Thanksgiving Break Haul

I shopped a lot over break. But that's why I saved my money, right? And really, it was a lot of little things that I really liked. I am a little ashamed to admit, though, that I'm waiting on a few more things in the mail soon...the spoils of Cyber Monday. No shame.

Anyway, here is everything I accumulated while I was home for a measly 5 days. Also, sorry for the nasty background on these pics, it was all I could make do with.



These are all the beauty products I snatched up. To begin with, the OPI Take Ten set was my birthday present from Andrew's family, so I didn't buy that and it doesn't count but I love it so much. There are so many fantastic colors in it and it's something I use on the regular.

Tuesday night before I went home, I stopped into Sephora and snagged new concealer, which I already mentioned was a dupe for a pricier NARS, and some new eye gel, since my dark, puffy under-eye circles are UNREAL. I chose the Clarins Eye Contour Gel, because I read some really amazing reviews, and I tried it out a few times in the store, and I legitimately think it instantly de-puffs my eyes. And compared to other eye creams, it is pretty inexpensive.

While I was at Walgreens last week I got a sparkly topcoat from Wet n Wild that is a pretty good dupe for Deborah Lippman's Happy Birthday. And this one was $2. It's perfect for the holidays and I've already used it multiple times.

Wednesday afternoon when I got home, one of the first things Bridget and I bonded over was makeup. We both have been watching youtube gurus (s/o to Sarahbelle93x and imtaramichelle) and are obsessed with trying new products now. So we headed out to Target and I stocked up. I'm usually wary of drugstore brands for face makeup, but I saw the e.l.f. bronzer/blush duo and went for it, especially after I had read online that it was a NARS Orgasm semi-dupe. I love it! It's such a sweet pink color that doesn't overpower. It's gentle and natural. The bronzer, however, is a little much for me. I put it on the other night in an attempt to contour and it literally looked like I had dirt on my face. I need a little more time with that one. But, it was only $3 so definitely worth it.

I also grabbed an e.l.f. eyeshadow pencil in a neutral-gold-ish color, which I ended up really liking. It goes on super easy and adds a nice shimmer. I wear it almost every day now. And the last elf product I got was an eyeshadow brush. I don't really have one for eyeshadow, and this was only $1, so it was pretty tough to pass up.

Lastly, after my NYC liquid eyeliner shriveled up and died on me, I went for the Maybelline Line Stiletto liquid eyeliner and it's perfect. It makes a line easily, isn't clumpy or anything and stays on all day but comes off easy at night. Sold.



Every year on Black Friday, my Rochester friends and I head to our outlets for Midnight Madness and shop together. But this year the outlets opened really early on Thursday and so we ended up shopping after everything was picked over, hence why my J. Crew haul is lackluster.

What I really wanted from J. Crew were the factory version of the Pixie pant, the Gigi pant, in navy. However, when we got there, they didn't have any, and the black ones were all in sizes much larger than me. (Spoiler: I ended up caving on Cyber Monday and ordering a pair from real J. Crew). But I did manage to walk out with two (!!) navy striped long sleeve tees (my favorite) and a pair of navy velvet pants that I ended up loving more than I thought.

I also got two pairs of warm socks from American Eagle. There's only one in the picture because I was already wearing the other pair...

Here are the velvet pants in action for a screening I worked Monday:



And then Bridget and I went back to Target. I miss it so much when I'm in the Bronx.



At Target I got a Santa hat for Senior Night (which was Tuesday) and a set of sticky notes--both from the dollar section. That candle actually isn't from Target, I just thought it fit in the picture. It's a Yankee Candle in Sugared Apple and it is divine. I really wanted a holiday scented candle and this is perfect. It doesn't smell too strong and it doesn't smell weirdly like food. I've already burned through like a quarter of it...



And finally I just got this beautiful necklace from JewelMint. I had joined a few weeks ago and they kept harassing me to make a purchase and I kept fending off the offers, until they ran a deal where your first purchase was $8.99. WUT?! This set retails for around $40, and shipping was free and I was sold. It just came in and I am thrilled with it. Statement necklaces are big on my Wishlist this year.

So pretty much I have a shopping problem and I need to start channelling it into shopping for others for a while.

November Favorites

 So, November flew by and it's almost over which is kind of scary. But! I've rounded up a few things that made it to be my favorite things this month. Just a few pieces of clothing and some beauty products, but nevertheless, they're all things that I've absolutely been loving.

