Getting the House Ready For the Holiday's #GalSquad

YES! My favorite time of the year is here. I absolutely love the holidays and the true joy and happiness it brings. 

In preparation for Thanksgiving and getting my house ready for family to come over, I decided to start decorating to get in the holiday spirit. I know some people think it's too early to decorate for Christmas prior to Thanksgiving, but why not? It brings positive vibes and um, my crazy family needs as much positivity around them as possible LOL. Anyway, I decided to decorate a few places around the house before I go all the way into Christmas mode this week.  

I started with a few simple touches in the bathroom, where.. let's be honest, everyone goes to at point or another while they are at your house. Candles - totally necessary for every bathroom in your house. This one in particular is the Illume Balsm and Cedar Luxury Scented Candle, which a balsamic and woody base, with notes of orange, berries, green leaf, fir needle, cinnamon and pine. I love deep woody scents like this especially during the holidays! Soap - I love this festive soap for decoration in my bathroom. It gives my very simplistic bathroom a little pop of color and it screams Christmas is coming. This soap is part of Primal Elements Holidays Collection in the scent Candy Cane. I've been tempted to just use it instead of using it for decoration. Primal Elements Soaps are handmade and contain vegetable glycerin, which moisturizes the skin and contains pure essential oils for an optimum fragrance. Both the Illume candle and Primal Elements soap can be found at any Red Door Spa Location.  Next we have a white flower arrangement which gives the bathroom a very clean look, which I found at the wonderful TJ MAXX. You can always find hidden gems in that store! For finishing touches, I found a monogram towel from Target that goes with the clean and simplistic look, yet has a bit of gold that goes with the holiday theme. 

Can't wait to finish decorating this week. I'll be sure to share with you all!

Can't think of what to get someone on your holiday shopping list? Well, I'm giving gift cards to #RedDoorSpa and think it's a fabulous gift for anyone! Get yours (plus bonus spa dollars) at http://bit.ly/1l6bJMr!

NEW MAKEUP, BRUSHES, VICTORIA SECRET SEMI ANNUAL SALE

PRODUCTS MENTIONED:
MAC KEEPSAKES NUDE LIP COLLECTION - LIMITED EDITION
MAC KEEPSAKES BEIGE EYES - LIMITED EDITION
MAC VIVA GLAMOROUS LIP PALETTE
MAC SOFT OCHRE PAINT POT
GERARD COSMETICS - 1995
SMASH BOX PHOTO FINISH PORE MINIMIZING PRIMER
ZOEVA BRUSHES - COMPLETE EYE COLLECTION
NYX SOFT MATTE LIP CREAM - MONTE CARLO
BEAUTY BLENDER
HARD CANDY SMOKEY EYE COLLECTION
BECCA OPAL HIGHLIGHTER
TOO FACED CHOCOLATE BAR PALETTE
ANASTASIA BEVERYLY HILLS CONTOUR KIT
VICTORIA SECRET MULTIWAY BOMBSHELLS
VICTORIA SECRET KIMONO/ROBE CORAL
MORPHE BRUSHES:  M460, B32, M436, M461, M105

MAC KEEPSAKES HOLIDAY COLLECTION

I'm loving MAC's Keepsakes Holiday Collections this year! Other than MAC, there's not too many holiday collection/palettes that I've been excited about this year.  What do you guys think about this years holiday collections and palettes?

Here's what I got:

Mac Keepsakes Nude Lip Bag

Mac Keepsakes Eyes Beige

Mac Viva Glamorous Lip Palette

Viva Glam 1 - 6

This palette is a twist off of the Viva Glam 1 lipstick, which is included in this palette. I was kinda bummed once I realized this because I already own Viva Glam 1, but there is five other shades LOL.

Left side of this palette from top to bottom:

Viva Glam 1 (matte)

Viva Glam 2 (satin)

Viva Glam 3 (matte)

Right side top to bottom:

Viva Glam 4 (lustre)

Viva Glam 5 (frost)

Viva Glam 6 (lustre)

Viva Glamorous 1 - 6 (bottom to top)

MAC Keepsakes Beige Eyes Palette

The packaging on this palette is so cute! I have heard other complain about the packaging saying it seems cheap. The only reason I can think someone would say this is because of the beading around the palette. I played around with the beading around it and it seems like they did a pretty good job securing it on there. I've opened it plenty of times already and I don't think it's going anywhere. Anyway, I can't get enough of neutrals and glitters. Absolutely perfect for the holidays!

