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Author Archives: Karen
What’s in my Beauty Bag? Holiday Clutch Essentials
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IT COSMETICS c/o Tightline 3in1 Mascara [Travel/Mini Size] | SOLE SERUM c/o Foot Pain Relief | MAC Lipstick in Craving | KATE SPADE Hello Sunshine Mirror | KATE SPADE Card Holder [SIMILAR | GLITTER VERSION] | LISTERINE Pocket Packs | PINROSE c/o Travel Perfume | GIGI NY All in One Bag | STEVE MADDEN Proto Heels
I’m doing a small twist to this month’s What’s in my Beauty Bag and sharing some of my holiday clutch essentials. Some of these items are beauty and some are just perfect items to pack in your purse for a party. I am obsessed with the It Cosmetics Tightline. I keep the mini in my purse at all times and the full size in my makeup drawer. This little product is a 3 in 1 product. You can use this as a primer before mascara, an eyeliner, or as mascara. Before I found this product I would often skip wearing mascara 1 or 2 days a week because I hated the build-up and damaged eyelashes. Now I use this product which is lighter and contains ingredients that improve the health of your eyelashes. It doesn’t provide a huge full lash like with a regular mascara, but it does do a pretty good job. I use it as my regular mascara about three times a week now. I also use this product before events to touch up my mascara and eyeliner after a long work day. The wand is super thin, so it works well as a backup eyeliner. This is probably one of my favorite makeup products right now! Another clutch must have is a good lipstick. I love this Craving color from Mac. It’s a little red and a little pink, perfect for when you want some color but not a strong red. Of course, a mirror is also a necessity to help you apply makeup touch ups.
I am also a fan of carrying Listerine Pocket Packs around with me. I keep a pack in my makeup bag that I carry in my everyday bag, and packs in my clutches. These are great for a fresh breath kick after eating or to use before heading into a party. A new product I just started using is Sole Serum. It is a lotion that helps relieve aches and pains in your feet after standing for long periods of time. I usually apply it to the balls of my feet and sides of my toes before I head out to an event or party. It also helps relieve existing soreness too. After a day full of walking around the Nutcracker market last Friday, my feet were still sore the next day. I put this stuff on before heading to a fashion show. I had no issues standing for the hour long cocktail party in my heels. This is a great product to bring with you to parties, because aching feet are never fun!
I also included my card wallet because this little baby is a total purse game changer. I keep all my main wallet needs in here from my id, credit cards, store loyalty cards, and some cash. I change purses all the time, so keeping my basics in here makes changing purses so much easier. Before I switched to using this permanently, I occasionally would head out with my wallet in two different places. I would show up without the right credit card, even without my id a few times. This wallet is thin so it fits in all my clutches, and easily slides into the pocket of my big wallet. Do you have any must-haves for your holiday clutch or game-changing products to help free up some space in your purse? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!
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Print Mixing: Plaid & Embroidery
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SHEIN c/o Embroidered Crop Jacket | FOXCROFT Buffalo Check Shirt | LUCKY BRAND Lolita Skinny Jeans | CHINESE LAUNDRY Red Patent Pumps | GIGI NY All in One Clutch | BAUBLEBAR Pave Links Bracelet | GORJANA Mika Necklace | KENDRA SCOTT Skylar Earrings | RAYBAN Aviator Sunglasses | MAC Lipstick in Faux | ESSIE Nail Color in Sole Mate
I originally picked this jacket out with the idea of pairing it with fitted red and black dresses for holiday parties. I am still planning on wearing it that way, but on a whim I tried it on with this plaid top and I really liked how it looked together. I’m still trying my hand at print mixing over here. For this mix, I was intrigued by the common red color in both pieces. I think two different print sizes also help this mix work together. The small embroidered design still gets to be the standout part of this outfit next to the big buffalo check. To help tie the two prints together, I decided this outfit needed some bright red shoes to bring out the red in both prints. You could also make this look work for the office by pairing with some skinny work pants or a pencil skirt. I am in holiday party outfit planning mode over here, so I decided to pair with my black skinny jeans for a more dressed-up casual look.
