Shop Your Closet

Are you in a rut with your outfit choices??  Do you find yourself choosing the same three or four outfits to wear every week??  It's easy to do... We like a certain outfit, it sits at the front of our closet, and we wear, wear, wear, WEAR it!!  There's nothing wrong with this, except for the fact that we'll inevitably soon feel that we have "nothing to wear" because we have those few favorite outfits glued in our head.

The truth is, we probably have a lot to wear in our closets, we just need to dig to the back and come up with some new ideas!!  So, here's a little tip I like to use... It encourages me to put together new combinations from my closet and it ensures that most, if not all, of my clothing from a particular season gets used!!

It's easy... There are two simple steps!!

Step 1:  On Sunday, choose a handbag from your closet that will be your "handbag of the week".  
For me, this is usually a more casual, larger bag because I'm a pack rat and I need it to carry to classes.  If you have a professional career, you will obviously choose more classic, streamlined bags each week.

An example of a larger bag I would carry to class most days. 

Step 2:  Then choose 5-6 entire outfits (depending on your plans that particular week) that match the handbag... Take into consideration the color of the bag, the style of the bag, and the hardware on the bag (silver, bronze, gold).  Choose everything from hair accessories, jewelry, scarves, belts, and shoes.  
I usually put my jewelry for each day in little piles along a shelf in my closet, but you can also put your jewelry into ziploc baggies and hook those over your hangers if you're tight on space. 

I just put together two outfits so they would fit in a photo.  As you can see, I lay out EVERYTHING... jewelry, clothes, shoes.  I love creating different styles using the same color combos... For example, the outfit on the left is more edgy with the hardware on the blazer and lots of jewelry while the outfit on the right is more classic and understated with the turtleneck sweater and simple jewelry pieces.  (Planning my outfits cuts my getting ready time down by at least 20 minutes each morning!!)

By Sunday evening, you will have your entire week of outfits planned, and I guarantee you will be amazed by the outfit combinations you never even knew you had!!  In these last weeks/months of Winter you will end up wearing a lot of the items in your closet... You won't feel as bad putting your Fall/Winter wardrobe away when Spring comes because you've actually worn it!!

Tip:  Try to choose very different handbags from week to week.  Try carrying each one of your Fall/Winter handbags before you cycle through again.  For example, I always try to carry a black/silver bag, brown/gold bag, black/gold bag, etc. to vary my outfits as much as possible.  It works!!

I hope this idea helps some of you!!  Happy outfit planning!!  :)

Xoxo B.

Product Boo Review: Burt's Bees Peach & Willow Bark Facial Scrub

I was in Target last week and was looking for another scrub to keep by my sink (instead of dragging the same one in and out of my shower every time I want to use it).  I couldn't find any of the  Soap & Glory's Scrub Your Nose In It exfoliator that I love, so I decided to try something new.

I've been a longtime fan of Burt's Bees lip balms, but I had never tried any of their skincare products. Since their lip balms are so amazing, I decided to give their Peach and Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub a try.  Big disappointment.  As soon as I started applying the scrub to my face, I thought I grabbed a body scrub instead of the facial scrub because the pieces of "grit" were so big and scratchy!!  I checked, but no... It is definitely meant for the face!!

The slight fragrance of peach was really nice, and the texture of the white "lotion-y" part of the scrub was soft and soothing... It was just that nasty, coarse-sand texture of the grit!!  It literally hurt my face to use it.  My skin isn't super sensitive, but since I use a Clarisonic exfoliator on my face, my skin is very soft.  (Still, I can't imagine someone with the toughest of skin enjoying this scrub!!)

This is a photo of the scrub's consistency.  As you can see, there is a lot of the white "lotion-y" part of the scrub... The gritty pieces are more dispersed, which I think makes each piece of grit feel more scratchy and noticeable!!

I would especially discourage use of this product if you have very sensitive skin or if you are on any type of prescription exfoliator, such as Retin-A. 

