Mirrored Ink Blot Dresses

I actually love symmetrical looks and I know things in threes are in style for home decor, but as for fashion I prefer symmetry!

Last summer I came across a white dress adorned with pastel scroll like shapes at Arden B.  The image was mirrored, meaning identical on the right and left sides of the dress. I happened to love the array of colors on the dress, and the light pastel colors created a lighter feel to the look and could be accessorized with diamond jewelry, also white, or one of the many colors within the dress!

Dress: Arden B Mirrored Scroll

I wore it with white wedge shoes, but a colored shoe would also pull the look together!  This dress is actually what opened my mind up to wearing white more often, and I now buy a lot more pieces in crisp white than I ever did prior to this dress find!

Las Vegas June 2014

Another one of my purchases last summer was a similar mirrored dress, or ink blog dress, as I prefer to call it!  It is high neck with mainly black and white and some muted color.  It is adorned with hummingbirds and butterflies and I just loved it!


Forever 21 Mirrored Botancial Bodycon Dress

It wasn't long after, I found a bright colored dress of a similar style in TJ Maxx! The bold colors are so happy and summer like, and it can be worn day or night!  Last summer I paired the bright dress with neon yellow jewelry from Forever 21 for a fun summer night out in Aruba!

Dress Brand: Soprano     Aruba August 2014

I have since purchased neon yellow patent pointed toe heels by Calvin Klein that would go well with the colors of this dress! (Also found at TJ Maxx!)

Calvin Klein pumps (photo courtesy of www.ebay.com)

I refer to these as my ink blot dresses because they remind me of the stereotypical psychology ink blog test where you are questioned with what image appears.  Even though the dress images are actually recognizable, I think the name suits each dress.  

This summer, I've seen both a lot of mirrored dresses, as well as random floral print with no order. Random prints whether floral or geometric seem to create a flat look, where as a mirrored images tend to draw the eye to a woman's curves.  I prefer extenuating my curves and love mirrored prints!  Actually, I even like having the same width bracelet on each wrist if not the exact same thick width bracelet on each wrist, even though I don't wear it often.   The symmetry just pulls a look together, in my eyes anyway.

The above three dresses are quite unconventional, since neutrals and solids are easier for every day looks, but fashion should be fun!  Feel free to share your favorite dress from your closet!

-Erin

*All products mentioned were personally purchased and not endorsed by the companies.

Note: Arden B is no longer in business, but was owned by the same owner of Wet Seal.  I hold on tightly to all my previous purchases from Arden B since I loved the quality of most of their items!

Clear Raincoats

Clear raincoats have been seen on the fashion runways for years, but to see them in person and in department stores was unexpected!  When I think about it, they are functional and don't hide your outfit, but I can't decide what I think.  Penny for your thoughts?

As a child, I had a shiny rubber duck yellow one with a matching hat.  I think I still have the hat. Truth be told, it is quite hard to dress stylish on rainy days, so maybe this trend is a good one!  

I saw Nordstrom carrying the three below:

Gold glitter Transparent Plastic Rain Jacket(photo courtesy of www.nordstrom.com)

found here
(photo courtesy of www.nordstrom.com)

found here

(photo courtesy of www.nordstrom.com)

I would have never considered actually buying or wearing such a coat, but walking through TJ Maxx, as I'm known to do, I spotted a bright yellow lace jacket and when I got closer I saw the yellow lace was the under layer of a clear see through plastic coat!  Interesting, I thought as I continued pushing my cart, but then I saw a white lace one hidden behind it and I liked it!

I pictured myself off on a vacation running and laughing through the cobblestone streets trying to capture a picture of a rainbow I saw over the ocean over by the peak of the volcano, completely dry while everyone else was taking cover inside rum tasting and t-shirt shops along the cobblestone street.  Maybe the reason I shop is because it whisks me to adventures far far away in my mind.  I digress.  I knew I had a black plaid rain coat but that was for colder weather trips.  I also have a khaki trench but that was more dressy.  This clear and white pretty lace lined coat would work if i was in a rain forest or during a quick sun shower during summer travels!  It doesn't actually say water resistant, but it has a hood and pockets.  Needless to say, I bought it.

brand: My Jane

(blogger's photo)

Would you wear a transparent coat this season?