And your eyes are not deceiving you, I recently changed my hair color back to this dark burgundy color. I colored it right after taking my photos from Monday’s post. I always like going back to a dark color for fall and winter. I have been crushing on different shades of burgundy for my hair over the past year. I hope ya’ll are having a good week so far!! I personally am counting down until Friday because I am so excited for Adele’s new album (which I already pre-ordered) to be released!! I plan to listen to it on repeat all day Friday!! Thanks for swinging by today!
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Gift Guide Under $50
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PETER THOMAS ROTH Cucumber Spa Kit | FRESH Sugar Lip Lovers | PORTOLANO Eyelash Eyemask | ASSOULINE BOOKS In The Spirit of Napa Book | SHIRALEAH Scarf | KENDRA SCOTT Kiri Necklace | SUSQUEHANNA Spiral Wine Glasses | PISTIL Crush Mitten Gloves | JONATHAN ADLER Zebra Dish | WEST ELM Agate Coasters | NORDSTROM AT HOME Plush Throw | HENRI BENDEL Signature Candle
I know when I Christmas shop I tend to have a price range in mind, so I wanted to create a couple gift guides with that in mind. I’m starting with some fabulous gift ideas under 50. I’m kind of in love with everything on this list. I definitely have a few of these items on my personal wish list like the scarf and cute little sleep mask. All these gifts would be great for gift exchanges and Secret Santa parties. I love gifting beauty kits for the holidays. For starters, they are usually a good value with 3-5 products in each kit. I always love getting to sample new products, and this gives you that opportunity. Lots of beauty brands make these just for the holidays, so you can also pick up one for yourself if you have a brand you want to try out. If you want more gift ideas, check out my Gift Guide Under $50 page. I’m constantly updating it with new ideas I come across.
I figured I would add a little holiday shopping tip to these posts, because I am an online shopping addict who has learned a little along the way! Today’s Tip – Check the returns policy! I primarily shop at stores with free shipping and returns. If you are shopping now for Christmas, check the returns guidelines to make sure the gift can still be returned in January if needed. Most stores extend their return policy during the holidays from the normal 30 days to 60 or even 90 days.
STOCKING STUFFERS!
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My 1st Pair of Leather Leggings
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EXPRESS Extreme Circle Hem Sweater | EXPRESS Scuba Leggings | WHITE MOUNTAIN Carmella Suede Boots | GIGI NY All in One Bag | GORJANA Taner Pave Bar Necklace, Mia Necklace, Aldridge Earrings | BAUBLEBAR Slim Hinge Bangle, Pave Links Bracelet, Ladder Cuff | RAYBAN Aviator Sunglasses | ESSIE Nail Color in Plumberry | MAC Lipstick in Faux
After years of looking and indecisiveness, I finally did it. I bought my first pair of leather leggings! Well sort of leather. I have wanted a pair for a couple years because they look super chic. I love how they dress up an outfit for winter. I was hesitant because 1) I have watched that Friends episode where Ross wears leather pants one too many times and 2) they seem uncomfortable and not super forgiving. I was intrigued by these leggings because they are not actually leather or that super thin faux leather, but rather a scuba type material. I also liked that they have a more matte look versus the super shiny you see in some pairs. I tried them on 100% expecting to hate them. These leggings are actually really comfortable and fit like my normal comfy cotton and gym leggings. They are soft on the inside too. I imagined it would be sticky and uncomfortable, and would make loud swishing sounds when I walked, but it didn’t! I personally think the scuba material is a little bit more forgiving than thinner leggings, but I would still only wear tunics or long sweaters with these.
Before I purchased I also checked the washing instructions, because I had no idea how to wash something like this. The directions say to turn inside out and machine wash on gentle, lay flat to dry, and do not dry clean. Those directions work perfect for me, as that is generally how I wash many of my clothes. I haven’t officially worn them out yet, but I did lounge a bit around my house in them after taking these photos. 🙂 I told you they are comfortable. I absolutely love them paired with this red sweater. It is going to be that perfect semi-casual holiday party or happy hour outfit. This sweater has 3/4 length sleeves which is perfect for Texas winter, because we tend to overcompensate sometimes with our heaters once the temps dip below 50. I usually end up pushing my sleeves anyway at friends’ houses, so I like that the sleeves are shorter. This sweater comes in multiple colors too! Happy Monday Ya’ll and thanks for stopping by today!
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