Spring has sprung: Wishlist

Spring is in the air! Well, kind of. The air is actually freezing today, but nevertheless, Spring is right around the corner. Spring puts me in the mood for light and girly pastel colors, flowers, and candy and rainbows and ponies.

Here are some girly products that I am currently sprung on (pun intended)...

Left to right, Top to bottom: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush/  Miu miu sunglasses / Jo Malone perfume / Diane James bouquet / Caudalie face care / Urban Decay eyeshadow / Origins facial cleanser/  MAC Cosmetics lipstick / Benefit Cosmetics / Henri Bendel candle / Halogen flat shoes 

The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush is something that I've seen all over the internet recently. I own two of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders (in Diffused Light & Luminous Light) and I love them. I think these blushes would be so perfect for the springtime because they give a gorgeous, natural glow and a perfect amount of color. 

I threw in a Jo Malone perfume fragrance because I have had a few tester-size perfumes and loved them all. I also got a Jo Malone body wash for Christmas that I have yet to try out. These products have a strong fragrance, but the scents are very fresh and natural (by natural I mean fruity, floral, earthy scents). This one in Peony & Blush suede is perfect for Spring. 

I've had my eye on the Caudalie face care grape water for a while now, but just can't justify buying it as it is quite expensive for a toner and I still had a toner that wasn't finished yet. Well, now my toner is just down to the last drop and it's pretty much time for a new one. This will probably be a purchase for me in the very near future. 

I have owned the Naked, Naked 2, and Naked Basics palette so I figure this is probably the next Urban Decay eyeshadow palette that's on my list to buy. The Naked 3 palette has more pinky neutral colors which are perfect for getting a lovely soft and feminine look for this time of year. 

I got a tester of the Origins facial cleanser 'Checks and Balances' at Nordstrom when I bought my Clarisonic. I used up all of the tester and now I want to get a full size of this cleanser. It leaves your face feeling so clean (especially with the Clarisonic). It has a fresh, almost minty cool feeling on  your face and gives a deep clean without drying your skin too much. I've been using Origins moisturizers so I think it makes sense to add this cleanser to my routine. 

I don't own any liquid cheek stains, and Benefit cosmetics posie tint is a classic. I've recently been dabbling into the world of cream blushes and think I'm ready to try something new with this cheek stain. It would also be great for the warm weather that is to come as it will stay on your cheeks and give a healthy, radiant flush without looking cakey and it is long lasting. 

Last month I bought a Henri Bendel candle in the scent 'Honeyed Fig' and I am so in love with it. I own about a million candles and this is one of my absolute favorites ever. The scent is so strong and it's sweet without being too artificial or cloyingly sweet. It's amazing and I want to get some other scents to scatter throughout my apartment. This peony one is fresh and floral, perfect for Spring. 

What does Spring/Easter make you think of? What fashion and beauty products are you currently loving? Do you own any of these products or like me want to own any of them? Let me know!

What's in my bag?: Rebecca Minkoff 'Cupid' Satchel

1. Rebecca Minkoff 'Cupid' Satchel

I walked into Nordstrom on one of my vacation days and made a B-line for the handbag section. I approached a friendly looking sales clerk and asked her to show me her current favorite bags in store. Without hesitation, she directed my attention towards the Rebecca Minkoff ‘Cupid’ satchel in black with gold hardware. I was INSTANTLY in love and sold. I didn’t even want to look at any other bags, which I know is silly considering the price tag but I just knew this bag was perfect for me. And I was right. I have used it every day since I bought it. Obsessed is an understatement.

Now onto what's inside.. 

2. iPhone 5

Shocker. Most frequently used item in my purse is obviously my phone. I have a white iPhone 5 and I am currently using a cool reflective case from kate spade saturday. I also have a little purple button stuck on to the home button, which is also from kate spade saturday. I got them on sale at the store in Rice Village in Houston, and I couldn't find them on their website anymore. But they do have cute phone accessories if you want to check them out!

3. Rosebud Lip Salve in Strawberry

I'm a seriously addicted to lip balm/salve/chapstick/anything for your lips. This has been my go-to lip salve for about a decade now and it is an absolute must have for me. I love this stuff. I go back and forth between the original rose and the strawberry versions. It’s inexpensive, feels great, smells good, and doesn’t really add any color to your lips. It’s also very affordable for about $5, and I usually see it at the check-out in Sephora with all the other mini products. 

4. Ralph Lauren "Blue"

This has been my favorite perfume since middle school, and I'm not exaggerating. I remember one of my friends back then wearing it and I definitely copied her and fell in love with this scent. The only unfortunate thing about it is that it's not easy to find these days. I am really not good at describing scents, but it is described online as having "the same casual elegance that defines Polo clothing- crisp nautical-inspired looks and fresh, breezy designs... Lush fragrances for women evoke the waves and sky of a dreamy day at the beach... From sunny afternoons on the sand to cool, breezy evenings watching the sun go down over the water, this fragrance is every leisurely moment wrapped up in one memorable scent." Sounds pretty nice... honestly I have never thought of the beach when smelling this but it is a very nice, classy, everyday scent that lasts all day and also the scent does change a bit as the day goes on, in a good way. Right now I have 2 big bottles of this at my house and I carry a little travel size one in my purse. I consider it my signature scent (even though I technically copied my friend who had it in the 7th grade!)

