Creating the Good Life – Page 2 – Broken Stone Photography Blog

February 15, 2016February 28, 2017

February’s Ipsy is all about Love…

…for your face!

Pretty in (#ipsy) Pink started off strong with Smashbox Cosmetics – Photo Finish Primer Oil (0.13 oz.). If they wanted me to fall in love with any product it would be this. I am truly a fan of facial primer and Smashbox has a history of impressing me. The 1 oz. size sells for $42 on smashbox.com. This smaller size would have retailed around $5.46.

The next item was definitely a good runner up. Chella – Lipstick Pencil in Passionate Pink (0.04 oz.) was a tad darker than I usually wear, but it’s not too dark that I won’t wear it. I definitely need to continue to branch out with my lip colors. Every time I try a new color I feel like it looks weird on me but I don’t know if it’s because I’m not used to wearing lipsticks or because I actually look weird. Haha…I definitely won’t be asking my husband. He hates it when I wear chapstick – “Eww, it’s sticky!” He’s the real weirdo. I believe this is the full-size so it would have rang in at $18.

I’ve been meaning to branch out and learn more about all the different kinds of brushes I can use, so I was pleasantly surprised when I received the Luxie Beauty Flat Definer Brush 221 (wt. 0.5 oz.) which retails at $16 on luxiebeauty.com. I will learn how to use this! Ha!

The Paula Dorf – Baby Eyes Enhancer (0.02 oz.) is a really nice product. Although I like the color and the concept behind the eye enhancer, but I’m not sure how often I’ll use it. On pauladorf.com the 0.4 oz. is $20 so this enhancer would be $1.

Promise Organic – Ultra Moisturizing Argan Crème Facial Lotion (0.5 oz.) smelled amazing. Argan and organic. Beautiful words to my ears.You can find the larger 1.7 fl. oz. on promiseorganic.com, which directs you to cvs.com where it retails for $14.99. The site says “exclusively at CVS/pharmacy” on their site. This smaller size would be $4.41.

This bags total would have been $44.87. I think I got a pretty good deal.

January 31, 2016March 31, 2016

Sasha is ‘Feeling Groovy’

This month’s Barkbox took our pup on a magically delicious ride. Even though her December box has barely been broken in, this pup was ready for more pawtastic treats.

Ziggy’s Disco Fries Treats (Delca) were a crunchy enjoyment. She could have eaten an entire basket-ful but we didn’t want them to go to her hips. These burger-joint inspired treats normally run $9.

The Ducky Tenders (Loving Pets) gave this canine something to quack about. The chewy treats hit the spot and the price is right at $8.

We have a tendency to keep things like the Elk Chew (Etta Says) down to minimal consumption for Sasha due to the fact that she likes to scarf them down so quickly. This can cause her to have a bit of a choking issue. So we will be saving these for a special occasion where we can watch her as she enjoys them. They rang in at $3 retail.

Not only did the Barkbox deliver tasty treats but they drop some ruvable toys off as well.

Lucy’s Magic Bus Toy (Bark & Co) took Sasha on her own fun adventure. Once again, anything with a squeaker in it sets this doggy’s heart a beating. She was in love instantly. She has even slept with the $10 bus between her paws on a few occasions already.

And finally there’s Ozzie the Hippie (Bark & Co). He likes to go for rides on Sasha’s collar and she bucks until he “gracefully” thunks on the ground. I’d like to tell you he has made it a whole 8 seconds but that would be a lie. Ozzie is worth his $13.

Total retail price of these items would have been $43.

January 17, 2016March 31, 2016

Happy New Ipsy!

It’s a new year….and a new set of goodies!!!

theBalm Cosmetics – Mr. Write (Now) eye liner (0.01 oz.) fell right into my ready and waiting hands. After this Christmas, my digits were primed for opening little treats. Mr. Write (Now) was definitely Mr. Right! I’m already a fan of theBalm Cosmetics and it’s not a bad price for a handle little eye liner. It can be found on thebalm.com for $17.

The J.Cat Beauty – Blinkle Shimmer Eyeshadow in shade Tangerine Light (0.09 oz.) has to be one of the funkiest colors I’ve seen not only out of Ipsy but ever – it has definitely put the groove back in my step. It can be purchased at Jcatbeauty.com for $4.99.

I’ve been getting a number of brushes recently and have been having an interesting time figuring out how to use all of them. Who knew you could have a brush for shaping, smudging, gliding, tweeking, glitterizing, etc. etc. …well, some of those I may have made up, but you get the idea. Before this Beau Gâchis Paris brush I always used my finger to smudge my eyeshadow but now I’m fancy! It is regularly $12 on Beaugachis.com, but there’s currently a Christmas/End of the Year Blowout sale for $9 so get a deal while you can!!!

Anything that has serum in the title usually reels me in instantly. That word just sounds so soothing. That’s exactly what pur~lisse – BLUE LOTUS 4-in-1 Eye Adore Serum (0.24 oz.)is – soothing. As much as I love it, I am not loving the dollar signs that go with it – on shope.purlisse.com it is a whopping $65 (0.5 oz./15 mL). While this half-size bottle would be $31.20, it’s going to make a slight dent in my wallet. I think for now I’ll stick with my to-go-unnamed brand.

Mitchell and Peach – English Leaf Body Cream (30 mL/1.01 fl.oz.)…all I can say is wow.Words cannot describe how in love I am with this body cream. Truly. In. Love. I wish the price tag was more in my range. On Mitchellandpeach.com it rings in at 36£ (180 mL), which equates to $52.62, making this much smaller size equal $8.77. #sadface

My total would have been $70.96. Even though some of these little (expensive) beauties won’t be rebought by me anytime soon, I plan keeping my New Year’s Resolution to enjoy my GlamBag…well, and maybe try to be healthier and shit. Haha…Happy New Year! Here’s to 2016!

January 4, 2016February 27, 2016

Hello Central Bark

Oh, it is so a puppy life.

Our pup, Sasha, is a spoiled rotten rottweiler Labrador. She’s crazy and sweet and naughty and lazy and hyper – sometimes all at the same time.

But she’s our baby so we continue to spoil her.

Enter the BarkBox.

Now Sasha’s got a brand new bag…o’ treats! Plus so much more and she couldn’t be happier. This sweet pup signed up for BarkBox and her first box didn’t disappoint.

For those of you who have never heard of BarkBox, go check out their website – barkbox.com – where they create monthly boxes of doggie goodies for your furry friend.

When the December box arrived early this month, we were more than pleased. I figured since we ordered in late December, our first box would be January’s – we were happily proven wrong.

Sasha knew instantly that the mail package was for her…of course, her puppy nose helped determine that.

After patiently waiting for me to open the box, Sasha was delighted to see all the tasty treats and fun toys waiting for her.

She grabbed the Lady Liberty Ball (Bark & Co) right away. In love, this pup was. The ball made to look like the top of the Statue of Liberty had the perfect squeaker and Sasha went crazy. So crazy, in fact, she didn’t hardly notice the good smelling Pepperoni Treats (Nootie No Grainers) but that didn’t last long.

She was so patient waiting for me to open up the box she definitely deserved a tasty treat.

She didn’t seem quite as enthused about the Pretzel (Bark & Co) until my husband showed her she could use it as a tug o’ war toy. Unfortunately, that caused the twisted pretzel shape to only last about one week before it turned into a pretzel stick. But she still wants to play with it, especially since she figured out there is a small squeaker at one end.

The Pawstrami and Rye (Feel Good Treat Company) were not her favorite but if it meant she got a t-r-e-a-t then she was happy. (I, personally, thought the name was a winner, but I guess pups don’t care about that sort of thing.)

The Bully Stick (Butcher’s Block LLC) is one of those treats we try to keep away from Sasha as much as possible. It isn’t for the lack of being a good product, it is more for the fact that our dog likes to scarf down food & treats as quickly as possible creating a choking hazard. This is a personal problem – not a product problem.

Overall, our December box was a tail-wagging hit.

December 24, 2015January 4, 2016

Merry Christmas to Me – From Ipsy

Ipsy outdid themselves this month. The December Glam Bag is the perfect gift for me…from me! The name was the perfect way to celebrate the holiday – “For You With Love From Ipsy” and boy, was I in love.

First, I fell for the Pin Up Girl from Julie G. This limited edition nail color is fantastic. I hope it continues to live up to its no chip formula it boasts. You can find this size (0.35 fl. oz.) on jessesgirlcosmetics.com for $3.99.

I’m not really one for lip stuff. I usually stick to lip balm and don’t really venture further than that but Ipsy has had me jumping outside of my comfort zones. I was pleasantly surprised to open this present – ModelCo’s Lip Enhancer Illusion Lip Liner (0.05 oz.). ModelCo has impressed me so far, I hope this product continues to live up to their standards I’m used to. This exact size can be found on their website – modelcocosmetics.com – for $20.

Although I just said I wasn’t much for lip “stuff” I was hoping I would get this product – Pacifica’s Power of Love Natural Lipstick. Two words: in love. This 0.07 oz. stick is available at target.com for $9.49.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – anything that will moisturize my face I’m willing to try and it only helps that I’ve always wanted to try LATHER’s products. Their honey moisture mask has been a facial relief. This 0.5 oz size will ring in at $2.75 compared to the full-size on lather.com at $22.

Jersey Shore Cosmetics has quickly become a favorite brand of mine thanks to Ipsy. The Vanilla Bean Anti-aging Lip & Hand Polish (1 oz.) has been … different … but I’m willing to try anything when it comes to anti-aging. On jerseyshoresun.com, the 1 oz. jar rings in at $25.

My Christmas present was getting $61.23-worth of product for $10.