Archives May 2022

Blogmas Day 6: Christmas Cards

I love greeting cards. I love looking at them. I love collecting them.

And most of all, I love giving them!  Christmas time is the best time for a greeting card fiend like me (ecards just don’t hack it!).

Every year I go on a hunt for boxed Christmas cards to give out to co-workers, recently I’ve been buying the blank ones that come in assortment of prints – this year I scored this cute set:

I also love owls and somehow I ended with 2 boxes of owl themed cards:

I haven’t even given out the one on the left yet which I’ve dubbed the “serious Christmas owl” – I mainly got it for the fancy box (I got this during a Boxing Day 50% off sale):

This is the newest addition to my collection – Santa and Rudolph are cut-outs hanging from a swing! – a design from MoMa that I found at Marshalls:

I try to get some with more traditional messages on them like the one on the left… but last year I bought this Gingerbread Zombie one to give to the SO… an entire box of them since they weren’t sold singularly.  No one else I know watches the walking Dead so now I’m left with 9 extra Gingerbread Zombie cards. If anyone wants me to mail them a Gingerbread Zombie Christmas card, send me an email!

And I also save cards that I’ve received and the SO also does the same (mostly because I round up all the cards and put them in a shoe box!)  Here are some we’ve given each other (we have a thing: cards with cats on them – we don’t even have a cat!):

And this is one I gave to the SO a couple of years ago:

Are you into Christmas greeting cards? have you sent out cards this year yet?

Be sure to check out the rest of the Babes in Blogland for their Blogmas posts today:
♥ Ingrid of Curly.Spring.Blossom
♥ Sharon of Sharon beauty Prime
♥ Kaily of hello Kaily

Title image source.

Share this:
Share

Click to email this to a pal (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Like this:
Like Loading…

Related

Blogmas Day 9: Christmas sweetsIt’s so secret that I have a sweet tooth. Christmas is the perfect season to indulge and, every year, come December 1st, I get my eating on! I tell this story to people all the time, I love candies so much that when I was little, I used to save…
December 9, 2015In “General”

Blogmas 2016: The Christmas beauty TagEven though I decided to do a shortened Blogmas this year, I was quite challenged as to what topics to write about, since last year’s Blogmas pretty much covered all the major Christmassy topics like Christmas music, movies, gift ideas, etc. So I was excited when I spotted this tag…
December 19, 2016In “Beauty”

What I got for Christmas 2015It’s fun to give and receive for gifts for Christmas! As I mentioned during blogmas, we’re pretty low-key for Christmas which also applies to gifts. I gave my SO coins from the Mint, a cookbook, a top from Roots (no socks! 😉 ), a wooden utensil set from William Sonoma, and…
December 28, 2015In “Beauty”

Cosmetic tattooing

I’ve been thinking about getting cosmetic tattooing, or permanent makeup done for a long time now, and I’ve finally decided to proceed with it (consultation appointment tonight!)  The main reasons I want to do this are 1) to reduce the amount of makeup I need (with potential cost savings over time), and 2) to save time getting ready every day.

Images from hair and makeup ideas
The areas I am getting tattooed are:

eyebrows

eyeliner

lips

In the future, I think I may even do some eye shadow shading as well – I’ll bring in my beloved MAC Satin Taupe so they colour match it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APRIL FOOLS!!!

I hope I succeeded in fooling you!
Let me know in the comments if I did or not!

At this point in my life, I would never get permanent makeup!  I’m way too enamoured with playing around with pretty cosmetics and trying different colours / looks.  Maybe in the future, I would consider getting my eyebrows done – I’ve seen this really natural looking technique called “eyebrow embroidery” which is semi-permanent and the results last about 2 years.  Beyond that, I don’t think I could ever commit to anything permanent!  (and no, I do not have any tattoos)

Happy April Fools!

