Review: Essie Good to Go! Top Coat

No matter the occasion, a girl can't go wrong with a fresh, glossy manicure and pedicure.  For years, I got my nails done on a weekly basis at a salon that  refused to accept plurals.

More Than One Nail = NailS

[Source]

Ha ha ha!

Although my nail technician was amazing, my obsession with maintaining immaculate french tipped digits wreaked havoc on our budget.  When I decided to ditch my corporate desk jockey job to pursue my medical field dreams, my weekly habit came to a screeching halt.  My new career came with a pay cut, as well as rules against talon painting.

I now buff, file, and polish my own nails at the Kate Gene Salon a.k.a. our home.  When I am in the clinic, I usually opt for natural nails, but occasionally go wild with a neutral pink polish.  On my own time, I tend to stick with vampy hues.

Essie's Good to Go! Top Coat delivers a shine that I consider to be comparable to the highly sought after Seche Vite.

[Even the dreary December weather can't diminish this glass-like shine!]

PROS:  Dries pretty quickly.  Extremely glossy.  When paired with O.P.I. polish, my manicure lasted nearly a week before chipping.

CONS:  Retails for $9.90.  However, if you do a little research, you can find coupon codes for Apothica.com, which is where I got my bottle from.

I am very pleased with my new top coat thus far.

What are you using to protect your handiwork?

My Jewelry Store: EightSeventeen Jewelry

Tweet, Tweet: http://twitter.com/kate_gene

Ask Me Questions Anonymously: http://www.formspring.me/KateGene

Disclaimer:  This post is sponsored by Apothica.com.   My views are not influenced by anything other than my personal experience.  Please use these products at your own discretion.

Eye Candy

I had no idea Ivanka Trump had her own jewelry line!  

 [Source]

Where have I been?!

 [Source]

Ha ha!

Her collections are beautiful.  I loved all of her pieces, especially her rings!

Cocktail Ring with Diamond Accents

I like how bold - yet delicate - these cocktail rings are!

  

Thin Diamond Band

This dainty band is elegant and timeless.

In addition to the pretty baubles shown above, I found myself drawn to her red carpet-ready earrings.

Sadly, these beautiful Trump-designed pieces are accompanied by Trump price tags.  There's no harm in looking, though, right?  ;)

I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday season!

My Jewelry Store: EightSeventeen Jewelry

Tweet, Tweet: http://twitter.com/kate_gene

Ask Me Questions Anonymously: http://www.formspring.me/KateGene

Photo Credit:  All of the jewelry photographs belong to: http://shop.ivankatrumpcollection.com/index.php/.

Caudalie Giveaway Winner

The winner of my Caudalie Giveaway is...

shala_darkstone!

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and e-mail address to: kategeneblog at gmail dot com.  You have until January 2, 2011 to claim your prize, otherwise a new winner will be randomly selected.

Thanks to Caudalie for sponsoring this giveaway, as well as everyone who entered!

My Jewelry Store: EightSeventeen Jewelry

Tweet, Tweet: http://twitter.com/kate_gene

Ask Me Questions Anonymously: http://www.formspring.me/KateGene

Giveaway Reminder & Blog Birthday Announcement

What's up, gangsters?

I am currently curled up on the couch, popping antibiotics, and devouring candy canes.  Yes, I am still whining about being sick.  It's been over a month and a half, though!  Eek!

On a happier note, I am proud to say I have been blogging for over a year now!  Whoo hoo!

[Source]

I can't believe I failed to announce my first bloggin' birthday!

[Someecards.com has the funniest online cards ever.]

In my defense, December 15th was National Cupcake Day.  I got distracted!

My posts lately have been sporadic and completely devoid of my usual antics.  I really appreciate the wonderful readers who have stuck by my side! 

GIVEAWAY REMINDER 

This giveaway ends December 23, 2010 at 11:59 P.M. (PT).  Open to U.S. residents only.

Check it out here!

These products are uh-maaaazing.

There aren't a lot of entries yet, so your chances of winning are great!

Good luck!

My Jewelry Store: EightSeventeen Jewelry

Tweet, Tweet: http://twitter.com/kate_gene

Ask Me Questions Anonymously: http://www.formspring.me/KateGene

Happy National Cupcake Day!

Guess what?  Today is National Cupcake Day!