I hate having to give bad reviews like this, but I am always honest with you guys... I don't want anyone else to have to spend their money on (what is, in my opinion) a disappointing product!! 

Open and Honestly Yours  :)
Xoxo B.

January Blues...

We are almost through the month of January... And I cannot wait for it to be over!!  Ever since I came back from Christmas/New Year's break I have been the most mopey, unmotivated person!!  I'm not sick, but I feel tired and lazy all the time.

This lovely little phenomenon has happened to me before... It usually happens in January/February when all the holidays are over and everything is just cold, cold, cold.  I feel like I want to hibernate and do nothing at all!!  In the past, this didn't have such a negative effect on the rest of my life/responsibilities... I would just curl up after undergrad classes and watch some chick flicks and I wouldn't go out with my friends as much.  But now I'm in law school, and when I'm not motivated it's a big problem.  We have a lot of reading and studying to do... Sometimes as much as 4-6 hours per night.  So you can imagine how my lack of motivation can get in the way of this... Not good!!

Although I would love to take credit for this photo, my mother took it.  This is in the backyard of the home where I grew up!!  :) 

Working out helps to some extent, but it doesn't totally solve my problem.  A little extra caffeine also seems to make me feel a little less tired, but again, it wears off after a while and I'm stuck feeling lethargic all over again.  Basically, the only way I have found to deal with my tired/lazy/unmotivated Winter self is to wait it out, and when it becomes sunny outside again and warms up a bit my attitude and energy level will both improve immensely.  

Until then, I suppose I will count on Starbucks and visits to the gym.  :) 

Does anyone else ever feel this way in the Winter??  Or any other times of the year??  What do you do to get yourself motivated or to make yourself feel less tired and more energized??

Happy Weekend, everyone :)   

Xoxo B. 

Welcome to Birchbox...

To visit Birchbox's website, click HERE.

To give someone the gift of Birchbox, click HERE. 

Personally, I think this subscription service might be the best thing since sliced bread... It's genius!!  Hope you all enjoyed...

Xoxo B.

The Stylish Blogger Award

I was so excited and honored to be given the Stylish Blogger award by The Blogtini!!!  I've never been given a blog award before, but I definitely loved the sound of this one... Stylish Blogger...  So cute!!!  :)  It's a symbol of appreciation and kindness from one blogger to another, and I'd love to pass it on!!

Thank you so much to The Blogtini for thinking of me!!  You can find her blog at:  www.theblogtini.com!!  

The Rules

1. Link to the blogger(s) who gave the award
2. Share 7 facts about yourself
3. Pass the award on to 15 bloggers

My 7 Facts

1. When I was little, I was a doll fanatic.  I loved dolls - my Barbies, dollhouse dolls, baby dolls, and American Girl dolls.  My favorite doll ever was my American Girl doll, Samantha. 
2. In middle school, I became obsessed with archaeology.  I loved anything to do with the ancient Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians.  I went on a archaeological dig once, and I was convinced that I would be an archaeologist someday!!  
3. I was in a sorority in college.  I made some of my very best friends there, and I miss our close-knit group of girls so much.  Looking back, joining my sorority was one of the best decisions I have ever made. 
4. The most challenging thing I have ever done in my life is law school.  I have never had to push myself so hard, motivate myself as much, and search to find that inner drive more than right now... Every day I question my decision, and every day I am thankful for everything this experience has taught me.
5. I'm a closet tech nerd... I love all things Mac, and I get super excited when any new tech gadgets or phones come out!!
6. If I have free time, you'll most likely find me doing something creative: working on a blog post, recording a video, sketching dress designs, or scrapbooking.  For me, getting in touch with my creative side is a huge stress reliever and it can turn my whole mood around!!  
7. I have always wanted, and still plan to adopt a child one day.  Taking a child out of a third-world country and giving them the best life they could imagine would be so fulfilling to me.

