhEuyojCriwDyQisZ0HfY2KJpWwPlKBgwDEKoebVNyh7M5/s1600/IMG_20131110_165357.jpg" dua="true" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Stupid me forgot to take in progress shots, probably because it was such a quick and easy process. I started with a cleaned out candle jar from Bath and Body Works. Glassware from Dollar Tree would work just as well, though. <br />
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First, I spritzed the inside of the jar with spray adhesive. Then, I dumped in a ton of fine glitter, held a paper plate over the top, and shook (the lid would have been a much better idea, but I accidentally threw it away. Don't be like me; keep the lid). The excess glitter went back onto the paper plate, and that was that. You can stop right there.<br />
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Of course, I am an over-achiever, and never "stop right there", even when I probably should. Once I had the inside of the jar glitter-coated, I attached some black ribbon to the jar with a little hot glue. Before I did that, though, I tied on a rhinestone pendant that I got in a pack from Michael's. And, seriously, that's all there is to it. Between coupons and stuff I already had at home (jars, adhesive, hot glue), I spent less than ten bucks, and could still do several more. Come to think of it, I bought the pendants for another project, and these were leftovers, so you could say that I did these for the cost of the glitter. Wow. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vCVk3PeoE9h95wh81WESuwSIY-4QMS5FbdXD2L96rTsv-sVnLIn8MS-hQ1x_wDaCKmuhCRjs6vxWev70oBHGMZKLxLMc0d6w3NgkeuqY40dhhfm3o6_YkbOhPVSdPqfEN7_Wjri2L82t/s1600/IMG_20131204_094212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_362924="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vCVk3PeoE9h95wh81WESuwSIY-4QMS5FbdXD2L96rTsv-sVnLIn8MS-hQ1x_wDaCKmuhCRjs6vxWev70oBHGMZKLxLMc0d6w3NgkeuqY40dhhfm3o6_YkbOhPVSdPqfEN7_Wjri2L82t/s1600/IMG_20131204_094212.jpg" dua="true" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The second project was a slap-dash effort, because I needed <strong>something</strong> to go on my mantle. These are some glass vases from Dollar Tree. I bought them for a candy buffet, and they were just collecting dust. A couple of packs of mini-ornaments from Walmart, and a few larger leftover tree ornaments later, I have an attractive mantle display. (Well, I think it's attractive. You might not. I wouldn't know. I'm not you. I'm me, so it's attractive.)<br />
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The hardest part was arranging the mini-ornaments so that I had enough for three vases. If you count the cost of the vases and the cost of the mini-ornaments, I have about ten bucks invested. Again, I already had the vases, so I don't count them--seven dollars, then. I separated the three with last year's Bath and Body Works candles (gee...do I like Bath and Body Works candles, or what?), and I really like the effect.<br />
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Here's my low-key, easy-peasy, holiday-decorated mantle. Yes, the puppy has his own stocking. Yes, it does hold more than either of his people's. Yes, he is incredibly spoiled. </div>
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I wish I had a picture of this at night. The stars light up (it's a card holder!!), and the candles give off a warm, cozy glow. Anyway, those are two super-cheap, super-simple DIY projects that might come in handy if you're throwing a party in the next couple of weeks and need some extra decor. Or, if you're a homebody like me and just enjoy glitter. On everything. Including the poor, spoiled puppy. That'll teach him to demand attention when there's crafting going on. Guess who's getting a bath! Merry Christmas!</div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-48807392686831328882013-12-12T13:12:00.000-08:002013-12-12T13:12:48.591-08:00'Ip, 'Ip, 'Ooray!: December Ipsy Unbagging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Surprise!!! My ipsy bag came in before the end of the month!! Heck, it made it even before the middle! This month was a little hit or miss, but all in all, I can't complain (too much). Let's dig in, shall we?</div>
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For those of you just joining us, ipsy (and yes, it's all lower-case) is a monthly subscription sample service. It's ten bucks a month, and you'll receive a makeup bag filled with four or five (or sometimes six, it seems) deluxe- to full-sized items with a central theme. This month, there were five products, and the theme was "Celebration!"<br />
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Two products tied for favorite this month, and both were from beloved brands that have previously appeared in bags. The first was the Be a...Bombshell (the elipses are theirs) One-Stick in Girl Crush. Now, for some reason, the white balance on my camera decided that everything should be yellow. Yay. This is actually a pretty, cool, baby pink, shot through with lots of gold shimmer, and can be used on eyes, cheeks, and lips. Considering I'm day-glo white, it's a little too pale and frosty for my lips. It does, however, look gorgeous on the cheeks. It's creamy, pigmented, and blends beautifully. I used it as a base for a pink blush, and it worked wonderfully. My only gripe would be all of the gold glitter that it left behind, but I own NARS Super Orgasm. That sucker's a glitterbomb. I'm not allowed to complain about glitter on cheeks anymore. <br />
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The other stand-out product was a NYX round lipstick in Iced Honey. Again, it's not anywhere near as dark and warm as it appears here. This is a frosty, neutral rose. Definitely a "my lips but better" kind of color. When I paired it with the One-Stick, my skin got all glowy and ethereal and pretty and stuff. It's not super long-wearing, but you can re-apply without a mirror, so that cuts down on maintenance problems. I haven't found it drying, and there's no noticeable taste or scent. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXKla1t7lgpC5gE9YJBlRJ_DS1vPN3ObXDOw2WVhdNVA1QvzoMklDFjHTfMEfDHMcfqGc-DBUiCdILCkULulX6FOBhfkRJwdW-OYeKMw1iXHbivJgOq3VBBJmA48qNJOVwzwH1LraEvmk/s1600/untitled+6.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_686237="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXKla1t7lgpC5gE9YJBlRJ_DS1vPN3ObXDOw2WVhdNVA1QvzoMklDFjHTfMEfDHMcfqGc-DBUiCdILCkULulX6FOBhfkRJwdW-OYeKMw1iXHbivJgOq3VBBJmA48qNJOVwzwH1LraEvmk/s1600/untitled+6.bmp" dua="true" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