Cupcakes are my kryptonite.  I can literally eat half a dozen in one sitting.  (Hence, the Z cup gut.)  I absolutely love these delightful pastries.  So much, in fact, that my jewelry line includes a Cupcake Collection! 

[Source]

Mmm...  Trophy Cupcakes are my favorite!  Their frosting is to die for!

[Source]

Cupcake Royale is a close second!  Their cakes are out of this world!

[Source]

This book has been on my wish list for years.  Inside, are photos and instructions on how to create fun and unique looking cupcakes.  Too cute!

[Source]

Hello Kitty.  Hello Kitty's friends.  Cupcakes.  What more is there to say?

[Source]

My adorable hubby and I are planning on having kids in the near future.  Should we be blessed with a daughter, I would love for her to tote around this gorgeous Judith Leiber purse.  I would, of course, not allow her to store cell phones inside.  We all know how that goes!  ;)

At $4,295.00, this Austrian crystal studded sweet is a steal!  (Oh, simmer down...  I am being sarcastic.  Ha!)

That's it for today!  I apologize for all the random posts lately.  I have some product reviews coming up soon.  Until then, grab a frosted treat and head over to my Caudalie Review and Giveaway post.  It's worth your time, I promise!

Cupcake bottoms up!

My Jewelry Store: EightSeventeen Jewelry

Tweet, Tweet: http://twitter.com/kate_gene

Ask Me Questions Anonymously: http://www.formspring.me/KateGene

The Body Shop Friends and Family Sale

Hey, y'all!

The Body Shop is currently hosting a Friends and Family Sale.  Use the code "FFJOY" to receive 30% off your favorite items now!

Want to score some free skin care products?  Check out my Caudalie giveaway!

My Jewelry Store: EightSeventeen Jewelry

Tweet, Tweet: http://twitter.com/kate_gene

Ask Me Questions Anonymously: http://www.formspring.me/KateGene

Please Note:  I am a Bath and Body Works affiliate.  If you purchase products using the link above, I will receive a small percentage of the sale.

Caudalie Review, Giveaway, & Sale/Free Shipping Code [CLOSED]

As much as I love the look and feel of high end make-up, the majority of my collection is from the drugstore.  When it comes to skin care, I am much more likely to splurge.  All the face paint in the world will do no good if your canvas isn't up to par, right?

When I was contacted by Caudalie to do a review, I was was thrilled.  Caudalie is a luxury skin care line that is sold in stores such as Sephora, Nordstrom, and Barneys.  Their products are also available online.

Read on for my thoughts on this outstanding brand.

Premier Cru

This incredibly lush cream is wonderful for those seeking to reduce wrinkles and dark spots.  Smooth a thin layer over your face and neck and turn back time!  The stubborn, semi-deep lines across the bridge of my nose have diminished significantly since I started using this product.  It's easy to see why this item is a best seller at Sephora!

PROS:  Has a moderate, heavenly scent that smells like an eau de parfum a sophisticated woman would spritz on; a miniature dollop goes a loooong way; your skin instantly appears firmer and healthier after one application.

CONS:  At $150.00, this posh cream comes with a posh price tag.  However, if your skin is oily, you only need to use it once a day.  And, as I stated before, the tiniest bit of product goes a long way!

Gentle Buffing Cream 

 This scrub is extremely gentle and excellent for sensitive skin.  It can be used on the face, neck, and décolleté once or twice a week.

PROS:  Normally, I rely on gritty scrubs for exfoliation.  That said, this product works just as well as some of its more abrasive competitors.  Thanks to the chilly December weather, my skin was quite the dry mess prior to my using this product.  It did wonders after just one use, leaving my face feeling not only smooth, but cleansed.  My forehead and cheeks looked especially radiant and hydrated.

CONS:  At $35.00, this scrub costs more than my usual exfoliant.  However, the product worked so well, I think it's worth the price!

Anti-Ageing Serum Eyes and Lips

Experiencing sagging eye lids?  Wrinkles around your eyes and lips?  Suffering from chronic puffiness and dark circles?

PROS:  I worried that this product might cause milia around my eyes, but it didn't.  Once it was smoothed on, it filled in the fine lines beneath my eyes.  I also have one fine, vertical line above my lips; this helped reduce its appearance. 

