NARS Joie De Vivre Palette (Nordstrom Anniversary) Selling out Fast!!!

Nordstrom is starting their Anniversary Sale starting Tomorrow and it ends on Tuesday, July 24, 2012.  For those who are Nordstrom card holders, they already had 10 days to shop early. 

They have unique items, such as this NARS Joie De Vivre Palette ($65).  Gorgeous isn't it?   It has a highlighter, bronzer, four other blushes.
From top left to right: Albatross (highlighter), Gaiety, Luster
From bottom left to right: Laguna (bronzer), Orgasm, Angelika

I just called Nordstrom in my area, and they are telling me that it's been crazy madness and these are selling out.  One store told me to be there before their store open at 8 AM cuz they only have 6 in stock and 4 people have called already.  Crazy!  I convinced another store to put one on hold for me tonight.  Wish me luck!!!! 

I'm more excited that Nordstrom is having this palette, because Sephora also had a special edition (Danmari Palette, $65) back in December 2011, and I didn't know.  And it was sold out quick.  And when I checked eBay, it was selling for $200!!!  They are verrrrry similar.  But I like the fact that they are like all in one deal.
Top left to right: Hungry Heart (highlighter), Orgasm, Desire
Bottom left to right: Casino (bronzer), Super Orgasm, Sin

Sephora currently also has a smaller cheek palette, Foreplay Cheek Palette ($49), which is much smaller, and compacted.  And other than the Orgasm blush, other colors are supposed to be new.  And you are able to create custom blush colors and these have two matte blushes that you can mix.
Top left to right: Peach Matte, Gold Highlighting
Bottom left to right: Pink Matte, Orgasm

I'm hoping to get my hands on the Joie de Vivre Palette tonight.  You'll see update on facebook or twitter! So follow me on there! Wish me luck!  And if you want it, call stores that have it and have them mail it to you! :)

Review: Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil

Urban Decay makes some pretty awesome products.  They are famous for their Naked Palettes and their 24/7 Eyeliners.  Recently I discovered the Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil ($18).  I also did my favorite concealers posts (see it here) back in April.  But I may have to amend that list to include the Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil. 

I stumbled upon this when Hautelook was having a sale on these for $5 (Regularly $18). I figured I can't go wrong to just try it out for $5.  But I absolutely loved it and end up getting another one in a different color.

These come in 7 various colors.  They go on creamy but dries powdery, which helps it lasts all day on your face.  What I really like about this is, that it's so easy to use being in a pencil form, and you can conceal with precision without having to use a tiny brush.  You can easily carry it around to do touch ups.  This also covers up scars, blemishes, sunspots UNBELIEVABLY!  But I will say because of the powdery finish, I would not recommend it for use underneath the eyes.  This is great for the face coverups. 

I've been using this for about a month or so every day and I have yet to sharpen it.  Which is great!  I just wish Urban Decay would make this twist up kind (along with their eyeliners).  I hate sharpening!  I feel like I'm wasting so much product.

So I highly recommend this concealer.  Great staying power, great coverage, great texture.  I'm in love~~~

No More Paper Receipts - How to Eliminate & Organize Your Receipts

Do you ever have the "Big Fat Wallet" Syndrome?  It's when your wallet has so much stuff in it, that you can barely close it and it is seriously about to BURST!!!  We wish it was because there is too much money in your wallet, but we all know it's because of those pesky receipts that we keep in our wallets.

I try to clean mine out every so often, but I always end up throwing away the receipts that I needed, or never throwing it away.  I used to throw all my receipt in a box.  But I never got around to throwing them away, so it just piled up.  Usually I shop frequently at few stores who are willing to give you store credit for items you don't have receipts for.  Sephora was one of them.  However, recently, they have gotten very strict about even giving you store credit if you don't have a receipt.  And you all know I shop a lot at Sephora! 

Recently, I found two helpful iPhone apps to help you scan your receipts/ more like take a picture and organize your receipts for you. 

1. Shoeboxed (FREE on iTunes)
You can take pictures of your receipts and you can add notes.  You have to create a user account before you can start using the app.  But you can also access all your receipts and information on the web account.  So if you ever need to print out your receipts.  Or you can use a scanner and add it on-line using a computer as well.

 2.  Lemon.com Wallet (FREE on iTunes)

This app actually does more than keep copies of your receipts.  You can scan your membership cards, create reports, keep track of budgets in each categories.   Also you create an account which allows you to access your account on your computer as well.  And this app has auto detection which detects the amounts of your items from your receipts.  You don't need to create an account to start using (which I like).

