Spoil Your Mother or Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is creeping up on us fast and I'm sure you're all wondering what to get the women in your life who have Mothered you or your children.

There are two camps when it comes to Mother's Day gift giving. The first camp is all DIY, homemade is best. The second firmly believes that Mother's Day is about being spoiled, and giving your mom or the mother of your children a little bit of luxury. I believe that depends on the person you're giving a gift.

Personally I've got a foot in both camp. I've gotten some lovely homemade cards, but I also have a major weak spot for luxury items. I really think it depends on what it is, the effort behind it, and the presentation.

 However if you do have the expendable cash, below are some ideas.

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Finally I leave you with this advice, think about your mother before you buy her gift. Personally, I'd be happy with some Chelsea Boots and a gift card to the Gap, and my own mother would prefer either some books or a gift card to Barnes and Noble. These gift ideas are just suggestions.

Stylish Sundays or Easy Boho

I know Stylish Sundays didn't happen last week. We got busy and the photos didn't get edited, but here they are now.

As you know my style is mostly inspired by laziness, this is the absolute end all, beat all, of being lazy. 

 

  I'm wearing my slouchy sheer oatmeal tee, VS Pink Peach Bralette, Self-altered Black Maxi Skirt.

 I'm kinda completely in love with this skirt,  I didn't completely make it by hand, which is why I said self-altered. Last year I bought a black maxi dress that ended up being a few inches to short after I washed it. I was pretty annoyed until I remembered this post from LoveMaegan.  It was a elasticated empire waist dress, so I snipped it off and then stitched around the top so it wouldn't be jagged and I was done. I've already worn it 3 different ways, and I promise you will be seeing it again.

 My Jewelry is a mint and gold pendent from the now defunct ColourMe.Com, a handmade silver bracelet from Friendship, which is a bi-annual festival near where I live, and my Da Vinci bracelet that was a Birthday Gift from my husband.

 For my shoes I wore my Minnetonka Moccasins. I adore these shoes. These were the first shoes I ever bought that cost me more than $20 and I'm so glad I did. I've had them for 4 years now and they've certainly worn well and have definitely taught me that it pays to invest in certain items. I kinda really want a pair of the ankle boots for fall, and am torn between them and some Chelsea Boots. These are on sale and I'm kinda broken-hearted about it because of the aforementioned spending ban.

Of course, here are the obligatory puppy shots. Howl seems to be getting bigger everyday. I take him every where with me and he loves the car which I am very thankful for.

 

Howl says "Hi Internets!"

Spending Ban Fail! or Collective Haul... Again

So I know I was on a spending ban, and I was only to buy necessities. And I did mostly only purchase necessities. But then there was nail polish and I couldn't help it.
 

So first I placed an order to Murad and ordered another Acne Kit, this time without the mattifying lotion because I hated it. This kit contains a face wash, exfoliating gel, skin perfecting moisturizer, Clarifying mask and acne spot treatment.  I also ordered the Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask.

Then from Macy's I ordered the Sheseido Sun Proctection foundation in SP10, which doesn't match me so I'll be returning this weekend, and a Lancôme Nail Polish in Rose Macroon.

From a few different trips to Sephora I picked up the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray, Illamasqua Mottle Nail Polish, Nails INC Stratford Mirror Metallic Polish, Nails INC Kensington Caviar Nail Base and Kensington Caviar 45 Second Top Coat. Pictured, but shouldn't be because it was in a previous haul and I forgot, Illamasqua Speckle Nail Varnish.

Then I needed new Shampoo, you'll find out why in an upcoming post, but I went to ULTA and got a new Brush and Ouidad PlayCurl Shampoo and Conditioner. It smells amazing and I love it so very much.

I will of course be doing reviews on all of these items, and when I get around to it the polishes will be on the proper pinterest boards.

The only things I didn't need that are pictured are the nail polishes, and I just couldn't help myself. Just ask my Aunt, she went with me to the VIB Beauty Insider Event where I bought Stratford and she witnessed me freaking out over the fact that they had it.  It's an addiction, and if I'm not careful I'm going to find those My Strange Addiction people knocking on my door.

Philosophy Soap Review

If you're wondering what happened to Stylish Sunday's this week, well it fell to the wayside. We got busy and while the photos got taken they didn't get edited in time. Things will be back to normal next week and I should have a haul up either tomorrow or Thursday.  Until then Review Time!

I recently bought Philosophy's Love Sweet Love 3-in-1 Shampoo, Bath and Shower Gel, and I thought while I had the time I'd dash off my thoughts about it for you.

