Tag: Modcloth

October Blog Hop: A Spooktacular Beauty Blog Hop!

Last month my beauty & fashion bloggers group took a brief hiatus from our monthly blog hops. We’re back this month for a Spooktacular Beauty Blog Hop with an obviously Halloween theme. Halloween has always held a unique place in my heart because my birthday is just a few days before. I can’t tell you how many Halloween themed birthday celebrations I’ve had over the years.

Halloween is one day a year where you can let your inner monster (or princess, for that matter) run around unfettered. But why limit yourself to just one day a year? Why not keep a little bit of Halloween with you all the time? This October 13th, I thought I’d pick 13 Halloween inspired items to help you keep that vibe going for more than one day in October.

#1 For the Ghost Hunter:
Ouija Dress

Modcloth’s: Spell Me a Story Dress
(Photo from Mocloth.com)
(Retail: $89.99)
Description: “Channel your most spellbinding style in this playful tank dress! Skulls, scrolls, and stars frame a Ouija board graphic on this soft, knit frock. Accentuated by a caged cutout back and sweetheart neckline, this mystifying dress tells a tale of enchantment!”

#2 For the Vampire Slayer:
Polish
Picture Polish’s Vampire
(Photo from llarowe.com)
 (Retail: $12.50)
Description: “Deep vampy red jelly polish”

#3 For Bat Girl:
Bat Heels
Jeffrey Campbell’s All Bat and More Heel
(Photo from Mocloth.com)
(Retail: $179.99)
Description: “Swoop! There it is! You glide into the room and all eyes are drawn to your Batgirl heels from Jeffrey Campbell – and for good reason. How could anyone not adore the wing-shaped closure on these black pumps? Feeling magnificent in these suede, pointed-toe shoes, you’re destined to ‘stiletto’ the spotlight!”

#4 For a Steampunk Princess:
Trunk
Butter London’s Gears & Gadgets Ultimate Lacquer Trunk
(Photo from Butterlondon.com)
(Retail: $150.00)
Description: “All hail the ultimate gift for the beauty obsessed! Discover your signature look with 20 gorgeous Fashion Size Shades, 4 best-selling treatments and our favourite tools of the trade. Mix, match and play with all the essentials, and never wear the same look twice.”

 

#5 To visit a Galaxy Far, Far Away:
Leia Tshirt
Thinkgeek’s Star Wars I Know V-Neck Ladies’ Tee
(Photo from Thinkgeek.com)
(Retail: $24.99)
Description: “Han and Leia kiss on the front of this grey, 100% cotton shirt. Features a v-neck and delicate spirals with the words “I know” subtly integrated.”

#6 For the Mother of Dragons:
Dragon
SerpentsDance on Etsy: Dragon Necklace on Leather Cord Copper and Silver
(Photo from Serpentsdance Etsy Shop)
(Retail: $80.00)
Description: “This intricate pendant shows a dragon curled up on his back, nose buried in a book. The book has sterling silver covers, and inside are four tiny copper pages. A 6mm rose cut Labradorite cabochon is bezel set above the dragon.”

#7 To Curse A Princess:
Lipstick
MAC’s Maleficent Pro Longwear Lipglass
(Photo from maccosmetics.com)
(Retail: $22.00)
Description: “The bright, crimson gleam of Pro Longwear Lipglass in Anthurium. Goes on smooth and lasts for up to six hours. Envelops lips with shine and colour and prolongs the hours between reapplication.”

#8 For A Pixie:
Zoya
Zoya’s: Bar Magical PixieDust
(Photo from Zoya.com)
(Retail: $10.00)
Description: “A glittery nude topaz in the best-selling ultra textured, matte, holographic Magical Pixie formula.”

 

#9 To Rule Them All:
One Ring
Thinkgeek’s Gold-Plated Tungsten Carbide One Ring
(Photo from Thinkgeek.com)
(Retail: $99.99)
Description: “This Tungsten Carbide One Ring replica has the highest melting point of all non-alloyed metals and tough enough to go with you on your daily adventures. You’ll need the volcanic lava of Mount Doom to destroy it… or you could just wear it and see if you can withstand its evil powers.  The ring features an inscription in Elvish letters of the Black Speech devised by Sauron when he crafted the all powerful ring: ‘One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.’”

