Beauty: My Latest Obsession and a Story.

I read quite a few beauty forums and a brand that keeps popping up is Drunk Elephant. I already drank the Sunday Riley Kool-Aid so I was resistant to a whole new set of expensive face-things to want. But I kept hearing how OMGahhhhmazing the T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum is and how the C-Firma Day Serum is life changing and B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel is so good and the bar cleansers (not soap!*) are fantastic and I was like, FINE. FINE. STOP. And I went to Sephora and politely demanded samples of the three products available in this Drunk Elephant set:

And you guys. *sigh* These products are good. Really, really good. 

The Framboos serum is the star of the bunch and I've seen better results with it in the last couple of weeks than I ever saw with Good Genes. Already my skin is clearer and smoother and I swear my hyperpigmentation spots seem a bit lighter. I like Good Genes but Framboos seems to work a lot better for me and it's slightly less expensive.

As for the Intensive Hydration Gel I was not expecting much since gel moisturizers are usually full of silicone and aren't generally moisturizing enough for me. This one is different, though. It's got no silicones and really seems to make my face feel dewy and hydrated but not at all sticky. It's so good! I generally layer it over my Sunday Riley Juno oil which works well, though it may not be enough in the winter. We shall see.

The Vitamin C serum is going to take a bit of time to really know if it's working but so far it doesn't seem to be breaking me out the way the SkinCeuticals version did, so that's progress. My skin seems brighter, at any rate.

All I know is that since I've been using these samples my skin has looked pretty damn good, and usually this is the time of year my skin does it's seasonal freak-out. I will keep you posted!

(PS. Dermstore carries Drunk Elephant! 20% off with code FRIENDS and 7% back with eBates!)

*The other Drunk Elephant products I was considering are the Pekee and Juju bar cleansers which sounded vaguely familiar. I did a little digging and realized OMG WONDERBAR. Hahahaha. The same person founded both! If you have no clue what I'm talking about, here's a story from back in the early days of the blog:

Six years ago Marianne bought a tiny bar of soap that promised miracles. MIRACLES. (It did not deliver.) 

She posted a review and a few updates on the blog and if you read the comments on the review you'll see that WonderBar was very invested in making sure she understood what the product was and how to use it. Of course we gossiped about that because that's how we do.  

A: I am cracking up at our latest comments. WONDERBAR SAYS YOU DO IT WRONG. 

M: GAH!  Their directions say to remove make-up first!

A: I guess not with soap? What do they want you to use, then?  

M: Maybe Cetaphil? Or liquid soap? 

A: STOP CALLING IT SOAP OMG. 

M: They are making me NERVOUS.  I think they are in my house.

A: They are hiding under your bed watching you wash your face.

(And, few months later, after getting a “concerned” email directly from WonderBar who did not like Marianne's blog side-eye.)

M: I need to write up my anti-Wonderbar Propaganda screed. 

A: Are you going to relocate first? 

M: I'm writing this from my bunker at the center of the earth. 

A: You're not on wifi are you? 

M: Wait, do you hear that. OMG THE CALL IS COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE RUNNNNNN! 

it's not a soap! 

A: NOOT SOOOOOOAP!!! 

M: I'm not scared of those CRAZY SOAP BITCHES OH THAT'S RIGHT.

A: OMG ITS NOT SOAP ARE YOU CRAZY. 

M: It's a BAR that LATHERS and CLEANSES GUESS WHAT THAT'S SOAP. 

I am so scared. 

A: But, they say it's also toner and moisturizer! But you might also need to use moisturizer with it? What kind of bullshit is that? Wait, hold on, someone's at the door. 

M: Adrien? DON'T ANSWER THE DOOR ADRIEN! 

A: I think I'm in the trunk of a car pls call police 

M: What's a police? My head feels funny. Hi, my name is Sally and I love the Wonderbar. It's not a soap.

So, yeah. I am pretty sure that the Juju bar is the WonderBar all grown up. Not to say it isn't amazing, but I remember the weirdness of "that time WonderBar stalked our blog" and I am like, maybe my Cerave cleanser will be just fine. For now, at least. I want to believe but I also don't want to be stalked? I don't know. Soap is confusing.

Adrien: Striped Addiction.

