Lilly Pulitzer After-Party Sale

Lilly Pulitzer's bi-annual sale is on this week and ends tonight! I logged on first thing yesterday but found that, unlike previous sales, I wasn't able to grab up some of the most exciting things I saw so easily. A lot of things were showing up as "available" for hours that would be marked as "sold out" only when you tried to add them to your cart. So, I came up relatively empty handed. However - keep your eyes peeled! They are adding new styles throughout the sale.

One thing I've always found with what's still available after the initial free-for-all is that a lot of the more interesting things are only available in a Size XXS. Now, I know that's just a small percentage of all the Lilly lovers out there. So, I'm sharing below some of my favorite styles in the sale that are still available right now in larger sizes.

General Merchandise:

Dresses & Rompers:

Best of After-Christmas Sales 2017

I hope you had a lovely holiday! Now, in this fantastic time between Christmas and New Years you can find some of the best deals all year (until next Black Friday, that is)! I wanted to share below a few of my fave finds you can snag with that year-end bonus...or that crisp note Santa left under the tree. It's never too late to grab a little gift for someone that brightened your 2017!

Fashion Gifts for Gals

J.McLaughlin - 50% off select merchandise
Nordstrom - Half-yearly sale, up to 50% off select merchandise
Nordstrom Rack - Clear the rack, up to 75% off select merchandise

General Gifts for Everybody

Birchbox - Extra 50% off sale merchandise, code: SAVEHALF
Waiting on Martha - Extra 40% off sale merchandise, code: WOM40 Vineyard Vines - Extra 30% off sale merchandise, code: WHALE17

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2017

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is here again. Although it opened to the general public (those of us without Nordstrom credit cards) yesterday, there are still a lot of great deals to be found! Check out my picks below and post in the comments any of your fab finds from the sale!

Women's Clothing & Accessories:

Beauty:

Home:

Deep Discounts on My Top Birchbox Picks

Birchbox is having an incredible sale right now! Some of my personal favorites in the beauty, fragrance, and skincare categories are currently being offered at a deep discount of 30% off for everyone, 40% off for Birchbox Aces members.

What makes this deal even sweeter? The discount is automatically applied in your cart. That means no promo codes are necessary! So, you can stack on top of your discount a free mystery sample pack (on orders of $25+) and a free gift of your choosing (on orders $25-50+).

I personally own and use all of the items above, or at least some iteration of each. So, I can vouch for just how wonderful and high quality they are!

1. Penhaligon's Empressa Perfume - So, it's no surprise that I'm a bit partial to the British brands on Birchbox. However, Penhaligon's offers product that is so extremely special and I cannot sing their praises enough. They hold two Royal Warrants, snazzy speak for "used by the British Royal Family". Penhaligon's has been around since 1870 and each scent is inspired by some really interesting parts of the brand's history. For instance, the Empressa scent is inspired by the woods used in old trading ships combined with silky and spicy notes inspired by the decadent goods the ships transported.

2. Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish - The polishes may be a bit more pricey than your average, but let me tell you - they are worth it! Deborah Lipmann and Butter are the two brands I turn to when I want a manicure that won't chip. I've had some Deborah Lippmann manicures that have looked flawless after 10-14 days without any touch-ups! I recently saw a talk/presentation by Mark Lippmann, Managing Partner/CEO/Brother-in-Chief of the company. If you ever get the chance to attend an event where he's on the agenda, you're in for a treat! He's brilliant.

3. Caudalie Purifying Mask - I haven't tried this particular mask. I don't think it's right for my skin. But, I recently had a treatment at the Caudalie Spa at the Westfield World Trade Center (kudos to Gilt City for the discount!) and they used the moisturizing mask from this same line. I couldn't believe the difference it made. I don't think my complexion has ever looked that well-balanced before. I didn't wear any foundation for 2 days after that treatment and I got lots of comments on my skin/"make-up". Try this out for the real "I woke up like this". So incredible.

4. Pinrose Perfume Rollerball Trio - I haven't tried the rollerballs yet, but I was one of the first adopters of this brand back in 2014. I'm a huge fan of their perfume towelettes which are so perfect for travel, refreshing post-workout, or for making sure your scent lasts throughout the day (easy to re-apply at the end of the work day). The only other company I've seen make a similar product is Fragonard Paris, but I have yet to find anywhere in the US where you can buy theirs. I've loved every single scent I've received in the Pinrose towelettes, so I have no doubt the same scents in rollerball form are wonderful too!  I'm also kind of thrilled that both of the founders are fellow Stanford alums!

