Leopard & Coral

I mean.... this may or may not be the third post since I've started this blog 2 weeks ago where I reference how obsessed I am with coral. But I'll just go ahead and tell you again - I'm OBSESSED! It's such a fun color for spring, and makes you look super tan (and super blonde for all you blondies)! I love love love the idea of pairing coral with leopard to add a little somethin' somethin' to your day! I think there IS such thing as too much leopard... but when paired correctly with a stand-out color like coral, you'll make the perfect statement!

Here are some of my favorite leopard + coral looks I've come up with! What are some of your favorite leopard statement pieces you've come across recently?


Going Out:
Diane von Furstenberg - Deandra Leopard Print
Givenchy - Antigona Envelope Clutch
Saint Laurent - Metallic Two-Tone Leather Pump
Chamak by Priya Kakkar - Tribal Bead Bangles 

Work:
7 For All Mankind - Cheetah-Print Slim Cigarette Pants
Haute Hippie - Henley Blouse
Tory Burch - Reva Ballet Flats
Rachel Roy - Collarless Blazer
Michael Kors - Large Runway Watch
Anastasia - Cocktail Ring

Casual:
7 For All Mankind - Twill Crop Skinny Jeans
Charles Philip - Sheila Loafers
Nasty Gal - High Road Chambray Shirt
Cara - Pyramid Stud Earrings
Marc By Marc Jacobs - Classic Q Crossbody

Date Night:
Elizabeth and James - Amalia Skirt
Christian Louboutin - Large Sweet Charity
Theory - Jantine Sleeveless Drape
Diane von Furstenberg - Opalista Wedge
Charlotte Russe - Gemstone Statement Necklace

RED ALERT: 25% off Tory Burch Site Wide Through 4/29!

No But seriously. Let me repeat myself. 25% off SITE. WIDE. Yes please! I absolutely love when TB has these friends & fans events & I get to finally order that bag or those boots or that blouse I've been eyeing... guilt-free! Or, ok, at least MOSTLY guilt-free (;

All you have to do is enter the code TBSPRING when you're ready to check out. So ladies, go crazy on the new Spring Collection 2013. It's absolutely adorable. You know you want to! Just make sure you do it by Monday, April 29th. Here are some of my favorite finds:

Skinny Double Snap Bracelet in Viridian Green 

Classic Grosgrain Fedora in Natural Straw/White Quartz

Clemens Drop Earring in Light Chambray/Mint

Porter Bangle in Amazonite/Light Gold 

Sarah Jane Short in Tory Navy/Dover Stripe

Lucille Top in Aqua Sea

Bogott Cardigan in Mint Tie Dye Stripe Revised

Walsh Dress in Navy

Robinson Spectator Double Zip Tote in Ocean Breeze

Robinson Small Envelope Clutch in Parisian Blue

What fab items are you going to snag from this Tory Burch sale? 

Pink, Orange & Red (In Any Combination)

One of my best best friends, Cameron, has a super cute blog that recently caused me to fall head over heels for this Loeffler Randall bag (only 1 left on Shopbop!). So, I thought I'd use it as a center piece amongst some of the fabulous pink, orange and red color block pieces I've been drooling over lately! Pair ANY of these 3 colors together and you're bound to look bright & fabulous while making a statement.  As you know, I'm really into bright colors, so these items are ALL on my wish list.

Loeffler Randall The Rider Bag
Serpui Marie Woven Minaudiere
Tory Burch Eddie Flats
IRO Mayall Sandals
Giambattista Valli Floral Cotton Shorts
Nanven Bombshell Dress
Rachel Zoe Silk Simone Blouse
Kenneth Jay Lane Dangle Earrings
Tory Burch Enamel T Bangle


What are your favorite bright colors to pair?

Banana Republic Finds

I'm typically not a huge Banana Republic fan just because a lot of their women's clothing can look a little too generic "workish" for my taste. But, I ended up there with Lane this past weekend as he really likes their slim fit polos. Instead of helping him pick out some new spring wardrobe staples that we went there for - I ended up getting completely distracted by SO MANY adorable accessories and fun spring dresses for myself & ultimately spent even more than he did (typical!). Here are some of my favorite BR finds!

Dresses:
Ponte Full-Skirt Dress in Royal Azure, $130
Ponte Knit Square-Neck Sheath in Green Flourite, $130

Jewelry:
Delhi Semi-Precious Stone Bracelet in Aqua, $125
Magpie Earring in Ultra Yellow, $39.50
Mosaic Bib Necklace, $150
Corsage Necklace in Vanilla, $89.50
Flower Cocktail Ring in Multi Color, $39.50

Clutches:
Kaylan Clutch in Turquoise, $89.50
Michelle Clutch in Natural, $79.50

Orange-cha Glad It's Friday?