CONS:  Prevention is key.  Using anti-ageing products in your twenties certainly doesn't hurt.  However, I think this product is best saved for those in their late twenties and beyond.  (My "geriatric" behind falls into this category.  Ha!)

Travel Size Hand and Nail Cream


 

My hands are chronically dry from hand sanitizers and constant washing.  (O.C.D., anyone?  LOL!)  I couldn't wait to test this product out!  Caudalie's Travel Size Hand and Nail Cream is the perfect size for your handbag or clutch. 

PROS:  Rich; creamy; lightly fragranced in a pleasant scent; incredibly moisturizing; non-greasy; super affordable at $5.00.  My hands have done a complete 360 thanks to this fun-sized product!

CONS:  None.

Vinosource Cream Mask

This incredibly moisturizing product can be used as a mask, cream, or both!  Smooth a thin layer over your face and neck, and allow it to set for fifteen minutes.  Rinse it off with warm water and prepare to be amazed!  Or, leave it on in lieu of your traditional moisturizer.

PROS:  It is a dual purpose product.  After one use, my dull winter skin looked revived and vibrant!  I achieved especially amazing results when I used this mask following the Gentle Buffing Cream.

CONS:  None.

Giveaway

The wonderful folks at Caudalie are generously allowing me to give away two of my favorite products: the Vinosource Mask and Hand and Nail Cream!

Mandatory Rules

1.  You must be a public follower of my blog.

2.  You must "like" Caudalie on Facebook.

3.  You must leave a comment below letting me know how you entered.

Bonus Entries

Worth FIVE points each!!!!

1.  Follow my jewelry blog: EightSeventeen Jewelry.

2.  Tweet about my giveaway.

3.  Write a blog post or add my giveaway to your sidebar using the photo above.

This giveaway ends December 23, 2010 at 11:59 P.M. (PT).  Open to U.S. residents only.

Discount & Free Shipping Code

Interested in picking up some of Caudalie's products now?  Please refer to yesterday's post for discount and free shipping details!



Overall, these products exceeded my expectations.  I will definitely be purchasing from Caudalie on a regular basis going forward!

Happy Holidays!

My Jewelry Store: EightSeventeen Jewelry

Tweet, Tweet: http://twitter.com/kate_gene

Ask Me Questions Anonymously: http://www.formspring.me/KateGene

Disclaimer: All images belong to Caudalie, and were used with permission from the company.  The products were sent to me by Caudalie to review, free of charge.  I am not affiliated with the organization, nor am I being paid to endorse their products.  My views are not influenced by anything other than my personal experience.  Please use these products at your own discretion.

Private Caudalie Sale, Upcoming Review, & Giveaway!

Hello, My Fellow Skin Care Junkies!

Caudalie is currently hosting a private 15% off sale and offering free shipping! 

[Click to Enlarge]

This awesome event officially kicks off on December 10th.  However, for my readers, the code (HOLIDAY) is valid immediately!

Not sure what to get?  Come back tomorrow and read my Caudalie review!  

(Bonus:  I will be giving away two of my favorite Caudalie goodies.)

Happy Shopping, everyone!

My Jewelry Store: EightSeventeen Jewelry

Tweet, Tweet: http://twitter.com/kate_gene

Ask Me Questions Anonymously: http://www.formspring.me/KateGene

Small Businesses Worth Checking Out This Holiday Season!

As a small business owner, I recognize and appreciate the hard work that goes into running your own operation.  

Below are some companies definitely worth checking out!

Kayo Tamaishi on Etsy

[Source]

Candles by Victoria

[Source]

[Source]



A Life Deliberate Soap Co. on Etsy

[Source]



Ariel's Secret Garden on Etsy

[Source]


Creamery Creek

[Source]



 KBShimmer

[Source]



EightSeventeen Jewelry

Yes, this is a shameless self plug.  ;)





DSK Jewelry

Exit Art/The Current Custom


[Source]



Herro Hachi

0

[Source]



Imperial Motion

[Source]



Photoshop Glamourizer

[Source]



Leroy Menswear

Yes, this is a real store.  What's not to love about men who drink mimosas and dress like Nate Dogg?  LOL!





Happy Shopping, everyone!

My Jewelry Store: EightSeventeen Jewelry

Tweet, Tweet: http://twitter.com/kate_gene

Ask Me Questions Anonymously: http://www.formspring.me/KateGene