Week In Review - Miss Something?! - This Week's Preview!

Marlowe gets grumpy.

So here's what happened last week in case you may have missed something.  Last night, I went to a MAC Master Class which was really fun.  The topic covered was called Eras Reinterpreted.  Senior MAC Makeup Artist Louise Z ran the class, and it covered editorial ways to reinterpret some classic iconic eras without looking too literal.  I will have a post on that soon, and I may even try recreating some of her looks.  

Until then, here's some stuff from the past week.

 I want to say YES to clear skin.  
 I'm still working on my Dove VisibleCare challenge.
 New feature at Beautyburg... HOLLA!  It's Haul Holla Vol. 001!!!
And of course there's Vol. 002... there will be a lot of volumes in the future.
What would you wish for? 3 wishes handwriting tag!

What do you have going on this week?  Is everyone in the US done with their taxes?  I gotta get that together :-/

Sunday Night At Beautyburg - Finding Balance


Happy Sunday everyone!  A really late Sunday (Monday in some parts of the world) post for me.  This past week has been insanely busy.  I am trying to find balance in life, work and love (namely this blog).  I just want to do everything all the time, and we all know that's not really sustainable... so where to draw the line? 

I picked this photo from a really scenic park on the German/Czech border where I went hiking once.  At the time I was in a similar situation and had to pry myself away from work for what felt like a forced vacation.  I was constantly checking my Blackberry.... staying up at odd hours to see what was going on back in New York.  But at some point on the vacation, probably when I was on this hike, things kinda came into perspective.  I was worrying myself sick with stress when I was literally half a world away.  And it just seemed stupid.

So bringing it back to now and today.  I am trying to find balance in my life where I still find time doing the things I love to do (meaning this blog) and getting everything I need and want to do done.  I can easily over-commit myself, so I am stopping myself from feeling like I have to force myself to blog and put out content in a way that isn't sustainable (e.g. staying up past midnight to make sure that I have three posts out the next day).

So until I find that groove, don't be upset at me if I'm posting only once daily.  I am working on finding a balance, but please know that this blog is such a passion and pleasure for me.... and I wouldn't want to give it up, ever.

I hope you guys have a great week.  I am looking forward to tomorrow! Good night!!!

Week In Review - We Up'ed Our Content - Catch What You May Have Missed!

 
This is a French (bulldog) leprechaun.

Happy Sunday everyone!  This week I tried adding more content for you beauty lovers, and the response has been great.  Thank you for checking in and reading!  I will try my hardest to keep it up and bring you guys informative, fun and honest reviews, tutorials, features, editorials, humor and of course MARLOWE!  This was a big week for Mr. M.  He won a pet costume contest and went to a St. Patty's day party. 

Here are some posts from this past week you may have missed:

RBL's Scrangie is so beautiful.
I wrote a guest post for the fun and fabulous Karen at MakeupandBeautyBlog.com giving an overview on one of my favorite indie nail lines, Rescue Beauty Lounge.  Read it here.
The name of this product is so long... I almost couldn't compose a Tweet.
But the smell can be describe in one: "NOM."   Check the review.
It must have been love, but it's over now - Roxette.
 See my tutorial on facepainting shamrocks (or just about anything else) with homemade stencils.  If you have kids, you have to try this!
 It takes two to tango.  But it only takes Benefit's Bella Bamba to have perfectly pink flushed cheeks.
 Wet n' Wild Mega Last Lip Color made a giant impression one me for a mini price!
 I dusted off MAC Peppermint Patti and wondered what I was saving this for?  And I want a Shamrock Shake now.
Thanks everyone! 

What have you got going on today?  What are you up to next week?!

Sunday at Beautyburg - Blogger Link Love Around The World!

 Knut the polar bear.  We will miss you.

Hello beauty friends!  How is everyone's weekend?  Can you believe the past week and few days?  So much uncertainty around the globe.  I was relieved that some of my Twitter friends in Japan were ok, but I know that there are many more out there who have lost loved ones.  Also thinking about the accelerating circumstances in Libya worries me.  And even though this is such a minute tragedy in comparison, I was sad to hear that Knut the polar bear had passed.  I had actually seen him at the Berlin Zoo in 2007.  The photo above is one I took from that trip.  As you can see, he's still somewhat of a cub in that photo.

