Sunday, November 30, 2014

Operation : Organization : Nail Polish

I *hate* cleaning. Frankly, I despise it with a passion, and I would rather...I don't know what...but I don't like cleaning. However, there's few things I love more than organizing my stuff, it's a bit obsessive.

One thing though,  I notice I'm not alone! Over and over again I see that many who are enamored with beauty product collecting also love organizing all the stuff in creative, fun, and often really, really, cool ways. This is what I've been working on the past few days while I impatiently await my remaining November and December subscription boxes and Black Friday purchases.

I have decided to attack a few tasks at once because it seems like it would be most time effective - not that I actually limit myself to how much time I spend on my beauty things, but that's another story all together. Shh...

The first thing I want to do is get to swatching my collection. I love Juleps nail polish the most and they are the core of my collection. The bottles are beautiful, but they are glass, they are conveniently sized, but not traditionally shaped... not to mention the swatch spot is on top and the name on the bottom - storage is kinda tricky. I like many colors so ideally I'd like to display them in a rainbow fashion, I just like how that looks. I have the Color Caddy - but I can't see them in there. Truthfully I'd like to keep as many polishes out and in view as possible. I decided to go with this (I purchased 2 from Amazon, $5.48/ea, hold 24, *shipped from the US) to display my favorite colors.

I'll store the rest of my polish in my color caddy for now - I think that would be enough to keep out on display for the time being. :D I eventually hope to upgrade to a wall mounted piece for my polish. I'm holding off however, because I hope to move out of state in the next 6 months or so.

!!!SWATCH PLANS!!!

I am so excited to start swatching I'm almost embarrassed! I looked high and low for something that I felt I could follow through with and would be somewhat enjoyable to do - and not incredibly tedious. I don't really have a pretty handwriting and I didn't want to take all the time to type things out and cut and paste the names on, so a pretty book didn't seem like a good idea for /me/. I looked at the nail sticks, but I felt like that would waste a lot of polish because it'd keep doing it over and over if the nail didn't come out /perfect/. Some people were using binders with loose-leaf paper, but I worried if the color would be skewed by the paper.

Finally, I came across someone who used artist swatch-cards and a binder - not exactly what I was looking for but it did give me an idea! Un-ruled index cards, a index card holder, dividers and my OCD. Alphabetized Julep polish? Like...a library catalog? Y/Y? YES! Since we all know Julep by Maven name, I think this is going to be PERFECT! I cannot wait to try it out and how it comes out. This is what I bought to do the job, got everything on Amazon!

Snap-N-Store 3x5 Index Card Box, Black (SNS01573)Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain Pens, 3-Pack, Black/Blue/Purple Inks (90022)Find-It Tabbed Index Cards, 3 x 5 Inches, Assorted Colors, 48-Pack (FT07216)

Blank Index Card

Friday, November 28, 2014

Black Friday Madness @ Julep.com

I am not one to go into the stores, I love online shopping -  there's something unique, almost addicting, about the thrill of getting a package in the mail. Perhaps some of this is because I order so much I never am quite sure what I'm opening, but that's neither here nor there, or so I'd like to think.

I had my eye on one company this season and that's Julep. I am obsessed - I've been a Maven since mid-2013 and while I did not always take my boxes, I was enamored with the company from the first time I received a monthly box in the mail. The packaging itself is gorgeous - they have nailed me hook, line and sinker.

 

So what did I get you ask? 
(Which really means - what DIDN'T I get?)

 
 Stargazer - $40.00 $19.99 Special ( $85.00 Value )

Warm Wishes Trio - $30.00 $11.99 Special ( $50.00 Value )

Extraordinary Color Kit - $39.99 $14.99 Special ( $74.00 Value )

Queen Anne - $14.00 $4.99 Special

Gem Collection 2014 - $98.00 $49.99 Special ( $168.00 Value )

Black Friday Surprise #1 - $28.00 $6.99 Special

Black Friday Surprise #2 - $14.00 $4.99 Special

Black Friday Surprise #3 - $14.00 $4.99 Special

Black Friday Surprise #4 - $28.00 $6.99 Special

1 x Vanish Cuticle Softener & Remover $6.99 (ADD-ON)

1 x Clean Slate Polish Corrector Pen $4.99 (ADD-ON)

1 x Doublestep Foot Treatment and Friction Stick $4.99 (ADD-ON)


Join Julep Today! 

