Favorite Things: Beauty

So, if you follow my blog you probably have figured out that I am kinda obsessed with makeup and beauty products. And if you did not know that... well now you do!

I've been a MAC girl for years, as in completely obsessed with their products and new collections and so die hard that I refused to try any other kinds of makeup... that is.. until recently. Over the summer I got an itch to start branching out a little and I discovered several brands that I am in love with: Benefit, Urban Decay, Bare Minerals and NARS to name a few...

There are sooo many great products out there, and even though MAC will always have my heart and be my #1 fav.. I just have to share a few of the things I've found. A lot of these would make great gifts for the beauty girl, girlie girl in your life!

Bare Minerals Well Rested.. this is such a multi functional product. I use it under my eyes to set my concealer or as a cheek highlight.. it gives you that gorgeous Kardashian-like glow and perks up eyes that may have needed a few extra hours the night before. Amazing product!!

This is a great gift for mothers, sisters, or anybody that loves perfume. Such a cool, great, awesome idea that Sephora does every year. You get 15 deluxe samples of all the most popular scents PLUS you get a coupon in the box that you can take to a Sephora store and get a Full size bottle of the sample you liked best! They have the set above which is perfumes for her and then they also have the Favorites set which is all the most popular scents of the year. I think this idea is genius and would make a great gift. You can buy this online at sephora.com or in Sephora stores and at $50 this is an awesome deal!!

Hands down BEST lip gloss I've ever used, and trust me I've tried every single one!! This makes your lips feel amazing, it has a slight tingle that makes your feel like Angelina. I swear by this stuff! It's my Bare Minerals, you can find it online, in stores or at outlets. My bff K wears Bare Minerals products and had this in her purse so I used some one day and literally got some that same night! It is amazing and comes in all kinds of different shades. Great stocking stuffer!!!

Too Faced Shadow Insurance is my absolute favorite eye primer! I use this every single day. I have tried ones by Smashbox, MAC, Urban Decay.. you name it, and this is the best. Love love love this stuff! If you have a problem with eye shadow creasing or you don't wear a lot of makeup but want your lids to look flawless.. you need this product! I use this and then use a MAC paintpot (usually in soft ochre or bare study) and my eye makeup does not move all day!! Great stuff!

This is a NARS gift set from Sephora, it comes with basically their iconic products: Laguna bronzer and Orgasm blush, and a bonus Orgasm lip gloss. If you know someone that loves makeup this is a great gift for them. NARS is known for these products, so they are really a must have for anyone that is into makeup. You can get this at sephora.com or in Sephora stores or anywhere NARS is sold probably.

Ok, so if I had to pick a favorite makeup product for 2010 this pallet would be it. When I tell you it took me months to track this down I am not exaggerating. I was on 3 different wait lists before I finally found it!! This is the Urban Decay Naked Palette.. it comes 12 amazingly beautiful shadows, 2 eyeliners and their potion primer. The colors are gorgeous, all neutrals and extremely pigmented. I cannot say enough great things about this. I will say that they are very hard to find, they have been a rave on beauty blogs for a while so they have been sold out forever. But, if you can manage to find one.. buy it!!! It is the best $44 you will spend.

This is not even close to all that I've found.. so stay tuned for more! I love finding new things and always welcome new recommendations.. so please share your finds!!

Pink Love

Also... if you have not entered my Philosophy Giveaway you still have 2 days to enter!

To enter click here

Tuesday 3

3 Things I know/love/am excited about are...

1. This song by Zac Brown Band that my bff K played in the car and now it is stuck in my head and I have it on repeat b/c it's that good...




2. Zac Efron is single...

3. I could wear these 24/7 and have very happy feet.. they are that comfy

Best.Love.Story.Ever.

Allie: Do you think in another life I could have been a bird?

Noah: What do you mean?

Allie: Like reincarnation

Noah: I don't know

Allie: I think I could (makes bird noises), now say you're a bird too

Noah: No

Allie: Come on, say it

Noah: If you're a bird, I'm a bird

The Notebook is one of my favorite books and favorite movies. I found this picture the other day and instantly this part of the movie came to mind. I remember watching it and wanting a Noah that would be a bird with me or yell at me to "Get in the water!," I mean what girl didn't? Ahhh... swoon.

