Friday, May 3, 2013

Loves, Lusts, & Loathes - April 2013

It's that time again! At the end of the month (or very beginning of the following) I share my version of favorites. Loves, Lusts, and Loathes will include all the things I loved, the things I wanted to buy but didn't, and the things I didn't like for the month.

LOVES

1. I'm absolutely in love with my new Kate Spade handbag. I actually found it on sale at Belk and cannot find a link to it anywhere online. I just had to share it because I love it so much! I'm going to post a "What's in my bag?" very soon. So keep checking back!

2. Dove gofresh restore body wash in blue fig and orange blossom - I'm clearly a fan of Dove body wash since I go through a bottle a month and this is my second time mentioning it, but I just love it so much. I was craving something spring scented and this delivered. Not only is it super moisturizing, but the smell is amazing. I even purchased the matching deodorant.

3. Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day basil counter spray - Not only does this cleaner work like a charm but the smell is incredible! I clean every surface I possibly can using it and it leaves the room smelling fresh and clean. Mrs. Meyer's products are 98% natural and can be used on all non-porous surfaces. My favorite part is that once you use up the spray, simply buy a bottle of basil all purpose cleaner, add 4 tbs to your spray bottle along with some water and you're back to cleaning!

4. bareMinerals Ready eyeshadow duo in The Nick of Time - This duo has been one I've reached for a great deal this month. This photo doesn't show true to color, but it's basically a creamy nude with a hint of sparkle and a matte medium warm brown. Add a bit of winged brown liner and you've got the perfect daytime eye look.

5. Essie in Peach Daquiri - A-MA-ZING. This color was on my toes for 3 weeks straight, which for me is a record. Every time I'd change my polish I just could not bring myself to put a different color on. In fact, I finally forced myself to apply Essie Watermelon the last time I changed colors and I've regretted it ever since. I'll be back to Peach Daquiri by Monday. It's the perfect shade of bright coral pink. It's perfect. Did I mention it's perfect? Go buy it. I'll wait.

6. Sonia Kashuk blush in Sunset - I've owned this blush for a year or so now, and it's still one of my favorites for spring. It's a super bright coral with golden shimmer. These blushes are seriously amazing and I currently own three of them. They're highly pigmented, last all day, and are inexpensive to boot. Head to Target and grab yourself a couple. I recommend Sunset and Flushed. Beautiful!

7. Hard Candy So Baked Bronzer in Tiki - This product is labeled a bronzer but is truly more of a highlight. A beautiful, golden, highly pigmented highlight. I've been pairing it with my sunset blush and it's a match made in heaven. You can currently only find Hard Candy at Walmart, so head over there and snatch this up.

8. Fresh Sugar lip balm - I love this lip balm so much for night time. It's extremely moisturizing and I love how it smells. Every time I use it I wake up with soft, flake free lips. The only thing I hate is the price; at $22.50 it's ridiculously expensive for a lip balm.

9. Revlon colorburst lip butter in Juicy Papaya and Revlon super lustrous lipgloss in Coral Reef - I put these two together because this is my current favorite lip combo. I'm a bit obsessed with anything coral right now and this combination is the epitome of perfect to me. I'm a huge fan of the lip butters and own almost all of them. They're moisturizing and have the perfect amount of pigmentation for me. I'm not one to rock a super bright matte lip all that often and I generally reach for something sheer and easy to put on. I could apply both of these products without even looking (and I do often). Coral Reef lipgloss is gorgeous on it's own as well. This combo also goes fabulously with the Sonia Kashuk blush I mentioned above!

10. Tweezerman pedicure file - I live in Florida where we wear flip flops 95% of the time which does a number on your feet. This pedicure file has been a life saver and I've been using it every other shower to keep my feet soft and smooth. Apply a rich foot cream and some socks at night for extra moisturization. You'll be sandal (or flip flop) ready in no time. 

