Wearing in the video:
LOVELY ME: EX PASTEL CUSHION BLUSHER 02 CORAL CUSHION
FACE IT ARTIST TOUCH SHADOW 02 EMERALD CITY
ARTIST TOUCH LIPSTICK OR201

I was familiar with THEFACESHOP brand through online shops and beauty reviews but I don’t recall ever using any of their products until now. I stumbled upon a THEFACESHOP while in Ottawa and bought up a ton of things! Actually, so much that I’m not going to list everything individually.

I’m currently avoiding oils and collagen in any long term skincare products so I skipped many of their skin care sets. Almost everything has collagen in it right now.

I picked up their Blemish Zero products and a ton of face masks. The Blemish Zero looked a lot like the Clinique Acne line I’ve used for years but when comparing the ingredients THEFACESHOP has aloe and less ingredients including peppermint extract which can be irritating to skin.

The Volume My Lips glosses are my favorites. They last and last and don’t feel tacky at all. I was so impressed with the fuchsia one that I went back to buy the rest of them!

The Aqua Tint Jelly is gorgeous but the taste is a bit off-putting. It’s very artificial like the taste of plastic. The Milky Moisture Tint and the Marker Aqua Tint both had artificial tastes as well. The color is excellent though.

Lightning Reviews!

Artist Touch Lipstick OR201 – Love it! Lasts, moisturizing, creamy, color payoff!

Artist Touch Shadow 02 Emerald City – Pretty, subtle, soft, a bit powdery and low pigments.

Milky Moisture Tint 03 Apple Red – Pretty! Tastes terrible until 100% dry.

My Lips Eat Cherry Aqua Tint – Pretty, deep red tiny that lasts. Tastes artificial u til dry.

You Make Me Glam Volume My Lips – Like these a lot especially fuchsia and glitter clear. Really makes lips look fuller.

Aqua Proof Marker Tint 02 Pink – Love this for natural tint when outdoors and minimal makeup.

Real Nature Masks – Liked these a lot! All the ones I tried.

Mango Seed Lip Balm – Nice! Like to apply this before lipsticks.

Clean Face Sebum Control Soothing Mask Sheet – Yeah, like it!

Milk Plus Lotion – Good lotion but smells like baby powder (ugh.)

Coral Cushion Blusher 02 Coral – Meh. A bit too shimmery and can highlight pores.

Lovely Moisturizer Mango Body Lotion – Eh, mango toothpaste-like scent. Loved at first but got tired of scent. Absorbs nice and clean though.

Clean Face Anti-Imperfections Patches – Nah, didn’t do much.

Hydro Gel Mask Sheet Vita E – Difficult to use and sliding everywhere, no skin difference.

Cream Shimmer Eyeshadow – Pointless best describes this product.

CK ONE Pure Color Lipstick “Little Liar”
CK ONE Shine Lipstick “Alarm“

And also Ulta exclusively sells the ck one makeup line. Which I didn’t even know existed until a few months ago. The packaging is so sleek and… 90’s. I read the lip products were pretty good and picked up 2 for fall. I really want to wear bold colors this winter.

I really like the color shine lipstick. It lasts a surprisingly long amount of time. I had it on for an entire afternoon at work before it started to finally fade. These two shades look similar in color but the formulas are very different. Little Liar applies more red-orange where Alarm applies more like a bright coral shade.

So for many many years I only bought Bath & Body Works candles. The 3-wick ones because nothing else was strong enough for the open design of my house. But that also meant stalking the store for their 2 for $22 sale over and over coupled with their limited fragrance selection. After receiving some candles from Catbird as gifts I started shopping around for woodsy-based candles and saw Target had gotten these large, inexpensive, soy candles in simple glass jars.

The black orchid and amber is fantastic. If you’ve ever liked those woodsy teakwood candles found at Madewell (or UO) this is 3 times in size and easily the same price or cheaper. It fills a large room with fragrance as well.

The sparkling yuzu is nice but subtle. I was surprised to see yuzu as a fragrance but it’s really more mellowed in this candle than I was hoping. Probably wouldn’t get this one again.