These swatches are a little more true to color. The top is NYX Iced Honey, and the bottom is Be a...Bombshell in Girl Crush.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKh-rvmhqZUnGOYh_vqMh4E4DRHFKIb_aKdH32vNxIMMbfOU4_WU6yopysN1pSzYS0ps7JKV9KRppXOfttdaPlQrKylRejMiQI-k1LriMis0_rTAOjKnXmz2ROKH18kbZ3BOQXvuKa9F1/s1600/untitled+4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_686237="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKh-rvmhqZUnGOYh_vqMh4E4DRHFKIb_aKdH32vNxIMMbfOU4_WU6yopysN1pSzYS0ps7JKV9KRppXOfttdaPlQrKylRejMiQI-k1LriMis0_rTAOjKnXmz2ROKH18kbZ3BOQXvuKa9F1/s1600/untitled+4.bmp" dua="true" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Next, we have a POP Beauty eyeshadow trio in Smokin' Hot. The colors are pretty, and they swatched well enough. Unfortunately, I already have all of these colors in other palettes, and really don't use them all the much. As I've mentioned, I'm practically transluscent, and this color combo washes me out even more. This will probably end up going to my Mom or a friend. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUi7ybxdceINT4uA5iBt4IN91wIYhrH9R3askwxD_BgQMZvVvqee4fcEUCrEB1NVR7J51sA_2iGk37DsYqq-z0TKAHU9AIBhhA_Z9Zss6HJYDPRpH6_jiJXm39idjk2VKHEFChU8kJ1iWP/s1600/untitled+7.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_686237="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUi7ybxdceINT4uA5iBt4IN91wIYhrH9R3askwxD_BgQMZvVvqee4fcEUCrEB1NVR7J51sA_2iGk37DsYqq-z0TKAHU9AIBhhA_Z9Zss6HJYDPRpH6_jiJXm39idjk2VKHEFChU8kJ1iWP/s1600/untitled+7.bmp" dua="true" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's the trio swatched. They're not powdery, have decent pigmentation, and look like they'd be nice together...just on someone else. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FNPGuw9gXLKbAvwZmM1Vl4vrVDx9so0kPjgqqWWfuncuNCiRA31E2Ja0B5AqzfKo-d1EJA4VdT__Mh0HI4WRnwXGcCg-0bqHEDXOAzK1XPSlEKGjol1wpxLnH1higA08vrm9xdbXHHQB/s1600/untitled+2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_686237="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FNPGuw9gXLKbAvwZmM1Vl4vrVDx9so0kPjgqqWWfuncuNCiRA31E2Ja0B5AqzfKo-d1EJA4VdT__Mh0HI4WRnwXGcCg-0bqHEDXOAzK1XPSlEKGjol1wpxLnH1higA08vrm9xdbXHHQB/s1600/untitled+2.bmp" dua="true" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Okay. I don't want to go hatin' on false eyelashes, because I don't want to be a hypocrite. Between theatre, theatre, and, well, theatre, I have worn more than my fair share of spider-legs in my day. If I needed to look like a doll (and I normally did), then out came the lashes. Were I in a stage production right now, I'd probably need a pair, and these are certainly dramatic enough. But...I'm not, and I don't. Even if I wanted lashes for a party, these are entirely too long and fake looking. They are perfect for stage, though, so I'll just put them up until I need them. I don't know what non-theatre people are going to do with them...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVN-CnOkng4SQCXFldb-96FXTmb89oQx5hqdGluFW_QohREHq-AaQSjOc9fSR1xjHL-nP9B6CvnsXDbkKAmOVM4X190FpGRXDx7C2c9eYEK4TP31A9oph3MghYT12pHBf948I5wpKotdrY/s1600/untitled+5.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_686237="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVN-CnOkng4SQCXFldb-96FXTmb89oQx5hqdGluFW_QohREHq-AaQSjOc9fSR1xjHL-nP9B6CvnsXDbkKAmOVM4X190FpGRXDx7C2c9eYEK4TP31A9oph3MghYT12pHBf948I5wpKotdrY/s1600/untitled+5.bmp" dua="true" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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This next product--Nicka K nail polish in Classic Taupe--can best be discussed through a conversation between myself and Thomas. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjot82rMb-t9XM1AOOuT3WMLjYMLzLbBF4c9p17KXJX4zM30WKDXXakOj5sFSiT5lfwh-nSCsAqU3tiapCmQQ1DeMUTtReLZ5LxtYFg65WaR1FneF4tyOqPRNWh99jLqkv4_nC5ng140Nku/s1600/untitled+3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_686237="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjot82rMb-t9XM1AOOuT3WMLjYMLzLbBF4c9p17KXJX4zM30WKDXXakOj5sFSiT5lfwh-nSCsAqU3tiapCmQQ1DeMUTtReLZ5LxtYFg65WaR1FneF4tyOqPRNWh99jLqkv4_nC5ng140Nku/s1600/untitled+3.bmp" dua="true" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Me: This is pretty. It looks kind of like my China Glaze Foie Gras. I love the bottle. <br />
<br />
Me: (a few minutes later, while painting my nails) Ew. This sucks. I keep messing it up. It's just really thick. I'm just going to take this off and start over.<br />
<br />
Me: (later, still painting nails) Well, that went poorly. It's just SO thick...and kind of stringy...<br />
<br />
Thomas: Ew. That's gross.<br />
<br />
Me: I know. I'm just...I'm gonna try this again.<br />
<br />
Me: (later, still painting...) Yeah, this just sucks. I'm gonna call it and put on a top coat. This looks terrible.<br />
<br />
Thomas: (looking at nails) It looks like it melted. <br />
<br />
Me: You know what?<br />
<br />
Thomas: It sucks?<br />
<br />
Me: Exactly.<br />
<br />
The picture below is after three tries and a top coat. It's terrible. The polish is thick, stringy, and glue-like in consistency. The color is a dead ringer for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/China-Glaze-Lacquer-Fluid-Ounce/dp/B0091XPJAS">China Glaze Foie Gras</a>, by the way. They're identical, as far as my eyes can see, so just get that one, if you can. On the plus side, it's already chipping, so I can take it off tonight (I put it on last night).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-0xqYaMLK34hiZpHkgLeE2QRs80zOMhKxyJRkySIUB1qvzYvuQpH7rWqxfvpvcBD_iBcLeqiNGkrTc9fP0D0Ld94gOdLCx_fS6MZY3J8Y6T3k6cS9WrrmVnJ3XXpwxqMPKp22H9UHydy/s1600/untitled+9.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_686237="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-0xqYaMLK34hiZpHkgLeE2QRs80zOMhKxyJRkySIUB1qvzYvuQpH7rWqxfvpvcBD_iBcLeqiNGkrTc9fP0D0Ld94gOdLCx_fS6MZY3J8Y6T3k6cS9WrrmVnJ3XXpwxqMPKp22H9UHydy/s1600/untitled+9.bmp" dua="true" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
