Archive for the ‘Shopping’ Category

Asos.com, one of my favorite international e-tailers, is introducing flat rates for standard and express shipping.  I know that international shipping can be quite costly, which is why I do not place orders often. I think the rates are quite reasonable, so definitely try Asos.com, if you have not already.

Click on the chart below to go directly to Asos.com for the applicable locations:

Now, Asos.com, if we can just get you to ship Barry M Nail Paints to the US again, I will be tres happy!!

Asos.com is one of my favorite online retailers.  Based in the United Kingdom, this e-tailer offers affordable chic and designer products.  My favorite sections, of course, are the shoes and beauty sections.   I love the fact that you can see prices in US dollars, no need to convert anything yourself.

In honor of July 4th, Asos.com is offering free shipping to ALL US customers,  from June 18, 2009 – June 24, 2009.  The cool thing…no minimum purchase!! Woohoo!!!

No code needed!

So stock on items that are unavailable in the United States and enjoy!  I recommend stocking up on  Eyeko, Barry M Dazzle Dusts and Bourjois Brushes.  FYI, if you are purchasing clothes, ALWAYS refer to the size chart!

Happy Haulin’

Mix Maven

Being without Internet access can be brutal. I was without the access on Christmas day, which is why I am posting the EOTD today.

MAC products unless stated

• Constructivist p/p
• Artifact p/p
• Cream to Powder Gunmetal
• Reflects Blackened Red
• Femme-Fi e/s
• Milani Blackened Pink e/l
• Nouba Black Eyeliner
• Napoleon Perdis mascara

I am very impressed with the Nouba products that I have. The Nouba eye liners are smooth to apply. I used the Nouba e/l on my waterline and the color was quite rich.  Must-have for all Beauty enthusiasts (will no longer use the word “addict”).

So during the summer, I purchased the Reflects Blackened Red on a whim at a Macy’s counter that always has old collections in stock.  I planned on using the products during the holiday season.  The shimmer in this product is absolutely gorgeous.  The photo does not really bring out the awesomeness of the shimmer.  Another must have.  Get a sample jar and it will go a long way.

Happy New Year!! Hope your New Year’s Eve was eventful.

One of my Beauty new year’s resolution is to rediscover products in my stash.  I decided it was time “rediscover” my purple e/s. The NYX Purple ultra pearl mania is one of my favorite purple e/s.  The shimmer is gorgeous.  I foiled it using MAC’s Fix +, which gave the shimmer, a more brilliant shine.

Another product that I discovered was the Waveline fluidline (f/l).  The color is similar to blue ink (with a slight purple tint.) I bought this product when MAC had the 15% Friends and Family sale.  I think the fluidlines are better bases than the paint pots because the crease factor is non-existent.  The only problem I see is that they can stain the skin, so I always use the matte gel as base for the fluidline.

All MAC Products unless stated.

Face

• NW 43/ NC 50 Studio Tech Foundation
• Natural MSF in Dark

Eyes

• Matte Gel
• Benefit Lemon aid
• Waveline Fluidline
• NYX Purple Ultra Pearl Mania (used with Fix +)
• Nocturnell e.s
• Glamour Check e/s
• Too Faced Shooting Star Baked e/s
• Tan side from the L’Oreal Hip Duo Adventurous
• Milani Color Brilliance Eye Pencil – Black
• Nouba Kajal and Contour #32 (Deep Purple)
• Stila Multi-Effect Mascara in Black

Cheek

• Neo-Sci Fi X-Rocks
• Neo-Sci Fi Spaced Out

Lips

NYX Tea Rose l/g
To Swoon For l/s (Adoring Carmine: 3 Rose lips)

Live abundantly,

Mix Maven

I have been totally excited about the Sephora’s Friends and Family 20% off event starting November 6th to November 10th.  The online discount code is FF2008.

