Bath and Body Works Candles + A Mall Haul

It has been some time since I purchased any new B+BW candles. It is one of my favorite stores. It's kind of ridiculous how many candles I have. I personally like to save any seasonal candles I haven't used up for the next year in case I miss the 2 for $22 for any given month. I used to not care about what scent I was burning in what month but there really something about the changing of the seasons paired with seasonal candles. In the fall, I crave Cinnamon Sugared Donut and Cider Lane. In the summer, I crave summer scents. It's so weird. I don't know how I got like this....im pretty sure B+BW had something to do with it.

Aloha Waikiki
Hulas & Hibiscus

I had this Wallflower last year and even though I love the smell of hibiscus, the Wallflower was too strong- or maybe I am just sick of it! Probably. On top of the Wallflower I had, I also have the Kim K. perfume which smells a lot like this candle. I have wanted this candle since last year and when I realized this scent was part of the 2 for $22, I couldn't resist. Now, I'm deciding on returning it. I need something new. But if you need a hibiscus or plumeria fix, this is your candle. It also kind of smells like jasmine too. Although they had another candle with a dominant jasmine note and I liked it more than this. It does have a high scent throw though. I'm taking it back anyways. I'm sick of this scent! Do you ever get like that?

"an exquisite fusion of Plumeria petals, Tiare blossoms, and a hint of sugarcane that transports you to the big island Aloha paradise!"

Garden Strawberry

OMG! When I first started my blog, I did a blog post about a Strawberry candle B+BW had years ago. It smelled like straight up strawberries. Even though strawberries aren't my favorite fruit, I do love the smell. This candle is incredible. I lit it in my bedroom and I could smell it coming up the stairs (we have a second floor that consists of 1 bedroom and a sitting room. It's pretty much a glorified attic). The scent isn't obnoxious or anything like that but the scent throw is really far. I love the smell of this. It smells like sugary tart strawberries along with some mango. Mangos are my favorite fruit but I honestly wish it was just strawberry scented. Nonetheless, the candle smells so good. The scent description reads:

 "A succulent blend of juicy strawberries, fresh mango nectar & floral peach blossom."

Cinnamon Sugared Donut:

I normally do not buy candles twice. I get sick of the scent by that next season and move on. I make an exception for Cinnamon Sugared Donut. Last fall, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it! When I got to the store, I found out they did away with it for Fall 2013. Naturally I moved on to other candles but I kept on thinking about this one. It is my favorite B+BW candle scent- probably ever. This is featured in the Sweet Shop line that is apparently sold exclusively in the mason jars only. Adorable, yes. But there is something about the scent throw- the mason jar just doesn't have as far of one as the 3 wick did. It smells exactly the same in the jar but when it's lit, it isn't as strong as a scent as it used to be. I liked to be smacked in the nose with fragrance when I walk in the door and this one doesn't smack me very hard. Which is unfortunate because it smells exactly like the description reads:

"Share the delight of a freshly baked vanilla cake doughnut covered in sugar crystals and crushed cinnamon"
 

Next time I go back I need to stock up on Wallflowers and some new Bath and Body Products (coconut. yum.) Anyways, that's another blog post.

At another mall trip I bought a few other things! Elephant in the room:{I shop too much. Honestly. I feel like my life revolves around hauls and shopping. It's a problem.} Anywho, I bought more stuff!!! Surprise, surprise. This video haul consists of jewelry and sunglasses, but hey! I have a wedding to go to people. That's always my spring time excuse. I could also mention that its the changing of the seasons and trends....Those 2 are good enough excuses for me! 

 

Do you have a favorite spring candle?
What is it?

Thank you for viewing!
xxx
Erica

Stila Dancing With the Stars Kit Review

While shopping for Christmas presents, I knew I really wanted to buy the Lorac Pro Palette. Well, Ulta was out of it and wasn't getting it back for weeks. Thinking I wasn't even going to buy anything, I stumbled upon this kit. I love kits. This kit couldn't have been more perfect for me. It was only $15! Chump change, compared to this kit.

