October 2013 Goals

Oh hey, it's an R2D2 mail droppy thing near my house!

These were my goals for September:
Let my eyebrows grow in so they can be reshaped.
I let them grow out until the 29th and then reshaped them!
Have at least one video done and uploaded onto my YouTube channel.
This didn't happen. Unfortunately my skin broke out like mad in September and I actually didn't wear makeup at all throughout the entire month. With that being said, I really didn't want my first video to be shot with no makeup and on top of that have my skin looking and feeling the worst it ever has.
Figure out how to use my new camera.
I think that I'm satisfied enough to cross this off. I've got most of the basics down.
Do my nails at least once.
Not gonna lie, I literally just got done painting my nails.
Buy a YSL lipstick.
It's on its way through the post right now!
Make funfetti brownies.
This I totally did, but had to throw away a big part of the middle. I'm tweaking the recipe and will be remaking it (and posting about my experiences) soon.
Make an appointment to get contacts.
At my followup appointment for the medication (see below), I asked my doctor to refer me. That's all I really could do because medical out here is ridiculous and you have to go through your primary care physician if you want to see any other type of doctor.
Start taking my medication that I was prescribed in early August.
Yep. Had the followup and everything. It's making me too drowsy to function like a human person though, so we'll see how that goes...
Finish Stone Angel by Carol O'Connell.
I finished this book super early on in the month. It took me two sit-downs to read and was probably my favorite so far in the series.

I think 8 out of 9 is awesome and I'm super proud of myself! I'm really liking this "goal making" thing, so here goes what I want to accomplish in October:

• For real start my YouTube channel.

I finally decided on what I want to film for my first video and I'm actually hoping to do it tomorrow, but I'm putting this up here because sometimes I'm bad at doing things.

• Paint my nails again.

I think I'm going to try to make this at least a monthly thing, if not weekly.

• Make a better batch of funfetti brownies.

I'm hellbent on getting the proportions right! I bought a different mix of brownies that has a closer baking time to the cake, so I'm hoping it turns out better this time.

• Put up listings for at least some of my ill-fitting clothing and shoes on my storenvy.

I have a whole closet full of clothing that no longer fits me (some things I've never even worn) and I just need to get rid of all of my excess belongings.

• Prepare for NaNoWriMo.

I was super unprepared last year and and only got about halfway done with my word count. I'd like to beat last year's word count this time around if I can. I'm bummed that I left my references in the states though. Womp womp.

• Wear fake lashes at least once.

I've not mastered the application technique, so this one will definitely be a doozy!

That's all I have for the upcoming month. Hopefully I'll be spending a whole lot of time taking/editing pictures for the blog, writing posts, and filming/editing videos in October!

What are you goals for next month?

xox

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Swatchfest: Sigma Creme De Couture Palette

The Creme De Couture palette from Sigma was one of my "I need to have it" palettes from when it was first announced. I signed up for the pre-order and everything back in August, but didn't end up ordering it until the restock because it sadly wasn't in my budget until then. Either way, it's here now and I'm super excited about it (when am I not?!) and can't wait to show you the shadows. This collection also has three super gorgeous blushes (Cherry Apple, Blackberry Essence, Strawberry Ambrosia) as well as the Creme De Couture palette and you can actually buy the whole collection at a discounted price. Hooray!









Can I just say... Holy gorgeous packaging, Batman! Is this not the cutest makeup packaging you've ever seen? Don't lie, it totally is.

I've been super impressed with a lot of different brands' packaging lately, so "four for you makeup packing designers; you go makeup packaging designers!" (Sorry not sorry about the references I make. It's late when I'm writing this and I do what I want!)



The Creme De Couture palette comes with 16 candy-colored matte eyeshadows inspired by Macarons (yum!). It's 24 grams of product and retails at $32.00. The shadows come in a square box made of pretty sturdy cardboard and it comes without a mirror. I don't really think that that's a negative seeing as I normally don't use mirrors that come inside of palettes. If I wanted to travel with this palette though, I might change my mind. I think it's really personal preference, though I do think with cardboard packaging a mirror may not bode well if moved/knocked around too much. The names of the shadows are clearly listed below each pan which is definitely a plus for me, and a little card (seen in a picture above) with the colors and names (as well as "flavors") comes along with the palette as well. It's not a necessity, but I think it's super cute and like to keep it inside of the box.

