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

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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

30 Day Beauty Challenge: Day 1-4

#1: Your Wardrobe: This is easy enough. We live in an old farm house, FYI. So my closet is shaped quite weird. I hang up dresses, blouses, sweaters, cardigan's & the like on a hanger. The shelf above that I keep: pants, jeans, jeggings, cami's, & other tops that wont be ruley on a hanger! I have a part for belts, scarves, & bags. Then most of my shoes go in the holder. The clothes I wear often are most likely in a basket, which means they are not in the closet- I keep "clean-worn clothes" in it because I am too lazy to hang everything up every single day. (: - too lazy to blog? never.  I guess I just have fucked up priorities

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#2 A Scent You Can't Live Without: Victoria's Secret's Sexy Little Things.It's not just this scent. My other favorites are Ralph by Ralph Lauren & Paris Hilton by Paris Hilton. all 3 of these scents have every note in common with one another. Fruit on the top. Floral's in the middle. & the bottom note is usually musk. For fun I am going to list the scent description for each perfume:

In common with Ralph Lauren In common with Paris Hilton In common with Sexy Little Things In common w all 3

Victoria's Secret's Sexy Little Things: japanese osmanthus, apple, water lily. honeysuckle, jasmine, lotus. iris, musk, cashmere wood.

Ralph Lauren's Ralph : apple, japanese osmanthus, italian mandarin. magnolia, boronia, yellow freesia. musk, white iris.

Paris Hilton's Paris Hilton:  melon, apple, peach . freesia, lily, lily of the valley, mimose. tuberose,  jasmine. sandal wood, musk, oakmoss, ylang ylang.

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#3 Something You've Never Worn Before: My makeup item is Coastal Scents Camo Quad. It is to cancel out certain colors on your face. I bought it for the green color, to cancel out my redness. All it did was make my face green. It barely covered up any redness. It is much easier to just conceal the redness. I am still looking for a way to use this little quad. And thing is that they are very pigmented & creamy! Maybe I can use them as an eyeshadow. In fact, I think I will.

#3 My clothing item doesn't have a good reason. I bought it on sale from Wet Seal about a year ago (maybe 2 years ago) and I never wear it! It is really cute too. I like the flower detail on the back. I like the way it fits too. I think I will wear it this week. Problem solved!

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 #4 Your Favorite Color Eyeshadow: This changes all the time but I have loved Stila's Kitten since I got it. It is a really nice champagne color. Depending on the way the light hits it, it can become a mid-toned gold. I probably wear this color on my lid every day. Over any other lighter color I have, actually. I love this color. Not to mention it is so easy to apply. It feels like silk.

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If you are doing this Challenge, let me know in the comments so I can check it out! If you just found out about it, no need to feel like you missed out, just start when ever and link me up!

xoxo

Erica

Pittsburgh Haul Part 1: The Gap, Victoria Secret, & Stella Treats

Hey! If you guys didn't know, me & my b/f went to Pittsburgh a couple a weeks ago to see a comedian & go shopping. We did some serious damage the night before. We got drunk at the Improv then went downtown. We spent wayy to much but better safe than sorry, so we took a cab everywhere that night. 

So, I am just going to split my Pittsburgh Trip up in 4 blog posts: 

Part 2: H&M & JC Penney Haul (clothing haul) 

Part 3: Yankee Candle Haul & 

Part 4: will just be our trip overall. 

I only bought one thing at The Gap. my Boyfriend, Philly bought a pair of jeans and while I was waiting for him, I seen this puppy. I have 1 other duo chrome "oil spill" nail polish from Wet n Wild but it doesn't compare to this. I really do not like the WnW one too much. Then it came to me. It's a Chanel Dupe! I do not have the Chanel polish but I clearly remember wanting it: Chanel Peridot. Now, I cant say for sure if it is a really true dupe but I will let you be the judge. If you think it is, Try Gap's Gold Rush. It was only $6. I have never tried the Gap's nail polish and the lady helping me said she loves them. Of course she does, but I am sure it will be a better line of polish, considering it's the Gap. You will be seeing a NOTW soon enough, if I like it on. I think I probably will :)

Gap Nail Polish in Gold Rush

Chanel Picture

pretty duppy if you ask me!