11. Lush Lemony Flutter cuticle butter - I'm not sure why I waited so long to try this product, but now that I have I can't live without it. Since I started using it a month or so ago, my cuticles and nails have improved by leaps and bounds. I apply it every night to my fingers and toes along with my Kiehl's lotion; this combination is my little moisture dream team.

12. Batiste dry shampoo - I've been using the Batiste dry shampoo for a while now and I always liked it, but I'd never tried the one with a hint of color for dark hair. What a difference! Not only is the smell really pleasant, it doesn't give me that annoying white cast that every dry shampoo I've ever used has given my hair. Dry shampoo is a must for my routine since I try not to wash my hair every day. It absorbs oil and gives my hair some extra body. This is definitely my favorite of all the ones I've tried.

13. Kiehl's Creme de Corps - This lotion is by far the best I've ever used. It's a bit of a luxury for me considering it's about $30 for an 8 ounce bottle, but it's completely worth every penny. I use this solely at night since it's a heavy body cream, although I've used it during the day and it's still amazing. Once it absorbs, your skin feels like silk with a gorgeous sheen that isn't the least bit greasy. This is a must have product for me and I even carry a tiny bottle in my handbag.

LUSTS
I honestly don't have a single lust to share this month. I've done hardly any window shopping or online browsing. So sad. 

LOATHES

1. L'Oreal Waterproof Voluminous Carbon Black mascara - Now, I want to clarify, that my hate is regarding the waterproof version of this mascara. I actually love the original version. However, the waterproof version is just not good. It goes on pretty well at first, but after the first coat it starts to clump together and weigh my lashes down so every bit of curl I put it, falls right out. Then, by the end of the day I have mascara flakes all over my cheeks and falling into my eyes. What baffles me most, is if it flakes off that easily, why is it so difficult to remove? I used my Philosophy Purity face cleanser and massaged it into my lashes until I couldn't stand it anymore. Then I had to use a makeup wipe to attempt to remove the rest and there was still residue on my lashes. This mascara is going in the trash as soon as I'm done writing this blog post. Do not waste your money.

Well, I hope you enjoyed hearing what I loved and hated in April. I'll try to make sure I do some online window shopping this month so I have some lusts to share with you for May. Please feel free to comment below and follow me on all the appropriate channels (see the top right corner of this page)! 

What did you love, lust after, and loathe in April? Tell me in the comments!


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Wednesday Window Shopping

So my son has preschool 3 days a week in the morning and I generally like to spend that time running errands or doing chores around the house. However, there are days, like today, that I'd rather drink coffee, chat with my best friend online, and peruse my favorite store websites during my 3 hours of peace and quiet. So, I thought it'd be fun to share the things I'm dying over most today.

1. Kate Spade Harrison Street Lacey wallet in Gold - I recently purchased a beautiful black Kate Spade handbag with gold lining and this would match so perfectly it makes my heart skip a beat.
2. Henri Bendel Flip Flop Keyfob - As a Florida girl, I have probably an unhealthy obsession with flip flops. I wear them almost daily, even when it's cold out, and I think this is cutest thing ever! Their lipstick keyfob is equally adorable.
3. Henri Bendel Socialite oversized square sunglasses - I've been on the hunt for new sunglasses and these are the perfect shape for my face. Now to get myself to Palm Beach to try them on!
4. Sam Edelman Gigi sandal - I've been starting to think about my spring/summer wardrobe for this year and I decided that maxi dresses are going to be my thing. However, I don't want to wear my boring flip flops with everything anymore; so I think I'm going to pick up a pair of sandals with a bit more style. I really like these Sam Edelman's, so I'll need to go try them on. I love that they come in so many colors and they're super cute. I know, I know, they look like fancy flip flops; but, I'm from Florida and when it's 100 degrees you need a bit of air conditioning!
So, that's what I've been looking at lately. Online window shopping is my favorite, since it's free and there's so many options. It also gives me a chance to really think about my purchase before I make it.

