Recent shopping hauls - Part I

I haven't shopped for anything for the house in quite a while. But lately, I've been feeling the "nesting" instinct (no I'm NOT pregnant) so I bought a few things over the past couple of weeks. I got some really great bargains. Come see!

First up, finds from Tuesday Morning. . .

Large serving tray, cracker tray and four salad/dessert plates. They look like and feel like Melamine but they're actually "EarthAware" bamboo.

Ceramic "ornament" cheese ball plate and some holiday spreaders. The plate even has a little metal hook at the top.

Wrought iron cook book stand. It fold up when not in use.
Here it is holding one of my favorite cookbooks.
This is why it's one of my favorites...I'm in it!

Cute cocktail napkins for whatever. I couldn't resist some of the cute sayings. The chandelier one says, "Just hanging around." The chair one says, "Nice legs." The one with the lady on it says, "I don't want a champagne flute. I want a champagne tuba." The bright pink one with the martini glass on it says, "Olive to party!" I got the longer "B" napkins to use as guest towels in our main bath.

I forgot to photograph these Xmas napkins with the others.

Back of the Xmas napkins: It was the cute golden pear that won me over.

Vintage-inspired dish towels. They're huge and are the kind that actually soak up water. Love em!

I'm not usually one for using farm animals in my kitchen decor, but these were beige and nubby like real linen and they looked a little French or something. I don't know, I just like them.

Next up, finds from Goodwill Thrift Store. . .

Cute paper plates and napkins for Cameron (they were clearance items from Target). Cuz sometimes I don't feel like doing dishes at snack time.

Two paperback mysteries. The title of the second one is cute, don't you think?

A pack of 3 beautiful nail files.

Cute basket to hold all my napkins.

And finally, a find from Home Goods. . .

The perfect little ceramic butter crock. We've been using a clear glass crock for years and I just got tired of looking at the ugly smushed butter all over the glass. With this one, you can't tell what it looks like inside until you open it, so I can keep it out on the counter instead of it hiding shamefully in a cupboard.

If you made it this far looking at all my stuff then I thank you for sharing in my joy of feathering my nest. I have more great finds to share but I didn't think you could handle it all at once so I'm saving my home decor items for Part II.

"Gothic Noire" EOTD

Today’s look is rich, warm and reminds of the deepest colors of the changing fall leaves. I hope you like it.

• Lofty L’Oreal HiP cream shadow paint – from lashes to brows as a base
  
• Burnt Roses (Gothic Lolilta) – outer ½ of lid and outer v
  
• Amarante (Bete Noire) – inner ½ of lid
  
• May Lily (Spring Solstice) - from crease to brows as highlight
  
• Oyster (Pure Eyes Matte) – to blend out and soften inner corner
  
• Tanzanite indelible liner – under bottom lashes

*All makeup used in this look is Aromaleigh except the shadow base.

Burnt Roses (Gothic Lolita): Rich chocolaty cherry frost with tiny deep green sparks. Just plain luscious.

Amarante (Bete Noire): A rich, verdant warm green with olive smokiness and vivid blue shimmer.

Lady Liberty EOTD

Today, I wore one of my favorite Aromaleigh eye shadow colors. . .Lady Liberty.

Here's what I used to achieve this look:

• Nude Frost/Tip Taupe creme eye shadow mixed together - lid/crease
• Nude Frost - from crease to brows
• Lady Liberty - lid
• Chocolate Heart - crease and outer corner
• Seed Pearl - brow and inner corner highlight
• Tidal Wave indelible liner - top and bottom lash lines
  
  *All makeup is Aromaleigh.
  
  

Lady Liberty: Lustrous smokey blue green frost, theshade of weathered copper... like the lady herself!

Chocolate Heart: Luscious cool toned brown,pearlescent.

Seed Pearl: A most delicate neutral satin taupewith soft pastel sparkles.

Thanks for checking out my EOTD!

Wordless Wednesday

The kids and I got the tree up early this year!

FOTD: Underworld Pillow Talk

This is one of those instances in which Aromaleigh's beautifully complex eye shadows are difficult to photograph. However, the result was so surprisingly lovely in person, I couldn't help but share it with you in the hopes that you might try it out for yourself.

Something made me reach for Underworld today (I'm sorry I've neglected you for so long). I think I read a review wherein someone stated that it read more brown than indigo. Anyway, it must have stuck in my brain because I reached right for it today.

I knew I didn't want it all over my lid so I just applied it to the outer 1/2 and just slightly up into the crease. I wasn't sure what to pair it with and then one of my V-day LE collection colors called out to me. Pillow Talk said, "Pick me pick me!" So I did.

Here is the result. . .

Like I said, it's hard to photograph so there's lots of pics here.

And here's what I used:

Bare Necessity - from lashes to brows
Underworld - outer 1/2 of lid and under lashes
Pillow Talk - inner 1/2 of lid
Persian Kitten - to blend out crease
Oyster - as brow bone highlight
2yl/2w foundation - all over
Ultra Resolution Finishing Powder in Clear - all over
Kindle - cheeks
Sweet Tart - lips

• Underworld: "Deep purplish indigo with specks of blue and deep burgundy. Complex and moody"

• Pillow Talk: "Pale buff pink with violet sparkles. Fans of our holiday big seller "Champagne Toast" will love this!"

*All makeup is by Aromaleigh.

Bloggers Ornament Exchange 2009

I've never done an internet ornament exchange before but I think it might be fun. I love Christmas ornaments and having one with a story behind it is even better. If you'd like to participate in the exchange, click on the stamp above and you'll be sent to the "Pampering You" blog for further details.

NOTD: OPI Black Cherry Chutney/Wet n Wild Glitz

I did this experimental NOTD a few weeks ago. It turned out so well that I decided to share it with you here. I did it on my daughter's toes first and she told me all her friends at school loved it and wanted me to do their toes as well. I don't know if "rock star" acrylic toes (various glitters mixed with acrylic and applied over toenails) are popular where you live, but they are here in California. This look makes a really good dupe for a rock star pedicure at a fraction of the price.

Step by Step:

• 1 coat OPI Black Cherry Chutney
• 1 coat Glitz Wet n Wild Craze glitter polish
• 1 coat Jordana quick shine 60 second topcoat (love!!!)

This polish is seriously packed with glitter. This is just one coat.

One coat OPI Black Cherry Chutney (outdoors)


One coat Black Cherry Chutney with one coat Glitz (no clear coat yet)
Outdoors - closeup

Indoors w/ flash and clear coat