USE PROMO CODE: FROSTY

You'll your first box free, only pay shipping. Wildly worth the money!

What You'll Get

  • First access to the latest beauty
  • innovations & color trendsThe option to pick what you love
  • from each monthly collectionTotal flexibility: "Send to a friend" or
  • let us know "I'm out this month"Free shipping & 20% off at julep.com (always)Over $40 value in each box for just $24.99
  • (or try Maven Luxe for over $60 value)





Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Stuff For Things For BF Sale


Taking PP only, shipping is included. Willing to bundle, feel free to haggle/offer. My trading board is not fully set up but feel free to tempt me. You can always directly get to my Pinterest sales board from the top of the page right on any page of SFT. Feel free to follow my Pinterest Boards here!

If PP purchases aren't your thing, remember I also use PoshMark. Feel free to head on over to that community as well - you can get there from the link up top as well! Happy Shopping!

Brandi

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Sephora Delivery

I've been impatiently waiting for this delivery because I have heard amazing reviews about the samples they give out.

I was not disappointed, there are a few super small paper samples but some real nice trial sizes.

Reviews and comments to come!


Sometimes Monday's are good!

I am so excited!

 I don't think anyone really likes Monday's, except for maybe me - right now. I've noticed that since shipping becomes delayed this time of year with everyone doing their holiday shopping online, I end up with a TON of packages Monday morning.

Yesterday was no exception!


Sometimes Monday's are worth it, yesterday surely was!

Up next will be a breakdown of this weeks goodies, thanks to Julep!


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Julep Review: Blank Canvas (Face/Eyes), Neutrals Palette (Toffee), Eye Glider (Rich Brown).

I had to venture out yesterday afternoon. It was freezing here in NYC - literally. I wasn't really in the mood for a full face of makeup, and I didn't really expect to look too hot after hours of dragging myself throughout Queens on the bus and the subway. I took a picture when I got to my bus stop and one again when I got back home about 4 hours later.

In the end, I just ended up throwing on some eye makeup to perk myself up a bit. I am beyond pleased with how well my eye products withstood the elements. I am wearing no other products, no, not even mascara, my eyelashes are indeed that long/thick naturally (it's all good until I need sunglasses).

PRODUCTS USED:
  1. Blank Canvas Mattifying Face Primer - All over face ($22.40/Maven)
  2. Blank Canvas Mattifying Eye Primer - Eyelids, Under-eye ($17.60/Maven)
  3. Gel Eye Glider (Rich Brown) - Bottom inner lid ($12.80/Maven)
  4. Sweep Eyeshadow Palette (Toffee) - Eyelids to crease ($38.00/Maven) *
BEFORE:
AFTER: 
To get these wonderfully durable and absolutely stunning products from Julep join today just in time for December's Maven Box which debuts officially tomorrow. 

*Promo Price Subject to change.



Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Julep Goodies Came in the Mail

Got a nice haul of stuff from Julep today.

I really wanted to take advantage of the SHINETIME offer, only needed a purchase of $35 to get it. To be perfectly honest, this is a steal - there's no way to figure it not! It's a 6-Piece Set, including that beautiful clutch. The set is available free with purchase of $35 or more until November 24th 2014 @ 11:59pm. Purchase here, add SHINETIME at checkout!.
 To reach the $35 minimum purchase I picked up:
Color Caddy - Maven Price: $24.00
Nude Lip Look - Maven Price: $14.99
In case anyone is wondering if there's a catch, extra shipping and handling or anything like that? Nope! You can see that I purchased $158 worth of product for $42.45, including shipping (FREE, Maven Perk). Prices are discounted for Maven's so you can expect to spend a bit more without Julep's Maven Subscription.

It all started with nail polish...

It all started with nail polish. Actually, it all started with FaceBook - but let's just say it all started with nail polish. I was always a nail biter, once I stopped, I became obsessed with nail polish - which spread to makeup - which spread to beauty products in general. Now I'm addicted to mail-order subscription boxes, go figure.

I'm currently subscribed to 3 monthly subscripts, Julep, Birchbox and ipsy. I will chronicle my purchases, and review as I go along. Feel free to request a specific item to be reviewed!