Product Review: December Birchbox

Another month, another box.
Let's see what I got this time around, shall we?

Tada! My Christmas Birchbox!

L to R:
Recharge Eboost Energy Booster

Nuxe's Huile Prodigieuse OR multi-usage dry oil shimmer
Benefit's The POREfessional makeup primer
Prep's Showstoppers Designer Fashion Tape
Jouer's Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Birchbox Pink
Kate Spade New York perfume in Twirl

And I guess it would be best to give you a review from the previous box, right?

First up, the winners...

Oscar Blandi Jasmine Protein Mist and Zoya nail polish in Noel.

The protein mist really helped me restyle my hair when I needed to freshen up my blowout, and I noticed it made my hair feel stronger without making it feel stiff. 
The nail polish was not something I expected with the name of Noel, but it is Memphis Tiger blue and long lasting. 

And lastly, the ehhhhh, so whats...

Klorane Eye Soothing Makeup Remover and LaROCCA Skincare Champagne and Shimmer Body Polish

It wasn't that I didn't enjoy either of these products. The eye makeup remover did just that, but I've used cheaper, more reliable ones. I liked the crisp scent to the body polish (it really did smell like champagne!), but it didn't have enough to exfoliate and didn't lather well.

Until next time!

xoxo,
 

DIY: Christmas Wrapping

Better late than never, right?


Jessica had asked me on my Glitter Pumpkin DIY post if I had any ideas for a Christmas time DIY. Well, girl, not only is this post for you and anyone else looking for a seasonal DIY, it can also function for any other gift giving opportunity around the year.

The idea came from this wonderful kit I purchased last year from Home Depot (cost - $20).

And you know Martha can do no wrong.

This tool alone is worth the price of the whole box.

Add some gold paint (I think it looks festive).

And using your hand to glide the tool in a seesaw motion, you now have a woodgrain effect.

Tie up with yarn, and maybe a couple of tassels or pom poms, and you are done!

xoxo,

 

Girls' Night: Ornament Swap (and why I hate Dirty Santa)

I may sound like a grinch for saying this, but I hate Christmas parties where they play Dirty Santa (also know by a classier name of "White Elephant").
Maybe it's the fact that I always get a crappy dollar store gift.
Maybe it could be that I'm just not a big fan of the term "dirty santa."
Or maybe it's just I'm still bummed over the fact that someone stole my choice of W.W.J.D. bracelets from my fifth grade dirty santa.

Oh come one, you know those bracelets were legit...

Well, to say the least, I had a momentary flashback of losing my Jesus bracelets when Rebecca invited me to her Ornament Swap.
But let me tell you, this chick had a wonderful night planned that did not have a faint nod to the ye ole dirty santa.

We had dinner and drinks at The Beauty Shop of Memphis. This little gem is actually a throwback to the mid-century beauty parlor it used to be. Hence the name.

If you are ever in the midtown Memphis area, I would suggest you check it out.

And unlike dirty santa, we drew names off a little tree to give away our ornaments. When you drew a girl's name, you got their wrapped ornament.

Ok, so I accidentally wrapped my mercury glass ornament before taking a picture of it.

Lets just say, I wanted to keep it.

All and all, I cannot tell you enough how much fun I had last night. I walked in knowing only two women there, and walked out with four more friends.

Does anyone dislike Dirty Santa as much as me?

xoxo,

 

God is so good.

Seriously. I am beaming with pride as I write this. 

Last night as I was laying in bed (and checking my twitter) ((that's my ultimate way to unwind.)) I began to reflect on just how truly my group of friends and I have been blessed over these past few months.

My best friend (and Maid of Honor), Jenna, was accepted to her dream residency in her dream city and will be moving next year to North Carolina to pursue her goals.

One of my bridesmaids, Kristen, was asked by her boyfriend for her hand in marriage just one week after Cory asked for mine. And chicks, that gal is SOLID. Her wedding planning is in the books and she will be married in just seven short months from today. (I might have to take some tips from her...) 

Aren't they adorable?

Add some more upcoming weddings, baby showers, school acceptance letters, start up businesses beginning to take off, and a plethora of thankfulness, it all made me realize that I surround myself  with such an amazing group of women.

Women I look up to. 
Women that can make a difference.
Women that make me a better person.
Women that I am proud to call my friends. 

xoxo,

 

Weekday Happies

I keep cracking up over this picture of Cory from Memphis Zoo Lights.

He is one stylin' panda, let me tell ya.

