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My favorite perfumes and a Travalo Giveaway!

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Before I was allowed to wear makeup, as a teenage, I could wear perfume.

 

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Taylor of London was my first perfume-y love. I found it at the age of 15 at Walt Disney World Epcot in a little shop in the England Pavilion. One of the cleanest, happiest, non-cloying floral perfumes, ever. My mom and I would still wear it today if we could get our sneaky little hands on it. For awhile, I could find the soap and powder at TJMaxx. I have a sad feeling that it’s been discontinued. If any of you EVER find it in TJMaxx or elsewhere, I will give you cold hard cash.

 

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At 17, my French foreign exchange student, Helen, handed me a sample of this. In her perfect French accent, she said, “You should wear this.” She was right.  Crisp, clean, green and maybe a little too grown-up for me at the time.. but I didn’t care. Luckily, it was another perfume that smelled great on my mom. Recently, I got another sample. Scent is a strange thing. As I spritzed it in the air, I was 17 again and living in Central NY with a whole life ahead of me. I feel almost invincible when I wear this… the armor of youth, I suppose.

 

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From 20 until 36, I couldn’t find a signature scent. I dabbled in Body Shop’s White Musk, Rose oil and Ralph Lauren’s Romance. Nothing stuck… Until, my 36th birthday. Stella by Stella McCartney walked into my life. I love her. I will wear this scent until it no longer is on the market… and then I will horde it. It reminds me of a rose garden after a rain shower…. with the sun gently warming it. I have one friend, that hugs me and says, “Oh… you smell wonderful, like you!” That’s all I need, it’s a winner.

 

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So, present day. I still wear Stella… but a girl need variety. I got a bunch of samples from Sephora a bit ago. They were having buy perfume, we’ll send you samples.. deal. I bought some Stella (of course, right?). In the sample pack was Givenchy’s Dahlia Noir EDT. I loved it. A little dark, mysterious, yet approachable. Not quite a summer scent, but I figured Fall and Winter are around the corner. Off to eBay I went. A few days ago, I received the above bottle. It’s Dahlia Noir L’Eau. Not the original Dahlia Noir EDT. Hunh, the top notes remind me of Windex, but as it mellows it’s slightly addicting. Warm, yet clean (Are you sensing a ‘clean’ them, yet?).. not as mysterious as the original. That’s totally fine, neither am I. I’m hoping I can get passed the Windex phase.

 

This brings me to the GIVEAWAY! *Jazz Hands* That’s right, I have something for y’all. While at Cosmoprof North America in Las Vegas, I met the wonderful ladies at Travalo. I have wanted one of this things for EVAH! If you don’t know what it is.. it’s a refillable perfume atomizer. It fills up like a butane lighter.

Here’s what the site says, “Travalo is the tough, leak-proof, aircraft approved mini perfume bottle. Just pump to fill, and Travalo refills in seconds. Smell great wherever you go… never Travalo without it!”

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Click Here for ALL the INFO: Travalo’s Website

You are probably saying to yourself, “Clare, what do I have to do to get that wonderful thing?”  I want a picture of you with twine. (Don’t you love The Bloggess?) As awesome as a picture of you with twine, a spatula or collating papers would be, I need *your help*. I’m a newbie here in the Blog-o-sphere, a virtual unknown. (See what I did there? Virtual… Haaaa!) Ok, back to want I would like from you. Reblog this, Share it on FB… give me a shout out there on the InterWebs. After you’ve done that, come back here and tell me your favorite perfumes… and (maybe) why you love them so! I will put all of your names in a top hat (we’re classy around here!) and pull ONE name… and you WIN!

Best of Luck and Cheers,

Clare

PS. This giveaway ends Sunday at Midnight PST.

Ipsy Bag – July 2014

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While I was in Vegas for Cosmoprof NA, my July Ipsy bag arrived.

The pink bubble wrap bag always makes my happy.

Let’s get this unvieling party started!

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Ispy always has these cards in our bag. Letting us Ipsters know what’s in our bag and what specials we can partake in.

 

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This month’s bag is a bright pink. It’s square and has a scalloped edge. I love it! I’m a totally sucker for pink things.

 

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https://hangtensunscreen.com/shop/dark-tanning-oil-spf-08/

First item I pulled out, Hang Ten’s Dark Tanning oil. It does have an SPF of 8 and smells like Summer. It feels really soft on the skin. Looking forward to Saturday Float Day (which is most Saturdays in my backyard) to slather this puppy on. The fact that it’s water resistant for up to 40 minutes is a good thing.

 

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http://www.hersko.ca/collections/lavilin-bio-balance-skin-soothers/products/gel-cream-skin-soother

 

Second item is L’avilin BioBalance Jojoba Skin Soother Gel Cream. On the back of the tube it states, “Hydrates skin following intense physical activity.” Say what?? I’m supposed to moisturize after physical activity?? Hrmmm.. I don’t get it. It feels and smells like a lotion. I know it’s supposed to be something swell and anti-aging, but meh. That’s about it for me….

 

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http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/product/view/theyre-real

 

Third item is Benefit’s They’re Real. Most of us Goohorders know this one! I think, I first tried this in a Sephora Birthday Gift. As a mascara lover, it’s a staple. It’s awesome. The big fat brush with tiny, wide spaced bristles really does the job with giving you awesome lashes.

 

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http://www.elizabethmott.com/shop/tints-and-sass-lip-tint/

 

Fourth is Tint & Sass from Elizabeth Mott. I’m a fan of lip stains. I’ve tried several. Benefit’s Benetint has been my favorite for awhile now. I think I might like this one a bit more. It smells like Cherry Popsicle that swallowed an itty bit of cough syrup. This stain is thicker than Benetint. And the large doe foot applicator ROCKS!! Also, the bottle has a regulator in it! NO stained fingers, NO spilling. (Yes, I turned it upside down, just for you!) We got a full size one. Retail is $22.99!

