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All Things Beautiful XO

Stephanie Louise Telford & her guide on beauty, style, & glitter!

I Finally Duped MAC’s Humid! + What AREN’T dupes!

August 14, 2012 By StephanieLouise 747Leave a Commenthttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fi-finally-duped-macs-humid-what-arent.htmlI+Finally+Duped+MAC%27s+Humid%21+%2B+What+AREN%27T+dupes%212012-08-14+18%3A15%3A00StephanieLouisehttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fi-finally-duped-macs-humid-what-arent-dupes.html

PhotobucketPhotobucket It happened. After all these years, I didn’t think the day would come. What am I rambling about? I duped Humid from MAC, the one eyeshadow I’ve EVER repurchased from MAC. It may have taken a lot of tries, but boy was it worth it…success is sweet.

What shades aren’t DUPES & why (my opinions only of course!):

NYX MERMAID GREEN

People keep trying to tell me NYX has a dupe in their shade “Mermaid Green” but I disagree. While the shades are similar it doesn’t go on the same for me. I like being able to see the smokiness & Mermaid Green just doesn’t have it. Its also not as pigmented.

WET N WILD COOL AS A CUCUMBER TRIO

I LOVE this trio & the dark green is fabulous. but it IS a hair of a difference. This green leans a tiny smidge more teal whereas Humid leans more lime in the shimmer department. I love this trio & for $3, this would satisfy 99% of people’s dupe needs.

These are the TOP 2 shades I’ve been told are dupes, clearly these aren’t all the dupes out there. I’ve tried some others which are close but not as close as these 2!

Mattese Elite in Emerald is officially a dupe. You won’t see dupes on here very often because I’m very picky about them. I say things are close, but rarely dupes so I savor this discovery!

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Left to right: Mattese Elite Emerald swatched once, next swatch is 2 on top of one another. Swatch 3 is Humid from MAC swatched twice & the 4th is Humid swatched once.

MAC shadows contain 0.05 oz & Mattese Elite Shadows contain 0.06 oz.

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Mattese Elite might be a tiny bit more pigmented, but it absolutely blends & wears the same. These are listed as $12 each which wouldn’t be a huge savings from the MAC shadows but these are VERY often on sale from what I’ve witnessed. They’re usually about $6. Right now, this comes in a set for only $10 along with some other products I really liked & showed you guys in a haul.

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MAC HUMID
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MATTESE ELITE EMERALD

You can pick up Mattese Elite Eyeshadows online from Ricky’s NYC & if you are lucky enough to live in New York, you can walk right in! (Jealous!)

Can you tell I’m excited? I rarely spend money on MAC eyeshadows anymore so this was a fab find for me! What do you think: Are they dupes? What are some of your favorite dupes?

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Nails: Thinking of Blue from Sally Hansen CSM Swatches & Review

August 13, 2012 By StephanieLouise 748Leave a Commenthttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fnails-thinking-of-blue-from-sally.htmlNails%3A+Thinking+of+Blue+from+Sally+Hansen+CSM+Swatches+%26+Review2012-08-13+16%3A19%3A00StephanieLouisehttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fnails-thinking-of-blue-from-sally-hansen-csm-swatches-review.html

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So after I swatched the lovely & oh-so limited edition Dani-Mite from Nails by Laura over Thinking of Blue, I got some requests to swatch it on its own. I checked back & saw I hadn’t…how strange! This is definitely my most-used navy & I love it. Really. I’m a fan of the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure line altogether really, although I think they are quite pricey & there have been 1 or 2 “ehs” in the bunch. Overall though, a very nice line. Some people dislike the brushes but I can deal, they tend to be wide but not as wide as Spoiled. They are also rounded which I actually like.

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Thinking of Blue by Sally Hansen- A medium navy blue. Opaque in 1-2 coats.

There’s not much I can say about this polish other than from all the blue I’ve aquired this is the navy I reach for. I love it. If I’m careful, its a one coater with a somewhat medium hand. I love the color, it has shine on its own if you don’t use a top coat, & it wears really well on me. A winner, truly. It took me a long time to find a navy I loved & this one even doubles as a stamper polish for me. WIN. I love using this over white with my anchor design. So summery!

