Mani Monday: Color Club Cherubic

I am in love with this Color Club's Holographic polish in the shade cherubic! I have been wanting a polish like this for a really long time and I'm so glad I found this one! It has a quick dry time and just has a really great look to it!

Be sure to scroll down to the end of this post for an exciting announcement!

The photos were taken inside, thanks to a lack of sunshine, so you don't quite get the full effect of the polish.

Have you tried any holographic nail polish? What did you think about it?

Are you ready for the exciting announcement????

I will be having a GIVEAWAY!

It will start tomorrow. I will have a post all about it up tomorrow, that will tell what the prize is and how to enter! 

That was an exciting announcement, right?

December Favorites

This month I had quite a few favorites, so let's just jump right on in!

Face Favorites:
This month a foundation made it's way on to my favorites list, simply because I have not been able to wear foundation lately, until I was introduced Loreal Youth Code Serum. With that being said, obviously the Youth Code Serum is one of my favorites this month. Revlon Color Stay foundation has been my go to foundation this month. I really like the coverage I get from it. Cover Girl CG Smoothers Tinted Mositurizer is also on my favorites list this month. I love using this when I'm in a hurry to get ready or when I only want very light coverage. I have also really been loving my Milani Illuminating face powder in Amber Nectar, gives a nice hint of color to my pale skin.

Eye Favorites: 
This month I have really stuck to a quick and natural looking eye. Staring off with Avon's eye shadow primer, review coming soon. Then I'll take my Milani shadow eyes in champagne toast and cover my lid. Then I've been using the crease shade out of the Wet n Wild Walking on Eggshells trio, for my crease shade. Then using Wet n Wild's single shadow in the shade brulee as my highlight color. Lastly I would use my TheBalm Mary-Lou Manizer to brighten up the inner corners of my eyes.

My favorite eye liner this month was my Sumita contrast eye pencil and my favorite mascara has been my Kiss i-Envy.

Lip Favorites:
My go to lip products this month have been my peppermint Baby Lips and my two Model Co Shine Ultra lip glosses.

Hair Favorites:
I had a couple of hair favorites this month. First up Not Your Mother's Smooth Moves, I can not get enough of this stuff! I have also been using Tresemme heat tamer spray when I flat iron my hair. I used to not use a heat protectant but I've been heat styling my hair a lot more lately so I thought I should start using one.

Other Favorites: 

My favorite fragrance this month has been Paris Amour from Bath & Body Works. It was an early Christmas gift from my friend :) I have also been loving my Vita Moist hand cream that I got from Avon. I have a few tubes scattered about the house, so there is one around when ever I need it.

What were your favorites this month?

Haul: Christmas Gifts

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I wanted to share with you the beauty related Christmas gifts that I received.

My wonderful husband got me some Not Your Mothers Smooth Moves and Kinky Moves. I love the smooth moves and I'm really excited to try out the Kinky Moves! He also got me six tubes of Baby Lips! I got two Quenched, two Peppermint and two Peach Kiss. He also got me a $20 gift card to Bath & Body Works!

What beauty related items did you get for Christmas?

Haul: Pure Ice (pic heavy)

As I mentioned in a previous post Pure Ice was nice enough to send me several samples of their nail polish. I wanted to share with you the shades that they sent me. I received a total of 13 polishes, six were from the 2012 Holiday Collection and seven were from their Runway Collection. I will have swatches of all 13 shades at the end of this post.

First up are the colors I received from the 2012 Holiday Collection (L-R): Five Some, Twinkle, Twist and Shout, Playtime, On His Saddle, Red Hot Mama

Play Time is a beautiful gold glitter polish with some red or copper colored glitter mixed in. When dry this looks like a matte polish, so if you want a shine, a top coat is necessary.

Contest: Pure Ice

Over the past month Pure Ice has sent me several samples of their polish and I am so very thankful to them for doing that:) In the last set of polishes they sent me there was a beautiful blue/turquoise color called On His Saddle from their 2012 Holiday Collection. There was also a really pretty silver color called Ruffled Sheets, a velour finish from their Runway Collection.

We have been having really cold and snow weather where I live over the last couple of weeks and that inspired my latest mani, Snowflakes!

I used Ruffled Sheets as my base color and used On His Saddle for the snowflakes. I used a toothpick to draw the designs on my nails.

I also used this design to enter a contest that Pure Ice is hosting. #NailBasel #PureIce

 This is another one of my entries, it was inspired by Christmas. I started off with Iced Merlot, a color that will be discontinued in 2013, as my base. Then I cut very thin pieces of tape and applied them to my nails and painted over them with Not Now, from the 2012 Holiday Collection. Made me think of wrapping paper.

