I'm really dying for those grey Trinket Flats with the beetle charm - but can we call it a scarab instead of a beetle? It sounds less... bug-like, haha.
What are your favorite fall items?
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Contest at Effortless Anthropologie!
I will be back shortly with a full review of Rent the Runway - but I just wanted to let everyone know about 2 contests running over at one of my favorite blogs, Effortless Anthropologie. You can either make a fun Polyvore set featuring a new fall outfit (and at least one Anthro piece) or just comment on Roxy's post with what your favorite fall Anthro item. Here are my current favorites:
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
I'm heading to a wedding next week and figured it was the perfect time to test out Rent the Runway! If you haven't heard of it, you can rent designer dresses for a fraction of the price for 4-8 days. This makes it fantastic for trying out luxe dresses you couldn't otherwise afford or getting just the right gown (the kind you wouldn't wear more than once) for an affair. If this goes well, I may use it for a black tie wedding. I can also see this service being awesome for prom.
If you sign up for their emails or "like" them on Facebook, you'll often get coupon codes. I was able to snag a $15 off code for my order!
So here's the deal - rent one dress, get two sizes (your regular size and a back-up size), and rent a second dress for $25. Each dress style incurs a $5 insurance fee, though, which is kind of a bummer because it isn't included in the price. There's also a fairly hefty shipping fee, although orders over $125 ship free. You can also rent accessories! On the day of the return, just drop the dresses in a pre-paid envelope and pop 'em in a mailbox. My rentals are due back on Sunday, but according to their (extremely nice and helpful) customer service, I can just put the dresses in a mailbox, even though there's no mail pick-up on Sundays.
I rented two cocktail dresses for the wedding. My only issue is, now I have to pack all the accessories I might use for either dress - oh, and I'm packing one of my own dresses as a "just in case" back-up. I think that no matter what, I'm going to need two sets of pumps - black and nude. I'm also bringing some simple, thick gold bangles. I love 'em - they dress up any outfit, go with everything, and are super versatile. I wish I had more stud earrings; I don't have much in the way of gold. Both of these dresses require overstated necklaces, in my opinion, but to me, that means toning down the rest of the accessories.
Oh, and I scored a beaded foldover clutch from Banana Republic in a neutral, beige color that will go with either dress - from $100 down to $23. Woo!
Here are the two dresses with possible accessories. We might need to check luggage for this vacay!
I'll let you know about my experiences with Rent the Runway when all is said and done!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Soapdish
Hello out there!
Long time no blog - I've been mired in a sea of work, even after I quit my day job (YAY) to be a full-time writer. Things are still so awesome in the world, though, that I thought I'd better start updating The Awesome Meter. Who knows how many awesome things I've missed out on blogging in the past few months??
As I was getting ready to work out this morning, I noticed how many soaps I have. I am a pretty loyal gal, but I like to flit around between different face washes so I have a bit of a choice. For reference, I have sensitive skin - I had some issues in my teenage years, but mercifully, my breakouts cleared up during college. I still get the occasional blemish, and I tend to get a lot of redness/dryness in my cheeks. Here's what's in my rotation right now:
Cetaphil
I've been using this gentle stuff since high school. It cleanses nicely, has a very, very light fragrance, and is generally good for days when my skin feels extra-sensitive. This is my "base" product; I'll always come back to it. It may not be glamorous - even the name sounds medicinal - but it works nicely and consistently.
Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser
This was a Birchbox find. I love anything citrus scented, and this sugary scrub smells like a freshly squeezed lemon. It's a bit rougher than the Aveeno scrub, so I use it less frequently, but when you add water, it develops into a really nice foam. It's all natural and actually even tastes good, like sugared lemons, so you can use it to (gently) exfoliate your lips without worrying about a bitter, soapy taste.
AM Rating: 8
Dr. Bronner 18 in 1 Pure Castile Soap - Peppermint
This is my dad's favorite stuff, so we always had a big bottle of it at home. He also likes the lavender. The deal is, Dr. Bronner was a little nutty, and the labels on this soap reflect that - each label is crammed full of ways to use the soap as well as Dr. Bronner's insights on life, love, cleanliness, and religion. It's all very interesting to read. There are tons of ways to use the soap, although, as the label says, the key is to dilute it. I use it as a face and body wash - the peppermint variety leaves a great, fresh, tingly sensation. I particularly like using it on mornings when I have to wake up extra early to work out, as it really wakes me up and refreshes me. However, it's a bit drying, so I wouldn't use it as an everyday wash. They say you can use it to do everything from clean your floors to wash off your fruit, though I haven't tried that! A bottle lasts a VERY long time, and it also comes in bar form.
