Long Time No See

Without getting too personal, it's been a rough year. But I was thinking to myself about things which bring me joy. Things that hold my interest. And one of those things is writing and more specifically, blogging. I miss it, even if it was on something that can be seen as frivolous like makeup. I don't want to make any promises regarding posting regularity, but I'm going to start blogging again, because, honesty, if it held my interest for nearly 5 years and I miss it, I should probably start doing it again.

xoxo JeweledThumb 

Happy New Year!

Usually my husband will wake me up at 12am to wish me a Happy New Year and give me a kiss, but I may actually stay up till midnight tonight! Very exciting, I know. As you've already guessed, we're not doing anything.

I want to wish all of my lovely blog followers a happy New Year. 2010 was definitely the year of Jeweled Thumb. My resolution was to post everyday and though I didn't do that exactly, I did wind up with 388 posts in 2010. Thank you to everyone that reads this little blog, new readers as well as ones that have stuck by me since day 1. I appreciate you more than you will ever really know.

Here's to another great year of blogging!

If you'd like, please leave a comment telling me what you'd like to see here in 2011.

♥ ivy

Another Day Another Blog

I've decided to start another blog. No worries, I'm not getting rid of Jeweled Thumb, what I am doing however, is starting (well started) a blog that I can put everything that's not makeup into. I just started something called The Fresh Diet and I'm chronicling my experiences, rambling about books, shopping hauls that don't involve makeup and other fun things. Possibly more boring things, but more things nonetheless.

Anyway, if you are interested in following the other other other white meat blog you can find me here.

I'd love if you went and followed me there but will completely understand if you don't!

When Life AKA Illness Happens...

I just wanted to make a quick post to let you know, that much to the dismay of the bacteria that made home in my body for the last few days, I am alive. I had a really horrible sinus infection which led to18 hours of sleep and several days of not reading blogs or even e-mails. I hardly even opened my laptop. I am feeling much better and will be posting items of substance shortly. Hope everyone is doing well (and I hope feeling better than I have been)!

Not Really An Update But A Reminder

I haven't been around lately, due to medical stuff, but I wanted to remind all of you that my ELF giveaway ends tonight at 11:59 EST and I only have around 20 or so entries. So please enter? Pretty blushes may be yours. US & Canada only.

I'll hopefully be posting a bit more this weekend and one of these days, I'll catch up on comments!

Stila Friday Happy Hour

If you don't know already, I love Stila products. My everyday eyeshadow is either Stila Kitten or Wheat. The shadows are silky smooth, go on effortessly and last all day. I often include Stila items in giveaways or gifts because the products rock and I want others to love them as much as I do. Anyway, every Friday, Stila offers a special deal. I've shared some of the ones I've deemed awesome in the past and today is one of them.

Today's deal is a free full sized Kitten wash eyeshadow (which alone retails for $22) and free shipping with a $30 or more purchase.

My choices were easy. I picked up 2 of the new Stila Travel Palette (one for me and one for one of you!) and an extra It Girl palette (one for you).

I realize there haven't been a ton of giveaways on Jeweled Thumb since my 150? follower giveaway and I'm going to share why. There's been some of kick back of others saying those that hold a lot of giveaways are trying to gain followers and personally, I want people to read this blog because they want to, not because I'm giving away free stuff. However, I am one of those people that will randomly hand out gifts to friends and family because it makes me feel good and I'm going to try and ignore any rumors as to my motives.

So to wrap that up, buy some Stila and you should be seeing some giveaways soon: I have 3 planned.

Blog Sale: Thoughts?

I've been kicking around the idea of having a blog sale (or sale blog that I can link to). Personally, I'm a little uncomfortable with the idea of blog sales, especially if they are taking away from the content of the blog so I'm a bit hesitant. However, the thought of being able to unload a bit of my makeup (and a few nail colors I'm not a fan of) is very appealing. Would you be horribly annoyed if I had one? Is there any interest?

An Update

One of my resolutions was posting on Jeweled Thumb everyday. Obviously I forgot about allergy season and the lengthy exams during the semester that I would have to deal with. This week is midterm week at JT Headquarters which means that I haven't done my nails in a week (they look awful) and I don't have a ton of time to think up awesome and witty posts for you guys. You don't think my posts are witty? OFF WITH YOUR RED HEAD! I also haven't gone to see Alice in Wonderland yet which I am dying to do.

