thrifty

if you didnt know, i am still obsessed with thrifting and DIY projects atm. at least it is a cheap obsession! here are a few snapshots (brought you by my craptastic phone. hey at least it has a camera eh) of pieces i picked up recently:

taupe silk tee
loved the fit, taupey color, and keyhole opening in the back (which i failed miserably at capturing. i tried ha) plus it is made of 100% silk.

ralph lauren oversized cable knit sweater
i ended up getting this. i plan to either wear it with a slip underneath or over skinnies. i love the huge size of it. if anything i can wear it lounging around the house. super comfy and laid back.

soft pink pleated blouse
weird buy for me since i usually dont buy pink clothing. but i LOVED the soft puff sleeves and the pleating in the front. made w/ mostly polyester unfortunately. but i can deal.

silk gold button up
probably my favorite thing i found. i love this shade of gold against dark hair, and it is incredibly smooth and soft. also made with 100% silk.

my next mission is to find a dresser for a decent price (of which i shall repaint and maybe...if i am daring...replace the handles) and perhaps make my own garment rack. if i find/do such projects, i will for sure post my before and afters :)

have a good wkd! sorry for the lack of posts. my laptop is being fickle with me so i am stuck with my sisters desktop (with none of my pictures to use for blogging. boo hoo)

oh if you were wondering, im wearing that turband i got from f21 here. and my diy levis again.

golden eye

believe it or not...i used mostly wet n wild's vanity palette for this one.

face:
ysl teint resist
mac msfn
hoola bronzer
nars angelika
stila rose gold highlight

eyes:
wet n wild vanity palette
mac brun in outer corner
mac feline liner
lancome hypnose mascara

lips:
stila apricot gloss

if you have the vanity palette, try mixing the bronze and golden shades. the results come out to be a remarkably pretty warm metallic gold. that is what i used for my all over lid color.

hope you all have a good wkd!

DIY: distressed high-waisted levis

so lately i have been completely engrossed with thrifting. i will point the blame to clothesencounter's and heyyyjune on youtube. love their channels! they are so creative and incorporate certain pieces together in outfits that i would have never dreamed would work. plus i love the idea of getting one-of-a-kind pieces at a bargain price.

one of the pieces i recently thrifted were these levi high waisted jeans. i thought they would be perfect for a little DIY distressed high waisted shorts project.

BEFORE
the pair i picked up were around $4. they were in a sad state as pants(stains on the thighs, holes in the knees) but i knew with a little scissor work, i could turn it into something better.

DURING
first i tried on the pants and marked with a pen an inch lower than how short i wanted it and cut the excess fabric off.

as for distressing, i used a box cutting knife and make cuts into the jean and used tweezers to pull the loose threading. this took forever! but it was very therapeutic to me haha. i also used a cheese grater on some parts to make it REALLY tattered and distressed (you can also use sandpaper, but i didnt have any!) i didnt worry about the ends of the shorts, i knew after a good wash they would distress on their own.

AFTER
voila! this is the finished product. i have to say, for my first time i am pretty proud of my handy work.

WORN
here it is on. they are a LITTLE too big on me, but im happy overall with the effect. i plan on adding pyramid studs to these next! first i have to order the studs....

i think it takes real creativity and talent to be able to incorporate thrifted items with high end/store bought items in outfits. i am so inspired by those who do this! i love this idea and hope to slowly add thrifted/vintage items to my closet.

where do you stand? do thrifted items freak you out or do you find it inspiring? i love hearing where ppl stand on this. i obviously think the idea is so fresh and smart. do you thrift?

le metier de beaute kaleidoscope in le cirque: first look

lately i have been absolutely obsessed with le metier de beaute. i feel like they have exploded in the blogging atmosphere and i keep hearing about their products everywhere...ESPECIALLY their kaleidoscopes and eye shadows.

these are pretty exclusive items. they are usually limited edition and go online (bergdorf goodman, neiman marcus, and nordstrom are some of the places i have seen that sell LMdB online) for a very short period and then disappear due to demand.

