a coincidence

Sometimes there is something that you want, but you don't REALLY go after it or stress about getting it, and sometimes that thing comes to you, by pure coincidence, circumstance, or luck.

This is the case with OPI Shatter polish in black. It's something that I've wanted, but made no real effort or attempt to get. I've read that it's sold out everywhere and can only be found online, with a significant markup. There are other brands that make a similar polish, but I just never followed up on it.

A dear friend just happened to pick me up a bottle of this polish, because she thought of me when she saw it while out shopping. Needless to say, as soon as I saw the very tip of the bottle cap I knew exactly what it was and I shrieked and jumped up and down with excitement like a five year old. I thanked her a bunch and told her how I'd been wanting this polish for a while.

This is a quick iPhone snap of my nails after I did them with a teal base color and the black shatter on top.

haul monitor - mac cosmetics

The Cosmetics Company Store outlet is one of my favorite places. They carry a wide selection of products from MAC, Bobbi Brown, Clinique and more. I visit there mainly to shop the MAC line of products because I've found that they have quite an abundance of limited edition items no longer available in stores. On this latest trip, I noticed that some of the items had Nordstrom price tags on them, so I'm assuming they get a lot of their stock from overflow or leftover/unsold items from regular retail locations. They also carry a pretty wide range of palettes, brush sets and bundled items. The store is an outlet, so the prices are great. I bought the following items, pictured above, for around $60.

MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator

MAC 'Dirty Plum' Blush from the Liberty of London Collection

MAC Mineralize 'Light Over Dark' Blush Duo from the Pret-A-Papiere Collection

MAC 'Bronze Hero' Lustre Drops from the Style Warrior Collection

I've really been enjoying the volcanic ash exfoliator, and I've gone so far as to get a friend of mine to pick up two more tubes for me. As you work it in, it changes from a beaded exfoliator to a more foamy face wash. It leaves my skin feeling fresh and soft.

The dirty plum blush is a beautiful color. Because the coverage is buildable, it starts out as purplish pink and becomes more purple as you add more. The blush duo I can use as neutral blush, a bronzer or a highlighter.

The lustre drops are the most interesting addition to my makeup collection. To be honest, I was drawn to them initially because they came in a leopard printed box, but after inquiring found out that the drops can be used as a highlighter on their own, or added to lotion or foundation for an extra glow.

skin so soft

One of my goals for the spring/summer is to get rid of dark marks on my face and body and to achieve a more even skin tone and softer skin texture. My issue is that I have such a tough time sticking to routines, so maintaining a regular hardcore skin care regimen is difficult for me. I recently discovered the wonder that is the Salux wash cloth.

Facts about the Salux:

1. It's made in Japan

2. It's about 11" x 35"; the large size is great for getting your back and any other hard to reach areas

3. It's made of 60% nylon and  40% polyester

4. It's available in seven colors; white, yellow, pink, powder blue, blue, green, peach

5. The price of the cloth is about $3.00 (plus the cost of shipping)

I ordered four cloths from The Salux Shop on Wednesday and received them on Friday. The price of the cloths and shipping was $15.56. 

After the first use, there was a noticeable difference in the texture of my skin. The exfoliation power is greater than that of your typical shower pouf. According to the website, one of the benefits of using the cloth is that is stimulates the skin and promotes blood circulation. I also noticed that I got a great lather with a significantly smaller amount of soap, despite the large size of the cloth. I gave one to my husband and my mother and they both loved the cloth immediately after their first use.

I will definitely be replacing my bath sponges, poufs and loofahs with my new Salux cloth, and hopefully my skin will continue to improve with each use.

silk stalkings

Currently, I'm stalking the Club Monaco 'Iris' silk jacket. By stalking I mean, I visit this beauty every time I go to the mall with the hope that one day it will finally go on sale. And by sale, I really mean super duper sale, i.e. a 60% reduction in price. 

A girl can dream, can't she?

...photo from ClubMonaco.com...

twiggy

My new purse, the 'Twiggy' by Pour La Victoire.

I have been looking for a round zippered purse like this for a while and finally found one while perusing the virtual aisles of Gilt Groupe. Of course the 58% discount off of the original price didn't hurt; this bag retails for $155 and I purchased it from Gilt for $66.

If you don't have a Gilt Groupe account, get one here!


...photos from Zappos.com...

pave leopard

My mother and I visited the Fendi store today. The salesman showed us dozens of wallets, clutches and other small leather goods. All absolutely gorgeous,  but this wallet was our favorite. Leopard print on snakeskin. A beauty, isn't she?

...photo from Fendi.com...

my cleopatra

Sadly, Elizabeth Taylor has passed away. She was 79 years old.

As a child, I spent countless hours watching classic films that my mother brought home and most of my favorites starred Elizabeth Taylor. Among them were Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Paul Newman, Suddenly, Last Summer and a Place In the Sun with Montgomery Clift, Giant with Rock Hudson and James Dean and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? with Richard Burton.

