April Glam Bag and Miscellaneous Birthday Swag

It's no secret, I like free stuff.  And with the institution of my current spending freeze, I've been relishing in the freebies.  Recently, I've been anti-shopping, as I like to call it.  In short, I come home from the mall with money in my pocket and crap in my shopping bags.
First up, my April Glam Bag.  Ok, it's not free, but for $10 a month I get to try some samples.  It's almost free.

All Belle Eyelashes  - I don't wear false eyelashes and probably never will.  I blessed with a fabulous, thick double row of eyelashes.    Yeah, I'm bragging.

Derm Store Lip Quench - I have a lip gloss problem.  I might need to go to a meeting about it.  This lip quench stuff is pretty awesome and moisturizing.  I just wish it was tinted.  Although I am blessed with great eyelashes, I am also blessed with lips that are the exact same color as my chin.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil - This is actually my go-to eyeliner.  It's the best.  It goes on really smooth and doesn't skip.  (You know what I'm talking about....your dry eyeliner "skips" and you wind up with gaps in your eyeliner.)  I have this pencil in black, but My Glam sent me a purple one.  I am pretty excited to try a new color that I probably wouldn't have been brave enough to buy.

TWO Make-up Brushes - My Glam is on their way to supplying me with a whole set of these pink brushes.  I love it!  Keep them coming!

A few days later my Target Beauty Bag came in the mail!  I love this bag-o-samples.  It comes around twice a year and is only available in limited quantities.  I always jump on the chance to get one.  Usually it shows up on Target's website, but this year you had to go through Target's Facebook page to get one.  So, you should like Target on Facebook.

This season's bag, which was a cute striped Lone Soho New York cosmetics bag, contained:

Nivea Extended Moisture Daily Lotion - I'm always looking for sample sizes of lotion to keep in my purse.  

Pantene Color Hair Solutions Shampoo - I don't color my hair, so this is going over to my mom.

Neutrogena Visibly Bright Daily Facial Cleanser - I love all of Neutrogena's products and I've been dying to try this.  

L'oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer - I've recently started using face primer, but have only been able to find expensive ones.  I paid $20-ish for my Murad Primer and I would like a low-cost replacement when I run out.

Simple Skincare Cleansing Wipes - I've started using wipes to remove my make-up at night because I think my eyeliner has started lasting for a about a week.  However, I am going through a TON of them.  So, I'm on the look out for some new cheap ones.

Target Beauty Coupons - This is obviously my favorite part of the beauty bag.

And on to the anti-shopping and Birthday SWAG!!!

This week I went to Target and to the mall.  I returned a $15 dress to Target and then a $44 dress to Francesca's.  So far I was +$59.  I received one of my periodic free underwear coupons from Victoria's Secret, plus my $10 reward car for spending so much money PLUS my $10 birthday gift certificate.  So, with my $20 in rewards cards I got spray on primer (awesome) and VS's delicates laundry detergent.  It's seriously worth the $14.

And then I walked into Sephora to grab my free birthday gift, a Sugar Kisses mini lip duo.

I still have my $15 birthday reward for Banana Republic, my 15% off coupon for my hair salon AND my 15% off ANTHROPOLOGIE BIRTHDAY DISCOUNT.  I will be using that at the tag sale.

So, after my day of anti-shopping, I came out with underwear, detergent, primer and two lip glosses and I was +$53!!!  (I had to spend $6 over my VS rewards).  

Everyone should sign up for credit cards and rewards cards from their favorite stores.

Stuff I Wore: Look, I'm Doing It! (Colorblocking that is)

This post is so trendy.  Not only am I colorblocking, I'm pink and red colorblocking.  And, oh yeah, those are leopard print t-straps you see.  As you can probably guess, this is what I wore on Valentine's Day.

Polyvore Set
Similar shoes here
Skirt worn here and similar here
Necklace worn here and similar here

I was seriously hesitant to do the whole pink and red thing.  I was always taught that you don't wear those two colors together.  But I figured even people that hadn't gotten the message would let me have this one on Valentine's Day.

And to go from the office to the bar that night, I traded out the skirt for some red denim and added a blazer.

Polyvore Set
Pants worn here and similar here
Similar blazer here

And the Scot got me Victoria's Secret Bombshell for V-day.  It's my favorite perfume, but I've been surviving on samples and the little stocking stuffer sizes.  I swear he is reading this blog.  