Redberry Rose (vibrant hot pink), Apricot Flower (peach), Passion Fruit (light terra cotta), Cherry Blossom (subtle pink)

Redberry Rose, Apricot Flower, Passion Fruit, Cherry Blossom

Meyer Lemon (golden yellow), Ginger Pumpkin (earthy orange), Cafe au Lait (warm mocha), Blueberry Cream (bright blue)

Meyer Lemon, Ginger Pumpkin, Cafe au Lait, Blueberry Cream

Violet Whip (lilac highlight), Lavender Honey (light purple), Cassis (royal violet), Elderberry (deep plum)

Violet Whip, Lavender Honey, Cassis, Elderberry

Blue Chocolat (light aqua), Almond Pear (mint celadon), Creme de Menthe (sea green), Citron Pistachio (bright lime)

Blue Chocolat, Almond Pear, Creme de Menthe, Citron Pistachio

As always, every shadow was swatched over bare skin without a primer or base with my finger. I think that all of these shadows are A+ and will look so good over a white base. I am in love with this palette and have a few looks in mind already!

What do you all think of the Creme De Couture palette? Did you buy one/plan on getting one?

Also, how do you like the setup of this post? Do you like the breakdown of the palette colors and larger swatches? I think I'm finally getting the hang of my new camera!

xox

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Wishlist Vol. 10: Home Decor

Cat Head Style Pillow | Vintage Doll Wall Art Jewelry Display | Parasol Jellyfish Air Plant | I Love You Dearly Painting Wood Slice | Faux Moose The Alfredo White with Gold | Handmade Ceramic Tooth Planter | Zombie Lips Framed Wall Sculpture | Customizable Connecticut State Pillow | Framed Luna Moth

I really love creepy/cute things, as well as creepy things and cute things... if you couldn't tell. Haha. My husband and I are still trying to put our personal touch into our home, but unfortunately, our personal touches couldn't be farther from each other. Either way, here are my favorite home decorations. Hopefully I'll be able to buy a few (definitely not the doll wall art though because I think my husband would have a heart attack) before we have to move again in 2016.

xox

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Life Update!

Kitty beans and hairy toes!

Hooray! Life updates!

I'm still around, lovelies! I promise. I'm still in the "If I don't touch my camera, I can't break it" mindset because it takes a little bit for me to adjust to spending so much money in one place. I've also broken out worse than I've ever broken out before during this whole month. (Thanks, birth control!) My face is finally clearing up thanks to some miracle products (that I guess I'll have to blog about!!) and I'm excited to be able to put makeup on my face again! Haha. I'll be sure to have some blog posts up soon.

Thank you guys for stayin' with me during my weird face-time and camera fear! I love you all!

I'm still using Twitter (like a fox) and my Facebook page to communicate, so remember to check those out.

xox

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Kitsch's Caboodles Vol. 6

This is Chester See. He is adorable and super talented and did a pretty great cover of Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball. I think it helps that I totally love the song, but he has an incredible voice and everyone should check him out!

A Beautiful Mess has a recipe for Homer Simpson Donuts! If you know me at all, you'll know that I love donuts and these are my favorite to look at... though when I'm eating these types of donuts, I'm a chocolate frosting gal. Fun fact.

The Laughing Medusa made a list of the Four Tattoo Books Worth Reading. These are tattoo books with content on top of having artwork, instead of just flash art books. I've yet to read any of them, but they all sound really good to me!

The Tiniest Firecracker did an Edit the Editorial where she took an editorial and did it her way. Such a great idea and I love her take on it!

Kitty Cat Stevens posted about her Skirt Makeover with Natural Dye & Fabric Paint that I am completely jealous of! She took a cute skirt and made it even cuter.

During Lil BUB's #askBUB session, Magenta asked BUB a question: "aqqqqqqwcfffffffff54444" (Magenta asking if Lil BUB & Friendz will be available on DVD sometime) #askBUB

And BUB responded! She thinks Magenta is a qtpie. Hooray! (The first part of the tweet was actually Magenta walking on my keyboard. Haha.)

Jezebel's Lindy West wrote an amazing article called Thin Women: I've Got Your Back, Could You Get Mine? If you read anything this week, make it this post. Lindy really got it right.

Neon Rattail showed us the Seven Best Bedrooms from TV & Movies and I think she really hit the nail on the head! It would be awesome to have any of those bedrooms.

