Monday Morning: L’Oreal Colour Riche Nail Polish
Happy Monday!
Now that spring has descended upon us, my bright nail polish colors have been in full effect (currently Essie’s “Turquoise & Caicos”). I’ve tucked away the deeper reds, the dark grays, and the sultry purples and replaced them with happy, cheerful colors.
I stumbled across the Colour Riche collection from L’Oreal over the weekend and fell madly in love with the color selection. They have every color I’ve ever wanted. As always however, I’m dubious of the quality of anything other than Essie and OPI but I’m willing to give this a shot because it’s $3 cheaper and the colors are beautiful. Oh, the colors!
On top of the $3 savings, Ultra is currently having a sale on L’Oreal products: buy one, get one 50% off + the $3.50 Ulta coupon. At that price, I’m DEFINITELY giving it a try. The real question is: will I walk out of there with ALL of these colors?
Clockwise left to right: “Now You Sea Me”, “Penthouse Pink”, “Check Me Out”, “L’Orange”, “Club Prive”, “Tweet Me”, “Sweet Nothings”, “Walk On The Beach”
Monday Morning: Reed Krakoff Handbags
I’ve been on the hunt for my next new bag. As I’ve said here, I’m not really in the market for “mainstream luxury” like a Chanel, Gucci, or what not. Meh. I want a nice, simple, quality bag that will last me through the years. I’m quite bored of the Givenchy Nightingale bag; I’ve had that for 3 years already.
That’s when I stumbled across Reed Krakoff.
His bags are classic and simple, sophisticated, and look like they could last a long time. It definitely caught my attention. I haven’t thrown it over my arm yet but you’ll probably find me perusing the aisles over at Neiman’s this weekend.
Does anyone have any recommendations that are similar (classic, simple, sophisticated)?
Clockwise from top left: “Boxer”, $1,290; “Mini Shoulder”, $590; “RDK Hobo”, $1,290; “Atlantique Tote”, $1,490
Monday Morning: Happy Chinese New Years!
Let’s face it. Dragons just don’t look good on anything—clothes, pants, shoes, tattoos, hats—so there is no way on earth I’m going to be putting dragons on my blog. No thank you.
However..
The Year of the Dragon is considered the luckiest year in the Chinese zodiac with the belief that a child boron during this year is smarter and more prosperous. So, friends, go forth and get knocked up!
Monday Morning: Nixon
I received a Nixon watch a few years back and wore it to it’s inevitable death. It was lightweight, comfortable, unique and gold.
Recently, I purchased the Michael Kors Runway watch. You know… the watch that everyone and their mother has. I love the watch but in retrospect, I probably should have done a little more research before I jumped the gun. I would have rather had something a bit more unique and a watch that isn’t as popular as the MK one. My mistake, but mark my words, I will purchase a Nixon watch soon enough.
From left to right: Nixon ‘Capulet’, $160; Nixon ‘Spur’, $300; Nixon ‘Monopoly’, $200
Monday Morning: Etsy
I can’t recall if I wrote a post about Etsy last year (heh..) or not and quite honestly, I don’t really even care. I absolutely love anything handmade by a talented artists and will be willing to support that all day, any day.
Now that the new year has been rung in and we’re all slowly getting back into the swing of things, that also means that we’re all finished contemplating gifts for others and now is the perfect time to refresh our closets and homes with new things to represent a new beginning.
Start with Etsy, the home of some amazing artists. Whether you’re looking for clothes, jewelry, furniture, prints, or pottery, I’m sure you can find it there.
Clockwise from left to right: verabel; sora designs; Visual Matter; lunar lounge by Jonathan Sebastian
Monday Morning: Baublebar.com
If it’s not obvious, I’m neck deep in my “gold jewelry” phase where anything that hangs from my ears, wrists and neck is gold. Eventually, I’ll veer towards silver again but that may be awhile from now (if it ever happens).
Last week, I stumbled across Baublebar.com and it immediately caught my attention, not only for it’s design and the large, beautiful hero images but the prices. Due to the excitement of wanting to share it here, I haven’t done the research I probably should as some of their pieces resemble nOir’s line. Aside from that, they have enough jewelry on there to cater to a large range of tastes and occasions.
