SNAG: Old Navy Techno Hoodies

"What the heck is a "Techno Hoodie?"" you may ask. Well, here we go!

Old Navy has come out with a hoodie with built-in headphones! It's surprisingly seamless in design and the earbuds are fantastic quality-lots of bass without losing treble. I'm VERY impressed!

Let me ease some tension-YES, they are machine washable! The drawstrings at the top of the zipper contain the wires that run to the tips where your earbuds are. The earbuds have a great rubber grip that fit in everyone's ears perfectly-the little 4 year old I nanny even wore them! The cord runs inside a cloth tubing alongside the zipper. You'd never know how it works! In the right pocket, you get a 3.5mm jack to plug in your iPod/Zune/phone/mp3/Walkman (hehe)/etc. This may be a negative for our left-handed pals, but for a cozy hoodie, great headphones and a perfect price point, I doubt anyone would be disappointed over that alone.

The hoodie itself is well made. The inside is lightly lined with fleece which is great and versitile. The zippers are reinforced and painted to match the hoodie color-no yucky brass! One thing I especially appreciate is the fact that the hood is practical and not oversized or obnoxious. A+!

These little guys are on sale until the 24th, but starting at 5am on the 26th, Old Navy will have a huge 60% off sale, so maybe you can get lucky and catch them then. They are already sold out online and taken off the website-in just ONE DAY!

95% of all the clothing I own is Old Navy-and this just adds to my collection!

I got my pink Techno Hoodie in pink with gray trim for just $15. Perfect gift for the outdoorsy or athletic type (or if you just like to have your iPod at the grocery store!)

Beauty On A Budget

I get asked a lot by friends and random strangers alike what products I would buy if I only had "x" amount of money in "x" store.

So today...I pick the drugstore.

Here in Houston, we have CVS and Walgreens on literally every corner, so my addiction is easily fed with a .5 mile walk across the street to either store!

Let's say you have $25.

First of all, I think foundation is given. A good, buildable foundation is even better, that way you can almost double it as concealer. I recommend Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse. I've had mine for what seems like ages and a little goes a long way. I love the creamy finish, especially on my dry areas. Even on my oily lids/nose, this foundation doesn't slide. I like setting it with translucent powder, but that's optional. The pump keeps it clean and controls how much you get out at a time. Very convenient, especially for about $6!

Next, my new favorite mascara-L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in black. I just got this mascara last week on a whim and fell in love. I haven't found anything quite as good as a brand new MAC mascara until now. (I'm also a big fan of Covergirl Lash Blast, but the applicator is just so large!) This mascara glides on like butter and lasts all day and night. I'll definitely keep it around! You can find it for about $5.


For shadow, I suggest another Maybelline product. I think Maybelline is a fantastic drugstore brand! I suggest keeping a neutral quad on you at all times. I can't tell you how many times I've been out without makeup and made plans without time to run home! The Maybelline Eye Studio Shadow Quads are a great option at around $6!

Don't forget liner! Jordana Eyeliner pencils range from $.69-$.99! What a steal! They have great staying power, too! Grab one in brown and one in black.

I didn't buy lipsticks for the longest time because I have a bad habit of licking my lips and I feel like it's silly to spend money on something that doesn't stay. Having said that, the Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipsticks are only $1! Even if you have to reapply, you really can't go wrong at that price point!

Finish your face with blush. Wet n Wild Ultimate Minerals Blush is a great choice for around $4. The coverage is sheer, but buildable and the container has a plug so your blush doesn't spill everywhere! I'm really impressed with this product.

So there you go. A full face for under $25!

Do you have any other products you suggest that I may have overlooked? Let me know!

Have a great evening!
Jenn

Regret: Glade Scented Oil Candle

Where do I begin?!

I'm a very honest person. It's not my intention to "bash" this product in any way-the following is my opinion.

I have seen the commercials about Glade Scented Oil Candles and how they're supposed to be so wonderful and make the room smell nice. I was at Walgreens getting something to snack on (plus pink Christmas lights, Cosmo, and hair dye...) when I saw the really cute pink/black tin they come in and picked one up. $2.50 I think. I loved the Dewberry scent and lit it as soon as I got home.

I was very excited to soak in a hot bath and light my candle...only there was NO scent! Nothing! After an hour, I blew it out and went to bed.

I got home today and relit the candle. 30 minutes later, it's non existent! What a rip-off! I paid money to burn an unscented candle for an hour and a half?! I would have been better off with tea-lights! Ridiculous.

I understand it's only $2.50, but I expect a product to do what it's made to do! I wouldn't complain as much if I had noticed a scent or the candle would have burned longer.

This just goes to show...I'll stick with my trusty Candles By Victoria from now on...

