Beauty Benefit

benefit cosmetics has always been one of my favorite beauty brands on the market.  with their adorable packaging, fun names and quality products, you just can't seem to go wrong with anything they make!

 

since moving to brentwood, i am that much closer to the benefit cosmetic store on montana avenue and have been going every three weeks to get my brows tinted and waxed for $32!  these girls know what they are doing and i can honestly say that the store is always packed with customers, a testament to their results!

 

the only problem i encounter when i head into benefit to get my brows done, is i end up leaving with a bag full of products i didn't realize existed until i tried them out.  one of those products is the  instant brow pencil in light...

if you tweezed a little too much in your lifetime and need a little help filling in where some hair is missing, this pencil is for you!  the color is spot on and it fills in your brows without them looking "drawn on" with the help of the brush at the end.  a permanent staple in my makeup bag now! 

my other favorite recent purchase is the finding mr. bright makeup kit...

 

this is the perfect kit if you like glowing skin and products that you can fit in your purse to take with you.  seriously, everything in this kit is amazing!  i had not used the girl meets pearl luminizer before and have to say thank goodness it had a mini size in here as i LOVE it.  i use it now every single day.  i feel flat without it. 

 

i have long been a fan of the posietint product, but love it even more in the travel size, since a little goes a long way!  again this product giver you a pretty, glowy, dewy complexion which is perfection!

 

i have already shared my love for high beam here and the love continues with the mini version.

 

the last perfect piece is the erase paste which is a soft creamy concealer which has brightening undertones to help conceal not only dark circles but also yucky blemishes.  the texture is creamy and doesn't leave your face dry and feeling cake-y like some other concealers do. 

 

best party about the kit is all four of these products are travel ready for under $30! 

 

i also shared my love of their they're real mascara earlier this year here. 

 

if you haven't already jumped on the benefit bandwagon, might i ask you to join me now, as looking fresh, dewy and bright is always in style.  also, if you live close to a benefit store, be sure to pop in and get your brows some loving, they do a marvelous job and it really makes all the difference in the world!

Forever Frugal Friday

 

i fell in love with this striped cutout dress after seeing it on stephanie sterjovski's instagram feed the other weekend.  i think it is so cute and fun and summery and i am crossing my fingers that i find it at my local forever 21 this weekend to wear to a going away party saturday night. 

 

 

Yoga Newbie

 

am i the only one who finds yoga intimidating? 

 

my friend b has really inspired me to finally give this yoga thing a try (also every time i get a massage they remind me how tight i am and that i need to incorporate some yoga into my routine).  living social also inspired me with this incredible deal for a month unlimited for only $30 at yogaworks (actually only $20 using the promo code FREEDOM at checkout)! 

 

and so, i have my month unlimited, my inspiration and my fingers and toes crossed that this yoga thing works for me.  i am nervous as a beginner and also nervous that i will look like a fool in front of everyone, but i am going to give it my all. 

 

any tips for this novice? 

Forever Frugal Friday

 

i love this breezy southwestern dream shift dress w/ sash from forever.  i love the way it is styled here and i love the option of cinching in the waist and throwing on some heels to dress it up a bit.  perfect little dress for hot summer days. 

Forever Frugal Friday

 

i have a love hate relationship with maxi dresses.  i love the look of them, but with my short frame tend to feel overwhelmed in one.  and this past weekend on montana avenue all i could see where cute women everywhere sporting maxi dresses. 

 

and so even though b is not a fan of maxi dresses, i am on the hunt for the perfect maxi dress (that will of course require hemming) for summer 2013.  while i would prefer a bright colored maxi to sport around town, this tribal print maxi dress could be a good start at an incredible price of under$25! 

 

are you on board for the maxi dress trend?  what are your favorite maxi dresses out right now?

 

 

Forever Frugal Friday

 

it's been awhile since i shared a forever 21 find, but i had to share this open-front chevron cardigan as it is the perfect piece for summer.  i am thinking this cardigan would be so fantastic for summer bonfires, hollywood cemetery screenings or concerts in the park after the sun sets and the evening breezes in. 

Frugal Friday ~ Gifts for Mom!

 

mother's day is this coming sunday and it you have been procrastinating a bit and are short on funds, luck is on your side, because any of the gifts above are sure to bring a smile to moms face, all while keeping your tab at under $50!

 

kai travel set (my moms fave!)

 

mr. boddington's mistral soap (cute packaging and amazing scents!)

 

tuscan herb candle (what mom doesn't want to go to tuscany?)

 

gucci flora rollerball perfume (i wear this scent and get complimented daily)

 

sea flower print scarf (perfect colors for spring & summer!)

 

eiffel tower ring dish (darling little accent piece - ooh la la!)

 

be sure to give your favorite moms a little love this sunday!

Forever Frugal Friday

 

i love white tops.  like seriously love.  so when i saw this adorable peplum eyelet top at forever i absolutely swooned. 

 

i doubt i will be wearing it without anything underneath, but love the sweet, yet naughty aspect of the top.  the perfect bright white top for spring! 

Forever Frugal Friday ~ Steal vs. Splurge

 

if you like these archer sandals by dolce vita for $68.95, you will LOVE these even more...

 

forever 21 is currently selling these almost identical metal-trimmed thong sandals  (except in price) for $16.80!  for the price of one dv sandal you can get three!  i may not be a genius when it comes to math, but i know a good deal when i see one, and this my friends is a great deal!

 

 

 

Gap Goodies ~ Spring 2013

 

my gf samela and i popped into the gap at lunch yesterday and let me just say thank gosh i accidentally left my wallet on my desk or i could have done some major damage there. 