5. Caudalie 2016 Favorites Set - As I said above, you can't really go wrong with Caudalie, especially if you have dry skin. I love the grape water in this set.

6. PeriPera Cushion Blusher - Quite possibly my favorite of this whole lot! I purchased this in June 2016 from HauteLook in the Lovely Lavender shade. If you have dry skin like mine, this product will be perfect for you. It is especially great when paired with a cushion foundation. I really like how it added back some color after I used a full-coverage foundation and that rather than looking powdery or flaky, it gave my skin a moist, dewy glow.

7. Davines SU Hair Milk - Favorite. Haircare Brand. Of all time. I discovered Davines through Birchbox several years ago and have never turned back. It's a bit pricey so I don't use it every day, but on the days I do - just WOW! What a difference! I went on a business trip to Italy a while back and was so surprised to see how much cheaper it is there (literally a fraction of the price when you buy it at Eataly in Rome). I talked an Argentine colleague into getting some while we were there and she was equally impressed - and hooked. I haven't used this particular product, but I have used the OI Hair Milk. My all-time favorite Davines products are their conditioners.

8. Cynthia Rowley Eyeshadow Palette - In the early days of the Birchbox online store, they had a really awesome program for beauty bloggers called Birchbloggers. One of the events I really enjoyed that they hosted was a beauty party in the Cynthia Rowley store in NYC's Upper East Side. At the end of the party I got to take home a large selection of products, including this wonderful palette. I think that all of the colors in it are universally flattering. The colors are also a bit silky rather than dry/chalky which I think is a good indication of quality.

9. Ayres Bar Soap - So, I lived in Buenos Aires for a summer and have to admit, I'm a bit of a sucker for the great Porteno-influenced Ayres branding. The scents are all really nice, clean, and refreshing. They are also all pretty gender-neutral. My favorite is Pampas Sunrise which has a nice sort of citrusy-patchouli scent.

Gift Guide ~ Valentine's Day 2017

Smythson Panama Pocket Notebook // Draper James Amaryllis Floral Scarf

Tory Burch Double Wrap Amore Bracelet // Angelina Paris Gianduja Chocolate in a Tin

Waterford Giftology Crystal Heart Box // Sprinkles x The Lip Scrub by Sara Happ in Red Velvet

Kusmi Tea Sweet Love Blend Tea Bags

Kenra Platinum Snail CC Cream for Hair Review

As you likely already know, I'm a big fan of Korean beauty products. I've reviewed a number of them on this blog and especially like how there's such a wide range of products geared towards people with very dry skin and fair complexions - like myself.

A while back I went to an event where the Founder of e-commerce store Peach & Lily, which specializes in bringing Korean beauty products to the USA, spoke about how Korean beauty is always a bit ahead of the curve in terms of R&D and ingredients. At that event, I discovered Mizon's All-in-One Snail Repair Cream. At first, like most of you are probably thinking, I was a bit hesitant to try it. I mean, it's 92% snail secretion filtrate, which does sound a little odd.

All joking aside, I was immediately won over by the product. I only had to apply a very tiny amount and I could immediately see the man great effects of using a snail cream. My skin was instantly hydrated, brighter, and any signs of acne/fine lines/wrinkles were visibly decreased.

Why have I spent all this time talking about a Korean face cream? Well, because that product piqued my interest in the benefits snail cream has on other parts of the body. When I saw the opportunity to test out Kenra's Snail CC Cream for your hair, I was instantly drawn in.

I'll start off my saying I have dry, color-treated blonde hair. So, I wouldn't immediately think that Korean beauty-inspired haircare products are tailored towards my hair type. However, the Kenra Platinum Snail CC Cream is really great for any hair type. It serves as a 10-in-1 "corrective creme" that fights all 10 signs of aging hair: dulling, thinning, breakage, frizz, dryness, elasticity, porosity, scalp irritation, unmanageability, and coarse texture. I think just about everyone deals with one if not several of those signs. To assuage the concerns of those who are looking for ingredient-conscious and cruelty-free products, I want to highlight as well that this product contains no parabens or sulfates and no snails are harmed in the production of the product.

The product is very easy to use. It is essentially a leave-in conditioner. Simply apply evenly with your hands or a wide-tooth comb on damp or dry hair. I would suggest using an amount the size of a dime at most. A little bit will go a long way and I found that too much weighed the hair down or left it a little greasy.

On a final note, I just wanted to comment on how beautiful the packaging and branding are. If you know a beauty buff who likes to try new and inventive products, I would highly recommend gifting this product. The packaging looks absolutely luxurious and elegant. I love the iridescent shimmer of the periwinkle color and the applicator is very high quality - the product pumps out like a high end CC face cream would.