15 Blogs I Am Sharing This Award With

1. Megan at PIPM: Pretty in Pink Megan
2. Andee Layne at The HONEYBEE
3. Megan at My Two Cents... Before I Spend It
4. Legally Fabulous at Legally Fabulous
5. Kappa Prep at Monograms and Manicures
6. Emily at Classes, Cases, and Chaos
7. Zach at Leavin' You a Little Bit of Sunshine
8. Audrie at Audrie Is
9. Sarah at Saved by Fashion
10. America at The Real Nanny Diaries
11. The Pink Tutu at The Pink Tutu
12. Dishy Decorator at The Dishy Decorator
13. KT at Life Through Green Eyes
14. Petunia at Pink Petunia in Paradise 
15. Princess Freckles at Her Highness of Cute

Xoxo B.

Winner Re-Draw!!

I'm so sorry I had to re-draw for the giveaway tonight, but if I don't put a limit on the time the winner has to email me, it might be sooo long (or maybe never!) before someone receives their gift.  And I want the winner to get their gift... That's the whole point!!  :)

Anyway, I generate my drawing number through Random.org... Then I count down through the comments and choose the comment that corresponds with the winning number.  This time, the website generated the number 14... Which means... 

Samantha 

is the new winner of the contest!!! 

Congratulations, Samantha!!!  

I will be emailing the email address you provided in your comment to organize shipping with you!!  

Xoxo B.   

MAC Haul Vlog

THE WINNER!!!! (Soft Hands, Gorgeous Nails Giveaway)

And the winner is... 

LeeLeeCakes

Congratulations!!! 

Please let me know where you'd like your gift to be shipped by emailing me at: tortsandatiara@gmail.com 

(If I don't hear from you within 24 hours I will re-draw a new winner.  I want to make sure that someone gets this gift!!)

Thank you to everyone who entered!!  I can't even express how happy it makes me to be able to discuss/share things with you and get to know all of you...  I have made so many new friends via Twitter/my blog/YouTube this year, it's incredible.  :) 

Xoxo Always, 

B.

Spring Perfumes

Maybe it's the current 5-degree weather, but I am in the mood and on the lookout for anything Spring.  Where I'm from, we have a good 2-3 months of Winter left, but that isn't stopping me... I was scoping out some new fragrances for Spring today at a department store. 

I would suggest to anyone thinking about purchasing a new fragrance that they test it out first.  Ask the salesperson for a tester, take it home, and wear it for the next week or so.  See how the fragrance smells on you.  See how it changes throughout the day and with your body temperature.  Take note of which fragrances other people compliment, if that matters to you... Many people pick fragrances based on what the opposite sex prefers. 

Another idea is Sephora's $50 Best of Fragrance set... $100 worth of 10 fragrance samples, a refillable rollerball, and a cute pink cosmetics bag.  The best part??  It includes a voucher for one full-size perfume once you test them all out and decide on your favorite!!  The one negative??  The sets come with a specific selection of perfumes... If there's one you don't want to try, there's no way to switch it out for a tester of something else.  But overall, I think this is a great deal if you're searching for a new perfume.

Click Here For Link

So... Here are several perfumes I have my eye on for the Spring season.  Some are new, some have been around for a while.  But I've sniffed them all out and they smell fabulous!! 

Twirl by Kate Spade

 

Description:  Pink watermelon mingles with blackberry and red currant, enhanced with a heart of fresh flowers including orange blossom, star jasmine, tiare flower and sweet magnolia, finished with luminous musks and a touch of French macaron (straight from the patisserie, of course).

My Take:  Twirl is a fun and playful fragrance.  It's not overtly sultry, but its scent is sexy and feminine enough for a night out.  What I love most about this perfume is that it is sophisticated enough to spritz on before work or a meeting... It isn't too exotic or wild.  The perfect day-to-night perfume.

$65 for a 1.7 oz bottle at Ulta (Find it HERE.)

