Christmas 2013 Haul

Hope you all have been having an exceptionally stellar holiday season.  For the few years that I've had my YouTube channel, I've always told myself that I would stray away from filming and/or posting things I got for Christmas.  However, I somehow felt inclined to do so this year, so I did.  Along with this post, there is a video I filmed on my YouTube Channel (click here to view) where I generally go over the things I got.  There may be more in depth reviews to come on specific things in the future.  As I get older, the more grateful I am for the fact that I still get gifts at Christmastime from people, although I'm convinced I'm far too old to still be getting them.  Please don't feel offended or think that I'm bragging by sharing these things with you all.  I would be very delighted if you all shared some things you got for Christmas down in the comments, or something you particularly enjoyed this holiday season.  Also, let me know if you're interested in me doing a review on any of the items I got.  All photos taken by me.  =]

Le Pliage Large Tote in Slate by Longchamp

 Silver Stainless Steel Watch by Emporio Armani

 Bracelet by Isabel Marant pour H&M

 Fragrances I got for Christmas: Fame Black Fluid by Lady Gaga, Our Moment by One Direction, The Beat by Burberry

 Nintendo 3DS XL in Blue + Games: Pokemon X, Super Mario 3D Land

Sigmax Face Brushes by Sigma

Sephora VIB Sale Haul 2013

It's that time of year again!  I can honestly say that I've taken part in the Sephora "holiday" type of sale for the past 4 years, and did not stray away from doing so again this year.  However, for the past 2 years I have been classified as what is known as a "VIB", which means "Very Important Beauty Insider"...which I think is pretty cool.  Although, that means that I've been spending increasing amounts at Sephora as the years have progressed (don't tell my boyfriend).  For those of you who don't know, the Beauty Insider program at Sephora is a point-based rewards system that gives you 1 point for every dollar you spend there, which can accumulate and later be redeemed for "Point Perks," which are deluxe samples and sets of products that are offered in the store.  Being that I have been part of this rewards program for some time, I have been promoted to the classification VIB, that enables me to participate in cool events, get notified of new product releases, and most importantly getting 20% off all merchandise during the VIB (holiday) sale.

In past years, Sephora had the holiday sale open to pretty much everyone, and offered higher discounts to those who were regular Beauty Insider members as well as VIBs (who I believe had a greater discount).  Though in the past few years, the sale has been almost exclusively set for Beauty Insiders and VIBs, to which coupons were sent out to those people along with another one to be given to the person of their choice (who doesn't have to be a Beauty Insider member).  This year, I was glad to get my 20% off coupon in the mail that was able to be redeemed as many times as I wanted from November 7th through the 11th, along with an additional one that I was able offer to those I decided to share it with.  However, this year's coupon for the person of your choice had to be redeemed with the VIB present, which in turn meant that I made multiple trips to Sephora over the past few days in order for all my loved ones to get the discount.

I had a general game plan for the sale this year, as I typically do for shopping types of endeavors, so I made it a point to make a list of items I would like, so I was able to devise how much it was I intended to spend.  Despite my clever planning, however, I ended up getting loads of other things much different from what I originally planned, mostly because the things I originally wanted had already sold out.  Nonetheless, I seemingly ended up picking up lots more than I intended to just because I had a few gifts to purchase for others, even though the bulk of it was for me.  If you participated in this sale, I would love to know in the comments what you picked up.  Also, be sure to watch my haul video that I'll try to have up soon, where I'll go over each of the items I picked up (I'll embed the video in this post as soon as I get that video out).  Below I took some photos of my purchases from this sale...I did my best to number them, so that all the items can be identified.  I linked off as many as possible of the items in the photo key located below the last photo (the one with the numbers).  All photos taken by me.  =]

1.) VIB Lips Totes

2.) Fresh Soy Face Exfoliant

3.) Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover

4.) Shiseido Ibuki Ready For Anything Skin Set

5.) Bite Beauty Best Bite Set

6.) BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector

7.) BECCA Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation in Amber

8.) Sephora Collection Technicolor Tinsel Eyelash Curler

9.) Skincare Samples by Amore Pacific

10.) Anna Sui Flight of Fancy Rollerball

11.) Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15

12.) Urban Decay Urban Essentials Deluxe Sample Set (Beauty Insider Point Perk)

13.) VIB Savings Cards & Lookbook of Gift Ideas

Mini for Me

Being that it was my birthday this past Saturday, I wanted to get myself something...since I usually do that sort of thing (is that weird?).  Anyway, I didn't hesitate one bit to pick something out for myself.  This year, I wanted to get something small, that I definitely knew I would be utilizing a lot.  I put a lot of thought into it, and finally came to the conclusion that I wanted to get the Louis Vuitton mini pochette in the Damier Ebene print.  Therefore, a few days before my birthday, I stopped by at the Louis Vuitton store at Ala Moana center to pick up my birthday gift to myself.  Needless to say, I fell instantly in love with it, and have been using it nearly every day since.  I got the mini pochette particularly to use as a mini clutch or wristlet type of bag, that would be handy for running errands and such (so I don't have to lug around my incredibly heavy Alexander Wang Rocco bag).  It is the perfect size to fit all my essentials, even though I feel like I don't have EVERYTHING with me...like I usually do.  Below are varied shots of the mini pochette, as well as all of the packaging it came with, just to showcase all of the details.  I also filmed an unboxing video on my YouTube channel, which should be up within the next couple of days, so be sure to check that out as well.  All photos taken by me.  =]

Overview of mini pochette along with the box, dust bag, and shopping bag.

