The Traveling Make-Up Bag

No, this post isn't a take-off on the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Instead, it's a brief recap of my decision to put together a make-up bag to take with me.

For a long time, it's been my practice to have one make-up bag that primarily stays at home. If I'm going somewhere and I know I have to get ready for something while I'm there - say, heading to a party after work - then I'll bring this same make-up bag along. Recently, though, I've realized that there are some cosmetics and tools that I want to have with me all the time. It's not so much that I'm suddenly going to want to put on mascara while I'm sitting at my desk. It's more like, I'm at work and notice a painful cuticle or a stray hair. I want to get it taken care of ASAP. So, without further ado, here's the collection of stuff I've put together for my traveling make-up bag:

Here's the breakdown
1. Tweezers. I'm pretty sure they are Revlon, but I'm not someone who pays attention to tweezer brand.
2. Fingernail clippers. Again, I think they're Revlon but I don't know for sure.
3. Hair elastics. I like these thicker ones, which I'm pretty sure are Goody (though I would imagine Scunci would be just as good). I used to use the thinner ones, but I found they got stretched too easily and often had to be thrown away before they got lost.
4. ELF Blush in Mellow Mauve. This stuff is available at Target and is pretty cheap. I know some people swear by fancier brands, but I love it because it's just the right color. It also seems to me that it stays on at least as well as the last time I had blush from Sephora.
5. ELF Clarifying Powder. I also picked this up at Target. I was mostly looking for something to tone down the shine if I were getting ready after work. I bought the lightest shade Target had and I've been very impressed. It also stays on more effectively than the stuff I got at Sephora.
6. Neutrogena Acne Gel. This stuff is the best! By far the biggest splurge in the make-up bag, this is my favorite product to use if I feel something coming on. It dries it right out. Yes!
7. Revlon nail file. I used to be frightened of nail files. My mom had one when I was little that was metal and the sound of someone using it to this day makes me shudder. But, I've grown to love the use of these soft files. And this is perfect if I notice something sharp while I'm typing away at work.
8. Lip Smackers. I know, I know. I'm 28 years old, maybe I've outgrown the cosmetic that is primarily aimed at elementary school aged girls? Nope! I still love Lip Smackers today just as much as when I was little. I find that they do a good job moisturizing without being sticky. I also usually try to select those that are kind of pink because I find they sometimes leave behind just a hint of pigmentation. I also discovered a secret, as a Lip Smacker hoarder: get them in multi-packs at holidays. They're a combination of colors and flavors that is different from what you see during the rest of the year. I began my hoarding last Christmas season, when Ginny witnessed me buying approximately 8 new LipSmackers during one evening shopping trip that included both Target and Wal-Mart.
9. Burt's Bees Cuticle Cream. This stuff is the best! I got this itty bitty jar as part of a sample kit that I bought in college. I don't use it all that often, but I've still got it nearly 10 years later. I think it's effective and smells really good. What more could you ask for?
10. Mirror. I love compacts, but I couldn't find one I loved while I was putting this project together. I bought a plain one and decided to deck it out with stickers from my scrapbooking stash. Success!
11. Retractable Blush Brush. This item was another great investment. I got the house brand at Target and realized just how well it was designed. There's a metal piece in the handle of the brush that comes up to keep all the bristles together so you can get the cap back on without smashing them. Super easy.
12. Makeup Bag.

I really struggled with picking out just the right bag. I think most of the bags out there right now have sort of a light plastic glaze. I was worried about that because I thought it wouldn't protect the bag from marks. This Emilie Sloan Anna has a much more rubbery texture, which is exactly what I was looking for. I really wanted something durable. I got this discontinued print at Marshalls. I added the two small charms to the zipper pull: a mini pearl and a small bright green bead because I wanted to personalize it a little bit.

I've been carrying this bag with me for about 2 weeks now and it's holding up great. Now I have the tools I need when I'm on the go. Success!


* I do not have a relationship with the manufacturers of any of the products mentioned in this post, nor was I compensated for my review.