 

#10 For a Black Widow:
Cleanser
Elizavecca Milky Piggy Elastic Pore Cleansing Foam
(Photo from memebox.com)
(Retail: $25.00)
Description: “Suck out dirt out of your pores with charcoal while collagen extract from pig skin firms and hydrates skin. Spider extract makes this cleansing foam extra refreshing and suitable for sensitive skin.”

#11 For Wonder Woman:
Cuff
Fancy’s Goddess Gold Cuff
(Photo from fancy.com)
(Retail: $28.00)
Description: “Rock the ultimate wrist party with this oversized gold cuff.”

 

#12 For a Good Witch (Or a Bad Witch):
Witch

Skipnwhistle’s Witch on Broom Scarf
(Photo from skipnwhistle’s Etsy Shop)
(Retail: $20.00)
Description: “This super comfy American Apparel SUGAR SKULL SCARF is printed by Skip N’ Whistle with eco friendly ink.”


#13 For Catwoman:
Palette
Too Faced Cat Eyes Palette
(Photo from sephora.com)
(Retail: $36.00)
Description: “This set features the Too Faced signature Glamour Guide, with three iconic cat-eye beauty looks to get you started. From sheer washes of color to highly-pigmented shadows, it includes nine shades in warm and cool tones. Three vivid, wet-and-dry formulas provide intense precision lining and a perfect wing tip for foolproof, dramatic eyes in minutes.”

If you enjoyed my post, please check out these other fabulous blogs who are posting their own take on Spooktacular Beauty:

Kristina from The Feminine Files

Megan from Polished Portland

Sammi from College Beauty Buff

Angela from Your Beauty Whisperer

 

New Feature! NYC Beauty & Fashion: Modcloth Casting Call

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
popup

So I’ve been toying around with adding some more features to my humble little blog. Now don’t freak out, you guys know I love sub boxes and there will always be plenty of box reviews here. (Because as you know I have an unhealthy addiction to surprise mail.)

I have an advantage a lot of other bloggers don’t —I’m located in NYC where there are lots of fun beauty and fashion events that I could (and should) be telling you all about.

So I decided to add on a new feature called NYC Beauty & Fashion. As fun events and opportunities pop up, I’ll post them for folks both near (who can attend) and far (who can live vicariously through the nearby peeps).

When Modcloth (one of my favorite online stores) dropped this fun event into my inbox, I figured that it would be the perfect thing to kick off my new feature.

Modcloth will be hosting an Open Casting Call for ALL in New York City on September 3rd from 1 PM to 7 PM. During this Photo Pop-Up event, they’ll be chatting with fans and snapping their photos. All you have to do is show up in your cutest outfit and you could be featured on ModCloth and across their social platforms. So if you’ve been searching for a special occasion to wear that fabulous Modcloth dress you bought or show off your best vintage finds, grab your besties and make a beeline over to 201 Mulberry St.

Head to the ModCloth blog for more details and RSVP info.

· When: Wednesday, September 3rd from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM

· Where: Openhouse, 201 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

Unfortunately the casting call is exactly when I’ve got a bunch of work projects, so I won’t be able to attend, but if any of you lovely readers do, please tell us all about it!

Keep your eyes peeled for some more fun posts in this section. I have plans to explore the Birchbox store in Soho and the Tony Moly shop in Koreatown…

 

August Blog Hop: Beauty/Fashion Hot Weather Staples!

I can’t believe July is over and it’s already August. Where did the summer go? If you’re a regular reader you’ll know that the 1st means it’s time for another Blog Hop! I’m part of an awesome Facebook group of beauty bloggers and each month on the first, we all give our take on the a common theme. For August we’ll be looking at Beauty and Fashion Hot Weather Staples.

So there’s a lot of directions I could go with that topic, but I’ve decided to focus on the products that help us solve some of the problems that are more prevalent during  hot weather. So just prepare yourself for words like “chafing” and “boob sweat”.  Sorry guys, as much as I wish beauty and fashion could be all glitter polish and stilettos, sometimes it’s rough business.

After work I stopped by the MAC store to pick up some fancy pants topcoats (cause I really need more polish) and realized it was right next to the Kiehls store.  I browsed and bit and picked up a couple samples which tunred became my first two hot weather problem solvers.

Kiehls Sunscreen
Kiehl’s Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50+
(Photo from kiehls.com)
 (Retail: $38.00)
Description: “Helps to fight up to 90% of skin aging, including lines and wrinkles and uneven texture and tone. Delivers outstanding efficacy against UVA & UVB rays on the skin’s surface. Oil-free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic. Dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin.”

