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. 

BUY THIS: A Few Stress-Purchases.

 It's been a rough week so far and when things get tough, I donate to Planned Parenthood first and then I fall down a shopping hole because anxiety can be tamped down by things, right? 

First: A person in a beauty products group I belong to (who should be in marketing) sang the praises of this tinted moisture balm product by Jones Road:

Apparently it just melts into your skin and it's especially great for dry skin AND it's called What the Foundation (WTF!) which pleases me. It gets rave reviews all around so I ordered it and will report back. (Also, code THANKS15 worked for 15% off!)

In other news, Madewell is offering 20% off "Summer Faves" with code WARMUP so I bought the two tops I tried on here. The Tie-Neck Tunic Top, which I went back to the store to try on again in my actual size, was a perfect fit - airy and loose but not over-sized:

And the Banded Muscle Tee which I bought in a size up because it's pretty cropped and I wanted a bit more length:

Yes, this is basically a sweatshirt but the banded hem makes it feel a bit more dressed up and is so great with high-waisted jeans. Yay for spring tops! I also tried on these jeans which are great (size down) but I can wait until they're on sale. I just love the demi-boot style. 

Finally, a few weeks ago I was in Bluemercury and the sales assistant made me a sample of R+Co Cactus Texturizing Shampoo, telling me that it's really popular:

So popular in fact, that when I decided I loved it and wanted to buy it, I could not. It was sold out EVERYWHERE, including the store where I got the sample. So rude. However, yesterday R+Co sent me an email that it was finally back in stock and I ordered it! I don't know what kind of magic they put in this stuff but it makes my hair feel....more. I don't even know how to describe it. Like, my fine hair feels thicker and fuller and looks even better the second day. Magic. 

Now, ignore all this stuff and go smash the patriarchy instead. (And donate!) 

Weekend Window Shopping: Digging Around At Nordstrom Rack.

 I much prefer digital digging when it comes to Nordstrom Rack. So much more organized! I'm always looking to see what's new and good and here are my latest finds:

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): More Red Shoes.

As promised, I've rounded up a bunch of red shoes that I would personally love to have in my closet. (A few are currently hanging out in online shopping carts, perhaps to be purchased, we shall see.) Here's what I found:

Hi! Let's start with these amazing lil weirdoes, shall we? they're by Camper so you know they'll be comfortable and they have the odd cool edginess I adore. And that color! Someone buy these, please.

Oops. Those Cariuma sneakers also come in red. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO CHOSE. HOW. These are giving me classic red Keds vibes (my sneaker of choice when I was a little kid.) 

Ooh, aren't these cute and summery? They're J.Crew and come in several colors but I think we can agree this flame orange-red color is 100% the way to go. 

These are Loft and they're on sale! I'm not usually a huge fan of Loft shoes but these are real leather and such a perfect color. Plus, 1970s clog vibes! 

Loafers are really in right now but always seem a bit too preppy for me. The solution: get them in poppy red nubuck. These look comfortable and classic but also very cool.  

Um, I am sorry to do this but if you want drop dead gorgeous red suede boots, this pair by Rag & Bone is 50% off. What are you waiting for? 

Okay, fine. Maybe that heel is a bit more than you want. How about these very sleek red suede Chelsea boots? They come in a bunch of colors but why would you do that? Just get the red pair. 

Ooh, now back to some fun. These studded clog sandals look so stompy and cool and I love that the studded leather strap continues behind the heel. 

Orrrrrr you could just go for the patent leather studded pair with rainbow stitching? I am just saying they are not messing around, these clogs. 

And, finally, I think this is the summer I buy a pair of EVA Birkenstocks. I have two friends who swear by them and now they come in amazing fashion colors (and metallics!) including this ruby red pair. How could I not? 

Outfit of the Day: You Need Red Shoes.

Y'all, I haven't bought a pair of pumps in...years. Literal years. But, I'm also starting to interview for jobs and apparently you can't wear sweatpants and Birks to a job interview, even in Portland. So, when I spotted this cool pair of low heeled red suede pumps in Seattle, they had to be mine. I mean:

They just make everything better, right? These are the Naturalizer 27 Edit Florence square toe pump and they are kind of amazing in the red suede. (Comfortable? That remains to be seen, but so far, so good.) They have an architectural heel shape and the toe is a bit squared off: 

They are one of those rare shoes that looks really expensive but isn't! I mean, Naturalizer! Who would've thought? They also come in a few other colors including a metallic that I might eventually need to own. But honestly, if you don't have red shoes yet, just find a pair. They make any outfit better, I promise.  

Do we even care what else I'm wearing? Eh. My striped tee is from COS and has a fun contrast color neckline. I'm also wearing my Madewell mid-rise Perfect Vintage jeans (second pair, holding up so far.) My belt is also Madewell. My little bomber jacket is a thrift find - it's Babaton and is very lightweight. I can't find it online but this one at Nordstrom Rack looks quite similar. Details:

I'm wearing my beaded Gorjana necklace and my little bird skull pendant from Paxton Gate because somehow they go together. 

Woof, look at that heel, would you? I'm obsessed. My bag is of course my secondhand Marc Jacobs single. You can probably find one on eBay or Poshmark, but I also love this little quilted Kate Spade bag that's on sale right now and this little quilted bag by Mango is a great cheap-and-cheerful option. 

That's it for today! I'll try to round up some more red shoe options to post later this week but I highly recommend the pair I'm wearing so maybe just get those. The end. 

Weekend Window Shopping: Hiiiiii Nordstrom.

