Oh My! The Mother Lode

Tonight I was on Sephora's website looking at all the new holiday sets that came out for this season.  I haven't been keeping up with what's new so I hadn't really heard of anything that would catch my eye. But OMG I came across Urban Decay and saw the coolest Limited Edition set so far.  Technically not a holiday set, but very special indeed.  
 
As a Limited Edition Collectors' set, Urban Decay created and called it "The Mother Lode Shadow Set".  Eyeshadow fans you got yourself a complete set of Urban Decay's loved eyeshadows, not just a few but  68 colors in all.  Plus you also get a Build Your Own palette to pick and choose which shadows you want to carry around.

"The Mother Lode Shadow Set"

 What Sephora says:

To celebrate the relaunch of their bestselling Eyeshadow, Urban Decay created the ultimate collector’s set—a kit so exclusive, it will only be around for a limited time. The comprehensive set includes all Urban Decay’s shades in full-size, individual pop-out compacts, from super smooth mattes, pearly satins and shades loaded with shimmer and glitter, to gorgeous duotones that change color before your eyes. Use the enclosed four-pan Build Your Own Palette to create your own customized collection, and then swap out shades whenever the urge strikes.

The set retails at $595 but valued at $1234.  When I saw the price my mouth nearly dropped. Who would spend that much on shadows?  Then I got to calculating the prices and found that if you really get down to details this set is definitely quite a deal.  For an empty palette and 68 shadows, you are literally paying about $8.50 a shadow compared to the $18 retail price for each shadow.  The price for this set is about 50% off retail. 

The only thing that would be hard for me is actually forking over that much money all at one time for the set.  I tend to buy things one at a time over time not all at once.  But if you really think about it, I may be spending much more money over time than all at once.  Do I make any sense? lol.

Now if only I can pull out a whopping $600 out of my wallet then maybe just maybe I would get it.  This is definitely a collector's item and for any ultimate Urban Decay fans, but for now, I'll just stare at it and add it to my wishlist.

You can only buy the Mother Lode online at Sephora.com.  

Who Wants This For Christmas?

simplybeautiful

Valentine's Blogger Swap Gifts

So earlier this month I had a chance to join in a few Valentine's Blogger Swaps with fellow bloggers.  The Beast & Beauty blog hosted a lovely swap with bloggers from all over the world to share some love and beauty. 

I was paired up with Michaela from Lather Rinse Repeat blog who was from Australia!  This was one of my first real blogger swap and I was super excited to give and receive.  Michaela was super lovely and sent me some awesome goodies from Australia. 

V-Day Beauty Blogger Swap Goodies:

Beauty Masks!!!

 

and some Yummy goodies

 

Its always neat to get products from other countries and see what kind of beauty products that other beauty bloggers use.  I'm always so used to having all types of beauty products available so quickly that I tend to forget that there are endless products out there to try.  I also love getting yummy goodies from overseas.  Its hard to find international goodies here in FL, so I'm so glad Michaela included some for me. 

I can't wait to try out all the things Michaela gave me. Thank you soo much! 

I hope she enjoys all I gave her!

simplybeautiful

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Hope your day was filled with Love, Joy, Laughter, and Romance.

I had an awesome weekend with the Hubs and Friends. It busy and lovely.  The Hubs and I have been trying to save money, so Dinner was good enough for both of us.  He did surprise me with a small gift saying "I love you". He's the best!

It was the Hallmark Flowers that at the press of a button it Blooms and opens up like this:

I also made some Yummy cupcakes for work since it was V-day and my boss's Birthday! Gotta Love Strawberry and Yellow cake.  I absolutley love the Pink Sugar Pearls I use on the frosting.

Hope You had an Awesome Valentine's Day! Love Ya!

simplybeautiful

Ready for Valentines = The Perfect Kiss!

February is the shortest month however its filled with lots of Love, Flowers, Reds, Pinks, and Hearts!

Getting ready for Valentine's Day is a month in itself.  From choosing the right outfit for dinner, to the ideal shoes, and perfect makeup, all has to be planned ahead for perfection.  I'm, however isn't so perfect at perfecting any of those items.  Leave it to me to wait until the last minute to get ready and figure out what do to with myself.

So instead of being like me, here are some awesome choices that may help you out for Valentine's Day and those kisses!

Lip Kisses:

Red Lips by sbeautifulblog featuring Illustrated People tops

I love that there are soo many different shades that a girl can wear for their lips. Even if Red is the favorite color of this month, there are plenty of different shades of red to choose from. The color Pink is definitely not out of the question here.  Anything pink and nude is awesome for the lips as well.  The range of color available for lips are amazing which may be kind of hard to choose from.  Not sure what I'll be wearing but I do have a few in mind.

