Ipsy Bag: February 2014

So it's time for another installment of my Ipsy Bag subscription.  My February bag just came in the mail yesterday and I was so excited to share it with y'all.  I can honestly say that would use ALL the items that were sent this month!  I don't think that's ever happened to me before - there is usually one dud in the bunch.  I am pretty picky about my makeup, but it's fun to try new things out.  That's exactly why I get this fun subscription.

Here is the run down of all the awesome goodies I got (and links)....  Enjoy

Pop Beauty Plump Pout in Peony Petal
Zoya Nail Polish in Odette
Eyetini Shadow Tint in Spiced Rum
City Color Be Matte Blush in Fresh Melon
NU.ME Intense Renewal Hair Mask

So those are all the goodies I got this month.  I love how the Ipsy bag gives you a "full face" of makeup, and that all the products can be worn together or separate.  It makes so much sense.  I had another subscription service in the past that would repeat "like" items in the same month, so I ended my service (an in all honesty, the samples were just - meh).  I am so thankful to have found Ipsy, and for only $10 a month, it's worth every penny!

Do any of you subscribe to Ipsy?  I'd love to know in the comments below, if you care to share. 

Thanks for reading!

Foot Cream: Earth Therapeutics Tea Tree Oil Foot Repair Balm

Hello lovelies!  Today I thought I would share another favorite body care product of mine.  Last week I wrote a post all about my favorite hand cream - here.  I got a few messages saying it was helpful to some of my readers, so I decided to share my favorite foot cream.
 
My foot cream of choice is Earth Therapeutics Tea Tree Oil Foot Repair Balm.  I picked up mine at Ulta Beauty a few months back and I've been loving it ever since.  This foot repair lotion is super moisturizing on my dry cracked heels and soles.  It does wonders for my skin, especially in the harsh midwestern winters. 

I use this product about 3-4 times per week in the winter and in the warmer months I use this a little less frequently, maybe 1-2 times per week.  I also like to wear socks to bed (any time of year), I know I'm strange, but that seems to help lock in the moisture when I sleep.

photo source: Ulta

Do any of you have a great foot cream/balm you would recommend?  I would love to know in the comments, if you care to share.

Thanks for reading! 

Makeup Monday: Lancôme Translucence Pressed Powder

Todays Makeup Monday is a special one for me - mainly because I have used this product for over two years, consistently.  I love recommending products for my friends & readers that I really LOVE.  I use this powder every time I apply makeup and it works extremely well for my skin type. 

So lets get in to the nitty-gritty about this amazing product...  it's the Lancôme Translucent pressed powder.  It is specialized for mattifying the skin, so it works wonders on my crazy "oil-slicked" face.  After I apply all my face makeup, minus my blush, I set everything with a very light dusting of this product.  After that is set, then I apply my blush and loose setting powder by Coty (check out the post about that product here) 

I wear the shade 250 Buff.  Even when I have a little more color to my face in the summertime, it still works well with my skin tone.  It's such a light powder and not meant to be a heavy color on the face.  I'm sure you could use it as a powder foundation, but that's not the main purpose of the product. 

photo credit:  Lancôme

I am always on the hunt for anything that is a good mattifier for my skin and also makes my makeup look good at the same time - I don't want to walk around with "cake-face".  This is one of those rare finds that I can not live without.  I even have one of these in my purse for touch ups.  I rarely touch up my makeup during the day, but in the warmer months I will have to use another light dusting around 3pm.  Darn oily skin ...

Do any of you suffer from problem skin like I do?  What are your remedies?  I'd love to know in the comments, if you care to share. 

Thanks for reading!
 



Foodie Corner: Dragon House

I have been going to the Dragon House for my entire life - no seriously, for the last 33 years, no joke.  My dad was the first in the family to discover this hidden gem in Columbia Heights, Minnesota.  I have had many Birthday celebrations in the place, they even catered my High School graduation party!  That's just how much I'm obsessed with this food. 

Unfortunately I live in North Dakota now, so it's not like they take deliveries to my area (trust me, I asked the owner).  But they do, actually, deliver locally!  But yesterday I went to Minneapolis for an unrelated appointment, so I had the chance to get my nummy Chinese grub-on.  So in famous Emily-Style, I ordered the heck out of that food!  Our wonderful server was probably wondering where I was going to put it all - haha.

I met my brother for lunch so we could catch up, and get our grub on.  It was a great time, chit-chatting, taking photos, and the best part... eating!  I even took 2 meals home - across state lines and everything, I'm obviously dedicated.  I know, I have an obsession.  But it's soooo good!  For lunch we got Spring Rolls and Gee Bow Gai for starters, and our entrées were Pork Lo Mein and the Dragon House Fried Rice (enjoy the photos)  Everything was gobbled up in record time, and we took food home.  In all the years I've been eating there, I've NEVER had a bad meal.  I always know I'm going to have a satisfying meal at the Dragon House :)

So have any of you ever been to the Dragon House in Columbia Heights, MN?  If you live in Minnesota you should check it out.  Here is a link to their Facebook page.  Make sure to "like" them and give a review after you're experienced  all the yumminess.