Review-Rimmel Mix It Up Eyeshadow in Out Of The Blue

I have to admit-when I first saw this product, I was immediately blown away by the gorgeous colors! Teal, purple and metalic fleck mixed up in a creamy formula. I didn't think I could ever use a product like this on my lids, but I had a few other ideas in mind, and the fact that it was half-off and came with a matching eyeliner sold me!

I was right about one thing-this product is WAY too bold for me to wear as a shadow, but looks great against my blue eyes as a waterliner! Then again, isn't that what the liner is for? Well...kinda. I like to line my waterline and sometimes tightline (the tiny line of skin under your top lashes) with the liner pencil then set the waterline with this little baby and some MAC Fix+. It's definitely not an essential and maybe not worth the $6, but it will last me a very very long time. I also thought about using this color as a base or blending it into my crease to create a more colorful smokey eye, but with all of life's chaos lately, I haven't had the chance to experiment.

Other shades are available-I may try another when I get the chance. The marbelized look is so unique!

Overall, I really love this product. It stays, maintains a perfect price point and looks so magical and pixie-like. It's a great way to add subtle color without looking like a disco ball.

Grab Bag-Caboodle Super Model Ult Organizer

I've been eyeing Blanche Babcock's Caboodle for a while and decided it was time to get my own!

I checked Amazon and eBay first and wound up finding a cute pink one on eBay. I thought the price was okay ($17.50 I believe) but the shipping was $13.50! Yikes! I paid it forward anyway since it was exactly what I was looking for...or so I thought!

The Caboodle isn't nearly as large as I had hoped. I can't fit a liner without lying it diagonally and my Coastal Scents 88's won't fit in the bottom compartment. Bummer! The seller is a tackle company or something. Which would explain my next complaint-there are scuffs all over! :/ some worse than others. One side of the Caboodle looks like a cat scratched it. It's still nothing horrible, but the item was supposed to be new and there's no way that damage happened during shipping!

The print and color are adorable and the lock is a great feature. It feels sturdy and has 4 posts on each corner so the bottom stays clean.

Anywhoo, I did manage to get my money for shipping back, so I guess I can't complain too much. I still want a larger one for gigs and long trips, but I definitely am satisfied with what I got.

Update!

Sorry for the lack of posting lately! Yikes!

Things with Beauty Stat seem to be slowing down again, so I'm coming up with more ideas on reviews and maybe posting a FOTD (face of the day) every so often! I definitely won't let my blog die!

I get sorta frustrated when I see makeup writers mentioning fashion-especially a $500 dress, but I have to brag about my new boots! I've been wanting/needing boots for a year or two now and finally gave in! I looked online and found a great pair from zac&zoe for Payless. They were only $39.99 and way cuter than the $150 pair I had been eyeing! SCORE!

I'm so happy! I wear size 9.5.

In other news-I had a wonderful Thanksgiving and hope you did as well! I went to see Thunder From Down Under with a few friends and had an absolute BLAST! It's a Vegas show, but they have a traveling group as well. Definitely check it out if they come to your area!Jealous?!

Anyway, I'm really happy with my life right now. Sure, there are a few things I'd love to change, but for the most part, I feel like things are going amazingly well! I've been smiling every single day thanks to someone really amazing who reminds me to enjoy the simple things in life. I have surrounded myself with the friends who have stuck by me through thick and thin, and I just LOVE Christmas!

My father is having his bone marrow transplant on the 21st-which means he'll be in for Christmas. I am very sad, but I know it will be okay. I am planning on making Christmas dinner and spending my time off doing some amazing things! I can't wait!

Well...onto a review!

xoxoJenn

Friday Update!

Alright, sorry about the lack of posting lately! I've been dealing with a lot of life recently!

First off, for those of you who don't know, my father has cancer. Leukemia to be exact. He is technically in remission and expecting a bone marrow transplant if his body will take it. He is still in and out of M.D. Anderson Cancer Centers for treatment to maintain all the appropriate levels in his body. If you find it in your heart to donate, click here. I'm sure nearly everyone can afford $5. What if everyone gave $5...can you imagine what type of studies we could coordinate to find a cure?! Thanks for your concerns and prayers.

Men. That's all I'm going to say about that...haha

As far as beauty products are concerned, I still need to do a run-down of my recently purchased Ulta goodies and what I'm liking and kinda confused about. I was expecting a H20 skin package from Beauty Stat, but there was some confusion, so I'm not sure what will happen with that just yet. Here are some upcoming blogs:

• Miracle Skin Transformer revies/before and after
• NYX Jumbo Pencil tricks and usage
• Beauty Buys-things I'd never purchase
• Beginner's Beauty Budget-Take $20 into a drugstore-what should I buy?
• ....and many more! Submit suggestions in the comments below!

Thanks for sticking with me through this transitional period!

-Jenn

SNAG: NARS Eye Shadow Duos-$10

I was just talking to my good friend, Blanche Babcock, the other day about how I never go to Sephora anymore when I log on Facebook to see 2 NARS LE shadow duos for just $10 each! You betcha I bought both!

