Peachy Polish Dupes

I went into Target the other day and as usual found myself in the beauty isle looking for Essie in Tart Deco (after seeing how pretty it looked online). Then I thought to myself "how unique is this color.. I mean really?" and "jeez, this is $8.59 a bottle.. I wonder if there's a cheaper dupe around here?". In no time at all I came across 3 possible dupe contenders which all cost less than the Essie polish.

From left to right: NYC in Hampton Peach, Sinful Colors in Hazard, Sally Hansen in Peach of Cake, and Essie in Tart Deco.

NYC and Essie were the most similar polish shades to one another except NYC's was a smidge brighter. Sinful's was the darkest of the lot and was more of a pumpkin peach shade in comparison. Sally's was the lightest and more of a pale peach orange shade. I ended up getting NYC as it was such a similar shade of polish to Essie's and it was also the cheapest polish of the lot at $1.72 (that's practically 5 bottles of NYC polish for the cost of 1 bottle of Essie polish). Honestly the NYC polish applied very similar to Essie's, and my nails were fully painted in 2-3 coats. For the low NYC price I ended up buying some more polish and got NYC's matte topcoat.

From left to right: NYC in Hampton Peach, and NYX in Matte Me Crazy.

As a side note... these peach shades don't photograph well on the iPhone5 as this polish has a bit more pink to it than the above photo shows (it's much prettier in person).

Miu Miu Sunglasses - Dupe

I fell in love with a pair of tortoise colored Miu Miu sunglasses this past week however, I did not fall in love with the price tag ($335). In my mind I just can't justify spending that kind of money on a pair of sunglasses which (knowing my luck) would probably end up scratched or damaged in just a short matter of time. Originally I liked the "Noir" style on Miu Miu and I didn't find any sunglasses like them while surfing the net, but I happened to find a dupe for the "Culte" style while at... Target! So without a second thought I bought these sunglasses for a mere $16.99 (you can also find these for under $10 on eBay), total WIN. As a side note... the arms of the Target sunglasses are gold colored, not sure why they look silver in the photo.

NYX at Target

NYX Butter Gloss

I was so excited this week to see that Target is actually carrying NYX products now (or already has been for some time since some of the gloss I found was on clearance) but all I found at the Target I went to was the NYX butter gloss. I think I am actually liking the butter gloss better than the soft matte lip creams since they're more moisturizing and the butter gloss is a bit more sheer so if you don't really layer on the color it looks more natural as both those are build-able in terms of color and coverage.

NYX Butter Gloss in Merengue

I ended up getting the NYX butter gloss in "Merengue" which is a really cute pink with a slight blue undertone to it, and on clearance was "Red Velvet" which is an interesting glossy red that can be toned down to look a bit more cherry in color.

Nolita Nails - Tutorial

The other day I posted on my FB that next week consisted of 3 holidays... Chinese New Year, Mardi Gra, and Valentine's Day. So I asked everyone what type of nail design should I do and received several mash-up type ideas... but I honestly still wanted something a bit trendier rather than traditional. It wasn't until I came across a new clothing line coming out for Target on Chinese New Year that I found my holiday trio inspo. The new line is by Prabal Gurung and the theme happens to be about "love" so... there's my v-day part. The colors consist of mardi gra's infamous purple, yellow, and green shades (which the overall look does remind me just how festive mardi gra is!), and the Chinese part... well Mr. Gurung is Asian and of course its release date is on Chinese New Year so... I present these simple Nolita style nails.

Step 1: Apply a clear base coat (optional).
Step 2: Apply a base color in either yellow or white.
Step 3: Using several different colored nail art stripers haphazardly make 2-3 overlapping lines in each color going from the base to the tip of the nail.
Step 4: Apply a clear top. Let dry completely.

Side Note: If you don't have a bunch of nail art stripers or don't trust yourself with a nail art brush than try picking up a pack of BiC markers to draw on some lines instead, but I'd recommend using a white polish as a base color since the BiC markers are a bit transparent.

V-Day Look

I usually don't show my outfits but had bought a few new items recently and thought this would be cute for V-day.

White and gold striped sweater - Kmart
Hot-pink lace-back jacket - Debs
Heart necklace - Target
Bootleg blue jeans - Debs
Black knee-high boots - Target
Lipstick - CoverGirl, LipPerfection in Coral Twist 235
Nude nail polish - Dollar Tree
White nail polish - Wet N Wild in French White Creme

Easy Dresser-Top Makeover

This wood shelf unit was the top half to an outdated hutch which I painted with some semi gloss off white trim paint I had leftover. After having painted it I noticed the items sitting on top the shelf were hurting the dry paint and it still had a slight tackiness to it. So, I purchased this contact paper from Target (you could use any contact paper design of your choosing), cut the contact paper to fit the top, wiped off the dresser surface, peeled off the backing, stuck it in place and pushed out any air bubbles. This DIY project was really quick, easy, and cute :) Now I just want to redo the covered front area, but that's it for today!