And now...the bag! I actually really like this month's bag. It's a definite step up in quality from last month, and looks like something I would actually carry as a clutch. The bag is a black faux patent leather with quilting detail and a red lining. I think it looks edgy and sophisticated. Thomas thinks it looks like the Governor's eye patch from <em>The Walking Dead.</em> To each their own.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoQBZhNe4IkPgYtqW7uAClps6AEnnAiSY_LsIZYaYpDO6vCM8ClBgBMRf1E4JMaAVHnlyY2LVSqFfNzEKXyVrv6wS-oT1AbyJtkPf9-cRdIMak4vtT5hL1To-atk9NkqlQ7TE6pS1paO8/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_686237="null" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoQBZhNe4IkPgYtqW7uAClps6AEnnAiSY_LsIZYaYpDO6vCM8ClBgBMRf1E4JMaAVHnlyY2LVSqFfNzEKXyVrv6wS-oT1AbyJtkPf9-cRdIMak4vtT5hL1To-atk9NkqlQ7TE6pS1paO8/s1600/untitled.bmp" dua="true" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Well, that's this month's ipsy bag. Two definite hits, a really nice product that's just not for me, a really nice set of theatrical lashes to put up, a definite miss, and a bag that can also double as an eye patch, in case Michonne shows up with her katana. I can't wait for January!</div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-76638161212103765752013-12-05T14:51:00.000-08:002013-12-05T14:55:17.152-08:00Is Ipsy Worth It?: An Analytical ApproachA question I see pop up fairly often on forums is, "Is ipsy worth it?" Is ten bucks a month warranted for the subscription service? Obviously, this is a very subjective question. What's "worth it" to one person may not be "worth it" to another; one man's trash, and all that. Instead of trying to answer the question outright, I thought it might be helpful to go through the bags I've received since joining, and decide how many things I loved, liked, wasn't thrilled with, or thought just plain sucked. So, if you're interested in rummaging through my ipsy stash with me, grab your labcoat and goggles, and prepare to get scientific...ish...<br />
<br />
Before we go any further, here's how <a href="http://www.ipsy.com/">ipsy</a> describes the service:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
ipsy is a beauty community in which ipsters can learn new beauty tricks and participate along with their favorite beauty Stylists in monthly looks. By subscribing to Glam Bags, you will receive 4 to 5 sample or full-sized beauty <span style="text-align: left;">(makeup, skincare, haircare, and nailcare) goodies each month that are curated just for you.</span></blockquote>
The site also mentions community participation and social media communication as benefits, if you're into that sort of thing. As for how the bags are "curated":<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We customize all Glam Bag products using a personalization tool called ipsyMatch! This sophisticated system pulls the results from your personal profile, your Beauty Quiz, and your activity on ipsy.com. We use this data to consistently create a Glam Bag filled with the best beauty picks just for you month after month!<br />
<br />
Using ipsyMatch technology to get the products you want in your upcoming Glam Bag is easy! We start with having you take the Beauty Quiz when you sign up as a member on <a href="http://www.ipsy.com/"><span style="color: #7a3967;">ipsy.com</span></a>. You can re-take the Quiz at any time by heading <a href="http://www.ipsy.com/quiz/retake/begin"><span style="color: #7a3967;">here</span></a>, or by visiting your Glam Room. <span style="font-size: 13px;">Make sure you have marked the Skin Tone, Hair Color, and Eye Color that best suits you! These are always very important inputs for personalization.</span><br />
<br />
Additionally, we love to use your product feedback to customize your Glam Bags! By clicking into your "Glam Room" you will see the option to review products for each of the goodies we send you. These reviews earn ipsyPoints (10 points apiece) and they also give us a better idea of the types of products and brands you would like to see in your Glam Bags!</blockquote>
This validity of the above statement is highly debatable. Personally, I don't buy it 100%. I feel like some of the quiz answers may be considered some of the time, but don't count on being able to customize your bag. Just because you mark that you don't like, say, mascara, don't expect to never receive a tube. If there's a brand you detest, you can hope for the best, but plan on getting something from it at some point. Skin tone doesn't really matter, either. You can be porcelain and still receive a gorgeous mahogany concealer (and vice-versa). You can either work with it, trade it on a forum, throw it away, or complain about it. The thing is, there are some items that everyone will receive, regardless. There are other items that are variable, and the quiz may (or may not) affect what goes into your bag. It's a mystery bag, so it's a gamble. <br />
<br />
From my experience, I can vouch for the part about "4-5 sample or full-sized beauty...goodies". I've never received fewer than four items, and have actually received five products most months, with November bringing in six. I'd also have to say that most of the items have been full-sized, and the deluxe sizes have been very generous. The question is: have they all been useful? Also, the point of a sample sub is to try out new and different brands. Did I get to do that? Let's find out!<br />
<br />
All of my ipsy bag reviews from April through October are posted, and you can find them <a href="http://adorablenapalm.blogspot.com/2013/04/ip-ip-ooray-april-ipsy-glam-bag.html">here</a>, <a href="http://adorablenapalm.blogspot.com/2013/05/ip-ip-ooray-may-ipsy-unboxing.html">here</a>, <a href="http://adorablenapalm.blogspot.com/2013/06/ip-ip-ooray-ipsy-june-un-bagging.html">here</a>, <a href="http://adorablenapalm.blogspot.com/2013/07/ip-ip-ooray-july-ipsy-unbagging.html">here</a>, <a href="http://adorablenapalm.blogspot.com/2013/08/ip-ip-ooray-august-ipsy-unbagging.html">here</a>, <a href="http://adorablenapalm.blogspot.com/2013/09/ip-ip-ooray-september-ipsy-unboxing.html">here</a>, and <a href="http://adorablenapalm.blogspot.com/2013/10/ip-ip-ooray-october-ipsy-unboxing.html">here</a>. November never went up because, well...I accidentally deleted all of the photos. Yeah, I'm a genius. For the record, I received an em cosmetics lipstick in Nude, a Be a Bombshell lip crayon in Hot Damn, Nailtini nail polish in Champagne, Pixi bronzer in Subtly Sunkissed, a Starlooks Gem eye pencil in Topaz, BH Cosmetics baked shadow single in Aprodite, and a cheapie little gold wristlet (I'm not in this for the bags). <br />
<br />
Now, for the rankings!<br />
*D means Deluxe, F means Full-Sized<br />
<br />
<u>Use Regularly: 22, $218.70 </u><br />
D MicaBeauty mineral eyeshadow ($14.95)<br />
