Sunday, September 25, 2011

What's in my Longchamp Purse?

This is generally what I carry with me while on a cruise ship.  Because it's about a 5 minute walk to my cabin from anywhere on the ship, I don't carry makeup with me.  I usually bring lip balm with as well, but this particular day I left it in the cabin.
What's in my Longchamp
 Probably the most important thing in my Longchamp is my camcorder - because I have to film virtually everything.
Ray-Ban Aviators, a Prada Tissue Holder and Coach Poppy Graffiti Coin Purse
Wet Ones, aspirin, gum, Pier 1 paper soap and Australian Gold Sunscreen
Wet Ones, or some kind of hand sanitizer is essential on a cruise ship.  The Antipodes Saviour skin balm came in handy so soothe our sunburn.
Asprin, ear plugs and the Alessi Purse Hook
Lonchamp Le Pliage Rosalie and Alessi Minou Purse Hook
Alessi Minou Purse Hook
I bought the Alessi Minou Cat purse hook on a previous vacation in Canada - and I take him everywhere with me!


The contents of my Lonchamp Pliage are:


Camcorder
Camera
iPhone with earphones
Coach Poppy Denim Patchwork Wallet
Ray-Ban Aviators
Prada Tissue Holder
Coach Poppy Graffiti Coin Purse
Alessi Minou Purse Hook
Antipodes Skin Balm from Hip Apotheca
Australian Gold Sunscreen
Asprin
Ear plugs
Tic Tacs
Gum
Pier 1 Paper Soap
Pen
Handmade luggage tag with my initial K


Bag: Medium Longchamp Le Pliage in Rosalie Pink
On my nails: Night Rider by NARS



You can purchase Antipodes Saviour from Hip Apotheca


Click here for a link to my YouTube Channel: The Sassi Wench


- The Sassi Wench


Note: I purchased everything myself with the exception of the Antipodes Skin Balm which was sent to me for review by Hip Apotheca.

Too Faced Eye Love Sephora Exclusive Eye Shadow Collection

Too Faced Sephora Exclusive Limited Edition Eyeshadow Palette
A few months ago I went into Sephora to purchase some perfume, and when I was at the checkout counter the SA told me that I had reached 500 points in the VIB program and I could pick one of "these two" (she gestured to a display case) sets - one of which happened to be the Too Faced Sephora Beauty Insider exclusive eyeshadow collection palette.  I was so mesmerized by this palette that I don't even remember what the other option was!
Eye Love Too Faced Sephora Beauty Insider Palette with the Too Faced Shadow Insurance
The palette contains two colors from each of Too Faced best-selling eyeshadow palettes, including the Natural Eye, Smoky Eye, Naked Eye and Romantic Eye.

I already own the Too Faced Natural Eye palette, which I love.  But I find myself reaching for this palette all the time, especially when I am in a rush or traveling.  It's the perfect palette for quick, on-the-go makeup.  The only color I'm not too enthralled with is Heaven.  Because it is so sheer, I find it hard to apply.  Every other color here is just perfect!
Too Faced 8 Eyeshadows plus a deluxe sample of Shadow Insurance
Even though this palette is no longer available from Sephora, you can still find them on Ebay. I bought one for my Mom, who really wanted one after seeing mine, and seeing how the eye shadows complimented my dark brown eyes.
Too Faced Natural Eye, Smoky Eye, Naked Eye, Romantic Eye
I honestly can't think of a better way to have spent my 500 points.  I really think that Sephora and Too Faced outdid themselves with this palette.  For me, no other 500 point perk set can compare.
Too Faced Eyeshadow Swatches Heaven, Silver Spoon, Satin Sheets, Honeymoon
Too Faced Eyeshadow Swatches Push-Up, Smolder, Like a Virgin, Ever After
Click here for a link to my YouTube Channel: The Sassi Wench


Click here for a link to Too Faced cosmetics: Too Faced

- The Sassi Wench


Thursday, September 22, 2011

Jo Malone Fragrance Combining Collection

I have never tried Jo Malone products before.  I don't know why.  But all that changed last week when I was on vacation in Nassau in the Bahamas.  

