The Prettiest Pink Polish (At Least for Now...)

The amount of pink nail polish that I own is fairly ridiculous--even I can admit that. I do happen to own a lot of Essie's fabulous light pink hues.  There's just something super classy about them.  And even though most of them are practically the same color, I use all of them on a regular basis.

For Spring 2015, Essie has come out with a super gorgeous Cashmere Matte collection. I'm a fan of all the colors the collection offers, but the pale pink Just Stitched shade is my fave.

In the past, I haven't really been big on matte polish. It's tough to get it to look even and it usually tends to look like crap in general (sorry!), BUT the Cashmere Matte polishes aren't like that at all. Rather, they've got a bit of a velvety look to them.

The fantastic Just Stitched polish even has a bit of dimension to it, which helps it look less "blah" than other matte polishes out there. At first glance, it's just a simple light pink.  But upon closer examination, it's a warm pearly-plush pink with slight turquoise shimmer. The shimmer is barely visible, but I think it really makes the polish unique and gives it real depth.

This is a great polish to have, since it's almost a neutral and goes with nearly every outfit possible. It's also a good color for the transition from Winter to Spring.

Each bottle retails for around $8.

FYI, I Have My Sassy Pants On

I don't usually wear graphic tees, but when I saw this Sassy Pants Tee from Thug Life Shirts, I practically had a seizure of delight!

Being a sassy fashionista and all, I do tend to wear my sassy pants quite often. That said, I love having the option of letting people know via my top, especially if I'm having a particularly sassy day.

I also love that the shirt is simple.  Grey looks good on everyone, and it's super soft. Honestly, all of the site's tees are funny and look crazily comfortable. It's definitely worth browsing the site.

Even if you aren't really a casual person, you can easily wear the tee under a black blazer, or pair it with some bold accessories to dress it up.

This shirt is priced just right at $27.95.

The BEST Nail Polish Names

I always thought that coming up with names for nail polish would be a ridiculously fun job. I'm pretty creative, can spot even the slightest difference in hues, and absolutely love nail polish.

Alas, many others beat me to it.

Often times, I purchase polish based on the name alone--some of them are just hilarious!

Here's a rundown of some of my faves:

China Glaze “Are You Jelly?” $6.33, Amazon.com
If you want to keep things vibrant, then this is the shade for you. This gorgey purple polish is aptly called “Are You Jelly?” and yes, I'm definitely jealous of it. Sport this on your nails, and everyone else will be jealous too.

 Sally Hansen “Scaredy Matte,”  $4.99, Ulta.com
Black nails are always in style. They look super chic and go with any outfit.  The fab matte finish adds some fun texture to the already kick-ass color. “Scaredy Matte” is the cutest reminder to not be afraid to try something new.

 Essie “Don’t Sweater It,” 8.50, Essie.com
The one thing I like about cold winters in New England is the sweater weather.“Don’t Sweater It” sounds super cozy, and its soft mauve shade looks it too.

 Essie “Recessionista,” 8.50, Essie.com
If you're anything like me, you spend an absurd amount of money on nail polish. Even though you may be broke, I think that “Recessionista” shows that you can look good even during the worst of times.

OPI “Vant To Bite My Neck?” $9.50, Ulta.com
The perfect vampy shade for any season, “Vant To Bite My Neck?” has me practically begging people to ask what color I'm wearing. This is prob my favorite name out of the bunch.

Deborah Lippmann “Shake Your Money Maker,” $20, Deborahlipmann.com
I love, love, love this polish! I love the name, I love the chunky glitter, and I love the unique color. “Shake Your Money Maker” is the ultimate green glitter polish every girl needs in her collection.

OPI “Espresso Your Style,” $9.50, Ulta.com
Even if you're not a coffee fan (which basically means you're crazy), this neutral hue is super gorgeous on all skintones. “Espresso Your Style,” is an instant pick-me-up--even without the caffeine--because it’s the perfect neutral for any occasion, but is anything but boring.

Essie “Hide & Go Chic,” $8.50, Essie.com
Got the winter blues? “Hide & Go Chic" has a beachy blue feel to it, yet it can be worn as a bold statement during any season. The metallic finish adds some extra pizazz. To make the polish even more glitzy, I'd even add Deborah Lippmann's “Shake Your Money Maker”as a top coat. It's the perfect combo!

Orly “Sashay My Way,” $10, Orly.com
“Sashay My Way” is the ultimate gold glitter that needs to make its way into everyone's polish collections ASAP. It works well as a top coat, or even on its own for a fun burst of  bling.

China Glaze “Don’t Make Me Wine,” $5.95, Amazon.com
I love wine. I love drinking a glass after a stressful day, and I absolutely love wearing the color. “Don’t Make Me Wine” is quite obviously the perfect wine color, and without it, I'd pretty much have to get upset.

All the colors are great, and the names make them even better! Next time you're shopping for polish, take an extra second to check the bottom of the bottle to see if the name lives up to the hue.

Happy shopping!

Hello Kitty...For Men

Hello Kitty is my weakness. Whenever I see anything Hello Kitty-related, I have a knee jerk reaction to buy it. But there are lots of ladies (and eight-year-old girls) like me. What I never expected was for the infamous Sanrio brand to reach out to guys.

HK Men's Shoes

I'm really not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand, I adore Hello Kitty and cannot deprive anyone of such an adorable icon.  On the other hand, Hello Kitty is clearly one of the girliest characters in the entire world. I don't have it in me to call this a blatant "Fashion Faux Pas"...but let's just say I'm not encouraging any dudes to shop for HK clothing.

HK Men's Hoodie

The store selling HK products for men first opened in Japan. To ease any hesitation that may arise, "Hello Kitty" released a statement:  "Until now I’ve been loved by many girls. But I’ve always thought this: It would be nice to be next to guys too, not just girls.” Hmm...okay.

The collection includes limited edition clothing, shoes, and business card cases. They'll be on sale until March, at least, but probably longer. Unfortunately, I can't find the products online,so if you really want some HK Men items, you'll have to go to the store itself.

Japan is well known for their outrageous fashion, but do you think men in the states will embrace this new look? God, I hope not.

[Images from Forbes]

Chic Cookie Cutters

 

I don't usually bake (unless by "bake", you mean dumping brownie mix into a pan and usually burning them...), but if I did, I would totally get these fab Beauty Tools Cookie Cutters from the Sugar Fox Shop.

I mean, how adorable are they??! I really might just try to work on my sub-par baking skills simply so that I can bake crazily adorable cookies in the shape of mirrors, blowdryers, and of course tubes of lipstick. I also imagine that the shape makes them taste better than normal cookies.  It's probably accurate. What can I say, I'm very presentation-oriented!

The Etsy shop that sells these fantastic kitchen accessories has oodles of other cookie cutters to choose from, on the off chance that you don't really want to go for cookies in the shape of beauty tools (though if that is the case, you're probably reading the wrong blog).

The price is right too--each set is a mere $6.50. These would also make a great gift for any gal out there...including yourself, of course!

Happy baking!

The Look For Less: Groovy Studded Heels

When I first spotted these shoes, I was unsure about their wearablility. But then I began brainstorming all the different outfits I could wear them with--I came up with a lot more than you'd think!  Because the heels have so many different hues included in the pattern, they're what I like to call an "almost neutral".  Meaning, you can wear them with any color that's on the shoe itself. Personally when I wear bright shoes, I like to make them the focal point of my outfit, so I do suggest toning everything else down if you do choose to wear anything like these bad boys.

Now for the fun part. These heels are really almost identical! The 70s-ish color blocking and the studded details are incorporated in both of the fab designs.

That said, one pictured pair is ridiculously more expensive than the other.

The shoes pictured on the left are LuLu's Party Trick Pastel Multi Striped and Studded Pointed Heels, and they retail for a mere $34! On the right is a pair of Valentino Rockstud 1973 Leather Slingback Pumps, which retails for a steep $1,195.
I can't imagine why anyone would spend so much money on a pair of fun, novelty shoes! They're the type of heels that you wear a few times with select outfits, then throw in your closet and forget about them until you need something whimsical again. I do love the design, but spending over $1,000 on any pair of shoes just sounds stupid to me!

Take it from me--when purchasing something that's more fun than functional, don't spend the big bucks.

Happy shopping!!

How to Make Your Heels More Comfy (Yes, Really!!!)

Even though I'm a mere 5 ft tall, I tend to stick to wearing flats. One, because there are tons of adorable flats out there anyway, and two because heels usually hurt!

Alas, there are definitely times when you just need to wear heels. So, here are a few ways to make them feel a bit more comfortable.

Choose a Round Toe
They're more comfortable than pointy toe pumps, which tend to push all your toes together.

Use Deodorant
Yes, put deodorant on your feet. Not only does it help with foot odor, it's also great for preventing blisters. Swipe some over your achilles and anywhere else you might get a blister before putting heels on.

Freeze a Bag of Water in Your Shoe
Yeah it’s weird, but I swear I'm not making this up. It works. Just fill a plastic bag with water, put it in your shoe, then put your shoe in the freezer. As the water freezes, it expands which will in turn stretch your shoe.

Don’t Wear Them Every Day
You don’t eat a crazy, over-the-top desserts every day or go out clubbing every day, so the same rule applies to heels. Giving your feet a rest means you’ll be even more comfortable in your heels the next time you wear them.  Plus, like I've said, there is no shortage of cute flats out there!

Break Them In With Thick Socks
You may be tempted to wear your new heels right out of the store, but don’t. Get them home first, put on your thickest pair of socks and slide your heels on. Walk around for as long as you can to help the shoe begin to mold perfectly to your foot.

Choose a Wider Heel
Yes, a stiletto may look sexy and sleek, but it offers virtually NO support. The thin heel means the ball of your foot is bearing the brunt of every step. A wider heel, on the other hand, helps evenly distribute the weight for more comfortable strutting.

Use Inserts
Inserts may not be sexy, but those suckers work. For real.

My Latest Obsession: The Glam Caddy

About a month ago, my boyfriend bought me a Glam Caddy from Bed Bath & Beyond in the hopes that I would finally organize the pile of makeup that was on our sink. It was pretty bad. I literally had everything all mixed up and just thrown all over our humungous sink. I mean, there isn't a lack of space. Granted, I do own a ton of makeup, but there just wasn't an excuse for my disorganization.

Admittedly, it took me a few weeks to attempt to use this thing. I knew it would be a day-long project. I had to clear off the entire sink, separate everything, and figure out what products I used often enough to have in the caddy (since I own so much makeup, I usually rotate what I use each month or so). That alone took forever.

Then, I needed to actually organize the stuff. I was unsure about all the little nooks and crannies, and how my makeup would actually fit in the smaller spaces. Once I started getting on with it, I found that the caddy's design was quite perfect for all types of makeup.

The best feature, to me, is the fact that this amazing creation rotates. Therefore, it takes up less space than a simple, boxy makeup organizer, and it makes it super easy to find the product you're looking for. It's a huge time saver, since I don't have to dig through a ridiculously large pile of crap to find my black liquid liner--something that used to take up to 15 minutes. True story.

I did not take a "before" picture because it was simply too embarrassing. But here's the after pic:

Not bad, right?! I mean, it clearly isn't as perfect-looking as the image the product displays, but I think I did a pretty fab job!

The best part is that the Glam Caddy is very affordable. It's around $30 (though I did happen to find it on clearance for $10, so it's worth checking an actual Bed Bath & Beyond store near you). Either way, it's a small price to pay to have all your makeup in one, convenient place!

Happy Breakup Day!

Though I'm in a fabulous relationship, I've always kind of considered the day after V-Day to be a national Breakup Day. I guess it's because I've known guys who stick it out with someone "through the holidays", and they figure ditching them post-Valentine's Day will make it less painful (hint: it doesn't).

I am absolutely loving Breakups to Makeup. The whole site is dedicated to selling items that would make almost anyone feel better after a breakup. The products are great to give as gifts, and I'd honestly go as far as stocking up on a few of their goodies so that I'm ready to cheer up my ladies!
 
They've got a great Bestie Bundle kit that I just love. It includes: a Cross My Heart Hope to Die, Stick Mascara In My Eye Compact (pictured), a Breakups to Makeup sticker of your choice, and a hand-written message with the text of your choice. Each set is $10.

The compact is actually my fave part of the whole thing. How adorable is it?!

The site has some other fab gems too, like fantastic makeup bags--one of which has I would cry, but my mascara is designer written on it. LOVE!  They also have some cute tops, accessories, and fab totes.

Check out the site and explore!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope that everyone has a ridiculously fantastic Valentine's Day! I know it's cheesy, but it's actually my all-time fave holiday. 

If you're in a relationship, good for you. Spend the day with your loved one--I know I'll be with my main squeeze!

And if you're single? Get all dressed up, hit a bar, and get some lonely guys to buy you drinks. Or stay in and eat chocolate.

Either way, enjoy your day!

The Look For Less: Bucket Bags

The bucket bag is THE most coveted accessory for the season.  It's easy to see why--they're incredibly chic (especially in classic black), and they hold everything you could possibly need to take with you for a busy day. The idea is fantastic and I really want to get one for myself ASAP (hint, hint)!

Here's a little history: ever since Mansur Gavriel’s bucket bag became the latest “It” bag a little while back, there have been no shortage of copycats and lookalikes. Cheap brands, as well as well-known higher end designers like Michael Kors and Phillip Lim jumped on the bucket bag bandwagon. I can't say I blame them.

The latest designer to released a Mansur-esque bucket bag? Kenneth Cole. It's the closest thing I've seen to the real deal thus far, and I absolutely love it. From the drawstring closure to the gold printed brand name, this one is truly like a spitting image of the original.  I am a huge Kenneth Cole fan anyway; the brand is within my budget, but it's designer-y enough to make me feel a little rich when I carry anything from their line.

The question is: can you tell the pictured bags apart? Which looks more expensive?

I'll help you out. On the left is the Kenneth Cole Dover Street Bucket Bag ($178), and on the right is the Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag ($625).

Pretty crazy price difference, right?!

I think both bags look great, but honestly when they look this similar, I'm definitely one to go for the cheaper option.

Happy bargain hunting!

This T-Shirt is a Lie...But I Love it Anyway

Is there anything in the entire world that's more comfy than throwing on your main man's soft, over-sized tee? I think not.

My boyfriend is a huge fan of seeing me run around in his shirts--and I can't say that there's anything else I'd rather wear, at least when I'm just around the house.

Forever 21 has actually come out with their own version of the boyfriend tee. Wearing their Boyfriend's T-Shirt Graphic Tee is practically like throwing on your guy's shirt.

The only difference? "This Is My Boyfriend's T-Shirt" is printed across the front. Chances are, the shirts you borrow from your man are not nearly as...possessive. But I honestly love it.

The idea is slightly ironic (at least worth a chuckle), and the shirt itself is probably even more comfortable than anything your boyfriend actually owns. It's got everything we love about men's shirts, like the relaxed, loose fit and worn-out feel, but it's made just for us!


Plus, it's under $16! Win-win!

Are Lip Smackers Gone For Good?!

Growing up, I was always a HUGE fan of Bonne Bell--especially their Lip Smacker Balms. With the variety of scrumptious flavors and slight tints, they were the perfect "training lipstick".

That said, I still usually have a couple of the balms in my purse at all times. Specifically, their Dr. Pepper balm is my favorite, as it adds the perfect amount of color to my super pale lips and hydrates them better than anything else. Plus, of course, the flavor is super yummy! And can you really beat the price? For under $2, these lippies are totally reasonable to buy in bulk.

So, I was understandably devastated when I found out that Bonne Bell had been sold. I probably spent the past week or so freaking out about the change and figuring out how many balms I needed to purchase in order to always have some with me...for the rest of my life. You know--just a little bit of obsessive behavior.

Luckily, I found out that the company is NOT planning on changing anything about the Lip Smacker brand in particular. Halleluiah! A rep from the company that bought Bonne Bell, Alice Chen from Markwins, cleared everything up. "The Lip Smacker business will carry on as per usual [with] the same great flavors and formulations".

So, there's no need to go crazy just yet. It looks like our coveted Lip Smackers are totally safe!

Unfortunately, there's not really any info on the rest of the Bonne Bell product line. Personally, I've always loved their bronzer (again, because I'm super pale and it doesn't make me look orange). Hopefully these will also stick around, but we'll see!

Holla At My Home Girls!

Cheesily adorable friendship bracelets are one of my many weaknesses.

I mean, what's cuter than a girly bracelet?! I'll tell you what--a set of matching girly bracelets. Even better? Giving one to your fave gal pal. I've been known to buy quite a few different varieties to share with my lovely lady friends (even from the kid's section of Target!)

Best friends bracelets rock, and you can find tons of similar BFF bracelets just about anywhere. But a set of Home Girls baubles? Definitely a bit more unique. The Miss Wax chain bracelets are edgy, yet offer some girly appeal at the same time.

They're the perfect gift to give a friend for any occasion--especially Valentine's Day, which is right around the corner.

Gift the gift of girl power for $32 per set.

OPI's Fab Fifty Shades of Grey Collection

Yes, I am one of the millions of ladies who is beyond excited for the Fifty Shades of Grey movie to come out. I've read the book, and I'm really hoping that the film is as amazing!

This season, OPI's got a great set of six limited-edition nail lacquers inspired by the the hotly anticipated film adaptation of the worldwide bestselling book by E.L. James.

Of course most of the hues are in the gray and silver families, but there's also a bold red that I simply must have in my ever-growing nail polish compilation!

Here are the fab colors in the sultry OPI collection:

• My Silk Tie – This silky, gleaming silver has got me all tied up.
• Romantically Involved – I’m in a deep relationship with this luscious crème red.
• Dark Side of the Mood – This brooding, stormy charcoal is dangerously gorgeous.
• Shine for Me – This shimmering silver with subtle blue sparkle really turns me on!
• Cement the Deal – I’d sign anything to get my hands on this stony, cool gray.
• Embrace the Gray – Let this chic, moody gray crème become one with you.

I truly love all the shades, but Romantically Involved and Dark Side of the Mood are definitely my faves! You can't really beat a gorgeous red polish, and a dark, opaque grey always looks super classy.

Each polish is about $9.50 at Ulta.  You can also purchase an adorable mini set that for $21.95--a great way to try out all the colors before committing!

Fashion Faux Pas: Men in Polka Dots

Okay, so I have to start off by saying that I absolutely love polka dots. I own oodles of polka dot printed frocks, and I find them to be the classiest pieces in my entire wardrobe.

That said, polka dots are for women. Not men. I cannot think of even one exception. Men simply should never wear polka dots--even if it's some stupidly ironic, annoyingly ugly on-purpose look.  It just doesn't work. Guys in polka dots look hideous. I know that sounds harsh, but it's true.

For some ungodly reason, I keep seeing polka dotted shirts for men all over the place. Apparently it's a new "trend". And I clearly do not support this.

Even one of my fave stores, Forever 21, has a ridiculous Polka Dot Print Shirt for men. Granted, the shirt is under $20...but that still doesn't make it okay.

Probably the most annoying thing in the picture of this particular shirt is the fact that the model is sporting a few "manly" tattoos. I'm sorry, but regardless of how masculine your ink is, it's still not okay to dress like a complete idiot.

So please guys (and women who shop for their guys), PLEASE do not purchase polka dot printed items for ANY reason.

I swear, if I see a guy wearing anything remotely similar to the shirt pictured, it will get violent.

That is all.

Just In Case...Grab This Case!

It's almost Valentine's Day! Huzzah! Quite honestly, it's my all-time fave holiday. Yes, I know it's totally cheesy, but I just love it. I mean, what's better than a day that's totally dedicated to love?!

That said, it's no secret that lots of us ladies "get lucky" (or at least hope to) on such occasions. No matter what you're relationship status is, it never hurts to be prepared--especially when it comes to having safe sex,

Now, you could just throw a couple boring condoms in your bag and call it a day.  But why not have some fun with it?

These super chic Just In Case compacts offer a way to have fun, and be prepared at the same time.  Each one is coated in sparkling clear acrylic, and open to a mirror, with a hidden compartment for condoms inside. It's great because anyone who sees it would just assume that it's a normal compact mirror. So, you lose the creepy factor that comes along with carrying condoms around.  It's out little secret!

The compacts are small enough to keep in almost any purse, from day to night, and come in different colors that suit any look: Mystic Metal, Petulant Pink, or Rendez-Vous Red. I think the red hue is best, especially for Valentine's Day, but it all depends on your taste.

Each compact is $24 and comes with two condoms to get you started.