F Sation nail polish ($5)<br />
F Be a Bombshell blush ($16)<br />
D Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Nourishing Styling Treatment ($4.39)<br />
D Juice Beauty Reflecting Gloss ($9)<br />
F Cailyn gel liner ($21)<br />
F Chella highlighting pencil ($18)<br />
F NYX blush ($5)<br />
D Sexy Hair Weather Proof humidity spray ($8.45)<br />
F Demeter perfume ($10)<br />
D Michael Todd charcoal scrub ($5.29)<br />
F Noya lip balm ($3.99)<br />
F NYX eyeshadow ($4.50)<br />
D Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm ($16.63)<br />
F Zoya Nail Polish in Giovanna ($8)<br />
D Be Delectable hand cream ($5)<br />
D Buxom Lip Polish ($9)<br />
D Sexy Hair Blow Dry Volumizing Gel ($6)<br />
F em cosmetics lipstick ($16.50)<br />
F Nailtini Nail Lacquer ($13)<br />
D Pixi Bronzer ($5)<br />
F Starlooks Gem eye pencil ($14)<br />
<br />
<u>Like, But Use Less Often (Probably Wouldn't Repurchase): 11, $86.07</u><br />
D St. Tropez One Night Only Instant Glow body lotion ($6.08)<br />
F Yaby concealer ($4.85)<br />
F Zoya nail polish in Blu ($8)<br />
F Mirabella Colour Sheer lipstick ($22)<br />
D BH Cosmetics eyeshadow palette ($1)<br />
D Coola moisturizer ($5.15)<br />
F City Color cheek stain ($2.99)<br />
F Starlooks Kohl eye pencil ($12)<br />
D Elizabeth Mott It's So Big mascara ($8)<br />
D Be a Bombshell lip crayon ($14)<br />
D BH Cosmetics Galaxy baked eyeshadow ($2)<br />
<br />
<u>Didn't Care For, But Not a Bad Product (Just Not For Me): 4, $21.48</u><br />
F Starlooks lipliner ($12)<br />
F POP Beauty lip crayon ($4.16)<br />
F Freeman Beauty masks ($1.99)<br />
D La Fresh Oil-Free face wipes ($3.33)<br />
<br />
<u>Failure of Epic Proportions: 3, $17.07</u><br />
F J. Cat Sparkling Cream Palette ($4.49)<br />
D Pacifica BB Cream ($5.44)<br />
D Pixi Lash Booster mascara ($7.14)<br />
<br />
<strong>Statistics</strong><br />
<strong>40: products</strong><br />
<strong>21: Full-Sized</strong><br />
<strong>19: Deluxe Samples</strong><br />
<strong>33: liked or loved</strong><br />
<strong>7: couldn't use or didn't like</strong><br />
<strong>30: brands received</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>9: months</strong><br />
<strong>90: dollars spent</strong><br />
<strong>10: dollars spent per bag</strong><br />
<strong>2.25: dollars per item</strong><br />
<strong>74.25: dollars spent on liked items</strong><br />
<strong>15.75: dollars spent on disliked items</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>343.32: approx. retail value </strong><br />
<strong>38.15: approx. average retail value per bag (in dollars)</strong><br />
<strong>304.77: approx. retail value of liked items (in dollars)</strong><br />
<strong>38.55: approx. retail value of disliked items (in dollars</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>4.44: approx. average number of items per bag</strong><br />
<strong>7.43: approx. equivalent of liked "bags" (based on average)</strong><br />
<strong>1.58: approx. equivalent of disliked "bags" (based on average)</strong><br />
<br />
Based on this data (and everyone receives different bags of differing values, so this is purely a personal account), I believe that ipsy is worth the money <em>for me</em>. It might not be for you, but were I trying to decide whether to keep or cancel my subscription, this would have tipped the scale over to "keep". <em>For me</em>. Everybody's situation is unique, so don't let me tell you what to do. I'm just putting the information out there, in case anyone was curious. I hope this can be of use to some of y'all. <br />
<br />
Now, bring on the December bag!Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-28726713816268042452013-11-27T13:23:00.000-08:002013-11-27T13:23:38.082-08:00A Do and a Don't: E.L.F. Mini Haul and Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few weeks ago, E.L.F. had a 40% off sale online. There were a couple of items that I'd been eyeing, but hadn't quite built up the courage to try out, so this seemed high time to bite the bullet and order. I picked up, among other things, the <a href="http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/sets-and-palettes/palettes/prism_eyeshadow">Prism Eyeshadow Palette</a> in Sunset and the new <a href="http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/sets-and-palettes/palettes/22_piece_on_the_go_palette">22-Piece Mini On the Go Palette</a>. Normally, the 22-piece palette goes for $15, but right now, you can get both palettes for $10 each. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCNpDtstzuHq-FRX_F7-6KUmCajT_Sl7ltr9ETiW1vAfE0FMZH3nT4smHumwevACcmPjJhQ5daIzxpK7XwHK8J13FYEfnQDxGZGnbseJcum1NA4ZWyIzQyBrlht9tnKgL3YZRcpOQWHo9/s1600/untitled9.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCNpDtstzuHq-FRX_F7-6KUmCajT_Sl7ltr9ETiW1vAfE0FMZH3nT4smHumwevACcmPjJhQ5daIzxpK7XwHK8J13FYEfnQDxGZGnbseJcum1NA4ZWyIzQyBrlht9tnKgL3YZRcpOQWHo9/s640/untitled9.bmp" height="640" width="480" wta="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top: Prism Eyeshadow Palette. Bottom: 22-Piece Mini On the Go Palette.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now, because I like to end things on a good note, let's start out with the 22-piece palette and get that out of the way.<br />
<br />
You see, for me, this was a fail. Through and through. It's really a shame, too, because the idea is fantastic. It's just the execution that falters. <br />
<br />
Before I go any farther, let's start with the good: I very much enjoy the concept of carrying a purse-friendly, compact palette with shadows, blushes, glosses, applicators, and a mascara. Normally, you get some combination of a few of those elements, but rarely all of them. Also, kudos for putting the cream products in a section to themselves, thus preventing the powder shadows and blushes from contaminating the glosses. It really sucks when you apply a pretty pink gloss, only to find that particles of black eyeshadow have smeared across you lips, as well. There's also a really nice mirror, so you actually <strong>can </strong>apply your makeup "on the go". <br />
<br />
And that's about it. And I hate that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1PQSWXkVjOd6l9Bx_iaNygEWZgkUop9Obo3jLwit5HRtoDG567aKM8kplqkrXVRMJRZciKOTsGfHdhh33iZ679qWO872uTrXIt6peRDzRbIOutoOq5CjnVgwbscRwL0652ubEriVn9Qr/s1600/untitled7.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1PQSWXkVjOd6l9Bx_iaNygEWZgkUop9Obo3jLwit5HRtoDG567aKM8kplqkrXVRMJRZciKOTsGfHdhh33iZ679qWO872uTrXIt6peRDzRbIOutoOq5CjnVgwbscRwL0652ubEriVn9Qr/s640/untitled7.bmp" height="640" width="480" wta="true" /></a></div>
