Beauty Product Roundup

This should be my usual "drugstore beauty" post, but I didn't buy all of this round's products from the drugstore and I am nothing if not completely honest about my terrible spending habits. I've been picking up stuff here and there -- a couple of these came from my ipsy bag others came from shopping idly at the drugstore near my parent's house in Canada. Oh, drugstore of my youth.

Anyway, here's the latest and greatest! As always, click the pic to follow through to the product.

First up, Too-Faced Tan without the Twinkle Bronzer.

Too Faced Tan Without The Twinkle

OK, so remember when we talked about how to contour your face with makeup and I was like, "Find a gray-based bronzer without shimmer" and everyone was like "But bronzer is BRONZE." Well, this is what I meant. I LOVE this bronzer because it's perfect for contouring. It's grayer and matte, which means it looks more like shadows on your face, which equals more natural contouring. I still have some shimmery bronze laying around, but this is my go-do for the daily.

Also it smells like vanilla and this delights me. 



Victoria's Secret Rockin' Body Luminous Perfecting Body Cream


Let me first point out that I bought this in-store the other day and it didn't have that RIDICULOUS packaging. I was standing in line waiting to buy the softest hoodie of ALL TIME (yes I buy hoodies from VS don't judge me) and grabbed a tube of this stuff on a whim. It's like a shimmy gloss that makes your legs look super pretty in skirts. You can use it wherever you want your skin to look better, like your collarbone or your arms when wearing cap sleeves or whatever. Not a must have, but definitely fun to have in your arsenal.

 





NYC Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm


Confession time: I actually bought this for my daughter when we were in Canada. I was stocking up on my favorite Canadian beauty products and she wanted something and this was cheap and sheer so she wouldn't look like a crazy clown. Then I tried it and stole it from her. It smells good and it's super sheer and non-sticky, so I like it for layering over lipsticks for quick touchups. Plus there's an apple in it sooo.... yeah.


Big Sexy Hair Blow Dry Volumizing Gel

Sexy Hair Big Sexy Hair Blow Dry Volumizing Gel

I worship at the altar of Big Sexy Hair products because my goal in life is to have big hair. So I can keep it full of secrets (anyone?) This stuff is great because you know when you use gel before blowdrying and sometimes there's like, a crunchy patch left afterward? Yeah, doesn't happen with this. And while it hasn't quite gotten me to Dolly Parton status, I'm happy with it.









Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels

skyn ICELAND - Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels (N/A) - Beauty

I posted a pic on Instagram of me trying these out at like 11:30 at night. It was preeeeeetty attractive. They're these little patches that you wear under your eyes for like 15 minutes. They're super cold and while I'm usually a huge eye-roller when it comes to stuff like this, I did feel like my eyes are waaaay less puffy when I use these. My friend asked if it helped with dark circles and I just know I didn't wake up looking like a zombie as per usual. Also, these + Downton Abbey + my bathtub make for a good night.








Buxom Full Bodied Lip Gloss

Buxom® Full-Bodied' Lip Gloss

I bought one of these... and then bought another... and then another came in my ipsy bag... so yeah, I'm a fan. I find that the color is truer with these glosses than others --- not as diluted or sheer. Plus it's a little minty and makes your lips tingle which supposedly makes them bigger. Whatever, I'll take it. Buxom is by Bare Escentuals, so if you're a fan already, I recommend these babies all day. Not sticky at all and lasts forever so I feel like they're definitely worth the price.







Pixi Large Lash Mascara

Pixi Large Lash Mascara

You know I couldn't do this list without a mascara. I love them so hard. And natural girls, this is definitely for you -- this is the softest mascara I've ever tried. While I usually love a super-dramatic look, I use this stuff when I want a more natural look. It doesn't go on as gloppy and my eyelashes are still supersoft after it's dried. Love!










So there's the best of the best as of late.Have any beauty finds you want to share with me so I can drive my husband insane with my takeover of the bathroom counter?

What I Wore: The Uniform

Yesterday was one of those days that I totally sabotaged myself. Instead of getting ready, like I should have been, I instead watched two episodes of "Four Weddings" while eating mint brownies out of the package. When it was time to go, I had about 30 minutes to get ready from start to finish.

