Bargains at Ulta and Macy’s

April 23, 201410 Comments

Something about the word bargain gets me excited. As do the words, “additional 90% off”.

The other weekend before I hopped on the plane at GEG (with a dream and my cardigan), we made a pit-stop at one of Spokane’s finest establishments – Macy’s Clearance Center. Not many know about this place, accessed only by rickety elevator at the store’s downtown Spokane location. The air up on the 8th floor is thick and hot. The floors creak under dated carpet and clothing racks from the late 80’s. But if you can see past all that, you can truly find some treasures…marked down to $5.99.

The day we wandered in was (lucky for us) the first day of a massive sale. 90% off original prices. NO JOKE. And since I had to catch a flight back to Seattle, we had only 30 minutes. We were a circus. Veritable lions, tigers and bears among the racks, on the prowl. There were GOOD Macy’s headlining brands like Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Splendid and tons of others, marked down to just dollars.

I ended up with only two dresses, which I happily paid $18 for both. The first is a Tommy Hilfiger shift, which I promptly wore on the first sunny day after I got it.

With Lou!

It’s a little short on me (surprise surprise) but I don’t currr. The print is too fresh.

The other dress is by Rachel Roy and I thought was something I could wear to work. Also black and white is totes on trend.

rachel-rachel-roy-black-dress-sleeveless-highneck-colorblocked-aline-product-1-13765685-733309387_large_flex

This isn’t the exact one, but it’s darn close

On to the Ulta stuff!

Sorry if anyone is sick of me bragging about the bargains I find at Ulta. I can’t help it. SO —

Recently Ulta had Revlon, Maybelline, Physicians Formula and a few other brands on sale for 40% off. Which is huge. Usually they do a BOGO on these brands so 40% on anything is a real treat. Additionally in my last Ulta online order, I was given a $5 off any $15 purchase coupon. On top of that, I have been clipping coupons from weekly Redplum ads.

As a result, I was able to get these three products for stupid cheap.

Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls in Translucent Pearl $13.95

Kandee Johnson used this in an old tutorial and it looked so lovely on her. I wasn’t about to pay full price for it, so when it went on sale – I grabbed it.

Revlon Parfumerie Nail Polish in Pink Pineapple

I mean. The bottle is enough to make me want the entire line. I decided to get this light pastel pink because the color has become such a staple for me. I would even go so far as to say it’s my signature color. Unfortunately the color is pretty sheer and I needed three coats to get it opaque.

Maybelline Color Elixir in Breathtaking Apricot

I am fully on board the orange/coral lip trend for this spring. And if you haven’t tried one of these color elixirs from Maybelline, you are srsly missing out. They are beyond amazing and almost feel like gel on the lips. Smooth, rich and really pigmented – the apricot color adds the perfect pop of color to my face. I love wearing it with a dewy, bronzed look.

The original total for all three of these products would be roughly $30 (inc. tax).

On sale, the total came to about $18 (inc tax).

With my $5 off coupon AND $1 Maybelline coupon – I was outta there for about $12 (less than the original price of the powder alone). The girl at Ulta was even like, “Wow, you got a really good deal.”

WORD to yer mother.

Things I Don’t Want

April 3, 20148 Comments

You know, we all spend so much time thinking, talking and lusting about things WE WANT. Which is just sad, really. Not because we shouldn’t be materialistic (there are worse things, me thinks), but because desperation is not a good look on anyone.

So in light of this, I have decided to show you all some things I definitely do not want.

Like, at all.

THIS DRESS

What is up with the whole neoprene trend? I don’t get how is it cool to wear scuba fabric in our daily lives. While doing scuba? Sure. Washing the dishes? Applying for a loan? No.

The garment pictured, combines the lovely neoprene trend with what appears to be an un-snapped body suit (you know the ones, girls) sewn into the silhouette of a skater dress. Annd, what girl wants a butt-stripe? NOT ME.

THESE JEANS

^And these shoes^

I’ll admit it. When skinny jeans first came out, I was a big skeptic. It wasn’t until months later that I finally caved and gave into that ankle-hugging glory. But this jean trend? It didn’t work on women in the 80’s and it doesn’t work now. Plus, if you have even the semblance of a saddle bag, skintight high-waisted pants aren’t really your BFF anyway.

I have nothing against a combat boot when worn with the appropriate pairing. The above platform versions look like a castoff from that movie The Craft.

