Snakey!

My brother found this adorable little guy outside! Then I got to hold him, then my brother dropped him in my room where he tried to hide in my purse. Don't worry he is back outside safe and sound! Don't know what kind of snake he is but he's so cute!

Cute black snake!

If anyone knows what kind of snake this is, let me know in the comments! We are up in the Poconos if that helps.

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What's In My Bag?

I love watching What's in My Bag videos so I thought I would share what is in my bag. There are actually less salt packets than there were originally because I discovered that half of them broke open and filled my bag with salt. Word to the wise, keep all condiments in a Ziploc bag; you would think I would have learned this after a container of barbecue sauce spilled in my bag! Don't remember why that was in there, I don't even like barbecue sauce!

Lulu by Lulu Guinness Bag

As much as I like colored bags, I prefer to look for ones in neutral colors for every day use. They go with a lot more and I don't have to worry about something clashing badly with it. My bag is by Lulu by Lulu Guinness. This particular line of her bags is available at JC Penny. This one I got on sale last fall for about $30. There is a Bath and Body Works Pocket Bac holder attached to it. It has 3 pockets; one big main one that zippers up and two side ones that have a magnetic closure. There is also a removable cross body strap. I think this was in the color Stone with the gold hardware. 

• Bath and Body Works Forever Sunshine Triple Moisture Body Cream
• Halls Breezers (No Menthol!)
• My Ancient iPod in it's little armband case
• McDonald's salt packs for when they forget to give you salt at the drive-through
• My gold wallet from Target
• My polka-dotted wallet for all of my rewards cards and coupons
• Purse Hanger (for restaurants and salons; you hang your purse from the table with it)
• Advil and Excedrin
• Headphones
• iphone/iPod car charger
• Keys with my Mad Hatter Keychain
• Sephora oil blotting paper
• Travel Pepto-Bismo (these taste horrible but it's better than nothing)
• Laura Geller Marble Shadow in Rome/Milan
• Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in 001 Honey Douce
• Victoria's Secret Color Shine Lip Gloss
• Nars Lipgloss in Scandal
• Avon Smooth Minerals Lip Gloss in Natural Glow
• Tweezerman Stainless Tweezerette
• Pens
• Hair Clips
• Cheap Sunglasses
• Sunglasses case from Charming Charlies
• Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Heavenly Mini Body Spray
• Jessica Simpson Vintage Bloom Rollerball
• Bath and Body Works Paris Amour Pocket Bac
• EOS Lip Balm
• Victoria's Secret Travel Mirror
• Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara (I always have an extra mascara in my bag in-case I forget to put it on or I really need to run out the door)
• And usually my iPhone but I was using it to take this picture cause I don't have a good camera

So that is everything in my bag! I would love to see what is in your bag so leave a comment below!

Fall Makeup Haul and Favorites

Fall Faves!!

"It's the most wonderful time and it's Fall!" 

If you love fall like I do and you are a beauty geek, you will probably be starting to bring out your favorite fall products or trying to find new ones. I am doing a bit of both. I recently went shopping and picked up a few things to add to my fall makeup collection. I have also included some old favorites that I just cannot go without mentioning.

1) MAC Blush in Fever

Now, I have pale skin and a lot of people might look at this blush and run away. But I promise you, even those with paler skin can wear darker blushes. All it takes is a few dabs into the product and a very light hand. Fever is an extremely dark but beautiful reddish-burgundy color. The quality is great! Creamy and blend-able with good pigmentation.

MAC Fever Blush

MAC Fever Blush Swatch

2) MAC lipstick in Plum Dandy

When I was in middle school, I dressed up as Sarah Sanderson from the movie Hocus Pocus for Halloween. My mother used a lipstick that was a unique and beautiful frosty plum color. That lipstick is long gone and neither of us can remember what brand it was from. I have tried for years to find a lipstick that is similar to that color. The biggest problem I had was that everything was either too dark, too light, too warm, too cool, too opaque, or too pink/brown. 

Finally though, I think I found it. MAC's Plum Dandy lipstick is the perfect frosty plum bronze color. It is wearable and looks amazing for fall!

I also compared it to Loreal's Lipstick in Mica. It is very similar but Mica is just a bit warmer. I would consider it a decent dupe.

