Fancy meanderings...July Ipsy/Birchbox review.....

I am doing what all of the cool kids do on a Saturday evening, in the summer....blogging.  I am also listening to the Spotify US top 50 station, and I really just want to barf at how much I actually like these songs.  I wish I was into obscure bands and alternative music, that no one's ever heard about.  It might actually add depth to this fancy blog.  But alas, I am a pop culture fiend.  It's o.k...I was born this way.

Time is flying, this summer.  This has been a really good summer for the Fancy Ginger.  I have done a lot of fun and different things that I normally wouldn't do.  For instance, I wore a white dress (no, not that kind of white dress....I am still a single ginger).  I had to buy a white dress-which I normally wouldn't do, because I am sooooo pale, that all you would see is this blank slate of paleness and flaming ginger hair at the top.  In my mind (which I exaggerate things a lot), I look like the Olympic torch when I wear white.

Anywho, I wore it for this wonderful event/fundraiser that the Yankton Area Arts Association puts on called Meridian en Blanc.  It was a great evening of music, food, and fun.  I am so glad I was able to apart of it and help out. And...I think I looked pretty decent in that white dress. It cured my phobia towards white dresses, and white clothing in general.  Moral of the story:  don't knock it 'til you try it.

  A picture of the fancy venue.  It was so beautiful.

Shall we get to the actual reason for this post???????

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What I received in my July 2015 Ipsy Glambag:

Really quick---If it is your first time reading the Fancy Ginger blog, welcome.  Just some info. on Ipsy--It is a subscription service that costs $10/month.  For $10 you will received 4-5 beauty products in a specially designed makeup bag.  The $10 includes shipping, and you can cancel anytime. If you are interested in checking Ipsy out, click here. 

Teeez Read My Lips Lipstick in Killing Me Softly:  One of the things I love about Ipsy, is that they never cease to introduce me to brands that I have never heard of in the beauty world.  This brand, Teeez is based in The Netherlands.  I love this lipstick.  I have worn it a few times, and it is moisturizing and really long lasting.....highly pigmented. The color that I received is a pink/red/coral color.  I wasn't really sure how to describe it, so hopefully that covers everything.  It's perfect for summer.

Ofra Eyeshadow & Highlighter in Bliss:  I have not had a chance to try this product out.  But, when I swatched it on my hand it showed up as a shimmery rose-gold color. Very pretty.

Jersey Shore Sun Mongongo Anti-aging Lip Conditioner in Coconut Cream:  Although this product has the LONGEST NAME EVER...I love it.  It smells amazing, and it's anti-aging????? Say what? It's a winner!

City Color HD Powder:  I am really not sure what HD Powder is for...I need to do a little research.  But, I am assuming this will make it so I don't have to filter my selfies to death before I post them?  Here's hoping! ;)

I loved this month's glambag.  The makeup bag is killer and everything I received this month is on point.  Bravo Ipsy!

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What I received in my July 2015 Birchbox:

Again, if you are a new to my blog Birchbox is a monthly subscription service that costs $10/month (shipping included).  The company also gives you the opportunity to upgrade to $30/month and received 2 full-size nail or makeup products (I am doing the upgraded subscription).  You can cancel this service at anytime.  If you are interested in subscribing to Birchbox click here.  They also have a men's subscription service.  My Dad currently receives the men's subscription, and he loves it!

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid- Full-size, $39:  No joke, this is probably the best moisturizer I have ever used on my face.  It is so light, and not greasy.  I have used this a couple of days in a row now, and my face looks so good.  That sounded really conceded..but this stuff is great.  A little bit goes a long way.  I think that this sample will last me a LONG time.

Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray- Full-size, $22-$39:  Does heaven have a smell?  Yes, it does...it's this stuff.  It smells like sunshine, smiles, and happiness.  I am not even sure if it actually does what it says it should (make texturized/beachy waves).  You know what?  I don't care....I would purchase this product simply because it smells like amazing-ness.

dr. brandt Microdermabrasion skin exfoliant- Full-size, $78: Can we just discuss for a moment, how expensive this product is?  Realistically, I am never going to buy this exfoliant.  I just cannot justify spending $78 for a face wash (this is a personal opinion, of course).  That said, it is really good. It brightened my skin, and left it feeling very soft.  If this is in your budget, I would highly recommend it.  This Fancy Ginger is going to savor the sample, for now.

