In Review: Coach Poppy and Poppy Flower Perfume.

I typically wear two different perfumes depending on my mood.
DKNY Be Delicious
and
Fresh Strawberry Flowers

The scent by Fresh is actually limited edition (which makes me very sad), and I don't know when it will be pulled.  Of course, I plan on buying a few bottles to stock up in the future, but I also decided to find a new scent.  Over the holidays I got a gift card to Sephora, so I bought the Coach Poppy and Poppy Flower Rollerball Duo since I had smelled it once it a magazine and liked it.  I couldn't remember which one I liked better (and I was buying online), and I figured the rollerball would let me give both of them a shot.

I am really picky when it comes to new perfumes.  I hate musky, vanilla, strong fragrances.  As you can probably tell from my above picks, I'm more of a fruity, light floral person.

Here my impression of each perfume...

Coach Poppy- Nick immediately said that this one smells like oranges.  And it does.  Oranges and flowers, with the faintest hint of... baby powder?  Maybe that is not the best way to put it.  It's also oddly (in a good way) dessert like, which makes sense since it is supposed to have "whipped marshmallow" and "creme brulee" accents.  I like the scent a lot when it is on.  I just rolled it on my wrists and neck.  I could smell it for 4-5 hours after application, which is normally how long perfumes last on me.

Coach Poppy Flower- As the name suggests, this one smells a lot more like flowers.  It is definitely "deeper"... as in something that can be worn in the evening.  I almost want to say that I smell a hint of lavender in there, even though the perfume notes don't mention anything about it.  There is also a strong base of jasmine.  Same as with Coach Poppy, this lasts around 4-5 hours.  Then again, this is the rollerball version, so the spray could last longer.

Overall- Coach Poppy is more suited for day time, and Poppy Flower for night.  This makes my ultimate decision even more difficult since I really like both of them.  Each 1 oz. bottle is $45, which is about the average cost for perfumes of this quality.  If I had to choose which to purchase first, it would be Coach Poppy because it has a fruit base.

Images courtesy of Sephora.com

some thoughts.

i really want to plan an amazing vacation for nick and i to so-cal in april or may.
when it comes to planning vacations, i get obsessed with the details.
disneyland, the beach and sushi are all at the top of my list for this "epic" trip.

i also really want to vlog every day of this spring semester until i graduate college.
which would mean vlogging from 1/17-5/7.
i'm not sure i can do it with my hectic schedule... but i really want to try to capture the memories.

my winter class is over!
this means i have two entire days to do what i want (as well as get stuff together for spring classes).

my sleep schedule is completely off these days- which is awful since i have morning class 3x's a week!  i go to sleep a little after 1am and wake up around 11am if i don't have to work!
... just call me a bum, i don't mind.

tiny tower rules my life. 
no really... both nick and i will laze around in bed "stocking" our businesses and ensuring our that our bitizens are happy.

Awkward and Awesome Thursday.4

Awkward:
- Sitting in the waiting room at my doctor's office, taking out my phone to play Tiny Tower and not realizing that my media volume was turned all the way up.  Helloooo Tiny Tower (and everyone else in the room staring at me).
- Getting an awful look from the waitress because I turned down her multiple attempts at giving me a to-go box for the remnants of my burger.
- Listening to a patient tell me a really short story and then having him thank me for listening to his "really long story".  Okay...?
- Creating my "Drive to School" playlist, and realizing that most of the songs are by Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, NSYNC and Katy Perry.  Just call me cultured!


Awesome:
-18 floors on my Tiny Tower in 5 days. Man, I'm lame.  But, it's SO fun.
- Reading the book "Other People's Love Letters".  It is seriously laughter and tears on paper.
- Date night... <3 (If you get the chance to watch the movie J. Edgar- you should go!)

In Review: Mistress of the Revolution.

Note:

Book reviews always baffle me, but I still read them all the time.  

There is always the fear, as with movies, of revealing too much plot summary or other tid bits that people upset over if they don't discover it themselves.  

Yet, I've decided to forge this road regardless because reviews of just about anything introduce others to new and exciting things that they would not have known about before.  

Each Tuesday, I will try to post a review of something I love, like or hate.  It can be anything... from books to beauty products.  :) 

Who: Anyone who loves historical fiction novels.
What: Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors
Where: Barnes and Noble or any place that sells books.

