HALLOWEEN 2011

I'm about two months late on posting these but I thought I would go ahead and share them since I'm on a blog frenzy this month. These were our Halloween pictures from this year. According to Jason, who is pictured in the first few photos, he was a "Zombie Werewolf" and Josh, who is pictured in the last few photos, he was a "Scarecrow". Anyway, it was great fun and they scared quite a few adults as well as some teenagers so they considered it a great success. 

SEPHORA: Friends & Family 20% sale

Yesterday was not a good day for Sephora and here is why. Typically Sephora offers their Friends and Family 20% discount sale to everyone and you are allowed to use it for multiple purchases. However, this time the 20% is only offered by entering your e-mail address here. People, and by people I am including myself, are not happy about this. The code is only good for online orders and you can only use it one time and that is all. If you have more than one e-mail address you can sign up a total of five times for the special promo code. Seriously though, who wants to go through all that. Just give me my code and let me use it multiple times or even place an order limit on it. Geesh! Maybe Sephora will offer a special in-store promo, but for right now, people are not happy. 

Sales starts today, October 20th and last until November 2nd. 

Don't forget! For those that like to save even more, sign up for an Ebates account here and at this time you will earn 4% cash back on all of your Sephora purchases. Like the program so much that you want to refer your friends then you will earn an additional $5 for every referral. So basically you are getting paid to shop!

That is such a SWEET♥ deal! 

I'M A JULEP MAVEN

Several months ago I received an invitation to sign up for this program and I am so glad that I did. Each month I know that I am receiving the latest nail polish colors that are sure to be the "Hottest" and "Must-Have" polishes for the season. The best part is that each selection will compliment my unique look which is determined by my Style Profile. If it all sounds a little confusing, just keep reading, cause it is really quite simple...

(Please note: The following information was copied from the Julep website).

Being a Maven, gives you exclusive access to COLOR

You get it first, and YOU decide how often you want to receive your beauty editor Sneak Peek Box

You receive over $40 worth of trendsetting polish colors and cutting-edge treatment products each month customized in a gift-able Sneak Peek Box

Each Sneak Peek Box features new, never before released colors and treatments FIRST to you, before anyone else

Your box also includes hits and cult favorites - the products we like to keep on the top of editors' minds


20% off all julep.com purchases

FREE shipping on ALL your purchases

Each box also comes with a surprise and delight element- something to look forward to!

Receive additional membership perks throughout the year.

How do you become a JULEP Nail Maven:

Becoming a Julep Maven is easy, quick, and fun!

1. Take the Julep Maven Style Quiz

2. View your Style Profile and personal beauty editor Sneak Peek Box

3. Create a Login

4. Place your Order

5. Now YOU are a Julep Maven!

Why, what to expect, and how does it work???

The process will only take a moment of your time and membership is hassle-free and risk-free with no commitment. Simply take our Julep Maven Style Quiz to tell us more about yourself and we’ll determine which style of magazine editor you most resemble. You will instantly view your Style Profile and your customized beauty editor Sneak Peek Box that contains personally selected products that best compliment your unique look. All there is left to do is simply create a login and place your order - we’ll take care of the rest! We’ll put together and send out your first exclusive, personally customized, Julep Maven Sneak Peek Box in the mail.

Which magazine beauty editor's style are you most like? Take our Julep Maven Style Quiz to find out! Click Here

When we launch new products, we start out by creating beautiful sneak peek sets to send out to the top beauty editors and celebrity trendsetters across the country for their consideration and review. And our girlfriends are always asking to sneak them an extra set.

Take the Style Quiz →

Now they can - and so can you. We launched our new Julep Maven program to give all of our girlfriends access to the beauty editor Sneak Peek Box we create every month. As a Julep Maven, you will have access to the hottest trends in nail color and the latest Mani Care and Pedi Care products - delivered right to your doorstep, just like the beauty editors do. And you'll have access to these trends and products before anyone else.

We know that tailoring and customizing each editor delivery is critical to gaining her attention and enthusiasm, so every Sneak Peek Box we send you will be tailored to your needs and preferences. Just take our fun and easy Julep Maven Style Quiz to help us understand your style profile.

Then each month, we'll send you an email to let you know what we've curated for you in your customized beauty editor Sneak Peek Box. If you don't like what you see, you can request another "shelf pull."

Or choose to send your Sneak Peek Box to a girlfriend as a gift - every month's set comes beautifully packaged and ready to gift.

Welcome to VIP treatment - because your opinion matters to us. YOU are our favorite beauty editor!

Which magazine beauty editor's style are you most like? Take our Julep Maven Style Quiz to find out! Click Here

So now that you've had a chance to read over everything, it sounds pretty cool doesn't it! Another great thing about this program is that it doesn't cost as much as those other monthly programs that charge you anywhere from $30-$50 a month. At this time the program costs only 19.99 a month and you can always opt out for the monthly shipment and you will not be charged for anything. Or if you find that the program is not a good fit for you, then you can cancel at any time.

Check back for more updates when I post my monthly Julep Maven Sneak Peek Boxes! ♥♥♥

PERFECT FALL NAIL COLOR - Estee Lauder Metallic Sage

Turn your fingertips into fashion statements with a wardrobe of sensational shades to add definition, polish, and style to your fingertips.

Designed by Tom Pecheux, world-renowned makeup artist and Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director.

Tom combined today's top trends with timeless classics-all the colors he prefers for photo shoots and fashion shows.

THE PURE COLOR COLLECTION
The new vision in color for eyes, lips and nails, as seen through the eyes of Tom Pecheux,
Creative Makeup Director. Transforming ordinary color and making it extraordinary.