 

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http://www.bareescentuals.com/5-in-1-BB-Advanced-Performance-Cream-Eyeshadow-Broad-Spectrum-SPF-15/US70692,en_US,pd.html

Final item, bareMinerals 5in1 BB Advanced  Performance Cream Eyeshadow. This one brought me back to one of my first makeup experiences. My mom had given me a cream eyeshadow in a light brown. I felt so grown up wearing that shadow. This 5in1 sample  is the next generation. It has benefits added into a long wearing formula. This shade I received is Divine Wine. It’s a cool leaning taupe (on me), a good mousey brown. I tested this on my hand and a few hours later when I washed my hands, it survived for the most part. I can’t wait to try this one out.

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Here are the swatches. I really love these two. Finally thoughts? It was a good month. 4/5 stars. The lotion just didn’t float my boat, it’s going in my ‘Enh Bag’. Someone will love it!

So fellow Ipsters, what did you get? What did you think of your items?

I’ve been an Ipster for almost a year. I’ve never really been disappointed in a bag. I love trying new things and the bags themselves are great. Perfect for purse organization. I give my extra makeup to family and friends in them. It’s awesome for $10 a month.

If you would like to become a subscriber, please use my link. It helps me out by giving me points.

http://www.ipsy.com/r/20×6

Cheers,

Clare

 

The times are a changin’!

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I started this blog to have a place to keep up with my wonderful parents when they moved 800 miles away from me. With the advent of FaceTime and free cell-to-cell minutes this little section of Cyberland has been completely neglected.

A few years ago I had some crazy health issues. Make-up helped me feel better about myself. Since then, my health has been pretty dang good! I’ve even done a couple 5k’s and have a happy life.

Several years ago, my amazing BF got a job in the aesthetics industry. He works many hours in a week. In order to see him more, he asked me to join him at industry trade shows and conventions. What fortuitous timing, right?

So, here I am, many trade shows later, cabinets full of cosmetics and an old (now repurposed) blog named Eyeliner and Bourbon. Why not talk about my favorite things and have y’all read it??

This week I plan on telling tales from Cosmoprof North America that was in Las Vegas. I met some amazing people that represent some awesome brands. I’ll leave you with a little teaser, my two very full bags and a whiskey sour from Rx Boiler Room! Lugging theses bags through Mandalay Bay to The Luxor was a work-out in of itself! Luckily, there’s cocktails!

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Cheers!

Clare

Going Back to The Future.

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Many moons ago I was born in a biggest city in Central New York. I live the quintescential CNY life for 21 years. Skiing, shovelling driveways and hot cider filled my winters. Wet boots, robins and Heid’s HotDogs occupied my springs. Humidity, swimming pools and Viki’s Tasty Freeze filled my summers… Fall, there really isn’t like Fall in Update New York… It’s plain magical.

I ate pasta 3 times a week.. ate pizza on Fridays. Spent many hours at Coursel Center. Santangelo’s in Liverpool knew my name. I knew that a car you drive when it’s snowing is a Winter Rat. At a young age I learn that small potatoes boiled in salt water, slathered with butter is quite close to heaven.

Sixteen years ago, I moved to CA with my Mom. Nothing has been the same.

For about 5 years I had dual NY/CA citizenship.

Now, I believe I’m a Californian. I can talk on my cellphone, put on mascara and  drink my coffee all while traveling down the 405 at 80mph. Hey, don’t fool yourself… this is an important CA Talent!

Here we are… a month until I find myself, back in what was “Home”.  It’s been 6 years.

Can I go home again?

The older I get the more right she is…

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Moms are full of advice….

….and sometimes they think you aren’t actually listening to them. Secret is we really are.

Tonight, I am thankful my mom told me the sage tale of The Ponytail Hair Cut.

I feel like I’ve just walked out of a fancy-dancy OC salon.

One of the best cuts ever.

Wow.

Merry Christmas.

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Christmas.

I find it interesting how the feeling and meaning of this Holiday has changed… and hasn’t, as I have aged.

As a child, it was all cold noses, cookies and gifts. Like it should be. The Northeast lends the perfect backdrop for Christmas. Down right quaint. Sure I remember the gifts. Cameras, Clothes, Skis and Computers. I lived a fortunate little childhood.

What do I remember the most?

Watching Santa’s “travels” on the TV. The reindeer nibbled carrot, which actually was our sheep’s doing. The smell of the tree. Our dog Sack knowing which gifts belonged to him and fetching them for himself . Most of all, I remember my parent’s shining faces.  They would watch me in all my glory, tearing wrapping paper like a tazmanian devil.

It took a heck of a lot of doing, but they raised me right. I wasn’t the easiest child. I know that now and I am thankful. I may not be the adult they thought I would turn into, but they love me more than I even know. I’ve turn out to be a pretty decent adult.

As an adult, I still love all the trappings of Christmas…. the lights, the smells, the feast, the gifts.

What I do I love as an adult?

My parents shining faces.

And this blog is mostly for them to read, to keep up with random things in my life. Familial Connection is important. There aren’t too many people that can give me that swift reality kick that I occasionally need.

So Mom and Dad, I hope you like this little gift. It’s not fancy. It doesn’t have any monetary value. It prolly won’t be too interesting to anyone on the outside, but it’ll be a place where I can tell you about my weird observances, outings with Jonathon & friends and Simon the Wonder Cat.

Merry Christmas.

I love you.