Then I discovered the Cosmetic Boutique on Bay Street and Charlotte Street North, where they have an extensive selection of Jo Malone products... and I fell in love!

I spent a while sampling some scents and chatting to the very friendly sales associate, but I had to leave before I was able to decide on a fragrance.  And unfortunately, I was never able to return to that store.  

When I got back home I began prowling the Internet for something interesting, and I found the Jo Malone Fragrance Combining™ Collection online as a Nordstrom exclusive.

On Friday, the package was delivered and I was finally able to join in on the Jo Malone experience.
Jo Malone Box
Jo Malone London
Jo Malone Gift Set
Jo Malone up close
Jo Malone Fragrance Combining™ Collection
The Nectarine Blossom and Honey Cologne has a crisp, clean scent.  It's very strong at first - very fruity, and once it settled on my skin I detected distinct notes of peach and the slight warmth of honey.  Bare in mind that this is a cologne, so you do need to reapply it after a few hours.
Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom and Honey Cologne
Jo Malone believes in combining and layering fragrances to create your own, unique scent.  So spay on one fragrance, wait for it to dry, then spray on a different fragrance.  

Or spitz a fragrance, then add a different body cream, and along with your own personal scent you create something very special.
Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia Body Creme
Jo Malone Orange Blossom Scented Candle


The Fragrance Combining Collection includes a Nectarine Blossom and Honey Cologne (1 oz.), an English Pear and Freesia Body Creme (1.7 oz.) and an Orange Blossom Scented Candle (1 oz.).


Visit Jo Malone online.


- The Sassi Wench

Sunday, September 18, 2011

The Urban Decay 15th Year Anniversary Eyeshadow Collection

 
Urban Decay 15 Anniversary Palette Tray and Packaging
I know that there are about a thousand reviews on this Urban Decay 15th Anniversary Eyeshadow Palette out there, but I can't resist gushing about it myself!

It seems that just about everyone has snapped up one of these - and if you haven't, you should seriously consider getting one.

Urban Decay 15 Anniversary Palette Lid
First up, the packing.  Purple, metallic and mirrored, it compliments my vanity table perfectly, since I have touches of purple in my bedroom.


The box is so pretty - although the lid is prone to fingerprint smudges.
Urban Decay 15 Anniversary Palette Packaging
The lid (seen here placed inside the tray) includes a mirror.
Urban Decay 15 Anniversary Palette Mirror
Urban Decay 15 Anniversary Eyeshadow Collection Packaging
Because of the range of colors it is easy to create virtually any look, and transform yourself from a neutral-eyed demure damsel during the day into a sexy, smokey-eyed vixen in the evening! And what a stunning selection of brown shadows!
Urban Decay 15 Anniversary Eyeshadows
This collection of full size shadows is simply stunning!  The colors are richly pigmented, soft, they blend easily and the formula allows for a smooth application.  My favorites are Vanilla (perfect for the brow bone), Midnight, Omen and Evidence.  And they stay on!
Urban Decay 15 Anniversary closeup 
The only con about this palette is that, due to its rather large size and loose lid design, it would make it rather awkward for traveling.  So unfortunately, I'll have to leave his one behind when I travel.
Urban Decay 15 Anniversary Eyeshadow Collection
As an added bonus, the tray that the collection comes in can be used for other things...
Urban Decay 15 Anniversary Eyeshadow Velvet Tray
I'll use it on my vanity as either a jewelry tray, for for lipsticks or nail polishes.


I think that this is just about one of the best eyeshadow collections out there.


- The Sassi Wench

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Paul & Joe Butterfly Tin Love

The Paul & Joe Nail and Hand Care Kit
I had my eye on the Paul & Joe Beaute Nail and Hand Care Kit for the longest time.  I even had the opportunity to purchase one on sale, and I passed it over, thinking that it was cute, but not for me.

