Psssst...

Did you hear? Nordstrom Rack is coming to The Block at Orange in Spring 2012! 35,000 square feet jam packed with deals and steals! This will be the fourth Nordstrom Rack in Orange County. The best one to date is the one at Metro Pointe, then there are the "just okay" ones in Brea and Laguna Hills. I used to only go to The Block for the M.A.C at Saks Off 5th, but with my favorite stores; F21, H&M, Last Call/Neiman Marcus, Off Broadway, all slowly moving in, it's becoming my new favorite one-stop-shop destination! All they need to add is a TJMaxx & Marshall's and I'll be set!

Forgotten L.A.M.B Treasure

I totally forgot about posting this incredible find I eluded to in an older post. But here it is, here are the wonderful booties I found last Fall, I think it was...

L.A.M.B. Norland Booties

$79.95 vs. $429.00 Retail

It's no wonder I've forgotten about them. These booties have a hidden platform which makes the heel about 4 3/4in pretty much 5 in heels. They are killer on the ankles and if you're not a veteran to walking on stilts in can be a bit tricky. Ironically, they're extremely comfortable to wear. I do adore them dearly. Aw, I may have to take them out for one last hoorah before they're out of season again.

Nordstrom Rack Event!

It's coming! The first big event for Nordstrom Rack for the month is this coming Thursday - February, 11th! And the theme is designer/big brands. I am hoping for more L.A.M.B loot! I feel kinda itchy leaving behind all that L.A.M.B treasure at Saks the other night and have been fighting myself not to go back!

These Boots Were Made for Shopping.

To finally report for the discounted beauty world, I came across tons of Perricone MD skincare products at Nordstrom Rack this week. As I've mentioned, I have teen acne that has unfortunately stuck with me as I continued on into adulthood. Back when I was on my mother's budget, we purchased what we could and that varied from Oxy to prescription grade Retin-A. None of those products worked for long as my skin quickly became immune to them. I also tried the infamous ProActiv brand and my skin allowed it to work for a good stint then decided to overthrow it as well. From there, I've tried Arbonne as well as other designer zit zappers. Then one day, I found the Acne Recovery System at Nordstrom Rack and blogged about it way back in August of 2008.

I LOVED LOVED that system and so did my skin. But, alas, of the 6 sets I bought one bit the dust before I could use it by its expiration date. Of course, we all know that as much as we are tempted to save $$$, we should never gamble with our skin by using expired products. BIG NO NO! Well, I cannot afford the hefty retail price tag of Acne Recovery so when Nordstrom Rack began continually stocking newer Perricone MD products I decided to give their acne system a shot.

At first, I purchased the travel set for $19.99 vs. $50.00 retail and it came with a gel cleanser, toner, treatment, and lotion. The products worked so well, that I went ahead and purchased the full sized products. They ranged from $14.99 to $19.99 each. My favorite aspect about this skin care line is that it is virtually scent free and very light weight. I don't feel like I am suffocating my skin at all when layering all the products. The only con I have is that the acne treatment is pretty hard core. My skin got really red and irritated the first few times I used it and after a couple weeks my skin became extremely dry and flaky. Honestly though, I'd rather deal with that than acne. Hands down.

PerriconeMD

P.S. While there, I did also come across a pair of boots I have been coveting for a while but couldn't settle for paying regular retail price. After I was laid off, I swore off heels until I absolutely had to wear them again. And since it is Fall/Winter, I have been on a boot kick lately. I was eyeballing the motorcycle style "Buck" boot by Steve Madden. And when I found them while at Nordstrom Rack on sale, I couldn't resist.

Steve Madden "Buck"

$66.90 vs. $149.95 Retail

Maxx'd Out at Nordys!

So I have this weird quirk in my personality where I get on "kicks". A majority of people have one thing and they go all out for that one thing, like Hello Kitty, NASCAR, or dirt. You know, when you're totally obsessed with something and that's your "thing" for a while and it's all you can think about. Well for me, my thing changes...alot. Probably because I overdo it and I get sick of it. Like eating too much sweets. It just gets ick after a while. That's how I am with shopping. One month, I may be all about shoes. Next it will be purses. Next underwear. It's endless! Right now I am on a hair care kick. I have just been so sick of my blah hair that I want to do new stuff to it. I don't know what kinda stuff yet but I have been keeping my shop eye (AKA third eye) open and have been running into some great deals. For instance at Nordstrom Rack I found this...