The duos really caught my eye. The colors are so unique and have gotten excellent reviews on pigmentation. These will be my first NARS duos, as I just can't stomach paying $32 for 2 small eye shadows! I'm so anxious to get these in my hands!

The Cheyenne duo is a rich plum and a burnt/rusty orange-perfect for fall! Wicked is a nice soft lime green and an opal shade that looks great for a hilight color.

This is an online-only deal and Cheyenne appears to be sold out already. Call or check back frequently to see when it's in stock again. I will go ahead and recommend that you stick with standard shipping since I chose the 3-day option and won't get my package until 5 days after my order was processed-a total waste. This is another reason my loyalty remains to companies like Coastal Scents who ship your product and you get it a wink later!

Have you tried NARS products? Will you be picking these up?

Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain & Lip Balm

This weekend, I took a very rare trip to Ulta and got myself into some kinda trouble!

First of all-my favorite eyeshadows of ALL TIME-the Lorac baked ones-were on sale for just $9 but were sold out! So sad about that missed opportunity, but I kept looking.

I plan on doing a run-down of all the goodies I picked up, but for now I want to discuss the new Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain & Lip Balm.

I'm a girl who generally won't purchase lipsticks because I feel the need to reapply at the most inconvenient times! I'm a busy girl and don't always have the time to whip out my purse, find my cosmetics bag, find the right shade, etc etc. I've been hearing a lot about lip stains, and have even owned a few in past years, so I decided to try the newest thing on the market.

I picked up the shade Midnight which is a deep, rich plum red color. To be quite honest, the only reason I went for a dark shade was because it was on sale. I do like the color, but it is very dark for my tastes.

On one end, you get a felt tip marker with the actual stain in it. I really like this and find that it gives you a precise line. On the other, you get a translucent balm. I wish that it twisted up and down and the consistancy could be a bit silkier, but it's not bad. I think it does the job well and you can always use Burt's Bees, Soft Lips, or your choice of balm instead.

The staying power is absolutely unreal! I couldn't get the stain off with makeup remover, olive oil and sugar, or Biore facial scrub. This is kind of a downfall, especially if you don't want to wear the color all day.

All-in-all, I like this product and would probably repurchase it in lighter colors which are hopefully easier to remove.

Have you tried it? What did you think?

Moncarlino Rejuvinating Serum

Moncarlino is the brainchild of Paolo Marconoto, an Italian man on the quest to find the perfect formula for skin care. After extensive research and studying, he found the answer within a family journal and decided to share the wealth with the rest of the world!

Moncarlino is unlike any product I've ever tried. It's ingredients include apple, olive and grape extract to hydrate, soften and tone skin. I tend to gravitate toward products with ingredients I can pronounce, which is just another benefit of having found Moncarlino.

The Packaging
Moncarlino comes in a simple silver box. Inside is a sleek clear container with a great pump on top-such a nice touch. I was very pleased that the company took a no-frills approach to their packaging compared to other formulas that come in cheaply made squeeze tubes. The pump should also help keep your product fresh and sanitary.

The Product
The serum itself is a work of art. It has a lotiony feel to it without being watery, greasy or cakey. It smells of non-fragranced lotion, in my opinion. After washing my face (both morning and evening) I put 2-3 pumps of product on my fingertips and rubbed it into my skin. Moncarlino has a cooling effect-nothing like menthol, but definitely noticeable and refreshing.

The Results
Within 3 days, I saw dry patches of skin disappear and under-eye circles seemed much less visible. Within a weeks time, my skin was glowy, clear and looked great under my foundation. I'm really surprised that such a simple product could do so much for my skin, especially since I am only 23 years old! I think Moncarlino would also do very well on aged and damaged skin.

The Final Verdict
I think the Moncarlino Rejuvinating Serum does exactly what it claims to do which is saying a lot if you're familiar with some of the other creams and serums on the market! At $60 a pop, unfortunately it's not something I can afford on a regular basis. I wish Moncarlino would offer varying sizes. If the price is not an issue, I highly recommend trying this product out. Your skin willthank you!
8.5/10 Stars!

Welcome!

Hi, everyone! Thanks so much for taking time to check out my blog! I'm back and plan to be better than ever!

Recently, I was scammed by a developer who was supposed to create a custom website just for me-my own domain and everything-yet didn't keep her word. I lost all of my posts and have since moved my blog to Blogger. I'm still getting used to everything, so if you notice anything funky or out of place, please let me know!

This is my beauty blog. I will be partnering with Beauty Stat to bring you reviews of the newest high-end beauty products while sticking to my usual little blurbs, reviews and the like. Please subscribe to my blog and stick around-I plan to hold a small contest once I reach 100 followers again!

Thanks a lot!
Jenn