Then we went to Victoria Secret's. I only bought panties because I needed them. Don't worry none of these panties were used! lol! I did wanna show you guys them because they are adorable. I love the "scrunchie butt" where they cinch the fabric that separates each booty cheek. My house mom use to do that to all of our outfits & even my bath suit. The way they are made makes your butt look fab (:

 

I also bought 2 other pair that were not scrunchie butt. I shabby chic thong & another pair.

Next up, The Dog Store. Just Dogs Gourmet (: I had to buy something for my puppy, Stella. All of these gourmet dog treats were to die. I paid around $5 for all of them. And I tasted the white frosting on the bone. It is actually good. I want to make a frosting like that. You probably think I am crazy. Your the crazy one. Your missing out on these delicious dog treats. if anybody has ever tried to make their own gourmet doggie treats, I would love to know!

The first one is made out of cacao & peanut butter. It's your Reese's Cup for doggies!

Next one is a cupcake of sorts.

Then I bought a carrot one. It was half off because they had them left over from Easter. I wish I lived close so I can fill up my Stella's stocking and Easter basket! But I don't. Maybe I can order online. The carrot is actually made out of vegetables which I thought was pretty cool.

Then we have the frosted milk bone. This was the one I tasted. That frosting is freaking delicious! haha! but i am not joking, lol.

That is that for now! I will make this ending short & sweet

xoxo

Erica J

June Favorites

hey guys! As usual, my favorites are a little late- I always seem to do mine a few days into the months. Either way, im sure you can see that my layout & header are new- I made them with gimp! So, my blog will be a construction zone for next couple of days.

Maybelline Superstay Concealer- Great for any blemish or under eye circles. This stuff is long lasting, trust me! It really sticks to your skin! For that reason, I think it can really double as a shadow primer for a simple look. A little goes a long way with this stuff! and I also find that if I apply just a bit with the doe-foot applicator and then take my finger and kinda press/roll it into my skin with as opposed rub it in, I find it blends really well into my skin and creates a really even skin tone- no concealer lines on this face!

Victoria Secret Sun Dust Bronze Shimmer Body Powder- This is a very shimmery bronzer for your body as opposed to your face. I do love this bronzer but I do have to go back over where I applied the bronzer with another blush brush. i find that you really can't blend it out w/ the brush it comes with, even when the thing is closed- the bronzer will still keep flowing out of the top of the brush! If you are familiar with the Bronze Beach sexy line from VS, you know this smells like. Sun-Kissed.

NYX Milk Jumbo Pencil- As everybody else does, I like to put it in the inner corners near my tear ducts to brighten em up a bit. I also like to put this on after my eye-shadow primer and before my actual eye-shadow, I find it really makes the shadow pop. I haven't had to sharpen this thing yet, Ive had it for about 2 months now & use it daily. At around $3-4 it's pretty much a steal. Here's a pic demonstrating how this pencil can make any shadow pop:

Mark. London Bridge Eye Shadow- I used this in my Kourtney Kardash FOTD it has been one of those shadows that ive had for months but haven't picked it up in a while- love. this. color. Its a taupe color but with a silver dimension to it. I think it is a really complex, beautiful color- I love it! (swatches above) I think this shadow is exclusive to the Flip For It London Palette but I am pretty sure you can still purchase this on either the Avon or Mark website- If your interested, I would recommend checking Avon first, honestly. I sell mark so click here to shop

And Lastly True Blue Spa Shea Cashmere Hand Cream- I lather this on my whole body after the shower or the bath- I could really put this stuff on a piece of toast- yummy! It smells really buttery and cashmere-y. This has been my favorite since I purchased it! Love this stuff!

Just another favorite it using a Sponge instead of a brush to apply foundation. Wow, I wish I would have done this all along. I like to put some of my liquid foundation right on the sponge and dot/smudge it on my face in circular motions (if that makes any sense). It really blends beautifully and isnt streaky like how it can be when applied with a foundation brush! The foundation also goes on really even when applied with the sponge- if you haven't tried a sponge for foundation, give it a try! A downfall is that it kinda sucks alot of foundation up, so you may need to use more foundation but I dont care- i would rather have an even tone face!

