Adrien: A Few Things I'm Thinking About.

This blog has evolved so much since we started it nearly nine (!!) years ago. We've done our best to keep things relatable and authentic and to try to bring you enough value so you keep coming back. I can't tell you how grateful I am to have such loyal, interesting and intelligent readers and I want to keep bringing you the kind of posts you like to read.

Here are a few things that won't change:

• Convo posts
• Outfit posts
• Bargain/sale posts
• Stuff I like
• Reviews of crap we've bought

And here's something new I've been thinking about: a resell How-To series including:

• How to sell on Poshmark
• How to buy on Poshmark
• How to thrift successfully (for reselling or just for yourself)
• How to make your clothes/shoes last longer

And...what else? I feel like thrifting and reselling is getting more and more popular and in the last year I've totally gotten on board with this for a variety of reasons. Is there interest? Also, what else would interest you? What kind of how-to would you like from us? (Other than how to find the best Idris Elba GIFs because that is classified.)

Adrien: Online Shopping. It's How I Do.

I wrote this entry back in 2012 and thought it could use an update! Here you go:

Okay, so let's say you want to buy something online. You go to the website where you found The Thing, put it in your cart and paid for it and now you are waiting patiently for it to arrive.

Yay! You just did it wrong.

First of all, it makes me angry to pay for shipping. This is not rational but so many websites offer free shipping these days so it seems like throwing money away if I have to pay it. 

Some sites, like Zappos, will upgrade to free overnight shipping (sign up to be a VIP!) and Amazon is always tempting me with a free trial of Prime, which gets me free 2-day shipping. Yay free! You just saved yourself $8-$10 right there. I also look for sites that offer free returns (or allow in-store returns) because paying to return something is not a good feeling.

The next thing you should be doing is signing up with a shopping rebate site. If you aren't doing this, I will give you this look:

Because YOU SHOULD BE DOING THIS. They want to give you money! I use eBates (that's my referral link) but there are all kinds of rebate sites out there. The main trick is to remember to use them. 

Now, if you are patient you will wait for a promo code to be emailed to you or if it's not a retailer where you've shopped before, go find one. Actually, now you don't even have to do that!  There are extensions that will do it for you. I have eBates and Honey right on my toolbar and when I go to an online retailer there's a little popup that reminds me to redirect through eBates and also lists coupon codes. Honey has a list of codes and will automatically apply them all for you while you sit there and drool on your computer. (Sure, they're also sending all this info to Google Central to better dominate and assimilate you, but DISCOUNT. Eyes on the prize.)

If you're not into a plugin option, try RetailMeNot. Also, some retail sites will give you 10-20% off if you sign up for the newsletter. This is why I get so much junk email but I have a separate email account just for that purpose. I want that discount.

Finally, and I don't actually recommend this unless you are a very fiscally responsible person, a store credit card will also get you discounts and free shipping and whatnot. So, if you have a Banana Republic or Gap card you'll usually get free shipping and will also earn rewards, which can be stacked with promo codes. On my last Old Navy order I used a reward that brought my final price way down.

I am just going to stop right here for a second and tell you that I LIVE for stacking promo codes. It's the best. I get mad when retailers won't let me stack (AMAZON) because that is some bullshit. I also live for further discounts on sale merchandise which, if you read this blog, you probably already know. An extra 30% off sale stuff? I AM THERE. 

Okay! So, I am going to break this down. Say you want to buy a cute top, crossbody bag and cut-off shorts from Old Navy. I don't know about you, but I find it physically painful to pay full price for that stuff. But hey, Old Navy just emailed you a 40% off code! That helps. They also offer free shipping and returns, even better. And you have a $10 reward you haven't used. And hey, eBates is offering 2% back! That is a lot of discount, you guys. 

Now, this is math, and the space where math is stored in my head is actually full of Duran Duran lyrics, so bear with me here while I try to break this down:

Merchandise total: $65.88*
40% code: - $26.35
$10 reward: - $10.00
cash back: - $0.76
shipping: free

Final price (minus sales tax): $28.77! That's whole lot better, eh? Not mind-blowing but it breaks down to less than $10 per item. 

Now, what did I forget? And please, tell me about your best online shopping bargain!

*Old Navy prices are, uh, fluid at best, so my math is based on my order from last month. All of these items are probably $2.00 by now. 

Adrien: Style Tools 'n Stuff.

