Wardrobe Updates & Wish List

It felt really good to take a big bag full of clothes and accessories to sell to a local consignment shop and get them out of my closet recently.  Getting some cash that surprisingly didn't burn a hole in my pocket right away wasn't half bad either.  I was 99.9% successful in my January no-buy month, the .01% coming on the 31st when a coupon was expiring.  I know, I know.  But that Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate palette was calling my name!  Maybe if I just don't check my mail or email for coupons, this wouldn't be a problem.  I'm actually pretty good about not letting those get the best of me, but this week that hasn't been the case. 

With spring oh so close but still oh so far, I'm ready to start incorporating brighter and lighter pieces into my wardrobe, weather permitting of course.  We're supposed to hit mid-50s this weekend (hands in the air) but then I'm sure we will get back to the cold next week.  I plan on making another sweep of my closet and pulling even more things that I just don't wear anymore so that I can make room for some fresh, new pieces.  I've been stalking the sale sections of my favorite stores and biting the bullet when they finally do a sale on sale.  Those are the best.  Hello Loft pants and sweater for 70% off.  That's my kind of shopping.  I think living on my own and truly being responsible for all of my own expenses has really opened my eyes to how much clothes cost.  Plus who doesn't get a rush of excitement when they see how much they saved on their receipt?  It's the thrill of the chase, I suppose.

In my fair isle obsession post, I talked about how my style was evolving.  I'm finding myself lusting after pieces that I would have never given a second look toward before.  Case in point, patterns like fair isle and gingham, trouser and flare legged jeans, and midi skirts.  I'm starting to take control of my own style, and not let myself be defined by what I think I should be wearing.  I guess you could say I've gained the confidence to wear what I want to wear and not worry about what people think.  The same holds true for makeup.  A couple years ago I would have never worn a bright lip to work, but now it's pretty much the norm.

These are just a few things that I am excited to incorporate into my wardrobe!

1.

Flare Jeans

- I remember in high school, around my sophomore year or so, when I was introduced to the world of skinny jeans.  After that I swore off flares forever, but recently I've seen some of my favorite bloggers rocking them something fierce.  I think that a good pair of dark wash flares is perfectly sophisticated for the office or a casual weekend out and about.  I read a comment somewhere that said "let your ankles breathe" and I couldn't agree more!

2.

Gingham

- Who is this girl liking all of these new patterns and prints?  Me, that's who.  This gingham button down is perfect for spring on it's own, but what I'm really excited about is using it to mix and layer with different prints and textures.  I have found that one of the easiest way to take an outfit from boring to fabulous is by simply adding a layer with mixed prints. 

3.

Midi Skirt

- I've always been a skirt type of gal, especially high-waisted skirts that hit at your narrowest part.  They're super flattering and so effortless to pull off by pairing it with a cute top tucked in.  I've got my eye on a few floral numbers, but if I had to choose one I would go with a solid color to get more versatility out of it.

4.

Fitted Sweater

- I am always drawn to slouchy, flowy, and over-sized tops which I think is fine, but given my new obsession with layering I have found that this really works better with more fitted tops.  It's a little more polished and put together too, since it helps define your body shape.  Plus they'll look great with midi skirts and flare jeans that I'm looking to incorporate into my wardrobe.

5.

Leopard Heels

- With a closet full of heels you would think I would wear them more, but I always fall back on my flats.  They're just so darn comfortable and easy to throw on!  I just rediscovered how much I love a particular pair of red heels that I already own, and it got me thinking why I haven't brought them out more.  I think a good pair of leopard heels would be the perfect addition, because after all, leopard is basically a neutral.

What's on your wardrobe wish list?

xoxo,

Amanda   

Leopard and Dots

Anytime the temperature reaches over 50 degrees in January, that's cause for celebration.  Especially in the Ohio River Valley, where the weather is about as predictable as the next episode of the Bachelor.  These cropped red pants are a summer staple for my office wardrobe, but it was nice to be able to bring them out in the winter as well.  The combination of the red, leopard flats, and pop of polka dots is one of my favorites, and you can never go wrong with a little sparkle in the mix.  Layering is one of my favorite ways to mix different patterns and textures, and you know I rock a lot of polka dots!  PS - this is your last chance to get a glimpse of my ombre hair (and roots!) before it's going, going, gone!

Polka Dot Blouse || Target ||

Similar

Sweater ||

Loft

Pants ||

The Limited

Flats ||

Target

Necklace || BaubleBar ||

Love This!

Bag ||

Ann Taylor

Photos by

Chelcey Tate

xoxo,

Amanda

Product Review - Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Enhancing Serum

Sephora

If I could go back in time and stop my middle school self from destroying my eyebrows, I so would.  But no, I'm a child of the 90s and early 2000s (which is basically an extension of the 90s when you look back on it).  All the girls around me had thin brows that they either waxed or plucked, and here I was with what I thought were the most hideous, thick brows.  Too afraid to go to professional salon, I took matters into my own hands.  I bought an at-home wax kit and went to town.  I cringe now when I think about it, because they have never grown back the same.  If only I could have seen into the future.  Le sigh.  I would give anything to have those now.  Since time travel isn't real (I know Dr. Brown would have a heart attack if he read this), I have to settle with filling them in daily.

Recently, things have gotten really bad.  I'm talking practically no brow on my right side (the most victimized of the two).  I got really scared that I would have to live the rest of my life with no eyebrow, so of course I looked to Google.  I found all kinds of remedies, and in particular a product by Anastasia Beverly Hills.  I've already raved about her brow powder that I used, so I figured this would be a good place to start in my quest to hopefully regrow my arches.  The price is pretty steep, but I was able to scoop this up during a sale at Sephora.  The product itself is a serum that you are supposed to apply morning and night via a clickable pen.

