Monday, April 30, 2012

Bauble Brigade: Splurge or Steal

Splurge or Steal

I have been wanting to get my hands on this Jcrew Bubble necklace for a while now. I probably look at it online once a week but I havent been able to justify spending 150 on this one necklace right now. Then the other day while browsing PreeBrulee I found these almost identical necklaces. I was so excited I ordered both of them! Which do you like better the splurge or steal?

Friday, April 27, 2012

Caribbean Cool Summer Nail Colors

In about a month and a half I will be sitting beach side in the keys and I cant wait. Yes thats right its almost summer vacation time. Im just so excited that even these amazingly bright nail polishes are making me think of my tropical vacation. Im all for these bright fun colors and plan on sporting them through my week long vacation. What do you think of this trend? Going anywhere fun this summer? I'd love to hear about it!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Living Room Inspiration

In a short couple of months I will be moving, currently I am living with my mother and high school aged brother. When I graduated college this past August I decided the smart thing would be to move home and save up some money. Well now the time has come to move into my first place and I am beyond excited. 
Lately all I can think about is decorating my future abode. I thought I would share some inspiration for the new place on here! Below is how I am picturing the living room. I will be living with my boyfriend so I promised him I would make sure to keep it somewhat masculine, what do you think? 

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Xen Tan Transform Luxe Daily Self Tan Review

Xen Tan

With summer approaching I find myself desperately needing a tan. Shorts and tank tops always look better with a golden glow. We didn’t have much of a winter here in Texas this year so I already feel I'm behind on the bronzed skin. Last week I gave in and decided to try out a new self tanner. I bought Xen –Tan Luxe Daily Self Tan at Ulta for $30. There were several self tanners offered by this brand but I decided to choose this particular one for two reasons
1. I figure I should slowly get back into using self tanner since it has probably been a year since I used one and a gradual self tanner seemed the best way to do this.
2. It was about 10 dollars cheaper than the weekly self tanner and I was on a budget.

I have used this product for about a week and a half now so I think I can give an honest review of it. It is a white lotion that gets darker over several hours. The directions say to be careful of transfer on to light clothing so I like to put this on before I go to bed to avoid messing up any of my clothes. It doesn’t smell horrible but I will say that it has a strong "tropical" smell, you know that coconut tanning lotion smell. The first time I used this it left me a bit streaky although I say this was probably more do to operator error. Be sure to exfoliate before hand and put a good even coat over you whole body. The color is more on the olive toned so I feel it helps avoid an orange tint. Overall I feel this is a pretty good self tanner and after getting back into the swing of using one I think will re – purchase once I am out to keep my bronze skin all throughout summer. What is your favorite self tanner?


Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Clarisonic Review

Clarisonic

The clarisonic  is pretty much a cult product that I am sure everyone has read many reviews over. With this being said I still want to give my opinion on this product. I bought the clarisonic back in November from QVC. I have wanted to purchase the clarisonic for quite some time reading many articles and blog posts on the amazingness of the tool. For me it was all about trying to clear up my skin, I have oily skin most of the time. I am very prone to breaking out and seeing that I am 22 I really want to get it more under control. I thought that the clarisonic would help with this by cleaning my skin of every impurity and stitch of makeup off my face every day.

Now I must say that while I do like the clarisonic and have seen improvement in the texture of my skin it has not really helped improve my breakouts. My skin is much softer now and absorbs moisturizers much better and I could tell the difference with this almost instantly. On the other hand my face still breaks out just as much as it did before and I know what your thinking yes but it has a "purging" stage where you will get some bumps here and there as the impurities in your face make their way out….. well I can say that I definitely went  through this stage and was miserable I had so many spots pop up I almost gave up on the clarisonic, but I resisted and kept using it.

Over all I would say that this is a pretty good tool and I do feel like my skin is in much better shape than it was before. I am still working on other aspects of my cleansing routine and maybe I will find the perfect combination of products and tools that will help combat those nasty spots that pop up. I will keep you all updated as I figure out what works and what doesn’t. You can buy the Clarisonic in different version at several stores including Ulta, QVC, and Sephora. Do y'all have any rave worthy skin care products that are worth a try?

Monday, April 23, 2012

Bauble Brigade: Animal Bracelets

Bauble Brigade

 I have seen these adorable bracelets everywhere lately, they are corky but sophisticated at the same time. You could style them with many outfits and I love the bright colorful ones to add a pop to a casual summer outfit.  What do you think about this trend?
Bauble Brigade: Animal Bracelets

Friday, April 20, 2012

Its all in your Hands

Have you ever noticed when someone's hands don’t match their age… you know what I'm talking about those hands that look they belong to an 80 year old but really belong to someone much younger. This is something I always dread having but often my hands are something I neglect, never paying attention to keeping them properly moisturized but lately I have noticed that my hands have been feeling extra dry and tight. I blame this on the freezing temperature in my office. This being said I have checked out a few new hand creams lately and have picked two that I think are pretty good.