So thats all for my favs (: did you do a favorites post for last month? if you did, please link em in the comment! Thanx for reading guys and have a great night! (or day, depending on where you are in the world)

My Body Spray Collection!

I have soo many!!

Listed from Left to Right

VS: Sexy Little Things- My Favorite one! You can purchase this at Victoria's Secret as a perfume as well, the body spray is $10. It smells delicious, reminds me of Paris Hilton a bit if anybody is familiar

B&BW: Dark Kiss- If you have been reading for a while you will know this is one of my favorites! It smells sweet almost like pink sugar and kool aid in a way but if anybody remembers Sweet Cravings (By Victoria Secret) they had a candle and some lotion it was a line of things like that a few years ago...it is exactly that is what im thinking since B&BW & VS are owned by the same company

Pink: Sweet & Flirty- This one is pretty much just Sweet Pea from B&BW although it has another note to it...like a little bit more of a perfumey smell to it, a little more of a mature note in there some where to me.

Pink: Pretty & Pure- I really like this one alot it does smell really clean and fresh. Calgon Morning Glory is a good dupe for this one if a had to chose one...although I like Calgon better...why do I have this one then? Reguardless, It does have a sweeter note to it- great scent. I favor this over Sweet & Flirty


Avon Naturals: Cherry Blossom- Yummy. It does in a way smell like a cherry and also a blossom, so the name is perfect. It has a warmer vanilla like smell to it compared to the Violet & Lychee

Avon Naturals: Violet & Lychee- I wanted to say that this and Cherry Blossom are my favorite Avon scents, this one is my top favorite Avon Scent. I hate to compare to Calgon's Morning Glory again but it reminds me of it. But this one doesn't have a sweeter note (like the Pretty & Pure) it has more of a floral note, hence the Violet.

Avon: Blushing Temptations(Daring Citrus)- Even tho I really don't like citrus scents, this was my favorite out of the Blushing Temptations Bunch, I honestly cant smell any citrus. Other notes include magnolia and musk.

Avon: Blushing Temptations(Pretty Petals)- I think this is Cherry Blossom in another bottle lol. But to be true, it has notes of Jasmine, Grapefruit, and Warm Amber.

Avon: Blushing Temptations(Sparkling Plum Blossom)- Notes in this one are Raspberry, Plum Blossom (duh) and White Woods. To me, it smells like Kool-Aid.



Degree: Sweet Romance- Not Shown! I forgot about it! How could I? also really LOVE this one too! (I say that about all of em, but I love em all). You can also get the Sweet Romance deodorant, I love pairing them, it smells clean and girly.

I have def. learned one thing about myself...I have too many body sprays that smell alot alike...I am not buying anymore forever...
This is a TAG! Everybody who comes across this, Try it out and then link in the comments! I love body sprays!! They are my weakness (obviously), I wanna know everyone's best and worse (if there are any) - Thanx For Readin!

Target, Bath & Body Works, (and some other's) Haul! & Small Review(s)

Really quickly, I wanted to let you guys know that with every review I will be ranking products on a 5 star basis. 1 star horrible and 5 stars the best product EVER. A lot of hauls that I do usually have other blog posts in front of them, I usually have about a week or so to use product's and tell yah what I think. I know that's not the point of haul's but I just feel a little or useful this way, so here goes:

Physician's Formula Cashmere Bronzer. This review will be a bit long I do have mixed feelings about this product

Polishes

                                     In the Spotlight, BubbleGum Pink, & Preppy Purple (review's will be in)

B&BW Dark Kiss- Body Butter & Body Spray buy 2 get 1 free. I cant remember how much these were. Either way 5/5. This is my favorite scent from B&BW. Do we all remember the Mood candle/lotion line a few years back from VS? This reminds me of Sweet Cravings scent which I loved! I layer these every morning. The butter is so smooth and putting them on together, the scent will linger all day.

B&BW Shea Cashmere Hand Cream $10. Smells like butter, very rich and creamy 5/5. I love this! I could eat this stuff. At $10 I am going to get the tub of it next time for around $17. I think it's a bit pricey but worth it for me. It is absolutely moisturizing & amazing. The scent alone is so warm & soft & creamy I want this whole line of products.

