Category: Thursday’s Fab Five

Thursday’s Fab Five

Happy Thursday!  It’s almost the weekend!! xo 
 

1. Rachel Roy Eyelet Scalloped Shorts

I bought these shorts last weekend & just loveeeee them.  They’re super cute, comfortable, and add a bit of pizazz to your basic black shorts.  Check ’em out here! 
2. MAC Prep + Prime Translucent Powder 
I had to restock on this product last week, so I just feel like [once again] saying this is one of my favorite products ever in life.  I wrote a post on it a long time ago (here), and it’s still one of my most read posts!  Prep + Prime is an awesome setting powder, especially for the summer.
3. Bath & Body Works Cherry Blossom Shower Gel
This is my shower gel of the moment, it smells so fresh and floral, and I mean, obviously the color is perfect.  B&BW shower gels combine aloe vera and vitamin E, so they aren’t harsh at all.   

4. Calvin Klein ‘Kendall Pump’ in Apricot Fish 
These pumps add the perfect color and style for summer.  I think the texture is unique, and looks great against the color.  They’re also super comfortable which is always a good thing!  I got them at Macy’s and they’re currently on sale, with an extra 15% off!

5. Super Natural Every Day by Heidi Swanson 
Since I’m making some major lifestyle changes and cooking so clean and healthy, when I saw this cookbook at Anthropology, I just had to get it.  Well, I feel the need to buy all of the cookbooks/ books and Anthro…all. of. the. time.  Anyway, it’s a vegetarian cookbook, but I can definitely see where I can add meat if I chose to in the recipes.  I basically collect books from Anthropology at this point, so it’s a lovely new addition! I can’t wait to try some new recipes.  Check it out, here!  

Thursday’s Fab Five

1. Sephora by OPI ‘Ocean Love Potion’ 
Described as an opaque Mediterranean turquoise this color is so awesome I can’t even deal.  It’s perfect for the summer and you’ll definitely get tons of comments.  Case in point, this morning the [almost] 2yr old girl I nanny took one look at my nails and screamed ‘OOOOHHHHHHHHH’. 
Bonus: All Sephora by OPI polish is on sale for $4.50, it’s usually $9.50, so stock up!
2. Hello Kitty Lip Balm 5-Pack
I got this for Christmas and I must say I just opened the pack.  I put one in every bag I use, in my bathroom, & next to my bed.  I’m Hello Kitty covered from all angles.  I’m just loving these this week because all of the flavors are good, and it’s an effective lip balm, which is obvz most important. [No longer available for purchase, wahh]
3. Express ‘Scarf Print Tube Dress’ in Coral
Express is having a pretty good end of season sale right now, so good that I bought like 10 things last week online and ended up only returning 3…success. This is def my fave dress of the bunch because you can dress it up or down, it’s super comfortable, and the color/ print is too cute and perfect for 
4. The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolman
My aunt bought me this book and I finally have a few free weeks where I can sit down and read it.  The Lemon Tree recounts the stories of an Arab man and a Jewish woman, from the time they were children, about the turmoil in the Middle East.  It’s taught me so much about an issue, and area, I knew very little about.  
It’s an amazing book, definitely heart-wrenching and moving beyond belief, and I would recommend it to anybody.  You can purchase it on Amazon, here!
5. Prabal Gurung for Target Rainbow Tote
When the Prabal Gurung line for Target debuted I was lucky enough to get everything I wanted [yes, I had to refresh Target.com about 437588 times, but that’s besides the point], including this tote bag.  Right now it’s my tote of the moment: perfect colors for the summer, super cute & unique, & can fit a lot but still isn’t too overpowering & big.  Anybody who was able to get this directly from Target, job well done, because it’s going for as much as $96 on Amazon/ eBay…the original price was $40!

