Jill Stuart haul and site review

Hi Beauties -

HAPPY **belated** CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR!

Happy year of the Rabbit - wishing you all luck and fortune in 2011! :)

Just thought I would quickly share my Jill Stuart Haul & thoughts on my purchase with Gooddealer.com (review of site and my experience posted below) plus a few bonus teaser swatches!

First the goodies! I received 2 pretty pink bags with the order and a plethora of samples (Lunasol modeling water?, Jill Stuart Cleansing oil and Paul & Joe foundation samples)

Love the attention to detail - the Jill Stuart logo on the ribbon - simple and classy!

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♥ -Below are my purchases- ♥

Jelly Eye Color N in 07, Jewel Flash
*Also purchased in Vintage Decor*
♥



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Pink eyelash curler adorned with a rhinestone charm
♥



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Fruit Lip Balm in Tint 01
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Softening Fluid
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Jill Stuart Mix Blush compact in Milky Strawberry
*Spring 2011 collection*
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Jill Stuart Blush Blossom in Little Anemone
*Spring 2011 collection*
♥

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Little pink crystal on the included retractable goat-hair brush
*Comes with all compact blushes*



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I gave the Blush Blossom Duo in Little Anemone a try - and was subsequently blown away!

Apologies for the mega blurry picture, but I thought it turned out kind of neat - you can really see the pop of color on the cheeks!

I used the lighter color as a highlighter and the darker color on the apples of my cheeks



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Although the blush didn't swatch well, it has decent pigmentation, is finely milled, and has a soft shimmer (no glitter) once applied resulting in a look that is lovely and natural when dusted on the cheeks!

The good part: I love every single purchase! The bad part: everything seems too pretty to use. I know it's utterly ridiculous, but I am having a hard time dipping my brushes into anything at all because everything looks so perfect and pristine. *sigh* I'll get over it and I promise I will get around to reviewing and swatching products soon! :)

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...About Gooddealer.com...

I thought I would share my personal experience with this site so just FYI if you intend on using Gooddealer for your Jill Stuart Cosmetics purchases!

Price

I found the prices for Jill Stuart cosmetics are cheaper in Hong Kong vs Japan and the exchange rate is a bit better in terms of USD/HKD vs the USD/Yen. Gooddealer.com was one of the options that I found (see my previous JS post for a larger list of internet options) They should ship to most countries though you might want to send an e-mail if you are unsure about their shipping policy or have questions about customs/duties.

The site -at first glance- looks incredibly shady and the website design could be a bit more user-friendly (they have a tutorial on how to shop the site!) - that being said, I found this site to have the largest selection of products as well as decent pricing*.

*BUT don't be entirely fooled by the too-good-to-be-true pricing - the shipping AND handling fees (yes, they charge you for shipping separate from handling) really add up - they calculate pricing based on weight so the more you buy, the higher the cost. (so much for incentive to buy more, I was trimming down my cart to keep at a reasonable weight!)

Postal fees per weight here

Delivery time/packaging

Overview of their mailing & tracking

I placed my order on January 9th and received my package around January 28th so expect a bit of a wait if you end up ordering.

It came wrapped in green postal wrap (no box) and was securely suspended in what seemed like 10 billion layers of bubble wrap.

Pros

♥ Accepts major credit cards and paypal
♥ Large variety of products
♥ Decent pricing* (see cons for caveat)
♥ Quick access to the latest releases/collections
♥ Securely wrapped - product fully intact
♥ A few product sample 'freebies' & JS bag

Cons

X Package takes awhile to ship
X Website is difficult to navigate
X High Shipping AND handling fees
X No easy way to check tracking of order
X No guarantee that items will actually be in stock (one of my items was canceled after placing the order)
X Long wait time

Would I buy from the site again? Maybe. Still checking out different sites/options. If anyone knows of a good alternative, please share :)

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BTW Ice apocalypse 2011 here in North Texas needs to end! I think this past week has turned me into a workaholic (60 hour work week!) and I am itching to get back to normality.

I ♥ Sweater dresses!!!

In my blurry-eyed-completely-exhausted-from-work stupor last night, I forgot to welcome jhezza to my blog! Also, Canadian-Snowboarding-Princess wasabii.cee! You make me happy!!!!!! ♥

For the longest time, I have been developing my own 'style.' My problem is...I love almost everything. LOL. I guess my style is I'll-know-it-the-minute-I-see-it because I immediately fall in love with things the minute my eyes meet something I absolutely adore.