Now, I've heard the idea of having a "uniform" -- a go to combination of clothes that always helps you feel put-together. While I don't think you should dress the same every day, I think it's a good idea to have a few go-to outfits that you can throw on with minimal fuss. Here are my "uniforms."

A pencil skirt with a button up and pointy pumps for semiformal.
Skinny jeans with boots and a tee for everyday.
Straight jeans with a v-neck tee and a blazer for going out.

By knowing what looks good, I can mix and match items on the fly and waste time watching wedding shows for reasons I don't understand instead of standing in front of my closet. Awesome.

Here was my uniform in action yesterday.

Button-up: JCPenney (here) (love!) (with a collar)

Skirt: F21 (ooh designer!) (cheaper) (similar)
Shoes: Mossimo (flat) (omg yes) (on sale!)

Necklace: Nordstrom (pretty!) (bolder)

Cuffs: Gucci, Marc Jacobs

Easy peasy, right? Although I might live in my skinny jeans/ boots combo more often than I should, I love having a closetful of clothes that I don't have to really think about, you know? 

So, if you could define your uniform in a few words, what would you call it?

Freaky Friday: Stuff I Don't Get

Ugh, I'm so mad because as I was getting dressed this morning I found a hole in my sweater. Am I still wearing it? Yes. But it's the principle of the thing! Luckily I have zero plans so the only people who will see my holey sweater are the moms in the pickup line and my husband, after I badger him to take me to lunch.

Meanwhile, let's visit some stuff I currently don't get.

Celebrities who whine that no one leaves them alone and then post swimsuit selfies to Instagram.  #geeiwonderwhy

 Animal sweaters. I know like, everyone is obsessed with foxes and whatnot, but there is literally NO way to wear an animal sweater and not look like a twee 12-year-old.

Plus they ALL remind me of this: 

A clothing company in Canada called Northern Getaway that only specialized in sweatshirts with animals on them in the 90s. If you wore Northern Getaway, you were probably that weird girl in my 5th grade class who licked tin foil and then stuck it to the side of her desk. And then later, peeled it off and continued to lick it.

So yeah... I won't be wearing an animal sweater anytime soon.

 Sweater leggings. Are they sweaters? Are they leggings? One thing is for sure: They're STILL not a substitute for pants.

People who are obsessed with J. Crew. It's a nice store and all, but I don't get the whole "Let's buy everything and copy the entire catalog" mentality. I also enjoy this article. My favorites are "Guys with Beards" and "First Ladies." 

Get out there, preppies. There's a whole world of fashion to explore! And no, simply transitioning to Anthropologie doesn't count.

 People who wear toques/beanies in this manner. Like, it's not even covering your ears. Also, if it's cold enough to wear a knitted hat, it's probably cold enough to wear a jacket. And not shorts. Aaaaand I officially sound old.

Open toe booties. I never ever want to see toes sticking out of boots. They look like an old timey cartoon hobo's shoes.

 This.


OK, it's your turn. What are you not getting lately? Also, feel free to email me angrily if you have recently turned your iPhone charger into a hair accessory and think I'm a jerk.

Sneaky Ways to Transition Trendy Summer Pieces into Fall

Oh hey friends, long time no see. I'm still playing catch up -- I flew in yesterday afternoon and promptly fell asleep for two hours. My son slept for four hours straight and my daughter hung out and watched documentaries on Netflix because she's strange.

I had an awesome trip back home, with highlights including eating an entire Costco pumpkin pie, watching movies at 2 am with my brother while cutting out mustaches for a wedding shower and taking my kids to Niagara Falls and the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum, which is where my husband and I had one of our first dates. There's a belly button lint collection, so it's pretty high brow stuff.

Fall in Canada was gooorgeous. I took my parents' dog out for walks and it was so warm and sunny and I overshared with polite Canadians. And then I came home to Utah, which is freezing right now. Seriously. There was frost on my windows. NOT COOL. But tomorrow is supposed to be warmer, which means I'm not dragging out the winter coats just yet.

When the weather is being more awkward than me apologizing to someone who stepped on my foot, it's time to work those transition pieces. You know, the ones you bought for summer but can't bear to put away? Flip flops need to head to the back of the closet, but there are some sneaky summer pieces you can keep around until it's time to bust out your winter boots.

The Maxi Skirt (Oh, come on you know I was going to say it.)