From Philosophy's website: "love sweet love shampoo, bath & shower gel is a 3-in-1 multitasking formula that gently cleanses, conditions and softens skin and hair. infused  with sparkling pink grapefruit with its flirtatious effervescence, juicy  mango essence to inspire a lively happiness and irresistibly warm, comforting vanilla to wrap you in love and feel smitten and irresistibly pretty."

I really love this soap. It's perfectly and fresh and even though it's very citrus-y which I  normally reserve for summer, I completely love it. Plus who doesn't love love? I don't pick up any Vanilla but that's okay because I'm sort of all Vanilla'd out. The Grapefruit and Mango really do feel summery to me, which I don't mind, but next spring I think I'll go for one of the 3-in-1's from their Field of Flowers line.

As a Shower Gel I adore it, it lathers well and a little bit goes a long way. Same goes for as a Bubble Bath, even though I almost never do that. I don't love it as a Shampoo, but that's because I'm super picky about my Shampoo's since I have a super sensitive scalp. I do love that if I get it in my hair while taking a bubble bath I don't feel like I have to completely rewash my hair like I do with most bubble baths. 

If you haven't tried any of the Philosophy 3-in-1 washes I definitely recommend them. I have super sensitive skin and I have a friend who has crazy dry skin and while we have different scent preferences (her favorite is the senorita margarita scent) we both pretty much swear by these body washes.

I'm pretty sure these are my Holy Grail washes. I've tried so many other brands, but I've never repurchased any of them. I've personally repurchased the Philosophy body washes many times. I adore their packaging, how simple it is. It just feels very kinda old fashioned and crisp to me. And I really love how they put recipes on their food scented washes. I've yet to try any of them but I do copy them down for future reference. 

I'm also a pretty big fan of their skincare range, which I used for a while when my acne was really bad. It didn't make it go away, but it was definitely soothing, which was amazing because my face was incredibly sore then. And I still use their Purity Made Simple wash when I deep clean my makeup brushes.

Have you ever tried any of the Philosophy range before? I'm thinking of buying one of their fragrances, are they worth it? 

Gel Nails Review

I know I've been gone all week again, I'm sorry. Howl has kept me busy all week and I've only just now had the time to sit and type this out.

A few weeks ago I went with one of my very dear friends to get mani-pedi's. Honestly that's not something I do all that often or really ever because I usually just paint my own nails since I own so many polishes. But she lives super far away and with her being in town for only a week, we definitely needed some girl time.

I decided to test out a shellac manicure to see if it would be something I'd be interested in investing in as an at home thing, for the future. (That is a lot of I words in that last sentence).  Because who doesn't want two weeks of perfect nails? So I got CND's Tropix which is a bright pretty coral color.

CND Tropix against my Kate Spade iPad Case

Gorgeous isn't it? I absolutely love this color and it was perfectly springy for the still cold March. Yep that's how long ago these pictures were taken.
It wore pretty well for a few days, and then I began to notice some minor tip wear. I do type a lot though so that wasn't so bad. Then after about a week it started chipping. Then a week and 3 days in they looked like this:

CND Tropix chipped against my Kate Spade iPad Case

For some reason 2 nails completely peeled off, and while you can't really see it in this photo my first finger on my left hand has a big chip out of the bottom of the shellac.

All and all it looked amazing for the first few days, and if I were going away for a weekend or something like that I would totally do it again, but the two week perfect manicure thing just didn't work out for me. I don't know that I'll be investing in an at home version of it. Maybe someday when I've paired down the amount of polishes I have. Which doesn't look like it will be happening any time soon since I bought 3 more polishes recently.  There will be a haul coming up soon.

Also since I've recently gotten a puppy and therefore will be testing out toys and other puppy items, like he already needs a new bed since his disintegrated in the dryer, would you be interested in puppy hauls and item reviews?

Stylish Sundays or Howls Moving Castle

I'm sure you're confused by the title since my outfit today looks nothing like anything the characters would have worn. Don't worry you'll understand at the end.

 

I'm wearing a Chambray Western Style button down from American Eagle Black H&M Skinny Black Pants and Red Sperry's. Not Shown my stripey Emi-Jay Hairtie and my H&M Twill Jacket. 

 On my face is the Shiseido Sun Protection Foundation, Makeup Forever Concealer (that I'm testing out) Nars Deep Throat Blush and Lancôme Mascara, and Smiths Strawberry Rose Lip Salve

I know this outfit is super simple and I have a very good reason for that. I wore it for traveling ease. You see I had something super huge planned for yesterday which is when these photos were taken and I was much more focused on being comfortable then super fashionable.