Monday Morning: Cyber Monday!
Rather than fighting the massive crowds on Black Friday, I patiently wait for Cyber Monday so I can quietly shop in peace, at home, in front of my computer. It’s painless and I get a chance to wallow in all of my savings. Plus, when the packages arrive at your door it’ll feel like an early Christmas. Double score!
Here are some stores if you’re wanting to buy some new things and save some money along the way:
ASOS
25% off their ASOS brand clothing. And as always, free shipping.
Use these links: Women & Men
Boutique to You
A good selection of contemporary clothes and cool brands. Get 15% off everything!
Use coupon code: BTYCYBER30
Shopbop
The more you spend, the more you save. I’m not much of a fan when it comes to deals like these, but hey.. it’s something!
Use coupon code: BIGEVENT
Revolve Clothing
You have to sign up via their Facebook page first, but afterwards you’ll get a coupon code for 15% off.
Visit this link: Revolve Clothing on Facebook
Tobi
Until the end of today, you can get 30% off sitewide. Pretty good deal if you ask me.
Use coupon code: SHOPPER30
Karmaloop
Free shipping and 25% off. If you spend more than $250, you can get 30% off and a $60 GiftCode
Use coupon code: GOCYBER
LuLu’s
Super affordable clothing. Not sure what their sale is.. but it’s a sale!
Visit this link: Cyber Monday Sale
Enjoy!
Monday Morning: Time for Leggings!
It’s been a little chilly around here lately which means the leggings have come out of hibernation.
Pairing the right top with leggings is never an easy feat for me. I find myself scrutinizing every angle and millimeter of fabric to make sure I don’t have any oopsies that you’d want to avoid with leggings, such as wedgies and camel toes.
There’s a very narrow space between a top that is long enough and a top that is on the threshold of being too long and making you look like an unfashionable, conservative school girl. At that point, you might as well take them off and wear stockings.
The poster girl for leggings? Lauren Conrad. The girl never gets it wrong.
So, here are some examples of do’s and please don’ts:
It’s only by coincidence that all of the tops are white. But, I do love the leggings + blazer look. It’s laid back enough for McDonald’s, but is trendy and sexy enough for Nobu. The tops are long enough to barely brush past the hips.
There are so many things wrong with these outfits, but let’s just focus on the main subject here.
1. This is an example of a top being too long. The leggings become unnecessary and could have been easily replaced with stockings, or completely removed all together.
2. The upper body is fine but she should have kept the other 1/4 of her leggings. I don’t think there should be any reason why someone should wear 3/4 leggings. I mean, really?
3. Remember folks: Tight on tight is never right! Let’s face it. You can’t wear a tight shirt with tight leggings unless you’re trying to echo a spandex leotard.
4. Echoing my statement above. Tight on tight. Cheap on cheap. It just doesn’t look good. At all.
Monday Morning: Skulls
Folks, we’re 5 days away from Halloween weekend. At this point, I hope you are all as excited as I am but for now, as we count down the days, I bring you skulls. Glamourous skulls.
1. D.L & Co Skull Candle, $85
2. Alexander McQueen Skull Pony Box Clutch, $1,595
3. Alexander McQueen Skull Print Cashmere-Blend Scarf, $445
4. Iwona Ludyga Tiny Skully Ring, $150
5. D.L & Co Skull Cased Candle, $115
6. Crystal Head Vodka, $100
Monday Morning: Makeup for Fall
With cooler weather comes darker makeup.
I love fall and I can’t say it enough. My closet that was once dashed with corals, teals and pinks will now be traded out for blacks, tans and reds. Mostly black.
Smokey eyes and red lips is my look of choice and if I were skilled in applying eye shadow on myself, I would always opt for it. I practice on my down time but that doesn’t even seem like it’s enough to master the craft. Either way, I’m going to attempt it anyway and hope for the best.