<br />
So, what's so terrible about this palette? Unfortunately, pretty much everything (oh, I HATE this review!! It's so negative, and I really adore E.L.F.!). To start with, the packaging is boring, shoddy, and just plain bulky. Sadly, I didn't get a picture of it from the side, but while it's only about the length and width of a credit card, the height is ridiculous. It's a brick. Think of two Altoids tins stacked one atop the other, and you've got a pretty accurate representation. It's supposed to be travel-friendly, but there's not a pocket in my purse large enough to hold it (and I travel heavy). Of course, even if I could fit it into my bag, I wouldn't because the clasp is flimsy, and I'm afraid it would open up and spill everywhere. It's just not workable as a travel palette. <br />
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Secondly, the products aren't very good. The eyeshadows are chalky and lacking in the pigment department. Below, I have a random sampling of some of the shadows, and I had to really work to build them up to this intensity. The fourth shadow from the left--see if you can spot it. It's supposed to be the cornflower blue in the top row of the palette. Now, if you look at the shadows in the pan, they appear to have a variety of finishes, ranging from matte to glitter. However, when you apply them, they all come off as matte, and unfortunately, muddy together. I tried wearing a few to work, and while I didn't have any fading or creasing, the overall look was so embarrassingly...the only word I have is muddy, y'all. I'm sorry...that I had to pull out my usual purse palette and re-do it before I left the office. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdA7WHigKF9zHWJVEuuzxl2L6XbmUKT2hFg6ALrYGe-wYNj7eVUXk9E8LHaFco7xMz2TrSsNZUh9LpUgnAB08E-2YqPFAUb15ALHirYWhSPlcj7klapTliLpb7dnNMRKQgovM-uw3Sp7b/s1600/untitled3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdA7WHigKF9zHWJVEuuzxl2L6XbmUKT2hFg6ALrYGe-wYNj7eVUXk9E8LHaFco7xMz2TrSsNZUh9LpUgnAB08E-2YqPFAUb15ALHirYWhSPlcj7klapTliLpb7dnNMRKQgovM-uw3Sp7b/s640/untitled3.bmp" height="480" width="640" wta="true" /></a></div>
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Of course, E.L.F. shadows tend to be hit or miss, but the lip products have, generally, been pretty good. I had higher hopes for the second tier. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw74cmDq1h-bSQulG9c4n5AocwBAF3R5euo1s4A9JD7Hc_rpjhDKPT0_gH3crE5TUNL8r77UJc_dZUr0GAWNBoZCJboDzVSZbDHh9ZAQJ0brZxQuDmUt5VxytiTdgM2l86KR0Fc3djGzCo/s1600/IMG_20131120_091110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw74cmDq1h-bSQulG9c4n5AocwBAF3R5euo1s4A9JD7Hc_rpjhDKPT0_gH3crE5TUNL8r77UJc_dZUr0GAWNBoZCJboDzVSZbDHh9ZAQJ0brZxQuDmUt5VxytiTdgM2l86KR0Fc3djGzCo/s640/IMG_20131120_091110.jpg" height="640" width="480" wta="true" /></a></div>
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See! The colors are lovely, and there's a nice range of shades. Another thing that bugged me about the shadows was the apparent randomness of color choices. When I think of a purse palette, I think of touch-up shades: a deep shade for adding drama, a shimmer to perk up a look or cover creasing...that sort of thing. The shadows didn't deliver on that, but the lip colors--more sticks than glosses, really--fared better. Sadly, they feel kind of gritty on the lips, look thick and chalky, and wear off quickly. The lip brush is splayed and unusable, and shed the first time I tried to dip it into the product. Below is another random sampling of colors. They are very pretty in the pan and in swatches. It's just a shame they wear so poorly. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCm-iqlfZ82ktYzE40KF5ORCK6SRTIgsOCr77B3HvkHWzUFvpmRvmAFDxWDdteR80u4TaFErjqC7YmljVtmHbw1t2a3pO3RSvxlsyDwkX2xWjBrVGX1ftctNXHmyM68z39Y3YGqMQ421K/s1600/untitled2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCm-iqlfZ82ktYzE40KF5ORCK6SRTIgsOCr77B3HvkHWzUFvpmRvmAFDxWDdteR80u4TaFErjqC7YmljVtmHbw1t2a3pO3RSvxlsyDwkX2xWjBrVGX1ftctNXHmyM68z39Y3YGqMQ421K/s640/untitled2.bmp" height="480" width="640" wta="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to Right: the light pink, the last shade, the deep purple.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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On to the blushes! I'll be perfectly honest with you; I did not try these. I couldn't. I don't have a brush small enough. The included brush wasn't usable, and each color is roughly the size of a postage stamp. Again, this is a shame because E.L.F. tends to do well with blushes, and these colors are just gorgeous. From what I can tell, they appear to be a subtle golden highlight, a raspberry blush, and a light, shimmery bronzer. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1F8wfLVNC_tt1siEYQmAYPBc7Ju9j0t-IKCos7BemWXtgN6X5ewUxVIXo_A2BDrpzMEpAVv7MmNC08NLRhitHKQ2QbISMJB-g8AaNJg_wBA8va2MS4_w6xIesEzAZWRfQvpS4i64aCiwR/s1600/untitled5.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1F8wfLVNC_tt1siEYQmAYPBc7Ju9j0t-IKCos7BemWXtgN6X5ewUxVIXo_A2BDrpzMEpAVv7MmNC08NLRhitHKQ2QbISMJB-g8AaNJg_wBA8va2MS4_w6xIesEzAZWRfQvpS4i64aCiwR/s640/untitled5.bmp" height="640" width="480" wta="true" /></a></div>
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I did swatch these, and that made me even more unhappy. They swatch well and look just lovely. I just can't use them. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ChLTOg8FjfoCRL2yLiJauFcGyjw7ohcZuCGv48NCY39D_Xf907kKwPSeG7TPQjGafyKdfXRyqjlM9ZvhX23W3xHP7FtpHp4Lwf_7WWrd-5PZJZH6r64SEyyDCXFR3fct7qWWSNey8RKt/s1600/untitled8.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ChLTOg8FjfoCRL2yLiJauFcGyjw7ohcZuCGv48NCY39D_Xf907kKwPSeG7TPQjGafyKdfXRyqjlM9ZvhX23W3xHP7FtpHp4Lwf_7WWrd-5PZJZH6r64SEyyDCXFR3fct7qWWSNey8RKt/s640/untitled8.bmp" height="480" width="640" wta="true" /></a></div>
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I didn't even bother with the mascara. It's their standard studio mascara, so if you like it, you'll like this. It's not enough to make or break this palette. So, in summation, it's a wonderful idea. It just didn't work. </div>
