Friday, November 11, 2011

Holiday Shopping Kick-Off: Top 10 Gifts to Get You Started!!

Well, like it or not, it is officially the holiday season!!!! I know this because I just saw the Hershey's Kiss Jingle Bell commercial and (for me) that signifies the official countdown to Christmas!

So to kick off this crazy-emotional-awesomely-amazing time of year I thought I would help you out (oh don't worry you are so welcome!) with some gift giving ideas to jump start your list :-)

These are in no particular order and fall in a number of price ranges so here we go:

1. Jewel Gift Set $32 ($42 value!)

Jewel is one of my favorite mark. fragrances. It has caramel and vanilla notes in it and smells delicious. The bag that comes with is small, but perfect for going out and not wanting a big bag. I can fit my phone, cards, lipgloss and camera in this bag without a problem. The bag has a chain strap that is meant to be worn across the body, but you can shorten it for a shoulder handle option too. This bag is very well made and has a lock closure, and it so very much reminds me of the lovely Chanel bag I will own...one day. 


2. Juice Gems Gift Set $16 ($34 value!)

 This set comes with 4 (!) juice gems in Fig, Raspberry, Honeydew and Pomegranate AND you get the NEW cosmetic bag which is awesome for carrying in your purse or work tote. Each of the Juice Gems provide moisturization (hello winter chapped lips!) and a hint of color and a juicy flavor that matches the names. This would be a fab gift for a niece or young person in high school, or a co-worker or your BFF. You could also give the bag as a gift and use the Juice Gems for stocking stuffers...the possibilities are endless!

3. Showcase Color and Clutch To Go $20

Another multi-functional present! The make-up in this clutch is very wearable and universally flattering. The recipient of this gift could create many party looks to take her through the holiday season and beyond. And when the make-up wears out (or whenever) you can remove the make-up inserts and use this as an actual wallet! I like to use mine as a business card holder. (This would be a great treat for yourself too!)

4. Close Knit Infinity Scarf $30

This scarf is an awesome cold weather accessory! You can wear it long or looped around your neck to stay extra warm. It comes in taupe (pictured) and dusty blue which is grey-ish. When I was walking around campus yesterday I wished I had this! This would be a great gift for mom, grandma, auntie, cousin, etc. There is also a matching hat and glove set that you can get as well. 

5. Lemon Sugar and Pear Blossom Sets $28 each (each set is a $40 value!)



Each set includes a body butter, body wash and body mist AND the NEW purple midi cosmetic bag! For $28!!! Lemon Sugar is one of mark.'s signature scents and it smells exactly like it sounds - yummy! Pear Blossom is new and limited edition for the holidays. I have the Pear Blossom body wash and it smells so good! This would be a great set to give pretty much anyone on your list! 

6. Glitz and Gloss Set $14

OMG Holy mini cuteness Batman!!! This little set comes with 4 mini lipglosses in Girly Girl, Lotus Luxe, Sun Luxe and Sweet Talk AND this super adorable coin purse! I can fit my id in here too! Perfect for a night out! I know a lot of you may have different ideas about this, but this is something I would have LOVED when I was like 10 - I would not have been allowed to wear the gloss out of the house (oh but I would have tried!), but this would make a great gift for the tween in your life, or your BFF also a secret Santa gift too!

7. Main Squeeze Lip Gloss $10

Truth time: when I first saw these I was like, meh, whatever. BUT then I had the chance to see them in person at a meet up and they are so stinkin cute! Each gloss has a snap off top and you squeeze the center circle part to get the gloss out; they come in Honey, Papaya, and Cherry. Essentially these are Juice Gems in different packaging. Great for stocking stuffers, or little gifts for cousins, hair stylists, nail techs, etc. 

8. Mini Brush Set $16

I have blogged about these before, and I love them! This set is new for the holidays, comes with the little zip around case, and 5 brushes. You get a lip, eye shadow, concealer, powder and eyeliner brush with these, and do not be fooled by their size! These brushes are amazing! I use the concealer brush everyday and the powder brush is great for on the go touch ups. I have these in my purse and another set in my work tote! Love them!

9. Winging It Earrings $16 each 

These earrings come in black/gold and fuschia/hematite. I have the fuschia ones for me and won a pair of the black ones. I. Love. These! So cute! Perfect for you BFF, sister, cousin, or niece! These go with a variety of other mark jewelry (check out my site: www.mymarkstore.com/mtrost). Also another great gift for yourself!!

10. Scene Stealer Necklace $36

I have been blabbing about this necklace since I first saw it in May at the NYC Sales meeting (check out the video: http://youtu.be/CL9zhAjFQUc). This is THE statement necklace to own! Every time I wear this I get compliments. Women (and men) of all ages flip for this necklace. Such a great piece you can wear out, to work, to get the groceries. It's like an accessory for everything in your wardrobe. I wear this at least twice a week. Get this for your mom, your boss, yourself, your BFF, your aunt, who ever, just get it, lol! 

That's my top 10 gifts to get you started! Need help or want more ideas?? Email me at mtrost81@gmail.com or check out my website at www.mymarkstore.com/mtrost for more gifts! Want to score some FREE GIFTS??? Be a hostess!! You provide the space , the peeps and the food, I will bring everything else :-) 

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Fall TV Shows I am super amped about!!

Hey everyone!! So here's one of those posts that isn't about beauty (hey I do enjoy other things in life besides lip gloss and mascara!)

I thought I would take a minute and share with you some of my fave new TV Shows this fall, there's so many new good ones out there!

1. Two Broke Girls: Monday nights on CBS at 7:30 PM (central time). I really didn't think I would care too much for this past the first episode. It's about a sassy pants waitress who meets up with a newly broke and homeless heiress who needs a job. They not only become co-workers but roommates and business partners too. While the first episode was funny and mostly enjoyable;  I have been slowly drawn back again and again to watch each week. I love this :) It's hilarious and the two main characters are great! There are some really great one-liners in this and I seriously crack up watching each episode. It might not be the best written most intellectual show out there, but it's 30 minutes of mindless fun and I can't wait to see what happens next!

2. Revenge: Wednesday nights ABC 9:00PM (central time). Um, this could be my favorite new show of Fall 2011. I just hope it doesn't get stupid. So if you haven't checked this out it's the story of a little girl who's dad was falsely accused of a crime and as a result the dad died and the little girl went through "the system". Now she's all grown up and has a plan to get back at the people who ruined her life and her dad's name. It. Is. Awesome. I mean pee your pants awesome! It reminds me of 90210 (the original pre-college good cast in the early 90's), Days of Our Lives (without lame ass Hope and evil Stefano and make me puke Marlena), and  like some other totally awesome shows that escape me at the moment because I am so excited about this show. You need to watch it, it's on tonight and this episode is supposed to be "the game changer"! The cast is great and well acted, and it gives people a glimpse of a life that makes whatever complicated mess you have going on seem not so bad. Ugh, LOVE this!

3. This is my surprise favorite TV show of the season. Person of Interest, CBS Thursday nights - possibly around 8ish, I can't remember off the top of my head. Okay so here's the bottom line, the main guy (pictured above) reminds me of Tony - if he were an ex-spy turned anonymous-kind of-superhero. He's hot, bottom line, and he's a good actor. And if I were in trouble I would be so lucky if someone like that helped me out. Whew! Okay so the main character is an ex-spy recruited by an ex-government employee who has some kind of high tech super fancy data that tells him when someone is in trouble, the twist is we don't know if that person is the bad guy or the good guy and what specifically the trouble is that they are in. It's really interesting and fun to watch, I highly recommend checking it out.

Other faves back for a new season:

NCIS Los Angeles: Chris O'Donnell + LL Cool J = Sweet. Jesus! Tuesday CBS 8:00 PM Central Time

NCIS (regular) Tuesday nights CBS 7:00 PM Central Time. Love this show. Love it

The Big Bang Theory: Thursday nights, CBS 7:00PM Central time. If you have not seen this show, please go into the nearest bathroom, look in the mirror and slap the person you see upside the back of their heads. Then on Thursday night watch it! You will laugh until you cry and then laugh some more.

What are your TV faves this fall? How about all time fave tv show ever??? (Mine, BTW, is Friends)