My Overly-Priced Obsession: Guerlain By Pucci Blush

Okay, so it's fair to say that I'm quite a drugstore beauty queen.  I can find great quality makeup products at pretty low prices.  But that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy a pricey treat from time to time.

Especially when that treat involves Gucci.

My new love is this Guerlain by Emilio Pucci Terra Azzaurra Bronzing Powder & Blush.  It's a lovely hybrid of bronzer and blush in a gorgeous array of colors.  The powder is super pigmented, so this is a compact that'll last you a while.

What I love most about this is that Guerlain's already legendary powder has been combined with Emilio Pucci's prints.  When beauty and fashion unite, something amazing happens!

The Bronzer/Blush combo comes in a really fabulous Pucci pouch (and let's be honest--it's what really catches my eye!)  The blue hues in the pattern are perfect for summer.  This duo is really the ultimate beach accessory.

Now onto the not-so-exciting stuff.  Each compact is $75. Vair vair expensive.  But I think it's okay to splurge on one nice makeup product a season, as long as you stick to cheaper alternatives the rest of the time...or is that just me trying to talk myself into the idea?

Bath & Body Works Sale AND Gift with Purchase

Oh Bath & Body Works, how I love thee.  I used to work in retail and was in a store right next to B&B W, and had to restrain myself from spending my entire paychecks on their yummy smelling products.  They also have amazing sales that are just too awesome to miss out on.

Right now, they are having their semi-annual sale.  The prices are ridiculously cheap--a lot of stuff is even 75% off!  It's a really good time to stock up on some of your fave goodies while the prices are so low.

Another bonus is this gorgey Wild Berry Tulips V.I.P. Bag.  It's actually valued at over $100, but during the sale, you can get it for $20 with any $40 purchase (which shouldn't be too difficult to do since they have so many great products!)

Included in the tote is oodles of their latest Wild Berry Tulip scented things.  Here's what you get:

• Signature Collection Shower Gel
• Body Lotion
• Fine Fragrance Mist 
• Anti-Bacterial Gentle Foaming Hand Soap in Wildberry Dahlia
• Liplicious Lip Gloss
• Mini Candle in Lilac Blossom
• White Shower Loofah 

And of course you get the adorable tote bag, too! I actually really like this bag; it's the perfect beach bag.

The gift is only available online.  Add the item to your shopping bag and at the checkout, just enter VIPTOTE (only one per order) to get the deal.

I'm not sure how long the sale is going on for, so I'd check it out ASAP.

A Little Ring with Some Bling!

Classic jewelry looks will always be in style. If you want to get trendy, funky costume jewelry, spending a bunch of money isn't the answer, since whatever you're buying probably won't be worn a year from now.  Don't get me wrong, I have my fair share of funky earrings and bracelets, but there's just something about classic-looking baubles that catch my eye.

Buying a piece of jewelry that can be worn year after year is practical, classy, and always stylish. This All Natural Freshwater Black Pearl and Diamond Ring from Szul is exactly what I mean when I say classic.  It's super gorgeous and goes with every outfit you  could possibly wear.  Everyone should own at least one ring that is timeless, yet a bit unique.  This ring has that.

Now for the best news! This fab ring is originally $229.  Even on sale, it's a steep $129.  I know--pretty expensive.  But for the next couple of days, you can actually get it for under $30!  It's an amazing deal that's really too good to pass up.  I'm practically having a seizure of delight over it!

The Look For Less: Shimmer Lip Gloss

As I've admitted in the past, I have well over 100 lip glosses...probably even close to 200 (I know, I know...it's my addiction!)  But through trying tons of them out, I know a good lip product when I see it!

I'm all about shimmer lately--I think a light colored shimmer hue looks fabulous in the summer.  Bobbi Brown has a really pretty High Shimmer Lip Gloss that is exactly what I'm talking about. The only problem? Each gloss is almost $25! Bobbi Brown, I do love you, but I draw the line at paying over $20 for lip gloss.

So I did a little looking around and found a waaay cheaper alternative.  ELF has an amazing Studio Pout Perfecter that is almost exactly the same as the Bobbi Brown gloss!  I love it so much that I have four of them scattered around in my purse, bathroom, and car.  The formula is super pigmented, yet sheer because the color is so light.  The amount of shimmer is perfect.  This gloss does not make your lips look like a disco ball covered in chunky glitter.  The shimmer is fine and just makes lips look shiny, a little sparkly, and gorgeous!

The best part? It's only $3!!  It's amazing how cheap this great lip gloss is, since it works so wonderfully.  I'd seriously stock up--this is a product that you'll want to use constantly. And since it's only $3, you can afford to get a few of them!