This is a style tools kind of entry because who doesn't like talking about stuff? I like stuff and here are some odd things that make my life easier:


Pedag Leather Heel Grips

These are far superior to gel or foam grips because they are made of super-soft leather and basically bond to your shoe. They aren't super thick, which I also like. (Thanks to Lara for introducing me to this brand!)


Hollywood Fashion Tape

This stuff is really very useful (but please don't use it to tape your cardigan down over your boobs like certain popular blogger I won't mention. That is just too far, people. Too far.) I generally use it in place of tiny safety pins to make tops stay closed and it's great on the flap of wrap dresses. That kind of thing.


Dr. Scholl's Moleskin

I am a sensitive flower and shoes are basically torture for me. I think moleskin is designed to be stuck to the skin, but I find that sticking tiny pieces on the inside of shoes just where they rub is really effective. It stays forever. I have officially become my mother.


Solia Flat Iron

My sister Molly has one and she let me use it. I was immediately obsessed and bought the exact same one all Single White Female. It's not super-fancy but it heats up fast, doesn't catch my hair, and has a temperature dial, which you absolutely want. It is also very easy to get on sale. I bought mine at folica.com where they always have some kind of deal or code. (And 5% cash back on eBates! Fuck yeah.)


Sephora Glass Nail File

I know this sounds dangerous, but I read about this nail file's superiority on a beauty board and felt like my life wouldn't be complete without one. It's all true! It's really gentle and files a very smooth edge. And it's hardy - I had to drop my first one eight or ten times before I broke it.

Okay, your turn. What are you favorite style tools? What brands do you swear by?

Adrien: Online Shopping. It's how I do.

Okay, so lets say you want to buy something online. You go to the website where you found The Thing, put it in your cart and paid for it and now you are waiting patiently for it to arrive.

Yay! You just did it wrong.

First of all, it makes me angry to pay for shipping. This is not rational, but so many websites offer free shipping these days so it seems like throwing money away if I have to pay it. I also look for sites that offer free returns. Some sites, like Zappos, will upgrade to free overnight shipping (sign up to be a VIP!) and Amazon is always tempting me with a free trial Amazon Prime month, which gets me free 2-day shipping. Yay free! You just saved yourself $8-$10 right there.

The next thing you should be doing is signing up with a rebates site. If you aren't doing this, I will give you this look:

Because YOU SHOULD BE DOING THIS. They want to give you money! I use eBates, but there are all kinds of rebate sites out there. The main trick is to remember to use them. So, with my last order, I'll get $3.00 back in eBates money. Small beans but it adds up.

Now, if you are patient you should wait for a promo code to be emailed to you or if it's not a retailer where you've shopped before, go find one. (Look, I can't do everything for you, try RetailMeNot.) Also, some sites will give you 10-20% off if you sign up for the newsletter. This is why I get so much junk email, but eff it. I want that discount.

Finally, and I don't actually recommend this unless you are a very fiscally responsible person, a store credit card will also get you discounts and free shipping and whatnot. So, if you have a Banana Republic card you'll usually get free shipping and will also earn rewards, which can be stacked with promo codes. On my last order I used a $10 reward.

I am just going to stop right here for a second and tell you that I LIVE for stacking promo codes. It's the best, y'all. I get mad when retailers won't let me stack (AMAZON) because that is some bullshit. Do not tell me that an item I want to buy has two available promotions and not let me use both together.

Okay! So, I am going to break this down. Say you want to buy these jeans from Piperlime and you don't want to pay an absurd $178 for them. But hey, Piperlime just sent you a 20% off code! That helps. They also offer free shipping and returns, even better. And you have a $10 reward you haven't used. And HEY, eBates is offering 2% back! That is a lot of discount, you guys. Now, this is math, and the space where math is stored in my head is actually full of Duran Duran lyrics, so bear with me here while I try to break this down:

jeans retail price: $178.00
20% code: - $35.60
$10 reward: - $10.00
cash back: - $3.00
shipping: free

Total price: $130ish. So, not MIND BLOWING in it's cheapness, but a whole lot better, eh?

Now, what did I forget? And please, tell me about your best online shopping bargain!

Marianne: More Makeup Adventures.

Oh yeah, did I promise more makeup posts? I try to deliver. Starting with THIS:

My frizzy haired, makeupless headspace, like a wee mole longing for mascara. But anyway, let's talk about the new makeup I'm trying this week. Like half of the women of America, Spring comes along and I begin to daydream of a fresh yet retro makeup look, lots of pinky cheeks, nude lips, and eyes with black eyeliner. You know, basically a Daytime Adele.