I sure am! This week has been especially long & busy. I think I've gotten 10 hours of sleep this entire week & have averaged about 3 cups of coffee per day. HEALTHY! But... it's Friday! And I couldn't be happier. It's also freaking GORGEOUS out today (77!) so that makes me extra happy. Anyways, today I went casual to work with a bright orange top and skinny jeans. Here are the outfit deets:

Top - Joie Maddie Linen Tee in Hot Coral, $118
Tank - BP Double Scoop Neck Tank in Black, $15
Jeans - AG The Legging - 7 Years Dwight, $210
Flats - Mine are MK Plate Drivers from last year.. but these are similar
Bracelets - David Yurman 7mm Color Classics Bracelet in Black Onyx, $650
                  Tory Burch Leather Double Wrap Logo Stud Bracelet in Black, $95
Necklace - Urban Outfitters Layered Ombre Bib Necklace in Black, $28
Nail Polish - Essie in A Crewed Interest, $8

Black & Mint

I hadn't worn my mint jeans in awhile and that was kind of a problem. Because I love them. A lot. Probably too much. But keep in mind I have this thing where I cannot and I mean absolutely CANNOT wear the same outfit twice for at least a couple months - and so I have to be especially careful with fun statement items like mint pants, for example. And if I'm photographed in something? FORGET IT! Has to look like a completely different piece of clothing if I'm ever to wear it again in the near-term. Thankfully, it had been a little while since I had busted out the minty pants - so GAME ON! I wanted the jeans and my accessories to be the only color, so I wore them with a simple black top, black blazer, a fab turquoise cuff & black TB flats. 

Top - Splendid Button Down Tank in Black, $88

Jeans - Koral Skinny Pastel Jeans in Mint, $190

Flats - Tory Burch Classic Reva Ballet in Black/Silver, $225

Cuff - I honestly cannot remember.. but similar Max & Chloe one here! 

Blazer - Silence & Noise Ex-Boyfriend Blazer in Black, $49 (on sale now!!) 

Nails - Essie in Turquoise & Caicos, $8

Ring - Tiffany Somerset Ring, $275 

Necklace - David Yurman 

Dressing For A Movie Date Night

So Lane & I went to see The Place Beyond The Pines this weekend and let me just tell you something - GO SEE IT IMMEDIATELY!!!! Like, right now. Stop what you are doing and go. Ok fine, you can go this weekend I guess. But seriously... Lane really wanted to see it and I watched the preview and wasn't that into it slash only agreed to go for RYGOS (never thought I'd be so attracted to a guy with a tear drop tat on his face until now). BUT.... it ended up being SO SO SO good. I won't give anything away but I will say that the previews do NOT do it justice only because it is a very uniquely-made film and it would give away too much if they added anymore into the previews. Eva, Ryan & Brad (We're on a first name basis) all gave absolutely stellar performances and I think we sat in our seats 10 minutes after it ended hoping it would start over again. It didn't. Damn.

Anyways, I always try to look extra cute & sassy when Lane takes me on dates (as opposed to the usual he sees me in.. aka work clothes or sweatpants) but it's always a little shifty when we go to the movies because finding some variation of cute (for Lane), comfy (duh) and warmish (for the freezing cold movie theater) to wear can be quite the challenge considering I have so. much. freaking. impractical. clothing. And just clothing in general. Plus - let's be honest... I NEVER want to be THAT girl that comes clonking into the theater in a pair of 6inchers looking absolutely ridiculous. So, I figured a pair of colored jeans, an oversized sweater, ankle boots & some fun accessories would do the trick! Here's what I wore:

Ankle boots - Sam Edelman Lisle in Saddle, $64
Sweater - Nasty Gal Static Knit in Taupe, $48
Jeans - Paige Verdugo Ultra Skinny in Vintage Red, $179
Bag - Marc By Marc Jacobs Classic Q Percy Crossbody Bag in Cinnamon Stick, $198
Necklace - Stella & Dot Campari Necklace, $128
Earrings - Marc By Marc Jacobs Turnlock Stud Earrings in Gold, $42
Cuff - Forever 21 Layered Cuff in Gold, $7
Nail Polish - Essie in Bobbing For Baubles, $8

Teal & Beige

Hi friends! Guess what? This is what I wore to work today. Exciting, I know. But seriously what does excite me is these pants. I'm totally into colored ankle pants right now (not too cropped - just the ankle kind) that can be worn to work AND to happy hour. Especially ankle pants that didn't cost me half my pay check but also don't look like I pulled them right off a Forever 21 sale rack (although I do love me some Forever 21!). I think pairing a loose fitting beige top with a teal bottom is such an easy way to spice up a work outfit while keeping your look delicate and sophisticated.