Dancing With the Stars Eye and Cheek Palette

The big show. This little palette comes with 7 shadows {3 mattes and 4 shimmers} and one blush. The blush {Perfect 10} is a matte peachy brown blush with chunks of glitter in it. I think it makes a great all in one blush and contour powder because of that. Once applied, the glitter either isn't noticeable.

As I mentioned in the video, I have been really wanting to try some of Makeup Geek's matte eye shadows. The matte shadows in this palette look extremely similar to a few of them. The 3 mattes are Sway {a deep brown with purple/red undertones} Action {a light creamy color} and Ovation {a warm toned brown}. If Ovation had some glitter in it, it would be the exact same color as Perfect 10 {the blush}

As for the shimmery colors, there is Take a Bow which is very similar to Kitten only a few shades darker. It's a pretty champagne color. Rise and Fall is very similar to Sway. They look different in the pan but honestly there isn't much of a difference. Sway {matte} is more pigmented than Rise and Fall {shimmer} when swatched. Other than that and with the exception of a little bit of purple glitter in Rise and Fall, they look almost identical when swatched. Glam, a gorgeous antique coppery brown shimmer and is the most pigmented of the bunch. Pirouette is a pretty shimmery red brown with glitter.

here's some swatches. I contemplated re-doing these swatches because this photo doesn't do any of the shadows justice but just remember that these are swatched once over with my finger- no primer underneath. Glam is the most pigmented and the rest are pretty much tied. Action has as much pigment as the rest but looks invisible only because it is very close to the color of my skin. They don't have as much pigment when swatched as, let's say, Kitten. But when your applying them to your eye, they work out great.

 Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick
Fiery
This really sealed the deal for me. When I got my Be A Bombshell Hot Damn Lip Crayon {a bright red}  in my Ipsy Bag, that was all I wore for weeks. This red is much more deep and vampy. It leans a little to the cool side. I would have never been able to tell if it didn't make my teeth look white. If a red lipstick makes your teeth appear whiter, you know there has to be a blue tone to it even if you can't really tell. A little goes a long way and I have trouble keeping it inside the lines, as you can see. If I use just a little bit right in the center, then blend it out with my fingers using no lip liner it seems to work even better. But without a lip liner, it tends to get a little blotchy. So yeah its a lose lose situation. I personally do not mind re-applying or wiping it off in the middle of the day because I really love the color. Looking at these photos, im not sure it looks as great as I thought it did, heh.

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner
 Lion Fish

For years, up until last summer all I ever wore in my water line was black eye liner. Since I went blonde, I have started going towards brown eye liners. This eye liner is a medium brown with red shimmer making it appear a brick red brown color in some lights. When you apply it, it makes no difference and just looks brown. If anything, the shimmer maybe adds some depth. I already knew I loved Stila's Smudge Stick eye liner's. I like to line the outer bottom corner with it (using a nude liner in the waterline) and using this also in the upper inner rim. It has great pigment and stays put. I don't have to worry about it running down my face. The water-proof claim is true to that extent. I have yet to jump in the pool with it so I don't know if its that water-proof.

Stay All Day 10 -in -1
HD Illuminating Beauty Balm

As for this little thing, I can't really say i've tried it. Im really not into BB creams and would prefer a matte finish as opposed to an illuminating finish. I think im going to give it to some one that would actually use it. Sorry bout that. ( :

It has been I think years since I've done a FOTD. I thought this would a perfect opportunity because I wear these things on my face daily since I bought them {with the exception of the BB cream}. So here I blended Action all over the lid up to the brow bone. Ovation in the crease. Take a Bow on my lid. Sway in the outer corner and Sway blended with Glam in the outer 3rd of the lid as well as on the outer third of the bottom lash line. I used Lion Fish {eye liner} on the outer half of the bottom lash line underneath the eyeshadow and as well as in my upper inner rim. Stila Liquid Lipstick in Fiery on the lips over top Mary Kay's Lip Liner in Raspberry.

