Sunday, June 29, 2014

J. Crew Factory Sale

J. Crew is having a massive sale right now to celebrate the Fourth of July.  Everything is 40%-60% off.  Everything.  So I did some browsing to see if there were any good deals.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the Herringbone, Black Puffer Vest was back in stock!  This vest was super popular last season, but it kept selling out (at full price) before I could get my hands on it.  When I saw it was back in stock I was a happy girl.

However, it was on sale for $98 from $108.  So, clearly, that price was not adjust to the ongoing sale.  So I did some research and discovered if you call J.Crew customer service, they would honor the sale and adjust the price.  In the end, I was able to get the vest for $53.99, and $5 shipping!  Not a bad deal!





I love how these ladies have styled it.  I can't wait to wear mine this fall!
If you are interested in purchasing, call J Crew Factory customer service, have the item number ready, and know your size and the color.  This vest is considered black.  Just mention the price is not adjust to the appropriate sale price and that you have a friend who received it for $54.  Good luck, and you only have until the end of the day Tuesday to get the sale price.



Monday, June 23, 2014

Monday Blues

It happens every week.  We wake up after a relaxing weekend only to realize its Monday again and we have to go back to the real world.  Here are some things I hope will brighten your mood!



2. The College Prepster's dog Teddy.  I dare you to scroll through his instagram and not just melt from the adorableness. 


3. I find artsy pictures of peonies and other flowers to lift my spirits.


4. This guy:

5. Last but not least, a little Monday humor:



But don't worry, it'll be hump day soon.





Friday, June 13, 2014

L'Oreal Paris Sleek It Product Review

Hey guys. A few posts ago I mentioned receiving the entire Advanced Hairstyle product line from L'Oreal Paris.  I've been mostly using the Sleek It products, so I felt that it was time for a review!



When it comes to hairstyling, my goto look is smooth and straight.  I will either blow my hair out with a hair dryer or will straighten it, but never both. I recommend using one heat product per wash so you limit the amount of potential damage to your hair.  Anyways, the Sleek It products appealed to me the most because I can apply them to everyday use.  The Sleek It family includes Iron Straight Heatspray, Frizz Vanisher Cream, and Strand Smoother Serum-Spray.  Typically I will use two out of the three at once depending on the style.  For example, if I am blow drying my hair I will use the heatspray and the frizz cream.  Whereas if I am straightening my hair I will use the heatspray and the serum-spray.

First, I'll talk a little about the heatspray ($4.99).


L'Oreal claims it will keep hair sleek for 3 days and will protect the hair up to 450 degrees Farenheit.  I think this spray does its job, but I wouldn't put it above any other heatspray I've ever used.  I do like the nozzle dispenser better than the traditional "push-down spritzer" of most sprays.  My only complaint would be its tendency for greasiness.  I've noticed that if I spray it too close to my roots they are left super shiny and greasy.  So when spraying it, focus the product on the body of the hair.

Next is the Frizz Vanisher Cream ($4.99).

This product also claims to keep hair sleek for 3 days and will keep hair silky and humidity resistant.  Its meant to be used as a blow-dry cream.  Apply it to damp hair, then continue to blow dry with a brush for a "sleek look".  I thought the product was great when I was done blow drying.  My hair was extremely soft to the touch and stayed like that for almost 3 days.

Lastly, is the Strand Smoother Serum Spray ($4.99), which happens to be my favorite!

I think this stuff is wonderful because tradition serums are sticky and hard to apply to hair all over.  But having it in a spray formula eliminates all of those issues! It claims to give hair 24 hour hi-shine, resist humidity and stay silky to the touch.  I used this as a finishing product to keep down the top layer of frizz/whispies that tend to pop up.  I found that it really worked and mostly held up to its claims.

All in all, I believe this is a pretty good product line.  If you are already using a heatspray, don't rush out and pick up this one, it is pretty basic.  However if you are feeling the need for a "pick me up beauty purchase" grab the serum-spray because its really awesome.  Just remember, moderation is key.  Using too much of any product will weigh your hair down and make it look gross.  Also keep in mind, everyone's hair is different so these products may react differently with your hair than it did mine.

You can find L'Oreal Paris Advance Hairstyle at you local drugstore, Target, Walmart and Ulta.


Sunday, June 8, 2014

Summer Reading List

Things are starting to heat up this summer.  I was finally able to make it to the beach today and it was nearly perfect weather.  If there was more of a breeze, I would've been more comfortable, not so sticky.  Anyways, one of my favorite things about summer is the freedom to do some light reading.  It isn't school related, but purely for fun.  Here is the list of books I am dying to dig into.








Donna Tartt won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction with this novel and is an an alum of Kappa, so I have to read it!

I can't wait to read these books on my Kindle over the summer.  What are your summer reading plans? 




Sunday, June 1, 2014

Hard as Nails

I've been light on nail postings lately, so I thought I'd show you guys what I've been wearing lately.








In between nail art I've been going for bright oranges and corals, trying to bring on the summer vibe.  On my toes I'm current wearing OPI's My Paprika is Hotter, and I'm loving it.  I think it will end up on my nails next!
What's on your nails?


Miss Manga Mascara from L'Oreal Paris

In March I had the opportunity to attend Rent the Runway's Capstone Weekend in NYC.  The event was a great experience, as attendees heard from RTR co-founder Jenn Hyman as well as from magazine editor and ANTM celeb, Ann Shoket from Seventeen Magazine.  Both of these women, as well as the other speakers offered valuable advice about breaking into such a competitive industry and how to stand up on your own feet.

A component of the weekend was an activity ran by L'Oreal Paris.  We were tasked with creating launch campaigns for two of L'Oreal's latest projects: the Advanced Hairstyle line and the Miss Manga mascara.  We were paired into groups based on the people seated around us.  I was fortunate to work with my friend and met a few girls from Duke University.  We chose to create a campaign  for the Advanced Hair Styling Product line.
After 20 minutes of collaboration, we handed our work into the judges.  It wasn't until the end of the day's events that the winners were announced.  The members of each team (one for the Advanced Hair Styling line and one for the Miss Manga mascara) would each receive a tube of the unreleased Miss Manga Mascara and the entire Advanced Hair Styling line!!  Needless to say, I was beyond surprised when my group was called on stage with the best campaign promoting the product line.  There were so many teams there and we had no idea we were giving L'Oreal what they wanted.

Fortunately, we were able to take the mascara home that day and the hair product would be shipped to us.  So because I've had the mascara for some time, I've been using it regularly so I could give you guys my own input!

The idea behind the product is to give women the doll-like lashes that the Harajuku girls of Japan rock on the streets.  This all new "360 degree flexible brush" from L'Oreal is meant to deliver "mega volume on top and mega volume on bottom".  At Capstone, L'Oreal debuted a rough cut of the US commercial and it featured the typical cosmetic model, white, thin, great bone structure, with her hair in Princess Leia-esque buns.  Here are some of the promotional  pictures.

Packaging and Product



 Personally, I'm not into the desired look, because I think it makes lashes look clumpy and less natural.
As to the mascara's performance, I felt it was decent.  Nothing special or out of the ordinary.  If you need a new mascara and want to try it out, go for it.  But I wouldn't rush out and grab it.


L'Oreal Paris' Miss Manga Mascara will be out this month in drugstores and retailers like Target & Ulta.