Clothes Cravings: J.Crew 25% Sale!

J.Crew is having a 25% off Sale on all orders of $150+ free shipping {Code: STYLE25} I've been dying to get my hands on some comfy & cute fall clothes and decided this was just the right time to dive in!

Here are my picks:

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I will update you guys on my Fall buys soon!

Products Mentioned:
J.Crew.com- 1. Peter Pan collar Sweater {more colors  available} | 2.  Tippi cardigan in colorblock {39.99!} |  3. Rugby- stripe boatneck top {more colors available} | 4. Marled rugby socks {more colors available} | 5. Tippi sweater {so many colors to choose from!} | 6. Chambray cinch pant.

**Disclaimer: I do not own these images

they belong to J.CREW.com.

How to: Get A Perfect Manicure

I wanted to share with you guys a compilation of things that help get me perfect manicures, feel free to click on the links to get detailed information for each picture and each step :)

After filing my nails I push back my cuticles using an orange stick and trim away the excess using a cuticle trimmer, I follow this picture: 

1. Credit: http://thefashionistacoach.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-paint-your-nails-perfectly.html

I then follow up by cleaning away all of the polish that got on my cuticles and skin, like this:

Credit:  http://thebeautydepartment.com/2012/03/mani-monday-5/

Thanks to these two blog posts I am always satisfied with painting my own nails!

Credits: 
Picture #1-http://thefashionistacoach.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-paint-your-nails-perfectly.html
Picture #2-  http://thebeautydepartment.com/2012/03/mani-monday-5/

**Disclaimer: None of the pictures in this post are 

mine, links to the websites are provided under 

each photo as well as in the Credits above.

NOTD: Butter London- Knackered

This polish is really weird, both in color and in application. It reminds me of the deep sea water and mermaids.

Knackered is a purplish-grey color with a green sheen to it depending on how you look at it: It can look like a muddy silver color, or purple-silver, or purple-green. It has a blue undertone and chunky silver glitter.
{as you can tell, I wasn't able to capture all the colors in pictures}

I needed at least 4 coats for opacity. Upon further inspection I was able to see my nail line as well as unevenness from it's poor application and consistency. It tends to get gooey.

This picture shows the range of colors the best- purple at the bottom and green towards the top.

I really thought this color was going to be amazing, but it turned out weird and lacking, definitely not worth $12.

Products Used:

Butter London- Knackered.

NOTD: Butter London- Henley Regatta

Henley Regatta is a full glitter, gorgeous emerald green polish with a slight hint of blue.

 It needed 3 coats of polish for full opacity, and even then there were some bald spots. I would recommend using this polish as a top coat or over a base of similar color rather than on its own like shown in these pictures {I noticed that it started peeling off at the tips due to the mass amount of coats needed to be fully opaque on its own}. It also thickens slightly as you apply making it hard to get a smooth finish. It needed one coat of top coat to make it glossy and smooth.

As much as I love the look and sparkle of glitter polishes... I always dread the tedious removal process and the residual glitter left all over my hands when I'm ready for different polish :(

Products Used:

Butter London- Henley Regatta.

NOTD: Butter London- Teddy Girl

I love pale pink nail polish!

Teddy Girl is a creme based light pink color that needs at least 3 coats for full opacity and a better brush for a more even application :(

Overall, the polish is a nice pale pink color... but for $12 I would not re-purchase it as the brush is too small and stiff to allow for a smooth, easy application. 

Products Used:

Butter London- Teddy Girl.

NOTD: Flamingos

Today is the last day of summer! So, I thought I'd over-do it with some bright pink birds :D

Bye-bye Summer, Hello Fall!

Products Used:

Essie- Absolutely Shore | CM Nail Art- white, black, heavenly pink, hottie pink | China Glaze- Fairy Dust.

NOTD: Butter London- Disco Biscuit

As soon as I saw this polish in the bottle I knew it was going to be a favorite! It's so girly! And as good as it looks in pictures, it seriously looks even better in person :)

Disco Biscuit is a{n almost jelly} hot pink polish with gorgeous blue micro-glitter. It took 2 coats to be opaque but could have used a third coat due to some minor streaking on all nails. I topped it off with 2 coats of Seche Vite because it needs a bit of help in the glossy department. 

Other than that... what an amazing polish!

{in the shade with flash on} 


On a random note, who else is excited about the first day of fall?! I cannot wait for cooler weather... and sweaters!

Products Used:

Butter London- Disco Biscuit.

NOTD: Butter London- Tart With A Heart

This may be my least favorite polish, it doesn't look good alone and it isn't anything special over 

OPI's- Mimosas for Mr. & Mrs. 

Tart With A Heart is an all glitter polish with a sheer brownish base. It has different sized glitter that give off an tan glimmer under direct light. I used one coat of Tart With A Heart on top of 2 coats of Mimosas For Mr. & Mrs. then topped it off with a thick coat of Seche Vite to get rid of the lumpiness from the glitter. Again, as with Gobsmacked, this glitter polish also seemed to get a bit thick during application- this makes a smooth application a bit more difficult.

I'm so excited to swatch the rest of my {newly acquired} Butter London collection for you guys! I have a feeling that more than one favorite will emerge :)

Products Used:

Butter London- Tart With A Heart | OPI- Mimosas For Mr. & Mrs. | Seche Vite.

NOTD: Butter London- All Hail The Queen

This polish photographs so well! I was able to catch so many colors from the shimmer it has- it definitely looks better up close and in pictures.

