Guess Who's Back!

Apparently every year during the summer is when I feel like blogging again?

I think part of what was difficult before was trying to stick to a certain category of posts (beauty, fashion) but I think this time I'll just talk about whatever I have going on, and maybe someone will read this :)  At the very least, I figure I'll try to keep reviewing stuff, right?

I think as a real comeback post, I'll quickly give an updated review on things I've posted about before.  I always love updates like that myself, it is way more informative to know how people feel about things when they aren't new anymore.

So with that, I think I'll do fashion today and makeup next time :)

Fashion

1. Yellow Cardigan from J. Crew Outlet


I still super love the color of this cardigan, but one of the buttons fell off :(

Unfortunately, I have to think this is just shoddy workmanship that they sell for cheap(er) at the outlet.  Womp womp.  I keep meaning to sew the button back on, but haven't gotten there yet.
























2. Blue and white polka dot skirt from Ruche

Soooo, yea.  I have worn this skirt twice? Maybe? I was trying to be positive about it in my original post, but that was because I couldn't return it lol.

It is just kinda tight, and kinda short.  Maybe I'll wear it more now that it is heating up?  I'm not so sure that is going to happen, but I bought it during an online shopping phase.  This is one of the main purchases that I think of when reminding myself to just try the darn things on in person.  Le sigh.
















3. 'The Other Skirt' or the Pink Ikat print skit from Gap

I still definitely like this skirt, in fact I just wore it a couple of days ago! The only issue I have with it is if I'm having a fat day, it makes me feel, well.... fat. just in the way it sits on my hips.  But other days it feels great! So it is a hit and miss.


























4. Blue and Black Polka Dot Dress, Black Cardigan and Black Belt from (wait for it) Gap

So this one is a mixed bag.

a. Dress
LOVE. That is all you need to know.  Only annoying thing is when it gets static.

b. Belt
Also LOVE. Literally my favorite belt.  It is the perfect easy everyday belt, and it holds my pants up quite well :)

c. Cardigan
Ugh, so I loved this cardigan so. much. But it was too tight in the sleeves and shoulders to layer it easily, but I didn't care because I loved it so. much.

Then I accidently dried it in the dryer.  And it shrunk even more. :( So I gave it to my mom (who isn't as broad shouldered as me) and ordered a new one. This time the fabric is a has silk, rather than wool, and it fits wayyyyy better.

5. Black bow flats from Ruche

Sort of a continuation of the above outfit.  These shoes make me sad, because they are SO cute, and a nice shape on my feet, BUT the second they got wet ..... they smelled :( and now every time I wear them my feet just smell awful at the end of the day.  I'm thinking I might cut the bows off and turn them into shoe clips to spice up other flats without having to wear these stinky ones.




















6. Black skinnies from (you guessed it) Gap

Another 'makes me sad' moment- these black skinnies were so comfy and stretchy and flattering, but they developed holes in my lady part area after less than a year? Maybe a year and a half? And I did wear them a good bit, but I've never had a pair of pants get holes that quickly.

I've since bought a new pair of black jeans, which work for my Thursday morning meetings, but aren't that comfy at the end of the day.  Maybe I'll try Gap skinnies again once it gets colder.

On the positive side, I still love everything else I'm wearing!











WHEW! That was a monster post! Basically anything I didn't mention I still like and wear.  This post mostly stuck to things I had not so great experiences with.  Anyone else sad about clothes they loved, but they just didn't work out?

Next installment .... Makeup!

xoxo
Melanie

Bad Blogger Day

I have a confession, I was a bad, bad blogger today.

I had one of those days that (although not the best day ever I must admit) I loved how my makeup looked, I loved how my outfit looked, and I totally fail at taking pictures of any of it!  so yes, total blogger fail.  I'm sure the outfit will make another appearance soon enough, so I can photograph it then, but I am bummed about missing my makeup.  Even when I recreate a look, it never seems to look the same.  Anyone else know what I mean?

Here is some good blogger news!  A couple of quickfire (anyone else watch Top Chef?) reviews!

Chanel Perfection Lumiere (I wear shade B20)
Totally love!  I must say though, a huge part of that love is what a great color match I have.  A color match that good can be hard to find.

I find it applies a little streaky if I use a traditional foundation brush  (I use Sigmas), so instead I tried it with my Sonia Kashuk flat top kabuki from Target, and it is much better.  I can buff it to avoid the streaking problem. I found that I sometimes had trouble building it up to cover the redness in my nose, so I can use the flat top sort of like a stippling brush to push it into the skin, which helps with the coverage.

Perfectly blends into my neck! It sets initially to a semi matte finish, which I quite like, however within a few hours it gets significantly shiny, but not in a terrible way.  More in a natural skin kind of a way.  Not the worst, but I do go ahead and set it with my Chanel loose powder, and that helps (but doesn't prevent it completely)

So overall, I'm really enjoying it for an everyday, light to medium coverage.

**A quick note on Chanel Mat Lumiere, I exchanged my bottle for the Perfection Lumiere because although I liked the more matte finish of Mat Lumiere, it just say very heavily on my skin.  I love my YSL Teint Resist much more for a matte finish foundation with more coverage!

Chanel Loose Powder (In B30)

Speaking of Chanel powder... it is such a nice, finely milled powder, I've been really enjoying it as an all over finishing powder.  The only downside is it does not set my under-eye concealer as well as MACs prep and prime.  Lately I've just been using MAC for my under-eyes and Chanel for the rest of my face.

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals blush in Vintage Peach

The only thing I ended up buying and keeping from my Sephora appointment the day of our roomates' wedding.  I bought Nars Matte Velvet Lip Pencil for potential wedding day touch ups and hopefully future use.  Unfortunately I quickly realized that I am NOT a fan of the finish.  I prefer a glossy (or at least creamy) finish, and it lived up to the Matte part of its name.  I could not get a good swatch picture, but Vintage Peach is a nice subtle peach blush.  It has some definite shimmer, but it isn't overwhelming.  I'd say it just doesn't need a highlighter.



From here on out, I think I will skip these bigger reviews and stick to short reviews with my FOTDs.

Anyone else pick up any new daily favs?

and coming soon... our roomates' wedding pictures!

xoxo

Melanie