Summer Beauty Favorites

Hello Beauties!

I love my bathroom. I use the term “my” because mostly it’s me who uses it. We are lucky enough to house 2 bathrooms in our little apartment and Bry has slowly migrated to the other. #seperatebutequal.

Being allowed this luxury has meant filling it up with products and relishing the fact that I can do this. It has meant finding some duds along the way but also discovering potions that have seriously changed my life. A good product will do that for ya, I promise.

In no certain order, here are the standouts from my 2013 summer beauty collection:

coconut-crushed-pearl-bronzing-body-butter-9_0The Pacifica Coconut Crushed Pearl Bronzing Body Butter  came from a recent Ipsy bag I received. Sidenote: Ipsy is amazing. Best beauty box on the market if you ask me – and for $10 per month? Come on – put her there! It smells like an absolute dream and gives a deliciously subtle shimmer to the skin, along with providing a bit of a tint.

or_0HJX01_300The Origins Vitazing is another product I got thanks to Tiffany D. I have used it more during these summer months, when my skin needs less coverage and more sun protection – and have grown very fond. To be honest – when I first used it, I thought it was giving me spots (zits) but I haven’t had such problems since then. I feel this product gives me a radiance as well as a nice dose of moisture without looking greasy. The SPF is a welcome addition, making this the perfect summer moisturizer in my book.

220Forget everything you think you knew about black liquid liner. This Wet ‘n’ Wild eyeliner has put other high-end liquid eyeliners to absolute shame with it’s crazy black pigmentation and staying power. I much prefer this guy to do my heavy lifting, be it a precise cat eye or dramatic wing. It stays on, is JET black and costs $3. I curse my Mac blacktrack!

02720

I won’t lie on this blog – I have owned this for probably around 3 years. I realize I am probably smearing expired, bacteria-infested pigments all over my mug but really, don’t we all have a couple things in our makeup bags a tad past their prime?  This Physician’s Formula Shimmer Strips compact should be awarded for it’s multi-purpose properties. The colors are gorg on their own worn as eyeshadows or as I do – for my highlight (just keep yer brush in the lighter colors). Along of the cheek bones, down the nose and the cupid’s bow and I feel like a woodland fairy.

MCF318

Mac Creme Cup. A perfect nudish-pink for a multitude of skin tones. I recently welcomed this color into my life and I haven’t looked back. I wear it in the morning, I wear it at night. Sometimes I put a little in my hair if I’ve had a rough week (name that movie!). It’s perfect.

InstantReconstructorThis is a new-to-me line of hair care products and this Enjoy Instant Reconstructor is a winna. Kimberly from C.Joy Salon used this on me after my recent highlight and my hair actually shined. This doesn’t happen to me. Oil shouldn’t be called liquid gold no mo’ – just sayin. jm_L26K_lrgThe English Pear and Freesia perfume from Jo Malone. I can’t. I literally have to force myself not to douse my entire body in this everyday. I am convinced that all the other scents on my perfume tray are so jealous of this modest little bottle (because inanimate objects might have feelings).

1473We all know that self-tanners are my bread and buttah. My wallet silently screamed as I forked over the $40 on this maracuja-infused formula from Tarte but, like so many products I’ve discovered that are well worth the higher price tag, it is indeed “brazilliance”. It has an olive undertone so I was able to say goodbye to my usual oompa-loompa tinge. The fade is brilliant and the package includes a mitt for perfect application. It also has cute packaging, making this the absolute best tanning product I’ve discovered so far. Bold claim, I know.

So that’s it! A menagerie of beauty-enhancing goops. Go get you some.

Don’t miss a cupcake, unicorn or vodka drink – follow me on Bloglovin’!

Megan’s Bachelorette

Aloha Blogerinos! (Name that YouTuber!)

With the traces of my hangover bidding my body a reluctant adieu,  I finally feel up to the task of attacking this momentous occasion with my vernacular words and set it free on the internets. So, let’s go.

Friday began with a much needed highlight. I went to C.Joy Salon here in Redmond and told the stylist Kimberly of the saga that is my hair. We agreed on a full highlight – combining some bright blonde with a few low-lights for S’s and G’s.

Here’s the before:

IMG_1195

Accidental Ombre

And the after:

IMG_1198

IMG_1196

My car is the best for selfies

Saturday morn – I got up and slathered instant-tan all over m’self, curled the eyelashes real nice and headed to the Q to pick up mimosa fixins and a box of Top Pots (donuts) to take to the nail place we reserved at 11 am. I dispensed mimosas, pink feather boa donuts and of course my Danielson-charm as we dipped our feet into the swirling blue water and slipped into pedi-heaven.

DSCN4403

The spread

The nail place turned out to be perfect – hat tip to Karen for the recommendation! I loved the power ballad instrumentals they played and the Sharper Image chairs…the “upper-back roll” was my jam.

