ivyPINK

January Birchbox

I just realized I missed a DEC Birchbox posting

sorry about that my December box came so late

they had a delay w/ a couple of the products

BUT it was no biggie they did include a $20 off

coupon so I took advantage of that & redeemed some

Birchbox points as well I'll share what I got at the end of this post :)

On to the January Box...this months theme is Clarity

I received a

ORIGINS Checks And Balances™ Frothy Face Wash $19.50-150ml

I tried this already & I really like the texture it's more like a cream

& it smells really good (scents are a deal breaker for me NO matter how

AMAZING the product might be)

FULL Size Peacock stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner $20-.01 oz

I LOVE it! The color is vibrant & smooth it doesn't tug on your skin

 & teal is my 2nd fave color so score :)

VMV Hypoallergenics Re-Everything Lotion $45-185ml

I tried this on my hands & it was just OK......I think I have to try it more

to see what's so great about it

Bleh another perfume yuck & I HATE the smell period

Juicy Couture - Viva La Juicy - 3.4 oz $89-3.4oz

Treat of the month LÄRABAR Mini Bars $14.95

Luckily I got a "chocolate chip" flavor cuz if it was blueberry  muffin

it would've gone in the trash (yuck)

BUT even the chocolate chip didn't taste very chocolaty it was just ok

I don't think I'd ever purchase it though

Last lil extra this month we got a bbox magnet with a mini

"detox" guide :) I like this guide :)

I went though my bathroom 1st of the year so glad that's done

I'm working on the CLOSET part right now (yikes)

I don't turn my cell phone off but it is on vibrate & I totally don't hear it

when I'm asleep :)

Diet: on going battle! Dark chocolate is my new friend though :)

I'll have to work on writing Love letters to my grandma heehee

These are the things I got (as mentioned above)

I got a really good deal for everything after the coupon & points

& FREE Shipping I think I only paid 20 something :)

Zoya Remove+ Polish Remover (LOVE LOVE LOVE & cannot ever be w/o it)

I finally got a beauty blender I've used it every day since I got it

I really do like it BUT I would NOT pay $20 (the kit is is $23.95 @ BB)

I'd wait to use a coupon/points/something! lol

Stila Day dream mini palette, Lash Card,

Jurlique Love Balm & an Alex & Isabelle bow hair ties

(Kinda Like the twistbands I love but w/ a bow)

*If you are interested in receiving more info about Birchbox

or if you are interested & want to try Birchbox

Click HERE for a referral :)

 That's all for now

xoxo ivyPINK

 

Nail Rack Success

Hi hi hi :) I just have a quick post.....

I received a couple emails this week

for sucess stories for the DIY Nail Rack

and I just wanted to share the pics with you guys :)

First up is my cute aunt who lives in Texas :)

(I've shared some of her manis here before)

She's a girly girl & loves floral this is how her rack turned out

Something I actually hadn't thought of

My aunt used wrapping paper to wrap her bars

in case you didn't have any tape & didn't want to go

out & purchase some she just used something she had on hand :)

Another great money saver since tape can run around $5-8

and I'm sure most of us already has a variety of wrapping paper at home.

This next rack is made by friend Julie

Long time polish fanatic, but 

the most recent person I introduced to nail stamping :)

I LOVE the zebra duct tape! Looks GREAT on white :)

For some reason I really like the white base better

than how the black looks I feel like it looks "cleaner"

If any of you made this DIY Nail Rack

share your pics with me I'd LOVE to see your finished projects :)

Have a wonderful Thursday

Thursday is one of my fave week nights cuz it's my TV night

I have shows on from 7pm-11pm lol :)

xoxo ivyPINK

Holiday Nails

The holiday parties are coming up

and todays nails is a cute design for a festive look :)

Here's the polishes I used

First I applied one coat of the whirlwind white (insta-dri)

and then I applied Essie Pure pearlfection (for a shimmer finish)
Then I used that red (which has no name or brand I've had it 4ever

that's probably why it works so well with the stamping tool it's now super thick!

for the stripes I used the BM20 plate

and the bow is stamped with Ulta Envy with Konad M56 plate

I just used a silver stripper below the bow

and applied holographic glitter to give it some blingage :)

My hand is getting so dry with this weather! ugh yuck :(

I ran out of my favorite lotion which is the Khiels Ultimate hand salve

I've used it for years & It's my  F A V O R I T E

I LOVE it!

You know when you apply lotion & then you wash your hands

& you can feel your lotion wash off?

Well, this lotion doesn't do that! It's amazing :)

But recently I ordered this jack black lip balm (i'm obsessed w/ it!)

