August 2014 Favorites!

So! August is over!?! How did that happen? It was unseasonably cool in Boston this month, so it didn't really feel like August, but I saved some money on cooling bills so, I'll take it! Anyway, here are the things I've been absolutely loving all month long.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara: $23 Cosmetics Specialty Retail. The name of this mascara is just...*sigh*. It's not better than sex, but it's my new favorite, FAVORITE mascara. If they are going to say this is better than sex, it should come with a winning powerball ticket. I digress...

It is the blackest, most dramatic formula I've ever used. I have already ordered a replacement from Sephora. My new holy grail mascara for my nothing lashes (sorry lashes, but you are wispy).

Tip: Looks like if you buy this directly from Too Faced, they will include a travel size for free right now. Bonus Jonas.

Gel Eyeliner (in general): Price Varies, Drugstore and Cosmetic Specialty. I discovered my love for this backwards, I guess. I am a fan of some eyeliner, let me tell you. I love eyeliner! It makes your eyes look bigger, more dramatic and it comes in fun colors, although I only ever use black. I got a navy one in a beauty box, but I've only used it twice maybe (although it's beautiful and soft). When I first started wearing makeup, I only knew of pencil liner. Then I discovered the joys of liquid liner. Loved it. Earlier this year (yes, I'm behind the curve), I discovered gel eyeliner. I honestly had never even heard of this until a few months ago. A pot and a brush?! NO. WAY. NOT GONNA TRY THAT.

Then I got an email from Sephora saying that Benefit was coming out with a new gel eyeliner in a pen form. I purchased it before its release as a VIB benefit (Benefit as a benefit!??!) and I loved the formula, even though I found the application a bit challenging (full review forthcoming). I used it for about a month and liked it, but I found that it was difficult to use it and I had to get in to a mood to use it, like I had to get psyched up to apply it. Not good. Then, one day, I purchased a pot and brush "old school" type gel eyeliner from the drugstore. HOLY MOLY! Where has this been all my life!?!? It doesn't sound like a brush and a pot is an easy application regarding eyeliner, but I found this delivery system very simple. I got the most control from the brush and ultimately, I found it much easier than the pen form. Sorry, Benefit. I love you, but...

Nest Amazon Lily Perfume: $25 Roller Ball Specialty Cosmetics Retail. OMG. I got a sample of this with a Sephora order. I tried all the other perfume samples and when I sprayed this one, I thought: "Hm...weird. Smells kinda weird." However, I liked it. I tried it again and again and the more I tried it, the more I liked it. Then, I became obsessed and I had to order a larger size. It has a floral, yet citrusy and spicy fragrance. It's totally weird, but it hooked me like caffeine.

Well played, Sephora. Well played.

Rimmel Stay Matte Primer: $6-7 Drugstore Retail. I have issues with Rimmel products. Every YouTuber talks so much hype about this brand's Stay Matte Powder, but, they don't really make darker shades. Are they translucent?

I did come across this product at the drugstore and I gave it a try. I had been trying the Benefit Porefessional which was okay. It didn't keep me matte no matter how much I prayed on it. This stuff is a white cream, which looks like a moisturizer. You can put it on under makeup or wear it alone. It is supposed to blur your pores and keep your face from getting shiny. I wear this in the T zones and I hate to admit that it works really well. This stuff is the bomb dot com if you have oily T-zones. It kept me matte and looking nice most of the day. If you have darker skin, you DO have to be careful not to get this stuff in the drier areas of your face or you will look like a mime. Bottom line, for $7, this is a steal. Anyway, Rimmel...you get one.

Merrel Evera Shift Sandals: I seriously lucked out with these. I have a black and a tan pair. I happened to come by them at Marshall's and I paid so little for them that I feel like I stole them. They are so cute...so comfortable. I love the little heel. These are the sandals of the summer. Period. So much shoe love for these.

Garnier Sleek & Shine Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment: $5.99 Drugstore Retail. A late entry, but I'm totally obsessed! Being a curly girl, I love me some hair oil. I had been using Kendi Oil but I mistakenly left it at home when I went on vacation. Kendi Oil smells amazing and works wonderfully, but my hair soaks up and eats product like The Greedy from the Raggedy Ann & Andy Movie (I am dating myself). Kendi Oil is $25 a pop. I went out to get some hair oil while I was in Hilton Head because I was going to be shampooing from the chlorine in the pool and salt in the ocean. This stuff is amazing! I applied it to my damp hair after I conditioned and shampooed and it made my curls soft and shiny and lessened the frizz (you can't be 100% frizz free if you're a curly girl. Let's just be honest). I like Kendi Oil, but I can be more generous with the Garnier since the price point is much lower and it works a little better too! Once again, a win for Garnier. I have used (and liked) their products in the past, so I'm anxious to try more products from their Sleek & Shine line. Recommendations anyone?