Share this:
Share

Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Like this:
Like Loading…

Related

My Cosmetics inventory SpreadsheetThere’s curiosity about my cosmetics inventory spreadsheet so I thought I would devote an entry on how it came to be.  I created my cosmetics spreadsheet on Sunday July 26, 2009 (as revealed by the Excel file properties). At the time, it was primarily a way to track my growing…
February 25, 2015In “Beauty”

Hudson’s Bay Beauty: Becca, Burberry & Vincent LongoI don’t even need to explain myself. I bought makeup.  Lots of it.  Hudson’s Bay is Canada’s main department store – we often just call it “The Bay”.  Its American equivalent would be Macy’s.  It carries all the core cosmetics brands typically found in department stores: Clinique, Clarins, Shiseido, Lancome,…
January 27, 2016In “Beauty”

Body shop Canada Flash Sale: 50% off MakeupWhile getting my morning coffee this morning, I walked by the nearby Body Shop store and learned that there’s a flash sale for 50% off makeup.  This includes makeup, brushes, nail polishes and even makeup & polish removers! *sigh* and what’s a makeup addict to to? I haven’t bought anything yet…
May 11, 2016In “Beauty”

Lancome Haul – may 2016

Ok, back to routine programming on the blog for a bit. I’m truly backlogged from my may posts. I did a lot of makeup hauls right before my vacation that I need to catch up on before the end of the month so I can get back into my groove.

Lancôme isn’t a brand that I normally get as well excited over, as well as I’m not sure why. however one fateful Sunday in late may right before my vacation, I went into shoppers medication Mart to buy some shaving gel for the SO as well as stumbled upon a beauty event where there was a online DJ as well as mocktails being served. They were having a perk points weekend as well as there was likewise a gwp at Lancôme. So I ended up with these:

Yes, yet one more palette! What’s happening to me?!  This was a totally unplanned beauty purchase. I blame the lychee mocktail they plyed me with.

Juicy Shaker in Berry in like – $28

I’ve been seeing these cute little lip shaker things all over social network as well as since I like the lip oils that I’ve tried (Clarins as well as Sephora), I decided to provide this one a whirl. I debated between this shade as well as the Mangoes Wild (reddish coral shade) however the SA convinced me this was more unique (she knows me as well well, I always gravitate toward the exact same colours over as well as over) – I believe this awesome toned berry shade will look striking in the summertime with a bronzed look.

Auda[City] in Paris Eyeshadow palette – $89

I’ve seen this on the internet however don’t understand much about it. There are 16 colours in this palette – I can’t even figure out what looks to produce with this yet. however I like the colour variety as well as finishes – they swatched truly well on the skin.  When I was at the NYX store with Jodi as well as feline back in our little meetup, I was eyeing a Prismatic eye shadow single called Punk Heart. When I swatched this palette, I saw that the purple shade called Zip Me Up looks remarkably similar.  Now, that wasn’t the only reason why I purchased this palette, of course! This palette was developed by none other than beauty artist extraordinaire, Lisa Eldridge.  She is the innovative director at Lancôme now! I’m excited to try out this palette (and I believe 16 pan is the largest palette I own!)

Here’s the Lancôme gwp I received:

Included samples:
• Rénergie Life Multi-action lifting as well as Firming Cream
• La vie est belle perfume
• advanced Génifique youth Activating Concentrate
• Bi-Facil Double-action Eye makeup Remover
• Hypnôse drama mascara
The finest sample is the mini version of the color style palette in Taupe Craze, but I already own it… as well as I like it (it’s noted as one of my preferred pre-made palettes). Here’s what the gwp appears like next to the full size palette:

The gwp is 2g while the full size is 4g. I’ll be passing the gwp to a buddy to enjoy.

In addition to the Lancôme gwp, shoppers was providing out a grasp with extra skincare samples inside:

The grasp is really rather cute as well as extremely roomy – uncertain if I’ll keep it or pass it along. The samples inside:

• Dr. Roebuck’s face super Hydrating Repairing Cream
• Dr. Roebuck’s PURE super Hydrating Repairing Cream
• Lancôme Visionnaire advanced Skin Corrector
• Lancôme advanced Génifique youth Activating Concentrate (another bottle!)
• RoC Pro-Define Anti-Sagging Firming Fluid
• Biotherm Blue therapy Ultra Blur
Samples galore! I saw this article on The Onion just recently as well as it made me laugh:

Link: Report: most efficient advertising method Still providing Out little versions Of Product

Oh yes, I did likewise pick up the shaving gel for the SO!
Are you a fan of Lancôme? What are your preferred Lancôme products?

