nail files fun: pink, pink, pink!

hey all. 

in honor of penelope's love for pink [or her momma's love for dressing her in pink] I have some uber-triple-pink nails this week... AND I'm linking up with Tara for the nail files... heck yes.

the inspiration...

the nails...

the polish(es):

from l-r: OPI-Suzi Sells Sushi by the Seashore * OPI: PRINCESSES RULE! * essie luxe effects: a cut above [from my birchbox a few months back!] one coat of the two OPIs on all nails and one coat of essie on my ring fingers!

so there you have it! 

and because you can never have too many pictures of sweet baby girls (especailly when they're extra smiley on friday mornings)....

wishes for a wonderful weekend from ms. penny and me!

sunday evening random rambles...

can this weekend not end? seriously. I can't believe it's Sunday night already... this weekend was just what I needed, nice and low-key relaxation with my love. DJ and I had a great dinner date at West Egg on Friday night [their PBJ burger = AMAZING. pimento cheese and tomato jam on a burger was even better than it sounds]. then we came home and relaxed with Ollie. Saturday was our errands day, we made our list and checked everything off - got the car washed, Ollie got a bath and manicure [and smells so good], did some grocery shopping and just relaxed. Today was even more relaxing - I cleaned for a bit and did loads of laundry and we watched some Big Bang and then [quazi] watched the Oscars... 

anyways, the lovely, sweet and adorable Sarah from A Lovely Little Life gave me a sweet blog award last week and I thought I'd play along tonight [and give her a shout-out of course - go check out her blog, she's awesome and is also pregnant with a little girl! :)]... 

so here are the questions that go along with the blog award.... 

What is your go to make up brand?

that's a tough one... my make-up case is full of all sorts of goodies [that I rarely wear, hah]. It used to be MAC through and through but I've branched out a bit. I've started loving Benefit, Smashbox and Too-Faced.

What was your favorite fashion trend of 2011?

real talk: I don't know that I can even name one fashion trend of 2011. 

seriously.

this is sad.

I guess need to start reading some more fashion blogs.

hah.

What is your favorite dessert?

just one? 

you can't be serious!?

I love all things dessert, I can't pick just one so here's a few...

creme brulee, french macaroons, key lime pie...

and...

CUPCAKES.

oh cupcakes. I love you.

What is your favorite color?

just one?

clearly, I'm very indecisive.

I guess red.

[though I love some pink, yellow and turquoise!]

What is your middle name?

well, it used to be Maria but now it's my maiden name... let's leave it at S. for the public blog purposes

The last song you listened to?

does the background music to the Oscars count?

last song played on my iPhone: Dani California by Red Hot Chili Peppers... 

random, but good song.

Dogs or cats?

[bull]dogs. duh!

Something you haven't told anyone (on your blog) yet?

let's see....

we're naming our daughter --

haha.... juuuuust kidding!

you'll find out in 11 weeks give or take... :)

but anyways, something not a lot of people know --

DJ is starting a new job this week!

it's bittersweet because he's been doing amazing work at his current [almost past] job for the past six months and he has become such a valued member of their team in such a short time... 

but the man is just too good.

I'm super proud of him as he's gotten recruited once again...

it was an offer and opportunity that he couldn't refuse and he starts his new gig on Thursday.

love you jiggs, thanks for all the hard work and sacrifices you make for sweet pea and me. 

88 lovie. you're the best.

in other news, I'm crying over Meryl Streep's Oscar acceptance speech.

damn pregnancy hormones.

on that note, time for bed... 

birchbox fun!

earlier this week I got my first Birchbox - I was so excited.  I just found out about Birchbox last month so here's the deal if you haven't heard of it:

I love trying new things and have makeup ADD so I love the concept of getting new samples to try every month, it's win-win for me!

first off, I love the packaging (which I promptly reused to send out whit's way belated birthday gift)...

then I opened it up and it was just like Christmas morning....

the goods...

•  Incoco Nail Polish Applique: looks really cool and if it was a different color I would have loved to try it out, but I didn't think the blue sparkles were very me so I passed it onto a coworker for her 12 year old daughter, I know she'll love it.
• Jouer Lip Enhancer: tried it out and I like it, it smells super yummy and I don't know if my lips are "enhanced" but they're nice and soft before I put my gloss on.
• LIV GRN C2C Fragrance in Earth: super clean and airy smelling, LOVE.
• Pangea Organics Facial Cream: nice and light and the lavender smell is great, I think I'll be using this as my nighttime moisturizer until the sample is done! 
• ...and a bonus this month: a birchbox friendship bracelet to celebrate their one year anniversary, it's delicate and adorable, I love it! 

all and all, a great birchbox success, 

I'm already counting down the days until next month!

set for summer...

I posted awhile back about Sephora's Set For Summer... well I had self-restraint for awhile but then last week I had to order DJ's Jack Black All-Over Wash [aka his favorite thing ever] and well, it's silly to order something online and not spend $50 to get free shipping [they don't sell the 33 oz size in stores] soooo... clearly I had to get something else and we all know what I chose...

let me just say, it did not disappoint.  The coral I'm Wired nailpolish is perfect for summer toes - and the small size is great because I wouldn't  use it often enough to need a large bottle.   The sugar lip treatment and mini-mascara are perfect for my purse and great quality! Also, I love the full size lipgloss and smashbox bronzer/eyeshadow!