Special Meal Salad: Inspired by a salad I saw in Real Simple. It's farro underneath salad greens, snap peas, sauteed mushrooms (instead of chicken), fat-free feta, avocado and a lemon vinaigrette dressing. Grind a crap ton of fresh pepper on it. BAM. Lunch or dinner. Guilt-free, tasty as heck, easy, addictive. This was winning for me all month. Fiance is obsessed too.

That's what I've been loving as we slide into September. It's going to be autumn soon and that means I get to pick up and move in with my handsome fiance! Moving sucks but I can't wait to move in with the love of my life!

Reader Request Reviews, a Pilgrimage to the Accessories Boutique and New Dresses!

Good afternoon, Anthro fans! Santa was very good to me this year and brought a few Anthro gift cards to me. He was very generous and I am extremely lucky! Being home for the Holidays, I simplly could not let this visit go by without making a stop to the Anthropologie Accesories and Shoe Boutique in Chevy Chase, MD. It's about 45 minutes away from where my parents are, so I hopped in the car this morning and headed out in the snow. I thought I could get a jump on the shoppers since mid-atlanticans don't really venture out in the snow, but the streets were full of shoppers! I only took a photo of the exterior of the store because you've seen the interior here and here. But here it is today.

I ended up taking home the Glad Rags T-Straps in Yellow.

This is my FIRST pair of Seychelles and I must tell you that these shoes are extremely awesome! They are first off...extremely cute and they are also unusually comfortable! Who would have thought a 4" heel could be comfortable. Not me, especially since I'm a little weird in heels because I broke my ankle three years ago and had to have major surgery on it. It's almost 100% now, but I still have to be careful about what shoes I wear. These are super awesome and I'm looking forward to buying more pairs of Seychelles in the future. I have been lusting after the Sweeping Stitch Heels and I plan to order them as soon as they go on sale. The ladies at the Boutique were very lovely and the store was beautiful. There were no Anticipation Heels there, though. Boo.

I stopped by the Anthropologie store not far from the Boutique and found them to be quite busy! But it gave me a last minute opportunity to find a few things for an additional 25% off and do some reviews for you. A couple of weeks ago, I had a request from ivvy for a couple of things...so these are for you! :)

Art School Confidential Top (now on sale) $49.95 Girls from Savoy, style #19209105

My normal size 0 was not available, so this is actually a 2. I find Girls From Savoy pieces to be TTS, especially for me. I have to thank ivvy for asking me to try this little top because it is ALL kinds of cute! The shirt is silky and beautiful and I think the 2 fits okay, but my regular size would be better. I may try to track one down when I get back home...it's so cute! It's very comfortable and the quality is great as are most Girls of Savoy pieces. Highly recommended!

Ever Present Tee $78 Splendid

This is an interesting little tee. First off, it's very comfy and cozy. I really like the sleeves, they are really special. Not tight, but well-fitted. The back is really cool with the lacing. I didn't do it up, but it's so high on the shirt, that I really don't think it would make a difference in the shape. It hangs gorgeously however and I can see it under a snuggly cardi or blazer. It's a tad bit sheer. I could see my black undergarment under this color. The $78 price point is a joke. Wait for the sale for sure.

Now on to some newer dresses! First on deck is the Pom Flower Shift $158 Tabitha.

Very retro-chic. I've never been much of a shift girl, but I wanted to try this on. It's actually super cute! The fabric is actually quite substantial...a similar quality you'd expect from a blazer, so it's definitely a cool weather piece. I think the pattern is adorable. This dress will probably fit well on most people, but not if you are as petite as me. It was a little big as you can see from the last photo and it would need to be altered to fit correctly. Plus, I think the pattern is a little intense for a small person. But it's a nice piece and if you can make it work for you, it's worth a splurge. Pass for me.

Soft-Structured Dress $148 Weston Wear

This is a really cute little jersey dress from Weston Wear and this is the xs. It's cute, but I am having some Deja Vu. Hm...this reminds me a lot of the Japonica Dress which is now on sale. A little busy. It's comfortable and fit fairly well, but it didn't blow me a way. Pass for me, but if you like it, wait for the sale. After all, it's a jersey dress.

De Chelly Dress $148 Maeve

There is a lot of love for this dress online and in the bloggosphere. The 0P is already sold out. The dress is very adorable and the Native Amercian pattern is very clever and cute. I, however, don't love this dress. The color palette was a few shades lighter than my skin tone and weirded me out. The bodice didn't fit me very well and it was definitely too long. It was comfortable, but I found the straps also a tad long. This is a case of my wanting to love this dress, but no magic was happening. If you love it, grab it because everyone else seems to love it too. I think if you're willing to wait you may be able to pick it up on sale, but it seems to be selling well at full price. Pass for me for now.

I was able to grab the Speeding Panorama Tank, The Wildflowers-in-Flight Top and an Embraceable Tee in Red. So I did well! The sale room and areas were well picked over. I talked with the SA on checkout and she mentioned that the Extra 25% promotion was a first, but she doubts that Anthro will do it again. Boy, what a crazy ride it's been! Do you  think there will be more markdowns on Tuesday? We can only hope! You have one more day to get the extra sale, happy hunting, ladies! I hope you all had a great Holiday!