Ready to try it for yourself? This product is exclusively available at at ULTA ($25.00)! Shop HERE.

This product was provided to me for free for review purposes by Kenra via Brandbacker.

Heeling the Sole: My Sole Patches Review

Sole Patches are American-made removable adhesive pads to alleviate shoe discomfort. They come in package of 6 which will last you a long while. They are a nice, discreet nude color that blends in well with the linings of most shoes. Each has a distinct flower-like shape that helps absorb impact with each step and help enhance comfort.

Each pad has a very strong "medical-grade" adhesive that keeps it in place on the shoe. I have used other products like these in the past and my biggest gripe is that they tend to move around in the shoe after applied. That actually causes me even more discomfort than wearing my shoes without them, because the root of the pain and soreness is usually the foot sliding forward. However, Soul Patches really do stay put!

One thing that makes Sole Patches relatively unique is that they are not just intended to be applied to the ball or heel of your sole. They can actually be directly applied to the skin on the bottom of your feet! They are moisture-repelling, odor-repelling, antimicrobial, and shock-absorbing. They are designed to stay on your foot for up to 24 hours of wear, which allows you to wear multiple pairs of shoes with the pads during that period.

I found the pads I used in my high heels for New Years Eve to be pretty effective. I would say the ball of my foot usually hurts a bit in these shoes after about 3 hours of wear, but one pad in each made them comfortable for about 5-6 hours. I still have to test them out with double-padding - applying a pair of pads directly to the bottom of my feet too. I think that would do the trick for a whole day of wear! If you're interested in learning more about this product and purchasing some for your own use ($9.95 for a pack of 6), please visit: http://solepatches.com/


This product was provided to me for free for review purposes by Sole Patches via Brandbacker.

Exuviance Purifying Cleansing Gel Review

Winter weather can be tough on your skin, but dermatologist developed Exuviance has some great products to help you beat the winter blues and look absolutely radiant at all of the events on your holiday calendar. The Exuviance brand was created by Dr. Eugene Van Scott and Dr. Ruey Yu, leaders in the field of cosmetic dermatology. They were the doctors who discovered the anti-aging benefits of Glycolic Acid and patented the first glycolic peel. 

The Purifying Cleansing Gel is intended for normal/combination skin and is formulated with AHA/PHA (Alpha and Polyhydroxy Acids) to exfoliate and clarify your skin. It is a gentle, soap-free cleanser, safe product for sensitive skin, that washes away make-up, surface oils, and impurities without altering skin's natural moisture balance. 

What I first noticed about this product when I opened the tube and applied it to my skin was the great texture. It feels very rich and luxurious, like a premium face mask. It doesn't seep into your skin to quickly, which I consider a big plus because it's easy to tell where you've already applied it on your face and where you haven't yet. 

It's very easy to apply. Simple massage it on to wet skin, after you've given your face a quick rinse. As you massage it, it lathers up really nicely. Once you've lathered up your whole face, it's ready to rinse off - no need to let it sit! The gel has a very nice cooling effectm which is really soothing on irritated skin. Since my skin often suffers from a little redness, I really appreciate this component of the product. It definitely makes it feel safe to use twice daily.

The product has a really nice, refreshing clean scent. It makes me think of sweet summer peaches and fresh laundry! The fragrance does initially stay on your skin after you wash off the cleanser; however, it isn't as strong as it is when first applied. 

Not only does this gel help keep your skin looking and feeling healthy, but it is also very effective at removing make-up. I've tested it with some of my toughest make-up including waterproof mascara and gel eyeliner. While I would normally hesitate to use a product like this anywhere around my eyes, this one was very gentle and didn't make my eyes tear up or sting. 

My skin felt as deeply cleansed as it does when I use an exfoliator. Since I find most exfoliators to be a bit too harsh for my skin, I was very pleased to find an alternative. It was a real bonus as well that this left my skin feeling cleansed but not dry, as a lot of comparable products dry out your skin a bit. 

Interested in trying this product yourself? The Exuviance Purifying Cleansing Gel ($34), as well as Exuviance's other fine products, are all available at: www.exuviance.com.



This product was provided to me for free for review purposes by Exuviance via Brandbacker.

Cyber Monday: The Extended Cut

Here's a list of the 10 best extended Cyber Monday deals - hurry, most expire at Midnight ET tonight!