Well, I was checking my updated Blackberry Curve, (thanks Brit) and I was too happy to see an e-mail about Beauty.com’s Friends and Family 20% off Sale.   My only beef with this sale is that it excludes NARS. You need the link <— to get the 20% off.  The sale starts @ 12:01 AM, November 5th to 11:59 PM, November 7th. (No time zone was specified)  Remember that every purchase earns a 5% cash back.

Happy haulin’,

Mix Maven

I have been totally obsessed with obtaining Pink eye shadow (e/s) for the last few months.  In the past, I have poo-pooed the thought of any WOC (women of color) using pink eye shadow on the lid because I felt like it did not work.

You are probably thinking “when did this change of heart occur with Pink e/s?” The Heatherette for MAC! The Heatherette Trio 2 included a light pink, a grape purple and midtone pink.  I got the Trio #1 instead because I love any shade of teal. But then, I noticed many Heatherette Trio #2 WOC FOTDs on Specktra.

During the early part of the summer, I realized  that I needed to have the Heatherette trio #2 in my collection.  I searched high and low for the Trio, but I could not find it, so I was on the hunt for mid-tone pinks.

To date I have:

• Urban Decay Hot Pants – Smooth and wonderful.
• MAC Sunset B – The right shade, lustre-like (which is not good), but definitely works with some paint pots and NYX jumbo eye pencils
• NYX Dolly Pink - too much fall out, seems to work well with NYX jumbo eye pencils
• Pink Too Faced Shadows – Wonderful and smooth, the color payoff is strong.  Definite must haves! Check out Swatch Gallery for images.
• Nouba single e/s 51 - Bright Pink shadow is a must have. The texture is smooth and the color payoff is strong as well.  (Sidebar: I have a few of the Nouba products, an Italian cosmetics brand, and I really like the stuff I have.  The price is comparable to MAC, but I have found a website that offers discount prices on the brand)
• Bourjois Shimmering Shine Eye Shadow in Rose Electron - I have only swatched it on my hand and the liquid eye shadow is quite brilliant and I cannot wait to wear it
• Korres Pink e/s – Looks like a soft silvery pink on me.
• Pop Eye Cakes in Bright Pink – The texture and color payoff are fine, but I think with a good eye shadow base, the pinks will sing.

(All products are MAC unless stated)

Face

• MSF Dark
• NYX Concealer in Nutmeg

Eyes

• Matte Gel
• L’Oreal De-Crease Base
• Nice Vice Paint Pot
• L’Oreal Cream Rich Crayon Adventurous
• Nouba Single e/s  51 (Bright Pink) on lid
• Korres Pink e/s (inner corner)
• Nouba Single e/s 24 (Midnight Charcoal) in crease
• Black Ore Solar Bits (in crease)
• Tan side from the L’Oreal Hip Duo Adventurous (highlighter)
• L’Oreal Naturale Mascara in Black
• Too Faced Foiled Liner – Black Beauty

Cheeks

Warmed MSF

Lips

• Sweet Tooth T/T
• Cyber l/s
• NYX Narcissus l/s

You still have time to support the Total Beauty – Total Cure Breast Cancer Awareness campaign.

I have quite of few friends that are pregnant and all of them seem to be due around the time.  So I decided to compile a list of things they will need to do before their babies are born.

1. Purchase few items before the baby shower.  The shower will gauge what additional big ticket items will need to be purchased.
2. Sign up to Huggies.com and Pampers.com -for special discounts and coupons.
   

   Pampers Swaddlers

3. Sign up Similac and Enfamil special e-mails and coupons. Also sign up to Johnson’s Baby website
   

   Enfamil Lipil Formula

4. If you do not have one, get a Costco and Sam’s Club memberships.  The price of formula and wipes are much cheaper than buying @ drugstores or discount stores like Target and Walmart.
5. Remember that coupons can be used at club stores.
6. Check Target baby clearance section for items
7. Get hubby/partner to set up the nursery by at least 6 months and 7 months.  No one wants to be caught unprepared as baby can arrive 4-5 weeks before the 10 month (40 weeks).

