Thursday, October 29, 2015

Pumpkin Spiced NOT!




If you've followed our blog, you know I'm a monthly buyer of all types of products from Vitacost!
I buy food, cleaning products, and skincare products from the Vitacost website, and this was one of the first skin products I tried.
Andalou Naturals Fruist Stem Cell Science Glycolic Mask Brightening Pumpkin Honey 
I have 2 secrets to admit though.

First, I am not a fan of anything pumpkin, except decorations.  I'd pick a chocolate treat over a pumpkin tasting food any day!   I still liked this product, but will try another 'scent' next time.
Second, this is the first time I ever used a face mask!  My skin is showing signs of aging, most likely from years in the sun as a child, so I thought I'd try this out and I love it!  It brings out the dirt and leaves your skin smooth once washed off.  It was easy, as I only left it on for 10 minutes!


I loved the quote too.  "Knowledge is limited.  Imagination encircles the world." - Albert Einstein

Andalou has many other products I have saved on my Vitacost wishlist and can't wait to try!

My other post about Vitacost and past purchases can be found here!

Use my link for $10 off your first Vitacost order!

-Erin

*All items mentioned were personally purchased by the blogger and not sponsored.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Bell Sleeves-LOVE!

It's no secret that the 70s are back.  Boho, maxi skirts and now bell sleeves are in.  I adore bell sleeves.  I always have!  There's just something so fun about them!

Bell sleeves add visual interest to basic dresses.  The silhouette given by bell sleeves is gorgeous.  I love the way that bell sleeves photograph.  While they are fun to add to an everyday outfit, I think they are even more awesome when saved for special events.  I am attending a wedding in a couple of weeks and spent this past week searching for just the right outfit.  Boy, was that a challenge!

Again, I recently had a baby and my body is still "settling" for lack of a better word.  I find bell sleeves so beautiful and with the wedding being the only special occasion on my upcoming calendar, I definitely wanted something with a bell sleeve. I probably tried on 15 different tops and dresses with bell sleeves but didn't purchase any for the wedding.  None of them were functional for that particular day and venue.  In their defense, part of the issue was geography; shopping for a dress in New Jersey for a Fall wedding in Southern California was not easy.  Sweaters and down coats fill our stores but it is still 80 degrees in Orange County.  Whomp whomp!

I pictured myself in a dress or even romper with lace bell sleeves.  I've never owned a romper or anything with lace bell sleeves.  I tried on a few different options but nothing was right.

I tried this blue dress from Francesca's:

I had high hopes that it would fit me but it was a bit long for my petite frame.  The bottom and sleeves would need hemming and I was afraid too much of the lace would be removed to give it the look I like.  The color was beautiful though!

I pictured myself in something like this:

Since I didn't have a lot of time to wait for shipping I tried to find something like it at the mall.  This particular one is one I saw on the Nordstrom's website but I don't live near a Nordstrom so I couldn't try this one on.  I went in nearly every store but nothing fit or was like I pictured.  I was so frustrated!

On a different day I saw a similar dress at Marshalls.  Of course I LOVED the sleeves but they were out of my size.  This one is by Free People and actually much prettier.  I am half tempted to order it.


Anyway, I gave up.  Bell sleeves were not meant to be in my life this month.  I found another outfit with a tulle skirt and cream colored top.  I am still working on shoes but I will post a photo of the whole outfit when I get it together.

-Michelle

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*Photos courtesy of Nordstrom.com, Francesca's and Free People.




Monday, October 19, 2015

Do you cringe upon fringe?

Things I would have been made fun of for growing up are the most popular things now, and I love everyone's ability to throw away their inhibitions and dress in their unique styles! On the other hand, I feel like everyone dresses the same, and all the stores have the same plaid shirt (that looks like my childhood pajamas).  Fashion is just that, contradictory.  
So many styles are popular nowadays and trends change so often that I feel like for years to come, I will never dress out of style because I'm likely to incorporate at least something that must still be in with the ever changing rotating door of trends.  There are so many options now!  Anything goes in the fashion world, as long as the owner wears it with confidence, and that's how it should be!  After all, it's just material things and doesn't define the wearer.  Even though each season brings a handful of specific must haves, if I wear trends from 2 seasons ago, half of us are still wearing them and I'll still be on fleek.  Wait, that's over with, no one says that anymore.  SMH.  Mixing and matching styles labels Gen X as creative, and I admire Gen X's bravery in fashion.  It helps to know that even though I'm choosing to not update my wardrobe as often, I will still be on trend with a few of my past purchases which people will most likely mix in with the up and coming fashions still unknown.  
One of the Fall 2015 trends is fringe.  My first reaction was a hard no.  HARD.  NO.Why you ask?Think of Kelly Kapowski and cavaricci days.  Too young to relate?  Think 80s baby.  Big hair, stonewash (acidwash) jeans.  (I actually bought a pair of jeans in the 90s with the stone still in the pocket, but now they are called acid wash jeggings).Here's some SAT prep for you.Stretch pants are to leggings as stonewash front pleated jeans are to acidwash skinnies.Tomato=tomatoThis is why fringe had me at a hard no.