What’s your favorite navy? Any thoughts on the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Line? Favorites or any that I should check out?

Filed Under: Nails, Reviews

July 2012: My First Beauty Box 5 Review

August 10, 2012 By StephanieLouise 749Leave a Commenthttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fjuly-2012-my-first-beauty-box-5-review.htmlJuly+2012%3A+My+First+Beauty+Box+5+Review2012-08-10+16%3A01%3A00StephanieLouisehttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fjuly-2012-my-first-beauty-box-5-review.html

When Beauty Box 5 contacted me about reviewing their July box, I said sure. I am kind of a junkie. Its kind of addicting these boxes…what’s one more right? Well, here’s what I got & my opinions! Get ready for another sample subscription review….

What is Beauty Box 5:
-This is a sample service that charges different amounts allowing you to test it out for $12 a month, pay $30 quarterly (saving $6), or $100 yearly (saving a whopping $44) which I really like. Even monthly it isn’t too unreasonable. Its only $2 more than Birchbox or MyGlam which is do-able in my book.

– Samples come in a blue/green colored cardboard box with a drawstring baggie of samples + an info card.

– You receive 4-5 samples a month.

Okay, first off, I think its strange they call it BB5 when the samples are stored in a little drawstring bag with only 4 products this time. Kind of defeats the name no? Maybe that’s just me splitting hairs but…I guess I’m spoiled with some other boxes out there lately.

What I got:

-Blinc Mascara 
 I’ve gotten this before… think twice? It just isn’t for me. Its supposed to be water-resistant, no smudge, flake-free, & is a tubing mascara. It just didn’t give me the length, volume, or lasting power. I know some people LOVE it though so this isn’t a bad sample.

Full size: $26.00 for 0.21 oz   Sample: 0.02 oz which is $2.48

-Curls Gel-les’s
 This is an organic curl styler that promises shine, banishment of frizz, & to hold curls in place. I have naturally wavy hair…unfortunately this did absolutely nothing for frizz & my hair isn’t even considered frizzy. Bummer.

Full size: $25.00 for 8 oz  Sample: 2 oz which is worth $6.25

-Spongeables Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer
This is an “at home spa experience” with a soft side to cleanse & moisrturize. Flip it over & its a buffer side to exfoliate. I love this. It smells very soapy & clean. Works great. My only request is that it lasts a big longer but for only $2.99 I better just deal.

Full size: $2.99 (one)   Sample: Full sized so it is worth $2.99

-Bodyography Makeup Primer
 This is a really decent sized sample but unfortunately…it just wasn’t for me. It made me break out which is actually pretty rare with primers. When I did use it, I didn’t notice anything mind-blowing or even all that helpful.
Full size: 1 oz for $30.00  Sample: 0.53oz for $15.90

Box Total: $26.62

So the box total is decent for $12. However, considering I didn’t like the makeup primer (reaction or not) it wasn’t. That was the bulk of the box cost. Now don’t think I’m being too harsh! This month just wasn’t for me. I think if I had a few more boxes to try it out, I’d be able to make a more well-rounded decision. Last month, the box looked fabulous & I would have been VERY happy with it. This month just wasn’t for me!
What do YOU think of Beauty Box 5? Have you tried it? Interested in trying it? 

 

Filed Under: Reviews, Subscriptions

Claire’s 10 for $10 Sale Accessory Haul!

August 10, 2012 By StephanieLouise 750Leave a Commenthttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fclaires-10-for-10-sale-accessory-haul.htmlClaire%27s+10+for+%2410+Sale+Accessory+Haul%212012-08-10+02%3A26%3A00StephanieLouisehttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fclaires-10-for-10-sale-accessory-haul.html

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So its been a VERY long time since I did back to school shopping with my mom. One of the odd traditions was always Claire’s because of the 10 for $10 sale. I think mom figured it was only $10 for some accessories that would make me happy, high quality or not. Plus…its hard to beat 10 pieces of jewelry for only $1 each. I went through many a phase at Claire’s : rubber bracelets, chokers, gothic details, even a time when I pretty much only wore punk rock everything. Aw the good ol days. Now I like to shop for fun. I find some cute stuff, especially more trendy items that I don’t want to invest a ton of money in. This time, I got a seriously random thing too. For Cobo.
 