Blouse - Vince Popover Silk Tunic, $275
Pants - Victoria's Secret The Lexie Skinny Crop Pant in Moroccan Teal, $49.50
Shoes - Zigi Soho Smokey Studded Flat, $50
Nails -OPI in Samoan Sand, $8
Ring -Guess Square Dome Ring in Gold/Teal, $23

You Are More Beautiful Than You Think You Are

My friend Nicole shared this video with me this morning. Dove conducted a social experiment  surrounding the fact that only 4% of women around the world consider themselves beautiful. Now, I'm not sure where this 4% came from or the background behind the pool size/selection of the women surveyed; but I absolutely believe that negative body image is something every. single. woman has struggled with at some point or another. And some women struggle with it every day. This actually goes beyond limiting negative body image to women, though. This video demonstrates the fact that we ALL (men included!) have things we pin point and hone in on about ourselves. Whether it's freckles or cellulite or weight or height or muscles or hair color or the shape of your nose - negative body image is truly an epidemic in our culture. And sadly, it's mostly self-induced.  I'm the first to admit how critical of myself I am, too. Watching this video had me thinking, 'I wonder how I would describe myself to Gil?' Would it look like me? Would I have over-emphasized the parts of myself that I am self-conscious about?

It's practically impossible to just "turn off" feelings of self-consciousness. But this video is SUCH an important reminder that at the end of the day, you are your own worst critic, and no one else is nearly as consumed with that awkward freckle on your cheek than you are. In fact, chances are no one else even notices it. So, instead of spending hours in the mirror criticizing our uniquely beautiful selves, we need to spend our time learning to feel confident and comfortable in our own skin, exemplifying our beauty from within, and ultimately creating your own best YOU. The best part about that? No one gets to decide what or who that looks like for you.

And guess what? YOU ARE MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE. Remember that.

Dear Skin, Stop That Aging Nonsense!

Literally, refuse. Ok well I guess I need to make money & such. But in every other aspect - I REFUSE! Some call it Peter Pan Syndrome... some call it Gerontophobia.... I call it I-really-just-don't-want-to-get-wrinkles-or-have-too-much-responsibility-syndrome. Real talk: when I see all of these girls on Facebook getting married and popping out 10 children all before the age of 25, I start to hyperventilate. Ok, not really, but it does really stress me out. WHY DO YOU WANT TO GROW UP SO FAST?! I mean... I've been dating my boyfriend for almost 3 years (next month! wow!) and we still are in the let's go to the park and swing for an hour and then go get drunk off a $5 bottle of gas station wine phase. Maybe I'm crazy..... Maybe I'm immature... Maybe I'm smart.... Who knows... Who cares.... All I know is by the time I am ready for all of that scary "life" stuff I want to look EXACTLY the same. Ok well for the most part at least. Wrinkles TERRIFY me, you guys. They do. There's nothing scarier than saggy face skin. SAGGY FACE SKIN. See, it even sounds scary! And because I am so so SO so SO afraid of needles and just jacking up my face in general (I'm allergic to EVERYTHING, mind you), Botox is probably always going to be out of the question. SO, I made a pact with myself to do what I could to keep my skin healthy & young from as early on as I cared to (which was sophomore year in college). Yes, this included banning myself from tanning beds (alternatives to tanning in beds will come in a later post!), wearing face sunscreen daily and adding anti-aging creams to my nightly routine. Call me crazy for using an anti-aging cream at 22, but there is so much research that backs the importance of taking care of your skin from an early age to prevent wrinkles/damage later on. And by golly I am going to do what I can to lessen my chances of an extreme case of saggy skin!

Step 1 - Philosophy Purity Made Simple
             Clarisonic Mia Skincare Brush
Step 2 - Super by Dr. Perricone Firming Activator
Step 3 - Super by Dr. Perricone Night Recharge with Red Algae
Step 4 - La Mer The Eye Concentrate

Sun's Out, Sunglasses On.

