July 30, 2013

Sweet Sale: J. Crew Sale Picks



Currently on J. Crew, you can get 40% off all sale items with the code STYLE40 at checkout and in stores now through August 4th. Here are my top picks from the sale section, what are you going to pick up? 

July 28, 2013

Beauty Sales Week of July 28th

Fab:
  • Ernest Supplies (Sale begins 4pm ET 7/30)
  • PAPERSELF, red flower (Sale begins 4pm ET 7/31)

Gilt:
  • Beauty Brands We Love, T3:Luxe Styling Tools (Sale begins Noon ET 7/28)
  • Per-fékt Makeup (Sale begins Noon ET 7/30)
  • Top Beauty Tools (Sale begins Noon ET 8/1)
  • Lierac Paris: Luxe Skincare (Sale begins Noon ET 8/3)

HauteLook:
  • Epilady, Nature's She Butter, Orly Smart Gels (Sale begins 8am PT 7/28)
  • American Crew, Philip B. (Sale begins 8am PT 7/29)
  • Schwarzkopf Haircare, Urban Decay Blowout (Sale begins 8am PT 7/30)
  • NuMe Style Hair Tools, TanTowel (Sale begins 8am PT 7/31)
  • Best of HauteLook Beauty Bags, theBALM, TRUHAIR (Sale begins 8am PT 8/1)
  • Derma Roller System, ISO Beauty, MAKEUP FOREVER (Sale begins 8am PT 8/2)
  • Luminess Air, Tweezerman (Sale begins 8am PT 8/3)
  • Beaute Basics: $19 Palettes & More (Sale begins 9am PT 8/2)
  • $25 & Under: Luxury Beauty Tools (Sale begins 9am PT 8/3)

July 25, 2013

All Things Pretty: Perk Up Your Ponytail

1950's Inspired // Messy and Wispy // Deconstructed // Side Braid // Twisted Sides

Here are a few ways to jazz up the every day ponytail, it only takes a few extra minutes to get a beautiful result like the ones above rather than just throwing it up.

July 23, 2013

Recipe: Asparagus, Goat Cheese and Lemon Pasta

After seeing this recipe on pinterest, I knew I had to try it! It combines the fresh flavors of goat cheese, asparagus, and lemon zest for a truly delicious summer dinner. Serve with chicken or fish for a well-balanced meal.

July 21, 2013

Beauty Sales Week of July 21st

Fab:
  • Nooka, Rebels Refinery (Sale begins 4pm ET 7/23)
  • Look Hot In The Heat (Sale begins 4pm ET 7/24)

Gilt:
  • Top Makeup Brushes by Silk Pro (Sale begins Noon ET 7/22)

Hautelook:
  • Neo Hair Tools, SUPER By Perricone Skincare (Sale begins 8am PT 7/21)
  • Laura Geller Beauty (Sale begins 8am PT 7/22)
  • Tanda Light Therapy (Sale begins 8am PT 7/23)
  • Laura Mercier, OPI (Sale begins 8am PT 7/24)
  • Million Dollar Tan, Summer Fragrances (Sale begins 8am PT 7/25)
  • Crown Brush, FHI Heat Hair Tools, LASHEM (Sale begins 8am PT 7/26)

  • $25 & Under: Luxury Cosmetics, All About Hair: Tools Shampoos & More, Dr. Brandt Skincare (Sale begins 9am PT 7/21)
  • $12 & Up: Lipsticks Glosses & More, Me! Bath (Sale begins 9am PT 7/24)

July 20, 2013

Link Love: July 14-20


Grocery Haul & Hanging Stuff Up (Lindsey's Life #40) [livinlikelindsey]


5 Childhood Toys that are Worth a Ton of Money Now [The Luxury Spot]

A Look Back at Marc Jacob's Best Makeup Looks [Daily Beauty Reporter]

{On The Topic Of Trends} [The Glamourai]

Style Stealer: Doutzen Kroes' Simple, Summery Look [The Frisky]

Talia Joy Castellano Dead: Inspirational YouTube Star Dies After 6-Year Battle With Cancer [Huffington Post]

July 19, 2013

Review: July 2013 Birchbox



This month's box includes:
Caldrea Body LotionFast-absorbing lotions in three ethereal scents: Tea Olive Lime, Aloe Water Apricot, and Coconut Fig. Massage a generous amount into skin. (Funny fact, in my July 2012 Birchbox, I was missing a product! One year later, this product is missing from my box.)