Hope everyone has a fabulous friday!

Favorite Things: COAST Apparel

 If you have not heard about Coast Apparel then I strongly suggest you keep reading this post because you are definitely missing out! I first heard about Coast this summer when I came across a special T Shirt they had made to support Gulf Relief. It was soon after... that I fell in love with this amazing brand! 

Coast Apparel was started in Pawleys Island, SC (near Myrtle Beach) and the clothes are preppy and adorable! I especially love the adorable crab logo! For those who have not heard of them I believe this statement from their website says it best... 

"Our clothing lines are designed to take you back to the coast: in your heart, in your mind and on your back. They are comfortable and elegant in their cut, style and feel. It is our desire that when you put on a piece of COAST apparel, it will ignite some of your fondest memories and place you in a coastal state of mind no matter where you are." 

They are best known for their fabulous Winyah Polos, they have them for Men and Women.. Ladies these are a GREAT gift for husbands, boyfriends, brothers or dads. I love the polos they make for ladies.. the fit is AMAZING and I love the color choices. Highly Highly recommend!!

The Winyah Polos come in a variety of colors.. all fabulous!

 As I said.. they make them for ladies and gents and are priced at $72.50 which is not bad considering the quality is AMAZING and I promise you will love the fit! 

Coast also has a great selection of button down shirts for guys that are perfect for Dads or the college guy in your life!!

For the casual guy in your life.. this logo T is perfect! Isn't the blue crab logo just adorable?

Their croakies, hats and koozies make great stocking stuffers!!

I cannot say enough about Coast Apparel!! It is such an amazing brand, and it's from my lovely state of South Carolina.. I highly highly highly recommend checking out their website because you will be hooked too! So if you are Christmas shopping or.. pleasure shopping... check Coast out! 

*photos used from coastapparel.com

Annnnnnnd Don't forget to enter my Philosophy Giveaway!! You can enter it HERE!!! :)

 

Tuesday Thought...

Have you ever had someone in your life that it was really hard to be kind to? You would consider yourself to be a kind person, but this one individual just rubs you so wrong it takes every fiber to show them grace. Well, I have. And sometimes it's very hard for me to live by Proverbs 31:26. Kindness is hard because we live in a mean world. And women can be mean. It's so important as women that we lift one another up and use words of encouragement instead of criticism. So I encourage you all, just as I am trying, to be kind to one another... even when it is hard. :)

I ran across this about a year ago but was reminded of it again today and decided I would share it.

The Paradoxial Commandments

By Dr. Kent M. Keith

1. People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered. Love them anyway.

2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.

3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemeies. Succeed anyway.

4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.

6. The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.

7. People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

8. What you spend building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway.

10. Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.



Have a great day everyone!! And make sure and enter my Philosophy Giveaway!!!

OOTD

OOTD by jennblack8 featuring a circular ring

I am so so so in love with the new Taylor Swift CD!!! My favs are: mean, enchanted, long live and back to December... but the whole album is amazing!!

Also... DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY Philosophy GIVEAWAY!!!

Enter Here!

Foodie Friday: Thimbelina Christmas Cookies

I had never heard of this recipe until about 2 years ago when my boss made them and brought them to the office. I instantly fell in love. These cookies are so festive looking and I think they are just adorable. I love the name too because it reminds me of Thumbelina and I used to love that story when I was a child. Besides looking adorable, they are very yummy. These are great to take to a holiday party! Enjoy!

Cookie Ingredients:

 1/2 cup butter

1 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg yolk (well beaten )
1 egg white (unbeaten)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans

Frosting Ingredients:
2 cups powdered sugar
6 tbs. melted butter

1 tbs. cream
1/2 tsp vanilla
Red and Green Food Coloring

Directions:
Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in egg yolk, and vanilla. Add flour and salt, blend in. Form into 1 inch balls. Roll in egg white, then roll in nuts. Place on ungreased cookie sheet, and, using your thumb, indent the center of each ball. Bake at 350 for 5 minutes, remove from oven, and indent again (they will puff up a bit and need the second indenting). Bake for another 12 minutes or so. Cool completely, then fill with tinted frosting.