Share this:
Share

Click to email this to a buddy (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Like this:
Like Loading…

Related

Lip Oils: Clarins, Sephora, as well as LancomeThis is a publish that was inspired by polished as well as Inspired! I had shown 2 lip oils in my last favourites publish as well as she asked of the lip oils that I own, which do I prefer most. That got me believing – perhaps I should do a comparison post! thanks for the…
August 8, 2016In “Beauty”

Mediterranean cruise makeup HaulYou know, I truly didn’t set out to haul makeup during my cruise trip however then Ms polished as well as influenced reminded me that makeup purchases made while on vacation do not count toward my Low-Buy, so thoughts of makeup seeped into brain while I was vacationing in the Mediterranean. I…
October 5, 2016In “Beauty”

Optimum points Redemption Haul AgainIt’s been a while since I last redeemed my optimal Points. It’s funny to believe that only a couple of years ago, I got super excited since I’d lastly hit the top tier for the very first time ever.  since then, I’ve hit that level a number of more times.  It’s that Optimum…
December 12, 2017In “Beauty”

MUJI Skincare [+ GIVEAWAY!]

[THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED]

You most likely understand that I already like the MUJI skincare products that I’ve tried, so I was totally in my aspect at the most recent MUJI Canada open home which was to showcase their skincare.

Similar to previous MUJI open home sessions, it was a little intimate affair which I much prefer. We discovered about the different MUJI skincare lines with a focus on the sensitive Skin variety (my favourite!) as well as all of us got a choice of products to try for ourselves. Here’s what we learned, as well as what we received.

MUJI Skincare is all about hydration. as well as that begins with the purest water source they can find. The water is sourced from caves of Kamaishi City in Iwate Prefecture, which has the exact same pH balance as our tears as well as is quickly absorbed by the skin.  Currently, MUJI Canada offers 3 skincare lines:

• Anti-Aging (brown packaging) – features 10 necessary oil to prevent indications of aging
• sensitive Skin (clear packaging) – free of fragrance, dyes, mineral oil, paraben, as well as alcohol.
• organic series (green packaging) – organic components including jojoba, sunflower, lavender oils
And, we were advised that the balancing series (cream packaging) will be making its debut in Canada extremely soon! This variety is meant for dehydrated as well as imbalanced skin types.

What’s so outstanding is that of the products I received, nothing is over C$15! however don’t let the cost point fool you – they’re made of excellent components as well as they work. What MUJI doesn’t spend on marketing as well as elegant packaging, they channel into the product components instead.  That old adage “It’s what’s inside that counts” definitely applies to MUJI skincare.

I likewise appreciate that MUJI has very little packaging which is both expense efficient as well as much better for the environment. The toners as well as milks do not include sprays or pumps – these are offered individually as well as the tubes can be trimmed to any type of length (the packaging even includes a ruler guide to show where to snip). The pumps are reusable.

MUJI kindly provided us a choice of skincare products to try for ourselves – the majority of the products are from the sensitive Skincare variety which would be appropriate for all skin types. Here’s what we received:

Cleansing:

• Cleansing Oil C$14.50
• moderate deal with laundry C$6.50
• Cleansing Sheet C$1.50
I’m running the danger of being a damaged record about my like for the MUJI sensitive Skin Cleansing Oil, however I’ll repeat myself up until I’m blue in the face: this stuff rocks! Its base is olive oil instead of mineral oil. It cleans thoroughly however doesn’t strip the skin. as well as it’s so inexpensive! It was on my 2015 finest of list! 

Toning:

• Toning Water wetness C$10.00 + Spray Head C$3.50
What’s neat about these toners is that they’re offered in different wetness levels: light, medium or high; so you can selected the hydration level you prefer. I have the High wetness Toning Water (shown above with the trigger style nozzle*) which I got in my June MUJI haul, as well as I adore it!  I’m working on a quarterly favourites publish as well as – spoiler alert – it’ll be on the list.

Hydration:

• Moisturising Milk wetness C$10.00 + Pump Head C$3.50
• Moisturising cream C$14.50
Similar to the Toner, the Milk wetness (like an essence or serum) are available in 3 levels of hydration too.  I’ve not tried any type of of MUJI’s moisturizers as of yet.

Treatments:

• deal with Wash Foam Scrub $6.50
• deal with Sheet (under eye patches) C$2.00
• deal with lotion Sheet (DIY sheet masks) C$2.00
The diy sheet masks as well as eye patches are amazing – I bought these in my last MUJI haul too.  At the open House, they demo’d exactly how to utilize it – all you requirement to do is put the bit tablets in the toner cap as well as they expand.
When you unroll the sheet, it turns into this:

This page has a video showing the sheet mask in action.