 

Both apps were very easy to use.  I haven't decided which one I like better, so I'm going to continue to use both for awhile.  And in the meantime, I'll continue to ask each stores if they would be willing to take copy of the receipts, so I know I can eventually eliminate all my paper receipts.

Will you switch to electronic copies of receipts?  Is this the future?

Bracelet/ Watch Organization

Happy Monday everyone!  Getting closer to my 100th post!  Which reminds me I need to start picking out the gift for the GIVEAWAY!  Also to all my friends, subscribers, and any readers... thanks for stopping by and leaving me messages.  I know I started the blog to just write and share information, but it's nice to get feedbacks! :) 

Anyhow... Just bought something for organizing my bracelets and wanted to share with you because it ended up looking nicer and neater than I initially thought when I bought this.  I was never really a bracelet kind of person, but now adays, there are so many cute arm candies and I think stacking bracelet is very trendy!

I also should do other jewelry organization post, but my other jewelries are actually not organized as I like them to be at this time. :)

I bought a three tier velvet wrapped bracelet/ watch holder from eBay for $18 and change.  It was shipped from Hong Kong but I got it in about a week, which is pretty fast (considering shipping was free too!)

But when it arrived there was a little tear on one of the rolls.  I was afraid it will continue to rip, so I put a tape on it and hid the area.  I contacted the seller and they told me they'd credit me $3.  I told them $6, so they agreed.  So I actually got this for $12.  Not bad. lol 

I can't say it's the greatest quality in the world, but it will do the job and it actually looks like some sort of decoration in my room. :)

Once I organize my rings, necklaces, and earrings, I will do another post on how I organize those.

Hope everyone is having a fabulous Monday! ♥

Sephora Pantone Shades of Nature Palette

Sorry about the lateness of this post.  I know I have had this palette for over a month now, and I was so excited to share.  But I was trying to play around with the palette and experiment with different looks so you guys can see.  But I think it's a good thing since I had plenty of time to test it out. ^_^

Before I get into the palette (because you'll see plenty of my pictures of the palette), here are three looks I created using the Sephora + Pantone Universe Shades of Nature Palette ($55).  I actually created more looks, but trying to photograph eyeshadows is actually kind of hard.  Under different lightings and camera settings, the colors don't show up.  *sigh*

Sephora and Pantone Universe collaborated once again to create this Limited Edition Eyeshadow Palette called Shades of Nature Eyeshaow Palette.  It comes with 35 silky colors.  I didn't count but there are mixture of matte and shimmery colors.  It has a good range of neutrals to bright vibrant colors all the way to black.  I think it's quite versatile.  You can create springy, summery day looks to dark smokey night time looks.
Here's the box the palette came in.

Back of the box which lists the information/ color numbers (it's a shame these colors don't have names).

To show you the size of the palette, I placed my iPad next to it.  It's about the same size.

The thickness is about the same also.

This palette almost looks like a MacBook. :)  When you open the palette it comes with a good sized mirror.

Another view.

Close up of the colors. (first three colums of the left side)

The remaining....

I swatched few of the colors on my hand to show you the pigmentation/colors.

As you can see, the eyeshadows are almost identical on my finger as they are in the palette.  Colors are gorgeous.

This matt black shade is the most pigmented blackest eye shadow I have ever seen!!!! Love it!!!!

You can also use the eyeshadow wet.  I swatched the shades so you can see the difference between using it dry and wet.  The left is dry and the right is wet.  It's a little darker and less shiny.

When I initially bought this palette, I figured buy it first before they are out of stock (since it's limited edition) and I can always return it.  But after seeing the palette, I couldn't let go.  And the presentation of this palette is so sleek and beautiful.  It's one of a kind.  And I really love the ranges of colors it has.  If you are looking for a good range of color palette with good quality eyeshadows, I'd highly recommend this palette. 

Here are my Pros and Cons:
Pros
- 35 eyeshadows in one sleek casing
- easy to store
- big sized mirror (great for traveling)
- most of the colors were very pigmented ( I can't say all were)
- no fall out
- can be used wet or dry
- not bad for the price of $55, considering the Urban Decay Naked Palette ( 1 and 2) are $50 each.

Cons
- unfortunately, the palette case does not snap to close.  It just closes kind of like a laptop.  This could be dangerous if you are traveling with it.
- there were shimmery colors.  I can't say this is a con, but I'd have liked to see more matte colors.
- no color names (I kind of don't care, cuz I'll use what looks good, but some people might)

I think this palette is definitely worth checking out.  My advice when you are using the bright vibrant colors (actually this applies to any bright vibrant eyeshadows) is to use a good primer or a cream base.  NYX Jumbo stick is a good one to use.

If you are going to get this, or want to check it out, go soon!!! It's a Limited Edition at Sephora!!!