NOTD: JULEP Nail Color in Steph

Two coats of JULEP Nail Color in Steph. Coconut Cream Iridescent Shimmer.

So...I was ridiculously excited to try this shade on for size, and while the color is chic and classy, the formula was such. a. letdown.

The blue and pink iridescent shimmer throughout Steph keep the color from toeing that harsh white line, making it feel softer, and more ballet-inspired; but the thick yet runny formula makes this a polish I will never use again. Sure, the shade is stunning; but when you're chasing a polish out of your cuticles on each stroke, it's simply not worth it. Tossing this one.

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


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shred and chill

Windsor Shred and Chill Tunic in TAUPE.

Essential #SundayFunday attire! How perfect is the shredded detailing?

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mood

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currently crushing...

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Clearly I am all about those winter vibes at the moment.

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{beauty board} fuchsia flash

Ditch your classic red pout in favor of a bright fuchsia lip that's equal parts fun and flirty - not to mention totally on trend for the warmer months ahead!

1} trèStiQue Matte Color & Shiny Balm Lip Crayon in BELIZE BORDEAUX {$28.00}

2} Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in SANGRIA {$26.00}

3} Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lip Color in FAINT FOR FUCHSIA {$7.99}

4} Ciaté London Liquid Velvet™ - Moisturizing Matte Liquid Lipstick in HEAD OVER HEELS {$19.00}

5} GIVENCHY Le Rouge in 205 FUCHSIA IRRESISTIBLE {$36.00}

6} MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Rouge Lipstick in C207 FUCHSIA PINK {$22.00}


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{fashion folio} girl talk

Sweater: BOOHOO Abigail Bardot Jumper in BLUSH | Lips: Bite Beauty Matte Crème Lip Crayon in PINK LADY | Bag: Sole Society Athenia Faux Leather Satchel in IVORY | Earrings: Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry Olivia Earrings in GOLD | Sunnies: Le Specs Drop Top 60mm Aviator Sunglasses in BRUSHED GOLD | Shoes: Sole Society TIIA Pump in ADOBE | Nails: DIOR Dior Vernis Gel Shine and Long Wear Nail Lacquer in TRA-LA-LA 155 | Jeans: MOTO Mid Blue Rip Jamie Jeans | Hair: ghd curve® Soft Curl Iron

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happy valentine's day babes!

"Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly."
-Rose Franken

Cheers lovelies!

xx

NOTD: Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer in J'Adore My Mani

Four coats of Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer in J'Adore My Mani. Fuchsia Glitter in a Fuchsia Jelly Base.

Le sigh, I truly can't think of anything better to say than...j'adore this color! But seriously...this right here is just too breathtaking for words.

J'Adore My Mani is one of those rare shades that gives you that love at first swipe feel, and would literally work for any holiday {but I love it best for Christmas and Valentine's}.

This shade is v sheer on coat one, semi-sheer on coat two, then starts building opacity after that. I honestly think that the color in my bottle separated slightly which is why it took so long to build opacity; because it only took two coats to reach opacity on my thumb.

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx

links à la mode: the IFB weekly roundup {february 9, 2017 edition}

Whether you love Valentine’s Day, hate it, or couldn’t care less, here you’ll find all the inspiration you need to go about February 14th. From dressing up for a date to finding the sweetest gifts, these bloggers are treating you with their very best suggestions.

Links a la Mode, february 9

• April Was Here: Off-The-Shoulder Sweater
• Caffeine Berry Valentine's Day Fashion: Outfits You'd Love Anyday
• Cat Eyes and Skinny Jeans: Valentine's Day Gift Guide
• Hampton Roads: Ruffles x Pockets
• Hello Alley: Skincare Routine
• Have Clothes, Will Travel: Pearls, Bows and Metallic Skirts
• I'm A Norbyah: Graphic Tees: What Would Yours Say?
• Oh to Be a Muse: The Art of Reciprocity
• Saccharine Soul: Be Bold with Over-The-Knee Boots
• Tales of Two: Styling the Slip Dress with a Twist
• The Curvy Edit: Stripe Me Up!

SPONSOR: Amazon's Shopbop Victoria Victoria Beckham, Aquazzura Sandals, Loeffler Randall Bags, Hadid Eyewear, Olympia Le-Tan, Z Supply, Light Pink Dresses, Frayed Hem Jeans, Espadrille Sneakers,

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gray

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currently crushing...

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
Obsessing over all of the burgundy things for winter - it's so necessary for the season, amiright?!

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{beauty board} pink flush

Go ultra-girly for spring with a lively pink flush dusted atop the cheekbones for the ultimate in feminine glamour!

