New Resolutions 2009

I hope everyone is having a Happy New Year so far! It's probably going to be a rough year ahead for the world but hopefully we'll all come out of it smiling. I like to make resolutions for the New Year but like everyone I don't always stick to 'em but I definitely try and a majority of the time I normally stick to around 70-80% of the list I make out for myself! So I don't have too bad a track record when it comes my resolutions for the year!

I'm a little late with this but read ahead to hear what I resolve to do for the upcoming year!

Get Organized, Scale Back, Only Buy What I'll Use

Whoa did you read those three statements? I must be nuts! Especially that scale back part!

Fact of the matter is I noticed I've accumulated a ton of cosmetics since blogging. Granted I've always had a load of cosmetics even before that but after blogging this past year it's been a bit nutty to say the least. I'd really like to only buy what I know I'll use or items that are unique. This basically means that just because MAC has introduced a new aqua eyeshadow I do NOT need to add it to the 50 plus aqua shadows I already have. It's hard to admit how ridiculous I am sometimes but ridiculous it is. I just want to control my cosmetic urges a bit better just because the aqua eyeshadow is LE does not mean I need it considering I have the same shade in another shadow that laid claim to being LE as well. It's insanity I tell you! This year I'm going to try to approach cosmetics with a choosy and careful attitude. Pick what I know I'll use, don't be swayed by LE's, think before I buy, take note what I already have and don't dupe it "just because", and finally try to go for unique items and avoid the rest.

I'm an organized freak by nature and everything in my house from books, to clothes, to shoes, makeup, and dvds are all organized to perfection. I like my belongings to be in perfect condition and to be organized in a neat, tidy fashion (can't say the same for my desk at my office). My makeup collection is organized perfectly and I know just where everything is however I have too many boxes, small organized, cabinets, etc....everything is spaced out and I hate that. This year I'm aiming to buy a few draws or cabinets or something and put my ENTIRE collection into that one spot. I hate having a hundred of different organizers...I just want one maybe two at the most that has a slew of draws where I can organize individual items and just keep everything together in a neat, tidy, and small space.

I'd really like to scale back my collection this year as well. I haven't been through it in a few months because I've been so busy but I want to get through it and see what I don't need/want/or hasn't been used and just swap it away or sell or donate it to friends. It's silly to have a slew of items that are not being used when I can use them as swap bait or any number of the other things I mentioned. I really aim to scale back some of what I own this year and maybe make room for all the "unique items" I'll be buying (hehe I made a funny there!).

More Me Time

This one probably sounds shallow but I actually don't have enough "me" time. I'd love some free time during the week or the weekend without my friends. I'm always with them.....feels like 24/7...and I'm missing out on some quality time doing things that I love doing such as reading (I'm a big geek for books), watching TV shows (I have dozens of shows piled on my Tivo), gaming, and just chilling out a little bit. I simply adore all my mates but going to dinner every night, shopping, hanging out, etc...every single day gets a bit much. I'd love to make some time for me and I aim to do that this year.

Weekends with the Muse

You might have noticed from Friday Afternoon all the way to Monday morning you don't get a single Muse from me. This is because I'm extremely busy on the weekend doing this, that and the other thing. My weekends are packed with activity and I just have no time to blog. This weekend I did quite a few posts and I felt good about it so this year I aim to use the schedule feature on blogger and have posts written up during the week that I'll schedule to post on the weekend. I'd really like to dedicate some extra time to do these posts during the week so they'll be ready for Friday, Saturday and Sunday postings when I'm away.

E-mail

Oh e-mail....the bane of my existent. I know it'll never happen but I pray daily that one day I'll catch up with all the e-mail this site generates. I love you all so much and I'd love to be able to answer every single e-mail you send me but if I took time out to write each person back everyday I'd honesty have no time to post anything on this blog...I'd just be emailing people. First off if you ever wrote me an e-mail and never got a reply...I apologize....The site generates ridiculous amounts of e-mail daily and I can't keep up. I'm so sorry. I hope to someday get a better system and get organized and to finally answer all the e-mails that await me...but for now do be patient. This year I hope I'll get more of a handle on my inbox and start clearing it out. I know a few people e-mail me for cps and get me this, get me that...and again I'd love to run around town and shop for all of you but sometimes I just don't have the time. I do offer out of the kindness of my heart but a majority of the time I can't always fulfill the request...I'm deeply sorry about that. If you need me for any reason the best way to contact me is leave a comment or twitter me! You'll get a way faster reply ;) Promise.

