WICKED!

Finished reading Wicked by Gregory Maguire this weekend. IMPRESSIVE!

Bryce asked me to read it awhile ago, since it's one of his favorite books... I finally got around to starting it mid-September. Honestly, I'm more of a biography, memoir, history, non-fiction fan when it comes to books. The beginning was really difficult to grasp for me, because it seemed completely fantasy and I had a hard time getting past the word "dragon". I admit, there was a great handfuls of time where I was bored of it, when Maguire was introducing new environments and new characters. I was HOOKED when reading about the interactions with the main character, the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba.

Wicked is a parallel story to L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. You get to know Elphaba's story from before she was even born. Bratty baby to outcast at school, to political activist, mistress, Auntie... victim...

I seriously never had an interest in this book before, but am very glad I read it before ever seeing the Broadway play. I knew it was a tragedy, but never thought I would be emotionally attached. I was SO, SO wrong! In the end, I was reading without being able the put the book down, and kept thinking in my head, I wasn't going to get emotional. I kept thinking about all of Elphaba's story and could not help but CRY at the end of the book.

I HIGHLY recommend Wicked to anyone who hasn't read it. Again, I admit there were some bits that bore me to pieces, but when it all comes together you'll be taken aback.

After taking so long to read this book, I've started on a light-hearted quick read. Aqua Net Diaries by Jennifer Niven

ORGANIZED!

Today I used my Sunday to start organizing my make-up, nail stuff and a tiny bit of skincare.

I threw away a LOT of old items. Now I feel like I have to replenish! I also feel like I want some more eyeshadow palettes... I keep finding more items here and there. I even found a $20 bill in a purse, woohoo! Haha. I don't like the desk I own right now. I'm thinking of MAYBE painting it white. I'll get a white vanity if it makes more sense. Research.

Either later tonight or tomorrow I'll organize all my bath products, skincare and haircare. I initially dreaded it, but truly I did an organizational day for those products not terribly long ago, so it's really a matter of getting rid of the old and making room for the new! ;P Kidding aside, I do need to inventory my products so I use them before they're too old. And use them before I purchase more!

SAVINGS!

xox

Sephora Haul + Quick Opinions

I meant to write this two weeks ago...! I was home sick today, so I figure I should do something productive!

I'd read about Soap & Glory being a pretty good line that Target once carried, but now has been taken over to Sephora. For whatever reason I thought I'd be able to still get my hands on it at Target. So, I got organizational things, I still have yet to set up... ha. I went to Sephora and may have gotten a tiny bit carried away, BUT it was my birthday. ;)

Here ya' go:

Top right going clockwise: Soap & Glory: Clean Girls body wash, The Scrub of Your Life,
Super-Colour Sexy Mother Pucker plumping gloss, Heel Genius foot creme, Make Yourself Youthful eyecreme. Urban Decay's The Black Palette. Philosophy's birthday bubble bath. Stila's Stay All Day waterproof liquid eyeliner. Make Up For Ever's Aqua Eyes eyeliner. Last but not least, Benefit's They're Real! mascara.

Here's a peek inside The Black Palette.

Starting with the UD palette.... I've only tried Libertine and Jet. These colors are FABULOUS but definitely for the lady who wants dark, smoldering eyes. I suppose that's why it's called The Black Palette. The colors are extremely pigmented and rich. The first two times I used Libertine I had to blend in a lot of a highlight color just to balance the bold color. Less is more! Oops... But the colors are absolutely fabulous! Seriously though, if you love a smoky eye, this palette is heaven! I cannot wait to play with it more! :) Oh and the eyeliner 24/7 glide-on pencil.. NICE! It glides on extremely creamy. It has a good staying power. Since it's a travel size I can carry it around easily and touch up on my water line. (although, admittedly I rarely touch up anything, which I SHOULD)

I think I'm smitten with Soap & Glory.  I suppose I'm guilty for being a sucker for packaging. This is how I ended up getting grabby and impulsive, haha. I first tried the Mother Pucker plumping lipgloss. I normally don't like plumping glosses because they make my sensitive lips uneven, yuck haha. This gloss tingles like CRAZY, which I actually love! The only thing is, it didn't plump my lips. The gloss in itself is good quality. It's thick but not crudy, short-lasting, or messy. Very smooth and glossy. I'd repurchase even if I didn't see the plumping. The Heel Genius is wonderful! My feet feel softer. I think I've found pedicure foot in a tube (plus Ped Egg)! :) It's pretty light and leave a silky feel behind rather than sticky. I've noticed after the day after I use this creme, my hands are really soft, too!

My undereyes had felt sensitive in recent months. I figured it comes with aging, but I've not been taking care of that extremely sensitive area. I LITERALLY had flashes of my face with wrinkles when I'd be removing my raccoon markings at night. I could feel the tugging at my eyes. I've been using the eyecream for about a week now. It says AM and PM, but I just use in the PM before I go to bed. I lightly dab the TINIEST amount and I don't feel like I have the same sensitivity when I wash my face anymore! It's light and silky as well. I'll probably update on this eyecream after a month's use, too.

Clean Girls body wash smells so amazing! As do all the other products by Soap & Glory I've tried. Sephora says, "This body wash softens and soothes with its natural vanilla fruit, orchid extracts, and built-in moisturizing matrix.This body wash contains Mist You Madly's™ beautiful notes of bergamot, black currant, magnolia, freesia, vanilla, and musk." My skin feels incredibly soft after my showers when using this body wash. But it also gives me that squeaky clean I LOVE. I don't know how it does it, but it's super cleansing and moisturizing at once. I normally feel moisturizing body washes leave residue. Not this baby. ;)


I've yet to use the scrub...