Parisienne by Yves Saint Laurent 

Description:  Parisienne is the fragrance of ultra-femininity and sensuality, built with notes of blackberry, damask rose, and sandalwood. The grand floral with a woody structure is luminous even in its mystery. 

My Take:  This would definitely be more of an evening scent for me.  It smells beautiful, if that can describe a scent!!  Very feminine, very soft and sexy.  I would love wearing this on a date. 

$65 for a 1.6 oz bottle at Sephora (Find it HERE.)


Acqua di Gioia by Georgio Armani 

Description:  The fragrance's top notes rise like a soft sea breeze, bringing forward a sensual blend of cool mint, warm brown sugar, and the zest of Italian lemon. Next, the heart notes emerge with beautiful floral hints of jasmine, dew of peony, and traces of pink pepper. The base lingers on a uniquely Mediterranian trail of cedar wood and the complex, herbaceous accords of labdanum.

My Take:  This fragrance really surprised me.  I expected it to be too "fresh" or "aquatic" of a scent for me... I typically like more floral/feminine scents.  But I was pleasantly surprised.  This scent was so delicate and charming... It made me think of a spring/summer vacation.  This is another perfume I could see being worn day-to-night.  It's very versatile, but because of all the various notes I think it would be essential to test out for a week in order to see how it changes with my body chemistry.  


$62 for a 1.7 oz bottle at Sephora (Find it HERE.) 


Chance Eau Tendre by Chanel 

Description:  Chance Eau Tendre Eau de Toilette Spray reveals itself to be both delicate and radiant, with an intoxicatingly light, fruity trail. An unexpected mingling of grapefruit and quince meets the crispness of fresh green notes, while a trace of Jasmine Absolute lingers in the air. Gently warmed by a sheer veil of White Musk, at once, innocent and seductive.


My Take:  When I smelled this, I immediately thought of Valentine's Day.  This scent is very soft, almost powdery, but with the perfect amount of fruity and floral mixed in.  I see myself wearing this every day, and on date nights or out to dinner.  I think it would be appropriate for work or meetings as well.  It smells girly and delicate, very romantic, and perfect for Spring!! 


$65 for a 1.7 oz bottle at Nordstrom (Find it HERE.)


Palm Beach by Island Michael Kors

Description:  Bursting with sunny brightness, Palm Beach by Island Michael Kors is a cocktail of citrus, jasmine, black tea, and vanilla that will linger long after the sun sets.


My Take:  I couldn't quit smelling this perfume.  It is very fruity and "sunny", just as the description suggests.  I would wear this perfume during the day, and only in Spring/Summer.  The scent definitely smells like Palm Beach, Florida to me... Very relaxed and laid back.  When I smelled it I wanted to put on big sunglasses, a maxi dress, and flip flops and go wandering down the beach with a tropical drink!!  I think it's the perfect fragrance to brighten your mood and conjure up great vacation memories.  


$62 for a 1.7 oz bottle (plus beach tote and towel!!) at Macy's (Find it HERE.)


Love in White by Creed

Description:  Hand-made with ingredients of rare quality from five continents. A worldly mix of blossoms in the hands of Mr. CREED becomes a fragrance at once exclusive and welcoming.  The Creed online boutique describes it as a "floral/oriental" perfume.

My Take:  I always notice Creed perfumes and colognes on other people, but I when I test them out they feel a bit too strong for me.  The salesgirl suggested I smell this perfume (which actually debuted in late 2005) because it was one of the lighter Creed scents.  I really enjoyed it, and I don't know why I've never noticed it before... It is a bit more sophisticated and grown-up scent, so maybe it just took me some time to "grow into it".  It's a scent that I would feel comfortable wearing in a work/professional setting, out to dinner, or to a special event.  Because of the price I wouldn't want to waste it by spritzing it every day before class, and I don't see myself wearing it out dancing with the girls when I would choose a more sweet/sultry perfume.  But it is definitely very appealing to me, womanly and sensual, but sophisticated and classy at the same time.

$140 for a 1 oz bottle at Creed's online boutique (Find it HERE.)