Kiss the King Lipstick (Lustre)
Boldly Bare Lipliner
Chic Supremacy Lipglass

Still on my wishlist:

MAC Objects of Affection - Gold and Beige Pigments/Glitter

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Spotlights

Nars Virtual Domination Cheek Palette

Gucci Guilty Perfume

Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black

What are you guys loving and wishing for this year?

THE HOLIDAY GIFT SET OF THEM ALL - URBAN DECAY THE NAKED VAULT

Photo Courtesy: urbandecay.tumblr.com

The mother of all holiday gift sets will be here Thursday, October 30 on the Urban Decay website.

The set includes the Naked Palettes 1-3, three Naked Flush Palettes, three Naked Lip Glosses, and three double-ended 24/7 Glide-On Eye Liners. 

Retails - $280

The breakdown

Naked Eyeshadow Palettes - $54 each ($162)

Naked Flushed Palettes - $30 each ($120)

Eyeliners - $16 each ($48)

Lipglosses - $20 each (60)

TOTAL VALUE - $390

Savings by purchasing the vault - $110

What's your take on The Naked Vault? By now I feel like most beauty lovers have most of these popular Urban Decay Palettes but this would be a great gift for any newbies to the beauty world..

Photo Courtesy: urbandecay.tumblr.com

What's on My Wish List

There's a few things I'm dying to have this season.. Let's just say I'm getting these products either way, whether the boyfriend buys them or I do :)

Lorac PRO Palette

I love how this palette has a row of matte shades and a row of shimmer shades. Seems like a staple and even better than the Original Naked Palette.

Naked 3

The newest Naked palette! See my post on the Naked 3 here.

Real Techniques Brushes

I actually got my brushes early! Take a look at my post from yesterday here. B got me 2 of the collections from Real Techniques. I'm so excited. I plan on doing a review on them soon. I tried them for the first time today and I LOVE them! They're sooooo soft! I'm definitely going to get the rest of the brushes individually.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Palette

According to Anastasia Beverly Hills instagram, this product won't be restocked until Christmas Eve. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lavish Palette

Photo Credit: belles-boutique.blogspot.com

The next two products I can't find ANYWHERE online. Not sure if the Lavish Palette is discontinued or what but I really wanted this one because it came with an eyebrow pencil and a few other things.

Too Faced - A Few of My Favorite things

Photo Credit: beautyjunkiesunite.com

Another product I can't find online besides on Amazon for a ridiculous price. It's "limited" edition so it could be gone for good. I'm going to try my local Ulta and Sephora to see if I can find this! Wish me luck..

Too Faced a Few of My Favorite Things ~ Limited Edition

What's on your wish list?

New Brushes! - Real Techniques

Got an early Christmas present and I'm so excited to finally try these Real Technique brushes! Review maybe? Let's see if they're worth the hype. The Real Techniques collection can be found at ulta.com. 

Shop these brushes at ulta.com

How to Make Coquito - Spanish Egg Nog

Coquito is a Spanish version of the traditional Egg Nog.. very popular in Latin households. Mostly made during the Holiday's.. this Eggnog is made in many different variations and also has the option of adding rum. 

My Family Recipe:

5 Cinnamon Sticks

10 Whole Cloves

1 Cup of Water

5 Egg Yolks

2 Cans of Evaporated Milk

1 Can of Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 Can of Cream of Coconut

1-2 Cups of Rum (Bacardi)

Empty and Clean Liquor Bottles

In a pot, boil one cup of water with 5 cinnamon sticks and 10 cloves. Drain, let cool and set liquid aside. (Keep Cinnamon sticks for later use)

Crack 5 eggs in a bowl, then add to blender along with sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, cream of coconut, rum, and cinnamon and clove water. Blend. 

Feel free to add less rum or more rum.. it's your preference.

Use a funnel to pour the coquito into a clean liquor bottle. I actually use the cinnamon sticks I boiled earlier and add them to the bottle to add more flavor but that is completely optional. 

Put in the fridge for a few hours and enjoy!

In the video I accidentally used whole eggs instead of egg yolks. It still came out just as good :)

Holiday Gift Guide For Women!

Holiday gift ideas for your favorite lady..

Pajamas and Lingerie

Pajamas - victoriassecret.com  $49.50

Slippers - Victoriasecret.com - $25

Pamper Her with Lush Cosmetics

Lush makes homemade bath bombs, face masks, vegan soaps, shampoos, and lip balms. Perfect for those who love to pamper themselves and wind down with a nice warm bath after work. Check out LUSH Cosmetics here.