MAC Plum Dandy Lipstick

Top: MAC Plum Dandy
Bottom: Loreal Mica

3) MAC eyeshadow in Blanc Type

It happens all the time. Your favorite limited edition palate has started to hit pan in several of your favorite colors. For me it was a beautiful creamy off-white from NYX's Dark Shadows Crimson Amulet Collection. So I had to find a replacement. I love MAC eyeshadows, so after debating in between Gesso (a bright white matte) and Blanc Type (a creamy beige), I finally settled on Blanc Type. It is a tad darker and more matte than the color I am replacing; which is almost in between the two with a pinch of shimmer; but it works great for an all over lid and subtle highlight color. This is my perfect skin tone color.

MAC Blanc Type

MAC Blanc Type Eyeshadow Swatch

4) Make Up Forever Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick in N9 Copper Pink

This was actually a part of my Sephora birthday gift. I just loved it so much that I had to include it. It is an amazing formula that is creamy and feels very moisturizing and comfortable on the lips. The color is a beautiful natural pink with a bit of copper tone. It has a sheer, gloss-like finish that is very wearable and a perfect everyday lipstick. This line has a large range of colors to choose from. This is not the full size, just the mini from the August 2014 Sephora Birthday Gift Box.

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Natural Mini Lipstick in N9 Copper Pink

N9 Copper Pink Swatch

5) Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Liquid Liner Pencils in Jade Jewel and Purple Fix.

These are amazing! They apply smoothly like liquid liner and just as pigmented. Once they have a moment to set, these will not budge at all. I swatched them on my hand and they were there all day; no fading, no flaking, no smudging. These would not come off until I scrubbed them with a makeup removing towelette at the end of the day.

Jade Jewel is a dark shimmering green that is perfect for fall. This one is particularly pigmented and very vibrant.

Purple Fix is a beautiful, sparkly dark plum purple. This is also very pigmented but I noticed that it is not as pigmented as Jade Jewel.

L-R: 04 Purple Fix, 06 Jade Jewel

6) Lipstick Queen Medieval Lip Treatment

I love sheer red lips. It is my one of my favorite everyday lip colors and this lipstick is perfect! It is a red that suits all skin tones and colors and is very wearable and build-able. It starts out fairly sheer and can be build up to a nice wearable red. Glossy, natural finish with no shimmer. 

Lipstick Queen Medieval

The swatch on the left is Medieval built up.
On the right is Medieval applied lightly.

7) Urban Decay's Naked 2 Basics Palette

I am a big fan of the Naked Palettes and was so excited when this came out. It has become my go-to eyeshadow palette. I posted a separate review comparing the original Naked Basics and Naked 2 Basics. Click HERE to read.

Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Palette

L to R: Skimp, Stark, Frisk, Cover, Primal, Undone

And now for some old fall favorites!
Please excuse the messiness of the products. They have been well loved!

NARS Lipgloss in Scandal

This is my all time favorite lip gloss, both in formula and color. It gives color without being thick or opaque. I love the color! It is described as being a 'sheer crushed cherry' by NARS. It is very sheer but still has a beautiful red color. I love wearing it alone or pared with NARS Fire Down Below lipstick, which is actually why I bought it in the first place. This swatch is from the old formula, before they redid the packaging. I am not sure if there is a difference in the color or not. Nice creamy finish without shimmer or glitter.

NARS Scandal Lipgloss

Left: NARS Scandal
Right: NARS Scandal over Fire Down Below Lipstick

NARS Lipstick in Fire Down Below 

When I first read the description of this color, I just had to try it! Described as a 'Pure Blood Red', this was right up my ally. There are no blue or orange undertones which makes this color suitable for a variety of skin tones. It is a semi-matte formula and can be a bit drying so use a lip balm! Looks great paired with NARS Scandal Lipgloss.

NARS Fire Down Below Lipstick

NARS Fire Down Below Lipstick Swatch

MAC Lipstick in Spice it Up!

I love this lipstick so much! It is a beautiful brownish berry color. Perfect for fall! I would consider the Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle to be a good dupe. Spice it Up is a bit redder and more opaque while Pink Truffle is more sheer, however they are extremely similar.

MAC Spice it Up!

MAC Spice it Up! Swatch
  

Left: Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle;
Right: MAC Spice it Up!