Some people say that a dark eye and red lips might be a bit too much, and they might be right, but something about it to me feels very glamorous and definitely feminine.
Monday Morning: Pinterest
Can we say ‘obsessed’? It’s quite habit-forming and I don’t really mind. I love perusing Pinterest, pinning inspirational images I stumble across to my boards.
I have found so many sources of inspiration there, and I love that the subjects aren’t limited to anything particular. You can find inspiration for pretty much anything your little heart desires.
If you haven’t done so already, I highly recommend you check it out! However, I believe you still have to be invited to join. Need an invite? Easy peasy! Just comment on this post with your email and I’ll shoot one over to you. :)
Monday Morning: nelly.com
The one thing I hate the most is when I see dresses I want but realize that it’s a European website that doesn’t ship to the states.
I should know better than to browse around nelly.com, but the little devil on one shoulder tells me that it might be a good thing to look and not be able to buy.
Here are four dresses I found, that I will never be able to buy, that would be perfect for fall. Le sigh.
2. Cara Dress
PS. Apparently, I’m really digging lace for fall. Too bad I live in Austin.
Monday Morning: Waiting for Fall
There is never a day that has gone by since we have moved to Texas that I haven’t heard someone say how ridiculously hot it is here. And lets face it, it’s pretty damn ridiculous.
In an effort to reduce the desire for rain to get us out of this miserable drought, I’ve turned my attention to window shopping for fall. Forget swimsuits and pools, I’m going full steam ahead to black and leather.
1. Leather Jacket, Zara
This is pretty much a staple item in any fall wardrobe, and since I think I left mine on the Black Eyed Peas tour bus, I’ll need a new one this year.
2. Open Toe Heels, L.A.M.B
Ever since I purchased a pair of chunky heel sandals from the Lauren Conrad collection at Kohls, I fell in love with chunky heels all over again. You still get the height, an added comfort and a laid back, not-so-dressy look but can still feel a tinge of the “I feel pretty sexy” feeling that a pair of stilettos would bring. And now that I live in Austin, stilettos probably won’t cut it anyway.
3. “Going Incognito”, Essie
I’m pretty sure Emerald Green will be my color of choice this fall. Well, at least a color in a series of choices because, knowing me, I’ll be hoarding fall shades like they’re going out of style. This is what I call perfect timing, as my “Turquoise & Caicos” and “Mint Candy Apple” are now running low.
4. Leather Ribbed Pencil Skirt, Topshop
I really have no use for this skirt, but that won’t stop me from buying it anyway.
Monday Morning: Chair Edition
Moving in to a new house without any furniture has it perks, but along with those perks comes the downfall: decision-making. I’m no interior designer, but I do know that each piece will add it’s own unique feel to a room. Details, details, details!
We’ve scoured the Planet (actually, just Austin and furniture websites) for the best chairs to place around our home. The decision felt insurmountable! There are just way too many options in the market so we came up with a solution: stay classic.
Here are a few options we’ve decided on that you will, one day, see in our house:
1. Sanna Chair, Room & Board
We had to keep with the theme of our house: mid-century modern. The design of the base of the chair instantly caught our attention. It’s absurdly unique and the craftsmanship seems superior to any other chair of its type.
2. Louis Ghost Armchair, Design Within Reach
Because I have some room to play with the design of my office a bit, I decided take it in a whole other direction. Think glamourous, crystal, dark gray, white. If I could add a chandelier in here, I would. This pair, I thought, would complement the white against dark feel I’m trying to achieve.
3. André Sofa
Say “Hello” to our new sofa. Keeping with the mid-century modern theme, we decided on this only after careful deliberation: whether or not we need a matching ottoman, what size works best in the space, what color will match, and that only scratches the surface of how we ended up selecting the André. Overall, we’re excited about the choice we made. Now it’s just the delivery we’re anxious about.
4. Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair, Design Within Reach
Who knew something so beautiful, simple, and completely made out of wood could be so comfortable to sit in? I fell in love with this chair once my butt hit it’s surface. We purchased a couple of these to put next to our bookshelf in our den living area. Can. Not. Wait.
