Fall Garden

It must finally feel like fall because my hands and lips are chapped like crazy.  Well, as much as it can feel like fall in Florida, I guess.  The lack of seasons down here is a little frustrating, but the silver lining is that you can have a colorful garden year round!  I'm so not a serious gardener, and the best way to describe my yard is "whimsical," but I still took some pretty pictures this morning I would like to share!      

That's lavender under the window, to the left.  When the wind blows, Huckle can smell it!

Embracing the Cat Lady in Me

It was National Cat Day a few days ago, or at least that's what the Internet told me.  I just wanted to share some photos of my cat lady house since I haven't really shared a lot of "house tour" photos in the past.  There's some cat themed treasure everywhere you look around here.  I also included some vintage photos of Mina, Holly, and Huckle.  Enjoy! 

    

"Love one another."  Awww.

NOTD: Julep 'Daria' and SOPI 'Traffic Stopper Copper'

Hello, Internet.  I'm back!  I didn't plan on taking a month long hiatus, but I've seriously had the month from HELL.  Like, it was really bad.  I can't even begin to explain how I've been feeling lately, but the short version is that I was starting to feel like I was losing control over my life.  I'm still not even sure where all of my anxiety was coming from, but I know it started with my work and then just kind of overflowed into everything else.  I even had a vacation and saw DEPECHE MODE but remained so stressed that it kind of just came and went.  (They sounded awesome though.)  I got some good news this week, and I'm finally starting to feel like myself again.  Things will definitely remain crazy going into the holiday season, but I think I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get through it.  Woo hoo!

Anyways, on a lighter note, I really like this combo of grey and copper I've been wearing this week.  Julep's Daria is from the September Cityscape collection.  My last grey crème dried up on me because I left it in my car and the bottle swelled or something weird like that, so I'm glad to have another one.  I forgot how neat grey looks under a pretty topcoat!  I got Traffic Stopper Copper in my Sephora by OPI clearance haul.  Enjoy!       

Julep Daria with SOPI Traffic Stopper Copper top coat.

Can you see how gorg it was outside this morning?

See you next time!

BaubleBar August Mystery Makeover!

One thing I can't ever have enough of is jewelry!  Jewelry has acted kind of like a security blanket for me for years, even before I was comfortable trying new lipstick colors or wearing different styles of clothing.  I doubt I'll ever leave the house without earrings, usually large dangly ones, unless I'm going to the emergency room or something like that.  Matching up coordinating jewelry to all of my clothes is an arduous task when I am packing for a vacation or just going out of town for a couple of nights, which is why I really liked this month's Baublebar Mystery Makeover! 

My August BaubleBar Mystery Makeover.

August Ipsy 'Glamour Academy'

Hi there!  I received my Ipsy bag last week, on time!  August's bag's theme was "Glamour Academy." Overall I like what I received, even though it is necessary to point out that a Nailtini polish was offered again, and for the second month in a row I did not get one!  WTF.  Anyways, I think Ipsy did a nice job of giving us a bag that will transition us from Summer to Fall!

August Ipsy Glam Bag, "Glamour Academy."

July Starlooks Starbox

Hey there!  I'm super late at posting my July Starlooks review, but I already took fancy pictures, so here it is!  I think most of these products are self-explanatory, and my overall impression is that it completely smoked June's box.  Seriously, I'm so glad I gave Starlooks another chance; and did you see my SWEET birthday gift I posted last month?  Anyways, let's take a look at July's contents!  (Before I continue though, I do want to give June's box a little more credit, because I have been using the white eye pencil and black precision eyeliner like, every day!)  Okay, moving on...

(I'm hoarding all these boxes for Christmas gifts!)

OOTD: ASOS Curve Review

Happy Sunday night!  I hope everyone had a relaxing weekend!  We had a tax-free holiday here in Florida, so I was at work.  It's amazing how many people were at the mall Friday and Saturday just to save another six percent!  Anyways, speaking of saving money, I ordered a few clearance items from ASOS Curve last month.  And, even better, ASOS has free international shipping both ways.  This skirt was only $11.88!