DDF Acne Control Treatment- A overnight treatment with purifying salicylic acid to tackle blemishes and inflammation. Apply to clean skin at bedtime. 

I.C.O.N. INDIA Oil- An aromatic blend of argan and other nourishing oils that strengthens and silkifies strands. Work a small amount into damp or dry hair, focusing on ends. 

theBalm cosmetics InStain Long-Wearing Powder Staining Blush- Inspired by the best-selling Stainiac, this budge-proof pigment lasts from sunup to sundown. Dust sparingly onto the apples of your cheeks. A little goes a long way. 

Beauty Extra: Birchbox Bobby Pins- We designed these patterned pins to add style to summer hair with minimal effort. Jazz up simple ponytails, or use to secure errant bangs or layers. 

Check out Birchbox:

July 17, 2013

Traveling Smart and Chic

Here are a few tips from me to you on how to travel smart and in style. Safe travels!

Strategic Packing
-Make a list of planned activities and events so you know what you're packing for
-Always bring at least one extra pair of underwear, socks, and bra as well as one additional 'wear anywhere outfit' for unexpected events
-Outline your outfits, whether that means making a list on paper or on your phone or take photos of each outfit for each event

Pre-Flight Checklist
-Keep your chargers with you, even if you won't use that electronic on the flight and charge everything you will use right before you head out the door
-Drink lot's of water before takeoff to combat dehydration and use the bathroom right before the plane to avoid lines or dirty bathrooms
-Stock up on reading material, games, and snacks because you never know how long the flight or wait to get on could end up being

Maximizing Your Space
-Rolling your clothes typically works best to keep things wrinkle free
-Never pack your shoes as a pair, spread them out amongst your suitcase
-Add items such as socks and underwear that can fill in small spaces last

Stylish Travels
-Comfortable leggings or other pants that are easy to move in
-Layers! An oversized t-shirt with a cardigan and scarf always does the trick
-A light bag that you can load up with the essentials

Inflight Essentials
-An oversized scarf that can double as a blanket or even a pillow
-Lip moisturizer is an absolute must to keep your lips hydrated in the dry air
-Snacks and anything else to keep you occupied whether it's music or magazines

July 15, 2013

Manicure Monday: Essie 'First Dance'






This is my all time favorite true red polish. Like all other Essie polishes, it's absolutely perfect in nearly every way. It applies evenly and opaquely with two coats (I did three to make it super opaque), it's affordable, and it goes days without chipping when painted over a base coat and under a top coat.

This color is not too pink, not too orange, and not too blue, it is a true saturated rich shade of red. 

Buy it here

July 14, 2013

Beauty Sales Week of July 14th

Fab:
  • COOLA (Sale begins 11am ET 7/17)

Gilt:
  • Tweezerman: Perfect Brows & Beyond (Sale begins Noon ET 7/16)
  • Summer Beauty Picks (Sale begins Noon ET 7/20)

Hautelook:
  • Dr. Brandt Skincare, Whitening Lightning (Sale begins 8am PT 7/14)
  • Conair, L'OCCITANE (Sale begins 8am PT 7/15)
  • blinc (Sale begins 8am PT 7/16)
  • Napoleon Perdis (Sale begins 8am PT 7/17)
  • Amir Argan Oil, Cortez Hair Tools, Crown Brush Beauty Bag (Sale begins 8am PT 7/18)
  • Clarins (Sale begins 8am PT 7/19)
  • BH Cosmetics, Remington Epilator (Sale begins 8am PT 7/20)

  • Panier Des Sens: French Skincare (Sale begins 9am PT 7/14)
  • Avani: Dead Sea Mineral Cosmetics (Sale begins 9am PT 7/16)
  • Dead Sea Spa Care (Sale begins 9am PT 7/17)
  • Tanda Skincare (Sale begins 9am PT 7/18)

July 11, 2013

Quote du Jour: Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly


I've got to do something about the way I look. I mean a girl just can't go to Sing Sing with a green face.