Mossimo biker jacket / Long fitted skirt / Dollhouse flat / Sephora Collection clutch / Giani onyx jewelry, $35 / Sole Society tube scarf

As an enthusiastic enthusiast of maxi skirts, I hate the way my wardrobe dwindles when I have to put them away. So I'm still wearing mind, just swapping out the flip flops and tees for leather jackets, flats and scarves. And the fair isle pattern to this skirt is just sooooo fall shopping and skipping through leaves.

The Bright Pants (Or statement piece)

Dorothy Perkins jersey knit blazer / Old Navy green jegging / Topshop lacy camisole / Ribbon ballet shoes / ASOS black top handle handbag / Forever 21 necklace / Miss Selfridge black belt

So bright colors and neon were ha-yuge all summer long, but don't ditch your bright skinnies now that it's all doom and gloom and pumpkin spice lattes. Instead, you can totally wear them -- just tone them down with neutrals like tan, black and navy. Super cute and totally fall apropros. Although I'll admit that I'll miss wearing my yellow skinnies with the most obnoxiously bright color combinations that I can think of.

The Chambray Shirt

Hollister Co. beach shirt / American Eagle Outfitters gray shirt / H&M black skinny leg jeans, $16 / Boots / Shoulder bag / La Mer analog wrist watch

Chambray is a summer fabric -- it's light and airy. I have some heavier chambray shirts that may veer into denim territory, but I still don't want to ditch my cute chambray altogether. In fact, using it as a layering piece has made it kind of a staple around these parts. I've been LIVING in a chambray, black jeans and boots combo for the past three weeks. Layer it up under a lighter sweater and it's super cute and not a bajillion degrees.

The Camo Skinny

Aéropostale relax shirt / ZCO camoflauge pants / Mossimo boots / Vintage satchel / Enamel flower jewelry

I searched and searched for my camo skinnies and finally found them when the summer was almost over. So what's a girl to do? I'm wearing mind with chunky sweaters and boots. A word to the wise though -- if you wear your camo skinnies with boots, I find that a more shapely boot looks best. Wearing my camo skinnies with my Fryes looks waaaay too much like I'm actually in the army. Swap it out for slouchy or taller boots and they look much better.

So save your money for better stuff, like when you shop for yourself on Black Friday... not that I do that or anything.

And probably don't eat an entire Costco pumpkin pie.

What I Wore: Neutral Party

It's kind of fitting that I'm posting an all-neutral outfit today, because I'm headed off to Canada for Thanksgiving this afternoon. I credit my traditional, polite, tolerant Canadian upbringing for making me what may be the most neutral party to any political or personal debate of all time. When you're raised with a "Everyone's different, and that's OK" mentality, it's hard to be anything but moderate. I like to stay neutral and hear both sides of the story and even then, it's hard for me to pick a side in just about anything other than my hatred for jumpsuits.

So dressing in neutrals suits me, even if I usually prefer colors. Or colours.

It's the polite way to spell.

Gray tee - Nordstrom (similar)

Jeans: c/o Liverpool Abby fit -- seriously, these are my fave skinny jeans EVER (here)

Boots: Soda (similar) (cheap!) (love these)

Wrap watch: Craft fair

Scarf: H&M - my brother gave it to me! (similar and cheap) (same colors)

Earrings: F21 (similar)

If you're dressing in all neutrals, it helps to bring in some pattern or texture. I love this scarf one of my brothers gave me because it has brown, black and gray in it and therefore matches 99.99 percent of things in my closet. 

That reminds me... I need to pack it. 

I'll be stuffing my face with pie and turkey this week, so it'll be quiet around here. You can follow me via Instagram, Facebook or Twitter if you're desperate for updates and pictures of food, my family and my parent's adorable dog.

Seriously he is so adorable.

Freaky Friday

I woke up this morning to snow on my lawn! That's what happens when you live on the side of a mountain, people. This place has no subtle descent into winter... just blazing heat giving way to freezing cold. I'm headed up to the Great White North to warm up next week, thankfully.

Also, may I remind you that it's October and you know what that means -- trashy Halloween costumes! I've already had submissions, so if you're looking around and see some insanely trashy costumes, send 'em my way for the Annual Trashy Halloween Costume Contest. If I get doubles, the first person who sent it gets the entry and we'll all get to snark on them come the 31st.

