Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake

All photos via We Heart It

You know you want a cupcake now.

XO

...random thoughts for Monday.

I'm going through rounds of job interviews, but still haven't landed my "big girl" job.  This has its perks, you know.  Ladies like myself get to lay out by the pool, immersed in the latest issue of InStyle.

In the mag, I found the cutest thing in the "Deals & Steals" section...

Tili Reusable Zip & Seal Bags

via

via

Tili has created practical, functional zip & seal reusable bags that look fabulous! A zip & seal bag that adds color, design, fun and a little privacy to any purse, knapsack, gym bag, outfit or for that matter any closet or drawer. 

I have found that using ziploc baggies is the easiest way to stay organized when packing for a trip.  How precious are these baggies!  

The bags come in packs of 12.  You can choose either the gallon-size ($8.49) or the quart-size ($7.49).

www.tilibags.com

***

Did you know that you shouldn't wear the same bra two days in a row? According to InStyle, professionals advise this because the bra's elastic needs time to recuperate in order to maintain its stretch.

***

Hello, I just realized we have a Lululemon in Charleston! 

I can finally found out what the fuss is all about!

I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing...

...I really don't need to fall in love with a $90 pair of workout pants. 

***

So, the Bachelorette premieres tonight!

This gives me a thrill to think about, as I'm such a Bachelor/Bachelorette sucker.

When I googled "The Bachelorette," this video popped up.  It doesn't really give anything away at all, just mainly a little teaser!  It made me even MORE excited for the show tonight!

***

Speaking of bachelorettes, did y'all hear that Brad returned Emily's engagement ring to NBC?

According to a close source (as reported by US Weekly), Emily wanted her life back.  Oh, and Brad keeps drunk-dialing her still.  I LOVED them together, but I knew from the "After the Rose" show that it wouldn't last.  Emily changed from a sweet little angel to Miss Sassypants.  

But, that's just my two cents.

***

Happy Monday!

XO

PS. WHY is the person that lives above me running around like a crazy person? WHY?  Oh, the joys of living in a first-floor condo.  Move out day is next weekend.  Hallelujah!

 PPS. Don't you hate when this happens to you?  

Ugh! Now I have to cut them all! 

PPPS.  Look at the view Brandon and I had on our beach stroll last night:

...taken on my droid. Oh, I wish I had a nice, fancy camera! Once again, this does not do the view justice! 

...toodles!

Sunny Saturday

Well, silly me somehow downloaded malware on my new MacBook Pro last night.  

I clicked on a secure website, but instead of what I expected to appear, it was a site that said, "Your computer has 1239 threats!!! Download MacBook Defender."  

I clicked out of it, but then noticed that MacBook Defender/Protector/Whatever it's called was appearing down in my navigation bar.  It was still prompting me to download it.

So what did I do?

Oh, you know.. I downloaded it.

Bad idea! 

It was malware.

So today, Brandon and I went downtown to have this all cleaned up.  

Thank goodness for the genius bar.

While we were down there, we went shopping of course! 

I built up my wish-list with these items...

1. Pandora Bracelet

I love the double leather bracelet! 

2.  Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Bamboo Beige

I forgot how much I LOVE this foundation until I tried it on again today in Blue Mercury! 

3.  Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Peach Mosaic

Such a pretty highlight color!

4.  Bobbi Brown Lip Crayon in Coral Pink

It's so pigmented & the most gorgeous everyday summer color.

  

...but, I did have an impulse purchase.

Kate Spade Evangeline Gold Coast Shimmer Handbag

The straps can be doubled up like this:

...or you can pull on the strap to wear it like this:

Oh come on, you know you like my bedroom slippers!

I love the quote on the dust bag!

I think I need that coral lip crayon now.

Happy Saturday, beauties.

XO

Riding Bikes, Bridesmaids, and Pictures from the Charities!

Last night, Brandon and I took our bikes downtown & rode them to dinner, then on a long stroll afterwards! We had such a great time riding around town.  There's definitely something to be said for walking/biking through downtown, as opposed to driving.  

We noticed so many more unique homes that we've never seen before. We had driven passed them countless times before, but never took the time to really notice.  

After dinner, we had the most gorgeous sunset. My Droid pic does NOT do justice at all, but you can imagine ;)

& my OOTD, much appropriate for riding bikes:

I purchased the Echo scarf from Century 21 in NYC!  The jorts are super old -American Eagle, I think.  White shirt is from Banana Republic.  Sandals from Target last summer!

Oh, we also saw Bridesmaids the other night!

This movie was hilarious, but bordering on a little too vulgar for my taste (at times!).  Let's just say, it's not a movie you'd really want to watch with your mother, but definitely with your girlfriends!