And then the inevitable happened - it becomes discontinued, and it sells out.  Everywhere.

And then of course it's the one thing that I really want!  I went crazy trying to find this set in the USA, but it seems that it is truly sold out.  Fortunately for me, I happened to find one in the UK.  After paying a fortune for air freight, it was finally delivered to my door this week!
Paul & Joe Hand Cream
The Hand Cream (1.4 fl oz), Nail Protect Coat to strengthen nails (.33 fl oz), and hand treatment gloves come packaged in the most adorable butterfly print tin.
Paul & Joe Hand Cream and Nail Protect Coat
The vintage inspired tin is perfect to store makeup, and the gloves and cream are perfect to moisturize tired hands.
Paul & Joe Treatment Gloves
Paul & Joe Butterfly Tin Kit
What a shame that they no longer produce this.  It would make the most perfect gift.  I absolutely love it, and the tin is going to look so pretty on my vanity!


Click here for a link to my YouTube Channel: The Sassi Wench


Check Paul & Joe Beautè online.

- The Sassi Wench

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

September 2011 Birchbox: Salvatore Ferragamo

There was buzz about the September Birchbox all over the Internet just before my BB was delivered... and it wasn't good.  Several people have told me that they have already canceled their subscriptions, or they are planning to because they are not happy with Birchbox anymore. 

September 2011 Birchbox

Unfortunately, this month features a rather lackluster selection, and a most bizarre thank-you "gift" - some string with a Birchbox square that is supposed to be a "friendship bracelet"?!!  It's really so strange and looks like something a 6 year old would wear.  

I don't know what the people at BB were thinking.  Birchbox considers this a "treat".  It especially peeved me when they boasted about selling "hundreds of thousands" of Birchboxes.  It's like they are saying "Thanks for helping us sell hundreds of thousands of Birchboxes and making us super-rich - here - have some string!"

Someone told me that the string was supposed to be a marketing tool - and that the metal thing on it was actually their logo - but it was so badly done that barely anyone recognized it.  

She also said that BB would have done better to give us a makeup bag or lipstick case that had the logo, which would have been much more effective.  If I see a friend with something especially appealing like a nice makeup bag I would immediately ask my friend where she got it.  If she said she got it from Birchbox, I would check it out online.  But I am much more sophisticated and far beyond this kind of thing and I wouldn't be caught dead wearing string like this (which reminds me more of a celebrity cult kind of thing where everyone wears a dirty piece of string until it falls off - cringe!).  And I know that not one of my friends would ask me where to get one.  
The infamous Birchbox "friendship" bracelet.
Jouer Lip Conditioner
Blinc Mascara
Lash Card
Salvatore Ferragamo L'Eau Florale Perume
I was excited to receive the Incoco nail strips...
Except that they looked like nail art for Halloween...
Yet another Ahava hand cream...
Birchbox Beauty Personality Card
The September Birchbox is certainly not my favorite.
Unfortunately, Birchbox has begun to get repetitive and they are including repeat brands that they have given us before - like Ahava and Pangea Organics.

Included in the September 2011 Birchbox:

Ahava - Mineral Hand Cream
Blinc - Mascara
Incoco - Nail Polish Applique 
Jouer - Lip Enhancer
Salvatore Ferragamo - Attimo L'Eau Florale fragrance
Extra - Lash Card
Treat - Friendship Bracelet (groan!)

For the July Eco Emi Box, click here!








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Click here for a link to my January 2011 Birchbox: January 2011 Birchbox
Click here for a link to my February 2011 Birchbox: February 2011 Birchbox
Click here for a link to my March 2011 Birchbox: March 2011 Birchbox
Click here for a link to my April 2011 Birchbox: April 2011 Birchbox
Click here for a link to the website: Birchbox
Click here for a link to Beauty Fix: Beauty Fix

Click here for a link to my YouTube Channel: 
The Sassi Wench

- The Sassi Wench