Merry Christmas Eve! (Some Early Christmas presents!)

I can't believe it's Christmas Eve! And I can't believe it's raining... =(
I wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas as well as share some early presents (most of which I bought for MYSELF yesterday.... I can't help it!). So this is a bit of a haulage post to share some buys I bought while "Christmas Shopping".

First are a few clothing pieces I got for myself. I like to buy a lot of plain pieces that are versatile. You can never have too many plain tees, so I bought two simple burnout material tees from PacSun, one gray and one white. I wish I could devise a better way to take photos of clothes...

I also got this plain tan skirt from Forever21. It was so cheap! I'm planning on wearing it as part of my Christmas dinner outfit with a red top.

My favorite clothing piece is probably this nautical-esque top from H&M. This was also a great bargain. It's not so interesting laid out like that, but is really cute on tucked into a skirt!

Also at H&M, I found the popular fur shawl! I was wondering if these came in multiple colors? I've read various blogs and the colors of other bloggers look a bit different. Anyways, I was lucky that my H&M finally stocked these.

I was debating if I really needed it since I already have two fur shawls. The two in the back are from Foreign Exchange, and the H&M one is in the front. I think I've decided to keep it because it's made nicer than the other ones. The fur is softer and the material is thicker. It also lays across my shoulders better than the other two.

Next, I went to Nordstrom Rack and bought two pairs of shoes. I really like the look of the chestnut colored sherpa booties over skinny jeans. They're also very comfy =). The black flats are by Steve Madden and I'm still debating whether I should keep them. I've been wanting a plain pair of studded flats for awhile, and they were pretty cheap.

Lastly, I bought two new fragrances. I got the Pink Sugar set from Sephora and the Live Pink fragrance from Victoria's Secret. The Pink Sugar one is VERY sweet. I bought the VS one simply because of the cute packaging... Other than that, I will most likely stick with my Viva La Juicy perfume.

On to early presents!
I received my present from my coworker and one of my best friends early.

My friend Carina got me really cute presents! She got me a very sweet teacup from Anthropologie with tea, sugar, and biscotti. I love biscotti! I don't like Earl Grey tea, but I'll try it anyways. She also bought me a notebook from Anthopologie. I'll be using it for class notes =). I was also very surprised to find a Givency eyeshadow palette in it! It's very small but very expensive. I'm scared to use it and ruin it! Lol (*-*)

One of my coworkers also got me a very nice present. I recieved a Hickory Farms Sausage and Cheese set (don't laugh! I LOVE this stuff, I could eat it all day). He also gave me a mug with a bunch of goodies and candy inside. The cutest part of the gift were the handmade glass ornaments (he didn't make them though). I've put them on my tree already.

Have you guys ever gone Christmas shopping for others only to end up with things for yourself?? 

*I've been despising the look of my blog. New layout coming soon! 

Haul: More Rock & Republic Cosmetics

Since my last Rock & Republic haul, I've been acquiring some more products from the line here and there.

Contrived blushes in : Bedroom, Shameless, and Seduce

I got three more blushes, since they're probably the product I like the most. I now have 11 out of the 12 colors made. The last color I don't have is one I don't want because it's a safety orange color... erggg. Bedroom is a matte peach. This is the color I realllyyy wanted last time but accidentally didn't order. Shameless is a bronzey shimmery color, and Seduce is a plum/brown with shimmer. Shameless can be used as a slight bronzer. These blushes, like all the other ones, are hard for me to use because they're so pigmented and my heavy hand always forgets...

Pressed Powder in Satin 

 Swatches of their pressed powders aren't available, neither is any info on the shades. I really had to take a guess at which one would match me, which makes shopping online difficult. I went with "Satin" and it works! =). I used this to mattify my forehead, nose, and top of my cheeks. I also need a light hand with this because although it's pressed, the brush picks up a lot of powder.

Noir Eye Color Trio in Scene 2 

 I had heard some pretty good things about this eyeshadow palette so I gave it ago. First things first, the compact is SUPER heavy. Sturdy indeed. I would hate to travel with this weapon though. The colors are OK. I probably won't really use the purple. As you can see, the black pan came broken. I'm so sad =(! I wish they handled my packages properly. Even if I clean it up, whenever I open the compact, the powder sticks to the magnet at the top of the palette! Color-wise, The black is a very deep matte black. The purple has an almost blue sheen to it, and the cream/champagne color would make a great inner corner highlight. The overall color schemes of their two palettes are weird... and I'm really disappointed that I won't really want to use this palette since it's broken...

Lipglosses in Vacant, Drama Queen, and Runaway

When I got my first two lipglosses, I really didn't like them. However, I found different ways to use them, and they really started to grow on me. Vacant is a nude peach, Drama Queen is a sparkly pink, and Runaway is a nude with glitter. Again, all the colors are sheer. I like Vacant the most. It seems like my favorite formulation of their lipglosses are ones without any shimmer. Vacant is actually looks like my original lipcolor. I wear it ontop of my NYX lipstick in "Honey" (which creates a nude base). I'm basically left with a better, lighter version of my natural lip color =). HURRAY! This is beating my former favorite lipgloss from them, "Muse".