These has been truly my favorite makeup items for the past couple of weeks. It was only $15 at Ulta for everything {that is a steal} and if they have some left, you gotta try it out! If you love neutral shadows and matte shadows, this is perfect. The liquid lipstick, eye liner, and BB cream are all extra's. The palette alone is worth the $15. The smartest $15 I have spent in months when it comes to beauty items. Make sure to check out the video because not only am I talking about this kit, I also talk about a few things I bought at the CVS beauty clearance too!

until next time,
xoxo
Erica

Decorate, Organize, and Wear Blush. Plus a Haul!

A few topics that do not really fit with each other. But I had really no other way to bring it up and I dont want to make a blog post for each video. It would be too many videos and not enough actual blog post. Lucky enough for you, you will learn my favorite drugstore blushes, the brushes I like for those particular blushes, what things I bought recently, how to organize on a budget, and what to do with all of those empty Bath and Body Works candle jars all in one shot! What better way to spend your Sunday? Unless your going to church. Or going to your family's. Or if your going sled riding with your friends. Whatever. Enjoy!

If you don't already subscribe to my You Tube channel, you totally should! I make videos frequently and its another way to channel my creativity and learn a thing or two. If you have been a fan of Mind Body Beauty, then you will surely love the Erica Jackson {thats me} channel. That sound's weird, doesn't it?

♥♥More written reviews, swatches, comparisons.♥♥
♥ ELF Studio Blushes Review

♥ NYX Cream Blush
♥ Old School Physician's Formula Happy Booster Blush Review
♥ Wet n Wild Blush in Heather Silk
♥ NYX Cream Blush in Rose Petal

yah no what? Just for kicks, let's throw in my October Favorites Video too!

♥ OOTD
♥ Whats in My Philip Lim Bag
♥ Blonde Video
♥ Maybelline Bouncy Blush
♥ Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil
♥ Hair Products Review

Thank you for watching!
xoxo
Erica

A House Tour and a Ton of Simple DIY's and Super Quick Tip's

As you all know I moved and I have been shopping, DIYing and decorating like crazy! Here, I am going to give you a tour of my living room (in the video) and my room (through photos). 

In the video, while I am showing my living room, I am taking you around and showing you all of the awesome deals I got on everything. I try not to buy expensive things. I also show you the makeup I got at Ulta and Lauren Conrad shoes I bought at Kohl's. They were around $70-something and I bought them for under $20! This was a really fun day and I hope you enjoy it too!

My room is the big room up in the attic. As you can tell, I don't have high ceilings. The shape of my room is in the form of what a roof looks like. I kinda like it like that. I think it adds character. 

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And Then There Was Light:

This is my bed where I sleep at night. I got the comforter for Christmas and even though it wouldn't be my first pick, it is really comfy and looks cute. I bought my actual bed in high school and never did buy a head board to go with it. So, I made my own head board with stringy lights I bought at 5+Below. I love the light it gives off, making it look dreamy. I also hate having the big light on in any room, especially my bedroom, and try to avoid it at all costs. These type of lights are perfect for me. They are the only lights I keep on in my room. I have a different style of stringy lights in my kitchen that are colorful. They're adorable. And it's so simple. 

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Jazz Up An End Table:

My end tables were my first decor venture in this house. The end tables you are seeing were from my mom's house. She kindly gave them to me. Thanks Mom! I especially like how this one has that shelf to put stuff on. I have a notebook underneath a decorative box I got from Target in the $1 section. I throw my junk in there: reading light, a pen, makeup remover, Pocket Bac, etc. It's great because it catches junk but also looks cute. Stylish and purpose-serving. The drawer isn't a drawer. It's actually a filing cabinet. I want to use it but haven't yet. The last thing I want to do is start throwing stuff in there without any plan, place, rhyme or reason. That is how clutter starts and that is how you lose things.

