Apothica Giveaway: Winner

Woohoo! Winners!  I want to thank all of you that entered, I had a combined total of 34 eligible entries!  I also want to thank Apothica for being kind enough to sponsor the giveaway.  To remind you, the winner will be receiving a $25 e-gift certificate via e-mail which is good on all products on Apothica's website.

The winner was randomly selected to be fair, and comment #2 belonged to Orlica!!Congrats, girl!  Please e-mail me your information (vintagelex at hotmail dot com) as soon as possible.

I wish we could all be winners, but you know how it goes!  Stay tuned for future giveaways!

Ulta Haul: Smashbox & OPI

Sometimes I feel Confessions of the Shopaholic is loosely based on my life.  Friends, I've been so good at not shopping 'til I drop, but recently I have fallen off the wagon.  It all started when I walked into Ulta.  I must enjoy torturing myself otherwise, I would not have gone into that store, but I had a 20% off coupon!  I just had to use it!  It would go to waste, so why not use it?  Talking myself into purchases is a piece of cake!

I caught my eyes on the Smashbox Burlesque box kit.  I liked that it featured full size products for a moderate price ($35) plus the eyeshadow colors were cute.  

The kit came with:

Limitless liquid eyeliner pen in jet black

Shadow & liner quad in risque

Loose shimmer in burlesque

Double ended lip gloss in peep/show  

My favorite item from the kit  is the double ended lip gloss, the red is pretty sheer and looks more cherry than anything! Loooove it!

I also purchased my favorite concealer which is Smashbox's High Definition Liquid Concealer in fair/light ($18). 

Luckily, all Smashbox purchases came with this handy Smashbox travel brush set.  The set includes a flat eyeliner brush, crease and a regular eye brush.  What I love most about the travel set is that it's a regular size.  It isn't tiny!  The cute golden clutch is also ideal for traveling with makeup brushes, it keeps them safe from getting all mangled and destroyed. 

I looooove mini OPI sets. As a glitter addict I knew I had to own this set. 

The 3 polishes from left to right are: Plum full of cheer, gift of gold, and all the berry best.  It also came with a rapid dry top coat

My favorite polish was the gold glittery one called Gift of Gold.  It looks super cute but the downfall is that it is extremely chunky.  This unfortunately makes your polish chip easily, even with a top coat!

This concludes my latest shopping confession!

Life without a cat

 If you have cats..this comic by Cat Versus Human should speak to you.

I love her comics about cats.  She often pokes fun at the border line between liking cats a lot, and becoming the cat lady.  I only have one cat but there is nothing wrong with finding everything about cats adorable.  Society puts cat ladies in such a negative light!  Instead, we should honor their charity and adoration for felines.  So what if their house smells like kitty litter? At least they have plenty of friends, plenty of furry friends :D

Glitter Tree Holiday Decoration

 

Hello my holiday crafters.  It's been a long time since I've posted a craft!  Worry not, this season I bring you a cheap and e-a-s-y project.  As usual this craft is affordable, easy and not very time consuming.  

Items you need:

Foam cone shape 

Glitter

Glue or Mod Podge

Applicator

If you're on a budget, you can obtain all of your supplies at the Dollar Tree, an estimated total of this craft is $4 (I told you it was cheap!)  

Directions:

Lucky for you, I made a video!  It's a self-explanatory craft, but just in case you want to hear my wonderful voice....here is the video!

This craft is ideal for the holiday season.  It adds a bit of sparkle to any area.  I plan to bring these cones in to my office to add holiday cheer.  This craft is also great for kids because it is so simple.  Any kid will be able to follow the steps and come up with a great finished project.  Plus, what kid doesn't like sprinkling glitter and making a mess? 

 

My first "Hard Candy"

Ever since Hard Candy, the cosmetic brand, became available at Walmart I have wanted to try it for myself.  Unfortunately my local store does not carry it so I had to go to a completely different state to get my hands on this brand.  I know what you're thinking, wow...she drove to a different state just for makeup? No, I just happened to see it while I was out of town.  I'm not that bad!  

I purchased 2 items from the Hard Candy line.  The First Crush  mini set ($8) which includes all of the above minus the black eyeliner.  The set came with a baked blush, a foundation primer, a highlighter and a plumping gloss. 

 I also purchased Walk the Line black eyeliner ($8).  Which has a thin brush applicator.

I found the mini set to be a decent price, however everything else at the store was outrageously expensive for a drugstore brand!  The packaging is plastic but the brand does incorporate some cute designs on the actual product.  As I had heard before, the packaging for Hard Candy is really cheap, and I felt this was the case on the blush.  It is made out of the cheapest quality of plastic.  Do you remember the first set of "pretend" makeup you received as  a young girl?  Remember that cheap feeling plastic that cracked the first time you dropped it?  That is what the Hard Candy blush feels like!  I know my blush is the mini version, but I did hold the full size and it was the same quality plastic!