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Part of me wonders if, perhaps, this was rushed into production. Recently, Urban Decay released the Anarchy and Shattered Face Cases (shadows, blushes, and a lip pencil in a compact case), and I wonder if this was launched as a response to that. Granted, the case more resembles a Too Faced Glamour To Go, but I really do wonder. This is pure speculation, but I get the feeling this started out as a dupe of the Glamour To Go, and then went into production early because of the Urban Decay. Maybe not. It's just a theory, and the only way I can understand how something that was so clearly not thought through could be released. Hopefully, they'll keep with the idea, but tweak it so that it works better. Personall, I'd reduce the number of shadows to eight and up the quality of each, make the glosses "glosses" (creamier and easier to apply without a brush), and include only one blush and one bronzer/highlight (to increase the size of each). I'm not sure what to do about the bulk of the packaging, but even rounding the corners would help. Right now, it's a mess.</div>
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Okay, now that that unpleasantness is out of the way, let me show you my new friend:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IP1_YzKZ9FqmtRMeLfaGxTZRVczl-17gtyXwpt227tpJ83yJcT-8b3L16ViIwL_UetMQ2CqLBLrpznukso9b9gFp4AG1kjdU1j4MQVxuooq4Y-H3P8H4TjdP9I2ABQWeRGxxHUW8AWl1/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IP1_YzKZ9FqmtRMeLfaGxTZRVczl-17gtyXwpt227tpJ83yJcT-8b3L16ViIwL_UetMQ2CqLBLrpznukso9b9gFp4AG1kjdU1j4MQVxuooq4Y-H3P8H4TjdP9I2ABQWeRGxxHUW8AWl1/s640/untitled.bmp" height="480" width="640" wta="true" /></a></div>
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Isn't it pretty?! <em>These </em>are well-done shadows, y'all. This is the Prism Palette in Sunset, and here's how E.L.F. describes it:<br />
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These ultra-silky and lustrous eyeshadows look like a powder but feel like a cream, allowing for a smooth and flawless application. Use to contour, line, and highlight for a radiant finish. The luminous, shimmery formula creates a gorgeous range of looks for both day and night. </div>
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They ain't lyin'. I have had very little luck with E.L.F. shadows in the past. The best I've ever had was half of the Maleficent palette from last year. When I opened this baby up, I let out an audible gasp. I could tell just by looking at the shadows that they were going to be special. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVyXnvQXUEXab9fVduwjGP2NCPiRZ70ytkZjvPntNhGzFqDWy0y90eA8C9Th09gJFH7mJ0MfNWtYZ7macOn_SnvyuE-LrUI1M1cyGV4UwI1acgi4SUtQwCMO9M1KCAhCShdLdZTSBaSnX/s1600/untitled4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVyXnvQXUEXab9fVduwjGP2NCPiRZ70ytkZjvPntNhGzFqDWy0y90eA8C9Th09gJFH7mJ0MfNWtYZ7macOn_SnvyuE-LrUI1M1cyGV4UwI1acgi4SUtQwCMO9M1KCAhCShdLdZTSBaSnX/s640/untitled4.bmp" height="480" width="640" wta="true" /></a></div>
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These swatches are crap. In person, they look much richer and sparkle like nobody's business. The formula is fantastic, too. They're creamy and silky, and not even slightly powdery. These swatches are in palette order, and those second, third, and fourth shades are standouts. </div>
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Is this a perfect palette? No. You will need to augment it with some matte or satin shadows, and probably with some deeper shades to put together a complete look. If you have Urban Decay's Naked Basics, you're set. I can completely forgive that, though, because of the formula. I would put it on par with Stila, honestly. It's that kind of soft, slightly flaky (not flaking off, but it's almost like it applies in a solid flake form...or maybe I'm insane...either way), shimmering texture. I didn't experience any creasing or fading in the hours that I wore these, and felt confident enough to use the palette for a holiday party look. These are just d@*n good shadows, and you get six of them for ten dollars. There are two other versions, Naked and Smoke (I tell you, they are seriously trying to get in on the Urban Decay audience), with neutral and jewel tones, respectively. I haven't tried them, yet, but after falling in love with Sunset, I may need to place another order. </div>
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<strong><u>Final Verdict</u></strong></div>
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<strong>22-Piece On the Go Palette: 2 out of 10. Great idea, but executed poorly.</strong></div>
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<strong>Prism Palette: 9 out of 10. Gorgeous, and tremendously good quality. On par with high end. </strong></div>
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Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!! </div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-44700988819732247582013-11-25T10:57:00.002-08:002013-11-25T10:57:57.017-08:00I'm Not Dead Yet!!!I swear, I'm still here!! Things have been a little crazy with work, holidays, teaching, and...well, just life in general. I've been working on some fun reviews, though, and will keep you posted on anything nifty I find floating around the web. Thanks for bearing with me!<br />
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Much love,<br />
ErinErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-8471057487356238652013-11-14T13:21:00.000-08:002013-11-14T13:21:01.922-08:00Gimme an R-A-N-T! Whaddaya Got? RANT!!!!!!Ladies and Gentlemen, brace yourselves, for I am filled with righteous indignation! That's right! This is a RANT!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.thea-blast.org/editorials/2013/11/13/band-kicked-field/">This</a> is an article that I came across today on Facebook, and it is absolutely infuriating. The tl;dr version is this: <br />
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A high school marching band took the field for their halftime program. At the beginning of the first song, the coaches brought the teams back onto the field. Over seven minutes remained on the clock. When four minutes (and some change) still remained on the clock, the coaches began yelling at the band to get off the field. The parents in the stands started screaming, "Get the [expletive] band off the field". Then one of the coaches went so far as to begin shaking the junior Assistant Drum Major's podium, in an attempt to drive the band off. <br />
<br />
It was still halftime.<br />
<br />
On Senior Night.<br />
<br />
