Beauty Brands at TJMaxx and Marshalls are IMPRESSIVE

Once in a blue moon, I would see one or two brand name products pop up at Marshall and TJMaxx and I would get super excited to see the deals. Most of the time, that product would be from a discontinued line or a strange color that didn't sell well. However I've been seeing more and more product gracing the shelves that sometimes I feel the brand is permanently selling their line at these discount retailers.

Check out the huge selection of Anastasia, KatVonD and Too Faced on my last trip to TJMaxx.

 The Too Faced and KatVonD rack:

I was so surprised to see all the Too Faced Peach blushes and the Chocolate palette. There was a time where I had wanted the chocolate palette so much. At the bottom there is a bunch of KatVonD eyeshadow and contour palettes.

50% off Selective Items at ULTA

Just purchased a ton of stuff at ULTA because they are an extra 50% off.

Now until August 4, ULTA has select items that are an extra 50% off. At my local store, they state that it's off tags that are green.

I ended up purchasing a couple of sets and a nars lip duo.

Usually there aren't major sales in the prestige lines but this time, I was so surprised to find lots of Clinique sets and the Smashbox X Vlada collection on sale.


All the items that are on sale in the photo above is still full priced on Ulta's website, but in store, there is an extra 50%.


So definitely take a quick trip to your local store to see if you find anything worth your money.

Spotted: A Cotton Shirtdress that's been tugging at my heart

Korean actress Han Ga In appears in the March 2018 edition of Grazia. Of course I was mesmerized by her porcelain skin and ability to look amazing in everything. However there is this one dress that I felt like I've seen somewhere before.

I went back to Uniqlo's site and found that although it's not identical, it's very similar.

The dress that Han Ga In wears is Celine's Belted Dress in Cotton and Wool Satin and cost $2,500.
It is an oversized fit with more pocket details on the top of the dress. The D-ring loop belt is also thicker which I like more.

Photo by Celine

The one from Uniqlo is called Cotton Longsleeve Shirtdress.

Photo by Uniqlo

It is 100% cotton and has a fit and flare cut. The black color is all sold out but they have a light blue version which I particularly like. It's currently on sale for $19.90.

Photo by Uniqlo

If you have to have a black dress, Uniqlo has a black button down dress that also looks pretty nice. It doesn't have the D-ring belt but the bow belt makes it look more feminine. The button down dress has a more casual feel compared to the first dress.

Photo credits to Uniqlo

The dress looks strikingly similar because both have the D-ring loop belt. Han Ga In and the model both wore the dress with the sleeves pushed up and they both have this sleek open neckline. I do like the thicker belt on Celine's dress though. Of course the style and material is superior on Celine's but Uniqlo is 1/100 of Celine's price.

I'm really tempted to buy Uniqlo's version.

Which shirt dress from Uniqlo do you like better?

All photos credits to their respective owner.

Spotted: Lots of Makeup Markdowns in Target

Yesterday after work, I headed into Target for their $5 free gift card when you purchase $15 of skincare promotion. It was the last day for that discount, so I went to the closest Target after work in hopes of scoring some goodies.

However I didn't find anything that I truly wanted and after scouring the aisle, I only came up with $14 of items. I did notice all the price drops on select makeup products.

Here's what I ended up getting:

Wet n Wild's Perfect Pout Gel Lip Balm in Play for $1.48 originally $2.99
Loreal Paris Nutri-gloss High Shine Glossing Mist $2.98 originally $5.99
Milani Easybrow in Taupe $4.18 originally $5.99
Milani Baked Powder Blush in Bella Bellini $5.25 originally $7.49

I was really surprised Milani Baked Blushes were on sale because I just discovered that Target were carrying Milani in stores and was surprised they had Luminoso in stock. Luminoso is sold out almost everywhere I see and they have it for a decent price (and not marked up like they have it in Primark). I was equally shocked when I found they had select shades on sale. Other shades that I could see on sale were Bellisimo Bronze, Coralina, and Rosa Romantica. I have Coralina and it's the blush that literally brings happiness to me. I smile every time I put on that blush. At this price, it's definitely a steal to purchase Milani's Baked Blush and I will guarantee you will love it. The flower shaped blush weren't on sale but the illuminating face powder and baked bronzer were on sale.

I think Target is discontinuing Sonia Kashuk line cause everything was on sale. Now is a good time to pick up my favorite blusher brush, which won Allure's Best of Beauty in 2015. I love it but take note that it does shed.