(photo found circulating many Pinterest boards)
When YouTube's fall haul videos included fringe, it was not at all flattering to me.  
(First off, denim jackets never match the color blue of my jeans, unless I was to buy and wear an entire matching outfit and wear it often, as in every day I wear my jean jacket.  I hold my stance that I will never like jean jackets).  That aside, my thoughts on these YouTuber's fringe purchases was itchy tickle-y skin all day long.  When the wind blows and my hair brushes my arm that's enough, but to have stringy hairs hitting my arms or legs all day could drive me to drink.  Plus it removes any figure you may have.Just no.  Then the YouTuber's found V shaped fringed tops, crops, dresses, and skirts.  Many looked like Halloween costumes from some cheap store.  Some were made of suede.  I already fell in love in suede before it even took over department stores and low end stores all over the mall this month.  The awakening of the suede fringe is what changed my mind.  My love of suede persuaded me.  I used a pun.I fell for it and bought this faux fringe trim vest in tan at Macy's and thought it'd be cute with jeans, as pictured.  I pictured this pairing to be subtle despite the trend of the ever so common what I will call 'hippie takeover' with low boots, floral flowy dress, a scarf, a headpiece, and colored mis-shapen plastic sunnies, as if I was supposed to pile on all of my belongings and look as though I was on my way to hop into a van for a summer touring of a desert music fest, or nowadays called carnival.A perfect example of the contradiction of the popularity of anything going in fashion, and everything being in style at once and for quite some time to come.
Brand: INC International Concepts
I also bought this faux suede jacket at Kohls.


Brand: Rock and Republic

I had fallen upon these items and thought I was good on the fringe.  At least I could fit in with my peers, even if I calmed down the trend by wearing it with solids and a neutral lip instead of a vampy, black, or even green matte lip which is seen often now.  Then I saw the red sign in the hallway luring me into the store.  I wasn't even on the same floor!  I was upstairs, and the words from down below over the railing 'extra 30%' dove out into my eyes as if I was in an iMax theatre wearing 3D glasses.  I even passed the smell of Chipotle as I raced down the mall stairs and entered Express.  Extra 30%! The store is so organized with having the sale items perfectly broken down according to size, every single time.  There's no messing up that stores rack system, and it makes for ease of shopping!  I saw 'it.'  I thought 'it' was only okay, so I didn't touch 'it.'  'It' looked soft though.  My arm was full of other things I knew 100% I would be putting back and not purchasing, but I liked picking out the pieces I admired to see if I would grow affectionate toward them while they were sitting so close to my heart, but alas I did not, so I put them back.  Who am I kidding, I tried them on over my workout pants in the dressing room, as if that made it as if I wan't officially trying anything on since I was 'just looking.'  I somehow, and I don't even remember doing it, added 'it' to my heavy arm full, snuck into an open-doored room, which is not easy to come by in that store, and plopped my heavy pile onto the stool.  I didn't lie, it all went back on the sale rack, except 'it' fit like a glove.  I liked 'it's' look.  'It' was buttery soft too.

     
Brand: Express



Here's the thing.  The arms did not have fringe so I knew they wouldn't be slopping into my panera soup when Michelle and I go and get the quinoa bowl.  Arm fringe is just like a dirt collector and knowing me I would get caught in an elevator pinned against the ceiling, breaking a heel when I fell back onto the floor, jacket hanging from the top slit of the elevator door.  Yes, I'm that spastic.  Okay maybe that's exaggerating, but it would get caught in the car door, and then I'd walk away and it'd rip and this would be while on a Tinder date and end up on YouTube because someone next to me would have been vlogging themselves walking, because that is what we do in 2015, document our every move. Awwww snap(chat).The arms did not have fringe and the back had straight fringe, both very different than the 80s style.  This jacket had no V shape to emphasis the V shaped seam on the rear of our high waisted front pleated jeans that led to our tri-colored slouch socks and LA gear high tops with double laces of two different colors.  Did I just find modern faux leather fringewear? Fringewear I now adore you.  I can make you sophisticated with sharp black skinny jeans and black stilletos whether it be pointy toed pumps or peep toe booties (even though it's winter), and a big statement necklace.  Take that fringe, you are SO 2015 now!  #dropmic  P.S. things are now bluetooth adaptable and wireless so why is dropped mic suddenly on fleek.  #mindblown.   That's out of date already too.  What's next Gen X? After these finds, I no longer cringe at fringe.  As a child of the 80s, I welcome the 80s anyway.  Fanny packs and backpacks and high top sneakers are all back!  I even saw slap bracelets at Walmart today. These are the days when anything goes!
These are the days when anything goes!Every day is a winding road

I get a little bit closer
Everyday is a faded sign
I get a little bit closer to feeling fine


Thanks Cheryl Crow



-Erin
All products purchased were not sponsored and all faux material, and the opinions belong to the blogger.







Saturday, October 17, 2015

Thrift Store Come Ups

If you have read my recent posts then you are semi familiar with my post partum shopping and dressing issues.  If you aren't caught up then here is one of my posts about it.  Post partum dressing is probably my least favorite part of having a newborn.  Sleep deprivation and lots of diapers don't bother me as much as trying to figure out what fits and what I can breast feed in.  As my five year old would say "it's a big 'whomp whomp'."