All Hail The Queen is a light taupey-brown color with light purple and mauvy-pink undertones, it is filled with shimmer that sparkles rainbow under direct light {almost like a holo polish- seen here}. It is fully opaque with 2 coats and does not need a top coat {I used Seche Vite for it's rapid dry time and added gloss}.

This polish would be a great alternative to a neutral color for work!

Products Used:

Butter London- All Hail The Queen.

NOTD: Butter London Gobsmacked

Here is another Butter London Polish I picked up during the Ulta buy 1 get 1 free deal:

Gobsmacked {F/W 2012 collection} is a dark greyish-blue glitter polish with tons of silver and gunmetal glitter. It took 2 coats to be opaque but started to clump as I was applying it. It required 2 coats of top coat to become somewhat smooth and glossy.

For $14.00 I don't think this polish is worth the clumpy and uneven application, nor the overall texture without a top coat. 

I hope you have a great week!

Products Used:

Butter London- Gobsmacked.

NOTD: Chanel Provocation Swatches {FNO Limited Edition polish}

I finally received Chanel's Fashion Night Out limited edition nail polish Provocation!
{The lipstick is still on its way}

Provocation is a dark plumy burgundy color with a creamy consistency, it goes on fully opaque with 2 coats and looks amazing! The quality of this nail polish is exceptional, it goes on beautifully.

Get this polish while you still can, limited edition Chanel items always sell out fast.

Products Used:

Chanel- Provocation.

NOTD: Butter London Dodgy Barnett

On monday I tweeted {roxypie89} about Utla's buy 1get 1 free on Butter London Polishes... I managed to pick up some of my most wanted!!

Let's Start with Dodgy Barnett: {from the Fall/Winter 2012 collection} it's a light silver holographic nail polish that takes 2 coats to be fully opaque. It dries glossy and even so a top coat is not necessary {but I used Seche Vite}. It's remarkably easy to remove, one swipe with nail polish remover is all it took!

 This polish shows off its best rainbow effect under direct light.

This is what it looks like in the shade or with poor lighting- a light silver grainy polish.

I will post more Butter London swatches in the next few days :) 

Are you taking advantage of Ulta's 21 days of Beauty sales???

Products Used:

Butter London- Dodgy Barnett.

Skincare: Embryolisse Baume Riche Review

I recently ran out of moisutrizer and noticed that the one I'd been using really wasn't hydrating enough for my skin. I don't have dry skin, but I do have dehydrated skin. To give you a bit of an insight as to how my skin reacts- I can literally re-applying my moisturizer several times and my skin will drink it right up and still feel un-moisturized several minutes later leaving me wanting something thicker and more long-lasting.

So, after doing much research on what moisturizer would better suit me I ended up going with Embyolisse Baume Riche. It's a cold cream designed for very dry, irritated, and sensitive skin. I first heard about the Embryolisse line from the Pixiwoo girls on youtube. {specific video mentioning Baume Riche here, other Embryolisse products mentioned here}

 The review:

•  On first impressions the product has a very strong floral perfume-y smell which lingers on your face after applying. This was a bit off-putting since it isn't the most pleasant smell but, it is easy to get used to after using it several times. 

• It goes on quite thick and sits on my skin for a while leaving a sort of oily residue behind which fully absorbs after about 30 minutes. 

• I actually don't mind this residue as I feel this is what quenches my skin. The oily residue isn't noticeable as I can walk out of the house and not feel self-conscious about having an extra shiny face, but I can feel it if i touch my face.

• I can see and feel drastic improvements in my face's moisture level,  it is no longer dull-looking and is quite soft. Also, my face no longer feels taut.

• This particular product was really difficult to find online in the US; it is not available in any stores that I am aware of. I bought mine via eBay directly from France since this is the only place I found it.

• The price is quite affordable, mine cost me around $35 for 40 ml of product.

If you have dehydrated or dry skin I highly recommend this product- it works on the face and body. I would even recommend this as a night moisturizer for normal skin as it leaves my skin replenished, nourished, and really soft! I don't recommend this to anyone who has oily skin though, I feel it is too rich and would leave too much oil on the skin.

I hope you found this review helpful! If you have any questions and want more info, leave me a comment below! I also always appreciate feedback :)

Products Mentioned:

Embryolisse- Baume Riche purchased from eBay {via seller: shodon1}.

Shopping: Jo Malone Wild Bluebell Cologne

Jo Malone has been on my wish list for a while now, so I decided it was time to cross it of!

Upon going to my Jo Malone counter at Nordstrom, I discovered I had no idea which scent to pick. My first choice was the famous Orange Blossom Cologne- up until I realized so many others smelled even better! Upon testing out Wild Bluebell I fell in love. I am certain that with the vast array of scents Jo Malone has, there is bound to be a perfect smell for each of us- and Wild Bluebell is mine!

The adorable yet classic packaging comes adorned with ribbons!

 For $60 I got a 30ml bottle, which is quite expensive but worth the smell.

"Deliciously dewy, this cologne drenches the skin with the delicate scent of bluebells. Luminous with lush persimmon, lily of the valley and eglantine. Mesmerising." 
Now, I'm not sure any of us knows what Bluebells smell like but this scent sort of reminds me of Gardenias. It isn't too strong or too sweet. It's quite floral and incredibly fresh.

Have a great weekend! 

Products Mentioned:

Jo Malone- Wild Bluebell Cologne {$60 for 30ml or $110 for 100ml}.