PRODUCT REVIEW: Goody Quickstyle WaterWicking Comb

Photo Credit: Goody.com, DalyBeauty.ca

I have walked past this Goody comb in Walgreens easily 100 times in the last month and wanted to know if it was worth looking at further (considering it was $8 I couldn't quite talk myself into it). After reading about it in InStyle or Lucky a while back, and some goofy looking brush they also put out with little towel bits worked into it (seriously, that looks like a mold magnet), and finally spotting a few reviews online, like this one on Daly Beauty, I decided that I wanted to try it. And of course by that point, the damn thing is nowhere to be found. Ame, you need to get in on the ground floor.

PRODUCT REVIEW: TARTE SmolderEYES Waterproof Clay Eye Liner & TARTE EmphasEYES Waterproof Clay Eyeliner

While at ULTA picking up something I actually was out of and did "need", I checked these out and ended up buying one of each in Bronze. The color was nice for each though they are slightly different in tone, one is slightly warmer than the other.

PRODUCT REVIEW/COMPARISON: Smashbox Waterproof Shadowliner Pencils

As you probably read in my original reviews, way back when, I am a lover of the Smashbox Waterproof Shadowliner. Well, I love the real stuff, not these new imposters in pencil form.

In this image below, See: IMPOSTER!

IMPOSTER!

PRODUCT REVIEW: It Cosmetics Vitality Cheek Stain in Pretty in Peony

After reading a few reviews on this around the internet, and seeing a few QVC presentations on it, I finally bit the bullet and picked it up in "Pretty in Peony" because it looked close to my Nars TORRID blush, slightly brighter maybe. And my assessment was really close.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Kat Von D LOCK IT Concealer

Another day, another concealer. On a recent trip to Sephora, I decided to give this stuff a go. I went with shade #18, in a range of quite a few shades ranging from very pale to fairly dark, I give her props for the range on this product.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer

Photo Credit: Tartecosmetics.com

I have waffled on trying this stuff out, and didn't end up buying it, opting instead for a little sample jar of it after playing with it in the Ulta store.  I got the sample in the LIGHT, which is fairly pinkish in the jar and on my hand, but when I put it under my eyes looks way less pink, and really I could've probably use fair or light easily, but for the whole shade range it is not a big range at all.  Just 5 shades, and I suppose it would be easy to get a decent working shade with, though darker skinned women are going to really have a hard time tonally.

PRODUCT REVIEW: "Eye Fidelity" Waterproof Mascara by Kardashian KHROMA BEAUTY

Photo credit: Instyle.com

Like some kind of lemming...or idiot...or sucker...or krazed mega fan, I lapped the KhromaBeauty display in the Ulta nearest my home about maybe 4 times before grabbing the waterproof "Eye Fidelity" mascara the other day. I figured it was worth a shot considering they know lashes, right?

PRODUCT REVIEW: Nars Blush, Torrid

I have always known NARS to make a nice blush. I have owned a few and returned a few, just bec I didn't love the color. Lately I'd been using a Cover Girl blush in a shimmery bright coral/peach, and I liked it, but I wanted a bigger pan for my brush to go over so I didn't have issues with stripes on my face. NARS was my first pick besides CARGO but CARGO didn't have a shade in stock I wanted.  I love the shade of Orgasm, but it's such a gold glitter bomb that I took it back. I was about to go with Deep Throat, a similar shade which is far less of a glitter bomb, til I saw Torrid. It's a deeper peach with gold shimmer and it's gorgeous on vs the more rosey shade of Deep Throat.  NARS blushes have pretty intense pigment and color payoff, so it's very important to not load the brush up.

I have used it every day for at least two months now, and I am in love. And you can barely tell I've used it. Fantastic color, fantastic blendability, and super soft on the skin. 

NARS is sold at Sephora and Nordstrom, and quite a few other locations. I got mine at Nordstrom for $28.00.

