Sunday, January 12, 2014

Julep Blakely and Some Small Life/Blog Musings... not necessarily in that order (word heavy!!!)

  Hi everyone!!  It's funny what a tiny little thing like a new nail shape can do for your outlook.  I've been in a bit of a reinvention mode and it's all just little things, but they feel all fresh and exciting for me.  First off, you may or may not have noticed that I've not done any posts beyond polish reviews for a solid couple months now.  Part of that is because I've been receiving a BUNCH of press sample packages and have been busy working those in around all the other life stuff, holidays, household upkeep, full time job, etc.  and part of it is because I haven't been motivated to do my makeup at all, lol.  So regarding the latter, one of my new year's resolutions is to try a little harder to look presentable.  I'm blessed with a husband who sees me get up late and walk out of the bedroom with messy topknot, greasy face, and big poofy bathrobe and tells me how adorable I look.  That, combined with unadulterated laziness has compelled me to spend less time trying to look polished and more time sleeping/blogging/spending time with aforementioned awesome husband, but I kind of miss the fun of putting a look together and the effort I used to put into looking my best.  So I went and bought myself some new makeup, organized my vanity, and branched out and got some accessories and a new outfit that are a little out of my comfort zone.  The plan is to elaborate more on both those things in the near future but for now I'll just say that I'm kind of feeling floral prints at the moment and I never thought I'd say that, lol.  

  Regarding the blogging/press sample thing, it's honestly the coolest thing pretty much ever and I feel equal parts highly fortunate and sort of dumbfounded that I get to do this and that people actually want me to review their polishes for them.  Some folks' blogs take on a life of their own almost immediately and some of us have the opportunity to develop over time and that's totally how it's been for me.  I'm approaching my two year blogiversary in March and the growth that's happened on here throughout the past 52 weeks has been crazy and cool.  So right now I'm at a point where I'm pondering what direction I want to go with this thing.  The blogosphere is super saturated with nail blogs, as you all know (sometimes I wonder if there are more gals with blogs than without, lol), and reviews over and over and over again can maybe get a little stale.  I've been wondering how I can begin to set myself apart even just a little in this world.  So, with my new year's resolution and my desire to spice things up around la blog, I hope to do more beauty posts (beyond red lippy posts, lol) and to incorporate some fashion.  Maybe some of you remember my Wantable acessories box review last September?  Well, I'm hoping to expand on that.  All this also means doing a little more time budgeting but I'm up for it :) A blog is an organic thing and I want to be able to grow, and I also don't want to ever, EVER become boring, to myself or to you guys.  That's not to say that polish swatches and reviews won't still be in abundance :)

  Anyoo, here's my last set of photos of my talon-ish squares, lol.  You know I have a love-hate relationship with Julep and it has nearly everything to do with how overpriced I feel their polishes are.  With my Maven membership I was able to pick up a couple of Julep's Black Friday specials for $3.99 each (they're totally worth that price, imo).  Blakely is Julep's answer to the dark green to purple oil slick duochrome that was kind of ubiquitous this fall.  Essie and OPI both released one similar, so it's not groundbreaking, but it is super pretty and how cool is it to finally see the mainstreamers coming out with duochromes again?!

Julep Blakely swatch and review


Julep Blakely swatch and review

  Outside shot below.  As my friend Christine pointed out, when the skies are grey and those eye searing linear holos are wasted, the duochromes come out and play to their full potential.  Polish serendipity strikes again :)

Julep Blakely swatch and review

  I don't know if Julep's maybe worked on their formula recently but this one was easy as pie to apply.  It might have to do with the very nature of shimmery duochromes but this is as nice a polish as any.  It's a little on the brushstrokey side in certain light but that's nothing I mind-- the shade is edgy and chic.  I used two coats and one layer of topcoat.  Oh, that's another thing-- maybe I should start disclosing the topcoat I use, eh?  Well, my new favorite and go-to is HK Girl Glisten & Glow.  It's everything Seche Vite is but without the insta-tip-shrinkage and utter unuseableness by mid bottle.  It's amazing stuff.  Get it here.

  So not that I've been kind of all over the board in this one and ridiculously wordy on top of it, I leave you with this heavily filtered bathroom selfie I took for my instagram last time I wore makeup (last Saturday, as it happens).  Expect more of that but don't let it scare you away ;)

Leeeeeeeeeeesl
Hi.

 Thank you for reading (seriously, you deserve a pat on the back at this point ♥) and have a lovely day!!

21 comments:

  1. YAY! I can't wait to see what this year has in store. I *personally* think you should do some video reviews because you have been blessed with a video-worthy mouth. That sounds stupid, but I'm being serious. One can't very well produce a decent video if one doesn't have a nice mouth. Lipstick reviews and all that...I'm just sayin'..<3

    And this polish is just beautiful! It's a bit bluer than your standard issue large brand duochrome, and it's just lovely. :)

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    1. Wow, what a nice thing to say! I have mixed feelings on videos. I don't have any of the necessary equipment and I definitely don't have the thick skin required to be a vlogger but the video I did with Candice was a TON of fun and I've always thought I'm more telegenic than photogenic, if that makes sense. It would most certainly be an adventure, dot dot dot, lol ;)

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  2. That's great that you have a new outlook on things and I can't wait to see what you decide to post. I think your selfie looks great and I love that polish!

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    1. Aw ♥ Thank you on all counts but especially for being a loyal reader :) It's always a little nerve wracking to present change so your statement means a lot, as does my selfie affirmation ;)

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  3. What a lovely color from Julep! It looks great on you. I can't wait to see more posts from you in terms of beauty and fashion. It always fun to read something a little different. I'm trying to do that a little on my blog this year too :)

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    1. Oh, how exciting, Lisa! It'll be fun to see your new material, too :) It is always cool to see my fellow bloggers' styles fleshed out a bit. <3

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  4. Thanks for sharing your musings!!! I find those posts from you always very inspiring and triggering musings on my side. And let's put this down for once: congratulations for the boost on your Blog - so well deserved and you are already
    now setting yourself miles apart from the sea of Blogs with your witty writing style and trademark pictures. Thank you for mentionning me - you captured the color shift beautifully, and yay for duochromes in winter!!! B.t.w. You look stunning and I think it would be great to read more on your beauty and fashion thoughts - arter all it is you and Nati who put me back on the make-up track xxx

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    1. You are such a gem, sis, thank you for your words, your friendship, and your support ♥♥ I need to get myself back on the makeup track, lol. The idea is to play around with my new palette a bit today but it all depends on how much time I end up dedicating to photo editing... So many things I want to do, so little lime in the day!

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  5. Nice review.
    This shade looks dramatic, I like it :)


    makeupdemon.blogspot.com

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  6. Cool! I can't wait to see more beauty and style posts:) Beautiful Julep color! Nice pick.

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    1. Thanks, friend ♥ I rather liked it! I almost got the Essie this past fall, not sure why I didn't. Oh, well, lol.

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    2. I wanted to get one of these too. I thought you got the OPI one??? Guess not!

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    3. Nope :) Word is that the Essie and the OPI don't show up as duochrome on the nail so if you're wanting one, get the Julep :)

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  7. This was great to read!! I am so happy/proud that your blog is so successful...it is SOO awesome girl. You deserve it!

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    1. Margo you're such a doll <3 It's been a fun journey, that's for sure. Thank you for your sweet words <3

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  8. Words are goooood!! I ♥ words! hehehe :D Reevaluation is also good, and as everyone else has said, we can't wait to see what all appears on LLPT in 2014!! Whatever it may be, I know it'll be fabulous because you're simply a fabulous person in every sense of the WORD. .....yo. ;)
    How did I not realize that duochromes do well in lack of sun?! That outdoors shade shot is wonderful! Silly me, I went ahead and photographed a holo outside on a dreary day because well, I guess I still wanted people to see what it'd look like in that situation.
    Your selfie is LOVERLY!!!! Those red lippies sure treat you well. I think they're just too bold on me? :-/ And how incredibly sweet that the DH makes feel comfortable & loved no matter how you look... I think that's what every human being craves: acceptance no matter what. :)

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    1. **BLUSSSSHHHH** You're just such a doll, yo XD Words are MOST excellent. :D Reds are all about how you approach them and it took me many years of loving them to actually become comfortable wearing them any and everywhere. Saaaad face that your Candy Apple lip butter isn't panning out! I think you should give it another day in court, lol. As for holos, well, sometimes you've just got to. My latest is on two smokin' gorgeous holos that had to be done in a lightbox and that just does not do them justice.
      My DH is the best ♥ God knew what He was about, wouldn't ya know, lol, bringing that man into my life :)

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    2. Aww well so are you, DOLL! :D I've actually been called that alot lately because my new friends seem to like that term of endearment. :) It's fun.
      Oh I wouldn't say it isn't panning out, but I think like you, it'll take me some time to get comfortable in such a BOLD shade. I think that's why I was leaning more towards that Red Velvet one that you have. :) Maybe we should swap! LOL
      Yes yes I keep catching glimpses of those holos and need to actually take time to ogle the post! Just last night when I was doing my marathon mani/photos/editing/posting til 4 am, I discovered a much better way to capture holos in the "fake sun." (daylight bulb) Don't put your hand right under the lamp like I'd been doing for well... ever! Using just the glow it gives off at a few feet away is much better. I feel like a dork for taking months to figure THAT out. hehe
      God sure does make the best plans, doesn't he? :)

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