AM Rating: 6
Philosophy Purity Made Simple
This is another recent find from Birchbox. I've wanted to try Philosophy for ages but never got around to it. This stuff leaves your face feeling fresh and moisturized; it's extremely gentle, smells nice, and removes make-up, too. I'm a new fan!
AM Rating: 8
What's your go-to facial cleanser? Do you jump around, or are you loyal to one kind?
Long time no blog - I've been mired in a sea of work, even after I quit my day job (YAY) to be a full-time writer. Things are still so awesome in the world, though, that I thought I'd better start updating The Awesome Meter. Who knows how many awesome things I've missed out on blogging in the past few months??
As I was getting ready to work out this morning, I noticed how many soaps I have. I am a pretty loyal gal, but I like to flit around between different face washes so I have a bit of a choice. For reference, I have sensitive skin - I had some issues in my teenage years, but mercifully, my breakouts cleared up during college. I still get the occasional blemish, and I tend to get a lot of redness/dryness in my cheeks. Here's what's in my rotation right now:
Cetaphil
I've been using this gentle stuff since high school. It cleanses nicely, has a very, very light fragrance, and is generally good for days when my skin feels extra-sensitive. This is my "base" product; I'll always come back to it. It may not be glamorous - even the name sounds medicinal - but it works nicely and consistently.
AM Rating (scale of 1-10): 7
Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub
I generally like to use this stuff in to shower, or on days when I'm feeling particularly oily. It's a great scrub that isn't too rough; the exfoliating microbeads are smooth, so you don't feel like you're exfoliating with sand paper, and the creamy base is moisturizing.
AM Rating: 7
Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub
I generally like to use this stuff in to shower, or on days when I'm feeling particularly oily. It's a great scrub that isn't too rough; the exfoliating microbeads are smooth, so you don't feel like you're exfoliating with sand paper, and the creamy base is moisturizing.
AM Rating: 7
Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser
This was a Birchbox find. I love anything citrus scented, and this sugary scrub smells like a freshly squeezed lemon. It's a bit rougher than the Aveeno scrub, so I use it less frequently, but when you add water, it develops into a really nice foam. It's all natural and actually even tastes good, like sugared lemons, so you can use it to (gently) exfoliate your lips without worrying about a bitter, soapy taste.
AM Rating: 8
Dr. Bronner 18 in 1 Pure Castile Soap - Peppermint
This is my dad's favorite stuff, so we always had a big bottle of it at home. He also likes the lavender. The deal is, Dr. Bronner was a little nutty, and the labels on this soap reflect that - each label is crammed full of ways to use the soap as well as Dr. Bronner's insights on life, love, cleanliness, and religion. It's all very interesting to read. There are tons of ways to use the soap, although, as the label says, the key is to dilute it. I use it as a face and body wash - the peppermint variety leaves a great, fresh, tingly sensation. I particularly like using it on mornings when I have to wake up extra early to work out, as it really wakes me up and refreshes me. However, it's a bit drying, so I wouldn't use it as an everyday wash. They say you can use it to do everything from clean your floors to wash off your fruit, though I haven't tried that! A bottle lasts a VERY long time, and it also comes in bar form.
AM Rating: 6
Philosophy Purity Made Simple
This is another recent find from Birchbox. I've wanted to try Philosophy for ages but never got around to it. This stuff leaves your face feeling fresh and moisturized; it's extremely gentle, smells nice, and removes make-up, too. I'm a new fan!
AM Rating: 8
What's your go-to facial cleanser? Do you jump around, or are you loyal to one kind?
Friday, February 18, 2011
To rent or to buy?
I love finding things on the Internet that I never would have come across otherwise. There are so many great ideas out there!
I came across the site Rent The Runway the other day. At first, I was skeptical - why pay $200 to rent something when I could buy something cute for that amount of money and own it forever? But then I thought about it a little... sometimes, we have events that we need a specific sort of dress for, and we probably won't wear it again. Not only that, but if an event is truly black tie, it's sometimes difficult to find an appropriate dress for less than $200.
Now I'm thinking that I'd like to try the website. It seems like a pretty good deal - you choose the dress you want, and they ship it to you for your event. You get a second size for free, and if you want a back up dress (in case you don't like the way the first one looks on you), you can get it (and a second size in it) for $25. You stick it in the mail the day after your event. No worries about dry cleaning. My friends are having a black tie wedding at a fancy hotel in October, and I'm thinking I might give Rent the Runway a try! I'd love to have a fancy designer dress, even if only for a night. If you sign up for their emails, they send you some pretty nice coupons, too. Here are two looks I'm considering:
I love that one-shoulder dress! You can also rent accessories through Rent the Runway, but I am such a jewelry hoarder that I probably have everything I need.