I've been wanting a pair of thick-heeled pumps for months now, and around my birthday I finally ordered these from Target. They are chic and most importantly, comfortable. I've worn them multiple times since they arrived and I can't say enough good things.

I wrote about this purse last week and it definitely ranks as one of my favorites of all time. I legitimately look for excuses to go places so that I can wear it. Perfection.

Finally, I have lived in this Patagonia Fleece ever since it's been chilly outside. It's so soft and it fits perfectly. I can't say enough good things. It's perfect to lounge and be cozy in. Also, this sassy printed one is definitely on my wish list.

I've written about this before, but the Clinique Superprimer is amazing. I even got my sister to like it. It goes on so light and makes my skin so soft. Sometimes I just wear it without tinted moisturizer over it and it still makes my skin look (and feel) really nice.

I was never really a lipgloss person but that's been slowly changing. I love the color of this NYC gloss and after two weeks I've already used like half the tube. Plus, it looks really nice over the Wet n' Wild lip color I bought last week. Plus, they're both super inexpensive.

Bridget got Benefit They're Real! mascara last summer and always spoke so highly of it. So when I found out that it was the free birthday gift at Sephora, I made sure I ran out and made a purchase just so I could get my hands on some. And it's amazing. It doesn't make my lashes look gross or clumpy and it holds the curl all day. I'm usually against spending a ton on eye products, but this is definitely worth it.

When I got my hair cut last summer before I came back to school, it was a gross, dry mess. My hairdresser suggested this Eufora Beautifying Serum. It has legitimately made my hair so smooth and soft and I use it constantly. I use one pump after I shower, and another before I heat style it. It's a hairsaver.

I've only worn two nail colors this month: After School Boy Blazer and Downtown Brown. The navy and the maroon are such fall-like colors and I can't get myself to try anything else. Though I do think it might be necessary to invest in some sparkles ASAP.

I actually ordered this Julep oil last summer but it's such a game changer. After just one drop on each nail, the polish is dry in literally like two minutes. I used to always smudge my manicures, but this makes it so easy and fool proof. I almost need to order another bottle.

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Leopard Love

I love leopard shoes. I think they're the perfect way to incorporate animal prints into an outfit in a completely chic way. And they're a perfect neutral. I had a pair from Target that I loved. But tragically, my mom tossed them last month by mistake.

Logically, I am now on the hunt for a new pair.



 

Sole Society | Target 

Target | Banana Republic

Banana Republic 

Tuckernuck | Kohl's

J. C. Penney | J. C. Penney

Sole Society

I just want them all.

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Impossible Shoe Deals at Target

Occasionally, I'll browse the Target site looking for good deals on cute shoes. However, this time I was super shocked to find so many pairs of Target shoes that looked just like some of my favorite brands.



I'm dying for a pair of J. Crew Etta pumps, but the price tag has always been a little steep for me, especially because a lot of my heels end up ruined anyway. But these Target pumps are an almost exact match, with a much friendlier price tag.

And those Rag & Bone booties. The quality might not be the same, but the booties from Target have the same look and would be absolutely perfect for fall.

And the rain skimmers. You know when it's still summer and it's way too hot for rain boots but you don't want your feet to get all gross and wet? Skimmers. And these Target ones are just as cute at a fraction of the price of Chooka's.

I know where I'll be going when I go home in a few weeks. If I can keep myself from ordering those pumps before then.

Weekday Workwear: 1

Dress: Loft (Old) Similar, Cardigan: J. C. Penney, Necklace: Loft (Old) Similar, Shoes: Target, Bag: Longchamp

I really love when other bloggers do outfit posts, so I figured I would start, too. 

This is one of my favorite dresses from Loft, and it fits perfectly. And the wedges are my absolute favorite. Please disregard the fact that I am in the bathroom at my work. We have nice mirrors.

Styling Jodhpur-style Pants

A few weekends ago I finally gathered my courage and bought a pair of leggings with (faux) leather accents.

I was a little apprehensive at first, because I wasn't sure how to style leather leggings, and I wasn't sure if I could pull them off even if I did figure out what to wear with them. But, after staring at my closet for a few hours, I figured some outfits out.

I love them. I love how comfy they are, but how put together they can look. I wore them out one night and wouldn't stop talking about how comfortable I was. I also really like how I can wear them casually during the day or dress them up at night.

 

The Pants

Day: Booties || Shirt || Necklace

Night: Blouse || Blazer || Pumps