For my final entry I used Ruffled Sheets as my base again. I used a makeup sponge to apply the color Twinkle, from the 2012 Holiday Collection. I have really been in to glitter polish lately and I just thought these two colors really complimented each other.

I have been awarded the Versitile Blogger Award!

I am surprised and very honored to have been nominated for the Versitile Blogger Award by Jasmine from Green eyed Monster! Thank you so much Jasmine!

As always with great honor comes great responsibility - and I have a few tasks to complete:

--Thank the Blogger which awarded you--Share 7 random facts about yourself
--Nominate 7 fellow bloggers
--Let the nominated bloggers know that they have been awarded
--Add the Versatile Blogger badge to your blog

Thank you so much Jasmine for nominating me for this award! If you have not already checked out her blog, you should! It's a great blog!.

Now 7 random facts about me:
1. I'm obsessed with nail polish.
2. I love to drive.
3. I have never lived alone.
4. I like country music.
5. I love to take pictures.
6. I like reality TV shows
7. I love the beach, I would move there if I could!

Ok now onto the bloggers that I would like to nominate:
1. K at A Thing of Beauty
2. Amber at Lipgloss and Flipflops
3. Silvana at Glitz Glam Budget
4. Miranda at Miranda's Makeup & More
5. Lisa at Ms. Prettyful Girl
6. Amy at OK, Amy
7. Aly at Wonderland Beauty

10 Days to Christmas Challenge: Day 1

I seen this fun little Christmas Challenge over at Beauty Obsessed and I had to join in :)

Day 1: Merry Christmas! Describe your day.

Merry Christmas to all my blog followers! I hope you have had a wonderful day!

My husband had to work today, so I just hung around the house watching Christmas movies that I had on the DVR. We will be having our Christmas get together with is family on Thursday.

What did you do for Christmas?

10 Days to Christmas Challenge: Day 2

I seen this fun little Christmas Challenge over at Beauty Obsessed and I had to join in :)

Day 2: Are you a last minute shopper

I usually shop all throughout the year for Christmas gifts. This year I was a wait till almost last minute shopper though LOL

Are you a last minute shopper?

10 Days to Christmas Challenge: Day 3

I seen this fun little Christmas Challenge over at Beauty Obsessed and I had to join in :)

Day 3: Favorite Christmas Character

I don't have a favorite Christmas character :/

10 Days to Christmas Challenge: Day 4

I seen this fun little Christmas Challenge over at Beauty Obsessed and I had to join in :)

Day 4: What I like about Christmas

First and foremost it's the day that my Lord and Savior was born! I like getting to spend time with our families. I enjoying getting to bake. Decorating the tree and our home. And the after Christmas sales ;)

What do you like about Christmas?

10 Days to Christmas Challenge: Day 5

I seen this fun little Christmas Challenge over at Beauty Obsessed and I had to join in :)

Day 5: Family Christmas Traditions

Since it's just me and my hubby in our household and his odd work schedule we don't really have any traditions. We just try to go see my family right before Christmas if he works on Christmas and then have a get together with is family after Christmas. 

What are your Family Christmas Traditions?

10 Days to Christmas Challenge: Day 6

I seen this fun little Christmas Challenge over at Beauty Obsessed and I had to join in :)

This year we decided to go with a small table top tree, mostly to try to keep our cats out of it LOL. I don't have a theme, it just has a mix of ornaments on it. There is one that my Hubby made for me, some that my Mom made me, a few that I made and some random ones I found at the store. It's topped with a silver glittery star.

Review: NYC Metro Quartet Eye Shadow

A few days ago I posted about my mini haul from the Dollar Tree, I have had some time to play around with the NYC Metro Quartet Eye Shadow, in the shade Riverside Park, that I purchased and wanted to share my thoughts on it.

I looked this product up on the NYC website and they describe this quad of three beautiful green shades and one cream colored highlight shade as a quad that will 'help you achieve that smoldering, sultry, smokey look'. Claims it has ultra silky texture, intense color rich shades, long lasting, goes on smoothly and evenly and that it's fragrance free.

All of the shades in this quad do have a slight hint of shimmer, but it does not appear to be all that noticeable once you have it on your eyes. The shadows are easy to work with and are very blend-able  I felt that these shadows did have a silky texture to them and they were not powdery or chalky. The colors are also build-able  which is good because the lightest green shade is not all that pigmented when you put it on your eye. I think that you definitely need a primer when using these shadows to get the best color payoff. I've worn these shadows a few times since I purchased them and have not had a problem with them creasing and they do seem to be long lasting.