Come on, you know throwin' down a couple extra dollars towards a GOOD pair of sunglasses is totally worth it and makes ALL the difference in the world on an obnoxiously bright day. Sure, you might be able to find cute sunnies at Target for $300 less than those Spring/Summer 2013 Miu Miu's you've been lusting after; but in terms of UV protection, lens quality, comfort, clarity & durability? Well honey, there's really just no comparison in my opinion. Plus - I rationalize if I am going to be protecting my eyes with these suckers every day... I want them to be FAB. Here are a few of my faves (organized by my 3 fav styles, DUH).

Wayfarers
Celine, $277
Marc by Marc Jacobs, $110
Alexander McQueen, $350

Aviators
Dior, $375
Alexander McQueen, $375
Roberto Cavalli, $485

Round
Chloe, $275
Alexander McQueen, $325
Tom Ford, $360

White Button Downs

So I'm super into white button downs right now, you guys. I'm talkin' the big, loose, this-looks-like-my-boyfriend's-shirt-but-it's-really-not types. And not the traditional clean cut, cotton, freshly ironed type either. The type that looks nicer than a T-shirt, but less formal than a dress shirt. How did this recent obsession start, you ask? Well.... mostly just because it's super cute to throw on with a pair of skinny jeans, clunky statement jewelry and flats. It's appropriate for work because it's a button down, but it's also cute for happy hour because it's not your traditional button down. It says: I'm casual, I'm stylish and I don't have to try to look this good. Inspiration above!

Button Down - Free People  Solid Gauze Button Down in color White, $98
Necklace - Kenneth Cole Modern Clementine Gold Necklace, $55
Ring - Topshop Stackable Rings (Set of 5) in color Mixed Metal, $28
Clutch - YSL Y Ligne Clutch Bag in color Red, $995
Jeans - Hudson Nico Skinny in Abbey, $189
Flats - B Brian Atwood Pointed Toe Cap Ballet Flats in color Taupe Multi, $275

Pinterest Addiction Put To Good Use

So.... saying I'm addicted to Pinterest is quite possibly an understatement. I think Lane would argue I spend more time on Pinterest in 1 day than he does playing FIFA in an entire month...which is a valid argument considering I'm always pestering him about it (;. No but really.... Thanks to Pinterest I now have planned out: every meal I'm going to make for the next 57 years; my wedding in 3 color variations AND seasons; what my future home is going to look like from the inside out (NO EXCEPTIONS PEOPLE!); the photographs I want to take of my future children (slash what I want them to look like...NBD); the clothes I NEED to buy to have THAT color coordinated, perfect closet, etc. It's totally rational, right?

BUT... there are 2 GREAT things that have come from my Pinterest addiction... 1) freaking DELISH meals that probably keep Lane loving me despite my ridiculous ways and 2) the skill of seeing something I like that is not linked to a site (isn't that the WORST?!) or ridiculously out of my price range and finding a similar-looking alternative.

And because I am totally crushing on spring/pastel colors.... I give you........ my very own rendition of my favorite spring/pastel pinned outfits that I cannot find and/or afford.

Outfit 1:
Skirt - American Apparel Chiffon Pleated Skirt in color Strawberry Pink, $58
Belt - Free People Kingsbury Triple Wrap Belt in color Yellow, $28
Top - Forever 21 Bejeweled Peter Pan Collar Shirt in color Cream, $23
Watch - Michael Kors Mercer Chronograph Bracelet Watch in color Rosegold, $275
Bracelet - Nadri Cord Charm Bracelet in color Pink/Silver/Clear, $38
Pumps - N.Y.L.A. Genevieve in color Nude, $88

Outfit 2:
Blazer - LOFT Petite Drapey Crepe Blazer  in color Neon Pink, $89
Dress - Windsor White Embroidered Sundress, $45
Bracelets - Etsy Infinity Nautical Rope Bracelet, $12
                  Karmaloop Silver Lavender Bracelet, $40
Clutch - Banana Republic Monique Clutch in color Cognac, $99
Nail Polish - Essie in Fiesta, $8

Outfit 3:
Top - Club Monaco Sunny Striped Tee in color Liberty Blue & White, $39
Shorts - Queen's Wardrobe Mini Ruffle & Big Ribbon, $57
Necklace - B.P. Layered Multistrand Necklace in Gold, $18
Pumps -  Steven Lexa in color Blush Leather, $82
Bag - Michael Kors Hamilton Large Canvas Tote in color Ecru/Luggage, $328
Bangles - Bop Bijoux Interlocking Bangle Set in Gold, $40