 Y'all, in the last week I've been to two giant Nordstrom stores, one for fun, the other for interview-appropriate clothing (less fun) and both times I managed to accidentally find the thing that was over $1,000 and touch it. Like, this Vince leather jacket and holy shit, these Gucci clogs. Can you even. I also saw a very elegant older lady trying on this St. John coat and I truly hope she bought it because it was SO GOOD. I've also managed to find some really great things (call it yet another spring wishlist if you must) that I personally desire, all of it well under $1,000 because this is not that kind of blog. Here you go: 

Stuff We Like: Hey, it's April Already.

Hello! It's been nearly a month since our last Stuff We Like, so here's some more stuff for you to watch, listen to and buy (and by "buy" I mean, "enrich your life" obviously. Sheesh.) Here we go:

This Podcast Marianne Highly Recommends.
When Marianne first told me about the Normal Gossip podcast I was like, why would I want to hear gossip about people I don't know? Turns out, I TOTALLY WANT TO HEAR GOSSIP ABOUT PEOPLE I DON'T KNOW. Normal Gossip presents a juicy friend-of-a-friend story every episode and it's so ridiculously entertaining and fun. It's one of those podcasts where I talk out loud while listening like, "GIRL. THAT IS A RED FLAG."  Also, the guests are great! So far my favorites have been Sam Sanders (It's Been A Minute) and Laci Mosley (Scam Goddess.) 

This Blanket That You Need For Yourself.
We are getting a new sofa so I used that as an excuse to retire our truly sad sofa throw blankets. After searching around for something more elegant, I bought this faux fur ombre throw from West Elm with, I'll be honest, fairly low expectations. It arrived earlier this week and now I basically have to fight everyone, including the cats, to wrap its soft softness around me. It's looks luxurious and expensive and feels like you're surrounded by baby bunnies. It's on sale right now! Go get one and hide it for your own personal use. 

This Scrub That Will Make You Glow
I swear I'd mentioned Saturday Skin Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel (on sale at Anthro!) on the blog but I can't find it so maybe I just imagined it. Anyway, I got this this scrub (peel, whatever) in an Allure box ages ago and it's freaking amazing. It's not harsh or gritty, instead the product kind of balls up into soft little bits and takes your flakes with it while you (gently!) rub it around your face. I use it once a week and it really helps a with the flakiness caused by tretinoin and leaves me with smooth, glowing skin without irritation. (Other reviews will claim the balls of stuff are dead skin but it's just the product. People are so dramatic.) 

This Show You Really Should Watch
Have you watched Life & Beth yet? Y'all, it's a slow burn (I wasn't sure I liked it at first) but it's the kind of show you'll think about for weeks after you watch it. Amy Schumer pulls from her own life to make a show that's both tragic and funny and full of amazing talent. Michael Rapaport is outstanding as her father and there are some bit parts (MRI DJ) that still make me laugh just to think about. Even if you're not a huge Amy Schumer fan, this one is not to be missed. 

This Kindle Hack Marianne Discovered
Y'all. Y'ALL. If you have a Kindle with ads, this is going to change your life. Are you super tired of getting creepy ads for Bossy Billionaire Grump or whatever? Did you know you can just pay $20 to Amazon and they will switch you over to an ad-free Kindle? This way, when you open your Kindle case your book is just THERE WAITING FOR YOU. It's magical. And, if you're considering buying a Kindle, just go for the ad-free version. Pay the extra money now because, trust me, you'll end up doing it later. (Your Account > Content and Devices > Devices > Kindle > Special Offers > Click Remove Offers button)

What I Bought: Weird Vacation Purchases.

Hello! I am back from a weekend trip to Seattle with Kate, my bestie from back home. We had a great time and, as is our tradition, we went shopping. We were near the Nordstrom flagship store which is straight ridiculous: magical and huge and a little terrifying. At one point the Westman Atelier lady put a lot of makeup on my face and then explained that Gucci Westman thinks you should buy two colors of the foundation stick. I mean, I'm sure she does. That's how she's a rich lady and I'm not. (The products were gorgeous but I got overwhelmed and fled without buying anything.) 

We looked at the clothes but it was all either crop tops or couture, so we tried on nothing. Then we wandered into the shoe department and I saw these and gasped:

Trust me, they are better in person and they're Naturalizer. I KNOW. They're part of the 27 Edit line which I like quite a bit. Anyway, I need a pair of professional but not soul-crushing shoes for job interviews (more on that soon) so why not red suede pumps? I was wearing my new Madewell jeans when I tried them on and they gave me such a cool French girl vibe that I immediately bought them. And there were Birkenstocks everywhere! Lots of them! And I didn't even try them on! 

I did try on a different color of my new favorite Dior Addict lipstick and with the help of a great sales assistant, settled on 628 Pink Bow only to discover they didn't have it in stock but I'll probably track it down or buy it online. 

Later, after a tidge of day-drinking we went to a Finnish boutique called Pirkko that I'd seen on a previous trip to Seattle, but it was after hours and closed. Not this time! We tried on all manner of kooky Scandinavian things and then we found the Henriette Steffensen fleece. You guys, this is not fleece like you would think. These are beautifully cut fashion pieces that feel like a hug. I loved this long cardigan but in the end, we both bought this odd and wonderful pullover that is basically all I want to wear. It's oversized but cut interestingly and I've already worn it twice. Here's a terrible hotel lighting shot:

Should I have spent that money on interview-appropriate clothing? Probably. Do I have any regrets? Not even remotely. I firmly believe that vacation purchases should be fun and we had FUN.