On haitus...

I'll see you soon. ;)

Monthly Must-Haves: March

Did you hear? It snowed today here in Michigan, breaking a record from 1880 with a total of 94.8" of snow this winter. Lovely, right? Yesterday, it was almost 70 degrees in the morning, and today I was pulling out my boots again! When will it ever end?? Just when I was getting exciting about pulling out my favorite springtime beauty products, I'm right back to slathering on facial cream and using hand lotion like it's nobody's business. The forecast for the rest of the week looks less bleak than today, so I'll stay optimistic that I'll be wearing my favorite spring Chloé fragrance soon.

This winter, I tried lots of new products and found some new favorites that will become part of my permanent arsenal. I figured I'd share my most-used products from March. Here's to hoping that April's favorites are more suitable for sunshiny days!

Clarisonic Mia 2: There is absolutely zero exaggeration in me saying that the Clarisonic is a lifesaver. We all hear bloggers and gurus wax poetic about how great a Clarisonic is for your skin, but until you've tried it for yourself, you won't be prepared for how beautiful it makes your skin look and feel. I'll do a separate post on my new love for my Clarisonic, but know that I've been using it every single day!
Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Bang: This creamy orangey-red lipstick was my go-to when my face was feeling a little blah. It really brightened up my complexion, wore for a long time, and felt very comfortable on the lips. I like the Revolution formula, and added a few more shades to my collection this month.
Oribe Crème for Style: I kind of have a love/hate relationship with Oribe products. Last year when I was using them, I felt like my hair got really greasy really quickly. It might be because of the fact that my hair is lighter now (meaning a little more texture), but I've been using this cream every day before blowdrying. It keeps my hair nice and sleek, and smells amazing.
Sephora Collection Classic Brow Filler Brush #100 and Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Ebony: It's been an ongoing struggle trying to find the perfect product to fill my brows in with. They look dark in person, but in pictures, you can barely see them (even though I keep them thick). This waxy cream makes my brows look sculpted and deep. Beware, though: a tiny bit goes a loooong way.
essie Nail Color in Forever Yummy: I've been looking for a classic lipstick red polish for some time, but am never satisfied. This is it.
Josie Maran Argan Oil: My skin is super oily, so the idea of putting even more oil on top of it is terrifying. Like I said, it has been a treacherous winter here in Michigan, and my skin was thirsty. I would dab a few drops of this on dry spots and watch them disappear. I am probably alone in this, but I do wish this oil was scented; I feel like a nice, light fragrance would make it feel more luxurious.
Prada Candy L'Eau: I wore the parfum version of this fragrance last winter, and oddly enough, it would make my chest break out every time I would put it on. This version is still sultry but a little lighter, and had no adverse effects on my skin. Did you see that there is now a Floral version of this scent? I might be in fragrance trouble…
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara: I'm not really sure what the point of the hourglass wand is, but the formula is a beautiful inky black that allows me to wear multiple coats without looking clumpy or flakey. A new favorite formula, for sure.

What were some of your beauty necessities last month? Are there any products you're really hoping to try out this spring? Did it snow by you this week? Leave comments, and I'll talk to you all soon! Xx

Spring Fever

The other day, I was browsing through my "Loves" at sephora.com when I realized something odd: nearly every item was a flowery pink, peach, or lavender shade, and several items mentioned "rose" or "flower" in the name. Sure, my style is feminine, but I was never one to brand myself as "girly." The proof is in the pudding, though, and with spring (hopefully!) around the corner, I'm begging to be bathed in shades of delicate blossoms and blooms. Here are some of the beauty picks I'll be pining after come springtime:

1. L'Occitane 'Pivoine Flora' Hand Cream. ($12)

2. Formula X for Sephora in 'Alive'. ($10.50)

3. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in 'Diffused Heat'. ($35)

4. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils in 'Bolero' and 'Paimpol'. ($25 each)

5. Josie Maran Pure Argan Milk Intensive Hydrating Treatment. ($56)

6. Chloe 'Roses de Chloe' Eau de Toilette Spray. ($120)

7. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Lipstick in '007 Lingerie Pink'. ($35)

8. FRESH Rose Floral Toner. ($38)

What's on your spring wish list? Do you live for the ladylike floral shades of April and May, or do you prefer the dark, rich shades of winter? Have a happy Friday, and enjoy your weekend! Keep your fingers crossed for no more snow! Xx

ModCloth presents "Uniquely You"

Happy Thursday! It's been a quick minute since I've posted last, but between midterms and making up the ten million snow days (I'm not complaining), it's been a busy few weeks. Now that we're back in the swing of things (not to mention another school vacation coming up soon - yay!), I thought I'd share with you some exciting new developments over here in the Valley!

A few weeks ago, I was approached by ModCloth to participate in the Uniquely You campaign, where bloggers like me put together some seriously stylish Polyvore creations featuring the best picks from ModCloth.com. If you're not familiar with ModCloth, they are a giant e-retailer offering the most adorable retro and vintage pieces at really amazing prices (remember that adorable mug in my snow day post?). This week's set features the Evening of Extravagance dress ($160, available in sizes XS to 4X), a black and beige lace confection perfect for a glamorous evening out. When I saw the dress, I automatically pictured a crimson-lipped crooner at some swanky French lounge; hence, I present "La Chanteuse."

Have you shopped with ModCloth before? What are some of your favorite pieces on the site? Leave comments, and I promise lots of more exciting news and posts coming up soon! Xx

Sunday Shopping: 50% off at SpaceNK

Happy Sunday! If you're like me, Sundays are for lazing on the couch and doing some online shopping. I've recently become a big fan of SpaceNK, a website offering luxury beauty products (it's a great place to find Oribe hair products; more on that line in a future post!), and lucky for us, they are currently running an amazing 50% off sale. Take a look at some of my picks from the sale below, and click on any of the images to start shopping!

Have you done any online shopping lately? Did you score any awesome deals? If you find anything you like at SpaceNK, let me know in the comments below! Xx

Hey hey, snow day!

It. Is. Cold. I'm talking 10 degrees, feeling like -4. The northeast coast of the United States is absolutely frigid, and Michigan is no exception. Remember this scene from "The Day After Tomorrow" when the helicopters freeze instantly?

Okay, okay, it's not that serious, but even after countless winters and horrible snowstorms year after year, we Michiganders are spoiled babies! Lucky for me, teaching is one profession where inclement weather calls for a day off. I'm talking snow days, baby! I think the only people who get more excited for snow days than students are teachers (although my inner panic at rearranging next week's lesson schedule is slowly creeping in). If you were fortunate enough to stay home today, staying warm and cozy is of utmost importance.

Did you stay indoors today, or were you brave enough to venture out in the cold, cold weather? I know I'll be doing a little snow dance for another day off on Monday! Xx