Essentials for a Conference in NYC

I have been talking about the Live Smart Conference in NYC quite a lot on all my social media channels as well as poking around the subject on my blog. It was truly a great conference and I can't wait to put up a post sharing all the details with you all soon! In the meantime, I thought I would share the essential items I packed in my bag everyday before heading out to the conference in NYC.

Eyeshadow trèStique | Lipstick Forever 21 {Similar} | Blush Sleek Cosmetics {Similar} | Sunglasses Kohl's | Notebook Target {Similar}

I love my trèStique eyeshadow crayon in pink pearl. It's so easy to apply that even I can do it! Plus, it takes less than a minute. I carry it around with me in case I need a touch-up. All of the makeup shown in this photo is fairly small in size so I carry it with me after getting ready in the morning in my pretty Ipsy bag.



For a conference, it's very important for me to take my idea notebook. This notebook was given to me by a pen pal I met while blogging and I've created so much with the ideas I've logged in here. Did you miss that post? Check it out here.  At the conference, I was super excited to be able to log even more ideas I have for future projects.

Of course I had to pack my favorite Guess wallet, a pen, a comb, and my business cards.

Last, but not least I most definitely need my sunglasses. I love this black and dotted pair from Kohl's. I could pair it with any outfit and while in New York City during this time of year, they definitely came in handy. Check out Salt City Optics if you're in need of a stylish pair of prescription sunnies (which always comes in handy while traveling!) Use the promo code 'SunEssentials25' to take 25% off all prescription eyewear this summer!

Thanks for reading about my conference essentials. What would you pack for a conference? 

P.S. Before Sunday ends, check out my advertisement options and get 50% off with code "SUNDAY". 

I Won a Giveaway!

A few weeks ago, Sarah from Given Me Wings notified me of winning her 4 Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway and I was more than excited! I have entered way too many giveaways, but this was one of the giveaways I was hoping I would win! Sarah is a very wonderful person from the UK who loves to blog and share her fashion & style. Her blog content really reflects her personality and she's very friendly as well!



I won a box of amazing products which include a Blush in Pixie Pink by Sleek, They're Real Mascara by Benefit Cosmetics, Bourjois Ombre á Paupiéres Eyeshadow in Rose Perlé, and Golden Pearl High Shine Lip Gloss by Elizabeth Arden.



I was so excited to see the adorable things I won handpicked by Sarah herself and the little note attached to it as well. Thank you so much Sarah! I hope to hear from you again. I love your blog & will continue to follow it! Thank you so much!
xoxo,

My Experience with the Julep Maven Subscription Program

I have been "endorsing" Julep since I found out about it in April of this year. I loved their pretty nail polishes and once I received an offer to claim a free Julep Maven box of my own, I took up the opportunity. I was delighted with my box and the nail polishes I received. I was impressed by Julep and I even dedicated a post to it on my blog offering my friends and readers the same free box offer I received. The post was titled "Julep Maven Box Unboxing".

When I found out about the free offer, I immediately signed up for a Julep account, took the style quiz, paid the $3.99 shipping cost, then deliberately waited for the box to arrive. Once it arrived I was overjoyed and blogged about it.

I knew that a regular Julep Maven subscription (the monthly box) was $19.99 a month so I avoided getting into that. I didn't intend to either. So every now and then I'd log on to see if there was a specific nail polish color I wanted, save it to my wishlist, and log out. Julep sent me tens of thousands of e-mails for different styles and new promotions that were going on. I ignored all of that, after all, I did not want to join the subscription program.

Just a few days ago, I found that $19.99 was taken out of my bank account from Julep and a shipping confirmation was sent to my e-mail as well. I did not buy anything, where'd this come from?!

Then this happened and that happened and before you know it, I'm leaving the customer service line angry voicemails, sending the customer support e-mail terrible messages, and tweeting Julep and crying out for help because I was billed for a purchase I was both unaware of and DID NOT MAKE.