-Erin

*Please note no products mentioned were endorsed or sponsored.  The My Jane coat was personally purchased.

Kimono Cardigans

Kimono cardigans are one of my favorite trends right there.  They are pretty and functional for spring when you need to layer, yet they are comfortable and appear effortless.  They are just so chic and easy to pair with everything!

I have two and I am on the hunt for a floral, chiffon one.  I have one that is black with a gold and red Aztec print.  I like it and Aztec is very in this spring, but I am trying to be more adventurous and stay away from so much black right now.  I like to pair it with black leggings and a long tank top for an easy look.  I have also worn it with black shorts and a graphic t shirt.  The second one I have is navy blue, with a white Aztec embroidered design, and long beautiful fringe.  It pairs well with jeans and a tank top and also solid maxi dresses.  I have a navy and white striped dress that I eventually plan to wear it with too.  Today I wore it with black leggings and a royal blue, long sleeved t shirt.  I didn't get any good pictures but hopefully you get the idea!

I was at H&M today and they had several gorgeous kimono sweaters but I couldn't commit to just one.  I am picky about floral prints and need it to have both some blue and pink in it to match what I already have.  I also want it to be chiffon so hopefully it doesn't need ironing and doesn't wrinkle.  My navy one gets wrinkled in the back after I sit or drive and that drives me crazy.  I hate wrinkled clothes.  Anyway, I saw this one and nearly got it.  They also had one with a larger floral print but it looked a little too much like my Grandma's curtains, know what I mean?  In my opinion, floral can go from pretty to drab very quickly.  And while I kept eyeing this one, I was unsure and generally try not to buy things that I don't absolutely love, so maybe I will go back tomorrow and get it.  We'll see!

What do you think? Buy it or keep shopping?  Comment below and let me know!

-Michelle

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*The first two photos are courtesy of the blogger.  The final one is courtesy of H&M.  This is an independent, non sponsored review.  All opinions are that of the blogger.

Lokai Bracelet

As a Mom and a wife, I often struggle with finding balance.  Somebody always needs me, there is a constant list of things to be done, things I am forgetting to do, and the battle of keeping up with the house.  I constantly feel overwhelmed and some days struggle with comparing myself to others and even to myself in the past, ie. "the old me would not have forgotten that or left the house such a mess." It's a battle for sure.  I am a recovering sufferer of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and that struggle is generally at my fore front.  This year one of my goal's was to find calmness and a better sense of balance in my life.  I am always looking for ways to better juggle *ahem* balance things so when I came across gorgeous pictures of Lokai bracelets (which I didn't know the name of yet) photographed along side pretty sunsets, beaches, or even everyday activities.  In some of the photos the bracelets are being used as frames for items in the photographs. I knew that I needed to find out more.  What is this magic bracelet that reminds people to stop and enjoy life?!

I also noticed that the beads of the bracelet are mostly clear except for one white bead and one black bead.  I didn't know why but the beads look beautiful in photographs and I can see why people like to hold them up to frame things in the photo.  I also noticed that the vast majority of the photos did not include selfies.  Instead, people are trying to show beauty around them...or at least that's how I saw it.  I was intrigued and quickly learned that these bracelets are Lokai bracelets.

I visited the Lokai website where I learned about the Lokai bracelet story.  On every Lokai bracelet there is one black bead equidistant from a white bead, like I had noticed.  The black bead holds a tiny bit of mud from the Dead Sea.  This bead is to remind the wearer to stay hopeful even when you are at a low point, as the Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth.  The white bead holds water from Mount Everest.  The white bead reminds the wearer to stay humble even when they are on top of the world.  Thus, the black bead, across from the white bead, and all the clear beads of the circular shape of the bracelet represent life and being in balance.  Sometimes you are up, and sometimes you are down, but there's lots of in between to appreciate too.  

After reading the Lokai Story I had to order a bracelet.  After all, I can't say no to cute jewelry and especially can't pass up jewelery that reminds me to enjoy life and to stop humble and hopeful.  