Of course, I had to take some snapshots of the goodies when I got them... just lovely!

...and I then I proceeded to put them on [yup, all of them at like 10pm in my PJs just to play, and yes I tried one eyeshadow on each eye, haha] then I modeled them for DJ and told him what each product was [lucky guy!] while he attempted to watch the voice with Ollie... [see even Oliver thinks Carson sucks as a host, that's his "is this guy for real?!" face] 

anyways, back to the makeup - hurry over to sephora and snag one for yourself 
[frivolous purchase: yes, worth it: heck YES] 
$135 value for $39, can't beat it!

are you set for summer?

...I thought I was set for summer... 

...then I saw this...

Sephora's 10-piece collection of must-haves for a golden and glowing summer...

What it does: This complete collection, featuring two full-size and seven mini products, includes summer-perfect shades for the eyes, lips, nails, and face. It also includes a roomy, signature Sephora makeup bag for taking it all with you any time, whether you're just chilling poolside or you're dashing off for your next far-flung destination.

This set contains:

- 0.07 oz full-size Sephora Collection Mono Eyeshadow in Choco Excess 19 (dark chocolate with silver glitter)

- 0.13 oz Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights in Dusk

- 0.08 oz Too Faced Mini Peach Leopard Brightening & Perfecting Bronzer

- 0.125 oz Sephora by OPI nail colour in I'm Wired (opaque electric coral red)

- 0.08 oz Fresh Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment (sheer berry rose in pink case)

- 0.18 oz Guerlain L'Or Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold Make-Up Base

- 0.10 oz Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes! Mascara in Black

- 0.34 oz Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Make-Up Setting Spray

- 0.20 oz full-size Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Pop (cool pink)

- Sephora signature makeup bag

$135 value, only for $39!

come to mama... come to mama....

Target Tuesday [Link-up]

so DJ and I went to target last night to grab a few odds and ends and of course, I dragged him to the shoe department because I [desperately] need brown flats/sandals and low and behold I see this beautiful shoe begging me to try it on... [it looks nicer in person, the picture doesn't do it justice]

adorable, and only for $24.99

...so I try them on and I'm smitten and do you know what my impatient and cranky loving husband said - they're not brown, no. let's go. I tried the "they have brown in them angle" but he wasn't budging.  

I'm really sad because I don't have my own car or debit card to go back and get them when I'm alone.... 

oh wait... 

I DO. 

yeah buster, I'm going back for those shoes AND some brown flats/sandals. [hope you enjoyed that little glimpse into my marriage...] 

anyways, back to target... here are some other things I am loving on this glorious Target Tuesday...

this adorable smocked bodice dress, $24.99

quartz grey maxi dress, $20.00

bff, best boyfriend

if my husband doesn't start being nicer to me...

I just might buy them all... happy shopping puppies!

[juust kidding, DJ - I love you and our bank account, I won't buy everything.. just the shoes!] 

join in the fun and link-up with Tara @ fabulous but evil!

kiss and make-up...

{image via here}

I don't wear a lot of makeup but here are my essentials (you know, for when I decide I want to not burn peoples corneas and actually wear makeup....)

things I cannot live without (and should own stock in):

yummy blush, it's a must have (smells good too)

MAC Studio Fix (bye bye foundation)

mascara (and a good eyelash curler)

lip gloss, though I would like to try this.

eyeshadow

what are your must haves?

love/loathe of the moment: sephora products

I have a major [MAJOR] obsession with sephora... here's what I am loving and loathing that I've gotten from sephora lately:


LOVE:

Sephora Collection Microfiber Hair Towel - $20, buy it {here}
super soft, helps dry my hair quickly and really cuts down on frizz! must have, especially if you have thick-ole-horse-hair like me! Love, love, love and definitely worth the $20!


LOATHE:

bareMinerals Glamarama -$39.00 - check it out {here}
Now, let me be clear... I don't loathe everything in this pack but I really was not satisfied... here's what came in it and my thoughts:
- 0.05 oz Original SPF 20 Mineral Veil - classic, nice finishing touch to makeup
- 0.02 oz SPF 15 Warmth - again, nice finisher and adds a touch of color!
- 0.02 oz Glamarama SPF 20 Eyecolor - classic, I wouldn't use it alone because my skin tone is already tan, but I like using it to add an extra sparkle
- Double-Ended Angled Eye & Cheek Brush - brush works well with the products


Here's where the loathing begins...
- 0.33 oz Waterproof Flawless Definition Mascara in Black - YUCK. clump. clump. clump. not good, and definitely does not hold a candle to my other two mascara loves [benefit badgal and smashbox bionic indigo ink]
- 0.14 oz SPF 15 Natural Lipgloss in Honey Bun- again YUCK. sooo sticky and thick and I just felt my lips screaming whenever I put it on.

The mascara and lipgloss have been thrown away. I even gave them a few tries... I considered giving them to a friend but I don't have any friends that I dislike enough to put through that.

All in all, I wouldn't recommend this product, just not worth it even for the low low price for $39 [buy yourself an extra microfiber towel instead].

also... you'll notice, I'm giving the blog a bit of an "overhaul"... bare with me as I try some stuff out.

until next time....