Free Makeup!

OK, I wasn't going to post about this, but my husband convinced me that this is a Public Service Announcement to makeup lovers everywhere.  Apparently some women sued department stores for never putting makeup on sale and won.  I guess they were accusing them of price fixing so now in retribution, major department stores are required to give away products to make up to us poor souls who overpaid.  

I haven't been to get any free makeup and I'm not sure if it's worth schlepping all the way to Galleria, but if I go I'll let you know what I get.

Tempted to Target?

Target is such a great place to browse online and dream about the stylish new pieces for such low prices.  There are so many designers now featured at Target and I love to see what they have to offer.  I always think, why would anyone buy high-end when you can have these designs for less!  

However when I browse through the store I often have a much different feeling.  I touch the fabrics and I'm not usually impressed.  The items are definitely hit or miss.  One of the first designers to team up with Target was Isaac Mizrahi and his quality is usually very poor.  The seams often have threads dangling and the sizing cut is sometimes pretty strange.  The designs are pretty cute but when I've hauled pieces in the dressing room, I'm pretty sure I've never left with any of his items.  Oh, there was a jean straight skirt that I had to leave behind shortly after buying it.  I was informed that it was dowdy and must go, but besides that lapse in judgement, I've often been tempted but didn't take the bait.  

Despite what it may seem, this is not a post to tell you that it's never good to buy at Target because it isn't.  I've found a few cute and enduring items that were closet-worthy and I still have most of them.  There is a red raincoat that I've had for probably 7 years and two pairs of wedges for about 5 years.   Both of those items are Mossimo and I also have some stretchy, v-neck t's that I adore.  The key to finding the gems is being super critical when you are buying. Online, everything looks good, so until you get it home, it's impossible to know what you are getting.  If I see something online, I'll try to find it in the store first before purchasing. They have a lot of styles online that they don't have in stores so it doesn't often work, but after I go to the store and remind myself of the questionable quality, I always talk myself out of it.

So even if Target has it right in the design department, should we save money by buying cheaper materials and scrimping on craftsmanship?  That is always the question I ask when I shop there.  Look at the two shoes below.  They are very similar and I'd go for one as well as the other.  

Mossimo Veta Cut-out Flat Black Patent Retail $24.99

Cole Haan Aleta Patent Flat Retail $150

In the Gilt Group sale today was $64

Now that the economy is in this situation it got me thinking that shoppers may feel that they have no choice but to go with the best buy, which seems to be the cheaper option since design wise they are fairly similar.  I'm not going to analyze the pros and cons of buying this particular shoe but want to talk about the bigger scale scenarios that I use in my life.  The answer isn't cut and dry which of these shoes are better for you, but with everything I add to my wardrobe I ask myself a series of questions.  

1.  Know Quality:  Shop in all the stores, not just the ones you can afford.   It helps to be able to identify the difference in materials when you touch them.  My fingers cringe at bad fabric!

2.  Know Prices:  You might be surprised the great deals you can find in a high-end store, especially right now.  Would you buy the Target shoes when you could have gotten them today for $64 on Gilt.com sale?  

3.  Analyze the Wear:  How well will this item wear with age?  It's important to have durability in many items.

4.  Price per Wear:  How often will you wear it?  Workhorses in your wardrobe are worth investing in because you wear them more.  

5.  Trend Factor:  Don't pay a lot for a designer trendy item that will be so last season in the blink of an eye unless for you it can become a classic.  For example, charm bracelets or scarves may be a trend to some, but become part of your signature look.  That's ok!

6.  Quality over Quantity:  Need I even mention this?  Yes!  These shoes are case in point because if you reason that you can have the black shoes, green ones, red ones & yellow ones from Target for the price on one pair of Cole Haans, then really you might not be following this rule.  If you like disposable clothes, then maybe this rule isn't for you anyway.

7.  Patience:  I don't buy so many things that I like because I'm waiting for that special, perfect item.  I have a finite budget too and I'd rather be able to scoop up freely and without guilt when I find it.