The Lokai bracelet is $18 and mine arrived in roughly a week.  I ordered a size small and it definitely fits true to size.  My wrists are tiny and it fits just right.  I almost wish it had another 1/4 inch to it but the medium would probably be too big for me.

I am a little disappointed in the beads of the bracelet because they are made of a rubbery material.  I was expecting beads.  The beads are fused together and definitely more durable than beads would be, so that's a plus.  I don 't have to worry about taking it off to wash my hands.  I also wish that I could somehow see the water from Mt. Everest and the mud from the Black Sea.  I know that would have been hard to design and accommodate into a bracelet but hey, a girl can dream.  

Overall I am glad that I ordered my Lokai bracelet.  It is a fun accessory and so far I have looked for opportunities to step back and reflect on my current place and what's going on in my life.  I try to keep balanced and not focus incessantly on the negative.

Today my Lokai moment was remaining hopeful and admiring the beautiful blue sky.  If you buy a Lokai bracelet then you can hashtag #LiveLokai and your photo may be featured on their website. 

-Michelle

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*This product was personally purchased and all opinions are that of the blogger.  This was a non sponsored review.  Photos courtesy of www.mylokai.com except for the last which is courtesy of the blogger. 

Beauty Corner/MakeUp Storage

You may have seen the makeup artist or beauty product junkies of the YouTube world film videos giving a tour of their makeup rooms.  How I store my makeup is not much different, although I have  1/16th of the amount of products, and wouldn't want it any other way!  I used to do my makeup out of a makeup bag, with a cup full of brushes sitting next to it on my bathroom counter.  Once I had too many shadows to fit, and a 2nd foundation, I upgraded to small plastic bins from Target or Walmart.  The bins didn't fit well on my counter, and I could never get to what I needed without digging underneath something else.  I needed easy access to not waste time when getting ready.  That time would prove to be more valuable designated to my wardrobe instead.  I decided I wanted a vanity, like the kind you see in magazines or in little girls rooms with the  glass top and stool.   In all honesty though, it wasn't the most efficient for my liking.  They weren't long enough and could fill up quickly.  I went back and forth with this debate.  My bathroom setup at the time was with an Ikea mirror that hinged out from the wall so I could use my eyeliner closeup without bending over the counter into the mirror.  The vanity would have me sitting down and bending over, knocking things off the table with my elbow.  I decided to just buy a desk where I could place a portable mirror atop to see close up, and use the desk drawers for my makeup.  I didn't want to be bending down into a deep bottom desk drawer, while reaching around a keyboard pullout area.  I went to IKEA to follow in the beauty YouTubers footsteps, but with my own hop in my step.  I settled on the white MICKE desk, which had two drawers.

purchase from Ikea here

I also purchased the Alex 9 drawer piece where I could organize my makeup by type and access it while applying but keep things out of eyesight.  I didn't want a counter full of items anymore, and they should be stored away until use.

purchase from Ikea here

I couldn't love my setup more!  I can access what I need within easy reach and it doesn't look like a disaster each morning when I'm finished applying!

The hole in the desk for computer wires is the perfect size to house my hair dryer!  The back of the desk even has a lip to keep cords off the ground and out of view.  I even had room to set up my computer on this desk to save space!  My hair appliances even fit! No more digging under the cabinet and unwrapping and rewrapping cords.

Before I could load my new drawers, I purged my older products.  These were buried in bins and never seen. I had held onto these but knew I wouldn't use them and they were most likely way past their expiration dates.  This is why I wanted things easily seen, so they weren't forgotten and I wouldn't buy duplicates or over buy products anymore!

garbage pile

I didn't' need to buy those fancy plastic makeup holders.  I used glass vases with rocks for my brushes.

 

  I used utensil holders, box tops, and to go containers I had lying around to separate each drawer by product type.

The FACE drawer

foundations, concealers, powders, blushes, and bronzers

The EYE drawer

shadows, lashes, etc.

The LIP drawer

Yes I love light pink shades!

I even used Dollar Tree ice cube trays to organize some lipsticks.