CHI Mini Flat Iron and Blow Dryer Collection

$99.95 vs. $200 MSRP

I thought that this nifty little set would be perfect for traveling and since I am going on a vacay this June to visit my currently preggers BFF, I had to pick it up! And how perfect is it to bring to any gigs for minor hair styling needs! I have yet to open it as I am still researching the reviews. I currently use a Hai stick, so CHI is new to me and my hair.

Next, I was in the market for a good curling iron. I had two perfectly good irons and gave them up for adoption when I found a good deal on a Wigo iron. This SOB of an iron turned out to be sh!t and pulls single strands of hair when you least expect it and you know how that hurts so much more than having a fistful yanked! Anywayyyyy. I digress. I was in the market yada yada. TJ Maxx surprised me by carrying Hot Tools. Unfortunately not the lusted after salon quality irons but these...

Helix with Nanosilver by Hot Tools

$19.99 vs. $59.99 Retail

The TJM I visited had three different barrel sizes: 3/4in, 1in, and 1 1/4in. I grabbed the 1 1/4 because I like that size, not too big, not too small. I tried it out right when I got home because I have the worst luck with buying the right iron. Lo' and behold this iron is pretty fantastic! It heats up right away. The clamp is not too lose or tight, no more hair slipping or being pulled. Also, my hair is pretty stubborn and doesn't take too well to curling but it curled it with no problems. So far, so good. We will see if I have any complaints in the near future.

P.S. Today is my birthday! It's the BIG one. I have to show and tell my gifts another night.

An Outer Body Experience!

Ladies, I think I died a little tonight. Isn't that what happens when you meet your true sole mate?? No, I didn't spell that wrong. Yes, I meant sole as in shoes. To make it that much better you have to have a crazy story behind it right?

I was at work ho-humming it and bored completely out of my mind when my sister slash bestest shopping buddy ever texts and asks if I had plans for the night. I didn't so I told her so. She then asked if I could help her tie up some loose ends for her wedding (happening in less than two weeks, wahoo!) so I said sure. Unbeknownst to me this adventure would lead me to Nordstrom Rack as she needed to look for a second flower girl dress. Again I said sure, casually, I mean what could happen right? Nothing bad ever happens at Nordstrom Rack. Nevermind the withdrawal symptoms of keeping my credit card on lockdown for the past few months niggling at the back of my head. So we get to Metro Pointe and the first two shops on the agenda held nothing of interest (Except a really cute tie dyed floor length tank dress. Oops!). Then we got to Nordstrom Rack. This is where she met the perfect Christian Louboutin booties and I met destiny...

L.A.M.B Vincent Boots in Forest Green

$59.95 vs. $625.00 Retail

It was love at first sight for my sister and I. We were no longer communicating coherently to one another. My boot was the only pair left and I was momentarily heart broken when I saw that it was a size 6 1/2 but the things women do for the perfect shoe, right? Luckily, L.A.M.B shoes run a bit big (and clothes small, go figure!), so there was no foot binding necessary. It was already marked ridiculously low from $625 to $119.90 so it was already mine. I wasn't even going to bother rationalizing for that steal of a deal but it gets better. When I got to the counter it was all a blur, it happened so quickly, apparently another store had a current running boot sale and it applied to non participating stores merchandise as well. Kind of like, hey I saw an ad blah blah blah. In the end, I walked out with these boots for $59.95!!! Did you catch that?!? Fifty-nine ninety-five! I will give you a minute to catch your breath. I am telling you, pictures do my babies no justice. It is such a unique color only Gwen Stefani can dream up. These are the sexiest fitting boots I've ever owned! I feel slightly like a dominatrix! Crack that whip!

P.S. I have an appointment to meet up with a local beauty school with a great esthetics program. Eek! I can't wait!

CCS/Nordstrom Rack/TJ Maxx...oh my!

Wow...it has been a while hasn't it? Well, let's not waste time with the bitchins' and the moanins' we gots serious bidness to discuss here...

Today I took a magical make up tour through Orange County, and can I tell you, it was a haul-a-day!