Tinted Primer in Sophia and Tinted Illuminizer in Roxanne

 First, WTH. Both of the pumps look like this when opened. Are they broken?! Where's the straw?! I'm not digging in their for a stupid straw. Anyways, I've been pumping away, and nothing comes out. FAIL.

EDIT: I finally got the illuminizer to pump after about 100 pumps. Still nothing on the primer. I think the pump operates on air suction through the continuous pumping when you first get it. I think the primer's not coming out because of its thick mousse formula. 

The colors are very yellow and too dark for me. However, they are very sheer so they should work. The primer is a weird mousse texture and completely throws me off. The illuminizer's texture is nice though. You can use it as a liquid bronzer, mix it with your lighter foundation to get a darker shade, or mix it with any foundation for a nice glow (which is what I did). I'm holding off on trying the primer these because it seems like an overall strange product...

I think I have enough Rock and Republic products for the rest of my life. I'm generally happy with their products. I really don't think you should try the primer, and the eyeshadow palette doesn't seem worth it to me. I'd rather try their single eyeshadows.

For those interested, R&R is having their friends and family sale. They're offering 30% off with the code FF30. Personally, I'd wait for another sample sale at Hautelook or something.

Haul: My New Bag & a Few Other Goodies From F21!

YAYYY! I got a mini imitation of the coveted Alexa Mulberry bag =). It also looks like the Proenza Schouler P1. It's from Forever21 and is a steal for $30, compared to its counterpart that totals over $1000. I love it so much. I wish it was as big as the Alexa, but it's good for the price.The material itself is also very impressive. It's nice and sturdy. The nice thing is that it also fits my notebooks and such for class :).

I've been really into silky/flowy materials lately. They look great layered under a cardigan or a blazer. I'm imagining it with a pair of boots for the upcoming cooler season.

Knee high socks are definitely in this fall. I got a gray and cream pair since I already own a good amount of black ones. I'm not so sure why I bought the girly headband... we'll see if I find a way to wear it without looking like I'm 10.

Overall, a small haul, but I got really good staples for the season =)!

Yet Another CCO Haul...

Yes, I went yet again. I've been in the habit of going once a month, particularly at the end because that's when my CCO gets new shipment in. This time, I made the drive hoping that they would have some blush ombres from the MAC Color Forecast collection (ahem Ripe Peach). Sadly, my CCO didn't have any, even though some girls on Specktra said that they had them at theirs =(. I was really disappointed, but at least they had some new items from Liberty of London. Other than that, the selection was the same old boring stuff.

Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector (For my mom =)..)
MAC:
Prim and Proper Blush
Dirty Plum Blush
Frankly Fresh Lipglass
Perennial High Style Lipglass
Gilt by Association mineralize e/s (YES! I've been waiting for this since I missed it when it was in the Style Black collection)
Graphology e/s

Prim and Proper blush

I really love this blush. It's so easy to wear. It's a beige nude with a sheen. 

 Dirty Plum blush

I honestly don't know what to do with this.I think I just caught up in the Liberty of London fever. Purple blush? Not my thing... What to do...

Frankly Fresh and Perennial High Style lipglass

I'm so glad I found these! I first got them for the fact that they have super cute packaging, but the colors are awesome. Frankly fresh is a very wearable tan peach with shimmer, and Perennial High Style is a pink coral with no shimmer. Like all MAC lipglasses, they're sticky but these both pack a great amount of pigment.

Gilt by Association MES

I was so excited when I finally got my hands on this. I did a look with it and found out... I don't like it. It's just way too shimmery...is messy, and fades a lot throughout the day. It's a gold-black that looks almost brown on the lids.

Graphology E/S

Graphology is a matte gray black with a slight purple/blue tint. I have an affinity for dark shadows... I'm constantly buying them but I rarely wear them.

Swatches

Asos Haul: Clothes, Bags, Shoes, Illamasqua. Hits and a few misses.

I've recently fallen in love with Asos.com. Their range of clothing reminds me alot of a mix between Urban Outfitters and Forever21. Also, this month there's free shipping on every order to the US, big plus! Mainly, I shop from their sale/clearance section because they've got some amazing stuff at great prices. I can't remember the exact prices, but nothing was over $20.

Snake skin print platform heels in a size 3UK. HIT. These make me super tall and look nice. However, they're scary to walk in and my boyfriend says they look like stripper heels. He doesn't know what he's talking about.

 Gladiator flat sandals in a size 3UK. MISS. I will definitely have to return these, they're SO big. 3UK is supposed to be 5US, but these sandals say otherwise.

 

 Gladiator-esque heels in size 3UK. MISS. While very cute indeed, these are also too big =(.

Heart quilt satchel. HIT. I actually wore this bag today. It's super cute and a nice change from the large totes I normally wear.

Hobo slouchy bag. MISS. "It looked better on the model".

Navy draped mini dress. HIT. EVERY time I take a photo of blue, it comes out purple, with EVERY camera I've ever had. In real life, this is a dark navy and drapes beautifully on.

