Adrien: 7 For All Mankind Slim Cigarette Jeans Review and Outfit

Back in the fall I made up a wishlist of things I really wanted and one of those things was a pair of black-black skinny jeans that I could wear with boots. When I went to find them, I ended up buying something slightly different - the 7 For All Mankind Slim Cigarette Jeans in brushed twill. (Full price on the 7FAMK site but these look like the brushed twill version and on sale!)

Even though they're a little awkward with boots I am SO glad I bought them. They're great because they fit like jeans but aren't really denim. With a longer top they just look like slim black pants so I can wear them to work without getting the side-eye.  They are velvety soft, are so freaking crazy comfortable and I love that they have a shorter inseam so I can wear them with my Madewell flats without hem awkwardness.

My scarf is from the Gap (out of stock, but I like this one) and was a gift from Nina because she thought it would go with my shoes! She's good like that. My bag is Andrea Brueckner (this is a nice inexpensive similar) and my bracelet is Giles and Brother (simple version here, my version here.) 

Shiny! I love that bracelet.

Buy This (So We Don't Have To): J.Crew Double-Cloth Metro Coat.

Man, y'all, the slog has begun. This is the part of winter that I dislike the most, when the holidays are over and it's just about putting your head down and waiting for spring to start. You know what helps? A bright-ass red coat. I already have more than I need, but if I were able to buy a coat right now? It'd be this one:

I hate winter!

This is the J.Crew Double-Cloth Metro Coat and it comes in a few other colors but this one is the best. It's not inexpensive but right now you can get 40% off with code TAKENOTE and another 3% back with eBates (my referral link.) If that's still too rich for your blood, this one from Zara is pretty freaking cute and less than $100.  Bright red coats for everyone!

Winter Detox or Winter Retox?

A: Have you read the Goop Winter Detox Mag? Here is what I've learned:

1. Eating is bad for our immune system and makes us sick.
2. If not eating makes you feel cold, simply wear more clothing. Or huddle by a fire.
3. The recipe for the Peppermint Hot Chocolate makes me gag. 

M: Wear? Clothing? I don't get it. Also I am cold.

A: Marianne, you need to wear clothing to stay warm. Or go sit in your sauna, silly.

M: MINT FLAVORED LIQUID CHLOROPHYLL.

A: YUMMY.

M: Goodbye cruel world.

A: Clearly somebody needs a glass of room temperature lemon water.

M: That seems decadent.

A: Well, it's not full of spirulina powder or pink himalayan sea salt but the lemon makes it pretty over-the-top.

M: I'll drink it in my sauna (abandoned dog house).

A: I'm gonna go crazy with some chickpea water, er, soup.

M: I can't even joke about that.

A: That recipe needs it's own SAD lamp.

M: If eating chickpea water and calling it lunch is what it takes to be skinny I'll just be over here with a large glass of wine shaking my head.

A: Pour me one too.

Adrien: A Bunch of Stuff I Bought at Sephora.

The day after Christmas I got to hang out with one of my oldest friends who I only get to see once or twice a year. As part of our day out we hit up Sephora because she needed foundation. I had a little windfall money burning a hole in my pocket so I blew it all on stuff that I'd been wanting but hadn't let myself buy. I also got a bunch of samples, because why wouldn't I do that?

Here's the entire haul, in throw-it-on-the-bed form:

And a breakdown:

I'm a sponge.

1. I bought a Beautyblender Sponge because I'd been curious about it and reading Alison's review a few days later further intrigued me. I've been using it daily and I'm not quite sold yet. It's useful and my makeup looks good but I'm not all, I LOOK AIRBRUSHED OMG. I'm following the directions but I still feel like too much of my foundation stays in the the sponge, so maybe I just need to work on my technique. The jury is still out on this one.

I'm so tiny!

2. I finally bought Benefit Gimme Brow (in the lighter color) and I've been using it pretty much every day. I like it, but I maintain that it's an advanced product and requires a bit of practice to get it right. It's definitely a more natural look than my brow powder and it seems to stay put all day, which I love. But, it tends to be a little clumpy if you're not careful. And the tube is SO F'ING TINY. It's the tiniest tiny that ever tinied. I do like it, but I'm not finding it life-changing, especially for the price.

my preciousssss

3. After holding out way too long I repurchased my super-favorite Benefit Dandelion blush. Why did I ever think I could live without it? Punch me the next time I try (again) to find a dupe. There is no dupe, there is only Dandelion. This is my third box and I'm so relieved to have it back in my life because if you have pale skin there is nothing else quite like this for subtly brightening up your whole face without looking like you have a WHOLE LOTTA blush going on. It's just right and I love the packaging and I even dig the weird little brush. It's expensive but it lasts a really long time. Highly recommend.

Don't drop me. 

