Event: Trunk Show at House Of Sole Boutique

Hi Everyone! This Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, I'm having a trunk show at House Of Sole Boutique located at 1237 S. Michigan. I'll be there from 5pm-8pm. Also,  House of Sole is having a sale with 60% off of selected items. And there is will be light refreshments. If you're in the Chicagoland area, please come out. For those who aren't in/near Chicago, you  can always check out what I have in my etsy shop.

Event: New Year New You Seminar by The Mane Source

On Saturday, January 28th, I will be vending at The Mane Source's New Year New You Seminar.  Style, Beauty, Financial, and Fitness experts will be sharing information on health, nutrition, skincare, money and more. Also, attendees enjoy food by Majani catering and swag bags with full-sized beauty products. This event will take place from 10am -2pm at The Living Room Lounge  ,located at 1100 W Cermak. If your are in the Chicagoland area, please stop by. Tickets are $20 until January 27th and $25 thereafter. Click HERE for more information and to buy tickets. I hope to see you there. 

New Fave: Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Or Multi-Usage Dry Oil Shimmer

I have been eyeing Nuxe's Huile Prodigieuse Or for some time now. I'd always see beauty editors, make-up artists, and other beauty professionals mention this oil and the original Huile Prodigieuse  as one of their favorites. And that made me want it even more but the cost is  about $56 for a 3.3oz bottle - so I've held off on buying it. Besides, I like to get 3-5 or more items for my hard earned $50.

Well...I finally got a chance to try it  thanks to Birchbox. They included a 0.33oz sample in my December Box and I was so glad. I tested it out and really liked it. It felt nice and smooth and the subtle shimmer was lovely. I like the scent too which is hard to describe but I've seen some call it a  floral, beachy, and woodsy musky scent. I'd        definitely love the full size of this but I can't splurge right      now. There is a smaller 1.6 oz size available for approx. $41 though. Maybe, I'll get that one with the Birchbox points that I've racked up. Hmmm....we'll see.
                               

January Birchbox 2012

I got this month's Birchbox, so let me show you what I got. And if you're not sure what Birchbox is all about, check out last month's post HERE. Now, on to the box.

From top left to right:
1. Birchbox magnet
   
2. Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture spray vial sample
    I gave this to my 9 year old niece - not a fan. And if you've been following me for a while,
    you know that I favor oils, roller-ball, and solid fragrances.
    I like to check etsy, Luckyscent, indiescents, Smell Bent, Smell Goods, and other indies for fragrances.

3.  Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Larabar Mini Bar
     Pretty good! I've had these bars before and I like them pretty much

4. VMV Hypoallerginics Re-Everything: Face-Hand-Body Lotion
    I liked this well enough. It's supposed to be an all over lotion but I haven't tried it on my face yet.
    The description on Birchbox's website says:

      "This silky lotion is the rare all-in-one product that meets our highest standards. The natural formula is free of all the most common skin allergens — 76 of them, to be exact — as well artificial fragrances, dyes, parabens, or preservatives. On the flip side, it’s packed with gentle exfoliators and antioxidants that leave skin incredibly soft from head to toe. Note: Your other body lotions may experience intense jealousy."


Sounds promising! I'll see how I like it and let you know. Oh and the sample size is 1oz and the full size is approx. 6.25oz  for $45.


















5.Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

I've actually tried this before and didn't love it. My skin is pretty finicky so I'm never surprised when products don't agree it. I'll give it another try though. I must mention that this 1.4 oz sample and the full size is $19.50 for 5oz so that's a generous sample.

6. stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner
This is a full size liner which retails for $20. I got the color Peacock which is described as a
shimmery azure. I do like this color a lot. I'll see how it wears soon. Below is a swatch on my hand.

And here's just a little card they included that shared some mini detox tips.

Check Out My Earrings in This Video About Natural Hair!

Check out this video about natural hair. At about mark 2:41 you'll see Renisha James (fitness enthusiast and personal trainer) of Renewed Fitness wearing my Green Tagua Nut and Brass earrings. These earrings are not currently in my shop but I will be making more soon. You can also check out Renisha  on Twitter (@RenewedFitness)  and Facebook where she gives fitness and nutrition tips. Tell her I sent you.














 
Natural Hair PhotoShoot & Documentary from DJ 3K on Vimeo.


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New In My Etsy!

I added this lovely necklace to my Etsy shop today. It's made with green variscite and brass components that I handmade. Let me know what you think!

Green Variscite and Brass Necklace

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Now Available at House Of Sole Boutique

I'm happy to announce that several of my pieces are now available at the House of Sole Boutique in Chicago's South Loop. If you're in the Chicagoland area, please stop by and check out House of Sole. There's lots of wonderful shoes, clothing, and accessories-many of which are from local designers. It is located at 1327 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605. Here are a few of my pieces that are available there:















I have a similar pair in my etsy shop. They are a bit smaller and have different coloring. Click HERE to see
those.

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New In My Etsy Shop!

Hi everyone! I that 2012 is getting off to a great start for you.
Here are the newest items in my etsy shop. I hope you like them..