Tools:

• stack Hair turban C$7.50
• cosmetic Blotting Paper C$1.50
• portable Eyelash Curler C$6.00
I have the eyelash curler (shown opened*) as well as it’s my absolute favourite for travelling! I have the blotting paper as well, it’s waiting to be opened while I whittle down my blotting paper stash.

• cut Cotton Ecru C$3.50
I compared these to the Shiseido cotton here. Although not as soft (I suspect since they’re unbleached) they are super strong as well as I’ve bought the white version to try next.

Misc. skincare:

• Hand cream in Lavender C$9.50
• Lip cream in Grapefruit C$5.50
Both of these are part of the organic variety as denoted by their eco-friendly packaging.  I have the lip balm in the increased scent (shown opened*) as well as it’s truly nourishing.

Another thing to note about MUJI skincare products is that many of them are offered in travel sizes which are travel friendly (dur ) however likewise excellent for trying before committing to the full size.

Learn more about the Sensitive Skincare variety here. all of the skincare products are made in Japan (yes, I inspected all the labels).

The skincare screen at the MUJI Atrium store.
And, excellent news: the MUJI skincare will be on sale for 15% off between October 21st – 31st!

GIVEAWAY TIME!

This is what you will win (plus, 1 spray as well as 1 pump head)
Not going to lie, I was lured to keep a couple of items for myself that I’ve never tried before (face laundry as well as moisturizer).  But I’ve got rather a few skincare products in my stock that I requirement to work with first! Plus, since I have MUJI stores nearby, I can quickly pick those products up in the future. So lucky for YOU – I’m providing away every single product that I got from MUJI! Here’s exactly how you can win all of the MUJI skincare shown above.

Must do:

• comply with me on WordPress or via email
• comply with me on Twitter as well as Instagram
• such as this publish as well as leave a comment below to let me about your present skin concern(s) as well as which MUJI skincare product interests you most.

Nice to do:

• see as well as comply with MUJI Canada on Twitter, Instagram as well as Facebook
• see as well as comply with me on Facebook

Read this:

• open up until midnight Sunday, October 30, 2016 (EST)
• open internationally
• must be over 18 years old
• One champion will be chosen
• champion will be revealed on the blog on Monday, October 31, 2016

Good luck!
Once again, say thanks to you to MUJI Canada for inviting me to visit!

* These are my own products that are not part of the giveaway – you don’t want my open / utilized items, do you?

Note: MUJI Canada provided the above products to me free of fee to do whatever I desired with them. The giveaway is not sponsored by them. I decided to provide them to you so you can try them out for yourself!

Lastly, today marks the opening of the newest MUJI store in Canada – MUJI Yorkdale will be a 6,375 sq ft store that will bring more FOOD. I’m so excited as well as will be making a see extremely soon!

Have you tried MUJI Skincare before?

Share this:
Share

Click to email this to a good friend (Opens in new window)
250Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)250

Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Like this:
Like Loading…

Related

Muji haulI’ve been semi-naughty as well as bought a few things from Muji.  Nothing is outright makeup, however it’s all beauty associated products that I don’t truly need.  In my defense, I’ve been after these Muji products ever since they opened their very first Canadian store last November.  But it was mayhem after the…
July 5, 2015In “Beauty”

Back to institution as well as organizing with MUJI!Yes, it’s a bit unfortunate to think, isn’t it… however Back to institution is just around the corner!  Even though I’m no longer in institution (some days I believe about exactly how excellent it would be to be back in school, as well as then I keep in mind the assignments as well as exams! 😛 ),…
August 11, 2016In “Beauty”

MUJI to GO! [+ Giveaway!][THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED] precisely a week ago, I had the enjoyment of going to an intimate open home at the MUJI Canada HQ in Toronto. envision my enjoyment to get a behind-the-scenes look at where the hectic bees make MUJI happen! as well as exactly how timely, since I’d just visited MUJI in Japan,…
June 29, 2016In “Beauty”

Checking In: Lemons, MOAR Chanel as well as a Standout Red Lipstick by MAC

never in my life have I been this thrilled about citrus, ever! My Meyer lemon tree is poppin’ off!

