MOR Hand Cream in Honey Nectar Review

Twice a month when I get paid, I feel like a millionaire. 

On this particular day, I paid $14 for hand cream. I am not even a hand cream person. Aside from my face, I moisturize nothing. When I wake in the morning and find my legs dry and flaky, I reach not for lotion but leggings. Cover those babies up! No one will know!

So gross...I know..

No doubt that this is a wondrous product. The actual lotion is thick, creamy, and effective. It has the same consistency as buttercream frosting when you squeeze it out of the tube, but as it absorbs the warmth of your skin it turns into soft butter. It's also worth noting, I think, that the hand cream is matte, not shiny like most lotions. It looks and feels very decadent. 

It takes a while to sink into your skin (I'd say 7-10 seconds) but I noticed that during the week that I used MOR on a daily basis, I had no hangnails (ouch, hate those) and my cuticles were never dry. In November.  

The fragrance is subtle and I love that about this hand cream. I already wear perfume/frangrance mist, so I don't like very aggressively scented things that would compete with it. It's sweet but subdued, it's a comforting and luxurious sweetness. 

There's another scent that I loved - Basil & Grape - that I think I'll get for my mom for Christmas along with the Fresh Sugar Lip Balm. 

I am most definitely enjoying the MOR Hand Cream in Honey Nectar -- do I think it's worth $14? On paydays, yes. On budget-conscious days...I'm not too sure. I only say this because I am not an extravagant spender on beauty products, and hand creams are not part of my beauty necessities. 

Have you tried it? What do you think....worth the money?

Bath & Body Works fragrance mists

When I fell in love ULTA's Precious Poppies Fragrance mist back in September, I developed a fixation for fragrances. Though I'm not a complete stranger to perfumes (DKNY fresh blossom, Clinique happy, Taylor Swift Enchanted Wonderstruck), for everyday happiness I'm more comfortable with the less intense, more subtle approach. 

These three came home with me all in the same day. One transaction. Triplets, you may even say. 

Love Love Love: "A lovely trio of white plum, peony petals, and glittering vanilla musk." Several bones to pick there, starting with how glittering can qualify as an aromatic descriptor. It does smell fruity and sweet, with a hint of holiday - you may get a whiff of this if you ever got the chance to hug a sugarplum fairy. 

Warm Vanilla Sugar: Smells just like how it sounds. I was torn between this and Cashmere Glow, which had a quiet musky undertone. I ended up with this one because it's mellow, comforting, and indulgent.  This in the winter makes me feel like a toasty marshmallow.

Secret Wonderland: "Luscious strawberry, frosted jasmine petals and white amber." What an incredibly ornate description. This one is the muskiest of the three, which is softened by the floral and fruity undertones. Because it's so strong ("pointy" is what I feel it is), I don't wear it as often but when I do, it stays with me all day. 

marie antoinette nails

The only reason I call these "Marie Antoinette" nails is because it was inspired by a singular image from Sophia Coppola's 2006 film.  In this production still is Kristen Dunst, sitting back on a luxuriously cushy pastel blue chair in a decadent white dress, salmon pink tulle peeking through the bottom. There are trays of pastries in the background and a french maid in the foreground. 

I love everything about this image. This is how I feel on a late Saturday afternoon sitting in a beauty salon. It's how I feel when I allow myself the luxury of room service, and as I'm being ushered into a room at a spa. 

"ahh, this is the life." -- that feeling. 

Soft colors and unapologetic bling: that's what I channeled when I made these. 

NYX Bohemian Chic Nude Matte Palette

My love affair with cosmetics spans all of high end and drugstore makeup. I like to think I place my bets wisely - every-day staples & skincare? High end. Transient trends? Drug.

After the glorious Naked Palette [Urban Decay], I became entranced by every neutral eye shadow palette that crossed my path. The NYX Bohemican Chick Nude Matte Palette was no exception.. 24 shadows! 2 blushes! All neutral! $18! My wallet as undone. 

One of my favorite things about this palette is that the bottom tray includes 6 muted colors that work perfectly with the 18 neutrals on the top tray. I love me some variety! 

The answer to the big question - quality - is that it's close to great for under $20. Some of the shades apply lighter than they appear in the palette, but for the most part I'm satisfied. I don't expect a lot from drugstore brands; I certainly don't hold them to the same standards as some of the high-end products. 

That being said, I'm happy to report that these are pretty soft and pretty pigmented.

Bottom line: I use this palette every day, which makes the purchase worth it. 

I love mattes in the winter - there's a warmth to the finish; something about it goes so well with knits and boots. Bring it on, sub-60 temperatures! 

lalaloopsy - marina anchors

At my most recent job interview, I was asked this question:

Do you have a favorite toy that's currently on shelf?

I was in a jam - do I give my honest answer, or do I name my favorite toy that this company makes? I did the former (followed quickly by the latter, because I really wanted this job) -- lalaloopsy. 

I love toys that are cute, whimsical, miniature, with personality and with adorable thematic variants. Sometimes I've heard men in this industry ask, "So what's the feature in this toy? What does it do?" 

When it comes to girls' toys, cute is a feature. We cannot give two shits about whether it explodes or transforms. Make it sparkle, and you've captured hearts. 

Marina Anchors was my first Lalaloopsy purchase - I just know it won't be my last.

Damn you, job!