The administration claimed that the team would have received a 15-yard penalty if the band had not vacated right then, but that's not entirely true. Halftime lasts for twenty minutes, and then an additional three minutes are allotted for warm-up. At the time this occurred, the original twenty minutes were not up. In addition, the <br />
principal had already discussed the possibility of an overage (due to it being Senior Night) with the referees and opposing team, and it had been approved. The team would have received a penalty if they'd missed their additional three minutes, but not until that time. I feel it's also worth mentioning that this team had only won one game over the entire season. The band recently received a national award.<br />
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In a lovely little bit of irony, the penalty would have, officially, been for "unsportsmanlike conduct". 'Cause, you know, trying to knock a teenager off of a podium because they didn't finish their halftime show five minutes before halftime ended is sportsmanlike.<br />
<br />
For what it's worth, the football players had nothing to do with this, and many expressed that they felt badly about the incident. This rant is in no way concerning the football team. This is about the administration, coaches, parents, their lack of respect, and the fact that this is not an isolated event.<br />
<br />
As a former band member and the sister of a current high school band member (non-marching at the moment, but that's probably going to change soon), I know what these kids go through for their art--and it is an art. Have you see <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNe0ZUD19EE">Ohio</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTca2nrIn4U">State</a>?<br />
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When I was in my school's color guard (I can't play an instrument to save my life), we started off with a week at sleep-away flag camp. There, we twirled for, roughly, eight hours a day. The food was so horrible that we ended up living off the camp's peanut butter and jelly bar (yes, that's a thing), and were so weak and starved that our chaperones kidnapped us and took us to a buffet, where no one could eat without getting sick. Did I mention this took place during a hurricane, and we had refugees staying at the camp, too? We twirled in the hurricane. No kidding.<br />
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Next came band camp. Again, we twirled from about seven or eight in the morning until five or six at night. We did get lunch, but that was the only break. A time or two, we were able to go home for dinner, but had to come right back and stay until eight or ten at night. This lasted for several weeks, and was<em> grueling</em>. This was over the Summer, which stays in the mid-90s to low-100s with 100% humidity. Kids passed out. It also rains like crazy throughout the season (read: year), but we kept practicing in the mud. We were told to stop twirling if your pole turned blue and the hair on your arms raised, and then to throw the pole away from you, because you were getting struck by lightning. Until then, keep twirling. <em>(note: I don't know the science behind that, but that's what we were told.)</em><br />
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Then, there's marching season. For us, that meant bus trips on buses that broke down or caught fire (seriously), then waiting for the school to convince the nice "Spirit Bus" that the football players, cheerleaders, and alumni rode on to turn around and come get us. This meant stale fast food when the players got steak dinners before each game. This meant riding all the way to Podunk, AL, just to have the opposing team tell us we couldn't play because it irritated their team. This meant having parents and coaches yell at us because they were losing, we existed, and they needed a scapegoat.<br />
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During all of this, and for months after, there are classes, private lessons, after-school rehearsals, during-school performances, competency tests, and, Lord Almighty, competitions. Those are a-whole-nother rant, in and of themselves.<br />
<br />
The thing is, no matter how badly we were treated, or how uncomfortable we were, or how jangled our nerves, we kept playing. We kept doing our best because it made <em>us </em>proud. We were also very proud of our team, and wanted to support them. They were darn good, and a win for them was a win for us. <br />
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Now, I wasn't at this game. I didn't see this happen, but not only do I not doubt it, I'm not surprised by it. What makes it truly sickening is that the offense was perpetrated not only by the band's own school, but by adult authority figures and parents, all of whom should know better. These are the people who are supposed to be teaching these children--yes, children--how to behave in public, and how to treat other people. These are the same disciplinary figures who issue detentions at school and groundings at home. How in the [expletive] are these kids supposed to take them seriously now? More importantly, if we can't count on either school or parents to set good examples for today's kids, who can we count on?<br />
<br />
I just...I have no idea.<br />
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<strong>***Editor's note: It has come to my attention that 15 yards can make or break a game, and that an unapproved half-time overage can result in fines. This is very true, and I felt it necessary to add. I still feel that the entire situation was handled very poorly by the school's administration, coaching staff, and parents. *** </strong><br />
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176690648872596183.post-91088933608607958982013-11-08T14:01:00.000-08:002013-11-08T14:01:36.219-08:00The Autumn Tag!!Yay! The weather has finally cooled off down here (it's a brisk 66 degrees, y'all. Break out the scarves and hot cocoa), so I feel like I can, officially, take part in this lovely tag that the hilarious and super sweet Leigh over at <a href="http://amagicalmom.blogspot.com/">Whimsical Adventures of a Magical Mom</a> tagged me to do. I hate that I've put it off this long, but it seemed just downright laughable to post an Autumn Tag while wearing a tank top and flip flops. Call me crazy. Anyway, thank you, Leigh! This has really been a lot of fun, and I loved reading yours. All kidding aside, I'm honored. <br />
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<strong>Favorite Thing About Autumn</strong><br />