First stop, I visited a local TJ Maxx. There had been quite a dry spell in the cosmetics department of TJ Maxx and Marshall's but no more! If you missed out on the Hard Candy liquidation sales last year here is your chance to stock up on your HC favorites at super low prices without having to pay extra for S/H! I spied tons of...

Eyeshadow Quartets 

$3.99 vs. $14.00 50% Sale vs. $28.00 Retail 

Delusional, Disco 2000, Drama Queen, Pixie, Moody, Star, Techno, Fringe, Old Skool

and tons more that aren't even available on the website any longer. There were also...

Eye palettes 

$4.99 

Sold out on the website!

 

Chinese Take Out make up collection 

$4.99 

Also sold out! 

Sweet Spot lip gloss 

$2.99 vs. $5.50 50% Sale vs. $11.00 Retail

Complexion Perfection Powders 

$4.99 vs. $7.50 50% Sale vs. $15.00 Retail

Get in there and stop kicking yourself for missing it last Summer!

Next stop, was Nordstrom Rack. There was mucho excitement going on at Nordy's today as there is a HUGE L.A.M.B. shoe sale event! I was in love with so many a pairs but made nice with just one pair of black suede booties $74.95 vs. $425.00 Retail. I ain't lyin' girl. Make up related they still had those Stila loot bag thingys that I still can't seem to find on the net. They also had a bunch of repeat Too Faced products like The New Romanic Unicorn palette, Hopeless Romantic palette, and the new kids on the block are the...

Love Lisa kits for $12.97 vs. $32.50. 

Oh, and all the Skin Fusion products are GONE.

Last on the extended make up tour was a visit to the CCS. They had a mish mash of different items from FAFI, StarFlash, Red She Said, Neo Sci-Fi and the list goes on as did my receipt...on and on and on.  

See what happens when you are on financial lockdown for months on end? You freak out and spend! On a more positive note I am happy to share that one of the greatest opportunity to present itself is finally having the time and funds to attend beauty school. I am taking this change to finally do something I love since I have to start over career-wise, I thought why not? I have been researching and have decided to check out the Glammin Institute of Makeup and Fashion. Has anyone been there or know anything about it? If so, please share!  

Nordstrom Rack Finds!

Remember this deal of a steal? The whole set going for $37.91 vs. $175.00 retail? Well, due to the overstock they are now selling them for an additional 35% off! That's less than $25.oo! Run in while you can and stock up. I am telling you, this line is fantastic!

While there, I also spied pre-packaged Stila sets that I can only describe as grab bags. Ranging from $19.97 to $24.97, they are packed with random different items. I am trying to find a reference photo, so stay tuned!

Nordstrom Rack Finds!

I know I have been laggin' on the stake out report ladies but amid my Twilight slash Edward Cullen slash Robert Pattinson binge, I have left little room for anything else. Le sigh. But, it seems that I am not missing much as I find that two of my usual stakeout spots have been sucked bone dry of quality cosmetics lately. I have visited a few Marshall's and TJ Maxx's lately while Xmas shopping and it seems that all they have are the stragglers of some old stuff and Lancome, but mostly they seem to be back to offering their norm of spa, skin, and hair care products. Say it ain't so! Maybe it's just a minor dry spell, who knows, maybe they were only offered a one off contract for a load of cosmetics. Cross your fingers!

I did make it by Nordstrom Rack and they have a few straggler items from Smashbox, DuWop, and Too Faced. They did replenish their stock of the previously reported Too Faced - Fantastic Plastic and Hopeless Romantic palette. I also spied the Stila Blanc and Noire palettes in addition to the...wait for it...

Stila Smokey Eye Palette

$15.97 vs. $40.00 Retail

I was soooooo excited when I saw this palette, I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for it! Patience does pay off! I almost buckled a few times on beautycrunch.com but I just knew I would see it at Nordstrom Rack someday! I also picked up a couple of...

Stila Lip Pots

$6.97 vs. $8.00 Sale vs. $17.00 Retail

They only had three shades in Amande, Citron, and Pecan. I picked the last two shades as they were natural neutral shades. Amande was a burnt sienna color that I just knew would come off way too orange for my liking.  Lastly, they had tons of Lip Glazes for $8.97 vs. $22.00 Retail. Some shades I saw were Fig and Pom Pom.