I know, I know I’ve talked a lot about sunblock with my other posts, but this one is pretty special. Sunblock is a necessity but it comes with it’s own set of problems, like being heavy, greasy, overly scented and in giant cans. This product is unscented and goes on with this perfect liquid smoothness. I’ve tried a lot of sunblocks and never found one with this fantastic consistency. It applies like a dream and absorbs right into your skin. The bottle is small since a little of this product can go a long way. Did I mention it’s also SPF 50? This is the perfect thing to take to events like summer weddings or outdoor dates, when you need something that applies easily and can fit into a smaller bag.

Kiehls Deodorant
Kiehl’s Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant
(Photo from kiehls.com)
(Retail 1.7 oz: $16.00)
Description: “An unscented, gentle yet efficient anti–perspirant and deodorant cream. Leaves skin feeling soft, soothed and conditioned with 24–hour protection against sweat and odor. Reduces underarm perspiration utilizing advanced micro–sized drying molecules for sheer absorption with no residue. With our unique blend of ingredients, including orange, lemon, and linseed extracts, underarm hair will feel softer, resulting in a smoother shave experience.”

Okay so I’m sure you read the title and were like, “what’s so damn special about deodorant?” Well this is a deodorant cream. Which means it’s the perfect item to apply to those areas where you sweat but where you don’t want to use your good old Secret roll on, like in your décolletage (see I can fancy it up if necessary). According to Kiehl’s, this also makes your underarm hair softer which makes for a “smoother shaving experience”. So this is like magic deodorant. I’ve been trying out a sample and so far it seems to work really well. It also has very little scent for the sensitive folks), a not too thick consistency and is easy to apply.

Skimmies
Jockey Women’s Skimmies Slipshort
(Photo from amazon.com)
(Retail: $20.00)
Description: “85% nylon microfiber/ 12% spandex/ 3% cotton. This long-length underwear style also aids in smoothing your silhouette and preventing panty lines. Silky-smooth fabric blend allows clothes to glide gently over this style”

Since we are already on the subject of sweating, let’s just get right to one of the most annoying and horrific of summer beauty problems. Chafing. As much as fashion magazines refuse to admit it, most of us have thighs that touch (gasp!). After a long day of walking in a cute sundress, you’ve got bright red and painful thighs. How can we fix this? Cue Jockey. These slipshorts are the perfect thing to wear under sundresses and skirts. They are lightweight and smooth you out (without being tight like shapeware). They also have no panty lines and can eliminate the need for a slip. I have a bunch of these in nude,pink and black and they are a staple in my summer closet. I can’t recommend them enough.

Shave Cream
eos Shave Cream, Ultra Moisturizing, Pomegranate Raspberry
(Photo from drugstore.com)
(Retail: $3.49)
Description: “Paraben-Free with Natural Aloe & Shea Butter. So moisturizing, you can shave wet or dry. Natural aloe, oat and shea butter soothe while boosting skin’s moisture level. Antioxidant vitamins E + C help skin look radiantly healthy

The summer time is when we like to bare a lot of skin and that means some quality time with your razor. Now lately I’ve been getting lots of fancy pants shave creams, but this Eos brand was the one I already had in my shower. It goes on as a cream (not a foam) and has a nice fruity scent. I’ve been using up some cheaper disposable razors I bought for a trip and with this cream I get just as nice a shave as more expensive razors. The container is quite large, so this will last you  some time. It’s a great bargain at $3.49 and available at drugstores, retail stores like Target and grocery stores.

Emjoi
Emjoi Micro-Pedi Callus Remover
(Photo from QVC.com)
(Retail: $39.96)
Description: “The Emjoi Micro-Pedi callus remover helps keep your feet salon-worthy from the comfort of your home. No scraping and sanding or scary tools. The Micro-Pedi does all the work for you. It’s an innovative device that uses micro-mineral rollers that spin at 360-degrees to help quickly and easily buff your way to soft, smooth feet and more. It’s portable with an easy-to-clean design and easy-grip handle.”

In the summer, even our feet go bare. You’re going to be showing off those little piggies with lots of cute sandals and flip flops so hardened skin and calluses just won’t work. That’s where the Emjoi comes in. It does all the work for you. No more scraping or soaking for hours. This little machine rotates superfast and removes all the dead skin from your feet. This works incredibly well and if your feet are a problem area for you, I recommend investing in this great little device. There are also manicure attachments available so you can turn it into a multi-tasking tool.