In times like this, I take a lot of comfort in my blogger friends.  There is so much positive energy from them.  I just wanted to thank them.

  • Bunta, a French bulldog in Japan, writes (or well his owner writes) about what they are experiencing post-tsunami.  They highlight a really inspirational story from the news where a 4-month old baby was found alive after 68 hours.  What a miracle! It gives you hope. :)
  • A long time ago I was so into graffiti, and I guess I still am.  I would photograph graffiti around New York and obsessively read about NYC's graffiti glory days in the late 70's early 80's.  I was psyched to see MAC's Senior Makeup Artist Keri B's graffiti inspired manicure.  She is inspired by Shepard Fairey, who is most recognized for his Hope poster of President Obama.  Her one nail is accented with an Obey Me face, which is actually based off of Andre The Giant. The other hand is devoted to Banksy.  Her ring finger is highlighted with Banksy's balloon girl.  This mani totally disproves the theory of nail art being cheesy.  Check the rest of her blog, Nail Art Junkie, for other seriously awesome manicures.
I have high hopes for next week and am trying to stay positive.  What do you do to try to exude good energy?

Sunday Fresh - Blogger Link Love - Week In Review


Happy Sunday everyone!  What are you doing today?  How was this week for you?  We hit a milestone over at our Facebook page.  Over 1000 fans!  Thank you guys so much.  To celebrate, we're going to have a mini giveaway for our friends there.  Check on Monday for more info.

Here are some posts from the past week:

I swatched every CND Effects nail polish they make... including Limited Editions! See the post for pics after you watch the video!
See my tutorial to create a sakura inspired look! 
This was a collaboration with Anna of Fenua Beaute!  Check out her look here!
Feeling smart and cheeky?  Try blushes from MAC's Jeanius collection.
BB Couture is having a sale on greens!  I skittled all of my green BB Couture collection.
Who do you want to see as the next MAC Beauty Icon?
Oh and we're having a blog sale!

Kia aka G_Marie of Killer Ligloss had a great post about what to do now that you're a full blown makeup addict and where to save.

Zara of Never Unpolished created a minty leopard mani! 

Manicured Monkey says Aloha with a Hawaiian inspired mani.

GingerKitty Designs is now doing bobby pins!  Look how cute these are!

Elena, aka Helg, at Perfume Shrine poses some interesting questions about brands and the faces behind them, related to the John Galliano incident.

Spring Sunday - Blogger Link Love - Week In Review

Spring is in the air!

Happy Sunday y'all.  What does everyone have planned?  Last night, I went to see Rango.  If you love western movies or are just in the mood to laugh, I recommend checking it out.  Both me and hubs gave it a thumbs up.  Today, I have a lot of blogging to do.  I'm working on a video of CND Effects for you guys, and Anna of Fenua Beaute and I are going to do sakura-themed makeup looks for our respective blogs.  This should be really fun!

Here are some posts from this past week in case you missed them.

 See our Oscar wrap look with tutorials on looks inspired by Michelle Williams...
 And another by Black Swan star and Best Actress winner Natalie Portman.
 Join the cult with Iconic from Cult Nails.




See what my fellow bloggers have been doing this week!
There must be something creative in the air.  So many of my blogger friends have done really cute spring manicures this week. Check some of them out!
Have a great day everyone!  See you on Twitter later. 

    Friendly Sunday - Blogger Link Love


    Happy Sunday everyone!  What a week.  I spent most of it in a seriously nasty sick state, but I am finally feeling like my old self again.  I can't wait to show you guys some of the things for the blog I've had in the works but been too sick to get to.

    Are we excited for the Oscars tonight?  Can't wait to see James Franco host (er.. cohost with whateverhernameis).  I loved him since Freaks and Geeks.  I'll be on Twitter during the red carpet, so let's chat then!

    Don't forget to enter our Shu Uemura ME Silver 945 Eyeshadow giveaway!  Tomorrow is the last day!

    Beauty and The Bullshit's Rowena writes about when we should just sit back, look in that mirror and say to ourselves, "Damn you look good," and when we shouldn't take it too seriously.  