Parts of this movie had me cringing, other times I was laughing out loud, and in other scenes, I was "aww-ing."

I probably will never watch it again, it's just not the kind of movie I could watch over & over, but I am definitely glad we saw it! It's worth a trip to the theater.



...and, some pictures from The Charities Golf Tournament at Fripp Island last weekend:

silly picture -we used the timer -the camera was sitting on the golf cart!

It rained on Saturday! We sought shelter under the golf cart.  By the way, that's Brandon's long time best friend from high school, Jonathan.  They also lived together during their first two years of college.  Sitting on his lap is his girlfriend, Kayla. 

I hung out at the daiquiri hole and waited for Brandon to play through.  Here, he had just finished hole #11.

The deer will eat right out of your hands.  We had about eight around us at one time.

Happy Wednesday, loves!
XO

Tarte Cosmetics: Haul, Review, and a Great Coupon Code!

While I shopped in ...oh, five different Sephoras in NYC, I found some new products that I LOVE!

I had never tried any Tarte Cosmetics products, other than just "dilly-dallying" around at their section in ULTA.  A Tarte representative was in the SoHo Sephora and introduced me to three new products.  

#1: Tarte Dark Circle Defense (concealer)

Ulta explains the product well by saying, 

Get your eight hours of sleep in a compact! Unlike concealers that just lay on top of the skin, tarte's undereye corrector is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of eye puffiness by 56% in just 6 weeks while finely milled, light-refracting minerals actually brighten the skin to help camouflage dark circles, puffiness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles instantly. A concealer brush is included for touch-ups on the go. Can also be used on eyelids to even skin tone and as an eyeshadow base.

Basically, this product has awesome natural ingredients that do wonders for the under eye area.

Honey Extract: helps reduce inflammation and aids in tissue healing

Soybean Extract: plant-derived emollient rich in protein and vitamins A & E

Vitamin E: acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient and protects against free-radical damage

Water: delivers and retains moisture

Mineral pigments: known to soothe and soften the skin               

My opinion:  This concealer is amazing! It has wonderful coverage and isn't drying in the least bit.  I have tried dozens of high-end concealers and this is my new favorite.  It is very similar to Benefit Bo-ing in pigmentation and staying power, but it is far more creamy.  A little bit of this goes a LONG way, so you don't need much.  Also, it comes with a little brush.   I usually throw those freebies away, but this one is actually pretty good! I've been using it over my high-end concealer brush. 

.07 oz of this stuff will cost you $32, but I know that this product will last me a long time.

I'm in the shade, "Fair-Light" which is pretty light, but I prefer that since I like for my under-eyes to be lighter/brighter than the rest of my skin. 

#2: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush

via

According to Sephora,

Infused with natural clay harvested from the banks of the Amazon River and naturally baked by the sun, this nutrient-rich blush benefits all skin types for a fade-free flawless finish for an amazing 12 hours. Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep product in place. Those with dry skin will benefit from the clay's nourishing and hydrating properties, which naturally restore skin's moisture. Combination skin types can rely on its ability to zero in on skin concerns and deliver benefits to restore complexion harmony. 

I purchased both colors you see above, Amused (bright pink) and Tipsy (coral). 

My opinion:  Move over Nars! These blushes have true staying power.  They are incredibly pigmented.  I will probably never make it through an entire pan of this blush, honestly.  So, you definitely need to use a light hand in applying.  I don't know if they last for 12-hours, because that would truly be a miracle, but the color will last you through the day.  What I love most about this product is that the blush stays exactly where you put it.  Most other blushes that I use end up blended all over my cheeks, thanks to my oily skin. 

I LOVE IT! 

.2 oz for $26

#3: Tarte Smooth Operator Micronized Clay Finishing Powder

Sephora says that this product is a colorless, mattifying, pore minimizing, and replenishing Amazonian clay finishing powder that is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of pores by 20% after 4 weeks.

SOLD!  I'm like a magnet to anything that claims to reduce pore size.

I've only sampled this stuff (full size is in the mail!), but it applies just like the Makeup Forever HD powder.  It's white & translucent, so it will work for any skin tone.  

When I wore it, it definitely kept my oily skin at bay.  

.32oz for $28

***

Ok, now for an awesome coupon!  

If you enter LUCKYBREAKS1 in the promo code box on the Tarte website, you'll receive 30% off!  It is hard to find an awesome coupon like that for prestige cosmetics.  I think this deal expires on May 30th.


...and they have free shipping after you spend $40!

http://tartecosmetics.com/

That makes the concealer around $22, the blush around $17, and the powder around $19.  

Happy Shopping!

XO