Cheap DIY:

On top of the end table's, I have my bouquet's I made for $6 a piece from Dollar Tree. You can buy different fake flowers there. Be creative and put together your own flower arrangement! I think it adds a special touch. Nobody else is going to have that exact bouquet. To help the flower's stand up, you can add decorative rocks. They had a few different colors at Dollar Tree. I preferred the clear non-colored one's. They also have fake water at Pat Catan's for around $10, but I like to have the option of changing out the flowers. That glass vase is also from Dollar Tree. To me, it looks classy and stylish but I didn't have to spend a bunch of money and I also got to create something.

Instead of hanging up my wall art (bought at Ikea years ago) and make more holes in the wall, I decided to simply set them on the end tables. I think it looks cute! They are a little out dated to me so I wanna do some kind of DIY with them but for now, they look cute and totally go with the purple floral print on the comforter. I also have some silver photo frame's to go with my cool toned room, and some cute tea light holder's I bought at 5+Below for $1 a piece. They are on sale right now 2 for $1!

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Work With What You Got

My beauty dresser, as I never called it but-needed-some-type-of-name-to-differentiate-it-from-the-other-dresser, dresser. It was a surprise to me that the dresser which is darker wood went so well up against the cool toned off-purple walls. I quite like it. I made the nail polish rack myself. I bought the T-Bars at Pat Catan's {$4 and $10}. The bucket serves as another place to throw junk instead of having it laying out. My body spray's and lotions are sitting on an old candle tray I had lying around. Another Tip: Things that used to be used for one thing, could be used for something else completely another time around. I love that tip! Give something a new life.

The shelf I hung up has all the rest of my nail stuff. Manicure scissors, emory boards, that kind of stuff. I used an old candle jar from the small candle's from Bath and Body Works to store that stuff in. Told you! Give thing's a new life. And it even looks cute. Boom.

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T.V. Dresser DIY

This is another piece of furniture from my mom's house. This actually matched my "beauty" dresser but I decided to paint it to go with the cool toned theme that is my room. I wanted an off white base with silver accented drawers and that is exactly what I got. It looked cute outside when I painted it but I am un-sure of it at this point. I feel like it may clash with itself and even then may clash with the walls. It works for now! Maybe it will be cuter when I get some drawer knobs on there. Whoops. Haven't got around to it yet. The Off White Color I used is a spray paint from Krylon called Ivory. I bought it at Wal-Mart for like $5 a piece. I used the same color base coat from the same brand. It was only $1 extra. That equaled 5 cans total, including the base coat. I have used a top coat before when spray painting furniture and found it served no purpose in the long run so I didn't use one this time around.

For the drawers, I used a metallic spray paint called Silver from the Metallic Collection by Krylon. It was also around $5 and I only used 1 can of this and even have some left over. This really sparkled outside in the day light and I am in love with this color/finish. It looks a little more toned down in the house. It does however reflect objects in my room, picking up those colors making it cohesive with the whole room. I am just not sure if it goes well with Ivory which is the color of the dresser itself. I used 3 coats for the drawers.

About Spray Painting:

I recommend spray painting furniture any day! Pick a spring or fall day where it is neither too humid or cold. It takes 10 minutes or less to do 1 coat and it takes 10 minutes for each coat to dry. Spray painting is goof proof. After the first coat you might be wishing you haven't even started it. It will look like you tried to tag up your piece of furniture but after that last coat, it looks even and opaque.

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 The Closet:

I used to organize my clothes from tank tops all the way to hoodies and then assort them by color. Since there is no door, I wanted it to look a little more aesthetically pleasing so I went with every single piece being organized by the colors of the rainbow. ROY G BIV. It's harder to find things this way so I don't know if it is going to stay like this, but for now it works.

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The Walls:

 I really wanted to go with a neutral toned silver. I went for a paint called Simple Shimmer from the Metallics line from Valspar. I bought it at Lowe's. It is a pretty penny- literally. {metallic humor} With the special paint sponge/brush, base color, and the actual paint it cost me around $100. If I could do it again, I would have went with something else. You can kind of see the strokes from the paint roller too. For $100, it just isnt worth it. They had paint similar to this from Martha Stewart at Home Depot. If your dead set on a metallic or a shimmery finish, look to Home Depot. The wall directly behind me in this photo {the wall with the closet and beauty dresser} was only painted with the special base coat paint.  After doing this wall, I kind of liked the way the base color looked and it was way less work. Luckily, we still have some left of each paint can so I need to come up with another project to play around with. You better believe I am not letting it go to waste!