Click to Enlarge

Queen Ravenna inspired makeup look

It took me 3 attempts to see the movie Snow White and the Huntsman but just 1 attempt for me to create this Queen Ravenna inspired makeup look, enjoy ;)

EYES
Primer: e.l.f. eye primer.
Crease to under brow Highlight: Revlon eyeshadow in Vintage Lace.
Lower waterline Eyeliner: Almay eyeliner crayon in black
Upper outer half of lid eyeliner: Almay eyeliner crayon in black
Upper and Lower Lid: Coastal Scents 88 Shimmer palette in a dark copper shade.
Curl Lashes (Optional): Revlon lash curler
Mascara: CoverGirl lashblast in black-gold, 3 coats on top lashes, 1 coat on bottom lashes.

BROWS
Fill: Prestige brow perfection in light to medium, medium shade

BLUSH AND CONTOUR
Blush: Barry M blusher in BL7
Contour: N.Y.C. bronzer in Sunny

LIPS
Prep: Aquaphor lip ointment
Color: Revlon lipstick in Just Enough Buff

Decor Shopping at Target

I went over to Target last weekend and came across sooo many cute things that I really wanted to buy! However, all I ended up buying was one of these cute red Chinese fu dog bookends (yeaaa.. for celebrating Chinese New Year!)... I might regret not having bought its mate later, heh. I guess the Target fu dogs also come in other colors but I only saw the red ones at my local store. I also found that CWonder is currently selling the same fu dogs as a 2 set for $58 (with shipping is an additional $8.50) and they come in 4 different colors (so yea, it's much pricier there too).

Whoaaa... can I buy this entire isle at Target? LOL! I just loooove nearly everything :D I def wanna go back though and get the chevron throw pillows.

Speaking of CWonder I purchased 2 ikat bowls in navy blue on their website, I just had to have them after viewing soooo many ikat patterns online all week (see my inspo for this splurge)! IDK, I'm just totally addicted to ikat designs right now! I'm also thinking of making a trip out to IKEA for some things... oh, and plus its a total WIN for me because I'm meeting my recent love interest over that way too, woot!

CWonder.com

I shop when I'm upset

This weekend I went to Target and got this messenger bag I had been eyeing for awhile now (sold out online BTW), it just so happened to have been marked down 3 times on clearance, so for $8.74 (saved $26.26) it was finally going home with me :D

I also picked up Summer and the City as I love watching Sex and the City so this 30%Off pink Chanel-like purse book was coming home with me too. Whether I finish reading it or not is a different story :P but it tells you how Carrie's life in NYC began so...laa.

Shop Before Work

This lipstick is by Revlon in Siren, it's the brightest orange color I could find at Target today...I really don't think Cheeto is my color though, lolz...but the new bf seemed to like it (it looks a bit more orange in person then this pic btw).

I found several of these adorable white Imoshion purses at TJ Maxx today for $35 which sells for $99 on their site (total steal!!!), thought it was macrame/lace trendy, eheh...but what do I know :P It's part of Imoshion's Spring 1 collection. This is what my mom and I refer to as "grandma cute" haha.

Color Me Bored

About a week ago I came across this patriotic bikini that I didn't wanna pass up for some reason. It was $9 for the top and bottom separates at Wal-Mart which is made by Faded Glory, you can also choose which pieces you want in this similar style and it comes in plus sizes ;)

I was just dieing to buy a dark blue frost polish this past week so I scoured the isles of CVS and came across this gorgeous one by Milani called "Bolting Blue".

For $5 at Wal-Mart I couldn't pass up these earrings! I've noticeably been seeing 'em sell like hotcakes after I got mine and these also come in silver. I honestly think dark blue/purple items that are generally consisting of a diamond shape seem super popular this year!

These $13 Wayfaring sunnies I picked up from Target recently are no joke, I've gotten soo many comments from guys at work like "Barbie", "I love your sunglasses" and "Those are soo unique, I like 'em". I also got these earrings for like $8 there, first time I found a woven style earring that I've actually liked! I just saw these earrings online, wonder how they look in person...hrmm XD

I finally splurged a bit on some PrismaColor markers at Michaels the other week and after MUCH debate picked out Blondwood, Light Umber and Aquamarine. Now I just need to start drawing again ;P

That's it for now, I'm going to watch Leap Year and Dear John on DVD since I hit up RedBox ;)

3 Weeks Down

Its been 3 weeks into the new year now and this week I spent a sh*t load of money on my trip and for my trip, gahhhh...I can't be spending anymore this month for realz. Anywhooo...I was disappointed I didn't find anything I wanted at RW this past week :( although I did find this Merona dress at Target that looked cute on and perhaps could work as a not-so-average beach cover-up, I'd prolly wear some fitted knee-length jean capri's under it ;PI also bought these Dustin Dollin styled Vans for my trip, I think ya'll know by now I'm kind of a longboard chick(example, or this) ;P I'm hoping I'm a mens size 8...I really was thinking I was a 7.5 in mens but guess I'll find out when my kicks arrive. I know Ching-Chong will totally be hating and sayin' sh*t like "did you really need new shoes?!", ahah...and no I guess maybe I didn't since I can't wear these around DC till it gets warmer(currently rockin' my big a** snow boots, bleh). I still gotta dig out my flip-flops...maybe I should've bought those Cher ones from EBay, grr.Those of you that don't know, Max Factor is apparently going outta biz this month in the US. So I finally got around to purchasing some 2000 calorie waterproof mascara(yes I do loath waterproof mascara) because I'll be near A LOT of water during my trip and my must have makeup item is ALWAYS mascara and then foundation right after ;P Since most foundation doesn't withstand water I've also been working on achieving a faux tan, I even ordered sum new stuff this week and I hope to make time to create a sunless tanner review in the near future.