Photo Credit: Narscosmetics.com

PRODUCT REVIEW: Giorgio Armani MAESTRO "Fusion Makeup" and Concealer

Ah the great Armani Maestro savior...It's been hyped for months now all over the internet, all over the blogs and magazines. But I fail to see WHY.  I am really trying to figure out if what these other bloggers reviewed is what is for sale and available to the masses. I didn't get a "press sample" (nor have I ever!) and I am seriously convinced that the press samples they send out are nothing like what actually goes on sale. Because otherwise I would have encountered some kind of miracle water in the Nordstrom Galleria over the weekend and instead I got samples of this shit.

BRILLIANT. Dolly Curls using a sock!

I was reading the Glamour blog (the magazine's site has a blog for the beauty dept!) today and they were talking about styles using trouser socks. Yes. Socks. Preferably clean.

I clicked one of the links that looked kind of interesting and now I am going to have to try this, though my hair isn't quite as long...BRILLIANT.

Here's one of the clearest tutorials I found:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXsCxRjPFw4

PRODUCT REVIEW: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics "OCC Skin: Conceal"

After reading about this line of Vegan cosmetics around the net called Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC), I was pretty excited to finally suck it up and try it.  I was most interested in what was supposedly their amazing concealer, and based on the fact that the Skin Tint supposedly was quite pigment rich, I was excited to try that also.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Skin Tint

After reading about this line of Vegan cosmetics around the net called Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC), I was pretty excited to finally suck it up and try it.  I was most interested in what was supposedly their amazing concealer, and based on the fact that the Skin Tint supposedly was quite pigment rich, I was excited to try that also.

PRODUCT REVIEW-LET: Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara

I was looking for a non-waterproof option for weekends that would be there but not waterproof for days I don't want to mess with serious makeup.  From the first use, the non-waterproof was extremely wet. Like, destroyed curl wet. So I let that sit now for a couple weeks and it's a lot better.  However, it's something I fear will not last me much longer, esp since I only use it on a day a weekend or something.  

I also picked up the waterproof option, which again, was also quite wet. I gave that another two days, and it made a significant difference. It was great for a whole week, every day. However...after that first week...it was dried out to the point nothing would come out on the brush but a clump or two. So either there's VERY little in there, or that tube is not airtight...I can usually got 4 months unless I am piling it on before I need to toss a mascara.  

The brushes are both very nice, large, and very plush. They left my lashes looking awesome, no clumping, and the carbon black was a great shade of rich black. It was VERY waterproof, in a good way. I didn't worry about rubbing my eyes either. It stayed.

However..for $7 or whatever I paid for each one...the waterproof can not be worthless that quickly. I had to toss it a week later and that's not going to fly with me!

This is available at drugstores.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser

Photo Credit: Sukiskincare.com

After seeing this brand at a few higher end shops, Whole Paycheck, and at a couple apothecaries in various cities, I did a little poking around. The line is natural and in most cases organic where possible, using little to no synthetic ingredients.  From what I gathered, this Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser was the "prize" in the selection of products. It's quite a range, and I might have to check a few more out. Esp that 10% Vitamin C serum. This getting older nonsense needs to be kaiboshed.

PRODUCT REVIEW: La Mer Cleansing Gel

Photo Credit: cremedelamer.com

I have been using the La Mer Cleansing Gel in alternation with SIMPLE moisturizing gel cleanser from the drugstore (well, Target), off and on now for about a year. With and without a washcloth or the Alien Laser Deathray Gun, aka Clarisonic (yes, that's maybe back around...)  It smells nice, and does not require very much to make a nice froth.  It's exceptionally foamy on the Clarisonic. I might use about a half of a pea size dab.  I got a few travel size bottles when I bought the La Mer special event set last year at Anniversary. That to me was the prize winner of everything I got. I have made a travel size last almost a year before repurchasing a fullsize, using gift cards.  It's a pretty nicely sized bottle, as it should be for sixty-five-fucking-dollars. It has a pump that locks, which I love.

It's time for a serious purge around here!

