Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Instead of doing a tip tuesday, I'm going to share with you my new holy grail foundation.  I was sold after watching a few youtube reviews.  I'm SO glad I made the purchase, and hope you will to!

You can find the Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation at Sephora for $38.  Pricy, I know, but it will last you a long time and it's foundation that is actually good for your skin!  :)


This foundation is not formulated with: parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs or triclosan
I'm not even sure what some of those are, but they don't sound healthy for your skin


THE GOOD:                                       THE BAD:
- Long wearing                                    - The price
- Oil Free                                             - Not a huge color range
- Waterproof
- Lightweight
- Full coverage
- Chemical-free formulation
- Blendable/natural looking
- Don't need a powder to set it
- Contains sunscreen


My Shade: Light-Medium

                                            BEFORE                                              AFTER

Other products used:

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer 002
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser
Urban Decay Primer Potion
ELF Blush in Mellow Mauve
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Zero
Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara
NYX Lip Gloss in Sweetheart


Bottom Line: BUY IT!  Totally worth the $38 price tag!!  :)

Review: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Foundation

Sunday, March 18, 2012



Here it is again...time for more beauty deals!!  :)  Let me know if you guys like this format of me listing deals or if you would like something else.  

I've added a "double deal" category.  These are items that are on sale AND have some kind of reward attached to it.  Combine these offers with coupons to save yourself even more!  :)


CVS

DOUBLE DEALS
** = spend $30, get $10 CVS cash card (can mix and match)

- **Garnier (select products) $14
- **Garnier Skin Renew $10
- **L'oreal (select products) $12
- L'oreal Go 360 Clean $4.39...spend $30, get $10 ECB with any L'oreal skincare item
- L'oreal RevitaLift Clinical Repair $20...spend $30, get $10 ECB with any L'oreal skincare item
- Olay Facial Hair Removal Duo $22.99 + $2 ECB
- Olay Pro X Kit $64 + $7 ECB
- **Organix Body Lotion or Body Wash $5.99
- Suave Naturals 2/$6...spend $12, get $4 ECB

EXTRA BUCK DEALS
- Buy 2 Revlon, Nailene or Fing'rs Nails, get $5 ECB
- Cover Girl Face, Eye or Lip: spend $10, get $3 ECB
- Maybelline Eye or Lip: spend $10, get $3 ECB

ON SALE
- Jergens Natural Glow $7.99
- Olay Daily Facial Cleansing Cloths $3.99
- Physicians Formula 40% Off
- Select Olay Facial Products $11.49

BOGO 50% OFF
- Clean & Clear
- Sally Hansen
- Stridex
- Women's or Men's Designer Fragrances

**********************************************************************************

WALGREENS

DOUBLE DEALS
- Garnier Fructis 3/$15: Spend $15, get $5

REGISTER REWARD DEALS
- Suave: Spend $10, get $3 RR

BOGO 50% OFF
- Almay
- Aussie
- Aveeno
- Conair Hair Accessories
- Cover Girl
- Herbal Essences
- L'oreal Moisturizers & Treatments
- Maybelline Dream Lumi Concealer or Nude Air Foam
- Revlon Foundation, Concealer, Powder, Blush, Lip or Nail

**********************************************************************************

RITE AID

DOUBLE DEALS
- Aveeno: $2 off & spend $15, get $5 UP Reward (can combine with clean & clear)
- Clean & Clear $2 off & spend $15, get $5 UP Reward (can combine with aveeno)
- Kiss, Broadway and Impress Artificial nails: BOGO 50% off + spend $10, get $2 UP
- L'oreal: BOGO 50% off + Spend $25, get $10 UP
- Physicians Formula: BOGO 50% off + Spend $20, get $5

UP REWARDS
- Cover Girl: Buy $50 and get $25 with a $10 UP and a $15 gift card

ON SALE
- Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush & Concealer: $5.99
- Maybelline Dream Foundation: $8

BOGO 50% OFF
- All Lip Balm, Gloss & Stick (excludes Cover Girl , L'oreal and Physicians Formula)
- All Nail Enamel (excludes L'oreal and Essie)
- Olay Skin & Bath

Beauty Deals - Week of 3/18 to 3/25

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

I don't know about you, but my closet has got to the overwhelming point of just "too much". It seems that on a daily basis I will just stare at my full closet and decide that I "having nothing to wear". Even my boyfriend comments that I have too many things in my closet.  So now I have decided to start organizing.