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Computer Desk:

I painted this with the same method as my T.V. dresser. Only when I painted this, I used a top coat and sanded the whole entire thing. Seriously, an unfruitful venture in the worst way. This spray paint is by Krylon and the color is called Gum Drop. I used 4 cans of this but I think I could have went with less. I got a little paint happy lets just say. I painted this a couple years ago and I am not sure I would have chose this exact color to go with this room but I do actually think it work. In fact, I like it better than the T.V. dresser in this room which was thought out for this room exactly. Going with your gut isn't always the best option.

By the way, those pink drawers are from Target. I bought that for like $12 and they are also on sale right now for even cheaper. The drawers hold both my makeup and office supplies. Call me crazy but it works for me. 

That is rule #1. 
Find what works best for you. That's the best piece of advice I could ever give yah!

Writing all of this out made me think that it may have been better in a video form. I dunno. Whatever. 

So let me know what you think!

What do these room's need more of?

How awesome is that mirror and those shoes?! 

thank you for reading!
xoxo
Erica 

Semi Annual Sale Haul + Review

Hello!

I actually went to the semi annual sale twice! oops! Bath and Body Works is my favorite store, and Victoria's Secret is a close second.

They had the older candle fragrances for sale.

$11 for a 3 wick. 

When I noticed Homemade Cookies, I didn't even open the lid to smell it. I remember always passing it up over the years, then when they didn't bring it back Fall of 2012, I wanted it even more. When I got it home, I opened it to smell it.....and it has a simple vanilla scent. I like vanilla scents, I do. But I like a vanilla scent with some other notes thrown in. Vanilla Bean Noel is the best vanilla scent, and Homemade Cookies is the worst. Merry Cookie falls somewhere in between those two. Homemade Cookies really doesn't have too much of a high scent throw. In fact, there isn't really any kind of throw whatsoever. The idea of the candle is awesome, but this candle suuuuucks. Now I remember why I always passed on this one in the years before. This candle is going back.

The scent description
Homemade Cookies

"Whipped buttercream and pure cane sugar mixed with vanilla cream and rich, sweet cream"

Before my second trip I was watching too many Youtube videos and reading too many blogs. That was when I decided I needed the Mint Chocolate candle too. This one is a lot better then Homemade Cookies. The description says it perfect. Even though Mint Chocolate has a higher scent throw than Homemade Cookies, it isn't as high as some of the other candles I have tried from B+BW. But it did make my room smell like a bowl of mint chocolate ice cream. It just didn't go much past the room in my nose. Philly said he could smell it a little better, however. This one's a keeper. 

The Scent Description
Mint Chocolate
"Semi sweet chocolate, dark cocoa, and peppermint, with vanilla cream and white chocolate."

I also bought 3 Wallflower plug-ins. 
I didnt get any pictures of these but they were too important not to mention since I have a ton of good and bad points to talk abouy.
{un-pictured}

I bought the cheaper plug-ins and I now firmly believe the decorative plug-ins work better than the plain ones. I am returning all three to buy the prettier ones. They were working ok, but it's been a week or two and the scent isn't as prevalent.

Keep your receipts for the Wallflower plug-ins!  
You can return them within 2 years. That basically means that I will only have to spend money on 1 plug-in for every 2 years. From what the sales lady told me, I can keep on bringing them back within the 2 year span. 

Also, if you can help it, un-plug your Wallflowers when it is storming. They have the tendency to stop working after a storm. I think that is maybe what happened to mine. Plus the plainer ones tend to go quicker if you ask me.

I also bought 4 bulbs for my Wallflowers:

-2 Homemade Cookies: The deal was 2 for $6. These are also going back. Even before the plug-in stopped working, this bulb just didn't really have much of a scent just like it's opposite, the Homemade Cookies candle. Don't waste your money.