I like that it was super affordable costing only $1 at the Dollar Tree, but it's also a shade that is discontinued from the NYC core line. The Metro Quartets are still available from NYC, but in different shades, and retail for $3.99.

Have you tried any of the NYC Metro Quartets or any of their other shadows? What did you think about them?

The look I created using the NYC Metro Quartet in Riverside Park

 Hopefully you can tell in this photo that primer is a plus when using these shadows.

 A closer look at the Metro Quartet in Riverside Park

10 Days to Christmas Challenge: Day 7

I seen this fun little Christmas Challenge over at Beauty Obsessed and I had to join in :)

Day 7: Favorite Christmas Scent.

I love the smell of live Christmas trees! One year my husband help out on a tree farm and he would always come home smelling like the trees! 

Review: Lulu Organics Lavender + Clary Sage Hair Powder

I received a sample of the Lulu Organics Lavender + Clary Sage Hair Powder in my November BirchBox. I have never had the best of luck with dry shampoos, and Lulu's was no exception.

Lulu Organics Lavender + Clary Sage Hair Powder is organic and made of organic corn starch, rice powder, white clay and pure essential oils. It is talc free, unlike most dry shampoos. The description on Birchbox says it's a sweet smelling powder that helps you achieve the look of just washed hair, no matter how long it's been since your last shampoo.

To use Lulu Organics Lavender + Clary Sage Hair Powder you sprinkle a quarter size amount in to you hands and rub them together until a thin coat is covering both palms. Work through roots, then use a brush to evenly distribute the powder.

My experience with this product was pretty much a fail. It did take away a little bit of the greasiness, but I felt like I had to apply twice the amount that you are supposed to, to even get the slightest result. The smell to me was very unpleasant, it is sweet smelling, but in my opinion it's too sweet. It seems to take a while for the scent to die down. Left my hair looking grayish-white because of the residue that was left behind.

I wish a company would make a brown colored dry shampoo for all us brunettes! Maybe I would have better results with a product like that and I also think I would rather have it in a spray form, might be easier to work with.

If you are interested in purchasing Lulu Organics Lavender + Clary Sage Hair Powder you can get it at Birchbox or from Lulu Organics. It retails for $30 for 4oz.

Have you tried Lulu Organics Lavender + Clary Sage Hair Powder or any other dry shampoo? What were your results?

Quality: 3/5

Value: 2/5

Packaging: 3/5

Overall Rating: 8/15

10 Days To Christmas Challenge: Days 10, 9 and 8

I seen this fun little Christmas Challenge over at Beauty Obsessed and I had to join in :)

I'm gonna do Days 10, 9 and 8 so I'll be caught up

Day 10: Five Favorite Christmas Songs

1. Silver Bells

2. Silent Night

3. Jingle Bell Rock

4. Away in a Manger

5. Come All Ye Faithful

Day 9: Your earliest Christmas Memory

Honestly the first Christmas memory for me was when I was probably like 8 or 9, I was so excited because my parents had bought me a bike for Christmas.

Day 8: Top 3 favorite Christmas movies

1.My most favorite Christmas movie is The Polar Express, I will seriously watch it every time it comes on.

2. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (has Brooke Burns in it)

3. Undercover Christmas (Lifetime Movie)

If you decide to do this tag, let me know. I'd love to come check out your answers!

Mani Monday: Pure Ice

I was out doing some Christmas shopping the other week and walked by the Pure Ice display in Walmart and seen Not Now and My Wonderland, they are part of the 2012 Holiday Collection. I thought to myself, these would look good paired together, so I picked them up. I was not disappointed!

I started with two coats of Not Now which is a beautiful dark green metallic color and topped that with one coat of My Wonderland which is a dark green with a hint of teal glitter polish. LOVE it! I think this is a great nail look for the holidays!

Mini CVS Haul

I checked out the clearance sale that CVS is having the other day and picked up a few items. My CVS did not have a ton of things on clearance like I thought they would.

I got one of the Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kolor polishes in the shade One Big Happy Fame-ily. Love this color, it's a light lavender color with some silver shimmer.

I also picked up a couple single Wet n Wild eye shadow singles. They were marked 50% off. I picked up one that I've heard a lot about, Brulee and one that I've not heard anything about, Golddigger. I've not got the chance to try these out yet.

Did you pick up any goodies at the CVS sale?

How Much Is My Face Worth?

This is another tag type post that I have seen on some blogs before and I thought it would be fun to do. Basically you do your make up, list all the items that you used with the prices, and add them all up and that is how much your face is worth!