She’s got so much ripe fruit on her best now. later on today I’m going to pick some lemons so I can make lemon pasta tonight.

ADVERTISEMENT

Maybe lemon bars are in the future, too, although reality be told I wouldn’t mind discovering a new lemon desert to love. If you have a lemon dessert recipe that will modification my life, please let me know.

OK, so do you see the color of this blue pot from my lemon tree? It completely reminds me of that blue Chanel nail polish I’ve been drooling over. I believe that’s a indication telling me I requirement it in my life.

Yesterday, I put it in my cart as well as have been dancing around the inspect out button furiously, so to speak.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

I likewise figured that while I was at it, I may also put some other things in my cart!

Next thing you know, there’s a jar of new Moon in there (it’s on backorder, boo) as well as a tube of dimensions de Chanel Mascara. I was likewise going to throw in couple Stylo Yeux eyeliners (you know, the twist ups), however I’ve been truly pleased with the dark brown Ilia liner I’ve been utilizing lately, as well as I’m toying with the concept of really completing it. GASP, I KNOW!

My preferred Chanel mascara
I was just about to add a stick of the $40 young boy de Chanel brow pencil (from the line marketed to men) that I like when I discovered there is likewise a “ladies” version available. After some quick sleuthing I realized, 1) they both have a similar component list, 2) both pencils hold the exact same amount of product as well as 3) the women’s version costs less — it’s $33! So, yeah. I like ya, young boy de Chanel, however if this haul happens, I’m gonna choose the somewhat much more inexpensive version.

If (when?) I really pull the set off — as well as I may since my will power is truly starting to break down — then I ought to add a lipstick or two into the mix, right? perhaps a new red? Chanel does some amazing reds.

Oh, speaking of red lipstick, I put a warm red on my infant for the very first time ever! I utilized MAC rather the Standout on Coywolf for her dance recital last weekend.

I did this lip freehand without any type of lip pencil or a lip brush, as well as I have to say, I believe I did OK! The women in her group danced to “Candy Cane Lane” by Sia, which is why they were all dressed up like wonderful bit candy canes.

ADVERTISEMENT

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! What’s going on for the weekend? Are you doing any type of last-minute shopping? I sure AM!

Makeup as well as charm blog Monday Poll, Vol. 706

pleased Monday from me, Connor Claire as well as Angel the goat!

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, as opposed to its name, an actual poll, like with bit clicky buttons. It’s just a listing of much more or less random concerns I’ve been publishing on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. Sheet masks: like them or leave them?

Leave ‘em, since for some reason I just can’t get them to stay on my deal with without holding my head at a strange angle. They always end up moving best off. provide me a great old fashioned deal with mask that you capture out of a tube as well as apply with your fingers any type of old day!

2. How’s your holiday buying going?

It’s really going great. I’m practically done!

ADVERTISEMENT

3. Cheesecake or Jell-O?

Oh gosh, cheesecake, 100%. I like Jell-O however it’s not like I’ve ever woken up in the middle of the night craving it. Cheesecake, though, is one more story.

4. Do you wear sunscreen in the winter?

Heck ya, girl! I’m on that sunscreen train 365 day of the year now (it’s a hyperpigmentation thing).

5. Fiction or nonfiction?

Fiction, if it’s for reading solely for pleasure.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

6. exactly how did you do your hair today?

Messy dutch braid on one side that leads into a low pony. I couldn’t offer with my hair in my deal with today, ugh.

7. A show you started viewing just recently that you like?

The Nevers on HBO. It’s quite good.

8. What’s one of winter season skincare go-to products?

Avene XeraCalm A.D. Replenishing Balm. I completely suggest this cream for very dry areas on your deal with as well as body! excellent for dry hands, too.

9. Something you’d like to do this week?

Wrap a few Christmas provides as well as pop ‘em beneath the tree.

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

ADVERTISEMENT

P.S. right here are the concerns to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. speak with ya soon.

1. Sheet masks: like them or leave them?
2. How’s your holiday buying going?
3. Cheesecake or Jell-O
4. Do you wear sunscreen in the winter?
5. Fiction or nonfiction?
6. exactly how did you do your hair today?
7. A show you started viewing just recently that you like?
8. What’s one of winter season skincare go-to products?
9. Something you’d like to do this week?

P.P.S. great morning, wonderful girl! I hope your spirit feels light as well as your heart feels full today.