Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween 2012! :D

Happy Wednesday and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! :D

happy halloween skeletons

I just wanna share with you guys an article all about ten of the most haunted houses in America... check it out here. :D

And if you still need some last-minute Halloween costume inspiration, I have the answer for you!
Check out my easy costume ideas here.

I hope you all have a happy and safe Halloween!!! :D

P.S. I can't wait to share a snap of my costume with you guys on Twitter! Stay tuned! :)

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Open internationally. Ends on November 25th at 11:59pm PST.

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Monday, October 29, 2012

Halloween Dress-Up: Easy Costume Ideas [Year 2]

Happy Monday!

I am totally kicking myself for not working on this post a week earlier, but hey, actual Halloween is in two days, so maybe these costume ideas can still help you guys. ;)

I had so much fun coming up with some easy costume ideas last year (check it out here), and that is why I just had to do it again this year! These costumes are a breeze to put together... plus, they are current, so people are sure to know who you're dressed up as! :D

Costume #1: Taylor Swift


Almost everyone is talking about Taylor Swift's new album, Red. And I bet there are only a handful of people who haven't seen even a glimpse of her music video for We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (That song is sooo about Jake Gyllenhaal, by the way, haha!)

Here are two looks from her music video that we can use for Halloween:


Wear your cutest and most colorful pajamas.
Sport some black-framed eyeglasses.
Wear red lipstick.
If you have long blonde locks with bangs = perfect! If not, you can always wear a wig.

If you'd rather go for a more dressy look, pair a red polka dot top with black high-waist shorts.
Wear glittery oxfords and accessorize with a gold bracelet.
Paint your nails red and don't forget your red lips and blonde wig! ;)

Costume #2: Kristen Stewart


One of the biggest stories of 2012 is the Kristen Stewart-Rupert Sanders cheating scandal.
I mean, come on, honestly, who didn't see those photos, right?!

This is THE easiest costume ever, I promise! ;)


Wear a white tank top over a colored bra, preferably neon yellow.
Wear navy blue sweatpants over gray shorts.
Finish the look with red Converse Chuck Taylors, messy hair, and oooh, don't forget "Rob's" Dodgers hat!

Additional thought... you can ask your husband, boyfriend, or guy friend to dress up as either Robert Pattinson or Rupert Sanders. ;)

Costume #3: Angelina Jolie


Angelina Jolie's right leg got its own Twitter account, so of course this outfit deserves to be a Halloween costume, haha! ;)


If you happen to have a long black strapless dress with a high slit = perfect!
If not, perhaps you can buy a cheap black dress and cut in a high slit... if that's not possible, a simple long black dress would do. ;)

Wear black peep-toe pumps, smokey eyes, red lips, and diamond studs.
You can also ask your husband or boyfriend to dress up in a tux -- he can be the Brad to your Angelina.
Show off those plump lips and don't forget to stick out that right leg! ;)

These next two costumes are versatile -- they will work for both men and women:

Costume #4: Psy


If you haven't heard of Psy and Gangnam Style, then you must be living away from modern technology. ;)
This song has been everywhere and this dance has been danced by everyone, haha!


Wear black pants, a white button-down shirt, and a blue blazer.
Accessorize with a black belt, black bow tie, black shoes, and black sunnies.
Girls, you can slick back your hair and put it up to really get the full Psy look.
Oh and of course, don't forget to sing and dance Gangnam Style! ;)

Even if you have to buy some pieces for this costume, those pieces will definitely come in handy someday... after all, we all need these basic pieces in our closet, right? :)

Costume #5: Prince Harry


Another big story of 2012 is Prince Harry's Las Vegas vacation.
Doing the whole naked romp for Halloween is not a good idea (haha!), but we can recreate the party prince's poolside outfit. ;)


As women, we can't be going around topless and it might be too cold for the guys to go shirtless, so a nude tank top is the answer. 
Pair it with red floral board shorts. Accessorize with aviator sunglasses, a necklace with a circle pendant, and a fedora hat. 
And don't forget to speak with a British accent! ;)

I still have to decide which one I'm gonna pick for my costume, but what about you guys...

Who or what are you gonna be for Halloween?
What do you think of these costume ideas? Which one is your favorite?

I hope you all have a happy week ahead! :D

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Friday, October 26, 2012

Foodie Friday: Salt City Bakery

Happy Friday!!!