-1 Hula's and Hibiscus: The candle smells so good. The Wallflower is a little strong. If I can, I may return the bulb and buy the candle instead.

-1 Strawberry Picnic: This one is awesome. It smells like a creamy strawberry dessert. I want to eat it.

I also bought a ton more stuff from the Semi Annual Sale's and some other places. Watch the video for the full haul:

thank you for viewing!

My give-away is almost over! You have until the Fourth of July

BlogLovin || Twitter || Instagram || Facebook || Youtube

xoxo

Erica

Ulta Haul and Mini Review's

When Ulta was having their %20 off everything in the store, I decided to try some higher end stuff. There was some stuff I needed, a setting spray and primers, but the other stuff it came with were perks! Here's the stuff I got.

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Tarte Prime Shine and Define Kit: $12

It came with 3 mini products. 

The Clean Slate Poreless Perfecting Primer

This was a product I needed. I bought the ELF face primer and found it did nothing. This primer is much thicker and really does cover up my pores. I apply it to my cheek area where I have large pores, and it seems to really smooth them out, especially after I add foundation on top of it. You can tell the places you put the primer and the places you didn't. It looks flawless.

Amazonian Clay BB Illuminating Moisturizer

 I have never tried another BB cream before. I like coverage. The summer is coming and I sometimes don't even wear foundation at all in the summer. It's too heavy. I have tried this once, and I find it more or less evens out my face, but doesn't give me coverage. It does have an illuminating factor to it. There is a slight pearlesent finish. If you have ever tried the Nuxe Dry Oil, I would say the sheen of both of them are similar. The Nuxe Dry Oil is a little more shimmering. This BB Cream is less noticeable. I will not need any highlighter when I use this either. I think this will be perfect for the summer months. Or when I don't feel like wearing makeup.

Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara

If you are looking for a natural mascara, you have found it. It's more of a wet mascara and the brush is the old school type of brush, which doesn't bother me. I just wish I got a little more volume and length with it. The good side of that is that it doesn't get all clumpy. It separates more than anything and if I am giving it some credit, it does lengthen, a little bit. Nothing compares to my Mally's Volumizing Mascara these days and this didn't hold a candle to it.

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Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray $14

This was already a Holy Grail. {p.s., I need to update my Holy Grail page bad} Even though my skin is combination. Sometimes dry, other times oily, acne prone skin. I like De-Slick better than All-Nighter because it keeps my makeup in place in the summer humidity and heat. It's really a miracle worker. It has a slight tackiness to it when it dries, almost like a hair spray. But not as severe and sticky as a hair spray. They changed the packaging of this. I like it quite well. I just bought the travel size because it was cheaper. It will probably last me all through the summer. Check Hautelook because they sometimes have these setting sprays on sale. That's what I'm waiting for.

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Too Faced Ready. Set. Prime.

This set came with 2 eye primers. I was all out of my ELF Eye Primer, which I really do love.

Shadow Insurance

Catchy name. I like it. I hear people compare this one to Urban Decay's eye primer and I would say they are similar. How different can an eye shadow primer really get though? This is the thickest eye primer I have ever used. Not that it's too thick and hard to work with. It has a silky feeling to it. It applies nicely and works well. I apply this under my eyes too before I use concealer. I like an eye shadow primer as long as it keeps my shadow {and concealer} in place and also gives vibrancy to my eye shadow. This one is great for that. As is Urban Decay's. And ELF's.

Candlelight

Another eyeshadow primer but it has a pearlesent finish. It has the same consistency as Shadow Insurance. I have yet to really use this in full but I have dreams of using this alone for a simple wash of sheen, under a matte eye shadow to play with a unique finish, using it under my eyes before concealer to brighten without using anything like an illuminating concealer.

xoxo
Erica

Haul.

What else is new? Me buying things. Not really new. But this video is! Well, it's kind of new. If you subscribe to my Youtube channel, you will see them sooner. I went to Charlotte Russe. Target. Sally's. Ulta. and I got some fun gifts too.