Most of my fall and winter clothes are layer able pieces but they don't fit me at the moment.  I was faced with a closet full of clothes and literally nothing to wear a couple weeks ago.  I hesitated spending lots of money on new things that I hopefully won't need for very long but it was obvious that shopping needed to be done- and quick style!  Thankfully I found some great pieces recently at yard sales and thrift shops.

I spent $12 on four shirts and two sweaters at a yard sale.  Each item was only $2 and it almost felt wrong to pay so little for some of them because some are Express, BCBG, and Forever 21.  Yes, they are gently used items, but they are in great condition and nobody would be the wiser if I didn't tell them.  I was so excited to find these items!

The following week I found two sweaters at a church thrift store.  I spent $5 for both and one is also Express!

Here are some of my recent "come ups:"
It's a Banana Republic sweater!  It's light weight and super soft.

This is an Express cardigan that I got for $2!  I love the jeweled buttons and it will be adorable with jeans.

And lastly I would like to show you this over sized, cream colored chunky knit sweater.  The back has a criss cross detail that sets it apart.  I am going to pair it with leggings and boots.

Shopping for used clothes isn't something that everyone is into and I am ok with that.  Sometimes I actually enjoy hunting down one of a kind pieces at vintage shops, consignment stores, and resale shops more than shopping at the mall or online.  When my wardrobe needs a revamp on a budget then buying used is a good option for me.  I enjoy considering how a piece can be tailored to me or worked into my existing wardrobe and I love knowing that nobody likely has the same thing.

-Michelle


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Monday, October 12, 2015

Too Faced Born This Way foundation

You may know by my past posts that I am a big YouTube watcher!  I found it to be a great way to hear tried and true reviews of products.  Whether it be food, cleaning, clothing, or beauty, I can hear a live upfront first impression from someone just like me.  I find it even more impressionable when the opinion comes from someone who is very familiar with a multitude of competitive brands and the quality and formulations of high-end products that are not in my budget to try.

Most of my friends tend to prefer a low to medium coverage foundation, whereas I prefer high-coverage, as I spoke of HERE.   This being said, when the beauty addicts of the YouTube world raved about a high-coverage foundation, I was out the front door and driving pedal to the metal to the closest Ulta to pick my color.  I had it in my shopping cart on the website, but I couldn't even wait that long.  I needed this product, despite the hefty $39, high coverage equals porcelain doll face in my makeup mirror.  It is the Born This Way foundation by Too Faced.

I have cool toned skin, with a pink hue, but the Ulta employee matched me with the shade Warm Nude.  The yellow appearance behooved me because it really did blend into my skin.  This leads me to think I would be fine wearing a range above and below it as well whilst less tan during winter.  I still find it unsettling that I own a warm tone shade, yet I choose to apply it with every application so I'll be keeping this shade.

I urge you to try it.  My initial reaction was unimpressed but I wasn't using enough!  Kelly Strack from YouTube suggested 2 full pumps of product and just like that, it slid on top of my skin easily without much blending and it didn't get thick and cakey.  It is like a smoothing solution that is now my absolute top pick of foundation!

photo fro www.Ulta.com


It can be purchse here: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod12621017&skuId=2290018

See Kelly's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/mak3upbarbie

-Erin

This product was purchased and not endorsed.

Friday, October 9, 2015

Get Oiled Bags

One of my goals is to try and support small businesses and artisans more.  Admittedly, I am an Etsy addict.  There are so many inventive, one of a kind things on Etsy and I can easily order something neat everyday.  q few of my friends even have Etsy businesses and I try and support them as often as I can.

I've been looking for a small bag that I could fit into my bigger purse but would fit my phone, lipstick, a diaper and wipes.  One of my friends, Jen, is an incredible seamstress and makes custom bags that have little pockets to hold essential oils.  She has an Etsy shop called Get Oiled Bags. I am not hugely into essential oils as to where I would carry them with me, but I like the style of her bags, wanted to support her, and was curious if the little oil pockets on the side of her bags would also hold lipsticks.  I was happy to see that she had a bag that meets all those qualifications and was a fantastic price of $20.00.  I even got to pick my fabrics.

Lipsticks and lip glosses DO fit in place of oils and this bag is just the right size for when I am running into a store with my kids and don't need to carry my giant purse.  It's well made and stylish.  It could also work as a makeup bag.



It's super cute, right?  Here's a couple pictures of the inside:



If you are interested in ordering a similar bag then please check out Jen's Get Oiled Bags on Etsy here.  

Now that I have a bag that carries oils, I am actually a little interested in learning more about oils.  I know a lot of people swear by them.  I know a lot of people think they are just silly but I am trying to open minded about less traditional methods for healing and cleaning.  Anything that eliminates some chemicals in or around us must be worth a shot, right? I am expecting a few samples to arrive next week and will follow up after I try them.  Check back!

-Michelle


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*Photo courtesy of the blogger.  This review was not sponsored.