Sunday, I went to a baby shower.
Isn’t this cupcake beautiful? I ate every last bit. Let’s hope I’m better at my diet during this week!
It’s been a long time since I last attended a baby shower, and next weekend I have another baby shower to attend—one that I’m looking very much forward to because it’s a family event and I hadn’t seen many of my cousins in a long time.
Anyway, it was an excuse for me to get all girlied-out. I wore a dress that I wouldn’t wear to the office and made myself up a bit more than usual.
Without sounding narcissistic, I loved the way I turned out! (Am I a side of beef ?). This dress is a few years old. I got it at J. Crew Factory but it was always slightly tight. If I keep eating cupcakes, it’ll be tight again! I wore paisley flats and dressed my navy Longchamp bag up for the occasion in the Herme’s scarf. I’ll touch upon my hair later in the post.
The shower was for a co-worker and the location was a country club that is in a very bucolic area. In fact, I had to travel through some intensely rural areas of Pennsylvania to get there. And on the way to the shower, my Smart Phone was very smart in making sure the directions were easy-to-follow ones.
The shower was held at French Creek Golf Club in Elverson, PA. The setting was stunning…
The view from our table.
Everything was perfect! It was a great time!
A fun time was had by all!
Three hours later, the event unwinded and it was time to drive home. I programmed my phone for reverse directions so that I would have no issues getting home. This time around, my Smart Phone wasn’t too smart.
It happened just as I was feeling confident in my ability to follow directions from Google Maps, I spotted the two cement towers at the Limerick Peco Power Plant and knew I wasn’t too far from the Outlet center that I’m so familiar with. I would be home in no time.
(AP Photo/George Widman
I never thought I would admit that this was a good sight to feast my lost eyes upon!
And then I made a wrong turn. And another. And before I knew it, I was lost in Three-Fingered Willie country. All I could think was thank God this was summer and not winter because, with early darkness, I would have never made it home.
I was expecting Three-Fingered Willie to pop out on the road in front of me. I cannot stand country roads.
Fifteen minutes after winding roads, no other traffic and the thought of a running deer or lost cow in the middle of the road, I saw a sign for Oaks. Oaks is the area I live in. And I followed that sign.
By this time stress had gotten the better of me and as I approached familiar territory, I needed something to lift my spirits. I was close to Ulta. So, I stopped in to buy makeup. After all, cosmetics always make me feel good!
I’ve hit pan quite a bit on this palette. Now is the time for a backup!
After a quick look-see, I decided upon a repurchase of my go-to eyeshadow palette. Mally’s Nude Attitude.
My new purchase of Mally’s Nude Attitude. It’s so pretty and clean…
I ended up placing it back into the wrapping and shelving it for the future–when I hit pan on all the colors!
I have an extra bunch of love for Mally Roncal because she recognizes the older and more mature woman. She will always have my affection and business!
Miss Mally loves the older ladies. I’ll always be a fangirl!
Then after more roaming around I thought it would be a clever idea to look for a mauve-neutral lip gloss. I saw a tube that appeared to be promising. The brand is L.A. Girl. The gloss, Glazed Lip Paint The price was right –three bucks and change; so, I gave it a go.
Looks nice–right? A nice neutral mauve. This could be a great gloss. Extra-glossy. Ohhhhhh.
Arriving home, I went upstairs to change and decided to try the lip gloss out because I couldn’t wait. Well. The color of the tube was much different than the product that was squeezed out.
Although the texture was right up my alley, the color was way, way off.
The color of the gloss was darker. Much darker. I looked back at the tube and then at the gloss. And I got pissed off. First, I was annoyed that Ulta didn’t have a tester. I know. It was the lower end side of the store. But still, it would be nice if we could see what the product looks like inside the tube before we take it home. The “Blushing” color of this gloss was much deeper than any blush I’ve ever seen!
This is not mauve. This is not blushing. This is clownish.
And it got all over my teeth. Yuck!
I also blame the company for not being realistic in the color of the tube. Perhaps it would make more sense to have a transparent plastic tube? Is that too much to ask for? It’s probably more cost-effective on the company’s part as well.
But this isn’t the first time that I’ve been tricked into thinking a lip color was what it wasn’t. It happens a lot with lower-end lipsticks. No testers. No peeking into the tube. Instead, you will see a little plastic shiny oval or circle with what is supposed to be the color only to take it home and receive a shocking surprise!
