BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): TJ Maxx Clearance Bargains!

There are some really good bargains on the TJ Maxx site right now but I can't take credit for finding all of them - Nina and her magical eye has alerted me to some of this good stuff.

First, this classic black Cole Haan textured leather tote?

It is $60. Sixty. Dollars. You guys. It also comes in a freaking gorgeous peacock green but that one hasn't been clearance priced yet (though still a good deal.)  Nina's really great find is this Jojo leather crossbody:

Originally $320 marked down to $52 in four cute colors. That turquoise would be a great little summer bag and I love the bright tangerine too. 

There are also sweaters bargains! A few in limited sizing by Theory (wool crewneck) and Vince (long cardi, wool crewneck) but my favorite for obvious reasons is this Theory cashmere cardigan: 

It's $49! It looks so cozy! Yay for gin sweaters!  It's too much like my Grana cardigan to tempt me but for freaking $49 someone should snap that up. I also like this Theory shawl collar cardigan:

It's less exciting being a wool blend and all, but $49 is still a fair price for Theory which I've always thought was a bit too big for it's britches anyway. Hmph. 

Finally, because we all need a bit of cheerful bling in the dead of winter, these Lulu Frost earrings, while not clearance priced as yet, are still a screamingly good deal:

Retail price: $195. TJ Maxx price: $24.99. Really, how can you beat that? 

Marianne: I TALK A LOT ABOUT BEAUTY.

HEY PARTY PEOPLE. I'm coming out of retirement for a hot second to talk about my favorite beauty crap from this year, because I changed it up a lot and have things to say. Giddyup!

Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes Mascara

I already liked the Lights Camera Lashes version of this mascara, but this one really amps it up. While the brush takes getting used to (at least it did for me, I kept stabbing myself in the eyeball), it's a great formula, super buildable. 

Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream

This stuff is THE BEST. I like it even more than my previous beloved, It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream. Great coverage, super natural, good sunscreen, makes it look like you are one of those monsters who doesn't need to wear anything. 

Fresh Creme Ancienne

Ah yes, the danged monk cream (patted in jars with their little monk hands!) is great. My skin really digs this stuff and while it is expensive, you literally only need a pea sized amount. Warm it between your fingers and then tap it all over your face. Pat pat pat go the monk hands. 

My 4 Favorite Naked 2 Colors

This year I really fell back in love with my Naked 2 palette (the real one, not the fake), and ran out of my four favorite colors. While economically it would make more sense to just buy a new palette, I couldn't bear to, so I bought singles of Half Baked, Tease, and Busted. BUT they don't make my 4th favorite (the terribly named but perfect highlight Booty Call) in a single! Well, I tried ALL the singles and Virgin is the closest. It's ever so slightly warmer and a touch less pink but still, a solid highlight for your inner eye and brow bone. 

Benefit Ka-Brow

The product that makes strangers stop me in the street to talk about my eyebrows. No lie.

Shiseido Bronzer

Adrien sent me this bronzer that a kind reader sent her from Japan and it's my bronzer holy grail. It's JUST PERFECT. Sheer, never muddy looking, never sparkly, just a nice little sunkissed effect. I brush it under my cheekbones and chin every damn day. 

Labello Med Repair Balm

I've always love Labello, but when I was in Mexico I picked up this version and it is legit. Moisturizing, healing, and the only sunscreen lip balm that doesn't give me zits around my mouth. 

Covergirl Katy Kat Matte in Sphynx

A cheapy but goody! If you ever find yourself tempted to get a Kylie Lip Kit just go get this instead. It's a good, super matte nude that isn't crazy drying and it's $8. Done. 

Tinkle Razors

I know, YOU SHAVE YOUR FACE? But hold up: these weird little razors take off all your peach fuzz and dead skin and make your skin soft as butter. Seriously come touch my cheek right now. TOUCH IT. Well wash your hands first. Ew, go away. 

Tazorac Cream

Not really a beauty product, but hands down the thing that changed my skin the most dramatically. This is a prescription retinol and you guys. I don't know why I wasted so much money on potions when this took YEARS off. I don't break out any more, maybe a little pimple once a month at worst. Acne scars, sun spots, gone. Wrinkles, much smaller. Hell even a MOLE is much smaller. I wish I had gone to a dermatologist a long time ago. Don't be like me. 

Okay now hair stuff! I recently chopped off 9 inches of hair and I've been wearing it wavy so I have discovered a new world of amazing products and tools. Join me. 

IGK Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel

We've talked about this stuff before, but it's great. Moisturizing, not heavy, and you can use it in different ways. It just makes my hair better. 

HSI Professional Argan Oil Thermal Protector

Now that I heat style my hair, this stuff is a life saver. And it's reasonably priced too! I spray my whole head down before I blow dry. 