The new Velvetines from Lime Crime

I want to make it clear that I am NOT hating on Lime Crime. I frigging love their makeup and philosphpy and just, everything. And because I love them so much, sometimes it is nice when they come out with something I don’t like. The above pictured velvetine in Salem is from the new “Clueless Witch” line which has three dark, vampy shades. One of the shades would work for me, but this deep brown, matte lip color? You can guess what I think it looks like.

The Marc Jobs Lolita Palette

Oh, how I wanted this when it came out last August. I died for it. The packaging is bliss, the colors looked amazing. I was SURE the eyeshadows would be velvety soft, super pigmented and blendable. I have swatched the shadows and tried them on at Sephora a good 87263 times, and you know what? I was not impressed. Not at all.

THESE HAIR TRENDS

This looks like her colorist was drunk. Or high. And you are probably too if you find this hair stripe to be a nice looking trend.

I mean. COME ON. Do I need to say anything about this mushroom pictured above? YEAH, didn’t think so.

Oh and lastly…

HAREM SWEATPANTS

On men, especially. I mean, are regular sweatpants not roomy enough? All I can think about when I see these are DIAPERS. You could have diapers on under there.

Or these, on anyone besides Aladdin.

Any new trends you can’t stand or things you don’t want?

What We Did Last Weekend

March 18, 2014March 18, 20148 Comments

Hellllo my cotton candy Jelly Bellys!

So, last weekend was kindof a doozie.

Friday I found a pair of wedding shoe candidates at DSW and texted my casual friday OOTD to Megan per usual.

After work, I did not feel like cooking. But then again, I never do. So, we decided to try out North Bend Bar & Grill which is not far from us. Anytime we go out for dinner, I turn into a 12 year old girl on the night of 8th Grade Celebration. I get all excited and want to dress up. So I did (well, dressed up for me).

Kate Spade lipstick in Parisian Pink (a gift from Ray-Ray!)

We arrived to patrons donning Looney Tunes lettermans jackets and women in banana clips. My wine came in a water goblet and was massively over-poured. YASSSS. Bry had a burger and I chose the panzenella. Both were great and we will definitely be back, but I will probably wear a North Face fleece.

We got froyo on the way home and I went insane on the toppings. At home, we switched on a movie and I fell asleep halfway through my pistachio with a chunk of Heath on my lip. ‘Ttractive.

Saturday morning was glorious. As is the case with all Saturday mornings. I finished this book and wasn’t thrilled with the ending.

As some of you may know, Bryan is prepping for CFA III. His third and final exam to become a bone-a-fyed Chartered Financial Analyst. This is the big leagues here guys. The CFA is to Finance as Dumbledore is to wizardry. Or as Miley Cyrus is to buttcheeks.

Wait.

An academic, I am not. So while Bryan busted his behind, clocking hours upon hours watching classroom videos and doing practice tests, I put makeup on. Another kind of studying.

I got Bryan to help me move my vanity back into my new freshly painted lady room. I hung up pastel fairy lights and channeled all the YouTubers I love as I buffed 75 different eyeshadows on to my lids. As evidenced here:

Notice the new white walls??!

After a good chunk of studying, Bryan decided that he wanted to make fish tacos for dinner. I said sure as long as I didn’t have to handle the fish. So we went to the Q and filled our basket with raw fish, tequila and Cholula. Then we came home and Bry mixed up margaritas. You guys. Bryan makes the most PERFECT margarita ever. Of all time. Plus infinity.

Then we decided to have a wedding-update convo whilst buzzing in the late afternoon. It went something like this:

Natalie: “If we have any wedding money leftover after everything is paid for, I want to book a videographer.”
Bryan: “I don’t want a video of our wedding! Who cares??”
Natalie: “Don’t you care about having a video of our wedding we can show our kids someday and watch each year on our anniversary?!”
Bryan: “Our kids won’t want to see that.”

Haahahahaaaa.

Then we had dinner and watched another movie and I fell asleep at 8 PM.

In a word, Sunday was odd. In a good way. We started saying, “Sunday? Funday!”. GOD we are such nerds and not in a good way. Things started out innocently enough. Bry began his studying regime while I holed up in bed with coffee and Dexter (the show, not another man named Dexter).

Then we went to the gym where I halfheartedly ellipticaled through a couple episodes of this new peach of a show:

Then we came home, had sandwiches and Bryan started making margaritas again…

And then we were day drunk 🙂

We blasted gangster rap on the Bose, clinked glasses and basked in the glory of being childless 30-somethings. *Yes, we realize that as soon as we have a child, these days are O-V-E-R. We are trying to take advantage now.

A little while later, we took shots.