Its all in your Hands




Philosophy : Hands of Hope
Formulation – Cream; Thick
Scent – Unscented
Price - $10
Opinion – This one happens to be my favorite out of the two. I like the thicker formula and the fact that it honestly doesn’t smell like anything. Leaves my hands feeling quenched without any greasiness

EOS : Hand lotion
Formulation – Runnier; lotion
Scent – Original, has a very light fresh smell to it.
Price - $3.50
Opinion – I liked this one because the smell was great and not overpowering. The formulation is lighter but still keeps your hands moisturized, so if you don’t need an intense cream then is what I would recommend.

Overall : For my needs I feel the Hands of Hope works best but the EOS lotion is a close second.
You can pick up both of these at Ulta and many other stores.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

ART for the Heart


Just a quick post on some art that I have been admiring while browsing the internet and pinterest.
1. and 2. By Mia Tarducci Henry - I just couldnt get over the colors in this first painting it just makes me happy.
3. Unkown.
4. by Leigh Viner and you can shop her work on etsy. I purchsed this print for my bedroom and I can't wait to get it framed and up!


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Deal Alert: Free Gift with Purchase

Gift with Purchase

Sometimes I find that I will only purchase higher end cosmetics if it comes with a gift with purchase. These extra freebies just make buying a more expensive product worth it. Today I bought a few new things that came with a free gift. Both these events are still going on so I highly recommend you check them out!

1.  Dillards - Lancome: With a $35 dollar purchase you get to choose three out of eight beauty items, one eye cream, one serum and 1 bag. Pretty good deal if you ask me!

lancome gift with purchse
I bought 1.Effacernes Waterproof Protective Undereye Concealer  2. Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara


2. Nordstrom - Estee Lauder - Spend $42.50 on Estée Lauder products and get a bag packed with deluxe travel-size favorites 
  • Soft Clean Tender Creme Cleanser (2.5 oz.)
  • Dual-Ended Pure Color Lipstick in Ripe Papaya (0.04 oz.) and Gloss in Peach Sizzle (0.15 oz.)
  • Sumptuous Mascara (0.1 oz.)
  • Time Zone Line & Wrinkle Reducing Creme (0.5 oz.)
  • Advanced Night Repair (0.24 oz.)
  • Pure Color Eyeshadow compact in Twinkle Pink, Waves Duo, Hot Cinnamon, Khakis Duo, Lavish Mink and Raisins Duo.
  • Cosmetics Bag



Estee Lauder gift with purchase
I bought - 1.  double wear maximum cover camouflage  2. double wear stay in place gel eyeliner

Deal Alert: Origins Brightening Musts

Deal Alert

Yesterday I received an email from Origins showing all the new gift set available for mothers day. One of them really struck my fancy, the Brightening Musts. I first saw that it came with a full size Vitazing along with two other goodies for only $2 dollars more than the cost of the VitaZing on its own. The VitaZing costing $35 and the kit $37.


If you saw my post the other day on the product you will know that I LOVE it so much. I decided to pick this kit up for the value and to try out the other 2 products. I cant wait to test them out! Check out the other special gift sets on origins.com
Set includes -
Modern Friction™ Nature's gentle dermabrasion 1.0 fl. oz./30 ml
GinZing™ Refreshing eye cream to brighten and depuff net wt. 0.17 oz./5 ml
VitaZing™ SPF 15 Energy-boosting moisturizer with Mangosteen 1.7 fl. oz./50 ml

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Wish List Beauty

Wish List

I have a long list of beauty products I'm looking to pick up, below are a few products I'm planning on purchasing by the end of the month, keep your eye out for reviews! Any products you're planning on buying? I would love to know!


Wish List Beauty



MAC Cosmetics makeup
$15 - maccosmetics.com

MAC Cosmetics lip makeup
$15 - maccosmetics.com

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics beauty product
$32 - bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Clinique
$50 - clinique.com

Makeup
chanel.com

Chanel makeup
chanel.com

Chanel makeup
chanel.com

Monday, April 16, 2012

Bauble Brigade - The Statement Necklace

I have been dying to pick up some new statement necklaces. I have a running list of gorgeous pieces I am planning on getting my hands on.  One great piece of jewelry can complete an entire outfit and these would be welcome editions in my jewelry box. Which one is your favorite?

