Test Driven ::: Dolce & Gabbana Cosmetics

All images by {accordingtoame}

A few months back, the Dolce & Gabbana cosmetics line (finally) hit Nordstrom.com. Having lusted after the products since reading about them in several magazines and having seen Scarlett Johanssen's beautiful ads grace the very same magazines for quite some time, I pounced.

Totally Obsessed ::: Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF47

Photos by {accordingtoame}, Review updated to include ingredients

Last Fall, I went to replenish my beloved Josie Maran moisturizer (previously called Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 40+ and previously blogged about here, here, here) to find it had been pulled from stock everywhere awaiting reformulation. 

I had a meltdown. Reformulations and I are not friends.

Test Driven ::: It! Cosmetics Tightliner 10-in-1 Dual-Ended Brush

All photos by {accordingtoame}

  
A while back, It! Cosmetics had a Friends and Family promotion code for 25% off on their site. I was hankering for yet another Heavenly Ball Brush, and another French Boutique Blush Brush (which I ended up going through QVC for to get another pressed cheek stain...)

While poking around on the site, in an effort to spend more money, I mean, find more products to check out, I happened upon a fascinating new eyeliner brush, the Tightliner 10-in-1 Dual-Ended Brush.  

Test Driven ::: BareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation

All photos by {accordingtoame}

I mentioned this product in last week's "Loving Right Now," having finally received it after I waited for what seemed like forever for my pre-ordered bottle and brush to arrive.  When it finally did, I immediately tore it opened, took photos, and then shook that bottle up really well and went at it.  My husband had never seen such glee over makeup.

Tech Time ::: Bodyguardz "Pure" Glass Screen Protector for iPhone

All photos by {accordingtoame}, except where noted.

After my review of Spigen's UltraCrystal Screen Protectors, which included commentary about how I hate glass protectors and don't recommend them, I got quite a few messages asking which I'd tried, and would I try any in the future if something new caught my eye. Among those messages, several folks asked why I never posted the reviews.  Honestly, I never did reviews on those because I was so aggravated, and I didn't take many photos of the products, that I didn't want to give the brands the free advertising on a product I found generally sucky.

Test Driven ::: John Frieda Color Refreshing Gloss

All photos by {accordingtoame}

A few weeks back, there were rumblings of a new John Frieda color product hitting shelves just after the new year. Naturally, when I saw that it was a color refreshing gloss, with not one, but two, shades for redheads included in the line, I was excited and intrigued.  I was able to get my hands on a bottle of "Warm Red" and put it to the test.

Must Have ::: Muji Acrylic Cases

All photos by {accordingtoame}

You may have seen me mention Muji in the past, I know I did in the post about the Great Closet Cleanout 2013. But if you're new around here, let it be well known that I am a huge Muji fan, despite not having a store in this city, and bought most of what I own from them via their website. Yay technology!

Tech Time ::: Easy-Macro

All photos by {accordingtoame} including my rings and diamond!

So I am a bit of a macro nerd, and after backing the new Easy Macro on Kickstarter, I actually own multiple "macro for smartphone options." This past few days, the weather was amazing (yay for 60 in January!), so I played with the Easy Macro while I was doing some photos for upcoming blog posts. 

Tech Time ::: Everdock Review

All photos by {accordingtoame}

One of the Kickstarter projects I got excited about this year (as did almost everyone else in the tech world), the EverDock, has finally made its way out to its backers. And boy was it worth the wait, and their ridiculously long hours cranking out the shipping packages under the wire.  

Must Have::: La Mer Cleansing Gel

Photo: Nordstrom.com

I mentioned in my DHC Cleansing Oil "Must Have" a while back that I am a devoted fan of La Mer's Cleansing Gel, and oh am I ever.  I have been using it regularly for a couple of years, and sporadically prior to that for a couple more years, alternating it with various other cleansers ranging from the good old Dove Sensitive Skin Bar, to the Simple Moisturizing Foaming Face Wash, to the newer Ultra Gentle Foaming wash by Neutrogena.  The price point was painful but when I finally devoted myself to it and worked out the cost-per-use ratio, it really was worth the investment.