It's my new must have!

& then I saw this set that came with a hand lotion

so, for a few bucks more I ordered the set instead

& I must say I LOVE it too!!!! :)

It keeps your hands feeling soft & moisturized

but NOT sticky! I HATE sticky/slimy/wet/oily hand lotion!

(talk about picky right)

If you guys have tried either of these or know of a hand lotion that's better

 let me know what you think!

Hope you liked the nails

xoxo ivyPINK

CVS Drugstore Haul

You guys I have a confession

I'm addicted to shopping @ drugstores lol

I find the BEST deals ever!!!

specially on make up & with my new found love for make up

It's a thrifty shoppers dream :)

SO here's the video I told you guys I made that I had to film like 3 times!

I bought all this stuff at CVS pretty much all the items are 75% off

and is a SUPER deal! They just started on their markdowns

so go NOW while theres still a LOT to chose from!

BTW I'm in LOVE with the physicians formula gel liners :)

Oh & dont forget you can use manufacturers coupons with any of your purchase

and also if you have any CVS Extrabucks

I used my coupons & extrabucks & for all this I paid like $22.00

K hope you guys liked the Haul

Happy Shopping!

xoxo ivyPINK 

Black Friday Haul Part 2

There will also be a Part 3 to this haul post

cuz I guess I went cuckoo crazy @ Claire's & that needs a post all on it's own

or this post would have never ending pictures!

So Let's start with CVS hahaha

I went there for the Revlon nail polish deal

which was buy 1 get $4.00 extra bucks so the polish would've been .$99

BUT I had a $1.00 off coupon so it was free

But pretty much everything in this pic was free cuz I also had coupons

for the other items :) so that was fun!

Now I know why those extreme couponers get hooked! hahaha

The Revlon colors I got are: Varnished

(BTW this color looks similarto JULES from Zoya

that I posted about yesterday BUT NOT an exact dupe!)

Jaded, Mistletoe (super pretty dark grey with mini holographic glitter)

and Pink Lingerie

I was also extra happy to see that CVS had a Palmers Lip Balm

which I've never seen before!!!! I always use the Palmers swivel stick on my lips

& I've tried it the lip balm is smoother than the swivel stick :)

So BF I woke up @ 3 to go to my Urban Outfitters which I was surprised to see

already open because they had a special extra 50% off from 4-10am

so the line was already forever long by the time I got there (I was a lil peeved!)

I didn't really go crazy!.....

I thought that chevron belt was a fun find it's stretchy

& the hello kitty key caps I got a few of those for my lil cousins too

I picked up that Pssssst dry shampoo cuz it was only $1.00

the dry shampoo I use is by Big Sexy Hair & it's like $9.00

& I've tried it already & it does work & I LOVE how it smells :)

I also got a couple bottles of polish the glitter one is by NYX

& it was only $1.00 for both bottles!

I also got these boots

and I saw this sweater & had to have it in my life BUT they didn't have my size!!!!

So, I called UO cust. service today & there's only ONE store that had my size in stock

so I placed a phone order I can't wait to receive it :)

Then on my way to Anthro I passed by Sephora (ugh!)

I didn't have any intention on going in to Sephora (cuz it's bad for me there) lol

& I was lured by all these people going crazy over a pile of stuff so I HAD to check it out!!!!

& I left with these....

They had a sale right in front of the door 10 for $10 EACH

which was a pretty awesome deal! I've been wanting to try the Josie Maran

color stick & I almost bought one at the F&F sale

glad I held off & I've already tried it & it's great it just blends with your skin

& gives you a natural glow! The only thing I'm trying to get over is the smell

It smells like tea tree oil to me but I suppose it's doing my skin some good?

Then I got the Tarte MultiplEYE primer & Lights camera lashes

& I LOVE it!!!!!!! I really needed a new primer mines almost out although 

I'm very HAPPY with my Estee lauder primer for $10 this was a DEAL!

&  Last I got this pretty Stila Glamour Glitz palette with lip gloss also $10

Then I went to American Apparel I had a Groupon there

& they we're having a BUY1 Get1 1/2 off sale

and you could use your Groupon in conjunction to the sale

B A R G A I N ! ! ! :) lol

so I got some necessities

AA Leggings & tights are just the best & most comfortable

& they wash wonderfully!!!!

I got another black leggings (can't ever have too many black leggings)

and also brown one & grey & dark pink tights :)

I already shared the pic of the line outside Anthro

So you can imagine when they opened the doors!

