I Heart JewelMint!

I am so OBSESSED with this website!  I check it daily for new jewelry pieces and have purchased 3 statement pieces from there.  All of their pieces are only $29.99 each, which includes free shipping.  If you use code FAST60, you can get 60% off of your first purchase, which comes to $11.99.  Not bad, eh?  My first purchase was the Royal Ascot ring ($11.99 w/code, left) and it is inspired by the Gucci Horsebit ring ($2750.00, right).  Of course, the Gucci one is 18K gold, while the JewelMint one is gold-plated.  But for $12 and free shipping, I'm not complaining!

 

My second statement piece is the Cinema Americano bracelet (below), which I paid the full price of $29.99.  I absolutely love this bracelet and it goes well with pretty much anything.  I wear it often with the ring and a few bangles from Forever 21.  Unfortunately, it is sold out, but you can join and add yourself to the waitlist if you want it as badly as I did.  I think I waited a month until I saw it was available and shortly after I purchased it, it went back to being sold out.  :(  Chunky gold chains are sooo "IN" this season and I'm loving this trend.  I have a huge gold Cuban chain necklace that I pair with this bracelet also.  HOT HOT HOT! 

My 3rd piece is the Star Bound ring ($29.99, left and center) in rose gold.  Rose gold is also a new trendy metal that is also very popular.  I wear this ring when I'm wearing my Michael Kors Baguette-Bezel Rose Gold watch ($295, right).  I've gotten so many compliments on the watch, but the ring just complements it so well.  The design itself is just so very unique.  This ring is sold out in sizes 6 and 7, but still available in size 8.  

So the way JewelMint works is once you become a member and make your first purchase, you will automatically be charged $29.99 every month (around the 6th) for JewelMint credit, unless you make a purchase on the 1st - 5th of each month.  If you do NOT make a purchase between the 1st - 5th of that month, they will give you a credit, which you can just use to get any single jewelry piece on the site.  If you do not see anything you like, you can choose "Skip Month" on the 1st - 5th and you will not be charged at all.  You can cancel ANYTIME by calling customer service.  I always end up buying something because they always release new pieces on the 1st.  I know it sounds a little complicated, but it's really not.  You just have to remember to visit on the 1st of every month to either choose something or to skip that month.  Otherwise, you'll just be accumulating credits. ;)

So my top pick for June is the Natural Wonder bracelet (below).  Infuse your next ensemble with this eclectic mix of crystals, metallic, and brass oxidized plating.  This pre-styled set includes an elastic pair of gold-plated bead and crystal cup chain bracelets, plus a 7" cable chain with an embellished leaf casting to complete the trio.  (Taken directly from website.)  This will be my 4th piece and it's currently making its way to my doorsteps as I type this.  :)  You like?

So go ahead and click on any of the images above to be directed to the quiz to find out which pieces match your style and see your top picks in your own showroom.  Don't forget to use code FAST60 at checkout!  Happy Shopping!

Anti-Getting Old!

Ok, I am in my late 20's and when it comes to skincare, my focus is now directed towards anti-aging and anti-wrinkle products, including eye creams.  So as a big Sephora fan, I have way too many samples of everything.  I don't put just anything on my face so many of those samples remain unused.  However, I recently ran out of my Clinique yellow moisturizer, and I was desperate to use just about anything.  I went through my container where I store all of these samples and chose to try the StriVectin-SD Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks & Wrinkles.  OMG, it smells sooo good and refreshing!  I can't tell you about the results because it was a small packet sample and lasted perhaps 2 days when used sparingly.  However, my face felt really fresh and pepperminty for those 2 days.  I went to see how much it was for a tube of this thing, and wow, it's $135 for 5 oz.!!!  Seriously?!  I know, I'm behind on this product because it came out ages ago, but ages ago, I wasn't worried about aging.  :)  Anyway, so I really want to give it a try and use it to prevent wrinkles, not for stretch marks because I feel my stretch marks aren't going anywhere and it would be a waste of $135 to put it on something that are probably permanent.  This product better be some sort of miracle worker or I'm going to be highly disappointed for paying that much.  I will let you know once I start using it and if there are any noticeable results!  Remember, the best anti-aging agent is SPF!  The sun and those tanning beds will make your skin appear older than they really are!  Happy shopping (and aging)!