I don’t know.

After the haziness faded a bit, I decided it was time to go shopping at the outlet mall. I had two extra 40% coupons for Gap and Banana that were burnin a whole in my pocket. The odds of getting Bryan to agree to a shopping trip with me are about 10,243 to 1 so I was surprised when he said it sounded like fun.

Andiworethisshirt

We both got a few new things and I got a cardigan at Banana for $4.30. No big deal.

After the shopping, I figured we’d make our way home. When Bryan missed the turn for our house I knew our Sunday Funday was not over. He made a few turns and before I knew it, the neon Snoqulamie Casino sign was slowly coming into focus.

Oh law.

Bryan is so cute and I look like Sloth from The Goonies

The place was buzzing. Why. WHY may I ask was a random casino SO packed on a Sunday at 5 o’clock? We entered the casino and I knew I wouldn’t last long…you see, it’s a smoking facility. Bryan went to go see if they had our ol’ standby, video blackjack – while I made my way through the ~~mullets~~ crowd to find the bathroom.

And this is when I found the crown jewel of the Snoqualmie Casino.

THE TOILETS

A fresh piece of plastic just for me!? I wanted to talk to the other women in the bathroom about it. “Did you see the toilet seats!? So cool!!”. But I didn’t. Instead, I went to the bar where I hoped Bryan was feeling the same way I was about having smoke blown in my face by a man wearing a Margaritaville tee shirt 2 sizes too small.

We decided on one drink and one slot machine.

I DON’T understand the appeal of slot machines. It’s like a reverse ATM. There’s not even a cool handle anymore. You just press a button and it takes your money. We lost $10 and I couldn’t take it anymore. END THE MADNESS, I declared.

Kathy ROCKS

We went home and threw our clothes in the washing machine (circa 2005 when we all did this after a night at the bars). And Bryan made us his amazing pizza and we turned on Rush Hour. I promptly fell asleep at 7:30 PM on the couch. Clearly tuckered out from Sunday Funday.

What will next weekend hold?! Cosmic bowling? A trip to Ikea? You just never know with us.

Wedding Planning Weekend

January 29, 2014January 30, 20148 Comments

Hello! And greetings to you all.

McDougal

Last weekend, Bry and I decided it was high time to do the things we haven’t had time to do because ~~of the Seahawks~~ we are so busy. As a result, his and hers trips were planned respectively. Bry scampered off into the Cascades with Jeremy to climb Rainier. And then they decided to ski down that sh*t because, yeah. They crazy.

And since our wedding is 158 days away (according to my handy-dandy wedding countdown clock) and all I’ve done is book the GD venue, I thought it wise to head east and procure the remaining 3823,234,32 items I need before The Big Day.

I arrived home in Kennewick late on Friday evening after a dry, but foggy drive over and hit the hay almost immediately. The next morning we got to work Googling polyester tablecloths to our hearts delight and calling rental companies 7 times because we kept thinking of more questions.

Unfortunately, my wedding venue is totally bare bones. Basically, I fork over a big ol’ fee and they unlock the doors and PTFO. So everything from napkins and tablecloths to wine glasses, tables and chairs is on me. I have to find someone to run the show on my end and get this: right now they don’t even have a wedding coordinator. Which means, every time I have a question I have to talk to some dude in the tasting room who doesn’t know what a peony is.

Before this weekend, I was SERIOUSLY considering eloping at the Bellagio and sending out “Oopsie we did it (and no we’re not pregnant)” cards. Everything was just a mess.

Thank God for Nan, sister Megan and sister Ray-Ray.

Immediately we talked to our caterer,who helped determine what we needed in terms of tableware. And thanks to my sister getting married last summer, she and my Mom knew what to do for tablecloths and napkins; not to mention we already own a treasure trove of lanterns, chargers, vases, birdcages and tealights.

We found some nice-looking fake flowering trees at T.J Maxx for $39.99 a piece that can sit at the ceremony site (such a maxxinsta right now). I also made the judgement call that it is PERFECTLY fine with me if we mix real and fake flowers for arrangements to save some cashola.

Inspiration

And only in the good ol’ TC will you find exotic wedding paraphernalia such as these bedazzled cowboy champagne flutes:

Then we went to Michael’s, Hobby Lobby and JoAnn Fabrics and bought a few fake sprigs and bud vases.

The Kennewick JoAnn Fabrics. Just, yes.

When we got home, we threw a bunch of randomness on top of a cute white charger and added some tall mercury-glass candle holders from Megan’s decoration stash – and what do you know?! We found ourselves a right-fine tablescape! Hopefully it is Sandra Lee-worthy.