Also I’m not usually a fan of Yankee Candle except for the fresh cut roses. It has a really nice pure rose fragrance. No musk or added florals just roses.

Lastly I picked this one up at Anthropologie on clearance. It has a nice marine fragrance and I like the design so much I might keep it for holding tea light candles.

Just to clarify none of these break me out or else I would have returned the product. :) You know I breakout easily…

I really really REALLY like these two Revlon True Match LUMI items. The one on the right is a primer that comes out as a liquid pearl serum. I sometimes just use these on my bare cheeks alone with no makeup or I actually use it as a primer before bb cream or even mix it in with my bb cream and it adds a subtle glow. The illuminator on the left is in shade “icy” and is a great pearl toned highlight for cheeks.

On the far left there are two Rimmel Exaggerate automatic lip liners. I hadn’t used lip liners since swearing off Mac a few years ago but these showed up on a couple of beauty reviews and are so affordable I went ahead and got some. A nude pink shade and a deep red. They’re pretty good. Not flawless but creamy and long-lasting. Revlon’s Visible Lift Blur cream blush is fantastic. It really does blur your pores and the shade is so build’able and natural. And then I’ve purchased Loreal Double Extend fiber mascara again and again. I always use it when I want dramatic lashes that are super easy to remove. And then the Loreal Manga Rock mascara. I tried the original manga mascara and it was OK but this one really does add more drama. I like spider lashes if I’m in the mood and this does it really well. Hard as hell to remove but still nice.

I got this Physician’s Formula Mineral Glow Pearls in beige for a golden powder highlight. It’s more of a shimmering bronzer on my skin. It’s pretty subtle. I probably wouldn’t buy it again but I’ve actually been using it a lot on minimal makeup days for an added bit of color and shine.

I got this Sonia Kashuk matte palette from Anupa a while ago and boy do I get into cycles where I only wear this palette! The color range is great and the shadows aren’t too chalky. They’re easier to blend than some of my other matte palettes. I also purchased this stipple brush a few months ago and, though it wasn’t super cheap, it’s really nice for applying liquid highlighters plus it’s so easy to hold not to mention sleek looking.

So no, I do not have a beautyblender. I wasn’t sure if I’d use it so I purchased this Real Techniques Miracle Complexion version for 1/4 of the price of a beautyblender. Just to see if I’d like the concept. I love it. I’ll probably upgrade to Beauty Blender when this is ready to be tossed but honestly if I only ever repurchase this version I’d be more than happy. It’s great for applying bb cream no matter how thick and the coverage I get when I use it is great. I don’t even remember the last time I applied my bb cream with my fingers or foundation brush. I thought using it would make application longer but it actually cuts my time in half.

So I saw this while grocery shopping last weekend and I got it because it claims to give you a tingling lip sensation much like a lot of lip plumpers out there. It’s Lip Bang’s Lip Freak Buzzing Cherry Atomic stick. This is more like a lip tint because it goes on with a fairly noticeable red tint. It smells like cinnamon and tastes a bit fruit like cinnamon cranberries. The tingling starts after a few minutes and just lasts and lasts and lasts. I know a lot of people don’t like that sensation but I love it. I’ve actually been using lip products like this to help distract me during high-anxiety situations. Such as office meetings, going to the doctors, or meeting with a large group of people. Sometimes my anxiety just feels overwhelming and is stressful but this tingling distraction helps keep me more focused and calm in those situations. Much like chewing gum does for some people.

