Almost Spring Wishlist

I think the fact that I have a trip coming up has actually gotten me excited about looking into new items to add to my closet. And once I get into one of these moods it's hard to stop. I mean, just the other day I made an Amazon order, a Loft order, and am pretty close to making a J.Crew one after obtaining a 30% off coupon code.

Here a couple things that I've only thought about buying but haven't (yet).
1. Dolce by Dolce and Gabbana Perfume. I normally try to avoid the pushy sales ladies on the department store floors, but one managed to hand me a sample of this and go into a spiel about how it was new and had some exotic flower in the ingredients. I decided to smell it just to be polite, and FELL IN LOVE. I know, that's pretty dramatic. But I'm picky about perfumes and have been using the same one for five years now. I picked up the smallest spray possible on Sephora (since it is quite expensive), but I've gone through more than half of it now. I think it's time to invest in the next size up.
2. Ray Ban Eyeglasses (RB5228 in Brown/Pink). I normally wear contacts but wear my glasses whenever I'm at home since my eyes tend to get pretty dry (typical asian female yo). I've never found any frames I like enough to consider wearing them out and about, but I tried these on and they just worked on my face shape. It's been almost a year since I discovered them and think it's time to invest. (Though with the amount I'm working at the surgery office I don't know how practical that's going to be. I mean it's a little weird to be working in a LASIK center and be wearing GLASSES).
3. Kitten Espadrilles. I need a pair of warm weather shoes that aren't sandals and these look comfy enough to wear out and about without being sneakers. (Though I still love my black Nikes to death).
4. Lexi Round Sunglasses. While I love the whole round sunglasses trend, I just know they won't work on me (*tear). These still have round lenses while the frames give the illusion that they actually have a slight cat eye shape.
5. Gold Apple MacBook. Okay this is more about the fact that it's GOLD. I mean, look how pretty that is. But I really couldn't live with just one port. And anyone who says they can is lying.
6. DV by Dolce Vita Cassidy Boot. A flat, black pair of ankle boots have been on my wishlist forever but I've never found a pair that I've liked. I honestly just wanted something simple and comfortable that could be worn with a variety of different outfits. These qualities were a lot harder than I thought it was to find. I tried these on at the store around Christmas time last year, but ended up buying another pair of shoes on my list (finally checked off a pair of tall brown leather boots). I'm tempted to order these before my trip and just switch between these and my flat tan suede booties...
7. Get It Together Pencil Pouch. I know Ban.do's planner with this saying is super popular but this pencil pouch appealed to me more (and it's in stock!). I like that it's flat and could even be used as a small makeup bag.
8. Tonal Windowpane Scarf. I've realized that I really like this windowpane pattern that's becoming popular. One of the items in my most recent Loft order is actually a blouse with a black and white windowpane pattern (will share if I end up liking it). I like how the pattern on this scarf is more subtle though and still lightweight enough to wear in this almost-spring-weather.

February Favorites 2015

I thought I would bring back these monthly favorite posts since I tend to shop too much and love trying new things. So why not share them on here? (Ironically I noticed the last time I did this was February as well...but two years ago, oops).

• Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple. I actually first noticed this book because of its cover. And this was before I even saw it in full color since it was one of the covers on my Kindle box when I first received it. My friend started reading it (and never finished) but she did rave about it so I decided to pick it up when I was feeling in the mood for a real, physical book. It was a pretty easy read for me so that was nice. Not too heavy but entertaining. Most of the book is written via correspondence between all the different characters. The narrator's mom (who is Bernadette) is hilarious. Definitely my favorite character throughout the novel.
• Symphonized Noise Isolating Headphones. Small, portable headphones that also isolate noise are a must for a public transportation commuter like me. I live pretty far from work so I have to get up extra early to arrive on time. Every morning I try to at least get some more sleep on my train ride, though it gets difficult when the moving train makes so much noise. I never cared about noise isolating headphones till I started commuting. Now I can't survive without them. I used to use these white Skull Candy ones that I was obsessed with, but after having to re-purchase them for a second time after they broke I decided to look into a different brand. I saw all the good reviews on Amazon and for the price I couldn't pass them up! They are made out of genuine wood and on top of looking pretty darn cool they work amazing. The only gripe I have with them is that they don't have volume control. This is a bummer since I try to keep my phone tucked away on the train (I've seen way too many people have their phones snatched). 
• Ariella Collection Crystal Ear Jackets. I have been looking for some ear jacket earrings ever since they started becoming popular. I know Bauble Bar usually has a good collection, but never got around to making an order since the ones I had my eye on were always sold out. I decided to browse through Nordstrom's earrings when I was making an online order and saw these. I had never heard of the brand before, but they appealed to me right away. I have pretty much been wearing them every single day since I've gotten them. I have never gotten more compliments on a pair of earrings until I got these (the fact that my hair is shorter probably helps too). They aren't too flashy that I can't wear them to work, but are noticeable enough that I've gotten comments on them from patients, coworkers, and other strangers alike.
• Laneige Multi-Cleanser. I originally was buying a cream from this brand for my mom at Target when they happened to be having a special where if you bought something from Laneige you got a free mini sample set. In it happened to be this cleanser. I'm pretty happy with my Cetaphil cleanser but decided to try this out one evening after I had finished taking most of my makeup off with a wipe. The description claims to "melt away sunscreen and makeup." Most cleansers that state this are usually too harsh and drying for my skin, but this one didn't give me any of those side effects. It almost gives your skin a squeaky-clean feeling without making it feel too stripped of essential oils. The cleanser does contain "exfoliating papaya" but I wouldn't recommend it if you're just interested in an exfoliater since the papaya dissolves pretty rapidly. I don't mind since I have a separate cleanser I use just for that and I don't want my main cleanser to have that property anyways. I now switch off between this and my Cetaphil cleanser.
• NatureBox Strawberry Greek Yogurt Pretzels. I've had a subscription to this company for a while since I love snacking. I try not to get them every month though since I'm the only one who's usually eating them and it takes me a while to get through them. I recently made a new order after not getting a shipment in a while and loved these pretzels. They are just the right amount of sweet and crunchy. I almost finished the whole bag in one day...(You can find promo codes online if you're interested in signing up for NatureBox. I also am able to send three invites to anyone interested in joining where you can get a free deluxe box [the size I get] for the first month).

February 2013 Favorites

I thought it would be a good idea to start doing these every month since I'm always buying new beauty products. I tried to be a bit better this month, but obviously that didn't happen (okay maybe two of these were from the end of January so that isn't as bad, right?).

 

I've decided to be better about wearing sunscreen if I'm going outside at all, especially now that it's getting warmer and sunnier. I asked for some recommendations and my friend tweeted me about the Ole Henriksen Protect The Truth SPF 50+ sunscreen. I've been using it pretty consistently and I love it, which is pretty rare for me to say about a sunscreen. It does have that "sunscreen-y" consistency but it actually smells quite nice; it has a light citrus-y smell that disappears after application. Overall definitely one of the better high-end products I've bought. 

I've been loving the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer (even if it is a shade too light for me). I don't really have blemishes to cover up but I do tend to get dark circles. I've found that the past couple concealers that I've tried are just not moisturizing enough for me but this one is great. Plus the applicator gets just the right amount of product out.

 

I should have just stuck with the one concealer but so many people had been raving about the Revlon Photo Ready Concealer that I had to pick it up. I made the mistake of going too light with the first one so of course in the Revlon one I went a shade too dark. It's not horrible but I feel like this color would work better for covering up blemishes (which I don't really have -- the only pro about having drier skin). I don't know if I love it better than the Maybelline one to repurchase once I'm done though. It's definitely not as creamy so it takes a bit more work if you're trying to use this as just an undereye concealer.

And here comes the beginning of the lip products...So first off I tried to be good (again, fail) and stop my obsession, but this Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Vintage Pink is so different from any other color that I decided it was okay. I've only tried this line one other time (in an even darker color) and I do really like the formula of it. I find it very hydrating which is a must for my lips but this line has mainly lipstick colors that have shimmer in them, which just doesn't work for me.

 

I never thought much about Too Faced's lipsticks until I heard Jen from From Head to Toe raving about it recently in her favorites video. I'm always on the lookout for that magical, moisturizing lipstick that won't make my lips drier. So I picked up the Too Faced La Crème Lipstick in Spice Spice Baby (the same one Jen has), and I think for the price it's a great high-end lip product. The packaging, including the box, is gorgeous and the colors are so pigmented. This color is definitely a my-lips-but-better color, which I've heard their lipsticks are great for. I might go pick up another color if I end up wearing this often.  

 

I rarely find lipglosses that I love but this one is my favorite one out of my entire collection as of now. I tried a NYX lipgloss a couple months ago and remembered not liking it (and returned it). I decided to give it a second chance and picked up the NYX Lipgloss with Mega Shine in Beige. I know it's weird that it's called that when it's clearly pink, but it's that wonderfully nude/pink that I've been looking for. I love it on it's own or paired on top of a lipstick.

And just for a random little favorite of the month, it would be this new game/app that I've downloaded called Fun Run. It's available both on the iOS and Android, and it's ridiculously addicting. I was crazy for Mario Kart when I was a kid so this game is right up my alley.