Recent Purchases

I've been trying REALLY hard not to buy a lot, but I've needed to update some pieces in my wardrobe and get some items I know I'll get a lot of use out of this year. 

 

Women's Faux-Leather T-Strap Sandals in Turquoise $19.50

I did a post last week about this sandal in Leopard (check it out here), but my leopard sandals are in great condition (going on 3 years woop woop!) and I thought this color would be a perfect pop of color. It was really difficult deciding between the Yellow or Turquoise, but I wear a turquoise necklace all the time so I thought it would be a great addition to my closet. I own a few pair of Old Navy sandals, and they're really comfortable, true to size, and last for more than a few seasons.

Maya Twist Bandeau in Classic Leopard

I bought the above top only and thought it would be great to mix and match with pieces I already own. How cute will it look with solid black, pink, yellow and blue bottoms? That's like four swimsuits with just one additional piece. However, this top did not give me enough support for my ta-tas and I'm going to return it. I think it would be best for women with a smaller chest.

Heart Bikini in White

This new swimsuit I got with my bach party and honeymoon in mind. I love the heart ring accents and think it's so cute and kind of romantic. I was a little bit worried on how the top will fit, I don't want it squishing down my boobs like some bandeau-style tops can so I figure I'll keep the bottoms regardless and wear it with a solid white top. I don't mean that all bandeau styles squish your goodies, I have a few pair that are great, but some of the ones I own and have tried on don't do much in the support region. Fortunately, this top provides enough coverage and support and I'm keeping it!

I can't wait to try them on after a spray-tan when I look 10lbs skinnier. Usually I buy swimsuits pretty early in the season, and my bach party is next month so I wanted time to order them in case I need to return or exchange anything. My best advice if you're ordering suits online is to buy them in two sizes so you only need to return and not wait for an exchange. I ordered both tops in a M and then the white bottoms in both a S and a M because I'm usually on the border between the sizes in Victoria Secret swimwear.

 

Ali and Kris Ruffled dress from Nordstrom
Check out my OOTD here with it.

I couldn't find this dress anywhere online, but it's finally availabable online at Nordstrom, but only in Fiery Purple and Black. Mine is a bright kelly green color, the lighting in this pic is pretty poor. I almost went with the lavender color though, it's so pretty. I bought a Large because the straps aren't adjustable and was cutting a little bit into my arms. There wasn't much difference in width luckily and it was even a tad bit longer which  loved.

HIP Draped Tops from Nordstrom

Check out the blue one in this OOTD

Again, I still can't find them online, but I love these tees! They're really comfortable and hang just right. They'll also be perfect tucked into a skirt. I bought both in a Small.

Sephora Blush Me! Trio in Abricot 11

This blush is really sheer and gives just a touch of color. The three colors add depth and highlight together and it looks great over my MAC Pink Swoon blush (see review here) and alone.  It's going to look awesome in the summer when I'm all tan and don't need much makeup. I did have to use a blush brush with shorter strands (see similar one here) to get a better application.

Baked Moonshadow Trio in Sunbaked 02

I know I have enough shadows to last me the rest of my life (Don't believe me? See this post), but after seeing JLo's glittery eyes on American Idol I had to find something similar. The middle shade in Sunbaked is the most gorgeous glittery shade and the other two colors are perfect compliments. I'll have to do a review soon to let you ladies see the gorgeousness.

 

Twist of Line Slate Blue Skirt from Lulus

I got this skirt in a M from Lulus  and LOVE it! It's so cute and I've thought of so many ways to wear it already. It's a really soft cotton, but the back is only one layer of fabric and a bit sheer so I'll HAVE to wear a slip with it. I usually wear a slip with most skirts/dresses, but this one is a must. The skirt is pretty stretchy so you can wear longer/shorter or higher up on your waist or your hips which I love because I have a short waist and skirts aren't always flattering on me depending on where they fit my waist.

 

OPI Lites to Darks Minis

Sweet Heart, Princesses Rule!, Meet Me on the Star Ferry, Lincoln Park After Dark

The left two pinks are so cute and are what really sold me on the set. I can't wait to try them asap and I know Lincoln Park After Dark is a huge hit as well in the blog world.

The only thing I wanted to buy and didn't was the Sephora by OPI Glee (from this post) because I wasn't as impressed in person as I was online. There were two colors from the set that I really wanted, but Sephora didn't have them solo. Maybe next time!

What have you ladies been buying or eyeing? Do you have any of the above items? How did they work for you?

Product Review: Zoya Nail Polish

Zoya Nail Polish- Barbie

 

Zoya Nail Polish- Tammy

Zoya Nail Polish-Emme

Each Zoya Polish ($7) shows the color with two coats of polish (no top coat)

From Erin at Everything According to Erin I found out about Zoya's Facebook Promotion and scored these three polishes! Thanks again Erin for the heads up!