Ok, now I'm hungry....  again.  Good thing I brought food home.

Thanks for reading! 

 

Diary of a Single Girl: Justin Timberlake Concert

If you follow me on Facebook you'll know that I went to the Justin Timberlake concert last week.  Click HERE to see a fun video I took of the concert!  He came to Fargo, ND for The 20/20 Experience Tour on February 7th.  I had been thinking for a while about going to see him, but the only problem was I didn't have anyone to go with.  I moved here about 6 months ago, and don't know anyone my own age...

After thinking about it, I decided the night before to buy a single ticket.  I actually got FLOOR seats!  I had never been on the floor of a concert before - it was pretty cool to see everything up close and personal.  The crowd around me was super awesome.  I met a few groups of ladies going out for a fun night.  I even took a photo of some of their wine glasses for my collage!  And another woman was kind enough to take my photo before the concert started. 

Here are some fun photos from my ticket, to me at the venue before the concert started.  I thought that Bison head was hilarious!  This was the first time I had ever been to the Fargodome.  It would have been better if that head was wearing a scarf or something.  It was frigid that night - Brrrrr!

 

As for the actual concert....  I was amazing!  I have been to all of Justin Timberlake's solo concerts.  The last two I attended in Minnesota.  This show was a good mix of his new songs and old favorites that we all wanted to hear.  Before going to the concert I had only downloaded one song, Drink You Away.  That was the only song on iTunes that I really liked.  I finally downloaded a few others after hearing him sing live.  He is truly an entertainer at heart.  I would highly recommend for anyone to see this concert, even if it's alone! 

 

 

 

Like I said before I attended this concert alone, but it was still fun!  I had to work the next day so I couldn't get too "buck wild", anyway.  I inserted a photo of the "floor" and where I was able to get a ticket.  I'm glad that all the people around me were super cool.  I introduced myself to everyone and said that I was there by myself (rather than having people wonder).  After I introduced myself, everyone was including me in their conversations, I even got an invitation to out with one of the groups after the show.  Unfortunately I had to decline, because I had an early morning the next day. 

 

So if you ever the opportunity to go to a concert alone, do it!  Especially if it's to see someone you really enjoy.  It's not a scary as it seems.  Biggest tip:  Introduce yourself you your neighbors, people are still very kind out there. (especially in ND) 

 

Have any of you ever gone to a concert alone?  I'd love to know in the comments below.

 

Thanks for reading! 

 

Fashion Friday: Frugal Haul

Another installment of Fashion Friday for y'all!  This haul is a little more budget friendly.  I only bought one item that was full price, but it was too cute to pass up (plus it was the only one left).  You know I love a bargain.

So last Sunday I had some extra time, so I decided to browse at my local mall. Browsing doesn't always mean buying for me.  But that day I found some great sales and additional discounts at some of my local stores.  I went to Ann Taylor, Forever 21 & Express. 

Ann Taylor - Dalmatian Print Top
$54.50 - reduced to $39.99 on sale - in store promotion made it only $23.99!

Forever 21 - Jigsaw Bib Necklace
$12.80 - this was the only full priced item I got

Express - Sleeveless Porto Fino Shirt
$44.90 - reduced to $29.99 on sale - in store promotion made it only $14.99!

Express - Sequined Graphic Tee
$39.90 - reduced to $19.99 on sale - in store promotion made it only $9.99!

All in all I made some good choices.  I was amazed that these sleeveless tops and tee were on clearance since all the SPRING styles are so similar.  I will definitely be wearing these tops as soon as the weather warms up in my area.

Have you found any awesome sales recently?  I'd love to know in the comments below, if you care to share. 

Thanks for reading!

Hand Cream: Philosophy Hands of Hope

It's a cold dry time in Fargo, North Dakota.  And this hand cream is litteraly saving my hands from getting flakey & cracking on a daily basis.  I use this lotion like its going out of style in the winter, and really any time of year when my hands need a little pick me up.




photo source: Ulta



 

Here is what the Ultahas to say about this product...

"Hands Of Hope Hand and Cuticle Cream by Philosophy is designed to help moisturize and smooth dry hands and rough cuticles. The formula contains shea butter and a blend of natural oils to help provide long-lasting moisture and help prevent dry skin and nails. This ultra-rich hand cream helps aid in moisture retention and improve skin's smoothness for silky, soft hands. Hands Of Hope absorbs quickly without leaving hands feeling sticky or greasy. It's the hope your hands have been searching for."

 If you are looking for a useful gift or just a great hand cream, this is the ticket!  Anyone would love this, especially if they live in a cooler climate.  I gave away a few of these for Christmas this year, and everyone loved it - even guys! 

Do you have a good hand cream that you love?  I'd love to know what one is your holy grail cream.  Leave a comment if you care to share.

Thanks for reading!