Emergency crap in my bag

Ok so I'm not one of those girls who lug around a bag bigger than life, BUT I do need something decently sized because, well, I have more than my share of mishaps.

A TIDE PEN.  This is actually my #1. For one, I suck at eating. No really, I really should just carry around an apron because no matter what I'm eating, I'll get it on me.  This is why I own 10 white t-shirts and only one of them is in presentable condition.  My boyfriend tells me its because I don't "sit nice".... whatever that means.....

Imagine pointing at something with this!

Chipped nails are gross, but I'm also not the best at always putting clear on my nails to make sure my $20 mani pedi doesn't chip.  And somehow I'm oblivious to my gross nails until I'm sitting at work or going somewhere important.  Enter my little nail polish remover and cotton balls.  Naked nails aren't as nice as polished, but they're 10000 times better than chipping ones.

This also ties in with the need for a nail file.  A snag, a break, it drives me INSANE.  I need to file it right away and if I don’t have one, I’ll scrape my nail along something rough until its smooth.  Lets eliminate the need for being barbaric and just carry around a file, ok?

So happy about the blemishes on my face

Make-up. NO, I don’t carry around my makeup bag.  I’m 1. Not that insecure and 2. Don’t need the extra weight on my shoulder.  However, my skin sucks big time and whether its later in the day and my makeup has worn off or if I’ve just touched my face too many times, sometimes you gotta retouch.  Thankfully I have enough samples from birchbox to last me a freakin lifetime.  This also means you need a mirror, unless you just use your iphone front camera.

Band-aid.  Maybe I’m a closet clutz (breaking nails, dropping food on myself, needing band-aids….) but you’d be surprised how often you need one of these.  Shoes rubbing wrong, a hangnail you HAD to pull, smashing your elbow into the wall next to your desk because someone OBVIOUSLY moved it over 6 inches over the weekend……….  Either way, I keep a few of these babies in my wallet. And they’re mickey mouse, because I’m quirky.

Mini pack of tums, because stomach aches and heart burn suck.

Gum, if you don't think your breath smells, think again.  

So there  you go, the extra stuff that doesn't take up TOO much space in my bag, and even if they did, I'd be even more of a mess without them, so they're not really optional.  

Current Obsessions

So I do this thing where I find something I like and then become OBSESSED with it.  I decide that I NEED it and set out to find it where ever I possibly can for the best deal I can.  This is where I get into trouble though. I'll have a price in mind that I want to spend and as I'm searching I get more and more enamored with the product and decide I have to have it, no matter the price.

Tory Burch Tan tumbled leather Miller Sandals

I'm going CRAZY over these.  I've been looking everywhere, poshmark, ebay, any of the online consignment shops I scout regularly, with little to no avail.  I've seen a few on ebay, they're either blatant fakes or from questionable sellers. le sigh

Clarisonic Brush - Mia or Mia 2

I've wanted one of these for SO LONG.  Finally I asked my sister to grab one for me as a belated birthday present.  The one pictured is the one I chose.  The Mia 2, in hot pink, obviously

Hunter Huntress Wellies Navy Wide Calf

HELLO GORGEOUS.  I know I know, they're PLAIN RAINBOOTS, but I love them and always have.  NOT KIDDING HERE, whenever I'm running or exercising and I'm getting tired I think to myself "the more weight you loose, the smaller your calves.  DON'T YOU WANT CALVES SKINNY ENOUGH TO FIT INTO HUNTER BOOTS?!"  Not that I'm using this as a get-out-of-jail-fat card, but no matter what weight I've had big calves. Look back through my photos, you'll see.

Ray Ban Aviators

I've always loved these, and yeah I know they're not even THAT expensive, but I'd much rather spend half price because someone was given them as a gift and can't return them.

These are just my current obsessions.  I have a few long term ones, but that's another topic for another day.

My Blog is Boring

So I came to a sad realization the other day while reading some of my favorite blogs: MY BLOG IS BORING

Now, not to say I think my life is boring, and if your particularly in love with my shoe-oriented closet of basics-with-a-twist then you'd have a BALL reading my words, but I don't think I'd even be entertained with me.  I think its because this entire time I've been playing it safe.

So how do I define playing it safe?
- no cursing.  I remember reading several times a quote that went something like "Those who swear lack the vocabulary to properly express themselves."  There is a part of me that agrees with this, there are so many wonderful, meaningful words out there, but sometimes, you just gotta let it out. SOMETIMES, if something looks like shit, calling it ugly, abysmal, hideous JUST DOESN'T CUT IT.  Sometimes you just gotta curse.

- No complaining.  I don't think I've ever posted a rant, whereas in reality I rant ALL THE TIME.  Over this or that, or nothing in particular.  My rants are riddled with sarcasm and insanely sassy and in my opinion, quite funny (if you get my type of humor.)