I am in the process of a serious house cleaning. I have let things pile up for years, and finally I've had enough. We bought a new sofa last weekend that we deliberately asked to be delivered on August 31st...but that is only because there's NO WAY it would get in our house if we didn't give ourselves a huge window.  Last year we had some plumbing work replaced (just old, needed it and wanted to prevent a future issue!) and I had the plumber go through my office wall, which backs up to the bathroom. Because of that, I had to clean out my entire supply closet (invitation and design supplies) literally with 4 hours to do so. I wasn't smart enough (nor did I give myself the time) to sort it before I moved it out, I just piled it up. And then it sat in my living room, dining room and other side of my office til now.  A little over a year later.  I finally decided to do this now in prep for the couch.

I could not even believe how much  I had. I mean, this is like almost a decade of past work overage, none of which was returnable so instead of recycling it I just held onto it in the event I could use it later. Well...later came and went. And never did I find a job that it could work for.  So now I am finally in the process of sorting it to do something with it.  I spent all day yesterday, after doing all the moving I could into the living room from other rooms to contain it at least to ONE room. I sorted all day into the evening. I finally have it relegated to 10 paper boxes. Ribbon. Envelopes. Cardstock. Cover stock. Pocketfolds. And so on.  I also managed to keep an enormous amount of the printed material for past work, I guess in the event I wanted more for my book? I make 5 extra for myself on every job, 4 for the folder, one for my book. Sometimes Ill put 2 in the book, or give one to the reception hall and wedding planners that refer me sometimes, which each have books of my past work (which reminds me...I need to update those...). But they run me about 10-20% overage just in case there's a screwup cut in the bunch or there's some kind of issue, like I mistake the measuring on mounting and have to pull two apart and ruin both...stuff like that.  So I'd say I tossed at least two full boxes in the recycling container too. I felt like I made a TON of progress. 

Today I spent some time sorting my magazines, yet another alarming collection of mine, though I do keep a good track of editing that, I try to never keep more than a year of any fashion mag, and I keep only the best wedding magazines, mostly Martha Stewart and higher end stuff. But that's still staggering.  Lesson I learned today: lift with your legs. Friendly PSA for the masses...

PRODUCT REVIEW: Clarisonic Mia2

Nordstrom Anniversary is in full swing (I know, I know...I did not do a full post of all the stuff I wanted this year, mostly bec I didn't want that much this year! I am on a clothing ban!)  and one of the few items I wanted to get was a new Mia2. I have the Mia (Alien Laser Deathray Gun) and used it a few times a week off and on, but was hoping maybe if I had another speed that I would get more out of it besides zits. 

UNREAL Candy...REALLY stupid name, pretty good concept

A few weeks back I was milling around CVS and saw a display for candy that was "Unjunked", containing no artificials, no hydrogenateds, no corn syrups, no reservatives and no GMOs.  They are sweetened with agave and cane sugar and there appears to be a MUCH lower carb count in each one.  A version of things like M&Ms (regular and peanut), Reese's PB Cups, Milky Way and Snickers.  Being the sugar addicted fatass that I am, I obviously stocked up.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Case-Mate Vibe for iPhone

Photo credit: Case-Mate.com, Gadgetsin.com

About a month ago my quest for a new iPhone case brought me to the new Case-Mate Vibe. I had read about it online somewhere and it looked interesting bec the silicone part has some kind of curvature to allow the speaker output to amplify itself.  It bends the sound, if you will, so that it's louder.  I thought it might be cool to try out bec maybe Ill be able to hear the ringing better when it's inside the abyss of my bag.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Burberry Sheer Concealer pen

Photo credit: Gorgeous Skin Blog

I read a review on CafeMakeup last week about this stuff and another one on Gorgeous Skin...and while it seemed many liked this product, other reviews were not totally favorable, or outright saying it's awful and worthless, but like any sucker chasing a dream, I decided to give it a whirl, I was using a Nordstrom gift card, what did I have to lose? Exactly, nothing.  Besides my dignity, apparently.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Philip B. Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo

I have been DYING to try this stuff since I read a review of it in Lucky from Jean Godfrey-June. I am almost always hesitant with new shampoos and conditioners since my hair is bright copper, and introducing anything new can upset the fragile ecosystem I have going on. Everything I'd read indicated it should be safe for color, and for the most part it tends to be, though I don't use it on fresh color or freshly Ted-Gibson'd hair.  This would not be a budget-friendly buy, definitely a luxurious splurge.

