Photo Booth!

Wearing Above: Pin-Up Lashes c/o Benefit Cosmetics
It's so dramatic and great for parties -- love it! It's a layers of brown lashes and black lashes combined which is pretty much the same concept of wearing 2 strips of lashes together.
Be sure to check out Benefit's post featuring all their lashes.

BR 40% off Today from 12-4pm (Online Only)

I just wanted to do a quick post about the BR 40% off sale this afternoon. Elle from FF&FF asked me about this necklace (see above) when I wore in this post. If anyone else is interested, you can get it at BR with the 40% discount. I have gotten so many compliments on it and I wear it with everything. I wished I had a better picture & promise it looks much better in person.

My other picks are: Petite Lace Trim Jacket (love the soft feminine color) & black petite Gemma Wrap dress (I've always wanted a wrap dress, but don't have one!)

Use code: BRTUES40

Ann Taylor: A Very Successful Round 2

Saddened by my last Ann Taylor order from this post, I decided to place another order. I'm much more happy with the 2nd round of stuff. I purchase all these items with a 40% discount as well.

Ann Taylor Lace Detailed Stretch Silk Shell. Size 00P.
I really really wanted to like this top and keep it but, unfortunately the fit around the bust area just doesn't look right. It's hard to tell in the pics, but the darts on the bust is placed very low. You can tell the bust area looks messy and just off. If it wasn't for that issue, this shell would be a keeper. It's absolutely beautiful and I love that it's made of silk.

I had an anonymous reader ask me about the pumps I wore from the last AT post. They are the Rocha pumps from Nine West and I am wearing it here (in pic above and below). My normal size is a size 5.5, but I had to go down to a 5.

Ann Taylor Drape Neck Button Front Blouse. 00P.
I love everything about this blouse and I swear it looks even better in person. The sleeves are perfect and not too long at it. It's blouse-y, but not excessively blouse-y in a big way. It looks great tucked in or not. The drape scarf/collar is detachment so you can wear it with or without it. I think it's look either way you wear it. I'm definitely keeping this and see myself wearing it with lots of outfits.

Ann Taylor Double-Ribbed Trim Cardigan. Size XXSP. Color lime leaf.
I am in love with this cardigan. The color is so pretty and not too bright. The fit is pretty perfect, I can't find anything really to complain about. It also feels really soft and cozy. It's a great sweater for the fall to keep you warm because it's neither too thin or too thick. Looks great buttoned or no buttoned.

Ann Taylor Doubleweave Stretch Wool Pencil Skirt. Size 00P.
I like this skirt a lot and I'm indecisive about keeping or returning it so your input would be helpful.
This is a nice quality skirt with lining inside. It's very comfortable to wear and the is appropriate for the office. I wished it was a tad slimmer on the sides. There is a slight waist gap, but nothing terrible. Overall, I think the skirt looks pretty nice. I'm undecided if I want to keep it due to the waist gap. What do you ladies think: return it, alter it or wear it as is?

Ann Taylor: Petite Striped Sweater, Flounce Back Skirt & Print Dress

I purchased these items with the 40% discount. Today is the last day to take advantage. I just checked the site and it looks like they have more new stuff.

Ann Taylor Striped Cafe Crewneck Sweater. Size XXSP.
The sweater is a combo of cotton, rayon & polyester blend. The sweater is a little thinner than I have hoped. The metallic part of the sweater itches my skin a bit. I like the fit and the length of the sweater. It's a good basic sweater, but nothing special. I'm leaning towards return because the sweater makes me itch.


Ann Taylor Flounce Back Skirt. Size 00P.
I had such high hopes for this skirt. Unfortunately you can see that it doesn't fit me at all. I think it suppose to sit higher on the waist, but it kept falling down. The skirt is also is unlined and has an elastic waist band which makes it feel very unfinished/cheap. I'm definitely returning.

Ann Taylor Melded Shell Print Dress. 00P.
The dress has a nice print and I like the sleeve length. It's hard to tell in pics, but the torso area was a tad loose. The material feels thin and cheap like a cotton t-shirt with spandex. I'm returning this as well.

I have another order coming in from Ann Taylor. I'm crossing my fingers for better success!

LV Pochette Accessoires and Benefit Angel Lashes

A few weeks ago I was traveling and had a lay over in Charlotte, North Carolina. Long story short, I lost my wallet in the terminals when I was running to try to catch my connecting flight. I normally use a black clutch as my wallet and that big thing flew out of my purse without me noticing. Any who, I been searching for my replacement ever since and decided on the Louis Vuitton Pochette Accessoires as my new wallet/clutch.

The clutch comes with a removable leather straps so it can be used as a shoulder bag, hand held clutch or as a wristlet -- so versatile! I was also sold by the idea that the leather strap can be linked to a D-ring found in my Louis Vuitton bags. With the clutch attached to the purse, I don't ever have to worry about losing it again. Yay!

Size (LxHxD): 8.3" x 5.1" x 1.2" - fits my credit cards, money, change, compact, lipsticks, lip glosses, cell phone and keys. I really can't believe I can put all those things in such a small little clutch.