Today I used the following products on my face:
Loreal Youth Code Serum (Yep, could not live without it LOL) $19.97
Olay Complete Moisturizer $9.47
Avon Extra Lasting Foundation $12.50
Avon Eyeshadow Primer $3.99
Milani Shadow Eyez Shadow Pencil $6.99
Milani Runway Eyes Shadow #15 Golden Touch $6.99
Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Liner $7.49
Milani Total Lash Cover Mascara $4.99
Milani Crystal Gloss for Lips $4.99
Milani Illuminating Face Powder $8.99
Grand Total: $86.37

It amazed me that my face was worth that much! How much is your face worth?

Holly Jolly Christmas Tag

Seen this tag floating around some blogs thought it would be fun to do. I love tags! Let me know if you do this tag as well I'd love to come see your answers!

1. Do you start your Christmas shopping on Black Friday or wait until the last minute?
Honestly, I shop all year long. I tend to buy things right after Christmas to give as gifts the following year.

2. If you could be in any Christmas movie what would it be?
Oh  my goodness that is a hard one!

3. Which do you like better: Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
I like them both! With my husbands job some years he has to work both of those days so we don't get to celebrate till a day or so later.

4. When does your family put up your Christmas tree and who decorates it?
I try to put it up on Thanksgiving or the day after. I am usually the one that decorates it.

5. White lights or colored lights?
Colored all the way. White is just too boring for me.

6. Are you guilty of peeking at your presents or do you like the surprise?
I like the surprise, plus my hubby hides my gifts at his parents house so I can't peek LOL

7. Would you rather live in a gingerbread house or in Santa's Workshop? 
Santa's Workshop, just sounds fun.

8. Tell us your Christmas Eve traditions!
It's really hard for my husband and I to have Christmas Eve traditions since some years he works on Christmas Eve and some years he does not.

9. If you could be under the mistletoe with anyone who would it be?
My Husband of course :)

10. What tops your tree?
A very glittery silver star

11. Can you name the 12 days of Christmas?
Oh my, lets see, 12 Drummers, Drumming, 9 Ladies leaping. Umm No LOL

12. Have you ever gone Christmas caroling?
Nope.

13. Do you countdown to Christmas? If so, how many days are left?
No I do not count down.

14. What are some foods and treats you can count on having every holiday season?
Deviled eggs and other snack/finger foods. We don't cook a huge meal for Christmas. I will be attempting to make my very first cheese ball this year!

15. How has Christmas kept its magic for you as you've grown older?
I don't know that Christmas has ever been magical for me. I just know that it was the day my Lord and Savior was born and that's what means the most to me.

16. Are you on the Naughty list or the Nice list?
Always the nice list

17. Have you ever had a White Christmas?
I know at least once maybe twice.

18. Where do you usually spend your holiday?
It depends on if my husband works or not. If he is off we sometimes stay home for Christmas other times we will go visit my Parents. If he works we usually try to go see my family a week or so before Christmas then spend the day after Christmas at home.

19. Play or Sing your favorite Christmas Song!
Both

20. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Nope LOL

21. Is your Christmas tree real or fake?
Fake

22. Hands down, what's your all-time favorite holiday food and holiday sweet treat?
I don't really have an all-time favorite, I like it all :)

23. Be Honest: do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?
With out a doubt giving, I'm a giver!

24. Are you a pro-present wrapper, or do you fail miserably? 
I would not say I'm a pro at it, but I think I do a good job. I love wrapping gifts :)

25. Do you make New Years Resolutions? Do you stick to them? 
I always say I'm gonna do such and such after the new year, but it never happens

26. What makes the Holidays special for you?
Being with family.

Birchbox Haul

Since I cancelled my subscription to Birchbox I thought I would spend my points that I had accumulated for reviewing products that I had received in my boxes. If you are not familiar with the point system at Birchbox, for each product that your review you get 10 points, once you reach 100 points, your points turn in $10 that you can use to buy products on the Birchbox website.

I'm really happy with the products that I purchased and was super happy about how the length of time it took for my order to get to me. I placed my order on December 4th and it was in my mailbox on the 7th! I am a little disappointed with two things though. First thing, one of the products that I ordered came with a huge white sticker on it, and when I tried to pull it off it left a mess on the product. The 2nd thing is I had a total of 310 points that was worth $30, my order was only $24. I thought I would have either $6 left to spend at a later date or 70 points left, that was not the case. I have a total of 10 points left.

Anywho, on to the products that I bought. I loved the Model Co Shine Ultra Lip Gloss that I received in my box so much that I want to have another one, so I got one in the shade Strip Tease. It's a beautiful nude colored gloss. This is the product that came with the big sticker on it, luckily it was not on the mirror. This gloss retails for $16

The other product I bought was a Color Club nail polish. It's one of the Holographic Collection polishes, I got mine in the shade Cherubic. Love it! This polish retails for $8