Stuff I Bought: Victoria's Secret Semi Annual Sale

A few weeks ago I shopped the Victoria's Secret Semi Annual Sale.  This is one of my favorite sales of the year.  I'll spare you the details of the sack of underwear and bras that I bought and just share my beauty purchases with you.

Bombshell Summer Eau de Parfum: $12 (reg. $49)

Heavenly Shine Eau de Parfum: $12 (reg. $49)

Very Sexy Xmas Gift Set: $9.50 (reg. $18)

Eye Flash: $6 (reg. $12)

Shimmer Eye Shadow: $3 (reg. $12)

I don't really ever wear perfume, but I fell in love with Victoria's Secret's Bombshell.  I've also always loved Heavenly, but have only gotten Christmas gift sets of if over the years.  Since the original scents are NEVER on sale, I tried out their lighter summery counterparts.  They are both awesome.  and Very Sexy is just a classic.  I may have gone a little overboard with the perfume.

I've been wanting to try a purple eye shadow, but I'm unwilling to shell out the cash for something from Sephora unless I'm sure I like it.  So, this cheap VS eye shadow will introduce me to plum colored eyes and I'll see if I like them.  

I also tried out VS's eye brightening stick, Eye Flash.  It's mediocre at best.  I adds a little brightening, but nothing you can't achieve with a little eye shadow.  There's no need to have a whole tube of a separate substance.

Stuff I Love: January 2012 Edition

It's already the 12th of the month and I haven't even done my Stuff I Love list yet.  I've got a backlog of OOTD posts and so many other ideas swimming around in my head.
1. Ringer

So, admittedly, I was obsessed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  So, when I heard SMG was making her triumphant return to TV, I was ecstatic.  And what a return it was, a double-crossing, evil twin, drug addiction, murder kind of triumph.  Ringer starts off with Bridget (SMG) escaping from witness protection after she witnesses a murder committed by a drug dealing mobster.  She flees to the safety of her estranged identical twin sister, Siobhan, who just happens to be married to a millionaire.  And wouldn't you know, as soon as she gets there her sister commits suicide, or so you think.  Bridget assumes Siobhan's identity and then the fun begins.  You can catch up on CW's website before the show's return on January 31st.

2. Rebecca Taylor
Since I've started shopping at Bloomingdale's (only for their after Christmas sale), I've discovered the wonder that is Rebecca Taylor.  Her dresses are feminine and flowy.  If it wasn't for the prices, they would be at the top of my wishlist.  However, a few of the items below are on sale at Bloomingdales....hmmm.

Rebecca Taylor Wishlist by veggielawyer

3. Bicycle Print
Have I lost my damn mind?  Do I need TWO articles of clothing with bikes on them?  YES, yes I do.

Bicycle Print Love by veggielawyer 

4. Bright Pumps
Bright colored pumps are everywhere this season.  I already have my bright blue pumps (seen here and here), but I crave more colors.  Target has an AWESOME coral pair that I am drooling over currently, but they are $30.  Who do you think you are Target?  I need them to be $20 before I crack.

Mossimo Pemota Chunky Heel Pump

And these lovely pumps lead me to my next January love...

5. Tangerine or Coral or whatever version of orangey pink you want to call it

Crazy for Coral by veggielawyer

6. Victoria's Secret Bombshell

Victoria's Secret Bombshell

This perfume is (I'm just going to say it) THE BOMB.  I'm usually not a huge fan of perfumes because I think that most smell like a potpourri ball inside my grandma's drawer.  (Did any one else's grandma keep a little satchel of smelly stuff in with her clothes...most likely from Crabtree and Evelyn?  No, I'm the only one with the crazy scented grandma?)  So, back to Bombshell.  This perfume is light and sweet.  Victoria's Secret tells me it contains vanilla orchid, yellow peony and purple passion fruit.  I assume that's a recipe for a form of scented crack, because I can not stop smelling it.  I've been wearing this perfume almost everyday and it somehow puts me in a good mood.

7. My Glam and Birch Box
It's pretty simple, you sign up for My Glam or Birch Box and receive a bag of 4-5 samples of beauty products each month.  You also have to pay $10 each month.  I just signed up for My Glam and I am super excited to receive my first bag of samples!  Their websites features product demos and tutorials for each of the samples each month.

