March '13 Birchbox!

This Birchbox post is long overdue (I got this in the mail about a week ago) but hopefully it's a post that's better late than never?

I'm not sure if I wasn't super jazzed about this box, if it has something to do with the die-down of beauty boxes on the blogosphere, or some other completely random life influence but this post just didn't seem to interest or excite me as much as Birchbox posts in the past!

Regardless, here is my March 2013 Birchbox for your viewing/reading pleasure; take the jump (haven't done one of those in awhile! Oofta!!) if you're interested!!

Confessions Of A Blogger: TAG!

Random confession that nobody asked about: one of my favorite things to do is grab sushi from my favorite shop on my way home from a half class day and then write a blog post while devouring a tray of maki (that fills me up through bedtime... mmmmm).

I honestly have no idea why I'm awake right now...

so what better time than the present to fill in a TAG that the lovely Jess (of The Mod Mermaid) tagged me to do ages ago??

I always think it's fun to read through questionnaires/tags because I like getting to know the person behind the blog a little better; hopefully you feel the same and find this at least a little interesting to scroll through (my apologies if I'm a boring fool)!

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***When did you start your blog?***

Just this last summer (June 3, 2012 to be creepily exact)!

***Have you had any past online presence before (Other blog, YouTube)?***

Nope!! I was pretty much just a silent reader on blogger and the typical YouTube enthusiast (read: couch potato).

***Why did you start a blog?***

I think it was a combination of things; last summer was a time when a lot of my friends were moving away to start real life grownup things (grad school, jobs, etc.) and also the time when I started to REALLY get into makeup. I had always thought about starting a YouTube channel but never had the guts to do it and figured blogger would be a great spring board to start out my online life (why does that sound creepier than I intend it to?). 

Essentially: I wanted a way to interact with others who shared my interests and feel like I wasn't a complete and total shut in by starting a new hobby.

***When did you become serious about starting a blog?***

I was serious from the start!! I wanted to make sure that my blog was something that I could look back on and not be completely embarrassed about. Plus I was always a little nervous that someone in my real life would find my blog/YouTube channel and wanted to make sure it looked like something I was good at haha.

***What was your first post?***

Well, it was SUPER and even titled "The Dreaded First Post!!" Basically it was just me getting the hang of blog writing (aka remembering that I should probably be a little more interesting than the abstracts I was used to writing for organic chemistry labs) and taking blog pictures (aka figuring out my 'angles' and the right balance of joy and disinterest in my facial expressions).

***What has been your biggest challenge about blogging?***

Getting over the numbers; I didn't get my first follower until a month and a half into blogging and it left me feeling discouraged and down when I would go to write a post. I loved what I was doing and the things I was writing/blogging about so it was hard to feel like my passion wasn't worth noticing (if that makes sense). Thankfully I kept up with it despite the numbers because I now have the most wonderful readers and have become friends with some extremely lovely people :)

***Where do you see your blog in one year?***

Basically the same as it is now except improved. Nothing drastic, I just feel like I'm constantly growing and getting new ideas from research and reading other people's blogs so hopefully that reflects in my work here on ThriftThick!

***What is the most rewarding thing to you about blogging?***

I know everyone says this, but definitely the comments that people leave. I read and appreciate (and respond!) to every single comment I receive but it's really those special comments where you can tell the person actually took the time to write something personal and sweet that really touches my heart. All of the encouragement and feedback I get here on my blog, YouTube, and personal messages really do mean the world to me and keep me motivated to constantly make this site even more enjoyable for you all in the future.

***What is the most discouraging thing that happens to you?***

To be honest, nothing? I can't say that I've ever received a negative comment (you know, like 'you're ugly', 'fat', 'stupid', etc.) so nothing really discourages me (other than what I mentioned as my biggest challenge, but thankfully I'm over the numbers business!!) here on blogger... fingers crossed it stays that way haha!

***What's your lasting inspiration or motivation?***

A combination of my own passion for makeup and fashion as well as all of the other beautiful blogs and YouTube channels out there. I can't see my beauty obsession fading any time soon (or ever) so that driving force will always be there for me (you know, sharing reviews, products, opinions, etc.) and with all of the inspiringly gorgeous blogs that exist it's hard not to strive to make something just a beautiful but uniquely my own :)

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I hope you enjoyed!!

And if you're interested in doing this TAG then consider yourself tagged :D

xoxo - Cassie

New OOTW Video Up!!

Here you go everyone!!

Another week, another batch of outfits slapped together for your entertainment (and social acceptability).