So, funny thing happened. Gap had a good sale last week so I ordered this striped shirt in the red/blue colorway and then a few days later I pulled out my winter stuff and was like, Oh. I have a problem you guys:

Heh. In my defense, the one I ordered is more fitted and lighter weight. The one I'm wearing is more like the Everlane Heavyweight tee, which I also own. So, like, totally different. I might have also ordered the oatmeal stripe because it's only mildly similar to a shirt I already own. Just mildly! And you guys, have you seen the Madewell et Sézane striped shirts? Super cute. And obviously this one is the ultimate in cute. And y'all know I want the ombre version of this breton top. Can't stop, won't stop. 

So I'm wearing my old Gap top with my newer Madewell coated skinny jeans (reviewed here) which are not really photographing well but please trust me that they're great. Almost like leather but way less trouble! If the Madewell pair is too spendy, this Blank NYC pair is on sale and looks very similar and ooh, Joe Fresh has a pair under $50. On to details:

This top has cute little round brass button detail on the shoulder which I love. I'm continuing my nautical obviousness by wearing my Giles and Brother fish hook pendant. I'm also wearing my favorite La Mer wrap watch and my Alexis Bittar cocktail ring. My bag is a MBMJ Too Hot To Handle Hobo. It's a peach. 

And now, my flats. I took a detail shot because how cool are these? They're Frye and long sold out but there are lots of cute Frye shoes on 6pm. I think the blue Carson ballet flats are my current favorite though the Alicia are also a solid choice. For something more interesting (though not on sale) this pair of Sienna pointy toed flats are kind of amazing.

In case you had your heart set on my pair, they're the Frye Emma Hammered Stud flat and there are a few pairs on eBay right now! True to size. 

Weekend Window Shopping: Old Favorites.

So, this is a quick list of some old favorites. Closet staples I reach for over and over again and a couple of products I've repurchased more than once. Those little Shashi ear climbers don't look like much in a photo but they're the earrings I wear most often and for which I get the most compliments! (And a note: while the Chie Mihara pumps below are not actually owned by me, I do have several pairs that get endless wear. They're worth it.)

Adrien: Pulling It Together With Stripes.

Over the weekend I pulled out some of my fall/winter clothes and was happy to have this dress back in the mix again. It's slightly too short but I love the heavy weight fabric and I love that it doesn't require Spanx of any variety. Always a plus! And y'all know how I am about the stripes: 

A good fit-and-flare striped dress is worth having. Mine is from Banana Republic and, while they have some fit-and-flare dresses this fall, there isn't a strip in the bunch. Boden always has a cute striped dress and I also like this more casual take by Cosabella. This darker stripe dress by LOFT is appealing and, oooooh this Kate Spade dress is an investment but it's basically perfect (and there's a short-sleeve version marked down on 6pm!)

As a final (slightly related) note on my unending stripe-love, can I tell you how much I want this ombre breton top from Boden? And how annoyed I am that it's backordered? Ugh. ANYWAY. My blue MBMJ bag brings in a little color and my ankle boots are finally getting to see the light of day. Please hold for my accidental power pose: 

There it is, right? Something about these boots just begs for it. Here are the details: 

I'm wearing a couple of my Giles and Brother bracelets, the skinny railroad cuff and the skinny cortina. I'm also wearing a BR chain pendant that I bought last winter. There's not much like it but this BCBGeneration necklace has a similar feel or you could go for some amazing Lulu Frost craziness at TheRealReal! (Seriously, someone buy that.) 

My MBMJ Globetrotter Kirsten is such a cheerful bag and definitely one of my favorites. Occasionally one pops up on eBay but in the meantime this cobalt blue MJ tote on 6pm is pretty great, right? I also like this sleek navy Vince Camuto hobo. And, there's still my favorite under-$30 bargain pick!

Finally, the ankle boots. These are Vince Camuto "Hadley" boots from a few years back and they're pretty much a direct knockoff of the Rag & Bone Newbury. This more updated version by Vince Camuto looks pretty similar and so does this style. Booties for everyone! 

We Discuss Ancient Monk Creme Because That Is A Thing.

M: So I did a thing.

A: Oh boy.

M: Okay so. I've been at the beach and I came back to the apparent desert because it never rains here.

A: All the rain is here, my hair is a derptastrophe.

M: ANYWAY my skin is rulllllll dry. It's trying to annex itself from my body.

M: Like Texas.

A: Please stay! What did you doooo.

M: So I have this sample of La Mer.

A: Um, girl.

M: My skin likes it a lot.

A: Well, of course.

M: But PLOT TWIST buying La Mer was not what I did.

A: Oh shit.

M: I went on the innernet and read about La Mer...

A: This won't end well.

M: And everyone but J Lo was like nooooo not worth it.

