Tag Archives: shopping

Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage Eyeshadow Quad Review

Posted in Beauty, makeup, Reviews by

My makeup bills have quickly shot up lately and I don’t dare add them up. It was a necessary evil though as I felt my makeup was getting boring and my looks stale. I love makeup, but I don’t love makeup enough to have 50 palettes and 100 lipsticks and every new thing that comes out. I like quality over quantity. Yes, I own about 12 YSL lip stains but then I only have a few other lipsticks and that’s it.

So 3 months ago I started doing a lot of research into new makeup to see what was good and worth the investment to revamp my style. I fell into Tom Ford simply from a perfume sample that came in my Sephora order. It was Tom Ford Noir and I loved it, and I bought it. I had never strayed from what I believed was my signature scent, Burberry Classic. I knew Tom Ford recently went into makeup and had even pinned some lipsticks but $52 seemed like a lot at the time.

So I started looking into Tom Ford quads. At $80 each it’s a big investment. Is it worth the price? Yes, I found out. I watched a lot of videos, swatches and first bought Silvered Topaz (will review separately). I loved it. So when I went to buy a second one I kept seeing that Cocoa Mirage was their best seller. I quickly dismissed it because it looked sooo boring. Just some browns, mostly matte. But it kept popping up and I kept seeing videos and liking the results. One of the things I was also trying to get away from was always doing bronzey shimmers, basically anything with glitter. I needed mattes. I lacked those greatly, so I drank the kool-aid and bought cocoa mirage.

imageFrom the onset it looks just like plain browns but it’s more than that. You really do get what you pay for when you buy Tom Ford. If you’re like me, I have super sensitive skin, as well as my eyes. Any little fall out makes my eyes go red and irritated. Tom Ford literally has no fall out. They are creamy and buttery. You can apply them lightly or heavy for my dramatic looks. So with four simple colors you can do endless looks. I’m enjoying trying more matte looks, but I have to say that one shimmer brown in the quad is a real winner. Sometimes I just wear that on the lid for a simple smoky eye and it builds up really nice. It is a coppery brown with just the right amount of shimmer. Temptalia ranked it an A and I agree. Cocoa Mirage is not boring. It is a high quality quad that has many looks and is amazing quality to justify the price.

imageI swipped about three times and you can see where the edges of the swipe are lighter and the center more bold. So you can see how the color builds up nicely.

Anthropologie Extra 20% off Sale – My Picks

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It’s Anthropologie Summer Sale Time! Today is the last day to use promo code “saleaway” for an added 20% off all markdowns. There is a dress that I have been stalking at Anthropologie for a few weeks now but the $169 price tag gave me pause. It was one of those times where I added it to ‘my cart’ several times, saw the total and still didn’t buy. Even when it went on sale once, I still didn’t pull the trigger. My waiting paid off! Anthropologie is having their big summer mark down prices. It brought my coveted dress down from $169 to $39!!! And they keep torturing me by adding more dresses. Every time I went back writing this blog to insert links and images, there would be more cute dresses. So now I have a few more bookmarked to replace the one I had been waiting….lol…so it goes.

So here is my coveted dress – The Inkdrop Midi – lots of sizes left and such a steal!

imageI grabbed this cute ombré top from $68 down to $14! I like it for fall to pair with a denim jacket or black cardi.

imageThis is the ultimate little party dress and for such a deal! Originally $648 – ouch!

imageQuintana Maxi Dress down from $179 to $80.

anthmaxiEmbroidered Canaria Maxi Dress down from $298 to $119. I love this one. It’s like such a perfect brunch dress.

anthmaxiYnez Maxi Dress – has a cute little tulip hem. Originally $168 to $80

anthmaxiEmbroidered Bluebell Dress – Originally $178 down to $80

imageRacerback Silk Dress – Originally $328 down to $159

imageHappy Shopping! Hope you get something you’ve been coveting!

Eddie Borgo for Target – Jewelry, Handbags and Art

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Update: I have been in my Target since writing this to buy a couple of things I was interested in. I found it all quite disappointing even down to the tacky cardboard display it was on. The clutch that I thought was cute was very cheap looking and feeling. Honestly, I wouldn’t use that clutch as a makeup bag much less a handbag. It felt like plastic. And the jewelry looked like it came from one of those jewelry kits you buy for little girls who are aged 7 And up. So I pass on this collection.

Eddie Borgo is the latest luxury brand to collaborate with Target. The Eddie Borgo for Target collection features more than 100 items including jewelry, accessories and wall art. The line launched yesterday, July 12th.

The collection features necklaces, bracelets and bags that can be customized by adding studs, totems and charms. Influenced by the craft culture of the 60s and 70s, the line gives the customer the opportunity to get creative and make one-of-a-kind accessories.

Be edgy. Be bold. Be charming and sophisticated. All in your own unique way. The Eddie Borgo for Target collection mixes stones, metals, shapes and shine in jewels, charms, bags and belts that you customize, mix, and match for a design that makes a statement: yours.

“We created components that all come apart and go back together – everything’s convertible,” said designer Eddie Borgo. “I’ve never seen this type of collaboration in the marketplace. It’s the first of its kind.”

It’s a very cool concept to create something your own. If you’re like me, I hate having the same anything as everyone else. So this gives you a little creative freedom to create something that’s all your own. These clutches appeal to me the most. I love that it’s classic with some edge.

