Julep Maven Giveaway

A few months ago after receiving my third Birchbox and being disappointed for a third time, I was reading a blog talking about the newest beauty box they received, a Julep Maven box. I was intrigued by what the Julep box offers : $40+ worth of nail products for $20. There were three factors that I especially liked about this beauty box: the fact that you get a preview each month of what you would receive so you can opt out if you don't want to pay for it, you can get your first box for a penny, and you can earn free boxes by referring others. I figured I had nothing to lose by spending 1 penny to receive 2 ~free $15 nail polishes.

I received my first box right before the 4th of July and was immediately a fan. The polish goes on smoothly, it  is long lasting, and best of all, it is toxin free. I also really like the brush - it allows you to make very clean and straight lines. You can see my first two manicures from my first box here and here. 

This manicure was made used Natasha and Oscar from June's Bombshell box*. I think the colors are perfect for summer! I used Natasha as the base, waited for it to completely dry, used scotch tape as a guide and then used 3 layers of Oscar on top.

Linking up with #SawPinnedConquered (as it's inspired by this pin), The Nail Files and Mani Monday.

I have teamed up with Julep Maven to offer you two ways for you to try out Julep nail polishes for yourself:

1. You can get your own box by taking the beauty quiz here and then get your first box for only a penny. What do you have to lose? Use the code MAVENINTRO for the penny special.

2. Julep Maven and I are holding a giveaway to give you the chance to win a beauty box!  It is open to all US and Canadian residents. All you have to do is enter below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure: I received a free Julep box as compensation for this post. All opinions are my own - I really do love this nail polish!

Thrifted

My love for getting a good deal is well documented. I rarely pay for anything full price - I always shop the sales at stores I can't really afford full price items (J.Crew, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor), and try to use coupons/codes at stores I can afford to pay full price but try not to (Gap, Old Navy, Loft, Express).

You would think with all of that I would be all for thrifting for clothes...yet I never have. I go to Goodwill and Savers lots, but it's to pick up house items. I went to Goodwill specifically to buy a frame for a print I bought down town, and wandered into the clothing section...and found this blazer waiting for me. It's more of a cardigan blazer and I'm positive it previously belonged to someone's sweet grandmother but with a snip of the scissors to remove the shoulder pads, it became the newest member of my closet. I also found an old leather purse whose straps I  removed to make an awesome new clutch.

All for less than $10! What took me so long?!

Blazer: Thrifted {similar? haha}
Shirt: Buckle
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {exact}
Necklace: Present  {save, spend, splurge}
Watch: Boccia  {similar}
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang {save, spend, splurge}


Do you thrift a lot of clothes? Any tips for a newbie?


Linking up with wiww and harper's happenings

Spotted

A few weeks ago I was debating between getting a pair of maroon skinny jeans, and a pair of green ones. Ultimately I decided that for $75+ a pop at Express, a maroon pair was going to be a better fit for my wardrobe.

But when I saw that Old Navy was coming out with a whole line of colored jeans, I knew that that green pair was waiting for me. I had a coupon which brought the price down to $25 - a much better option for my budget (which also brings my July budget to $180). I had a rebate code for paying off my Gap card over 6 months ago, which made the top free! According to Laura that makes me smart, not cheap ;)

(just as an fyi, these jeans run super small. I got 2 sizes larger than my normal pants size)

I'm loving pattern mixing on others but continue to do it in baby steps. Last time it was floral + leopard print...and this time it's polka dots + leopard print. I'm linking up with Marionberry Style's Trend of the Month - go see how all the other ladies are more adventurous than me!

Shirt: Old Navy  {save, spend, splurge}
Jeans: Old Navy  {save, spend, splurge}
Belt: Gap  {save, spend, splurge}
Shoes: Rocket Dog
Watch: Fossil  {save, spend, splurge}
Bracelet: J. Crew  {save, spend, splurge}
Nails: Seen here

Linking up with Real Girl Glam, Two Thirty Five and Visible Monday

Deutschland & Nailed It Winner

I love the Olympics...who doesn't, right? But any time it comes down to choosing countries, I'm always stuck between cheering for my birth country and my adopted country. Since I just did an American themed mani at the beginning of the month, Germany gets my nails for the Olympics. This is the first time I've used my dotting tool and I have to say - it's so much fun to use!

White: Sally Hansen White On
Yellow: Sally Hansen Mellow Yellow
Red: Sally Hansen Cherry Red
Black: OPI Razzle Dazzler
Silver: Essie No Place Like Chrome

And the winner for the Nailed It Decals Sample Pack is Nikki Patel for like Franishh on facebook! Look for an email from me :)

If you didn't win, you have a chance to win a year's worth of decals at Made by Munchie's Mama's Blog, or you can purchase them from her Etsy store.

