Beauty Sales Week of November 30th

Gilt:

• Dr. Hauschka, The Beauty Boutique (Sales begin 9pm ET 11/30)
• Erno Laszlo (Sale begins Noon ET 12/2)

HauteLook:

• Brillance New York Hair Tools, L'Artisan Parfumeur (Sales begin 8am PT 11/30)
• Butter London, Clarisonic, Darphin Paris Skincare Discovery Sets (Sales begin 8am PT 12/1)
• DKNY MYNY Fragrances, Skinn Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 12/2)
• Aesthetica Cosmetics, Clean Fragrance, Hairdo Hair Extensions (Sales begin 8am PT 12/3)
• Tarina Tarantino Cosmetics, Tweezerman (Sales begin 8am PT 12/4)
• Allegresse 24K Gold Skincare, Brazabra Beauty Solutions, ybf Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 12/5)
• Lucy B's Apothecary, Pure Brazilian Keratin Treatment, SpaLife Skincare (Sales begin 8am PT 12/6)

MYHABIT:

• Ole Henricksen Skincare (Sale begins 9am PT 11/30)
• Perfect Hair: Professional Styling Tools (Sale begins 9am PT 12/1)
• The Gift of Gorgeous Hair (Sale begins 9am PT 12/3)
• Under $30: Pampering Gifts Feat. Panier Des Sens (Sale begins 9am PT 12/4)

Rue La La:

• Crabtree & Evelyn (Sale begins 11am ET 11/30)
• Creed Women's & Men's Perfume (Sale begins 3pm ET 11/30)
• Lancome & More: For Glowing Skin at Every Age (Sale begins 11am ET 12/2)
• Holiday Fragrance Sets for Her & Him (Sale begins 11am ET 12/3)
• Sweet Scents for Your Little Ones (Sale begins 11am ET 12/4)
• Give Her a Signature Scent: Perfume for Women, Give Him a Signature Scent: Cologne for Men (Sales begin 3pm ET 12/5)

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things: November 2014

Lovely Day by Bill Withers // NYX 'Tiramisu' Butter Gloss // Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black // Peter Thomas Roth Gentle Complexion Correction Pads // Echo Design Milk Made Tubular Snood // Exhale Cool Beam Facial

Lovely Day by Bill Withers: Little known fact about me: I love Motown and similar music. I listen to this when I need a bit of motivation when working an opening shift at work or before my early morning classes and it always does the trick.

NYX 'Tiramisu' Butter Gloss: This is climbing to the top of my favorite glosses list. It's the perfect every day shade and consistently looks amazing with whatever I'm wearing. The formula is the perfect consistency and I just can't get enough!

Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black: I received a sample size of this with a recent Sephora order and I'm  highly considering purchasing the full size or asking for it as an upcoming holiday gift. It's very different from the sweet scents I know and love, but that's what makes it interesting.

Peter Thomas Roth Gentle Complexion Correction Pads: I picked these up online in the recent Sephora VIB Sale and these are doing an amazing job of acting like a toner of sorts. Stay tuned for a full review next week!

Echo Design Milk Made Tubular Snood: I purchased this at work earlier this month and I can't stop wearing it! It's super warm and I absolutely love the burgundy shade with my complexion.

Exhale Cool Beam Facial: This is something I've never listed in a favorites before, but it's actually a service. I began working at exhale almost 3 months ago and I absolutely love it! I tried out the Cool Beam facial and that's what I can seriously credit to my skin being more amazing this month than ever before in addition to the Peter Thomas Roth product mentioned above. I can definitely see myself getting another cool beam in the future.

Peppermint Bark: Tis the season to make homemade treats with your friends. Our go-to easy snack? Homemade peppermint bark! Just melt chocolate and add crushed candy cane.



It's been a long three months away from home and I'm so happy to be in Philadelphia with my family even if it is only for a few more days. These have been some of the craziest and most emotion-filled few months of my life and going home was what I needed to cheer me up. Hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving!

Brand Spotlight: Opening Ceremony

Swirl Matelassé Stretch-Jersey Peplum Top // Margot Zip Boots // Scuba Wool-Blend Mini Skirt // Sequin-Embellished Faille Jumpsuit // Mini Paloma Tech Clutch

Starting as a boutique in New York in 2002 and inspired by a trip to Hong Kong, Opening Ceremony founders and UC Berkely grads Carol Lim and Humberto Leon seek to imagine a traveling couple as inspiration for their now coveted brand. Opening Ceremony serves as a platform to share their passions for art, travel, and fashion and has continued to expand and grow, partnering with fellow brands and creative minds. 