I hope this post isn't too pedantic.  I know many people already have their style and shopping MO finely tuned, but I think about younger girls who need to know how to shop well.  I see them in Forever 21* and Charlotte Russe* with armloads of clothes that probably fall apart after one season.  They probably don't want to spend their money on boring old basics or too much on one item when they can have more choices in their closet.  It's fine when you are a teenager to do this, but when do you learn to shop well?  Who teaches you as you get older if Mom's aren't teaching their daughters?  I hope that this post helps someone to learn how to shop more wisely.  God knows that with people losing their jobs and savings, this is a skill we all need to hone.  

*Love these stores for a sparkly party top though.

Revlon vs. Nars and A Mac Must-Have

OK, I've never been a big drugstore makeup buyer even though I would love to find what works for me there.  One of the big reasons is that you can't test out the colors and it's too much of a bother to have to return it if it doesn't work out.  And I'm willing to admit that the other reason is that I get suckered into the marketing schemes from department store makeup.  It's just so much more fun to buy it from a line that makes you feel luxurious and pampered.  In saying all that, I'm still willing to forgo the side benefits for a really good product and I reason that buying one particular product always from the drugstore frees up money to buy something else I want.  For example I never buy expensive mascara anymore because drugstore is just as good. 

Right before Christmas I became obsessed with Nars and now I have loads of it to play with every day.  I love it and I think I even dissed Mac eyeshadow in one of my last posts, but I am here to recant and give my devotion back to Mac!  I'm a fickle sort anyway.  You should know that.  I just bought a couple of new colors of eyeshadow that are so beautiful which I will show you in a minute.  Anyway, one of my Nars purchases was a set of lipglosses that I couldn't resist because I am a lipstickaholic and this was a set of 6!  I tried them all and I was not impressed. They weren't long lasting and the colors weren't pigmented enough to cover my very rosy lips. I shamefully took them back to Nordstrom and apologized to Conrad, the sweet makeup artist from Nars Nordstrom.  Sorry again Conrad!  I know it must come off of his commission but $50 is still a lot for subpar lipgloss.

All that being said, I am here to report to you a lovely drugstore lipgloss that is supreme in quality.  If you have pigmented lips, I find the colors to cover them well, even the lighter colors. They are not sheer or watery.  I suggest you buy them when CVS or Walgreens has them buy one get one free because, well because you can.  Why pay more when you don't have to do so?

It's Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss shown here.  My favorite colors are Foiled and Glossy Rose and I think the packaging is so chic.  It reminds me of Chanel glossimers, but shorter.  One thing that could be annoying is that they are always bringing new colors for collections and then they are discontinued.  I don't want to fall in love with a color and then never be able to find it again.  But like I said, I am so fickle that I hardly ever buy the same thing twice, even if I loved it.  There is always something new to try!  So ladies, let me know if you try this out and like it.  

Yesterday, I had some Nordstrom Notes to burn and I decided to visit Mac.  I've been looking for a plummy eyeshadow that didn't give me an allergic reaction. There is something in purple eyeshadows that makes my eyes ooze and seals them shut at night.  Not pretty!  Mac's Cranberry and Sketch have already proven to me that I just can't use those type of colors so I stay away from those.  But if I stay towards the more brownish red I seem to be ok.  I've been waiting to try this color for awhile.  You could say that I stalk them awhile before I buy them as I'm not a spontaneous buyer, much to the dismay of my very patient husband.  I always leave the store with swatches all over my hands.  The color I got is called Embark and is a matte formula.  It's just what I was looking for and perfect with my hazel eyes.  I also got Satin Taupe which I've wanted forever.  Now that I have it at home, I see that it's very similar to Nars Kalahari, but that's ok because I love that one too.