I love the red shoes here, and the dress is elegant and classy - simple with a slight twist.
So, what do you think? Have you ever used Rent the Runway? Would you consider it?
While we're talking Internet phenomena, has anyone tried Birchbox? They send you a box of deluxe samples for $10 a month. I'm curious enough to try it for March - I can't get enough of that kind of thing.
I came across the site Rent The Runway the other day. At first, I was skeptical - why pay $200 to rent something when I could buy something cute for that amount of money and own it forever? But then I thought about it a little... sometimes, we have events that we need a specific sort of dress for, and we probably won't wear it again. Not only that, but if an event is truly black tie, it's sometimes difficult to find an appropriate dress for less than $200.
Now I'm thinking that I'd like to try the website. It seems like a pretty good deal - you choose the dress you want, and they ship it to you for your event. You get a second size for free, and if you want a back up dress (in case you don't like the way the first one looks on you), you can get it (and a second size in it) for $25. You stick it in the mail the day after your event. No worries about dry cleaning. My friends are having a black tie wedding at a fancy hotel in October, and I'm thinking I might give Rent the Runway a try! I'd love to have a fancy designer dress, even if only for a night. If you sign up for their emails, they send you some pretty nice coupons, too. Here are two looks I'm considering:
I love that one-shoulder dress! You can also rent accessories through Rent the Runway, but I am such a jewelry hoarder that I probably have everything I need.
I love the red shoes here, and the dress is elegant and classy - simple with a slight twist.
So, what do you think? Have you ever used Rent the Runway? Would you consider it?
While we're talking Internet phenomena, has anyone tried Birchbox? They send you a box of deluxe samples for $10 a month. I'm curious enough to try it for March - I can't get enough of that kind of thing.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Grey Boots and Other Lovely Things
So I've been on the hunt for flat grey leather boots for MONTHS now. It seems that boot season is over, but I have another pair of AG Stevies in my closet in black, just waiting for me to wear 'em. I don't want to wear black jeans with brown boots, and my black boots are scuffed and ready to be retired. Now the question is: buy a more expensive boot that lasts longer, or buy a cheaper boot and swap it out when trends change?
Unfortunately, it was almost impossible for me to find something I liked, even something pricey! My absolute favorite is the Frye Paige boot:
Um. Gorgeous. I love the color, the build, the leather, everything. But $350 is a lot for a pair of boots, even one I've been lusting after for months. I just don't know if I can justify that.
The other day, as I was listlessly going from store to store looking for a boot that met my requirements (flat, smooth leather, dark grey, not too cowboy-ish, not above the knee, well made), I found this boot at Nine West.
So it fit every requirement, except that it's suede instead of smooth leather. BUT, they were on sale, and then 50% off sale price, which made them $34.99. For that price, I could compromise. The nice associate at Nine West ordered them for me online because my size was unavailable at the store... I'm still waiting for them to come. Maybe my search is over!
Grey boots, you are awesome. You are neutral and go with everything! So why did it take so long for me to find a simple pair??
I promised other lovely things, too, soooo....
Respect The Shoes is a really awesome fashion blog I just started reading. They are having a fantastic giveaway - a gorgeous necklace from Etsy (Etsy is AMAZING), and a gift card, to boot! Yep, I said "to boot." I brought it full circle. So head over there and enter by clicking here!
Unfortunately, it was almost impossible for me to find something I liked, even something pricey! My absolute favorite is the Frye Paige boot:
Um. Gorgeous. I love the color, the build, the leather, everything. But $350 is a lot for a pair of boots, even one I've been lusting after for months. I just don't know if I can justify that.
The other day, as I was listlessly going from store to store looking for a boot that met my requirements (flat, smooth leather, dark grey, not too cowboy-ish, not above the knee, well made), I found this boot at Nine West.
So it fit every requirement, except that it's suede instead of smooth leather. BUT, they were on sale, and then 50% off sale price, which made them $34.99. For that price, I could compromise. The nice associate at Nine West ordered them for me online because my size was unavailable at the store... I'm still waiting for them to come. Maybe my search is over!
Grey boots, you are awesome. You are neutral and go with everything! So why did it take so long for me to find a simple pair??
I promised other lovely things, too, soooo....
Respect The Shoes is a really awesome fashion blog I just started reading. They are having a fantastic giveaway - a gorgeous necklace from Etsy (Etsy is AMAZING), and a gift card, to boot! Yep, I said "to boot." I brought it full circle. So head over there and enter by clicking here!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Jeans, Jeans, they're good for your heart....
