Urban Decay Series: Deluxe Shadow Box

Hey everyone! It's time for another Urban Decay palette. Today I have for you, one of my favorite Urban Decay palettes, the Deluxe Shadow Box. It contains almost the entire line of Urban Decay's deluxe shadows.

Swatches

swatched over bare skin - no primer

I love how smooth and pigmented all of these eyeshadows are. This palette would be great for travel because it gives you all the options to create a fun, bright look, a very neutral look, as well as everything in between.

What do you think of this palette? Do you own it? Do you have a favorite shade? Mine is definitely scratch.

 Everyday is an adventure.

Urban Decay Series: Mariposa Palette

Hey Everyone! Its time for another installment of the Urban Decay series. I remember when this came out I had the overwhelming urge to buy this after seeing swatches on temptaila. After seeing her swatches I just had to have it. Unfortunately after purchasing it, I only used it twice. I am not a huge fan of the packaging. First I find it difficult to open. The little nubbins you are supposed to be able to grasp to open, are too small, too round, too smooth. I always have to fight with it to open it. It does looks nice and sleek, but its not practical. Once you open it although it looks nice, there is no mirror. Its not a necessity, but I prefer to have one. While the cardboard looks nice with the print, it seems a bit sloppy. It feels weak and wiggles in the palette.

Swatches

swatched over bare skin - no primer

Rockstar, Gunmetal, Skimp, Infamous, Wreckage

Haight, Money, Mushroom, Spotlight, Limelight

While I do like the colors, the two times I tried to use the palette it turned into a muddy mess on my eyelids. The colors didn't translate well and when I blended them it looked like I got punched in the eye. Now, it is not completely fair to blame the palette as I was not very comfortable with application and blending, I would have to give it another try before I loose all hope. I will say though, that while these shades are nice, some are a bit dark (perfect for fall) I would not recommend this palette to a beginner because it was not easy to use or put shades together to make a decent look at the time. I will have to try to use this palette again some time, now that I am more comfortable, but if it still does not work for me I will probably have to get rid of it.

What do you think of this palette? Do you have it? 

Have you ever had an issue with a product due to experience level? Did you ever try it out again? How did it work for you?

Everyday is an adventure.

Darling Girl - Nerdvana and Only One Can Win Swatches

Hey everyone! I just wanted to share some more Darling Girl swatches with you. I placed a huge order a while ago, against my better judgment, and have so many things to share with you still! If you remember I have already swatched a few shadows from the Darling Grrl collection. So here is a mishmash of swatches from two more collections today (Nerdvana and Only One Can Win).

Prenatal Cigarettes - Soft rosy pink with green soft green shift and a multitude of fine multi-colored sparkles.

Mean Streets of Pasadena - Mix of royal blue and purple with blue and purple sparkles.

Alright Ma! - Love-able but slightly garish blue based purple with color shifting glitter, shifting from red, orange to yellow in certain lights. Can't you almost hear Howard Yelling Alright Ma! from the door.

Survival Instinct - This shadow is a blackened bronze that leans towards a plum color thanks to its red and gold shimmer. Hold this color up to the light and you can see a red tinge peeking through the bronze.

Rue's Lullaby - Sweet and innocent Rue's Lullaby hides a tragic future, this gentle pink that leans more towards coral, brightens considerably in certain slants of light, when it shows a light pink sheen. This color maybe be sweet, but pair it with The Final Gift for a daring look.

Prenatal Cigarettes

Mean Streets of Pasadena

Alright Ma!

Survival Instinct

Rue's Lullaby

Swatches

swatched over bare skin - no primer

Prenatal Cigarettes, Mean Streets of Pasadena, Alright Ma!, Survival Instinct, Rue's Lullaby

Prenatal Cigarettes, Mean Streets of Pasadena, Alright Ma!, Survival Instinct, Rue's Lullaby

Prenatal Cigarettes, Mean Streets of Pasadena, Alright Ma!, Survival Instinct, Rue's Lullaby

Prenatal Cigarettes, Mean Streets of Pasadena, Alright Ma!, Survival Instinct, Rue's Lullaby

Prenatal Cigarettes, Mean Streets of Pasadena, Alright Ma!, Survival Instinct, Rue's Lullaby

As you can see, I really enjoyed photographing these colors. I just couldn't pick one or two photos so I thought five would work just as well! They are all so sparkly and complex and beautiful. My favorite has to be Alright Ma! It is such a pretty dark purple with the perfect about of sparkle. Then again, all of these are very rich colors with a great amount of sparkle....I love them all!

What do you think of these colors? Do you own any? Do you have a favorite Darling Girl shade?

Everyday is an adventure.

Urban Decay Series: Urban Ammo Eye Palette

Here is part two of the Urban Decay series. I like the look of this palette more than the actual shadows. The palette is made of a sturdy cardboard with a flocked design. The design looks great and for some reason, I just love the fuzzy feel.

Swatches

swatched over bare skin no primer

Top - Smog, Mildew, Oil Slick, Last Call, Chopper

Bottom - Maui Wowie, Shattered, Polyester Bride, Grifter, Sin

Smog, Mildew, Oil Slick, Last Call, Chopper

Maui Wowie, Shattered, Polyester Bride, Grifter, Sin

I feel that these colors are nice, and they go well together, but for some reason, it just doesn't tickle my fancy. What do you think of this palette? Do you like any of these colors?

Everyday is an adventure.

Urban Decay Series: Show Pony Palette

Today is the first day of my Urban Decay series. I had this planned before UD announced their move to start selling their products in China (and then changing their mind). I do not want to talk about that issue as everyone has already read enough about it. So I am just going to share some swatches with you and you can decided about how you feel and enjoy the pretties.

Swatches

swatched over bare skin - no primer

Top - Snatch, Mildew, Flash

Bottom - Pain Killer, Smog, Toasted

Snatch, Mildew, Flash

Pain Killer, Smog, Toasted

This is a pretty nice palette. The colors are work well together, and all of the shadows are very pigmented. I would have to say my favorite color from this palette is toasted. It is a wonderful color to use all on its own when you want to wear some sort of makeup but not put much work into it.

What do you think of this palette? Do you have a go to effortless look color?

Everyday is an adventure.

My First Photographed Bento

Hey everyone! Some of you may know, some may not, that I am trying to lose weight. While this is a daunting task and very much difficult, it must be done. One thing I dislike about this whole thing, is trying to make  a lunch everyday to take to work. I would much rather just go out and buy something, but seeing as I am try to save for a house that is not an option anymore. So I always think to myself, "How can I make my lunch more fun?" I need something to motivate me to actually make lunch, as well as eat it instead of trying to eat out. Enter the bento. I am not new to this concept. I was totally obsessed during high school. But now, with my renewed confidence and better stocked pantry, I have decided to once again delve into the world of cute and healthy lunches.


For my first ever photographed bento I have a Hello Kitty sandwich box that I picked up from ebay maybe seven years ago? I am looking into getting a new bento box, maybe a two tiered one? What do you think? For lunch I have stir fried noodles with tons of veg, imitation crab legs, and a hard boiled egg.

I also packed a lunch for Nate. For his I added a chunk of colby cheese and a bunch of grapes.

The sad thing to the top left was a crab stick that I TRIED to cut into a crab. It did not work. It was supposed to look like this:

photo from Cooking Cute

What do you think of this? Do you find it to be a good lunch? 

Would you like more post like this or are you not really interested in posts about food and weight loss?

Every day is an adventure.