The statement Necklace


J Crew j crew jewelry
$150 - jcrew.com

J Crew j crew jewelry
$85 - jcrew.com

Chain jewelry
$40 - preebrulee.com

Kate Spade dot jewelry
$148 - katespade.com

Kendra Scott 14 karat gold necklace
$195 - kendrascott.com

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Deborah Lippmann on HSN

I have never used Deborah Lippmann nail Polishes before. I always longed to try her fun sounding shades all named after songs but just couldn’t justify spending so much on nail color. The other day I was browsing around the internet and found two sets of Lippmann polishes on sale from HSN. 

The set was marked down to 16 each from 32 dollars they contained 2 full size polishes and I knew this would be a great chance to try them out at a steal.  I have to say that I am a huge fan now, they go on so smoothly and have incredible shine to them. The width of the brush made it easy to flawlessly paint my nails.  

The colors I bought  were Let's hear it for the boy and Dancing in the sheets as well as Almost paradise and Footloose . These are still on sale as well as a couple of other sets . I am loving footloose and dancing in the sheets. I highly recommend checking out her collections – you can find them in high-end department stores as well as her online site and of course HSN.

Footloose – described as a orange- red.
Almost Paradise – pale chartreuse
Let's Hear it for the Boy – creamy powder blue
Dancing in the Sheets – deep purple shimmer – I think this looks more deep blue with a purple iridescence shimmer

Left set - Almost Paradise &Footloose Right set - Dancing in the Sheets &Lets Hear it for the Boy



Saturday, April 14, 2012

Origins Vita Zing a Miracle Moisturizer?

For a while now I have been using the Origins Vita Zing face moisturizer every morning. I picked it up super bowl weekend, I remember this because we were down in Rice Village watching the game with friends  and there was an origins store right around the corner and I knew I had to stop in to pick this up. I had read many other blogger reviews on this product and I decided that it was a product I needed to test out as well. The product claims to Hydrate while energizing and protecting the skin with an SPF 15.

I have to say that this very much has become a staple in my skin care routine. A little back ground on my skincare, I have oily sking and for the most part I never really had an actual routine about a year ago I decided that I needed to get into skin care… always hearing these beautiful actresses saying that the way to stay looking young is through skin care.( If you want to know more about my trials and tribulations with my skin care routine keep an eye out, I will be posting the full routine soon)

This moisturizer is a grayish color but when buffed into the skin shows no trace of the color. I'm not sure quit how to describe this product other than amazing, It leaves my skin well moisturized without feeling greasy, I feel it brightens up my complexion and gives it a glow every time I use it. I would definitely recommend giving this product a try if you haven’t already. It is something I will be repurchasing time and time again.  You can pick it up on the  origins website for $35 dollars.


Friday, April 13, 2012

Healthy Eating : Raspberry Chipotle Salmon and Asparagus

I am telling you this is the easiest meal I have ever prepared and it is so amazingly yummy. Its pretty simple ingredients and can  be whipped up fast.
Here is what you need

Salmon (frozen or fresh)
Chipotle raspberry sauce
Asparagus
Salt and pepper
Garlic


Start by pouring the chipotle raspberry sauce  over salmon and let marinate for at least 30 min. I found several sauce selections at my local grocery store. Place salmon on broiler pan and put in the oven on broil for about 10 minutes. This time will differ depending on your oven so just keep an eye on it and when the salmon is flaky all the way through it is done. While the salmon is cooking sautee the asparagus in a little oil with some garlic season with salt and pepper and cook until asparagus turns a bright green. This is the simplist meal to make and healthy too! 

Let salmon marinate for 30 minutes
 





Sautee Asparagus and Garlic
 








Broil salmon till flaky all the way through


The finished product!




Thursday, April 12, 2012

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

I posted yesterday about some of my hautelook purchases the other day, well I also picked up a skin care product, the Mario Badescu – Drying lotion which was on sale for 13.50.

As of late I have had a few break outs every couple of weeks so in trying to fix this issue I decided to pick up this little baby. I have heard reviews of this product before and had even thought of purchasing it a while back but never did. I have used it a couple times so far and it seems to work pretty well.

To use all you do is stick a cotton swab in the bottle make sure it hasn’t been shaken the product needs to be settled with the pink at the bottom and the clear liquid at the top. Then just dab over any spots you have and it helps dry them up over night. I will make sure to keep you updated on this product because I think it has the potential to be a life saver when it comes to ugly little blemishes. One thing I should mention, it stings horribly when first applied.  What work for your blemishes? I am always open to advice!

You can find this in Ulta stores and here is a 20% off Ulta order till April 14th 
Or find this online at the Mario Badescu website for $17

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Lorac on Hautelook

A couple weeks back I saw a Lorac sale on Hautelook and I had to break my no purchasing make up vow. I just couldn’t pass up the chance to pick up some new things at a great price. Don’t worry though I didn’t go overboard! I decided to get two lip liners that were on sale for 3 dollars each and some pressed powder that was about 10 dollars.