LMdB is a very customer service friendly brand. for example, they interact with their followers on twitter. i was lamenting on my twitter how the splendid frost and le cirque kaleidoscope werent availble online anymore for purchase and they promptly solved my woes by giving me two counter's contact information where i would be able to purchase them over the phone. impressive!

after getting the information, i was planning on getting one eventually when i could justify splurging on such a luxurious item (like i need anymore eye shadows!) but i am blessed with such a great friend because my best friend heard how obsessed i was with these kaleidoscopes and ordered it for me as a present! i know...i have the greatest best friend ever, right?! i ended up getting le cirque:

le metier de beaute kaleidoscope in "le cirque"
the pans come stacked on top of each other and swivel out in layers. there is also a mirror on top. (i didnt picture this, sorry!) handy for when you want to travel with the kit.

Flamboyantes
the top tier is a pearly beige with pink and green duochrome.

Spectacle
the 2nd tier is a cool silvery taupe with a silver shimmer.

Enrichissant
the 3rd tier is a plummy mahogany with red shimmer.

Dynamique
the 4th and last tier is a beautiful indigo.

swatches:
from left to right: 1st tier, 2nd tier, 3rd tier, 4th tier

comparison of le metier de beaute le cirque kaleidoscope
from L to R: mac vex, LMdB 1st tier, LmdB 2nd tier, mac satin taupe, LMdB 3rd tier, mac sable, LmdB 4th tier, urban decay ransom

vex and the 1st tier are similar. flamboyantes has this softness to it and is more grey though. vex is much frostier.

satin taupe and the 2nd tier are also similar but not the same at all. satin taupe is more brown while spectacle is more silver and plummy.

the 3rd tier i compared with mac's plummy brown sable. enrichissant is a MUCH deeper brown and it is redder.

lastly, the closest thing i could compare to the 4th tier was urban decay's ransom. dynamique is a MUCH darker and smokier purple. ransom is also much frostier.

the kaleidoscopes are intended to be used with the "Couches de Coleur" technique, where basically you layer the colors on top of one another to bring out the depths of the colors. here i did a few examples of this technique just to give you an idea of how versatile (and cool!) the colors work together.

layering the first tier
from L to R: 1st tier on its own, 1st tier + 2nd tier, 1st tier +3rd tier, 1st tier + 4th tier.

layering the 2nd tier
2nd tier on its own, 2nd tier + 1st tier, 2nd tier + 3rd tier, 2nd tier + 4th tier.

i havent had a chance to play with this too much since i got it but i will try to do a look with it so you can see how it looks on. and ill also try to layer the colors more! i just really wanted to show you guys swatches.

each kaleidoscope is $95. before you get appalled by the price, keep in mind mac shadows are $15 for 1.5 grams each and LMdB shadow singles are $30 for 3.8 grams. each shadow pan in the kaleidoscope is the same size as a full sized single. you can also switch out the pans in the kaleidoscope if you wanted, either for more e/s or for a lip product pan. AND LMdB is a luxury brand, the quality of these shadows is excellent. they have this nice softness to them.

if you want a review on this kaleidoscope, check out the non-blonde, cafe makeup, or the beauty look book. they did a better job reviewing it than i ever could attempt! plus they do more comparisons and layering...check them out!

this le metier de beaute fever i have isnt going away. i am already planning on getting the "splendid frost" kaleidoscope eventually...when i save up enough money.

what do you think of le metier de beaute? have you tried anything from the brand?

[a really late] july favorites

i know, i know. really late. but i thought id post my july faves anyway...please forgive me!

milani blushes
most of the time i am so absorbed in using my nars blushes, but this month i actually kept reaching for milani. the ones pictured here are mai tai (matte pinky coral) and dolce pink (part of the baked line that i blogged about HERE). mai tai is really great, i talked about this in my last vain rambling. as for the baked blushes, i have been reaching for all the colors i have to pair with matte blushes. adds such a nice glow from within your own skin. i have been skipping highlighting this whole month practically since ive been doing this...

neutrogena healthy skin liquid makeup
i usually dont wear foundation (more of a msfn girl...brush n go!) but i am trying to use up the ones i did buy on a whim a while back. this is the shade that matches me best right now and i actually have been really enjoying using this foundation. it doesnt have a bad smell, it applies nicely, and i like the overall finish (not too matte, i hate when foundations are matte). once i am done with this guy i dont think i will be repurchasing just because this foundation isnt the best for oily skin (i get oily in my cheeks and nose.) and plus i think there are honestly probably much better products out there. i am kinda a newbie when it comes to foundations...so my oily skinned ladies...what are your fave foundations? id like to hear...