 

spring has officially sprung at the gap and the store is filled with brights, florals and all things sunny. 

 

my current lust list includes this shrunken boyfriend gingham shirt (with some white jeans), this animal print scarf (which is light and soft and perfect for spring), these rose blush leather flip flops (in every color - seriously they are the best flip flops EVER) and this roll-sleeve pocket shirtdress (in active yellow). 

 

i only ended up bringing this  harbor jersey striped dress home with me (a steal of a deal at $30 including tax) but am hoping to stop in tomorrow (with my wallet this time) and pick up a few of the items above. 

Forever Frugal Friday

 

with the sun shining and spring officially here it's all about the sundresses for me!  i love this blue tribal inspired dress.  perfectly priced at under $15 bucks it would be perfect for an upcoming music festival (that i am sadly once again not attending) or brunching with the ladies. 

 

loves.

Forever Frugal Friday

 

these spike threaded bracelets must be added to my arm candy party collection for spring.  my two favorite colors, in neon with some major gold flare.  win win for me!

Sephora Staples

 

as much as i love my drug store beauty goods, there are just a few staples that require a visit to my local sephora.

 

during christmas i purchased this stila seeing stars smudge-stick waterproof eyeliner set fully intended to break it apart and gift each eyeliner to a friend and wouldn't you just know that i accidentally kept them all to myself and am hooked?  these eyeliners glide on so smoothly and they last all day long!  but what i love most about these eyeliners is they make lining the inner rim of your eye so simple and it actually stays put all night long (all night) - score!  plus it is important to mention that these liners are sold individually for $20 each so you are getting a steal of a deal at $32 for five of them! 

 

i love my l'oreal voluminous mascara oh so much and wanted to HATE the benefit they're real mascara so bad, but let me just tell you...THIS MASCARA IS AMAZEBALLS.  it really does make your lashes look extraordinary!  i purchased the travel size and was feeling sad when it began to dry up, but luckily for me sephora's b*day gift for beauty insiders in 2013 is a travel size of this mascara AND a travel size of the watt's up (which i am still learning how to use).  if you are still on the hunt for a kick-ass mascara, be sure to give this one a try, it's that good!

 

lastly, i have been blogging about urban decay's eyeshadow primer potion tube in sin for years and years now and i will continue to share this incredible product with anyone who is still clueless.  this stuff is a must-have for everybody, it is available in a variety of different shades (in case you hate shimmer) and is the perfect addition to any makeup bag.  it keeps your eyeshadow in place, is the perfect quick product to rub on your eyelids before hitting the gym or running errands and one tube lasts a whole year (if not more)!  i kind of go into panic mode when i am getting near the end of the tube in fear that i will run out. 

 

do you have any sephora staples i am missing out on and need to try out immediately?  do share! 

 

 

Forever Frugal Friday

 

this flared scuba dress will be mine. 

 

i saw it a few weeks back when i bought my new fave peplum top and wanted to buy it but was trying to stay focused.  however, i have thought about this dress at least five times since, and it is such a steal of a deal, i am not sure why i am still hesitating .

 

the color is gorgeous and the fabric is soft and provides great coverage.  perfect little early edition to my spring wardrobe i think...

Forever Frugal Friday ~ Blue Blazin'

 

how are we feeling about blazers these days? 

 

i personally am still loving the trend and am especially loving this cobalt open-front blazer! i like the versatility it allows, and also think it kind of resembles this rebecca minkoff becky jacket i've been eyeing for the past few months. 

 

go bold or go home!  let's continue to blaze it up!

Forever Frugal Friday

 

how are we all feeling about the peplum trend?  still a fan or want to move on?

 

me personally, still a fan.  which is why i encourage all of you that do like the peplum trend to order this knit peplum top from forever 21.  it's under $15 and i have already received no joke 10 compliments on it 3 of which were from complete strangers. 

 

you can't see in the picture but it has a cute zipper back and works lovely with my new factory brass-plated crystal necklace that i received yesterday from jcrew. 

 

this top is perfect to dress up or down and is soft and comfortable.  what more could you want?

Forever Frugal Friday

 

a little glamour and glitz is what i am feeling this fabulous friday. 

 

loving the spiked shoulders on this metallic sweater and am always on the hunt for another statement necklace, and this rhinestoned crescent chain necklace is quite possibly the perfect piece to add to my collection. 

 

Forever Frugal Friday

just like last year, i continue to be drawn to animal prints, neon, stripes and chevron and why not allow a few trends from last seep into this year? 

 

leopard print ballet flats - must own

 

geo pattern shift dress - while i am not crazy about the color of the dress, i do really enjoy the belt and chevron print.  i am thinking with a bright statement necklace we have an all around winner!

striped shirred waist top - it can be concluded that i have a slight addiction to stripes, but then to go ahead and add the peplum to the stripes - go ahead and commit me cause i love every bit of it.

what trends are you okay with moving from 2012 to 2013?  which trends would you like to see disappear?


Forever Frugal Friday ~ Gift Guide 2012

 

forever 21 offers a great selection of gifts to help you cross off some names from your list.  a few of my current faves...

 

studded glitter loafers / heart sweater / sparkling square necklace / neon fold-over crossbody bag

Gift Guide - Under $30

 

my roomie and i were just talking the other day about how hard it is to find presents under $25 for gift exchanges or coworkers. 

 

have no fear, after some searching i found all the items above for under $30!

 

cinnamon buns ornament / homegrown monogram mug / after dark holiday gift set

 

glitter iphone 4 case / metallic polka dot cosmetic pouch / mini emergency kit / bracelet