With that said I would like to introduce you to Howl.

He's a Shorkie, which is a Shih Tzu and a Yorkshire Terrier mix. He's 8 weeks old and probably won't get much bigger than he already is. He was the big news that I was anxious about in my last post. I was waiting to see if my landlord would allow us to adopt a puppy and as soon as we got the go ahead, I made an appt. with the breeder. I named him after Howl in Howl's Moving Castle.

I absolutely adore him.

Beauty Things I Suck At Tag

I decided to swipe this tag from YouTube and move it to the blogosphere. I know that beauty girls always seem to know exactly what they're doing, but that is not always the case. So I decided to throw my voice into the ring and talk about my imperfections.

First thing I suck at? Skincare. I've tried so so many things and none of it has worked yet. I. Currently trying Murad and it might work, but that will be an upcoming blog post.

I also really suck at self tanner. I always turn orange, or streaky, or both. It doesn't matter what I do, how much I exfoliate, or how carefully I apply it, it just doesn't work for me. I keep trying, because I want it too. Next on my list to try is St. Tropez. I've been putting it off because I just think this might be a more expensive tanning mistake.

I'm awful at liquid liner. I never wear it because no matter how I try to apply it I just can't get it right. I always apply it super thickly, or not straight, or its gloopy. Whatever I just can't get it.

Plucking my eyebrows. I always have to watch Jim Chapman videos while I pluck. It's kinda because he's hilarious. I'm kinda a hardcore wuss, so I need a distraction, and I always put it off way to long.

I'm really bad at tight lining. I freak out and then picture myself stabbing my eye out, and then I chicken out. Every damn time. Same thing with false lashes. So I just don't wear them.

While I'm talking about my eyes, I'm super bad at blending my shadows. I'm lazy. That's my only excuse.

I hate using powders to set my makeup. I've been using a setting spray. I'd like to use a powder but no matter how little I use, I end up cakey and grumpy.

 I suck really bad at properly removing my nail polish, I always just pick it off. The bonus of this is I don't really have a problem removing glitter polish.

I'm super bad at remembering to use a heat protectant on my hair. I just never remember to, I guess it's a good thing that I don't use heat on my hair very often. Actually usually only on my bangs which get regular trims.

Speaking of regular trims, I'm really bad about that too, my hair dresser is 40 minutes away so I usually put it off until I absolutely have to get them trimmed.


Non beauty things I suck at:
Waiting. I am the most impatient person ever and I'm currently waiting on some news that will affect a lot of things in my life and whether or not I'm moving next year. I'm supposed to know in a few days which by definition is today. I'm really hoping to know by Friday at the latest or I swear I'm going to go insane. This waiting is why I haven't really posted anything this week, I've been to anxious.

See that mean face?
(that's me waiting)

Stylish Sundays or Easter Fail

Today's post was meant to be what I wore for Easter, but it was cold and we didn't have a lot of time to take pictures before we had to leave for Sunday dinner, so I ended up messing up all the photos. My head shot turned out well so instead it will be a makeup post.

I was wearing YSL Touche Eclat Foundation, which I love, except it broke me out terribly and completely ruined my Murad Test. Like horrible awful allergic reaction. I'm redoing the test though, so instead it will be 2 month test.

I have on Nars Deep Throat blush, Benefit Leggy Eyeshadow with Too Faced Ever After in the outer corners, with Urban Decay Bourbon 24/7 Eyeliner and YSL Shocking Mascara. I also used Leggy as a cheek Highlight and YSL #9 Cool Guava for my lipstick.

I teased my hair a bit and put it in a bun and pulled out a few pieces around the front.

The Dress and Necklace are from H&M as were my shoes and you've seen them all before in a haul. 

Face of the Day or Don't I look Pretty

The other day I really really loved the way my makeup turned out so I asked my husband to snap a quick picture so I could share it with you guys.

 He of course managed to get a couple awesome ones.

 I'm wearing on my face Chanels Vitalumiere Aqua, Tarte's Amazonian Clay Concealer, Nars Deep Throat and YSL Volupte Sheer Candy in #4 Succulent Pomegranate.

My eye makeup was my favorite part. I'm wearing Benefit's Leggy Shadow all over my lids, with Too Faced Ever After in the outer corner, Urban Decay's Bourbon 24/7 Glide On Eyeliner Pencil and I kinda smudged it a bit with a Lancôme eyeliner brush, Tarina Tarintinos's Broken doll eyeliner on my waterline and in the inner corner, and finally YSL's Shocking Mascara.