PRODUCT REVIEW: SKII Facial Treatment Essence

Photo Credit: Bloomingdales.com

While in Chicago last week, I stopped in Saks to poke around as we were killing serious time waiting for a table at Giordano's. After lapping the Chloe Marcie bag I love for the 4th time, I wandered towards cosmetics to see which lines they had.  Inside I found an SKII counter, containing a product I have longed to try, but was too cheap to otherwise drop the cash on.   It made my hand and face feel like silk. Soft like I've never experienced.  SOLD!  I know that Cate Blanchett is a face for them, and loves this stuff, so any opportunity to throw some cash down to look even a little like that...hell yea! 

PRODUCT REVIEW: Tweezerman ProCurl Eyelash Curler

I was needing some replacement pads and or a replacement lash curler, to replace my slightly wobbly one.  Presently, I have an old Shu Uemura that I haven't used in about 4 years probably now, and currently have been using a Shiseido that has since been changed in the last probably 2 years, as I went to get more pads and saw that it was a new shape on the curler--much flatter now.  So I decided that before I reorder a new Shu, since you can't even get that at Sephora anymore and have to buy from the Shu website, I started looking around for a new one. I have a few Tweezerman implements, namely a lash comb (metal pointy things, hooray!) and tweezers, among others, that it might be worth checking out their curler.  As I was buying things on Nordstrom's site with giftcards already (cough BURBERRY CONCEALER!) I decided to toss this into the mix.

PRODUCT REVIEW/COMPARE: Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer VS Loreal Magic Lumi Concealer

I am a glutton for punishment. Seriously.  Short answer: IF I had to choose one, Maybelline. But they both mostly blow chunks.

Loreal: Super sheer. I get irrationally angry reading the word concealer on this thing. The damn thing doesn't cover anything. It's seriously see through completely.

Maybelline: Less sheer, but at least has a little something going on in the pigment department. Where this one beats Loreal, and not by a lot, there is some kind of shimmery business in it. That actually does make a difference, hence why I plaster my whole eye area in ten pounds of champagne shimmer eyeshadow.  In photos it seems decent when compared to the Loreal, but not by a lot.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Malin+Goetz SPF15 Moisturizer

While in Chicago last week, I stopped in Barneys for one of the less awkward Oak Street shopping experiences I had. At least there they took advantage of my desire to buy things I cannot readily acquire at home, and yknow, acknowledged my existence.  I really liked Andrew, with Malin+Goetz, who is a registered esthetician.  That to me is kind of a big deal, because they're at least trained to understand skin.  By someone not a brand, in theory.  Of the two skincare items I picked up in Chicago, this so far is a definite winner for me, which I hope continues. 

PRODUCT REVIEW: Maybelline VolumeExpress MEGAPLUSH Mascara (waterproof)

A few weeks ago I picked up a tube of this MegaPlush mascara because I can't seem to track down the Full n Soft WP anymore, without buying online, so I am sad that it's appearing to be phased out or discontinued.  Nothing even comes close so that's a shame.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Tom Ford Illuminating Highlight Pen

The Tom Ford Illuminating Highlight Pen, masquerading as a concealer, is another of the items I got while in Chicago, and another "concealer" that needs to not be marketed as such.  I should note that I accidently typed suck instead of such.  It's appropriate.

PRODUCT REVIEW: By Terry Touche Veloutee Concealer

This might be a record for me to actually DO the review within a week of the purchase...

While on a weekend in Chicago, I was on a mission to obtain and test out a few new products, especially concealers, as I think you are aware by now I have a fixation on.  I know that's a bigger shopping market with significantly better and bigger selections of products to choose from. And I was correct.  One of my first stops was at the Barneys on Oak at Rush, where I knew they sold Kevyn Aucoin, By Terry, and Malin+Goetz.  I have a review on a Malin+Goetz product coming soon, I am trying to get a little more use from it before I decide one way or another--though so far good.