Another discovery I have and wanted to share has transformed my eye-makeup look.  Usually I carefully put on my eyeshadow only to have it disappear later in the day.  I've used several primers which worked ok, but I think this one is my favorite.  They are called Paint Pots by Mac.  Not only does the eyeshadow stick to them and make them stay, but they can intensify the colors you are using. I think the most popular for being neutral is called Painterly, but I also have Rubenesque which is a gold color, and Girl Friendly which is a rosy color.  If you don't have much time to devote to makeup, they are great because you can use them on their own as a cream eyeshadow.  I haven't noticed any creasing and they are super creamy to put on with your finger.  These are a must-have if you are having trouble with your eyeshadows staying on. I bet they will even make drugstore eyeshadows look better.

What's your favorite drugstore product?  I'm always willing to try a recommended product and I bet a lot of others will be too with this economy.  Leave me a comment and let me know if the drugstore item replaced a high-end product.

Quirky Girl Closet

Hello everyone!  I'm back from our trip to Puerto Rico and happy to be in a new year.  Puerto Rico was so wonderful and we had a great time with G's family.  As expected, we ate a lot of food every day and it was totally worth the diet I am on now.  Christmas was so much fun too.  I wasn't with my family, but they sent lots of presents and it was fun to open them with Gustavo. I have tons of old movies to watch when G goes to the field.  He no longer allows me to subject him to girly movies very often.  Anyway, before I start rambling because it's been so long I want to share a lovely blog post that inspires me and I know will inspire you to have closet organizing as one of your New Year's Resolutions!

I just found this site this morning called Making It Lovely.  If you click on the link it will take you directly to the closet post that will make you drool.  There are several reasons I adore this post.  The most obvious is that it is so organized with the uniform hangers and sections for each type of clothing, but what also inspires me is the personality of the pieces in the closet.  Her closet to me is the paragon of quirky-girl style.  She obviously knows what looks good on her and is focused on her personal style.  How many of us can say that with the trends coming and going with the wind?  When you know your own personal style, you can build a wardrobe over years and actually invest in pieces that will last.  

The other part that isn't shown here is that she says she got rid of loads of things that weren't working for her.  She tossed shoes that hurt her feet, but I wish I could see a picture of all the items she let go.  This is the hardest part sometimes, but you have to do that to get to a personalized, workable closet space like this.  She also moved items to the closet like her perfume so they could be near her while she was getting ready.  Don't you love to see what other people use for perfume?  Maybe it's just me because I adore perfume so much.  That reminds me, I got a new one for Christmas by Bulgari.  It's called Rose Essentiale and it's just dreamy!

We are going out today to do lots of errands, still catching up for being away for two weeks. The pictures of this closet have affected me so much that I'm going to keep them in my mind's eye so that I can replicate it in my own style.  I do love quirky girl style and I know a good place to start for details like organizing jewelry that she has is Anthropologie, Ikea and Urban Outfitters.  My take away is:

1-Always first-purge what isn't working for you.

2-Focus on your personal style so you can build your wardrobe over time.

3-Use your space wisely by adding items to help organize.

4-Take a picture of your closet so I can see it!

Enjoy the weekend everyone!

Wardrobe Basics: Turtlenecks

If you couldn't tell from my last post, I've been out shopping a lot the past month.  It all starts because my Nanny sends G & I money to buy our Christmas presents.  We are supposed to buy each other the presents, which we do, but this year I wanted to have some input into my surprises.  I got way too many things with birds on them last year.  

Yesterday I snatched up some turtlenecks that I really, really needed from Banana Republic. They were 40% off all sweaters in the store, and then an additional 25% with a coupon I have.  I don't even think you need the coupon if you use your Banana card.  It's 20% for BR cardmembers and 25% for Luxe members.  Yes, we spend a lot there and are Luxe members.  

Anyway, at first I balked at these sweaters because they are a blend and I hate blends.  I would not have paid full price.  Then I looked at a sweater I got there last year which is the same blend and it's wearing ok.  There is a little bit of pilling, but nothing major.  

I think all the stores are having their sales before Christmas this year because of the terrible economy.  Usually I would want to wait until after and hope for the really good prices, but people the really good prices are here!  If you want something, I think you better get it now because your size may not be available later.  