What will the color of your Kisses Be?

simplybeautiful

Ultimate Christmas Giveaway!! Sneak Peek

SNEAK PREVIEW of my Ultimate Christmas Giveaway 

COMING SOON!!!

(Do you see what I see? there's more to it)

YES I've been gone for a very very long time!  So in order to make up for my absence on the Blog, I decided to do a HUGE X-MAS Giveaway for the month of December.  I am still working on the details, but will hopefully have it up by the end of this week.  I hope to have multiple prizes for multiple winners.  SO if you are interested, STAY TUNED for more info coming your way!!!

ULTIMATE X-MAS GIVEAWAY!!!

Coming Soon!!

Comment on what you'll like to see before I make the prizes Official!!

simplybeautifulyou

Happy 4th of July

Happy July 4th!

I hope everyone is having an awesome time with BBQ dinners, friends, family, and fun fireworks to watch.  Be safe and have fun! I'm enjoying my time with the people I love and eating good.  

School is almost over, just little over 2 weeks left, so then I can get back to blogging for some time hopefully on a regular basis.  I have a few giveaways coming up and reviews, so stay tuned for those.

simplybeautiful

Are you Valentine's Ready?

January flew by so fast! February is already here and you know what that means!  

Valentine's DAY is just around the corner.

I was browsing a few websites the other day and thought about what would be great for Valentine's Day.  Meaning things I could wear, makeup colors, dinner, presents, and chocolate.  YUMMY!   For the next few days, I'll be sharing a few items from various online stores that I think will be great for Valentine's Day. 

Victoria's Secret

Its crazy not to think about Victoria's Secret for Valentine's Day.  That store gushes and oozes sexy and love.  As I was browsing online, I came upon the dresses that were available online.  Dresses are something you can barely find at the stand alone stores, so to see that Victoria's Secret is more than the normal stuff they sell is pretty awesome!

So if you are looking for a sexy and pretty dresses you can check them out HERE!

There are plenty more on the site! Prices vary, but there are some that are on sale, so get them while you can! Even if you're not going out for Valentine's Day, the dresses are awesome for night out on the town, parties, and other gatherings.

Now with the Perfect Valentine's Dress, What else do you need...?

simplybeautiful

photos: via victoriassecret.com

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

What a great year it has been!  This Christmas flew by fast and gosh it will be here in a few more hours!  Hopefully everyone is having a blessed time spending it with loved ones and friends!  I can't wait to open up presents, eat, eat, and just spend time with my friends and family!  Too bad we don't have snow here in Florida, but hey the enjoying the sun is always nice!

Wishing Everyone a Blessed Christmas and a Wonderful Holiday Season!

~Mary~

(p.s. yes that is my xmas tree! hehe)

Hard Candy Holiday

The other day I was perusing the holiday aisles at Walmart checking to see what kind of gifts were on display.  As usual, there were various bath and body sets, lotions, perfume, cheap makeup and kid stocking stuffers.  However, this year, I did notice that Hard Candy cosmetics brand had a few sets of their own as well.

HARD CANDY Holiday Sets:

We all know Hard Candy has been a cosmetics brand at Walmart for over a year now.  Quality may not be like how it use to be, but for many of us, seeing the brand bring back memories.  It was pretty neat to see that Hard Candy had put out some holiday sets for us to try unlike the other makeup brands.  From what I saw, there were like 5 sets available at affordable prices.  Sets included eye shadows, gloss rings, lipsticks, nail polishes, and palettes.  Prices ranged from $1 for single nail polishes to about $10 for bigger palettes.  I did grab a few single nail polishes as they were great as stocking stuffers!  I haven't tried any of the eyeshadows or other items, so I have really no idea on the payoff of them, but for the price its always worth a try.  The nail polishes are cute and applied on pretty well, which I liked.

Available at most Walmart Holiday aisles.  I'm sure there still plenty, but Christmas is almost here, so get them before all those last minute shoppers takes them all.

simplybeautiful

Cyber Monday Deals! Time's almost up!!

Time is almost up for most Cyber Monday deals!  Go get them while you can!  There are some pretty good deals happening at this moment, and still many great stuff left.  I didn't get much, but I still wish I could get some more, but when you're broke! I can only browse and X the page when I'm done looking! :(

But anywho!  Some sites still up and running!