I have begun the task of weeding out my clothes. I used to go through each item and think "I don't wear this anymore" and throw it into a donate pile. But then I decide that I will for some occasion need it and then... back in the closet it goes. It has been counter productive, because I end up getting rid of maybe one or two things.

I got this organization idea I'm going to show you from pinterest and it has worked SO well!! Its easy, free and no time is spent sorting! I have managed to scale down my closet so much... and you know what that means....more shopping to fill it back up! :)

Here's what you do:

1. Turn all your hangers around so they're hanging backwards on the rod.



2. When you wear something & wash it, hang it back up like you would normally.



3. Keep doing this for about 6 months. That way you will include clothes that you would wear in cold & warm weather.

4. After the 6 months is up, get rid of any hanger that has not been turned around! Chances are if you haven't worn it in 6 months, you probably aren't going to.

5. The only exceptions I make are for things that you do wear, but not on a daily basis. For example, fancy dresses, interview/business attire, sentimental items, etc. Use your own judgement. This technique is best suited for things you wear on a daily basis.

Happy spring cleaning! Leave me comments and let me know if this worked for you or not. I'd love to hear about it!

xoxo. Laura

Tip Tuesday: Spring Cleaning Your Closet

Sunday, March 11, 2012



Can't believe another week has flow by!  Here are the beauty deals and steals this week.  As always, look for coupons to use with cash back reward deals to maximize your savings.  I also alphabetized the listings to make searching for your favorite brand a little easier.

I highlighted the best of the best deals that I would probably buy, making choosing which deals to cash in on easier for you.

Not too much is going on this week.  Last week was, in my opinion, much better in terms of makeup sales.  It always comes in waves.  If one week ends up being kind of crappy, another week will be better.

CVS
EXTRA CARE BUCKS REWARDS
- Colgate Optic White Toothpaste $3.99 + $2 ECB
- Cover Girl Face, Eye or Lip: Spend $10, Get $3
- L'oreal: Spend $15, get $5 ECB
- Maybelline Eye or Lip: Spend $10, get $3
- Olay Total Effects Facial Care $18.99 + $2 ECB
- Rimmel: Spend $10, get $3 ECB

ON SALE
- Garnier Skin Renew $10
- Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Corrector $14
- Garnier Ultra-Lift $12
- L'oreal EverPure, EverStrong, EverSleek, EverCreme or EverStyle Hair Care $5.99
- L'oreal Sublime Mousse, Root Rescue or Healthy Look Color $5.99
- Perfecta Wash $15.99
- Revlon ColorSilk or Luminista $2.99
- Treseme Hair Care 2/$7

BOGO 50% OFF
- Aveeno Face, Body Wash or Lotion
- Conair or Scunci Hair Accessories
- Maybelline Foundation, Powder, Blush or Concealer
- Neutrogena Cosmetics or Skin Care
- Nuance by Salma Hayek Cosmetics, Hair, Body or Facial Care
- Organix or Fx Hair Care
- Physicians Formula Skin Care (NEW)
- Revlon Cosmetics or Beauty Tools
- Sammy, Psssssst! or PureShine Hair Care
- Simple Skin Care


WALGREENS

REGISTER REWARD DEALS
- Treseme Hair Care: 4/$15 + $5 RR


ON SALE
- Garnier Nutrisse Herbashine $4.99
- L'oreal Healthy Look or Root Rescue $5.99
- Neutrogena $5.99
- Revlon Color Silk $2.99


BOGO 50% OFF
- L'oreal 
- Maybelline
- Nexxus Hair Care
- Revlon Cosmetics or Beauty Tools
- Sally Hansen Nail Color, Beauty Tools and Lip Care


RITE AID

UP REWARDS
- Cover Girl: Spend $20, get $5 UP Reward
- Garnier Skin Care (BOGO 50%): Purchase 3, get $10 UP Reward
- L'oreal Revitalift or Youth Code: Spend $15, get $5 UP Reward
- Maybelline Cosmetics (BOGO 50%) Spend $10, get $3 UP Reward
- Olay Base Skin Care ($20.99): Purchase 1, get $2 UP reward
- Olay Pro X Skin Care: Spend $35, get $5 UP Reward
- Prestige Cosmetics (BOGO 50%): Spend $15, get $5 UP Reward
- Rimmel Cosmetics: Spend $15, get $5 UP reward