It’s been really fun getting back into picking things up on a whim. There isn’t all this guilt if I don’t love it, returning items I don’t like is way easier, and that feeling of “am I buying the best version of xyz!?” is gone. Sometimes it feels like we have turned makeup into this constant competition of having to buy the best and only the best. Like 19 out of 20 beauty bloggers have to recommend it before you dare buy it. You know? Like I know there are way better lip colors out there than Revlon’s Colorburst. But I like them! I like the color payoff and the minty formula. I like that I can usually buy them at 2 for 1! Sometimes it feels like you’re not even allowed to buy, let alone like, a beauty product unless you’ve got a dissertation on why it’s the be all and end of of products. But maybe that’s just the bubble I got myself into over the years and am very much in favor of popping. :)

It’s humid, and rainy, and there’s less traffic in the mornings with no school buses. Must be summer :)

I bought these white Birkenstocks from Madewell weeks ago, maybe even months, because…
1) They were incredibly soft and flexible
2) I no longer know what’s cool

I was going to wear them while commuting but I’ve been babying them because they’re so clean and perfect. But this week I’ve been wearing them out into the mud so they’re sufficiently broken in now.

I had gotten a bit tired of tote bags this past winter and decided I preferred the feel of a bucket bag for now. I got this one in black leather with metallic gold interior which is a perfect pair to my old standby the black and gold Julia Marco canvas tote.

I also started wearing more sheer nail colors. I went months without wearing polish due to being injured; so when I put on some old polish it looked so heavy. I couldn’t stand opaque colors now! So I started picking up more sheer shades. This one from Essie is called Nude Beach and it’s a sheer pink with a shimmer of green.

Also found these soaps shaped like rock quartz at Anthropologie. I picked up a few! They smell so good but I admit I’ve yet to unwrap one and use it.

I’ve been mostly busy updating things around the house after a big IKEA trip last weekend. Today we got the new light fixture up in the bedroom. I ordered a batch of Edison bulbs to go in it. A few years ago I noticed the edison bulbs coming out but didn’t have a use for any until now. I also added two new “money trees” after enjoying the one I got for the office in March. When I was pushing it through IKEA almost every person I passed asked me where I had gotten the plant! They’re almost always sold out when I go but I went first thing in the morning this time.

I don’t usually like potted plants in the house but my other tree has done well enough that I’m willing to risk it in 2 more rooms.

So here they are in no particular order.

I made a set of mini apple and mini berry pies last week. Baking a whole pie feels like a much bigger hassle than whipping these guys. Basically within an hour I’m eating pie and ice cream. Having this one with Starbuck’s iced coffee. I was giving the brand a try. I prefer Illy’s more bitter taste for quick cold coffee.

I bought some essential oils from muji because they restocked their yuzu. Their yuzu is alright. The yuzu Anna sent me was a million times better but I can deal. Plus the other two scents I got from Muji are really great.

I learned that ivy is another plant that you can propagate and grew in just water. So I clipped a few vines from the shared fence with the neighbor and started growing some in my existing topiary jars. Now I have devil’s ivy with lavender and english ivy.

I found the “Harmony Aroma” body washes from Bathclin. These are really nice and different. The soap is creamy and creates a thick lather. The fragrances have a woodsy, herb note to them, even the rose version.

I also bought Lee magazine. It’s a casual, natural lifestyle magazine for women in their late 20’s to mid 30’s. It includes casual looks for the office, at home, out on dates, or out with young kids. I thought it might be too family oriented but it’s actually pretty balanced between family, working, single, etc. The home section is fantastic with simple aesthetics and recipes. The makeup and clothing is great too. Not too high-end but not overtly trendy and cheap.

I got to have some real German food for the first time in ages as well as remind myself how potent kirschwasser is.

Lastly I’ve started yoga. Though I feel “yoga” is a loaded word full of expectations of health, juice cleanses, studio visits, and kale chips. I didn’t start that yoga lifestyle. I just started Yin Yoga for my back and legs. Yin yoga focuses on stretching the skeletal muscles. There are fewer and easier positions. And I’ve kept doing it because I’m feeling the results. My back and legs are far less tight. I was having troubles walking recently from my calf muscles being so tight even after massages and muscle relaxers.

I do the stretches about every other night usually after a hot bath or right before bed. You keep the positions longer than in traditional yoga. So even though I didn’t get into it for the “peace of mind” you are sort of forced to relax and almost meditate as you keep some positions for 3~5 minutes.