5. Bite Lip Tint in "Juice"

I know I already had a lip salve on this list, but this gives a tint of color that the Rosebud salve lacks. It's also extremely moisturizing and a great go-to lip color for everyday. It gives a natural corally-red flush to the lips that's not too strong and feels so smooth and buttery. Love it. This has become a new favorite brand for lip products and the packaging is super sleek. I work in a pretty conservative work environment, so if I want to quickly touch up my lipstick I would prefer the packaging be discreet and not some bubble gum pink glittery thing. The tint also stays on your lips for hours. 

6. Headphones

These are an absolute must for me at work and at the gym. I bought these at a CVS when I was out of town on a business trip and they've held up for over a year. 

7. Soap & Glory Hand Food

This is just a really great hand cream and the smell is nice but quite neutral, not at all overpowering. 

8. Benefit's the POREfessional Agent Zero Shine powder

I always keep some sort of blotting powder in my purse to control shine and touch up my makeup throughout the day. Lately I’ve been using this powder by benefit. It’s awesome for throwing in your purse or travelling because it has a brush on one side, and the cap on the other side can be used to put the product in and get it on your brush before you apply it. It’s a good mattifying powder that doesn’t look cakey over your makeup.

9. Evian mineral water spray

This stuff is kind of gimmicky, I know, it’s just water coming out in a mist. But honestly I find it really refreshing and a nice pick-me-up in the middle of the day if my skin feels dry or if it’s really hot outside (which here is often the case here in Texas). I also love this stuff when I’m travelling, because it feels so nice and hydrating. I usually find these at Sephora in two-packs, and a small bottle of this mist usually lasts me for at least 2-3 months. 

10. Altoids (Wintergreen)

Gotta have some mints to keep your breath in check. I almost always eat these two at a time… I don’t know why, one is never enough. It's not unlike me to also have 3 different flavors of gum in my bag at any given time, but right now these Altoids are all I got. 

Other miscellaneous items: Gift cards (to Whole Foods & Starbucks, from my sweet mother), Half-eaten Chocolate Coconut Chew Larabar (delicious vegan & GF snack bars with a great list of ingredients), checkbook, business cards, coupons, receipts, a napkin, pens, a banana, and my security key card thing to get into the office. 

Hope you enjoyed this little peek into my purse! Let me know what your everyday handbag necessities are in the comments!

New project! Terrarium supply shopping

I've always loved the way terrariums look. I think it's such a neat combination of art and nature, two of my favorite things. A few weeks ago, I went over to my aunt's house and noticed she had a new piece of decor... a giant pear-shaped "vase" filled with soil, moss, tropical plants, and little ornaments (she had fairies and a lady bug, chairs, etc.) She told me that it was her first attempt at a terrarium!  was so excited; I immediately wanted to make one of my own.

We made a date to go to her favorite garden store, Buchanan's in the Houston Heights. She needed to pick up some supplies for her next terrarium and I tagged along to get what I needed for my first one.

Buchanan's is a big, wonderful garden center. There are three "sections" of the store, if you will, one completely outdoors, one indoor conservatory-type thing, and a small shop indoors where you will find a vast array of plants, succulents, flowers, soil, garden accessories, etc. 

I walked around in awe trying to think of a concept for my terrarium. I gravitated towards a section of tropical plants and picked five or six of my favorites, trying to choose ones that were pretty and complimented each other. 

These were the plants I decided on. Unfortunately, I don't know what they're called. But they were all in the "tropical plants" section and all cost less than $5. You'll see in the back left corner of my tray I also picked up some cute little heart-shaped Valentine's cacti...

Such a cute, inexpensive and unique Valentine's gift. 

And look at these two little lovebirds...

If you enjoyed this post and you're in the Houston area, check out:

Buchanan's Native Plants

611 E. 11th Street

Houston, TX 77008

Check back soon for my next post where I'll show you my first terrarium featuring the plants pictured above. If you have made a terrarium of your own or want to show off your green thumby skills, feel free to leave a comment and show me what you've got!

What to wear: Valentine's Night out

Whether you are planning a romantic evening with your significant other, or you're planning a night out with your single friends, Valentine's day is a great excuse to get dolled up. Here are two Valentine-inspired outfits that work for a nice dinner, date, or night out!

I made this set on Polyvore and money was not an object when I was choosing these items. This is more like what I would buy/wear if I had unlimited funds and could go crazy in Neiman Marcus. However similar items can be found at more affordable shops, the set is just to get outfit inspiration.