Elizabeth Taylor was an absolutely gorgeous woman with an incredible talent for acting. Cleopatra was my favorite of her films. It was the reason why I wanted so badly to visit Egypt. As my high school graduation gift, my mother took me there. I thought of the film as we sailed on the Nile River, visited the pyramids and sphinx and traveled to Alexandria, Abu Simbel and Luxor.

Elizabeth Taylor will always be my Cleopatra.

my first moment

My first fashion moment; a simple pair of classic 8 eyelet Doc Martens that I HAD TO HAVE. It was 1992, I was 11 years old and the first day of school was quickly approaching. All I knew was that I needed these boots. I literally begged my mother for them for the entire summer and after a long negotiation process, my wish was finally granted! One weekend we went into the city and picked these babies up at Trash & Vaudeville on St. Mark's Place. I probably wore these boots every single day for a year, until I grew out of them, and what a sad day that was.

Thinking about it now, the fact that my mom got them for me is so special. Spending over $100 on a pair of boots for an 11 year old in 1992 was no small feat, especially when you're single parent. Thinking about it gets me misty eyed. Thanks, mom!

haul monitor - rock & republic beauty

More stuff I don't need; thanks, Hautelook! At 70% off I just couldn't pass up on trying some of these products!

Essie polish in 'Clearly Matte' : Retail - $12.00, Paid - $3.60

 Pressed Powders in 'Angora' and 'Velvet' : Retail - $44.00, Paid $13.20

Tinted Illuminizer in 'Cleopatra' : Retail - $28.80, Paid $8.64

Tinted Primer in 'Grace' : Retail - $27.60, Paid $8.28

If you don't have one already, get a Hautelook account here!

shop for japan

The people of Japan need help; use your shopping prowess as a means of assisting them!

Today ONLY Forever 21 is offering shoppers a huge opportunity to make an impact. 100% of every dollar spent online today will be donated towards the relief efforts in Japan.

crystalized

Michael Kors Runway Baguette Crystal Watch

Gimme, gimme.

baby ball

After months of stalking, she's finally mine; the Olivia Harris by Joy Gryson 'Baby Ball'. I firmly believe that I purchased the last one that existed in this color combo online and that makes me feel like a superstar! 

As I said here, I was tracking two versions of this bag, black with silver mesh and gray snakeskin, but ultimately I knew in my heart that I really wanted this bag in black. I happened upon this very bag at a W Hotel boutique a couple of weeks ago, but parts of the bag were frayed to bits. I sadly walked away.

 I moped around our apartment, complaining to my husband about how badly I needed this bag and how sad I was that I couldn't have it and decided to do yet another Google search for it. I found it on Stefani Bags randomly, them I found a 20% off code, and bought it immediately. 

Unfortunately, she's being held hostage by UPS and they won't release her until I give them another hour of my time driving to the facility and waiting on line. Alright, UPS, you win; I want my baby back!

a girl's best friend

I snapped this photo of a Nordstrom window display with my iPhone during one of my trips to the mall. Is it me, or are they channeling Marilyn Monroe's pink bow dress from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes? She wore this while performing Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend.

Madonna was also inspired by Marilyn's look in her Material Girl video.

saint germain

Not only does this stuff come in a gorgeous bottle, but it is absolutely delicious. If you haven't tried St-Germain it's time for you to run, not walk, to the liquor store and grab a bottle of this tantalizing liqueur made from elder flower blossoms gathered from the foothills of the Alps!

When I purchased by first bottle, I was lucky enough to nab this gorgeous set that came in a beautiful box with a carafe, stirrer and a recipe book, all for the regular price of a bottle on it's own.

My favorite way to drink it is via the classic St-Germain cocktail. The recipe is simple; 

1-3/4 parts of St-Germain

2 parts brut champagne or dry sparkling wine

2 parts club soda on the rocks

I have converted many to believers with a mere sip of this fantastic cocktail!

Check out more about this exciting libation here.

cheetah

Dear Rebecca Minkoff, 

Please stop producing such fabulous bag designs that cause my wishlist to grow exponentially. Thanks.

~Vanessa~

...photos from RebeccaMinkoff.com...

very burberry

Oh Burberry Prorsum leather, quilted, studded beauties, how I long for thee. I know we don't know each other well, but I love you, I really do. Every time I look at you I feel like a sick stalker violating a restraining order, but I feel an overwhelming need to be near you!

If only I had $4,000 to recklessly spend on a jacket, or on anything, for that matter...

...photos from Net-A-Porter.com...

lucky star

When I was a little girl I wanted to be Madonna. I loved her style; the messy hair, slouchy tops, black rubber bracelets, bows mixed with crosses, leather jackets and lace gloves. I loved her music; Lucky Star, Borderline, Into the Groove, Material Girl, Papa Don't Preach and the list goes on. My first concert was Madonna's Who's That Girl tour at Giants Stadium. Even today, Madonna's style during the 80s remains such a great inspiration to me.