Formulated with True Vision™ technology to transform ordinary color and make it extraordinary.

• Rich, glossy with an intense, mirror-like high shine.
• Fast-drying. Long-wearing.
• High-pigment, high- impact brilliance in 3 effects: creme, pearl and shimmer.
• True Vision™ technology takes ordinary color and makes it extraordinary.

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I first heard about this polish on Twitter from a user named Vanessa. She has a wonderful sense of style and is always spot-on with the latest trends or fashion favs. You can definitely count her as a Fashionista who knows what the next "must have" item is going to be! Her Twitter name is: @Vaneluvs2shop and you should definitely follow her!

I bought this polish at the Belk Department store located in the SouthPark Mall, in Charlotte, NC. Normally I would go to my local Belk at the Northlake Mall by my house but this collection was only available at the larger retail department stores. So I called ahead to make sure that it was still available and I was lucky enough to snag a bottle of this polish.
When I first saw this color it reminded me of a Liz Claiborne purse that I had when I was younger. I loved that bag! It was the same metallic green shade as this polish and I carried that bag everywhere! So I was definitely excited to get my hands on this polish. Not only because it brought back so many fond memories from my past, but also it is an excellent nail polish color for the Fall. The mini micro flecks of gold and pink glitter in this polish give off the effect of leaves changing colors, if that makes sense? LOL

If you have the opportunity to purchase this polish, I think it was about $19, then I would definitely pick up a bottle. It is such a beautiful, gorgeous, mossy green color with hidden flecks of sparkle and shine that make this a very unique color to have for your collection.     
 
Anyway, check back for more nail polish pics and my full review!

SEPHORA 2011 FRIENDS & FAMILY: Wishlists and Survival Skills

So the word on Twitter is that Sephora is having their "Friends and Family Sale" starting Thursday, October 20th and it will last until November 2nd. Typically Sephora offers 20% off everything in store and on their website with little to no exclusions. If you've never shopped a Sephora Friends and Family sale before, then you really should keep reading...

Start by visiting your local Sephora store and make a list of the products that you know you want to buy. Then check the Sephora website for those web-only exclusives that might garner you a better deal than those found in the stores. Next, scour the web for reviews, swatches, videos, etc., for any of the products that you have on your list that you are wanting to try for the first time. It saves you time and heartache when you know ahead of time if the product is any good. But keep in mind that although it didn't work for one person someone else may have had more success with it.

Check to see if there are any combo sets or value sets that include any of the products that are on your list. This is a good way to try out a variety of products from the same brand without having to spend a lot of money. Another thing to remember is the more popular a product is, then it will likely sell out within the first day or so of the sale. So if there are any of those items on your list make sure that you purchase them immediately otherwise you might not get them.

Some of the items that I have on my wishlist include foundation primer, some nail polishes, a few makeup brushes, a couple of blushes, two highlight powders, and a couple of gift sets for my sisters. I might even try some Bobbi Brown products as well. I really like that brand but I find it to be a little more expensive than what I want to spend so this might be the perfect opportunity for me to pick up some of her products. One thing to keep in mind is that Sephora has an excellent return policy. So if you get caught up in the excitement and then later you have buyer's remorse, it is very easy to return the products to your local Sephora store.

GET YOUR SHOP ON... ♥♥♥

 

SALLY HANSEN: PRESTO PEWTER INSTA-DRI NAIL POLISH

Insta-Dri™ Fast Dry Nail Color

One Stroke. One Coat. Done.

Nail color covers in just one coat, brilliantly. The Perfectionist Brush™ contours to any nail, so color always glides on precisely, quickly, flawlessly. And, the exclusive Flexiglass Complex combines beautiful, brilliant shine and super strong wear. So simple, so Sally.

Application Tips

One coat, one stroke for quick and easy application.

Benefits

Dries in 60 seconds

One coat coverage

Instantly irresistible shades

No DBP, Toluene or Free Formaldehyde 

Presto Pewter Insta-Dri nail polish is part of Sally Hansen's Fall 2011 collection. I purchased the Presto Pewter nail polish at Walgreen's and it retails for approx. $4 to $5. The polish formula is really thick and has a really wide brush applicator. When I applied the polish to my nails it took only one coat but it was quite messy.
Final thoughts...the name "Presto Pewter" is a bit misleading because when I think Pewter, a darkened silver color comes to mind. However, this color is more of a silver gray with hints of bronz-y gold reflected in the polish if that makes sense. I guess it has to do with the shimmer and when the light hits the polish it reflects a multitude of colors. Overall I really like this color and it will definitely be a good Fall color to have in your collection. Check out my review of the "Ruby Rush" polish from this collection here.

5 hours only! Double points in awesome Smashbox rewards program

5 hours only! Double points in our awesome rewards program

Let's Do Lunch! Today's offer: Double Pretty Points 5 hours only! From noon to 5PM (ET) today, we're doubling your points for double the rewards! - For every $1 you spend, you'll earn 10 points (instead of 5); hit 500 points and we'll add a $10 rewards certificate to your account - Bonus deluxe sample with every order Offer begins 10/4/2011 at noon (ET) and ends 10/4/2011 at 5PM (ET).

Promotional offers and discounts may not be applied to the purchase of Smashbox.com e-gift cards. Offer applies to authorized purchases. Only authorized orders will be processed and shipped. We reserve the right to cancel any order due to unauthorized, altered or ineligible use of offer, and to modify or cancel this promotion due to system error or unforeseen problems.

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This is such a great deal and those Pretty Points can really add up quickly which translates into lots of rewards certificates!! I just placed an order and I can't wait to share it with you all! Lots of AWESOME freebies too!!! ♥♥♥