Info:
451 pages.
Hardcover/Paperback/Ebook

Review:
I read this novel over a year ago and it still remains one of my all time favorites.  (So much so that I actually emailed the author as soon as I turned the last page to tell her how much I loved the book...and she wrote back to me!)
The story is set during uncertain times in France, while Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette sat on the throne.  Gabrielle is a young girl, thrown into a noble marriage at the ripe age of fifteen, widowed and then forced to fend for herself in a dangerous world.  The novel covers a large span of Gabrielle's life and the lessons she learns along the way.  Life is not fair as a woman in her position.  From tragic love experiences to nearly being beheaded, Gabrielle struggles through each trial.  Each compelling situation made me wonder how and if I could have ever survived if I had lived her life.
My worry in reading this novel was that my historical expertise was limited when it comes to France (I was more up to par with England back then).  However, this novel actually taught me a lot since it is very much historically accurate.  It is not for the faint of heart due to the length of pages and emotional content as well.  Definitely a good read for any person who loves novels by Phillipa Gregory, but yearn for more details about what life was like long ago.

Skin Woes.

All of my life I have had perfect skin (brag, brag, brag).
BUT
The turning point was when I hit the age of 22.  For some reason my skin decided to completely freak out and stop cooperating with my simple routine of wash and moisturize, day and night.
Everyone kept pointing it out since I had previously never had any issues.
My mom, my grandma, my boyfriend, his dad, his sister, my best friend.
It was brutal.
I could absolutely commiserate with those people featured on acne commercials.  Even though I know my skin could have looked far worse than it did (I would mostly break out on my forehead and chin), I could not imagine living the rest of my life with skin like this.
Aren't people supposed to get the bad skin done and over with during the teenage years?

Anyway, once I realized that caking on makeup and Neutrogena face wash were not doing the trick, I took to the internet, did tons of research and created the perfect cocktail of skin treatments that have brought me back to where I was before.

I have combination skin, so this may not work for everyone.  But, I figured I would share my routine with you...because there is seriously always hope for everyone (considering all of the products on the market today).

Overall:
Drink tons of water to maintain a clear complexion.  If you must drink soda/coffee... drink one glass of water to balance it out.

Morning-

A.M. by cupcakegel on polyvore.com

Step One: Wash face with Clean and Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
Step Two: Moisturize skin with Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion.
Step Three: Apply makeup as usual.  The BB Cream I use has whitening agents in it to clear up any old visible blemish scars.

Night-

P.M. by cupcakegel on polyvore.com

Step One: Wash face with Clean and Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
Step Two: Wash face with a small amount of Acne Free Purifying Facial Cleanser (I believe this is only available at Walmart or Amazon).
Step Three: Use a cotton ball to swipe face and neck with Clinique Clarifying Lotion (I use the formula for Dry to Combination Skin).
Step Four: Apply a very small amount of Acne Free Repair Lotion to trouble spots (I usually dab a bit on my forhead, chin, nose and cheeks to cover everything... but only use a tiny amount since the lotion is very drying).
Step Five: Moisturize under your eyes, and sides of nose and mouth with Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion.

With this particular routine my skin cleared up in a matter of days.  I love it and will probably never stray from it.  :)

Belly Button...

Belly button rings... navel piercings. Call it what you will.
Last night I was just wondering what the appropriate age is to take this particular piercing out.
Or is there a certain age?  Does it depend on the person?  Once you have a child?
I'm just not sure.
I suppose this would go for nose, lip, tongue and any other adornment not found on one's ears.

image courtesy of pinterest

I got my piercing the day after I turned 18, and I am now 24. 

I also had my nose pierced briefly at 19, but got over that quickly and took it out. 

So, tell me what you think.

Daily Makeup Routine...

My Daily Makeup Routine by cupcakegel on polyvore.com

1. Missha BB Cream in No. 21
2. Benefit Some Kind of Gorgeous in Light
3. MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium
4. Benefit Posie Tint
5. Urban Decay Primer Potion
6. Urban Decay Naked Palette (Sin and Virgin)
7. Maybelline Gel Liner in Black
8. Benefit Bad Gal Mascara in Black
9. Jouer Lip Balm

I created this beauty routine a few months ago because it was the one I used on an every day basis and I wanted to share it with you all.
It never got posted and I realized that I've changed things up a ton since then...

daily routine-pt 2 by cupcakegel on polyvore.com

Crazy how something I do almost (read: not on lazy days) every day can morph into something completely different over time!

1. Missha BB Cream in No. 21
2. MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium
3. Maybelline Bouncy Dream Blush in Pink Frosting and Smashbox AM/PM Duo
4. Urban Decay Primer Potion
5. MAC Eyeshadows in Rice Paper and Vanilla
6. Revlon Color Stay Eye Liner in Brown
7. Benefit Bad Gal Lash in Black
8. Burts Bees Lip Balm in Pomegranate

What does your daily makeup routine consist of?

I wasn't going to make any resolutions for 2012.  But, this morning, I suddenly felt the urge.
My goals this year are...

Graduate college in May.
Go to Spain this summer with one of my good friends.
Procrastinate less.
Start going to church again.

I hope that you all rang in the new year safely.  I was at home with a book and glass of champagne in my hand.  :)

Here's to 2012 and all that it has to bring us.