I plan to do a review on these products, but this post is to share my recent shopping treasures!

If you've tried the brand let me know what you think!

When to pet a kitty

I enjoy The Oatmeal's comics.  I felt this one described my love/hate relationship with my cat.  I love my cat, but he, on the other hand is very moody.  This panel properly describes the abuse I receive from my cat.  I am that poor soul that gets her arm mauled by her cat...just because someone wanted a belly rub!


Click on the panel below to maximize it.

SkinCareRx: Friends & Family Coupon

Is it really Turkey day weekend?  You know what that means...it's time to get ready for Black Friday shopping! 

Take advantage of the Friends & Family 25% coupon from SkincareRx.  Just be sure to enter the code below.

Friends and Family Coupon* Code: FF25

*Excludes some brands. Expires Dec. 1, 2010.

Check out Apothica & SkinCareRx this week for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.  While there stop by  SkinMedica page.  SkinMedica is a favorite amongst dermatologists; a brand that helps treat acne, wrinkles and dryness.

Also, be sure to stop by Apothica Facebook page & the SkinCareRx Facebook page for prizes!

  

Apothica Giveaway

There is no denying that the holiday season is great, but what I like about the commercial aspect of the holiday season are gift packs and collections. Smashbox has put out a Smashbox Holiday Wish sets. Apothica, an online boutique that caries premium brands in skin care, body care and cosmetics products, offers 5 different sets for every makeupholic out there.


Wish for the Perfect Pencils - $16

offers four limited edition signature Smashbox lip pencils

Wish for the Perfect Pout Kit - $29

a handful of Smashbox's best selling glosses.

Eye Wish Palette - $45
Your chance to try a various Smashbox eye shadows for only one price

Wish for the Perfect Primers - $39

Stubborn makeup not staying on? This kit offers a few favorite primers that will be your weapon against fading makeup!

Holiday 2010 Wish List - $49

For those that can't settle on one specific feature! This complete set let's you try a little bit of everything

Holiday kits make it easy and affordable to try premium brands at a comfortable price. Not only are these great for your wallet, but they make excellent gifts! Plus, they are in a convenient size idea for traveling and to keep in a makeup bag.


As an early gift from Apothica, I am hosting a giveaway for a $25 Apothica gift card! The giveaway officially runs from November 19 – December 19. Just follow the simple guidelines to be considered.


How do I enter?

There are various ways to enter. You can choose the method that you prefer best. I just ask that you leave me a comment below letting me know which method you choose.

For example, if you retweeted the giveaway, you should leave a link to your twitter account in the comment section.


• One entry for becoming a fan of Apothica on FaceBook

• One entry for following Apothica on Twitter

• Two entries if you retweet my giveaway

• Two entries to leave a comment about Apothica's Smahsbox selection

• Two entries for opting-in for Apothica's Newsletter (found at the bottom of the website)

• Seven entries for a blog post with a link directed Smashbox and Apothica

◦ if you choose to do blog post please make sure it's at least 100 words and links to Apothica's Smashbox page.


Winner

The winner will announced within 3 days of the closing of the giveaway and will receive an e-gift certificate over e-mail. If selected please be aware that I will need the following information from you.


• Name

• Phone Number

• Shipping Address

• Email



Giveaway runs from Nov. 19th - Dec. 19th

Recent buys from ELF

Say what you must about Eyes Lips Face (ELF) but I enjoy their products.  I've had a few misses but overall I'm content.  I recently purchased some items primarily because I need some oil blotting sheets and they are $1 from ELF.  

My first purchase was the new Angled contour brush from the studio line ($3).  Holding it in person, it looks like a different brush.  I expected the brush to be more curved rather than a blunt angled edge.  

The stipple brush ($3) is also a new addition to ELF.  It looks like a good brush for targeting small areas of your face, this is ideal for highlighting.  

The last brush I purchased was the Angled blush brush ($5) which is also new!  This brush comes in slightly different packaging, it still features the clear plastic pouch, but there are floral designs on the front.  This brush is more "Eco-friendly" features a recycled ferrule and a bamboo handle.  The bristles are taklon but they feel softer than the studio line brushes. 

My favorite ELF product is the minty lip gloss ($3) it's affordable and has a refreshing taste and smell.  I've ordered 5 different shades of this product and have yet to be disappointed!  It's only a shame that there isn't more product in the tube.  In case you are curious I ordered the New York and Miami shades.

A girl always needs eyeliner, so I ordered the Shimmer Pencil ($1) in black.  I like that these pencils come with a built in sharpener but I wish these babies were longer!  

