Sephora's Fab End of Summer Sale!

I love love love Sephora.  I can easily spend hundreds of dollars on their makeup goodies.  So when there's a sale going on, I'm usually the first in line.

Currently, Sephora is having an End of Summer Sale.  After checking out the products, though, there are really only a few items that I'd say are "summer exclusive".  And even those are debatable. There are oodles of brushes, palettes, and everything in between.

I've had my eye on this Make-Up Artist Brush Set for a looong time.  It's currently marked down to $99 (marked down from $275, and at a $422 value).  It has every brush you could possibly need, all in a handy makeup tool belt!

Another great buy? Benefit's Cabana Glama palette.  Benefit is a great brand; their makeup is amazing and is of amazingly good quality.  The set includes some of their coveted products:

-0.14 oz Hoola (Bronzing Powder with Brush)
-0.08 oz Posietint (Poppy-Pink Tinted Lip & Cheek Stain
-0.12 Some Kind-A Gorgeous in Medium
-0.12 Eyeshadow Palette

It's on sale for $19 (marked down from $36).  I really love sets like this because it allows you to try out the brand's products without buying full-size items.  Plus the whole thing is fairly portable.

There are TONS of other things on sale, but everything's going super fast--so get shopping!

Beauty Blunder: Ridiculous Lip Art

While perusing some beauty sites, I found a new makeup trend:  lip art.

I don't know...it's obviously hideous.  I mean, maybe for Halloween, it'd be acceptable.  That said, I simply cannot imagine anyone walking around in public with a crab painted on their lips.

I get that it's creative.  But it's still ugly.  And what happens if you talk or something and your lips touch (which happens basically thousands of times a day)?  There's no way that lip art would survive that.  And then, you'd be left with a random array of colors, sloppily covering your lips.

Not very attractive.

Here's a couple other lip art examples I found:

Ugh.  Find yourself a nice pink lip gloss and be done with it!

That is all.

Pretty Earrings for Any Occasion

I bought a pair of earrings a few years ago that are almost exactly like Max & Chloe's Blu Bijoux Brushed Coin Chandelier Earrings.

The pair that I own came from a small boutique in Boston, and I've been hunting them down ever since so I can get back-up pairs! That's honestly how much I love them.

Almost every time I bust them out, compliments come flying my way.  I've never had a pair of earrings that are loved by everyone this much (and believe me, I have quite a lot of earrings)!  I wear them for literally any occasion.  They dress up a tee and jeans, or glam up a cocktail dress.  The earrings aren't too large or small, so they don't distract from the rest of your outfit; they enhance it--no matter what you happen to be wearing that day.

If I die in the next few years, I want to be buried with them.  Yes, I am a little obsessed.

This fab pair retails for $25. Not bad for a pair of earrings that you can wear for the rest of your life! Oh and if you aren't a fan of gold accessories, they also come in silver.

Green With Envy

I'm really looking forward to a few of the upcoming fall trends. My fave?  I'm super delighted that wearing hunter green is suddenly stylish again (although, I wasn't aware that it hadn't been before)!

Yes, I'm sure there are oodles of clothing options out there in dazzling green hues, but since I'm still currently on a bit of a nail binge, I've been looking at some fab polishes.

Essie's fall collection is gorgeous.  All the colors are amazing, per usual, and their Stylenomics polish is a perfect hunter green.

It also got me thinking about a polish I already own from a few seasons ago, when matte polish started popping up all over the place.  After I went through my collection of about 200 nail polishes (that are conveniently directly under my desk in a lovely box), I found what I was looking for:  Revlon's Matte Suede Emerald City polish!

I wouldn't actually call it a matte polish, exactly. The word "suede" describes the finish much better.  On nails, it looks almost velvety in texture.  That said, you can certainly add a clear shiny top coat over it to change up the look.  Color-wise, this polish is exactly what I imagine when I think of hunter green.  And since it's from a few seasons ago, you can find it on sale! Woohoo!

Both nail polishes are divine--take your pick and get yourself some gorgeous, green nails.  If the color seems scary, use it on your toes. It's still sandal season for a little while!

Bad Hair Day? STOP Washing Your Hair Every Day!

I'm not sure how many ladies out there are aware of this very important rule.  I've actually had a few heated debates with my boyfriend about the fact that I only wash my hair a few times a week.  But it is actually so much better for your hair--no matter what hair type you have.

Washing your hair daily is extremely damaging.  It's like over-washing your fave outfit--the color fades, it gets thinner, and just looks blah.  The exact same happens to your hair with daily washing.  Color gets stripped out faster, hair looks drab and dull, and looks overall unhealthy.

Washing hair two-three times a week (or every-other day if you have hair that gets greasy quickly), makes a huge difference.  Your hair looks much stronger and gorgeous.  You end up with fewer split-ends, shiny/healthy hair, and if you color it, color lasts much longer.

Another bonus? If you aren't washing your hair daily, then you also don't need to put as much effort into styling it daily.  First of all, that means less heat styling, which is another damaging thing for hair.  It's good for your hair to take a break from blowdriers and flat irons. Secondly, it saves you time.  On days when you don't wash, you can basically brush it out and apply a styling product.

I know that some hair types do tend to look greasy earlier than others.  If that's the case, try using something like Batiste's Dry Shampoo (or any dry shampoo that tickles your fancy).  It's like a helping hand between washings that is in no way damaging to hair. Perfecto!

The main message: Keep your hair looking fab--only wash it a few times a week! You'll notice the great results almost instantly.

Help Stop Domestic Violence- Buy a Bag!

I love when buying something pretty also helps others! It doesn't happen very often, but when it does, I'm totally there.

This Empowerment Coin Purse from Avon is a great example of just that.  The purse is super cute--honestly, who doesn't love a glitzy, purple bag?!

Though it's advertised as as a "coin purse", it's actually a bit larger and is more of a wristlet.  The dimensions are 7 1/4 long and 4 1/4 wide. So you can actually fit quite a bit of stuff in there.

This is the perfect bag for a night out on the town.  I absolutely adore it!

The best part? It's only $5 and the net profits ($3.03) will be donated to the Avon Foundation for programs dedicated to ending violence against women.

Gorgey Palette That I Shouldn't Spend Tons of Money On

God, I cannot express how much I want this Dior Golden Jungle Essentials pallet.

I'm a pallet gal--I love having a couple different products in one convenient compact.  I tend to seek them out, rather than look for individual products because it's normally a cheaper way to try out the line.

First of all, I love love love the animal print eyeshadow in this pallet. It's almost too pretty to use.  I also wonder how easy it is to get the individual colors, though. Without anything dividing them, it can get tricky.

I also know from experience that Dior's lip gloss is always spectacular.  So the nude-hued gloss that's included is most likely pretty.

Unfortunately, this gorgeous palette is a steep $70!

Even though it is a really pretty product, I just cannot justify spending that much money on a palette that only contains a few shades of eyeshadow and a basic lip gloss.  For that price, I could purchase oodles of other makeup goodies to add to my collection.

Sigh.  Sorry, Dior.  Maybe make a cheaper palette next time!

Fashion Faux Pas: Tapered Pants with Ugly Patterns

A new fall trend is popping up everywhere--tapered, ugly, printed pants.

Needless to say, I am not a fan.

I have three main problems with this particular pair of pants from Forever21 (a store that I usually love). First of all, the whole pattern thing is ridiculous.  I've seen it in magazines and all it makes me think of is older ladies who wear printed pants because they're comfy--and in some severe cases they think they're in style.

Here's the real deal:  the pattern automatically draws the eye down.  Usually that is where most women tend to have their problem areas.  You might think that a print would camouflage any flaws, but it does the exact opposite. Wearing a print makes them stand out even more, since you're basically wearing a flashing sign that says hey, look at these pants!

The cut of the pants is also horrifying.  They are tapered, which means that they are tight at the ankles, but larger at the top.  Even the skinniest people (like the model shown) look bigger in the bum/thigh region simply because their ankles look super tiny by comparison.  I call this the ice cream cone effect.  No one should want a figure like that.

And lastly, the random bow! Apparently, it's not enough that the pattern and cut ruin the look of your lower half; there somehow needs to be a huge bow right on top!  It just looks so out of place--almost like the designer realized how awful the pants are and thought that adding a bow would make everything better.  FYI: it doesn't.

This is one trend I will not be partaking in.

Your Fall Beauty To-Do List

With fall just around the corner, now's the time to prep yourself for the newest, ultimate beauty looks.

Heat generally dries out our skin, and just damages it in general, so fall is kind of like a detox time for your skin.  Since most people tend to wear more makeup as the weather gets chilly, it's important that the skin itself is as close to perfection as possible.

Here's what to do:

Get Glowing Skin--Since it is probably fried from the weather, this is key.  You can use different creams, but eating certain foods,like cucumbers, mangoes, and apricots help you glow from within.  They've all full of vitamin A, which helps nourish skin cells.

Set Aside a Weekly Beauty Day--When our schedules get filled up, the last thing you want to think about is having a beauty day. Give yourself an at-home facial, pamper yourself and take care of your skin.  Even set up some time to read your fave mag that you haven't had time to read.  Try to do this every Thursday; it's perfect because it isn't quite the weekend yet, but it's past hump day.

Update Your Hair Color--Blonde highlights are fabulous for summer, but fall is the time to go with a rich, darker color.  Try out a golden dark brown, or even a dark brown with a red-ish hue to it.  Experiment with some darker colors.

Get Rid of Hair Stress--Summer basically ruins your hair.  So you've really got to to use a lot of super moisturizing hair masques.  They'll make your hair look healthier, soft, and looking super gorgeous.

Pamper Your Hands and Feet--We usually don't even think of the fact that nails are a big deal and need nourishment.  But they do!  Bi-weekly foot soaks will ease aches and pains, as well as swelling.  You can also fill a small tub with warm water and Epsom salt to soften skin.  Hands are important too; the cuticles can be very annoying and picking at them makes it worse.  So just get a nice cuticle softener, and push them down or remove them completely.  Another secret? Honey.  Warm it up in the microwave for a few seconds and rub it onto your hands and cuticles.  Honey is a natural healer that's full of antioxidants.

Change Up Your Manicure--Yeah, we all had fun using bright, neon colors on our nails for a while, but for fall you really need something simple and pretty.  Trend-wise, both very light colors, and super dark hues are in style.  Go with a nice deep plum for a color that will def go with your skintone and actually matches more than you'd think.

Revamp Your Makeup Look--When the weather's warm and going to the beach is a weekly activity, you can get away with wearing little to no makeup. But fall is a good time to try out different makeup looks.  Pull out some old pictures of you from the past year and check out your makeup.  If it mostly looks the same, do something drastically different!

The Most Ladylike Purse in the World...

My obsession with handbags is still constantly growing at a severely rapid rate.  I just can't stop!  There's so many cute bags out there!

My latest find is this Chocolate New York Cross Body Bag.  It's so elegant-looking and ultimately timeless.  This little bag almost has a vintage feel to it.  Of course I'm a fan of the big soft pink bow detail at the top, but I also really like the sequins.  They have more of a matte finish to them, which makes the bag look classy rather than overly blinged up.

The coin purse closure and chain strap are also adorable.  There's so much that I love about this purse!

It is a bit on the small side, so it's more of an evening/going out bag.  The dimensions are 5.5" H x 7.0" W x 2.0" D.  So you can fit your essentials in there--a small wallet, cell phone, lipgloss (of course), and there's even a little room to spare.

Each bag is under $20.  Huzzah!

I Love Me Some Lip Stain!

Lip stain is one of my beauty staples.  Yes, I do love lip gloss, lip stick, and all other lip products.  But a good lip stain is more important than any other lip product.  At least for now.

Josie Maran has an amazing Magic Marker Lip Stain that I'm currently obsessed with.  The color lasts all day and looks fabulous.  The hue I've been using is Waltz, but there are oodles of colors to choose from.

The great thing about the lip stain is that it gives lips a pop of color that you can build up, depending on how dark you want your lips to be.  One coat is fairly sheer; three coats is basically opaque.  It's nice to have the option.  You can wear it lighter during the day, then add a couple more coats before going out at night!

Another fantastic thing about the product is that it really is magic. Sounds crazy, but it's amazing. It contains a blend of hyaluronic acid and sugar extracts to smooth and plump lips for an extra sexy pout.

Each stain is $19.

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.  

I Can't Stop Buying This Dress!

When I find something I like, especially when it's an item of clothing, I tend to buy it in every single color/pattern available.

That's what happened with this amazing Sleeveless Dress from Target. I'm constantly finding gorgey clothing there--it's like a secret hideaway for fashionable things that are on sale.  I love it!

This particular dress is simply adorable.  I love the lacy detail at the top, and the sweetheart neckline.  The dress is super flowy, and nips in at the natural waistline (the tiniest part on most women), making you look as thin as possible while giving you a coveted hourglass figure.

The fact that the skirt of the dress is longer in the back is another huge plus for me.  I'm always bending over to pick stuff up, not really thinking about the fact that I have a dress on, and the extra material saves me from having to check the hemline to see if my bum is covered.

It's a super flattering dress, and I really do own it in more than three of the patterns.  My fave is the one pictured, Navy Bird, but all of the patterns are great.  It's definitely a style staple, as you can wear it now in the summer heat, and with a little cardigan when it gets chilly out.

The best part? Each dress is under $25! Stock up ladies!

For the Girl Who Loves Handbags

I have to admit, I'm a handbag-aholic.  It's an addiction.  I probably own over 50 purses. I know, I know...it's a little ridiculous.  But what can I say? I love them all!

To show how much handbags mean to me, I found this super cute Robinson Small Tote Key Fob by Tory Burch.  If you love purses, why not show the world by having a handbag keychain?

It comes in a few colors, but the orange is my fave.  It's even made exactly like the actual Tory Burch handbags.  It's has real leather on the exterior and has a colorful contrasting lining.

I love it!!  It makes a great gift (or, you know...a gift for yourself).

Each keychain is $55--not bad for the quality of the piece.

Fashion Faux Pas: Hello Kitty Adult Onesie

Much as I love Hello Kitty, I simply cannot believe that a Hello Kitty adult-sized onesie exists.

Journey's (which is actually a fabulous shoe store) is selling this hideous "outfit".  Their stance is, "Who says kids have all the fun? Channel your inner child with this fleece onesie."


Umm...no thanks.  I admit, I do tend to wear pajamas sometimes when I'm at home, for comfort purposes.  But even my pajamas are not horribly embarrassing.  They're actually quite cute.  This onesie just is not acceptable, even for wearing at home.

And yes, I'm sure that it's very comfortable, but that doesn't make it okay to wear.

Oh and if you happen to be one of the millions of people who think that wearing pajamas in public is cool, here's a tip: This onesie is not socially acceptable in the real world.  You will get your ass kicked if you wear this in public.  That's a promise.

Just Say Yes to Blueberries!

It's never too early to start using anti-aging products. I've always been told that if you start using them in your twenties, you'll have a lot less to worry about when you get older--it's just easier to prolong aging than it is to fix signs of aging after the fact.

As you ladies probably know, I'm a huge fan of all the Yes To products.  I use most of their skincare products religiously.  Their Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh collection is my latest obsession.  All of the products work fabulously.  They all are clinically proven to reduce signs of aging and sun damage, which is amazing.  Also, just like their other collections, none of the products irritate my super sensitive skin.  Believe it or not, that's a huge bonus for me--finding skincare products that don't hurt my skin is very difficult.

Though the Yes to Blueberries collection has been around for a bit, they've added some fantastic items to it that I absolutely love.

One of my fave products is the Daily Repairing Moisturizer with SPF-30.  It's really important to use products that have SPF, especially in the Summer.  It's something we don't usually think about, but it's a necessity.  Not only does it protect your skin, it also prolongs getting wrinkles.  It's a win-win.

The moisturizer is formulated with organic cotton thistle, which assists the boost of natural collagen production and skin rejuvenation.  I def noticed a difference in my skin after using it for a week.  My skin felt refreshed and looked healthier than ever.

Another fab product is the Softening Facial Exfoliator. Unlike most exfoliators out there, this one is super gentle, yet still helps to reveal soft, smooth skin.  I used this before applying the Daily Repairing Moisturizer and the combination really left my skin looking great!

For anyone worried about existing wrinkles, the Deep Wrinkle Filler gets the job done.  The product is clinically proven to immediately reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.  It helps skin look more youthful after just one use--what's not to love about that?!

The best part about all of these products is that they are mostly all natural and they are not tested on animals. Huzzah!

If you want to try out the whole line, I highly suggest getting the Clinical Age Refresh Regimen.  It contains a bunch of the best Yes to Blueberries products, and it costs about $80.  Not really a bad price, considering how well all the products work.

Definitely Sassy Fashionista approved!

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.  

Heels With Tons of Bling

Usually, I despise anything that even remotely gives off the look of disco-ball-chic.  And these shoes are right on the cusp of doing just that.  But there's just something about these Rocha Platform Pumps that I absolutely love.

Of course if you're going to be sporting a pair of heels that pack this much bling, you've got to tone down the rest of your outfit.  I suggest going with a monochrome look--a little black dress would look great for a night out.  Just make sure to only wear simple jewelry.  These shoes are practically jewelry on their own and demand to take center stage when they're worn.

Currently, the heels are on sale for $55.30 (marked down from $79).  I'm not sure how long the shoes are going to be in stock, so if you love them as much as I do, get shopping!

Gorgeous Sweater Dress You Can Wear Now and Later!

Victoria's Secret has the best dresses, hands down.  Every dress I've gotten from them has been super flattering, pretty, and has lasted forever.

That's why I'm totally smitten with their Ribbed V-neck Dress.

Technically, it's a sweater dress.  That said, the material is thin enough to be worn during the end of summer.  It's also warm enough to wear for fall, which is right around the corner.  It's a great transition piece.

This dress is quite flattering.  V-necks always look great on any figure, and the flare of the skirt gives off the look of an hourglass figure.

It comes in a few different colors (navy, red, and black).  Personally, I'm a fan of the navy.  Although, you can never have enough black dresses...you really can't go wrong with whatever color you choose!

Sweater dresses are going to be HUGE this fall, so now is the best time to buy a few.  This one is $69.50, which is actually an amazing price, as most sweater dresses tend to cost over $100.

Girly Habits Guys Don't Get

Okay, so this is from a guy's point of view.  I def don't agree with all the things on the list, but it does give us a few things to think about!

Here's some girly habits that guys simply do not get:

Clutches
No, we will not hold your wallet, keys, brush, and cell phone. You chose to carry that useless bag.

Decorative Pillows
If we're not allowed to rest our heads on them, and you're not using them to playfully beat your cute yoga instructor, Amber, during a slumber party, there's really no point.

Thank You Notes to Close Friends
You already told them thank you in person. Alternatively, your phone is right over there.

Leggings
Tights are hot. So why wear fake tights that cut off at the ankle and make us think of bursting sausages and 10-year-old girls? Because we know you don't want us to find either of those things attractive.

Eyelash Curler
It looks like a medieval torture device. Besides, aren't eyelashes already curly?

That Massive Purse
Okay, you really only need your wallet and maybe some lip balm. Unless that thing is secretly full of money, guys don't get it. Also, if it is, we want you to treat.

The Thong Thing
You wear a rope between your cheeks so we won't notice the barely-noticeable lines that reveal you're wearing underwear. But we like thinking about you in your underwear.

Frenemies
When you complain about a friend one day and then hang out with her the next, it's confusing. Guys have frenemies, too. Except we call them "former friends" and we don't ever talk—or think—about them again.

24/7 Makeup
We will never understand why women need to put on lipstick and mascara to run to the store.

Changing--Again
Swapping your clothes a million times before you go out confuses the hell out of us. You look great in any outfit.

Plucking Your Brows
We appreciate that you make sure you don't have a crazy unibrow, but how can one woman withstand so much pain on a regular basis?

I'm actually relieved at some of the things on the list.  I generally hate wearing thongs, so if guys aren't fans of 'em, I'll gladly wear some boy shorts!

[Source: Cosmopolitan]

Fashion Faux Pas: Wearing Plaid With Plaid

First of all, sorry for the blurry picture.  I was at the bank the other day, and saw this guy and just had to take a pic with my phone (which admittedly doesn't take the best pictures--especially when I'm trying to be secretive about it).

But honestly...plaid with plaid??! How is this acceptable? The sad thing is that both clothing items are great looking on their own, and if they were worn with a nice solid color, each piece would look perfect.  Together though, it's a bit much.

Even if the plaid hues were similar colors, it might work (on second thought, it might be worse).  I just can't believe that this guy thought his outfit looked decent! Am I in the wrong here?

I wish I had my Fashion Citations with me at the time because this dude would have gotten one for sure.

The lesson here is:  plaid can be cute--but stick to wearing one piece of clothing with the pattern.

That is all.

Ain’t No Party Like a Gatsby Party!

Lately I've been a bit obsessed with The Great Gatsby.  You could say that I've got Gatsby fever. It was one of my fave books when I was younger, and when I found out that they made a movie of it (coming out this Winter), I practically had a seizure of delight.  Especially since Leonardo DiCaprio is playing the lead, Jay Gatsby.  Swoon.  Check out the trailer here.

Since I'm so freakishly Gatsby-obsessed, this awesome Party With Jay Gatsby Top is currently on my wish list.  I frequently wish that I had lived during the 20s because the style, fashion, and huge glamorous parties really appeal to me.

So advertising the fact that I'm in love with Mr. Jay Gatsby might get me a couple of weird looks.  But whatever.  Wearing a shirt this cool is so worth it!

You can purchase it for $30.99.

Perfume for Booklovers

I love to read. Ever since I started reading in my second grade class for a competition, I've been a bit obsessed.  Yes... I'm one of those people who has a library card (and actually uses it), and when I'm not working or writing, I'm usually reading.

So when I found out about Steidl's fragrance, Paper Passion, I was more than a little intrigued.

Apparently, the fragrance is supposed to smell like freshly printed books. I know it sounds a little weird, but I do know that scent and find it quite calming.

Of course, the best part is that each bottle comes hidden inside the pages of a book.  I mean, how cool is that??!

All you bookworm fashionistas, get this stuff stat!