That's right. I'm just CRAZY about Tiffany's! 

I'm like cat here, a no-name slob. We belong to nobody, and nobody belongs to us. We don't even belong to each other. 

July 9, 2013

Review: Revlon PhotoReady Foundation

Revlon PhotoReady Foundation ($13.99 for 1.0 oz) is supposed to be a "soft, luminous finish" foundation that gives "poreless - airbrushed skin in any light" with "photo chromatic pigments." It's oil free, fragrance free, and has SPF 20. There are twelve shades to choose from.

I have Shell, which is currently a little too light for me (after a few to many hours in the sun) but overall I am enjoying using the foundation.

The only problem I have with the foundation is the texture and application, no matter what I use to apply it (beauty blender, brush, sponge, fingers) it seems to go on somewhat streaky and clings to some dry areas. Other than that, I think that this photographs wonderfully and feels nice on your skin.

Pigmentation: 9/10
Texture: 8.5/10
Longevity: 10/10
Application: 8/10

Overall: 35.5/40 B+

July 7, 2013

Beauty Sales Week of July 7th

Fab:
  • Lucia (Sale begins 11am ET 7/11)

Gilt:
  • Glo Science (Sale begins Noon ET 7/9)
  • José Eber Styling Tools (Sale begins Noon ET 7/11)

Hautelook:
  • NuFACE Facial Toning Devices (Sale begins 8am PT 7/7)
  • NutraLuxe MD Skincare, Purity Of Elements Skincare (Sale begins 8am PT 7/8)
  • Beauty Biosciences Skincare, Embryolisse Skincare (Sale begins 8am PT 7/9)
  • France Luxe Hair Accessories, Pure Brazilian Keratin Treatment (Sale begins 8am PT 7/10)
  • Clean Fragrance, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare (Sale begins 8am PT 7/11)
  • Fusion Beauty, HauteLook Summer Beauty Bag, Metropolis Hair Tools (Sale begins 8am PT 7/12)
  • e.l.f. Cosmetics, LightStim LED Light Therapy (Sale begins 8am PT 7/13)

  • 29 Cosmetics (Sale begins 9am PT 7/9)
  • Goldfaden Skincare (Sale begins 9am PT 7/10)
  • Votre Vu: Parisian Beauty (Sale begins 9am PT 7/11)

  • Freeze 24-7 (Sale begins 8am ET 7/9)

July 6, 2013

Link Love: June 30-July 6


Get In Shape for Summer: Total Beach Body Workout [breelovesbeauty]


Channeling: Our Favorite Baby-Sitter's Club Members [Refinery 29]

How To Be A Disciplined Writer [College Candy]

Remembering the Father of Haute Couture [Fashionista]

Summer Berry Crostinit with Lemon Ricotta & Honey [Ambitious Kitchen]

This is What Barbie Would Look Like with Normal Measurements [Birchbox blog]

July 4, 2013

All Things Pretty: BaubleBar Beauties

BaubleBar sells affordable high quality jewelry that is on trend and in style. Since their website is so popular, there are a lot of items on wait list or pre-order at any given time, so if you see something you like, I suggest snatching it up right away! Did you know that for ever $1 spent on the site, you earn 1 vault point that can be used towards future purchases and for every friend that signs up you receive 150 vault points ($15). Sign up here.

Here are a few of my picks for summer:

1. Pink Frosted Cone Bangle $26
2. Strawberry Lucite Drop Earrings $24
3. Rose Pavé Disc Duo Ring $24
4. Moon & Lola Acrylic State Pendant $48
5. Bow Bangle Set $26
6. Opal Teardrop Earrings $26
7. Eternity Heart Ring $78
8. Peach Fiesta Fringe Collar Necklace $34

July 2, 2013

Crave or Save: Itsy-Bitsy Bikini's


How fun are these twist front bikini tops? And the bright shades of pink are absoutely darling. I love retro-esque swim suits and something about these are a little 50s inspired, which I adore.