Oh m’lord

So now, it’s just a matter of procuring the necessary components and the decorating portion of this shin-dig will be DONE. Praise Jesus.

On Sunday, I got up and drove back west. When I got home, I treated myself to a Lush-errific bath, vodka sodas and several million YouTube makeup videos.

All in all – a successful weekend.

Ulta Haul Y’All

January 24, 20144 Comments

RHYMING 🙂

My one (and only) New Year’s Resolution was to start caring for my skin. Once a 16-year old with a yearly tanning membership – I have traded in my goggles and Australian Gold for Mystic Tans and SPF 70. But that’s where it has stopped.

To me, turning 30 hasn’t meant many changes. Case in point: I still listen to hits from High School Musical. OMG Sharpay yes. But it’s time to start smearing on the ol’ war paint so to speak. A war against wrinkles, crows feet and laugh lines.

So with no further adieu, I give you my newly acquired army hailing from Ulta.

You’re welcome for the awesome pics I took on the carpet.

1. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Moisturizer $21.99

After doing a small amount of research, I discovered this product by Neutrogena. Earning high marks for it’s wrinkle-smoothing effects and a high SPF – I decided I would give it a try. Since it contains retinol, I wasn’t sure how it would react with my dryish skin. Jury’s still out, I’ll keep you informed.

2. Boots No. 7 Lift & Luminate Night Creme $17.44 (on sale)

This I bought based on an article I read on Oprah.com because, really, it’s Oprah. I chose this because it does not have retinol (don’t want to go overboard) and so far, I have been loving it’s ULTRA thick consistency and the great smell.

3. Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment – Collector’s Edition $38.00

This I bought after Rebecca, from the Issaquah Ulta recommended it. I luuurve me some maracuja and anything that is going to brighten up my dark circles. Plus, the packaging is adorbs.

4. Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater $7.00

I got this based on a recommendation from YouTuber Jaclyn Hill. Plus, anything that is rose-scented wins my heart.

5. Zoya Pixie Dust Nail Polish in Godiva (on sale for $4.99 in case the sticker isn’t orange enough)

I got this because I saw another YouTube (I’m obsessed, clearly) Kristin Gehm. The pic doesn’t do this justice, it is SO pretty with subtle, itsy-bitsy sparkles and a great nude undertone.

Here it is on my nails, in really orange light:

6. OPI Mariah Carey 2013 Holiday Nail Polish in My Favorite Ornament $4.95 (Also on sale)

Rebecca, from Ulta was wearing this as an accent color on her ring finger and as we were talking, I totally interrupted her and was like “WAIT STOP WHAT IS THAT COLOR?” It is seriously the most beautiful glitter of all time. Ever. Amen.

7. Hoola Bronzer by Benefit $28.00

I needed a new bronzer and they were sold out of the Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soliel, so yeah. I have heard wondrous things about this bronzer and so far…I FREAKING LOVE IT.

8. Samples: Perricone Nutritive Cleanser, Juice Beauty Trio, DDF Wrinkle Resist Plus Pore Minimizer (Moisturizing Serum)

I am VERY excited to try the DDF serum, as I have heard great things about this line. I’ll be sure to share, don’t fret :).

And last, but not least check out my Seahawks eye look:

Thank God I saved that glitter from 7th grade volleyabll games

My Grown Up Christmas List

December 10, 2013November 29, 20227 Comments

Do you remember me? I sat upon your knee.

Unfortunately this post is anything but a “grown up” Christmas list. Although I would love for no more lives to be torn apart…it is definitely not my lifelong wish. Well, it is and it isn’t. Can’t everyone have a friend AND I get the new Jo Malone perfume?

ANYWAYS. For those of you don’t know – my birthday just happens to fall on Christmas Eve. And save your questions. YES, it is the worst day (besides Christmas day, maybe) to have your birthday on. I’ve seen it all:

The 2-fer-1’s….”Here Natalie! I got you this ONE gift for your birthday AND Christmas.”

The people who wrap my birthday presents in Christmas paper.

Going to CHURCH every single year on my birthday. Including my 21 run. How sad is it that communal wine was my first legal drink?

Although my sisters and I are well into adulthood, looking forward to years of turtlenecks, holiday bathroom towels and giftcards to Coldwater Creek, as of now – we are still hanging on for dear life to our youthful years. As a result, we still do the all-out Christmas gift exchange. Complete with a “Santa” present from Nan and Gare, exchanged gifts for one another and stockings brimming with those delicious Butterfinger bells (you know the ones).

