NOTD: Julep Nan

Today's NOTD is Julep Nan, a shade described as "Nantucket Red." This is one of the lovely and surprising shades I've received over time from Julep. I thought it would be awful, but Nan was one of my go-tos all of last summer. There's something lovely and summery about a burnt coppery red creme.

There are three thin coats plus Butter London Hardware on my nails here. This is one of only a few bottles that I actually bought a backup for myself.

Spotted: Incredible Beauty Deals

Now that I'm closing in on my final few completed NOTD posts, I'll start supplementing with a handful of posts that I miraculously had already edited and uploaded posts for. As I mentioned previously, it's not text that's an issue; the Blogger App  doesn't work well with embedded hyperlinks and I lack a photo editing program.  

I've been out and about more these past few days, and I have some insane deals to share with you.

It's my favorite sale (which won't be back until November, per associates I spoke to today in-store): Lord and Taylor Friends and Family. What makes L&T's sale so much better than Macy's F&F (also going on right now) is that on top of the 25% off on almost everything in the sale, it's 10% off all cosmetics.  You can buy online, or you can purchase in-store.  As for me, every time there's a L&T F&F, I have a single destination: Chanel.  Yes, you can even get 10% off Chanel. (And I purchased a few items, although my spending was very constrained since I'm saving for that laptop.)

As a result of the  L&T sale, Nordstrom is price-matching on their website. There are close to 2000 items currently listed at 10% off.  I'm not sure how much the stores are participating, but it's easy enough to use the buy online, pick up in store feature (and you can get ebates that way, too). This includes brands that I haven't seen in-store at L&T, like Nars.

Ulta has an insane in-store deal on selected Butter London polishes.  About 15 older shades are all priced at $8 each- totally worth the trip. And while you're there, the Philosophy GWP is awesome right now.

Don't forget your local drugstores for some insane deals. Rite Aid has a lot of 75% off clearance right now. I spotted some leftover colored Great Lash mascaras (great to see if pink works for me prior to investing in Dior at $1.99!).  Incredibly, I actually nabbed an Essie polish for $2.15.  It's worth your time.  CVS also has lots of beauty items at 50% off right now. I also noticed a fantastic trend- lots of trial-sized items. One of note that I picked up to try is the Jergens BB cream for body. For $2.99, I'll give it a shot!

Conversely, I stopped by Neiman Marcus today and wasn't impressed by the Camp Gorgeous tote. If you need $100 worth of product, it's a nice bonus.  However, I wouldn't go out of my way just to get the tote.

While I was out bargain shopping, I came to a conclusion about my computer plans. Instead of getting a cheap laptop to get back on the blog full-time today, I spent that money on something I'll love for far longer (dear Microsoft: My utter revulsion at Windows 8 helped to make this decision easy.): another Michael Kors Hamilton. My new tenative return to real blogging is three weeks from today.

That doesn't mean you have to go without your daily dose of QBB! I'm loving Instagram- follow me @quirkybusybeauty. I've been posting hauls, looks of the day, inspiration, and other photos. I'll be contuining my activity on there even after I get a new laptop.

NOTD: Lancome Vernis in Love Ultramarine Green

Today's NOTD is another recent Lancome outlet find. Vernis in Love Ultamarine Green (#521) was released with last year's summer collection.  It's called a green, but I think it's more of a standard blue.  Formula was pretty good, with no streaking.  These swatches are with three coats on my nails and Butter London Hardware topcoat.

NOTD: NARS Schiap

Today's NOTD is NARS Schiap, a bright pink jelly-like shade that's part of NARS' permanent collection. This is a jelly; even with 3 coats, there's some VNL apparent in real life.

This is quite similar to any number of other hot pink shades I own, but this is just pure fun. It also makes me want the matching lipstick.

Photos are with three coats and Butter London Hardware topcoat.

NOTD: Sephora Sky Diving

Today's NOTD is a shade that I would wager most people have wandered by several times. Sephora Sky Diving is a bright cornflower blue creme with exceptional formula. For those who aren't familiar with these polishes, they're tucked in with the regular Sephora Collection items and retail for $5/0.16fl oz.

Sky Diving didn't require a white base coat; there are 3 coat plus Butter London Hardware on my nails in this shot.  I find this line a great way to grab colors I have a one or two-time wish to try out.

NOTD: Lancome Vernis in Love Rose Plumeti 300M

Today's NOTD is a very soft and pretty shade from Lancome that I discovered at the outlets recently.  Lancome Vernis in Love Rose Plumeti (#300M) is a soft, shimmering pink. It's frostier than most of my other soft pinks, but is very polished and work-appropriate. There are three coats plus Butter London Hardware on my nails in this photo.

Despite the metallic appearance, I didn't have much trouble with brush strokes with this shade. Much credit goes to Lancome for the formula.  Although I found mine at the outlet, this is a permanent shade still available at the usual locations.

NOTD: Sephora + Pantone Universe Cradle Pink

Today's NOTD is a sheer polish from the fall-winter 2012 Sephora + Pantone Universe collection.  Crade Pink is a sheer polish with pink undertones.

Swatches are with 3 coats, no topcoat.

The current state of my nails means I won't be pulling this out any time soon. Yep, it's another old swatch that I hadn't posted!

Sunday Dreaming

It's that time of week again- here are a few of the things catching my attention.  What's on your list this week?

1. Tom Ford Ginger Fire Nail Lacquer ($32)

Stock photo via Nordstrom

I keep side-eyeing this polish repeatedly, so I know I should just bite the bullet and purchase it. I tend to shy away from the brightest oranges, but I should just go with my instincts, right?

2. Kiehl's Sunflower Color Preserving Deep Recovery Pack ($25)

Stock photo via Nordstrom.com

I've been on the hunt for a deep conditioner, and it only makes sense to add the product that matches my current shampoo and conditioner.


3. Alterna Bamboo Color Hold+ Fade-Proof Fluide ($25)

Stock Photo via Nordstrom

With the start of summer, it's incredibly important to protect color-treated hair.  I've tried various glossing/SPF sprays and am eyeing Alterna's offering for this year.

Those are the top 3 things I'm thinking about this week (I purchased quite a few things over Memorial Day off of my wish list).  What are you dreaming of?

Get Social with QBB!

Since I'm probably about 4 weeks from having a functioning computer again, I think I've found a solution to keep sharing my quirky, busy, and beautiful thoughts with my loyal blog readers without spending extra money on a crap laptop to bridge the gap. (It turns out that I loathe Windows 8 with a passion and don't want it in my house. Period.)  QBB is going social!

While I can't edit photos on an iPad mini, I can certainly post to Instagram!  Check me out on Instagram, user name quirkybusyandbeautiful, for on-the-fly thoughts and photos.

Likewise, I created a QBB Pintrest account.  I'm admittedly a Pintrest novice, so bear with me.  I see that as more an insight into my muddled mind.

There are already posts/boards on both accounts, so please feel free to join the fun.  Your little QBB is going social!

Please note: I'll edit links into the post once I actually have the real Blogger editor again. There's no apparent way to embed links with the mobile app.

If anyone has figured out ways around the basic text editor in the Blogger app, please let me know!

NOTD: Lancome Vernis in Love Violette Coquette (419)

Today's NOTD is one of my favorite Lancome polishes. Vernis in Love Violette Coquette (#419) is a lovely red-based orchid/violet that's perfectly on trend right now.  This formula applies like a dream- these swatches are with two coats and Butter London Hardware as a topcoat.