Julep's customer service is terrible! It took me literally four hours to get through to someone. Then, once I did, the lady did not care what I had to say she claimed no returns can be made on Maven Boxes, but hello...I DID NOT BUY IT! She said I was apparently enrolled in the subscription program, but I argued because it was June...it's been two months since I last bought my first box in April.

After some further investigation, Julep tried to charge me in May and made several attempts to charge me after it was denied. They claim that I should have known I was Julep Maven when I bought the starter box.

That's where she was wrong. If I knew I was enrolled in the program, would I call customer service?! Maybe they should have been clearer? Maybe they should have sent me an e-mail saying that I'm enrolled in the program and will be charged every month instead of sending me thousands of e-mails about the new summer colors?

Here's what they did for me. Nothing.

My subscription was cancelled upon request and the unwanted subscription box that I was charged for was sent to my door. I did not choose the nail polish colors in it and therefore, I do not want it.

Come on Julep! You have great products! How about have quality customer service? How about not run a subscription program if you are going to anger people by charging them money for something they don't want? How about sending less e-mails and annoying the heck out of people?

I personally love their products, but what happened to me no longer makes me a fan so I'm selling my Julep box. My experience with the Julep Maven Subscription Program was terrible.



You'll be getting 3 colors: Angela, Nadia, Tracy and a packet of Green Tea Facial Blotting Papers. This is the July Maven box and I'm selling it exactly the way I received it. Want to buy it? Here's a link to my eBay Listing > Julep July 2013 Maven Box, 3 colors and a Surprise.

Thanks for reading,

Julep Maven Box Unboxing

I recently signed up for Julep Maven Box program and thanks to Gina from The Kitchen Ink I was able to get my first box for FREE!

Julep is a company that sells nail polishes and beauty products that tailor to your personal style and personality. When you become a maven, you sign up for a monthly subscription where every month you receive a box of beauty products that you might like.


When I opened the box I found a nail file with the Julep website written on it, a nail polish remover wipe, and my nail polishes packed in a pink bag tied with a bow. I had chosen the "It Girl Starter Box" because it matched my style better than the other starter box options they had.


The colors from left to right are: Simone, Carly, and Stefani.

I thought this box was great! I was very pleased. I'll definitely be looking forward to my next one! Want a free box to try Julep too? I'm passing along the code! To order your FREE Julep Maven Box follow this link: http://bit.ly/YhTqXO and enter the code FREEBOX at checkout!

xoxo,

Style: Beauty Box & Polyvore

Okay so I am not exactly a style blogger, but every girl has their own type of style whether they choose to share it or not-a girl's style is clearly visible. In which case, I am going to share a beauty/style post in hope that you will see some of my style and more of my personality.
This first picture is what I call my "Beauty Box!" Just some of my favorite and current beauty items.

Beauty Box! by zobia featuring a pink nail polish

Victoria s Secret victoria secret makeup
victoriassecret.com

Victoria s Secret fragrance
victoriassecret.com

Victoria s Secret body moisturizer
victoriassecret.com

Forever 21 silver glitter nail polish
forever21.com

Forever 21 light blue nail polish
forever21.com

Forever 21 pink nail polish
forever21.com

  
This last picture is a design I created via Polyvore. It's supposed to be a prom outfit for the modest girl who just wants to "shine" from the crowd. This is definitely something I would wear. It's elegant and quite simple and I think that is where my style category fits in. Above all, it's an elegant outfit for anyone looking to create a statement. (The items I chose on Polyvore are quiet on the pricy side, but I'm sure similar items from your favorite stores would create a great outfit!)

Delightfully Modest Prom! by zobia featuring a rose dress

Be sure to check out my Polyvore account for more elegant outfit put togethers and some sneak peaks into my beauty box. I hope this post was interesting, please let me know what you think. I want to know if my first fashion post was a success.
xoxo,