Friday's Five

My five favorites this week...

#1 - Have leftover tubes of lipstick about to become trash? Keep them & make your own custom lipstick! Penny Pincher Fashion shows you how. :)

(via)

#2 - It was Employee Appreciation Week at my job & we were pampered one of the days with mini-massages! The best 10 minutes of the work day!

#3 - Loving the newest album from Carrie Underwood. She is pretty amazing!

#4 - I really enjoyed this "Big Sister Advice" post on Because Shanna Said So. It's not just for sisters in the literal term, but for any girly relationship. Wise words, Shanna!

#5 - I have been using this blush for years & I just recently bought the lipgloss. NARS lipgloss in Orgasm is another reason as to why this shade is a cult favorite!

 

Luxe for Less - DV by Dolce Vita "Archer"

Today's Luxe for Less post is dedicated to the DV by Dolce Vita "Archer" sandal.

 

This pretty turquoise flat sandal features gold hardware on the t-strap. DV by Dolce Vita offers the Archer in a bevy of colors for $69. Sure it's not an atrocious price but for a pair of sandals, I like to spend less if at all possible. Then I can buy more than one pair!

Lo and behold, Target heard my wish!

At just under $15, the Mossimo "Poeske" offers a super similar design for a whole lot less! In addition to this mint color (more turquoise, in my opinion), it also comes in black, hot pink & off white, so you can grab all four colors & still spend less than buying one of the DV by Dolce Vita pairs!

Now that's smart shopping.

Handy Dandy: Sugar + Batter

Adding a little bit of sugar to your batter will help make your waffles (or pancakes!) brown more quickly!

The Webster Miami at Target - Part 2

Remember when I shared the photos from The Webster Miami collection at Target HERE? Well I made note of a few items that I really liked online but when I went to Target on the day the collection arrived, I only walked out with this top.

So this past weekend, I made my regular trip to my local Target store mainly to grab some grocery & household items. But of course, I had to wander into the clothing section & this is where I found this super duper deal!

I loved this maxi dress online but unfortunately, it was not available in stores. I wasn't about to buy it online without seeing it up close, so imagine my shock when I saw only one dress in my store & in my size. I remembered it being a bit pricey but as I flipped the tag over, the second shock wave just about slapped me silly!

Yes, you are seeing it clearly - even through the blurriness of my picture.

$44.99 marked down to $11.26!!!

I didn't understand how this could be as the collection just launched a few weeks ago but the cashier informed me that when online only items are returned, they cannot be sold for the full price. No I didn't need another maxi dress, but seriously at this price, I had to have it! It's missing the belt but again for $11...belt, schmelt.

Lucky me!

*Note - these 'online only' markdowns are not added to the clearance section, but they are hanging with their regular priced counterparts. You just need to find the red sticker!

MAC Haul

I can't get enough of MAC Cosmetics. Aside from the necessary items (foundation, powder, concealer, etc), the not so necessary items always get me - hook, line & sinker! Every single time I visit a MAC counter, I get lost in their endless shades of eyeshadow & lip colors. Before I know it, time has flown by and I leave with no less than a handful of goodies to play with at home. Here are some of my latest purchases...not all from one trip though! ;)

First up, the face products...

L - R: Fix +, Oil Control Lotion

This was a re-purchase of the Fix +. I really like how it sets my makeup & I have noticed an improvement of how long my 'face' will stay put since using this product. The MAC artist suggested the Oil Control Lotion as my face tends to get a tad oily as the day goes on. I have been using it for a week or so & I think it has helped a tad in controlling the oil, but I can't say I have noticed a major difference. It is pretty lightweight & absorbs quickly into my skin. I am just not sure yet if I will buy it again once this one gets used up.

L - R: Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation (in NC25), Select Sheer Pressed Powder (in NC30), Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer (in NC30)

Everything here was a re-purchase. I have been using their foundation/powder/concealer combo for several years now & since it's been working well, I really haven't had a need to look elsewhere. The only difference here is that the MAC artist suggested I take the NC25 in the foundation because my skin currently isn't so tan (I usually buy NC30). Well I am finding that it's a bit light on my face but since I keep forgetting to exchange it, I am just adding a little bit of tinted moisturizer & it's working. Next time, I will stick with my NC30.

Next up, the eye products...

L - R: Brule Eyeshadow (Satin), Expensive Pink Eyeshadow (Veluxe Pearl)

Both of these eyeshadow colors are new for me. I have seen Brule featured on beauty blogs & videos as a good highlight color. I'm not sure why I never picked it up before. And Expensive Pink was one of those not so necessary items that sucked me in. It caught my eye & I thought it was too pretty of a pink to pass up!

Lastly, the lip products...

L - R: Girl About Town Lipstick (Amplified; from the Fashion Sets collection), Hibiscus Lipstick (Cremesheen; from the Surf! Baby collection - no longer available)

The colors offered in the Fashion Sets collection come in a lipstick, lipglass & nail polish. Once I read reviews & saw swatches of the colors offered, I made a list in my iPhone of the colors I was interested in seeing up close. Girl About Town is so pretty on & I may go back for the lipglass version. The Surf! Baby collection is one from summer 2011 & this lipstick was actually purchased on eBay! I was on the hunt for a pretty coral lipstick color & after some Googling, I came across a post on Temptalia featuring Hibiscus. I became obsessed & HAD TO HAVE IT. In came eBay & voila! I love love love these two lipsticks!

L - R: Sheen Supreme Lipsticks in Fashion City & Ultra Darling

Another first time purchase, but I am in love! The smoothness of these lipsticks is ridiculous. They go on super smooth & they feel so creamy! Fashion City is a soft coral-y color & Ultra Darling is a pretty rosy pink. Love them. I will probably check out what other colors they have because this formula is pretty amazing!

So that is all! Whew! It's pretty crazy how much I love MAC Cosmetics. I had my makeup done there for my own wedding day & for other weddings that I was in. There may be other brands that are better or whatnot, but I figure if it ain't broke, then why fix it??

And holy moley, have you seen their newest collection Hey ,Sailor! Oh you know, I already have my iPhone list started! ;)