StiVectin-AR Advanced Retinol Eye Treatment- Full-size, $75:  Again, will I ever buy $75 eye cream?  Probably not in the near future.  Good news...the sample size will last me a month or two.  I just started using it, and I am not sure if my eyes look more youthful yet, but it does moisturize that area.  I will let you know how it goes.

stila Look At Me Liquid Lipstick Trio- set of 3, $20: I have been wanting this lipstick for SOOOOOOO LONG.  I got really excited when Birchbox said that each of it's subscribers were going to receive one of the lipsticks.  I received the color Venizia--a coral color.  It is
beautiful.  However, liquid lipstick is serious business for someone who has never used it prior to receiving this travel size.  It drys really quickly, and it stays on FOREVER.  I plan on getting some more of these in some different colors.  The formula is great...but a bit drying on the lips.

Laura Geller Beauty Bronze-n-Brighten- Full-size, $33-  This was one of the full-size makeup products I received.  It came in the color medium.  I love this stuff.  It is a matte bronzer and it warms my face up perfectly.  I think it would work for a wide range of skin colors, too.

Smashbox Cosmetics Full Exposure Mascara- Full-size, $20-  I also received this in the full-size version.  It is in the color jet black.  Is it better than any other mascara that I have tried?  In my opinion, no.  But, it does what it needs to do, and it's full-size.  So, I feel like a winner.

Loved my Birchbox this month.  I saw a preview of August's box.....so exciting.  It's a nautical/swimming theme.  Everyone knows how much I love a good nautical theme.

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Holy schmoly this was a long post.  I hope it was deeply educational, blah, blah, blah.  I go on my last vacay for the summer really soon, so I will be sure to post on my upcoming adventures.  Until next time:  Cheers and stay fancy!

Keeping your home fresh and fancy for free....

Hello fancy people.  Originally, this post was going to be about living healthy/eating healthy, but I didn't want to bore you guys with what I have been doing to be healthy.  If y'all want me to go into great detail on what I have been doing, let me know.  In a nutshell though, I have been following an alkaline/PH-balancing lifestyle with the help of a program called Yoli (which is AMAZING), along with regular exercise in the form of yoga and dancing.  I no longer drink coffee (I know, shocker) or eat processed foods (goodbye McDonald's, Chef Boyardee, and junk food).  I stick to whole grains, fruits, veggies, lean meats, and fish.  Pretty simple and easy.

Anywho...onto today's topic. I recently purchased the book Cupcakes and Cashmere at Home by Emily Schuman. I purchased this book using my points from Birchbox, so it was free-ish (score!).  She is an amazing blogger, who created this book to offer ideas about a variety of lifestyle items, such as decorating your home and entertaining.  She has wonderful ideas, and inspired me to "freshen" up my apartment a bit.  If you are looking for some home inspiration or just a great looking book on your coffee table, I highly recommend this book. :)

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A Fancy and Fresh Apartment

I am gearing up to go on another trip really soon, so I don't really have a budget for "refurbishing" my apartment. I decided to get creative.  Everything that I did to apartment today, cost exactly $0.  Boom.  Here are my tips for a making your living space Fresh and Fancy.  Disclaimer:  I am NOT AN EXPERT!!!! Who knows....my advices/tips could be complete piddle.  Regardless...enjoy!

1.  Clean your home:  One of the things that I feel always makes my home fresh and fancy....i.e., spruces things up a bit...is giving it a good cleaning.  I deep clean my apartment once a week, and do little cleaning jobs two times a week.  Deep cleaning definition- dusting, scrubbing the bathroom/toilet (lovely), vacuuming, sweeping and washing the floors.  It is true what they say "a clean home is a happy home."  I use a lavender scented all natural/all purpose cleaner by the brand Method, that I  purchased from HyVee.....maybe $2 or $3.  It works for everything kitchen, bathroom, dusting, windows, etc.

2.  Switch out your lighting fixtures:  This may sound silly, but it seriously does wonders for your living space.  Recently, I switched a lamp that was in my bedroom with one that was in my living room.  Seriously...try it out.  It may sound cray cray, but it tricked my brain into thinking I got some new lighting fixtures.

3.  Gather up your good smelling candles:  Put all of your favorite candles together, to make a little center piece on your coffee table.  This just adds a homey feeling to the living room, in my opinion.

4.  Remember those fairy lights you purchased for Halloween and Christmas?:  I purchased purple fairy lights for Halloween last year, and now I use them to add a little bit of fanciness to my bookshelf.  I think I bought them for $2...and now I use them all year 'round.