    Maria from Cult Nails has a step-by-step video for how to do a perfect manicure at home.


    via NouveauCheap
    Nouveau Cheap is having not 1, not 2, not 3, but FOUR Wet N' Wild sponsored giveaways!  Here are links to #1, #2, #3 and #4.

    Sunday - Week In Review - Blogger Link Love


    Happy Sunday everyone!  How was everyone's week?  I am almost over an injury I had a week ago which resulted in a bruised face and two black eyes.  Yuck!  However, I did get a chance to test out a lot of concealers.

    February is almost coming to a close, and I can almost feel spring at the door.  Spring for me means 1. getting my pedi on and getting those toes out of hibernation.  2. girly, pretty pink spring makeup.  3. light, crisp floral scents. What does spring mean to you?

    For next week, I have some really exciting stuff.  I have been experimenting with my China Glaze Crackle nail polishes, and I will have a post and video for you next week.  I also got a huge RMK package from Asia that I can't wait to play with and show you guys.

    Here are some posts from Beautyburg and some blogger friends this week:

    Want to see what a $180 eyeliner is like?  Check out this video on eyeliners from Giorgio Armani, Stila and Tarte. 




    Check out Scandalously Polished Ange's franken of Imperfectly Painted Stephanie's Rescue Beauty Lounge submission.  It's absolutely stunning!  Not sure why this wasn't picked.

    Karen D from Frazzle and Aniploish swatches chunky glitters on a nail wheel.  Really useful!

    Confessions of a Polishaholic's Orlica shows us how she's quicker than a ray of light with her pretty holo light mani.  She even posts a step-by-step on how to do it.  I'm going to have to try this soon.

    Helg, aka Elena, from Perfume Shrine, suggests sunny fragrances to beat the winter blues!  My favorite is Alien Sunessence.  It's warm sunshine in a bottle for me.

    Have a great weekend everyone!  More beautifying next week!

    Sunday Love - This Week's Highlights. See What We've Been Up To - Blogger Link Love

    Sunday Love.

    Happy Sunday everyone!  Grammys tonight.  Valentine's Day tomorrow.  Hope everyone has been having a great weekend so far!   Here are some posts you may have missed this week from us and from some of our blogger friends!

    Get cheeky with blushes from Wonder Woman!


    Sunday Funday! Link to My Guest Post!

    Do you find the taste of snow as yummy as Marlowe?

    Happy Sunday everyone!  Week is winding down, and we're getting ready to start a new one.  Today is a big day in America.   Probably a holiday that some people look forward to more than any other all year, and that's Super Bowl Sunday.  Yes, it's a day of binge drinking, eating and loafing.  All fun in moderation!

    If you feel like doing something good for you instead, check out my guest post for one of my favorite blogs, Makeup and Beauty Blog.  I wrote about trying cold compressed coconut oil as a hair mask.  Read it here.  Coconut oil is also extremely beneficial as a food, not just as a moisturizer or hair mask.  It's full of good for you fats and has all sorts of health benefits.   Here is a photo that I saved for you guys!   You can use coconut on your pets too!  Rub some on your hands and let them lick it off of you, or use the oil as a conditioner when you give them a bath.

    Read my guest post at Makeup and Beauty Blog.

    Snowy Sunday - 1000+ Followers! 850+ Facebook Fans! You Guys ROCK!


    Happy Sunday y'all!  Is it wrong to say that I really miss the snow?  Moving to California has been such a trip.  I am actually envious when I hear weather reports about the East being slammed with snow.  I guess maybe it makes me homesick.  Marlowe's favorite treat is eating snow.  He loves being dropped in a snowbank above his head and bulldozing his way out by eating the delicious white powder.  Nom nom nom nom! 

    A couple of amazing milestones this week.  We hit over 1000 followers on the blog, and we are almost at 900 Facebook fans!  I ***never*** thought that we would get here, and especially so fast.  I really want to thank you for making this happen.  Doing this blog gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning.  I love writing entries and I love interacting via Twitter, comments with you guys and getting to know the blogging community. 

    On another less happy note, another milestone that happened this week was that I had some photos stolen by another blogger.  Shame.  However, I do not have it nearly as bad as some of my other blogger friends.  Recently, they have had entire blog entries (pictures, writing, etc) all lifted from their sites and regurgitated to a hack blog.   Read more about here.

    Here are posts you may have missed this week. 

     We said Yes To Cucumbers!

    I attempted to talk about perfume and about my journey finding out of the world of perfume.  Writing about fragrance is so much tougher than nail polish or makeup.  There are less visuals to work with, so you really have to be able to express what you want to say with words. 

     
     We had a fun Facebook Fans only contest!  Annette F. won a personalized set of fragrance samples from my collection.  Congrats Annette!


    NYX Super Skinny Eye Marker

     Tomorrow is the last day to enter for our New Year's Giveaway.  It's been our biggest ever, but I'm so ready for our next one.  It's going to be legend.  Hint, what's silver, taupe, brown and discontinued.  Hit me on Twitter if you think you know the answer!

    Enjoy your what's left of your weekend!  Can't wait to start a new week!

    Scenic Sunday - The Week in Review - Next Week Preview

    Marlowe in a striking pose.

    Happy Sunday everyone!  What a busy week it's been.  We were moving all week.  Building Ikea furniture isn't fun at all, but we now have a much better set up for my stash, for blogging and for making videos.  While moving, I rediscovered some products that I had forgotten about.  Next week, I will be doing some posts about some of these items.  I'm also contemplating a stash post, but to be honest, I'm a little scared to do one of those.  I feel they are just so exposing!  It's like saying to everyone, "Hi, my name is Robin and I'm a makeup and nail polish addict."

     Marlowe trying to build Ikea.

    Here are some fun posts from this past week.  I swatched China Glaze's Anchors Away Collection.  Be sure to enter Bright Lights, Big Color Anchors Away giveaway, which ends on Jan. 31.  Here is the link.

     Ahoy!
     Hey Sailor
     Lighthouse
     Sea Spray
     Starboard
    White Cap
    I also found my perfect sheer weekend lip color.  Here's my review of Covergirl's NatureLuxe Gloss Balm in Hibiscus.

    Hibiscus on lips.

    And if you missed these Jesse's Girl High Intensity Nail Color polishes over black, it's definitely worth a look. 

     Confetti
    Glee

    Also did a couple casual, yet bright, eye looks with my favorite beauty medicine, Sugarpill.  See this post on Bright Colors for a Casual Look.

    An EOTD featuring Dollipop from Sugarpill Cosmetics.

    Also, you may have seen this on Twitter already, but it was such a cute moment from this week that I have to share.  Marlowe and Noodle, my weird cat, were having a  really cute nap session. 

    Noodle and Marlowe.

    Now let's relax and wait for another week to start.  Have a great weekend everyone!

    Lazy Sunday - Some Recent Posts From This Week - New Zodiac - Golden Globes Anyone?


    Hi All! Sunday already?!  Such a busy week this week.  We hit a big milestone on the blog (thank you guys so much), started a YouTube channel and also found out our zodiac changed!  We are also busy moving and reorganizing our stash.  While moving, we are plan on catching some NFL play-off games (I know!  My guilty pleasure.) and seeing the Golden Globes.  I'm excited to see the outfits and the looks (at the Golden Globes, obviously, not at the Bears game).  Navy was so big at the Emmys.  I wonder if there will be pronounced trend at this award show?

    So here are some posts from this week that you may have missed.  One big highlight for Beautyburg is our new YouTube channel.  We only have 1 tutorial so far, but after our move, I plan on trying to add to the channel regularly.  Leave a comment if you have a suggestion on what you would like to see.   Here is our first video.  It's a tutorial/how to on Sally Hansen Salon Effects.


    I also swatched some L'Oreal HiP Shadow Duos that I recently scored from the CVS clearance sale here.

     HiP Studio Secrets Professional Concentrated Shadow Duo in Cheeky (508).
     HiP Studio Secrets Professional Concentrated Shadow Duo in Cheeky (508).

    And we sniffed and swatched some scent nail polishes from Revlon.  

    Have a great rest of the weekend everyone!  We'll see you on Twitter when the Golden Globes are on.  I'm sure there will be some zomg! moments. :) 

    Do you have any predictions for the winners?  Did your zodiac change too?  How has your week been?!