ASOS Curve Pencil Skirt, available here.

NOTD: Julep 'Julia'

Hey guys!  Today I am showing you Julep Julia.  I think the pictures speak for themselves; even with my sloppy application, this polish is stunning!  I passed on this during the Julep Maven window in December, but I was able to pick this up for two dollars during the warehouse sale last month.  And I got FREE SHIPPING!   

Julep Julia.

A Birthday Gift From Starlooks!

I was thinking the other day about why subscription boxes are so much fun, and I decided it's because I like getting gifts from myself every month.  I mean, I work hard.  I deserve to get pampered with gifts to me from me.  I'm already a mother to three cats, and I have to supervise like seventeen people at work, and it is all very stressful (hee hee).  Who else is looking out for me?  Starlooks!  They sent me a free birthday surprise!  (By the way, today is my birthday!) 

Surprise!

BaubleBar July Monthly Makeover!

Hi there!  I got FOUR packages in the mail the other day.  FOUR!  Best mail day ever!  I don't have time to share everything right now, but I do want to share my thoughts on the BaubleBar Monthly Makeover box!  Um, I took a lot of pictures of this one. 

I love pretty packaging!

July Ipsy 'Beach Beauty'

Hello, Internet!  My Ipsy Glam Bag arrived earlier than both of my coworkers' this month.  Say whaaaat?  The theme for July is "Beach Beauty."  Let's have a look! 

July "Beach Beauty" Ipsy Glam Bag.

Julep 'California Coast' Collection

We're already only two days away from the opening of the Julep Maven window for August!  I have no idea what to expect from next month's collection, but I really hope I don't love it so I can save my money!  I received my box for July a couple of weeks ago.  I honestly wanted to upgrade to the entire collection because all of July's colors were appealing to me.  I changed my selections about a million times before I decided to try the Modern Beauty box with two add ons, Blakely and Tracy! 

Julep "California Coast" Collection.  Aren't they all lovely?

OOTD: Clearance!

I can't believe that July is already half way over!  Fall is around the corner and you know what that means... summer clearance!  I got this dress at JCPenney for $2.11 after all my discounts.  That's like the price of two tacos.  Yay!

Dress: Fynn and Rose at JCPenney.

NOTD: SinfulShine by SinfulColors 'Come Hither'

Hi there!  Today I am showing you Come Hither, from my Influenster Sunkissed VoxBox.  Come Hither is a bright pink crème from SinfulColors' new line, SinfulShine.  SinfulShine With Gel Tech includes 32 shades that are sold exclusively at Walgreens for a limited time only.  These retail for $2.99, about a dollar more than SinfulColors, but I imagine these will go on sale often as the SinfulColors are on BOGO all the time!  Come Hither was absolutely free for me because it was provided by Influenster for me to try. 

SinfulShine by SinfulColors in Come Hither.

Just for Fun!

*Sigh.*  I have about ten minutes before I have to start getting ready for work AGAIN.  I'm so tired of work!  (I'm not always like this, but we've had inventory, two holidays, and now two corporate visits to prepare for over the last month.  Aargh.)  I spent some time in the backyard this morning with my kitty, Mina.  So here's a break from nail polish and subscription boxes.  Take a deep breath, and enjoy!  And do something fun today if you are not working like me.  Grrr. 

Mean Bean.

June Starlooks Starbox

Things have been extremely busy at work, but somehow I found time to join another monthly subscription!  Starlooks Starbox features 3-4 full sized pro-level makeup products each month, plus some "fun" extras.  The monthly fee is $15 plus tax (around $17 total).  I've been following reviews of this box for a few months and decided to join in May, but I missed the sign up date, so June was my first box.  I definitely have mixed feelings about this one! 

I love pretty packaging!

NOTD: Julep 'Alice'

Happy July 5th!  Here's yet another May Julep polish, Alice.  This formula was flawless.  One of my favorites from this collection! 



Julep, Alice.

NOTD: Julep 'Gabrielle' and 'Paris'

Hello again!  I don't have much to say about Gabrielle and Paris from Julep's May collection.  I think the swatches speak for themselves!