I really need a signature here or something don't I?

Weekend Sale Roundup: Back to Normal

Now that we are settling in to 2012 the sales (unfortunately) have returned to normal.  Here are a few of my favorites this weekend.

Ann Taylor: 40% off EVERYTHING in store and online (use code NEWYEAR at checkout).

Ann Taylor Loft: 30% off new arrivals; 60% off sale items (online only)

Banana Republic: 30% off orders of $100 or more (online ONLY).

BCBG: Winter Sale, up to 60% off select styles.

Bloomingdale's: in stores all sale items are an extra 50% off.  See what I picked up last weekend!  This deal ends 1/11/12.

Express: End of Season Sale and take an extra 20% off sale items

Forever 21: Clean Up Sale, select items buy one get one free.

J. Crew: Extra 25% off all sale items (use code SHOPNOW at checkout).  I think in stores it's been 30%.  At the J. Crew outlet, all sweaters are 30% off.

Talbots: Red Hanger Clearance Sale, select items 40% to 70% off.

The Limited: 40% off dresses, extra 25% off sale items, buy one get one 50% off pants, jeans and skirts.

White House Black Market:

Vera Bradley: Winter Sale.  40% off select styles and colors.

Victoria's Secret: Semi-Annual Sale!!!!  I shop for undergarments twice a year only at this sale, it's AMAZING.  Beauty items between 50% and 75% off, bras starting at $14.99 and underwear starting at $3.99.

Holiday Gifts Under $25

My friends from college are doing a secret santa this year with a limit of $25.  I think we all get into a gift slump when it comes to buying little gifts for co-workers, teachers, or secret santas.  Some of us don't want to get yet another Bath and Body Works gift set or a Yankee candle and others of us can't give home baked goods because of the lack of baking ability.

Holiday Gifts Under $25 by veggielawyer

1. SEPHORA by OPI Manhattan Minis Collection ($22).  When I have time I change my nail polish color twice a week.  (I know it's bad for my nails, I don't need the lecture).  So, Sephora's mini nail polishes are perfect because you get a sample of several different colors.  Is it wrong that my crazy brain wants to paint each nail a different color using this set?
2. Lilly Pulitzer Photo Ornaments (17.95)  I have actually used these as gift tags by slipping the name in where the photo goes.  But, a package of three makes a great gift.  I also have these hanging on a skinny wall in my bedroom in a vertical line.  Seriously, who doesn't love picture frames?
3. Victoria'S Secret Sexy Little Things® Noir Tease Mini Gift Set ($18.00).  These gift sets are great and are on sale in stores 2/$25 right now!  Maybe Tease is a little too sexy a gift for a kid's teacher, but the sets come in my favorite Victoria's Secret scent, Heavenly.
4. Threadless T-shirts (some as low as $9) - These shirts are cute AND funny AND cheap.  There are so many designs that you can definitely make this a thoughtful gift.
5. Buxom Swinger Girls Buxom Swinger Girls ($20).  I can not say enough good things about Buxom lip gloss.  It comes in great colors, moisturizes and stays on forever.  You will coat your wine glass in a thick coat of lip gloss while wearing this. 
6. Electronic catch Phrase ($24).  This game is awesome.  If you don't know how Catch Phrase works, you are just not a fun person...haha.  It really livens up a party or is just fun for sitting around.  Just don't try to play it with a Scot with a thick accent and no knowledge of pop culture.  You will be amazed at how competitive (and angry) people get.  
7. J. Crew Horseshoe Necklace ($18).  It's cute and what girl is going to turn down jewelry?
8. Juicy Couture hair accessory ($21).  Rhinestones, need I say more?

9. Monogrammed Stemless Wine Glasses (Set of 2) ($25).  I got these for my mom for Mother's Day and she loved them.  They're useful and chic.
10. Anthropologie Christmas Ornaments.  Ok, some of their ornaments are ridiculously priced, but that adoreable little owl is only $11.20 on sale.  There's also a hedgehog and, my personal favorite, a narwhal (sold out online).  
11. The Little Dictionary of Fashion ($14).  This is the perfect gift for a fashionista.  Christian Dior lays down the laws of what to wear to a wedding, how to tie a scarf and how to walk with grace (maybe something I need to learn to do).  And who better to tell you than the pinnacle of fashion: Dior?