Socks. Seriously. It's a billion and one degrees down here for about 98% of the year. For the, approximately, two weeks of Fall/Winter that we get each year, I can finally wear socks. The rest of the time, I'm stuck in flip flops and flats, because it's too darn hot even for tennis shoes. I can wear cashmere socks and cotton socks and silky socks and wooly socks and short socks and long socks and maybe even leg warmers (if I'm feeling flashdancy). It's an honest-to-God treat, y'all. <br />
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<strong>Favorite Drink</strong><br />
Oh wow. This is tough. I'm going to have to say a King Cake latte from Starbucks. No, they're not on the menu, and no, Mardi Gras isn't in the Fall. It's still the perfect cold weather drink. For the curious, it's a white chocolate mocha with cinnamon dolce syrup, and it's addictive. Be ye warned!<br />
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<strong>Favorite Scent or Candle</strong><br />
This is another tough one. I'm currently rotating through several candles from Bath and Body Works: Cider Donut, Sweater Weather, Caramel Pumpkin Latte, and Caramel Pecan Waffles. I guess the Caramel Pecan Waffles wins. It's the one that Thomas and my brother both went nuts over, and it makes me crave pancakes. That's probably not a good thing.<br />
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The rest of the bunch go, in order of favorite to least: Cider Donut, Caramel Pumpkin Latte, Sweater Weather. Cider Donut is light and crisp. Caramel Pumpkin Latte smells heavenly, but does have a slight chemical after...taste? I guess? Sweater Weather is freaking awesome, and smells like Christmas trees. It also messes with my sinuses after a few minutes, which is why it's on the bottom. I recommend it for those who don't have bad allergies, though.<br />
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<strong>Best Lipstick</strong><br />
I love a bold lip, but rarely wear them. I'm pale with an angular face and a widow's peak; if I go too vampy, I end up looking like a vampire, and not the sexy, sparkly kind. My favorite, of the moment, is Urban Decay's Revolution Lipstick in Lovelight. It's a semi-sheer, warm, golden peach that really does look lit from within. I swear, it glows<em>. Gorgeous</em>. I'm actually wearing it today, with a little UD Space Cowboy on the eyelids, and Flower Beauty blush/bronzer duo in Beachy Keen. <br />
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Runners up are: MAC Shygirl, Buxom Lip Tarnish in Scandal, Urban Decay Revolution in Catfight.<br />
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<strong>Go-To Moisturizer</strong><br />
Hands down, Josie Maran Infinity Cream. Flat-out. That stuff is amazeballs. It's her signature argan oil, but in a cream form. You can use it as a face moisturizer, eye cream, lip balm, cuticle oil, hand cream, foot cream, and to smooth flyaway hair. I'm sure there are other uses, but those are just off the top of my head. My skin loves it. It drinks the stuff in, and hasn't broken out at all. When I've traveled, recently, this one product replaced five others, and freed up a ton of real estate in my toiletry bag.<br />
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<strong>Favorite Go-To Color For the Eyes</strong><br />
This time of year, it's less color and more finish. Generally speaking, I like a satiny neutral eye. When Fall rolls around, though, I go for either extreme and choose an all matte look, or one that's a total glitter-bomb. Today, I pulled out the glitter. Earlier this week, I used Naked Basics exclusively. If I have to pick a color, though, I'll go with charcoal gray. It always makes me think of cozy sweaters, for some reason.<br />
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<strong>Favorite Music To Listen To</strong><br />
Same as it always is: musical theatre. I'm a theatre geek from way back, and my iPod is filled with Sherrie Renee Scott, Kristen Chenowith, and Michael Crawford. I'd like to say that this is the time of year that I pull out Halloween-appropriate shows, like <em>Sweeney Todd</em>, <em>Evil Dead</em>, or <em>Young Frankenstein</em>, but who am I kidding? I listen to them year-round. I also have zombie faces in a shadow box on my wall, and a literal skeleton in my closet. <em>I'm not well</em>. <br />
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I also like Adele. And Scissor Sisters. And the other stuff Thomas put on my iPod that I don't know the names of. Good job, baby!<br />
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<strong>Favorite Outfit To Wear</strong><br />
I don't think I have one. I mean, I like the one I have on now--yellow, white, and navy plaid button down over a white and navy henley, with jeans and skechers--but I don't know if it's my favorite. Another I enjoy is a black fuzzy sweater over a red and silver pinstriped tank, with skinny jeans and boots, accessorized with a handmade red and purple headband with a cute felt zombie face attached. But again, not sure it's my all-time favorite. I'm also looking forward to wearing this stunning sheer white long-sleeved shirt with lace accents that I picked up at JC Penney's a month or so back...you know what? My favorite outfit is whatever I'm wearing at the time, as long as I feel comfortable and pretty. There.<br />
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<strong>Autumn Treat</strong><br />
Churros. It seems odd, and a little silly, but Thomas and I tend to take our vacations in October, and we normally end up at the Orlando theme parks...where there are churros. If I'm eating a churro, I'm probably on vacation...or at Taco Bell...which is somewhat less magical...Then again, I only eat the Taco Bell churros when Thomas is with me, so if I'm not on vacation, at least I'm with my sweetie. Yeah...definitely churros.<br />
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<strong>Favorite Place To Be</strong><br />
On my couch, in my jammies, snuggled up with the hubby and the puppy. No contest.<br />
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I hope you guys enjoyed this! I'm supposed to tag four bloggers, but I'm only going to tag one: <strong>Magnolia</strong>. I'm also tagging each and every one of you! I'd love to see what you guys come up with. Leave a link in the comments below. Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18048382023409238427noreply@blogger.com0