ON SALE
- Almay Foundation, Powder, Blush or Concealer 40% Off ($1 Rebate available, too)
- Cover Girl LashBlast 24 hr Mascara or Blast FlipStick Lip Stick $8.99
- Cover Girl Tone Rehab Makeup $14.99
- Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Foam Hair Color $7.99
- Garnier Shampoo/Conditioner $5.99
- L'oreal EverCare Hair or EverStyle or Root Rescue Hair Color $5.99
- L'oreal Facial Cleansers $4.39


BOGO 50%
- L'oreal Lip and Nail
- Neutrogena Skin, Sun & Bath Care

Beauty Deals - Week of 3/11 to 3/18

Saturday, March 10, 2012

I took advantage of the Urban Decay Friends & Family sale which entitles you 20% off your entire order.  I scored some great deals on eyeliners, so I decided to stock up.  I got 7 eyeliners with two of them being full sized.  Without the F&F deal and had I bought them individually, I would have paid around $126.  With the discount as well as them being in a couple different "boxed/travel sets" I'm only out $44!!  :)  Saving myself around $82!!

Now onto swatches, because I know you all would rather see those instead of me rambling on about my deal savings.





Full Size 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Duo - ON SALE $12! (orig. $29)



I am mostly excited about Whiskey and Demolition because I hear such amazing things about them.  The color "Zero" for me wasn't as dark as I would have hoped.  I might just have to cave and buy Perversion, which is supposed to be their "blackest black" they have.

Sale ends March 10th, so make sure you get your order in before then!  :)

Urban Decay F&F Sale - HAUL

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

It's time to debut my "Tip Tuesday" Posts!!  These will be just little ideas that I use on a daily basis that hopefully you will find them helpful, too.

I wanted to share with you an affordable way to organize your fridge.  Places like bed bath and beyond sells these shelving units that are made specifically for refrigerator items.  The only problem with them is that they are so dang expensive!!  I have took it upon myself to find a cheaper alternative to turning the chaos of your fridge into something that is functional & visually appealing.

Behold...The plastic Target shoebox....



*These are that "Re" style brand found at Target stores

*They were only $5 for a pack of 5 (at the time, I'm not sure if they are still on sale right now)

*They're clear so you are able to see what's inside them.

*I like to organize mine by category.  There is fruit, veggies, meat, etc.  But get creative.  You can organize them however you want!  :)



*I kept the lids and put them in a storage closet.  I don't use them in the fridge bc I like having easy access to the foods.  Taking the lids on and off becomes kind of a hassle.


Aaaand here's the finished product!!  :)  I would have taken a picture of my entire fridge, but I'm in the process of cleaning it out and it looks a little messy.

Hope you got some ideas on how to organize your own fridge, closet, pantry or anything else that needs a little TLC.

xoxo Laura

Tip Tuesday: Organize Your Fridge

Sunday, March 4, 2012



I've decided to put together some of the best beauty deals of the week from CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens.  Now these are only the best of the best and there maybe other deals (I will list the not-so-good deals at the bottom).  Note: I am sticking to makeup/beauty items only that women generally use.  No household, men, grocery, etc. items will be mentioned.

**Now, remember, for these deals always google for coupons to knock the price down even more :)

RR = Register Rewards...like a store gift card you get back that you can use towards your next purchase
ECB = Extra Care Bucks...works the same way as Walgreens' RR
UP Rewards = works the same way

I think CVS wins for the best deals this week!!  :)

**********************************************************************************

WALGREENS

Register Reward Deals
- Clairol Nice N' Easy Hair Color: $7.99 + $1 in RR
- Soft Soap Body Wash: 2/$6 + $3 in RR

Walgreens Coupon Offers
- Wet n Wild Megalast Nail Polish:   $0.99 coupon in Walgreens circular (Limit 3)
- Studio 35 Polish Remover:              $0.99 coupon in Walgreens circular (Limit 3)


