mesh

  

I picked up these super cute plastic beach bags from H&M a couple of weeks ago for $5.95 each. In store, they were available in pink and tealish blue, as shown above, and black.

I bought them with magazine storage in mind, but decided they'd also be great for temporarily storing miscellaneous toiletries and odds and ends I have laying around.

just the tip

This was my birthday manicure!

When I get a mani/pedi done at a salon I try to do something that I couldn't do myself at home or I'll at least pick a color that I don't have. In this case, I chose to do a french manicure, which I personally find impossible to do myself. These colors are standard, but I thought the combo was really interesting.

My toes were just plain gray, and I wore gray jeans and sandals, so I had a monochromatic look going from the waist down. I wore a super bright multicolored tank top and did a dramatic eye look using blue and purple metallic shadows.

This is the kind of manicure I look forward to rocking in the warmer months. I plan on using lots of neons and glitters, as well as holographic polishes, which I've recently discovered.

factory girl

Sometimes when I browse an online shop, I put EVERYTHING I want into my shopping cart, just for giggles. These were my picks from the J. Crew Factory store collection online. They have some amazing shorts that cover the entire spectrum of color and some really cute tops and jackets.

These were Jay's picks. I think he's got great taste!

...photos from JCrew.com...

haul monitor - victoria's secret beauty

The Victoria's Secret semi-annual sale began online today and this is what I got! 

Pro Matte FX Blotting Gel: Original Price - $16, Paid - $7.99

Blush Trio (purchased in 'At Last'), Bronzer/Highlight Trio (purchased in 'Gilded'): Original Price - $14/ea, Paid - $7.99/ea

Limited Edition Radiant Face Trio (purchased in 'Revealed'): Original Price - $16, Paid - $8.99

 Limited Edition Luminous Cheek & Face Highlighter (purchased in 'Bronze Rays'): Original Price - $14, Paid - $6.99

Love Me Wild Limited Edition Perfect Lipstick (purchased in 'Heartbeat' and 'Heated'): Original Price - $14, Paid - $7.99

Limited Edition Brilliant Lip Shine (purchased in 'Rock Me'): Original Price - $10, Paid - $4.99

Minerals Lip Gloss (purchased in 'Breathless'): Original Price - $10, Paid - $5.99

Limited Edition Bronzer Brush: Original Price - $12, Paid - $5.99

Limited Edition Scented Body Bronzer (purchased in 'Wild & Breezy' and 'Tropical & Juicy' ): 

Original Price - $12/ea, Paid - $5.99/ea

'Good Day Sunshine' Sheer Fragrance Mist: Original Price - $10, Paid - $3.99

 Sweet Surrender Deep Nourishing Body Lotion (purchased in shea, jojoba and cocoa butters):
Original Price - $9/ea, Paid - $3.99/ea

I'm really into the idea of blushes, bronzers, highlighters and lipsticks and can't wait to dive into this bag of goodies once it arrives. 

Use the code SHIPVS11 for free shipping for any order over $100.

...photos from VictoriasSecret.com...

#15

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté in #15, Extreme Coral.

This color is absolutely gorgeous. At $34 a pop I was definitely a bit hesitant about making this purchase, but I've heard rave reviews about this stuff and just had to try it. I jumped on eBay and found it for $23, including shipping and got it a few days later. 

The packaging is gorgeous. The one I purchased was meant to be distributed as a tester for retail locations. It was brand new and the body of the lipstick was gold, but the cap was clear. Typically, the cap would be gold with a mirror on top. How cool is that?!

I will definitely be wearing this color during the spring and it'll be hard to stop myself from scoping out more YSL Volupté colors. The texture of this lipstick is wonderful; it feels silky, doesn't leave my lips feeling dry, is highly pigmented and as a bonus has SPF15.

fully vested

I've finally found the perfect denim vest and even got an additional 25% off of the sale price! I'd originally planned on studding this baby, but now I'm torn. It's just so perfect the way it is. 

hot stuff

Dynemite by Steve Madden, $109.95

My jaw literally dropped when I saw these. I would pair something like this with a messily cuffed boyfriend jean, a flowy tank and a blazer. For a special occassion I'd pair with a super brightly colored mini dress with short or long sleeves.

I will continue to drool over these gorgeous shoes!

...photo from SteveMadden.com...

janet

One morning when I was commuting to work I spotted a women sporting this bag (in the larger black and gold version). I proceeded to, literally, follow her with the hopes of figuring out what type of bag it was and where she got it. At the last minute, as I stood behind her on the escalator, I lost my nerve to speak to her and I was unable to identify the brand of bag. Sadly, I continued to work, but the bag never left my mind.

I saw the woman, and her bag, for a second time a couple of weeks later. This time, after following her again, I complimented her on the bag and asked her where it was from. She told me Nordstrom and I was able to sneak a peek at the tag hanging from the bag and found that it was by Badgley Mischka.

I hurried to my office, turned on my computer, and did a Google search with the designer and description of the bag. I found it, but it retailed for $500. I also read a bunch of reviews that said the bag was beautiful but lost its shape because it was so large. I also didn't like the fact that the hardware was gold. 

If only this bag was cheaper, smaller and had silver hardware, I lamented.

That was six months ago.

Yesterday, as I checked through my daily sale emails, I noticed that Gilt Groupe was having a Badgley Mischka handbag sale. I thought of the bag. I hastily waited until 12pm, when the sales starts, and found that they had this version of the bag, the 'Janet Tundra' shoulder bag; smaller, silver hardware, and in gray leather! Gray is one of my favorite colors. 

This particular version of the bag retails for $298, but I nabbed it for 50% off!

d i y - tshirt tote

What you'll need:

1. A tee

2. Scissors

3. One safety pin

Cost : $0 (If you recycle a tee and happen have a pair of scissors and a safety pin)

Time : 10-15 minutes

Heading out with my new tote!

This DIY was inspired by the ladies at Honestly WTF. 

my magic wand

 

I found the Remington T-Studio Ceramic Pearl Professional Curling Wand at Target last week for $24.99 and boy is it amazing! This little pink wonder is equipt with digital controls, an automatic shutoff and gets up to 410 degrees. It also comes with a heat protective glove.

Check out my results!

This is what my hair looks like straight, which is how I usually wear it...

Halfway done, which took about five minutes...

All done!

Then I loosened up the curls...

This wand is amazing; I'm so happy with the results! I did my entire head in about ten minutes (not including the time it took to take photos) and found that it was extremely easy to use. I started out using the glove, but ditched it after doing a couple of curls.

I would definitely recommend this tool to anyone!

I'm also wearing a new lipstick that I got last night; I finally found a red color that I think works for me! It's Black Radiance 'Cleopatra Red' with MAC lip liner in 'Chestnut' underneath. 

I'm rocking MAC matte blush in 'Frankly Scarlet', a quick winged eyeliner with Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in 'Blackest Black' and Urban Decay 'Black Dog' on top and Cover Girl Lash Exact in black.

bottoms up

Cheetah Spots Denim Short - $19.80

Graffiti Artist Skirt (tribal) - $7.80

Graffiti Artist Skirt (black & gray) - $7.80

Abstract Floral Print Skirt - $14.80

Tribal Cuffed Short - $15.80

Forever 21 has quickly become one of my go-to stores. I've found so many great pieces there and have realized that rummaging through the seemingly random racks and waiting on the always endless checkout lines has been well worth it. These are the shorts and skirts I've picked up over the past couple of weeks online and in store.

Spring has officially sprung, in my closet, at least!