Here is the BR turtlenecks I got in grey, brown, black and purple and camel.  I may take a couple colors back but I wanted to try them on at home first.  Each one ended up being $26. The fabric is 55% silk, 15% viscose, 15% cotton, 10% extrafine merino wool, 5% cashmere.  

Banana Republic has free shipping on any item right now (Promo Code:  JOY) if you don't have a store near you. Always look at Retailmenot for any coupon codes that you can use.  Team that up with ebates and you'll get a percentage back in cash. (Say that I referred you-zennifer@mac.com) BR was 8% the last time I checked, which basically pays for the tax here.

I also checked out J.Crew turtlenecks in the store.  They are not a blend, but they are a bit thinner than I like.  These are also a great option though and on sale too.  If you go to the store, they might have all the colors.  Speaking of these colors, they are really juicy and tropical looking.  I bet they will brighten up a winter day and outfit.  

I am wearing my chocolate brown sweater right now and it is so comfy and warm.  I tend to go for a simple look and these make it so easy to have a pared down but still chic look.  Just add a couple necklaces  like in the J.Crew photo to add some personality.

Updates and 50% off Nars Cosmetics!

Sheez.  It's really been a long time since I posted.  I guess I've had writer's block or just altogether block.  Right before Thanksgiving my sweet Grandfather unexpectedly passed away. We got our things together and left for NC the next morning.  We had to drive since we couldn't put Keegan in the kennel on a Sunday.  We drove almost the whole way and had to stop and stay the night in Atlanta.  It is a 17 hour drive.  

Since it was the week before Thanksgiving, we just took the time off to spend with my family. It was lovely to see them since I normally only see them once a year.  There is nothing like visiting family to put things in perspective.  They are the most important part of life.  

Now we are headed to Puerto Rico to visit G's family for two weeks.  We leave on Christmas Day at 5:30 in the morning!  It is going to be great to see them too.  Being in Puerto Rico for Christmas and New Year's is quite an experience.  The food is so good that I'm bound to gain another 5 pounds.  Cafe con leche and quesitos, here I come!  If you've never visited PR, you must go.  The people are so friendly and of course it's sunny, warm and the island has so much to offer; the beach, the rainforest and well, the food!

But hey, I'm not writing to give you a travel guide.  I wanted to tell you about my latest obsession, Nars cosmetics.  Of course I discovered certain Nars products years ago like Orgasm blush and Dolce Vita lipstick, but now I've ventured into their eyeshadow and foundation.  

Recently I got the Best Palette from Nordstrom and it is so perfect for a neutral, pretty eye. Here is a picture.  It has the famous duo All About Eve, Kalahari duo and Bellisima I inside. I've been using Mac shadows for awhile but I think that Nars is certainly a step above in quality. 

If you have a local Nordstrom, they are giving out a free eye shadow or gloss with $75 purchase. I always end up buying myself something at Christmas because I'm out there shopping more than normal!  Yesterday I decided to try their foundation because they added a lighter color to the line.  I got the firming foundation in Siberia.  I wore my Cover Girl foundation on one side and the Nars on the other.  To be honest, the Cover Girl held it's own, but the Nars "melted" a little less and smoothed into my skin better.  We'll see if it is worth the pricetag or not.  I also got this three pack of lip gloss duos.  I adore their lipgloss.  I like Mac lip gloss too, but Nars colors really work well with my pigmented lips.  I am a sucker for a set because I like to experiment and try out different colors.  

OK, if you've never tried Nars and want a good deal, I have a little present for you.  There is a store in Massachusetts called Beauty and Main that is discontinuing their Nars line.  One of the stores has collected all the inventory and is selling all Nars products at 50% off!  This is a perfect chance to try one of their crazy color duos, or try a new lipstick color.  They still have a lot left, but you'll have to call to order.  The number is 781-237-1685 and you can speak to Natalie or Emily.  They are very helpful and it's free shipping with orders over $75.00--see update below.  