On Sale
- Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, Serum or Wrinkle Revolution: $21.99
- L'oreal Moisturizers and Treatments: 20% off
- John Frieda Hair Care: Sale $4.99
- Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Color: $5.99
- Sinful Colors Nail Polish: 2/$3
- Family Size Pantene, Herbal Essences or Aussie Shampoo/Conditioner: $5.99/ea.
- $10 off Select Fragrances
- Garnier Nutrisse Easy Foam Hair Color: $7.99
- John Frieda Precision Foam Hair Color: $11.99



BOGO 50% OFF
- L'oreal Foundation, Concealer, Primer, Blush or Foundation
- Almay
- Broadway or Kiss Nails, Eyelashes, Applications, Tools & Files
- Roc Retinol Correxion Skin Care
- Australian Gold Spray Gels and Lotions
- Jergens or select Biore Skin Care
- Cover Girl

**********************************************************************************

CVS

ECB DEALS
- All Revlon Nail Color: Sale $4.79 + $3 in ECB! = $1.79/ea! (Limit 6 per CVS card)
- Buy Any Revlon Eye or Lip: Get $4 ECB (Limit 6)
- Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner: Sale 3/$10 + $3 ECB
- Maybelline Eye or Lip: Spend $10, get $3 ECB
- L'oreal Skin Product: Spend $30, get $10 ECB
- Olay Body Wash: Sale $6.99 + $2 ECB
- Gillette Venus Pro Skin, Embrace or Breeze: Sale $9.99 + $5 ECB
- Olay Regenerist Kit or Treatment: Sale $23.99 + $3 ECB
- Olay Regenerist Facial Cre, Total Effects Tone or UV Moisturizer: Sale $20.99 + $2 ECB
- Cover Girl Face, Eye or Lip: Spend $10, get $3 ECB

ON SALE
- Physicians Formula: Save $4 with CVS card
- Women or Men's Designer Fragrances: Save $7 with CVS card
- Jennifer Aniston, Mary J. Blige Fragrances: Save $10 with CVS card
- Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Foam Hair Color: $7.99
- Lumene Time Freeze, Vitamin C+ or Sensitive Touch: $14.99
- All Wet n Wild Cosmetics: 30% off
- Jergens or Curel: $6.99
- Jergens Natural Glow: 2/$15
- Biore Cleanser, Scrub or Towlettes: 2/$14
- Cetaphil: Save $2 with CVS card
- Clairol Nice n Easy Color Blend Foam: $8.99
- Olay Facial Hair Remover Duo: $22.99
- Olay Daily Facial Cloths: $3.99
- Clairol Natural Instincts: $6.99
- Aussie or Herbal Essences: $2.99
- Olay Complete Defense or All Age Defying Anti-Wrinkle Creams: $12.99
- John Frieda Collection Hair Treatments: $7.99
- John Frieda Shampoo, Conditioner: $4.99
- John Frieda Precision Foam Color: $11.99
- Fekkai Hair Care: $19.99
- Conair Hair Dryer, Ceramic Straightener or Instant Heat Curling Iron (excludes Infiniti): $18.99
- All Treseme: 2/$7
- Garnier HerbaShine, or Nutrisse Hair Color: $5.99
- Revlon Color Silk Luminista: 2/$6
- Dove Shampoo/Conditioner: 2/$7
- Renpure Organics or Infusium 23: $4.99
- Garnier Fructis Family Size Shampoo/Conditioner: $4.99
- Revlon Root Erase: $3.79
- Aussie, Pantene, Herbal Essences Family Size Shampoo/Conditioner: $5.99

BOGO FREE
- Fat Foam Hair Color, Samy Shampoo/Conditioner
- Goody Hair Accessories

BOGO 50% OFF
- L'oreal Hair Color (excludes Root Rescue)
- L'oreal Hair Care (excludes Salon Professional Brands)
-All L'oreal Face, Eye or Lip Cosmetics
-All Essence of Beauty Bath and Accessories
-All Almay Cosmetics
-All Milani Cosmetics
- All Sally Hansen Cosmetics
- L'oreal Hair Color
- Conair, Scunci or Nexxus Hair Brushes or Hair Accessories