Gettin' Lippy With It

My dad used to make me wash my face off every single morning from a ridiculously young age (I wasn't allowed to wear makeup until I was 14!) because I would waltz out the door with as much makeup as I thought I could get away with. NOPE! He always caught me. ALWAYS. That is until I discovered that he didn't pick up on lipstick as long as I kept it pretty natural. Who knew that a pink lip was less noticeable than bright blue eye shadow?! (;

I LOVE LIPSTICK YOU GUYS! For real. I do. I've truthfully never been a huge fan of gloss.. mostly just because it comes off the second you take a sip of your drink or kiss your man (and is super sticky!). I think the look of a matte, deeply pigmented lip against uber white teeth is the ultimate form of sexy! Simply adding a pop of color to your lips with minimal makeup on the rest of your face can truly make you look like a whole different woman. Experimenting with lipstick colors = CRAYON FUN!

Here are some of my favorite go-to lipsticks when I need a pop of color. I typically gravitate toward bold, bright shades of pink... but I've added a few others that I think are worth checking out.

What are your go-to lipsticks?

MAC - "Snob" ($15)
MAC - "Creme Cup" ($15)
NARS - "Carthage" ($26)
MAC - "Fabby" ($15)
Chanel - "Chalys"  ($34)
Dolce & Gabbana - "Iconic" ($32)
Tom Ford - "Blush Nude" ($48)
MAC - "Pink Nouveau" ($15)

Pretty Pastels

With Spring on the mind, here are a few must-have pastel pieces I came across this weekend. Pastel colors are the easiest way to delicately incorporate color into all of your outfits without getting too crazy as we transition into summer weather.

What pastels do you have in your Spring wardrobe?

Jeans - Paige Denim Verdugo Ultra Skinny Ankle Jeans in color Sky, $179
Skirt - Alice + Olivia Pleated Leather Skirt in color Light Purple, $495
           Forever 21 High-Low Chiffon Skirt in color Peach, $14
Flats - Salvatore Ferragamo Varina Flat in color Blue Pastel Patent, $425
           Valentino Rockstud Ballerina Flat in color Yellow/Nude, $595
Wedge - Steve Madden Xternal Wedge Sandal in color Coral, $80
Blouse - Alice + Olivia Arie Tied Collar Blouse in color Pastel Dot/Aqua, $264
              Equipment Brett Vintage Wash Blouse in color Peach Nectar, $198
Blazer -Vince Camuto One Button Blazer in color New Mint, $100
Clutch - Rebecca Minkoff Skyler Studded Crossbody Bag in color Lilac, $325
Earrings - Kate Spade Stud Earrings in color Lilac/Gold, $38
Bracelet - Kendra Scott Cassie Bracelet in color Lilac, $130
                Tory Burch  Logo Double Wrap Bracelet, $95
Ring - Ippolita Wonderland Teardrop Ring in color Aqua, $595

True Life: I'm Obsessed With Coral

You guys have no idea. I have a serious obsession. In fact, as I'm sitting here typing this post, I realize: my nails are coral, my wallet sitting next to me is coral and the new towels for my bathroom I just bought have coral detailing (not to mention the 17 coral blouses I now have. Yes, 17. Not okay.) It's actually become kind of ridiculous. I am immediately attracted to every thing coral I see these days and will literally beeline to it. I'm not entirely sure when or how this obsession began; but I will say that there are 2 awesome things that occur every time I wear something coral: 1) you will automatically look tan and 2) you will automatically look cheery. Whether it's a pop of coral as an accessory or as the primary color you're sporting in an outfit - coral is in and coral is FABULOUS.

Outfit 1:Dress - Joie Dawna Silk Shirt Dress, $268
Clutch - Elaine Turner Bella Zigzag Raffia Envelope Clutch, $195
Bangles - Ashley Pittman Nene Horn & Bronze Bangles, $535
Necklace - Ippolita Rock Candy Mini Lollipop Necklace, $995
Shoes - Fendi Fendista Colorblock Ankle-Wrap Sandal, $785
Earrings -  Forever 21 Faceted Pyramid Studs, $3

Outfit 2:
Jeans - Marc By Marc Jacobs Skinny Coral Stick Jeans, $51
Top - Haute Hippie Open Back Cowl Blouse, $182
Shoes - Jeffrey Campbell Lita Platform Boot - Taupe Suede, $162
Clutch - Jimmy Choo Sweetie Glittery Clutch Bag in Nude, $750
Bangle - Vince Camuto Hinged Bangle in Coral Reef/Gold, $48
Earrings - Tory Burch Cole Stud Earrings in Raspberry Sorbet, $68

Shoes For The Working Gal

I'm addicted to shoes. Really, I am. Ask Lane. The shoe section is the first stop I make in every department store and you can probably expect me to try on at least 4-5 pairs I can't afford, walk away for an hour and then come back to splurge on the pair I couldn't stop thinking about. Yes, I'm THAT girl. But trust me when I say I wear every. single. pair. of the nearly 100 pairs I currently have in my closet.