 

Julep Paris over Gabrielle.

NOTD: OPI 'Solitaire'

Hi there!  Here is another swatch from the OPI Bond Girls collection that came out this past spring.  Solitaire is named after the character in the James Bond film Live and Let Die.  I wish I could tell you a little more about this Bond Girl.  My dad used to watch these James Bond marathons all the time on TBS when I was a kid, but I never paid attention to them!     



OPI Liquid Sand in Solitaire.

Random Life in Photos

 Taking a break from NOTDs...  



Serious Huckle.

NOTD: SOPI 'Mermaid to Order'

Sephora by OPI's Mermaid to Order is one of my all-time favorite nail polishes!  I've had this since it came out a few years ago and I always come back to it.  Sephora's boring description of "opaque metallic turquoise green" doesn't really do it justice.  This turquoise GLOWS in the sun, but I think it looks good all year long!  I also love the name because mermaid themed stuff rocks!

Sephora by OPI Mermaid to Order.

NOTD: SOPI 'I Only Shop Vintage'

Okay, so here's the deal.  I have about a million nail polish swatches just chillin' in my Picasa folders, and I do want to share what I've swatched, but I also don't want to take forever to get these posted!  In other words, brace yourselves for a bunch of NOTDs because I'm going to try and quickly knock out several of these over the next couple of days!

Today I have I Only Shop Vintage from my Sephora by OPI haul that I posted here. 

SOPI I Only Shop Vintage.

The Influenster Sunkissed VoxBox is Here!

Hey guys!  I hope you are having a good first weekend of this summer!  The Sunkissed VoxBox from Influenster was in my mailbox when I got home from the flea market today.  Talk about perfect timing!  Unfortunately, it has been cloudy all day so I have no pretty "sunkissed" photos of the box.  Anyways, here are some indoor with flash photos and some first impressions of the Influenster Sunkissed VoxBox!   

I couldn't get a decent pic of the entire box, so here is the postcard!

June Ipsy Review... In Bed!

I am writing this month's Ipsy review from my bed because I didn't want to get out of it today.  Except to check the mail.  And my Ipsy bag was in my mailbox!  So I got back in bed and opened everything.  Check it out! 

June Ipsy Glam Bag, "On the Wild Side."

R.I.P. Sephora by OPI

Have you heard that Sephora is discontinuing their Sephora by OPI brand?  I heard last week that the entire brand would be 50% off, so I totally didn't splurge on any other fun stuff so I would have enough to pay tribute to one of my favorite brands one last time!  I won't tell you how many bottles I bought, but here is a picture of my haul! 



Sephora by OPI 2008-2013.

OOTD: Def Leopard

Hey guys!  I got this leopard print skirt online from Torrid for about eleven bucks a couple of years ago.  I wear it on my "lazy" days when I don't want to shave my legs, ha ha."  That might be TMI, but y'all know what I'm talking about!  Anyways, I really like this skirt.  It's comfy! 

Top: Worthington at JCP.
Maxi Skirt: Torrid.
Shoes: Super Molded flats by Crocs.

May Ipsy Glam Bag!

Hello, world!  The last time you heard from me, I was probably bitching about how my May Ipsy bag got lost in the mail and how I had lost all faith in the USPS.  I am happy to report that Ipsy very kindly sent me a replacement bag and it came last weekend!  So I just want to say that Ipsy absolutely has awesome customer service.  Don't believe the mean comments that people leave on their Facebook because they rock!  There were a couple of disappointments in this bag, but the good definitely outweighs the bad.  Let's have a look!

May Ipsy Glam Bag.

NOTD: Julep 'Maya'

I know I'm a weirdo because I absolutely love frost finishes!  I mean, I understand why most bloggers hate on frosts, because they do look dated and "old lady," but I think that's what makes them appealing to me.  Maya is described as a "seashell pink frost", and she does look like the inside of a seashell!


Julep Maya, no flash.