**********************************************************************************

RITE AID

UP REWARD DEALS
- Clairol Nice N Easy Color blend Foam: $9.99 + $1 UP Reward
- L'oreal Vive, Studio, Kids, Everstrong, or 
  Eversleek Hair Care, Excellence or Preference Color: Buy $15, get $5 UP Reward
- Biosilk, Tigi, Bedhead or Tigi Catwalk Hair Care: Spend $15, get $5 UP Reward
- All Maybelline Great Lash Mascara: $4 (buy 3 mascaras, get $3 UP Reward)
- Cetaphil: Spend $15, get $5 UP Reward
- Physicians Formula BOGO 50%: Buy 3 items, get $5 UP Reward

COUPONS FOUND IN THE CIRCULAR
- L'oreal Superior Preference: Save $2
- Prestige Cosmetics: Save $3
- Revlon Nail Color: Save $3
- Oxy, Phisoderm and Softlips: save $3
- Finesse Hair Care or Aquanet Hairspray: Save $2
- L'oreal Color Riche Lip: Save $3
- Sally Hansen Beauty Tools: Save $3
- L'oreal Sublime Mousse Hair Color: Save $4
- Sammy Shampoo, Conditioner or Stylers: Save $3
- ROC or NuPeptin Skin Care: Save $4

ON SALE
- Nutrisse or HerbaShine Color: $5.99
- Garnier Stylers: $3.33
- Garnier Shampoo/Conditioners: $2.99
- Curel Lotion, Biore Skin Care: $5.99
- Revlon Lip & Mascara: $4.99

BOGO FREE
- PureShine, Jhirmack or Renpure Hair Care

BOGO 50% OFF
- Cover Girl
- Olay Skin and Bath
- L'oreal Skin Care & Sunless (Spend $30, get $10 UP Reward)
- c. booth Derma, DermaSilk, eclos, Vita-K or Yes To Skin Care
- NYC
- Almay
- Jergens Skin Care
- L'oreal Foundation, Powder, Concealer, Blush or Bronzer
- Maybelline Eye Shadow & Eye Liners
- Eucerin or Aquaphor Skin Care


**********************************************************************************

If you guys have any questions, let me know...otherwise Best of luck with your shopping!  :)

xoxo. Laura

Drugstore Beauty Deals - Week of 3/4 to 3/11

Friday, March 2, 2012

Long time no post!!!  Sorry guys but I've been extreeeeemly busy as of lately.  I started a new job (which has taken up the majority of my time).  I've been getting more hours as a nanny, both Liam and I have started working out for 45 mins 6 days a week, we're kind of re-decorating the house and there has been talk in the air about adopting a dog!  :D  So, with all that said, blogging and youtube has been placed on the back burner until now.

I feel like I've kind of "re-organized" my life a bit and I feel like I'm ready to start fresh!!  :)

SO with all that out of the way, here are some things I picked up at Target tonight.  Nothing big, but thought it would be fun to show you what I got.


So first I picked up a basic black boyfriend-style t-shirt.  I was in my closet this morning and wondering why I didn't have just a plain black shirt??  Best part...it was on sale for $5!  :)

Second I got some Up&Up Target brand makeup remover wipes.  I used to be obsessed with the ones from ELF and wanted to try something different.  I've used one already and they out-do the ELF ones by a long shot.  They're so soft and moist.  Your skin will feel like you washed your face (even though you really didn't!) 

Third, I picked up another ELF eyelash curler for $1.  I lost my other one and I've been working with curl-less eyelashes for awhile now.

I got some of my favorite gum, because you never know when you're going to need it!

Last....this is my favorite find!......($6.99)

It's a little clutch-wallet type thing.  I've been looking for one of these things for awhile.  It's a pain to have to lug around your purse to grab groceries or to go to the gym.  This is going to be my little grab-and-go thing that I'll stash in my purse.

It has two pockets on either side.  In the picture above, this is just an open pocket that closes magnetically.  It is big enough for an iPhone.  You could also store lipgloss, gum, etc.


Then on the other side, you can store a few cards & your license.  Right behind the card holders is an opening where you could put extra cash if you need. 

The floral print is SO cute for springtime and I'm very excited to start using it!  :)


Hope y'all are doing well and I'll talk to you very soon!
xoxo. Laura


Mini-Target Haul