And the Winner Is...

Steph from the blog I Talk During Movies! 

Congratulations!! 

Thank you to all who entered and stay tuned for the next beauty product giveaway! 

Ciate Caviar Manicure

After seeing the Ciaté Caviar Manicure on Sephora's website I had to try it out. The concept is very cool and modern...tiny beads create an effect I had yet to see in manicure sets. So now here is the good, the bad and unfortunately the ugly:

The Good-The first few hours the beads look very nice. The process is two step, first polish then another layer of polish helps to adhere the beads. The beads are initially a shiny black and blue. 

The Bad-After about half a day the beads start to fade. As you wash your hands the shiny finish dulls and the blue beads turned gray. 

The Ugly-While the box says this manicure lasts 48 hours, before the 24 hour mark many of the beads began to fall off of mine. I only did my ring finger on each hand and on both of them I had huge gaps where beads had once been. 

My take on the Ciaté Caviar Manicure set is that if you have a special function to attend it is a nice look. Just do your nails right before you leave the house and try not to overuse them! 

Happy Monday

Aren't lazy days the best sometimes? While I love having a jam packed schedule it is nice to be relaxed at home from time to time, having moments to read, surrounded by things you love and watching the Style Network's marathon of Sex and the City. While that may not be everyone's idea of a great time, it is pretty high up on my list! 

And today I am loving my new yellow Navoh bag. It reminded me of the Marc by Marc Jacobs bag I had been eyeing at a fraction of the price! 

Happy Monday and Happy Memorial Day! How did you spend your hopefully day off?

Summer, Summer, Summertime...

Here are some scenes from Galveston Island this weekend. It definitely looks like summer is just around the corner!

Birchbox-My Latest Obsession

Birchbox-the little box that arrives monthly at my doorstep, is curated just for me based on a questionnaire that I filled out and allows me to try high-end products without the worry of overspending and/or not loving them. What has taken me so long to sign up?! Haven't seen Birchbox? Here take a look:

Not only did my box have Miss Dior and Diorshow samples, it also included Algenist Firming and Lifting Cream, Kerastase Age Premium Bain Substantif and Kerastase Age Premium Masque. 

At first I was heartbroken when my box was lost by the USPS. Thankfully several days later it was recovered by my neighbor who found it in her mail. Now I will look forward to my monthly subscription, and pray that my mailman places it in the appropriate place. If you would like more information on Birchbox you can check it out  here!

I Have Some News....

I got word from Glamour that I was chosen to continue in the Glambassador program! 

It is such an honor to be able to represent such an influential magazine at events and by bringing new product information to all of you! Stick around for more Glamour updates. You never know when there may be another contest for more fabulous beauty supplies! 

Also if you haven't already entered to win the Bumble and bumble Surf Spray what are you waiting for? ;) 

Check it out here!

Houston Art Car Parade

Every year in downtown Houston the annual Houston Art Car Parade is held. Each year my dad wants to go, but something always comes up. Saturday, however, we finally made a point to go to the 25TH anniversary of the parade. It is a fun event full of very creative people, insane cars, lots of bubbles and tutu wearing people. 

 What are some fun annual events in your city? 

Happy Monday!

Today I am happy about the fact that I finally have living things in my yard that I have not yet managed to kill. If you know me then you know this is a rare occasion. 

What has you happy this Monday?

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! I hope you all are enjoying the day with your babies, whether they are young or old.

Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Josephine on Pinterest

A Sad Day...

While I had already heard the bankruptcy news surrounding Betsey Johnson I was very saddened to find this in my inbox this morning:

While normally my eyes would light up with delight from a great sale, the fact that I will no longer see

 Betsey Johnson stores is really depressing to me. Just passing by her shops filled with bright pinks, glitter, sequence and bows, (have I told you all that I think I may possibly have been a drag queen in a previous life), makes my heart flutter! 

For years I would walk past the local Betsey shop. Unfortunately at the time I had a minimum wage job that even made Target out of reach, so the lovely wares of Ms. Johnson were not going to happen. I told myself that one day when I had a "real" job that would be my first place to make a purchase. Well when that job came, along with hours and hours of overtime, I waltzed right into Betsey and bought myself the prettiest shirt I had ever owned:

Thanks for the memories Betsey! 

Happy Monday

Nothing like a happy puppy to start the week off right! 

Barkley has been making a recovery from his knee injury and is doing much better this week! He is off pain medication and though his disposition is much more chihuahua now and much less happy go lucky from being drug induced, I am happy to have him back to his old self again! 

So sending smiles from Barkley to all of you for a happy week! 

What is going on with you all this week? 

The Avengers

So did you go to the movies this weekend? Chances are if you did you went to see The Avengers.

Being a HUGE Robert Downey Jr. fan I could not be happier that The Avengers not only managed to save the world, but also kicked some Harry Potter butt to have the top US box office debut EVER! 

If you did see The Avengers did you love it? I thought it was remarkably well done! Each actor did a superb job with their scenes and the story was easy to follow whether or not you you had an understanding of each characters' backstory. Having grown up loving the Hulk I enjoyed seeing Mark Ruffalo bring him back to life. Plus it was the only movie that I have ever been able to sit through and stay wide awake at a midnight showing, so that in itself says a lot for its entertainment value! 

Let's Go Surfing Now...

Well, not really surfing, but with Bumble and bumble Surf Spray we can all look like we just came from a day at the beach. 

Surf Spray includes Seaweed and Kelp Extracts to moisturize  and give your hair a sun-dried, wind-styled look.  

Since I live near the beach and like a casual look when hanging out there, Bumble and bumble Surf Spray has been a part of my summer routine for a while now. Recently Glamour teamed up with them for a promotion and I was happy to be a part of it by spreading the word to you guys! 

Here is my beach worthy 'do thanks to Surf Spray! And better yet I didn't have to be at the beach in the Texas heat to achieve it! 

 I keep telling you guys about the amazing products that I get to try, but I realized it has been awhile since I actually passed them on to you! Well that ends now, because one of you will win your own bottle of Surf Spray! 

Just leave a comment and you will be entered to win!

If you like Glamour and Bumble and bumble on facebook let me know and you will receive a 2ND entry.  

A third entry will go to all who follow Joy De Vivre. 

Contest ends May 30! 

Best of luck to you all!

The contest has now ended! Thank you to everyone who participated!