We have grown a little since the good ol’ days. Where I had heart palpitations over anything from Zumiez and Meg and I would get in blow-out fights if her Lisa Frank pencil pouch totaled $1 more than mine. We were those girls and although it pains me to admit it, we kinda still are. Though are tastes have matured from Zumiez to say, Nordstrom, we still strive for equality and try to ensure everyone has their most coveted items on Christmas morn.

So, in light of my hearty Amurican materialism (#honesty), here is a fun Christmas list collage I put together for the year 2013.

1.) 3 Olive Cake Vodka 2.) Urban Decay Naked 3 3.) Bobbi Brown Eye Creme 4.)Turkish Delight from Lush

5.)Pottery Barn Cozy Throw 6.) The Hobbit Phone Case 7.) Pitch Perfect on DVD 8.) Philosophy’s Time in a Bottle

9.) Regal Necklace from Forever 21 10.) Laura Mercier Pistachio Body Souffle 11.) FRYE Melissa Boot 12.) Gap Fair Isle Cardigan

Just some general guidelines, you know.

HOWEVER, in case anyone out there is feeling very generous, I guess I would consider accepting this vanity from Pier 1.

Be still my heart.

The Black Friday that Wasn’t

December 4, 2013Leave a comment

Happy December!

And how about them Hawks?!

Here’s the haps:

We joined a gym, yet again. And now we are privy to a multitude of exercise classes, ~~torture~~ cardio devices and weights. Surprisingly, I have made my way in there a handful of times and re-discovered my love/hate relationship with the stair-stepper.

Thanksgiving break! Bry and I made the pilgrimage (haha get it) over to Kennewick on Thursday morning with just enough time to help my mom prepare WAY too much food, adorn the table with sparkly pumpkins and drink a few bottles of wine. Dinner was fantastic, but the ensuing game of salad bowl was even better.

The next morning, per tradition, Megan, my Mom and I hit the Black Friday sales with high hopes of scoring dirt cheap toasters, half priced socks and the freetothefirst50customers SNOW GLOBE. I guzzled down my Starbucks misto and hitched up my gingerbread socks as we pulled into the parking lot at Target around 9 am.

Oh and a Cranberry Bliss Bar OMG

And…crickets. I swear a tumbleweed rolled through the parking lot.

Ok this is not my picture. It’s this guy’s. But it looked practically the same.

Where were the hoards of people? The crazy ladies with blue eyeliner, teased bangs and Snoopy Christmas sweatshirts with matching turtlenecks? As soon as we began our “doorbusting” at Target we figured out why: the sales were absolute flaming bags of crap.

Nothing Will Crush Nan’s Spirits

No $5 toasters. No $3 copies of The Christmas Story. Not even a lowly 10% off Christmas tree skirts.

We retreated to the car reluctantly, clutching our measly %40 off sweaters and dollar section items.

I would like to say that this trend did not carry over to our other Black Friday haunts, but sadly…it did. Black Friday was simply kicking our butts. Our cute, kinda round, but nonetheless charming butts.

We missed the $2.50 hand soaps at BBW by 10 minutes. 10 MINUTES.

Waaaaaaaaa!!

The sweater I wanted at the Gap was only available in XL.

So, we did what any good-hearted Amurican Black Friday enthusiasts would do in such a situation. We went to TJ Maxx where everyday is Black Friday! And I found this adorable Christmas decoration at Pier 1, which I might add was FULL PRICE. WTF Black Friday? wtf.

We then met “the boys” at the Sports Page to watch the Apple Cup and eat nachos. It helped a little. After we had our fill of cheese, grease and ranch dressing we headed to some antique/thrift stores to stare at other people’s crap. This is always a sure-fire way to cheer us Danielson gals up.

closed mouth smiles are the best smiles

We found a few treasures and hauled them home. Then we put up the Christmas tree and there was peace on earth. The evening was capped off by a viewing of the world’s most underrated Christmas movie: Holiday in Handcuffs.

This little gem stars Melissa Joan Hart or MJH to those who know her, and Mario Lopez or A.C Slater. The writing, the acting, the all-star cast #oscarbuzz. Then Megan, Amy, Bryan and I stayed up to late watching Marbles Harsgrove.

The rest of the weekend was spent attending Hanukkah parties, seeing old friends and gearing up for Monday Night Football. Next weekend we are getting our TREE and maybe having a tinsel fight. I don’t know.

xoxo

Natalie