Beauty Sales Week of November 23rd

Gilt:

• Beauty Essentials for Less (Sale begins 9pm ET 11/23)
• The Beauty Boutique (Sale begins Noon ET 11/24)
• Skincare Brands We Love (Sale begins Noon ET 11/25)
• Luxury Beauty Gifts: Up to 80% Off (Sale begins Noon ET 11/29)

HauteLook:

• Hair Tools Blowout (Sale begins 8am PT 11/23)
• Gifts We Love: Camille Beckman Bath & Body (Sale begins 4pm PT 11/23)
• CIATE Nails, LORAC, Nest Fragrances (Sales begin 8am PT 11/24)
• English Laundry Fragrances, LaLicious Bath & Body, VIOlight (Sales begin 8am PT 11/25)
• Fragrance Republic, life therapy Skincare (Sales begin 8am PT 11/26)
• COACH Fragrances, Mally Beauty, TEADORA Beauty (Sales begin 8am PT 11/27)
• Luxury Gifts For All: Carven Perfumes (Sale begins 1pm PT 11/27)
• AHAVA Skincare, Crown Brush, Holiday Fragrances $25.00 & Under, Smashbox Studio Smoky Eye Kit (Sales begin 8am PT 11/28)
• Beauty Gadget Gifting Event (Sale begins 8am PT 11/29)

MYHABIT:

• $39 & Up: Classic Fragrances (Sale begins 9am PT 11/24)
• Up to 70% Off: Beauty Essentials (Sale begins 4pm PT 11/28)

Rue La La:

• Holiday Fragrance Sets for Her & Him (Sale begins 11am ET 11/23)
• Scentbird: Try a new perfume every month. (Sale begins 11am ET 11/24)
• Holiday Hair & Beauty Musts Featuring Kerastase (Sale begins 11am ET 11/25)
• Scents of the Season: Indulgent Candles & Soaps (Sale begins 3pm ET 11/25)
• BeautyArmy. Personalized products picked monthly, Cologne for Men: A Foolproof Stocking Stuffer, The Best Stocking Stuffers? These perfumes. (Sale begins 11am ET 11/28)
• Brillance New York Skin & Hair Care (Sale begins 11am ET 11/29)

Link Love: November 16-22

November Empties- Products I've Used Up [amarixe]


8 Designers Share Their Favorite Flea Market Finds [Domaine Home]

How Not To Look Like A Tourist in Paris [Refinery 29]

Lemongrass Stuffing Recipe [I Am Food Blog]

Meet Jaysea DeVoe, One of the Youngest Yoga Teachers in the United States [NY Times]

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1: What Are the Critics Saying? [College Candy]

What to Wear Where: Thanksgiving Dinner

I love Thanksgiving for several reasons but here's just a few:

-The Gossip Girl & Friends Thanksgiving episodes are among my favorite all-time episodes of any TV show. I fully intend on watching them next week when I fly home.

-I get complete control of the kitchen. 

-The food eaten on Thanksgiving has better food than any other holiday.

-I get to head home for the first time in almost 3 months. 

Enjoy a few serious (and a few fun) outfits to wear for Thanksgiving dinner.

images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Quote du Jour: John F. Kennedy

Things do not happen. Things are made to happen.

We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came.

Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.

Recipe: Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins

In case you can't tell Laura Vitale is one of my favorite chef's. Her recipes are easy to follow and her videos are fun to watch. Don't believe me? Her youtube channel popularity has gotten her a TV gig on The Cooking Channel, with her own show Simply Laura. The proof is in the pudding. Or in this case, the proof is in the muffins.

These muffins are so good and (of course) super easy to bake! All of the flavors from the orange, chocolate, and streusel topping complement each other perfectly for a fast and easy fall treat.

Beauty Sales Week of November 16th

Gilt:

• Makeup Must-Haves Feat. Jouer (Sale begins 9pm ET 11/16)
• Baby Quasar: Light Therapy Devices (Sale begins Noon ET 11/21)
• Luxury Beauty Gifts Feat. Carthusia (Sale begins Noon ET 11/22)

HauteLook:

• Cattiva Cosmetics, DermaMD, Salon-Worthy Shears (Sales begin 8am PT 11/16)
• #ManiMonday: Sephora by OPI, Femme Fatale Lashes, NYX Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 11/17)
• ClariSEA: Sea Salt Solutions, Kevyn Aucoin, Salon-Worthy Strands: Haircare (Sales begin 8am PT 11/18)
• LightStim LED Light Therapy, Patyka Skincare, Rouge Bunny Rouge Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 11/19)
• Gifts For Him: Burberry Fragrances (Sale begins 1pm PT 11/19)
• H2O Plus, Laura Geller Beauty, Pink Sugar Fragrances (Sales begin 8am PT 11/20)
• Holiday Women & Men's Fragrance Sets, JAQUA Bath & Body (Sales begin 8am PT 11/21)
• Gifts for Her: PMD (Sale begins 1pm PT 11/21)
• Beauty Stocking Stuffer Event (Sale begins 8am PT 11/22)