The transition from college to career in terms of shoe practicality was a rough one. I went from living in cute sandals and sexy pumps to a heavy reliance on comfortable flats. I honestly had never really worn flats before working life hit because I had always generalized them as boring on the shoe statement scale. BUT! I soon came to the realization that aside from flats being 394834x more comfortable/practical for a 10 hour work day; there really are so many absolutely ADORABLE pairs that now live in my closet that I totally would have passed over a year ago. I personally like sticking to more neutral colors with a little detailing (i.e. bow, studs etc.) when it comes to flats so I can mix them with a variety of outfits and statement bags or accessories without overwhelming the look.

1. Salvatore Ferragamo Varina Metallic Leather Bow Ballet Flats, $425
2. Valentino Rockstud Patent Leather Ballet Flats, $595
3. Diane von Furstenberg Ara Studded Pointed-Toe Skimmer Flat, $250
4. Tory Burch Caroline Elastic Trim Ballerina Flat, $225
5. Kate Spade Knightley Flat, $298
6. Sam Edelman Milly Flat, $99

Nail Files: Spring Polish Favorites

Along with April showers, May flowers and the most terrible allergies; spring season welcomes a delicately fresh new release of colors and products from most beauty lines. But really - I'm actually obsessed with everything about spring. Seriously, is there anything prettier than spring flowers? If you're like me and you consider nail color a crucial accessory to your look of the day, you should immediately go purchase these fab spring shades. These gentle but powerful pastels scream 'BRB I'm about to go lie down in a field of bluebonnets.' Depicted above are the 6 shades that have me absolutely drooling over my own hands every time I polish with them. 

What are your spring nail polish favorites?

1. ESSIE in Mint Candy Apple, $8
2. ESSIE in Bikini So Teeny, $8
3. ESSIE in Play Date, $8
4. Chanel in 535 May, $27
5. ESSIE in Tart Deco, $8
6. ESSIE in Go Ginza, $8

Everyday Makeup Routine

My routine is pretty standard when it comes to everyday makeup application (I'll save my 'going out' makeup routine for another post!). When I find a product I love, I tend to use it for a long time. The only beauty product that I am continually experimenting with is mascara, which you can read about my current obsessions here. Other than mascara and the seasonal foundation color change my naturally fair skin forces me to make come fall; I stick to the products that I know & love.... aka products that don't make me break out, look like a grease ball, or like I just dipped my face in baby powder or tanning solution. Not hot, you guys.

Step 1. YSL TOUCHE ECLAT - Radiant Touch in color 2 Luminous Ivory, $40

Step 2. Too Faced Absolutely Flawless Concealer in color Perfect Nude, $20

Step 3. Chanel VITALUMIERE Makeup in color 20 Clair, $55 

            Bobbi Brown Makeup Brush , $38

Step 4. NARS Bronzing Powder in color Laguna, $36

            Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush, $52

Step 5. Lancome Blush Subtil in color Sheer Amourose, $30

            MAC 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush, $35

Step 6. Lancome Definicils High Definition Mascara in color Deep Black, $27

Step 7. YSL 'Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in color 18 Rose Pastelle, $34

Lululemon Clothing Is Made Of Magic

If you've never put on a pair of Wunder Unders then I can understand why you would think paying $80 for a pair of spandex is completely ridiculous. But mark my words - go try on a pair and they will sell themselves right into your dresser drawer. I'm serious! I've never met anyone who owns Lululemon clothing who a) isn't completely obsessed and b) regularly buys any other brand of work out clothing now.

My first experience in a Lululemon store was much like the first time I laid eyes on Jesse McCartney in 5th grade. I saw, I felt (ok I didn't feel J.M., you guys) I salivated and immediately became obsessive. I knew there was no turning back once I did my first round of try-ons. The material was like nothing I had ever felt before - and I'm still not really even sure what exactly it is. But I'm ok with that. Because it is most likely made out of magic. All of their clothing is sweat-wicking so you're not disgusting by the end of your hard workout and it literally does not slip around or droop at the crotch or slip off your waist or awkwardly ride up AT ALL no matter the physical activity.

