Some sweet shopping

Clicked home some items from my 'to get' list at Shopbop and found them on my doorstep just a few days later. First was a pair of office appropriate shorts - surprisingly these pure silk ones T by Alexander Wang shorts costed me just as much as my silk top from Zara. Then the tortoise sunnies I showed you here, a big cocktail ring from my last outfit post (I didn't have any gold rings!). And lastly a pair of 7 for All Mankind skinny jeggings. They look and feel like perfect dark grey skinnies but are a bit more elastic so they fit like a glove. Too bad I ordered them a bit too small... And getting a size up will cost me a lot of import taxes again. So just send me an e-mail if you're interested in those! (they are a size 27) :)

What did I get?
House of Harlow grey leather cocktail ring
7 for All Mankind grey skinny jeans/jeggings
Karen Walker turtoise deep freeze sunglasses
T by Alexander Wang black silk shorts

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Posted in in my closet , Shopping

Outfit: Party time

When packing my bag for a short work related trip, I usually don't get experimental with clothes. I want to have a few options that I know I like and feel comfortable in. So that's why you've already seen this blouse and skirt a few posts back - nothing surprising there. I just paired it with my highest ankle boots, some gold jewelry, a clutch and leather jacket and voilà, I was out the door to the Diesel party at the phenomenal Manege de Grand Palais. Oh, and excuse the pictures, guys. It's not an outfit post, it's not a fashion journal post... It's just the best I've got to bring from a hotel room in just a few minutes, haha!

H&M trend shirt and clutch
Queens Wardrobe skirt
House of Harlow leather star ring
Club Manhattan necklace
Nelly boots

ps. I got a few e-mails, the room is in hotel Mama Shelter. A crazy, funky, cool place totally decorated by the famous interior designer Philippe Starck. I'd definitely recommend it.

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Posted in Outfits , Personal , Travel

Oh, Yves...

The past three days in Paris were unbelievable. Mostly because I got to see the office of Yves Saint Laurent himself. Still pretty unbelievable to me that I visited this place that so few will ever get a chance to see.  I wish I could have taken you with me through pictures, unfortunately but very understandable that wasn't allowed. His sophisticated assistant, who worked by his side for years and years, showed us around in his white office with a huge mirror and walls covered in books for inspiration. I stood by monsieur Yves Saint Laurent's desk, saw his unique personal belongings, his original design sketches in black pencil lines and designs he tried out by making them in cotton first. To experience his legacy and talent from so close, was a magical and special experience. And I'm so gratefull to have seen the place where YSL's creations came to life.

I left Paris with this small white bag with the brand's name printed on it. What's inside? You'll find out soon ;)

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Posted in Events , in my closet , Travel

Review: Yes to Carrots Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser

I went on a bit of a Yes to binge last month when I stumbled upon a clearance sale at my local Walgreens.  After using the products for a few weeks I can now offer my full reviews on them. I started off with my beloved Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel, and today I present Yes to Carrots Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser.

Product:
The Yes to Carrots Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser is a cream-based exfoliator with incredibly fine exfoliating particles. This is indeed very gentle...too gentle for my liking actually. I use as directed by massaging the cream in to my face for one minutes, but the exfoliation it delivers is not intense. Not that I want to sandblast my face, but this product is so creamy that it doesn't work well as a weekly treatment to slough off dead skin cells. I will say it is very moisturizing though. Because it is so gentle and mild, it is much more suitable as a daily cleanser. However, I find that foaming cleansers are better suited for my combination skin for daily use.  Though this is a bit of a miss for me, those with normal to dray skin might like this a lot if you find other exfoliators, like the St. Ives Apricot Scrub, to be too abrasive or are looking for a gentle, moisturizing exfoliating daily treatment.

Packaging:
The plastic tube is fine, but since it is so fall and skinny I have a hard time getting it to stand up right in the shower. A shorter, wider squeeze tube would be more stable.

Price: 
I pick this up at Walgreens for $5.49, though it retails for $9.99 on the Yes to website.


