Shopaholic in Alabama

When your Ulta Reward Certificate is a level 11, does that mean it's time to stop shopping? Here's what it does mean: you spent at least $550 in one quarter at Ulta.  My question is this: wonder how close I was to a level 12?!!? Makes me mad I didn't do a better job of keeping track of my spending! Is anyone else obsessed with Ulta?!?!

Hello Everyone! Sorry I haven't posted in the past few days, there's been a lot going on around here!  As some of you will recall, I was thrilled to see that two new Ulta stores were opening in my general area. Last week, I attended the grand opening of the new Daphne store with my Mother and sister. Mother and I were in line about fifteen minutes before the ribbon was cut. In the photo above, you can see how many people were ahead of us.  My sister was about ten or so people behind us, as she had to drop off my nephew at daycare the same time Ulta was scheduled to open (which is why she wasn't in this picture). Thankfully, her DH was able to assist at the last minute and she didn't miss any of the fun!  As one of the first 100 people through the door on opening day, we were able to draw for a gift certificate to use on that day's purchases. The gift certificates ranged in value from $5 - $100. We all scored one worth $5, and while we wished it was $100, ...

Happy Thursday!  When I moved back to the Gulf Coast from Charlotte (years ago!), I was so sad about the shopping. Or should I say the lack of shopping? One of my favorite places was Ulta; and I used to frequent my local "Ulta" store (which was conveniently about a mile away) every Saturday morning.  When we lived in Destin, finally an Ulta opened both in Destin and Panama City Beach. They opened less than a month after we moved back to Alabama. *Sheds tears*. A few years ago, yet another Ulta opened in D'Iberville, MS (outside of Biloxi). While this is a 90 mile haul from my home, occasionally I will make the trip with my Mother and sister. Especially since we can also visit the casinos along the Mississippi Gulf Coast while we're there....Hard Rock, anyone? :-)  NOW I'm so excited as not just one, but two, new Ulta locations are opening in my area! The Mobile store (above) is opening in about a month. And while I don't live in Mobile, I'm th...

Happy Friday, my fabulous and fashionable friends! I got you with that title post, huh???? :-) Today we're talking about makeup - and specifically - foundation! Since 2003, I have worn BARE ESCENTUALS Bare Minerals SPF 15 "mineral" or powder foundation. I will admit, when I initially tried the product, my mother had to talk me into the purchase. After years of wearing liquid foundation, I just wasn't sure about it....but gave it a whirl. Turns out, I loved it! (It's worth noting, I was only 33 years old back then!) Fast Forward to late 2009 - 2010. I just don't think my skin looks as luminous as it once did. I feel like my pores are getting larger and so much more noticeable. Yes, I know........I'm now 39 years old. Duh. This happens, right??? Well...not to me! I refuse to accept my age, at least on my face, and will leave no stone unturned in my quest for the appearance of flawlessness. I was in ULTA (another Shopaholic obsession) and tested a new fou...