{Fall Picks}: Are You Ready for Fall?

With cooler weather fast approaching, I've been doing some shopping to bulk up my fall and winter wardrobe.  As I add pieces to my "fall 2013 collection" {lol}, I'll be adding information on steals and finds! 

 

 {photos from the following sites}

Faux leather fly away cardigan $44.95, New York and Company

Low-rise jean jegging in destroyed finish, $59.95, New York and Company

Leopard print infinity scarf, $18.99 {sale}, Kohl's

Studded black flats, $18.00, Old Navy

This week, I purchased some great pieces that can be interchangeable for a lot of different looks.  I also got some great deals!  Here are some of my tips for shopping on a budget:

• I never shop full price at New York and Company.  Almost every week, they offer a coupon for at least $30 off a $75 purchase.  I used that to purchase the jeggings and leather cardigan.  
• The scarf was $10 off at Khol's in the sale section - there was another one that was identical but another brand that was twice the price.
• I used some reward bucks that I used at Old Navy when I purchased the shoes. 

• Remember, you don't have to spend a lot to look nice.  If you know the stores you plan to shop, prepare by looking for deals or coupons online before going into the stores.  
• If you aren't a planner, bookmark those sites in your phone and most stores will allow you to show the virtual coupon with your cell to get the deals.  
• Being savvy = the opportunity to purchase more items, and that makes me a happy girl!

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more fall fashion items and deals!  Stay pretty!

{Coming Soon}: Review of the Special Edition Tarte Kit for 2013

{photo from QVC.com}

I am SO excited!  

I was reading/watching my usual weekly beauty sites/videos this morning and I came across a review of the new Tarte Kit for 2013 {Beauty Without Boundaries 8 piece kit} and decided that I MUST have it.  It is a great deal on QVC right now, too.  The entire kit is worth over $200, but the price is $69.  {Check it out here: QVC Tarte Kit 2013 }

There are two brushes in it alone that are worth more than the purchase price of the entire set and I'd be lying if I didn't mention that I bought it specifically for the brushes.  PLUS, it's CHEVRON... my fave right now!

Check it out and if you're interested in learning more, I'll be posting an in depth review of the entire kit next week {receiving it Monday}!   This makes my week!

Have a great day, pretties!

{Before & After}: Brows

Here is the comparison of my results with using the fabulous brow products I previously blogged about here {First Impressions} .

I used Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Brunette and WhiteningLightening Brow Bar to Go.  I love the look that more defined brows give me.  What is your brow routine?

{First Impressions}: WhiteningLightening Brow Bar to Go and Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

Lately, I've been obsessed with eyebrows.  I have always been an over-plucker.  I don't get mine waxed, I've simply maintained the same sad shape for years.  With that being said, I've made a conscious effort over the past six months to pluck less.  I still get the urge to pluck strays here and there, but generally, I've been able to "bulk up" my brows a bit over this time period.  I've also invested more interest in products that help with brow shaping and fill-ins.  For a long time, I used Clinque's Brow Shaper in Charcoal.  I do not dislike this product and I still use it occasionally, but I wanted to branch out.  Before I found something I felt worthy of investing in, I used the brown shade in the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette just to fill in sparse areas.  A few weeks ago I did some serious googling and discovered videos about two products that I decided to try.  I ordered them last week and received them Tuesday.  I've tried them for three days now, and I feel confident in giving you my first impressions of them.  After I've given myself enough time to "master" the art of using them, I'll give a full review and tutorial for your perusing. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Pencil in Brunette
This pencil is great!  When I first received it, it was mid day and I wasn't able to play with it right away, but I did a little testing on my hand.  The pencil has a super fine tip which allows the product to glide on lightly without any harsh lines.  I found this to be interesting, as I expected it to go on like an eyeliner pencil.  After playing with it on my brows, I'm very impressed.  It it easy to use with a light hand and isn't harsh unless you get intentional with it.  The pencil is dual ended with the retractable twist liner on one side and a spoolie on the other.  I love the spoolie because it helps to blend out the product and wrangle unruly strands of brow hair.  The color is great and looks natural.

WhiteningLightening Brow Bar to Go
This trio of brow products is amazing!  It includes a dark and light shade of brow powders as well as a brow wax and a small angled brush.  I've been using the dark color on my brows after applying the wax as a primer.  So far, so good.