I guess that's pretty much the extent of what I resolve to do this year! I've already made a good solid effort

Pieces of Life: The Strange Edition

Little snippets about the Muse's life at the moment!

Currently topping my Tivo:

Say Word!


Thanks J.J. I'm finally not too LOST!


On my iPod:


Currently Reading:

Favorite Food of the Moment:

Pieces of Life: The Hello Kitty Edition

Everyone is going absolutely mad since MAC Hello Kitty has taken the blogging world by storm with the official MAC images. It's getting exciting now isn't it? Especially considering how gorgeous MAC Hello Kitty Kouture is looking (but damn expensive! eep!)!

I've been bitten by the Hello Kitty bug myself for over 20 years! Eep! In that time I swear I've collected so much rubbish that's Hello Kitty themed in nature! A toaster, a mini fridge (for my skincare), various clothes, jewelry, watches, makeup, hair accessories, a jail broken cell phone from Japan, a mouse and keyboard, a mini ipod, stickers, stationary, a digital camera,...you name it and the Muse probably has it printed with Hello Kitty.

Check out a few great Hello Kitty finds after the jump!

You may have already come across the Hello Kitty credit card from Visa....yes, Visa offers a Hello Kitty credit card. What's not to love about whipping Miss Kitty out of purses and paying for our cosmetic purchases with it right?

You probably didn't know this but if you happen to have a bank account with Bank of America they offer a service called "My Expressions Banking" which lets you customize your banking services with a favorite character or personal photo. Of course, you guessed it, they have a Hello Kitty theme! I've had the service for a while and absolutely adore it. It includes Hello Kitty checks, a Hello Kitty debit card, and personalize banking statements with Hello Kitty on it! Oh my god the cuteness is too much to handle! I adore that my debit has a sweet, pink Hello Kitty on it and I get so many compliments on it.

I do all my banking online so checks and such are kinda pointless however if you write out alot of checks do visit Checks in the Mail for a slew of personalized Hello Kitty themed checks, checkbooks, and address labels!

If it's obscure Hello Kitty you seek the Muse highly suggests searching the debts of Etsy. I heart Etsy with a passion and the amount of Hello Kitty themed items that can be located on Etsy is surreal. From soaps, to stationary, key chains, totes, and just about anything else you might be wanting!






Write whats hidden here

Pieces of Life: The Mystery of River Song Edition

If you're not wanting to know about what's happening when Matt Smith slips his feet into David Tennant's old pair of chucks next year please disregard this post.

I was up late last night speaking to World's Dresser on Who theories. We got on a discussion about River Song and I have some interesting info about her after the jump!

Click it if you want to be spoiled.

As many of you know I've been twittering ALOT of Who coverage lately. I got a SLEW of e-mail after my discussion last night and the main topic of the e-mails was River Song, a mystery if ever there was one.

River's original debut in Silence of the Library left alot of us wondering who is this brave woman with a sonic screwdriver all her own!? Speculation has rounded the Internet with tales of River possibly being a Time Lady (honestly this isn't too far fetched considering not one but two Time Lords survived the Time War so why not another?) or even the Doctor's own wife (she does after all know his name). All rumors about her are always a welcome way to pass the day.

The moral of my post today is River Song will return and finally the mystery of who (pun intended) she is and what relationship she has with our new 11th will be solved (remember now she knows our 10th but he hasn't yet met her so isn't sure really who she might be or how they know each other! Our 10th traveled so far back in time that River had already met and traveled with the 11th. Her past is in fact our 10th Doctor's future). The Sun UK has posted a few images up of production and low and behold a photo of the mysterious River Song does so appear (Click to start the pop up, 7th photo and 8th).

I won't say more as my mouth is possibly foaming with gossip. By the way looks like Karen has been shopping in David's closet, nice chucks dear.

Feel free to discuss or e-mail.

Follow me on Twitter for other great Who insanity...it's almost always about cosmetics but I lighten it up a bit with Who here and there ;)

Back to our regularly scheduled makeup posts up ahead shortly!

Pieces of Life: Busy as a Bee Edition

Morning loves!

How is everyone today? Looking forward to the weekend I hope. Looks like more bloody rain...why oh why are my weekends plagued by rain?

I just wanted touch base and say I have gotten such lovely comments lately so thank you very much. I'm about a week or more behind on comments sadly. I'm not ignoring you but I just haven't had a sec to post and reply to them. Please forgive me. I sometimes find it difficult juggling life, blogging, and work lately so posting normally comes first and comments get a secondary place in my time line of things to do. But please know I'll get to each one very soon and reply personally.