Creamy Hawaiian Coconut Body Scrub (buy 2 get 1 free). I love body scrubs and I usually go for the C.O. Bigelow ones, but since I really wanted the Dark Kiss, I opted out for this (because of the buy 2 get 1 for free deal) which I am really happy I tried it because not only is it a scrub, but when you scrub it on to your legs (I use my hands) It lathers very nicely. I give this 4/5 stars. 4 because I feel like they could have done better with the scent, being B&BW and all. I love coconut, and yes it smells like coconut- but I expected more from them.

B&BW Country Chic That came with a bag. Both which I got for free from buying any Signature Collection product last week (sat. 3/20). Eh I dunno. The scent is nice. Nothing special. The bag I wouldn't buy for $5 (that's how much it is). I could take or leave these. I only buy body butter because I don't feel like the regular lotions are that moisturizing so on that note, I would give it a 3. Maybe the scent will grow on me.

B&BW candles 3 for $5. I love the candles they have. The Fresh Picked Cherries smell good and actually burns with a sour candy smell to it, which I like sour candies. Strawberry Patch has a much higher throw than the other one, and is much more sweeter. It smells delicious. (I got 2 strawberry candle's btw)

Pink Pants $35, Which came with a gift card that is redeemable on April 1st. Every card is at least worth $10 although some can go up to $500!

 
Body Central Stuff- Necklace. $3.80

Tank Top $8

Sorry my breast's always seem to get in the way. I had nobody else to take my pic, sorry guys. My point of these pics were to show you how the fabrics lay on my body.

                                                                   Shirt $8

ELF Eyebrow Kit $5 @ Target. This is awesome. Go and get this! They come with stencils (4), Tweezers, (mine were missing!) Concealor Brush (IDK why), Brow Powder & Cream Duo, & Brow Gel. I love this. I am obsessive about my brows, 5/5 This is an absolute steal for $5. The brow gel can be $5 alone.

Yankee Candle Tarts: Early Sunrise, Vanilla Cupcake, & Pink Sands $1 each (sale)

Park Lane Ring $5

Mini Haul

So do people do haul's in a blog? ive seen them on youtube but never on a blog but im just gunna go for it because its my blog and...

BTW: why does the pictures say 2009? so weird, right? i took those last weekend!!!Well the first thing is definitely first! back in '07 when i worked at Victoria's Secret they came out with this awesome perfume called Sexy Little Things & I got to have one for like $5! I loved it ever since but also have not bought it since so I decided to pick one up (Below is my Body Spray $10)

Everybody has there favorites from Victoria's for instance my Bff Alex loves Sexy Little Things Noir and that scent reminds me of her.

Pink reminds me of high school. I love those scents that literally bring you right back to a time or a place or a feeling. That's Pink for me. My absolute favorite tho is Ralph By Ralph Lauren. this was the first perfume I ever bought (I was like probably 11 guys) and ever since then idk what it is about it but it has always been my go-to. I kinda think the Sexy Little Things reminds me of Ralph alot. Sexy Little Things is Very Fruity/Floral as is Ralph. They have the same top note in common which is green apple (I love green apples! who woulda thought?) and they have a similar bottom note which is musk.

Comment: Tell me which one you like better or if you think they do smell alike or tell me if there's another out there that smells just like them! I would love to know!Now, on to the next one. There's this place in my mall (Southern Park Mall) its called glitter where everything is $1! Its all just jewelry but its a great place here what i found there:

This bracelet is probably my favorite thing for a buck:

                                       These 3 Bracelets came 2gether along with these earrings:

         Costume Rings: I like the star- so cute. I also love how they have the different color gems

                                                          Last 2 are earrings obviously

The heart is a keychain ring. Its so cute! For a buck you cant beat it! I lost my last set of keys and my b/f Philly got me a key chain in Germany  - It was a Pendant of my Last Name and what it means & our last name "coat of arms" I loved it so miss and I needed something cute to add to my new ones. What do you all think?? what was your favorite item?