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I got these hoops that are neon pink & not too heavy. Cute right?  I had to color correct them & of course its still not as neon as in person…love them!
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I got this bow because, well, I’m a military wife. I mean I’m constantly at events & stuff. Plus, its cute right?
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LOVE these rainbow clay roses. They’re studs & super light. Love these oh so much, cute color!
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I honestly am not sure when I’ll wear these but I love the old-school, industrial feel of them. Plus the mix of metals is cute!
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They’re hoops, they’re teal, they’re for me. I love them.
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This trio is SO silly & awesome! Hot peppers, mustache avocados, & guacamole! LOVE!


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This metallic green nails polish is pretty! It was actually catching my eye before I even knew it was clearance! Sweet!
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Don’t these just scream summer? I love these hoola earrings! They’re fun, flirty, & totally have me wanting to put my toes in the sand.
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So the last item I’m showing (because one item is a gift!) is this seriously cool UFO big top! HOW COOL IS THAT? I saw it & decided I needed it. Cobo loves it! Zeus couldn’t care less but Cobo loves things that move. How awesome of a mommy am I?
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So, what do you think? Have you ever taken part in the 10 for $10 sale at Claire’s? Anything catch your eye?

Filed Under: Hair

Review: Covergirl LashBlast + P&G Launched a Site!

August 9, 2012 By StephanieLouise 751Leave a Commenthttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Freview-covergirl-lashblast-p-launched.htmlReview%3A+Covergirl+LashBlast+%2B+P%26G+Launched+a+Site%212012-08-09+03%3A41%3A00StephanieLouisehttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Freview-covergirl-lashblast-pg-launched-a-site.html

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CoverGirl LashBlast 24HR Mascara

 So BlogHer sent me some info about P&G & their new site. Although they put a sponsored thing at the top of this post, I AM NOT making money separate from the usual affiliate program. I’m not sure what’s up with their sponsored disclosure, but whatever. Its the same stuff I always say: If you click on something affiliate-related & buy through my site, proceeds get put into products to be featured on this blog. Clear & simple!

 Today I’m going to be talking my most reached for mascara: CoverGirl LashBlast. I wasn’t sent one to review or anything, I’ve just seriously bought like 15 of them. I have a problem, I know. So why do I keep going back? The formula is good, not too thick or thin. It gives me volume & length without getting clumpy. This is my FAVORITE brush so far. It covers all my lashes which seems to be my biggest issue. My lashes in the outer corner curl all funky making them just overly difficult. Annoying really. LastBlast has pretty decent lasting power too.

I’m trying out the CG LashBlast 24 Hour currently & it just might have surpassed it. Some people aren’t loving the formula…but I do. Plus, it definitely lasts long. Go for the gold Covergirl, seriously.

I seriously have 8 mascaras opened right now. Just currently. & at least 12 new ones waiting. I HAVE A PROBLEM. Why am I telling you this? Because! This let’s you know how serious I am when I say I<3 this mascara.

When you order this mascara or anything from the P&G site through MY site you’ll also get 10% off. Cool deal right? I love having things delivered to my door, I’m lazy like that. My favorite thing about this site is that you get free shipping after $25, something a lot of beauty sites still don’t get. I do not want to have to pay $75 for free shipping. Its cruel when all I want is ONE $10 item. They also have some cool bundles as well. In fact, I might pick up one of those suckers for myself…. You guys might laugh but I totally have that Olympics Themed Febreeze, & indeed it smells like winning.

So? What’s your favorite mascara? Thoughts on the P&G site?

Filed Under: Reviews

Review: Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat from Anastasia Beverly Hills

August 8, 2012 By StephanieLouise 752Leave a Commenthttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Freviewlash-genius-waterproof-topcoat.htmlReview%3A+Lash+Genius+Waterproof+Topcoat+from+Anastasia+Beverly+Hills2012-08-08+13%3A40%3A00StephanieLouisehttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Freview-lash-genius-waterproof-topcoat-from-anastasia-beverly-hills.html

Have you ever gotten a product & thought to yourself: Where have you been all my life? That’s pretty much what happened when I started testing out Lash Genius from Anastasia Beverly Hills. When I explain this product to you its totally one of those “how is it this hadn’t been invented until now?” moments as well.