This is a major pet peeve of mine. Be truthful in the color. Therefore, purchasing a lip color is sometimes so difficult. It is also why, even though I have over 50 lip colors, I stick to Chapstick! I know with Chapstick I’ll get no color—just a smooth looking mouth!
All was not lost, though. I decided to make this work. And, if I apply a lighter color on my lips first…
I don’t even know what color this is, but I thought the L.A. Girl gloss would be a match for this. Anyway, I wiped the L.A. Girl gloss off and then applied this color..
and then I applied the darker gloss very lightly over the first color. It’s not that bad. I did a quick job so it looks sloppy, but it’ll be a good look when I want a bit more color to my lips.
One product I did end up with and loving was the Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in Ibiza.
Charlotte Tilbury Ibiza Beach Stick on the left. Las Salinas on the right. A great contour/blush combo!
I’ve been wanting it since May and the few times I ventured into Nordstrom, they were sold out. I was lucky to get my hands on it over the weekend. I used it as a contour. And I love it! It’s got a little sparkle but not too much. It’s creamy and glides on smooth and blends easily. All was not lost!
My Baby Shower face. I took this photo before I blended the Ibiza contour on my nose. I want to show you how the color is. I blended in for a nice look to my nose. I also contoured my cheeks with it. I used the Las Salinas Beach Stick to blush my cheeks. I’m very happy with this makeup look. Do you like my low-lighted fake hair? It’s Kimmie by Freetress Equal. I was wearing her for the first time. I love the way she looks so natural.
What’s your pet peeve with cosmetics? Don’t hold back either. I wanna know!!! Do you get all over the fact that the color on the outside isn’t the same as on the inside?
And what little ditty could be more appropriate than Connie Francis singing Lipstick on Your Collar!
Love the lip color- you look gorgeous!
Thank you Courtney!!! XOXOXOXO!!
I TOTALLY agree about lipstick colors. I get so irritated because I can’t tell what a tube’s true color is because of the packaging. And what is wrong with offering testers for us? Your look was cute!
Hi Heather. Can you believe it? How much would it cost to make a small sample? That drives me up a damn wall. That’s where the high-end lipsticks come in at an advantage because at least you can get to test them in a department store. But the thing that kills me is that high-end lip colors last about the same as low-end. A cup of coffee and the color is gone. Thanks-glad you liked the look!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
You look gorgeous in these pics, might have to splurge on the Charlotte Tilbury beach sticks at some point!!!
Hey Blue! They are great. And you don’t need a lot of product so that price per use is fine. I’ll have these beauties for a good year!!! XOXOXOXO
The cupcake does look yummy.
Oh Jacqueline–It was–every last crumb!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I can imagine 🙂
My pet peeve – red lippies that are actually pink! I want RED, movie star red, classic vivid red, red red, proper red! Yet the number of “red” lippies I buy that end up pink is astounding. And now you know how much even drugstore cosmetics cost in Australia, you understand how frustrating this is!!!
(If you want absurd Australian prices, my favourite eyeshadow is $65 a pop, that is for a single colour, not a palette, $65 for one eyeshadow! It is cheaper for me to fly places and buy duty free overseas than to buy it here, almost.)
Q.D
In regards to red lipstick, have a look at Max Factor, I have seen a lipstick collection called Colour Elixir Marilyn Collection, there are like different shades of red. (Just had a look online Big W sell it and I swatched in Target about a year ago as well)
You’re lucky Q. I can’t wear red lipstick anymore. Age has ruined my lips so I gotta stick to lighter colors. I’m still in shock over the pricing of cosmetics in Australia!! Tie Me Kangaroo Down and tell me I’m a Koala–I’m in shock!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
Love the scenery! Although like you I get anxious if I even think I might be about to get lost – hence I get the bus or cadge a lift with the husband, I just hate driving for the thought of getting lost (or petrol stations – another phobia). As for no testers – well I wont buy, I am not wasting money (I can do that very well already thanks) on something I am not sure about – I have learnt to explore online before I venture into make purchase but even so – no testers no buy! These companies want my money, they don’t get money for nothing, they can at least make an effort 🙂
Juliet! I hate gas stations too! Except for New Jersey because it is against the law to pump your own gas in New Jersey!! I don’t mind driving when I know where I’m going though. It’s the uncertainty of being lost that gets me all weirded out!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Since I grew up in country roads land, they don’t worry me at all. I’m more likely to be worried when I’m surrounded by flat area – when we lived in Indiana, I hated it when I’d look out the window and see nothing but flat!