Cardigan
Charter School Cardigan from Modcloth
(Photo from Modcloth.com)
(Retail: $34.99)
Description: “Show your style smarts in this versatile cardigan! With a V-neck, buttoned front, 3/4 sleeves, and a fine, soft knit with ribbed edges, this melon-orange sweater will be your favorite wardrobe staple. No matter how you wear it, this piece offers an A+ look. “

So we’ve been discussing a lot about baring skin, but maybe that’s not your thing. Maybe you’re shy, or worry too much about your arms, or you’re always freezing because of the air conditioning. Sometimes all those little summer dresses and strappy tops just need a cardigan.  Modcloth offers the perfect summer option. Their Charter School cardigan comes in a variety of awesome shades and prints and is just the perfect weight. It also has ¾ length sleeves which keep it from looking too wintery. Another plus is that these work great in layered looks as we move into cooler weather. I already own the yellow and cantaloupe colors and am eying the red one…

What is your biggest fashion or beauty problem in the summer? Did you find a solution that worked for you?

If you enjoyed this post, please stop by and visit some of my other blog-hoppers and read their take on hot weather must haves.

BLOG LINK LIST:
Christine at Simply Stine  
Sammi at College Beauty Buff
Anna at The Anna Belle Blog
Michelle at My Beautiful Goodies 
Angela at Your Beauty Whisperer 

June Blog Hop: Beach & Pool Bag Essentials

So May has flown by and it’s suddenly June 1st, which means it’s time again for a blog hop. I’m part of a fabulous facebook group of beauty bloggers and each month (on the 1st) we all post about the same theme. For June we’re focusing on Beach/Pool Bag Essentials.

Now as I’ve mentioned in some other posts, I’m a Ginger so I prepare for days in the sun like I’m going to war. I’m going to give you my  picks  and we’ll get ready for battle.

Now first, let’s start with the bag itself. I adore tote bags and have way too many of them and they tend to be the go to style for beach bags. But this time I decided to think outside the tote. The open top design tends to make it that much easier for sand to collect and for stuff to fall out or blow away. Instead, how about a duffle design like this fabulous Baggu Bag:

Baggu Duffle
Baggu® Sailor Stripe Duffel Bag (Retail: $82.00; Picture from Birchbox.com)
I love the nautical vibe on this and the duffle design makes it great for all kinds of uses, from the beach to the gym to a weekend travel bag. I know it’s pricey, but it’s on Birchbox so you can hoard your Birchbox points and apply them to bring the price down.

Now we need to fill this bag up.

towel
If you picked up the Popsugar Special Edition Resort box you’ll have received this great Cuyana Turkish Towel (Estimated Retail: $55.00). It’s the classiest and comfiest beach towel I’ve ever received.

Now a makeup bag or pouch is a must have. I’m giving you a sneak peak at an item I just received from the May Jennifer Love Hewitt box (which I’ll be posting a review of soon). It’s absolutely perfect for the beach.
Mesh Bag
Mesh-Bottom Clutch (Retail: $30.00)
Description: “Shake clutch is designed to keep your items in and the sand far away. The bags feature a reversible flap pinned to either side, allowing you to reveal or conceal the netting at will. When sand begins to intrude, just flip the flap and shake, shake, shake.”
wallet
Trade in your normal wallet for something small that you can tuck into your clutch. I have this Key-Per Zip Coin from Fossil (Retail: $30.00; picture from Fossil.com) in the whale print. It’s big enough for your ID, a credit/debit card, and money.

SUNCARE PICKS

Comb
One of the areas that we tend to forget about sun-proofing is our hair. RickyCare SUN Grooming Comb (Retail: $2.99; picture from rickysnyc.com) is a great inexpensive way to help keep our hair healthy throughout the summer.

Description: “Rickycare’s SUN comb line eliminates color fading and dried out summer texture by planting sunscreen and nutritional oils directly into your hair.This baked-in substance is gradually released from the plastic to coat hair, helping it to reflect harsh sunlight and harmful UV rays. Keep your hair looking great all summer long by simply combing with the SUN line before stepping out on the beach or by the poolside.”

As I mentioned earlier, sun protection is serious business for me so I use a variety of products to make touch-ups throughout the day that much easier. First thing to remember is that you need to apply your sunblock 30 minutes before you go outside. Then reapply frequently.

