Recently Purchased

Here are some new additions to my collection of things I didn't really need but wanted:

1. Chloe Green/Gold Aviator Sunglasses.
Scored these beautiful sunnies for an unbeatable steal. HauteLook is my crack.

2. Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Luminous Lip Gloss in Precious Petal.
I don't own anything else from the brand but the formula and color of this is nice for easy, everyday wear. The built in mirror on the packaging is convenient but not the clearest.

3. YSL Manifesto Eau de Parfum.
The vanilla notes sold me. I'm still on the quest for the perfect signature scent for my late 20s. Maybe this one will fit the bill?

4. Too Faced Candlelight Glow.
I can never ignore a chandelier- even if it's just embossed on makeup. The only product I had from Too Faced was the Shadow Insurance (which I swear by). I love the packaging, color and formulation on this. A beautiful highlighter.

5. Hologram Satchel.
I got this from Nasty Gal. I've mentioned before that I'm all for the holographic trend. I have a cute wallet from Urban Outfitters that I admittedly have yet to use. But I couldn't resist this bag. It reminds me so much of the shape and style of purses I used to wear in grade school back in the mid-nineties.

6. The National at Stage AE.
One of my favorite bands. I'm so excited to see them again live. It's on the birthday of one of my best friends, so it should be a really fun night out! Also can't wait to hear their new album, Trouble Will Find Me.













Now Playing: "Until We Bleed" by Lykke Li

Scent-sual Seduction

Simply put, I'm a lover of perfume. I have more than my fair share of fragrances but as of late, I've desired something different. I find myself craving a warm, sensual vanilla-based scent for fall. I'm sure I already have a few on my vanity tray but I'm looking for something pure; not necessarily vanilla extract from the baking aisle at the grocery store but perhaps an all natural oil or a unique concoction from an independent perfumery.

While the term vanilla itself carries a reputation for being bland and uninspiring, researchers say the  calming scent of vanilla is widely pleasing while it also reduces stress and anxiety. Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt reportedly wears vanilla extract on her neck to attract male suitors. I'm not exactly looking for a guy by way of McCormick but I'm not protesting the notion, either.

I'll be sure to mention something if I find a vanilla perfume that I recommend. In the mean time, here are a few quotes on fragrances that I really enjoy:

"A woman's perfume tells more about her than her handwriting." -Christian Dior

"What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course." -Marilyn Monroe

"I can't over-emphasize how important an exquisite perfume is, to be wrapped and cradled in an enchanting scent upon your skin is a magic all on its own! The notes in that precious liquid will remind you that you love yourself and will tell other people that they ought to love you because you know you're worth it. The love affair created by a good perfume between you and other people, you and nature, you and yourself, you and your memories and anticipations and hopes and dreams; it is all too beautiful a thing!" -C. JoyBell C.

"A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future." -Coco Chanel

"A good fragrance is really a powerful cocktail of memories and emotion." -Jeffrey Stepakoff 

Now Playing: "Svefn-G-Englar" by Sigur Ros
*From the Vanilla Sky soundtrack, of course.

Word of the Week: Redolent

The word of the week (my birthday week!) for January 30th through February 5th is...

Redolent
adj.

Definition:
1. Serving to bring to mind; evocative
2. Exuding fragrance; aromatic.

Example:
When she smelled the redolent bottle of perfume, she was instantly taken back to the time in her life when she wore the fragrance most frequently.











Now Playing: "Pigeons" by The Hundred in the Hands

March Favorites!

Another month has passed and it's time again for favorites! I don't have a ton this month but here are some of the things I have been loving...


My first favorite is MAC's Power Point Eye Pencil in Buried Treasure. This is perfect for hazel or green eyes like mine. It would also complement brown eyes, making them appear more golden. Buried Treasure is a dark, olive green. It's a nice alternative to black as it is nearly the same shade but with a bit of gold sparkle. The slight pop of green provides the perfect amount of color. As with most MAC eye pencils, the formula is rich and very easy to work with. Love!

Next up, is the Coastal Scents 10 Blush Palette. For about $16, you get 10 blushes. I don't have a big blush collection, so this was nice to pick up. The colors are very versatile and I love the sleekness of the palette. It's definitely a steal.

Marc Jacobs' Daisy is a perfume that I love to have on my tray. Not only is it pretty to look at but it smells amazing. It's perfect for spring. It's one of the perfumes I get the most compliments on. It must work well with my natural pheromones., haha. Men and women alike say nothing but wonderful things when I have it on.

OPI's Rumple's Wiggin' was one of my favorite nail polishes this month. It is so beautiful- a creme, lavender. I usually get sick of a color after a few days but I don't want to take this one off! It is definitely one of my favorite OPI polishes out of the 30 or so that I have in my growing collection.

CND's Tutu was one of my other favorite nail polishes of the month. It is the perfect, cool, opaque pink- which I have been searching forever to find. I wore it when I was in my friend's wedding. It's perfect for daily wear or formal occasions. The price is a bit higher than I'd like and it's hard to come by (I ordered mine from Amazon.com) but I'm happy to have it in my collection.

Revlon's Superlustrous Lipglosses are some of my favorites. I have about 10 of them- most, I scored at Big Lots for a buck or two. They are better than my MAC and CHANEL glosses. Lilac Pastelle is a beautiful light purple/lilac. I have been really drawn to the lavender family this year. It works well on its own, paired with a neutral pink lipstick or with a purple lipstick like Revlon ColorBurst in Lilac 001. Gorgeous!

My favorite piece of jewelry this month were these Swarovski earrings that my friend Maggie gave to me as a thank you for being in her wedding. They are beautiful and can be worn dressed up or down!

I love Queen Helene's Cocoa Butter Creme. This is the perfect body moisturizer during the winter months- or any time for that matter. If you apply it after showering at night, by the morning, your skin will feel like a baby's. The best part is that it's very easy to find and extremely affordable. Every woman should have this in her medicine cabinet.

My favorite drink this month was an oldie but a goodie- Amaretto Sour. Sure, you need quite a few to feel anything but they are so delicious! I used to drink them all the time during my first couple years in college.

My fav. movie this month was The Fighter. I really loved Melissa Leo's performance in this film. The whole thing was very well acted. Afterall, you have to support anything with a ginger as one of the female leads! And who can resist Marky Mark and Christian Bale? Not this girl.

My favorite song this month was a late arrival in Katy Perry's "E.T.". No, this is not an April fool's joke. I hate to admit it because she drives me crazy. Her song Firework exemplifies everything that's wrong with the music industry today. But I do like her new video and this song. It's mostly because of the beat and the fact that she's singing about aliens- I have a soft spot for the ETs in our Universe. Krista phone home!