4. Another repurchase, a Sephora glass nail file. I dropped my old one on the bathroom floor and, you know, it's glass. Busted. It went up in price but I was pleased to discover that it now comes in a hard case and is double-sided! Whee. I love this thing.

Purp.

5. I remember loving Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Rockstar but mine went missing a year or so ago. I repurchased and...huh. It's a dark eggplanty purple and very soft, so it requires a lot of precision. I'm not good at precision and ended up with an eyeball full of purple eyeliner. I need to try again because when done right this color is great with brown eyes (but not in brown eyes.)

The rest of the pile is samples! I got a tiny bottle of Murad Lightening Serum as a 100 point perk, and also managed to make friends with a very nice (and possibly stoned) SA at Sephora who gave me generous samples of the Living Proof Restore shampoo, conditioner and mask which so far have all failed to transform my hair. I don't know about you, Living Proof.

So, what have you bought lately that's been delightful or horribly disappointing? Do tell. 

Marianne: Overland Buttondown review.

I did some panic shopping on Christmas Eve (as you do) and came home with the Overland Buttondown from anthropologie, which I promptly wrapped up and gave to myself. I am just so thoughtful! You guys, this is a great top! It is a gorgeous color and super flattering. The fabric feels expensive and has the perfect drape. I loved it so much I wore it on Christmas day (gratuitous baby shots below):

 

I didn't get a shot of me in it that day so enjoy this poorly-lit dressing room photo instead. See how it just skims over my belly and kind of hides that post-partum pooch? It's good stuff. I'm wearing it with my Pilcro Stet Slim Boot jeans which FIT AGAIN PRAISE BE. They are so insanely comfortable and make your legs look loooooong and skinny, and the waist contains all stuff. Two thumbs way up.

Here's a product shot while we are at it (I am DYING over the zebra print, dang it). So pretty! Such a pretty shirt and not a ruffle in sight. anthropologie might be luring me back to the dark side. Oh wait, maybe not. Nope. Also noooope.

Overland Buttondown

Buy This (I Might Too): Anthropologie Sale House Stuffs.

Okay, I have a confession to make to you guys - I've way, way slacked off on keeping up with the sales on clothing and bags and whatnot because I've lately become obsessed with making my apartment look like an adult-ish place that feels like me. You would think this is something I'd be good at since I went to art school and can put an outfit together (mostly) but... no. Non. Nyet. I am so hopeless and I think Marianne is going to friend-divorce me if I send her one more text about throw pillows.

A: How about this one? Too blue? Too precious? Too gloomy? Too trendy? Too chevron? Teal? Royal blue? Yellow? Orange? HELP ME HELP ME HELP ME. 

M: Who is this?

Luckily with her help and also the help of, um, a lot of my other friends (Hi Nina! Hi Ashley! Hi Kate!), I've started to pull my shit together. So, while this post was originally going to be about a really good, basic sweater I bought (This one here. Extra 30% off with code BRGOOD30. 2% back with eBates. Done.) instead I'm going to sigh over the Anthropologie sale, in which you can get an extra 50% off of house stuff with code WARMUP. Here's what I'd get:

Spotted Jacquard Napkin Bundle

The Spotted Jacquard Napkin Bundle is just the thing to class up my business so I can stop giving my guests a select-a-size paper towel as a napkin. Seriously.

Inset Monogram Mirror

I would like an Inset Monogram Mirror "A" to hang in that weird space between my TV and the wall. Sorta shiny! A stands for Adrien! And Awesome! I'll stop.

Crushed Eggshell Side Table

I think this Crushed Eggshell Side Table (but in the red colorway) would work great as a plant stand and would hopefully save one of my plants from my cat's plan of totally destruction. Also, it's a lot better than this ridiculous bullshit. Really, Anthro?

Sophie Linen Duvet

This might be my favorite color of all time and I want the Sophie Linen Duvet on my bed. That is all I have to say about that.

Tea And Toast Butter Dish

I actually went SHOPPING for a butter dish and finally gave up and bought a boring one at Target. This Tea and Toast Butter Dish is 800% cuter. Ugh.

PS. My apologies if these items have already sold out! They were available at the time I wrote the post. 

Holiday Texting.

M: Google, "Kanye gives Kim a Birkin", then set yourself on fire.

A: No. No I will not.

M: DO IIIIIIIIT.

A: NO.

M: Merry Christmas:

A: WHAT IN THE HELL.

M: I'll just be over here while you process that.

A: 

M: So tasteful.

A:

M: Adrien? You ded?

A: IT'S THE SIZE OF A PONY.

M: He probably got her a pony too.

A: SHUT UP.

M: Sorry.

A: Weeping.

M: I Googled "Kanye West Pony" and got this:

M: Happy New Year!

A: You are a bad, bad lady. But that pony is the best.

M: Heh.