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

I've tried 3 different texture sprays and this is by far my fave. Gives great volume, texture, and kind of works as a dry shampoo too. I can't live without it. 

AG Haircare Texture Gloss

A stylist used this on me and I immediately bought it (and the below product too). I use it on the ends of my hair and to pat down flyaways. Another that's a great value considering how little you use. 

Puff Me Volumizing Cloud Mist

This is the WEIRDEST product and I'm obsessed with it! It's this strange powder spray that's a little wet? So weird. But it gives great volume and you can kind of target specific areas? It's hard to explain. It's really weird. I love it. 

HerStyler

Terrible name, amazing tool. Seriously, I travel with it, it's like my third child. I love that it has three sizes (though I mostly use the biggest one) and comes with a glove. Tip: it's a third of the price if you buy off of Amazon rather than those kiosks at the mall and bonus, you don't have to go to the mall. 

OH MY GOD ARE YOU STILL HERE. That's all! Until I realize I forgot a lot but I'm just going to stop here!

Weekend Window Shopping: Cool Sneakers

After years and years of never wearing sneakers outside the gym I'm suddenly obsessed with sneakers-as-fashion. Sometimes you just give in to what's comfortable and decide it's cool, right? Right.

Cute Boy Friday: Oh Lord, James Norton. Again.

Look, I know I already talked about Mr. Norton earlier this year but I spent some quality time over the holiday binge watching Grantchester and I think he's worth another look. Because:

That is a good looking man. And because I'm nothing if not gratuitous:

😬 YAS. What? You want more? You need only ask:

And here's a nice little NSFW rear view for you because you've had a long week and maybe need a little pick-me-up. I think my favorite is him ride a bike:

Or even just standing with a bike:

I'm going to go lie down now because I feel a bit faint.

Favorite Beauty Purchases of 2016.

This is going to be kind of boring, y'all. I am so fickle about beauty/skincare stuff that I just cling to the things that work for me and don't get too crazy experimental. I feel like my style (both clothing and makeup) has become more about sticking with what works which doesn't make for very exciting blog fodder. But that's why you love me, right? Right?

I actually did try a fair amount of products this year (a lot of it in sample form!) and here are the products I bought this year that I consider my favorites:




Burberry Fresh Glow - I posted about this recently and I'm still just delighted with this stuff. It's expensive but I only use a little tiny glob which I mix in with my foundation. It gives a really subtle glow and sheers out my foundation just a tiny bit so I don't look so makeup-y. It's also nice on it's own if I am just wanting to look slightly more polished but don't want to wear foundation. And, dude, the packaging is amazing.

Japanese exfoliating towel - I've posted about these before and NOW is when you need them. When your skin is getting all dry and ashy you need to scrub yourself with this towel and you will glow and be soft like whipped cream. So cheap, so effective. Just get one.

Shiseido Senka sunscreen - This is my everyday sunscreen and I just love it. It's inexpensive, has no scent, and works great under makeup. Never greasy and doesn't break me out. What's not to love?





It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye - I've given up on other concealers because this one is so freaking good. You need to warm it up on your hand first because it's thick and concentrated and then gently taptaptap it on. It also applies really well with the pointy end of a Beauty Blender, but it's not crucial.

Sunday Riley Tidal - This moisturizer is really too new for me to include but I got this in my most recent Box of Style and it is SO NICE. I just kept going, "wow, this is NICE" when I first slapped it on. It's a super hydrating moisturizer and goes on all cooling and soft. I try to apply it when my face is still a little damp so that it can do it's job properly. Oh Sunday Riley, I can't quit you.

Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads - These are an old favorite and when I had to stop using Drunk Elephant Framboos (a story for another entry) I went back to these. They're immediately effective and you can cut the pads in half to make it last longer. Just a really great chemical exfoliator that won't mess up your skin.

Marcelle Xtension Plus mascara - I got this mascara in a recent Birchbox and was surprised to find that it was the mascara I kept reaching for. It's just a nice formula, lengthening and volumizing without too much fuss. I don't know that it's a holy grail, but of the mascaras I've bought this year, this has become my favorite. I still use and like the staying power of FairyDrops, but I've never loved the new formula as much as I did the one they discontinued.

That's it! Please do let me know what your favorites are! I'm always looking for new recommendations.

Favorite Style Purchases of 2016.

You know what's anxiety-inducing? Pawing back through a year of blog posts to figure out what you bought over the year. The results weren't bad, though. I was pleased to realize that I a) hadn't actually bought a ton of stuff and b) really liked most of what I bought. There were a few unfortunate choices (like the white LOFT jeans that ended up being way too big) but on the whole I think I did okay. 