NOTD: Julep 'Etta'

Hey guys!  Today I am showing you Julep Etta from the May Set the Stage collection.  Etta is an "art deco peridot metallic."  I think she is supposed to be named after Etta James, but a quick Google search tells me that Etta James wasn't even alive in the 20s, which was the theme for this collection.  Tsk tsk tsk, Julep!  Another Google search says that there was a comic strip that debuted in 1925 called Etta Kett, so we'll just assume this polish is named after that character!  Anyways, who cares about the name; Etta is gorgeous!     



Julep Etta.

NOTD: OPI 'Pussy Galore'

Is anyone getting tired of the textured polish trend yet?  I have to admit that I'm kind of over it, but I couldn't resist picking up four of the new Bond Girls Liquid Sand polishes from OPI, especially Pussy Galore.  I love me some double entendres!  And I have the sense of humor of a thirteen year old boy.

OPI Pussy Galore.

OOTD: Pussy Bow

Pussy bow: n.  A floppy bow that ties around the neckline on a woman's blouse.  Do you own anything with a pussy bow?  I think this top makes me look like a pirate.  A pirate with a pussy bow. 

Pussy bow.

NOTD: OPI 'Pink Yet Lavender' and Sation 'Of Corset I'll Call You'

Goooood morning!  I wore OPI's Pink Yet Lavender over Sation's Of Corset I'll Call You a few weeks ago.  I've been awake since 5:45AM, so I figured I should catch up on some NOTD photos I have in my queue!  Pink Yet Lavender is packed with holographic glitter and large pink hex glitter.  Not lavender glitter.  I don't get the name, but the polish is super sparkly!

 

OPI Pink Yet Lavender over Sation Of Corset I'll Call You.

OOTD: Skater Dress

Remember babydoll dresses in the 90s?  I read somewhere that the skater dress sillouette is supposed to be like the NEW babydoll dress, I guess because they are both universally flattering and hit mid-thigh?  Skater dresses cinch at the natural waist, although I have seen some styles that have a drop waist, too.  You could probably go all kinderwhore on this dress if you wore some combat boots and messy makeup, but I just wore mine with Crocs!   

Dress: Joe Fresh.
Shoes: Super Molded Flats by Crocs.

Random Life in Photos

Happy Friday!    Here's some random moments from my life over the last few weeks.  Enjoy!

A coworker gave me this awesome vintage cat card!

NOTD: Julep 'Millie'

Julep Millie.

Julep Millie is described as a "vintage indigo creme."  I got Millie in the May upgrade box, which I reviewed here.  I'm glad to have this in my collection.  This is a great blue that doesn't lean purple at all and can be worn throughout the year.  Millie is a one coater, and it kind of smells like apples during application.  I don't know why though.  It just does.    

See you next time!

Julep 'Set the Stage' Collection!

Hello again.  I'm sorry I've been away for a couple of weeks, but I think I'm finally ready to share my thoughts on the May Julep Set the Stage collection! 

Julep Set the Stage Collection.

OOTD: Tropical Punch

It took me a whole three weeks to come up with a punny title for this Outfit of the Day, which is about how long it's been since we've had normal, hot weather that you would expect for Florida in late spring.  Seriously, what the hell is going on?  It was COLD and windy outside last night.  It is May 7th and I am without a tan.  GEEZ.  Anyways, tropical prints are usually popular around summertime, so here is my take on the trend!



Top: a.n.a. at JCP.
Skirt: Worthington at JCP.
Shoes (not pictured here): Crocs Super Molded Flats.

NOTD: Julep 'Zelda'

Happy Tuesday, everybody!  Remember, like four days ago when I was bitching because my Julep upgrade shipped late?  Well I actually received it that afternoon!  I want to do a more thorough review of the box later (which was awesome, by the way), but in the meantime, here is a swatch of one of the colors, Zelda!

 

Julep Zelda.

Window Shopping: 1920's Edition

So, I'm still (im)patiently waiting for my May Julep Maven Box; you know, the one inspired by the Roaring Twenties?  Along with the release of The Great Gatsby this month, it looks like everyone has the Jazz Age on the brain!  After putting on a chocolate mud mask and doing a very poorly received (by my cats) Al Jolson impression, I decided instead to look for inspiration from some of my favorite plus sized apparel websites.  Enjoy!
       