Tarte True Blood Collection

So this collection has been out for a couple of months now and it's on top of my wish list at Sephora.  Of course, I buy most of my cosmetics and beauty products there for the simple fact that I want to build up my reward points.  :)  Anyway, I've never been a big fan of Tarte cosmetics but I always did find their packaging to be really cute.  Well, now that they've launched this True Blood make-up line, I am "glamoured" LOL!  (Inside joke for Truebies...)  Ok, but seriously I am absolutely in love with the palette. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the makeup artist for the show had a hand in choosing the colors for the collection. The palette is very versatile, in the sense that you can create both Sookie's natural look as well as Pam's and Jessica's sultry looks.  I'm so excited to try out this entire line!  But they can keep the price though... $106 for the collection?!  Witch, please... (pun intended)

Anyway, go check out the collection for yourself!  Click on the picture below to be directed straight to Tarte's website.  I would normally direct you to Sephora, but Tarte gives you more information about the collection as well as the different looks you can create.  However, I'd still get mine from Sephora.  Well, I hope you give this a try, especially if you're a True Blood fan like myself!  Definitely can't pass this collection up!  Aww Sookie Sookie now... lol! ;)  Happy shopping!  XOXO!

Free Stuff?! Yes, Please!

I feel bad that I've started to neglect my beauty blog already!  Sorry, I've just been busy lately with work, and plus, I'm a single mom raising a 4-year-old!  I don't have all the time in the world to be on the computer.  However, with every chance I get, I will try to get on my blog and update!  I haven't been doing a lot of shopping lately, mainly because I'm trying to save.  Although, I don't really understand the purpose of saving because in the end, you're going to use that money for a bigger purchase than if you were to spend it along the way.  It makes sense to save if you're in the market for a house, but otherwise, what are people saving for?  The future?  I mean, I do set money aside for my daughter, but trust me, once she graduates from high school, that money will probably go towards a new car... and BOOM!  Years of saving all for one big purchase.  Anyway, all I'm saying is that, in the end, that money goes to a purchase.  So I don't understand why people get on my case about saving.  I save by being a smart shopper.  Granted, I hardly find anything in the sales section but I do put a limit on myself.  

Anyway, I want you guys to all check out this app I just discovered called Checkpoints!  When you sign up and register, make sure you put "sophyphan" in the bonus code section so that both you and I will receive bonus points.  This is just like foursquare.  If you're familiar with checking into places, you'll catch onto this quickly.  You get points with check-ins and by scanning certain products.  When you reach a certain number of points, you can redeem them for some awesome gifts and gift cards!  Ummm, I already have my eyes and heart set on the $500 Louis Vuitton gift card and the $50 Sephora & Victoria's Secret gift cards!  Agh, this is too much for my heart to handle!  Of course, it's not easy to get 154,500 points.  It requires a LOT of checking in and scanning items in the store.  But I'm always out and about, so I think I might as well work up towards something.  I have a feeling this app is going to be my new BFF!  Ok, go check it out!  I'm excited!  Happy shopping!  XOXO!

