August Birchbox

 August Theme: Innovation/Science Break-throughs

What I received:

WEI™ Tibetan Chrysanthemum correcting eye treatment pads: These are supposed to be glorified cucumbers for your eyes pre-soaked with herbal ingredients used to reduce puffiness and dark circles. I haven't tried these yet.

 blinc Eyeliner in Black: This eyeliner was pretty cool. However, inexperienced make-up people like myself - all I can say is BEWARE!!! This is a liquid eyeliner that is basically tattooed to your eyelid when applied. It really does not flake off all day long which I thought was pretty amazing. And, just as the packaging promises, it literally peels off with a little warm water and finger pressure. So, the night after I wore it on my eyelids, I was bored while my little was taking a bath and thought I would try to apply it to my lower half. BAD IDEA. I did pretty well with one eye but completely screwed up on the other, and my entire eye turned black from the eyeliner getting in it. Not cool! Plus, I'm not big on applying liquid eyeliner or mascara, for that matter, on my lower half because I feel I look a little gothic. It's just so harsh looking on someone who wears very little make-up. And, I prefer a black brown color over jet black. Eek! All and all, good product. I did notice I had a little residue in the corner of my eyes by night but unsure if that was from the mishap so I'll give it 5 stars for now.


Carol's Daughter® Monoi Repairing Hair Mask: This is a hair mask made with Tahitian Monoi Oil to treat damaged hair. I haven't tried it yet.


Pangea Organics Cleanser for Oily to Combination Skin: One item I'm tired of receiving from Birchbox is facial cleanser. I prefer less options and don't like to apply all sorts of products on my face. It just causes break-outs. I tried this one once and it smells just like the toner I received a few months back. Good stuff but just over the facial cleanser samples.

Twistband Hair Ties

These are pretty cool. I'm a hair tie/ponytail holder junkie. I always have a least one on my wrist. Yes, it sometimes cuts off my wrist circulation and yes, they always leave a crease in my thin hair. What's nice about the Twistband hair tie is that it doesn't leave creases, no circulation issues, and they are a little cuter than the Goody ponytail holders I use. I've used it once and don't think I wrapped it around my hair enough times because it fell out shortly after. I love the gym and love wearing ponytails so if it can stay in my hair for a long period of time and outlast my gym routines, they might be my go to's in the future.

My favorite product from July?

Multi-Usage Dry Oil 

 This stuff is so fun to use on your cheeks to give them that dewy, sheer look those Victoria's Secret models have (hehe). That's all I've used it for and I really love it!

That's it for August!

This Is What Happens...

When you sit in the car for too long while your hubs is finding somewhere to print off concert tickets on the way to the show...we need to purchase a printer!

So, this is what I wore - Anthropologie Graphical Dress, Dolce Vita sandals, aqua stone necklace (gifted), Palabra Designs necklace, and earrings (local festival find).

 Me in this dress back in Oct 2010 at my sister's wedding. Aren't her friends cute?!  

(this is to give you a "fuller" view)

Anyway, fast forward again back to last weekend. We went to the Ben Harper show on Saturday. It was sooo good! I've seen him at various venues and he never gets old. It was a beautiful night, an intimate setting, with evergreens surrounding the amphitheater and lots of stars in the sky. Fun times!

Many Firsts

Wow! Today was a beautiful, warm, sunny, awesome day! And, a day of many firsts - my hubby's first day as a 30 year old (he'll kill me for posting this), my first time ever taking a photo of myself in a bathroom, having a Hello Kitty mini fridge and microwave at my desk at work (or any fridge & microwave for that matter), and attempting to blog from my phone (I failed, couldn't figure out how to load pictures).

How cool is this?!!

Me wearing Moulinette Soeurs Lotus dress from Anthropologie

It was a good one though - filled with cupcakes, Baskin Robbins ice cream cake, filet mignon, great work friends helping me carry my new accessories up to our floor, set them up, and walk to Whole Foods to stock up on beer, and spending time with my cute family.

How Cute Are These?!

 I'll take one of these - Ascot Swing Coat

 And, these - Pilcro Serif Cords in Dark Orange

 I'm also loving these beauties. Problem is, they aren't everyday pieces and that's what I need to spend money on right now. However, I do have a March wedding I'm in. Rehearsal dresses? I'm sure more beautiful dresses will come in before then but these are great eye candy.

Sea Nettle Shift
&

Skyscraper Dress

Versatility

It's been a few days since I've posted anything. I got some kind of stomach bug Monday night, stayed home Tuesday, and finally started feeling better Thursday. As summer is starting to come to a close (although it's 80 here today, woo hoo!), I told you I'd be doing what I can to wear my favorite summer clothes before I have to put them away and trade them for 9 months of rain (ugh....sigh).

Anthropologie's Goldfield skirt has been so versatile for me this summer. I've worn it with stripes, a solid tee, and now lace. I feel I can extend it's wear through fall with mustard, gray, and red. I just love it!

Ruche Lace Lover Top
Banana Republic orange cami

Anthropologie Goldfield Skirt

Seychelles She's Got The Moves sandals

By the way, I have a brand spankin' new pair of the Seychelles sandals above in a sz 7 - still in the box, never worn. Please email me at lkelley11@gmail.com if you would like to purchase them. $75 shipped.