I'm in a serious need of a trim in the worst way possible,
 but thankfully my Nexxus Pro Mend treatment has helped me hide all the extra fringe. 
Operation "long hair for wedding hair" has officially commenced. 

My friend had told me about these little wonders when I saw one at her house party.

And they are awesome for burning candles without even lighting them. 

(Because I know I hate when I burn a candle down to the bottom and have all that extra wax left on the sides...)

My burned out wickless candles are now new again!

xoxo,

Cheap Thrills

Ok, so this post I've had for a long time coming, but anyways...
A few weeks ago, I found myself with a mix bag of cheap makeup thrills.

I can give thanks to The Bargain Blonde for my new addiction of e.l.f. products.
Oh, and the best part? They are ubber cheap. AND they are really good quality. 

Products:

Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths - $3 

(Not a complete dupe of my favorite Neutrogena face wipes, but they worked well enough...I just would have added a little bit more moisture to them.)

Natural Lash Kit - $1 

(Because who doesn't love a fresh set of falsies?)

Cream Eyeliner in Midnight - $3 

(Oh my word, I may have found a replacement for my MAC Fluidline...I'm going back to buy every color)

Brush Shampoo - $3 

(I wasn't all too impressed with this. I'll still stick with my MAC brush cleaner, but regardless, everyone make sure y'all are washing your brushes! It'll make them last a whole lot longer.)

Nail Polish Remover Pads - $1 

(My number one favorite product of the bunch! I really like the fact that they work and they don't smell like acetone - instead they smell like citrus.)

Eye Makeup Remover Pas - $1 

(I wish they were a little bigger, but other than that they work great.)

Mineral Infused Mascara - $3 

(worked really well at separating my lashes and making them appear natural)

I also purchased a $3 powder brush to put my Bare Minerals on, and woah, is it just like the B.M. kabuki brush (just $17 cheaper!).

The only thing I could think of that was a disappointment had to pertain to the fact that my Target didn't carry the whole selection of their products. After reading The Bargain Blonde's blog, I really had a few more products in mind that I wanted to try. I just wasn't in the need of foundation or eye shadows or pencil liners.

Have y'all used e.l.f. before? What are your favorites? Did I miss any other cheap thrills?

xoxo,
 

This Weekend: Saturday Mixbag

My first bridal show just happened to come up the week after I got engaged. 

The sticker I'm being a total cheese ball to point to says "I'm a Southern Bride." 

Tonight Cory and I are FINALLY going to celebrate our engagement together as one unit.
Yeah, so what if it's been a whole week since he popped the question and I totally forgot to take a picture of us before my phone died...
(Sometimes I really wish those stupid airplanes could go fix themselves...)

In the meantime, I'm just going to enjoy this Saturday afternoon as a complete veg.
Sleeping in, having a date with my DVR, completing my online Christmas purchases...


Speaking of which, guess what I found online...

And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Urban Decay has come out with a Naked Palette TWO.
Yes, my love for this palette knows no bounds.
Do I need it? No.
Do I want it? YES!


Happy Saturday, people!
xoxo,
 

Fashion: Style Signature Look

I believe each gal out there has a signature look; you know, something they always fall back on or add to any outfit.
I'd like to think mine would (just a tiny bit) mirror Lauren Conrad's.

via

You see, I say that because you rarely see her without her winged eyeliner and her Sydney Evan Hamsa charm necklace. 

 I may not look like Lauren, but we sure do share two things that we refuse to be caught without. 
In lieu of a $500 charm necklace though, I have my gold Dogeared Fleur de Lis charm necklace.
That sucker's so worn down, it's practically silver....

Anyone else have a signature look?


xoxo,

Drumroll, please...

And thanks to the awesome random.org...

Delta Daisies is the Fall Favorites Winner!

 Congrats again to Brittney, and shoot me a line so I can send you your presents. :)

Also a huge thank you for all that entered!
 I can't wait to do something like this again. :)

xoxo,
 

Weekday Happies

One of my dear friends purchased me a little happy for an engagement surprise

My new last name with be Brassfield come one day. :)

I traveled down to Jackson yesterday to see my precious niece perform in a Christmas program.

I was so proud of Ava Grace!

And tonight I will be in attendance for my first ever bridal show in downtown Memphis.
Free wine. Free food. What more could I need?!?

Let the vendor madness begin!

And more importantly, one of you lucky ladies will be the winner of my giveaway!

Announcement will come tomorrow. :)

xoxo,