But for now, here's some fun of the mill freakiness for you.

 See, the length says "shirt", but the lack of pants say "dress."

And also "I'm desperate for attention."

 

Maggie sent me these boots which, if you'll notice HAVE HEADS INSIDE OF THEM. Like, I have a 7-year-old daughter and therefore a lot of misplaced Barbie heads over the years, but never once have I fantasized about wearing them. I would caution you against people that do.

 Why would I pay for this necklace when my son can make me one out of Twizzlers Pull n' Peel at preschool?

 Nice try, winter boots. Your leopard print doesn't fool me. You're still frumpy.

Sara sent me these boots which were on a site well-known for catering to moms. Because when I think of "mom," I think of completely nonfunctional work boots tottering around the carpool pickup line.

So my husband and I have this theory that like, 80 percent of women who profess to like sports do it because they like the attention it gets from guys. I would apply this theory to Star Trek as well.

I'm onto you! (Cue angry comments).

I saw this and it seemed familiar and I couldn't figure out why.

Oh, it's because it looks like the best movie ever made THAT'S WHY

("I want you to wear the belly." GASP "Daddy no!")

Ask me if I can quote this entire movie. I dare you.

Once my best friend and I watched it three times in one day. I'm not proud.

Fall Boot Eye Candy and the Time I Rolled My Eyes So Hard My Contact Fell Out

So the other day I was on a mission: find a new pair of boots. Do I already have a large collection of boots? Yes. But I was looking for a specific kind of boot -- a mid-length black boot with grungy details and a wide mouth. I've been wearing a lot of military-type outfits and my brown midi boots didn't always cut it.

Anyway, as a last-ditch effort I popped into the Payless in our teensy town and started browsing. Cue the always-intense Payless shoe salesgirl who popped over to tell me all about the fall sale. "It's a really big deal," she said. Great. I love a sale. She asked if I was looking for anything in particular and I lied and said no, but I'd let her know if I needed help.

She then proceeded to point out which shoes were "really fashionable this season." I wandered away and then proceeded to roll my eyes so hard that my contact bubbled and I had to poke it back in. That's a serious eye-roll, folks.

That got rid of her for about two seconds. She came back to show me a line of comfort 1" heels. Like, I don't know how to say this -- but I don't feel I look like the kind of girl who wears "comfort" shoes. But I nodded and make affirmative noises to make her feel good and she went to another aisle for a while.

While she was gone, I miraculously found the exact boot I'd been looking for and tried them on. They fit and I picked them up to check out. She came back. THIS time she wanted to show me a pair of leopard-print wedges. I'm guessing because I was wearing leopard flats? I was clearly standing there with a box with boots, but I then felt pressured to try on the wedges (they were horrendous).

Finally, another customer came in and I had five seconds to breathe. Of course, then I had to check out and explain to her that I ONLY wanted the boots and no I did not want to buy leopard wedges while she looked personally offended. It was awful. I left there feeling emotionally drained, all for these. On the bright side, they're exactly what I wanted -- mid-calf, wide top and a little slouch. On the down side, I'm terrified of ever going into that store again.

Anyway, to stop you from experiencing shoe salesperson guilt trips, I've rounded up some of my fave fall boots for you.

I'm all about comfort this year, so most are flat or have a small heel at best. Heeled boots have their place, but that is not at the pumpkin patch, amiright? I also like a little interest in the form of buckles and straps, along with a nice, wide top that you can stuff your jeans into.

I know heeled booties are also back for fall, but I'm just not a bootie kinda gal. I have a big butt and a sleek little bootie heel makes me look like a watermelon walking around on toothpicks. I don't begrudge others for wearing them, they just aren't for yours truly.

So check out my picks for mid and knee-length boots and may your shopping experience be much less eye-rolling than mine.

What kind of boot are you looking for this fall? Tell me so I can copy you and make my husband mad when I ask for more shoe storage yaaaay.

Rocket Dog boots / Rocket Dog wrap boots / Olsenboye ankle booties / Tan wedge shoes, $41 / Low-heel boots / Forever 21 ankle booties / Ankle booties

 

 Mossimo brown buckle boots / Charlotte Russe studded knee high boots / Buckle riding boots / Jessica Simpson high heel cowgirl boots / Not Rated boots / Double buckle boots / Forever 21 knee high platform boots