1} Marc Jacobs Beauty Air Blush Soft Glow Duo in 500 LUSH & LIBIDO {$42.00}

2} Urban Decay Afterglow 8 Hour Powder Blush in OBSESSED {$26.00}

3} SEPHORA COLLECTION Colorful Face Powders – Blush, Bronze, Highlight, & Contour in 18 TRUE KISS {$14.00}

4} tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in DOLLFACE {$28.00}

5} CLINIQUE Cheek Pop in PINK POP {$23.00}


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{fashion folio} crimson casual

Top: Wildfox Sparkle Heart Baggy Beach Pullover in CLEAN WHITE | Socks: UGG Sparkle Cable Knit Sock in CREAM WITH GOLD | Lips: SEPHORA COLLECTION Cream Lip Stain in 01 ALWAYS RED | Leggings: H&M Jersey Leggings in BLACK | Earrings: Tory Burch Amore Heart Stud Earrings in IVORY/TORY GOLD | Nails: PACIFICA 7 Free Nail Polish in CINNAMON GIRL | Boots: HUNTER Original High Gloss Boot in MILITARY RED | Eyes: Too Faced x Kat Von D Better Together Ultimate Eye Collection

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xx

january 2017 empties!

Hand creams are one of my most important beauty tools year-round - but especially in the winter. That said, I have yet to find one that I trulytruly love, so during my last trip to Ulta I grabbed Neutrogena's Fast Absorbing Hand Cream {$5.99}. As with all Neutrogena products, this bad boy did not disappoint. It's odorless and non-greasy, yet it manages to moisturize magnificently, and never feels heavy on skin. Over the past few months I have tried a lot of hand creams, and this one gave the best results out of all of them - softening my skin, and protecting it from cracking. Even better: the price is right! DEFINITE RE-BUY.

Ermagersh babes if you have not tried Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Super Curling & Lifting Mascara in BLACK {$24.00}, you do not know what you're missing! Ladies, this stuff is like a push-up bra for. your. lashes. - I kid you not! The wand is a plastic hook n' roll that grabs your lshes and gives them mega-lift and separation. I know that a lot of mascaras claim to curl your lashes, but this is the first one that I have tried that has actually lived up to that claim. I will admit that it can be difficult to remove at the end of the day; but it's nothing that a good makeup remover can't handle. DEFINITE RE-BUY.

Given the fact that I try out new top coats fairly frequently, I can honestly say that I have a love/hate relationship with Essie's Good To Go! Fastest Drying Top Coat {$9.00}. Does it dry fast? Yes, but I can't say it's the fastest I've tried. Does it add shine? Most definitely! My issue isn't with performance; rather, it's about use. While the first half of the bottle always works amazingly well; I find that the second half is thick, uncooperative, and tends to shrink, leaving behind wrinkly polish. Due to that, I end up using only the first half, and tossing the rest; thus the reason for my love/hate relationship. Womp womp. NOT a re-buy.

Never have I ever found a mascara that gave me epic results in just one coat - until now! Ladies, I don't even remember where I scored this deluxe sample of theBalm Mad Lash Mascara {$20.00}, but OMG I am wild for it! Like the Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Super Curling & Lifting Mascara I mentioned above, Mad Lash features a scoop-like plastic wand that grabs every last lash gawgeously! The difference between the two? I only need one coat of Mad Lash to create big, dramatic, lengthened, voluminous lashes - and that right there is saying something! I will admit that the formula is slightly more wet than I like; but the results are worth it! DEFINITE RE-BUY.

Have you tried any of these products before? Thoughts?


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xx

NOTD: OPI Infinite Shine 2 Icons Nail Lacquer in Lincoln Park After Dark

PRESS SAMPLE

Two coats of OPI Infinite Shine 2 Icons Nail Lacquer in Lincoln Park After Dark. Eggplant-Meets-Black Creme.

If dark and vampy is your jam, as it is mine, then Lincoln Park After Dark has your name written all over it!

Yes, this bad boy right here is an oldie, making its first debut in OPI's Fall 2005 Chicago Collection, but it will forever be a goodie!

Formula here is a dream, being rich and creamy on coat one, and leveling out brilliantly on coat two. Loves it!

What nail color are you rocking for #ManicureMonday?


xx

knot my style

Windsor Knot My Style Sweater in OLIVE.

Totally gives new meaning to the phrase business in the front, party in the back, yes?!

xx

mood

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{glossies made me do it} covergirl trunaked eyeshadow palette in roses

Last month for my first Glossies Made Me Do It post, I focused on food by making Candy-Cane Dipped Oreos; but for February I'm back to beauty. For those of you who don't remember, Glossies Made Me Do It is a monthly feature I partake in with Lauren of Shooting Stars Mag and Ashley of Happy. Pretty. Sweet. wherein each one of us selects something {a recipe, a book, a hairstyle...} from a monthly magazine {glossy}, and try it for ourselves {made me do it}. Find out what glossies made me do for February; and visit both Lauren and Ashley today to see what glossies made them do!

I mysteriously began receiving Better Homes & Gardens magazine a few months back; and while I typically don't pay much mind to it, when the February 2017 issue arrived in my mailbox bearing Red Velvet Heart Cookies on the cover, I so had to peek inside - and that is where I stumbled upon the Editor's Picks piece entitled Coming Up Roses {page 16}, which led me to the CoverGirl TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette in ROSES.