Another thing, I also joined Instagram! Some of you already know, but if you didn't, now you do! If you Instagram, come check me out and I shall check you out too. It rhymes. That means, I am clever....Yes! I swear. It does mean that.

Using CVS Extra Bucks {$18 total}

I am not all that great with coupons, but I do know how to save a buck or 2. Thanks to Nouveau Cheap, I found out that it was a great week last week to use extra bucks. The trick is to do separate transactions.

Transaction #1:

Spend $14 on Physician's Formula and get $10 back in extra bucks:

I knew this was a perfect time to buy one last thing for my giveaway coming up. I wanted to get something worth some money. I just felt like it was a sacrifice and that is something I like to do from time to time. Even though it's hard. But you feel good when you buy something for someone else instead of you. And it's karma. It isn't very hard to find something for $14 from this brand. This bronzer was $13.99 but it worked luckily. The first transaction was the biggest one. I paid full price - $14.

Transaction #2:

Spend $10 on Sally Hansen get $5 back in extra bucks:

 I bought 4 nail polishes. This is my favorite brand of nail polish. I have been wanting to try Pacific Blue and the glitter top coat, Perky Pink. Perky Pink reminds me of Julep Maven's Portia, only a pink version. I needed a new Mint Sorbet. Coral Reef was a no brainer. Looking back, I should have also bought Lacey Lilac, the pastel purple instead of Mint Sorbet. Anyways, this totaled out to $12 total. I had my $10 extra bucks from the first transaction. So I paid $2 for this transaction

Transaction #3:

I have been wanting to try this Spray It Curly stuff. I have naturally curly hair and always love to try new curly hair products. I haven't found anywhere that sells it yet except for CVS so I decided to jump on it. It was around $6 total. I spent my $5 extra bucks and ended up paying like $2.

That brings the total to $18. Pretty good, huh?

I would have been $32 if I would have paid full price. Fuck that. I know better! 

Have you ever had the chance to use your extra bucks like this? 

 Do tell! 

and don't forget to check out Nouveau Cheap every week to find out how to get deals like this. It's a fun time.

xoxo
Erica

What I Got in My Easter Basket and Easter OOTD

So, how was your Easter? 

Mine? 
Was good! 
Thank you for asking!

I woke up and noticed a basket of stuff on the dining room table. It didn't really look festive. I thought my mom was just cleaning, found some stuff, and put it in an old basket {which was my moms Easter basket when she was little}. Until I seen a bottle of Victoria's Secret body spray. I realized it was my Easter basket! It was so thoughtful of my mom to buy her full grown daughter an Easter basket! I haven't had one in ages!

 PINK Warm and Cozy Body Spray my mom really nailed this scent. I like it a lot! It smells very cozy and has notes of vanilla and peony.

While at Victoria's Secret, my mom got me a pair of undies from the PINK line.

I also got a new bag! Funny story: The night before I went out to buy an Easter dress from Target {more on that in a minute} but instead bought a new purse. I wanted one that was smaller and I could throw around my shoulder and found an adorable bag. Now I have two new bags (: I feel spoiled! She ordered this one from Avon.

Lastly, my mom gifted me a set of 4 Camis. I almost bought a peach colored cami at Target the night before but ended up not purchasing it because it was $8 for 1 of them. Im glad I got one now. I also got a gorgeous emerald color {color of the year!}, a hot pink, and a navy blue one.

and now for my Outfit of the Day. It's the best I can do - in front of a mirror - when it comes to OOTD's. Maybe Phil will help with some in the next couple of weeks.

I almost bought this dress to wear for Easter from Target, but I knew it was going to rain so I backed out. I wish I would have though! I instead wore my favorite pair of pants with some other new things I bought. I will have a video up soon with my haul.

 Do you notice Stella right behind my right hand? She has on her Easter dress too! And she was barking at my heels which is why her head is hanging off of the bed! haha!

We had plans for the Passion Play but as the day went on, nobody wanted to go anymore. I went to Phil's mom's for dinner and had a good time mingling. Phil and I came back to my place and drank some red wine {we are festive!} and rented Argo. I was expecting it to be better.