Stila

Smashbox

Too Faced

SkinStore

Sephora

Beauty Ticket

Urban Decay

simplybeautiful

Black Friday Deals! Check them Out!

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals for all you Beauty/Fashion lovers!

Who's ready to do some major shopping and still score some awesome deals!  Whether you are waking up super early on Friday, sitting in front of your computer, or waiting till Monday, this weekend is going to be a fun, stressed, yet exciting one.

Deals:

Bath & Body Works:
VIP Bag 2010 available online 11/24 and 11/25; in stores on 11/26. $5 wallflowers from 11/25 to 11/26. Buy 3 get 2 Free promos, and other bundle items.

Beautyticket.com:    30% off everything with code CYBER30, only valid on 11/29.

Benefit:  Free shipping (US) 11/24 - 11/29 code: GLAMSHIP.

Beflurt.com: Free shipping on Cyber Monday  11/29

Clinique: Free shipping plus 2 makeup minis with $35+ orders use code CYBERFB, expires on 11/26.

Lorac:  Cyber Monday Collection on 11/29 only $25

Madebeautiful:  MAC Pigment Samples: get 20% off $10+ with code: HOLIDAY10

Sephora:  Free Haul-iday tote bag with orders $25+ on 11/26 only, use code MYHAUL online.  Free shipping on orders $25+ with code SHIPNOW, 11/27 through 11/29.

Smashbox: Friends & Family 20% off code: FFSB20  (expires 11/29)

Stila: Get 20% off purchases with code: STILALOVES  (expires 11/30)


Vapour Beauty:  30% off everything + Free Full size gift one day only 11/26 with code: blackfriday


These are just some Awesome Deals for this weekend.  If you have any deals not listed, feel free to comment them!  We all need help to save some extra money!  Shop Away Ladies!

simplybeautiful

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Eat lots of Turkey, Stuffing, Ham, Corn, and Pumpkin Pie!

Be Thankful for all you have and all that's to come! 

Thank you for always reading my blog and checking up on me from time to time! 

Very much Appreciated!

simplybeautiful

Too Faced Friends & Family Sale - 20% off

Too Faced F&F Sale: Receive 20% off now till 11/17/10  Code: 10GIFT

This Holiday season, Too Faced came out with cute and pretty palettes and gift items for everyone.  Check them out online at Too Faced or at Sephora.

simplybeautiful

EARTH DAY 2010

How Beauty can help change and save our world!

There are so many things that we as beauty junkies to help make our world a better place.  To celebrate Earth Day, many cosmetics brands have put out better programs to help recycle, give incentives so shopping is more eco friendly, and save us some money too!

How can you make EARTH DAY a awesome day!

Recycling

Orgin's Recycling Program - You can take the empty packaging (boxes, tubes, jars, whatever) from any cosmetic, regardless of the brand, to any of Origin's participating stores or department store counters to recycle.  Bonus: do it today, and you'll get a fullsize cleanser of your choice, Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash or a Perfect World Antioxidant Cleanser with White Tea. Your reward for doing good!
(info from allure.com)

MAC BACK 2 MAC - Bring 6 empty/unused MAC product packagaing in to any MAC store/counter and receive a free eyeshadow or lip product.

Packaging

LUSH - You can purchase 70% of LUSH products without paper packaging which will definitely help keep landfills free of waste. Lush also uses vintage scarves to gift wrap products instead of using tissue paper that goes to waste.

ECO-PRODUCTS

JOSIE MARAN - Her entire cosmetics line is made to be eco friendly and natural. Everything from makeup to skincare! Check it out!

SpaRitual - Vegan nail polish that is perfect for any one who love nails.  Free of synthetic dyes and unnatural fillers.  Check the newest colors!

ECO - Deals

The Body Shop - When you bring in your own reusable shopping bag, you can get 20% off any purchase on April 22 at participating stores. (please check website/store for more information)

There are plenty of cosmetics brand that are celebrating EARTH DAY!

Please search for the and check them out!

(disclaimer: Please check website/store for more details pertaining to programs, discounts, deals, and for detailed information before using)

simplybeautiful

MAC "Peppermint Patti" NOTD for St. Patrick's DAY!

Since St. Paddy's Day is today, I thought I'll post up a quick Nail of the Day picture.

These are pictures of me using MAC's "Peppermint Patti" nail polish.

(no flash)

I usually don't wear green nail polish, but this is a pale green polish which very much wearable.  At least its some green right? Hopefully it will bring me some Luck!! hehe

Happy St. Patrick's DAY! 

simplybeautiful

Be-Lated Valentines Look and Dinner!