Adore-a-Ball

I know there are lots of other bloggers out there who are devoted to Essie nail polish. For quite some time, I've wanted to try it. Every time I spot their display at Target, I marvel at all of the beautiful shades of light pink. I recently had a coupon for a few dollars off a beauty item over $5 - and because I didn't desperately need anything else, I decided this was the time. I agonized over which shade of light pink would be just right for me. Nothing peachy, because my skin is too pale. Nothing to bright, because I figured something more neutral would show fewer (inevitable) chips. I selected Adore-a-Ball.

Here's a photo of my nails and the polish after the manicure on Sunday afternoon. I did two coats, no base or top - I'm just too impatient for that many steps!

Now, five days later, things are still going well. Chipping has been minimal, and I don't think it's especially noticeable:

Up closer, obviously, it's easier to see, but I'm not too worried about people being much closer than this during everyday social and work situations. If I had some kind of big event tonight, I'd definitely need to redo them! While this look might require more maintenance than my standard clear polish, so far it's been worth it!

Hit the Jackpot!

Last weekend, I went to the mall. Though I used to spend a lot of time at the mall in my younger years (given that I live about 15 minutes from both the first mall ever and the biggest mall in the USA), I've gotten out of the habit. But, this time, I went to the mall armed with a Bath and Body Works Coupon. I love their stuff! I like good-smelling bath products and the quality is great for the price. When I go in there with a coupon, it gets dangerous!

This is my first go with each of these scents and I can't wait to try them out. It'll be a good smelling shower for at least the rest of 2012!

I also went to JC Penney for the first time since they re-tooled their image and took on Ellen as a spokesperson. While I know the Ellen piece was the big news in the media, for me, the changing of their pricing structure was huge. I have been a loyal shopper there for a long time - they have good clothes for work. Because of my habit of shopping there, they (used to) constantly send coupons. I scored a lot of SUPER deals over the years when combining coupons and sales. Now they have their "best price" thing, which I don't entirely understand. But, I got a t-shirt for $6, an off-season sparkly sweater for $9, and this sweet little necklace for $4!

I definitely hit the jackpot!

I'm in love...

... because I just found the right shade of nail polish! When I was growing up, I very rarely painted my nails. When I was in graduate school, I decided I wanted my toenails to be cherry red all year long. So, they were. But, I ultimately gave up on this when I was visiting my cousin in Tucson in the summer of 2009 and she took me to get a pedicure. I had never had one before, and I picked out sort of a pale pink color to try something different. After that, I was hooked and spent about 2 years trotting in for another pedicure every 6 to 8 weeks (with a clip at home in between to remain manageable). The trouble was, it can get expensive, and if you have sensitive spots or other problems with your feet, it can be hard to explain exactly how your feet need to be taken care of each time you see a new nail tech. I suppose I could have decided to become a more loyal customer, but the last thing I need is another appointment in my schedule. So, I decided to go simple and do my own nails at home.
  I've been looking for just the right shade of pink. My skin is very, very fair and I was nervous about something with a "peach" undertone. I love using quick dry nail polish, especially on my feet, and I've recently tried out a few different choices in the New York Color quick dry formula (which costs less than $2 a bottle). The winner? Uptown!

Love it!

Getting ready for Ginny's Birthday

Last week, my dear friend Ginny had her birthday. She was so kind as to throw me a birthday party last year when I celebrated my golden birthday and it was the best! I decided I should try to reciprocate. (There'll be more about the party soon...) But, of course, before I could prepare the party, I had to make the present!

As I've mentioned, I am new to jewelry making. Ginny LOVES jewelry - in the past, she worked at Claire's and at a very nice jewelry store. She's my companion for those jewelry parties too. Ginny's favorite color is pink, and she wears a lot of it, so I knew I could do beads in shades of pink. I had some beads picked out and had the idea that I was going to make a necklace where the beads were charms dangling from a chain. Then, one evening, I was waiting around the office and was surfing the internet. I made my way to the Stella and Dot website just to browse. Ginny hosted the only Stella and Dot party I've ever been to, and I know she loves their style. I saw this gorgeous Madeline Pearl necklace:

When I saw this, I knew this was the style I wanted to emulate, and I figured that as long as I used eye pins (with a little loop on the end) instead of head pins (with a flat piece of metal on the end), I could do this style rather than what I'd been planning. I also thought that this would be a little less fragile. Since Ginny has three little ones at her house, I figured more secure was better! So, I started putting the beads together:

And then I put even more beads together...