Lots of preppy clothes, home decor, and jewelry bargains still to be found -

• May Designs - 40% off notebooks & stationery 
• Julep - 50% off everything w/ code "CYBERWIN"
• Furbish Studio - 20% off everything w/ code "HOLIDAY20" 
• Draper James - 15% off  under $200, 20% off $200+, 25% off $300+, 30% off $400+ 
•  Jack Rogers - Buy 1, Get 1 at 50% off w/ code "CYBER2016" 
• Marley Lilly - Up to 50% off select items and 2 pairs of free earrings (tassels with $50+, studs with code "ML3925")
• GILT City - 20% off w/ code "CYBER"
• Country Club Prep - 20% off sitewide + free shipping w/ code "CYBER20"
• Tuckernuck - 20% off everything w/ code "GIVE20", 25% off $500+ w/ code "GIVE25", 30% off $1000+ w/ code "GIVE30"
•  Jack Wills - 30% off everything
• One King's Lane - extra 20% off everything, prices as marked

Black Friday Deal Round-up

Here are my 10 favorite deals this Black Friday week (so far!):

1. Draper James - extra 30% off all sale items & free shipping 
2. Design Darling - 20% off everything w/ code "HOLIDAY" (through Monday)
3. The Organic Pharmacy - 20% off everything (Friday-Monday)
4. Peach & Lily - 30% off everything w/ code "GiveThanks30" (ends 11:59pm ET on Monday)
5. One King's Lane - extra 20% off select merchandise
6. Bath & Unwind - 20% off $37.50+ & free shipping w/ code "BLACK20" (through Monday)
7. GUMP's - 25% off $100+ & free shipping w/ code "FRIENDS25" (ends Tuesday), plus an extra deal you can load to your card if you have American Express for $15 off $75
8. GILT City - extra 25% off all deals, plus a $10 gift card to Postmates for orders placed 1-4pm on Friday
9. Charlotte Tilbury - buy one Nocturnal Cat Eyes to Hypnotize Set for $39, get one free
10. 6pm.com - extra 15% off everything & free shipping

Honorable Mentions:

• Kendra Scott - extra 20% off everything including sale w/ code "SALE20" (ends Midnight on Monday)
• May Designs - 40% off notebooks and stationery
• Furbish Studio - 20% off all orders w/ code "HOLIDAY20"
• Joules - 25% off everything w/ code "FRIYAY" (ends Midnight on Monday)
• Boden - 30% off everything & free shipping $49+ (ends Monday)
• Jack Wills - 30% off everything (ends Monday)

L'REVE 24K "60 Second Instant Facial Lift" Review

The impending winter weather can often add to your skincare woes.  So, I'm excited to share with you today a great product I received from Miami-based L'Reve Cosmetics. Old or young, nobody wants to get wrinkles. The "60 Second Instant Face Lift Serum" by L'Reve helps address fine lines, expression lines, and early signs of wrinkles by tightening and firming skin almost instantly.

The product is really easy to apply. Simply use the pump bottle to put a small amount of product on your finger, tap - don't rub - the product in target areas, and wait for it to dry for about 60 seconds.

Check out my tutorial video here:

The results last 6-8 hours and I was absolutely amazed with how quickly it worked! I applied the product around my eyes, both to hide any signs of crow's feet at the corners and to hide signs of fatigue or puffiness underneath. I also applied a little bit on the skin around my lips, since I know it's common to develop fine lines in that area. I was really impressed with the results around my eyes especially. I felt like the product really reduced the dark circles and made my face look more energized.

The serum is Made in the USA and includes ingredients like seaweed, purified water, and hyaluronic acid. Interested in trying it for yourself? You can learn more and purchase the product here.


This product was provided to me for free for review purposes by
L'REVE Cosmetics via Brandbacker.

Pumpkin Patch Perfection with Tobi

Happy Halloween, guys and ghouls! I hope right now you're admiring some finely carved jack-o-lanterns while binging on some of that leftover candy. 

One of my favorite things about Halloween is visiting a local farm. It's so much fun to shop for fresh autumn fruits and vegetables like acorn squash, apples, and of course...pumpkins! My go-to place the last couple of years has been Stults Farm in Cranbury, NJ near Princeton. One thing that always makes it extra special is that you can actually walk out into the pumpkin patch, find your perfect Halloween pumpkin (or two), and carve it right off of the vine.

This year I found a beautiful pumpkin on the vine and also made sure to pick up some smaller decorative sugar pumpkins to display on my mantle. I love the white sugar pumpkins because they match with any interior decor. They're also super easy to decorate, especially if you like to paint your pumpkins rather than carve them.

I was definitely in the holiday spirit when I went to the farm this year. I decided to get decked out in black and white in anticipation of Halloween - everything from my sweatshirt and skinny jeans to my statement earrings, scarf, and embroidered suede cowboy boots.

