Girly Things + Cheeky Monkey Giveaway!

image credit: Emma Laiho

Right now, I’m so into all things fabulous and girly.  Like makeup which for some reason, I can’t stop buying.  The other day, I bought a Stila Smudgepot in Jade (yes, green) because it was so pretty in the jar and it’s the holiday season so that means it’s time to look festive.  I have to admit, as intense as it looked in the pot, it’s actually a very subtle green that makes my brown eyes pop.  By that, I mean I’m convinced that it brightens my eyes… and if In Style magazine says so, then so it must be.  Oh, and I recently bought a slew of makeup in the past 2 weeks and I fully expect a shit storm when our credit card statement comes in and hubs finds out (because last month, I went into this huge tirade and told him that we have to control our spending.  Oops).

Today, I was out hunting for a perfume that my sister recommended and although it’s expensive, I.must.have.it.  Definitely going on my Christmas list this year.  I’m not sure what kick-started my girly phase because I don’t really go through this sort of thing but I have a feeling it had to do with BlushPretty‘s Beauty Board event.  After spending an afternoon sniffing and spritzing and trying on makeup/creams/other amazing beauty products, it awoke the giant and now I can’t stop.

I’ve also been cleaning out and organizing my makeup bag lately and I’ve come across some fantastic beauty products that are brand new which means that I am going to be giving away some of these great products.  I would love to hoard these for myself but they’re just going to sit there until it expires and it’s nearly Christmas so to any reader who want some fab free prizes, feel free to enter.  I’ll be giving away a few products until Christmas to coincide with the happy holidays and the entry rules are so easy!

Fishnet Stockings - a beautiful deep plum. $15

First up on the giveaway: a full size bottle of Cheeky Monkey nail polish!  This colour is called Fishnet Stockings ($15 value) and is a beautiful deep plum; just perfect to dress up your nails for the holiday season.  Why such a fabulous giveaway?  because I already have a color like this and it doesn’t make sense to have two so one lucky reader can add this to her collection!  I’ll also throw in some surprise mini gifts along with the main prize for the lucky winner;  maybe some samples from my personal collection which includes luxurious samples from La Mer, Darphin, Bobbi Brown and Shiseido.  I also have a ton of new makeup brushes that I’ve never used so this will be part of the bonus prizes too.  The last giveaway I had on this site was a box of luxury skin samples from my personal collection tailored to the winner’s skin type.  I believe Steph S. from Swimming Upstream won that gem.

To readers who aren’t familiar with Cheeky Monkey cosmetics:  this is a Canadian owned and operated company specializing in amazing nail polishes with funky and edgy names and colors.  All polishes are environmentally safe, non-toxic and 3-free (TFF & DBP Free: do not contain Toluene, Formaldehyde, or DBP – Dibutyl Phthalate).  I first heard about Cheeky Monkey at last year’s beauty board (it was a huge hit at the event) and have been addicted to their colors since. Gimmie a w00t to supporting local businesses.  Below is the picture of the full giveaway prize!

Other prize items:

• Full size lipstick from Lancome in Oh My.  The lipstick is a beautiful shimmery brown/copper color; amazing for the holiday season.  I wanted to show a closeup because it’s so pretty.  Dang it, I just realized that there’s a typo on the picture (missing a “k”) but too late – and too lazy – to go back and edit
• a 100% white cotton v-neck tank top that I’ve never worn (tags are still on) and it’s yours!  I don’t know about you but I LOVE layering during the cold weather and wearing a tank under a tunic or zip sweater is one of my fav things to do
• the coveted Cheeky Monkey nail color in Fishnet Stockings (I seriously can’t believe I’m giving this away)
• samples of Darphin’s Line Response Nourishing Cream.  Seriously, if you’ve never used Darphin products, you’ll LOVE this line.  Since I’m in my 30-somethings, all of the creams I use are anti-aging/wrinkle-fighting and Darphin is definitely part of my age-defying arsinal.  Their Line Response creams are loaded with omega 369 and helps reduce the appearance of fine line while keeping your skin soft and supple.  A definite must during the drying cold months!
• sample of Dr. Brandt micro dermabrasion cream.  Keep skin looking radiant with weekly exfoliation.  Dr. Brandt’s line is great for sensitive skin!
• Shiseido Benefiance Eye Treatment Mask.  Compliments of my mother!  Like me, she’s a total moisturizer label ho and puts nothing but the best on her skin which is why at 63, she looks like she’s in her 50s
• Maybelline eye shadow in Emerald (full size).  I’m really into greens these days (I just bought a Stila Smudgepot in Jade); maybe it’s because Christmas is just around the corner?  Either way, this is a great color to brighten your peepers

**THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.  CONGRATULATIONS TO STEPH I. FOR WINNING THIS GREAT PRIZE!!**