Disclaimer: This blog post contains several affiliate links.
For my September loves I have some brand new loves, as well as a couple of rekindled favorites.
I’m not going to talk about why I love this slanted eyeliner brush, because I’ll be reviewing it and some other LAB2 brushes very very soon…
Online sales with free shipping are the BEST!
You don’t have to get out of bed and you save money by not have to use gas.
e.l.f. Cosmetics’ prices make it easy to get a bit carried away, but I was able to get three great buys for under $12! I’m calling this a mini haul, because I’m proud that I was able to show some serious restraint.
After finding out via Pinterest that e.l.f. Cream Eyeliner makes for an excellent Dipbrow dupe, I wanted to try it. Partly because of my inexplicable brow obsession, but mostly because I’d never tried Dipbrow.
I am not an fan of ink liners. I want to be, but they either dry up way too soon for my liking or just don’t provide the bold look that I’m hoping for.
I’m glad I was able to try the e.l.f. Studio Intense Ink Eyeliner in Blackest Black, because it was only $3. While I couldn’t nail a thick line, I like it for when I need to line my eyes in a pinch. 
So, the e.l.f. Studio Blending Sponge wasn’t something I actually needed, but I couldn’t find the one I have, and wanted one for pictures…
This one is pretty and pink, so I got it.
This was such a great deal, that I will definitely be posting more e.l.f. hauls in the future!
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Baggu Basic Tote $160 | Old Navy Faux-Leather Tote around $20
Although I still have my heart set on one day owning the Baggu Basic Tote, I spotted the Old Navy tote in stores for like $8. I made a huge mistake and didn’t get it. Went home, suffered from a serious case of fomo, then went back later the same day to get it. It had been the last one and someone else beat me to it. (Add this to the list of reasons why I have trust issues…)
They had similar ones in bright colors that were a plastic-y material for $14, but after searching three different Old Navy’s I was able to find a canvas tall tote which was much closer to the style of the faux-leather tote and cost about the same.
I am so excited about my loves this month, that I’m sharing them a little early and I seriously hope you’re even just half as excited about my August loves as I am!
Everyone once in a while I like to give my nails a break from polish and let them breathe for a little. But I don’t really like how my nails look or feel without polish. Julep’s Oxygen Nail Polish allows for the option to do both.
And since we’re on the topic of nails… Cuticles need love too! There is a reason that Essie’s Apricot Cuticle Oil is such a huge hit. If you haven’t tried it, then you really should!
Last month I said, I was trying not to spend a lot of money, this month I couldn’t really afford to spend any cash. I totally lucked out when I found an old Old Navy Gift card (it was seriously like Christmas all over again!) and found the sandals I’d been dreaming about on super clearance for under $8! When I entered my first Polyvore contest these beauts were on the set. Talk about speaking things into existence!
I’m a huge fan of Simple Skincare Cleansing Facial Wipes, so when they let me try their new Micellar Make-Up Remover Wipes, naturally, I was stoked. This may not be the first time I’ve been obsessed with a makeup removing wipe, but it certainly is the most obsessed I’ve ever been with one!
One of my besties got me hooked on C.O. Bigelow Menta Lip Shine a looong time ago. I just recently rediscovered it and, for the life of me, can’t remember why I stopped using it.
So thankful to Simple Skincare for giving me a chance to #TestTheWater!
I’ve decided that I really love sharing the things that I love with you. Since that’s the case, my monthly Loves are here to stay. Yay!
July is typically a big beach month (at least it is for me). What I’m loving this month somewhat reflects what I find myself packing for the beach.
I’ve been trying (and I think doing really well) not spending a ton of money. I have only gotten one pedicure this year. And although I don’t necessarily need more nail polish, sometimes I just want to treat myself a little. Sinful Colors has vibrant colors and cost under $2. Whenever I go to get groceries, I tend to come home with a new fun shade.
It’s all fun in the sun, until someone needs aloe. Thanks to melanin, that someone is never me, but I still want to take precautions against harmful rays. At the same time, when it comes to applying sunscreen I don’t want to spend forever and a day putting it on. With spray that’s not an issue.
In my humble opinion, it totally does not count as shopping if my mom buys me something. She recently got my a pair of Birkenstocks that I am absolutely obsessed with. I have literally worn them to every single cookout I’ve been to so far. Good job, Ma Dukes!
Birchbox points are truly a blessing and when I am able to get something awesome, it’s a wondrous thing. My Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Duo Brush is seriously a treasure. I don’t know how I ever did my eyebrow makeup without it.
Even when I’m on vacation, I having blogging on my brain. What should I write about? Who can I collaborate with? This Market and Luxe print pretty much sums up the blog life.
Do you have a blog? Like the print? Want it? Well comment the name and URL of your blog and you could win it!
Thanks SO much Market and Luxe for sponsoring this giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Begins Monday, July 27, 2015 12:00AM EST and runs until Saturday, August 1, 2015 12:00AM EST. Open to the U.S. only. No purchase required. Winner will be selected at random and must respond within 48 after being contacted. This giveaway isn’t endorsed or associated by anyone but me. Good luck!
I’m all about the summer. More specifically, I’m all about going to the beach.
Wearing bathing suits, flip flops, sunglasses, AND cute straw hats!
I spotted a super cute Eugenia Kim sun hat on Instagram. It reads, “Do Not Disturb”.
How perf?!
Naturally, my next step was to hunt it down online. It is SO expensive and not going to happen. At least not for me.
But now I want a straw hat. What is a girl to do?
Find a much cheaper alternative.
Boom!
Thank you H&M!
Guess who found more to love…
When I got my makeup done for my boudoir mini sesh, I asked for a natural looking lip. This is the color (Love Child) that was used. The texture, the color, the shimmer. Love!
When someone pulls out an oil a oil absorbing wipe and then offers you one, you know you’ve made a real friend. True story. But since you don’t want to be a mooch, you eventually go get your own. They can also clean your phone screen pretty well.
I got this brush to try out and liked it for a number of reasons. The way it curves and kind of hugs your head, the fact that it’s vented so it helps cuts down drying time. It wasn’t until I figured out that the end was double sided and also had a sectioning pick, that I totally lost it. In a good way, a very very good way.
So, Where’d You Go, Bernadette was a book I’d picked up a while ago. I put off reading it until Memorial Day weekend. I think I must have complained about it the entire time I was reading it. But I read it in one sitting, I only stopped reading it to tell the manfriend about it and to eat. If I don’t like a book I won’t read it. I’m weird like that.
Taco Bell is my favorite fast food restaurant, period. For the longest time you could only get Baja Blast at Taco Bell. It was rumored that if you mix blue Powerade and regular Mountain Dew together it tasted like Baja Blast. I tried it and it did taste vaguely similar, but it wasn’t the same. The fact that this soda (even if only for a limited time) is available in a bottle is a dream come true.
Taco Bell also has a new hotter sauce, Diablo. It didn’t make the cut this month, but that’s mostly because I can’t go to the store and buy it.
To put on ALL the things!
SO happy, so in love…
Oh, and speaking of love, today is the manfriend’s birthday.
Happy Birthday, manfriend!
A friend told me that the Clinton Crossings Premium Outlets were looking to host their first ever CT Blogger Spring Fashion event. I emailed and was able to score an invite.
There was food served at Saks off Fifth, and bloggers were given a gift bag that included a gift card they could use at any outlet store.
I didn’t even make it out of the second store before spending said gift card, which was not my goal when I set out.
What store?
DKNY.
Can you blame me?
First let me tell you what I didn’t get. I didn’t get the “cozy” sweater that I still want super bad. Or any of the three dresses I tried on. Or either of the two jumpsuits. Or the really cute white tank top that I spotted right as I left the fitting room…
After talking to the super friendly and helpful DKNY staff (loved them) about the current sales and promotions, I was able to get the leather jacket that I first tried on.
What I really liked was that it felt like I was shopping with friends.
Actually, that was pretty much that case for most of the stores that I stopped in.
As a part of the event, I got a free iced coffee and chocolate sample of my choice from Lindt.
I snagged something from the major sale at J.Crew…
And a couple of things from Designer Fragrances & Cosmetic Co. (along with a few goodies they gave out, including a Lancôme lipstick). This place was seriously a dream for anyone obsessed with beauty or skincare products. Full size Essie polish for $4 a bottle, half price for full size Urban Decay lip gloss. I am still in shock that I managed to only buy two things. I kid you not, I wanted everything in the store. All of it. Plus, the three ladies working there were the absolute sweetest!
Then Aéropostale made my night with another gift card and a cute tumbler, perfect for summer. I used the gift card for a pair of jeans and I’ve already worn them more than I care to share, because it’s probably borderline gross.
Such a great experience! I mean outlet shopping is usually enjoyable, but this was remarkable and I’m already planning my next trip. Who’s in?
Shopping has always been something I’ve indulged in more than I should.
However, lately, that has not been the case. So, when I do buy something, I get really excited to tell you about it. Especially when I love it!
Here are some of my May loves…
OK, so the plan was to keep this post brief, but there’s a couple of things I feel like I need to explain.
The & Apparel cactus necklace is from their recent Dear Lizzy collection and it’s rose gold, and quirky, so I of course I totally love it. Their Cat’s Meow Sunglasses I got, because, well, look at them! While I love & Apparel and had been eyeing those items for a while, if I hadn’t won a $50 gift card from one of their Instagram account giveaways, I probably wouldn’t have been able to buy them just yet. So, YAY to contests! These weren’t the only two things I got with the gift card and I did go over the $50 just a little bit…
You know when you’re in Target, and you can’t make it out of there without a cart full of things you probably already have or stuff you don’t really need. Well after grabbing Starbucks, and combing through the dollar section, I get what I went there for, then get in line and each time I manage to pick of the Neutrogena makeup remover wipes, they’re travel size, and I use them so it’s not a bad thing to grab. Although, I should probably start getting more than the little pack.
As for the Vaseline lotion, I kept seeing it on Instagram and wanted to see if it was worth the hype. It is seriously the best smelling lotion I’ve ever tried! The manfriend even asked if I was wearing a new perfume. This is without a doubt my favorite lotion, EVER.
And before you go judging me on the Flonase, know that allergy season is rough for me. I have pretty bad allergies in general (dust, pet dander…), but I legitimately thought I was sick before realizing that it was just my allergies kicking my butt. After a few sprays it was like, allergies, what allergies? It’s been wondrous!
So much for brief…
One thing that living in Vermont has taught me is to support both local and small businesses.
While that doesn’t mean that I will be skipping out on Black Friday, judge if you must…what it does mean is that I will also be supporting Small Business Saturday.
Don’t know where to shop?
Here are five of my favorite:
AND because this is the season of giving, here are five more:
And there are so many more!
Can’t make up your mind? Check out Brickyard Buffalo or search Etsy! Just trust me…
+ A lot of online shops will be having Small Business Saturday and/or Cyber Monday sales!
