OOTD | Valentines, Outfit, Weekend

Happy (late) Valentine's Day, and I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. Although I spent Valentines doing physics homework (basically a super busy Thursday), the boyfriend brought by favorite flowers, an adorable card, and a gift in the mail the next day.

So I treated myself to a little something for Valentines. I can't talk rave about this scrub enough, "Rose Tea" from Sabon. I've gone through so many pots of these, but because they're $30 a pot, it's not something I purchase all the time. It leaves my skin soft like no other, without any residue. Many scrubs leave an oily residue on the skin, and this is the only scrub I've tried that doesn't. It smells delicious, and you don't need a ton to cover the entire body. I'll do a separate review on this one!

Getting dressed for Friday's festivities- on my way out to celebrate a birthday. I put the homework away, did my hair, and had a fabulous time.

Make up (although not so clear in the pictures- sorry!)

Foundation: bareMinerals

Powder: bareMinerals

Eyes: Carbon//MAC

Mascara: Covergirl Lashblast

Blush: Well Dressed//MAC

Highlight: Soft & Gentle//MAC

Lipstick: Cruising//NARS

Products used on hair:

 Hot tools 1.5 inch curling iron

Paul Mitchell Hot Of The Press heat protectant spray

Treseme Tres two hairspray

What I wore:

Tuxedo Blazer//Express

Silk blouse//Express

Leggings//J.Crew

Sunburst earrings//House of Harlow

BCBG clutch

Boots//Baker's (from years ago)

Story of A Wednesday

A bit of an outfit of the day! Ran a few errands this morning, picking up groceries and other uninteresting household items and such in preparation for my final semester (starts Monday)! I picked up this sweater a few days ago at C Wonder, an adorable store that reminds me a lot of Kate Spade but preppier. I got the sweater in a large, since I like the slightly oversize fit of a chunky sweater. It does run a bit short, so the larger size made up for the length as well. 

C wonder It's somewhat of a lifestyle shop with everything in every color from sweaters to jewelry to dishes to a moped! They have amazing sales, currently 50% off all sale items. 

Sweater: All Over Cable Knit //C Wonder (sale!)

Tank: Target

Leggings: J.Crew

Boots: Willow//Banana Republic 

Started the day off right with fruit and oatmeal. College and campus has done quite a number on my figure (put on 20 pounds! Absolutely horrifying), and I'm on my way to losing the weight (with no intention of  finding it ever again). With healthy eating and exercise, I'm halfway there!

When it comes to exercise, I'm usually pretty good about it, except when I get busy. Then it ends up on the back burner. I'm going to make sure I get in my exercise daily, even if its just parking farther away, or always taking the stairs. I also have a nasty habit of buying magazines. It's totally unnecessary, but I always get sucked in. Maybe I should sign up for a subscription, it'd be so much easier on my wallet!

It's about that time for graduate exams, which means hardcore study time. Excited and intimidated about the Kaplan class starting next week, butttt one must do what she has to do. Bring it on MCAT.

Picked up this top from Lucky Brand. They're having a fantastic sale at the moment - 50% off sale items! This sale seems to be the trend with a bunch of stores at the mall, and I've been taking full advantage! I'm not usually a fan of Lucky Brand clothes (though I do love how it says "lucky you" on the fly of their jeans), but I thought this one is cute. Figure I'd tuck it into skinny jeans or shorts. The oversize, drape-y fit along with the velvet fabric hangs nicely.

And lastly, it's time for whiter teeth! My teeth aren't yellow by any means, but they're not as bright as they used to be. Maybe it's due to my Starbucks habit in the last year or so. I picked up these White Strips at Ulta earlier. These were on sale as well for $45 (usually $55). There's also a $3.50 off any $10 or more purchase that can be printed out from their website.

I've used these strips once before in high school, and they worked fabulously. These ones are to be used for 30 minutes a day for 20 days. The ones I had before were 30 minutes, twice a day for 14 days. I'm not sure if I can double up on the strips per day to make them work faster or not. I do know that they make my teeth a bit sensitive so that probably isn't a good idea anyway. This is also a sign that I need to work on my patience haha.

Have you used these? Is there a stark difference between the 4 and 5 whitening power?

New Years and Favorites!

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope everybody had a safe and fun filled holiday, and a great start to 2013.

Dress: Lush (Nordstrom) $48 

Necklace: House of Harlow

Makeup (though hard to see, sorry!):

- MAC Carbon eyeshadow

- MAC All That Glitters

- Covergirl Lashblast Mascara

- MAC Soft & Gentle

- NARS Cruising lipstick

I thought I'd throw in my favorites of the past year. Made every effort to keep it rather concise!