Thursday’s Fab Five

I know I haven’t been the best with my Fab Five recently, hopefully I can get back on track now!!
1. Bath & Body Works ‘First Bloom’ 3-Wick Candle
As always, I try to have a candle of the week.  This week, or actually past 2 weeks, it’s been the amazingly fresh floral scent of First Bloom.  Once again B&BW really hit the nail on the head with their Fresh Picked Collection!
2. TRESemme Curl Care Flawless Curls Hair Mousse
I love this product year round, but I really love it during the summer to create a beach-y look.  It’s extra hold & humidity resistant…perfect for the somewhat sticky weather during this time of year.  TRESemme has been favorite mousse for years, but I’ve been using it so much recently, I figured I’d add it to my Fab Five list!
3. Shick Intuition 
Since we’re all probably wearing sundresses every day, especially in D.C. we’re experiencing a lovely heat wave right now, it’s super important to flaunt super smooth and moisturized legs.  Duh.  The Shick Intuition is honestly the absolute best razor ever…so I think.  I use the Naturals one, it’s 100% Aloe and Vitamin E, so I know I’m getting a great amount of moisturizing qualities with every shave.

4. Essie’s ‘Bouncer, It’s Me” 
This color, from the Neon 2013 line, is everything.  It’s looks best as a pedicure, but I’m currently wearing it on both nails right now.  It’s so bright, I love it.  I’m not sure if there’s something wrong with my bottle, or just the fact that the consistency is so different because its “neon”, but it wasn’t very easy to apply…I had to be super meticulous.  However…once it was on it looked great.  Just don’t get discouraged if it looks weird after one, or even two coats, just do your best to even it out!
P.S.: Essie suggests using a layer of ‘Blanc’ as a base coat to make the neon color pop, I didn’t do that and it still looks fab. 
5. Oklahoma
We all know about the devastating tornado that ripped through Moore, Oklahoma.  Everyone across the country was so quick to help out with Hurricane Sandy, and we all need to be as equally quick with Oklahoma.  Check out this website for a list of how you can help the tornado victims!  Even just the smallest $5 can go a long way.  

Thursday’s Fab Five

Happy Thursday everyone! Most importantly… 
Happy 23rd Birthday [old] to one of my best friends, MS. PAULINA VERA! 
Or, better known as my Pauli-olli-olli. 
I’ve been super busy wrapping up my graduate classes & applying to approx 948424759275093 jobs, so sorry for skipping a Fab Five last week, but now I’m back on track! [Well, kinda]
1. Essie ‘Turquoise and Caicos’
This is my polish of the week and…it makes me want to go on vacation.  Hm, I wonder why?  But really, this is a staple Essie color for the summer, and one of my personal favorites!
2. Grey Goose Vodka
I love Grey Goose for many reasons.  #1, it’s my favorite alcoholic beverage [mix with seltzer & lime and I’m golden] and #2, it’ll zap a breakout overnight– which is why it’s in my Fab Five this week.  The extremely hot and gross heatwave mixed with my apartment not turning the air conditioning on caused me to have a horrific breakout.  SO, my esthetician at Clarins told me to mix some vodka with a crushed aspirin, spread it on the breakout, and wake up the next morning looking perfect.  Well, I did just that, and it was actual magic.
3. Clarins Truly Matte Hydra-Matte Lotion 
In the warmer weather I need to be matte, like…super matte.  I had a facial at Clarins last week and used this product and it was seriously amazeballs.  I was looking to change up my summer AM moisturizer, and this one has done the trick all week, I’m verrryyy happy with it!  It’s perfect for sensitive skin [I tend to have redness] and eliminates all shine.  So far so good! 
4.  Food Should Taste Good Multigrain Chips
My new favorite snack food!  These are so yum, have flax, sunflower, and sesame seeds, AND is nomilicious with any dip, hummus, salsa, whatever.  Basically, they’re just great…and most importantly healthy.  If you’re looking to spice up your snacking, try these out!
5. Sam Edelman ‘Gigi’ Sandals
I have these in ‘black boa’ and ‘silver boa’, and I feel I need them in ‘saddle’ and ‘shocking pink/cork’.  They’re comfy, will match anything, and they’re just super easy for an every day sandal.  I highly suggest everyone own a pair…or two…or four.  & to put it plainly, I just love me some Sam Edelman!
xo – enjoy rest of the week & weekend! 