I am very excited to share this post with all of you because it is all about food!
Who doesn't like food, right? Especially when the food in question are macarons and biscotti! ;)

A couple of weeks ago, I received a package of goodies from Salt City Bakery to review and share with you guys... but, before we talk about those yummy macarons and biscotti, here's a little something about Andrea and Salt City Bakery:


1. What made you want to start a business? 
I just really love baking, so starting a business was never about doing it to make money. I just wanted to share my baked goodies with as many people as possible. 

 2. When and how did you start your business? 
Technically I started out in autumn of 2008 when I made my first cake for my great-grandmother’s 90th birthday. But I didn't open my shop until the spring of 2009. At first I actually started out making bread, but quickly realized that wasn't the best thing to sell online. I love making bread, but selling it to people across the country was challenging; especially being someone that refuses to use any sort of preservatives. I started by getting a business license, securing my business name with the state of Utah, getting a food handlers permit (required in the state of Utah) and then I opened an Etsy shop and just basically went for it. 

 3. What is the story behind Salt City Bakery? 
Salt City Bakery is just me, one gal, Andrea, making home-made goodies from organic and all natural ingredients in small batches. I really just love creating; I've always been an artist, but love being a food artist most of all because I can make people happy and full at the same time. 

 4. What is your favorite thing to bake? 
I love making macarons (even though they're the hardest and most time consuming thing I make), it is such an accomplishment when you set out to make a new flavor and they actually turn out. They are very pretty but also very simple looking, and the flavor possibilities with macarons are endless! 

 5. Do you have a favorite flavor? 
Cinnamon, hands down the greatest flavor ever born! (At least in my opinion) 

 6. On a scale of 1 to 10, how hard is it to make macarons? 
27, ha just kidding (or am I?). They are very difficult and very particular. If you don't get each step just right, you'll end up with cracked shells or shells that have spread too much.. or a slew of other mishaps. However, when you DO get it right it is so worth all the stress and previous failed attempts because a perfect macaron is a beautiful thing. And after making batch after batch you learn something new each time and there is something to be said about that, I think. Even failed attempts are beautiful in their own way and that's why I keep making them. 

 7. Do you have any advice for people who would like to start their own business? 
Research. Research. Research. Seriously, research everything you possibly can about the kind of business you want to start. Even if you think you know how to do something well. Research what other sellers are doing and most of all research costs; what it costs to make something, what it costs to ship, to package. For the first year or so I spent way more money than I made because I jumped in feet first and didn't bother to check the water first. I knew how to bake but basically didn't know anything else about running a business. I am very happy that I opened my business when I did, because I have learned a lot along the way. But I also learned the hard way. Hell, I still have a lot to learn about the business side of it. But as long as I am learning and having fun doing it, AND making people happy with baked goods that's all that matters to me. Also, this possibly goes without saying but I’m going to say it anyway; If you're thinking about starting a business make sure it's doing something you love and are truly passionate about. If there is no passion in what you're doing, trust me, people notice.


All of Andrea's baked goodies are handmade in small batches in Salt Lake City, Utah. She uses only the finest quality all-natural, organic, and local ingredients. You won't find any preservatives, chemicals, or bad stuff -- and that's a promise!

All items are shipped Monday-Thursday following your order.


The items are neatly packaged and shipped using USPS Priority mail (as seen in the images above).
During the warmer months, macarons and chocolate items are packaged with a cold pack in an insulated package to keep them fresh and protected from the elements (again, as seen in the images above).

Here are the goodies Andrea sent me:


1. Gingerbread Biscotti
2. Peach Bourbon Macarons


I also got a note from Andrea and some storage instructions for french macarons. :)

Organic Peach Macarons with Brown Sugar Bourbon Buttercream -


Fresh peaches, brown sugar buttercream, and a touch of Utah's own High West Distillery American Prairie Reserve, a blend of straight bourbons. Oh. Yes. We. Did. 

 Believe it or not, there is not a single drop of food coloring in these babies; that delightful peach color comes from the peaches.


How pretty are these macarons???

Some of the macaron shells did crack a bit, but that's quite inevitable especially given how delicate macarons are. 
Cracked shells aside, these are delicious and so heavenly!

You can smell the peaches and you can totally taste how natural the ingredients are.
Each bite is food heaven!