I picked up a bunch of stuff but a lot of them are presents so I'll only share 

what I got for myself which is this eleveness My Fair Lady jacket (I'm obsessed with jackets)

It looks like a plain ole trench BUT I feel like it makes my hips look huge

cuz it sorta balloons out :( BUT I LOVE it I'm undecided if I should keep it

what do you guys think?

I also LOVE LOVE LOVE the inside (I wish it was reversible!)

and I bought this candlewith the intention of gifting it BUT

it just smells SOOOOO amazing & I think I'm keeping it lol

OK that's the end of Black Friday Haul Part 2

I will post Part 3 tomorrow :)

xoxo ivyPINK
 

November Birchbox 2011

It's Birchbox time :)

This Months Theme is Getting Gifty

& Something new this month

I made a quick video!

 Here's the deets of all the stuff I got

(eeep! SORRY I already ate the choc before I remembered to take a pic lol)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Hydrafull Gloss in Sugar Pink
.07 fl oz-$21

Supersmile Professional Whitening Toothpaste in Mandarin Mint
4.2 oz-$21

Harvey Prince Eau Flirt 100 ml $98

Zoya Nail Polish in Holly from Gems & Jewels Collection
.5 fl oz-$8

Chuao Chocolate in Firecracker
3-2.82 oz  $18

& I really want to try THIS Panko Bar!!!

and I tried everything from the Oct. Box & seriously it's so hard

to choose a FAVE!

At 1st i wasn't too excited about the eyebrow gel

BUT after trying it I need to buy one in a FULL size I LOVE it!

No Flakes seriously fantastical! :)

I was also very Impressed with the

Number 4 Hair Lumiere D'hiver Reconstructing Masque

It smells amazing & leaves my hair feeling SUPER soft!

These Birchboxboxes are really bad enablers lol :)

If you are interested in receiving more info about Birchbox

or if you are interested & want to try Birchbox

Click HERE for a referral :)

 

That's all for now

xoxo ivyPINK

Currently and SMASHbooking

I haven't posted a "Currently" since June

So,this week I decided to create a "Currently" page on

my smashbook

I have a massive amount of Making Memories Rub-ons

(circa 2003 *good to know they still work!)

So, here's a Fall edition of my CURRENTLYs :)

Listening: Boyce Ave. Covers on YouTube (SOOO GOOD)

Eating: These ensaymadas from Red Ribbon my dad brought home from Cali

Drinking: My new FAVE Tea!

Yogi Organic Tea's :)

Wearing: Oh geez, my outfits are so boring these days!

I live in Yoga clothes ALL day!

I recently bought a cute a cute workout/yoga tank @ Target

looks like this but in purple

(cuz it was on sale & they didn't have PINK one @ the store)

I'm starting Zumba classes next week (excited for that!)

Feeling: Uninspired lately :( Sad!

Weather: Definitely starting to feel the chicago FALL start to creep in again

we've had a warm FALL for Chicago recently but this week we got some rain

Wanting: One of these floor armoires

I told my parents it's what I wanted for Christmas :)

My jewelry is all over the place! I figured this should fit all my stuff!

& all my bedroom furniture is black.

Needing: To get my car fixed! I don't know what's wrong with it :( Tear!

Car problems always leave me poor!

Thinking: About the holidays, I want to give & make handmade presents this year!

What should I make though? Oy vey! I feel overwhelmed already.

Obsessing: You mean besides NAIL crap right?!

cuz you guys already know all about that!

Gah! Seriously been crazy over make up! I don't even use that much make up

But I've been watching some YouTube Videos of  Make Up Guru's

& let me tell you...they are very good enablers! LOL

So I organized my SMALL stash yesterday

Enjoying: READING!!!!!! The Library is my new fave place :)

 I've been reading A LOT lately

I'm just finishing up the 1st 3 books in the Vampire Academy series

by Richelle Mead

It's VERY exciting! Which I like in books I hate slow dragging books

That's about it for now.

PLEASE Share your thoughts and ideas

for handmade x-mas presents with me!

xoxo ivyPINK
 

October Birchbox 2011

YESSSS! It's BIRCHBOX open box time again :)

This months theme is Prep & Finish

I've recently started trying AHAVA products & I ordered

the AHAVA Mud Mask last month (I'm in LOVE with it!!!)

 & I received a free sample of

this Mineral foot cream with my order & I really liked it

The scent is light & fresh

I'm glad to see it was also in this months box :)

Ahava Mineral Foot Cream 4.2 oz-$26

Now, I don't really use anything for my eyebrows normally

But this months box came with an

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brown Gel-.28 oz-$21

I'm looking forward to trying it out

It's suppose to keep your brows in place without Flaking or stickiness

Next up is this 

Number 4 Hair Lumiere D'hiver Reconstructing Masque 5.1 oz-$58

I'm excited to try this because who couldn't use

a lil help to strengthen & add gloss to your hair :)

It also smells awesome!