I also noticed a couple of Rimmel mascara, select products from physician formula and Soap and Glory's entire line of Sexy Mother Pucker Lipstick on sale.

A couple weeks back, I also found my favorite drugstore sunscreen Garnier Skinactive Moisture Bomb sunscreen and my holy grail cerave night pm on sale. Both of these I high recommend so definitely pick them up if you see it on sale at your store. My sister likes using Simple's micellar cleansing water and she picked that one up also.

 Ponds extra value pack facial wipes for $6.98

I think Target is clearing out the inventory for spring releases so now's the time to head to your nearest Target and look for markdown.

Happy Shopping!

Let me know what special deals you finds.

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Eyeing Gap's Crazy Stripe Dress

I've been wanting a quality soft sweater dress for many years now. However, I've yet landed on one. I was wandering inside gap after earning $50 gap cash from the black Friday purchase and found one item that caught my eye. It's the crazy stripe wool blend dress.

[Gap]

This holiday, Gap introduced the #crazystripe collection which has scarfs, sleepwear, sweaters and much more all decked in colorful stripes to brighten up your mood in the cold weather. I've always had a sweet spot for ribbed sweater. This dress satisfies the girl in me- wanting everything in multicolors. The rounded neckline is also perfect to keep me warm while not being suffocated in turtleneck and or freezing in v-necks.

The only thing about this dress is that horizontal stripes makes the body look wider.  I am already round in the middle section and I just hope the bodyhugging design doesn't accentuate my round belly.


More of the crazy stripes collection below:

To making noise with the ones who matter most. Get and give our coziest crazy stripes now — and score major Cyber Monday deals: https://t.co/GWxr7qmY7H pic.twitter.com/2ltzm5Wta2

— Gap (@Gap) November 27, 2017

I was surfing the web when I noticed a very familiar dress on Twice's Chaeyoung. She wears the striped dress in the 2018 January edition of Cosmopolitan magazine and it made me even more eager to get my hands on this dress. The dress looks amazing on Chaeyoung's slim figure with the dress hitting perfectly right above the knees.

[Cosmopolitan] via [kpopmap]

However at $90, I can't get myself to add the dress into my cart. They have reduced the price on the black and grey version to $57 but I still think the rainbow one looks better. The grey version is great for work though. While reading the reviews on gap, most say to go down in size as the sleeves and length of the dress is on the longer end.

[Gap]

I am still waiting to see if the rainbow sweater will go on sale. However the dress has been extremely popular, and a lot of sizes has already been sold out. On ebay, people are already selling the dress for $100. If I don't come across that dress on sale, my second option would be the ribbed stripped sweater.

I am crossing my fingers hoping the dress will go on sale and one in my size pops up in store. Let me know if you see the dress in small around the Boston area.

What have you been eyeing this holiday season?

Thanks for reading and Happy New Years 🎊

NYX Avant Pop! Art Throb Shadow Palette Swatches and Review

Back in 2015, I won a NYX makeup set from People magazine StyleWatch Giveaway. I'd like to take the chance to thank them again for all these NYX goodies which I posted on instagram.

Got a pleasant surprise the day before Christmas- winning the sweepstakes from @peoplemag 🎁🎄#youmademyday #thanksamillion #christmassurprise #whatsbetterthanwinning #nyxcosmetics #christmasgift

A post shared by Vanilla (@vanilladreamcream) on Dec 25, 2015 at 4:09am PST

When I opened up the box, all my attention went to the NYX Avant Pop eyeshadow palettes.

According to the NYX website: Avant Pop Collection allows you to express yourself with a pop of striking color. Each Avant Pop Eyeshadow Palette contains ten carefully selected shade with various finishes.

Did I Just Get a "Yes" Phone Call Scam?

So like 5 minutes ago, I just received a phone call from 857-239-5169. The person on the phone stated my name and asked if I was there. I said Yes. And then he hung up.

They gave me a call at 2:57pm today and total time was 11 seconds.

Then memories about phone scams started populating my head. Not too long ago, I heard about phone scams where the person asks if you can hear me. When you say "yes" they then hang up. They record that "Yes" sound as  a confirmation to make changes to you credit or financial account.

Hopefully I did not just fall into a scam.

So if anyone also gets a call from 857-239-5169. DO NOT PICK UP THE PHONE.

I will be monitoring my financial accounts and making sure there is no major changes.

Anyone experience a similar situation please share.

I'm a little bit freaked out right now. Just hope nothing bad happens.