M: BUT

M: Some people were like you know what you should try instead?

A: JLo uses La Mer like I use Aveeno lotion.

M: Right.

M: Don't get distracted.

A: Sorry! Continue.

M: Instead, you should by this Creme Ancienne from Fresh.

M: That is made in a monastery.

A: Heh

M: Maybe by monks?

A: Dude.

A: This cannot be a thing.

M: IT'S ANCIENT CREAM IT'S RIGHT THERE IN THE NAME.

A: IF IT'S SO OLD WHY WOULD YOU PUT IT ON YOUR FACE.

M: Like they pack it up with their little monk hands?

M: Maybe I confuse monks with Oompa Loompas.

A: Here is what I imagine:

Fresh: Hey monks! Can we bottle this creme in your monastery?
Monks: Um. Well…
Fresh: Wait! Can YOU bottle this creme?
Monks: …I guess?
Fresh: ka-ching!

M: I think it's probably more like:

Fresh: Hey monks! Can we buy your monastery and turn it into a factory?
Monks: ka-ching!

A: Hahaaa

M: JUST READ THE DESCRIPTION.

A: Dare I ask how much this monk creme (ew) costs?

M: You do not.

M: I did not buy the big size?

M: I'm not proud.

A: Dang.

A: But, uh, let me know if it works.

M: 

M: EMPEROR!

A: Monk hands up in your creme!

M: I'm sure gladiators had great skin.

A: Soft like whipped cream

M: 

A: 

M: I bet J Lo would have been an emperor.

A: Is she not already?

M: Prob

A: And seriously, let me know if it works.

M: Oh I will.

Adrien: My Permanent Collection.

I have some things in my closet that just seem like part of the permanent collection. They're old and I've worn the hell out of them but they persevere whether they should or not. This dress is one of those things:

It's NY & Co and I bought it at Ross more than six years ago. It was the very first outfit photo! With these same Chie Mihara shoes! Haha, oh man. If this isn't a testament to the value of a cheap-ass print jersey dress and a good pair of shoes I don't know what is. 

This is the kind of dress you can find at Ross and TJ Maxx and it's a great thing to have in your closet on those days when you just cannot. It should be washable and under $50. This T Tahari dress looks so flattering and I love the crazy print on this Nine West dress. This Boden dress is way marked down and could go casual or work and I love the neckline on this London Times floral dress! My go-to used to be BCBG dresses but they're more expensive now. 

I threw on another member of my permanent collection - a teal Martin + Osa cashmere cardigan. (The color is a bit brighter in real life) It's a lovely way to add a bit more color into an outfit. I'm always looking for cardigans in interesting colors. This L&T merino wool cardigan looks a lot like mine and I love this cobalt blue BR cardigan. The J.Crew classic v-neck comes in a bunch of cute colors and of course I want the leopard Jackie cardigan! I'm tempted every fall by the Everlane cashmere cardigan but wish they came in more interesting colors. Details:

Same old stuff seems to be the theme today. I'm wearing my usual CLUSE La Boheme watch and Alexis Bittar cocktail ring of hugeness. My pendant is the Starry Night locket from J.Crew and it's really old! Most of the stones have fallen out, which makes me sad. J.Crew does currently have this enamel locket which is tempting but I really like the House of Harlow version Marianne wears. Ooh, the House of Harlow zig zag locket is also cool though I'd probably stab myself. 

My bag is my usual MBMJ Too Hot to Handle Hobo and it's pretty much gone (except for eBay.) The MJ Recruit hobo is pretty similar, though. My shoes are the Chie Mihara Serpan and every now and then a pair shows up on eBay: 

It's a pretty high heel for me but I love them a lot. There's nothing comparable but aren't these blue Chies freaking beautiful? Ugh. Anyway, buy good shoes and cheap dresses and you'll still be wearing them six years later. Probably. 

Monday Post is Monday-Ish.

M: I am obsessed with these beyond reason. They make me mad.

A: Mixed feels.

M: They are soooo my flavor.

A: I want them to be less dollars.

M: Well yes that is the problem.

A: In theory it wouldn’t be hard to cut your own, but I know better.

M: Yeah seems like a good way to ruin jeans.

M: Plus their denim is nice and heavy and the rise is great, cutting up cheap jeans wouldn't do.

M: Sigh.

M: I’ll just watch longingly.

A: Time to sell some stuff?

M: Haha

(But no, seriously! I’ve added a few new things to the shop with more to come! Issa! Anthro!)