Beauty: Almay Gentle Eyes

I have been wearing more browns lately in my eyeshadow and the darker my eyes get, the harder it is to remove all of the eye makeup come bed time.  I can't have flakes of eyeshadow getting into my eyes; I wear contact lenses.  I used to use the eye makeup remover that came in a bottle, the kind that I would swig onto a cotton ball. 

Over the past three years, I have been using Almay's gentle eye makeup remover pads.  They are soft little pads that are moistened with remover (I get the type that are oil-free).  I strongly suggest using these, as they don't tear your eyes up and they are very sanitary for the one time use -- safe for sharing.  I always give out little remover pads to my friends and they just toss them when their done.  A regular pack contains 80 disposable pads.

Secondly, I wanted to mention again my love for the felt tipped eyeliner pen that I bought from Almay.  I use it on my top lid for cat eyes, or for a simple top layer of liner.  Rite Aid, the convenience store, seems to have insanely good deals on makeup.  When I last purchased these too Almay items, it was buy one get one free on all Almay products.

1.  Almay liquid eyeliner pen.  $7
2.  Almay oil free eye makeup remover pads.  $6

Print Me Python

After reading this post, the dear people at JC Penny may have to crown me their official spokesperson.  (Alongside Ellen DeGeneres of course!) 

Yesterday, my mother and I were hurrying out of the mall since we both had dinners to attend; however, on the way out, a python print blouse caught my eye.  The blouse was in the section of JCP for Mango.  The brand is technically MNG by Mango. 

The blouse was $17.  Love it.

I think wearing python print is sophisticated and trendy. 

This isn't the first time I have been obsessing over the print...  When I graduated from high school a few years ago, my great aunt from Florida sent me a python purse that has a long shoulder strap.  The purse is fairly small, but PERFECT for fitting my phone, wallet, and everything else.  Since receiving that fine python print purse, I have come to accept and love faux python print.

I expect this print to pop up more this summer.

Check out this python utility blouse at White House Black Market -- for $98.  I may have to snatch this once it comes into stores.  Maybe add it to my birthday list?

Give me some python print and I just may love it.

Beauty: Maybelline My Face

It was this last week that I realized how much makeup I regularly use from Maybelline.  As I have mentioned before, I am no makeup connoisseur, but I like to know how to look updated and I try to keep a healthy glow.

I wanted to share some of my favorite makeup products from Maybelline.  They are literally in my drawer right now and I use them every day.  Literally -- every day.

Below are my three Maybelline must haves.

1.  Dream Bouncy cream blush in "Fresh Pink".  It costs around $7.

2.  Color singles.  Shown here in "Amethyst", but I usually buy "Champagne Fizz" which is a light creamy and natural based eyeshadow. It costs around $4.

3.  Great Lash mascara in "Blackest Black", AKA best mascara ever.    It costs around $5.

If you like to play around with makeup or want to try some inexpensive new things -- I suggest trying one of these Maybelline cosmetics.  As I said before, I am very basic when it comes to makeup and I only like to use what looks best.  I love these and they are rather inexpensive. 

The dream bounce blush is fantastic!  You just smudge a little on your finger and rub it on your cheeks.  Not to mention, there is a $1 off coupon in the new issue of Elle.  I can rock that.

The Faux Fur Has Arrived

It's here. It's here.  Well, spring is here, but my faux fur coat is too; the coat that I bought for $17 on Maurices.com.  Wondering what I'm blabbing about?  Check out my post from a week ago here.

Even though it is spring, it seems to be snowing many places. Perfect. I will need to go out somewhere so that I have an excuse to dress up...
The button is beautiful.  And, honestly, the picture on Maurice's website doesn't do this coat justice.

Did I mention the fur is SO soft.  I was expecting it to be a little course since it is fake...but it's SO soft and the arms are very roomy.  Very Hollywood glam. 

This coat is still available online in sizes small and medium.  I have been very impressed with the quality, especially for the price. 

Leopard Sleep Mask

Does it make me nerdy to want extremely undisturbed sleep in the afternoon for a nap?  Especially during finals week...

                                                     Audrey Hepburn in her sleep mask

I recently purchased a leopard print sleep mask through a seller called Swissco on Amazon and it has been wonderful for my afternoon naps.  I have used my mask twice in the last week to block out the sun's rays from outside.  What's nerdy about getting beauty rest?!! Right!?

Zzzzzzzz....