REVIEWS TO COME...Plus a "note" to all salespeople

I just had a (poorly timed, what with Nordstrom Anniversary this week!) huge haul in Chicago over the weekend. So Ill be busting out a few reviews here shortly after I try everything I got!

A few include PhilipB Russian Amber shampoo (jesus H this stuff is ridiculously priced!), ByTerry concealer pen, Tom Ford concealer pen, and a couple Davines products. I just got home and haven't touched anythign yet. So HOPEFULLY they are all winners.

I will say this...attention all salespeople:  I might not be the richest or the poorest, I know I am not thin by any means, and Saturday I woke up to deal with more phone drama, so I wasn't exactly styled for shopping...but just bec I look like a slob doesn't mean I cannot throw down. So don't be a wench to me if you want to make rent this month.

Holy. Damn. These. Are. HEAVEN.

So a while back, I was bored at work as usual and looking on Etsy for candy treats, leather goods and another iPhone case I cannot possibly need. And thankfully, or not, the shop I get those cases at is "closed" for school season. That helped my wallet. Sorta.

I came across a shop called "HaveItConfections" when searching for salted caramel, something I got addicted to when designing packaging for Bissingers Chocolates. They had a product called Margarita Salted Caramels which I can honestly down a pound of in one sitting (hence the fatness...). I still occasionally stop by a store here and pick a few up. Damn they're good. Anyway...back to the point.

My "I don't have them" birthday is coming up (or has it passed? That's as much a mystery as how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop) and my lovely and amazing friends B, J and Z (Z always somehow ends up as the AND...) remembered that I had sent a link to this shop a while back.

Today I go open the mailbox to get the stack of bills and junk mail I expect, and instead, there's a lovely box with Have It Sweet printed on it. I tear it open, and nearly lose a finger doing so (im not allowed knives for a reason). Inside is a lovely handwritten note with "A Gift for You, Enjoy :)" on it. Inside the box is a mound of caramel lollipops, and Caramel Fleur De Sel bites individially wrapped.  Of which I might or might not have eaten a few. Or more than a few. What is a few anyway....???  These  things are HEAVEN. They are the perfect consistency, meaning they have great chew but won't pull my crowns out, and melt in your mouth. The buttery flavor...holy cow. SO GOOD.  I may or may not be ordering more this week.

So to the girls: THANK YOU!!  I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!  YAY October!!!!

And second of all, THANK YOU to the lovely folks at Have It Sweet (Vincent and Bethany!) for this awesome gift and surprise.



I seriously think I have a problem on the horizon.  Oh who am I kidding. I have and will always have problems.

Oohh!!! It's HERE!!! Linea Pelle Dylan Medium Tote in Scotch is Here!

It's Here....It's Here...IT'S HERE!!!!

Photo Credit: Lineapelle.com

I got the new bag today! It looks and smells divine, as expected. I just wanna stick my head in it and inhale. I giggle at this side by side because the new bag is how the old bag USED to look! That's 3 solid years of almost daily use and travelling and general abuse!  I got this new one to have a crossbody option, which is a big thing for me lately with my former bag being stolen, and with someone having reached into the current bag (on left) to steal my phone. I like the option of wearing it across me when I shop. I do hope I can get by using the strap on the old bag occasionally too. But I plan to alternate.  

PRODUCT REVIEW: Bobbi Brown Corrector and Creamy Concealer

Photo Credit: Bobbibrowncosmetics.com and Macys.com

As you probably know from reading this blog, I am a bit of a stickler with concealers. If I am forced to layer, I am not paying for department store products. I also expect concealer to be  completely opaque. I'd rather have it look dry and heavy under there and actually cover entirely, than have it be not totally opaque and look "creamy". What's the point if it doesn't totally conceal? If I have to layer or build coverage, it's simply not acceptable, and frankly, should not be allowed to be called concealer and maybe "minimizer" or something.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Ojon Damage Reverse™ Restorative Hair Treatment

Photo Credit: QVC.com

I have dilly dallied in using this stuff, mostly because it absolutely stinks to high heaven. To say it stinks is a gigantic understatement.  It's some kind of disgusting cigarette stink smell that I can't seem to describe any better than that. It is probably the single "stinkiest" product I've ever tried out.  