Posts in the works:
- finally a NOTD
- a post about the new skin routine I've recently started (with mini reviews)
- a post (thanks to Jasmine) about a hair product I keep coming back to - though I didn't remember the name!
- any other deals that I think are awesome that present themselves

Thank you for your patience as it's taken me a bit to respond to comments (I do read them all - and they make me happy!).

What's going on in your worlds? In the beauty world?

About Me!

I have been putting this off for ages, but I finally wrote up a little Bio on the About Me page! Go check it out. A warning that I've written a novel (it's long-ish).

Sales, News & Rambling

First of all, I want to apologize for the lack of posts this week. I have been dealing with a sinus infection and general malaise. However, I will definitely be posting more in the next few days and one of those posts will be the Sleek palettes review which I have been meaning to do for ages!

Now, some sales/deals:

[*] ELF is having a 50% off Studio sales till March 15th using code STUDIOSAVE - as most of you know, I am a big fan of the ELF Studio line. Their undereye concealer is my HG (holy grail)! They are also still having their 50% Mineral line sale with code MIN50. One code per order. Shipping is extra or free after $75.

[*] Rock & Republic Beauty is going to be on Hautelook again on Monday, March 1st! Sales start at 11am EST.

[*] Spend $50 on meetmark.com and get a free golden IPOD Shuffle for mark with code GOLD2010
And I almost forgot!
[*] Sally's Beauty Supply is having an additional 50% off their clearance items! Go thee and grabbe thee Mango Mend for thou will love thy Mango Mend and flourish (also, several holiday polishes)
[*]


And news:
[*] Sleek Cosmetics is launching it's site in a little over 16 days! I read somewhere that they will be shipping internationally!

[*] Essence Cosmetics has launched at ULTA and on the ULTA site. This is a very inexpensive brand from Europe (I believe Germany specifically) that makes adorable and cheap products! I'm eyeing a few of their nail polishes - 99 cents a piece!

Also, in general blogging news, don't forget that my 100 followers giveaway ends tonight right before midnight! Click here to enter.

You Know You're A Beauty Blogger If...

I was lying in bed thinking about Jeweled Thumb as I generally do when I can't fall asleep and I realized something. Beauty Bloggers are their own breed; a subset of the makeup addict. And while I was thinking and not going to bed like I should have been, I came up with a list.

You know you're a beauty blogger if:

• You stay up till all hours of the night thinking about your beauty blog; formatting, new posts, anything-
  
• When you're driving, taking a break at work or otherwise unoccupied you think about your blog
• You constantly update your DH or SO about your blog, what's going on in the blog world and how many followers you have - they don't quite get it and think you're loony but love you anyway, of course!
• When you go to a store for something boring like toilet paper, you invariably head off to the beauty aisle just to check for ""research"" and almost always buy something
• You buy something you don't need because you're totally going to review it on your blog and it's going to be awesome!
• You spend far too much time on the internet, reading other blogs, researching and coming up with witty things to say on your own
• Your digital camera memory stick is mostly filled with pictures of beauty products
• Sometimes your hand looked like a third grader attacked it with markers due to your swatching

Share your own!

Blog Pretty-fying

Ok, I know a bunch of you have a whole bunch of fancy gadgets on your blogs. How sad is it that I know HTML and can make graphics but I can't figure out how to make my blog pretty? I mean, take my horribly out of date portfolio site for instance (only the painting link works if you are curious about some of my other work). Who wrote the (ridiculously) simple code? Me. Who created all the graphics? Oh yeah, me.

Why can't I make my blog pretty? Someone help me!

Bloggy News

A few things:

- As I'm sure you guys can see (News above), I am planning another giveaway when/if I reach 50 followers. I'm super excited and really appreciate everyone of you that read this blog. I mean, I was super thrilled when I reached 10 followers; now that I'm at 37 I'm actually a bit shocked.

