These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things: May 2013

Treasure by Bruno Mars // Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Body Lotion // OPI 'Sweetheart' Nail Polish // ModelCo 'Berry Pink' SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss // Benefit Boi-ing Concealer // Secret Outlast Clear Gel Deodorant // Marich Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels

Treasure by Bruno Mars: How catchy is this song? I love how old school inspired it is!

Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Body Lotion: This smells absolutely divine and moisturizes your skin without leaving it greasy or oily looking.

OPI 'Sweetheart' Nail Polish: The perfect everyday polish color for when you need a 'my nails but better' shade.

ModelCo 'Berry Pink' SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss: I am obsessed with this gloss! It's been a favorite of mine since receiving it in my Birchbox and how convenient is the mirror on the side? Perfect for on-the go touchups!

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer: This industrial-strength concealer works wonders on any breakout, scar, or redness on your skin. I have a feeling this will replace all other concealers I've tried in the past.

Secret Outlast Clear Gel Deodorant: I've never been a fan of roll-up style concealers but this has converted me. It dries almost immediately and leaves you feeling (and smelling) fresh all day long.

Marich Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels: Just the name is mouthwatering. Lately I'm into anything paired with sea salt, and dark chocolate is the healthiest chocolate so how can you go wrong with these?

Dress // Necklace // Shoes

Prom 2013: The month kicked off with my Senior Prom at Adventure Aquarium overlooking the Philadelphia Skyline, Camden Waterfront, and of course there were lots of fish for us to see. There were a couple malfunctions leading up to the day of the event, namely my original dress not fitting upon arrival, a boutonniere that didn't want to stay on my date, and falling curls. But I wouldn't change a thing about the night. :)

Style Icons: Emily Schuman

Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere is an inspiration to me in every aspect. Her effortless style never ceases to amaze, she has turned her blog which once started as a pastime into a career with partnerships with the likes of Coach, and has even written a best-selling book with carefully curated recipes, outfits, and advice for living a stylish simple lifestyle. Enjoy some of my favorite outfits put together by Ms. Schuman. PS: Did you know I met her last year while on her book tour? 

all image credits: cupcakesandcashmere.com

Beauty Sales Week of May 26th

Fab:

• PAPERSELF (Sale begins 11am ET 5/28)
• District Luxury Shaving (Sale begins 11am ET 5/29)

Gilt:

• Beauty Finds Under $50, St. Tropez: The Ultimate Tan on Gilt City (Sale begins Noon ET 5/27)
• ESUM: Professional Makeup Brushes (Sale begins Noon ET 5/28)

Hautelook:

• Clean Fragrance, EVOLUTIONMAN (Sale begins 8am PT 5/26)
• Fusion Beauty, NuMe Style Hair Tools (Sale begins 8am PT 5/27)
• France Luxe Hair Accessories, Pur Minerals, TanTowel (Sale begins 8am PT 5/28)
• Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories Skincare, Derma Roller System, nailuv Gel Nails (Sale begins 8am PT 5/29)
• Cortex Hair Tools, Million Dollar Tan (Sale begins 8am PT 5/30)
• Crown Brush, Dr. Lewinn by Kinerase Skincare (Sale begins 8am PT 5/31)
• LashFood & DermaFood, TEI Spa (Sale begins 8am PT 6/1)

MYHABIT:

• $25 & Under: Beauty Essentials (Sale begins 9am PT 5/27)
• For the Girls: Bath, Body & More (Sale begins 9am PT 5/28)
• Nature's Shea Butter (Sale begins 9am PT 5/29)
• Parisien Cosmetics: Votre Vu (Sale begins 9am PT 5/30)

Rue La La:

• Tweezerman (Sale begins 8am ET 5/28)

Link Love: May 19-25

NYC Closet Tour + Storage Tips for Small Spaces [PinkBeautyBliss]


8 Memorial Day Must-Haves From Online Beauty Editors and Bloggers [Birchbox Blog]

All the Looks from Parson's Annual Fashion Show [The Cut]