P.S. I did spy all FOUR books of the Twilight Saga at TJ Maxx. So if you know of someone who hasn't been bitten by the story or want your own collector's set, here's your chance!

P.S.S. I do apologize for my vampire laced report. Not really. ;0)

Nordstrom Rack Finds!

Let me start this post by giving you an AWESOME news flash. I am so excited!! You ready?! A drum roll is deserving for this...Nordstrom Rack has implemented a TESTER SYSTEM!!! AGHHH!!! I was so stoked when I saw it, at first I thought; "Great, another jackass opened products, messed with it and just left it there, messy and unpackaged. As I got closer though, I noticed a funny looking sticker. It read TESTER! I couldn't believe my eyes. I actually grinned like an idiot and said "Yesss!!!" like Stephanie Tanner, no arm motion though, I was a bit restrained. ;p This is a start of a new era ladies, you don't even know!

Anyway...The real reason for this post. There is absolutely nothing to report cosmetics wise at NR. It's actually pretty sparse there but there is an abundance of Ahava, Skin Fusion, and a restocked inventory of PerriconeMD. So, since I was in the market for a new face wash, I took a look at what was available...

PerriconeMD - Nutritive Cleanser (Alpha Lipoic Acid)

$14.97 vs. $35.00 Retail

I was trying to decide between this cleanser and the Olive Oil cleanser, but I saw the benefit of reduction of pore size and that's what sold me. That and I questioned whether it would be a great idea to add more oil to my face. This product is recommended for dry and normal skin, which for now is good because as I have said, the Winter season makes my skin especially dry. So I tried it for the first time this morning and so far I really like it alot. I hate that my skin is so oily and this product removes all of it and leaves my skin feeling soft and super clean without being tight and itchy. It even smells clean. Not too perfumey or mediciney at all. This is just a First Impression, so I will update if things change, such as my skin becoming irritated or broken out. I am hoping not because I am already itching on stocking up at this great price. Which, by the way, is not much more expensive than some drugstore brands I've used such as Cetaphil. So if your skin is like mine, an oil slick T Zone, and you like to feel clean skin try this stuff!

Never Say Never!

Remember when I saw this gem, but decided against it?

Too Faced - Quickie Chronicles/The Hopeless Romantic

$12.97 @ Nordstrom Rack vs. $29.50 Retail

And remember when I was spazzing out and depressed about the state of this palette?

Sugar - 'Round The Clock Palette/Day Job

$4.99 @ TJ Maxx vs. $14.00 Sale @ Sephora vs. $28.00 Retail

Well I changed my mind [once again] on item number one.  Since I was picking up a palette for my cousin, I decided. Eh, why not? Let's give the Too Faced palettes one more try. While there I saw that in addition to the Skin Fusion products I reported about recently, they have now added the Translucent and Radiance Mineral shades to the stock.

Then, I ran into item number two at the TJ Maxx near South Coast Plaza on Sunflower and was sooo excited! All of them were in good condition too! Actually I think because this TJ Maxx is new, it's merchandise is still handled with care (for now). I have already played with it and I am in LOVE! The consistency is so silky and the hues are perfect for Fall. There is some shimmer but not too much. Oh, and they have run out of the Too Faced - Fantastic Plastic sets at Nordy's but I did spy them at this TJ Maxx being stocked fresh out of the boxes and still on the stocking cart! I believe they are going for $16.99 here. So if ya missed them at Nordy's here is another chance to snap up a set! They also had an abundance of Lancome products from $5.99-$9.99 and some Borghese Mascaras for $5.99. There was also a brand I have not heard of yet, I was curious but decided to do some research before hand. The London based brand is called Molton Brown. Their official website has about three make up products, but I saw their Gentle Lash Mascara for $9.99 vs. $20.00 Retail and SheerPlay lip gloss set $24.99 vs. $55.00 Retail. Anyone ever heard of or tried this brand?? Is it worth it or should I skip it?

Nordstrom Rack Finds!

My weekly visit to Nordy's Rack did not disappoint. Although my last purchase of Too Faced products was sadly disappointing due to the sheerness of the eyeshadows, I decided to give this first pictured set a try mainly for the Lash Injection! I have been reading so much about this mascara, but I kept putting off getting myself a tube because I still have brand new tubes of Lola and Smashbox mascaras I have yet to open and try. I would have kept waiting if I didn't run into this...

