Sephora/Ulta Haul

Time for my next Sephora and Ulta haul!! Until last week, I was an Ulta virgin but now I can really understand what the hype is about. It's a Sephora and department store makeup section combined in one nice, neat, well-organized location *dreamy sigh*


First, from Sephora (and I guess it's not really a "haul" because I only got one thing and the rest were samples):


I received a sample of the Amazing Cosmetics "Amazing Concealer" from my last Sephora order. I know why it's called "Amazing Concealer". It honestly covers everything. Dark cirles? covered. Acne Scars? nope! I have olive skin and the medium beige worked well for me.

Amazing Concealer (Medium Beige)

Next.. a I got a sample of the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum. I had used this a few times in the past and I love it!! I used to just use it in the morning but I've been putting it on after using my PTR Max Correcting Pads

Ole Henrickson Truth Serum

I also received a sample of the Givenchy Photo Perfexion foundation - so, one thing you have to know about me is that I am not really a foundation type of girl. I just never feel like I put it on right, I'm always worried about the dreaded "line" on your face and not to mention most foundations make my face look cakey. I've always used Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer (in sand) but I fell in love with Givenchy's foundation..which kinda sucks because it's more expensive than LM. Sigh. This foundation goes on smooth and light. No cake-face!

Givenchy Photo Perfexion - Praline

 Time for my Ulta buys: 


I've been dealing with some cystic acne lately, mostly on my jawline and around my nose. I feel very fortunate that growing up and through my teen years I was blessed with good skin, however I feel like my good fortune back then is kicking me in the butt now. I didn't even know what cystic acne was until I read about another blogger raving about this product. After a few months of painful spots (and a few scars..ugh) I decided to buy this buffering lotion. This lotion is really runny, and smells like getting your ears pierced (strange, I know) but it does help...so far no breakouts! I don't use this every night, maybe every other night or so. 

Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion

Urban Decay eyelid primer...one of the holy grail items of many bloggers and eyeshadow lovers. I was noticing my eyeshadow creasing pretty badly throughout the day so I went ahead and bought this. I do like it a lot, and can see why everyone else does too. I read that this product is Urban Decay's best seller.  

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer

*all photos by www.Sephora.com*

TGIF!

I took today off work, and it feels GREAT! It is storming pretty bad in the midwest, which (IMO) are the best days to be off work, lay around, read, catch up on shows and just be a bit lazy. However, instead of being lazy I am trying to get some random things done so I am not scrambling all weekend. I need to hit the grocery store in the worst way. Also, a friend of mine at work sent me some delicious-sounding vegetarian recipes so I think I will try one of them out tonight. I also found a recipe online from a website I just stumbled upon for chickpea chocolate chip cookies...hmmm. I am going to try them out and if they're good I will link the recipes.

Also, I started a new workout program on Sunday! I mentioned in a previous post that I was doing a hybrid of P90X/Insanity. Both are very challenging, but since I had seriously been doing them since January of 2010 I was BORED with the workouts (again, still challenging) I just needed to change things up a bit. I started doing another Beachbody program called ChaLEAN Extreme, which focuses on using the heaviest weights you can handle and only doing 12 reps. Muscle burns fat, so I'm hoping that I can get off of this plateau I've been on for what seems like years. Honestly, I do like the workouts but since my calorie burn isn't as high I'm a bit nervous about weighing myself. I'll report back as I get into the program a bit more.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Product RAVE!

I wanted to do a quick post about a couple of newly-purchased beauty products I love. First, as mentioned in an earlier post I bought the PTR Max Correcting Pads. I love them!!! I truly feel like my face is more clear and bright. Score!

image from sephora.com 

Second item I bought on a whim after reading about it on some blogs. It is Maybelline's Dream Bouncy Blush (in Peach Satin). Everyone commented on the texture - it's not a powder, but it isn't a liquid. It's almost like a silly putty consistency. Weird, but fun. It goes on really light - I personally like this, while others found it to be frustrating. I also apply this with my fingers, you can use a brush but IMO that would be more difficult. 

image from Maybelline.com 

Happy (Belated) Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and romantic day! The H and I went to see "The Vow". I was surprised my husband would want to see such a sappy "chick" movie but he said he enjoyed it too (I am guessing his slight crush on Rachel McAdams had something to do with that). I didn't realize it was based on a true story, which made the move even better. I guess that's the true test of love..if given the chance, and if your memories of that person all of a sudden went away - would you fall in love with the same person all over again?