As always, I hope you enjoy! :)

xoxo - Cassie

NOTD: Illamasqua "Jo'mina" + Revlon "Whimsical"

I honestly don't remember the last time I was this in love with a nail polish...

Mayyyyybe O.P.I.'s Black Cherry Chutney? Maybe.

In celebration of the glory that is my current manicure I figured a NOTD post was in order (I don't know why I suddenly feel the need to justify a NOTD post? Oy vey...). I originally 'hauled' this polish (I put it in quotes because the lovely Torey passed it on to me) in a YouTube video of mine a little over a month ago but only just got around to using it.

What.

A.

SHAME!!!

This is the first Illamasqua polish (and product!) that I have had the honor of using and I can't help it... my heart is smitten; blood, ventricle, and artery (too much? Meh).

I get butterflies every time I look at my muted neon grape nails and I'm assuming other people do as well because I have gotten HEAPS of compliments since applying this a couple days ago!

Jo'mina (does anyone know the proper pronunciation of this name? I feel like a fool when people ask me what color my nails are...) applies like butter on toast. 

No, really; that's pretty much the most perfect analogy you've ever had the pleasure of reading.

It glides on without a hitch and melts perfectly into the edges of your nails, leaving behind a soft, even coat of polish. 

OhyeahP.S.thisisopaqueinonecoatWHAT.

Yup, you are actually literate/your screen played no tricks on you: This is ONE COAT of Jo'mina on my nails.

Well, except for my ring fingers but the other coat of polish is of Revlon's Whimsical and that was only because I was feeling a little snazzy.

I can't wait to get my hands on more Illamasqua polishes in the future (don't tell my bank account, I don't like seeing it cry); I've got my eyes on the speckle polish "Freckle" but sadly it's been sold out at Sephora every time I check (rat farts!!).

Have you tried Illamasqua nail polishes before?

Love 'em? Hate 'em?

What's the prettiest shade of purple polish you ever did see?

Do share!!

xoxo - Cassie

stila "in the know" eye shadow palette: Swatches + Review!!

This palette review

is a lost library book

thus long overdue

(as is a dose of my horrible haiku poetry... my sincerest apologies [on so many levels]).

And also, I know what you might be thinking about my photos for this post: "Wow Cassie what a horrible editing job you did these are sooooo over saturated with yellow and green lolz failure." 

Fair enough.

I CHALLENGE YOU TO A PHOTOGRAPHY BATTLE (insert original Pokemon battle music here)!!

In all seriousness though, this really is one of the most difficult makeup products I have ever had the displeasure of photographing and editing; the clash of the crazy toned (Cassie-chu used vocabulary diarrhea... it's super effective!! [How annoyed are the non-Pokemon fans right now?]) case housing the green/yellow/blue toned shadows was something I've never encountered before. 

HOWEVER. 

I held my palette up to the computer screen for a good hour or so making the most subtle of adjustments to get the colors dead on... and I'm quite pleased to say that I think I've done just that because this palette is worth it. It's worth everything. 

So, if that rambly opening bit didn't put you off too badly, take the jump below for all of the photos I wept over/on and my full review of this holy grail palette (oh yeah, you weren't expecting a HG status to be thrown in right there were you? *whisper* You're welcome...).

NOTD: Modern French Mani

I feel like I haven't written a proper blog post in the longest time... 

and today's NOTD is no different *self sob session*

MY APOLOGIES!!

Life has been really busy (and sadly most of the things keeping me busy have been real-life/I'm-a-big-girl-now related so they haven't been fun at all) but hopefully things are settling down so I can get back into the swing of my internet life soon #priorities.

I was in the need of a bit of a fancier nail look this weekend so I went with a modern french mani (which, to me, is essentially just a classic french tip but with different colors); all I did was slap down a couple coats of essie's case study (which is one of the few essie polishes I own that actually performs to the standards essie's high price tags suggest) and then topped it with a thin(-ish) gold tip!

Simple pimple!!

Ahhhh I'm glad at least my hard work makes Galileo's days comfy and carefree...

How have you all been?

Hopefully well; let me know in the comments below :)

xoxo - Cassie

How I Style: Pain Tees!!

New video up for those who are interested!!

I had gotten a request a couple of weeks ago on how to style plain t-shirts; it seems like something completely basic but I realized how different tees could be styled from person to person and depending on body type while putting this video together. 

So, as always, I hope you enjoy and get some inspiration from my ramblings and stylings :)

And here's a fantastic still from the video of Galileo attacking my leg; good times.

xoxo - Cassie