I Spy Polka Dots *Updated*

No clue why I keep posting about polka dots lately (second time now I believe) but while out shopping with Mr. Sweety at Target we both seemed to have some odd attraction to 'em or something, we kept trying to spot all the polka dots we found in the store that day.

I confessed my undying love for home goods to Mr. Sweety this week and how it reminded me of when I moved out of my parents home several years ago to start a new chapter in life. To my surprise Mr. Sweety told me he liked the home good isle too (even spotting this lamp base he seemed to like) and how he longed for a place of his own now as well. I was excited to hear him say that because we have a new found common interest ^.^ I almost didn't believe he was being serious, lol.

So several days later and I'm still thinking about these polka dot pillowcases we came across...I think I'm going to go back and grab 'em, haha. Perhaps buying them for the sheer attraction we oddly had for them, the joy of discovering that Mr. Sweety and I have a decor love and in hopes it will somehow bring more happiness each day as I rest on these polka dot pillowcases throughout the new year (no matter how silly it may seem to others, lol).

~*~*~2 Days Later~*~*~

*Above is a photo of my new satin black and white polka dot pillowcases which come in standard size, one pillowcase is $4.99 at Target. The polka dot item at the bottom right of the photo is my new clutch which is just like the Valentino one from my previous post, found on EBay recently and won for $27.50.

Cheers to all the things that bring us joy in life! Even if it comes in the form of polka dots :D haha.

Happy New Year 2010

I really wanted to have my new layout up at midnight but I was having some glitches in my new design and my animation software has been giving me some trouble so the header had to get created differently then planned. Anywhooo...I decided to keep it real this year with a more simplistic scheme using pink, sky-blue and gold. I went a bit border crazy in the HTML but overall it came out just the way I was hoping. I designed the background with a bow, diamond and heart I drew up, added some scan lines through them so they wouldn't be too bold and made them multi-colored to mix it up, then I added some tiny stars so that it wouldn't look too block patterned. For the header I decided to do a Japanese style sunrise, adding some lines to it and adding a few colors inside to make it a lil less plain. The header font I used is called Chow-Mein which I overlapped in 3 different colors. I added a bulletin and notepad style to the base of the header to intertwine it with my blog. I drew up a diagonal stripe background to use as my image border and customized my font colors accordingly to match my color scheme.I'm working on a few new posts, I WILL get my photos uploaded this weekend as that was part of my new year resolution *cross fingers*. A few other resolutions I have is to stop being such a b*tch, which has already proven difficult, ahaha. I did manage to finally rid myself of the pesky guys that still try to hook-up with me when I had lost interest in them many moons ago and had avoided them for the most part but they never took a hint. So I cut those strings last month...errr last week is more like it. My other resolution is to drop 60lb this year and my first goal is to try my hardest ever to lose 20lb this first month with diet and exercise. Generally I lose around 8-10lb a month on diet alone but I'm really going to give this my all and btw I wouldn't recommend doing this unless you're at least 40-60lb over your normal BMI. I plan to at least lose 8-10lb a month starting in Feb...fwww I got a lot of hard work ahead of me.

I celebrated my new year with non-other then Mr. Sweety, we partied it up together and had a good time. Some lady next to me at the bar kept eyeing me all night, it was so disturbing that I finally looked her straight in the face and you know what she said..."you have the cutest nose I have ever seen and I would know because I do plastic surgery for a living". It was def a first to hear that from someone other then my mom, who would say I got it from my dad ;P For perhaps the first time ever I referred to Mr. Sweety as my boyfriend and after telling him... he actually smiled ;DTo bring in the new year I got this Hello Kitty calendar from Target that I had been eyeing last month, it happened to be the last one and had been red tagged, my luck! To make my luck even better while at the checkout Mr. Sweety offered to buy it for me ^.^ Yeah, he thought it was a lil childish that I wanted it but oh well it's super kawaii, hah.

Target Fall/Winter Fashion Ideas

As I was searching for fall/winter fashion this year I came across a few styles (as pictured below) and thanks to Target.com I was able to some-what dupe the looks, enjoy!

It was hard to dupe the top to this look (below) but I figured since it has that ripped fishnet feel I'd pick a chunky bold almost sea-like necklace (pearls, chains, buried treasure! haha) to make this top POP. Since most of us women need a handbag I picked this rusty bronze colored hobo bag which complimented the color tone in the shirt and necklace while upping the metallic feel that was lacking from my top.

That's it for now, your comments are always welcome...maybe you can find a better way to dupe these via Target or perhaps a different store but I thought these weren't bad given the circumstances I used, haha. Would love to see different dupe trends that everyone could create for this year! TTYL!!!