MYHABIT:

• Lovely Locks: Haircare Feat. Kérastase (Sale begins 9am PT 11/18)
• Clarins Skincare & Gift Sets (Sale begins 9am PT 11/20)
• AHAVA (Sale begins 9am PT 11/21)

Rue La La:

• Clarins & More: Beauty for Moms-to-Be (Sale begins 11am ET 11/17)
• FabFitFun Beauty & Fitness Boxes, Spritz On Cheer: Fragrances for the Holidays (Sales begin 11am ET 11/19)
• T3 & More: Create an At-Home Blowout Bar (Sale begins 11am ET 11/20)
• GLOSSYBOX. Handpicked beauty, every month. (Sale begins 11am ET 11/21)
• Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare (Sale begins 11am ET 11/22)

Heavenly Touch Denim from Riders by Lee Launch

On Wednesday night I headed over to the W Boston hotel for a fun blogger-only launch party hosted by Riders by Lee in honor of their new Heavenly Touch Denim collection!

The night was filled with blogger chats, drinks and snacks (including a delicious cookie/cannoli bar), a little photo shoot, and of course- trying on the perfect pair of jeans. 

I'll be honest with you- I hate jeans. I don't even own a pair (do jeggings count?) and you can find me in leggings almost everyday. These jeans are SO comfy. I opted for a dark wash skinny leg mid-rise pair and they fit me perfectly! There were women of all shapes, sizes, and styles at the event and these work on everyone!

The goody bag which included: Cupcakes from the Primrose Bakery, 2 Wicked Good Cupcake Jars (I'm totally visiting their Boston location to try out other flavors!), a bag of Melitta coffee, and of course my new jeans which I wore during the event.

I had a great time at the event and I'm so glad I was able to attend!

Review: X Out Wash-In Treatment

From the makers of Proactiv comes X Out Wash-In Treatment ($19.95 for 2.5 oz.) is a 3-in-1. It can be used as a good old fashioned face wash, an overnight spot treatment, or as a face mask.

My favorite way to use it is as a mask. It has a slightly gritty texture that as you wash off melts down while still exfoliating your skin. I think that this shows the most effective results when used once a week as a mask as opposed to a spot treatment because it doesn't go on clear or in a thin layer on your skin.

It's like an arctic breeze hitting your face which was a bit overwhelming the first few times because it's so minty and so cooling, that it's slightly off-putting.

I've definitely seen an improvement in the appearance of occasional acne flare-ups and also the brightness of my skin overall especially where I have hyper pigmentation from previous breakouts. I can only imagine what it would do if you regularly suffer from acne, but I'd recommend giving it a try.

All Things Pretty: Striped Sweaters

There's nothing I love more than stripes. I have to give credit where it's due to my parents who often dressed me in a patriotic combination of red or blue striped tops and coordinating pants as a baby. Currently I own about 10 striped tops and sweaters at the moment but in the past have probably owned about two or three times that many in the past.

T by Alexander Wang Striped Jersey Top // Goodnight Macaroon Striped Ballerina Mock Layer Tunic // Chinti and Parker Striped Merino Wool Sweater 

images via: annstreetstudio.com

amakadesign.com

Beauty Sales Week of November 9th

Gilt:

• The Beauty Boutique (Sale begins Noon ET 11/11)
• Beauty Brands We Love Feat. Sisley (Sale begins Noon ET 11/14)
• Luxury Beauty for Less Feat. Armani (Sale begins Noon ET 11/15)

HauteLook:

• ME! Bath, Mirabella Beauty (Sales begin 8am PT 11/9)
• Hera Hair Tools Blowout (Sales begin 4pm PT 11/9)
• #ManiMonday: nails inc. London, FACE atelier Cosmetics, Terax Hair Care (Sales begin 8am PT 11/10)
• blinc Cosmetics, Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories (Sales begin 8am PT 11/11)
• tarte Cosmetics (Sale begins 8am PT 11/12)
• Donna Bella 24K + Caviar Skincare, Macadamia Natural Oil Haircare (Sales begin 8am PT 11/13)
• B.Kettner VisoClean Brush, I Coloniali Bath & Body (Sales begin 8am PT 11/14)
• BH Cosmetics, NUXE Skincare (Sales begin 8am PT 11/15)

MYHABIT:

• New Favorites: Gorgeous Cosmetics & More (Sale begins 9am PT 11/10)
• Healthy Tresses: Haircare Feat. Phyto (Sale begins 9am PT 11/11)
• Face & Body Care Feat. Bliss (Sale begins 9am PT 11/14)

Rue La La:

• dr. brandt skincare (Sale begins 11am ET 11/11)
• Brush on Beauty: The Cosmetic Tools You Need (Sale begins 11am ET 11/15)

Link Love: November 2-8

5 Things to Try This November 2014 [Birchbox]


Celebrate Throwback Thursday With the Gossip Girl Soundtrack [College Candy]

Cynthia Rowley On Why It's Easier To Make It In Fashion Now [Huff Post Style]

Shoppers Are Buying $5K Worth of Alexander Wang for H&M at a Time [Fashionista]

The Youngest Elected Official In The U.S. On Jobs, Feminism, & Taylor Swift [Refinery 29]

Wheat Free Chocolate Chip Cookies [The Vanilla Bean Blog]

Sweet Sale: Sephora VIB Sale 2014

Sephora's VIB Sale started yesterday so it's time to stock up on holiday gifts for everyone on your list. VIB Members can get 20% off with the code GIFTVIB and VIB Rouge Members can get 20% off with the code GIFTROUGE now through 11/10.

Shop a few of my sale picks below!

Mia2 Winter Hydration Set // Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Scrub // Too Faced The Chocolate Bar Eye Palette // Drybar Triple Sec 3-in-1 // Formula X Holiday Ornament // Marc Jacobs Fragrance Daisy Rollerball Trio // GLAMGLOW SuperMud Clearing Treatment 

Review: Bliss Micro Magic Spa-Powered Microdermabrasion Treatment

Bliss’s Micro Magic Spa-Powered Microdermabrasion Treatment ($48 for 3 oz.) is a cream-based microdermabrasion style face scrub that’s perfect for use more than once a week.

I had a facial at Bliss 49 over the summer and was recommended this product by my esthetician and decided to give it a try. It smells like sweet peppermint and really scrubs your pores without being overly abrasive since it is cream-based.

My skin stays smooth for days after using it so I use it about twice a week in replacement of my normal cleanser. It’s very gentle and works better than any other facial scrub I’ve used at removing dead skin. It is formulated with aloe and mushroom extract so your skin won’t look red or irritated afterwards so you can even use it in the morning as well, which I recommend since the smell is super pepperminty.

Overall, I am loving this scrub! I would highly recommend it if you’re a fan of the ‘pins and needles’ sensation you might experience from getting microdermabrasion treatments, and it’s a much less expensive alternative to the real treatments!

Build Your Basics: Nail Polishes

Licorice // Midnight Cami // Lovie Dovie // Ballet Slippers // Really Red // Lilacism 

Nail polish is one of my favorite ways to bring an outfit together, because quite frankly I don't feel put together without an un-chipped polish on my nails and toes. My favorite polish brand is without a doubt Essie so obviously I chose to pick all Essie colors for this post.

Beauty Sales Week of November 2nd

Gilt:

• Anti-Aging Solutions Feat. Dr. Brandt (Sale begins 9pm ET 11/2)
• Best in Beauty (Sale begins Noon ET 11/4)
• Luxe Beauty Essentials Feat. T3 (Sale begins Noon ET 11/6)
• New Beauty Favorites: Lauren B, Londontown & More (Sale begins Noon ET 11/7)

HauteLook:

• Eve Pearl, KareCo Shears (Sales begin 8am PT 11/2)
• #ManiMonday: Cult Cosmetics, Stila (Sales begin 8am PT 11/3)
• Hairdo Hair Extensions, LASHEM Lash & Brow Serum, Mirenesse Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 11/4)
• Bangstyle Hair Products, Designer Fragrances for Men & Women, Katherine Cosmetics (Sales begin 8am PT 11/5)
• Appeal Cosmetics, nailuv (Sales begin 8am PT 11/6)
• Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics (Sale begins 8am PT 11/7)
• Hydroxatone Anti-Aging Skincare, Luminess Air Airbrush Makeup (Sales begin 8am PT 11/8)

MYHABIT:

• His & Hers: Designer Fragrances (Sale begins 9am PT 11/6)
• Fragrance For Home & Body Feat. Ecoya (Sale begins 9am PT 11/8)

Rue La La:

• AHAVA & More: Care for Skin like a Beauty Editor (Sale begins 11am ET 11/2)
• A Spritz of Fall: Fragrances Featuring Chloe (Sale begins 11am ET 11/4)
• Laura Geller Beauty (Sale begins 11am ET 11/6)
• Everything You Need For a Dramatic Eye (Sale begins 11am ET 11/8)