Short black cocktail dress / RED Valentino white long sleeve top / Gucci black velvet pants / Diane Von Furstenberg buckle booties / Jimmy Choo peep toe platform pumps / Alexander mcqueen handbag / Lulu Guinness plastic handbag/ David Yurman wide ring / Laser cut jewelry / Renee Lewis heart shaped diamond pendant / Round cut diamond ring

The dress on the left is definitely edgier, with leather detail on the cuffs which is why I included dark accessories like the skull ring & clutch and the peep toe buckle booties. The outfit on the right is sweeter, if you will, with a long sleeved peplum top and some black velvet pants. The floral lace detail on these peep toe pumps is feminine and appropriate for spring. This is a good option if you want to stay warm while you're out and about.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's day! Like I've said before, whether or not you have a date it's just a good time to treat yourself and the ones you love. Enjoy.

Flashback Friday

I haven't had much time to update this week as I've been busy at work, but my mom sent me some pictures today that make for a good #flashbackfriday.

 My mom & me in Egypt, probably 1991.

 I know, I know. I'm adorable.

 So girly with the pink stripes & floral patterns.

Mommy and me in Colombia.

What is going on?

Dancing around in my nightie.

 Riding a horse in Colombia on the finca.

I've always been an avid reader.

1st grade school picture from Alice Smith School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Happy.

My arms look like chubby little nubs. But I'm still adorable. 

Am I melting your heart yet?

Making bold fashion choices at a young age. 

I'm working on a post about my latest project which happens to be... a terrarium! I'm super excited about it and have a ton of cool pictures to show, but I want to get all the information in there and as many visual aids as possible. Basically I'm just perfecting that post before I publish it for anyone who may stumble upon this blog and read it :)

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Stay safe & warm.

PS. There's another cute baby picture of me in the "About Me" section of this blog. Just in case you wanted more!

Clarisonic Plus Review

As my makeup collection has been growing recently, it's seems right for me to try out new skincare products as well. A few weeks ago at Sephora, I had my makeup done by an artist named Brooke (in the Houston Galleria). She started off by removing my makeup with a wipe, then after she asked if she could cleanse my face with a Clarisonic. 

The Clarisonic is a professional sonic skincare brush that leaves skin looking younger, smoother, healthier, and more beautiful. The Plus has three speeds (delicate, universal, and powerful) and an adjustable timer. It can be used all over the face and body, even in the shower as it is waterproof. 

Keep in mind I am sitting at a counter in Sephora, and this lady wants to wash my face. I had been wanting to try a Clarisonic for a while now and was interested to see how it worked, so I told her to go ahead. I was so impressed with the way it felt on my face-it was actually enjoyable! It was almost like a face massage that left me feeling pampered, fresh and clean. When she showed me how much makeup came off onto the brush (even after having cleaned my face with a wipe), I couldn't believe it! I was practically sold.  BUT- I ended up buying a ton of makeup that day and decided to wait a couple of weeks before purchasing the Clarisonic. 

 Fast forward a couple of weeks... I went and bought the Clarisonic Plus Skincare Brush Kit from Nordstrom. (There's really no reason I bought it at Nordstrom over Sephora other than the fact that I parked in front of Nordstrom and didn't feel like walking to Sephora which in hind sight was silly, because I could have got a ton of Sephora VIB points for it.) 

The brush claims to remove six times more makeup than a regular face wash with your hands. I have to say, my skin has never felt smoother than after using the Clarisonic Plus. Not only does it feel great to use the machine all over your face (the vibration from the bristles is soothing), but you can see how effective it is at makeup removal by the dirt that comes off onto the brush. Because it is such a deep cleanse for your skin, it actually helps your skin absorb products better. It also helps reduce oiliness, dry patches, blemishes, the appearance of visible pores and wrinkles! Although it is gentle enough to use twice a day, I have just been using it as part of my night time skincare routine. 

Clarisonic 'Plus' Skincare Brush Kit, $225.

Buy it here at Nordstrom. 

The Clarisonic Plus comes in white and pink (mine is pink, of course), and as I mentioned it comes with a matching charging cradle. It also comes with a replaceable brush head (one for the face and one for the body), as well as trial-size samples of the refreshing gel cleanser and the refining skin polish. Clarisonic recommends the brush head be replaced every three months for best results.

I have used the gel cleanser on my face and the skin polish on my body in the shower, and both products are fine. They're nothing to write home about, but they work just fine. The cleanser is a clear, liquidy gel that foams on the face. The body polish is a thicker, creamier wash with exfoliating beads and perhaps a bit of shimmer? You can probably use just about any cleanser with the Clarisonic, but I have been using Philosophy's 'Purity Made Simple' Facial Cleansing Gel & Eye Makeup Remover (that is a long product name). It has a foaming gel formula and it has a light foam. I find that it works for me as a gentle, everyday cleanser. I bought the cleanser as part of a set from Philosophy that also came with their 'Take a Breath' Oil-Free Energizing Oxygen Gel Cream Moisturizer. I do like the moisturizer, and it is an interesting texture (gel cream). It looks and feels like a light cream, but it does have a slight "gel-ish" consistency as well and is sort of light blue in color like you would think a gel might be.

If you're looking for a cleanser & moisturizer to use as part of your everyday routine, check out this set.

'Purity & Refresh' Skincare Set ($55 Value), $43.
Buy it here at Nordstrom.

Bottom line- Love the Clarisonic. Makes my face feel so clean & soft. If you want to take your skincare routine to the next level, get it.