I ended up getting a mix of summer and autumn. So instead of pairing a light blue shirt with my light wash denim I’ll opt for these deep plum soft as a bunny “sateen” jeans.

quilted skater skirt

I thought this skirt would be much too long on me (I’m 5′1″) but it’s not! The length still works really really well and the fabric gives the structured skirt a soft look.

cargo workshirt

The gingham workshirt is also another favorite of mine. Madewell brought out a new cut this season that features the relaxed look of a popover but with the functionality of a button-up. Honestly I loathe popovers because of the lack of buttons so seeing these made me SO HAPPY. The cut runs bigger than their previous workshirts too. I hope they bring more colors and patterns out in this style.

courier shirt

I love this shirt. Usually oversized boxy cuts + large chest creates a potato sack feeling but this shirt folds just right so that it’s this airy look without looking like you’re just wearing a tent.

coated roadtrip jacket

skinny skinny jeans: biker-zip edition

I really like how the zippers break-up the black space of these.

skinny skinny sateen jeans

Heaven. No really, these are incredibly soft. I’m interested to see how durable they turn out to be.

Madewell is doing a new promotion now where if you bring in any old denim you get $20 off a pair of new denim. I think it lasts until October :)

This weekend I got a new sleeveless top and flats from Zara online. It doesn’t really match the tone of all my solid colored tees but something about that clashing with my closet made we really want to add it! After I made a wardrobe capsule for a Tumblr ask using all Zara I decided to order a bunch of stuff from Zara.com since it was free shipping & free returns. Today I returned about half due to fit (mostly too tight in the shoulders.) It was so, so, so much easier than shopping in their hectic store.

Also picked up this cocopalm scalp cleansing gel. I used it tonight. It smells so good and tropical. It’s an extra scalp cleanser you use prior to shampooing. With the heat and sweating waiting on the trains in the mornings and again in the afternoons plus riding my bike and that perm… my scalp could use some TLC.

And the Therapy Mineral Bath Soak is amazing for summer. It’s mentholated and leaves you feel really cool and refresh.

The first 3 snaps are from March while the last one is from May when I switched from faux leather to a cotton biker jacket. Honestly this had been my uniform up until it got too hot. I picked up a few things during Madewell’s sale last weekend. Three button ups in a softer cotton for summer, an indigo dye tee, and a navy skirt.

Also got another bandana from J.Crew. I’ve been wearing these a lot at work to dress up a solid tee + cardigan look so I can be comfortable but not too casual for the office.

But I was going through some photos this weekend and saw some stuff I don’t think I ever posted about. So I’m going to post them here!

First up, last weekend I went to the National Arboretum. It was better than expected and I want to go back when Mike is more fully recovered from his spinal surgery and can walk with greater ease.

Last weekend I picked up this scarf from JCrew for 30% off. I wore it to work to dress up a chambray short sleeved shirt that I paired with black dress pants. I really like this chambray shirt from Madewell. Lately it’s all I want to wear. That and neckerchiefs and plain tees.

I also needed a new spring coat. I felt bummed about having to pack away my winter leather jacket then I remembered this Madewell cotton version of a biker jacket. I bought it (on sale too!) 2 sizes bigger for an oversized look and feel. I Then passed this short trench at Gap which was 60% off so I bought that one as well.

These two jackets might seem to be polar opposites but interesting enough they both fit into my wardrobe seamlessly. While I’ve been into minimalism french sorta gamine style these past few years I am just really channeling a more greaser feeling right now. And everything I own works with either of these without feeling like I have 2 separate wardrobes. Honestly it’s all in the trimmings.

And I’ve been into blazers for so long and was surprised to find my lack of enthusiasm over them this past year. While I still wear a few to work sometimes, I don’t care to wear them “out” right now. I became extremely attached to my biker jacket this winter. I still like the aesthetic of a blazer, yes! But I’m kinda bored with wearing them at the moment.

I bought a crap-load of shampoo this weekend too. If the local Japanese market carries a new hair care line there’s a 100% chance I’m going to buy it without considering how often a single person can actually wash their hair in their lifetime. Added ISM Hair care and Umi No Uruoiso to my collection. I haven’t opened them yet though but will pick one tonight because my current shampoo & conditioner went empty.

