BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): Madewell Sale on Sale.

I am busy this week (so forgive the widget template) but I didn't want the extra 20% off sale items at Madewell to slip by unnoticed. There's lots of good stuff available for summer! Here's what I like:

Beauty Review: A Few Recent Purchases.

It's been a little while since I talked about makeup and stuff, so here are a few recent purchases that I'm pretty into:

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat High Cover Radiant Under-Eye Concealer
This was an in-store impulse purchase and I expected it to disappoint because I've tried the original Touche Éclat a few times (yes, I bought it more than once expecting a different result) and it never did much for me. But now they have a version that's actually a concealer but it also has brightening qualities and y'all, this stuff is GOOD. Its stupidly priced for what you get, but a little goes a long way and it brightens and conceals beautifully. I like to use a light hand and especially hit all those spots that need a bit of light - the corners of my eyes, the top of my cheekbone, under my bottom lip and my cupid's bow. On days when I don't care about looking made up, I just use this and some mascara and call it done. It works WAY better than the original formula and the finish is lovely. 

Jones Road What The Foundation
I posted about ordering this recently and it arrived and I'm...medium on it. It's feels very comforting on the skin but it's thick and you really need a light hand or it starts to feel cakey and heavy. When applied correctly, it disappears and feels quite moisturizing. It's a nice non-foundation foundation if you have dry skin (I do) and I've been using it daily to see how it wears. One surprise - it has a strong (but not  unpleasant) scent that I wasn't expecting and it takes a while to dissipate. Not a dealbreaker but it seems unnecessary. 

Dior Addict Shine Lipstick in Pink Bow

I finally just caved and ordered another color of my favorite Dior Addict Shine lipstick - this one is called 628 Pink Bow and it's the perfect "your lips but better" shade on me. I'm assuming it's popular because it was sold out in both Nordstrom locations I tried. It's just a lovely, moisturizing and glossy lipstick with beautiful packaging. If you're looking for a lipstick splurge, this is a good one. 

Method Aluminum Gel Hand Soap - Vetiver + Amber

Okay, this one isn't for everyone but if you love interesting warm/woody scents (think Aesop and Le Labo) I highly recommend this hand soap. It smells expensive and is such a nice change from the usual thing. I personally love woody, earthy, amber notes so this is definitely up my alley and the aluminum container looks quite nice. (But why no refill, Method?) The first review on the product page is like, THIS IS DISGUSTING which made me laugh and also just makes me like it more? I'm ornery. Anyway, I also love this one which I talked about a while ago but again, you have to love an amber note. Don't yell at me if you're a floral person, just leave a bad review on Target. Ha.

Weekend Window Shopping: Comfy Chic at Pact.

 Do y'all know about Pact? I've have a pair of Pact shorts following me around the internet so I took look at the website and was pleasantly surprised. When they first came on the scene it was simple organic cotton tees and underwear. Sustainable and ethical, but pretty basic. A lot has changed and I am INTO it. So much cute stuff and you can feel good about your purchase. If you've never tried Pact, you can get get 20% off your first purchase through my link. (Full disclosure: I get a credit as well.) Here's what I love:

Review: Madewell Spring Tops (and Outfits!)

Hello! I recently purchased a couple of Madewell tops that I tried on in store (see this post here) and then waited for them to go on sale (which they still are!) before I bought them because there's no point in ever paying full price, right? Right. Obviously I knew what I was getting but sometimes you don't know if something actually works until you can try it on with your own stuff. So, even though it's currently dark, raining and 45 degrees out (weeping), here are a couple of spring outfits with my new tops:

This is the Tie-Neck Tunic top that is not even remotely a tunic. I really love it. I'm wearing a medium which is pleasantly oversized and flowy without feeling like a sail. It's got cute pleating at the shoulder seam, which gives the impression that I actually have shoulders, and it half-tucks perfectly. This would also be cute with cut-offs or a skirt, if I owned a skirt. 10/10! I really like this one. 

