Adrien: Important Blog Business and Shiny, Shiny TOMS.

Okay! First, two pieces of very important blog business I need to address:

1. I had to draw another name for the Bliss Micro Magic giveaway and the new winner is: Sarah (okimus at yahoo dot com)! Sarah, please check your email and get back to me.

2. This is really serious, you guys. Do you think I can pull off these bangs or am I too old for this?

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Now on to the show. Back in January my friend Kate gave me a pair of metallic classic slip-on TOMS for my birthday. Because of the crappy weather I've only recently been able to wear them out and I have to say, I GET IT. I finally get why all the kids love these odd little shoes. They are like butter. 

My pair are the black metallic linen which are hard to find now, but there are all kinds of cute new finishes and ridiculous prints. I'm very fond of this snow leopard print pair and, while this blue print isn't quite my style, I can't stop looking at it. I doubt these shoes are going to last forever but they're the perfect casual in-between-season shoe. Cuter than a sneaker, less toe-revealing than a sandal. Oh, and just in case you're tempted to get a pair, I think they run a half size big. Also! If you order direct from the website they'll give you free 2-day shipping if you pay with Paypal and code SPRING15 will get you $5 off a $25 purchase. Plus get 5.0% cashback with eBates. (My referral link.) 

Let's Talk About Cult Products.

So, I'd been thinking about writing another post about my thoughts on Cle de Peau concealer  which looked like this when I bought it last July:

Shiny new Cle

And now looks like this:

Sad Cle dregs

Obviously for me this is not a product that's going to last two years like some people claim. I'm a pretty heavy user of concealer and if I can stretch this to last a full year it'll totally be worth the price. As for the cult status, here's what I've realized. This product is not a magical unicorn, it's not the holy grail, it's a workhorse, plain and simple. A good quality covers-like-a-boss concealer. Is the price ridiculous? Yes, but nobody forced me to buy it and I use it every day because it's dependable, not because it makes me feel guilty. All of this started me thinking about it's cult status and my hope that sometimes things are lauded because they work the way they're supposed to and they're dependable.

I still use Clinique Black Honey, Benefit Benetint, and Urban Decay eye shadow for the same reason - they're dependable workhorse products for me. I wouldn't say any of them are super amazing but they work well for me and that's enough.

With all this in mind, I read this article on the Hairpin (and the comments!) and it really made me think about how products get cult status. Is is group-think hysteria? Really sneaky marketing? Rave reviews because they actually do what they're supposed to do? Apparently, yes. To all of that.

So please, tell me what cult product you think totally deserves that status and what you think is total garbage? (I'm especially curious about Touche Éclat. I keep wanting to try it, but I am positive I'll be disappointed.)

BUY THIS (Because I Never Do): LOFT Sale.

I alway, always forget about LOFT, you guys. This is a mistake because (today only!) use code CYBER50 to get 50% off of everything and free shipping! (Plus, 3.0% cash back with eBates. Ahem.)

Ikat Shirred Utility Blouse 

Lace-up Sneakers 

Chambray Shirtdress 

Open Bangle Bracelet 

Pleated V-Neck Dress 

Goops Wants To Know:

A: What's your budget for a spring jacket?

L: $0? Is that appropriate? Spring is a season that either gets a leftover winter coat or a sweater. Am I a child?

A: According to Gwyneth it's eleventy million dollars.

L: HA! [hold on, laughing so much] OK. Phewwwww. I mean, at least she threw in a Zara and a UniQlo for The Poors.

A: Super thoughtful of her. I'll bet she wears that $6,500 The Row coat to walk the dog.

L: That one is soooooooo Gwynnie.

A: She's probably using it to mop up a spill in the kitchen.

L: But is it organic, though? I don't think she could use non-organic.

A: Organic AND locally-sourced.

L: Totally. She'd never be an irresponsible consumer.

A: I mean, I know I'm not dropping $2,300 on a lace bomber jacket unless it's sustainable and gluten-free.

L: Who would?

A: Kim Kardashian might.

L: 

Weekend Window Shopping: Boden Sale!

FINALLY, Boden has marked things down in an appropriate manner. The black/white/grey Milano dress I loved so much is now $60! Considering it started at $198, that's pretty amazing. Lots of cute over there but it's selling out fast:

Friday #GoHugo

So, wow, that Chris Pratt really pulled a Neville Longbottom on us, didn't he? I approve.

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): Crazy Ass Barney's Warehouse Sale.

You guys. Please make haste over to the Barney's Warehouse website because the deals are damn good. It's Barney's so it's nice stuff, but they have a whole bunch of markdowns that are an additional 30%-40% off (no code, it's automatic at checkout.) Combine that with 2.5% cash back from eBates and you have a screaming deal. All sales are final so I tend to look at the accessories exclusively and this is what I'd buy if I could:

Rebecca Minkoff Amorous Satchel • Rebecca Minkoff

Barneys New York Leopard-Print Twill Scarf • Barneys New York

Nina Ricci Oversize Cat-Eye Sunglasses • Nina Ricci

Gorjana Anda Studs • Gorjana

Marc by Marc Jacobs Too Hot to Handle Hobo Bag • Marc by Marc Jacobs

Katie Diamond Labradorite & Turquoise Bea Cuff • Bea Yuk Mui