MAC Peaches (Sheertone Blush) $20

This blush is great because it looks super natural, is really sheer, and buildable. It works really well with my yellow undertones, and adds a pop of color without looking overdone. I bought this over the summer - I use this almost every day and still haven't made a dent! Looks great with all makeup looks.

Anastasia's Brow Fix $21

Keeps my brows nicely in place, and holds the shape well. It's invisible on the brows, and lasts all day!

Anastasia's Brow Duality (Shell/Lace) $23

Most versatile product! The highlighter end works well under the brows for a lift, as well as brightens the eyes if used as eyeliner. I use it on the bridge of my nose to make it look slimmer, as well as a face highlighter when I'm in a pinch. I take this everywhere.

The gold side is beautiful as well. Looks gorgeous as eyeshadow and liner.

 MAC 130 

Top left. Perfect for highlighter and foundation. Applies just enough for an even, flawless coverage. Had this for a few years, and it still looks like new!

MAC 168

 Amazing blush brush! It works well with cream foundations as well (I tried it with Studio Tech//MAC). Perfect for contouring as well due to the shape of the brush

Posh eye brushes (drug store)

bareMinerals Correcting Concealer $20

This concealer is super creamy and doesn't cake, making it perfect for under eye circles, acne scars, and other blemishes. It doesn't dry and never cakes. 

MAC Studio Finish NC30 $18

My go-to concealer. Covers absolutely everything and stays on all day. This little pot lasts forever, as you only need the tiniest bit to cover up.

Covergirl LashBlast Mascara $8

Best mascara ever! Especially for the price. Holds a curl perfectly, and all day long. Very build-able- good for faking falsies!

MAC Carbon (Matte) $15

Perfect for every look! It's super pigmented, and lasts all day. I use this as eyeliner for an every day or dramatic look.

MAC All That Glitters (Veluxe Pearl) $15

Perfect for a bit of sparkle! I love the veluxe pearl finishes, they look so luxe! A super soft and very versatile eyeshadow. I wear these two shadows together almost every day.

Yes to Cucumber Facial Towelettes $6

I use one of these wipes every night. Doesn't break me out, smells super fresh, and removes all make up efficiently. I've gotten away with not washing my face after using these, and my skin is still clean and clear the next morning. (Not saying you shouldn't wash up after!) It's perfect for those late and exhausting nights.

Dickinson's Witch Hazel <$5

One of those amazing drugstore products that does it all. I'll use some of this on a cotton pad after I wipe my face with the towelettes at night for an extra clean and soothing feeling. It's also very soothing to use post-wax if you wax your eyebrows, etc. I also use some on a cotton pad every morning if I'm in a pinch and running late. For the price, benefits, and the size, the bargain couldn't be better!

L'oreal BB Cream $12

I've talked about this product so much before, it's in every travel make up bag! (To-Go Makeup Bag Post) It was also in my November Favorites. It blurs blemishes and redness so perfectly for an airbrushed effect. It doesn't compare to foundation, but true to it's claims, it's a skin beautifier, keeping the face looking natural, but better. I use this every day for a natural look.

Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (125) $42

My absolute favorite, go-to foundation. It's one of those products that you know will fix any bad make up day. A little goes a long way! It applies very lightly but has fantastic coverage. This is my second bottle, and I'll repurchase forever. I apply this with the MAC 130 brush.

Burt's Bees Lip Balm $3

Drugstore perfection at it's best. I've been using this daily since the 7th grade! It's really moisturizing, and provides a tingling effect. Some people aren't a fan due to the minty-ness, but that's exactly what I love about it.

Rosebud's Strawberry Lip Balm $7

My first tin was gifted to me a few years ago, and I've been repurchasing ever since! It's my absolute favorite scent of any product (light strawberry scent), and the tin will last forever. The balm works for any part of the body, not necessarily for your lips. A must have!

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine//Belle-Ami $34

A lipstick that feels like a balm? oh yes. Delivers just the right amount of color and isn't at all thick. It does go quick though since it's relatively soft. Store away from any type of heat! Otherwise, it's worth every penny. I'll be buying more colors.

Chanel Black Satin $25

I've always loved black nail polish. I'm glad I found this one, it's black but not harsh. It has micro sparkles (almost invisible though) and gives a really nice satiny finish.

Essie Sugar Daddy $8

The your-nail-color-but-better pink. Adds a beautiful shine and a bit of color. Can't really notice if it chips either.

Essie Bordeaux $8

A wine-red color. More red than Wicked, and very flattering against the skin. I love this because it's more red based than many other darks which tend to be purple based.

Seche Vite $10

 Perfect quick-dry top coat. Gives the polish an extra shine as well, lasts forever on the nails.