Wearing:
H&M Blouse. Size 2. (old) (similar here)
Juicy Couture Legging. Size Petite. (old) (similar here)
Nine West Danee Platform Pumps. Size 5.5. Color Natural Leather. Runs 1/2 size too big. I wished there was a size 5 available!
Louis Vuitton Pochette Accessoires

Wearing Above: Angel Lashes c/o Benefit Cosmetics
I wanted something to open the eyes, but nothing too dramatic for the daytime and thought these were perfect for a subtle and "bright-eyed" look. What I also love is that they are extremely light weight and comfortable that I don't even notice that I'm wearing them.

Be sure to check out this post featuring the Benefit Beauties modeling their new line of lashes. There are so many varieties and they all look so cute and sexy. Most of the lashes are available for sale on their site. Thanks so much to my gal at Benefit for providing me the entire line of lashes. I love them all and will be wearing them in future posts!

Getting Rid of Wrinkles Around the Eyes

Remember this post when my aunt told me that I had wrinkles around my eyes?! Well ever since then, I been on a crazy hunt to find a eye cream that works. I actually saw her last week and she made a comment about how my wrinkles have faded and that my skin doesn't look so dry anymore. I was shocked & almost fell over! A compliment (kinda) finally! Haha!

I told her that I've been using Perricone MD High Potency Eye Lift for a couple of months. She wanted to know if they eye cream would work for her wrinkles too and I said no because you have really deep lines and I had fine lines. Haha! I was totally being sarcastic.

(here is an unedited close up photo)

I was amazed on how quickly I saw results. I'm about 2 months into using the product and I'm half way done with the bottle and I see my wrinkles disappearing already. The texture is pretty light and moisturizes really well too. I am definitely sold and will be trying more Perricone products.

And if you're curious about the product, please go to Sephora and get a sample first (esp if you have sensitive skin). I read the reviews on Sephora and it looks like people either really love it or hate it. I think there's a ingredient that is very active and seems like people with sensitive skin are getting reactions to it.

I have tried many eye creams in the past and this Perricone MD High Potency Eye Lift gives results that surpasses any other I have tried.

Here is a list of eye cream that I have tried in the past and did NOTHING for the wrinkles:

La Mer Eye Concentrate - For $165 this eye cream did nothing and did not moisturize well either. I know a lot of people love La Mer, but for me it didn't really do much and felt like it dried out my skin. I have used the face cream too and have found it a bit heavy especially for the day time.

Chanel Precision Ultra Correction Line Repair Anti Wrinkle Eye Cream - this was cheaper than La Mer, but it didn't work either. I did like the texture and it did moisturize well though.

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream - For $45, I thought this was a good primer but not for getting get of wrinkles for sure

Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Balm. Very thick and heavy and not recommended for under makeup. I felt like it sat on top of my skin and didn't sink it. I ended up using it as a lip balm and that worked well.
La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Lift Cream -- the price of this thing is ridiculous-- $295! I used this a long time ago, but I don't remember it doing a darn thing.

Curling and Straightening hair with Hana Professional Flat Iron 1"

Remember this post I did awhile back? I was so impressed by the The Hana Air Professional hair dryer sent to me from Misikko, I decided to give the Hana Professional 1" flat iron a try.
I have been wanting a flat iron to curl my hair because I think a flat iron gives more beach-y like waves as opposed to a regular curling iron that gives more tighter curly ringlets.

I love the messier waves that was created by the Hana 1" flat iron. I think the look is definitely more casual cool!

How I curled my hair with the Hana Professional 1" flat iron:

I applied a heat protectant all over my hair and clipped half of my hair up with a claw. I grabbed a fairly large piece of hair because I wanted larger waves. I place the flat iron half way down that piece of hair and wrapped the hair around flat iron just once and pulled it through fairly quickly. I feel like if you do it slowly, it will create tighter curls which I didn't want. After I'm done with the lower half of the hair, I un-clipped the top of of my hair and just repeated the same thing.

I used to watch my hair stylist to this to my hair and it looked fairly difficult. I used to think my curling iron was easier, but after using a flat iron to curl my hair, I find it more easy and quick. I'd say this look took me no more than 5 mins to achieve.

Before picture: What my hair looks like when I don't do anything to it at all. That is how my hair dries. So ugly! I would not dare to walk out of the house like that. Hope it didn't scare you. Haha!

After Picture: What my hair looks like after I flat iron it. It looks so much better right?!? The flat iron makes my hair so much shinier, softer and smoother.

How I flat iron my hair:

I'm really lazy and I find the method above to be really quick, easy and fool proof.
First I put a heat protectant all over my hair. I clip half of my hair up and then flat iron the bottom half of my hair. After I'm done with the bottom half of my hair, I let the top part down and flip my head upside down. I find that by flipping my head upside down, I can straighten the hair by the face and the crown much easier. After I'm done doing that, I just re-flat iron any pieces of hair that looks out of place. This method probably takes me 2-3mins tops.

Thanks for reading and hopefully you find these tips to be helpful!