CLUTCH_GIF_a2ed3c2f-5172-46aa-ac29-0a457a85c831-prvBucketBagwithAssortedCharms_GalaxyPrint_d1294810-9cde-468d-bec1-b9e3469bedd7-prvSiliconBraceletswithAssortedBeadsCharms_5ab45e0c-9f74-4207-864e-f2b0d2c96b92-prv21444563This necklace comes as empty rings that you then buy the studs to add to it. Unfortunately, it’s sold out online. This a cute little chain mail necklace that you can also add the studs or different charms to. It retails for $32.99.

17294616_Alt02The Eddie Borgo for Target Padlock Bracelet in gold. Includes 14 gold “padlock” loop beads that you can use for hanging any clip charms that fit with your style, mood or outfit of the day. Online only. $24.99 – as of right now it’s still available online.

17294604_Alt01Most items seem to still be available online with only a few pieces being sold out. And there is still availability at my local Targets, so I’m sure you won’t have any trouble finding it in yours. Happy Shopping!

Target gets Major Backlash in Social Media over Lilly Pulitzer Collab

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When Lilly Pulitzer was announced as the next designer collaboration for Target, I was ecstatic. I thought the April launch was perfect for helping me score some amazing printed pieces for spring and summer. But I might have been part of the few people that were happy about it. And that was truly shocking…

Like I’ve said a dozen times I’m a southern girl living in NY, but still am very true to my southern roots. So I know that a cute LP dress and pearls is a southern girl staple. The prints scream southern sorority girl, high class, elegant, lovely and very expensive. So to think I can get some LP at a lower price point is totally awesome. I, apparently, am part of the few that think so.

There’s been several things that have plagued this collaboration since it was announced: One, that Lilly Pulitzer is the next designer for Target. Two, that Lilly Pulitzer is offering plus sizes. And three, that the plus sizes are only being offered online. What else will be next?

Social media was in a firestorm this week. Here are some of my favorites:

“Lilly Pulitzer is rolling over in her grave”

“Great, now basics will be wearing Lilly Pulitzer”

“This is what happens when the founder dies and ignorant people are left in charge”

“Lilly Pulitzer is built off class and now you’re declassing it with it being associated with Target.”

“Great, I just spent $250 on a dress that will now sell for $40 to some randoms.”

I was pretty shocked that people would be so crazed and appalled by it. Isn’t that what a Target collaboration is for? To offer lower price points from a designer to the masses. It’s not like Lilly Pulitzer is moving into Target permanently. It’s a limited number of items which will probably sell out in the first day. And then never again. I do not see the problem.

I’m a girl who wears labels. I love a designer bag, designer scarf, designer shoes. But I also love to mix a high end designer with something from Target. I own at least 5 Burberry scarves, so I still can love and appreciate a great plaid scarf from Target without screaming it being “low budget knockoff” or that it’s sold to “basics”. I will still pick a Target scarf over a designer one if it goes with my outfit better. I love Louis Vuitton but I also love Target. Does shopping at Target make me low class or a “basic”? No.

I also think it’s awesome that plus sizes are being offered. I was once a plus size so I can understand the importance. I don’t understand why it’s being sold online only though, considering the expanding waist lines of Americans and the need being more prominent than ever for a nice selection of plus size clothing. But they’re also saying since it’s the first time Target has offered plus sizes with a designer collab that they’re “testing the waters”. I can understand that.

Whatever you believe, Lilly Pulitzer is an amazing designer with prints like no one else. And I believe that the same people complaining on social media will be some of the first in line to buy LP for Target on April 19th. So now they can be “basic” and “randoms” like us all, but at least I’ll be a “basic” wearing Lilly. 🙂

Shopping Addiction to Jane (Formerly Very Jane)

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I stumbled upon Jane.com about a year ago and ever since then it’s been an addiction. I was sucked in by cute boutique style items with low prices. I obsessively checked every day for the latest deals and even got up early to secure an item before it sold out. I told you I was addicted! When I started making a daily order for 3 weeks straight I finally had to admit my addiction and take a step away. I started deleting the emails and not checking the daily teasers of what was being featured the next day. I “get on the wagon” for about a month and then when I do “fall off the wagon” I do so in great flare. I order everything from maxi dresses to jewelry to tops for me, for the kids, to even cute straws. I love a deal and I even more so love a deal that can be gotten online from the comfort of my own home without a trip to the mall with four kids generally making me miserable trying to shop.

I’ve had a few hit and miss items. Sometimes I’ve ordered one thing and something else has come in. There have been times the quality has been so poor that I haven’t ordered anything for a couple months before I get sucked in again (which generally helps me to “get back on the wagon”). Generally speaking, I find that when I have had issues they have been resolved. Sometimes I just like worry free shopping so I take my money and go to JCrew where I know I’m going to be happy even if I’m paying soooo much more. I think the real CON of Jane is it can take forever to get something shipped. I generally wait two to four weeks to receive what I’ve bought and paid for. I do feel like it’s getting better there though. I feel like they’re trying to address that and I have noticed that some things are shipping quicker. But you still need to expect longer shipping times of 2-3 weeks. And checking the “expected to ship” on an item before purchase helps to know if it will arrive in time if you’re buying as a gift or need it for an event.

I can say that after a year of probably being one of their best customers and having several issues, I will still always go back to Jane. They have some amazingly cute things at really great prices! Here are a few of my most recent purchases that I love!