DSCN4406

Meg and Jen

DSCN4408

“Everyone look at the camera!” Nan looks down. hahahahhha

DSCN4407

Amy is participating!

DSCN4411

Lil Meg

DSCN4412

After that, ’twas off to Purple Cafe in Bellevue where we were seated in our own personal wine cove.

IMG_1216

DSCN4417

DSCN4420

We had a delicious lunch of sandwiches, salads, soup and of course – the signature salted caramels and then scampered off to Bellevue Square for a little shopping.

DSCN4421

Paparazzi shot

The Nordstrom Anniversay sale is on and oh law – the money I could spend on limited edition Mac gift sets. Swoon. We had fun trying on lipsticks for the wedding, ogling over Tory Burch purses and hyperventilating over anything at Chanel. Oh, and sadly the Soliel Tan de Chanel  is completely sold out like everywhere :(.

DSCN4424

Rachel trying Candy Yum-Yum

DSCN4425

Angel and Creme-Cup

Ray-Ray and I left the mall a little early to head back to my house to prep for the party. I picked up my bestie Holls (that is the balls) and squeezed the bejesus out of her little body. We hung up my paper chains, made peeny linguine and hung up a poster of the Bieber. So basically…

DSCN4427

DSCN4428

DSCN4426

Cutouts courtesy of Miss Coleman

DSCN4431

Rachel’s Famous Oreo Balls

DSCN4432

Cotton candy cookies

IMG_1193

Be jealous.

We all slipped in to our LBD’s, heels and mini-tiaras and that was that. It was sweltering and because we have NO A.C everybody’s faces were melting into the carpet.

IMG_1188

My LBD from Targs

So, we carried the food, dranks and other bits on to the patio and resumed our phallic conversations in the comfort of my apartment’s courtyard.

DSCN4437

DSCN4439

Holly showcasing her straw

The drinks were flowin and the shenanigans, growin. We moved inside to open presents where Meg received negligee of all kinds.

DSCN4443

DSCN4454

DSCN4446

She also got a  surprise from our other favorite YouTuber, Az4Angela! I ordered Megan candles from her online store and Ang was kind enough to send Megan a lil’ something. Thanks Angela!

After the formality of opening gifts, we moved on to more indecent activities like blasting rap and 1D while dancing PG-13. A conga line may have formed, I don’t know.

We played a rousing game of pecker toss, which is much harder than it looks and I may have accidentally played Party in the USA like on repeat.

DSCN4461

Wrong on sooo many levels

DSCN4462

Tossin’

DSCN4464

Frisbee method

DSCN4466

Not sure about this method

Holly and I then decided it the appropriate time to introduce the evening’s signature cocktail – chocolate cake shots.

DSCN4434

Draaanks

Since the party has ended, the chocolate cake shots have been subject to public conjecture as to whether or not they were to blame for the craziness that ensued through out the evening. Jury’s still out.

DSCN4456

Cake topper from Etsy

DSCN4458

We piled into a couple of cars (the driver’s sober) and were whisked into Kirkland with the goal of filling out our trusty bachelorette check-list cards before the night ended.

DSCN4429

Holly started us off with vodka-redbulls and Meg got right to work by asking a group of older gentlemen if any of their names were Ben Johnson. Aww girl.

Upon arrival at the bars, I pulled out my phone to send a location update and realized drunk logic made me grab Amy’s work phone since they were both white iPhone 4s. #FAIL. Also, Rachel forgot her phone and Meg had 2% battery left. Everything was SO organized.

The night was a veritable circus of all things bachelorette – we took shots of Fireball (delish), danced with Kirkland gays (hey-o!) and managed to get down to the tunes all the youngins are listening to. All while accumulating marital advice on paper napkins and nearly convincing a man to give us his underwear (Amers was in charge of that one).

Megan made friends with a couple a Russian men and I thought it cute to come bombing into the middle of their conversation, sloppily proclaiming “BORSCHT!!” (the one and only word I know in Russian), laughing like a hyena and trying to be funny.

We managed to stuff ourselves into a cab around 2 am and for me, things got all kinds-o-hazy. Rach set out for Jack in the Box while I (apparently) helped get all the air beds inflated and bedding distributed.

I am told that everyone else had a smashing time upon Rachel’s return, feasting on burgers, fries and gulping water while watching late-night television.

I, on the other-hand took a different route:

DSCN4469

So did Amy

DSCN4471

Hahahahaaaaaaaaaaahhahahhahaa

Bryan made his return from camping around 11 am the next morning and got to experience the text convo between Rachel and I.  So hilar – I can’t remember when I have laughed so hard.

