National Lipstick Day!

Happy Monday darlings!

As I'm sure you know, Saturday was National Lipstick Day, and to celebrate, our beloved MAC was giving away FREE lipstick.  That's right, FREE.  Leading up to Saturday I'm sure everyone did a double take when they saw those words; Free?  Without purchase?  No strings attached?  The answer (or so we thought) was yes, and knowing me, you better believe I was not missing out on free lipstick!  I'm sure there are lots of stories floating around the internet about how Free Lipstick Day at MAC went for them, so I thought you lovelies would like to hear some details about how it went for me (also, some tips on how to prepare for next time - hopefully there is one!)

My target was the MAC station I regularly visit at my local Macy's. When it comes to free items, especially irregular giveaways, I always get a little antsy that I'll miss out, so I planned to get there ahead of opening time anticipating a line.  I arrived about an hour before the doors were supposed to open, and there were already four other women waiting at the gate.

Yes I know, waiting over an hour for free lipstick on a Saturday afternoon may sound a little crazy, but it was absolutely worth it!  For starters, the four women who were there early with me were SO nice; we all got to chatting about makeup, which color we were going to pick, other things we have waited in line for, etc.  You can really bond quickly over makeup!  We all ended up following each other on Instagram, and I can't wait to see them rocking their new colors!

If you went to get your free lipstick, or if you are on social media and had friends who did, I'm sure you know that it wasn't exactly how it was advertised.  It was a free lipstick giveaway, no strings attached, however- you picked from a select group of colors, and each location had a limited quantity. Luckily for us, one of the fanatics in line, Sofi, had gone to MAC the day before and had taken a picture of their swatch sheet:

 According to the staff at our location, each store was given an amount based off of how busy their mall/store was.  Even though we were there so early, by the time they let the other doors in we were probably 20-30 people back or so.  When we got to the cashier the associates said they were already halfway through their stock!  The majority of people in the long snaking line behind us were definitely not going to get one.  It paid to get there early!

I ended up with two colors: Evening Buzz (cool lavender, matte finish) and Cyber (deep, dark reddened purple with satin finish).  A lot of people were disappointed (some even outraged) that the colors were kinda crazy - but I liked it!  What better way to try a color that may normally be out of your comfort zone than to get it for free?  If you're a true MAC-er you already have your Ruby-Woos, Candy Yum-Yums and Velvet Teddys, so getting a crazy color was fun!  Plus, it was free - beggars can't be choosers!

Overall it was worth a few hours of my time, and was such a fun start to my Saturday morning.  Since there was such a huge response, I hope MAC expands on it next year.  I think it would be worth it for them to make a limited edition color that they give out rather than a range of options, and specify how many each location will have.  Either way, you'll be seeing me in line next time!

Until the next adventure!

xoxo, Bettie

Bargain or Bust? June Edition

For a while I've been debating trying some of the fast fashion websites I've been seeing everywhere on social media.  You see their items all over Pinterest, their ads are on Instagram, and lately pictures I've been liking from the Like To Know app have been linking there as well.  For those of you who may not be familiar, there are a slew of sites out there (Shein, Cupshe, Zaful to name a few) with items that are on trend and priced ridiculously low.  However, there's the risk that you get what you pay for; I've found a scant amount of reviews about these websites, but the ones I have found have not been very good.  Some have commented on failure to receive their purchase entirely, sizing being completely off (normally too small), and items literally falling apart upon arrival.  With that being said, you all know I just cannot pass up what may be a good deal, so I've decided to start a Bargain or Bust segment of my adventures!  I'll make a purchase from one of these sites, and then review everything about my experience: what it was like shopping there, shipping time, how my items came, and how the items worked out.  Hopefully this can save some of you darlings some trouble, or can lead you to a treasure trove!

I started my Bargain or Bust adventure with Shein.com.  I selected this one in particular because I recently saw a top I LOVED posted by a fashion blogger on Instagram, and Like To Know led me to Shein:

(C)Chictalkch

After looking around the website, the prices were so low I couldn't not take a chance!  Plus, they were offering Free Shipping on any US order, and I received a $3 off coupon for creating an account on their website.

Some initial thoughts while filling my cart:

• There's an overwhelming amount of items on the website, and no real way to filter aside from general category (tops, blouses, dresses, etc.).  I've been searching for a yellow dress in particular, so sometimes those filters are nice to have to narrow down what you are looking for.
• After a while everything seemed to follow the same trends: lots of the light blue color that is in right now (not complaining, I'm a little obsessed myself), tons of ruffle sleeves, grid prints, and tie front shirts.  
• SO MANY CROP TOPS.  Obviously I am all for a good crop top with a high-waisted bottom, but those won't always work for me in the workplace!  
• Like I've read in reviews, the sizing was not standard, and they make it clear to check the the listed measurements for each item.  I really wanted to try this skirt, but the biggest size they have wouldn't fit my waist!  I also read the comments, which were super helpful when it came to sizing concerns.  One girl posted a picture of herself wearing a skirt, but said she ordered a large and she normally wears a small.  That one wasn't going to work for me!
• It's hard for me to believe something is actually embroidered when it's $13.  Stayed away from those items!
• Overall my shopping experience was easy.  There were a few glitches with the website (I put some items on my Wishlist that said they were in stock, but when I went to check out they were out of stock).    

I ended up purchasing these three items:

Following the size guide I ordered a medium in the shirt on the left ($15), a large for the skirt ($17) and the shirt on the right was One Size - my least favorite thing to see! ($10).  I used my coupon code, and my total came to $40.99 with "shipping insurance" for $1.99.

The order, shipping, and delivery process was pretty seamless, but took a while.  I received a tracking number three days after placing my order, and then the package was delivered almost exactly two weeks later.  Not too bad considering the tracking showed the package originated in China.

Packages came neatly wrapped in plastic.  Opening each one up individually, I was actually surprised at how cute they turned out to be - I think I was expecting the absolute worst!  The quality is definitely not there and the material is extremely cheap.  The button up shirt borderline felt like a paper gown from the doctor's office, and when I opened each button threads came out everywhere from the button holes.  When I tried the shirt on to take pictures for you, I noticed a slight thinning of the fabric that I'm sure will quickly lead to a hole.

HOWEVER, with that being said, I was pleasantly surprised by how cute everything was, and more importantly, how everything fit!  Each item actually fit me perfectly.  I had also heard horror stories of items not being anything remotely like the picture online, and I don't think that is the case with my order.  I think my items look like what was reflected, and are darling!

Overall I am pleased with my purchase.  I'll definitely put each item to good use, and with the price, if that use is one wear before it falls apart I will certainly not be too heartbroken!

Rated: Bargain! (with the quality expectation)

Until next time darlings!

xoxo, Bettie