From Anastasia Beverly Hills: “Waterproof when you want it to be. Lash Genius Clear Waterproof Topcoat instantly waterproofs, refreshes, and protects any mascara all day, without the typical drying or clumping. It’s advanced, lightweight formula glides on smooth, dries quickly, and gives your lashes a touchably soft lacquer finish that lasts all day. Dermatologist-tested. Hypoallergenic, Paraben Free, Fragrance Free.”

What it is: A clear, waterproof top coat that transforms ANY mascara you’re wearing into a waterproof wonder. 

I love this. Its lightweight so it doesn’t mess around with my mascara & it doesn’t add that weird shine I don’t like either. As much as I love eyelash primers, I oh-so rarely use them because I feel like the white is never COMPLETELY covered. Clear. Brilliant.

I have put this to the test with some of my favorite mascaras that aren’t waterproof & it definitely held up its end of the bargain! I don’t always love waterproof mascaras, sometimes they just don’t feel right. Know what I mean? My lashes looked fab morning to night, even through a chick flick or two. Plus, it didn’t bother my poor allergy eyes. Impressed? Yes, yes I am.

Where you can get it: I believe this is available at Sephora but since I don’t shop there I recommend getting the Lash Genius off the Anastasia Beverly Hills website. Its $21 & worth every penny. Whether you use drugstore mascaras or high-end, I find many waterproof versions just aren’t good. This totally saves me touch-ups, money, & lots of frustration. Worth. Every. Penny.

Filed Under: Eyes, Tools

Nails: Zoya Fall 2012 Diva Collection + Swatches!

August 7, 2012 By StephanieLouise 753Leave a Commenthttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fnails-zoya-fall-2012-diva-collection.htmlNails%3A+Zoya+Fall+2012+Diva+Collection+%2B+Swatches%212012-08-07+18%3A24%3A00StephanieLouisehttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fnails-zoya-fall-2012-diva-collection-swatches.html

I loved the Zoya’s summer collections (Beach & Surf) so much, but for the first time I’ve been thirsting for some fall shades. But I like shimmer. Its always a conundrum. I mean, so many creams…I like them, don’t twist my words, but I also love shimmers! The Diva Collection from Zoya is pretty incredible, with some shades that totally blew me away. Read on to find out which ones are my must haves! & if you love creams, check out my prior post featuring the Designer Collection from Zoya! All descriptions in italics & quotes are from the Zoya website.

FeiFei- A steely blue base loaded with multi-colored shimmer leaning mainly golden green. Magical. 3 coats.
Zoya says- “FeiFei can be best described as: A medium steel blue base with heavy gold, blue and pink iridescent metallic sparkle. A truly unique sparkling iridescent blue that adds a magical look to the nails.” 

I’m starting here because, OMG. My #1 pick of this collection & I can’t even explain everything about it. Its, phenomenal, even better in person. The shades I can visibly see in no specific order: blue, green, teal, lime, purple, pink, lavender, turquoise, & it some lights in can lean silver OR gold. Crazy! Clearly the base is a steely blue but the green shines through the most out of the other shades. Amazing, really.

Elisa- Bright shimmering red. 2 coats. Very saturated.
Zoya says- “Zoya nail polish in Elisa can be best described as: Bright, shining medium crimson red with subtle gold shimmer and a glowing metallic finish. The smooth, glowy metallic finish gives this bright red an extra kick.”

I love this red but I do feel like its a bit more winter than fall? It leans a bit too holiday-ish in my opinion. I do absolutely love it & it was PERFECT in 2 coats. I can’t wait to break it out later on.

Suri- Shimmering royal purple that leans a bit frosty. 2 coats.
Zoya says- “Zoya nail polish in Suri can be best described as: Medium blue-toned purple with delicate red and blue shimmer and a smooth metallic finish. For a perfect royal purple nail with interesting red and blue sparkle detail.”

It is a purple so on principal I love it really. Its better in person but it is indeed a bit more frosty than I normally like. Surprisingly, I like it anyway & I think its a great fall shade. Great formula here with minimal streaking.

