2012 YouTube Year in Review

My YouTube Story and 2012 YouTube Year in Review... plus, a holiday Henri Bendel giveaway!!

I consider 2012 my "first" year on YouTube, even though I've had the account for a few years prior. I just started paying more attention to my YouTube account in the past year and steadily increased my uploads to where I now consistently upload 2-3 videos a week on my main channel. It has been an incredible experience and I never envisioned a year ago that could turn into what it has become!

I'm hosting a series of holiday giveaways on Bags4Bubbles' channel as a "thank you" for such a great first year on YouTube! Here's to a great second year in 2013 as well!

LUSH Giveaway!

I'm hosting a holiday giveaway series on my YouTube Channel, Bags4Bubbles - check out the giveaway that is going on now... for three great holiday products from LUSH Handmade Cosmetics!

There will be a series of holiday giveaways on my channel as a thank you for a great first year making videos on YouTube! Be sure to check them out! I am not affiliated with LUSH Handmade Cosmetics in any way, all products shown were purchased with my own money.

What's in my purse makeup bag?

My purse makeup essentials!

- Sephora Mineral Makeup compact
- Too Faced Pink Leopard mini compact
- Too Faced Flat Kabuki Brush
- Dior Addict Gloss in Draped Lilac (Nordstrom LE)
- Too Faced Lipstick Lip of Luxury in Free Love
- Too Faced Glamour Gloss in Peek-a-Boo
- Tory Burch sunglasses fabric case
- Sephora hairband

Closet Tour

Requested on YouTube - a closet tour!

Answers to your questions on You Tube!

You asked... I answered!

My answers to a few popular questions that I've gotten recently on my You Tube Channel, Bags4Bubbles...

Tips for buying Pre-owned, Authentic Designer Handbags & Accessories:

Top 5 Purse Styles and Designer Handbag Brands that are essential for any woman to own!

Playing a bit of catch up!

Well, things have been busy, busy, busy!! We've been swapping out cars, going to lessons, and getting things done around the house... all this has not left a lot of time for blogging unfortunately! I have continued to do videos for Stay at Home Mom September on my You Tube channel, beingmommywithstyle. I've also posted a few fun videos on Bags4Bubbles as well.

As a part of SAHM September, I have added additional videos on Finding Mommy Time & a Gymboree Clothing Haul!

On Bags4Bubbles, I've shared my new favorite item to collect... and a favorite makeup look.

I'm hoping things will get a bit more back to "normal" soon, as it seems like we've been so busy lately - I've hardly had time to even assess what we've been up to! I have been enjoying my additional Zumba classes at the gym and addtional activities for the girls.

In bag related news, I haven't had a wishlist for the longest time... and I think I finally have one forming! So as I think on it a bit more, I'll have to do an updated post, with what I *think* my wishlist for the future is going to be!

Finally a purse tag video on You Tube!

I did a bit of searching and I could not find a purse related tag video anywhere on You Tube to do... I honestly couldn't believe it at first! How could there be no purse tag videos! I've really been into doing tags this month, because I find them just a really fun video to do and they are very stress free. (Compared to reviews and other videos like that where I'm trying to make sure that I'm getting as much information in for people as possible.)

There is a popular "confessions of a shoe-a-holic" tag that has been completed by many, many You Tubers... and has been around for a number of years. I decided to adapt this tag for the purse lovers out there, and thus - the "Confessions of a Purse-a-holic Tag" was born!

Please send me your video back as a video response if you complete the tag, and you can also send me your answers on Facebook or in a comment here... if you don't do You Tube videos. I would love to hear your answers as well!

$20 Makeup Challenge!

This was a fun one! What would YOUR makeup look like with only $20 to spend on products AND tools?

Products Used:
- Garnier BB Cream
- (2) ELF Eyeshadows
- ELF Blush & Bronzer Duo
- ELF Blush Brush
- ELF Eyeshadow Brush
- ELF mascara
- L'Oreal Lip Gloss

You Tube Video: Comparison between Louis Vuitton Accessories: Pochette, Eva, & Cosmetic Bag - What fits inside

This is a video that I got the idea for after I took some photos trying to show the size difference between the Eva and cosmetic pouch. I thought it would be helpful to show the size difference and difference in what each can carry for the pochette accessories, Eva, & cosmetic pouch.

I use them for totally different things, but if you wanted one item that served multiple functions - these are all great options. The pochette is an easy going grab and go bag, that would also work great down inside your purse to hold cosmetics (or other essentials... like a Nintendo DS). The Eva is the ultimate grab and go bag, that can be used as a clutch with the attached gold chain or cross-body with the longer strap that is included in it. And the cosmetic pouch is perfect for its intended use as a cosmetic bag, but also would work great down inside a diaper bag or as a quick grab clutch to hold your essentials to run into Starbucks or something of that nature.

Side view of the pochette, Eva, & cosmetic pouch

Front view of the pochette, Eva, & cosmetic pouch

Interior of the Eva & cosmetic pouch

Front view of the Eva & cosmetic pouch

Featured in the video are the Louis Vuitton pochette, Eva, & cosmetic pouch.

What's in my bag? You Tube Video: Louis Vuitton Tivoli GM

What I carried in my bag today!

