Friday Night Mall Haul

After a long week of work one might just go home on a Friday at 5pm and relax, go out for drinks and a movie.  Me?  I hit the mall for a little retail therapy!
 
I had a few things in mind before going, but I picked up a few extra things (thank you Friday payday!)


 
Planned stop-Sephora
I was all excited to hit 500-point perk on my VIB card, however I was not interested in what they had to offer for gifts, so I decided to hold my points until next time.

I had to pick up my favorite makeup setting spray-Urban Decay "All Nighter".  I also had heard great things about Sephora's Express Cleansing Wipes. They were a little pricey, but I'll have to see if they are worth the money.  Then my splurge of the purchase-Marc Jacobs Lip Lock in Makeout.  This is a great moisture balm for the winter and it also has SPF 18.  I love the way it feels and it will be great for the cold winters of Wisconsin.

Next stop-Bath & Body Works
I wanted to pick up a few candles.  Chose the mason jar ones, since they were on sale. 2 for $15  They currently have great winter scents and even though I didn't like most of them (too sweet) I found two that I absolutely loved!  Tis the Season and Sparking Icicles (my fav) are the best. They have such cute packaging and lids-love the skates!  While close to the checkout I also came across another perfect scent.-Mahogany Teakwood.  I love the manly scent of this.  It makes my bedroom smell soooo good. :)

 

Last/Final stop-JCPenney
I always hear about people getting major deals here, so I had to check it out for myself.  I have never really looked too hard at this store, but they have really picked up their image and the store at my local mall was very clean-minus the dressing rooms :(  I saw the Joe Fresh "shop" right away.  After picking up and putting back many sweater, due to poorly made materials, I found a pretty cool t-shirt that I could wear under sweaters (bummed though when I got home and notice that the Sales Associate put a hole in it when she took the security tag off-oh well it was only $10-not going to fuss with taking it back.)
I also found a couple of sweaters by A.NA. Love the gray one-just a cozy sweater for winter-reminds me of the sweaters at Brandy Melville that all the beauty gurus love!

Overall, this was a pretty successful shopping trip.  I got my "therapy" for the week ;)
 
~Holsnicole

New Fav Look~Stacking Bracelets

I know this has been in style for a while, but I just started rocking it..I have found some awesome bracelets over the past couple of months.  Great places to look for them are New York and Co, Topshop, H&M, Charming Charlie, LOFT, ShopBop, Kohls, The Purple Goose (local store-great deals).

I love mixing colors and metals too. It brightens up plain everyday outfits.  You can style with as little as one or up to as many as you want.  I normally stick with 3 or 4.

Here are a few of my older and recent purchases.  Some where great steals and others were investment pieces...These are just a few combinations that I've worn.

White Bow: The Purple Goose

Teal Gold/Silver: Michael Kors-Bloomingdales

Silver Tabs: TopShop

 Teal Wrap: Coach

Teal Gold/Silver: Michael Kors-Bloomingdales

 



Teal Gold/Silver: Michael Kors-Bloomingdales

Orange/Purple: Pure Vita (Store in Laguna Beach)

Black/Silver Bow: Lauren Conrad Collection Kohls

Orange/Gold: The Purple Goose

Orange/Purple: Pure Vita (Store in Laguna Beach)

 

 Gunmetal: Charming Charlie

Black/Silver Bow: Lauren Conrad Collection Kohls

 



Blue/Gold: The Purple Goose

White Bow: The Purple Goose

 

Silver: Bass Store

Red/Teal: H&M

 

 

~HolsNicole

Fall Fav's

Fall is hands down my favorite time of year.  Not only does it start to get cooler...at least here in Wisconsin, but there are a few other things that I love about the season.....
Here is a few of my favorite fall things.....(queue the song)

 

 

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 What are some of your favorite fall things??  Comment below...

~Holsnicole

 

 

 

 

 





...Another Ulta Haul

I know I haven't blogged in a while.  I have been super busy with work and just got back from a short trip to Chicago!  (Chicago Haul to come)...

After a stressful week of work I decided to treat myself to some goodies at Ulta!  (some I needed...some I didn't :) )

As usual I had to pick up my essentials-Simple Brand Cleansing Facial Wipes and Not Your Mother's-She's A Tease Volumizing Hairspray.  I couldn't get through my day without these.

Now onto my splurges....