Update:  Emily just emailed me and said since the Nars on on sale that the shipping will be $9, which is still a deal girls!

I got the Kilimanjaro duo, the Persepolis duo, Miss Sadie lipliner, Vagabond lip lacquer and two Sabrina lip treatments.  That is a lot of stuff I know, which is why I called it my Nars obssession.  Remember that post a long time ago about how I only wanted to have a little basket of makeup?  I'm thinking that is not going to happen.

When I was at home in NC, I got together with my Aunt Delores for coffee.  I give her the credit for starting me on my lipstick addiction.  She used to give me little baskets with all kinds of lipsticks that she had tried and didn't work for her.  As a teenager who couldn't afford to buy a lot of makeup, I loved it!  So after coffee, we both pulled out our lipgloss to put on after we finished.  I wanted to show her my colors and ended up pulling out about 12 lipsticks and glosses.  Can you have too many?  I don't think so.  She had about the same amount which is why I love her so!!! You gotta love a girly-girl!

I know this is quite a rambling post, but I wanted to get on here and tell you about the Nars sale and let you know that I haven't fallen off the face of the earth!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

How To Recession-Proof Your Wardrobe

Photo from California Closet

If there are two things that I love talking about, it's clothes and money.  All we are hearing on the news lately is how our economy is in the toilet.  We could be heading for a recession.  The stock market is lower than it's been in years. People are losing their retirement dollars in savings and 401ks.  Depressing stuff, isn't it?

Contrary to popular belief, I don't think the solution in our personal economies is to spend more. I couldn't care less about the country's economy if my own family's economy is wrecked. The solution for the country's economy may be to spend more, but for your economy the solution is to spend less until you get yourself into a better situation.  

Credit and debt has become so ingrained in out culture that we don't think twice about having debt and using credit.  We are not accustomed to hearing that we can't afford something.  If we can manage the payments, then we can afford it.  Just like the economy's bubble was busted, our personal expectations about our spending power will be as well.  This situation is a wakeup call for so many people.  Everyone is blaming the government and mortgage companies for this crisis and it's true that they were irresponsible with lending.  I was a mortgage broker for three years and I know very well how you could get a mortgage with terrible credit, bankruptcy, collections and downright despicable financial behavior.  However, just because it was allowed doesn't completely absolve each person for their irresponsibility.

Granted, marketing, ease of credit and general discontentment leads the average American family to constantly seek more, more, and more.  Too much is never enough in this society. Why else would minimalism be a radical choice of decorating or living?  It goes against the grain of our culture.  If you haven't done it already, now the difficult choices need to be made to balance your personal economy.  

One of the ways that investment, planning and common sense pays off is in our closets.  Over the years, I have invested in my wardrobe slowly.  I've also weeded out lesser quality and inappropriate things for my lifestyle.  A big accomplishment was to stop buying what I didn't need or wouldn't wear. Many of the ideas mentioned here are refreshers.  When you add the new perspective of improving your personal economy, I hope that these principles make it easier to accomplish.  

Timeless pieces:  Easy one!  T-shirts, turtlenecks, button down shirts and some pants and blue jeans won't go out of style before they wear out.  Buy styles that are clean-cut and versatile.  Stay away from something that screams HOT now because it will be cold later.  Even though almost everything cycles in and out, you can choose styles that will last you five years or more.

Quality over quantity:  How many times have I heard this?  It's easy if you are accustomed to buying at higher price points because those items are going to be better quality.  The key element I look for at any price point is the fabric. Banana Republic used to have top notch fabric, but now they are skimping with blends.  I have a sweater from 7 years ago that is 100% wool and looks like the day I bought it.  Most of their fabrics now will pill and look very used after the first season.  The exception is the men's department where they are still using wool, cotton, cashmere and silk.  The ladies get rayon, modal and other itchy substitutes.  You have to dig around the inside of the leg to find the fabric content.

Know thyself:  The more you focus on your own lifestyle, colors and fit for your body, the less fashion mistakes you will make and the more money you will save.  It makes shopping so much easier to know that you can't wear a certain item.  Crew neck tops look terrible on me.  