Phyrra put together a list of her Favorite Cruelty Free Beauty Products. If you want a long, in depth list of the best cruelty free products as well as a bunch of different brands, this is the one to check out.

Miss Moody Blue pretty much read my mind when it came to NY Fashion Week Obsessions. So many awesome things!

And I leave you with this video. It is life changing. You're welcome.


xox

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OOTD: Neon Colors & Studded Wedge Boots Edition

Top: Domino Dollhouse (1X – $49.99)
Skirt: Domino Dollhouse (1X – $18.99)
Belt: Fab (M/L – $12.00)
Boots: Just Fab (9 – $49.95)
Necklace: im your present (OS – $12.00)

This is my all time favorite OOTD from last year. Luckily, I still have the outfit(!!) though I gifted the shoes to my friend before moving (they ran a little small) and the skirt no longer fits me (I'm pretty sure the belt will also be way too tight now). Wompwomp. I'm glad I have these pictures though cos I adore this outfit.

So far, I've finished three(ish?) things from my September Goals list. I haven't touched my eyebrows (you guys won't believe how bushy they are already, I might need to take a photo or suck it up and do a FOTD), finished Stone Angel, started taking my newest medication, and made funfetti brownies (blog post to follow sometime this week). Tomorrow I'm hoping to make an appointment to see my physician, which in turn will get me my optometrist appointment (hooray for the medical system here!). I need to keep playing with my new camera and will find out tomorrow if I still have enough money this month to get Urban Decay's Vice 2 palette along with the YSL lipstick I want. Even if I can't afford the lipstick (Vice 2 is limited edition, so that's higher up on my shopping list now), I did choose what color I wanted and that's more or less what I was afraid I couldn't get done because I'm the absolute worst at making decisions. Hooray!



Sorry not sorry the top is see-through!

xox

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First Impression & Swatchfest: Sleek's Candy Collection

I can't tell you how happy I was when I learned that Sleek will ship to the US (and APO/FPO boxes)! I've been wanting to try out a bunch of their products for a while and I thought I would start with the limited edition, adorable Candy Collection eyeshadow and blush palettes. (Look at those boxes! Love it!)

Just as a note, I still haven't quite figured out the best way to take these kinds of pictures so I'm apologizing in advance! I know that the eyeshadow swatches aren't ideal, but they're the best I could get so far. I'm going to keep trying different lighting and settings to find the greatest way to do this. All of the pictures were taken in natural lighting. If you have any tips/tricks or even background preferences or anything, let me know in the comments!



First, this is the Sleek MakeUP i-Divine Candy Eyeshadow Palette. There are 12 different colors (1.1g each) for $9.99. The palette is made of plastic and comes with a mirror opposite the eyeshadows as well as the always helpful (rolls eyes) sponge tipped applicator. I don't mind the packaging. It's a little difficult for me to open, but it closes securely and is a nice size and weight. I really wish that Sleek had printed the color names somewhere on the actual palette because that's usually what I prefer and the insert looks like it was printed on twice and not very well.



Colors from left to right on the top row: Strawberry Sherbet (bright pink matte), Bon Bon (mauve shimmer), Palma Violet (deep violet matte), Apple Sour (blueish green shimmer), Pear Drop (yellow-green matte), and Flump(?) (purple matte). From left to right on the bottom row: Liqourice (black matte), Blue Fizzle (navy shimmer), Aniseed (orange copper shimmer), Bubble Gum (bright blue matte), Mint Cream (green matte), Cream Soda (cream matte).

Strawberry Sherbet, Bon Bon, Liqourice, Blue Fizzle

Palma Violet, Apple Sour, Aniseed, Bubble Gum

Pear Drop, Flump, Mint Cream, Cream Soda

All of these were swatched over bear skin with my finger. I like doing first impression swatches this way to see the products at their worst. I have a feeling that even though some of these shades (I'm for sure lookin' at you Strawberry Sherbet) don't look that great in the swatches, they will look 100x better over a white base.



I'm very impressed with this palette seeing as it was less than $10. There are some really nice colors that I can see myself wearing a lot and I'm excited to put this palette to use.



This is the Sleek MakeUP Blush By 3 Sweet Cheeks Candy palette. There are three different blushes (17g of product) for $12.49. The packaging is very similar to the eyeshadow palette. It's made out of the same material with a large mirror opposite the blushes and it makes the same satisfying "click" when being closed. The name of each blush is printed on the back of this palette though, so hooray for that!