Fantastic Plastic "Your Plastic Surgery Alternative"

$14.97 vs. $38.50 Retail Cost vs. $64.50 Retail Value

This set features a FULL SIZED Lash Injection, Wrinkle Injection, AND Lip Injection all for seriously a fraction of the cost! I am kinda also backed up on eye wrinkle creams so I wasn't particularly looking for anything new but couldn't manage to argue with this price! Also, I am scared to death to try the Lip Injection because my lips are super duper sensitive. I have put off trying any and all lip plumpers. Now I have no excuse but to try it!

Hopeless Romantic

$12.97 vs. $29.50 Retail

Status Gloss

$7.97 ea. vs. $19.50 ea. Retail

There were also two more big sets/palettes that I can't seem to find the pictures of right now. I am going to pay them another visit tomorrow and get the details straight. Stay tuned for an edit! I know for sure they are a deal because a lady told me she had just bought one of them on HSN.com and was shocked at the Nordy's price. Too bad that for me the color pay off isn't nearly as gorgeous as they are in the pan. I may think about it some more and end up getting the Hopeless Romantic though. My sister likes Too Faced because their products are more sheer than most brands I like so if I don't care for it, I know someone who will. It's not a total loss, right?!

Get there while you can, because again, with these prices for such coveted Too Faced products they will surely fly off the shelves. Of course there are still more Bliss, Skin Fusion, Ahava, PerriconeMD, Smashbox, DuWop, and Stila stragglers.

Update 10.22.08 - So I went back to Nordy's today and made a few last minute decisions. It could be because the beauty section was just BUZZING with tons of girls so I felt the pressure to get my share of the deals! I am telling you manicured hands were flying everywhere! Although, Nordy's really needs to implement a Tester system stat! I can see the [addict] consumers' need to open the packaging to check for damage, but man, some just don't have the common courtesy to put stuff back as one finds it! At CCS, they keep only one tester out and when you're ready to buy, they check the quality before putting items in your bag. That's the ideal system right there! None of this, "every woman for herself" self governmenting system they got going on right now. It's hectic, unsanitary, and costly! Wow. That was an unintentional rant! Sorry!

Anyway, I went back to scope out those two products I forgot and decided against the Hopeless Romantic. Instead, I picked up a second set of the Fantastic Plastic, 1 Status Gloss in Trust Fund Baby. LOVE this color! It's a low shimmer nude with high shine. Next, I picked up one of the items I forgot and I can't find a picture of it on the web plus its untitled. It's going to remain a mystery set until I get unlazy and arrange a photo-op. Until then, it was a cute pink package jam packed with the following FULL SIZED goodies:

Afterglow Pressed Powder Lust

$24.00 Retail

First Base

$16.00 Retail

Lip Injection Techno Glow

$18.50 Retail

Love Dovey Duo Eyeshadow

$17.00 Retail

and they snuck in a Magic Wand sample. All that for a whopping (get ready for this) $15.97! WOW.

Too Faced - Lights, Camera, Glamour!

$14.95 vs. $40.00 Retail

It is a card board treasure box or jewelry box, cute like Too Faced is known for. No junk in this trunk! Open up the clasp and you find an old school mini vanity mirror with battery operated lights. In the body of the trunk is the color collection, folded within itself are pans of shadows, lip colors, and blushes. Again, all beautiful in the pan, but I didn't want to go down that road again so I left them there once again so if Too Faced is for you, it's there! Sold out on TooFaced.com!

I didn't pick up the Too Faced palettes because the cons outweighed the pros and I already knew they weren't going to be enough pigmentation for my liking so I opted for the Stila Perfectly Peach and Perfectly Plum palettes I passed up a couple weeks ago but just decided today I had to have them. Hey, a girl can change her mind! ;p

No Nordstrom Rack near you? No Problem! Beautycrunch.com has some of the same items currently in stock. Plus they have more that I want but haven't run into yet, such as the talking palettes from Stila!! Check them out today!

Also, I found a youtuber who bought pretty much everything I did, you can see these items live:

Thanks Brandi!

Nordstrom Rack Finds!

