misbehaved

I finally got around to using the Sally Hansen 'Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips', which I first discussed here. 

I decided on the 'Misbehaved' design and the application process turned out to be really simple. I was able to use one strip for two nails, so I have plenty left over for another go-round. I found that using cuticle scissors to trim away the excess was a great trick and after applying the strips I topped my nails off with a coat of Seche Vite 'Dry Fast Top Coat'.

Ultimately, they lasted for 10 days and were removed effortlessly with acetone nail polish remover. Overall, I'm extremely pleased with this product; the strips are easy to use, they look great and I got tons of compliments!

the eagle has landed

 

The Ksubi classic eagle denim jacket is to die for! 

I would really love to have a piece like this in my arsenal and will likely attempt to recreate something like this with my very own hands! In the recent past, I've studded a jacket and two pairs of shoes and while it was torturously painstaking, it was 100% worth it. A version of this jacket is the next big DIY project on my radar. 

pizza, pizza

I consistently buy pizza dough every time I go grocery shopping, and it consistently goes bad because I never get around to using it. This time I beat the clock!

I seasoned the contents of a small can of tomato sauce with salt, pepper and dried herbs (oregano, basil and parsley). After spreading the sauce over the roughly hand-stretched whole wheat dough, I topped it with a layer of shredded mozzarella, some thinly sliced red onion, green pepper and smashed garlic cloves. There was sopresata in the fridge, so I sliced a couple of pieces and added that on top with some shredded parmesan.

This is what I got 450 degrees and 18 minutes later.

The final product was really tasty and the best thing about was that I was able to use what we had and it took virtually no time at all.

pax

Sam Edelman Pax, $250

Me: I just found the best boots EVER, and I'm sad because I want them so badly but they are expensive. Comfort me!

Mom: Those spikes are wild. I wouldn't want to accidentally bump into you.

...photo from SoleStruck.com...

lucite

I picked up this lucite waist belt during a quick trip to the mall yesterday with Jay. This is something I'd consider a fashion challenge; it could be really chic or really cheesy, so I have to be very careful when deciding what to pair this with.

...photos from UrbanOutfitters.com...

swatch watch - nyx soft matte lip cream

  

  

 I've heard some great things about the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams and have been wanting to try them for some time. I was finally able to get my hands on them while running some errands this weekend, and was fortunate enough to find all the colors I wanted.

I really like these lip creams! They dry matte and are super comfortable to wear. Abu Dhabi is a great nude hue that could probably work for most. Addis Ababa is an immensely intense color; it's very pretty, but I needed a liner to pull this one off. Monte Carlo is really lovely; this is another red I can add to my arsenal.

I purchased them for $5.99/ea. They were a great investment and I'd definitely consider adding a few more colors to my collection.

I'm also wearing:
Shadow - Urban Decay 'Toasted' and 'Hustle' from the 'Naked Palette'
Liner -  Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel in 'Blackest Black' and Urban Decay 'Black Dog' shadow on top
Mascara - Cover Girl Lash Exact in black
Cheeks - Victoria's Secret Radiant Face Trio in 'In Deep'

madee

Meet my heavenly new leopard loafers; 'Madee' by Steve Madden. Is it obvious that I'm still really obsessed with this leopard thing?

The funny thing about these beauties is that I pre-ordered them (I'm talking two months before they shipped) and essentially forgot about them. They arrived shortly after my birthday, which was a great surprise. 

These shoes are absolutely stunning! The actual leopard print is done really tastefully on calf hair and the black trim is the perfect touch to complete the look of this shoe. They are also a perfect fit and are insanely comfortable.

 I can't wait to wear them with everything!

Check out some other pieces in my leopard collection here.

fringe

Me: Babe! Ahhh! Hurts my heart! Perfect bag. I just died!

Him: Stoppp!

...photo from ShopBop.com...

the real kfc

This chicken was SO good that I had to do a post on it.

My sister-in-law has been raving about the deliciousness of Korean fried chicken for over a year now and Jay and I finally had an opportunity to try it this weekend via Kono Chicken at our local H Mart.

We ordered a platter of spicy fried chicken for lunch. Ate it. Then ordered 16 more pieces for dinner. When we got home at 3pm, we proceeded to devour all but 4 pieces.

This stuff is like crack; highly addictive after only the first try. We ate. We didn't talk to each other. We didn't look each other. We just ate. After only one day I find myself planning my life around this chicken and wondering how often I will be able to get it and how much of it I will be able to get at one time. Crack, I tell you!

sponge painting

I picked up this Sonia Kashuk blending sponge from Target for $9.99 after reading about the Beauty Blender. I've been really pleased with this sponge so far because it makes application of my concealer and/or liquid foundation a cinch and helps to achieve a clean, even and natural look with less product. 

The Beauty Blender retails for $19.95/ea or two for $25.95. I'm strongly considering trying it out, because it's larger and I've heard the quality is better, overall.

MAC is introducing their Pro Performance Sponge soon, for $18.

The one thing I always try to achieve when I do wear foundation is a natural even look. Each of these sponges will help to create a smoother and refined look; even skin tone without looking like you're wearing a mask. Another bonus is that they can be washed easily and used over and over again.

...photos from Target.com, BeautyBlender.com and MACCosmetics.com...

engineer

After pining for these amazing Frye 'Engineer 8R' boots for over two years, I finally ordered them! I spoke here about how much I adore my first pair of Fryes, but how there was definitely sticker shock involved with the purchase. The same was true for this pair.

One great thing that came as a result of my job this year was receiving a $150 gift certificate from GiftCerticates.com for my five year anniversary. I also got a really cheesy glass plastic plaque and a pen.

Needless to say, as soon as I saw that I could use the gift at Zappos it all clicked into place. I ordered using VIP Zappos, which means I get free overnight shipping on my order and will receive it tomorrow. On top of that, I and only paid $58 out of pocket for these bad boys!

VIP Zappos is a great way to get speedy shipment of all you desire and it's absolutely free! With each order you earn points which sets your VIP level; the more you order, the more points you get, and the higher level VIP you are. Zappos has yet to determine what the VIP level actually means, but I'm sure they'll come up with a great incentive soon enough. Either way, it doesn't hurt to get your order overnighted for free, now does it?

...photo from Zappos.com...