Outlet Mall!

I went on a marathon outlet mall excursion.  It was surprisingly disappointing.  It has been forever since I've been to our outlet mall (thanks work trips to the Philadelphia Premium Outlets!)...  The mall is really going down-hill :(

One of my new budget-friendly techniques is to look for seasonal or non-classic pieces at outlet stores/Target/online sales before I go to a higher end store like J.Crew or Banana.  I figured sun-dresses & sandals for vacation would be a great stop for the outlet mall!  FAIL.  

Usually my MO at the outlet mall is to park by Banana & only visit a few stores all close together (Banana, Gap, Old Navy, Nine West).  However, I did not see anything in the Banana outlet that I liked.  That never, never, never, NEVER happens!  I was starting to get worried.  Ditto to the other usual stores...

I ended up walking around the WHOLE CRAZY outlet mall looking for something to take on vacation.  I think the mall now caters to baby teenagers or big & tall stores with white suits and alligator accessories.

I did manage to salvage the trip by picking up a few accessories at the Marshall's Outlet.  Not quite vacation clothes, but hey you can't come home empty handed!  At least my hair will be pretty for vacation!

1)  Cynthia Rowley sunglasses - $9 !!  
I always prefer to take cheaper sunglasses on vacation in case something happens to them, James hates my Jackie-O style sunglasses, so these were a nice addition.

2) Rusk body and texture amplifier - $8.99 !!
Love me some big hair :)

3) The Body Shop hair butter for colored hair - $3.99 !!
Smells fabulousa!

If buying high-end hair care products at Marshall's is wrong, I don't want to be right.

~ you can quote me

Estee Lauder & Lilly Pulitzer

I love playing with new products!!!  Yay!!!

Since this purchase I also noticed a GWP at Macy's & Mamma Kay got one at Beall's.  We don't have those stores "up here" but you southern ladies can check it out.  Each one had a different bag & slightly different products inside.

Overall I was impressed & the bag is super cute!!!  I think if I had seen all the options I would have gone for the set at Macy's, but hey, live & learn :)

I purchased another bottle of my Estee Lauder BB Creme (love it!!!!) and got all this...

Set includes:

1)  Lilly makeup bag ~  cute fun bag, nothing super special, but for the price of her makeup bags retail it was cheaper to buy the GWP.  Tried explaining that concept to James, he just accused me of using voodoo shopping magic to confuse him.

2) Eye shadow ~ has 4 colors, peach highlighter, pink medium matte, iridescent brown, dark brown matte.  I love the peach/pink combo.  The peach highlighter is almost too light for me!  But blending them together is very pretty.  The two browns were a little dark for me.  Always confuses me when there are such contrasting colors in one pallet.  But hey I'm not a makeup executive, I'm a pale girl trying not to look like I have raccoon eyes.  I do love the small size & spring colors, I don't think I would spend the money to buy the full size products at Estee Lauder.  Overall a good addition to my vacation makeup!

3) Sensuous Nude lotion ~ Not too crazy about the scent, it's a baby lotion.  That's all.

4) Sumptuous Extreme mascara ~ love love love!  This makes your lashes super LONG!  Very pleased with it :)  I like to use this after my volumizing mascara to separate lashes & give them a little extra length.

5) Advanced Night Repair Serum ~ I only used the serum with the creme, see thoughts below.

6) Day Wear Creme SPF 15 ~ I used these two for a few weeks.  I loved the scent (similar to my BB cream) lightly cucumber & the feel of the products.  I liked the way my face looked very smooth & supple.  I stopped using them because in the winter my skin is CRAZY dry & these weren't cutting it  (they are not made for super dry skin).  I will start using it again in spring when my face is normal again :)  I would strongly consider buying the full size versions I liked them that much!  Not sure the price though, that might change my mind :)

7) Apparently this also came with a lipstick.  That I don't know where is.  I only remember it being a boring pink color.  That should tell you how much I liked it :)

Overall I was glad for the purchase, the makeup bag, mascara & face serum/creme were excellent!

Celebratory Coupons

One of my favorite Birthday traditions is spending the coupon that Anthropologie sends :)  Although their clothes are rarely my style I love a lot of their house & home items.  The books this year are fabulous!!!  Here are some of my top choices...

1. Foiled Dot Napkins
2. Eiffel Tower Ring Dish
3. Parisian Chic: A Style Guide
4. Fleur De Lys Teapot
5. 100 Years of Fashion
6. Tall Mercury Glass Jar
7. Monogram Keychain
8. French Flair: Modern Vintage Interiors
9. Hobnob Parlor Smoke Hurricane & Parlor Smoke Hurricane

So many fun options!!!  What to choose??? 

Girls' Night Out

So it's 12.12.12  ~ the last day of it's kind in our lifetime.  That is sadly creepy until you realize it is also Girls' Night Out at Kendra Scott!!

She is one of my favorites & although I am not in Texas anymore to visit her cute boutique, I do find cute pieces at Nordstrom & online.   I ordered earrings for my bridal party, they were so gorgeous, trendy & classy all at the same time!  Love!  Modeled by my dear friend Elizabeth, the Elle Earrings in Chalcedony.

Sign up for the email list & you get a code for 15% off!!   Girls' Night Out is 20% off favorites, so hold that coupon ;)

I have been kicking myself since the wedding that I should have ordered a pair of the Elle earrings for myself & just so happens they are part of the favorites on sale!  I did choose 'green' instead of the chalcedony due to Emerald being named Pantone's color of 2013! I am so excited to get some great use out of them! :)

I also have my eyes on these... but now that I'm married I have to space out the jewelry purchases :) 

The Maxine long earrings in Starlet.

Santa Baby

Here are the gifts topping my Christmas wish list!!!  Especially after James surprised me with a fab jewelry box I need to fill it up! :)

1.  Tall Wellington Boot by Hunter in Aubergine

2.  Crystal Stud Big Pink Earrings from Etsy

3.  Personalized Stationery from Etsy

4.  Monogrammed Necklace from Etsy

5.  Louis Vuitton Cosmetic Pouch in Damier Azur

So my love of Etsy dominated my Christmas list this year.  I doubt I'll see any of these lovelies as James asked me a few weeks ago very confused, "So... are any of your presents actually in a store?"   My bet's on the wellies :)  I wonder how James is adjusting to married life, I took him to a *store* (Nordstrom) to see them in person & when the sales associate explained he just had to get the sock liners his face was priceless :)

Birthday Love

Monday I turned 28!  I always have loved my Birthday!  Yes, with a capital "B" it is a holiday after all.  I think having a December birthday made me cling with extra devotion to my day of birth.  No, it is not fair to send a kid a Christmas present with a card that says "Happy Birthday & Merry Christmas" nor is it ok to wrap a birthday present in Christmas paper.  Wrapping paper is cheaper than toilet paper.  Seriously?

Luckily I have a wonderful husband & very sweet friends who never make me feel slighted on my Birthday :)

The highlight of my day was being able to take off work & do whatever I wanted!  Translation ~ spend all day in my new lulu wunder unders taking it easy :)  I caught up on a few episodes of Fashion Police!  I ate a meatball sandwich from Subway for lunch!  I organized two bookshelves in the 'hoarder room'! I read a book on my Nook! I perused the many Christmas catalogs I've got in the mail! I took a nap!  Just some of my fun birthday activities :)  For an introvert ~ it was the best self present!

In the evening my dear friends & I went out to eat at Pi Pizzeria.  It is a favorite of James & I ~ very delicious pizza!  And James surprised me with a mint chocolate chip ice cream cake, a childhood fav!