- In the same area, I have attempted to find and follow all of you guys that have beauty blogs. If I'm missed following-back anyone, please let me know (a link in the comments works). I always look for more blogs to read!

- A company approached me about putting an affiliate link on my site. I agreed. This is the 2nd company that has approached me. The first one I declined as it was basically a pay per post and I didn't see how the material would actually be useful for you. This new one basically asked if I would put a banner on my site (it's on the right and tiny). I think the deal is if you click through the banner and buy something, I get a small percentage of your purchase. I don't expect anyone to go ahead and do this, I just wanted to disclose.


That's all for now.

♥ jeweledthumb

So Long Farwell Ahbeitezang* Goodnight

I hate to go and leave this pretty sight...

Or, I'm leaving on a Jet Plane...
'cept I'll know when I'll be back again.

My husband makes fun of me mercilessly since I'm basically a human jute box. I have this "talent" to memorize songs and recall them just by someone saying a phrase from them - I still remember a song I sang in Middle School (I'm now 26 so that was quite a few years ago).

Anyway, it's true. DH and I are going down to Georgia to visit his parents. I adore them and desperately need the respite. I'll be back on Sunday.

I do have a post planned for my return. I happened to find the Wet N Wild holiday palettes in my local CVS today and of course I bought both of them. So, swatches and my thoughts on my grand return!

I hope (my US followers) have a great Thanksgiving!

* Disclosure: I had to google how to spell this.

Bloggy News

Well, Happy Birthday to me! DH let me sleep late even though I have to finish my silly graduate final case study. Don't forget that my first giveaway ends tonight! I got my birthday gift already. It is two books that I've been wanting - no makeup, which is fine, I get enough myself as is! Tonight my parents are treating DH and I to dinner at a Japanese Steakhouse (yum!) and then back to my parent's house for cake (super yum!). It was my Dad's Birthday yesterday so we are doing a joint celebration.

Oh, in actually blogging news, I've posted a picture of myself in my profile. I'm wearing my dear love *sniffsniff* Prescriptives custom matched foundation (slightly lighter and pinker than their lightest premixed shade).

Hope everyone has a great end to the weekend! I'll be back tomorrow posting the winner's name!

Bloggy Update

Ok, some blogging-related news.

I just wanted to let you know that I am definitely listening to your suggestions from my first giveaway and am in the process of compiling some future posts! I am not responding to individual posts in the comment section of the giveaway so it's not super hard to figure out the number of entries when it comes time to pick a winner (don't think I'm ignoring everyone!). So, thank you for all your suggestions and especially the birthday wishes!

I have also embarked upon twitter. I'm new and am always open to new followers/friends. So go ahead and add me and I'll add you back. You can read my latest tweets on the upper right hand side of the blog.

Blogging Community

I could just be oblivious since I'm rather new to the world of beauty blogging, but wouldn't it be great if there was some sort of message board for bloggers to ask questions and chat? If there is, feel free to share with me.

Oh and update on the Baby Friendly Makeup post. Said Mommy messaged me enthusiastically on facebook this morning and had already applied all the products and loves them (especially the Fresh Rose). Mission accomplished!

So Exciting I Speak Yiddish!

Oh my gosh guys, I am all verklempt! I can't believe there are 7 people following this blog now! I have a few posts in the works so I hope you find this blog informative & fun! I want to make it something worth reading.

Anyway, I'm planning on having a giveaway when I reach 10 followers, so stay tuned!

Blog Rolling

I know I'm not the only one that obsessively checks their blog roll. At any dull moment, you can see me checking who has updated, what new finds are out there, new reviews, etc. Why? Well, not only are the ladies on my blog roll amazing, but I make it a point to chose the ones that I actually enjoy reading, who are geniune and don't appear to be one long advertisement. And I tend to like dry, witty humor too.

Anyway, imagine my surprise when I find out that blogrolls don't actually update in real time! So I always check my dashboard to find the absolute latest updates.

The point of this entry is, who are your favorite bloggers? Ones I should absolutely read?

(maybe I'll finally get some more comments after the Hard Candy entry)

Breaking News

FTC says bloggers now need to disclose when they receive free products - Personally, I'm a-ok with this and will disclose when/if I receive free products

There.

Thoughts?