Song- Vibrant, shimmery medium blue. 2 coats. Very saturated.
Zoya says- “Zoya nail polish in Song can be best described as: Bold, vibrant medium primary blue with silver and blue glittery metallic sparkle. A very vibrant blue with a glittery finish that’s smoother than traditional chunky glitter.”

There really isn’t much I can say about this one other than I adore it. Perfect formula, perfect vibrancy, amazing shade. All around, a must have blue. Definitely something I’d wear year round as well!

Ray- Deep shimmering green that leans very frosty. 2 coats.
Zoya says-“Zoya nail polish in Ray can be best described as: Dark blackened pine green with smooth, delicate silver and green frost shimmer. A dark, smoky nail color balanced by a bit of shimmer for a softer effect.”

I like it, kind of. Where Suri walked the line of being too frosty, this one danced right over it. Maybe this winter I’ll feel differently? Its just too frosty for me at the moment. Perhaps against fallen leaves I’ll like it more?

Daul- A sheer purple base packed with muted golden shimmer. 3 coats.
Zoya says-“Zoya nail polish in Daul can be best described as: A medium red-toned purple base with heavy purple and gold iridescent metallic sparkle. The shiny gold sparkle makes this shimmering purple polish extra bright and lively.”

Yeah, I needed at least one more coat of this. I love the shade but it just wasn’t layering like I wanted. That visible nail line wasn’t nearly as bad in person but still. I love this shade although it reminds me of a more crushed-up version of Spoiled’s Are Mermaids Real? perhaps? If you guys want the side by side, just let me know!

All in all, the Diva Collection from Zoya did not dissapoint! I think I would have loved both shimmers more if Daul wasn’t up against FeiFei which, hands down, blows everything else to pieces. Pretty collection, some unexpected fall shades though! I kind of wish they had put a deep shimmering teal in here? I love Zoya though, they’re brilliant. & quickly taking over my nail polish collection.

My top picks are Song & FeiFei. 

What do you think? Anything you LOVE? Lust after? Spot any dupes? Let me know! I’ll be doing some nail art with the Zoya fall line so if there’s any you want to see lots of swatches of also let me know! Thanks for stopping by!

These products have been provided for review. The linked content is also affiliate links specifically for the Zoya site. When I receive points or you sign up for an account where YOU also get points, all points are used to purchase more polish to be swatched & used on this blog. Thank you for helping to support this blog!

Filed Under: Nails, Reviews

Petit Amuse Box for July Review & GIVEAWAY! (Wine Jelly?!?)

August 2, 2012 By StephanieLouise 754Leave a Commenthttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fpetit-amuse-box-for-july-review.htmlPetit+Amuse+Box+for+July+Review+%26+GIVEAWAY%21+%28Wine+Jelly%3F%21%3F%292012-08-02+15%3A15%3A00StephanieLouisehttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fpetit-amuse-box-for-july-review-giveaway-wine-jelly.html

Petit Amuse  noun pə-ˈtētˈ ä-ˌmüz
Also known as amuse-bouche. A French term that literally means “mouth amusement.”These are tiny bites of food served before a meal to whet the palate and invigorate the appetite. They’re more whimsical than hors d’oeuvres, and smaller than appetizers.

When Petit Amuse contacted me asking if I would review their box of groumet goodies & give one away to you guys, I jumped on it. Subscription boxes are one of the absolute MOST popular searched terms on this blog so clearly you guys like them or love to hate them! Either way, I’m always happy to bring you something a bit different.





I love the idea of this box, its definitely something I can share with my husband or family as opposed to some of my other more beauty themed boxes which honestly, I have to make him look at. He doesn’t even care about eyeliner! Can you believe that?

So this box is only $10 a month which is rare for non-beauty boxes. They are normally $12+ so that’s something to note.

In a nutshell, here’s what this box is all about according to their own website ( www.PetitAmuse.com ):
Focus on Producers
We put a lot of effort into the discovery and promotion of products from small food artisans that you won’t find in large retail chains. Why go to all that trouble? Two reasons.

  1. Small batch artisan foods simply taste better. The quality of ingredients and care in production make for amazing products, unlike most anything that you will find in your local supermarket.
  2. They need our help! For a litany of reasons, the odds are stacked against small artisan food producers. Even the best products often don’t get distributed outside of their local markets; never reaching a majority of foodies who would love to buy them if only given the opportunity.