I’m actually most interested in the ocean themed line. It uses various seaweed extracts and just sounds all around summer-mermaid-themed.

OPI Natural Nail Base Coat
Deborah Lippmann’s Mermaid’s Dream & Mermaid’s Kiss

I loathe wearing glitter because it’s not easy to remove. I know there are “tricks” but those tricks take extra time too! So when I saw OPI has put out a natural nail base coat that peels off for glitter removal I bought it as well as 2 shades from Deborah Lippmann’s The Mermaids collection.

Though Zappos decided to send my single order of 2 polishes in separate boxes with a ton of package filler. The conservationist in me was in total shock.

All-in-all I’m happy with the base coat. I had read reviews and knew what to expect before I ordered it. It’s good for a day or two of a glitter manicure. The polish peels off easily especially after a hot shower or bath. My polish began chipping and peeling by day 2. The base coat dries quickly and Deborah Lippmann’s Mermaid’s Dream & Mermaid’s Kiss dry quickly as well with a single coat that I don’t feel annoyed by the short life-span of the base coat. I haven’t needed any polish remover with it so this feels more like an excellent route on the week’s I’m finicky and want a new glitter look every couple of days.

I did try it with non-glitter polish and it didn’t work as well. Remained tacky and peeled off within the day.

When I saw that one of my favorite blogs, Tokyo Eats, put out a book I ordered it immediately!

You can order the Tokyo Eats Guide Book here.

It’s a great little book. The look and feel is exactly what I expected. All the aesthetic details, like MT style tape headers and grid paper backgrounds, make it a real joy to flip through while the list of cafes by neighborhood makes it easy to find a great place on the fly.

I think this is a really great guide for first time travelers to Tokyo. Having been a handful of times myself I’m already familiar with a lot of the recommendations in the book. However I still love the Foodie side to this. I’ll be bringing it with me on my next trip. It’s lightweight and will come in handy when I want to grab a quick bite without having to research exactly where on my own first.

I highly highly highly recommend this guide for anyone travelling to Tokyo for the first time. It’s full of popular tourist spots, great shops, and fantastic cafes while recommending some of my personal favorite places such as Kichijoji, Kamakura, and shops like Loft and Maison de Reefur!

I received mine within a few days of ordering (being located in the US and all.)

So I ordered Madewell’s eyelet collar blouse.

I also got an eyelet skirt. For a while I had a rule, “no more black skirts.” I had built up quite a collection having a propensity for buying this closet staple over and over. But this year I had purged those skirts; mailing them off to my little sister. I was now faced with the reality that I completely lacked a basic black skirt. I tried a handful on over the year but wasn’t in love with any of them.

Then I saw the bayfront eyelet skirt on Madewell.com. It’s extremely “summer” in its design and fabric. 100% cotton; it’s a thicker, stiffer texture than I expected but the structure comes off as sporty and a perfect match for summer t-shirts. I’m relieved it has some weight to be honest because the summer winds can sometimes make flair skirts annoying to wear.

Well, they’re here! …
Some of them at least

One Amazon store called Beautyworks sent the Angel Heart Hair Wash instead of the Hair Treatment I ordered. They were actually out of the treatment when I contacted them so they refunded my money and told me to just keep the Hair Wash. OK, that was really cool of them and I would order from them again. :)

The other Amazon store sent me a single tracking code for my order. When it arrived there was only 1 item in the package! When I contacted them they apologized and said the other items were “lost in transit.” These items were now sold out so they refunded my money and shipping for those items. I was disappointed because I wouldn’t have ordered this body spray if I wasn’t already ordering the Angel Heart items. On the plus side the spray smells pretty good. A nice apple and does soften the skin some.

I get the feeling that ordering these things on Amazon can be really unpredictable. I had figured Amazon was a last ditch effort to get hard to find items and it seems proven right. Also it’s rare to find any of these items available for Prime. However, in the end, I did at least get my 1 bottle of Angel Heart Hair Wash so I’m still happy :)