What perfumes have you had your eye on for Spring??  Have you tested out any of the perfumes above??

 Xoxo B.

Soft Hands, Gorgeous Nails Giveaway!!!

Thank you, FingerNailFixer for giving me these items to use as blog giveaways!!  If any of you want salon/technical/fun facts about ANYTHING to do with Creative Nail Design or nails in general, this is your gal!!  Become a fan of FingerNailFixer on Facebook HERE!!

Giveaway Includes: 
Four-Sided Nail Buffing Block
Bottle of Solar Oil Cuticle Conditioner
"Sweet-Sparkling-Spicy" Set of 3 Lotions

Contest Rules/How To Enter: 
1.  Comment "ENTER ME" under THIS blog post if you'd like to be entered into the drawing for this gift.  You have until Sunday 1/16 at 5pm to comment.

2.  I will draw and post the winner Sunday night, along with my email so that you can tell me where to send your gift!!

3.  If I don't hear from anyone within 24 hours (Monday night) I'll re-draw and post a new winner on Monday night... So keep checking!!



Thank you for following my blog... I love sharing and exchanging daily events/beauty tips/fashion ideas with all of you!!  You guys are great  :) 

Xoxo B. 

And A Bow Around Her Wrist...

I know I'm way early, but I found a little pretty that would make a lovely Valentine's gift for any female on your list!!  Mother, aunt, sister, friend, girlfriend, wife... This patent leather Louis Vuitton bow bracelet is perfect.

The bow on this bracelet is feminine and delicate, yet the bracelet possesses a practical, classic feel in its fitted band of shining patent leather. 

Louis Vuitton Favorit Bracelet in "Amarante"

Louis Vuitton Favorit Bracelet in "Rouge Fauviste"

 Louis Vuitton Favorit Bracelet in "Rose Florentin"

 You can buy the bow bracelet HERE.  What do you guys think??  Do you think this is as gorgeous as I do?!  

Xoxo B. 

Dillard's Clothing Haul!!

A little post-Christmas/Winter sales shopping at a department store in Arizona... 

December Favorites

New Year's Eve Recap

To bring in the new year, I went to Colorado to visit one of my best friends from law school, AW.  AW, her friend N, and I stayed at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver.  Even though a huge cold front had moved in (making the temperature -10 on New Year's Eve), the lobby of the historic hotel was absolutely breathtaking and it was in close proximity to all the places we wanted to go in downtown Denver!!

We ventured out into a cold, snowy Thursday night for appetizers and drinks at the Hard Rock Cafe... Then visited a few downtown bars.  We had a great time and danced ourselves silly.  We went back to our hotel in the wee hours of the morning and ordered one of the best pizzas I've ever tasted from the 24-hour room service at the hotel.

We slept in on Friday, waking up at noon and going to Starbucks to get caffeinated and have brunch.  Friday afternoon we went to Cherry Creek Mall to pick up some last-minute makeup and touches to our New Year's Eve outfits.  Before we knew it, it was time to begin getting ready!!

This was a quick photo I snapped after getting ready... I used hair extensions and false eyelashes (which I peeled off after dinner - I usually get annoyed with false lashes, and none of us liked the glue we used).  I wore a midnight blue Alice & Olivia one-shoulder dress, sheer black pantyhose, and midnight blue sparkly Nine West peeptoes.  I carried my Louis Vuitton Sunset Boulevard bag in Amarante (a dark, black cherry color). 

We started our New Year's Eve at a sushi restaurant with a group of friends... It was delicious, but getting a taxi after dinner wasn't quite so successful.  We tried and tried to hail one, then realized that we would have to ride in the back of a bicycle cab if we wanted to stop at the hotel before heading to the club.  It was one coldddd ride back to the hotel, but we were thankful for the opportunity to touch up our hair and makeup and take some photos in front of the hotel's decadent holiday decor.