Here and There

This weekend, so far, has been relatively low key in terms of the amount of things we've done, but I still feel we have been non-stop. My little and I went to a friend's 2 year old's birthday. We had so much fun! So much fun that we were the first there at 4 and the last to leave after 9 last night. Ella loved playing with 2 other little girls her age. And, the food was amazing - homemade Asian cuisine! While hubs got up at 4 a.m. this morning to do a triathlon, we slept in and are now heading out to get some things done. 

 What I wore to the party:

Anthropologie Amhara skirt, GAP heathered tee, Banana Republic necklace, Target sandals

We haven't seen much sun this weekend. I really hope summer isn't already over! It is super chilly this morning so I've put on this to run errands:

 Anthropologie top, jacket; GAP jeans; Target flats

 These pictures crack me up. I'm glad I don't take myself too seriously because let's face it, modeling is not my calling. Haha!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend:)

Friday=My Favorite Day

Friday's are the best. The end of another work week; the start of a weekend. Usually we end the day at a restaurant but last night, we just ordered in pizza. Below is me after a long day at work...I was pooped!

 Anthropologie top, Banana Republic jeans, cami, and pumps, aqua earrings (gifted)

How was your Friday? Any big plans for the weekend or are you going to be lazy and do nothing at all?

Simplicity

"Simple" has always been my style. I'm not one for heavy accessorization - never have been, and definitely won't be now that I have a child. Nothing is worse than having your necklace pulled on and broken or your earring almost being ripped out of your ear. Summer is my season, which cries simple due to warmer temps, and I'm not a fan of layers. Don't get me wrong, I love jewelry, shoes, belts, scarves, etc but I'm pretty picky. 

Case in point, for jewelry, I'd rather invest in really nice, timeless pieces such as my David Yurman bracelet, Palabra necklaces, pearl earrings, and wedding ring/bands (who am I kidding, they were all gifted, hehe) but I wear these items, minus the earrings, 24/7. They never come off. And, when I wear costume jewelry, I like to invest in pieces I know will last a long time, especially items from places like Banana Republic, Diana Warner, Anthro, and handmade items from Palabra Designs, festivals I've attended, or Etsy. And, yes I love shoes, but I'm not technically a shoe person. I think you either are or you aren't. That's not the department I run for when I'm out shopping if you know what I mean. BUT, I'm getting better about adding a little bit more of accessories as they add a nice touch to outfits (that's where you readers come in with all your great outfits/ideas).

Bottom line, I want to be comfortable and have my own style, yet always look put together, even on the weekends.  I think that's really important from head to toe because 1) you feel good when you look nice and 2) I think you're more respected, especially on the job. Anyway, I'll get off my tangent. Below is what I wore today - simple, comfy, but tried to not be completely boring by adding a mustard colored braided belt and aqua and mustard earrings to jazz things up a bit.

Banana Republic skirt, belt; GAP Sheer Yoke tee; Anthropologie Dearie Me wedges

Oh, and is it Friday yet? What a week!

And More Wish Listed Items...

After playing around this morning, I've added many additions to my Anthropologie Wish List. Thank goodness for 2 occasions this Fall/Winter that will assist in these purchases - my 30th birthday and Christmas (and Anthro sales!!). I didn't even tackle the shoes because there are so many gorgeous ones but the price tags are too hefty.

What I'm Eyeing by lmeewes11 featuring knit dresses

A Flowy #

Today, was a busy day. It started with a kick butt training class, then my little and I were off to a 3 year old birthday party. From there, we went downtown and checked out the latest and greatest at GAP and Anthropologie. I ended up picking up this and am really eyeing the following for fall:

Noon & Night Dress 

 with the Sea Whims Tunic underneath

 Flurried Plumes Midi

Wrap Around Blouse

The Alchemilla Tee was cute, too.

And, so was the Drape & Twist Tee.

One more...the Bojagi Pullover.

Of course, I didn't try any of them on because I had a 2 year old with me wanting to touch everything and a big headache!

OH! And, I just have to mention that I went into Forever 21 today - a 3 story one. I will never do that again! Screeching loud music, millions of people, and so much apparel it makes your head spin (hence the headache) = a BIG no thank you for me! Believe it or not, I am not a shopper and I absolutely despise browsing racks of clothes. But, I can find some awesome stuff and spend money in no time. My routine goes like this:

- Research every item I like and might want to try on.

- Go to store and pull those items.

- Make one round around the store to ensure I didn't miss anything.

- Only one dressing room massare is allowed.

- All of the above needs to be done in 30 minutes but no more than 45.

- And, I can do all of the above and create massive damage.

So, for all of you who I have seen with a cute number from Forever 21....I admire you!!! But, it's just not for me.

And to what I wore today - I was be bopping around in this flowy number:

Free People

Banana Republic sandals

Time to hit the hay!

She's A Brick---House

Happy Thursday! This week has gone by so fast! And, can you believe that this is the 1st week Seattle has had true summer. We have been in the upper 70's all week with beautiful, warm, sunny weather. It's been awesome! I can actually wear what's in my closet now - or at least for the next few weeks if the weather holds up. So, I will forewarn you that I will be wearing variations of past OOTDs because I hardly get to wear the cute summer clothes I have:) I need to wear them while I can!

Today, I wanted to be super comfy and Anthropologie's Brickwork Tee paired with the Drawing Parallels Skirt hit the spot.

 Brickwork Tee

Drawing Parallels Skirt

Banana Republic wedges

Enjoy the rest of your week. I hope to hit the beach this weekend!