Shopping bag.

Box it came in.

Box opened with dust bag inside.

Front shot of the mini pochette.

Slightly closer shot from the front.

...and another one.

Close up of the Damier Ebene canvas print.

Zipper pull.

Leather stamped label.

Gold LV imprinted hinged clasp.

View of the inside.

Date code on inside (SF0133).

Item number/code card, and material content card.

Receipt holder.

Inside view of the receipt holder.

Back of the receipt (folded).

View of the receipt with personal info folded over.

For more details and product specifications, check out:

Louis Vuitton

Stuff I Bought: Prabal Gurung for Target Collection

I realize that this collection came out what seems like forever ago, and only remnants of it are still available in store and online (aside from ebay)...but I still wanted to share with you the couple items I picked up from yet another designer collaboration at Target.  Months ago, upon hearing of the collaboration between Prabal Gurung and Target, I was very eager to see what types of pieces this collection would encompass, especially from such a popular up and coming designer.  After seeing the lookbook pictures that Target had released, I was pretty set on only a couple of pieces that I really wanted, although there were a lot of great pieces being featured in this collection.  The two "must have" pieces I anticipated were the pullover sweatshirt in the First Date print, and the black flat sandals with the silver plaque detailing.  Since spring was still approaching at the time, I felt as though those were two great pieces that I could wear together to bring in the warmer months, and were definitely stand outs of the collection that fit my personal style.  Nonetheless, I was able to get both the pieces I wanted without much searching (and without having to wake up at the crack of dawn), since there wasn't too much madness surrounding this collection.  Aside from the two pieces I got, other ones I had interest in were the two toned cardigans, the gorgeous printed dresses, the adorable clutches, and the jewelry (that had been sold out by the time I got to look).  Overall, I was pretty pleased with the quality, selection, and range this collection shown, all of which are perfect for this spring season...and I would encourage checking it out if any of the pieces still remain at a Target near you (or if you're daring, and really want a certain piece, you can cautiously check ebay).  Below are product shots of the pieces I picked up at a couple different angles, along with detail shots of the collateral that came with the pieces (box and tag), and the haul video where I talk about these pieces that I picked up. You can be sure to see an outfit post wearing both of these items as well as an OOTD video in the near future.  All photos taken by me.  =]

Pieces I got from the Prabal Gurung for Target collection.

Sweatshirt in First Date print by Prabal Gurung for Target.

First Date print.

Black flat sandals with silver plaque detailing by Prabal Gurung for Target.

Box the sandals came in.

Tag that was on all of the items from the collection (closed) 

 Another view of the tag (open).

Stuff I Bought (Beauty): Nail Polish Haul (December 2012 - January 2013)

Just wanted to share some new polishes I picked up over the past couple months, along with some swatches of them.  I already filmed a haul video in correspondence to this post, so you can check that out embedded below as well.  The nail polish shade names are listed in the photo captions.  All photos taken by me.  =]

Polishes (from left to right): Heather by Zoya, Farah by Zoya, Gretchen by Zoya, Eiffel For You by L'Oreal, Mauvelous by L'Oreal, On Her Majesty's Secret Service by OPI, The World Is Not Enough by OPI.

Swatches (from left to right): Heather by Zoya, Farah by Zoya, Gretchen by Zoya, Eiffel For You by L'Oreal, Mauvelous by L'Oreal, On Her Majesty's Secret Service by OPI, The World Is Not Enough by OPI.

Stuff I Bought: Target + Neiman Marcus Collaboration Collection

As many of you may know, Target & Neiman Marcus teamed up this year to have one of the best designer + affordable collaborations I have ever seen.  The launch of this collaboration was to commemorate the CFDA's 50th anniversary, so there were many exquisite designers that were featured in this monumental partnership.  This designer collaboration launch was on December 1st, at both Neiman Marcus and Target locations nationwide, although I went to Neiman Marcus to pick up the items I wanted out of fear of being trampled at Target.  I will also be having a separate blog post about my time at the event, along with outfit shots from that day that I will hopefully have up soon after this one.  Below are pictures of the items I purchased from the collection, some of which are Christmas gifts for others, but majority of them I bought for myself.  The haul video for these items will be embedded below, as well as linked (here).  Hope you all are having a joyous holiday season.  All pictures taken by me.  =]

Front side of the tag on all of the items.

Back side of the tag on all of the items.

Wrist band from the Neiman Marcus event.

Printed canvas lunch boxes by Tory Burch ($19.99 each)

Stud detailed black leather gloves by Brian Atwood ($49.99)

 iPad/mobile device case by Proenza Schouler ($39.99)

 Animal printed house slippers by Derek Lam ($49.99)

 Set of 4 ornately printed dessert plates by Tracy Reese ($39.99)

 Wool and cotton blend shawl collar cardigan by Rag & Bone ($69.99)