Dressed for Success: 5-Year Old Girl Portrays Powerful Women in Grrl-Power Photoshoot [Betty Confidential]

What Do Dress Codes Say About Girls' Bodies? [Ms. Magazine]

Writer Slams Abercrombie's Fat-Shaming With The Perfect Comeback [College Candy]

Crave or Save: Vintage Sunglasses

Kate Spade New York Dellas Sunglasses // ASOS Cat Eye Sunglasses

Summer is fast approaching, and there is nothing I love more than a pair of sunglasses to jazz up even the plainest swimsuit and coverup. My personal favorite sunnie style? Cat-Eye! They make you feel super glam and these white pairs pop against a sun-kissed glow.  What do you think: crave or save?

Review: May 2013 Birchbox

This month's box includes:

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle- Great for all hair types, this nourishing elixir locks in color, adds shine, and instantly detangles. 

COOLA Classic Face SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer for Face- This mineral sunblock is infused with organic, anti aging ingredients like evening primrose extract and borage seed oil. 

Isaac Mizrahi FABULOUS Isaac Mizrahi Eau de Parfum- For his first scent, the designer created a fanciful blend of mandarin and jasmine laced with vanilla. 

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner- Inspired by traditional Indian formulas, this velvety liner glides easily and lasts for hours. 

Birchbox Finds: Pilot Acroball PureWhite Pen- We want our pens to be just as stylish as our accessories, which is why we love Pilot Pen's latest innovation, the new Acroball PureWhite hybrid ink pen. Acroball PureWhite offers vibrant ink colors and all the smoothness of a gel ink pen with none of the smudging or smearing. Plus, the color-blocked grip is comfy, on-trend and comes in a variety of gorgeous shades - this is no ordinary scribbler. 

Check out Birchbox:

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Beauty Sales Week of May 19th

Fab:

• Guy's Grooming Goods (Sale begins 11am ET 5/19)
• Imaginary Animal (Sale begins 11am ET 5/25)

Gilt:

• NuFace: Facial Toning Device (Sale begins Noon ET 5/21)
• Get Gorgeous Hair: Elchim & More, Mario Badescu (Sale begins Noon ET 5/23)
• Dr. Brandt Skincare, Gilt City Presents: Caudalie (Sale begins Noon ET 5/24)

Hautelook:

• Michael DiCesare Haircare, Ramy Cosmetics (Sale begins 8am PT 5/19)
• Burberry Fragrances, Laura Geller Beauty (Sale begins 8am PT 5/20)
• ISO Beauty, Phyto Hair Care (Sale begins 8am PT 5/21)
• Father's Day Fragrances (Sale begins 8am PT 5/22)
• LORAC, StriVectin (Sale begins 8am PT 5/23)
• Beautisol Self-Tanners (Sale begins 8am PT 5/24)
• Goldfaden Skincare, NutraLuxe MD (Sale begins 8am PT 5/25)

MYHABIT:

• Summer Beauty: Anti-Aging Skincare, Summer Beauty: Cargo Cosmetics, Summer Beauty: Top Picks from Elizabeth Dehn of Beauty Bets (Sale begins 9am PT 5/20)
• DDF Skincare (Sale begins 9am PT 5/21)
• Parisien Skincare: Votre Vu, Skincare 101: Cleanse, Moisturize & Exfoliate (Sale begins 9am PT 5/23)
• Fountain of Youth: Anti-Aging Skincare Picks (Sale begins 9am PT 5/24)

Quote du Jour: Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope

Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope on Scandal.

Normal is overrated.

It's a dirty little secret. And dirty little secrets always come out. 

Or we go down trying. 