Hope that everyone had a lovely Valentines Weekend! I did! Had a great weekend spending time with Mr. H and not having to worry about anything. I told Mr. H not to get me anything this year, all I wanted was for him to take me shopping on Monday, since it was a holiday. Anyways he didn't listen to me; so what I got from him was this GIGANTIC Love BEAR! it is the cutest thing ever. I don't even know where to put it, its soo huge! LOL. I feel so LOVED!



So Sunday night we made plans to go to a fine dining restaurant in town called Roy's. It was are first time there, so it was an experience. We were super hungry that I forgot to take pictures of our first 2 courses, and only took the last two. The menu was a preset of 4 courses of various entrees you could choose from.
Here's what we got:

Filet Mignon

Pork Loin w/ Cheese Brie filled Pastry Puff

Desserts! Yummy!

Yummy Chocolate Souffle, absolutely my FAVORITE!

The restaurant was awesome! We had great service and totally enjoyed fine dining. All the food we received were delicious and great! Not one bit bad at all. Though it was super duper expensive, they were kind enough to include a gift card for the next visit. Will visit again!

FOTD for Valentine's Day

Now to the look of the day! I don't know somedays, I just have those bad days when my makeup is not turning out the way that I want. I had to switch it up so many times, I just gave up and did a quick smokey eye cause we were late. I also curled my hair in which I turned out good, just wished my hair weren't so frizzy on top. But here's the look anyways!

(eyes closed...semi smokey look)

Wow this is a long post! Welp, Mr. H did take me shopping on Monday, and I'll be posting that haul hopefully by this weekend. I got some good things and wanting to share with everyone. Again, I had a wonderful weekend, Mr. H was the best as always!

simplybeautiful

Valentine's Day "Purple Love" FOTD

This weekend, I had the whole day on Saturday to play with my makeup. I've been needing to update the blog with a few more pictures, so I decided since the weather was nice (kinda windy though) it was a good idea to make my face and take a few pictures.

Valentines Day is about a week away! I can't wait!! hehe...Mr. H and I don't have any plans other then him taking me shopping on Monday, which is always good! So I finally got around to doing a V-Day look for you all. I wanted to try and add more color this time around, so I played with darker purples and pinks. I also changed up my hair in the pictures, something different from the norm.


Makeup Used:

Eyes: Benefit Recess Creme e/s, MAC e/s: vanilla, trax, beauty marked, mythology, Stila Pearl Palette, Coastal Scents Warm Palette(pink e/s), Smashbox black liner, MAC studio fix mascara, Essence brow powder

Face: Everyday Minerals Med Foundation, MAC concealer, cremeblend blush in Uncommon, gingerly blush

Lips: MAC l/s: high tea, 3N, MAC cremesheen gloss in boy bait, NYC lipliner.


Valentines Love Look:

Is ready for LOVE!

This was my attempted at doing something else to my hair...(twisted side bangs into loose bun)

more eyes closed!


close up of the eyes

For this FOTD, I decided to use more colors in the eyes (more of the v crease area of the eye) and then less makeup elsewhere ie: blush and lips. I also used MAC's new cremeblend blush (which is awesome) and topped it with gingerly blush. I love the new cremeblend blushes as they give off a nice dewy skin look.

Hopefully you all like the FOTD! I will try to get one more Valentine's look out before the day comes! Enjoy your week!

simplybeautiful

Smashbox Beauty Blow-Out Sale! 25%-50% off

Ladies get them while you can! Smashbox is having a blow-out beauty sale in their curtain call section of their online website. Most items are from 25% to 50% retail price. Many items listed are items from all of their 2009 collections and various items from their main product line. I'm glad to see that there are some items that I can actually use and buy, instead of the leftover items no one ever wants. Not sure when it ends, but we all know for sure it will not last forever. While you are at it, Smashbox is also offering *FREE SHIPPING* on all orders (no minimums). (I like that!) I had to think about it all day yesterday before I finally gave in and order a few items I had been lemming over the holidays. I wanted more items, but couldn't justify buying everything so, I only bought these two items. Hopefully I will get them soon and post up some pictures of the items! Can't Wait!! Here's what I got: Smashbox Holiday 2009 *Eye Wish Palette* $33 (retail $44) Smashbox Holiday 2009 *Wish for the Perfect Tools Set* $36.75 (retail $49) Run over to Smashbox and get you some nice goodies!!

simplybeautiful