Please excuse the childish subject of this particular post. Did you excuse it? Did you giggle a little? Good! Onward and upward, then...
So let's talk jeans. Jeans are, in a word, awesome. I mean, they go with everything, they're soft, comfortable, fashionable, come in tons of colors - what's not to like? I have a pretty big collection of jeans - everything from really old Gap jeans to some brand new designer ones I scored on clearance a while ago but haven't had the chance to wear yet.
Gap is a go-to place for jeans - I'm particularly fond of their curvy fit. My jeans pet peeve is the gap you get between the waistband and your back - which causes gapping and possible butt crackage. Nobody likes butt crackage, even if they say they do. Jeans that stretch and create that gap lead to me pulling all of my shirts down and wearing lots of tunics. Anyway, I don't have this issue with Gap curvy fit jeans, which seem to have a higher rise in the back. I will say that I don't really get Gap sizing in denim - I can usually go down 2-3 sizes in their jeans. Great for my self esteem, but it seems a bit unrealistic, no?
I'm a big fan of places like Nordstrom Rack or outlet stores for jean shopping, too - as long as you're cool with hunting through racks and racks of jeans and trying on a lot of pairs! It's also worth it to try on a few pairs in the same size, even if they are the same make and cut - jeans can vary quite a bit from one pair to the next! I was able to score a pair of 7 for all Mankind jeans from a Sak's outlet for a steal. I find that they fit a bit large and stretch out too much for my liking, but they're very comfortable.
Lately, though, my absolute FAVORITE jeans are made by AG. I was at Anthropologie, looking for a pair of jeans to try on with some tops, and I fell absolutely in love with the Stevie fit. They are a splurge for sure at full price - but I've worn mine constantly for the past few months. They are soft, comfortable, and perfect for curvy girls - they stretch but manage to hold their shape. The Stevie is a straight leg cut and fairly close fitting, but not as tight as a jegging. It's ideal for wearing with boots, but you can definitely rock a flat or heel with it, too. I have become obsessed, and ended up scoring another pair, in a soft grey, off of eBay. We also hit up the AG outlet in Palm Springs, where I got a pair of the Premiere Fit in a very dark wash. Premieres fit similar to Stevies, but are a bit longer with a slightly higher rise and less stretch. I'd definitely recommend trying on AG Jeans - I find them very flattering, versatile, and comfortable. In my opinion, they run about a size small. I'd try to get 'em from an AG outlet (50-75% off!) or stalk them on Anthopologie until they go on sale.
What brand are your favorite pair of jeans? Which cuts do you prefer?
Monday, November 22, 2010
Coupons!! Groupons!! Awesome!
The other day, I got an urgent email from my husband:
"Super good Groupon. I would buy you one, but it's one per person."
He provided a now-defunct link, so here's a new one for you guys:
If you've never used Groupon before, it's a great service. Basically, there's a new coupon every day, usually for a service (like a massage or paintball), a restaurant, or an item (like cupcakes!). A certain number of people need to purchase the coupon before it goes into effect. If not enough people buy the coupon, it is void, and you are not charged. Each coupon works differently, but most are something like, "$30 for $65 worth of food at X Restaurant," or similar. You pay $30 and get a gift certificate. It's popular with locally owned businesses, as it really drums up new traffic to stores and eateries. We have tried lots of great new restaurants, mostly ones we never would have tried otherwise, thanks to Groupon. I was even able to score majorly discounted blow outs at DryBar and treat myself, my mom, and my mother in law to an afternoon of pampering and scalp massages. Side note: DryBar is WAY awesome.
Anyway, today's Groupon is $25 for $50 worth of merchandise at Nordstrom's Rack. It's okay if you don't live in LA; the coupons are good at ANY Nordstrom's Rack location. They expire December 31st, though, so buy 'em and use 'em quick. My husband and I stopped in yesterday - he bought some new Converse shoes, and I picked up a greyish lilac wool coat, a cute cloche hat, and a set of Stila eyeshadows and lipglosses (great gifts!). A new coat means I can probably do away with the black and white Express coat from 5 years ago... a coat that my husband derisively claims has "glitter" in it. It's not glitter, it's shimmery thread! Regardless, it's seen better days, so I'm happy to replace it - for a total steal!!
Coat: Originally $148, now $59.97
Cloche: Originally $32, now $15.97
Eye Shadow Palette: $9.97
Lip Gloss collection: Originally $20, now $7.97
Ended up spending an extra $50, but I got some great deals!
Go get your Groupon - now through Wednesday!
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