I've been curious about CoverGirl's TruNaked Palettes since they first hit drugstore shelves last year, but given a lackluster experience with Maybelline's The Blushed Nudes Palette, I've been leery to try them out. For Glossies Made Me Do It, however, I figured I'd take one for the team and give it a shot, and OMG am I glad I did!

A supposed dupe of Urban Decay's iconic Naked3 Palette, CoverGirl TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette in ROSES is a truly impressive drugstore offering. Though it offers half the shades of the UD Naked3; each one is buttery-soft and smooth, and packs incredible pigmentation. Additionally, the eight shades included within this neutral, rose-toned palette are a fantastic mix of matte and shimmers, with a great selection of transition and crease shades, so you can create a multitude of eye looks without having to reach for other palettes {always such a pain when you have to do that, right?}.

Shades {from wrist to elbow}: Mousse, Almond, Champagne, Baby, Rose Gold, Copper Rose, Dusk, and Mauvergine. My personal favorite shades are Rose Gold and Champagne, with Almond acting as a brilliant highlight shade for the browbone, and the three darkest shades {Dusk, Mauvergine, and Mousse} working as beautiful crease colors.

With an eyeshadow primer, the majority of these shades last for upwards of 10 hours, with just the slightest hint of fading - a factor that I find waaay impressive for an under $10 drugstore palette. I would highly highly recommend this one for you ladies who either have blue or green eyes or adore mauve-based neutrals. I think I may have to try out another TruNaked Palette in the future - perhaps the Goldens collection!

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xx

valentine's day gift guide

Red, and pink, and fab all over! Valentine's Day is just days away, and I'm bringing you a gift guide that will get you ready for romance. Whether you're buying for your bestie or yourself, these petite presents will put a smile on your face for the season of love - even if you're single!

1. Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick in CARINA'S LOVE and ELECTRIC POPPY {$32.00 each}

2. Too Faced x Kat Von D Better Together Cheek & Lip Makeup Bag Set {$38.00}

3. ban.do Love Potion Hot Stuff Thermal Mug in PINK {$14.00}

4. Cloverpost Heart String Earrings in GOLD {$88.00}

5. Tory Burch Love Relentlessly Rollerball {$28.00}

6. Elizabeth and James Nirvana Rose Rollerball {$25.00}

7. Clarins Skin Illusion Blush (Limited Edition) in 2 {$21.50}

8. Kate Spade New York Heart Coin Purse in RED MULTI {$88.00}

9. Plush Heart Rolled Fleece Socks in RED and NEON PINK {$16.00 each}

10. Kate Spade New York Be Mine Heart And Arrow Stud Earrings in CLEAR/GOLD {$48.00}

11. Kate Spade New York Be Mine Heart And Arrow Hoop Earrings in CLEAR/GOLD {$68.00}

12. Marc Jacobs MJ Coin Heart Stud Earrings {$45.00}


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xx

february crush list!

1. sweater weather Oversized sweaters are my thang. Seriously though, I would live in them year-round if weather allowed; but, alas, it does not, so I'm soaking up all of the sweater weather I can while it's here, which means investing in a few {read: more than I'll ever need} big, bulky, brilliant knits that keep me ultra-cozy and are ridiculously cute to boot. Currently I'm obsessed with Free People's All Mine Sweater in RASPBERRY, and TERRACOTTA. The colors are rich and decadent, and the overall fit + aesthetic looks as if it were made for hibernating, amiright?!

2. ugg love UGG gets a lot of flack in the fashion world; but this season I am loving some of their furrier styles, as they are perfect for achieving that après–ski look, which I am simply incapable of resisting. I just bought the Patten in CHESTNUT SUEDE, and they are lush paired with leggings and a slouchy sweater for cozy, casual date nights; and I'm currently in the process of hunting down a pair of Valentina in CHESTNUT SUEDE in my size because they are just adorable! UGG thoughts?

3. desert smolder I alwaysalwaysalways veer towards bronze hues when it comes to eyeshadow; but the recent rise of rich raspberries and terracottas has given me a newfound craving for desert-inspired hues that are definitely not dupe-able in my current palette collection. Obviously Anasstasia Beverly Hills' Modern Renaissance Eye Shadow Palette is calling my name; but I'm also dying to get my hands on Smshbox's Cover Shot: Eye Palette in ABLAZE, which looks like a mini me of the former and would be perfect for travel!

4. subtle sparkle My earring preferences have been changing so quickly lately that my head is literally spinning; but at the moment, I'm all about the mini hoops! I have three piercings on my lobe, so I love mini hoops for their sophisticated, subtle sparkle. I own two pairs of gorjana's Taner Mini Hoop Earrings in GOLD, and have been wearing them in the first two holes in my lobe paired with a super small stud in my third; blanca monros gomez's Mini Hammered Hoop Earrings in GOLD are a covet due to how romantic and dainty they are; and I love the affordability of Nordstrom's Clean Small Hoop Earrings in GOLD, which are uber-chic and perfect for gifting!

What's on your February Crush List?


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xx