As with any product that promises something like growing back over-plucked brows, I admit I was a bit skeptical, but also hopeful at the same time.  Could this be the miracle I was looking for?  Seriously, I could not go through the rest of my life with no eyebrow!  I am happy to say that this product did give me results.  I definitely do not have the brows of my youth, but there is a visible arch where there once wasn't.  I will also say that on top of applying the serum, I refrained from any plucking, even stray hairs.  So now, if there is ever a day when I don't feel like putting on a full face of makeup, I won't feel like an alien venturing out into public without "putting my eyebrows on."

With the good comes the bad though, right?  Like I said before, this was a little pricey, so if you are able to purchase it during a sale that will definitely help.  The amount of product lasted about a month for me, based on a twice a day application.  It was pretty easy to incorporate this into my routine, given how eager I was to have my eyebrows grow and hopefully see results, but I also see how it could be easy to forget this step.  I just kept the pen right on my bathroom counter next to my face wash and it was easy to remember.  When it ran out, I didn't go purchase another one because I'm trying to hold out until the next sale opportunity, and so far so good as far as the results lasting.    

Unfortunately, in my haste to get the growing going, I didn't snap any before pictures, and therefore after pictures would be pretty useless too.  Although, let's be honest, there wasn't much to see before anyway.  But I will say, the bottom line is that I would recommend this product as long as you have reasonable expectations and follow the application direction of twice a day.  If it can help my 8th grade at home wax nightmare brows grow back, surely it can help you too!  Anastasia really is the queen of brows.

xoxo,

Amanda

*This product was purchased with my own money and all opinions are my own.

January Favorites

I kind of failed at keeping up with my monthly favorites last year, but I am going to try my best to maintain the series this year.  Even during no-buy months like January, it will give me a chance to show some love for the products that may not have been on my radar for a while.  And even though my beauty routine was seriously lacking for the first half of the month, it feels so good to be back in the swing of things now.  Good thing too, because being out of practice when it comes to winged liner is no joke.

Revlon Privee Collection Lipstick - Julianne's Nude

Revlon lipsticks hold a special place in my heart because they remind me of being a little girl and playing with my grandmother's makeup, so when I saw this limited edition collection, I knew I had to pick up at least one.  The color is a perfect every day shade and I wore this a lot in January when I wanted a no-fuss routine.  I couldn't find this available online, but I've still seen this collection in stores so you still have a chance to snag one (or five).

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel

My past experiences with brow gel haven't been the greatest.  Think crispy and crunchy looking brows.  You shouldn't be able to describe something that frames your face the way you would fried chicken.  Now that I've stepped my brow game up by filling them in most days, I realized I needed a good gel to keep them in place.  There is a reason this brand takes the cake when it comes to achieving that perfect arch.  I don't have to worry about unruly hairs, but at the same time they don't look like they're plastered to my face.

Nars Highlight Powder - Albatross

This was one of those impulsive purchases I made back in November during the VIB sale.  I had intended to buy a different highlight powder, but much to my dismay, it was sold out in store.  I'm not really a fan of ordering online when it comes to makeup because I prefer the instant gratification of purchasing in person, so instead I meandered over to the Nars section and stumbled upon this beauty.  The color is absolutely gorgeous, and it gives your skin the most amazing glow without being too over the top.  I'm definitely glad I ended up with this in my basket!

Living Proof 5-in-1 Styling Treatment

Something I'm really trying to get better about is taking care of my hair.  I've got the skincare routine down pat, but admittedly I can make shortcuts when it comes to hair products.  Since I don't wash my hair but once a week or so, that definitely cuts down on heat damage from blow drying and styling, but when I do those things, I want to protect my hair as much as possible.  I received this product as part of a deluxe sample bag a few months ago, and it's been so wonderful for my hair, leaving it softer than ever.  And with this being multipurpose, it knocks out everything in one.  If you can score a sample of this like I did, it will last you a long time.

Friends on Netflix

In the last couple weeks, I've gotten through 3+ seasons of this show and the whole time I've been asking myself why I never watched it before.  Ok, maybe it's because I was only 6 when it first came on, and those random reruns in syndication don't really count.  But really, why have I never thought to watch this before?!  I'm sure you're throwing the nearest object at your screen right now, as I'm sure I'm the only person on the planet who hasn't seen Friends.  For that reason, I don't have to tell you how awesome and funny it is, because you already know.  But just rest assured that I will be on your Friends level soon.

What are some of your favorites for January?

xoxo,

Amanda  

Jewel Tones

I love to wear jewel tones in the colder months as a way to add color without being obnoxious - I'm looking at you, my bright floral dresses tucked away in my closet just begging to be worn.  Not that I wouldn't throw on tights and boots with a good floral dress now, especially when the temperatures randomly get a little warmer and spring fever sets in, but sometimes I'm not in the mood for so much, you know,

much

.  This Anthropologie sweater has been a favorite of mine ever since I scored it in the sale room a few months ago.  I love the crocheted look and side sheer panels because it's something different than your typical cable knit.  With the purple scarf and burgundy bag, it's the perfect combo of jewel tones.  Since it's so light and breezy, you can even take it into spring sans scarf and with a statement necklace instead.  Here's to hoping Mr. Groundhog doesn't see his shadow in a couple days and we get an early spring!

Sweater ||

Anthropologie

Scarf || Loft*

Jeans ||

The Limited

Bag || Ann Taylor*

*I'll link these items once Ann Taylor and Loft have their websites back up and running!

Photos by

Chelcey Tate

xoxo,

Amanda