I think the biggest misconception about Lululemon is that women who don't really work out hard and just want to look good at the gym are the only happy customers. WRONG! First of all, I am not a gal who goes to the gym to look good. In fact, if I'm not dripping in sweat by the end of my workout/spin class then I don't feel like I worked hard enough. Even before turning in my huge, baggy T-shirts for colorful Lululemon Tees I couldn't have cared LESS about what I look like when I work out. I just want to be comfortable and not feel like I have to suck in while I'm dying on the stair master because we all know it's hard to double task. Second of all, I love that it's not too 'flashy.' Sometimes Nike gear gets to be a little much with the graphics/huge logo combo. The Lululemon logo is super discreet on all pieces of clothing which I absolutely love (and some items are reversible so you can't see the logo at all on one side). Heck, I've even got my boyfriend hooked! (wait what? I never said that Lane I swear...!) By the way, if you're actually paying $80 on spandex just to 'look good'  or sport a label well then honey you've got a whole different type of problem.

The above articles of Lululemon clothing have become staples in my workout wardrobe. Not kidding - I probably own every color offered for each of them. Oh, and did I mention the Ta Ta Tamer II is probably the BEST sports bra I've ever owned?

Don't call me crazy until you've tried it out! Swear you'll be hooked. And if you're not, well, Jesse McCartney doesn't like you.

Real Talk - TEETH!

I am frequently asked how I get my teeth so white. Well people, I'm here to tell you that there's no secret to keeping your pearly whites nice and sparkly. Truly, I've never used a thing to whiten my teeth that I didn't purchase at Target or CVS. If you're like me and you had braces put on in 2nd grade and not taken off until 9th grade (oh wait.... most people don't have them on for 8 years? IMAGINE THAT!) then you were extremely nervous about your teeth being stained when those babies came off and became a little obsessive with whitening them to the point you weren't able to drink water without your gums burning. Oops. Anyways, my point being - the 3 products you see above I absolutely SWEAR by and 100% attribute to keeping my teeth uber white. I still drink red wine, coffee (way too much) and diet coke like it's nobody's business... but I've found that drinking out of a straw when I can definitely keeps my bleached teeth whiter for longer! Well, ok, drinking wine out of a straw would be weird...

Philips Sonicare Toothbrush - For real, this toothbrush is my baby. Although it's a bit more pricey than your average manual toothbrush; I'm telling you that it is WORTH. IT. It's extremely powerful & will probably change your life or something. I've had mine for a few years and literally just swap out the brush head every couple of months. Are you on your way to Target yet? I brush 2x per day and use Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste.

Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Floss - Let's be honest. I absolutely would prefer to use those easy little individual flossers instead of the real stuff that makes your fingers lose all circulation (no but really isn't that the WORST?!). Alas, the real stuff is what we need to be using in order to get all the gunky sh*$ out that the flossers can't reach. BOO! Thankfully, Oral-B Glide floss is a little less harsh feeling and really does "glide" easier between your teeth. Trust me, I hate flossing just as much now as I did when I was 5. But it is absolutely CRUCIAL to maintaining healthy gums, preventing cavities and keeping your smile white. I floss 1x per day.

Crest 3D Whitestrips - If I could hold hands with these whitestrips I would. They're that great. I mean look at the box even! All pretty & sparkly & stuff. No but seriously this is the only "bleaching" I've ever used on my teeth. And now they've got the 'advanced seal' so they don't slip off your teeth/you can actually speak like a normal human being when you've got them on (remember the old ones? You basically had to remain mute for 30 mins until they came off in fear of half your teeth whitening while the other side slipped off. Major P.I.T.A.). The box comes with 20 packets (each has a top/bottom strip) and says to use for 20 days straight... but I wouldn't necessarily recommend that. Unless your teeth are the color of your urine in which case I would recommend you do it for 40 days straight. I typically use them for 3-5 days once or twice per year because I've got uber sensitive gums + 4 days of use seems to bleach them effectively enough. **Try not to eat or drink anything dark in color for a couple hours after you use whitestrips. The main active ingredient in most whitening formulas is a derivative of peroxide which opens up pores on your teeth so introducing a natural stain like coffee could be a disaster! 