Ice cube trays also work great for individual shadows, if you don't have any Z plalettes.

I might rearrange my eye drawer and add an ice cube tray.

All in all, this set up dups as a laptop desk and hair station as well.  I love my beauty corner!

-Erin

*All products mentioned were personally purchased and this post was not sponsored by a company.

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Mavi Jeans

Last year, I really got into the color mint green.  I very much wanted to find a pair of mint skinny jeans.  My friend sent me a link to a pair she saw on a site she frequently online shopped called www.6pm.com.  The jeans were by the brand Mavi.  I had never heard of them before, but 6pm had a good return policy so I took a shot and ordered them.  The jeans arrived and were almost custom made for my shape!  I liked the way they fit in every way!  I immediately ran to my computer and looked at what other colors were offered.  I placed another order within the hour and chose mauve mist and yellow.

Mavi Serena

I had also ordered a pair of coated plum pair, but even though they were the same brand they fit slightly different.  They would have worked, but I try to only add items to my wardrobe that I absolutely love!   Although the photos make them look cotton, the pairs I kept are just a regular jean material.  Of course colored jeans starting popping up everywhere shortly after, but the fit of these is incomparable.  I have only tried the Serena cut, and they are made for me!  I haven't seen this brand in stores, but I check 6pm occasionally and am hoping they come out with light baby blue.

-Erin

*Products mentioned were personally purchased and not sponsored by the company.  The two photos above are courtesy of www.6pm.com.

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E.L.F Skincare Line Review

One of my favorite bargain beauty brands is e.l.f, or "Eyes. Lips.Face."  I discovered it a couple of years ago at Target.  I didn't have much faith in a brand with a products priced 30-50% less than similar products by other drug store brands, but I was very surprised by the eye lash curler and lip glosses that I purchased and became loyal to the brand.  In January of 2015 e.l.f announced that it was launching a skin care line.  I was so excited that I signed up to receive some of the items released during the pre launch.

The e.l.f Skincare line consists of four products:  Illuminating Eye Cream, Skincare Soothing Serum, Daily Hydration Moisturizer, and Nourishing Night Cream.  I signed up for e.l.f to send me their Illuminating Eye Cream and Nourishing Night Cream.

This year I am really focused on improving my skin and have been trying out different products to help my under eye circles, puffiness, and fine lines.  I was really hopeful that e.l.f's eye creams would help or at least be comparable to the other products I have been using.

When the products arrived I couldn't wait to try them.  The packaging is sleek and beautiful.  Photos really don't do the products justice.  They look like they would be much more expensive than they are, which is $10.00 and $12.00 respectively.  I used the night cream that evening.  It was not as thick and creamy as I was expecting and smelled a little funny.  Thankfully the smell went away quickly after I applied it.  I was worried that my eyes would look greasy in the morning because the product didn't seem to absorb very quickly.  It did absorb though and I woke up with soft skin.  My skin is sensitive and there was no redness or irritation which is fantastic.

That next morning I tried the illuminating eye cream.  Again, it was lighter than I anticipated but it absorbed quickly and I wasn't waiting around to start my makeup.  However, I was so disappointed to find that there is nothing illuminating about it.  There were no light diffusing particles nor did my under eye circles appear lighter or the puffiness any smaller.

I tried to remain positive about the skincare products being that I am loyal to e.l.f makeup.  After about a week of using both products, morning and night, I moved them from the shelf in my bathroom to the bottom drawer...where products get banished when I don't like them.  I had such high hopes for the e.l.f skincare line but honestly, I saw no difference from using them rather than my daily store brand facial moisturizer.  The positives were that they both moisturized, absorbed fully, and did not irritate my sensitive skin.  And while I wish I could say more positive things about them, I just can't.  Yes, they moisturized but that's about all they did.  I will not be purchasing again, nor would I recommend the skincare products.

Have you tried any of the e.l.f Skincare products?  What are your thoughts?  Leave me a comment or tweet me and let me know!

-Michelle

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*Photos courtesy of e.l.f Makeup and Cosmetics.  This review was not sponsored.  All opinions are that of the blogger and the products mentioned were personally purchased.