Thursday’s Fab Five



1. Butter London ‘Kerfuffle’ from the Sweetie Shop Collection
I did a post on the Sweetie Shop Collection a little while back, and I’m so happy it’s finally hit April so I can start using all my spring colors!  Aside from my favorite part, the name Kerfuffle, this color is amazing.  It’s so opaque and literally looks like sorbet on my nails.  A lot of the Sweetie Shop Colors have been backordered, but I just found them available at DermStore, so check it out here!  
2. Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee
Not sure if everyone knew this but in March Dunkin Donuts had free iced coffee every Monday….and while of course I participated it just didn’t seem right, it was still so cold out.  Well, I’m happy to report that I feel I can comfortably have an iced coffee every morning now without being too cold while drinking it.  Finally.
3. Laura Mercier ‘Secret Concealer’ 
This product made my top five this week because I just ran out of it yesterday.  Boo.  Read my post about this concealer, here.  I have yet to find a decent competing under eye concealer, but then again I guess I’m not really looking because I’m so happy with Laura’s.  It gives a dewy look and will cover up any tiredness/ puffiness…which I’ll be especially grateful for once allergy season is in full spring.  Purchase here!
4. Pier 1 Imports ‘Happy Floral’ Goblets 
I was in the market for some spring wine glasses, so naturally I went over to Pier 1 with my mom this past weekend!  I had been eyeing these Happy Floral Goblets for a while, and they ended up being 20% off when I was there!  So, my mom & I both got a set of four.  WHOO.  It doesn’t look like the glasses are on sale anymore online, but maybe they will be again soon!  Next up: the perfect margarita glasses!   
5. Bath & Body Works ‘Pink Sangria’ Candle 
My candle of the week is Pink Sangria, it’s so fruity and fun, and makes my apartment smell like summer, I mean, what’s better than that?  Nothing. 

Thursday’s Fab Five

1. Marriage Equality 
Well, I don’t need to say much here besides…who are we to decide who can marry who?  Love is love is love is love.  End. of. story. 

2. NARS ‘Laguna’ Bronzer

I’ve been using NARS Laguna for a while now, and seeing that I’m almost out & need to buy a new one, I figured I’d put it in my weekly Fab Five!  Check out my review here, and def check out all of the NARS bronzers & see which fits you best.  They’re seriously great!

3. Gap’s 1969 Legging Skimmer Jean
Gap makes the best affordable jeans, in my opinion.  I have two pairs I wear all  the time, but I wanted to spring-ify my wardrobe so I decided to add a pop of color to my collection.  I purchased the neon pink skimmer jeans, and while I haven’t worn them yet, I can’t wait to pair them with a cute black top & wedges.  Shop for them here!  

4. Michael Kors White Acetate Parker Three-Hand Glitz Watch

This watch was one of my graduation presents from my fabulous mother this past May and I only started wearing it recently, don’t ask me why, I’m silly.  I think this is the perfect summer accessory, and it look great with a tan!  I know Michael Kors watches are extremely popular these days and everyone has them, but I love this one because I haven’t seen many people [if any] with it.  Wearing this is my constant reminder that summer isn’t too far away!  You can find it at Neiman’s, here!  

5. VersaSpa Spray Tans
I’ve been spray tanning for years, but I’m featuring this on this week’s Fab Five because I think everyone should try to embrace the changing of the seasons with a nice tan.  Since it’s still so cold & blustery here in the D.C. area everyone should be finding ways to fight this awfulness.  So, I say what better way than this!?  VersaSpa is my favorite booth, it always gives an even tan, no orange-ness, and options [i.e. 2 step process, different color levels, etc.]  It’s generally not overly expensive, and if you take care of the spray tan [no exfoliating, intensely moisturize] it can last about 10 days.