So the idea behind this book is ACTUALLY how I feel about many beauty boxes: There are SO many brands out there that we miss some small ones that are really great. A few brands people know & love but there are others (Nails by Laura,  Everyday Minerals, & the recently discovered Sauce Box come to mind!) that I’ve discovered around the way that just don’t hit the spotlight like they should! I can’t even imagine starting a company right now so to know that this box supports the baker down the street & the food artists makes me feel good about it!

What I got in the July Petit Amuse Box:

Ice Wine Jelly from Caramoomel: I’m shocked I’ve never had wine jelly, seriously! I love wine. I like jelly. How? Anyway! This is a simple mix of quality ingredients. A very nice sample size, its a solid 2 oz so it will get used up…but not too fast! Also, love the coloring & the packing is nice as well! My favorite item in the box!


 Garukabar by Garuka Bars: This is another example of simplicity tasting incredible. I’ve tried lots of bars if for nothing else but convenience, but I LOVED this one. It is nice & soft, not overly sweet, & tastes exactly like the ingredients inside. High protein, real peanut pieces, & a really wonderful honey glaze.

 Original Kettle Corn from Oogie’s Gourmet Popcorn: I’ve had it before & I’ll probably have it again. I liked it then…& I liked it now! Tasty, convenient, & a great snack!

Cha-Cha’s & Salted Rosemary Shortbread from Lark Fine Foods: These were really good! I’ve never tried anything  from Lark Fine Foods so these two cookies were a great testers. The Cha’Cha’s has a slight spice, nothing over the top at all. They tasted really dark & rich but were a bit hard. The shortbreads were awesome, super buttery & perfect. I had never thought of rosemary shortbreads, I might need to make these sometime!

Things to note: 
-I love that the ingredients are right there on the card, especially with the peanuts & such!
-Really nice sized samples! 3 full sized & then the 2 specialty cookies. 
 -Simple, clean presentation. Nothing frilly or excess.
-Although MY cookies were crumbled (HA!) they have assured me yours will be packed much better!

So…time for the giveaway! Everyone seems to LOVE the subscription box giveaways so I’m thrilled to bring you another one! Please keep in mind you will be receiving the exact same box & that Petit Amuse will be shipping it to you. This contest is for US residents only (sorry guys!) & its easy to enter! Please do know I WILL NOT be spamming your e-mail, the e-mail is strictly to contact the winner!

If you DO NOT see the Rafflecopter widget load below so you can enter, please wait a few seconds/refresh the page if necessary. If you’re still having issues, contact me! As always, my terms & conditions are up in my PR/Contact tab.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Giveaways, Subscriptions

Books: The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty + Gizmo Models

August 1, 2012 By StephanieLouise 755Leave a Commenthttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fbooks-chaperone-by-laura-moriarty-gizmo.htmlBooks%3A+The+Chaperone+by+Laura+Moriarty+%2B+Gizmo+Models2012-08-01+14%3A20%3A00StephanieLouisehttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fbooks-the-chaperone-by-laura-moriarty-gizmo-models.html

My problem over the past few months has honestly been too much reading. Too much flopping down on my bed & turning pages & not enough cleaning or filming. Sorry guys. However, if this is my biggest issue, well I shall consider it #1stworldproblems & move right along.

The Chaperone is not my average read. Written by Laura Moriarty, this is the tale of 2 women finding themselves in New York City. WAIT. Yes I know we’ve heard/seen/read/snored to this story before, but this one REALLY IS different. In fact, it is inspired by real-life silent film actress Louise Brooks in the 1920s, an era I rarely read about.

Let’s get this straight right off the bat: This starts off SLOW. Like….too slow. But I promise, if you give it a shot, it will pick up & become one of those books you’re never quite ready to put down. This story centers around Cora & Louise. By reading the description & the cover…I thought it was about one summer. Not so much… This actually chronicles Cora’s entire life. Its a long life.

Cora is the Kansas housewife who is pretty much exactly that stereotype in the beginning. She’s 36 & quite proper. In fact, she’s so proper I didn’t think I’d like her much at all. Louise is 15, free, & a fabulous flapper it-girl. Growing up, all of my best friends were pretty much opposites of me so this dynamic isn’t too crazy.