Everything here is from Simply Be, except for the dress on the top right, from ModCloth!

May Ipsy Sneak Peeks!

Hey guys!  It's that time of the month again.... for Ipsy sneak peeks!  (I'm here all night folks.)  May is looking like it's going to be a great month for Ipsy; the first sneak peek is a FULL SIZE Zoya nail polish!  By the way, don't you just love the flowers in the sneak peek photos?  I think they are so sweet.


Nail polish!!!

Textured Polishes Swatch-O-Rama!

Hey guys!  A friend of mine asked me to swatch Julep Jill from the latest mystery box.  I have that swatch for you today, along with some other swatches of the Mariah Carey for OPI Liquid Sand collection that I have been meaning to post.  Enjoy!



Julep Jill.

We Be Jammin'

Happy Saturday!  Do you have plans this weekend?  How about picking some fruit and making yummy jam?  Here in Florida, we have a ton of u-pick farms throughout the state, and you can do a search on pickyourown.org to see if there is a farm in your area!  I went to a farm in Floral City last weekend and would like to share some of my photos with you.  Enjoy!


Blueberries.

Julep Sea Salt Mystery Box!

Hi guys! I'm still trying to catch up on all the exciting goodies that arrived in my mailbox over the last couple of weeks.  Here is the latest Julep Mystery Box, featuring Julep's new Sea Salt Finish polishes.  This is the second Mystery Box with the increased price of $24.99, and also the second box where Julep did not give us a minimum polish count.   I only got four polishes, just like my Spring Mystery Box.  I received Jill, Parker, Leah, and Natalie. I also got another nail file, toe separators, and Pink Grapefruit Body Frosting.

 

Julep Sea Salt Mystery Box.  Why don't my toe separators match?

April Ipsy Glam Bag: Pretty in Pink

Hey everyone! I feel a little silly posting my review of April's Ipsy bag this late in the month, but I took the photos, so I thought, why not?   In my defense, Ipsy has changed their shipping, and I now receive my bag at least a week and half after the bags are shipped.   The good news is that this is the best bag since January!  Yay! 

 

April Ipsy Glam Bag.

Free 'Cosmopolitan' Subscription

Surprise!  I'm back!  Thanks to everybody that has stuck with me through my two-and-a-half week hiatus.  I wish I could tell you I was doing something really cool, but I was just at work every day, all day.  And it SUCKED.  Anyways, to reward you for sticking around, I am posting a link for seven free issues of Cosmo!

It's Miley, bitches.  She can't be tamed!  Hide your children!

I've Been Nominated for a Liebster Award!

Hey guys!  As you know, I am fairly new to the blogosphere, and I learn new things everyday creating Three Cats and a Lady.  Drunken Beauty has nominated little 'ole me for a Liebster Award, which is given to blogs with less than 200 followers and helps us expand our readership and our presence in the blogosphere!  Take a moment to check out her blog; this gal has seen Duran Duran 25 times, loves booze, and has a some badass nail polish!  So in my mind, we should be besties.  Ha ha.

NOTD: Illamasqua 'Collide' and Hard Candy 'Black Tie Optional'

Happy Sunday!  I'm super pumped to show you today's Nail of the Day featuring Illamasqua Collide and Hard Candy Black Tie Optional!  I took these photos immediately after I got out of the shower this morning, so I apologize for my puffier than usual fingers! (Well, not immediately after the shower. I mean, I put on fresh softies before going outside.)

 

Illamasqua Collide and Hard Candy Black Tie Optional.

Free Stuff is Fun, Part 2!

Hi there!  I came home on Thursday and had a surprise from Proctor and Gamble in my mailbox!  Well, not a surprise really, because I obviously signed up to receive this at some point, but I totally forgot about it! 


Samplez.

NOTD: Julep 'Ashley'

Hey guys!  I picked up some extra hours at work this week, so I've been crazy busy!  Anyways, here is Julep Ashley!



Julep Ashley.