Bridget. The flatlands bother me too–it seems like there are never any other cars on the road!!! XOXOXOXO
I agree! I hate when I’m tricked by how colors appear with packaging. I’ve had that happen too many times with lip products and foundations. You look lovely though! I always get a little freaked out when I see that Limerick plant because I immediately think of Three Mile Island!
Thanks Lori. Yeah. I get petrified if I think about those two tubas too long. I never feel comfortable going to those outlets–but I go anyway!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
You look downright smashing in your outfit for the baby shower! Well done, you!! Love your hair, too.
But then you always look very much put together. 🙂
Thank you Bougie!!!! The hair. I’m glad I purchased it!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Three fingered Willie sounds as if it could be rude, to this Brit! Great place name. I’m always on country roads, at home and here in France….guess it’s just what you’re used to and comfortable with….which in my case ain’t a baby shower! Went to one once, the most boring two hours of my life, which is why I won’t be going to another.
Aargh! Lipstick let-downs, I’ve had loads, try returning a used lippy in the UK, it ain’t gonna happen. I now only buy cheaper brands for this very reason although I did take a chance on an Yves Rocher lip gloss in the soldes…major disappointment. Poor pigment and thin gloss with zero staying power.
Love your lipstick in the last pic Cathe, a great shade on you. Xx
Yeah. Fiona. I’m fine on those country roads in France because I’m not the one driving–Bonaparte is!! Teehee! Oh, he’s always telling me that in France, nobody would DARE return anything used–they don’t even return unused stuff!! Customer service here is almost too good. When I worked at Nordstrom, people would return bags that were, obviously years old. Nordstrom has an open return policy which I think they should change because some really nasty customers take advantage!!! XOXOXO!!!
THAT happened to me just once the color was not the same as the outside……….with a VERY NEW AND EXPENSIVE BRAND………..I do like MAC the TALL SLIM lipstick vessels…….not the chubby ones!!!
Elizabeth. I watched that little IG video of Banksy a hundred times today! I didn’t even know that MAC had tall slim lippies–I must check it out!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I actually quite like the lipstick color on you! Maybe you can dab it with a tissue and just add a lighter color in the centre of the lip. That is what I do when color looks too intense. Here in South Africa we have testers at the drugstore, even for LA Girl! They even have testers for the lip pencils, foundations, powders. If they do not have a special tester size, they take a full sized product and mark it ‘tester’ for us to use! One thing I learned is that the LA Girl matte lipstick bullets have a pop out color bit at the bottom of the lipstick case which is the exact color of the lipstick inside, so one can pop it off and try it out as a swatch. In case any of your readers are interested, here is where i found the info! https://beautyswop.co.za/2017/05/02/la-girl-flat-velvet-matte-lipstick-review-and-swatches/
Hi Viv! And thanks for that link! I never realized the bullet had a pop out! I’ll admit, I am a bit heavy-handed with the lip color and you may be on to something there. I’ll try to apply with a light hand to see what happens!!! Thanks!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Lipstick colors not represented accurately on the tube are a pet peeve of mine, too. Lipsticks that have such a strong fragrance that everything I eat or drink the rest of the day tastes like the lipstick are another peeve of mine, such a strong fragrance makes me wonder what bad chemical odor they must be trying to cover up.
You looked so pretty for the baby shower.
Susie D.
Catherine,
You look lovely and the makeup for the shower looked wonderful! Well done!
Lipstick is always a hit and miss on me.Then when I find ones that I like they are discontinued within a couple of years!
I am a pink girl and I love the one you’re wearing!
Hugs,
Robin
So glad I don’t live very near to the Premium Outlets in Sanatoga! Takes us 40 mins to get there. Closxe enough Frank thinks:-)
I am not a fan or the ‘shower’, but the baby shower couldn’t have been in a lovelier location. Hope the next one is equally as lovely.
And I hope Bonaparte is managing…
Love your post but love Fiona’s comment, too! For us Brits – well, us naughty ones! – three fingered Willie, definitely conjures up other images… lol!!!
I´m sorry I´m a bit late to comment on this post, just wanted to say you looked great in that combo. The color really suits you and the scarf and shoes are just adorable!