White one shoulder lace top. MISS. Super cute, much too small....

I also had to stop by their Illamasqua cosmetics section. I ended up getting too glosses, one "Intense" and one "Sheer".

The darker color is their Intense gloss in Frenzy, and the pinky shade is their Sheer gloss in Electrify.

Electrify and Frenzy

First thing's first, I HATE the packaging. When I recieved it, my initial thought was "What is this tiny piece of plastic junk?". The tube is a squeezy plastic with a clear domed applicator. It's a "squeeze-type" lipgloss. The packaging itself is flimsy and seems cheap, which is NOT cool, considering their price tag. The good however, is that the formula/color is amazing. Out of the two, I like the sheer color Electrify better. It's a pretty baby pink with sheen. It certainly is sheer and looks great on top of nude lips. Frenzy is a deep vibrant raspberry and the fact that it's an "Intense" gloss means a lot. Do you guys see that crazy pigmentation? It also is long wearing on the lips because even after the gloss fades, the color stains. After I washed off that swatch, I had a pink stain on my arm. This could be good or bad. Anywho, aside from the packaging, I would say the glosses were a HIT, and I am now a fan.

I think that completes my haul for today, hopefully I'll get in another order before the month's over ;P. I just noticed how many black items I got, how depressing. Oh well, versatality is the key!

Have a good Saturday! I know I will ;)!

Rock and Republic Cosmetics Haul & Swatches [PIC Heavy]

A few weeks ago I mentioned that there was a Rock and Republic Beauty sale on Hautelook. My order finally came! Ordering from sample sale sites always take a little longer to receive your items, but they're always worth it! I ordered nine contrived blushes and two lipglosses. Sadly, I didn't realize that I accidentally ordered two of the same blushes and didn't order the one I really wanted =(. 

The outer cardboard packaging is really nice. You can tell this stuff is high quality just by it's shell! A lot of people complain that the packaging is excessive, but since I'm a sucka for packaging, I think it's gorgeousssss. The blushes come in their own individual "hat boxes". The blushes were all 20 dollars each (50% off from the original $40), and the lipglosses were $13, also 50% off from $26. It was a great deal, and I couldn't pass it up!

Look how nice the package is! It's made out of a heavy, sturdy metal, and the desgin is so elegant and screams "high-end". There's .32 oz of product, which is a HUGE blush size.

Top row: All Nighter, Call Me, Foreplay, Kinky

Bottom row: Lust, Spank, Tease, X-Rated

I know, I know. The names are so provocative. I think the names are cute ;). It makes them extra special. I'm really sad I missed out on the shade Bedroom. The one I ordered two of is Lust.

All Nighter

Call Me

Foreplay

Kinky

Lust

Spank

Tease

X-rated

 All Nighter, Call Me, Foreplay, Kinky

I really hoped that my camera would pick up the colors better, but please take my word for it, these blushes are SO pigmented.
All Nighter is a shimmery reddish coral (think Nar's Taos). Call Me, probably the most famous blush from R&R is a pinky-peach with gold shimmer, and is often compared to NAR's Orgasm. Foreplay is a peach, and it's matte. Kinky is a super bright, angel, cool pink, much like Desire from Nars. It's also a matte color and looks hot pink in the pan.

Lust, Spank, Tease, X-rated

Lust is a coppery peach with gold sparkles. Spank is a matte cool pink. Tease is a matte mauve-pink and looks slightly like a dusty plum/pink. It's comparable to NAR's Mata Hari. X-rated is a bright matte fuschia.

A lot of these colors may look super scary on the pan, but as you can see, they swatch quite nicely. You have to remember to use a light hand with these to get a nice light flush, and not heavy crayon marks. I use a highlighting duo-fibre brush. The first time I tried out Lust, I used a normal blush brush and dipped it in the pan like I would with any other blush. BIG mistake. I slapped it on my cheeks and I looked pure CRAZY. So PLEASE, go easy and light-handed with these. I'm very impressed with the quality of these blushes, and need I mention again how beautiful the packaging is? Definitely a blush I want to be seen with =),

On to the lipglosses...

Muse and Preppy Punk

Preppy Punk is a clear pink with iridescent sparkles. Muse is a peachy color. Sadly, both colors appear as a clear gloss on my lips. These aren't pigmented and only give my lips shine. I was really disappointed, because I was hoping that Muse would give my lips a peachy shade. After trying out both colors, I can safely say that you're better buying a regular, clear lipgloss. The formula is just ok, a bit sticky and normal wear time. I'm only continuing to use these because the packaging is kind of interested. I've heard them described as "test tubes", but honestly, the first thing I thought of were tampons.... But I can totally see the pure test tube resemblance.


Even though the sale is over on Hautelook, you can still get all of Rock and Republic's makeup for 50% off on their site HERE. All you have to do is enter the code ROCKCOSMETICS at checkout. They only have one blush shade left, but they have all shades of lipglosses, as well as a good variety of other products. I'm going to buy their pressed powder. ALSO, shipping is only 99 cents! Talk about a great deal.

EDIT: They just restocked on blushes!

Did you guys haul any R&R? Are you planning on it?