Magnesite and Brass Necklace

Hammered Oxidized Copper Disc Earrings (small)

Oxidized Copper Cowrie Shell Ring (Adjustable)

WishList: Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation

I can remember buying self adjusting foundations back in the day and they never, ever, adjusted to my skin tone. I was always left with a whitish cast on my face that I couldn't blend away. And after trying several other self adjusting foundations (over the years), I had pretty much lost my curiosity about them - until now.

 I was in a Sephora store, just browsing of course, and I came across Josie Maran's Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation which is a self-adjusting formula that starts off white and then adjusts to your skintone. Here is how it is described on Sephora's website:

'A serum foundation formulated with chameleon pigments, an innovative color-match technology that goes on white and instantly  adjusts to match your unique and changing natural skintone as it balances and nourishes the skin.'

There were 3 shades (fair/light, light/medium, medium/dark) and I tested the medium/dark shade on my hand.  I was surprised when it actually started to match my skin tone. The finish looked really nice and smooth and the color seemed to match my hand perfectly. I them dabbed a bit of the Argan Illuminizer of top of the foundation and it looked fabulous. I really want to try this out on my face and see if I get the same results. However, the foundation is approx. $42 and that's not in my budget, especially for one cosmetic item. So it'll stay on the wishlist for a while. 

photo souce: sephora.com

New Fave: Cleo's Peanut Butter Cups

Move over Justin's! I've found a new favorite peanut butter cup. And they're  called Cleo's! I picked these up at my local Whole Foods and I wanted to try them because I'm looking to switch up some of my fave foods/snacks with vegan versions. No, I'm not vegan but I do eat vegan/vegetarian often.

I tried these peanut butter cups and  they tasted great. They were quite soft,smooth, creamy, and not overly sweet. They're definitely a new fave of mine.

Cleo's were created by Go Max Go Foods which makes vegan versions of some of our favorite childhood candy bars. You can purchase Cleo's at Naturalcandystore.com and/or several other online stores. Also try your local Whole Foods and other health food stores.

New In My Etsy Shop And a Coupon Code!!!

Hi everyone! I added a few items to my shop today and I also have an end of the year coupon code. Get 15% off of your order by using this coupon code at checkout: BYE2011
I hope you like my new stuff!

Big Brass Earrings with Pantina

Turquoise and Antiqued Copper Necklace

Huge Black Peace Sign Earrings With Gold Chain

Agate and Black Leather Necklace with Silver Chain

Jewelry Giveaway by BeautifulNaturalHair.Com

I was recently contacted by Beautifulnaturalhair.com to sponsor a giveaway and I was delighted to do so. The earrings chosen for this giveaway are my Blue Ocean Jasper and Gold Feather Earrings. 
The giveaway starts today and ends on December 24, 2011. There are 4 different prizes which will go to four separate winners. Click HERE to enter and good luck!






Beautifulnaturalhair.com will be fully launching soon. Here is a brief description of what the site will be about: 


'Be in the know - Sign up today to be notified when we launch the most exciting, curated shopping experience for natural hair care products and services.

BeautifulNaturalHair.com provides insider access and deep discounts on natural hair care products, exclusive services, the best hair care tools and one-of-a-kind packages. Become a member and find cutting edge style information and access to new natural hair care products for women, men and children at up to 70% off retail.'

Event: Nia Naturals Kwanzaa fest

On Saturday, December 17, 2011, I will be vending at the Nia Naturals Kwanzaa Fest hosted Rachel Odem
If your are in the Chicagoland area, please stop by. Tickets are available at the door for standing room only. Check HERE for more information.

Cyber Monday Sasa.com Haul!

When I comes to beauty/skincare/fragrance items I have always gravitated toward natural, handmade, indie, quirky, and hard to find brands. I have also always been intrigued by imported  beauty brands/items. I've spent many a day in some local apothecaries that sell imported beauty and health products. And whenever I go to an ethnic market, I always end up in the health and beauty section looking for interesting products. So when I came across Sasa.com (an Asian beauty online shop) I was excited to see what cool products I could find. There were plenty of items that I wanted to try but I settled on 8 products that I listed below. Also, I purchased from Sasa on Cyber Monday so there were some great discounts and I got free shipping. The total cost for the products that I bought was $25.70. Here's what I got:

Hadalabo Gokujyun Face Wash  3.5 oz - $8.10
C+M Moisturizers UV White Moisturising Emulsion 2.2 oz - $3.20

Sasatinnie Detoxifying Oil Control Face mask (1 mask sheet) - 1.00
VOV Daily Fresh Mini Pack Pure Black Charcoal Pack (1 pack) - 2.80

Kanebo Oil Blotting Paper Super Absorbent - 80 Sheets - $2.60
Kuan Yuan Lian Green Beans Cleanser (Refill) 80 g - 3.50
Holika Holika Magic Sebum Sponge Powder mask - $4.50

So far, I 've only sampled the first two items (cleanser and moisturizer)  and the blotting sheets; they all work well. Though the cleanser was a little drying.  Also, not all of the ingredients are listed on the website and the packaging on some items are all in another language. So, there's a chance of having not so favorable ingredients in some products. I tried to opt for items that were mostly natural. I'll probably sample the other items during this week. If any of them are exceptionally great, I'll let ya know. Oh, and I do know that some imported brands are under the umbrella of larger beauty corporations - I try to stay away from those unless the product really intrique. Also, Sasa.com does sell plenty of American beauty products; I assume that they are just as interested in our products as I am with theirs. Anyway, I'll be perusing Sasa.com and checking out what else I might want to try.
Are you interested in imported skincare/beauty?