What are you shopping for lately? What will your essentials be for spring? Tell me in the comments!


Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Loves, Lusts, & Loathes - March 2013

At the end of each month I plan to do my own version of favorites. Loves, Lusts, & Loathes will include all the things I loved, the things I wanted to buy but didn't, and the things I didn't like for the month.

LOVES

1. Mac Warm Soul - This blush is the perfect shade of warm peach. It gives you a subtle highlight and makes your face glow. I'm literally obsessed.

2. Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate - I started using this product toward the end of March and I already know it's a staple in my skin care regime. My skin is incredibly soft and smooth and the deep wrinkle I have on my forehead is definitely less noticeable. Find yourself a Kiehl's counter and ask for a sample ASAP. You'll thank me.

3. Lancome La Vie Est Belle - This is my new signature fragrance. I've been using it since last October and I get compliments on it every time I wear it. It's sweet and light, which is my kind of scent. I can't live without it.

4. Dove Purely Pampering Shea Butter Body Wash - I've always been a fan of Dove body wash, but this one takes the cake. It makes my skin soft and smooth, plus it smells like vanilla which is a huge plus for me. 

5. Cover Girl Clump Crusher mascara - I wasn't sure anything could top my Benefit They're Real, and this one is definitely a fabulous *cheaper* alternative. It makes my lashes full and long without making them spidery. Definitely worth a try!

6. Tarte Smooth Operator Micronized Clay Finishing Powder - I've actually had this sample for a while but for some reason I never tried it. I don't know what took me so long! It's light and doesn't make you look the least bit powdery. Plus it smooths out my pores which is awesome. 

7. Dior Amber Diamond highlighter - All you need to know is that it's Dior. It's gorgeous and it will make you glow like no other highlighter will. It's a splurge for sure, but so worth it.

8. Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer - This could be in my loves every month. I prefer simple foundations that let my skin show through. Since I'm a mom I don't have time to do a full face every day and I can apply this quickly and easily with just my fingers. I usually just set my T-Zone and I'm good for the day. 

9. bareMinerals Ready Eyeshadow Duo in The Inspiration - This duo contains a lovely light pink shade and a dark plum that is perfect for my green eyes. They apply smoothly and are highly pigmented. I was lucky enough to snag 4 of these duos during an Ulta sale and I'm so glad I did. 

10. Benefit The Porefessional - I'm still using a sample of this since you need so little. It's silky and smooths out my pores perfectly before I apply my foundation. I have noticed it does make me a bit more oily than I'd normally be during the day, but I just blot once and I'm fine. 

LUSTS
1. Nars And God Created The Woman Set - I'm a sucker for anything Nars as it is, but this set will be mine. Oh yes. It will be mine! The colors are perfect for my green eyes and I've been meaning to try the Nars eye primer but haven't gotten around to it. Also, who doesn't need a new shadow brush? I know I can never have to many. Clearly, this is something I should purchase ASAP.
2. Michael Kors Selma Large Satchel - I've been dying for a new black satchel for months now and this one screams my name. The shape, size, and structure are perfect for me. This one is just begging to join my collection.

LOATHES
1. Buxom Sculpted Lash Mascara - I received this in my PopSugar Must Have box for March and being a huge fan of the Buxom lip glosses, I was hoping I'd love this mascara. Sadly, it did not work for me at all. It made my lashes short and clumpy and it transferred onto my lids constantly throughout the day. This was a big fail for me. 

2. Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion - I'll admit, I bought this after it was recommended by a popular YouTube guru. If you watch her, you'll know who I'm talking about. I was super disappointed by it. It's super thin and made my skin even drier. This is going in the trash, which is unfortunate considering it was really expensive for drugstore lotion. Don't waste your money.

So that's it! I hope you found some of these helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below!

What did you love, lust after, and loathe for this month? Tell me in the comments!