Birthday ♥ + Awesome giveaway!

Another year passes, another reason to look/feel/act younger than I actually am...

I hate having to feel this way as a woman...instead of the distinguished, mature, desirable aging of a man, time is every woman's mortal enemy...

In reality, I'm not too bummed out by turning 27. ;) Thanks for all the words of encouragement from you lovely ladies! ♥ I know age is just a number...it's just that sometimes I feel a lot younger than I actually am... I might have once thought that I would be married with kids at 28 but sometimes, life doesn't go exactly as planned - the unpredictability is what makes things so beautiful though. You never know what's around the corner!

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Just thought I'd share a few photos from my b-day weekend with you :)

EOTD





Used Maybelline Eyestudio Color Plush silk eyeshadow Quad in Taupe Temptress (new favorite quad! Review soon)

FOTD



Foooooood of the day!!!

Yummy fatty tuna & surf clam at my favorite sushi joint!

*Spoilage*













New Kicks.
Time to get my butt in shape!!! (literally)



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Hello to all my lovely new readers! ♥ You all make me feel spoiled! :D And I know I have been bad about getting back in comments and in general, but I really love reading your comments and suggestions. I will be responding to some requests in my inbox so look out for new posts soon!

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Finally, I just found out about Bang Bang She Shoots via Serena! Nic Nic is a lovely blogger that lives in Tokyo and has started up an internet business to give us ladies access to Japanese Cosmetics!!! It's called A Pop of Kawaii ~ Check it out!!!


She is having a giveaway...with SIX winners! Ends June 6th!

Classy magazine vs. Happie Nuts magazine Scans

Some early week diversions I wanted to share!

**SUPER PIC HEAVY**

So I ran across this magazine and was curious...I haven't heard of it before, but it is a Japanese magazine called CLASSY that seems to be geared towards women in their 20s-30s. (Or maybe gals who like to keep it classy ~ ;)

♥

I'm trying nowadays to dress more 'my age' (27 coming up this week!) - but this doesn't mean compromising fun or my love of hime! This magazine gave me a lot of good ideas on how to dress sexy, confident yet appropriate for my age!

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I also took a peek at Happie Nuts since I have owned a copy of this magazine in the past...the girls in this magazine seem younger (late teens - mid 20s) and are really into the blonde hair and skimpy clothes. :) I like the fun & daring attitude, but at the same time, the clothing kind of screams "streetwalker" to me. :P

My favorite page was the one with the yummy pink Chanel purse!

Something about these girls just doesn't seem...real. They look like sexy asian Barbie dolls!



Their hair section is incredibly involved - I don't think I have the hair or time to pull these looks off - though they are very very cute!



~They included this cute little section at the end!~



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You can download Classy June 2010 here
You can download Happie Nuts May 2010 here

Totally different styles and to some extent, extremes!!!

I recently purchased the Tropical Escape Floral babydoll from the Lauren Conrad line at Kohl's...love it matched with a pair of boyfriend shorts. :)

I also love the style of fellow blogettes Extra Petite and ReallyPetite

Speaking of which, Extra Petite will be running a giveaway for a gorgeous silk blouse!


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Will soon post my next EOTD, Dolly Wink Review, and more! :)

Review: Coastal Scents 88 Palette & Glam Sparkle and Pop!

Happy Sunday Beauties!
Thought I would share my LOTD from last week plus my thoughts on the Coastal Scents 88 makeup Palette!

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Coastal Scents 88 Makeup Color Palette

Purchased from Amazon.com for around $19 USD



As you can see, there are a million (well 88 haha) different colors to choose from! Note that this palette comes in 2 different 'styles' - the normal makeup palette (which I purchased - has mixture of matte & shimmers) and the "ultra shimmer" palette (all shimmery colors). For those who want less crazy colors and more neutrals, there is the "warm palette" and the new "metal mania" palette.

** "Regular" Makeup Color Palette **



**Ultra Shimmer **


**Warm/Neutral **


** Metal Mania **
Images from Amazon.com

The palette came packaged nicely in bubble wrap and I did not have any problems with breakage. However, the cheap shadow applicator slot was a broken so the applicator kept falling off. Not really a problem since I don't use them anyway! The palette itself is thin and lightweight - careful with the latch since I hear it can break easily!

The size of each shadow is pretty small - smaller than a dime! Chances are the variety of colors will be so vast that you are too busy experimenting to run out. I already have a few favorites, but for the most part, I just kind of swatch whatever catches my fancy :)



Color payoff is variable. Some of the shadows are highly pigmented and apply with ease. Others look promising but are actually disappointing. There was no crazy odor and for the most part, the texture was pleasant and blended well.

I attempted to do a rainbow type gradient on my arm. I used MAC's paint in "Untitled" as a base and then swatched some of the colors using my ELF brushes.



I know this palette has been hyped for ages - I think it's a good deal for the price. Quality wise, the shadows have great staying powder and there are quite a few colors that impressed! However, if you're not into experimentation, I would go for the warm/neutral type palette. This one is fun, but I don't find myself reaching for it very often. It's just a bit bulky and I know I won't be traveling with it!

Overall

Pros:

♥ Affordable (sells for ~$19 on Amazon.com)
♥ TONS of color choices & finishes
♥ Some colors are heavily pigmented and pretty!
♥ Smooth texture, glides on easily (with primer)
♥

Cons:

♥ Packaging is bulky & cheap
♥ Pans are relatively small
♥ Requires a shadow primer
♥ Not travel-friendly
♥ Some colors are a bit 'chalky' and crumble easily

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ (3/5)

This palette is not a "must-have" in my book, but something that every adventurous girl might want to have around just in case! Lots of possibilities for 'fun' looks but I think I will never really use about 30-40% of the colors just because they are too crazy bright! >_< ***


LOTD using Coastal Scents palette

*Tools*



Swatches of Colors used - pretty neutrals in shimmery sea-shell colors



Final look:



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My Glam Sparkle & Pop order came in the mail a little while ago - and I am SUPER pleased! A huge thanks to JULIE for the gorgeous hand crafted jewelry and sweet little extras!

I was so excited about this necklace, titled "Key to My Heart"




Each necklace is packaged so lovingly in a little organza pouch - so cute!



What a surprise! Little note & a beautiful NYX lip gloss!!!



I love the snowflake necklace - I might end up wearing it year round LOL! The AB quality of the swarovski crystals is so amazing - you can see how amazing it looks in different lighting!






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♥for Natalka, Aubrey, Bayrta, Renay, Pixyela, Miih, Sara, TzeYien, Angela, Dementia, & Beauty and the beast, Momo, Lavender, 409, Vanessa & Carmen!

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Already have so much to do this week! :) Correspondence (Sorry to all the lovely ladies for my laziness, I will be getting back this week!), more post lovin' to catch up on, crafting, and of course, work!!!

Please take care & have a great week!!!