This has pretty much been my go to easy makeup look and I feel like it looks amazing. It's simple, quick and I'm obsessed with this routine.

Dr. Jart+ Black Label BB Cream Review or What's That On Your Face and Neck?

So I've had the Dr. Jart+ Black Label BB Cream long enough to have made my judgements on it. And the Verdict is...

I love it, but I hate it.

It's a lovely BB Cream, with decent Coverage. Less than a light foundation, but more than a tinted moisturizer. It goes on smoothly, and stays put all day. But there are some buts for me, and man they are big ones.

It doesn't match my skin, it's too tan toned for me. I am Lestat pale, and the color on this just doesn't work for me. (If you didn't know: Lestat is a Vampire, he predated the Cullens, first read Interview With The Vampire, then rent the movie. Then marvel in the awesome that are Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt as Vampires.)

Secondly I hate The Smell. I don't know what it is, but I am not a fan. I don't know if this is everyones opinion or just me, but man I hated putting this near my nose. I put it in italics because seriously it was awful to me. No one else seemed to mind it.

Third, I'm allergic to it. Hence the title, I went all splotchy and itchy and developed a red blotchy patch on my neck and this is the only thing that could have caused it. Since I've stopped using it it's starting to go away. It was also irritating the acne on my face. I've not used it for about 4 days and everything seems to have gone back to normal.

But I think if you're interested give it a go. Most people aren't as pale as I am. I'm of Irish decent and I purposely stay out of the sun most of the time. I burn way to easy and I'm terrified of Skin Cancer. The Smell issue may just be me. I'm really picky about the way stuff smells, and I can't exactly put my finger on what this smells like. Finally the fact that I'm allergic to it should not put you off. I'm allergic to a lot of things. That's actually why I started buying high end makeup in the first place. Everything I tried from the drugstore broke me out.

So now I'm on the hunt to try new foundations. I love the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, and it works wonders on me in the cold weather, but when it gets hot it just sort of melts off my skin. I'm thinking of looking into the Nars Sheer Glow, Illamasqua Light Liquid Foundation or Illamasqua's Skin Base, or the Burberry Sheer Luminous Fluid Foundation. I'm currently testing samples of the Nars Sheer Matte and I hate the way it sits on my skin but love how it matches. I'm in Siberia in case you're wondering. And the YSL Touche Eclat which I'm in love with but can't get over the price. However loving the YSL one and the color of the Nars one gives me hope for the Nars Sheer Glow. Maybe that will be my winner. Are there any other foundations you think I should try?

Another Sephora Haul or Rebecca Bloomwood Ain't Got Nothing On Me

Clearly I have a shopping problem, especially when it comes to Sephora. I've reached VIB status for the first time ever and it's only 3 months into the year. Seriously this has got to stop. Not that I'm buying much I don't need. And this is actually a really tiny haul. And my justifications are only a little bit pathetic.

 I bought another YSL Volupte Sheer Candy, A Sephora Professional Fan Brush and a Murad Moisturizer with SPF 20.

There's no close up of the Brush so I'll talk about that now. This is the brush that my favorite Sephora guy, Maxwell, used on me when he applied the Nars Deep Throat, and he recommended I buy it, but I didn't, and then for a few weeks I've regretted it. It only took me a couple tries to learn to use it properly, but now I don't think I'll ever use anything else to apply blush. It's the absolute best my blush has ever looked.

The Murad Anti-Aging Moisturizer for Blemish Prone Skin with SPF 20 was a necessity. I'm crazy pale, ya know in case you hadn't noticed before, and have sensitive skin with acne issues and hyper pigmentation which is only made worse by the sun. Also at 26 I am not getting any younger. Since I needed a new sunscreen and have been doing a month long test on Murad products anyway, I figured this couldn't hurt to try. So far I'm fan.

 Then, as Fleur De Force would say, I made a cheeky little YSL purchase. I absolutely adore the Volupte Sheer Candy Glossy Balm that I already have, so I just had to pick up another. This time I got (insert drum roll here)

#4 Succulent Pomegranate. This is what I was wearing in yesterday's Stylish Sunday Post, and I'm completely in love with it. It's definitely bolder than #9 Cool Guava, but it is stunning. I really love bright lip colors, because they make me so happy. I can promise that this will be my color of summer. I'm so in love with it.

The boxes you see in the background are actually part of how I store my nail polish. If you're interested I'll do a post on that in the future.

See I told you this was a very small haul. Just a couple things I needed, and a little bit of luxury.