bareminerals e/s in nude beach
this eye shadow is really nice. i am glad i picked it up. if you dont like shimmer, you probably wont like this though. it is a nice cool, light taupe grey. if you are at a counter i urge you to swatch it. i gasped when i did haha. i really like putting this in the inner corners of my eyes or on top of mac constructivist pp with a grey shadow in the crease. i hate that this is a loose mineral e/s though! so messy. if they made a pressed version i would get it instead...

mac pigment in blonde's gold
i have been using this like crazy ever since i got it in my swap. i did a look with it on HERE. really pretty pale gold that looks like a beautiful tarnished gold when paired with a brown base (quite natural pp, groundwork, or constructivist are usually what i use.)

mac e/s in hocus pocus
i have been LOVING this e/s. i am so glad i picked it up from the blogger's obsession collection. i use it in the crease, as liner, smudged under the lash line...you name it. really pretty shimmery gunmetal color that is pigmented. it is similar to the grey in the nars eurydice duo, if you were wondering. not exact, but similar (eurydice grey is a litttttle more blue. HP more brown).

mac constructivist pp
absolutely been using this like crazy. i think i already mentioned it in this post twice. perfect base for so many colors (cool greys, shimmery golds, browns...you name it!) i have to stop myself from using this and show my other pp's some love. they feel neglected, i know it. if you want to see a swatch of it, check out my paint pot post HERE.

opi koala berry
love this shade. i would go as far as to say it is one of my favorite nail polishes of all time. such a pretty magenta pink shade. my toes were permanently this color all of july.

mac mercenary
i loved this shade on my fingers. it just went with everything i wore. i also got this in my swap craze.

nyc sunny bronzer
this got a lot of love from me simply because i am ALMOST DONE WITH IT. that is right...i see more pan than product. i have only finished 1 product before out of all my collection (msfn) so this is HUGE people. i like this bronzer, but i wont be repurchasing. i feel like there are much better products out there, plus i have SO MANY BRONZERS. i need to finish more up. and i want to try out soleil de tan de chanel....and some dior bronzers. but if you are looking for a cheap matte alternative, i would recommend this.

prestige my blackest lashes
MY FAVORITE THING THIS MONTH. really it is amazing. heard about this from sandra and i am so glad i tried it. i got it at ulta for like 6 bucks, you cant go wrong. it is definitely my favorite drugstore mascara. i am seriously considering never buying any drugstore mascara besides this again. very black, doesnt flake off, easy to remove, and GIVES ME VOLUME. plus the formula is just as good right when you open the tube until a month later (still using it now and it is performing the same). the ONLY thing i will complain about is that it DOES tend to clump while applying if you arent careful. but i am willing to overlook that since i LOVE the results it gives me and loreal voluminous clumps MUCH worse than this. TRY IT if you see it. really, if you hate it, it is only a $6 loss so i think it is worth it to try out.

estee lauder impulsive coral gloss
been loving this gloss. this color is super flattering on my skintone. and i love the formula! not sticky and doesnt give me those gross lip rings.
EL compulsive coral on my lips. dont mind the little hair! :(

what are your favorite products this month? have you tried any of these and love them too? oily skinned ladies/gentlemen let me know your fave foundations! id love to hear your recs....

the turband

tried doin the turband for the first time today and i loved it. so funky and cool.

turband- done w/ an ae scarf
lipstick- mac vegas volt

a few baubles...

all from f21. this is my first statement necklace and turband.

001 what im eating

breakfast quesadilla.



not the healthiest thing in the world, but it could be worse.

whats in my bag?

joining in on the fun post that went around recently...what is in my bag! i dont know about you, but i always feel like mary poppins or barney and his magic barney bag since when i try to pull something quickly out (like a ringing cell phone let's say...) it feels like my bag suddenly has a seemingly bottomless pit.


my bag. i got this in california at f21. it is a camel color and is made of forever21's finest pleather of course. i love the simplicity of the body and hardware plus it was only around 25 bucks. if only i could afford alexander wang's rocco or balenciaga's city...sigh.

oh and the interior is just a beige color with only one side zip compartment (sorry i forgot to take a pic of the inside!)


all the contents. i TRY to compartmentalize so i dont have to dig so much...but i always end up digging anyway...


lancome hand cream.
i recently put this in here so i havent used it yet. when i was in school i had labs where i frequently washed my hands with the harsh soaps. this of course led to my hands being parched and prone to cracking. especially in the winter! atm i dont use this, my hands dont get dry in the summer.