Beauty: Hollywood Cat Eyes

Yesterday I was playing around with one of my black makeup pens from Almay and I gave myself mini cat eyes.  I decided to wear my makeup this way all evening... and I decided that I really liked it.  Maybe I won't do my makeup that way every day, but it was definitely kind of fun.  I have tried to do the cat eye before with other cheap eyeliners, but none of them worked.  This one was great! 

I'll be the first to admit that I can't do anything super amazing with makeup...but when it comes to simple tips and tricks...I know of a few. 

Take a peek at how Nicole Richie, Anne Hathaway, Emma Stone, and Mila Kunis rock the cat eye.

Day 1: I tried it out....a little wobbly, but getting there.

Day 2: Working on perfection with the Almay pen.

Steps to the cat eye.

1. Put on your regular foundation.  (I use a powder foundation by L'Oreal)

2. Apply a base eyeshadow.  (I use Tranquil Sands or Champagne Fizz by Maybelline because they are    really neutral, but noticeable)

3.  Apply the eyeliner with your pen.  Since I am right handed, I do my right eye first because it's harder to do, then I match my left eye to it.  Making both eyes even is the HARDEST part of cat eyes and takes practice.

4. If you're still wondering how to apply the eyeliner, take a peek at maybelline's cat eye video.

Mmmm...I need work, but it's a start.  I love this look...I have been playing with it all weekend.  I use Almay's felt tip eyeliner pen.  It's usually about $8 in stores.

I am going to have to try the Stila black eyeliner from Sephora.  I have been dying to, thanks to my New Jersey roommate, Alex.  Let's talk about Miss Alex.  She always has amazing eyeliner that she wears for her cat eye look and she uses the Stila eyeliner that costs $20.  Hmmm... I would like to give that a try as well.  I'll post some pics of her eyeliner when I get them.

Have any ideas or tips?  I'd love to hear.

Ray Ban Obsession

My first pair of Ray Ban Wayfarers were presented to me Christmas morning in 2009.  They were turquoise. 

They quickly became my favorite pair of sunglasses.  In 2010, I saved money from a few paychecks and purchased a new pair in solid white.  This is when I knew I had become greatly intrigued by wayfarers, or more so obsessed.

For my birthday in 2011, I asked for wayfarers in tortoise.  These are currently my favorite; however, I am sure I will bust out my white frames for the summer months.

I have had several of my friends ask about my Rays (i.e. How much are they?  Where do you get them? What color is best?  What style are they?).  I am about to gush about them because I get THAT excited about these sunglasses.

                      Rachel Bilson, Sunglass Hut's "Style Director" wears her wayfarers frequently.

Where to Buy
Ray Bans are sold at Sunglass Hut, the Macy's in-store Sunglass Hut, Rayban.com, and Nordstroms, as well as other speciality sunglass shops.  The return policy for Sunglass Hut is great -- after purchasing a pair of sunglasses, you have up to 90 days to exchange them if you change your mind about the pair you bought. 

The Frames
The particular style of Ray Bans that I am blogging about today is the Original Wayfarer. 

The Cost
Ray Bans range in cost anywhere from $69 to $300.  The price depends on the style, color, store, and if the glassed are polarized or not polarized.  If you purchase a pair of original wayfarers in a basic color like solid black or tortoise (no Rare Prints), then they are usually between $125 and $150. 

Buying Tips to Save
Sunglass Hut offers mall employees 20% off every 90 days.  When I worked at the mall, I got this discount.  Also, be sure to sign up for Sunglass Hut promos and e-mails, as they occasionally send out $20 off coupons and they give you $10 or $20 off for your birthday.  If you purchase through the Sunglass Hut at Macy's, you can often use Macy's coupons towards your purchase.  Macy's ALWAYS has coupons that save you up to 25% off.  I used a Macy's coupon to save 20% off of my Rare Prints.

The Color
There are many different colors and prints that wayfarers come in.  If you're interested in checking out the prints, look into Ray Ban's "Rare Prints" collection.  My white framed wayfarers are "Rare Prints", as they are floral printed on the inside of the frames!  I prefer the toroise wayfarers for regular every day wear.  Tortoise is the shadings of brown and black mixed in depth.  Yikes...that's the best I can describe it.  (See picture posted below of Wayfarers in tortoise.)

I usually don't splurge that much on anything because I simply don't have loads of money to splurge... but when it comes to protecting my eyes AND wearing sunglasses that I love, I can't resist.  I wear my Ray Bans literally every day.....unless it is so gloomy that I absolutely shouldn't.  Have any questions?  Ask me.  I can gush about these sunglasses any day....

                         Demi Lovato wearing the turquoise wayfarers.  These were my first pair!

Affordable Faux Fur: Part 2

I have a bad case of faux fur fever, but I have a good reason to be.  I have been periodically checking up on a faux fur coat that I found online at Maurices.  The coat was around $80 originally and it was on sale for $45 a month ago.  Today I decided to check back in on the coat, since it sporadically popped back into my mind... and WALLA! On sale for $29.98...but wait, it gets better.  Online, there was an additional 40% off. 

The coat cost $17.99. 

As far as shipping goes.... if you choose to have the coat shipped to a local store location, you save $2.

I love how this faux fur coat is so glamorous.  It would look amazing with pumps and black skinny jeans.

The downside?

Only sizes small and medium are available online.

Get The Look: Colored Pants

After I scoped out new looks at the mall this weekend, I came to realize that colored pants are becoming very popular.  Like many recent trends, they have been popular on and off over the past few years, but I never really took on the trend.  I am trying it this time... 

If you would like to experiment with colored pants as well for the summer, you'll love this post.

Step 1: Get inspiration.

     Alexa Chung, Lauren Conrad, and Rachel Bilson

     Anna Kendrick, Zoe Saldana, and Jessica Alba


Step 2: Find the pants.

1.  JC Penny maroon City Streets skinny jeans found in-store and online for $9.
2.  Free People blue skinny jeans found at Free People Boutique or Macy's for $68.
3.  J Brand light blue skinny jeans found online for $168.
4.  Forever21 turquoise skinny jeans found in-store and online for $29.80.
5.  PacSun Bullhead skinny jeans found in-store and online for $49.50.
6.  Charlotte Russe teal skinny jeans found in-store and online for $29.99.


I hope you enjoy these pants.  I already have a blue pair and I plan to buy another pair in sea foam green or coral pink.  Can't wait! The stretchy legging-jean (jegging) type of colored pants seem to be the comfiest for me.

Mindy Kaling: Snakeskin Pant Choice

I am a big fan of Mindy Kaling because:

A. She writes episodes and plays Kelly Kapoor for one of my favorite TV shows (The Office).

and

B. We seem to have similar taste when it comes to purchasing pants. Yes!

In accordance with point B, I would like to point out that Mindy mentioned that she loved a pair of Gap snakeskin jegging pants from this winter.  I bought these pants during Christmas break and I have been wearing them down to the threads.  I think I would wear them every day if I could.... No, seriously.

The reason I bring these pants up is because I have received numerous compliments on them...and I realize they are one of those articles of clothing that not many people would try on.  The printed snakeskin pattern on these pants may seem a little dangerous, but I promise they rock. They fit quite snugly.

A close up of the fabric.

To see Mindy Kaling's post on these snakeskin pants... click here.

That's all for now.  FYI: I'm on the lookout for more animal print patterns. 

I can't get enough of these pants; neither can Mindy.

Red Lipstick Obsession

Why do I love red lipstick so much?  It's so chic.  With my hair in a bun and my lips in a deep berry red, I feel classy.

I feel like my confidence is being exuded through my berry red smirk. Yes.

The particular red lipstick that I am wearing in this photo is Rimmel's "Berry Queen".  Rimmel's lipstick is usually very inexpensive (I got this one on sale for $2 at a Rite Aid clearance sale), yet it is hard to find good lipstick colors that actually work for me!  Really hard.  I am always experimenting.  It's also hard to find lipstick that one doesn't have to reapply five times every few minutes...

Know of any good deep reds or pinks?  Let me know.  I love suggestions!

Rock the Red Lipstick.

Stella McCartney Inspired

What do you get when you mix Stella McCartney Runway with a maxi skirt?  A beautiful thing.  The other day when I was browsing for lace shorts, I came across a skirt at Forever21 that made me very nostalgic.  The skirt reminded me of the 2011 Fall Stella McCartney runway!  The polka dots were very prominent.  I am planning on getting a long sheer maxi skirt like this one for summer and wearing gladiator sandals with it, or boots like the ones shown on the Forever21 model.  Ideas, ideas, ideas.


The Inspiration.

The Skirt.

Get The Look: Lace Shorts

Lace shorts have a sort of vintage appeal that inspire me.  I love how they are often high waisted with intricate details.  Lace started getting more popular over the past two years, as lace dresses are more common now. 


Step 1: Get inspiration.

Blake Lively and Emma Watson

Kourtney Kardashian and Rachel Bilson

Step 2: Find out where you can buy lace shorts.



Step 3: Decide if you need them now...or should wait until it warms up a bit for sping.

I love how the high waisted look is very trendy -- especially when the shorts are belted with a robe belt that ties.  I can't wait to get my style on this spring.