I'm wearing it with an older pair of Madewell Boyjeans and my latest thrift find - a pair of Dansko Marisol clogs in taupe. They're an older sold-out style but these are pretty similar. I am such a clog girl now, y'all. I just love them. I'm also wearing my Clare V midi sac because this outfit needed some color. (There are two on NR that are marked down right now!) Details:

A closer look at the dot pattern and of course I'm wearing my Gorjana compass coin necklace and my Venice chain because I'm boring and wear them every day.  Next up:

This is the Banded Muscle Tee which I almost didn't try on because it looked really cropped. And truly, it is somewhat cropped, but the banded hem works great with high-waisted jeans and gives the impression that you have your shit together even if you don't. I did size up on this for a bit more length but the medium also worked okay. (Just be careful hailing a cab or whatever.) It comes in a bunch of really cute colors and I might also buy it in the chili red color. 10/10, would purchase again in red.

Same bag as above because I'm barely pretending all these photos weren't taken moments apart. I did change my shoes! I'm wearing a very old pair of Lotta from Stockholm peep-toe clogs which I kind of forgot I had. They are cute, right? I think so. I'm also wearing an older pair of the Madewell Cali Demi Boot cut jeans which are dang good. I very much want this pair as well but they're not on sale yet. 

And a close-up of my new top that's really just a fancy t-shirt like most of what I own. It's cute though, I promise. I'm wearing a lariat necklace I got a a subscription box years ago! I can't remember the brand but this one is way cuter anyway.

That's it! These are both still on sale with code STOCKUP though if you miss that one there will be another in a few days, I'm sure. 

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): New Arrivals.

I really enjoy checking out the new arrivals on websites I like, sometimes to be pleasantly surprised, sometimes quite disappointed. But, even through a sea of ruffles and tiers and puffy sleeves, I can still usually find something I love:

I have this top in a different pattern from last year and it's such a fun thing. I really love this year's pattern though. And the jeans too. This whole look works for me. 

I mean, why not blue suede espadrilles? Aren't they weirdly good? And, they're Cole Haan so you know they probably have some arch support and padding for us olds. 

Okay, I love this gauze top from J.Crew and I really love it in this marigold color that would probably look terrible on me. But it's so CHEERFUL without being be-ruffled or twee. 

Ugh, I have been looking for a perfume with an amber note and I am DYING to get a sniff of this new (and limited edition) Jo Malone fragrance. Has anyone tried it?

I was super happy with my Joe's cut-off shorts last summer and I will probably suck it up and buy another pair. I mean, that 7" inseam is just the damn best. They also have a similar pair with a 5" inseam which is also a possibility.

This Maeve dress is definitely filed under "tiered and ruffled" but somehow the graphic black and white bring it down to a less crazy place and it just looks comfy and fun to me. 

These wide-leg linen pants at Athleta are really catching my interest this spring and I'm surprising myself by liking this rose color quite a bit. (Though, knowing me i'll probably get them in black.) 

Oh Madewell, every so often you really get me. I love this understated striped cotton tote so much. It also comes in a rainbow gingham version and they mixed up the info on the website, so don't be confused by that. 

Loft is mostly horrifying right now (MUCH SPRING! SO BRIGHT!) but this easy little striped dress looks like a super wearable option that could be dressed up or down. 

Oof, my heart. These clunky beauties are just everything I want in a clog sandal. The studs, the suede, the dark wood. I love it all. 

Weekend Window Shopping: BR Factory For (mostly) Work.

So, with any luck I will have a new job eventually and it may require me to actually go into an actual office in clothes that aren't loungewear. Eep. I suspect that Banana Republic Factory will save me because look how freaking CUTE everything is right now:

Outfit of the Day: Rainy Day Cozy Chic

Okay, cozy chic is definitely (most definitely) pushing it but I  bought this weird Scandinavia fleece tunic on vacation and I basically wear it every chance I get. It's not typically flattering but it is delightfully odd and so so so soft and fun to wear:

You could probably get a similar vibe from this Athleta sweatshirt or this Varley tunic (both solid choices!) but there's really nothing like a giant Scandinavian fleece tunic-thing with built in jewelry. Heh. I'm wearing it with my Athleta Delancey tights which are also a little weird but it all kind of works. 

I like pairing something fancy-ish with my weird and my new-to-me Marc Jacobs quilted Baroque bag is good at balancing things out. For something similar, I love this Kurt Geiger at NR and this Minkoff bag is awfully nice too. Details: 

I'm wearing my Gorjana compass coin necklace and of course the big metal ring thing that came with my top because why not. Here's a better look at that bag I keep yapping about: 

Oh, and my boots are Blundstone classic Chelsea (reviewed here) which I'd love to retire for the season but it won't stop raining. GREAT.