I carried my Louis Vuitton Tivoli GM and inside I fit:
- Louis Vuitton Sarah wallet in Violette
- Louis Vuitton Cles in Violette
- Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Cosmetic Pouch
- Juicy Couture card case
- Chanel sunglasses case
- Canon SD1200 digital camera
- iPhone
- Keys
- A scarf

... all with lots of room leftover! This is a great every day bag that doesn't disappoint!

New makeup finds & reviews!

I just happened to stumble across Makeup Geek videos on You Tube one day last week (I know,  I know... I'm so behind the times, in my defense - I make You Tube videos, but then never have time to actually WATCH any!) and I fell in love! Simple to the point instructions, great photo qualities, and products from brands I already was using. Win, win, win.

I was driven to their website out of my natural curiosity to check things out, and slam dunk - more great tutorials, reviews, and even a makeup store!

After watching on makeup tutorial in particular on Contouring, I decided to put in an order to their store to get the Coastal Scents concealer quad (used in the video), NYX green concealer, and the MUG stippling brush. (Perfect to use with my Make Up For Ever HD Foundation!) They arrived super quickly, I ordered on a Wednesday and received my items by Saturday!

The Coastal Scents concealer quad in light is fantastic! (Currently sold out on the Coastal Scents website.) It comes with four shades, a light concealer, a salmon shade, a white to blend, and a light green tinted shade. The light concealer works perfectly under my makeup to hide blemishes, and the salmon color has worked great under my eyes.

I opted to get the seperate NYX green concealer, because I liked the green tint of it more. (You can see in the photo below the difference.) It conceals the red areas I get on the sides of my nose and lasts all day long.

The MUG stippling brush happened to be 25% off when I placed my order, but I probably would have purchased it at it's regular price as well. In a different Makeup Geek video that I watched, she applied foundation flawlessly with the brush - and I knew I had to try it! It was no hoax, I got the brush and it ended all of my liquid foundation application woes! It goes on smoothly and I've only had minimal issues with shedding. I will be ordering more of these brushes in the future when it comes time for replacements.

The best part? The prices! Everything was reasonably priced and cost me the same amount that one item at Sephora would have, this was my first time trying the Coastal Scents or NYX brands - so I was pleasantly surprised that the products really did DO what I wanted them to! I'm looking forward to trying more items from these brands in the future!

You Tube Viewer Request! Louis Vuitton Totally MM vs. Neverfull MM Handbags

Today's You Tube video is a viewer request from a viewer that saw my Totally MM reveal video and was asking for a review since they were trying to figure out whether to get a Totally or Neverfull for their next handbag.

Since I own a Neverfull MM as well, I figured I would do a quick comparison between the two to hopefully help them make a decision. They are both great totes, the biggest differences are the zipper or non-zippered, and.... price. So really it comes down to deciding how important a zipper is to you - and how much you're willing to pay for a zipper.

Also, the Totally MM is not available in Damier Ebene, while the Neverfull MM is available in all three canvas options - Monogram, Damier Ebene, and Azur.

I've also gotten to use the Totally MM since I made this video... and let me just say - I love this bag! It's very easy to use and I really like that it is the same shape as the Neverfull, but has the zipper closure. I like the added security, and not having to worry if I'm bending over to do something with Cupcake about things falling out.

So overall, I think the Totally MM is the winner... truly, if they made it in the Damier Ebene color, it might possibly be the best LV tote handbag ever. (Please, Louis Vuitton - we beg you, make this bag!!) Actually, there's no "possibly" about it... the Totally MM in Damier Ebene would be the perfect LV tote bag.

Hope this comparison helps anyone out there that may be deciding between the two. Thanks for watching!

Deal of the Week & Friday Scrunchie Nose!

Friday is a fun day... it's the day before the weekend, and two days of freedom for a lot of people. Unfortunately for me, the weekend doesn't really mean sleeping in or not having to do anything all morning long, because Cupcake still hasn't gotten the memo that Saturday is supposed to be a lazy day.

The Deal of the Week for me this week was undoubtedly getting the Zoya Spring polish collection, normally $48, for the discounted rate of $25 on Wednesday, and I'm looking forward to sharing that good deal with you! Zoya Gemma & Jules will be a part of the first giveaway - and some of the other polishes may make appearances in future giveaways. ;)

I also went to the Gap to pick up another cardigan, and got a light Spring-like gray purple color. Absolutely loving this cardigan deal they have right now, and they are still $13.99!

Also, speaking of Gap deals... the Gap/Banana Republic/Old Navy Give & Get program starts next week - with 30% off with this coupon  in-store and online with the code 'GIVEGETGES'. I know that Cupcake and I will be stocking up on some Spring essentials!

Although Gap in particular has been running a lot of special promotional codes lately, so if you miss this one it probably wouldn't be the end of the world. Gap also has in-store coupons for 40% off every Wednesday with a coupon you get with a purchase - so if you are able to get your items in-store (and don't have order special shortie inseams like I do) and it isn't a super inconvenience to only be able to shop on a Wednesday, then you might be better off taking advantage of the Wednesday deal for larger % off on a larger amount of items.

So without leaving you with too many words, I'll leave you with this fun video (one of my favorites) taken a few weeks ago on the day Cupcake turned 9 months old. She's a ham! (Scrunchie nose used to be exclusively reserved for chasing after the cats... but now it seems to be used anytime she's have fun and in a mood!)