I do like They're Real mascara... I don't know yet if it will be repurchased, only because I've been realizing a lot of drug store brands are pretty great and comparable to higher end mascaras. 


xox

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

I have watched 50/50, 500 Days of Summer and Inception in the last 24 hours... Mmmm...

I really felt like trying out my blogger app on my iPhone. Ta-da!

SCENT Haul!

My friend, Andrea, let me know that Bath & Body Works has their 2 3-wick candle for $20 sale! The sales girl told me today was the end of the sale... but they typically have great sales. I went a little crazy! For the past year I've been in love with their candles. They last a long time and smell great. Here goes:

 Clockwise starting at top-left. Cinnamon Sugared Donut. It smells like sugary vanilla doughnut. I don't really smell much cinnamon, but it's super sweet and delicious smelling! The Halloween-themed candle was bought for Bryce, since he likes lime green and its scent is Spiced Cider. YUM! It smells just as it would seem. He loved cider, so I figure he'd enjoy that for his desk during the approaching fall months. Leaves. This is a limited edition scent that I've heard smells great, so I definitely had to get my hands on it. B&BW states: Autumnal notes of golden nectar, juicy mandarin and red delicious apple are paired with toasted cinnamon stick, mulled cider spices and freshly harvested red berries. This is accurate! When I first heard of the scent I didn't think I'd really enjoy it since I like sweet or clean smells. But this rich scent does really make you want to enjoy Autumn. Last but not least, Eucalyptus Spearmint. I think this is my ultimate new favorite scent. It's part of the stress relief line, and it smells CLEAN and FRESH. I think it slightly reminds me of Bumble and bumble's Thickening line, which I love, love, love. I'm excited to burn this before bed while I'm reading. Or while I'm in a bubble bath reading.

I then spotted the Wallflowers! They were mix-and-match 6 for $24. So, of course, I had to get that deal! They're wall plug-ins. At the moment they have a lot of fall-related plug-in decorations. I got two of Frosted Cupcake, because I love that scent, too. And own a couple of those candles. I plugged the raccoon in our bedroom, with the Leaves scent. We oftentimes leave our back sliding glass door (which is one of our bedroom walls, essentially) so I thought a nice breeze with the Leaves scent would be nice. We also have the Leaves candle burning. I plugged the flower Wallflower with Frosted Cupcake in the bathroom.

I bought Bryce this Wallflower plug-in, since he loves lime green and bats. So that has Cinnamon Sugared Donut in it. And he has his Spiced Cider candle burning on his desk.

As I was checking out I heard a girl ask about this line...

Paris Amour! I tested the lotion on my hand when my lady was packing up my first goodie haul. I reeeeally liked it instantly! It smells light, sweet and feminine. It claims white tulips and pink champagne. The lady said it was a continuation (??) of Japanese Cherry Blossoms, which is the scent I use as our air freshener in the bathroom, haha. But I guess I'll be using this now! The sale was buy 3 get 2 for free. I'll give my sister a lotion and glitter mist.


On my way out of the Galleria, I wanted to smell Betsey Johnson's new Too Too perfume that came out this week. I LOVE IT! I couldn't justify spending much more money, so I just got the rollerball.

Quoted from BJ's website, this new perfume smells like... The vibrant scent is comprised of sweet passion fruit, sparkling mandarin, ginger, and strawberry leaves spun together with an underlying delicate pink musk that suggests femininity and warmth. To round it out, jasmine, Bulgarian rose, patchouli, sandalwood, and vanilla add just the right touch of radiance.

Mini EOS Lip Balm "haul"

I can't resist these little nuggets of goodness!!!!

Who could for only $3.79?! They last so long and make your lips smooth and smell derricious! :)

I need to get to reading Wicked or Bryce may kill me. Or break up with me.

xox

SKINSONIC HAS ARRIVED!

I waited and waited for my new best friend. It had turned out that it was waiting in my leasing office. Apparently you have to just check every day if it's not certified mail. WHATEVER! Worth the wait!

I bought my Sirius Skin Sonic on their site HERE. I paid $49.95. No tax. No shipping. It comes with 5 different heads. "Normal brush" "Sensitive Brush" "Hydration Applicator" "Exfoliation Applicator" and "Massage Applicator"

Applying facial cleanser on brush or on directly onto your skin. I choose my brush. Using circular motions,  spend 20 seconds on forehead, 10 seconds on each cheek, 10 seconds on your nose area, 10 seconds on your chin. I add 5-10 seconds on my lips, too.

First, I tried the normal head, because I figured I could take it on... I'm no wuss. So, I learned that the normal is definitely someone with less sensitive skin than mine. Ha. It just felt like an extreme exfoliation. Which, I honestly think I'll be using two times a week and just using this head instead of even bothering with an exfoliator. This gets a super deep cleanse and I can tell my pores get cleaned out!

The second day I used the sensitive head. It was perfect. I used this for a couple days.

I had been SO impressed with the results that I took it upon myself to test out the normal head again and really focus on my forehead area. The area I'm starting to get extremely conscious that I'm not 15 anymore. I haven't a clue what I was daydreaming about, but I must have spent at least 2 minutes on just my forehead! MISTAKE! My forehead burned at slight touch. I have been moisturizing the shit out of my forehead but I'm fairly certain I was too abrasive and buffed off a layer of skin, haha.

I like the hydration applicator, because I go to bed when moisturizer that feels like it's been penetrated in my skin, rather than sitting there and ready to be smeared off by my pillow. My face isn't wet and sticky after using my SkinSonic used in my moisturizing routine.

The massage applicator felt SO weird the first time I used it. I had so much tension in my face, specifically my jaw. I've been clenching my jaw a lot lately. 

I LOVE MY SKINSONIC!

I can feel how much smoother my face is. I am so shocked when I have manually washed my face before using my SkinSonic to remove the bulk of my makeup. BABY BOTTOM!