Alyrenee's Copious Spare Time

 Oh, 2020.  Bye girl.  So when thinking of my goals for 2021, I am taking my cue from Tiny Habits.  Little changes can add up. I have already seen how doing a bullet journal can really de-clutter my brain.  That move has truly been a game-changer in terms of productivity. Some of my goals are bigger though, so we will see how it all works. I am no longer calling these resolutions. Instead, I think of them as intentions.  I intend to do these things.  If I don't, I have not BROKEN anything and can pick back up where I left off.   2021 Intentions: #1 Grace.  Be kind to myself. Shush the inner mean girl. #2 A minimum of twenty minutes of movement a day.  I have managed to keep this up since Labor day with only two exceptions: Election day when I worked 18 hours and did a ton of legwork...i think that earns a pass and two weeks ago when I sprained my ankle and needed to rest it for a day.  Twenty minutes of movement can be as simpl...

Squeal.  Very excited about the makeup like and of course about more dolls. Hasbro’s Cult Classic ‘80s Characters Ready to Rock a New Generation of Fans with Major Motion Picture Event and Special-Edition JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS Collections from Leading Names in Style, Beauty and More PAWTUCKET, R.I. –( BUSINESS WIRE )–It’s #TrulyOutrageous! Thirty years after the iconic brand’s debut, Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) is introducing its best-loved animated pop stars, JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS, to a new audience in 2015. Incorporating all the glamour, glitter, fashion, and fame of the classic 1980s series, the JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS brand will release this October a feature film adaptation and dynamic global lifestyle licensing program spanning toys, publishing, fashion, and beauty products. Opening nationwide on October 23, Universal Pictures’ live-action, motion-picture adaptation of iconic JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS reimagined for a whole new generation. In  JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS , fou...

I think every serious collector has done it at some point...misplace something from your collection. Often it is one of your favorite things too that you are sure that you put "some place special"!  Clearly it was so special that you you have out-foxed your future self.  It can really make you doubt your sanity the longer it takes you to find it..assuming that you do find it. You start to wonder if it even existed at all? Did you sell it? Was it stolen? Did the movers leave it behind? Etc...nightmare...etc... I moved to my current apartment in August of 2013. It took a month to get around to unpacking the dolls as I added some new shelves for my ever expanding Integrity Toy collection. I would slowly do a couple of boxes when I could and had to be clever about stashing the boxes in a closet, under beds, and in the storage room in our new basement. So for awhile, I assumed I just had not come across the boxes that had my DC Stars custom Joker and Lex Luther. I also noticed th...

So I got Birchbox and so far it has been fun.  I have had two boxes now and I am not disappointed.  The last two boxes have not had much makeup in them though...and I was sort of hoping that these little treats would keep me from going crazy on ulta or sephora on a regular basis.   My sister had just signed up for Ipsy and I decided to try that service as well. http://www.ipsy.com/r/7kzy It seems like Ipsy is more makeup driven while birchbox seems more about luxury hair and skin products.  I like that the Ipsy surprises come with a little makeup bag too....definitely a nice bonus.  So expect a review at some time in the future.

So, I decided to give myself a treat this year. I had heard about a monthly mystery box subscription for beauty stuff (birchbox) and also found one for babies (citrus lane).  I am a total whore for makeup and the box seemed like a fun way to try things out.  The baby box is customized to your kid...in both gender and age and based on reviews it seems like a good value.  I signed up for a year of Birchbox and 6 months of citrus lane. I found a discount code to get the first month at citrus lane for less.  My first birchbox arrived yesterday! I have only had time to try out the burt bees lotion (which was nice) and they had a good coupon to buy it in stores included. It also had some fancy shampoo and conditioner, some body lotion samples, and a travel size natural mascara.   I will try those out this weekend. As a part of my annual resolution to Make an Effort....I am also trying to be nicer to myself. I tend to buy things and then save them. I have heard ...

Finally tried out my Jason Wu palette...love the colors...great for a night out but might be a little too much sparkle for the day.