Well, those are my Fabulous things of the week, feel free to share any of yours!! 
&& please take a moment to LIKE me on FaceBook, and follow me on BlogLovin’, thank you!! xo 






Thursday's Fab Five

So, I’m going to start doing a Thursday series called Thursday’s Fab Five,
which will be my five favorite products or things from the week!
Yay, let’s get started!!
Thursday's Fab Five
1. Laura Mercier Pink Mosaic Shimmer Bloc
This is def a Laura staple.  I love this highlighter, the colors meld together perfectly.  
I love to use the gold-ish pink on my lids and the lightest pink [on the bottom] 
on the top of my cheekbones.  Shop it from Sephora, here. 

2. The Body Shop Strawberry Shower Gel 
I’m clearly way too ready for spring/ summer.  Smells great and refreshing!  
Check it out, here! PS: Apparently the packaging has changed. 

3. Bath and Body Works ‘Lemon Mint Leaf’ Candle
My apartment literally smells absolutely amazing with this candle.  It’s clean, refreshing, 
and powerful, but in a good way! 
This candle is from B&BW’s new “Fresh Picked” line! 

4. Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35
Now since I haven’t been spray tanning as much [due to complete lack of time] 
it took me awhile to finally open this up.  BUT, now that I’m back on track & tanned, 
I’ve been using this every day this week…and I haven’t put on any other makeup.  
Forrealz.  It makes my skin look ah-mazing, and a little goes a long way.  Read 
more about it, here!   

5. Karuna Hydrating Treatment Mask
I have a post of this set for Monday, this is my new obsession.  Birchbox introduced 
me to it, which has made me love Birchbox even more, which I didn’t know was possible. 
If anyone has tried out any of my favorites from this week, I’d love to know your
opinions & your favorites as well! xo. 

December Favorites

I’m going to try to make sure I do a favorites post at the beginning of every month of the products, accessories, and whatever else I was obsessed with during the previous month– in no particular order! 

Essie ‘Bobbing for Baubles’ and Deborah Lippman ‘I Love the Nightlife’

 

I love these polishes so much and sported these nails on New Year’s Eve and a few more times throughout the past month.  I’m obsessed with the glitter, although beware, it’s not easy to take off.  At all. 
Wine Bites
 

I bought this book at the Water Club hotel in Atlantic City, they had an amazing store called Vintage, it was basically a wine tasting store with tons of choices and different tasting sizes.  They had a cute gift section and when I saw this book, Wine Bites, I knew I needed it.  For Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s I made their Salmon and Caper Dip.  I’ve also made their Crabmeat Dip and amazing little cheese puffs, fancy term, Gougeres. (All in the pics below)  I’m truly obsessed with this book it has amazing little appetizers and gives suggestions for wine pairings with each one. 




The Lovely Bones



I love to read books on my phone, it’s super easy and convenient to be able to read wherever I want to, whenever I want to.  Many people have told me how great this novel is, and I’ve been meaning to read it for a while now.  So far I’m loving this book, the story is heart wrenching, but it’s written so well– I’m sure the movie doesn’t do it justice.  If you’re interested check it out here on Amazon. 



I loveeeee the scent of this holiday body butter.  It’s not overpowering, and the smell of cranberry is great.  It was a perfect choice for the holiday season, and as always, the Body Shop’s body butter is great for the winter weather. 

Bvlgari’s Eau Parfumee White Tea

My mom bought this perfume a while ago, I has used it a few times, but for some reason I decided I really loved it so I basically stole it from my mom. You can find it at any department store, or here on the Sephora website.  According to Sephora it has notes of artemisia leaves, ambrette, white pepper, white tea, musk, and woody amber.  I think it smells clean and fresh, and you can wear it day or night.  It smells mature and classy, which sounds weird, but if you can a chance to try it out you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about! 

XO.
Follow me on Instagram, Bloglovin’, & Twitter !                         Like Love.Life.Beauty. on Facebook!