 I would have to say I am not much of a lip gal more often than not I don’t wear anything at all but for some reason I love buying lipsticks I just think they are so pretty and girlie to have. Every time I buy a new lip product my mother wonders why I bother, I will probably never use it.  Albeit I still thought I should pick up some new lip liners since I probably haven’t used one in years and who knows maybe it would get me to wear my lipstick more( I know this downward spiral of thinking is what gets me into trouble). I picked up the Lorac lip pencil in Peachy Brown (#09) and Burgundy Red (#03) I think the peachy brown is a nice neutral color I can wear under many of my lipsticks since the more neutral shades are what I tend to gravitate more towards, and the burgundy red would be great to use under the couple of red lipsticks I own. So far I haven’t reached to use these yet but testing them out they seem to go on smoothly and look like a nice addition to my makeup collection.

Top - 09
Bottom- 03


Now for a more practical purchase the Lorac Translucent touch up powder in medium (Tl2.5),  I guess you could say I am more on the oily side of things when it comes to my face so I pretty much powder my face every morning with a little touchup around lunch time. I thought this pressed powder was a steal at 10 dollars. I haven’t used the product yet so I will update you on how I like it down the road. Have you found any new make up steals? I would love to know if you have!


With out flash

With flash
 Not a member of Hautelook - Join Here

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

So if you didnt notice I changed my blog around a little bit. I changed the name to In The Land of Jen and updated my layout. I hope everyone likes the changes. I would appreciate if everyone followed <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3642699/in-the-land-of-jen?claim=r53u5y3zk3s">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Shoes Shoes and More Shoes

Recently I have been on a real shoe kick. I have purchased 8 new pairs of shoes since the beginning of January. I know this might sound a bit excessive but I really needed to invest in some shoes I could wear to work. Before these purchases sure I had lots of stylish shoes but most were opened toed  and sandals with 4+inch heels not exactly work friendly. So I thought I would share with y'all my new purchases. If you cant tell from the pictures I have been really loving the smoking flat trend. I think they can punch up a boring outfit while still keeping you comfortable all day long. What do you think about my new shoes like them? Have any shoes you've been crushing over ?


Shoemint -



White animal print - Aldo
Red animal print - Shoemint



Aldo

BCBG - From Macys

Sam Edelman - Hautelook

BCBG - Macys

Sam Edelman - Hautelook



Kate Spade Glasses

Kate Spade Glasses


A couple of weeks ago I went in to see my eye doctor for my yearly check up and found out it was time for some new glasses. For a little back ground I started wearing glasses only a year ago after much strain in college to read my books and assignments I went to get a check up and found that I am farsighted, I feel like I am only 22 and then there goes my eye sight…. Is this what I have to look forward to as I get older? I still have not got on the contact bandwagon ( I seriously hate sticking things in my eye creeps me out) so I picked out a new pair of glasses and I am seriously loving them they are from Kate Spade and are a brown tortoise shell color. They are so cute and even the case is adorable color blocked green and blue!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Ombre easter cookies

Ombre Easter Cookies

I have always had a love for cooking and baking. Especially baking because I have a horrible sweet tooth that has plagued me since I was born probably. I decided I would start to share my baking and cooking experiences with yall. For my first entry I will be making sugar cookies for Easter. I found the recipe and decorating idea online from another blogger over at The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle . She has the best cookie decorating advice around and makes the most adorable cookies ever.  I'll give the recipes below you can check out Her Blog for a more in depth lesson on cookies!

Sugar Cookie Recipe

2 sticks of unsalted butter
1 ½ cups of confectioners' sugar
1 egg
2-3 tsp of Vanilla
2tsp baking powder
1tsp salt
2 ½ - 2 ¾ cups of all purpose flour

Cream together softened butter and confectioner’s sugar. Crack the egg into a separate bowl and add vanilla. Next add that to the butter sugar mixture and mix until the egg completely mixed.  In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then add to mixture a little at a time. Below is a picture of what it should look like. You do not need to let it rest so this recipe is super convenient.

Next roll out to 1/4 inch thick and cut out your cookies, I made flowers and circles. Put on parcment paper covered cookie sheets and bake on 400 degrees for 7-8 minutes. For the icing I made the royal icing recipe provided on the same blog I got the cookie recipe from, but you can use whatever royal icing recipe you want. I let the cookies cool for a full day before I iced them. I lined the cookies first then filled them in. For the color design I used Wilson food color spray. For clearer instructions on the process check out the SugarBelle blog. I have to say after trying many sugar cookie recipes this is the best and I will never try another!





Pages

© In The Land of JenThe Basic Page