I LOVE Japanese Office Supplies....

I just love Japanese...stuff.  I think I really need to go there, and buy some of the little gadgets and gizmos available readily there, like the chip-picker-upper I saw Karl Pilkington use on Idiot Abroad. I like to not have chip dust on my fingers.  Though then I'd have to "lick" a chip-picker-upper clean instead of my hands...Hm. I might need to rethink this...

Anyway...I was on a "mission" for a semi-flat but multi-zip-compartment makeup bag solution so that when I get my Dylan Medium Tote later this month, I didn't have the apparently 5 different pouches floating around in there, or really in this one either. How did I get 5...I can handle the Splenda one...but I don't need my walking Walgreens to take up 5 pouches!!!

Someone on the Purse Forum had mentioned JetPens.com having great pencil cases, and linked me to the below case, which I hadn't even thought of...pencil bags.  I ended up finding the perfect one, and in a totally great bright green.

Here's the winning case:
http://www.jetpens.com/Nomadic-PE-09-Flap-Type-Pencil-Case-Light-Green/pd/7583

It got here Saturday, with super fast and free shipping, since I spent $25 on stuffs.

Besides that case, I was poking around in the Japanese office and craft supplies, and found a bunch of those whiteout pens that are the dry tape ribbons, in a few widths, my favorite was the 2.5mm width, PERFECT for checkbooks.  These are seriously the perfect width. I got a few, and kinda wish I'd have gotten 10 more. I also got a few nice finer point ballpoint pens.

My favorite part of all these things is the packaging. For example, the hangcard on the bag has diagrams in Japanese to show you what is supposed to go where!  Love.  A few other things I wanted were sold out, so I put in a wait list request. One of which is a multi-size corner-rounding punch tool...I might get several for invite work!

Check it out, it's a cool site, and you might find some really neat stuff that is otherwise unavailable here in the states.

Here's a funny little diagram telling you where to put all the stuff in the pouch....

And here's all my crap. This is just from the FRONT SECTION of my bag....that's insane!  I did pare a LOT of this down. A lot. So other than my splenda dispenser and mints I believe everything is in the new green pouch.

Saw the most amazing thing ever today...CHILLS!

The STL people will know the landmarks...

I was driving to pick up cupcakes at Jilly's for my friend's baby shower, and as I am driving up 270, every overpass from 55 to 40 (didnt go beyond 40 til 170) had firetrucks, police cars and ambulii with lights and sirens on, and huge American flags hanging from their ladder lifts. I kept saying to myself  what the hell is going on??? The President would not be on 270 if he was in town, besides it being totally closed when he's here anyway... But as I progressed up towards Big Bend and Dougherty Ferry, all along the sides of south bound, on the side of the highway and off ramps and some along on ramps on north bound, people of all ages and a lot of older men in uniform, saluting in the pouring down rain for the military funeral procession led by 5 hwy patrol cars in a staggered formation, then a million motorcycles all with flags on them, then the hearse, and there were two semis in the far left and two in the far left lanes south bound with flags on the sides of the trailers back by the hearse. 

I actually cried the ugly sobbing cry in my car as I passed it. I think everyone on 40 probably thought I was a crazy sobbing person...but wow. I wish I had taken pics or video. My mother in law had told us about it a few months ago when she was in town, and I have never seen it before but I know it's "commonish" here, as we have J.B. national cemetery and any time word gets around about a fallen soldier, the motorcycle community makes it happen as does the law enforcement sector. 

I love it. I wish EVERY returning soldier got it, even if they were alive, they wouldn't obviously be in a hearse. It actually pisses me off that they don't get a great return home.

Either way...I am STILL getting verklempt and that was at like 1130am.

Two Great New Travel Wallet options...

I get asked a lot about my travel wallet, and especially lately since the Tumi I use isn't available anymore other than maybe on Ebay. I am always on the prowl for new ones, despite yknow, not really NEEDING one.