Build Your Basics: The Classic Clutch

CLAIRE VIVIER Fold Over Clutch // Cambridge Satchel Pastel 11" Satchel // Tory Burch Amanda Classic Crossbody Bag // Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Bag // Pour La Victoire Nouveau Cross Body Clutch // Gorjana Bleeker Boom Clutch 

Beauty Sales Week of May 12th

Gilt:

• Mario Badescu (Sale begins Noon ET 5/16)

Hautelook:

• Christi Harris Precision Brow Planing & Hair System, EVOLVh Haircare, NuFace Facial Toning Devices (Sale begins 8am PT 5/12)
• Jessica Simpson Fragrances, SpaRitual Minis (Sale begins 8am PT 5/13)
• Le Metier de Beaute Cosmetics, Neo Hair Tools (Sale begins 8am PT 5/14)
• gelliebeans: Gel Nails (Sale begins 8am PT 5/16)
• Brush On Block Sunscreen, BH Cosmetics, Fairiche Skincare (Sale begins 8am PT 5/17)
• Bioelements Skincare, Tanda Light Therapy (Sale begins 8am PT 5/18)

MYHABIT:

• I Coloniali (Sale begins 9am PT 5/12)
• Haircare Secret: Jonathan Product (Sale begins 9am PT 5/13)
• Me! Bath (Sale begins 9am PT 5/15)
• Swim & Sun: Summer Glow (Sale begins 9am PT 5/16)
• All About Eyes: Serums, Creams & Gels (Sale begins 9am PT 5/18)

Link Love: May 5-11

Ask Emily #2 [CupcakesandCashmere]


5 Ways to Freshen Up Your Fitness Routine [fitSugar]

14 Punk-Inspired Nail Art Looks from Last Night's Met Gala [All Lacquered Up]

"I Think We Could Do A Lot Of Fun Things In This Space." Matthew Williamson Enters The Beautysphere [Style.com]

Think Big: How To Wear The Full Skirt Everywhere [Refinery 29]

What To Do When Your Boss Has It Out For You [Corporette]

Brand Spotlight: DvF

Machava Dress // Valencia Scarf // Ombre Wedge Sandal // Beonica Top // Elley Lace Miniskirt

Diane von Furstenberg started her line DvF after marrying into Italian royalty in 1970, quoting "The minute I knew I was about to be Egon's wife, I decided to have a career. I wanted to be someone of my own, and not just a plain little girl who got married beyond her desserts" and so DvF was launched. She re-invented the classic wrap dress and her fun prints and accessories have become world-renown after a 40+ year career in fashion.

Gift Guide: Mother's Day 2013

L'Occitane Indulgent Almond Ritual Set // Archipelago Botanicals Signature Soy Wax Candle // American Fashion Cookbook // Jonathan Adler Mom Paperweight // MD Solar Sciences Mineral Lotion SPF 50 // Crumbs Bake Shop Mother's Day Signature Collection // Adia Kibur Bow Ring Set


Happy almost Mother's Day! Here are a few gift suggestions for you to get for your mother, or any maternal figure in your life! But don't forget that there may be nothing better than just spending the day with your mom and making her breakfast in bed. 

Beauty Sales: Week of May 5th

Fab:

• ISO Beauty (Sale begins 11am ET 5/5)

Gilt:

• Top Beauty Tools Feat. Riiviva (Sale begins Noon ET 5/8)

Hautelook:

• Whitening Lightning (Sale begins 8am PT 5/5)
• Pixi & POP Beauty, Winks by Georgie (Sale begins 8am PT 5/6)
• Skinn Cosmetics (Sale begins 8am PT 5/8)
• UV Nails (Sale begins 8am PT 5/9)
• Epilady (Sale begins 8am PT 5/10)
• Osmotics Cosmeceuticals (Sale begins 8am PT 5/11)

MYHABIT:

• Panier Des Sens: French Bath & Body Essentials (Sale begins 9am PT 5/6)
• Skincare Gifts from Freeze 24-7 (Sale begins 9am PT 5/7)

Tip du Jour: Makeup Mishaps Fast Fixes

Too Much Blush? Use a clean powder brush and blend away to diffuse the color. Be warned: Don't use your hands, the oils could cause your cheeks to look blotchy.

Melted Makeup? Prime your skin before applying [light] makeup in the warmer weather. When you're done, spritz with a setting spray, and carry blotting papers with you for on the go shine-aways (clean toilet paper works in a pinch!)

Streaked Self Tanner? Jump in the shower with your favorite exfoliator, when you're done apply a light moisturizer.