Give Her a Glow - Million Dollar Tan

Instead of a tanning membership, go the "natural" route and buy her a high quality self tanner from Million Dollar Tan. Click here to visit Million Dollar Tan

Perfume 

Lolilta Lempicka Eau de Parfum

Prada - Infusion D'Iris Eau de Parfum

Gucci - Flora

Versace - Bright Crystal

Tom Ford - Black Orchid

Who doesn't love perfume? Bright Crystal and Black Orchid are my personal favs. Shop Perfumes at Nordstrom.com or Perfume.com

10% Off at Perfume.com with Coupon Code L10

True Religion Jeans

Spoil your favorite girl with a pair of  True Religion Jeans

Michael Kors - Bags and Watches

MK 'Slim Runway' Bracelet Watch in Rose Gold

MK 'Grayson Logo' Satchel

MK 'Everest' Crystal Bezel Two Tone Bracelet Watch

MK 'Fulton' Large Crossbody Bag in Luggage

MK 'Selma' Bag

Shop Michael Kors at Nordstrom.com

Makeup Palettes - For the Beauty Lovers

Any girl that's into make up know's all about these beauty's. Naked 3 is the newest to come out! To see my post on the Naked 3 click here.

Urban Decay Naked 3

Lorac Pro Palette

Urban Decay Vice 2

NARS LOVES LOS ANGELES Palette

BH Cosmetics 120 Palette

Too Faced

 To take away all the make up, get a Clarisonic Mia 2. This soft brush takes away all the impurities from pores, cleaning your face better than the average face wash. 

Receive a free $100 Restaurant.com gift certificate with any $100 Clarisonic purchase on Beauty.com.

All of these products can be found at Ulta or Sephora, with exception of BH Cosmetics. Check out BH Cosmetics website here.

Holiday Gift Guide for Men - For All Budgets

Buying gifts for our favorite men isn't always easy. If you have no idea what to get your husband/boyfriend, dad, or brother for the holiday's.. here's a few ideas for all budgets $10 and up. 

TECHNOLOGY

PlayStation 4
If your guy is into video games, he will greatly appreciate this toy! The PS4 came out this week, get your hands on one if you can and don't forget games..

Call of Duty: Ghosts 

Battlefield 4 

NBA2k14

Madden NFL 25 

Grand Theft Auto IV

Mophie Juice Pack Plus External Battery Case 

Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation PRO Device Charger
Mophie's give your devices extra battery for those times there's no outlet available. You can buy a Mophie Juice Pack, which is an external case that charges your phone or you can buy a Mophie Powerstation to plug up devices like an iPad. Great for men that are always on the go and traveling.. or just addicted to twitter like mine. 

Bose® SoundLink® Bluetooth Mobile Speaker
We already own one of these in our home and my boyfriend gets more use out of it then I do. He loves it. You connect your iPhone via Bluetooth which is the best part about it. We never liked iHomes due to the fact that you have to leave your phone on the dock.. with this you can still carry your phone around with you and go on Instagram, Twitter.. whatever you do and still listen to music. The sound quality is GREAT. You wouldn't expect so much power to come from such a little box. Great purchase!

Beats Solo HD On-Ear Headphone

Beats By Dre Lebron Powerbeats In Ear Headphones Gold 0

Beats Tour In-Ear Headphone (Black)

If your man loves music, he can appreciate these! Beats have such an amazing sound quality. For those men who love to listen to music while their in the gym, I suggest Powerbeats.

WINTER GEAR

'Rapture' Trim Fit Layered Faux Leather Jacket - $130

'McMurdo' Waterproof Down Parka - $264 

'Paxton' Wool Blend Jacket - $250

Infinity Scarf-$35

Beanie -$22

"Damn Gina" Beanie-$36

Leather Gloves

Obey Gloves/Mittens- $29.95 (Currently On Sale)

Mens Burberry Scarf - $316

ACCESSORIES

Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch for Men - $275

Michael Kors Lexington Watch - $180

Armani Exchange Gold Watch - $220

Armani Exchang Black Watch - $180

Andis Promotor + Hair Clipper and Trimmer Combo 27 Piece Kit  - $47.25

Ray-Bans -$160

KW 'Envoy' Mirrored Sunglasses - $10

Tom Ford - $320

Tom Ford - Noir

Polo - Black

Gucci - Guilty

Giorgio Armani Acqui Di Gio

Viktor & Rolf - Spicebomb

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Nike+ FuelBand Se SportBand - $200
This water resistant bands tracks how much, how often, and how intensely you move. If your man is into being active or would like to be more active, this could be your gift. Set a NikeFuel goal for how active you would like to be and track your progress on NikeFuels free app.

Nutri Bullet Blender/Mixer System -$99.99

For those who like to eat healthy and make their own shakes and smoothies!