Btw, I'm pretty sure this app is not some kind of scam.  It has been featured on ABC, CNBC, NY Times, USA Today, and CNN!  Not that that gives it any credibility, but I'm all for trying it out! :)

My Holy Grail

I am absolutely IN LOVE with this Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer!  If I were stranded on an island and could only bring 3 makeup items, this would definitely be one of them!  I mean, it has a built-in sunscreen of SPF 20 and on top of it all, it's OIL-FREE!  For people with oily skin like me, this product is a dream come true! And although it comes in a tube, it really ensures that you get every last drop of product.  I'm in the color "caramel", but it looks like I need to go a shade darker for the summer to "tan". I have tested this bottle out in all kinds of extreme weather, from freezing cold to sweltering hot heat and it has withstood it all.  When it's cold and dry out, the moisturizer part of this product keeps your face hydrated and well-moisturized.  And when it's humid and hot, the oil-free ingredient keeps your face from melting and being shiny.  You pretty much get the best of both worlds.

This does last at least 6 months from everyday use.  I apply it with a small MAC 188 stippling brush and it just goes on smoothly and flawlessly.  I'm on my second tube now and I can't seem to switch to anything else.  It is a bit on the pricy side, $42, but I think it's totally worth it.  I even tried Laura Mercier Silk Creme foundation and it doesn't compare.  This provides medium coverage but it feels lightweight on your face, whereas the silk creme foundation provides full coverage but you also feel how heavy it is.  I'm not a big fan of the foundation.  Anyway, I only have good things to say about this.  I wear it alone most of the time, and other times, I use a foundation primer, depending on how much time I have in the morning.  :)  So I hope you all would give this a try and tell me how you like it!  Get it at Sephora or Nordstrom! (I'd get it at Sephora so I could get reward points!)  Happy shopping! XOXO!

Benefit Brow Bar At ULTA

I have visited the Benefit Brow Bar at Ulta (Scenic Hwy. location is closest to me) twice now for my brow waxing and shaping and I love it!  It is a bit pricy than the normal $5 at a nail salon, but the person who does mine spends a lot of time, about 30 minutes, finding the right arch for my face structure along with tweezing, plucking, and waxing.  Apparently, I have a high threshold for pain because it feels like nothing when they pull the wax off.  Anyway, I'm blogging about this not because I want you to spend $20+ on just a brow wax, but because they have a great offer!  On your birthday, you get a FREE brow shaping!  Isn't that awesome?  That's a $20 value and you get to see if you like it or not, and in the event that you do, you can book your next appointment!  However, please be warned, they might try to sell the Benefit Brow Zings kit ($30) to you, but you can always kindly decline (unless you're like me and you're easily persuaded, a sales associate's dream come true).  I declined at first but see blog post 2, where I eventually caved in and bought it at Sephora.  And I don't regret it one bit.  :)

Menu of Services

Brow Arch $20*

Lip Wax $10

Brow & Lip Wax $25

Lip, Chin, & Sides $28

*Brow arch is free on your birthday!

Remember, you do have to leave a tip for your arch expert!  I usually leave $2-$3. :)  

Happy grooming!  XOXO!

When It Comes To Saving

Ok, if you haven't heard of Groupon by now, then you must be living under a rock. I am addicted to Groupon, along with all of these other deal sites popping up everywhere in Atlanta, competing with Groupon. Most of them use the same concept as Groupon, except ScoutMob, where you have to purchase these deals in advance. Well NOW, Groupon also came up with Groupon NOW where you use it on the spot, just like ScoutMob! No pre-purchases! You'll only get charged if you use the deal and if you don't, Groupon will automatically refund your money back into your account! Now, buyers beware! If you're a complete shopaholic like me, you are stepping into some very dangerous territories! LOL, because I still have 8 Groupons sitting in my iPhone app and a few are very close to expiring. I just can't pass up a great deal! Most of these deals include 50% or more off of local restaurants and many more activities. They offer a wide range of everything - from shopping to spa/salon services to white water rafting (something I must try one of these days) and even getaways. Anyway, here are all of the other deal sites that I have found useful and check on a daily basis! I'm addicted! Happy shopping! XOXO!

You know what to do - click on any of the logos to be directed to these amazing deals! Most of them have their own iPhone, Android, etc apps as well! If you guys know of any other deal sites that I may have missed, please leave a comment so I can check it out! Thanks!