Boscia Green Tea Blotting Papers $10

Doesn't disturb make up! $10 for 100 sheets- a great value. (Compared to Clean & Clear's $6 for 50 sheets at drug stores).

Caudalie Beauty Elixir $18/1oz

I've talked about this one before as well, I love everything about it- how it makes my skin more glowing, the way it smells, and how refreshing it feels to apply. Perfect size to keep in my purse. Gives the skin an extra boost when applied before moisturizer (morning and night), and a great wake-up spray in the morning.

L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream $10/1oz

I've tried SO many hand creams, and this one is my absolute favorite (Caudalie's comes up second, but I'm not really a fan of the smell of that one). Smells amazing, and absorbs instantly- I hate that feeling when creams don's absorb and you have that sticky feeling on your hands for the longest time). The packaging is just adorable, and is small enough for any handbag/makeup bag. The tube lasts me a while as well.

Pond's Clarant B3 $2/1oz

This came up as one of my favorite face creams. Runners up were Kate Somerville's Oil Free moisturizer $65/1oz (a bit too expensive), and Boscia's $35/1oz. Over time, it does reduce dark spots as advertised. It smells really good, and a little goes a long way. I pick this up at the Target travel section.

Lush Ocean Salt Scrub $30+

I use this on my face, and have noticed my skin looking brighter. Works wonder for blemishes as well (I'm guessing the vodka is working as the anti bacterial aspect). I use this in the shower as a bit of a "mask", applying it to my face and leaving it for a few minutes before rinsing. Works wonders!

Cane & Austin Acne Pads $60

It's expensive, but I can't live without this. Keeps blemishes at bay, and brightens the skin. It's not harsh like many other treatment pads, it's never dried out my skin (Even if I forget moisturizer!). Available on Amazon and at SpaceNK. Worth every penny. I've tried so many other cheaper alternatives but have always come back to this.

Flowerbomb//Viktor&Rolf

Favorite scent ever (next to Rosebud's Strawberry Balm). This is my fourth bottle and I'm running out! It's the perfect mixture of sweet, floral, and musk. Couldn't ask for more. My other perfume favorite is Chanel's Chance (ran out, so there's no picture :-/)

Have you tried any of these? What are your favorite products this year?

Leggings, Lipstick, & Laduree

It's been quite an exciting week, starting off with the second round of presidential debates taking place on campus! Unfortunately I was not selected in the lottery to attend the event, but that didn't take away from the excitement on campus. News stations were set up everywhere, streets were blocked off, and security was highest I've ever seen. It's not every day that the President is in town. Due to class cancellations for the debates, I've been doing a bit of running around, and I thought I'd share a few tidbits of my days:

Nordstrom Blazer

Nordstrom Frenchi "Girlfriend" Tee

J Crew Signature Leggings

H&M scarf

Michael Kors "Slim Runway" Watch

Giuseppe Zanotti flats

Abercrombie & Fitch Sweater

Urban Outfitters BDG cigarette jeans

Target Boots

Longchamp Le Pliage Large

Then I went to Lord&Taylor. I don't frequent this store, but I always find great deals when I do. The Friends & Family sale was going on, 25% off almost everything in the store, and 10% off cosmetics! I was super excited, as cosmetics almost never go on sale anywhere. I picked up a matte velvet lip pencil; Cruella//NARS, and the Dolce Vita//NARS lipstick.

And I went to MAC, and bought two more lipsticks...

From left to right, Dolce Vita//NARS, Dark Side//MAC, Ruby Woo//MAC

This is Cruella//NARS, the matte velvet lipstick pencil. In comparison with the Ruby Woo, it's not as bright. Ruby Woo is more of a blue-based red. In other words, Ruby Woo makes one's teeth look whiter and brighter than the Cruella. Both are gorgeous though.

When I had lunch with a friend of mine, she brought me these macaroons from Laduree. They are, hands down, the BEST macaroons/desserts ever. Light but flavorful, they are perfection.

And there's no better way to end a hard week full of exams than a great candle and some fresh flowers (hydrangeas). The candle is Gardenia//Henri Bendel.

Happy October- Outfit

Welcome to October! My favorite month of the year. The changing season is so beautiful, and it's the proper season for PUMPKIN flavored dishes- my favorites being lattes and pumpkin pie! ( something I'll be baking in the next few days). 

Here's an outfit-of-the-day:

Top: Ruched longsleeve//Kenneth Cole (from two winters ago)

Pants: Express cropped dress pant (from 3 winters ago)

Scarf: H&M (last fall)

Watch: Michael Kors "Slim Runway"

Bag: Longchamp Le Pliage mini in black

Earrings: oversize pearls from Forever 21 (last year)