So, in years past I have done the whole wake up at 3a and wait in lines thing.  Now since so many of the stores are opening on Thursday, my system has changed.  I am not about to go shopping on Thursday...but I did actively hit the online deals pretty hard. So I need more makeup like a hole in the head, but it is sort of my weakness...I cannot stop myself.  I indulged in the deals at Ulta and got a couple of things for me (Organix Tea Tree shampoo & conditioner and the More Big Curls hot rollers...a steal at $16)  but mostly scored gifts for my student workers (sparkly nail polish sets for $2.99) and the swell Urban Decay palette for $16 as another gift for someone in the family.  If you ordered online, there was a 10pc free bag too...which was a nice bonus.  I had $17 in rewards money to use so all in all it was a good haul.  Sadly they were out of the thing that I really wanted online, the Benefit Lip Lotto 3 for 1 lipstick.  But, huzzah!...

I was interviewed for the Red Eye...check it out... http://www.redeyechicago.com/news/local/ct-red-halloween-fake-blood-tips-20131016,0,217379.story#RSdxvKeeBoTvb9YH.01

Somehow I missed that this was happening.  Jason Wu has designed a line of makeup for Lancome.  You can check it out at Nordstroms .  They also have a Lancome gift with $40 purchase at the moment (promo code COOL...the warm set is sold out online so if you want that one you will have to hoof it into the stores). I am thinking of getting the violet palette.... Update...I totally sprang for the Violet Streak palette.  Woot.  I will update with a review when I get it.  It has been awhile since I had any Lancome makeup (being a fairly loyal Benefit gal who occasionally strays into Urban Decay, Too Faced, and MAC)...but I definitely like their skincare stuff and lipstick.  It looks like the special gift will go nicely with this palette as well and really helps sweeten the deal.  Not like I need more makeup....don't judge me...

Just found this site... http://www.illamasqua.com/explore/tutorials/ So cool.  Wonderful ideas for both street looks, runway, and costume/theatrical styles.  Also tutorials!

Read all about it!   Then go see it.  This weekend use the code MISERY at the door to get two for one tickets!

I love this little foundation...buildable coverage and it has a nice creamy feel that is perfect for my eternally dry skin.   *Get a FREE some kind-a gorgeous mini (medium shade) with any $50 order. Enter SKAGMINI at checkout. Offer valid 1/10/12 to 1/16/12. While supplies last. Valid with standard shipping offers. FREE standard shipping is automatically applied on all US orders over $50 and international orders over $125. No codes necessary. Excludes order shipping to China .  Shop now>>

Enjoy... http://triblocal.com/glen-ellyn/community/stories/2011/05/cod-costume-makeup-coordinator-nominated-for-jeff-award/

I found this website while researching makeup for All My Sons.  There are some wonderful galleries of of the silver screen.  Enjoy my pretties.

I just ordered Girl Meets Pearl and an benefit pencil sharpener...and used the free shipping code SHIPFREE25 and for the low low price of $35 and tax...I am also getting an awesome cosmetics case and a free lipgloss!  Order quick my pretties...

You know how I love my Benefit ...

Weeeeee!  I will be there with bell's on. 

I am a whore for this makeup line .  I absolutely ADORE That Gal and Some Kind of Gorgeous.  Badlash is also wonderful.  This is a good deal.  Enter ALLTHREE at checkout for a discount.

Oh my it has been a very busy couple of weeks.  12th Night at the college has come and gone.  It looked stunning but nearly killed us.  Ditto for the dance concert.  I sewed like the wind.   We got so much accomplished and the end results looked amazing.  I also managed to dance without falling on my face.  I did jack up the tap piece a bit but I don't think it was catastrophic.  The ballet piece went off without a hitch.  On friday, I hit the Benefit counter at Bloomingdale's on Michigan Avenue to get my red lipstick for the wedding and got hooked up with some wonderful swag.  After that I hopped on the bus and headed to C2E2.  The convention was great and friday was perfect for me...totally not crowded.  I was not prepared for it though...just way to too tired to take full advantage of the day.  I did get my comics signed by Jimmy Palmiotti , Amanda Conner , Paul Mounts, and Gail Simone .  I also went to three ...

Check out my items for sale . Thanks for looking!