Happy Baby Stories,

Mix Maven

The summer will be over before you know it, so it is time for us to focus on Fall fashions.

You know that shoes are loved on this blog (hence the first part of the name)   Joyful Radiance and I always send each other Neiman Marcus links for shoes that we love and adore, yet cannot afford…well, if we want to be homeless and not pay our mortgage, we could get them LOL.  Anyhoo, Christian Louboutin is one of our favorite shoe brands.  Each season, he comes out with some gems that we drool over.

Here are our Fall 2008 Luxury shoe picks:

The first pick is the Open-Toe Passementerie Pump.

Christian Louboutin Open Toe Passementerie Pump

The detail on this sexy pump is exquisite.  The word “passementerie” meant lace in early French, but now means designs made from silk cords (braiding) or bead work. I can see the design on a lamp shade and draperies.  The red color is very festive.  A definite 5 out of 5.

Christian Louboutin Armadillo Satin Dorsay

This rouge, pleated satin pump is the hotness!!  I would not have to wear these shoes.  I would put them on a pedestal and gaze upon them all the day.  I would pair with an updated sheath dress in Royal Violet. (So First Lady!!)

JCrew Wool Sheath in RoyalViolet (Side)

JCrew Wool Sheath in RoyalViolet Back

What fall trends are you looking forward to?

Mix Maven

There are plenty of new moms in my family.  They are all are excited about the babies, most of them are new moms and one has multiple children.  One’s life changes as soon as the baby is home.   I would think the hardest thing about being a new mom is getting enough sleep, which can negatively impact other activities.  I decided to come up with a list of things that I believe a new mom needs to help her adjust to her new bundle of joy.

So every new mom needs:

1. Chef – A new mom is tired, which means she does not need to be operating anything with fire or heat.   Having a chef may be a luxury, BUT family members and friends should make sure the new family is eating sensible meals everyday (well, at least, the first 4 weeks after delivery.)

2. Housekeeper – A healing mother should not be vacuuming or doing dishes the first month after delivery.

3. Babysitter – Now, some moms do not like to leave their child(ren) with other people.  (I suggest that they read Find The Time.)  First time moms should begin scouting out prospective babysitters while pregnant.  (This is important if new mom live in a place where she has little to no family members.)  New parents will need to find someone they respect and trust to take care of their child(ren).  I also suggest not burning bridges with people who would be great sitters.  Start with leaving the child with the sitter for a couple of hours and phase in more hours as he or she gets older.  For example, if the anniversary weekend is coming up and want to leave the child with grandma (do not let that be the first time he or she is away from for a long period of time.)

4. Date Night -  Date night is very important to rekindle the sparks in your relationship.  (Main reason why #3 is very important.)   I know people who do not spend much time without their child(ren).  That is a bad sign in a relationship.  Will the relationship last when the child(ren) leave to go to school?  Preservation of the relationship should be on-going and deliberate.

5. Pampering – (No connection to Pampers Diapers) A new mom must be reminded that it is ok for her to pamper herself or to be pampered.  Take her to her favorite cosmetic counter or to a spa.  She is stressed out (but may not want to say), so nudge her (kindly and gently) to take some time for herself.  A happy mom means a happy baby and, ultimately, a happy household.

So check on your new moms TODAY!!!!

Mix Maven

I received an e-mail from the NonpareilBoutique.com. Nonpareil Boutique sells NYX Cosmetics, LA Colors, KleanColor, as well as fashion jewelry. The site is having a 20% off everything in store (You will need to use coupon code JULY4TH.) The sale runs from July 2 – July 8, 2008.   So stock up!!!

I have never purchased on this website, but I will say Nonpareil Boutique has some decent swatches (better than other e-tailers.)

Check them out.  I hope you have a wonderful purchasing experience.

Haul on,

Mix Maven