I highly recommend both of these products.  I ordered the Anastasia pencil from Ulta.com and the Brow Bar from WhiteningLightening's website.  I ordered them both on a Friday and received them on a Tuesday.  I'll follow up next week with some before/after photos!  Until then, have a great weekend and stay pretty, y'all!

{Spotted}: Batiste and Psssst! Dry Shampoos at Walgreen's!

I just wanted to pop on and share my discovery of Psssst! and Batiste brands of dry shampoo at the Walgreen's in my town today.  The price sticker says, "new!", so I'm guessing I'm not late with informing you of these "new" details.  I'm excited because I really like Batiste and have only been able to get it at Ulta {an hour and a half away} and online.  If you like dry shampoo and haven't tried either of these, give them a whirl - they are pretty great!

Have a pretty day!

{My Faves}: August 2013

August Favorites!

It’s September, y’all!  Do you know what that means?  It’s almost my FAVORITE time of year… scarves, jeans, hoodies, and bonfires are merely a few weeks away.  {I live in the South, so this could mean as early as October or as late as late November, but I’m still excited!}    Here are a few of my favorite things I’ve used in the month of August!

 HAIR

Got2Be Powder'ful Volumizing Styling Powder
I use this powder almost every day.  It’s perfect for revving up flat hair.  My hair will lie limp no matter how much I have curled it.  Whether I’m wearing a curly or straight style, I always end my styling process with a few sprinkles of this.  I simply take sections of hair, lift them up, and sprinkle at the roots.  Once I’ve applied to all of the areas I’d like, I rub my scalp all over, and tousle my hair.  It gives amazing volume and allows my hair something to “grab” onto.  It also works well if you tease before adding the powder.  I have to warn you, this powder adds a “dirty hair” element.  It makes your hair feel a little dirty, but it is simply the added texture from the powder.  My hair shows oil extremely quickly, and I’ve never once felt like my hair looked dirty after using this.

MAKEUP

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

I’ve had this blush for over a year, but it is one of those that was put away in my blush organizer and forgotten.  I pulled it out a few weeks ago when I was tired of my same old routine {Nyx Powder Blush in Cinnamon} and fell in love with it all over again.  It is a beautiful peach shade with some shimmer.  Many have noted on YouTube that is a good dupe for Nars in Orgasm.  It’s not an EXACT match, but it is pretty darn close.  I generally do not like a lot of shimmer on my face due to having an oily T-zone, but I really love the glow this color gives.  I highly recommend it and it’s about $8.00 at CVS.

NAILS

Sally Hansen Gel Cuticle Remover

I swear by this stuff.  I change my nail color every 3-4 days, and I usually use Acetone remover so I’m not spending a lot of time scrubbing my nails.  The acetone is harsh and dries out the skin around my nails and cuticles.  I use this every other time I change my polish.  I remove the existing polish from both hands, and then I choose a starting hand and apply the Gel Cuticle Remover to my cuticles of that hand.  I allow it to sit for about 3-5 minutes, then I go in with an orange stick and gently rub the areas where I applied gel.  This eliminates excess cuticles, dead skin, and also moisturizes.  After I have rubbed each nail with the orange stick, I simply wipe each nail with tissue or cotton pads to remove it.  The instructions on the tube suggest washing your hands after, but I leave it on for extra moisturizing.  Repeat with your second hand.  This gel is also great for toes.  I got mine at CVS, but I’ve also seen it at Walmart.

MISC.

Better Homes and Gardens Candles and Scented Wax Cubes
I really love the Better Homes and Gardens candles and the scented wax cubes from Walmart.  The best part is that they are so cheap {$5.50 for candles, $2.00 for wax}. The candles come in large sized jars with lids similar to Yankee Candle jars, and they last for the longest time.  They also have great scents!  I picked up two new candles the last week of August in Simmering Apple Cider and True Fall Splendor.  I’ve been alternating burning them in my room all week and they linger all over the house.  There are a lot of new fall scents that just debuted for the 2013 collection and they come in candle form and wax form.  I picked up Warm Rustic Woods in the wax to burn in my office at work.  It’s a rather masculine scent, but not overpowering.  Everyone who walks by comments on how nice it smells in there, so I think I chose well.    

Well, those are a few of my favorite things for August.  I hope you found something new to explore.  Stay tuned in a few days for some new reviews!