Organic Gingerbread Biscotti -


The perfect combination of ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon with a touch of molasses and topped with organic cane sugar. 
Great for dipping in your morning coffee or a snack, anytime. Gingerbread and biscotti, together at last! 

 Twice baked and always handmade.


My parents really loved this: biscotti + coffee = delicious!
These will also be perfect for the holidays, they actually smell like Christmas!

I guess I'll end this post by sending a big thank you and a big virtual hug to Andrea for answering the questions above, for giving us advice on how to start our own business, and for sending me these yummy goodies to share with you guys! Thanks, Andrea! :)

There will also be a Salt City Bakery giveaway right here on What Mimi Writes just for you guys, so please stay tuned!

In the meantime, to check out Andrea's Etsy shop, Salt City Bakery, please click here.
You can also keep up to date with her through Facebook.

What do you guys think? Do you like macarons and biscotti?
Have you ever ordered anything from Salt City Bakery before?

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! :D

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P.S. I have two giveaways for you guys right now! Please do enter if you haven't already. :)
Two winners! Open internationally. Ends tomorrow at 11:59pm PST.
Shopbop Giveaway: Win a $100 gift card! Open internationally. Ends 11/25.

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Thursday, October 25, 2012

Shopbop Giveaway: Who's in the mood for 3.1 Phillip Lim booties? ***CLOSED***

Happy Thursday!!!

Since it's starting to get cold (Yay!), my sandals just aren't cutting it anymore... it's definitely time to take out my boots, haha! But you know what I realized? I actually, seriously need new boots!
What about you guys? Who's in need of new boots?!

The first place I recommend you look?
Shopbop, of course! :)

Photobucket

Getting good quality boots that we really like is important -- not only will we get tons of use out of them, they will also undoubtedly make many of our outfits all the more stylish. ;)

Here are some of the boots that www.shopbop.com has to offer:


Fleur Lace Up Booties ($125)/ Lynn Over the Knee Boots ($225)/ Deluyn Booties ($200)/ Lauren Knee High Boots ($200)


Kelly Ankle Booties ($498)/ Gwen Slouchy Ankle Booties ($550)/ Chase Ankle Booties ($498)/ Candice Flat Booties ($298)


Peggy Ankle Booties ($695)/ Delia Zip Monk Strap Booties ($650)/ Esther Oxford Pumps ($525)/ Delia Chelsea Booties ($575)

Are you guys ready to shop for some fall and winter staples? Fancy winning a $100 gift card to Shopbop?
Yes? Then let's get on with the giveaway! ;)

To enter:

Mandatory entries -

1. Follow What Mimi Writes via GFC -- let me know you follow in a comment and include your email address. (+1)
2. Follow @WhatMimiWrites on Twitter. (+1)
3. Follow @shopbop on Twitter. (+1)

Extra entries -

4. Visit www.shopbop.com and tell me what you would buy using the $100 gift card. (+2)
5. Tweet about the giveaway, mention both @WhatMimiWrites and @shopbop -- let me know/ leave me a link.
You can use this tweet: #Giveaway: #Win a $100 @shopbop gift card over at @WhatMimiWrites! Open internationally! Ends November 25th! Join: http://tinyurl.com/8svb4bo :) (+2)
6. Like Shopbop on Facebook -- leave your Facebook name in the comments. (+3)
7. Like What Mimi Writes on Facebook -- leave your Facebook name in the comments. (+3)
8. Say Hello! to Shopbop on Facebook and tell them What Mimi Writes sent you there -- leave me a link to your wall post. (+3)
9. Mention this giveaway on your blog, either on a post or on your sidebar -- let me know/ leave me a link. (+4)

A total of 20 possible entries!

Please leave one comment per entry or if you choose to put them all in one comment, please clearly list how many entries you have -- either way would be easier for me, thanks! :)

This giveaway is open internationally.
It will end on Sunday, November 25th at 11:59pm PST.

The winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via email.

Good luck!!! :D

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

FRAAS Fairisle Infinity Scarf

Happy Tuesday (again)!