Be on the lookout for some great giveaways coming up - I'm so excited to share them with you!


linking up with The Nail Files and Mani Monday

July Budget

1. Stila Liquid Eyeliner: $20 + with trade in of a luminizer I did not love = $0
2. J. Crew Perfect Linen Shirt: $79.50 + on sale + 40% off sale = $30     {seen here}
3. Forever 21 Tear Drop Necklace: $8 + trade in store credit = $0            {seen here}
4. Gap Plaid Shirt: $49.95 + on sale + 40% off = $14                               {seen here}
5. Express Zelda Jeans: $79.99 + $30 off $75 purchase: $50                    {seen here}
6. Gap Market V-Neck: $22.95 + 40% = $14                                           {seen here}
7. Target Mali Flat: $19.99 + 50% off + giftcard = $0                              {seen here}
8. Equipment Signature Blouse: on Ebay for $50                                      {seen here}

July Purchases = $158

I did much better this month than last month! Looking at my purchases all written out I realize that I rarely buy anything at full retail price - I'm not sure if I'm smart or just cheap. I also purchased less items this month, but I feel they are pieces that will last me longer, especially my Equipment blouse. As I mentioned, I think I'm going to cut back on purchases in August to save a little money for fall purchases like new boots and sweaters. Especially with medical school application fees and car payments starting (woof), I'm glad that I stuck to my budget this month.

How did you do this month? Were you tempted by all of the holiday sales? Feel free to link-up below to share how you did with your budget this month!

Products Used in July

It's easy to recommend a new product only after a few uses, but what's your opinion after it's all used up? I'm going to start keeping track of the beauty supplies I use up each month and give an end of usage review.

Shea Moisture Volumizing Conditioner: $10
I purchased this in the beginning of May and just used it up this week. It left my hair incredibly soft, it smelled awesome and is all natural. I had no problem with snarls like I did with previous more expensive conditioners.  I don't believe it really "volumized" but the pros greatly outweigh that con.

Repurchase: Yes (once my local Target gets it as they do not currently carry it)

Stila Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner: $20
This is the one make-up item I purchase over and over again. This must have been the 7th or 8th one I used. It lasts a really long time (I use it every day and have to replace it every ~3 months), it doesn't flake off, and the tip is stiff enough that it draws a clean line but not too hard that it hurts. I also like that it is a pen instead of a brush you have to re-dip in a pot.


Repurchase: Yes! I have already replaced this one.

Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara: $19
I have very light eyelashes, so mascara is the one makeup item I refuse to leave the house without. I really like this Smashbox mascara more than many others I've tried. It was easy to build on the layers, it didn't clump and it didn't flake off. The only thing I didn't like is that my eyes were very sensitive to it, so my eyes burned any time I didn't use a make-up remover cloth, or if my eyes watered.

Repurchase: Possibly. I'm currently trying Nars' Volume Mascara but if that disappoints I'll go back to this mascara*

*edit: Nars mascara does not come off no matter how hard I try, so back to Smashbox I go!

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towels: $8
I've tried many different make-up removers (the lotions, the gels, the liquids, the towelettes). I picked this up on a whim back in June. It's going to be my new go-to. It has a faint pleasant smell, it is very efficient in removing lots of mascara/waterproof eyeliner and doesn't leave any residue like many other makeup removers do. If I hadn't picked up a Cos Bar Makeup remover pack for $1.50 that I'm going to force myself to use, I would already have a new pack of these in my bathroom.

Repurchase: Yes!

What beauty products did you use up this month? Would you recommend them/repurchase? MakeupHER is holding a monthly link up for Beauty Favorites - go see what everyone else is loving!

Wrapped

Happy Thursday everyone - it's almost the weekend! Any fun plans? I'm going home to spend some much needed time with my closest friends. I see lots of wine and cheese in our future :)

Speaking of future, I am already getting so excited about fall. It was almost tolerable outside today (70s, not 101!) so I've been doing a little online window shopping in my excitement for the brisk weather. This fall I'm hoping to buy a pair of dark brown boots (like this pair), some new jeans, and some longer cardigans (like this, this and this). I'm planning on scaling back on the purchases in August so I can do a little more fall shopping. Even though I'm not going back to school this fall (hopefully next fall though!), I always get excited for Back To School shopping, which obviously also includes stocking up on school supplies. Luckily for you, you have the chance to win some awesome swag from AT&T Back to School Promotion including smart phones, tablets, and so much more. You can enter every day for a chance to win so get a clickin. May the odds be ever in your favor!

What's your favorite part about back to school time? The clothes, the new toys, or the chance to re-organize all of your notebooks (ok guilty - school supplies are my favorite).

Cardigan: H&M  {save, splurge}
Top: Forever 21 {save, spend, splurge}
Jeans: Gap Outlet  {save, spend, splurge}
Belt: H&M
Necklace: Forever 21  {exact}
Bracelets: J.Crew via eBay  {save, splurge}
Shoes: Vaneli Serene  {exact, save - on sale!, splurge}





2 days left for the Nailed It decal pack giveaway!







*Disclosure: I  was contacted by M80 to help get their word out about their Back To School Promotion. I receive a free product by participating but I do not receive anything for your entry. I'm crossing my fingers for you :)