That was my Easter.

How was yours?
What did you do?
What did you wear?
Did you get a basket?
 
xoxo
Erica

Target Haul - Home Decor and Some Stuff for the Give Away!

I love filming on this camera! As you can probably tell, haha! Here's some stuff I bought from Target for the give-away and also some home decor stuff....as I mentioned in the title. I found some really good ideas on Pinterest for my bedroom. I am stoked! I hope you enjoy my very first 1080p video. (:

thank you for watching! 

xoxo

Erica

New Stuff from Target and 5+Below

Before I start showing you the things I bought, I wanted to tell you guys about poll on the side bar of my blog for a give away! Guys, please help me out and vote! It would mean a lot to me (: I already have a few things bought for it, but I am wondering 1) if you would be interested in a Pinterest challenge giveaway + 2) What kind of things you would like to receive from a give away. So please be sure to go over to the side bar and cast your vote! Thank you (: Other than that, let's get started

Target has some pretty amazing candles that I wasn't aware of. Red Velvet Cake, Lemon Meringue, Sweet Spun Sugar {cotton candy} Lily Gardenia (will be my next purchase!) and Sugar Blossom. I love florals for spring and summer so naturally Sugar Blossom is a must have for me! It smells like a floral sweet tart. Floral candles always remind me of perfumes, and this one reminds me of a body splash you would find at Victoria's Secret.

Safe Haven was on sale for like $5 at Target! So far, it is an easy read and I am going through it pretty quick and that can only mean that I like it! I was thinking of picking another one up for my give-away...what do you think?

from 5 + Below....

I bought 2 nail polishes. 
Both from Wet n Wild. 
From 2 different lines. 

Sugar Coat's brush reminds me of Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure Line- it's flat and goes to a point. The polish also reminds me of that line, it's really nice, doesn't bubble up, and after 2 coats is covered. This is more of a sheer polish {not super sheer} it reminds me of jelly nails in that respect. I hear so much about this particular color I couldn't pass. It reminds me a lot of Kim-Pletely In Love from the Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kollection, without the shimmer in it and Sugar Coat is more opaque than Kim-Pletely In Love.

Sparked I had to buy because it reminds me of my absolute favorite {well, one of my absolute favorite's!} glitter nail polishes...Essie's A Cut Above but Sparked doesn't have bigger glitters in it like A Cut Above. They are all tiny. I love it anyway. 

Wet n Wild Lipsticks

Are a little bit drying, but they are really pigmented. I bought Dollhouse Pink {reminds me of Narcissus from NYX} and Pink Sugar {clearly a nude}

On to something I was exited about but am not liking. I am sticking to my traditional sock bun. I mean, it seems legit. It's mesh and scratchy and seems like it would hold on to your hair really well. It just didn't work. It was hard to get all my hair around it because it's really tight. And once I do, my hair doesn't cover all of the donut up anyways. So if your hair is thin, it won't work. If your hair is thick, it wont work. It's a lose-lose. I feel like I am always reporting back with some dumb crap I have tried recently. Ima try and tell you all about some good stuff from now on (: hopefully!

Watch the video:
On top of everything here, I speak on a couple more favorites and purchases. Hope you like it (:

Side Note:

I announced on Twitter that I bought a DSLR Camera (Canon t3i 18mp) on QVC complete with 2 different lens for a steal! This is the exact one I bought so be ready for some pretty amazing content!...I hope, anyway! haha! If you know anything about DSLR's please let me know what you know with any links you have or any help. I am a total newbie and need all the help I can get

One More Thing:
Off the subject but have any of you seen End of Watch? Really good movies sometimes stick with me and this one is sad but really good. A slow start {me and Phil were like "ok wtf is this dumb shit?"} but towards the end everything starts making a lot of sense. If your into gangster and cop movies {my favorite} you just might love this on. Maybe ill open up a movie blog....nah!

k!

thanks for reading 

and don't forget to vote in the sidebar for what you want in the giveaway! I need your help! 

Thank you 

Erica