The colors from left to right are Candy Floss (cream), Dolly Mix (matte), and Cupcake (shimmer).

Cupcake, Dolly Mix, Candy Floss

I am obsessed with these! The pigmentation is awesome and the texture is amazing. So far, I definitely think that this palette is well worth the money.

I will no doubt be ordering more Sleek products in the future and can't wait to put these palettes to use!

Do you have any Sleek products or are you eyeing anything on the website? What do you think? Don't forget to give me any photography/setup feedback!

xox

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Wishlist Vol. 9: Kate Spade

Stripe Setting Short Necklace | KSNY x Darcel Flavia | Et Cetera, Et Cetera Idiom Bangle | Come Full Circle Idiom Bangle | Goreski Glasses Bangle | KSNY x Darcel Tobyn | KSNY x Darcel Donut Bangle

It seems as if you can tell what my favorite colors are pretty well from this wishlist and the fact that I may or may not be obsessed with food prints/accessories.

What Kate Spade stuff are you loving at the moment?

xox

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OOTD: Ooh La Leopard & Spikes Edition

Dress: Asos (14 – $30.18)
Cardigan: Target (L – $19.99)
Belt: Kohl’s (M/L – $21.00)
Necklace: Good Will (OS – $9.00)
Shoes: Beyond The Rack (9 – $39.99)





This is another one of my outfits from mid-2012. Could you tell cos my hair looks super different?! Good. This is another dress that was too big for me at the time and I got rid of it before moving to Japan. Ugh. I make awful choices. Also, I'm mildly obsessed with leopard prints (my husband hates it) and I thought "What if I made an outfit with so much leopard print?" and this was the awesome result of that.

September Goals update:
I went to make the funfetti brownies and noticed that all we had was olive oil. Not the best for baking, in my opinion. So last commissary visit, I picked up some canola oil! Hooray! Hopefully I'll get makin' these this week.
On the military spouse facebook page for the base I live on, I asked for the phone number to make an optometry appointment and apparently I have to go in and see my primary care physician before making an appointment with the optometrist. COOL. Story of my life.
BUT I haven't plucked my eyebrows this month (except for the middle part), so there's one thing that's on track!



xox

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OOTD: Pyramid Ring & Rockin’ Bones Edition

I'm bringing it back to June 2012 with this OOTD. My mom took these pictures. Thanks, Mom!

I realized that I didn't upload my older outfits when I switched over to blogger and I really like them, and maybe you guys will too so here's the first one! Plus, I had a slammin' bod back then. Js.

Dress: Domino Dollhouse (1x – $69.99)
Petticoat: Domino Dollhouse (1x – $49.99)
Belt: Betsey Johnson (M/L – $20.00)
Ring: Domino Dollhouse (OS – $5.99)
Necklace: Shoe Privee (OS – Free with purchase of shoes!)

I'm actually really bummed because before I moved to Japan, I got rid of this dress since it didn't fit as nicely as I wanted it to and now I miss it (especially since it would fit me better now that I've gained weight). Womp womp.

A few days ago, I decided that I'm going to stay on a regular awake/sleep schedule even though Ryan (the husband) is on night shift right now so I can actually take pictures when the sun is out and actually blog. You're welcome. Haha. I'm still really tired and I'm not sure if it has to do with not sleeping well or if it's more of a depression/anxiety thing. Either way, I promise that I'll get some pictures done for the blog soon! I'm still figuring out my new camera, but I can always fall back on my Sony if for some reason when I go to take swatch pictures next (spoiler alert), the Canon won't let me take pictures. I may post a few more OOTDs from last year, so I hope that's okay with you guys!

Woo! I really hope that that paragraph was readable. I'll leave you with a picture that I didn't think would have my face in because the picture was supposed to be of the ring/dress pattern, but my face was totally in it.



xox

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RTT Vol. 6: September 2013 Goals

Here's a Throw Back Thursday picture of me working at Putney Mountain Winery inside of a Basketville (lolwut) in VT. I miss that job so much! I hosted wine tastings and it was awesome. If I move back to Vermont, I would go work there again without a doubt.

I really like making lists. I know, surprise, right? I also seem to be unmotivated to do much of anything recently, so a list of goals seems like a good idea. Having my husband being on nights makes me feel more tired than normal because I hardly see the sun and I feel like if I make this list of goals, it will hold me accountable to do at least a few of these things. Hooray!