If you left one already and it was posted and never replied to it that would mean I lost track, sorry! Feel free to leave it again and I'll happily reply! As for ones not yet posted I'll be moderating them shortly and replying to each and every one.

Thank you for making all my hard work worth it. Comments are a huge payment back to me as I know what you are loving and of course I adore discussing makeup, life, or anything really with each of you!

Have a great day!

Look out for new posts coming shortly.

P.S. Is Musings loading slow for anyone today? Seems a tad slow for me. Must look into that!

Pieces of Life: Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow

If you follow my tweets it's likely you already read the news but fact is a most beloved Doctor regenerates at the hands of the Master very soon!

Sob.

I've kinda grown to think of David as the Doctor over the last few years. No one's quite touched me as much since Tom Baker and I must say it saddens me to see him go. It's even worst that the bloody Master is behind it all. I do understand why he has to leave but I don't always have to like it especially since I'm growing a little scared of Matt Smith lately (especially their wardrobe choice for him).

Let's hope for the best.

Love this!

"Sir are you English?" "Sir are you talking Scottish now?"

By all means discuss all things Doctor Who, I'm a listening.

Back to regularly scheduled cosmetic posts.

Pieces of Life: How To Peel a Banana The Right Way

I interrupt this flow of makeup reviews to bring you the following message.


This dude is a genius. Someone give him an award.

Pieces of Life: Harry Potter and the Half Arsed Movie

Hey Guys!

Miss me today? Sorry just been really swamped with everything and anything. What are you all up today? It's a humid day in New York today finally some weather we can call Summer.

I have a slew of posts upcoming shortly.

Jump ahead for a bit more babble!

Keep it tuned here as I have a ton of good posts upcoming and scheduled for you. Cover FX Water Base Foundation, Too Faced Fall Collection, and a bunch of other goodies are coming at you shortly.

Harry Potter spoilage ahead so if you didn't see the movie look away now!

As some of you know I'm a Harry Potter addict and went to see Half-Blood Prince on Tuesday night for the first showing. Phew what a piece of junk. I duly rename it Harry Potter and the Half Arsed Movie. What the hell were they thinking? They had nearly two and half hours to perfect 600 some odd pages of a great novel and this is what they bring us? What a disappointment. Sigh. I think the only redeeming quality of the film was the fact that Bellatrix (my favorite character) appeared in the movie more than the 6th book. For the most part they had some pretty fantastic scenes but it felt like they filmed these scenes and proceeded to edit them altogether. The results...a wishy washy film that jumped around so much my head spun. I read the book twice but I kept thinking to myself what if I never read the book? What if I went into the movie blinded folded and didn't know anything about the sixth book....I'd be clueless if I went in without reading the book as they throw so many things at you without fully developing the story. They also took great liberties of adding in scenes that never even happened in the book, what in the world are they thinking here? On top of these insults you have this stupid ending without a fight and a simple whip of Snape's wand and some softly muttered words of Avada Kedavra and our beloved Headmaster is dead. What happened to the battle between the students and the Deatheaters? What happened to the spell cast on Harry to keep him immobile? He was left hiding out and cowardly while the man who mentored him was ruthlessly killed and watching like an idiot. Geez way to kill a moment. And the funeral? That's cut.

Lord.

It a was mess to say the least. I was really disappointed.

Anyway!

Thanks for listening to my Potter babble.

What are you up to today?

Anyone see the film yet?

What new makeup are you playing with?

Tell the Muse!

Be back soon with new posts!

Pieces of Life: The Woe of Comments Edition

Hey lovies!

Just a quick note in the comments section of life. I've been a bit remiss and behind on comments lately. I posted through a zillion yesterday but lost track who I did or didn't answer. I'm really sorry about that. My head is everywhere sometimes and thus the accident of comments occurred so I'm left unsure who I have and haven't replied to!

If it was something important feel free to repost is to remind me where you originally posted it. Just know I'm not intentionally not replying or answering I've just been swamped and busy as all hell!

Love ya all!
the Muse

Pieces of Life: Say Who? Edition

Do you know who this lovely lady is?

Discuss! XD

Pieces of Life: Jung Eui Chul Crushin'

I dunno why but I'm feelin' the love for Jung Eui Chul today. I'm crushin' all over him lately. What a cutie. My best friend Jai and I were discussing it and it's been decided this kid needs his own 25 eppy romantic drama.

Anyone with me?

Fun fact: He actually took the place of Kim Hyun Joong in my heart when I first seen Boys Over Flowers as I hated Hyun Joong's hair in the drama. Granted, all that red slowly grew on me but I think Hyun Joong looks way cuter as a brunette circa SS501 early days!