Once I had all of the bead sections done, I just had to add the chain. I decided to make the chain long enough that it was to be doubled. I know Ginny loves to wear statement necklaces!

I also decided to make some earrings to match.

So, here's the set:

And here's a close up on the beads:

I also decided to get Ginny a tube of her very favorite lip gloss, Maybelline Berry Bella lip gloss:

It was so exciting to put this present together for Ginny. I knew she was going to love all of it!

For Love 21

I recently had the chance to stop by For Love 21. I'm not sure if this store exists outside the Mall of America, but it is the accessories collection of the retailer Forever 21. While their clothes aren't necessarily my style, I just can't resist their jewelry. It's so affordable, I can enjoy a little bit even if I know it will be out of style soon. I had quite the trip:

First, I'll start with this darling pink compact. I've been looking for a compact to keep in my drawer at work (for a quick check of my teeth or makeup). I think this one is simply perfect!

Mais oui! Paris, je t'aime! 

Next, there's the double stranded necklace. I've been looking for a long, double strand necklace to wear to work for quite some time. I wanted something with a little bit of shine, but not too much.

I think this combo of leaves and paisleys is perfect. A little interest, but a lot of subtlety.

And finally, the one that's just for fun. I found this darling little teapot necklace. They always seem to have the sweetest little pendants there. While I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to wear it with, I know I'll find something. It was too precious to pass up. 

The teapot actually has a little bit of bling (pink rhinestones) and a little floral design on it. I know they're tough to see in the photo, but I love them. 

I made it out of For Love 21 just a shade over budget - twelve dollars instead of the 10 I had planned on. But, I think it was worth every penny.

Daisy's New House

Late last year, I learned that a dear friend of mine, Daisy, was thinking of buying a house. After hearing horror stories about how long it can take would-be buyers to find a house they want, at a price they can afford, and then obtain financing (not to mention saving up a down payment beforehand), I didn't know how quickly Daisy would be able to make her dream come true. While she initially suggested a very reasonable time frame of six months, she actually found the right house, with the right financing, in about 6 weeks. Wow!! She closed just before the end of the year and moved in about 2 weeks later. Not long ago, I got to pay her a visit at her new place.
Naturally, I wanted to bring along a little something special. I had been thinking about it for quite some time and found her this great little collection:

At the back, you'll see the turquoise gift bag. I LOVE turquoise, and I happened to have this one already at home as I was putting the gift together. I think it really works with the orange. I also found the little black and white sign, by Anne Taintor, I think, just the day before my trip to Daisy's. What a treat. It made me laugh, and think of Daisy. It's a little square box that can either hang on the wall or sit upright on a bookshelf or desk. As for the keychain, I had this one in my present stash from a long time ago - intended for Daisy from the start. What better way to celebrate a new house key than to put it on a new keychain? And, in the back, the foaming Wild Honeysuckle Soap from B&BW. Daisy and I share a love of - and maybe a little bit of a compulsion about - their soap. I haven't had foaming stuff at my place, but every time I've tried it elsewhere, I've really enjoyed it.

On the appointed day, I went to Daisy's for my first visit. I'm so proud of her and excited for her as she sets up her new house. She opened the gift and she loved it. Success!

Christmas is over...

Well, it took me quite a bit of time, but eventually I finally got all of the Christmas decorations down. I always feel a little bit sad when they are packed up and put away, and my home is back to normal. This year, for some reason, I particularly noticed the very last change I had to make:

I went from this...

To this. Goodbye juniper and fir, hello pear and herbes de provence!