pepper spray.
dont laugh at me. my parents gave it to me as a christmas present and i mindlessly toss it in every bag i use out of habit (i know, lame excuse. i really am not paranoid about being attacked...honest!) im not sure if it is even legal to carry this around...hmm...

syringe pen.
this pen was given to me by the program i went through to go to costa rica. i think it is super neato and clever.


my cosmetic bag. got this free from estee lauder. love the blood red croc! and the size...it is perfect to throw in your bag.

besides my sephora mirror i got with a gift card and my WAY too many bobby pins (so THAT'S where they disappeared off to...) i also have:

bonnebell gloss in strawberry parfait.
i have talked about this before, i love the formula and color...i hate the scent. most will probably like it though (sickly sweet artificial strawberries). i wear this A LOT. it is super easy to just slick on and it is opaque enough to cover my natural lip color. this is super affordable too...id get other colors but the scent really puts me off so i am wary. i rotate glosses i keep in my purse so i can use them up more often, but this gloss ALWAYS stays in my purse.

nyx smokey look.
one of my "on rotation" glosses. it recently was revlon peach petal so this was a recent switch. i like this color, but for some reason i dont reach for it often, hence why it is now in the bag.

victor & rolf flowerbomb rollerball.
love this scent, but i think it is more appropriate for night time. i wish i could find a dolce and gabbana light blue rollerball...then i'd keep that here instead!

nyc blushable creme stick in south st seashell.
i really hate going without blush for the day (i look dead!) so i like to keep a easy application (fingers!) cream blush handy for after i go to the beach, to fix faded blush..etc. this is a nice browned pink. it doesnt last long but is a good temporary fix. the formula is really nice...easy to blend and glowy healthy finish. i really like these sticks...i wish i had the LE shades! :(

prestige black pencil liner.
i dont care for this liner at all...but i keep it in here just in case. and i dont want to waste it by throwing it away. the texture is too waxy and it isnt black enough for me.

revlon grow luscious mascara.
again, this is for after i go to the beach, need touch ups, etc. another product i dont really care for. i look for volume in mascaras and this doesnt deliver well. at least it doesnt clump!

revlon nude attitude matte lipstick.
i always keep a nude lipstick in my bag to blank out my lips before adding gloss for nights out when i need to touch up. i usually switch btw this and colorburst soft nude.

elf all over color stick in pink lemonade.
this is very shimmery, so i much prefer the nyc stick. but it is nice to use as a highlight.

semi essentials. cat shades are from target. my wallet is genuine leather and vintage. my keys (i hate lanyards...so tacky). and one of my favorite necklaces that i wore the other day and took off for my optometrist appointment (it kept snagging on the sink when i was taking my contacts on and off).

forgot to show my phone...but you arent missing much, i promise. i am still in the stone age with my non-smart phone!

hope you enjoyed...i didnt have too much junk surprisingly! :)

OOTD &FOTD: free lace

so i dont have a huge full length mirror that can properly capture my outfits i deem worthy to share so please bear with my piecey pictures!


top:free people. i love this tank top. it is has lace, stripes, and i love the pink/grey striping. it IS a bit too big on me, but it really adds to the over-sized carefree bohemian vibe so i dont mind it too much.
bandeau: ae
shorts: ae
necklace: f21




bracelets are a huge obsession of mine. i collect them like a hoarder so they are from all over...ae, random shops, f21, asos...etc. earrings are from f21...i love the magenta shade of them.


excuse my mess/lack of shoes. i just moved into a new apt with my sister so i am just starting to settle in! i eventually wore some black short biker boots with this outfit.



as for my makeup...

face:
neutrogena healthy skin liquid makeup
revlon photoready under the eyes (this is too light on me atm so i use it as a brightener)
mac MSFN med-dark
bonnebell glimmer bronzer
stila bronzer #2
mac warm soul
milani mineralized blush dolce pink

eyes:
mac blonde's gold pigment all over lid
mac brun in outer v
mac club smudged heavily under bottom lash line
loreal carbon lineur intense liner
mac feline on waterline
lancome hypnose drama mascara

lips:
foundation as base
stila gloss in grapefruit

oh and my nail varnish? i mixed mac's pigment/glitter in reflects antique gold with clear polish and voila! really neato effect and it lasted 4eva.