              

NYX Blush in Red

I have heard that this is a close dupe for MAC's Frankly Scarlet blush. It is a beautiful blue toned red color for fall and winter. I think if you would prefer to not spend the money on higher end products you could get an almost exact look with NYX's blush at 1/3 the price. The one thing I really don't like is that the packaging is flimsy. I have several NYX products with cracked packaging. This blush is very pigmented and you only need a little bit. Especially if you have pale skin. Proceed with caution!

NYX Red Blush

NYX Red Blush

NYX Red Blush Swatch

MAC Blush in Blushbaby

This is a very light pinky beige blush. I have pale skin and it is perfect for when I want a more neutral color. I love using this for fall and it works for so many different looks. Quality and pigmentation are just as good as ever! Creamy and easily blend-able.

MAC Blushbaby

MAC Blushbaby Swatch

Please leave a comment if you like or if you have any constructive criticism.
Links are for convenience only. I am not earning anything by you clicking on them.

Naked 2 Basics Palette Review and Comparison

I love my Naked 1 and my Naked Basics Palettes and was so excited to see that Urban Decay was coming out with a new Basics Palette in cool colors. I wear taupe, grey and black eyeshadows constantly, so it is kind of my signature eye look most of the year. Add those colors to the quality of Urban Decay eyeshadows and the convenience of a small, travel sized palette and I was in heaven. I swatched both palettes for comparison.

The packaging is the same as the first Naked Basics Palette. It is nice and heavy, great for travel and indestructible to minor messes. I should know, I spilled a full travel mug of hot apple cider in my purse and it didn't even get inside the palette nor did it do any damage to the packaging.

Naked Basics Palette

Naked 2 Basics Palette

All of the colors, other than Skimp and Venus, are matte. Both highlight colors are a bit shimmery and Skimp is definitely darker and more beige toned than Venus. Right away I noticed that the colors from the Naked 2 Basics palette were mostly darker than it's predecessor, and true to Urban Decay's claim, they are all cooler in comparison.

Naked Basics
Left to right: Venus, Foxy, Walk of Shame (W.O.S), Naked 2, Faint, Crave

Naked 2 Basics
Left to right: Skimp, Stark, Frisk, Cover, Primal, Undone

Venus vs. Skimp

I noticed a big difference between the two highlight colors. Venus is a creamy white while Skimp is more of a light beige. Both have about the same amount of shimmer.

Foxy vs. Stark

Very similar but Foxy is lighter and warmer than Stark by just a hair.

W.O.S. vs. Frisk

Walk of Shame and Frisk look very similar in the palette but swatched they couldn't be more different. W.O.S. is still in the light skin tone range while Frisk is a nice light taupe.

Naked 2 vs. Cover

Naked 2 is lighter than Cover. It is also still more on the beige side of things while cover is a mid toned taupe.

Faint vs. Primal

Here is wear we start to see differences in the 'Naked Basics is lighter than Naked 2 Basics' pattern. Faint is clearly a nice darker, warm brown while Primal is a darker taupe but lighter than Faint.

Crave vs. Undone

These last two colors follow Faint and Primal in that Naked Basics, Crave, is darker than Naked 2 Basics, Undone. Crave is a nice matte black while Undone is a dark, grey toned taupe.

Like with the 2nd Basics palette, all colors besides the first highlight shade are matte. The colors in the original palette seem lighter overall with the exception of Faint and Crave which are just a tad darker than their Naked 2 Basics counterparts, though they are no less pigmented. They are also cooler than the first Basics palette but not drastically so. Some colors are really similar and others are entirely different when you swatch them. I didn't notice a difference in quality between the two. They are both amazing; very pigmented, creamy and blend-able!

My Conclusion

I love both palettes and think that the colors can easily be used interchangeably. I prefer Basics 2 overall because of the coolness of the colors. These are going to be my go-to palettes for a long time! Don't dismiss it just because you already have the first Basics palette. You will not be disappointed.

Each palette retails for $29. Currently the Naked 2 Basics is currently only available on Urban Decay's website. Update! This palette is now available in Ulta and Sephora!


Disclaimer: Both products were bought with my own money. All opinions are my own.

This blog is fairly new. Constructive criticism and ideas on how to improve are more than welcome!