As you'll have seen from my previous post, TOBI has become one of my favorite new online shopping destinations. Their clothes are so on-trend and very affordable. Since the weather was still relatively warm last week - with just a slight breeze - I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to wear my new Georgia Cold Shoulder Fleece Sweater from TOBI. I paired it with some Madewell skinny jeans, Jack Rogers boots, vintage Tacori earrings, and a Snoozer Loser scarf (originally from one of my favorite sites, MadeClose, now available on Etsy).

Top: c/o TOBI / Jeans: Madewell / Scarf: Snoozer Loser / Boots: Jack Rogers

I wasn't sure how a shoulder-less style top was going to look on me, but I've noticed that a lot of brands are including this new trend in their lines this season. It actually made the outfit really comfortable and provided some good ventilation in the heavy fleece sweatshirt. This sweatshirt has a sort of high collar (kind of like a double-sided halter neck) that could definitely hide some bra straps. However, I decided to take the safe route and wear it with a strapless bra.

It's an extremely comfortable sweater that is definitely very versatile. You can dress it up or down. I wouldn't recommend it for a night of dancing because it is a heavyweight fleece sweatshirt, but it is perfect for autumn/winter activities like ice skating, football games, or brunch. I'll definitely be getting a lot of wear out of this over the next few months! The Georgia Sweater is just $58 and comes in Black, White, and Heather Grey.

The Georgia Cold Shoulder Fleece Sweater was provided to me by TOBI.

Your Guide to Gifts for (F)all

Marley Lilly Monogrammed Duck Boots // Draper James Love Field Vanderbilt Tote 

Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmorize // Alex Monroe Gold Vermeil Bumblebee Necklace
Barbour x Wedgwood Catherine Jacket // NCLA What's Your Sign Nail Polish
Draper James Stripe Mohair Sweater Dress

Anthropologie Sale - 20% Off

Anthropologie is running a sale right now in stores and online that offers 20% off all full-priced items. Right now they have the type of selection we've all come to expect from this creative and whimsical retailer. There are lots of bohemian and delicately feminine fashion, home, beauty, and accessories items. There are also some really great retro and nostalgic Christmas gifts. Everything has such a fine attention detail - the little things like intricate embroidery, gilded edge pottery, and fine ruffles and pleats. You won't want to miss out! Just sign up for their loyalty program and you'll receive 20% off (this weekend only).

Here are a few a few of my fave items:

Happy Shopping!

Valentia Night Revive Retinol Serum Review

In case you missed my previous review of the Pure Glow Brightening Moisturizer, this is the second product I'm reviewing from luxe brand Valentia. Like my previous post, this is another brand that is formulated with natural (and organic!) ingredients. Want to learn more about this brand? Be sure to check out their great Instagram and Facebook pages.

Turning 30 this year, I have to admit serums haven't been the #1 items on my beauty checklists up to this point. I'm not yet focused on diminishing wrinkles or stimulating collagen to firm/tighten my skin. However, it's never to early to start! On top of those "older age" concerns this serum also aims to manage breakouts, improve skin tone, and hydrate. So, it's great for anybody really.

Generally, I like to use serums to eliminate redness / calm skin and to keep it ultra-hydrated because it's usually very dry. So, a little trick I like to do when applying serum is to mix it in with whatever hydrating cream I plan to use that night. That way, I can ensure it is applied evenly and enhances the moisturizing effect of my cream treatments. Besides, who doesn't love to wake up with radiant, smooth skin?

Valentia's Night Revive Retinol Serum is a little bit different then some others I've tried. First off, a lot of others come in a teeny tiny bottle for around $30-40. This product costs just $35 on Amazon for a really generous 1.18oz (35mL) bottle which will last you a long time, trust me! So, it is an excellent value. The other immediate difference I noticed is that many other serums have a clear oily consistency. This one is a bit more milky white and I find that it blends in a bit faster than something that feels strictly like an oil, which rests on the surface of your skin for a bit.

So, you might be wondering what is in this serum that makes it so unique. A few of the key ingredients are: Retinol (Vitamin A) which works on reducing wrinkles, managing breakouts, and evening out skin discoloration, Vitamin C which guards skin against environmental free-radicals to prevent premature aging, Vitamin E to provide intense hydration and diminish the drying effects of Retinol, and Squalane, which is derived from pure olive oil to soften and condition delicate skin.

I really enjoyed using this product, which made my skin feel silky smooth and hydrated each morning after I used it. If you want to try it for yourself, use code 985YWOR2 at www.valentia.com to receive 20% off your total purchase - a special gift to my readers!


This product was provided to me for free for review purposes by Valentia via Brandbacker.