Wow, two posts in one day? I am on a roll, haha!
I wore my new scarf from the FRAAS Fall 2012 Collection today, and I am just so excited about it that I have to share it with you guys! :)

I reviewed a scarf from FRAAS before, but just in case you guys have forgotten about it, here is a little something about FRAAS:


Scarf producer V. Fraas celebrates more than 130 years in business. Ever since its foundation in 1880 by Valentin Fraas, the world leader for mufflers and shawls has thrived and advanced under the control of his descendants -- a remarkable feat in this transitory world. It is a forward looking company that continues to expand at a rapid pace... From its bases in New York, Paris, London, Wüstenselblitz, Toronto, and Shanghai, V. Fraas' design team travel to major shows and forecasting seminars throughout the globe to identify new trends and develop products that are perfectly attuned to fashion and customer demand.


I've been wanting to get an infinity scarf, but for some odd reason I never seem to get around to buying one. 

I can't even describe how excited I was when I was asked to review this particular scarf for you guys -- beyond excited! And I was even more excited to wake up to chilly weather this morning, haha! ;)


This is my first ever infinity scarf and I am totally in love with it!
It's so beautiful, the color combination is perfect (and it goes so well with my favorite color, yellow, as seen below, haha!), and it's so soft!

More than 100 new FRAAS brand styles are debuting in the upcoming season--many in multiple color way options. Three on-target and very elegant palettes and themes are apparent--Woodland Guardians, Mineral Explosion, and Decadent Traveler. Neutrals, jewel tones, and accent pop colors provide savvy consumers with the right styling and best shades to work with existing and new wardrobes.

The Fairisle Infinity Scarf is comprised of acrylic, nylon, and a bit of wool. It is soft and extremely lightweight which makes it a great item for transitioning from season to season. It is also ideal for travel and almost any location and climate. It loops easily and requires no tying which is one of the genius things about an infinity scarf.

A peek at today's outfit...

Not only will it dress up and function with outerwear, it will look great with a sweater, dress, or blouse, and as an accent accessory.

As I mentioned above, I was so excited to wake up to cold weather this morning because it meant I can finally wear my Fairisle Infinity Scarf! I wore mine with a mustard yellow shirt (I love the bright colors!), jeans, leather jacket, and boots. The sun came up as the day went on, but it didn't matter to me, I didn't take my scarf off at all, haha! ;)

I really love this scarf and this is definitely my new favorite!


Available colors: Camel/Ivory, Rose/Petal, Black/Gray, and Navy/Turquoise.
Price: $40

FRAAS scarves can be found at specialty stores throughout the country. You may also order them directly from the company by calling 212-575-0191. Select styles are also available at www.fraas.com and www.amazon.com.

Do you like infinity scarves?
Have you bought anything from FRAAS before? Which of these colors caught your eye the most?

I hope you're all having a happy week! :)

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To win a pair of circle lenses and one animal case from LensVillage, please click here.
Open internationally. Two winners! Ends on October 27th at 11:59pm PST.

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BzzAgent: Glade Expressions® Collection

Happy Tuesday!!!

I mentioned a few times before that I got some new Glade® products courtesy of BzzAgent
And now, as promised, here is my post featuring those two products. ;)

Glade Expressions® Collection
Invite artfully designed, true-to-life fragrances into your home.


My BzzKit:

a letter, coupons to share, and 2 Free coupons for me :)

Here are the two Glade® products I got:


- Glade Expressions® Fragrance Mist Starter Kit in Cotton & Italian Mandarin
- Glade Expressions® Oil Diffuser Starter Kit in Lavender & Juniper Berry

Glade Expressions® Fragrance Mist Starter Kit -

Glade Expressions® Fragrance Mist comes in a stylish holder and releases a longer-lasting, finer mist of fragrance. The gentle mist creates layers of true-to-life fragrance that open up note by note, eliminating odors and freshening the air. The artfully designed holder blends with your décor and can be left out, letting you have a burst of fragrance that’s always right at hand. Just squeeze the neck of the bottle to spray, and refill the holder with your favorite Glade® fragrance.


I got this at Walgreens, and pretty much all the stores I went to carried this.
This particular product is easier to find than the Oil Diffuser.

I love the smell of clean linen, so I chose to get the Cotton & Italian Mandarin scent.
This is also available in Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice, Lavender & Juniper Berry, and Pineapple & Mangosteen.

This smells amazing!!!
I love spraying it all over the house -- it gets rid of any musty smells and other not-so-pleasant smells. ;)

Glade Expressions® Oil Diffuser Starter Kit -

Glade Expressions® Oil Diffuser releases a long-lasting fragrance for up to 30 days without needing to plug it in. The spill-proof oil diffuser infuses layers of true-to-life scents throughout living spaces, making them feel fresh and inviting. The trendy holder matches décor perfectly, making it a convenient and stylish home-fragrancing option.