Tinted Butter Frosting:

Combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 6 tablespoons melted butter, 1 tablespoon cream (I've used milk), and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Mix well. Divide the frosting up, and tint with red and green food coloring. Fill the indentations on the cookies with a teaspoon or so of frosting.


PS Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY in the post below!!!

 

OOTD: Work Edition

Work Outfit of the Day! by jennblack8 featuring patent shoes

Tis the season for... Pajama Pants!!

So, I don't know about you but I am a HUGE fan of PJ Pants! I have a whole drawer full and it seems like I'm always buying more. They are just so comfy and cozy especially for this very chilly weather we have been having in SC this week. It has been in the 40's during the day so all I can think of during the day is how good it will feel when I get home and put on my comfy pants and socks and lounge around, preferably while watching Gossip Girl episodes. Anyway, here are a few I love from the brands I typically buy!

These adorable anchor print ones are from Aerie. They have all kinds of cute nautical themed PJ's with sailboats and tiny whales on them, so cute! Bonus: They are on sale for $20 right now!



Victorias Secret, $35 or 2 for $56



GAP, $29.50

(If you live near a GAP outlet they have GREAT deals on these and they are always really cute!)

Old Navy, $12

Just a Tip: J Crew Outlets have REALLY cute PJ pants, much cuter than the ones at J Crew stores, if you don't live near one, they have a J Crew online factory outlet that is open only Friday-Sunday online. Visit the J Crew site to get on their mailing list so you don't miss out!!

Are you guys as obsessed with comfy PJ pants as I am??

Mulberry for Target

A few months ago I was so excited when I heard that the luxurious British handbag line Mulberry was designing a special line for Target.  Their ever popular Alexa bag retails at $1,250 and one of my favorites the Baywater retails at $5,000. So the thoughts of these beautiful bags being designed for a lady on a budget made me ever so happy.

Yesterday the bags made their debut in stores, and while I was hoping for...

This..

This

and this..

 what I saw was...

Ew.

Eww.

and Ewwww.

Needless to say, I was very disappointed. They have a few of the bags that come in black that are not as bad, but the patent looks really cheap, not at all luxurious. And the blue one is denim and I am just not a fan of a denim bag.

I guess there is a reason that luxury has a higher price tag. Mulberry for Target=FAIL

Have you heard about or seen these bags?

OOTD

Dear Fall,

It is 86 Degrees today. Last I checked that was a summertime temp. Please get it together.

Outift of the Day by jennblack8 featuring a cream handbag

And on another note..

I am deeply in love with MAC Mineralize Blush in Utterly Game. It is a peachy color that goes on light, looks fresh and gives your cheeks a really great glow. It is my favorite blush at the moment. You should try it.

HOW CUTE are these???

 how.darling. such adorable ear muffs.

would look super cute with...

too cute. Kate can do no wrong in my book.

perfect for sipping a little hot cocoa by the fire instead of skiing. which is what i do.

A little outfit of the day...

outfit of the day by jennblack8 featuring melissa shoes

**side note: my wedges are not that tall and I got them at Dillards and they are Michelle D. My cardi is from Talbots and the ruffle bottom top is from Banana Republic. I am also carrying a bag by Jessica Simpson that has a bow in front but Polyvore was a major fail on that. I got my jewelry at a local place called The Silver Link.

Foodie Friday: A Dedication

In honor of my very first reader, second mom and dear friend whom I affectionately refer to as Pammy, I would like to dedicate this post... because today is her BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Pammy absolutely loves The Wizard of Oz so what better to blog about on Pammy's day annnd Foodie Friday but fabulous Wizard of Oz Cakes (and a few others)?! Exactly.

Happy Birthday to my dear friend! I love you more than words.  I wish you many more wonderful birthdays to come!! xoxo

All of these fantastic cakes were made by Corina Collier who has unfortunatley stopped making them. All I can say is they've come a long way since my 2 yr Birthday Big Bird Cake!

Have a fabulous Friday everyone!!

Pink Love

Jennifer

Kate Spade Handbags

Dear Kate, 

I love your handbags.. may I please have one of each.. in every color. 


Love,
Jennifer


Ladies, prepare to drool...