Lashes For The Noncommittal Type (like me)

Over the past year or so I've been toying with the idea of getting eyelash extensions. Yes, you heard me, extensions for your eyelashes. So what you've got naturally dark, full, luscious eyelashes; there will always be a Kardashian that has darker, fuller, more luscious lashes than you because they're on the extension wagon. Eyelash extensions essentially serve the same purpose as hair extensions: to add length & fullness to your natural set (top and/or bottom). If you know me personally or read my last post then you know I die for voluminous, thick, black, fabulous lashes - so why haven't I joined in on the lash extension craze? Well, for starters, I don't have the patience nor the time to spend 2-3 hours sitting back in a chair while someone delicately glues each individual eyelash extension to my individual natural lashes (this can take longer/shorter if you get more/less than a typical full set).  While the process to get them refilled is shorter in time (about 1 hour), it isn't any less tedious, and as you can imagine you will be back in getting the refills every 3-6 weeks to keep them looking full/natural and not creepily long/curly/gappy as they fall out with your natural lashes (I'm sure you've seen this on some gals.. NOT CUTE). 

Wait.... did I mention you should expect to pay around $200-$500 initially then $60-$100 every couple weeks you go in to get them filled? No thanks. I've got surprisingly voluminous lashes as it is and to be honest - I think super dramatic lashes are the most fabulous when they're only extra Va Va Voom on occasion (I mean think about having extensions on a regular day...at work, school, church.... you can't just pull these babies off, you guys). SO... now I'll get to my point. FALSE EYELASHES! Yep. Don't be scared! I'm not waltzing around town with some ridiculous bright green sparkly lashes or anything guys (I mean I need to keep my boyfriend around, right?). In fact, I was SO SCARED to put them on myself for the longest time. I would get them put on at the MAC counter at Nordstrom every time I went to a dance in high school... but putting them on myself? Please. I already had a hard enough time learning how to put contacts in. But... I eventually learned they're really not that scary. And in fact, they are sometimes just the extra pizzazz I need to glam up my outfit for a night on the town or amp up my sultriness and self-confidence if I'm feeling a little 'blah.' OH... and they're ridiculously cheap. For real! I'm talking $4 for a pair that can be worn 3-5 times. $4 removables vs. $200+ extensions, people. 

There are TONS of brands and colors and styles and lengths of false lashes out there - but I am crazy for Ardell Wispies + Darkness Glue. The lashes aren't too over the top but still give you that extra glam factor if you're needing/wanting it. This glue in particular goes on and dries black so it looks like a liner. If you've got a super steady hand you can even apply this glue like eye liner directly to your natural lash line. Can you say awesome? Because my hand is not on the steady side, my trick is to put the glue directly on the false lash strip. Whether you paint directly on your lash line or on the false lash strip; let the glue air dry for 30 seconds so it starts to feel a little sticky & then place as close to your natural lashes as you can get for it to finish drying. VOILA! Hello, gorgeous! 

Wake Up With Mascara

Let's face it - I never get enough sleep. I'm pretty sure I could sleep for 37 hours straight if the opportunity presented itself. Unfortunately, that is just not going to happen and I've come to terms with the fact that coffee dependency isn't so bad considering I stopped growing in like.... seventh grade. BUT, while an espresso shot or five undoubtedly wakes my brain up; my "tired eyes" typically don't wake up until around noon. In my defense I work east coast hours so am up at an ungodly hour anyways - but tired, droopy, glazed over eyes? That's not a good look no matter what time you're waking up. But guess what? HOLY MASCARA! Honestly if there was one cosmetic product I actually could not live without it's mascara. Hands down. I mean... talk about a product that can make you look 17x more awake, put together AND give off the look-into-my-sultry-eyes-I'm-so-mysterious vibe all at the same time. Seriously, go from "OMG you look sick are you okay?" to your confident, sexy, wide awake self with just a few swipes of a mascara wand.

Although I'm blonde with blue eyes and naturally fair skin; I'm absolutely a dark black mascara lover. Screw the beauty mags that say brown eye makeup makes blue eyes pop. I think long, thick, dark black lashes are super fabulous on EVERY eye color as long as you're confident rocking a less natural look. I would rather be borderline too much than not enough in most aspects of my life anyways. For work or a casual day I typically apply 2 coats on the top and 1 on the bottom with a lengthening mascara that has more comb-like bristles like Lancome's Definicils-High Definition in Deep Black or Benefit's They're Real! in Black. For going out I use Sephora Collection eye lash curler BEFORE applying 2-3 coats of mascara on top with a more dramatic/volumizing mascara that has more densly packed bristles like Diorshow or BADgal Lash. Remember, there's no mascara clump a clean wand can't smooth out for ya before it dries, so if you want to go extra bold - do it! I will say that forgoing your go-to CVS mascara for a bit more expensive mascara really will make all the difference in the world in terms of clumpiness & stiffness of the lashes. BUT, I do absolutely love Maybelline's Volum' Express Falsies mascara in Very Black and suggest it over any other drugstore chain mascara purchase.