Josie Maran
Now for my face I like to use Josie Maran’s Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47 (Retail: $32.00;picture from Sephora.com). Some face products with sunblock can sting or dry out your skin and this does a great job of keeping my skin safe from the sun but looking and feeling healthy.

Mineral Sunblock
For easy touchups, I like Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral Powder SPF 45 (Retail: $40.00; picture from Sephora.com). This mineral sunblock helps keep away shine and is super easy to reapply.

Dior
For the lips, Dior Addict Lip Glow (Retail:$32.00;picture from Sephora.com) is a sheer balm that adjusts color based on the wearer. It has an spf 10 and does a wonderful job of hydrating the lips.

Now for the body, I use two products, both from Neutrogena.

Sunscreen 100 spf
Before I leave the house I slather on Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen in 100 SPF (Retail: $10.39; picture from drugstore.com). They have other options in SPF so if you aren’t an albino like me, you can opt for a different level.

Sunscreen spray
I find there is nothing more annoying that trying to touch up your sunblock while on the sand. You inevitably get sand stuck all over you. So to combat that I use Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock, SPF 70, 5 Ounce (Retail: $9.99; picture from drugstore.com).  You don’t have to rub it in so you’re not rubbing sand on yourself and the cooling mist is refreshing.

Okay so now that we’ve gotten through the boring SPF stuff, let’s get on to the fun things like a little makeup and fashion.

MAKEUP PICKS

I find it’s best to go minimalist with makeup for the beach and pool. I just go with a mascara and a lip product.

Mascara
The best waterproof mascara I’ve found is CoverGirl LashBlast Waterproof Mascara in Brown (Retail: $5.29; picture from Target.com) Unless you have black or really dark brown hair, I suggest brown mascara for beach days. It looks more natural and goes better with a sun-kissed glow.

Now we already have the Dior lip product above but if I’m lounging around by the pool I like to add just a little touch of sparkle. I find it really gives you that golden summer glow. I adore Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Volupté in Gold (Retail: $32.00 ;picture from Sephora).
Gold Gloss
I can count the amount of lip products I’ve finished using on one hand and this is one of them. If you wear it alone, it just makes your natural lip color vibrant and sparkling. If you wear it layered over another color it gives it a golden sheen. If you pick this up, I guarantee you’ll be using it all the time. It’s a splurge, but absolutely worth it.

FASHION PICKS

Sunglasses are both fashionable and suncare, but I put them here because I find them more fun than discussing SPF. My favorite pair of sunglasses are these Hepcat Shades from Madewell (Retail: $55.00). I own these in mint and despite my huge supply of shades from subscription boxes, these are the ones I grab the most. I’m partial to the Tropical Color color.
sunglasses
Because of my aversion to sun, I’ve built up a collection of sunhats. They are a great way to look chic and protect your skin at the same time. This Mariner Floppy Hat from Anthropologie (Retail: 32.00; picture from Anthropologie.com) gives a laidback nautical vibe and gives oodles of sun protection.
Hat

I always throw a scarf in my beachbag, so if I want I can drape it over my shoulders or even turn it into a sarong. I am obsessed with this Sea Ranch Scarf from Anthropologie (Retail: $38.00 ;picture from Anthropologie.com.
scarf

So of course we need a swimsuit and one pieces are making a huge comeback. The trick to not looking frumpy is to go with a retro silhouette. They look fun and flirty and they give great coverage if you are on the more modest side. Modcloth is my go to place for swimsuits and they have an amazing selection of fun summer fashion in a huge assortment of sizes.

I own Bathing Beauty One-Piece Swimsuit in Cherry Pie (Retail: $89.99; picture from Modcloth.com) and adore it. I love gingham and the shape on this is so flattering.
Swimsuit

For a coverup, I love the flowy feel of a maxi dress and it gives me the bonus of not having to worry about reapplying sunblock to my legs every five minutes.   This Summer Night Stroll Dress from Modcloth (Retail: $44.99; picture from Modcloth.com) is perfect for being casual at the beach or heading out to a café right after.
Maxi Dress

And of course no beach look would be complete with a sandal. I love these Moxxie sandals by Pink and Pepper at Piperlime (Retail: $49.00 ;picture from piperlime.com). They’re fun and versatile and the taupe shade will go with everything in your wardrobe.
sandals 2
ENTERTAINMENT PICKS

So you need some tunes for ipod and a book for kindle.