Image Source

Pieces of Life: Summer Full Speed Ahead & Other Babblings

Good morning lovely ladies!

Quickie note for you. Reviews are coming up shortly (they are scheduled to post throughout the day and into the evenings as per normal) and I'll have a contest live in a few too. My last Summer Loving Giveaway winner was DM'ed on Twitter and should expect her package shortly! Yay!

It's a rather nutty day at my office again today and it's been heaps busy all week, knock wood that's always a good thing, which means I'm behind on comments, emails, twitter, etc.......I'll get to it all shortly just give me a few and I promise I'll reach out and touch you soon.

On another note I think I might have missed a few comments if I didn't reply go right ahead and leave your comment again and I promise to do so as soon as I can.

Today is the first fab day we had this June in New York City. Sun is out, humidity is high, and it looks like, finally, it's Summer. Feels like a good day for lunch out with my best mate Jai as it's ideal weather for sitting on a bench somewhere with a snack while the the world goes by.

Btw do you prefer reading posts in the day or the evening? I've been trying to schedule posts both in the day and in the evening and I'm wondering what's more popular with the masses.

Anyway!

Wherever you are today I hope it's great weather and you have a friendly face to share a spot of lunch with and not too hard a day of work ahead of you (I have the first two but the last not so much hehe).

Talk soon!

With hugs,
the Muse

Pieces of Life: Hello Again!

Hello gang!

Miss me? I missed you terribly. A world without beauty blogging makes the day seem oddly serene and quiet. Nearly two weeks without beauty blogging makes it all seem scary hehe! I so need my to get my beauty fix on. Even with plenty of duty free beauty surrounding me in my travels I still was needing a dose of the interweb so I could share my finds and passions with each of you.

The Muse is back now though so hello again! I hope you're excited for brand new posts, reviews, and general insane babblings from your friendly Muse over the course of the next few days (yes, that means the weekend will probably have an up crop of new posts too! Gotta get back on my game you see!).

I have 660 unread emails in my inbox and 300 plus comments to get through so do give me a sec and I promise I'll try to reach out to each of you as fast as my little fingers can type! For now I'm off to grab some good eats with my bestest mate Martin. After a long day at my office with plenty of stuff to catch up on after being so long away I had no time to grab a nibble! Phew!

Anyway....

Do share with me what you've been up to! What's new? Any beauty discovers or breaking news the Muse should know about? How's your Summer coming along so far...or is it even Summer with all the rain in New York I felt like I was returning to Winter after enjoying many a sunny day while on holiday the past several days!

I missed ya.
I love ya.
I'll talk with you all soon!

Big Hugs!
your Muse

Gone Fishin' Be Back Soon!

Hey gang!

Happy Summer! I consider June 1st the beginning of Summer even though it's technically the 21st, hey who's countin' right?

The good news is, at least good for me, is I'm off on holiday for several days! Yay! Resting, relaxing, and enjoying a beautiful tropical island. Phew I need a break to say the least.

The bad news is that Musings is going on holiday with me which means no updates until I get back home. However, I did schedule two Summer reviews for you that should be posting right before this one. Hopefully you're enjoying those right now.

While I'm away I hope you'll find some fun in my archives or by searching my site for reviews you may have missed. Or discovering some of my most popular posts!

And of course to kick off Summer right a brand new look for Musings as well which I hope you like. Bright, Summery colors should get you in the mood for the warm weather ahead.

I'll miss you all very much!

Be back really soon with plenty of great updates.

Turrah!

Pieces of Life: The Muse Gets a Tweet From Neil Gaiman

Shameless self promotion ahead....

Neil Gaiman, himself, twittered about my Lush Stardust Bath Bomb post last night. I'm such a fan girl that this made me completely giddy after seeing it!

Thanks Neil, loves ya, alot and stuff.

See? Even brilliant authors like Lush and good sales!

Pieces of Life: Comments! Edition

Just a quickie note, I'm a tad behind on email and comments. I'm really sorry guys. Just been swamped as bloody hell. Forgive me?

If you sent an email it may take me a bit to get back to you, my inbox is a MESS. As for comments I hope to have them all answered by later today and into tomorrow.

I always love talking to you so thank you so, so much for taking time out to express your interest in a product or to tell me what you are thinking about a review, etc......I greatly appreciate everything each of you have to say.

Cheers!

Talk to you soon in the comment box, plus more reviews coming at you later on! All written up and scheduled to post soonish.