After a few photos, we headed out to celebrate.  We spent the rest of 2010 at a club called Suite 200.  Great music, beautiful people, and yummy drinks... We had a fabulous end to our year, and started 2011 with a bang.  Exhausted from dancing all night and staying up late, we ordered more yummy pizza around 5:30 a.m. and took a quick "nap" before my flight back home that morning.  I love you, AW and NM!!!  Thanks for a fantastic trip and some great memories.  :)

Here's to friendships, high heels, and champagne... Here's to 2011!!

Xoxo B.

New Year's Resolutions

Can you believe it??  Just as quickly as we broke our 2010 resolutions, it's time to make new ones for 2011. 

Some people have given up the practice, have completely let go of making promises to themselves for the coming year.  Maybe they're the smart ones, because I have to admit, I tend to break my resolutions at least a few times throughout the year, and that's if I don't forget about the resolution altogether!!  

But... There is something wonderfully hopeful about making New Year's resolutions.  If you think about it, there's a good intention behind every one... You want or recognize the need to do whatever it is you've resolved to do, and you've at least considered the goal long enough to put it into words, writing, or thoughts. 

I think some goals are better than none, and maybe putting all of my resolutions out for you all to see will encourage me and remind me to keep them better than if I simply think of resolutions.  So here goes, my list of resolutions for 2011... May it be even happier, brighter, and more wonderful than 2010.

#1 - I will get more sleep. 
Something I promised myself last year, during which I tended to sleep somewhere between 2-6 hours per night.  I run myself ragged (more of that, coming up) and I hate having things left on my to-do list... So I force myself to stay up late, get things done, and deal with the dark circles under my eyes the next day.

What's worse than the dark circles and the bloodshot eyes is the damage such little sleep takes on the inside of a person's body.  I've read articles and studies that have horrified me to my core... So it's time to make sleep a priority, to make me a priority.

#2 - I will take better care of my body. 
Too often, I've resolved to numbering this one... "I'll lose 10 pounds" or "I'll eat 1,500 calories per day".  But... what's more important than the pounds or the calories is the real reason anyone cares about working out or eating well... Health.  (Don't get me wrong, I want to look great in a bikini as much as the next girl, but that's not what truly matters.)

I want to feel good... I want to feel strong, I want to feel healthy, I want to feel energized.  I want to be able to hike up mountains and take three-hour walks around a lake in Switzerland.  I want to be healthy for my future children... So they can have a mom that will chase them around the yard and jump on a trampoline with them.  I don't want to flop over at 35 because my heart quit.

This "feeling good" doesn't have anything to do with numbers, it's more than that.  Sometimes in law school, I was so tired at the end of the day that I wouldn't care if I ate at all, let alone if I ate well.  Those days are done and over with, I refuse to treat myself like that anymore.

#3 - I will say NO when I need to. 
I saw this on my friend Em's list of resolutions (view her blog post HERE) and realized how important it was for so many women out there.  I feel that we, as women, tend to feel guilty for things we cannot do, no matter how impossible it would have been to take them on.

Every day we take on more than is humanly possible... We do our hair and makeup, we take care of houses or apartments, we deal with or listen to dilemmas in our friends' lives, we do things for our family, we are expected to excel at school or work (sometimes both), we handle emergencies in our own lives, and we do endless amounts of chores like laundry and dishes.  So when is there time for you??  To just shut off the phone, ignore the door, and relax??  Well, that's simple... It comes after everything else.  


I'm not saying that certain things shouldn't come first, as there are many circumstances that should most definitely take precedence in your life.  And you should never hesitate to help a friend in need.  However, you won't be able to give as much if you're not taking time for yourself.  Time to relax and decompress, time to get things done around the house if that's what you need.

This year, I'm going to take time when I need it... And I will learn to accept when I can't take on anything else.  

Wishing you all a very happy 2011...

Xoxo B.

Photo Credits
Sleeping cat photo:  swcp.com
Woman jumping photo:   smartstarttemplates.com
Woman in hammock:  allposters.com