- Hardly divulging anything personal.  I don't particularly like putting myself out there, or rather, on the internet.  I'm hardly a shy, introverted person.  In fact, I'm one of the more extroverted/outspoken people I know (especially with a drink or two in me).  But I'm just not comfortable with posting personal things on here.  I probably still won't post anything too personal, but I also think there is a need for information on someones life on a blog.  I love blogs where I get a glimpse into someones life with lots and lots of photos to accompany that info (did I just admit to liking picture books?)

- Not ever saying anything that people might majorly judge me on.  The thing is,  I do things people might judge me on all the time, and in REAL LIFE (is there really a disconnect between blog life and real life?) I typically don't care if I'm judged, but in the fashion blogger world, there's a difference between finding something vintage and buying a new style kate spade bag on ebay because I can't afford a brand new one.  What IS the line between vintage and second hand? If its hardly used is it really used.  Is it ok that I'm actually a nerd and enjoy doing math problems, and that sometimes I wear the same pants twice in one week  because I'm too lazy to come up with a more interesting outfit. 

So with this, I'm going to try to be more me and less cookie cutter fashion blogger.  In that I realize this might move a bit from being a fashion blog into a more lifestyle/fashion blog and I'm ok with that, loving fashion and the things that happen around it ARE part of fashion and why not include them?

later babes,

Maria

iFabbo Lilly Brush Review

Review time! This time I’m reviewing the Lilly Brush! This little wand-like brush claims to de-pill sweaters and remove hair and fuzz from clothing.  While I don’t actually have any sweaters that I needed to de-pill I was able to test it out on my animal-hair-filled pants/coats/sweaters.  

Here are my before pictures, one with flash one without.  You can see that my pants are in definite need of a lint roll!

This was after I brushed my whole leg and got it all in one spot so I could easily lift it off my pants.

  

The lilly brush after I picked up the "pile" of hair and fuzz

AFTER! how awesome is that? Totally hair/lint-less! 

All in all, the brush definitely worked.  I don’t think it would replace my lint brush, the lint brush is faster and easier, but this is WAY more portable. You can drop this right into your purse and pull it out in a pinch!

Check out their website at http://bit.ly/UPj2o0 to see before and afters when using the brush on sweaters, product FAQ's, and to purchase your own Lilly Brush!

#LillyBrushIfabbo

Own Lifting Eye Cream

Recently I've been granted access to iFabbo's fabulous shop where I can test and review products.  I'm super excited about this opportunity and am here to write my very first review!

I chose to sample the Own Lifting Eye Cream.  I'm always on the search to try out new eye creams ( I'm personally terrified of wrinkles around my eyes) so I thought this would be a chance to try a brand I wasn't totally familiar with.

Own's eye cream came in a nice tall thin bottle, perfect for my already packed make-up bag.  

Pros: - This stuff spreads!! You only need a TINY amount and you can rub it in over your eyelids easily

         - It absorbs quickly, so if I put it on before bed I don't feel like its going to rub off on my pillow if
                (when) I roll over
         - I really do feel like my eye lids are firmer.  This formula says you can use it day and night but as of
                 right now I'm strictly a night time user. Even when I wake up I feel like my under eyes are firm

Cons:  - The product is a bit thick, so when it gets adsorbed into my skin I don't feel like the area around my
                  eyes is nice and soft.  Not sure if this is TRULY a con but I've used other eye creams that left
                  my eye area feeling nice and smooth

And there's my review! I would update you later on to see if there is any improvement but I (thankfully) don't have any real wrinkles so I probably won't see any "improvement," I'm more on the maintenance side of things at my age! 

Life

Life has been coming at me at 100  miles per hour. I have not retired, but just been insanely busy.  I will return.

Christmas shopping = war zone?

Christmas shopping can be dangerous, so to prepare for combat I decided it was necessary to wear the proper footwear.

But other than having to battle others, these boots are extremely comfortable and surprisingly easy to wear.  I'm still not allowed to wear heels so I've been trying to get creative with flats.  I did a little mixing and matching here contrasting the combat boots with the lace in my top.

I hope everyone realizes I was kidding earlier, there were no battles fought and despite what the crazy black Friday commercials want us to believe, there was no stampede to navigate.

A bit of accessorizing that took place on the way out the door.  I felt it was missing something and this necklace added the perfect element!

My great, wonderful, comfortable boots :)

Arm party! This was also piled on after my original photos were taken.

 

My finishing touch, a leather bag with a bit of glam.  It was exactly what I needed to tie everything together.

I'm almost done Christmas shopping! Super excited to not have to stress this year :)

top: express, pants: old navy, boots: Nila, bag: michael kors, necklace: Reyna's Paper Dolls, left arm: michael kors watch, LC Lauren Conrad hand of god bracelet, right arm (starting from hand): evil eye bracelet: Reyna's, pink bracelet: gift, beige cuff: century 21, green luck bracelet : Reyna's, chain & leather bracelet: gift