Wishlist: Tatcha Aburatorigami

A blotting paper is a blotting paper is a blotting paper. Right? Maybe or maybe not. Whatever the case may be, I'm kind of a sucker for novelty.  So when I saw the Tatcha Aburatorigami Blotting Papers online, I was intrigued. They are  handmade with 100% abaca leaf and gold leaf.
A single pack (30 sheets) of the Tatcha blotting papers costs $12. There are also multi-packs, gift sets and a new charcoal version available. I'll probably check out Tatcha's blotting papers once of I run out of these. I'll keep y'all posted.

Photo source



Here is what their website says:
'A 300 year old Japanese beauty secret for a petal fresh complexion revealed.
Removes excess oil and sweat without disturbing makeup or stealing moisture from the skin.
A powder and primer alternative that improves the wear of makeup.
For all skin types: oily, normal, dry & sensitive.
Ingredients
100% abaca leaf, gold flake.
Fragrance-free. Powder-free. Oil-free.
All-natural, biodegradable. No animal testing.
Handmade in Japan.'

December 2011 Birchbox

 If you're a beauty junkie, you've probably already heard of Birchbox which is a subscription service that brings you high end beauty samples for $10/month. If you're not familiar, check out the video below to learn more about it.
I've been a Birchbox member for about 6 months and there are hits and misses but I like the service overall. There's usually about 4 or 5 samples in each box. Any many times there's a deluxe size or full size product that costs much more than the $10 you pay for the box. Items from well known brands and lesser known brands are included. Of course I'm more intrigued by lesser known and indie brands. And then if you love one of the samples, you can buy the full size product on the Birchbox site. Also, you can receive points for giving feedback and inviting friends - every 100 points equals $10. And I must mention that the packaging is always really great. Check it out and join HERE.
Anyway, let me show you my box and what I got. And please excuse my bad camera phone pics, my real cameral died today :(

1. Nuxe Huile Prodiguieuse OR Multi-Usage Dry Oil Shimmer
    I've always wanted to try this but it's so expensive - $56 for 3.3 oz. I like it! Nice, sparkly, and
    softly scented.

2. Recharge EBOOST Orange Natural Energy Booster
    I'm indifferent about this one.

3. Harvey Prince Ageless Perfume
    Not a big fan. I'm more of a solid or roll-on oil girl. And I get most of my fragrances from indies.

4. Prep ShowStoppers Designer Fashion Tape
    Meh

5. Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional
    My skin seems to hate primers, pore minimizing, and mattefier type products.
    They always turn into oil on my face no matter what. I'll give it another go though.

6. Jouer Moisturizing lip Gloss in Birchbox Pink
    Love it!

  Birchbox Video
 

I'm On Essence.com!

This past weekend I was a vendor at the Black Girl Long Hair Christmas fest. And photographers were there taking photos for Essence.com. I took a picture but didn't think it would end up on Essence's site. I checked my email today and saw that the photos were up and was surprised to see myself in the gallery. Number 36 to be exact.  And it wasn't a bad photo either (I usually take bad photos or photos that I think are bad).  I could have used a little powder on the nose and forehead. But the hair looked good. Check out the photos HERE.

Coming Soon: I Love Your Hair App by House of Mikko

There's an app coming soon called the I Love Your Hair Mobile App. It was created by Houseofmikko.com and will offer women (all hair types)  the chance to share hairstyles with each other. You can click HERE for an invite to be one of the first to try the app. And you can follow House of Mikko on Twitter and Facebook.












photo source

My Necklace Featured On FabOverFifty.Com!

My Abalone and Brass Necklace  (which has since sold) was featured on the FabOverFifty.Com  2011 Holiday gift guide. 
Glenyse Thompson of Styleosophy.com suggested my item for the the gift guide. She also mentioned my Blue Tagua Nut Necklace and I am very grateful to her for doing so.
Go ahead and check out this FOF Gift guide and follow them on Twitter. You can also find Glenyse on twitter at @Stylesophy. Tell them I sent you.

Event: Black Girl With Long Hair Chicago Naturals Christmas Fest

On Saturday, December 10, 2011, I will be vending at the Chicago Naturals Christmas Fest Sponsored by Taliah Waajid
If your are in the Chicagoland area, please stop by. There will be plenty of vendors with lots of handmade goodies. And I
I'll lots of new items including more rings, recycled leather cuffs and earrings. I hope to see you there.

Where: UIC Forum
725 W. Roosevelt Rd
Time: 11am-7pm
Cost: $5