Let my eyebrows grow in so they can be reshaped.
I've been dissatisfied with the shape of my eyebrows for a while, ever since I got them done at the salon on base. They did a number on my brows! Though I get really self-conscious about my super bushy eyebrows, it will be worth it to reshape them next month!

Have at least one video done and uploaded onto my YouTube channel.
I still have no idea what video editing program I should use/how to use a video editing program, nor do I have an idea of where I'll be filming. This one will be the most difficult for me, I think, but the most rewarding for me as well.

Figure out how to use my new camera.
I've already started reading the beginning of the manual, which is SO LONG. I still don't have a memory card, so I haven't even turned the camera on yet.

Do my nails at least once.
I was actually going to do this earlier, but one of my nails broke off way too far down on my finger and got all bloody and gross and painful so I'll have to wait for my nail to grow out enough to where I can shape it a little bit before I do all of my nails.

Buy a YSL lipstick.
This is probably the easiest thing on my list. If I don't manage to pick a color before the end of the month, I'll be super disappointed in myself. Haha.

Make funfetti brownies.
I've already made a pie this month, so I'm hoping I'll still have a bit of that motivation left in me to bake more!

Make an appointment to get contacts.
I'm terrified of the telephone. I am so bad at making appointments because not only do I need to talk to someone I don't know on the phone, but then that means I have to go to the appointment. I do know that most people on base need to wait for months for an actual appointment with the eye doctor though, so maybe that will help? Maybe?

Start taking my medication that I was prescribed in early August.
(Oops!) This kind of goes with the point I made above. Once I start taking the medication, I need to make a follow up appointment within a week.

Finish Stone Angel by Carol O'Connell.
I absolutely adore reading, but it seems like once I don't have a job, I stop doing it on the regular. That sounds weird when you don't know that I had some free time to read at work, whether I was done with everything for the day or on my lunch break.

I think this is a good amount of things to do this month. Wish me luck!
Do you make monthly lists?

xox

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Good Job BUB Day!

If you're new to my blog, you may or may not know how much I am in love with Lil BUB. She is the little space cat that I've always wanted. September 3rd is Good Job BUB Day, being that her book came out, her show started, and the first quarter of her movie launched online! Today, and all month, we appreciate Lil BUB, ourselves, and our pets.

I've decided that today I'm going to be posting about my amazing gremlins since I don't think I've written about them yet! Beware, this post will be picture heavy.


Magenta is on the left and Columbia is on the right. The cats in the Kitsch Vixen header were personalized to be them, by the way! This picture is of them in their little "house" from the shelter. When I lived in Vermont, I was the Adoption Coordinator, Treasurer of the Board, worked with the feral and semi-feral cats, and also did some data entry and secretarial work at TARPS (The Animal Rescue and Protection Society). TARPS is a nonprofit, no kill shelter, mostly for cats.

Magenta and Columbia came in February of 2012 (as Marle and Molly), surrendered by a woman who no longer wanted to take care of them. Apparently, she wanted to put them down because her husband left her and she didn't want to clean their litter box, but a fellow volunteer worked at the same place as the woman and convinced her to take them to the shelter instead. When Magenta and Columbia first came in, both of them were very shy and didn't like people much (who could blame them?). Though TARPS is a cage free shelter, they do provide cages for the animals who are more comfortable in them, like Magenta and Columbia were at first.





After a few days of being in the shelter, they took to me very easily. They would hear my voice and come out of their cage to see me, and would jump on my lap when I sat down. I was definitely not in the market for adopting cats since I was living with my parents at the time (with two other cats) while my husband was stationed overseas without me. Once a week or so went by, I knew that they had chosen me as their cat mom and by then, I had fell in love with them. I pretty much adopted them in March, but they needed to stay at TARPS until December of 2012. Luckily, Ryan and I were able to get everything done in time to bring them overseas to the base we live on now. If you're a military spouse or a military member and want to bring your pets overseas, please make sure to start the process super early because it is the biggest pain in the ass.

Here's a bunch of more recent, adorable pictures!


They each have their own ridiculous personalities and they're just too darn cute. I honestly don't know what I would do without them. Magenta and Columbia give me a reason to wake up in the morning, and I just love them to pieces.

Do you have pets? Tell me about them!

If you'd like to see more of my gremlins, be sure to follow me on instagram or like Kitsch Vixen on facebook cos I post pictures of them constantly! Also, please check out TARPS. Their organization means a lot to me.



xox

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