I've spent the winter spackling on the eye makeup, both to try and detract from my braces, and to make up for the otherwise lack of color or life in my skin. So let me tell you, it was kind of tough to pare down my eye makeup. Today I wore NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Yogurt (also on eBay for even less). I worked it from lid to crease and blended slightly up to my brow bone. Then I added NYX Studio Liner. I wanted to love this--it's so cheap, and easy to apply if you have a steady hand. But sadly, the staying power is nothing compared to my favorite Bobbi Brown Gel Liner--that stuff goes NOWHERE and I find it really easy to apply with the accompanying brush. Oh well, at least I love the eye pencil! It's the perfect taupey pink and blends great.

 

My lashes can't survive without mascara. After my post praising Maybelline The Colossal, some of you recommended The Falsies, so I'm trying it below. I hoestly didn't see a huge difference, but I think I slightly prefer the Colossal's brush? I don't know. It looks pretty good in this picture.

 

So, this is my new favorite casual, every day look. In addition to the eye makeup, I'm wearing my most favorite Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Foundation, Rodial Eye Pen under my eyes (very similar to the Boots version I normally wear, but better coverage), some Anastasia Brow Gel, and the NYX cream blush that Adrien recommended, in glow. It's a really perfect shade, and obviously works on different skin tones. And on my lips? My favorite discovery, the NYX Color Lip Balm in Tack, which is VERY close to some Lorac lip gloss I've been mourning since it was discontinued. For $3.50, I want to try every color (I'm seriously considering this "pick 6" deal)

So there's my mug, with some seriously unkempt hair but a lighter makeup look for Spring. Do you guys change your makeup with the seasons? What are you buying? Because I'm very suggestible. 

Marianne: The Worst Scarf Tutorial in the WORLD.

You guys. I'm sorry. I had this grand plan to do a step-by-step photo tutorial on one of my favorite scarf tying methods (seen above), and it turns out? Pretty much impossible to explain in pictures. But hell, I took them, and it's Friday, and what else do you have going on?

SO, start with a long rectangular scarf. You want something long enough to wrap a couple of times around your neck loosely. Fold the scarf in half, and tie the corners into a knot. See...this is where things start getting fuzzy.

Okay, so now you've got a big loop. I hope. Who really knows?

Put the loop around your neck, with the knots in the BACK. Make sure you grin like a buffoon, it helps.

Okay, this is where it gets really vague. Twist the scarf with the knots behind your head, and bring the loop back over your head.

Now you've got the knots in front of you...right? Right. Right? Take one knot and pull it through the other loop. Huh? Yeah, I don't know either. Make it look like this:

 Now just kind of fuss with it until the knots and fringe and drapey bits are all cute and whatever. God, I'm exhausted. Maybe next time I'll do a video? Here are some bracelets. Let's never speak of this again.

sweater: Target (similar pattern here)

green top: Forever 21 (similar here)

jeans: Pilcro Stet Slim Bootcut

cuff bracelet: Target (similar here)

link bracelet: Banana Republic (similar here)

neon friendship bracelet: handmade (crazy cheap one here)

scarf: vintage (other cotton scarves that would work here, here, and here)

Adrien: Smoke and Mirrors

I got in a blog-related conversation (with blog rock stars!) at a party last weekend and I talked (too much) about what it's like to pose for outfit photos every single day. In a nutshell: YOU LEARN FAST. I am not photogenic and require approximately 11 billion photos to be taken from which I can pick out the three that don't make me look like Jabba the Hut.

Also, I do this thing where I think my head is on straight but I actually have it all cranked over to one side, like that's cute. (It's not.) Here is a dramatic reenactment of what my early photos looked like:

And here is that same photo after some extensive spinal adjustment and Photoshop:

I also sometimes have, um, attitude problems:

But, Kenny started lobbing peanut M&Ms at me and I straightened up pretty quick:

So really, all it takes is:

• food rewards
• a large memory card
• spinal surgery
• Photoshop (the kind you pay $$ for)
• fear of looking like a slug-alien on the Internets.

Anyone can do it!

dress: Target (similar)
shoes: Chie Mihara (similar)
necklace: Ann Taylor (similar)
bag: Andrea Brueckner (similar)
cardigan: J Crew (similar)
watch: La Mer
bracelet: Stella & Dot