Essie Brand Nail Polish in Cashmere Bathrobe, which is in their newest fall collection-it's a very pretty purply-gray color with just a little bit of sparkly in it.  Love it!  Such a great color for fall/winter.

Benefit Brand Newest Box Powder in Rockateur-a rosey pink cheek color with a hint of sparkle. Just an all around great box powder.  Benefit needs to keep coming out with these.  Great products, worth the money and the packaging is so cute!

 

 

 

and...onto my favorite purchase of them all...

This is exclusive to Ulta and what a great price!

Tarte High - Performance Naturals Fresh Outlook Set $34 at Ulta ($89 Value)

This set is well worth the money!  All full sizes, which is amazing! I cannot wait to test all these products out.  I have used a few tarte products before and was pretty impressed by them.  If you are interested, I will do a review on this kit.   This is what's included in the kit

Amazonian clay 12-hour blush in achiote

Gifted Amazonian clay smart mascara in black

 

SmolderEYES Amazonian clay waterproof liner in brown

 

Beauty & the box Amazonian clay eyeshadow quad in "in the buff"

 

Overall this was a successful trip to Ulta and can't wait to use all my new quality products!

 

 

~Holsnicole

 

*this is not a sponsored post.

New Favorite Foundation!!!

As fall rolls in, I noticed that the foundation that I used all summer was a little heavy on my face.  After hearing numerous reviews on Youtube regarding this liquid foundation, I thought why not!  I have never used a liquid foundation, so I didn't want to spend too much money. It was a little under $10 at Target.  So, you're wondering what foundation replaced my beloved The Balm-Time Balm Foundation......drum roll please.......

CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation!!!!  (the name says it all)!

Not only does this foundation go on quickly with simple pats of the BeautyBlender , it provides great coverage and even leaves that "flawless" look that I crave.  I'm in the shade 810-classic ivory.
I will continue to use this product until it's empty and hopefully I'll end up re-purchasing it!

~Holsnicole

August Favorites

There are a couple of products that I have been just loving this month.  Figured I should share before the month is over.  I have a few hair, skin and makeup products...so why don't we just dive into it.....

1. Not Your Mother's-Beat The Heat Thermal Shield Spray
         Not only does this product smell wonderful it does wonders for my hair.

2. it's a 10-miracle leave-in Lite
          I received this travel size bottle in last months New Beauty Test Tube.  It has been great! I  spray it into my hair after towel drying and it is a great de-tangler...at least for me. Wish I didn't use it up so fast.

3. Philosophy-Purity one-step facial cleanser
          I don't use it on my face, but rather to clean my Beauty Blender.  I know its kind of a pricy cleanser to use on just a sponge, but I have invested a lot of money into the blender and I want to keep it lasting for a long time. Purity is such a gentle cleanser.

4. Benefit- Watt's Up
          It's a great highlighter.   I use it on the top of my cheek bones and blend it in with my finger.  It leaves a really dewy look, which I love for the summer.  Right now I'm just using a travel size, but looking forward to buying the full size sometime soon!

5. Ulta Brand- Lip Crayon in Coral Kiss
          Cheap option for a lip crayon.  Gives off great long lasting color.  Will be repurchasing this product and also in different colors.

Check these products out you won't be disappointed!

~Holsnicole

Simple Brand Review

I haven't always been the greatest on taking my make-up off at night, washing my face (other than in the shower) or using the best moisturizer.  That all changed once I started using Simple Brand products.

I started out by using their cleansing facial wipes to get rid of my make-up in the evening. At first I was a little skeptical, since the first few wipes were kind of dry in the pack.  The further I got through the pack the more moist the wipes were and the better they took off the make-up and dirt.

One a recent trip to Ulta, I was on the hunt to purchase their protecting light moisturizer.  I am completely in love with it!  Not only does it smell fresh, it feels super light on the skin and my make-up just glides over it.  Helps it's also oil free and has SPF 15!

I also picked up a travel size kit of their moisturizing facial wash, cleansing facial wipes and replenishing rich moisturizer. Which was on sale for a little over $4-what a great deal and also great for my trip to Chicago soon! :)

Ulta was having a sale and also a promotion going on at the time (I think they still do)  If you spent $15, you got a make-up case and samples of more Simple Brand and Own renewing products.

Check out Simple Brand products-you won't regret it!

~Holsnicole