I have *always* loved Winter fashion! You get to be all bundled up & covered yet still comfy & warm. Sweaters themselves are nice, but my number one Winter fashion love is the SWEATER DRESS. It is my quintessential Winter must-have.

**Pictures from (probably) my next splurge**

Photos from YESSTYLE.com

These cute "heart" sweater dresses define me. I want one in each color, please.

I really love how they pair everything with these cute slip-dresses. It is sweet, girly, and a practical translation of HIME style! The cute ribbon top + slip dress is all sold out though *sniffs*

These particular sweater dresses are kind of sweet and seductive in a less-is-more kind of way. Very sexy! Sold out in this beautiful heather gray! *sniffs again*

I have always been crazy over Argyle. This is why:
(Doesn't the model look kind of like Yumiko?)






Sold out in the best colors! *tissues*

ALL items are available for purchase...my pocketbook has been screaming bloody murder this month so ummm...maybe I need to curb spending. But...I do LOVE everything and I honestly never have anything to wear!!! :/

I always feel like I have to "save" certain outfits for special occasions. Why can't I just have a Sweater dress for everyday? It would make life so much easier. *le sigh*

Maybe I can convince my boyfriend to sponsor a shopping spree in lieu of big expensive shiny V-day gift this year? *devilish grin*

Review: Catena Crystal Collagen Anti-wrinkle Eye mask

A little background...at 26, I have a problem with fine lines under my eyes. They are especially pronounced when I smile BIG...not so much crows feet, just under the eyes. Sad. I wish I had my sister's genes, zero lines! Also, I am trying to drink more water as I find that decreases their appearance as well.

That aside, time for the Catena Crystal Collagen Anti-wrinkle Eye Mask! (6 pairs/box) Purchased from Sasa.com. Easy as 1-2-3-4



1. There is a built in tear so no scissors needed...carefully open and pull out mini-tray. Just be careful to open foil-side up otherwise the serum will spill out! (Note serum on bathroom counter :( )

2. The pads feel like slippery jelly blobs...like a sea slug perhaps? I think I picked one up once in a touch-pool at the aquarium. Anyway, place these little suckers underneath your eyes and adjust accordingly.

Eeeiii...you can see every pore & bump on my unshopped face :( Ah well, we are all trying to restore our faces to their very best so we won't have to shop/photoedit/heavily conceal in the future, no?

3. *Relax* for 20-30 minutes. Great thing about these gel pads is they stick to your face quite well so you can stay upright, just enough time to catch your favorite show!


4. Remove pads and discard!

*RESULTS*

Overall, a nice cooling effect which I found very therapeutic! They smell nice too (slight sweetness but not too strong...very gentle and clean) which adds to the at-home-spa quality. You will notice some tightness once the serum has absorbed. I didn't expect these pads to get rid of my lines, just thought they would be something to help nourish the area and maybe diminish their apperance temporarily. With continued use, perhaps it might do some good, I will update! (I'll probably use 2x/week)

Goodnight! What my skin probably needs most now is beauty rest...

Sasa Haul

Goodies in the mail make me feel spoiled! :D My Sasa haul made it here today, despite the bone-chilling weather!

The packages were tightly secured in tape and each box was stuffed to the brim with packing peanuts. Just about every item was individually wrapped in bubble-wrap.


I finally wrangled out each and every item...I can't wait to try everything out!

• Silk Whitia on Sasa.com -- currently on a buy one-get one sale, so I purchased their Collagen moisturizing & nourishing eye mask AND their Quick action moisturizing mask. Their buy-one/get-one sale continues until Feb 22nd! I noticed that these masks were packed in nice, sturdy packages and they were actually heavier than all the other masks = more serum and great quality!
  
• DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
  
• My Beauty Diary masks in Black Pearl & Whitening combo pack
  
• DHC lash tonic
• Dejavu Fiberwig
• Somang Makeup base
• Kuan Yuan Lian masks in Whitening & Moisturizing
  
• Catena Collagen Crystal eyemask in moisturizing & Anti-wrinkle
  

Reviews will be posted as products are tested. :)

I just wanted to briefly rave abot the Somang makeup base packaging -- it is absolutely lovely and princess-y. I took a comparison picture of the lid:


Why can't all American products be packaged like this? *sigh* ;)

How to make delicious food and impress people

As much as I'd love to be an executive chef at a 5-star restaurant, it is not practical for everyday life. In order to impress people (including yourself, friends, family, significant other etc) with your domestic prowess, you must have an arsenal of go-to recipes! Good sources include:

• Allrecipes.com
• The Food Network
• Your Mom or Dad (Mine refuses to sit down and teach me so some gentle harassing must ensue)
• Youtube
  
• Korean food cooking goddess Maangchi

My bf bought me a starter cook book which includes a lot of the basics including terminology, cookware, and some simple recipes to try. To be honest, I usually just google something if I am unsure, but this book looks pretty in your kitchen!


In my first year of cooking on my own, I was able to produce some edible meals, and some (dare I say) tasty niblets:

Super tasty and easy (but time consuming) California rolls with crab stick, avacado, cucumber, and a touch of mayo. You can make this spicy too, using the spicy Japanese Mayo recipe (Kewpie or Cho-jang mayo mixed with siracha mmmmm)

15 minute appetizers - using pillsbury crescent rolls, wilted spinach, pesto, sundried tomato and goat cheese


Special pork rice, egg & seaweed rice seasoned with additional Nori Fumi Rice seasoning

You don't have to be an expert or even a perfectionist to cook good food. Cooking shouldn't be a chore, it should be a joy! Well...I guess I'm blessed enough to actually enjoy cooking -- it is a therapeutic way to unwind after a hectic day at work. Good luck shakin' and bakin'! ;)

DSK jewelry & internet shopping!

Just purchased an end-of-week gift to myself! I was going to wait for my boyfriend to buy it for me as a V-day gift, but well...I couldn't wait! :)


It looks stunning! This is why I need to get off the internet...there are so many things that I never even knew I wanted!

You can find more pretty sparkle-y-ness here:


I'll update with pic when it arrives in the mail! ♥

Ooooh! Also, exciting news! Zac Posen will be designing the next GO! International line for Target! I am in love with this skirt (though not too crazy about the top half)



More Hotness HERE! As much as I ♥ Winter clothes, I'm getting kind of excited about the freshness and pastels of Spring.

Time for a haircut too!

How I waste time on the internet

Sometimes I wonder what people did before the internet... Before the dawning of e-mail, blogs, online shopping. I think those days were slightly more wholesome -- times when families actually spent quality time with each other, where men asked women on dates via (clunky, land-line) phone and not text, where people had to look each other in the eye when having a conversation! It's easy to believe our predecessors of the internet age were more well-rounded, talented, self-sufficient, and socially adept.

**Side note** This article in the Onion made me chuckle, mainly because it is absolutely positively 100% true. (sadly)

That being said, here are the glowing rectangles -er- sites, that I frequent regularly:

• Celebrity Gossip - I swore off the really habit forming sites like Perezhilton.com & ONTD. You could read until your eyeballs fell out and there would still be more wonderfully salacious material to feed upon, just press "refresh"! Akin to reality television, these sites were my guilty pleasures until I realized how much time I spent enraptured by the glitz of those that I--in actuality-- was really pretty revoltedby. I limit myself now only to Thesuperficial.com -- mainly because the 5 posts a day keep me informed but not engulfed.
  
• Slate.com - it may sound like an intellectual choice but I mainly visit to get a kick out of Obama's facebook feed and read "Dear Prudence." :P She's a hoot!
  
• Facebook.com - Ever since graduating, this has been a means of keeping abreast of the latest from old friends
• Geekologie.com - For anybody with any amount of nerd in them...this place never fails to make me LOL at least once. The robot apocolypse, anything gaming related, Star Wars, geeky science-y stuff. Yup.
  
• Blogspot. Of course!
  
• Beauty blogs: Asian beauty, the many lovelies on Blogspot, Youtube
  
• Gmail. Yahoo! E-mail. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
  

Total time wastage: 4+ hours/day.

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to go join a GYM! I will be checking one out shortly.

Also to come: Reveiw on a few skin care products! :D I'm experimenting with the largest organ of the body this year...sounds scary (and as the pictures go up, it will be... ;_;) but hopefully it will be somewhat useful!

Good night Moon...