From their site, Zoya Nail Polish:
- Is free of toluene, formaldehyde, DBP (phthalates) and camphor. (Did you know that a majority of polishes have that stuff in them? Gross!) 
-Offers over 300 gorgeous nail polish colors to choose from, plus 4 seasonal collections of nail polish every year.
-Zoya Nail Polish was specifically formulated to deliver the longest wear possible on natural nails.

This polish took a little bit long to dry, not the usual few minutes like SH or OPI, but this polish lasted FOREVER!! Even a full week later, I barely had any chipping, more just wear down from nail growth. I was completely aaaamazed! I've never had a polish last this long before!

The colors I chose looked a little different online than in real life and because it took a while for the polish to dry completely (30+ minutes for two coats for it to dry without any smudging when touched), I was ready to write them off. THEN, when I saw how long the polish lasted, I became a believer. At work I'm at a computer all day typing, so chips are expected, but after a solid week I had none! The colors are true to the bottle, Tammy color was a bit streaky but I blame that on the shade and not the product since the other colors I used didn't have that problem. Of the three colors, Barbie is hands down my favorite....no, it has nothing to do with the name.....why do you ask? I've had it on my toes for 3+ weeks and not a single chip and it hasn't faded. Awesome!

Overall, I'm a convert. SH is still one of my faves, but I loved how long Zoya polishes lasted, they're really worth the $$. I know some other bloggers also got the heads up on the promotion, and I'm so bummed that I missed out on the blue shade Ibiza, it's the perfect navy. I love it and need to add it to my ever-expanding collection.

Do you use Zoya polish? What are your favorite colors? Did you do the Facebook promotion? What colors did you get and are you happy with them?

Reunited and it Feels so Good!!

I'm not sure how many of you will know this, but Barbie and Ken had separated a few years ago and it broke my little heart. I mean, they were together FOREVER. They were literally made for each other. However, they have reconciliated! Yay! I love a happy ending!


Oh and from Julie at Brown Eyed Belle, I have found Miss Barbie's site! Did you know she has one? Check it out- All Doll'd Up.


Ha ha ha, I just love it.

Double Date to the Movies

The Fiance and I doubled with my cousin S and his girlfriend E to the Gold Class Cinemas to see No Strings Attached. Have you ever heard of the theatre? There's not many of them, only in CA, IL, TX, WA, AZ, and WI. If you have one near you, RUN over there for a night out!!

It's the BEST movie experience I've ever had. The tickets are a little expensive, $22/person (a regular movie ticket in CA is $11), but it's worth the price for a great movie experience. First, you buy your ticket set up an account for your expenses, then you go down two flights (absolutely no phone service the low) to a cool lounge. The lounge is set up like a club, small sections of seating with a waitstaff and fully bar. Their menu is filled with drinks from Stella Artois to Mojitos and their food ranges from Spinach, Artichoke, and Gruyere Croquettes (amazing btw!) to Filet Mignon Trio. The food is delicious and we loved everything we ordered. On Tuesdays, they do have specials for club members (just sign up online beforehand here) to receive 50% off drinks and food.

The theatre is pretty small, seats maybe 20 people and each person has their own reclining chair. Your seated as doubles (your seats are pre-selected when you buy your ticket), with a table for your drinks/food with a call button for service, your arm rest opens to store any jackets, purses or even shoes, and your chair reclines to almost a completely lying down position and is suuuuuuper comfortable.

Our experience there was phenomenal. The waitstaff is really friendly, the ambiance is very nice. The lights are dimmed in the lounge, soft music is playing, and the staff comes around to tables when the movie is close to starting to usher you in. We all had such a great time, I can't wait for the next time we go.

Oh and if you haven't seen it yet, No Strings Attached is HILARIOUS!! I'll be adding it to my movie collection the day it comes out. It's not cheesy, which I was afraid of since Ashton Kutcher is in it, and I was worried that they would go too extreme with the rold reversal of being commitment-phobe, but it was dead on and reminded me of my girlfriends and I in college.

Yes, I took off my shoes! Almost the entire theatre did (I checked before I took mine off) so I wasn't embarassed and the staff their strongly encouraged it even.

Check out a video tour of the theatre here. Have you been to a theatre like this before? I understand they're all over the US, but different companies of them. I loved the whole idea and experience of it, it put a new twist on the "dinner and a movie" stereotype.

Before the movie we visited S's brother N at the gelatto shop (which is conveniently across the way from the movie theatre) to try it out. I had the Creme Brulee, which was delicious, but tried nearly all of them. They have a Champagne Sorbet one I tried and it was bomb. They make it with real champagne and you can even taste it! Mmmmmmmmmm my mouth is watering now.

 

Hot Man Parade

I'm so excited for this weekend- my bridesmaids are throwing me an "Alice in Wonderland" themed bridal shower and I can't wait! It's going to be so much fun, I know they've worked so hard on putting it together. I also can't wait to see all of our family and friends!

Also, I have received some suggestions for future Hot Man Parades (Latino men is coming up!), if you have any ideas or want to see more of a certain someone, please let me know! I try to include men of all ages and type so there's something for everyone.