CD Cover
Joe Purdy’s Julie Blue always makes me think of water and waves. It’s perfect for sitting by the beach. (Retail: $8.99;picture from Amazon.com)

Novel
For me, romance novels are a requirement for beach and summer reading. One of my favorite ever is Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux (Retail: $7.99; picture from Amazon.com). It’s got time travel and intriguing characters and everyone I know who’s read it, adores it. If you enjoy the romance genre and have never read this, it’s a must.

Don’t forget to throw in some of the hair ties and water bottles you’ve gotten from all those subscription boxes. Now you’re ready to go!

So what are the must haves in your beach bag?

If you enjoyed this post, please stop by and visit some of my other blog-hoppers and read their take on beach and pool bag must haves.

BLOG LINK LIST:

Michelle at Pretty in the East

Sammi at College Beauty Buff

Anna at The Anna Belle Blog 

Brittany at Lipstick and Yarn

Michelle at Beautiful Goodies

Karen at Unpack the Box

April Blog Hop: Spring Picks!

I’m part of a fabulous Beauty & Fashion bloggers group on Facebook and each month they host a blog hop where we all post about the same topic on the 1st of the month.   April’s topic is our Spring Product Picks.

I’ve decided to feature items that I’ve purchased for myself for Spring or that I intend to purchase soon.  I’ve come up with a bunch of fun categories and chosen one item for each one.

Box Pick:
The Homegrown Collective
(Retail: $39 per month/$9.00 shipping)
So you know I had to start this list with a subscription box pick.  Is it me or does the phrase “homegrown collective” make you picture a Bearded Hipster in skinny jeans saying “resistance is futile, you will be assimilated”?  So this subscription has been called “pinterest in a box” and features home items that help you be more self-sufficient and ecologically mindful.   The boxes are seasonal and feature various themes.  A few past boxes include: “DIY Detox in a Box”, “Superfoods and Antioxidants”, and “Eco Laundry”.  Now springtime puts me in spring cleaning mode.  I’ve got plans to overhaul my whole house including my kitchen.  This subscription seems like a great way to make my home a little more healthy and finally complete some of those DIY pinterest pins I keep accumulating and promising to do “someday”.  I haven’t ordered this yet, as it’s going to be my reward once I have finished spring cleaning my apartment.  (Thus forcing me to actually finish spring cleaning my apartment).

Beauty:BalmRosebud Smith’s Lip Balm, Rose and Mandarin, 0.8 Ounce
(Retail: $6.00)
I’m a lip balm junkie and I try tons of brands and always come back to the Rosebud salve.  They are super moisturizing, smell great and the retro packaging is adorable.  I discovered they came out with a Mandarin orange flavor and I adore it.  I keep it by my beside at night and apply it right before I got sleep.

Makeup:
Stila Closed Stila Open Swatch
Stila “In the Know” Eyeshadow Palette
(Retail: $39.00)
I have a difficult time finding neutral eyeshadows that I love.  I have pink undertones and browns and golds can go too warm and turn orange.  Because I’m pale, purple tones can look like big old bruises.  I saw swatches of this online and thought I’d take a gamble and see if they’d work for me.  I think they work really well with my skin tone and I adore the eyeliner included.  I can’t wait to use them for some new spring looks.

Hair:
Hair Powder
Lulu Organics® Lavender + Clary Sage Hair Powder
(Retail: $30.00)
I have a dry scalp, which means I tend to get oily roots.  The problem is when you wash too frequently you exacerbate the dry scalp issue, so I try to wash my hair every other day.  I’ve been searching for a dry shampoo to help keep the oil away on my off days.  This powder smells amazing and of all the dry shampoos I’ve tried I feel it blends in the best.  I also adore the art nouevau style packaging.

Nails:
Pahlish_His_Favorite_Sundress_2
His Favorite Sundress by Pahlish
(Retail: $9.00)
Melon is on trend for nails this spring and I really wanted an interesting coral-ly shade and fell in love with this color from Pahlish.  It’s completely different from any of my other polishes and I can’t wait to wear it with my spring dresses. There are so many fabulous indie polish brands creating really unique shades.  Llarowe.com has a wonderful assortment of indie polishes to get you started on your newest addiction.  I’d like to thank “Ida Nails It” for graciously allowing me to use her swatch photo.  I had a slight kerfluffle with my order and didn’t get my polish in time for this blog post.