Overall, this particular product doesn't really do it for me, but I am pretty certain that this product is intended for people with different skin types and needs. In other words, oily and combo skinned gals should look elsewhere, while those with dry and normal skin might enjoy this. Yes to is a phenomenal natural brand with a wide array for products for various skin needs so it is worth checking them out!




Check out this and other Yes to products at their website!

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Posted in Macadamia Natural Oil , Skin Care , Yes to Carrots

Mini Stila Haul and Bargain Alert!

Hello lovelies! Last week I popped over to my local Nordstrom Rack to see if they had a sideways cross necklace and cute sundresses, but no such luck. However, to my surprise they did have a small but totally exciting cosmetics section. I had never even thought to look there for discounted high end make up.  I browsed through some Smashbox, DuWop, and Palladio goodies, and resisted the urge to throw the OPI polishes I don't have from the Katy Perry collection into my cart.  In the end, I opted for just two Stila products that were pretty deeply discounted. Their Stila stand was actually pretty impressive, with an array of kajal eyeliners, tinted moisturizers, eyeshadows, and so forth. My Nordstrom Rack also had some high end hair care and styling products, as well as some fragrances. Although the shade selection was limited and their stock store to store varies, I definitely think it is worth checking out if there is a Nordstrom Rack near you!

I snagged Stila's Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer and Eye Shadow in Ray.

I bought the eye shadow, which typically retails for $18, for a little under $7. The bronzing tinted moisturizer is being sold on the Stila site for $32 and I bought it for less that $10. This bargain diva is very happy!

Stila's Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer comes in only one shade, but luckily for me it suits my light-medium skin tone. I have worn this alone and also mixed it with a dab of foundation for a subtle glow. This had a hint of shimmer in it, but it doesn't make me look like a disco ball. So far I am happy with the dewy tanned look it gives me. I wore it in a recent FOTD- check it out here.

Swatch of Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer

Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer blended in.

Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer blended in.

Stila's Eye Shadow in Ray is a shimmery burnt orange bronze shade. I have only used it one, but like Jade (which I received in my May Birchbox), it is buttery smooth, pigmented, and easy to blend. It might just become my summer go-to crease color for a warm bronzed look.

Where do you go to find bargain deals on makeup products? Any unexpected finds?

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Posted in Haul , Stila

New sunnies

My new Deep Freeze sunglasses by Karen Walker. More pics after the jump!

During sunny days, my Wayfarers often make a guest appearance in outfit posts. To switch things up a little, and probably to compensate for the crappy weather lately ;) I ordered these sunnies by Karen Walker, one of my favorite brands for all sorts of fab frames. I went with a more square shape in turtoise because it's different from my black Wayfarers, yet still they kind of have a similar feel, don't you think?

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Posted in Shopping

Review: Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel

In my recent ABCs tag, I passingly mentioned that the Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel is an essential start to my morning. In short, I love this product! Here is my full review.

This is one of my favorite Yes to products, and it was love at first application. Even my partner likes it! There are few products that I adore enough to have a backup of tucked away in my drawer, but this one of them.

Product:
The Yes to Cucumebers Soothing Eye Gel is just that-- a gel. A pea sized amount is enough for both eyes, and I apply it with my finder tips to my undereye area, lid, and up to my brow bone each morning after I cleanse and tone my face. It has a mild scent that doesn't bother me, and the formula does not irritate my sensitive skin and eyes.The gel absorbs quickly into my skin and does not leave my feeling sticky like some gel based products. The gel is cooling and gently moisturizes and depuffs my sleepy peepers in the AM. Also, it is fortified with cucumbers and is 99% natural, which I love. I opt for something more moisture intense before bed, but I couldn't imagine using a different eye product in the morning.


Packaging:
The plastic packaging doesn't feel cheap, and the pump doesn't make a mess like some do. It is easy to control the amount of product you get out. No complaints on packaging!

Price: 
My first bottle ran me around $14 at Target, but I picked up my backup (pictured above) at Walgreens for half the price.


Check out this and other Yes to products at their website!

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Posted in Natural Products , Skin Care , Yes to Cucumbers