So I was thrilled to spot a couple on Nordstrom.com today:

This one by Cole Haan has a pretty awesome layout and might actually be the best one I've seen as far as interior sectioning. I LOVE having the option for cards on both sides, esp since I usually cram tons on the slot behind my ID, and I like that the zipper goes up, not down like the Tumi....Dear, divert your eyes. I won't buy it. I promise. Despite loving the orange option!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/cole-haan-village-travel-zip-around-clutch-wallet/3240870?origin=category

This one by Halogen, a Nordstrom Store brand, comes in 5 colors and has a pretty neat layout, I like the option of the slots on both sides. I personally love this navy. 

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/halogen-zip-around-patent-leather-travel-wallet/3275742?origin=category

If you pick either of them up, I'd love to hear what you think! 

photos from Nordstrom.com

Woohoo! The Dylan Medium Totes for Spring are Here!

My favorite handbag brand of all (besides I guess, Hermes, which ...not in my lifetime!) is Linea Pelle. I have been carrying the Dylan Zip Tote for several years, and have it in a couple colors, Scotch (the perfect camel/tan) and Iron (another amazing gray), and am a huge fan of their leather and the Dylan design. It's not loaded with logos, it's not flashy. It's casual and looks handmade, but the big win and the reason I love this brand---THE LEATHER.  I have owned many a bag, and I really only buy leather bags. This is the best leather I think I have ever encountered, and it's spoiled me for every other brand. No one has leather this amazing.   It's thick, it's buttery, it's unprocessed, and it's fabulous.

MINIREVIEW: Edward Bess Platinum Concealer

Photo Credit: Sephora.com

I saw a few bloggers (specifically Best Things in Beauty and Cafe Makeup) discussing Edward Bess cosmetics, both of which either reviewed the concealer individually or the line in general. Both compared the concealer to Cle de Peau, and said it was better than the CdP, which frankly, water is better than.  So on a tear last week, I decided to pick up an Edward Bess at Sephora.com, and try it out. I got it the day I came down with a pretty gnarly case of whooping cough, something I was not aware was back around. Hello 1840? I have your sickness, you can have it back now.  I'm especially surprised that since I had just gotten my booster in November, I still got it.  But my doctor and pharmacist both say that it's due to the fact that many parents are more scared of their kid developing autism from vaccinations, than dying from some hellish illness, that whooping cough came back in a big way. I won't go into why I think that's insane, but that's their choice.

iPhone 4S mini-review...4 months later.

Photo Credit: Forbes.com

I will not really mention the fact that I have had like NINE of them since October....but that's more an issue with something going on on my AT&T line and related to that theft, less so about the phone itself.

I really like it, now that I think the issue is being resolved.  It's relatively quick, and the camera is amazing. 8MP, and sharp. I usually just use the standard camera app, though I have been using Instagram to make those pics "cute".

My current products...March 2012

I've gotten a few emails about this so I thought I'd put up a list....

Follow the jump to get a full list! 

PRODUCT REVIEW: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum

As I think I have mentioned in the past, I am not one for serums because my face just seems to hate them. Most are heavy on the silicone-y ingredients and those are death to my skin. I don't love them in my hair either but they're less of a problem there.

Photo credit: Nordstrom.com

PRODUCT REVIEW: Kate Walsh Boyfriend Eau De Perfume/Rollerball

Photo credit: Kate Walsh's site, and a few other locales on the web

I am not typically a perfume kinda girl. I generally wear nothing, and if I do it's either Kiehls Original Musk or Creative Scentualization's Perfect Veil or some variant of "Clean". But someone walked by me as I was leaving Nordstrom a while back and she smelled like heaven on a chocolate croissant, so I asked what she was wearing and she said "Boyfriend, by that chick from Greys". So I immediately googled "Boyfriend Greys" on my phone and bam up it came. She said something about a new variant coming out but that she hadn't seen it.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Olloclip Quick Connect Lens for iPhone 4/4s

Photo Credit: Olloclip.com

I got the Olloclip today via FedEx. It was my “we’re sorry you had so much drama with this iPhone 4s situation” offering from Apple, for which I am immensely appreciative... That whole thing is a different story for a different day.   Follow the jump for the review and more pics!