I generally don't like adding in newer purchases for this recap because they haven't really proven themselves yet, but I will say that I am wearing the ever-loving shit out of my new Cole Haan down coat - it's warm, super lightweight, and the pretty silver color just cheers me up.  I'm also really loving my Bijouone screw cuff bracelet. It's fantastic quality and really cool looking. (Though if you get one, screw it on tight. Mine has come loose once or twice.) Now, my Favorite Style Purchases of 2016:

LOFT Midnight Vine Utility Blouse (reviewed here)

This is actually kind of a new purchase but I've worn it so often since I bought it that it's earned Favorite status. (Look for it in an outfit post soon!) It's easy to dress up and also works great dressed down with jeans and boots. The "midnight vine" print unfortunately sold out, but LOFT has this blouse in other prints and solid colors (I really love this tulip print) so just know that when the utility blouse is on sale, which it is right now, it's a solid purchase.

Lucky Brand Basel in dark stone (worn here and here and here) 

Between my Basel booties and my Madewell Chelsea boots, my tall boots are getting completely neglected this winter. The Basel are definitely not for super cold weather (being full of holes and all) but I've been wearing them a lot. They come in a bunch of colors and leather types (blue suede!) and require no breaking in at all. Mine were immediately comfortable! I totally want another pair. 

Fidelity Denim Sola jeans in Coronado wash (worn in many entries) 

I'm sure y'all are sick of me yapping on about these Fidelity jeans but they've just been such a good purchase for me. They were quite expensive so I'm completely relieved that they have been worth every penny. (Nothing feels worse that spending a lot on clothing that disappoints you.) Here's why they work for me: they fit like a glove all the way down, they do not stretch out or bag at the knees and, most importantly, they have a high enough rise that they don't slide down in the back. Magic. 

Madewell et Sézane Beckett jacket (reviewed here, worn here and here)

This jacket, you guys. Marianne bought it first and I loved it so much I haunted eBay until I found one too. It's basically perfect - interesting details, excellent pockets, a hood, just the right length. In short, it's brought me a ton of jacket joy this past year. I still love and wear my Downtown Field Jacket, but my Madewell jacket is better. So the lesson: definitely keep an eye on Madewell's collaborations, they're usually on point. And, because I don't like to leave you hanging, this Madewell Tilden Military Jacket gets pretty high praise and looks quite similar to mine. 

Honorable Mention: I really probably should add my black MBMJ Too Hot To Handle Hobo to this list since I did purchase it in 2016, but I'd already included my cement bag in the 2015 Favorites list and it felt like cheating! I will say that this particular style (obviously) works great for me and I'm really sorry they've stopped making it. There are a ton on eBay, though some are other MJ styles mislabeled. This NWT auction for the black version looks like a fair deal! Also, check Saks Off Fifth if you have a store near you. They have a good section of past-season MJ bags. 

Now, please tell me your best style purchases! I love hearing about what you guys have bought. 

Adrien: Back In The Saddle.

Oh my Goooood. I just had 11 days off work and it was amazing and it's nearly over and I could basically cry. I might cry. I'm trying not to cry. Instead, I'll show you the cute blouse Marianne bought me a while back: 

She sent me this Kate Spade Saturday blouse (found at Marshalls) after my Everlane trials because who doesn't want a pretty green blouse? KS Saturday doesn't exist anymore, but never fear, I have green blouses for you. I have two of this LOFT utility blouse and it comes in a beautiful deep green. This Ann Taylor blouse in emerald is also quite pretty and this $18 Apt 9 blouse comes in a really good green. And, if money were no object? Oh, this one for sure. 

I'm wearing the blouse with my favorite Fidelity Sola jeans (mine are the coronado wash) which have been such a good purchase for me this year. I can't say enough good things about them and I desperately want another pair. Maybe a straight leg style or a cropped pair?

Daniel came by to say hi. His next stop is usually to rub his face vigorously against the tripod and you can't tell me he doesn't know exactly how annoying that is. I love you, buddy. On to details! 

My necklace is Dylanlex and it came in my RZ Box of Style. It's exclusive to the box but this one at Banana is quite similar. You could also get the same look with this pearl bib necklace and ooh, how cool is this dark geo focal necklace?  My Alexis Bittar ring is from last winter's Box of Style and it's always fun to wear. This Laundry by Shelli Segal is really similar but I also love this more subtle open wire style by Alexis Bittar. 

My bag is the same old MBMJ Too Hot To Handle Hobo I keep carrying around because it's just so right. Also, uh, there's a red one on eBay* for under $100 and it's KILLING ME. I've got my new little faux fur pom clipped on because why not? (Also, you should get one. Don't overthink it.) I just talked about my boots recently (Vince Camuto, old) but if you're looking for a similar pair, I'd check out these on sale at Madewell. Or these. Hooray, boots for everyone. 

*Not my auction! Please ask the seller questions, etc. before bidding.