Take it back:  I have a rule that if I haven't worn something in two weeks, I take it back.  Maybe I love it, or it was a good deal but it doesn't matter because there is some reason I'm not wearing it.  It's better to have your money to work for you on another item.  Don't feel bad because there will be something else that steals your heart or is a good deal.  The only caveat here is end of season shopping.

Shop second hand stores:  Why not scavenge through a consignment shop, Goodwill or Ebay?  You never know what you might find. The way to be successful is to know brands and know good fabric.

Multitaskers:  This goes along with timeless pieces in your wardrobe.  There are items that you can use for many things.  Try to buy a solid cardigan that you can wear with many outfits instead of the one with a print or special color. It doesn't mean that it has to be black, but there may be a color that pops with many items in your wardrobe.  I bought a yellow bangle bracelet and see now that yellow goes will almost everything I own.  

Coordinating Colors:  Again, it bears repeating.  Try to coordinate your clothes around what looks good on you.  The smaller you want your wardrobe to be, the more all your clothes need to coordinate.  

Year round clothes:  I live in a climate that is warm most of the year, but even if you don't you can have a selection of items that go the distance through the year.  Some things obviously won't translate well and that's ok.  I'm thinking t-shirts, camis, and suits are some items that can be worn year round. Fabric here is again the key.  If you buy a linen or cotton suit, it has to be put up for the winter, even in Houston.  If you buy a tropical weight wool, garbardine or tri-acetate suit, you can wear it year round.  Doing so allows you to buy a better quality and pricier suit.  Ann Taylor and J. Crew are great for these investment pieces.  Steer clear of Express and The Limited for suits, in my opinion.  

Do you really need another black top?:  It seems that there are certain items that we are endlessly hunting.  I suppose it's the quest for the perfect one. I propose to you that you choose well, then be satisfied with the one or two that you have.  Some people like to have many black tops of different styles, but that is not what I'm talking about.  I'm talking about the same color, same function, same style but somehow you end up with too many in your closet.  When you are shopping, notice if you do this and tell yourself to step away from the black tops.

Extended Life:  Since we're talking about economy, stretching our dollars and our wardrobe has to happen.  I bought a winter coat in Venice two years ago from a shop that sells quite trendy items.  Since I don't wear my coat all that long in the year it really hasn't worn out.  However I'm always thinking that I'd like one more basic, or just different.  I still like my old coat though and every year I talk myself out of buying a new one.  I stop to think that this coat can get me through the winter just fine.  When the time comes for a new one, I'll have had plenty of time to think of what I want to invest in next.

Take care of what you have:  More common sense, but it is really something that I've learned to do in the last couple of years.  Catching stains early is critical in keeping clothes stain free.  I wash most of our clothes and iron them.  I've read that dry cleaning makes clothes wear out faster, besides the toxic chemicals that reside in them.  I handwash all my bras so they last.  

Stay the same size:  Oh, how I'm talking to myself.  I always say that my clothes tell me my weight limit because once they get tight I have to cut back eating.  Right now is that time and the jeans are quite tight.  I refuse to buy a bigger size because I happen to like my clothes.  How many of you have several sizes of clothes in your closet?  The French use their clothes as a form of diet regime too.  They call it the "zipper method".  If you can't zip up the pants, you have to zip up the mouth.  Drink water instead of wine for awhile, or cut back on bread and fried foods.

Stores would love us to buy into the belief that our wardrobe can be new and perfect every season, but for most of us it is a work in progress.  We are always buying, tweaking, and trying to perfect our look and our wardrobe.  I would love to be that person who knows they need certain items and they just replace it every year.  A lot of people are, but if you are like me and struggle to find your personal style among the changing trends, changing seasons and evolving lifestyle, then be patient with yourself.  It may not ever be perfect, but it will always get better and better.  Creativity is free and you'll be so much better off and feel better about yourself when you decide to stop buying with credit and accumulating debt for clothes or anything else.