5.  Switch out your bathroom linens/towels:  Yes, you may need to dig deep into your linen closet...but it is worth it.

6.  Re-purpose old baskets and boxes for bathroom storage:  I use the boxes my Birchbox subscriptions come in as storage for everything in my bathroom (e.g., make-up, nail polish, perfumes, etc.).   I like my re-using Birchbox boxes because they are all really colorful.


There you have it....just a few tips from the Fancy Ginger.   Here are a few pictures from my apartment:

 The Living Room

 The book....she's so fancy.

 This lamp was in my bedroom, but now it's in my living room. Boom...instant fanciness.

My bathroom, all spruced up.  

 I store my nail polishes in this fancy Birchbox box....on top of the toilet....fancy.

 Bedroom is all clean.  I store my perfumes in an old gift basket...ummm...basket...on my dresser.  My bedding is from Target....I purchased it in April.  I LOVE IT.

Not sure why I took this picture, but it displays two of my favorite things:  Birchbox and Kate Spade.

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Thanks for reading my peeps!  I just received both my Birchbox and Ipsy Glambag this week.  They are both winners!!!!  My next post will be about what I received in each of them.  

Until next, stay fancy!  

Shopping locally can be fancy....

Hello gorgeous, fancy people!  I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July.  Is it just me, or is this summer going by super fast?   I am going to try to make this a short post--but knowing me, I will just end up rambling.

I know in this blog I post a lot of things that I find in name brand stores or on the internet.  I do get a little self-conscious about posting things that I buy, because I don't want people to think that all I do is shop---I promise I have more hobbies than just shopping :).  I also don't want people to think that I just shop at a store because of it's name.  I am a well-rounded Fancy Ginger.  Besides, I get A LOT of requests for these shopping hauls.

Disclaimer--I do this all on a budget.  If what I want to buy goes over my budget, I won't get it.  I have more important things to spend my money on than just clothes--but every once-in-awhile I need to treat myself.

Whether it's clothes, beauty supplies, concerts, travel, food, books, movies, etc.---make sure that you try to save a little to treat yourself.

 The clothing that is on this post, is all stuff that I bought last month from local "sources." :)

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Shopping Local

I live in a good-sized town (under South Dakota standards), but it can be hard to shop locally--especially when it comes to shopping for clothes and home goods/accessories, etc.  Often times one is forced to travel out of town or even out of state to get what they need, or shop via the internet--where you have to trust the little picture on the screen.  However, my hometown and my state have a few gems that I will share today.

Another disclaimer- Boutique shopping has pro's and con's.  Pro's- they only buy a few of each item, so you know that what you are getting is something that is unique, and not many people in your town will own. The clothing is usually good quality and will last a long time. Con's- they only buy a few of each item, which means they can run out quite fast, or not carry the size you need.  Also, they tend to be a little more spendy, depending on what you are looking for.

 I bought this at a boutique called Head 2 Heels.  It reminded me of a sailor/nautical top. It is loose fitting and comfortable.  You can easily wear with jeans or shorts.  Dress it up or Dress it down.  

 Aww...look at that Fancy Ginger. All I am missing is a little sailor hat.  How cute would that be??

I bought this romper at a local boutique called Riverside Boutique, which is a cute little store right next to Head 2 Heels in downtown Yankton, SD.  It sells clothes for women and children. I wasn't so sure about even trying on this romper, because I am short and was just afraid it would fit me wrong.  But, my mom convinced me to try it on, and I am glad she did.  It fit perfectly (sorry I have no photo of me actually wearing this).  Bonus--it has pockets.  I wore this on the 4th of July and received a lot of compliments.  It is just super comfortable. If you are interested in checking out Riverside Boutique click here.

I bought this online from an online clothing boutique called Filly Flair.  I feel like I am the last person on the planet to find out about this site, but it is amazing.  The reason why I am putting them under my local finds, is because they are actually based out of a town in South Dakota, not far from where I live.  They ship all over the country and world, and are super affordable.  Pretty sure this maxi dress was $36-$38.  I think this dress is perfect for summer.  It's nice and light.  I plan on taking it with me when I go on vacation at the end of the month.  :)  

Filly Flair has so many cute things on their site, you MUST check it out!  I am constantly restraining myself from buying everything.  If you are interested in Filly Flair click here

Not the best picture of me...but it at least shows most of the dress.  Boom...Fancy Ginger!

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Well, so much for not rambling-eh?  I think my next post will be on living healthy...or healthier.  I have made a lot of lifestyle changes in the past couple of months, and I am going to let you all know how it's going.  That sounds like a grand plan, doesn't it?

Until next time, cheers and stay fancy!