My first studio line blush in Fuschia Fusion ($3).  In case you can't tell by the image, this sucker is Shimmery!  Avoid if you hate shimmer/glitter!

Another new edition is the Makeup mist & set ($3) which guarantees to keep my makeup in place.  I am excited about trying this product and will be doing a review in the future.  

Lastly, I got 800 of these suckers.  I use them often because my forehead is like a pizza slice.  Graphic, I know!  I got a handful of these because my Target doesn't carry ELF products, so I stocked up! I swear I'm not that greasy! : P

Did I mention that shipping for my items was $.25?  I love cheap shipping.

The Maize

 

Find Waldo, or random guy in the maze.

Last weekend I went to the corn maze.  For those of you that have never been to a corn maze at night, it is tons of fun and it's also slightly creepy.  Maybe I've watched too many scary movies but being surrounded by acres of corn, just creeps me out!  

There isn't any light, so in order to maneuver around the maze, you need to bring your own flashlight.  This totally adds to the creepy factor!  The experience of just walking around and getting lost is pretty fun, if you have good company!

 

I am so easily amused.  Flashlights + camera = hours of fun.

The above picture is the aerial landscape of the maze I was in! I don't know how they plan and create mazes but it blows my mind. I wonder how many days it takes to create this?

Totally unrelated but I cut my hair!

Lost in Wonderland

Welcome to Wonderland, I'm seeing Redd.

I have never cared for Alice in Wonderland, but this year I have been obsessed with the character and the spin-off series.  The Looking Glass Wars is a great book that entertains the idea of Wonderland being a place of white imagination and black imagination.  It's a classic tale of good vs. evil.  The series features popular characters such as Alice, Redd, mad hatter, and the white rabbit.  Although the series is written for young adults, I had no problem enjoying the story!  

 I enjoyed the universe Frank Beddor created around a familiar story.  My favorite character was by far Hatter.  He was not exactly mad, but more of a killing machine.

Since Alice has been swimming around my mind this year I decide to be Alice in Wonderland for Halloween.  For those of you that don't know, I sewed my costume this year.  This is my second attempt at costumes and I have to say, I'm pretty happy and proud.  I don't care if it looks homemade, it won't shake the proud feeling that I put a few pieces of fabric and ruffle together and made a dress!

I love Halloween, but I'm not a big fan of the slutty porn star costumes.  I also don't understand why Halloween costumes are made out of the cheapest fabric but can cost so much! Although I chose a cheap fabric, cotton, at least it was good quality and didn't look cheap.

I do have to admit that I did receive some guidance from my manager aka my mother. I was under the impression that I was the only member of my personal swear shop, but I was wrong.  Apparently, I recruited a manager...and it wasn't me.  How sad is that, I'm not even the manager of my own sweat shop!  : P

Do you see the mummy?  This was the yummiest cheese.  I apologize for everyone that saw me eat about half of this thing.  It was addicting!

This cute little pig was actually made out of packaging tape and foam.  He was adorable!

Although my Halloween post is extremely late, I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful holiday. 

The 80's are alive and well

You thought you could escape the 80's but why would you want to?  It's the decade that feeds us bad fashion, mullets, great music, hairy chests, and angsty teen movies...Breakfast Club anyone?  

It may be a bit cliche for me to be so into the 80's, since most girls are really into 80's dress up parties, but I looove it.  You can literally throw on 8 different colored clothing items and you would fit the part. 

Last week I went to see a popular local 80's tribute band, The Legwarmers.  It was my first time seeing them and I have to say they rocked my world.  It was totally, wicked!  

 

It was non-stop hit after hit of rad music.  I danced and she-boped my heart out.  I think I had the most fun pointing out people dress like 80's icons.  That night I saw Prince, Teen Wolf and a guy from Run DMC.  

Even though my hatred for Teen Wolf...is beyond words, I was pretty darn excited to see him.  I mean, how often do you see a were-wolf basketball player?   Your face can't help but smile when you see his hideously hairy mug.  

Needless to say, I'm going to the next Legwarmer show!  Teen Wolf, beware!  I may not think you are so cute and clever next time!  

Zombie Hello Kitty

You read right: Zombie Hello Kitty.  I love this collection, it's silly and perfect for halloween.

You can find this collection at Hot Topic.  I couldn't find a water bottle I bought there, but trust me it is cute and slightly creepy with the HK zombies  If you're a HK Collector these items are a must!

Pumpkin Kisses

  There's nothing that quite gives fall, that Autumy feel than pumpkins.  I love their bright golden color, but what I love most is having pumpkin flavored food during Fall.  So tasty!

A few weeks ago, I went on a field trip with my nephew.  The trip consisted of a hay ride and pumpkin picking.  It was a glorious day filled with children and farmy smells.

 

Is this not the cutest photo?