Ahava Products

Bliss Products

skin fusion micro-technology bio active brightening minerals

$9.97 vs. $49.00 Retail Medium Only

skinfusion micro-technology bio active mineral intuitive soft focus fluid foundation + spf 10 $12.97 vs. $56 Retail Medium/Dark Only (SOLD OUT ON FUSIONBEAUTY.COM!)

skinfusion micro-technology bio active mineral power brightening lotion

$14.97 vs. $70.00 Retail

Sorry about the wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am post, but this is gonna be a quickie ladies. I am a bit under the weather lately, but couldn't leave you all hanging. Plus, I know if I wait until I felt better this post will be a wee bit too late.

Currently at Nordstrom Rack there is an abundant supply of Bliss, Skin Fusion and Ahava skin care items at tremendous discounts. We're talking 75% off minimal here girls! The price is RIGHT! Go to NR and check it out for yourself before it's too late! Here is your chance to try out these prestige spa brands at deep discounts before committing to retail.

The above three Skin Fusion products caught my eye so I've snapped up the entire mineral line! I think I might have found something worthy enough to cut in on the Perricone MD Active Tinted Moisturizer I've been shamelessly lovin' lately so check back for a review!

Nordstrom Rack Finds!

I stopped by the local Nordstrom Rack and man have they restocked on their Vintage Stila items! This time around they had...

Guinevere's Deluxe Palette

$14.97 vs. $34.00 retail

fall fantasy: laguna

$14.97 vs. $32.00 retail (out of stock on stila.com)

fall eye and cheek palette: perfectly plum

$11.97 vs. $30.00 retail

fall eye and cheek palette: perfectly peach

$11.97 vs. $30.00 retail

blanc palette 

$13.97 vs. $32.00 retail

noire palette

$13.97 vs. $32.00 retail

travel size brush set

$29.97 vs. $75.00 retail

or the following individual short handles brushes for $7.97 each

#26 Perfecting Concealer Brush 

$18.00 retail

#9 All Over Blend Brush

$24.00 retail

#5 All Over Shadow Brush

$22.00 retail

#2 Under Eye Concealer Brush

$18.00 retail

#4 Precision Eye Liner Brush

$20.00 retail

They also have assorted single eye shadow pans and lipsticks for $6.97 vs. $18.00 retail. As well as a dwindling supply of Too Faced, DuWop, and Smashbox items I posted a few weeks back. Click on the Nordstrom Rack label to check what I am rambling about then stop in and stock up! Or if you're a closet beauty horder and want to shop in the privacy of your own home, beautycrunch.com also sells some of the same items for about the same price. The difference is literally pennies, but the cons are you can't play with the colors first hand and you will have to pay extra S/H! You decide, pay for gas or S/H??? ;)

Nordstrom Rack Finds!

So by 2:00pm today I needed a huge dose of retail therapy to deal with the current office dramz. Luckily I work only down the street from my local Nordstrom Rack. I decided this was the place to cure me of my corporate blues. Once there I found that there are still some straggler DuWop, Stila, and Perricone products from my previous posts but I was excited to see that there were some new products as well. There was an abundance of single eyeshadow pots from Smashbox for $6.97 vs. $16.00 retail. I dug through the whole lot and noted the following shades:

Still (Matte)

Greenroom (Soft Sparkle)

Frame (Matte)

Etch (Matte)

Midnight Black (Shimmer)

Optic (Shimmer)

Digital (Matte)

Baby Pink (Shimmer)

Credit (Matte)

Scan (Matte)

Take II (Soft Sparkle)

Ingenue (Shimmer)

Then there was a few palettes of Too Faced The New Romantic Make-up Collection - Unicorn.

Eye Shadows in Mossy Brown, Cinnamon Cocoa, and Peach Fairy Wine

Glosses in Princess Pink, Apricot Sunset, and Pixie Dust Plum

Blush in Cupid Pink

Includes dual sided eyeshadow/lip brush and mirror 

$27.50 Retail at Sephora

$10.97 at Nordstrom Rack

At first glance, the colors look strikingly similar to MAC eyeshadows (in the same order) Club, Twinks, and Ricepaper. I will do a much more in depth review and comparison of this palette and the dupe MAC eyeshadows very soon. So KIT!

P.S. I also stopped by my local CCS and nothing new to report there! Booooooo!