The rest of the day was spent nursing my hangover with Chipotle, popsicles and Lincoln on Redbox. Planning and executing an entire day of activities at multiple locations was fun but completely exhausting – therefore I am using that as my excuse for my decision to PTFO.

Yes, indeed.

Last Weekend Part Une

Happy humps! (Lovely little lumps).

I wrote this on Wednesday and it was muckalicious, overcast, gray and rainy (still is). Luckily, I have thoughts of last weekend to keep me warm!

With Bry-Bry hitting the books day in and out, we have been setting aside a little time on Friday evenings to have dinner, throw back a few and partake in attempted witty repartee. Last week, we happened upon Purple Cafe in Woodinville for our date night and it did not disappoint.  Crab cakes, filet mignon, caesar salad and of course, wine were consumed.  Our table was awesome and the food was delicious.

photo

photo (1)

On Saturday, I kissed my study-crazed fiance goodbye and headed to Bellevue Square for some returns.

Item 1: MAC eyeshadow in Ablaze.

MC5CG8

I have been digging this new-to-me eye look I like to call “sunset eyes”, where I pair orange-toned, bronzy, golden shades on my lids with an aqua-colored liner + shadow in my lower waterline and lash line.  It is really a beautiful look. I went to MAC wearing said look and the makeup gal buffed a little “Ablaze” into my crease to amp up the warmth a bit. I will admit, the effect was lovely. I was all prepared to snag the eyeshadow and the Baking Beauties  MSF (mineralized skin finish) in “In For a Treat”.

MAC Baking Beauties

Say La Vie

Dun Dun DUN! They were sold out.  So I bought the eye shadow and haven’t used it since.  I mean, who needs a $15 bright orange eyeshadow anyway?! #whatwasithinking

I returned the eye shadow for another MAC must-have. Wonderdust I call it – Vanilla pigment what what?! Not drugs.

MAC Vanilla Pigment

Go Get You Some

Item 2: Banana Republic sweater. Accidentally bought a 6 petite. Me + 6 petite = big girl in a little coat.

CHRIS-FARLEY

Item 3: ALDO ballet flats.  This store actually sells really cute shoes but you must get them on sale. I hope someone who works at Aldo is reading this because – I tried on a pair of flats in size 9 at the store and they were just a wee bit too small (their shoes run big, obviously). The sales girl and I determined that a 9.5 would be perf.  So, I spent 5-7 minutes at the register placing an order to have a 9.5 shipped to my house.

The shoes came…they were size 10 and basically the size of small tug-boats.  I went online to check and see what the deal was, which is when I discovered…they DON’T CARRY SIZE 9.5!  I was lied to.  So naturally, I turned to Twitter where I cooked up a tasty little tweet and hit enter. Here was Aldo’s response:

@cupcakenat In a perfect world we would have all sizes! Unfortunately we don’t carry 5.5 and 9.5! We’re sorry that you were misinformed.

I accept your apology, Aldo. Accepted but not forgotten.

I wandered into Madewell, Norstrom and other stores slightly outta m’price range at the mome.  Then I did something I haven’t done since High School – went to JC Penney’s.  Or Penney’s to those who know and love this purveyor of Arizona Jeans, St.John’s Bay and G-Dot’s go-t0, Alfred Dunnar.

It’s a shame to me that J.C Penney’s “new look” has failed.  As a kid who spent hours in Penney’s, hunting through the pile of 75% off Christmas turtle necks and finding a dirty diaper – the recent updates are a breath of fresh air.  The absence of clutter, over-stuffed racks and price tags with 7 mark-down stickers is reassuring and welcomed .  However, I fall within the “young” group where roomy aisles, pleasant lighting and less “crap” are viewed as positive. The little old lady, tried-and-true Penney’s shopper must feel differently.

I was floored by the new collab lines (excuse me, Marchesa!) and amount of items I could have easily purchased. The prices are low and with a little hunting, quality pieces can be found. I snagged two items for just around $60. Kindof alot for Penney’s but I was in love.

I Heart Ronson Dress

I Heart Ronson Dress

Joe Fresh Shorts

Joe Fresh Fancy Shorts (My legs will be tanned)

Also decided to get these sandals from the Gap, but I’m still not 100% sold. Feedback is welcomed.

cn6230537

Love or Hate?

A’course I had to pop in to F-21, where I have been royally striking out, as of late.  In the market for trendy, wallet-friendly shorts, I decided to purchase these guys.

5a130847434639a627c7ee6dba72a410

Pleats? Don’t mind if I do!

Might not be styling these as girlfriend has, but then again I don’t consider showing a lil’ cheek a trend to grab on to. Literally.

Now that I have shared my entire shopping trip with you all, I realize I have written a chapter-book sized post. Apologies.

The next day was Sunday and was spent having even more fun.

Oh yes, it is possible.