Then there's the Sunday Riley Modern Skincare

 Juno Transformative Lipid Serum 30ml-$125

It's suppose to replenish,firm & protect your skin

I've never heard of this before But I definitely look forward to trying it out

This is the other FAVORITE item I got in my box

It's made by Tea Forte which is a favorite Tea brand of mine

*Citrus Mint is my FAVORITE flavor*

I'm so happy to see they are now making these

Minteas $2.99 per tin :)

It comes in these yummy flavors Lime Mojito,Matcha Chai,

Lemongrass Yuzu,Ginger Pear and Cocoa Mate

It tastes delicious!!! Very refreshing and the best part...

it's only 1 calorie per mint!!! woot woot :)

I LOVE it!!!!

That's all for my box this month :)

I was really hoping my box had the Laura Geller Spackle

I really wanted to try this tinted primer

I've been usng the smashbox primer for years & wanted to try something new

If any of you guys get this in your box let me know what you think about it :)

If you are interested in knowing more info about Birchbox

or want to try Birchbox email or message me so I can

send you an invite :)

CLICK here to view previous months boxes

xoxo ivyPINK

Nail Polish Haul

I LOVE a great deal

Who doesn't right?

So, I wanted to share a great nail polish haul deal

I found this week at Ulta (in Glendale Heights, IL)

Ulta redesigned their polish bottles

Therefore they put all the old bottle design on clearance

for only $2.00 they are normally $5.00 each

They look like this:

 
If you are an Ulta rewards member you probably received a

$5.00 off $10 purchase this month

You can use that coupon towards these polishes

therefore each bottle will only be $1.00!

If you are not a rewards member you can print out a

$3.50 off $10 purchase HERE valid til 10/22/11

I'm not sure if all Ulta's have these polishes avilable or not

I went to the one closest to my house & they had ALL the colors available

I bought Sweet Heart,Flamingo,Fuschiamania,MintCondition

The Jungle Look,Envy,Femme Fatale,Set the nude,Concrete evidence

and Lil Black Dress

These colors are ALL CURRENT colors available in their new polish bottles

so it's not retired or discontinued.

I'm tempted to go back & use the $3.50 off coupon

which is still a good deal at $1.30 per bottle.

Just an FYI according to the All Lacquered Up Blog TRUE GREY

is the in color for fall/winter 2011 & ULTA's concrete evidence

made it on the list :)

Next up are these super cute OPI Muppets set

Yesterday I got a "birthday" certificate from Cosmoprof in the mail

for $5 so i used it for this setThese are the colors in the set:

wocka wocka

designer...de better

warm & fozzie

excuse moi! <-----this is my FAVE

(It's a dark pink glitter)

These mini's retail for $12.50

Last got these polishes from Mark

 
I really only wanted "Sol Mojito" (nice light mint color) & "Industrial" (light grey)

But each came in a different set

Sol Mojito came with Tango & Industrial came with Steel Plum 

That's all for my Nail Polish Haul :)

 I have a fall mani to share with you tomorrow

so make sure to check back for Mani Mondays post :)

 

xoxo ivyPINK

September Birchbox

YAY! Birchbox goodies!

 
My FAVORITE in this months box is this:

Incoco Nail strips....BUT I was a FAN of Incoco way before anyhow :)

This is a new design that's not even on their site yet

This glitter set is normally $10.99 for a set of 16

 
Next is this Pangea Organics Facial Cream-$36 2fl oz

I'm looking forward to trying this tonight :)

 
I LOVE lip stuff & I already applied this

It feels nice & creamy not sure if it's plumping my lips or not

 I'm also not really a fan of the smell...

I'm sensitve to smells though :( 

I wish it had some sort of flavor or something

Jouer Lip Enhancer-$14 .33 fl oz

 

Speaking of smells....this was my last item

LIV GRN parfum $60 3.4 fl oz

smells pretty & clean but I'm allergic to perfume

so lucky for my mom this sample is going to her :)

 
Last treat is this cute little PINK bracelet

in celebration of Birchbox's 1 year :)

Here's what it looks like on next to the "morse code" bracelet

I made yesterday...it spells out my name

 That's my box this month, what did you get?

I wish I had gotten a sample of this "lash card"

and I saw others got really cute pink leopard incoco strips I really hope incoco

starts to sell those on their site!

 

If you are interested in receiving more info about Birchbox

or if you are interested & want to try Birchbox

click HERE for an invite :)

xoxo ivyPINK