It’s more the fact that I seriously DISLIKED Cora. She made me ANGRY. But, without giving away too much, this book definitely evolves to form a less stressful story for me to read. This is important to note as books are heavy & the walls in this house aren’t the best. Its one you might have to force yourself through the beginning, but by the end I think you’ll really fall for the characters.

You can join the discussion about The Chaperone by visiting us at the Blogher Book Club.

Disclosure: I was compensated for writing this review for the BlogHer Book Club. The opinions expressed here, however, are my own. The model used in these photographs was highly unprofessional, moody, & far too round. Also. I did not ask for a model, but she insisted she was to be a part of this shoot. I urge you to never use Miss Gizmo as a model, however she sure has the attitude on film. Just a photographer’s point of view.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Nails: Zoya Fall 2012 Designer Collection Swatches & Review!

July 31, 2012 By StephanieLouise 756Leave a Commenthttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F07%2Fnails-zoya-fall-2012-designer.htmlNails%3A+Zoya+Fall+2012++Designer+Collection+Swatches+%26+Review%212012-07-31+12%3A29%3A00StephanieLouisehttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthingsbeautifulxo.com%2F2012%2F07%2Fnails-zoya-fall-2012-designer-collection-swatches-review.html

I had quite a few people asking me if I was reviewing these so I’m happy I can finally post them for you! I am a Zoya fanatic so when I got the press info for their new fall collection I about lost it. Diva will be going up soon. The Gloss Collection was also released (its a trio) & I’ve seen lots of swatches so I’ll be doing something a bit different with mine. Stay tuned for that! All of these are 2 coats although Rehka could of probably used 3.

Rekha- A medium toned red cream with a glint of brightness.
This is described as a  “Bold medium blood red with a glossy cream finish” on the Zoya site. This was a custom shade for fashion designer Bibhu Mohapatra & it is lovely. This one is a tad sheer & I find it to be brighter than what I consider a blood red. Maybe I’m too picky about vampy polishes?

Toni-A wine/plum cream shade with a red tone.
Described as a “Dark raisin-wine creme with strong purple tones” by Zoya I’m definitely digging it. It is very flattering on me & I find many red toned plums are. This one is a traditional fall shade that I’ve seen many seasons before but the application on this was superb.

Monica- A deep plum cream.
Zoya says this is a “Dark, soft blue-toned purple with a glossy cream finish” & I agree. Definitely one we see season after season but its super flattering, is a staple for fall, & had perfect application.

Natty- A steely blue with a slightly murky tinge. 
Zoya says Natty is a “Smoky, deep steel blue with an opaque cream finish” & again, I agree. Its my favorite which was unexpected! I have lots of blues or blue-ish polishes (& clearly a teal/turquoise obsession) but I don’t have anything quite like it! I fully expected the plumier shades to be my favorites for fall so this was a great surprise. It looks incredible on.

Evvie- A smoky green leaning teal cream with grey undertones.
“Dark, smoky  grey cream with strong teal green undertones” says Zoya. Clearly, I think the opposite but either way, its about the same. This was one of the original shades created for designer Peter Som. It leaned more green on me then expected from the shade in the bottle.

Noot- Deep grey/green cream with a lot of murkiness.
Zoya says this is a “Very dark grey cream with strong blue-green undertones” but I honestly only saw grey & smokiness on me, no blue. I like this shade, especially for fall.

So what do I think of the collection overall? I’m a bit bummed that Evvie & Noot appear so close, I wish they had included a dirty orange or chocolate perhaps? Either way, those colors wouldn’t have fit in that much anyway. All of these cremes are lovely & there’s an alluring…greyness to the entire collection. If you don’t have many fall shades, this is a great place to start building your collection. My must-have of the bunch is definitely Natty, I love this shade! Toni was probably the most flattering shade on my fingers so I will probably be wearing this on my fingers & toes this fall!

This collection is availible for purchase on Zoya.com as a full set & also individually.

What shades catch your eye for fall? Anything calling your name? Are you ready for summer to end int he nail world? Also, I’m going to be doing some fall nail art, any color requests that you see here or have seen in my stash in the past?

Filed Under: Nails, Reviews

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