Pieces of Life: Twitter Your Favorite Beauty Bloggers

We all have favorite beauty bloggers don't we? I know I do. Just because I write this strange and unusual blog doesn't mean I'm not also as obsessed as many of you are about reading my favorite blogs!

A few weeks ago I showed you some great beauty brands (Missed the post? Click here!) that twitter and today I'll show you some of my favorite beauty bloggers (and some of yours too I bet) who are twitting happily away!

Why follow your fav bloggers? It's fun! You can talk to them, ask them questions, follow their daily posts as many of them have a Twitter feed that updates their daily posts, plus it's a personal experience with the writer and editor. Reading posts is one thing but getting to know your favorite blogger and have one on one chats with them is a cool experience.

You can find my favorite beauty bloggers that I stalk on twitter below!

My mate Rows from Cosmetic Candy Twitters happily away with the masses.

If polish is your game check out the Muse's bud, Michelle, from All Lacquered Up!

The Swatch queen of the Internet, Karla Sugar is a Twitter fan as well!

I dunno if you'd call Pink a beauty blogger but she occasionally throws in a beauty post or two in between posts of cussing like a pirate, her keen sense of fashion, and lots of food and still manages to stay slim and gorgeous! Follow this chica!

One of my fav bloggers and a real sweetie, Carla, from Product Girl is hanging out on Twitter.

Who doesn't freaking love my mate E from Pursebuzz? She buzzes beauty and donuts on Twitter (if you follow her you'll understand all about the donuts).

Erika from Makeup Bag (first beauty blog I ever really read) is on Twitter...if you're lucky you can witness cool Janey pic posts on occasion (the Muse thinks Janey might need her own blog).

Christine aka Temptalia, Queen of all MAC is a Twitter, who doesn't want to follow the Queen of MAC? Hasn't MAC given this girl her own collection yet?!

Missy from In My Professional Opinion is a Makeup Artist and a Beauty Blogger, follow her up!

Jami from Bionic Beauty is a Twitter-a-Holic and geeky, must be why the Muse and her get on so well! Follow up with her! You're liable to get plenty of hawt Rob Pattinson pictures in with yout beauty!

The Muse likes cookies, especially cute ones like Lilan from The Daily Cookie. The Cookie and the Muse go way back! Follow her!

Last but never least, the Muse's little sis, Plue (she's sick at the moment with the flu, wish her well!) is busying tweet, tweet, tweetin' when she's not sick that is!

As I said Twittering with your fav bloggers is a fun way to interact with them and get to know them on a more personal level. Some bloggers work from home and others work from work so we are all on at some point during the day and willing to chat about makeup, the weather, or what we are doing!

Looking forward to seeing you on Twitter peeps!

Cherry Culture 20% Off Coupon Code

Morning!

I hope everyone had as nice a weekend as I did. Love, love long weekends. It's a short week of work for the Muse and next week she'll be going on vacation w00t!

I know I've been remiss posting the past few days, forgive me? Today I'll be busy catching up on comments, posting some new reviews, and trying to get some work done at my office so expect a few spurts of posts here and there. Plenty to be said this bright Tuesday morning so keep it tuned here.

To start the day off how about a coupon? Snag 20% Off at Cherry Culture using coupon code MD20 plus get free shipping if your order is $40 or more!

Go shopping!

Feel free to share your weekend adventures in the comment box or what you're hauling from Cherry Culture.

I'm listening!

Pieces of Life: Read the Fine Print

Hey Guys!

Sorry to interrupt our normal beauty routine but I just wanted to remind any new (or old) readers that my disclaimer is located on the top of my blog header and you can click through it anytime your heart desires to understand more about my review process, comment policy, etc.......

It's somewhat silly to have to point this feature out but I suppose it has to be done every now and again! I hope you find the disclaimer helpful and I hope it answers some of your questions about Musings and how it runs.

Also located about the header are About Me, Popular Posts, and other such sub-menus! Do have a click through and again I hope it's helpful to you.

Cheers!
your Muse

Pieces of Life: Ask & You Shall Receive

As my Spring season comes to an end I have less and less Spring Collection reviews to worry about. I know, terribly weird being in the middle of Spring without a ton of Spring cosmetics to review but so the life of a beauty blogger goes, we are always one step ahead of the game.

Summer approaches fast and already I have my head buried in Summer collections.....

However, today is all about you!

Today is an open mic of sorts for you to sound off on items, collections, skincare, etc...that you're really wanting a review on. So please go ahead and comment and tell me what you'd like to see reviewed, swatched, and talked about in the upcoming months!

The Muse looks forward to hearing your thoughts on this!