Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab + Top 10 Favorites

If you haven't heard of Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab (BPAL), you're missing out! In a nutshell, it's an online company that sells perfume oils. And boy do they have a huge selection! The site might look a little creepy to some people, but it's really not as difficult to browse through as it seems at first sight. Maybe it is, a little, but you can do a couple of things that'll help you find exactly what you want in no time.

Check out the SEARCH link on the left. Here, you can type in a few of your favorite notes (like vanilla, jasmine, musk, apple, whatever) and the site will return a list of perfume oil suggestions that fit your taste. Each oil is listed by name, then a descriptive poetic piece, then fragrance notes. I usually skip the poetic stuff unless the name is really intriguing or I have some time to kill. But, of course, to each his own - and it does go with the theme of the site, so just bear with it if you hate it.

Another option to find your way through the vast list of perfume oils is to make use of BPAL's message board. There you'll find many extremely helpful members with endless suggestions. I suggest you first search the board for answers to your questions, then start a new thread if you can't find what you need. You can find answers to questions about BPAL, perfume oil reviews and descriptions, BPAL oils similar to mainstream perfumes/colognes, and much more. I love it!

I typically dislike loud florals and incredibly sweet fruits. I hate leather! I like vanilla, musk, rose, iris, chocolate, and a couple more. For my top10 favorites:

Just Opened Up My Etsy Shop! + Sale

I'm so excited! I've been planning for this for such a long, long time. I read and researched, learned a lot about the world of Etsy and online selling in general. I am a bit behind schedule, but I'm still super happy that I'm finally doing this. I only listed three items tonight, just because I don't think that many people would be online looking to buy jewelry on a Friday night... But I could be wrong, for I am an Etsy sales newb after all!

I have sooooooooooooo so so many ideas for my shop. I also have ideas for other shops that I might be trying out in the future. I can't wait!

To celebrate, and for a limited time only, order now and get 20% off your next purchase!

Visit me =)

Invaluable Accounting Resource for Etsy Sellers!

I was looking through the Etsy forums the other day and came across a topic where AccountingSPOT was guiding others through some financial issues. And boy am I glad I decided to read that thread! She's freakin' amazing! So of course, being the curious gal that I am, I visited her profile and noticed a link to her website. *Cue angelic music* -- Etsy sellers' (and other small business owners') heaven! The website is nothing short of terrific. It has many basic forms that help with inventory, profit and loss, sales and expenses, etc. The Simple Profit & Loss Spreadsheet is my favorite of the bunch. It's very easy to use and I found it extremely helpful. The other forms are wonderfully helpful too, but that one's just my personal favorite.

What else is worth checking out there? A boatload of informative posts, including this one. There, she introduces a free alternative to QuickBooks -- Outright! I had never heard about it before, and I was really dreading having to pay for a QuickBooks account, so I'm very glad I found this.

What are you waiting for? Check out AccountingSPOT for lots of powerful tools and information to power up and simplify your Etsy (or other small) business!

Victoria's Secret 2010 "What Is Sexy?" list announced!

I'm really surprised by some of these. I mean, sexiest actress = Olivia Wilde? I don't know about that. But some of the others were right on. I agree that ScarJo has very appealing lips, and that Camila Alves is a sexy mama.

Check out the entire list and picture slideshow here!

My blog is now carbon neutral!

This is super cool!

So upon joining this initiative, the wonderful people over at Mach's grun! (Make it Green) "plant a tree for you, neutralizing the carbon dioxide emissions of your blog." The trees are to be planted by the Arbor Day Foundation in Plumas National Forest in northern California this spring. They hope to reforest the Plumas National Forest after much of it was destroyed by wild fires.


And if that's not enough for ya, you'll get a cute little button that shows your support to stick on your blog/website! I {heart} mine =)

ideeli Mother's Day Giveaway!

"ideeli is giving you the chance to treat mom in the style that she deserves with a Giveaway that boasts-we can't resist-the motherlode of amazing, mom-appropriate goodies. One ideeli member will win: a box of delectable Godiva chocolates; a subtly glam white-gold-and-diamond necklace by Scott Kay; a luxe, statement-making Carlos Falchi python hobo; and a fabulously soft cashmere throw from Pur Cashmere. That's one lucky mom!"