Test Driven ::: Dior Diorific Vernis in Minuit

Photos by and for {accordingtoame} unless otherwise noted

A few weeks back I mentioned something about a dark oxblood nail that Elin Kling rocks, and how chic that was. I am not a nail person, though I wish I was because I'd look infinitely more together than I do on an average day, but this color, like Chanel Malice of last year's collections, really caught my eye and after seeing Sabrina's swatching on The Beauty Lookbook (if you don't read that blog, seriously, why not?!)

I was in the deepest throes of lust.

Tech Time ::: Fantastical2

Photo: Flexibits.com

A while back I recall stating that I didn't terribly mind the way Apple changed the Calendar app on iOS7. It did annoy me a little that I had to click the search function to see my list view, however, and I felt that was a strange functionality choice.  Now that a little time has passed, and I am trying to become more organized, those little quirks are really starting to make me look outside of the stock app and into something more, um, fantastic. 

Must Have ::: Beauty Blender

All photos by {accordingtoame}

I cannot even believe I haven't waxed poetic about these things yet. They are a staple I cannot spackle without. These little pink egg-shaped wonders are an absolute necessity for me to apply concealer and foundation, and without them blending is just not the same. 

Tech Time ::: Gadget Wipes

All photos by {accordingtoame}

A clean phone is a happy phone.  And a while back I wrote about my love for Zagg's wipes, which is what I would regularly use to keep my phone and my husband's iPad clean and disinfected. I still do use them.  However, a newer brand called Well-Kept came to my attention not long ago, and I decided to give them a try, and do a little comparison to see if, besides their super cute packaging, they were a better choice for me and my needs.

Tech Time ::: 1Password4 for Mac

Photos: Me, of my app and my desktop. Yea, sorry about your eyes.

Back in June, I posted about an iOS Password Management app that was pretty pleased with, but wasn't as enamored with the Mac desktop version of.  As a reader of their blog, and several other tech blogs, I knew that AgileBits was hard at work on a new version that included several updates that took care of most, if not all, of my complaints. 

Lo and behold, just a couple weeks ago, Agile Bits released the newest version of 1Password for Mac into the wild. 1Password4 for Mac so far seems to have been everything I was expecting it to be, and more.  

Test Driven ::: Acure Triple Moisture Repairing Shampoo & Conditioner

Photo: Me, of my products

I have mentioned the brand ACURE Organics on here in the past as being a favorite, and lately I have been branching out and trying other products by them, not surprisingly hair products. Have I mentioned I have a problem?

Tech Time ::: First Impressions on iPhone 5S

Photos: Me, of my phone

I received my 5S last week, and immediately was hugging it with glee. I also learned that maybe next time I won't get up at 2am and will just walk my ass into the store to get it over the weekend, because I could've...

Top Secret ::: Joico K-Pak Liquid Reconstructor

Photo: Me of my bottle

Keratin products seem to be all the rage lately, but Joico K-Pak is a true classic in that field, probably the granddaddy of all of them! I have used this liquid variant of Joico K-Pak since it initially launched, after years of using the original cream version in the shower. I still occasionally use the original, and sometimes will pack it on and leave it in overnight if my hair really needs it, followed by a healthy dose of the Paul Mitchell Super-Charged Moisture (post coming soon!)  There's simply not a better keratin deep treatment on the market, and it's been around in it's potent and original form for decades for a reason::: it friggin' works. The liquid is just as powerful, simply in a lighter form, for finer hair.

Must Have ::: Acure Organics Leave-in Conditioner

Photo: Me, of my bottle

I discovered Acure Organics Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell Leave-in Conditioner about maybe a year and a half ago through JennifersWay.org, the website started by Jennifer Esposito (yes, that one, and yes I miss her on Blue Bloods, too!), chronicling her diagnosis and adjustment to living with Celiac Disease, and most recently, the opening of her new bakery (um, yes please!) that is Gluten Free and Allergy Friendly.  She is super open and honest about her struggles, and gives a lot of insight, product suggestions and recipe suggestions to the readers to help them adjust as well, and it's become a fantastic reference for anyone needing insight into Celiac. So check out her website, because it's amazing.

Test Driven ::: Clarisonic Opal

Photo: Me, of my set

During the Anniversary Sale last month I picked up a special Anniversary set of the Clarisonic Opal device, something I'd wanted to try out for a while since I had watched a presentation on QVC.  I immediately charged it the very first night and gave it a whirl, with high expectations.