"The Vow" offical trailer - YouTube

Sephora Haul

I could spend hours in a Sephora store..wait, let me re-phrase..I HAVE spent hours in a Sephora store. I am mesmerized by the rows of lip gloss, mascaras, skin care products - so much to try yet limited amount of money. Lately, my focus has been searching for the ideal skin care products. Being in my *ahem* 30's I really need to make sure I am taking the best care of my face to avoid wrinkles, sun spots and whatever else genetics and mother nature throw my way. The skin concerns I have been dealing with is just tired, dull looking skin, hyper-pigmentation and a few scars.
After reading a blog post about Peter Thomas Roth Max Correcting Pads, I decied to log into my beloved Sephora to check out the product and read some reviews myself. The PTR pads received rave reviews, so why not? I have nothing to lose at this point. While I was browsing online, I dropped a few other things in my cart as well.


I did start using the PTR face pads a couple nights ago. So far, so good... if you buy these make sure you cut the pads in half. I read that tip online and using 1/2 a pad is plenty for your face. The pros are that it smells good, and you can definitely feel it working. How, you ask? Because it burns like hell which to some would be a con. However, as my friend Amber says "I like when (a product) feels like it's peeling my skin off because that's how you know it's working"  I have to say, I noticed a slight difference in skin tone the next morning - my face felt smoother, pores were less crater-like. I'm anxious to use this for a while longer to see what it does.

Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads

I am already addicted to Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer, so when I was looking for a new primer this seemed like the obvious choice. So far, I LOVE it! It does give your face a 'radiant' glow.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Radiance 

 As I mentioned in a previous post, we are going to France soon! I'm so excited, so naturally I have a love for anything French. This perfume by Clean is no exception. Clean Provence smells so lovely, I can't even describe the scent - clean (of course) with a sweet candy-ish or citrusy hint to it.

Clean Provence 

I love Josie Maran's line. I think her products are a reflection of her; natural and beautiful. In my opinion, this is the best argan oil out there. I tried the Moroccan oil, but the smell really gets to me. I use the JM argan oil on my face, hair, hands, places that tend to get dry such as knees or elbows.

Josie Maran Argan Oil

 The Clarins product was a sample I received with my purchase, and so far I am pleasantly surprised. The cleanser has a orange scent, and the exfoliating beads aren't too harsh on your skin.

Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliator 

all photos from www.sephora.comI love hearing about what products other people are using, so please share your thoughts with me!


I hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

i heart West Elm

My latest obsession is anything from West Elm. I love the styles, colors and just the clean lines in most of their products. I've been on a rampage of trying to redo the interior of our house which isn't an easy task since it seems like everything is outdated. I am working on this by taking baby steps, which is frustrating but also fun at the same time. I just wanted to do a quick post with a few small items I just purchased from them.

White lacquered tray and toothbrush/paste holder 

Recycled fabric bath mat in Slate

Surprise Presents for Me? Yes, Please!

Last Monday I received a call from our secretary at work that I had a package at the front desk. A package? Hmmm. I hadn't ordered anything, but I always have a sliver of hope that it could be a gift. Not sure why, no one has ever sent me a gift at work, but I guess that is the optimistic side of me. I eagerly walk to the reception desk and see an Amazon box for me. Perplexed, I go back to my desk and practically rip it open to find a French phrase book and Rosetta Stone, level one French looking back up at me! YIPEE! But who would have done such a wonderful, generous thing? Let me stop here and explain that the H and I are traveling to France this year with another couple, and I know about 8 words in French; thank you, yes, beef, pen, swimming  pool, hello, goodbye and butter. Anyway, I digress.. the gift was from my wonderful, thoughtful, amazing friend, Brian who is working in Afghanistan for the next year. So nice, right?! So, this weekend I am going to get my French-on and the H and I will be studying away.

Merci, Brian! 

Wait...that's not all I received on Monday! I came home to find ANOTHER gift on our kitchen island. From The Limited! For those of you who don't know me, I love the Limited with all of my heart and soul. Their clothes always fit me great, they are true to size and the customer service I receive in the store is always superb. I have gotten to know them by name since I make frequent visits during my lunch hour (who says power shopping isn't a sport?)

Anyway, back to my gift... I opened the box to find a lovely necklace, and a coupon for 30% off my next order, just as a "thank you" for being a customer. This is what I am talking about..Thanks, Limited!