Like my polar bear spirit hood? :) 

gifts under $35 for her.

this is post #100 for me!  :)

gifts under $35 by cupcakegel

1. Top Choice Sequin Clutch- Nordstrom.com $20
2. The Hunger Games Trilogy Boxed Set- BN.com $32
3. From Heart to Toe Flat- ModCloth.com $30
4. Philosophy The More the Merrier Set- Sephora.com $20
5. Juicy Couture Scottie Embroidery Drop in Key Purse- Zappos.com $35

decorations.

last week, just as i was getting awfully sick, i filmed the house in all of its holiday decor glory.  just thought i'd share it with you guys. :)

p.s. not feeling super inspired lately.  hopefully i'll get hit with something good soon.  i miss blogging! 

Freeee, free at last!

sort of!

At 3:45pm today I finished my grueling (5 hour long) Modern Chinese History take home final.
This means that the Fall 2011 semester has come to a finish... and winter term starts next week.
:(

I'm only taking one class over break.  I needed another upper div. elective to graduate in May.
Hopefully it's not too intense.

Oh and today I received my ornament from the swap that happened over at Mackey Madness.  My lovely swap partner is Liz and she sent me these cuties here:

Yeah, she is pretty awesome.  You should go follow her blog. :)

I feel so bad since I have literally been in bed since Sunday... only emerging for finals and food.  This cold weather has given me the worst cold EVER.  I still need to ship her ornaments and am reconsidering getting different ones for her because the ones she sent me are just so awesome and well... ME!

We'll see what I decide...

I hope everyone is having a wonderful winter, pre-holiday week.

Stay warm!

one tree hill.

holy addiction.
in between papers, my internship, work, classes and life...
i've been utterly obsessed with one tree hill.
i've watched 4 entire seasons in less than two weeks.
(if you watch the show then you know those seasons are about 22 episodes each)
so good.
i cannot wait for finals to end so i can indulge in chad michael murray/james lafferty
goodness
all day, every day. :)

p.s. brooke is my favorite character so far.  who is yours?

Image Courtesy of Pinterest.

thankful.

I am thankful for:
every morning and each night.
my boyfriend.
my cats, Nijel and Awesomo.
being smart enough to do well in school.
my friends who put up with me.
my little brother for being my little brother.
food.
my warm snuggly bed.
coffee.
full nights of sleep.
my mom and dad.
everything.

the best way to drink egg nog.

1/2 Cup Eggnog (the REAL stuff)
1/2 Cup Silk Original Soy Milk (Delicious secret ingredient to cut the thickness)
Cinnamon to taste.
Stir well and Drink!

Image Courtesy of Pinterest

Fashion Monday: Obsessed.

I can't stop thinking about this bag by Fossil.  

Isn't it pretty?  

Image Courtesy of Pinterest. 

Peanut Butter Brownie Cupcakes

I am a huge advocate of baking goodies from scratch.

Cookies, cakes, pies- you name it.

Except for brownies.  :(
They are the one treat that I cannot seem to master no matter how hard I try.  They always end up a bit too bitter for my taste.  Therefore, I stick to the box mix and that works just fine for me.

The other night I was in the mood for something quick and sweet.  I thought I would share my favorite recipe for a twist on standard brownies.

1 Box of Brownie Mix (plus all ingredients indicated on the box)

1 Bag of Mini Reece's Peanut Butter Cups

Cupcake Tins

Prepare brownies as indicated on the box.  Fill each cupcake tin with batter.  Place one peanut butter cup in the center of each "cupcake".  Bake for 35 minutes.  Remove immediately from tray and let them set for at least 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

P.S. This recipe also works well with Andes Mints if you want something a bit more festive!

hi there.

cold weather.
warm boots.  scarves.  hot chocolate (extra whipped cream).
RED Starbucks cups.
snuggling under the covers an extra ten minutes because the thought of moving is unbearable.
holiday deals.  days off work because OF the holidays.
the impending arrival of my last ever undergrad winter break.

these are just a few of the things I've been enjoying since the weather has cooled down a bit.

p.s. all i need is some snow to seal the deal... ha!

Happy Halloween!

Although I'm not much for celebrating the holiday, I hope that everyone has a fun and safe Halloween!

I will be spending my day in class, having lunch with good friends, and then heading home to eat candy, pizza, and play video games instead of doing homework.

Fashion Monday will return next week!

Image Courtesy of Pinterest

My Weekend.

We were in Anaheim, CA this past weekend and it was so amazing!  Disneyland, Club 33, and of course...BlizzCon.  I hope you enjoy the photos. <3 

Ready.

I am ready...

to get my girl gamer, inner child, vacation self on!

Midterms are finally finished (all grades, but one, back and the results are dazzling)!

I'll be sure to keep you guys posted over on my YouTube channel.

I'll be back on the blog on Monday!

Image Courtesy of Pinterest.