Coastal Scents 88 Shimmer Palette

I was lured by the dazzling color array and low ($20) price tag.

I love this palette. It is easy to work with, all the shadows blend easily. One of the deep purples does a weird streaky fading thing just like NYX Morocco. Strange, no? But they have great payoff and pretty good staying power with primer. When I run out (haha) I will think about getting the 88 matte. Or, maybe if I get to the point where I feel too old for shimmery shadows anymore. We'll see, this will last me for years and years, I'm sure.

NYX eyeshadow: Morocco

I picked this up at the Spa Expo because it swatched such a pretty purple, despite being a deep blue in the pan. It fascinated me.

After wearing it, I find that it is streaky on me. At application, the color is a great purple. After a few hours, it begins to change. Some spots fade, other turn blue. It's very odd, and not a look I'm going for. It also sometimes causes burning in my eyes. So this one needs to go. Color payoff is great at time of application, though.

Express drape front T shirt dress, deep blue + $8

This I bought with the idea that I would cut it into an assymtrical T. Like the last time, it is taking me awhile to get up the guts. It's such a permenant thing! I have started (9/09) on this projuect but still have not finished splicing it up to my specifications yet. But I am excited to be trying it out. ($8)

I've taken the scissors to it and it's great! But now the weather is considerably cooler and this may not get usage for awhile. But it is Sunny California, so we'll see! I'll keep it out instead of packing it away with my summer clothing, at least for awhile.

I wear this all the time on the weekends, it layers really well and is very comfortable and is a great pop of color.

Express tie front cropped cardigan, black/gray stripe

I got this for my strappy tops that tend to make me cold when I go from outside to inside.

Tissue thin cotton, I got a good number of wears out of it. I don't like the large amount of material that hangs off of the front when I tie it. I was glad I tried something a little different for me. But, I still don't love this piece after several months. ($12)

Express cowl neck t shirt, purple print XS

Another item I picked up from the clearance. I needed more weekend non t shirts to wear.

When I had picked it up, I would have preferred a solid. I reach for it more often than the blue drape, and I really like the print on this. Loving it, wearing it all the time.

NY & Co. Pendant: CZ studded gold snake

I fell in love with this piece as soon as I saw it. Unfortunately, it's a part of the Red Collection, and usually excluded from promotions. Until clearance time. While it wasn't discounted, I did get to use a coupon on it, which made it $25. I was absolutely willing to pay this, as the thought of not owning it caused me mild chest pains.

I have worn this several times since purchase and I LOVE it dearly to this day. I am so glad that I got it, even though it's too sexy for work and I can therefore only get away with it on the weekends. I like snakes on jewelry and this execution is perfect. My only small complaint is that in the photo the snake has red eyes, and mine has black eyes. But it's still really fierce.

NY & Company White Necklace: silver toned- multi strand

I needed one more thing to push me over $50 for free shipping, so I chose this. I have used it plenty of times since I got it, it's very versatile. It's a necklace that makes enough of a statement for me. I had the clasp replaced since mine came with one that stuck, and I ordered it online. Thanks goodness I'm good friends with a jewelry maker!

NY & Company White Shirt: Daiquiri +

I was obsessed with this shirt from the moment that I saw it, but the $50 price tag was completely off putting. I grabbed it then it went on clearance online for $8. I love it. I still love it months later. It has the same strange collar as the other shirt that I got, so it does pick up foundation from the neck. But it has lots of ruffles and I love that. Totally worth it for the love factor, even though cost per wear has not been stepped up yet. We'll wait until later in the year.

New York and Company White Shirt: Martini

Tuxedo Shirt! I love these. Unfortunately, I don't use it often. The collar is not the usual foldover kind, and it picks up foundatin off of my neck. But I love it and maybe when the temperatures go down will wear it more often. I hope. Cuz I do love it.

Express drape neck t shirt, bright blue XS

I am still in love with my drape neck tee from 6+ years ago. I am just not a huge fan if it's pale peach color. I think I had convinced myself that it was pink.

This one is a medium cotton jersey and the drape is great. The color was not my first choice either, but looks good on. I use it all the time for weekend wear, its intended purpose. It's my stand in for a plain t shirt, which I do not like to wear.

Leaf white gold 10K electro-plated earrings

These were cheaper when bought in multiples, so I picked up a pair for conversion into earrings. I didn't get around to having them strung until last month (8/09), and I have yet to actually take them on a test run (9/09). I do enjoy them, but I can't say yet if they were a good purchase yet. They may be gifted to someone come Xmas, if I don't ever get around to trying them out.

white gold 10k plated leaf pendant

While shopping at the international gem & jewelry show, I came across a vendor with gold electo-plated leaves. Since passing by the one offered by Szul, I've been fascinated by the idea. A $10 investment being much less than the $29 one offered, I went for it.

I don't wear this that often, as I do have other jewelry that I use more often, but I do use it occasionally, and that makes it worth it. I still like it a lot, 3 months later.

Pure Luxe Minerals

Loving the selection available at www.pureluxecosmetics.com and feeling a major need for more eyeshadow colors, I placed an order when they had a 25% off over $30 order. of course, I think it all evened out after shipping charges of $7, but hey, at least I held out! I've been stalking for weeks and weeks.

I love the color pay off, but I HATE the loose shadows. I have to press these to use them. After pressing, I find they really are fabulous. I love them. My only gripe is that the Illusion collection is not as vivid as I would hope. I really have a fascination with colors that have interference, and I was hoping this would be similar to Urban Decay. Alas, no. I will need to wait for Urban decay to come up with a kit of interference shadows.