Clothing:
Jacket
Striped Terry Jacket from Anthropologie
(Retail: $78.00)
At first I was so sure I was going to include a cute dress, but then I stumbled across this jacket at my local Anthropologie.  I love things with a nautical feel and the stripe drew me to it.  It didn’t seem like much on the hanger but I figured I’d try it on anyway.  It was really flattering and incredibly comfortable.  It’s warm and quite soft for a jacket.  I was concerned that without buttons it would lay oddly, but it doesn’t.  And the nice part about not having buttons is that you can lose or gain a little weight and have no issue.  Also a plus for the pregnant ladies who can wear it pre and post baby.   You can dress it up or down, so for more casual days I plan to wear this with a red tee shirt and my favorite pair of dark wash, flared Modcloth jeans.  For work I’ll wear it over my knee length yellow, navy or red dresses. It’s warm but not too heavy and I think I can wear it all the way through summer.

Shoes:
Shoes
Defined the Scenes Flat in Blush
(Retail: $29.99)
Modcloth is one of my go to places to shop and I love all their unique offerings.  Because I commute to work in NYC, flats become by go to pick for spring and summer.  I loved this blush color because I think it will soften a lot of the black and grey in my wardrobe allowing them a nice transition into spring by giving a sort of Paris in Springtime vibe.  They are also super comfy on my wide feet and the price is really affordable.  If you dig them, I suggest you snap them up asap; they are more than worth the pricetag.

Jewelry:
Flower Post Earrings
Rosebud Flowers Post Earrings from the Fresh Jewelry Company
(Retail: $22.00)
I love jewelry that’s nature inspired, whimsical and unique.  Spring time makes me long for flowers and greenery and I adore jewelry that manages to capture that feeling.  These little sterling silver earrings feature real flowers inside resin.  This way you can take a bit of springtime with you, wherever you go.  (I ordered these but they didn’t arrive yet so this photo is from the Scoutmob site.)


Bookshelf:
When Venus Fell by Deborah Smith
(Retail: $5.98 for Ebook)
When it comes to reading, springtime makes me long for romance novels.  Now, there are so many super cheesy, boring and poorly written romances that they’ve given the whole industry a bad name.  But I promise there are still wonderful romance writers that give you interesting stories, compelling characters and gorgeous prose.  “When Venus Fell” by Deborah Smith is one of my favorite books.  The characters are not your stereotypical romance novel folks (no bodice ripping Fabios) and her prose effortlessly engages you with her characters, so you’re invested in the story.  If you want to give a good romance novel a try, pick this one up.  It’s one that I reread year after year.

Organization/Spring Cleaning:
Beauty Cases Case Open  Velcro         
Joy Mangano Biggest and Best Beauty Case Set Ever with 3 Bonuses!
(Retail: $59.95)
I managed to pick this up when it was a today special so I snagged it with free shipping and $20 off the pricetag.  If you read this blog regularly you know that I get a ton of products in my boxes.  I grabbed  this set so that I could do some spring cleaning and organize all the products I receive.  You can fit a ton in these and they fold up quite neatly.  The sections are velcroed and pull out easily.  The kit included three beauty cases and three additional storage bags. Thanks to living in a Victorian house, I’ve got the world’s most narrow storage cabin for my products.  These cases will nestle perfectly inside and make it easy for me to see what products I have and what’s running out and needs to be replaced.  These bags are super versatile and you can use them for all kinds of things, like crafts and office supplies.  If you want to get more organized, I highly recommend these.


Crafting:
stamp_parescargot1
 Par escargot Stamp by Wit & Whistle
(Retail: $20.75)
I discovered Wit & Whistle through my Fair Ivy subscription and I fell in love with this stamp.  Rubber stamping is one of the easiest ways to craft.  You buy some blank cards or postcards, an inkpad and a stamp and get to it.  I like to make notecards and gift tags using rubber stamps and this one is perfect for using on envelopes.  I plan to pick this up so I can jazz up all my outgoing mail.  I haven’t ordered it yet, so this photo is from the Wit & Whistle site.

So those are just a few of my favorite things this season.  There are only about a billion more, but you have other things to do besides listen to me talk about shopping.

So what did you pick up for Spring?

To read some other fabulous blogs and check out their Spring hit lists, take a look at my fellow blog hop participants.   Happy Reading!

%d bloggers like this: