Tuesday, July 25, 2017

{mini summer beauty haul review | sephora}



I went into Sephora for ONE thing and came out with a little bag of goodies... I just can't help it. But, what girl can? That section with all the samples right along the check out line just tempts you with hidden gems. It's been a month since I brought home these new products so I thought I would give y'all a review on them - what was a hit and what was a miss!







Tarte Scrub Clean Cleansing Set ($12)

I was most excited to try this product. I'm always looking for a good mask and ways to clean deep down in my pores. This packet contains mini samples of full size products that you can buy separately that promise to give you a radiant glow. The whole purpose is so you can try the trio together and then splurge to get the individual pieces at full size. Whelp, I was less than thrilled... there were multiple combinations you could do: oil alone, scrub alone, spot treatment, scrub and oil together, and then the option of using the silicone scrubber. I liked the pink scrubber the most - I now travel with it so that I don't have to carry my Clarisonic! It helps enhance the deep cleanse of any face wash and it doubles as a mini brush cleaner. 

Would I buy it again? Just the pink silicone scrubber.




Peter Thomas Roth Mask Sampler Kit ($25)


I can't say no to a good mask! The temptation of SIX new masks was too much for me. I also loved that there was one for every occasion. I always admire the Peter Thomas Roth masks when I walk around Sephora (one is legit gold and shiny...). This sampler kit was the first thing in my basket once I found it - whoops. The 6 different masks are: intense hydrating, stem cell bio-repair, lift & firm, purifying, cucumber gel, and pumpkin enzyme. They're all good for different types of skin. You simply cover your face in one of the masks (they're all really thin and light) then wash off with water after 10 minutes. Quick, easy, and mess free. I genuinely liked every mask that I tried! Sometimes it's hard to tell if you got results after such a thin application but my skin felt soft and rejuvenated every time! It was fun to read all of the labels and decide which mask would be best for my skin. Plus, the colors are pretty enticing. I'm wearing the blue mask for extra hydration right now! (The masks don't actually turn your face that color - it's a gel so you can hardly see a tint.)

Would I buy it again? Yes, I'd buy the sampler pack and give each small sample as Christmas gifts with other little goodies and I would buy the Pink mask and Black mask for myself!






Smashbox Spotlight Palette by Casey Holmes ($35)

Okay, THIS was the entire reason for my Sephora visit in the first place. I ran out of my trusty highlighter and had seen this palette by Casey Holmes (an awesome YouTube vlogger) everywhere - no, I have actually seen it all over my Twitter for months. Verdict? It is worth every damn penny!! I got the Pearl Soft Highlight and can't get enough of it. I use the middle color as my regular highlight (cheek bones and bridge of my nose), the left color for the inside corners of my eyes and if I'm feeling a little fancy I use the right color underneath my brows on my lids to make them pop (it's the most sparkly color). A little bit of highlight goes a long way and it stays too. I love being able to put a bit of highlighter on instead of contouring in the summer - people have noticed too! I get compliments on what a great "summer glow" I have ;) haha!

Would I buy it again? Yes, in a heartbeat!!! This highlighter was my favorite purchase!




Clinique Chubby Stick in "Whole Lotta Honey" ($17)

Is it really a trip to Sephora if you don't pick up a new lippie? I love the Clinique chubby sticks because of how moisturizing they are. My first chubby stick was Sophomore year of college in Mega Melon - a color I still continue to purchase. The color is subtle and you can easily layer it to get a richer color on your lips. I use this in the summer as if it's a lip balm - it's that moisturizing. It won't last you through a club sandwich but it will stay put through a morning cup of coffee during a meeting.

Would I buy it again? Yes, and in multiple colors (which I already have hehe)

Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara ($23)

I hear rave reviews about this mascara brand all the time. I picked it up because so many people have said that it's their favorite and because the waterproof was new. I prefer my mascaras to be waterproof because I'm a crier #allthefeels. I was less than thrilled with this mascara though... I found the application to be really chunky and I wasn't able to get the same extension of my eyelashes because the product was heavy. I have pretty long lashes and the product dried very brittle - so if I had my reading glasses on and hadn't curled my lashes I could hear them scratching against the glass. I would find more mascara flakes under my eyes throughout the day as well. However, I'm still using it because I don't want it to go to waste. I use a Maybelline mascara all over and then I'll apply this one just on the tips very very lightly. It is definitely waterproof so that's a plus!

Would I buy it again? Probably not. I love this It Cosmetics mascara way too much.





Do y'all have any new beauty products that you've tried recently? I'd love to test them out! Also, do you like these kind of posts? Do you like to see haul reviews? Let me know in the comments below :)

Love Always,

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

{nordstrom anniversary sale | home decor}

Okay friends... I hope you aren't too worn out from all of the #NSale coverage yet. No? Good! Because I'm about to let you in on a little secret. HOME DECOR! Y'all I wish I had realized Nordstrom carried home goodies during their sale last year. It would have saved me a pretty penny when I was about to move into my new place (cue the memories of not buying anything for a month and then getting it all at once $$$). Some of these pillows and blankets are cheaper than ones you can find at Home Goods (if you compare them quality wise). There's even a bar cart?!? I kind of like it more than the one I own now... shoot. Be sure to check out my favorite home decor picks below! I can't wait until the day I have a full kitchen that I can decorate. The first item I'd add would be that wine bottle holder!

Does this mean I need to redecorate my apartment now that it's been one year? No, Jenn, no it doesn't...


Psst. this collage is shoppable! Just click the item you love!




{palm print tote for summer}


Palm prints and a monogram - does it get any better? I fell in love the second I saw this Barrington Gifts tote bag and I've carried it every day since it showed up at my front door!














Photography by Laura Lehman




If you've met me for drinks after work (or seen me navigating public transportation - ha) then you've most likely seen one of my Barrington tote bags. I have tons of purses that I carry to and from work but my Barrington bags are my absolute favorites (last blogged in this post). They sit on my shoulder comfortably, have great interior pockets, hold up well and don't get dirty, and are just SO darn cute. Who doesn't love a monogram?! When I saw they carried a palm print I knew I had to make it mine for this summer. Their website is so much fun to play around on - I could create new purse combinations for hours. I loved the light leather of this bag compared to the dark leather my navy one has. Any of their monogrammed products would be perfect as a graduation present, birthday present, or engagement present!

Now let's talk about this top... y'all have seen me gush about it on Instagram already (I mean it's $25!). I am totally addicted and have somehow managed to keep myself from ordering more than two colors! It's the perfect length for tucking into pants/skirts/shorts and the perfect length for letting it hang out. The subtle v makes it so feminine and I love how the straps double and hang loosely at the back. Plus, it comes in 15 colors!! I know this will transition perfectly into the fall with a jacket or cardigan on top.


Love Always,

Thursday, July 13, 2017

{nordstrom anniversary sale | early access}

GUESS WHAT DAY IT IS?!

NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE!


*Click on the SHOP tab at the top of my blog to stay up to date on my latest Nordstrom Anniversary Sale favorites - I will be linking all of the items I love there. Sale prices will appear if you hover over the image!*


DETAILS:
Today marks the first day of Early Access - that means you have to be a card holder to shop the sale. But don't worry, the sale opens up to everybody on the 21st. So if you don't have a card start making your list now and if you do have one... SHOP! The prices go back up on August 7th. [Note: if you go into stores before July 21st you won't be able to shop the items unless you have a card as well]

This sale will be primarily Fall items. I know, I know - "but Jenn, it's still 90+ degrees outside!?" Girl, trust me. It's so strange to be thinking about cardigans and boots right now. But, it's never too early to stock up? No, seriously. The Nordstrom Sale has new fall goodies at ridiculous prices. So when you're in denial about winter and all of a sudden it drops 40 degrees (it happened last year over night in October) you have an adorable sweater to wear over that dress to work.






GAME PLAN:
During this sale I only let myself shop in two categories: Designer Items and Basics.

I own two pairs of Tory Burch boots and THIS is when I bought them - they are almost $200 off! I hate buying expensive things at full price so I try to always snag designer items during these types of sales. I normally have something in mind that I want to invest in for Fall (key word here - INVEST) because I know I will get a lot of use out of them. I never splurge on a designer bag unless I know it will work well with the majority of my closet and I can carry it from day to night. Same with boots - I bought my brown boots last year because I wear my black so much.

The term "basics" depends on your definition. For most it means jeans, white tee, booties, and an everyday sweater. For others it means cute sweaters and tops. I always like to buy some new easy tees (good time to clean out that closet and donate gently worn items) and a cardigan sweater that I will wear weekly. Last year I also bought a cashmere wrap/scarf. That was a designer basic for me - I knew that was the top thing I wanted to purchase. Let me tell ya, I wore it every damn day ;)

TRENDS:
Blush, Burgundy and Olive Green are still reigning supreme in Fall colors!
Skinny denim
Over the knee boots (YAS!)
Delicate details - ties, ruffles, lattice, open back
Stripes
Loose and casual

SHOP:
Okay, now let's get to the good stuff shall we? I've tried something new this year. Each collage is broken down into a style - lounge, weekend, work, and date night. Just simply click on the item you want to shop! [I haven't linked any pants FYI. I'm a firm believer that you need to try those on in stores - and I'm not very familiar with Nordstrom brand sizing!]

















What are you purchasing?! Let me know in the comments below :)

If you like this post please let me know - how else do you want to see #NSale updates? A try on haul? Dressing room diary?

Love Always,

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

{instagram lately | 7.11.17}

It's been a hot second since I've done a round-up of some of my favorite Instagram posts! While I haven't had the time to sit down and write out a post (or shoot a look outside with my camera) it is super easy for me to snap an outfit of the day, or #ootd, on my way out the door. I've pretty much got the pose down... perhaps I should try and switch that up haha. When I get in a creative rut (with blogging) I always start by trying to get clever with my work wardrobe aka my everyday wear. I'll try combining a necklace with a skirt I never wear anymore or belt a dress that I wear loose and flowy. Funny how taking a good mirror selfie tend to make everything seem to fall into place.

I'm going to stop making excuses for why I can't blog or shoot on the weekends... I have TONS of travel coming up (would y'all want a post on my upcoming trips?) so I'm hoping to get lots of content shot. AND my home tour is almost complete - because I'm finally feeling 100% about things a year later #designerprobs.


Shop some of my recent IG outfits below! If something is sold out I've attempted to link a similar item! Make sure to follow me on Instagram to be up to date with everything!



I found this dress for a graduation and y'all couldn't get enough of it!! It sold out quickly but just got fully restocked :) I't runs large - I'm wearing an XS



This suitcase is the 21" size. Dress is hi-lo hem and has a long tie in the back so you can adjust where it sits on you in the front.




I love how this shirt can be worn so many different ways - I tucked it into a non-high-waisted skirt here for work! (Skirt is old from Forever 21)




This dress is an old Topshop find but I linked this season's version of the dress. I belted it to give it more shape!




Embroidery is all the rage this summer so when I pulled this old dress from the back of my closet I knew it would cheer me up on a rough morning. Lipstick is NARS "heat wave".





I own this dress in two colors (olive green and blue) and wear it all the time. This necklace has also been on repeat - I bought it for my birthday (you get one item 50% off during your bday month)!





Yes, I love tassels... that's no secret. These have to be the classiest (aka dressiest) ones that I own!! Hello, winter cocktail parties! Lipstick is Bite in shade "palomino".




My new fave tank of the summer - the perfect length to wear with shorts, double lined, and the straps have the cutest detailing to them! I own it in white and blue and am wearing a size 6. Shorts are old from the Lilly x Target collaboration.





I can't say enough good things about rompers. It's pretty much all I wear on the weekends. This white one is sold out (I'll still link it in case it randomly pops back up) but I'm also linking to some cute white rompers I have my eye on right now... you can never have too many!





I bought this kimono as a beach coverup but am so in love with it that I pair it with "regular" clothes too - most recently this black dress and a white tank with white jeans!





This exact dress is currently sold out but I've found the same style in another pattern and an off the shoulder dress in this same dot pattern! Also, the most perfect purse ever...





One of my recent finds was this $25 romper! I wore it on the Fourth of July - perfect for roasting s'mores by the fire :) I've also included the black strapless romper I found in the same trip.




Thanks for reading along - did you see anything you have to have ASAP?!

Love Always,
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