Click on here to join then enter!

Team Tuesday - Pammy Sue Lingerie

Alright - my first ever Team Tuesday! Team Tuesday is an EtsyNJ team effort to promote EtsyNJ team members' creations.

This week, I'm featuring the wonderful Pammy Sue Lingerie Etsy shop. I've seen everything on Etsy, from cup holders to jewelry to bathroom sinks, but I've never before come across a lingerie shop! I love the lacy delicates in this shop, and the variety in sizes and designs. All so feminine and va va voom! See for yourselves a hot sneak peek...

Amrita Singh Jewelry Sale at HauteLook.com!

Amrita Singh's beautiful jewelry is selling like hotcakes at HauteLook for 80% off!

If you're not already a HauteLook member, you can sign up for free here!
Which of the dazzling pieces are you going to order?

Cargo Catalina Blush Review and Swatches

I'm about to introduce you to the best blush ever. Ever!

In the pan, Catalina is a bit scary. It's a cool-toned, bubblegum pink shade, but upon application it turns into the most natural flush I have ever seen. Once I apply it, it looks a bit cool and unnatural. 3 seconds later, it transforms into this amazingly flattering shade of natural, warm, glowing pink. For reference, I have a medium golden (i.e. yellow undertones) complexion (NC35-ish, give or take, due to the weather and sun exposure). It's the same color as the natural flush I see in my cheeks after a good run. I imagine it would react a little differently on cooler skin tones, but I believe it would still look stunning. The fact that it starts out cool makes me feel like it would stay cool on cool skin tones, so it wouldn't clash with the skin's undertones or any of that nonsense.

For the rest of the review, pictures and swatches...

NYX Cosmetics sale event!

NYX Cosmetics are having one of their frequent "bulk" sales events. Personally, I love their makeup! I especially love their sets, lip glosses, eyeshadows, and false lashes. And lipsticks. Oh, and blushes. Hmm -- I love a lot of their products, apparently.

Check out the sale here!

Hot, hot, HOT!

Have you heard of Tom Ford's latest endeavor? Lipstick! And, of course, it's as sexy as a lipstick can ever be. What's the catch, you ask? $45. Per lipstick. Apparently if you buy all 12 at once, you get a pretty little box with a racy picture inside! Ooooo. I can't wait to see swatches. I'd like to see if the finish is truly as amazing as it seems in the main promo pic.

Brace yourselves, then...

Check out Temptalia's post for promotional pictures and details.

And for a peak at that collection box I mentioned above, check out British Beauty Blogger's entry on the subject.

Free Earrings!

Yep.. Michelle Philippi of Inside My Own Private Idaho is hosting a giveaway sponsored by MS Jewelry Design! They're giving away the sweetest earrings you'll ever see. You gotta check them out! For prize pictures, rules, and all that good stuff, visit the giveaway announcement page.

Good luck ;)

Finally!

omigosh I can't believe I'm done! Editing a blog layout is not as easy as I thought it would be. But I think I like it. I added all of the features that I think are useful to readers and me, and I still feel like it's easy on the eyes. Perhaps it's due to the simple styling and colors? I dunno. BUT IM DONE! Hehe :D

Midnight Cravings, please go away!

Seriously, I crave the strangest things around this time every night. I'm not on a diet or anything of the sort, so I'm not sure why I crave anything at any time! I once read that you usually crave things that your body needs. Like if you crave an orange or grapefruit, then your body is in dire need of some vitamin C. Or if you can't stop drooling over the thought of a steak, then you really need some protein. Of course I'm not talking about hunger here, just unexplainable sudden cravings.

Last night, I craved dill pickles. Tonight, I'm dying for some roast-beef I have left over from dinner. Earlier tonight, I turned the kitchen upside down looking for a "tangy fruit" -- really, I just wanted ANY TANGY FRUIT (like a not-so-ripe mango, or a plum). I eat well (balanced meals, no strange diets of any sort), so what's up?

I don't get it.

First Post -- E.L.F Sale!

e.l.f Studio Line 60% OFF - 15 Hour Sale
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