First thing about this product, it was so hard to find! 
I went to about four stores before I finally found this Oil Diffuser at Target.

They didn't have the Cotton & Italian Mandarin scent, so I went for Lavender & Juniper Berry instead.


Assembly Instructions:

1. Firmly press diffuser card into oil bottle until it "clicks".
2. Insert refill into holder.


Unlike other Oil Diffusers, you wouldn't run the risk of anything spilling with this one.
At first, the scent isn't as "out there", it sort of creeps up on you -- I love it when I get a whiff of the lavender and juniper berry scent. :)


I also love how pretty it looks!
It really goes well with our home decor. :)

This is also available in Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice and Pineapple & Mangosteen.
To learn more about the different fragrances, please click here.

Have you tried any of Glade®'s products before?
Are these something you might want to try? Which scent sounds the best to you?

I hope you are all having a wonderful week! :)

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To win a pair of circle lenses and one animal case from LensVillage, please click here.
Open internationally. Two winners! Ends on October 27th at 11:59pm PST.

Like What Mimi Writes on Facebook and be friends with Mimi! :)
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Monday, October 22, 2012

Mondays...


Happy Monday!
I hope you are all having a wonderful start to your week! :D

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To win a pair of circle lenses and one animal case from LensVillage, please click here.
Open internationally. Two winners! Ends on October 27th at 11:59pm PST.

Like What Mimi Writes on Facebook and be friends with Mimi! :)
Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Anastasia of Beverly Hills: Kisses On My List (Volume 2)

Happy Saturday!!!

A couple of weeks ago, I shared with you guys my mini-haul from Anastasia of Beverly Hills... and today, I just wanted to feature and review the Kisses On My List Volume 2 lip gloss set for you guys. :)
(To see my "haul", the PR kit, and makeup face charts, please click here.)

Kisses On My List (Volume 2):


The Kisses On My List gloss set features six high-shine glosses in matte and shimmer shades that wear all-day. With three softly sheer, opalescent glosses, and three new Hypercolor Glosses that actually stain your lips…don’t be standing too close to the mistletoe if you don’t want to be kissed! 

Cool vinyl record-inspired PR Kit featuring the names of the lip glosses... :)

Each gloss is named after famous 70s muses you won’t soon forget. Lola, Maggie May, Sharona, Roxanne, Jolene, and Moi are sure to inspire your loved one to write a song about you!

Here are the lip glosses:


From left to right:
Lola, Jolene, Sharona, Roxanne, Moi, and Maggie May

These are such pretty colors, don't you think?! ;)

I am really, really happy that I received this gloss set from Anastasia of Beverly Hills -- I am obsessed with lip glosses and these are shades that my current collection lacks.

I absolutely love Anastasia of Beverly Hills lip glosses because they are honestly one of the best ones I've ever tried. They are moisturizing and long-lasting. The silicone applicator is truly an innovation -- they work better than the usual sponge applicators that other lip glosses have. As I've mentioned way back, the silicone applicators do not absorb all the gloss... plus, they also double as precision lip liners!

As with other lip glosses, the color does fade as the day goes on, but there is still color -- all you have to do is retouch and freshen it up a bit. :)


Like the Volume 1 set that debuted last year, this limited edition Kisses On My List Volume 2 gloss set is sure to sell out once again this holiday season -- if you like what you see here, I hope you can grab a kit for yourself!

This will make such an amazing Christmas gift -- I know I'll be ecstatic to receive this, haha! ;)
Another idea: since there are six glosses in one kit, why not share the love? 
That's what I did and my sisters couldn't be happier!

The Kisses On My List gloss set retails for $30 -- I think that's an amazing price, that's technically $5 for each lip gloss = a total bargain especially considering that the whole set is a $108 value. :)

Want to get your hands on a gloss set of your own?
The Kisses On My List set is available at all Sephora stores and online at www.anastasia.net.

What do you guys think? Is this something you might want to buy?
Have you ever bought anything from Anastasia of Beverly Hills before?

Have a happy Sunday!!! :D

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To win a pair of circle lenses and one animal case from LensVillage, please click here.
Open internationally. Two winners! Ends on October 27th at 11:59pm PST.

Like What Mimi Writes on Facebook and be friends with Mimi! :)
Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)