Skincare Fit for a Princess!

I'm really picky about what I put on my skin.  I've had so many problems with products in the past, as my skin is so sensitive and dry.  When I heard about Princess Theodora Von Auersperg skincare, I was intrigued, to say the least!

Princess Theodora is a real princess--it's not just a fancy name.  She actually descends from a prestigious family of Austrian nobility.  Her family name has been well known since the early 11th century!

What makes this skincare so special is that the ingredients come straight from women in her family, and was once only available to royalty.  The products that have now become available to the public contain organic and vegan elements (which was essential to Princess Theodora for the soothing of her own sensitive skin).  The main ingredients are pure and are blended with nutrient-rich essential rose oil and healing rose water.

Pretty cool background, right?! I love products with a story.  So when I tried out the product line, needless to say, I was pretty excited.  I mean, this is stuff that royalty used!

As I hoped, all of the products I tried out felt super luxurious, hydrating, and soothed my own sensitive, dry skin.  The scent is also incredible.  The products all have just a hint of a rose smell to them (and the scent has been boyfriend approved!)

One of my fave products is the Regenerating Rose Gel Mask. Most masks are much too strong for my sensitive skin, but after trying out a few of the other products, I felt confident enough to give this a go.  It is literally my new go-to skin mask.  After wearing it for about fifteen minutes, my skin looked as if I had just been to a spa and had an amazing treatment done! I was glowing, and my skin felt amazingly smooth.  This is something to use before a night out, or a big event for sure. Now that I've tried this stuff, I honestly don't think I can live without it!

I also am a bit obsessed with the Rejuvenating Rose Serum. I've been applying it every day and night for the past couple of weeks and have definitely noticed a significant difference in my skin.  Even though I'm still in my 20s, my Scottish, fair skin has given me the "gift" of a few tiny wrinkles.  This product made my skin look much more firm and youthful them, and made my skin look healthier and hydrated.  It's basically a miracle serum, ladies.

The skincare line includes tons of great products that I absolutely love.  Their moisturizers are fabulous.  The entire line is Sassy Fashionista approved!

You can find the products on the Princess Theodora Von Auersperg website.  I have to warn you that the products are quite pricey.  I normally wouldn't spend this much money on skincare, but the results are absolutely worth it.  Also, since they're of such amazing quality, each product should last for much longer than any cheap, drugstore product that barely works.  Your skin is your canvas--no amount of makeup can make your skin look fabulous, so it's really important to take care of it!

Disclosure: This post contains sample products sent for consideration by a PR company. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.  

The Ultimate Girly Summer Shoes

Summertime is when I let my true love for shoes really shine through.  It's hard to find cute shoes for winter, especially living in New England and having to walk around in tons of snow constantly. I've ruined many a pair of pretty shoes that way.

So warm weather is quite perfecto for wearing lighter-hued shoes, and even delicate-detailed heels! And I absolutely love it.

These adorable Kylene Peep Toe Wedges are at the top of my must have list. I totally love the light turquoise hue and the ruffle detail.  It's ultra feminine without being obvious and in your face.  The shoe actually does come in pink, and though pink is my fave color, I think that with this particular shoe it would be almost too girly.  I know, I know...the ultimate girly girl saying something's too girly?! Don't get me wrong, a pair of bright pink shoes can be fun, but these super gorgey wedges just look perfect the way they are, in a bit of an unexpected color.

The best part? Each pair is a mere $29.99, AND Payless is currently running a BOGO sesh--so pick out another pair for your fab tootsies!

How to Clean...ANYTHING!

A while ago, my lovely friend, Lauren, turned me on to this amazing website, How to Clean Stuff. I totally forget what we were trying to clean, but regardless, when we got to the site there were oodles of cleaning tips.

I know this is a beauty and fashion blog, but hear me out--true fashionistas should have clean clothing, accessories, hair and even homes (though I'm not the best example of that last one).

The site is really easy to navigate, and really does tell you in detail how to clean literally everything that could possibly need to be cleaned.  And some of them are actually outrageously specific and hilarious (but still helpful to some, I suppose!)

Here's a list of my faves:

• How to Clean Gum From Hair
• How to Remove "Farm Smell" from Humans (because this is actually something that unfortunately is needed when you live in New Hampshire)
• How to Remove Makeup Stains
• How to Clean Rope Covering on High Heel Wedge (told you it got specific!)
• How to Remove Nail Polish from Fabrics (who out there hasn't spilled nail polish all over the place?!)
• How to Clean a Crown or Tiara (because, clearly, that's a constant problem for me hahaha)

See what I mean? And the list goes on and on. You can just click on whatever category you want, and you'll get a huge list. Or, you can do a search for a certain item that needs cleaning ASAP.

I'll def be getting a ton of use out of this site--check it out for yourself!

Crayola Nail Polish (For Real!!)

Crayola has given me oodles of awesome memories; mostly from my childhood.  So I always have a soft spot for the brand.  Recently, they've been branching out and making beauty products, which I think is fabulous! What's better than getting to use Crayola products in your 20s?!

I'm really diggin' their Mini Nail Polish Set. It comes in an adorable box, much like the original crayons, and there are eight gorgey hues!

The colors are bright and exactly what you'd expect from Crayola. It's also great because I've been going through a phase of wearing super bright polishes, and I'm quite fickle when it comes to painting my nails.  I generally like to paint them every couple of days because I get easily bored with the color I have on. So this is perfect for ladies like me, who want to try out a bunch of different looks.  I think it'd even be cool to wear all the colors--different ones on each nail. This is a really good set to experiment with.

I'm absolutely in love with this set!

You can buy your own for $12.

Shop it to Me HUGE GIVEAWAY!!!

I absolutely LOVE Shop it to Me. I signed up for it a while ago and am basically obsessed. Daily, they send you emails chock full of oodles of sales on brands that you choose. And believe me, the savings are incredible.


Right now, the site is doing a ridiculously huge giveaway.  All you have to do is sign up for the site, which you should really do anyway, then you have your pick of winning one of the following:

• Kate Spade Primrose Hill Goldie bag
• Christian Louboutin Simple 85 Patent Pumps
• 3.1 Phillip Lim 31 Hour Bag

How amazing is that?!

The prizes are super luxe and any girl would be lucky to own one. Personally, I'm going for the Kate Spade bag! Good luck, ladies!

The giveaway is only going on until Friday (6/22), so hop on over to the site and enter.

Fashion Faux Pas: Mustache Parties

I don't know HOW this started, but it needs to stop.  Everywhere I go lately, there seems to be a plethora of assorted fake mustaches.  I even read in a fashion mag (I'm not going to write which one, because they're usually right and I don't want to ruin their rep), that mustache parties are "in".

Ummm....I don't know about you ladies, but when I get dressed up and go to a party, I don't really want to make myself look ridiculous by adding a fake mustache!!  I mean, who even came up with this??! I just cannot imagine throwing on a "party mustache", looking in the mirror, and saying to myself, 'damn, I look good'!

And yes, I get the point that it's supposed to be funny.  And that "everyone" is doing it.  But unlike the awesome Ugly Christmas Sweater parties that go on, this mustache fiasco totally ruins your face for the night! No amount of makeup will make you look cute. Trust me on this.

Honestly, if I see anyone wearing a fake mustache in the near future, I will punch them in the face.  I hate to get violent with this, but obviously someone needs to take action.  Chances are, I'll even have to hand out some of my trusty Fashion Citations.  And believe me, you do not want one of those.

The ONLY halfway, kind of, good thing about this look is that you can get a pack of mustaches for under $5.  But that doesn't make it socially acceptable.

That is all.

Happy Father's Day From Dr. Brandt

Happy Father's Day, everyone! I hope you're all having a fabulous day with the dad in your life!

I know this is a little bit late, but one of my fave skincare lines, Dr. Brandt, is offering an awesome free gift with purchase on all orders over $150.  It seems like a lot to spend, but the products are all fabulous.

Here's what you get in the free gift:

• a men's travel bag
• Pores No More Vacuum Cleanser (0.25 oz)
• Pores No More Anti-Aging Mattifying Lotion (0.4 oz)
• a full size UV SPF Face Creme

Not bad!

So, if your daddio can wait a few days, it'd be the perfect Father's Day gift.  The offer expires on 6/19, so act fast!

Need some help picking out what to buy?  All of their products rock, but a few of my faves are their Glow Ruby Crystal Retinol Hydracreme (it really makes you glow!), their Flexitone BB Creme, and their AMAZING Blemishes No More Redness Relief Lotion.

Happy Father's Day, Daddio!!

Just wanted to give a shout-out to my awesome dad! If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be where I am today. Dad, if you're reading this, I love you bunches!!

Happy Father's Day! <3

Damaged Hair? Try Living Proof Restore!

I don't know about you ladies, but this summer heat is killing my hair.  I have naturally thick hair and it's constantly breaking, and just looks plain old bad.

That's until I started using Living Proof's Restore line.

It's honestly amazing. I actually had a hair emergency right before I received the products (let's just say I tried adding blonde highlights and ended up with cotton-candy-hued hair), so it was the perfect time to test it out.

The shampoo and conditioner are both quite thick. I felt like it cleaned my hair without stripping it of anything that needed to be there.  The smell is also super yummy.  It's a little citrus-y, and made my hair feel clean and soft.

The mask treatment is probably my fave product in the line. Since my hair was so damaged, I started out using the shampoo, conditioner, and the mask just to get the most restoring power.  It works like most hair masks--you leave it in for up to five minutes and rinse it out.  But it made my crazily bad hair look and feel soft and healthy.

After washing, I added about a quarter-sized amount of the targeted repair creme.  It doesn't leave hair looking greasy, but does tame hair and--get this--makes it even softer and shinier!  Love it!

I also tried out the Recovery Regimen, which includes four "doses" of the product to use once a week, in place of conditioner.  I have to say, I used this stuff for the past month and have definitely noticed a difference in my hair.  Combined with the rest of the Living Proof products, the regimen makes hair softer, more manageable, and healthier in general. When I started out, my hair was really bad; I'd even say it was straw-like.  By the end of the month, it looked like actual healthy hair! It's easier to style, and looks gorgeous, if I do say so myself!

The products range from around $20-$45, and really is worth every penny.  The products are super concentrated, so they last forever!

Also, Living Proof has a great deal going on right now.  For $29, you can buy the Discovery Kit, which includes mini-sized shampoo, conditioner, and the treatment mask.  It's a great way to try out the products before going all out and buying everything.

The whole line is absolutely incredible and I recommend it to anyone who has damaged hair. It's perfect for summertime, when hair is at its worst.

Disclosure: This post contains a sample product sent for consideration by a PR company. My priority is to you, and I honor that commitment by being honest! If you have any questions about this, please email me.  

Celebrate National Flip Flop Day!

Guess what??! Today is officially National Flip Flop Day! And Payless is selling tons of their sandals for ridiculously low prices. Huzzah!

They've got sandals on sale for as low as $6.  Pictured above are the Whitney Sandals, which are currently on sale for about $15.  I'm absolutely in love with them.  The cobalt blue hue is totally on trend, while the black will always be a classic sandal staple.

I also took a peek at their handbags (I couldn't help myself!), and I found this fabulous Jessie Shopper Bag.  Though it isn't actually "on sale", it's still crazily cheap for such a gorgey bag.  You can get one for $25.  It's perfect for summer, and is roomy enough to carry around all your essentials.

My suggestion? Check out your local Payless store, or hit up their website ASAP to get in on these great deals!

Designer Band-Aids Make Fab Accesories

If you know me at all, then you know that I'm basically the clumsiest person on the planet.  Often times, I attribute that to the fact that my feet are ridiculously small (size 3 in children's shoes), but really I just constantly fall down or bump into things because that's who I am. I've come to terms with it.

Because of this, I tend to carry around band-aids wherever I go, simply because I'm constantly falling and getting scraped up.  Usually, I hate band-aids.  They're ugly, and make me look quite a bit less than trendy.

Luckily, Cynthia Rowly has come out with these super cute band-aids that are as pretty as they are functional! I love them so much, that I might just start wearing them regardless of whether or not I actually need one!

Here's a peek at the designs:

Gorgeous, right?

Each pack includes 20 assorted bandages, and are only available for a limited time.  Bonus? You can get them for $5! Def one of the cheapest and best designer accessories out there!

ELF Gift With Purchase!

Oh ELF, how I love thee! I've kind of been obsessing over them for the past few months.  But in my defense, their products are fabbity-fabulous.  AND they're easy on the wallet. Most of their products are under $5, and oodles of 'em are only $1.

Currently, ELF is doing an awesome gift with purchase.  All you've got to do is spend $20 on the site (which is super easy to do since they have so many amazing things!) and you get a free Sunkissed Summer Set.  The set is a $210 value. Amazing, right?!

Here's what comes in the set:

• Essential Wristlet in Bronze
• Studio Lotion Wipes in Vanilla & Coconut
• Studio Waterproof Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara
• Studio Cream Eyeshadow in Dawn
• Essential Eyelid Primer in Sheer
• Essential Nail Polish in Champagne
• Essential Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Black
• Essential All Over Color Stick in Golden Peach
• Essential Super Glossy Lip Shine in Honey Do
• Essential Eye Shadow Brush

So, clearly this set is a must-have for summer.  It's only available until 6/17, so I'd jump on this!  To get the set, just enter SUNKISSED at the checkout.

Who DOESN'T Need a Piranha Purse?!

As I'm sure most of you ladies know, I'm a purse fanatic. I spend a ridiculous amount of time looking for handbags in stores, online...just everywhere.

And I've found an amazing bag that I can really sink my teeth into (hahaha, I'm hilarious). This Piranha Purse is super cute.  If it were socially acceptable to marry a handbag, I would choose this one.

Now, I usually go for nice, structured purses that go with everything.  So this is a bit of a gamble for me.   But you have to admit, the bag is a neutral color, is classily quilted, and fun at the same time.  I think it might actually go with most outfits! It's practically a classic, fashion staple!

You can get this purse for about $80 at ASOS.  I know--kind of pricey. But can you really put a price on something this awesome?! The answer is no.

Last I checked, the site is out of stock.  These bags are quite popular. But it's def worth checking around, and checking the website every couple of days. Because, honestly, who doesn't need a piranha purse?!

Funky Retro Sunglasses Rock My World

Sunglasses are another accessory that I'm obsessed with...you know, in addition to handbags, shoes, and basically every other accessory out there.  But there's just something about a funky pair of shades that tickles my fancy to the extreme.

These Pink Cadillac Sunglasses from Fred Flare are at the top of my must-have list.

I mean, how cute are they?! Here are a few reasons explaining  why I'm so in love with these bad boys:

• They're pink (duh)
• The cat-eye shape is super flattering, cute, and trendy
• They go with nearly every outfit
• Did I mention that they're pink?

So...yeah. I def need these. At $14 a pop, buying a pair of your own is completely doable. Rock the retro look, ladies!

Pixi Gift with Purchase!

GWPs get me crazily excited. And rightfully so! Who doesn't love getting a free gift when they buy something great?

Currently, DermStore is offering up a fabbity-fabulous Pixi GWP.  All you have to do is spend $40 or more on Pixi products and the gift is instantly added to your shopping cart.

The freebie includes everything you need for a day or nighttime look.  You get a Pretty Eye Perfection shadow palette (with an amazing mix of neutral   and bright colors), an Endless Silky Eye Pen in Black, and a mini Eye Bright Primer.  At a $50 value, this GWP is perfect for anyone looking for some fab new eye products.

Personally, I've always loved Pixi's beauty products.  Their eye shadows are always very highly pigmented, and their liners apply super smoothly.

And believe me, spending $40 on Pixi products really isn't that difficult.  My suggestions? Try out their Fake Awake kit.  It includes everything you need to make yourself look absolutely gorgey, even when you aren't exactly feeling it.  Their Lash Booster Mascara in Blackest Blue is also phenomenal.  The blue tint brightens eyes, and the mascara itself is one of my faves.

I'm not sure how long this GWP is going on for, so I'd start ordering asap!

Figure Flattering Dress for Under $35!

No one has a perfect bod. Unless you're a Victoria's Secret model, I'm guessing that you're like me--constantly on the lookout for dresses that flatter your body type.

I'm a bit in between having an hourglass figure, and having a pear-shaped body.  I'm in decent shape, but I still can't throw on any old dress and expect it to look amazing on me.

This adorable Open Back Knit Halter Dress from Body Central is just the ticket. It flatters nearly all body types.  Even though it's quite snug and hugs your curves, the color blocking and shape of the dress is gorgeous and would look good on tons of us ladies.

If you're like me, and hate your lower half (I constantly refer to myself as "thunder thighs"), this dress is perfecto for you! Anything with a light color on top and a darker color on the bottom camouflages anything you hate about what's below your waist.  The lighter color on top draws the eye upwards, rather than drawing attention to your hips, thighs, or a little bit of tummy pudge.

The white bands also help give your bod a defined, and pretty silhouette.  Since one band is directly beneath the bust line (the tiniest part of most women's bodies), it attracts the eye to the tiniest part of you.

Bonus? The dress is on sale for $32.90!

Love it!

Man Mishap: The V-Neck Tee

They're all over the place.  Men wearing v-neck tees.  Gross.

V-necks are simply meant for women.  They draw the eye down towards cleavage.  That's the whole point (well, that and the neckline is just flattering in general).  Men should not have cleavage.  Though I'm aware that some men do, that doesn't make it okay to throw on a v-neck and call it a day.

The absolute worst is when muscular guys think they can pull off this "cutting edge" look.  Since v-necks are usually tight-fitted, men in good shape who don one are usually looked at as being gay.  Now don't get me wrong.  I love love love gay guys.  But if you aren't gay, then perhaps this isn't exactly a look you should go for.

Also--guy in the picture? Just because you have a tattoo doesn't mean you can wear a bright teal v-neck tee.  Just sayin'.

SNL even made fun of the v-neck phenomenon.  Check out the vid below: