Tuesday 3

3 current obsessions:

1. MAC lipstick in Cherish

This lipstick is a verrry creamy beige/peachy/pink/nude. It is not dramatic yet it gives the prettiest color to your lips! It is also very creamy so it feels great on your lips without giving that gluey sticky feel of a gloss! Not to mention if the wind blows strands of hair won't get attached to your lips (a huge pet peeve of mine!). I love this MAC shade, if I could only have 1 lipstick for the rest of life, I would choose this one. Try it!!

2. Milani nail polish in Mr. Sandman

Because the price of Milani polish is only about $5 I have been a little more adventurous with buying new colors. Annnd CVS just happened to have a buy 1 get 1 half off, so that helped too! I really do like this color. It is a very light goldish/light brown color, very pretty. It has a slight shimmer but is not glittery AT ALL. To me it looks very chic and is perfect for fall. 

3. Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara

I tried to branch out and try that mascara I blogged about by tart, and I really did like it, but I had to go back to the Lancome one. Hypnose Drama in my opinion is the best mascara on the market. Any mascara that only takes 2 coats to look flawless is genius in my opinion. Truth be told I'm sure I could do it with 1 but where would the fun be in that?! If you have never tried this mascara, you should. Go by the counter and sample it, I promise it's worth spending a little extra for this product.

Have you tried any of these products? What are your must haves?? I'd love to know!

Pink Love,

Jennifer

RDO

It is a very rainy, dreary day in South Carolina, at least where I'm at. I don't know about you, but days like today all I want to do is lay on a couch in sweats with a blanket and a stack of chick flicks. Needless to say, the last thing I want to do is go to class and work. So, what better to do in a few seconds of free time but to post about an RDO, or Rainy Day Outfit. Exactly.

Side Note: Sorry for my blogging slackness. Work, school projects and fall premieres temporarily took over my life last week.. but, I'm back! Have a great Monday!!

Rainy Day Outfit by jennblack8 featuring longchamp handbags

Neiman Marcus SALE!!

Just a few items I found while browsing the online CLEARANCE sale on the Neiman Marcus website!

a few reasons you should visit also:

Jack Rogers

Edie Ornament Whip Thong Sandal

  now $80

Jack Rogers

Sardinia Thong Sandal in bronze

 now $54

Kate Spade

Metro Patent T-Strap Sandal

now $101

Splendid

V-neck Ruffle Tee

now $25

Red Valentino

Giant-Bow Tee

now $96

(OK so this would DEF be a splurge for just a top, but keep in mind it is Valentino and it is originally $275, who would pay that is BEYOND me!! I'd have trouble with $96, but it sure is cute!!)

Juicy Couture

Mixed-Media T-shirt Dress

now $55

Nanette Lepore

Bryan Halter Dress

now $51

Juicy Couture

Rose Stud Earrings

now $21

Kate Spade

Penny Bangle

now $33

Kate Spade

Wrapped Bead Earrings

now $38

Clearance racks at high end department stores like Neiman Marcus, are the perfect place to find designer pieces at better prices. Some of them are still a bit of a splurge (ahem.. $96 top) if you are like me and on a college girl/working girl budget, but everyone needs a little treat every now and again right!? The trick is to splurge on classic items that will never go out of style, then it is totally justifiable!

Happy Shopping!!

Foodie Friday: a couple things...

If you asked me if I knew the muffin man, I would say, "Yes I do, he lives at Starbucks!"  Last year while at Starbucks I saw the Pumpkin Cream Cheese muffin, now let me just say, I love pumpkin and I love cream cheese so the idea of these two things together.. YUM!!
This muffin is my favorite muffin in the world. It is moist and Delicious. If fall had a taste it would be this muffin. If you haven't tried it.. go to Starbucks immediately! It is that good!

Also, if you haven't tried Wheat Thins Stix, you really should. I love these, they make a great snack and they come in two very good flavors.

Personally, I'm partial to the Fire Roasted Tomato (they kinda remind me of Pizza Pringles), but the Honey Wheat are really good too!




On another note....

I have been LOVING my Urban Decay Halfbaked eye shadow that I posted about previously... and for all my fellow MAC girls.. it goes perfect with Woodwinked or a bit of Mulch as a crease color and Retro Speck as a highlight...gorge!

Have a fabuluos Friday!!!!!

Pink Love,
J

Wordless Wednesday: Dream Closets



AE Flats

Ballet flat season is almost here and I am so excited. Cute flats are one of my favorite things to rock when weather will not permit opened toed shoes. So while browsing around for cute flats I went onto American Eagle's website and behold, adorable flats!! AND they are $29.50!!

So, in case you haven't come across them yet.. 

Ok, so first up are the AE Moccasins, I've never had Moccasins b/c they are usually not my taste but I think these are adorable!!

These come in black(shown), dark brown and dark tan. 

AE Grosgrain Ribbon Mocs

 These come in the same colors, a Moccasin with a bow, now that I can do.

Both are $39.50

Ballet Flats, All $29.50

They have lots of colors to choose from, all perfect fall hues. I personally love the animal print especially the leopard pair! Animal print can be really cute and chic in small doses. 

Example:

Animal Print Flats by jennblack8 featuring ballet shoes

Review: Milani Bare Nail Polish Collection

I've been rather obsessed with nail polish lately, I think it is because fall is basically here and I love wearing darker colors in fall/winter and cannot wait to try the new ones this year!! One collection that I have liked so far is the Bare collection by Milani. I've used the Milani french manicure collections for years, I think I randomly came across it one day while I was in CVS. I'm not sure where all Milani is sold, I know for sure they sell at at CVS, so I assume other drug stores would carry it. Milani is super affordable at $4.99 a bottle. In my experience they go on really smooth and usually only take 2 coats to get the desired color. All in all a pretty great nail polish.

The colors that I have tried in the Bare collection are:

Teddy Bare

According to just about every beauty blogger or site this color is a dead ringer for Chanel's Particuliere, which was highly sought after and a favorite of A LOT of people last year. To me it kinda resembled mud so I would never pay $23 dollars for a bottle of the Chanel, but for $4.99 I was willing to give it a try. So I did, and I love it. It is a very creamy brown color, almost like a concrete shade. Hard to describe but it looks really good on, and is a perfect color for fall. Milani's Teddy Bare goes on really smooth and I liked the way it looked on my nails. It is definitely going to be a favorite of mine this fall.

Bare Necessity

This color is a very muted mauve brownish shade if that makes since, at all. It actually turned out to be a favorite of mine for right now because it is not too dark but it is also not a summery color. 

Bare In Mine

To me this color in the bottle is very misleading. It looked like it would be really pretty, it reminded me of bare necessity but a little browner. I put it on and it didn't even look like I had on polish at first. Then I applied a second coat and it looked like a clay, putty color. Eww. Not attractive. Maybe if you are like really tan or have darker skin this color would look good but it definitely did not look good on my hands. 

Bare to Wear

The jury is still out on this one. I think I like it, I've only tried it once and I didn't keep it on. It is lighter than Teddy Bare but it is in the same color family, I would say it is a little more of a grayish tone. I didn't hate it, just not sure I'm in love.

Have you guys tried any of these or heard of them??

Expect more nail polish reviews as I have seen OPI's latest collection and am dying to try a few of them. Essie also has a few that I like. Here's hoping ULTA has a buy 2 get 1 free nail polish sale soon!!

 

Never Forgotten

Nine years ago today I was sitting in Mr. Gillespie's Chemistry class taking notes when our principal came over the loudspeaker with an announcement. "America has just experienced a national tragedy of epic proportions, I believe that every one of you should see for yourselves what is going on. Teachers please turn on your TVs at this time." I had no idea what he could possibly be talking about. National tragedy was something I had only heard my parents or teachers or older family members talk about.
Literally seconds after our teacher turned on the TV the second plane hit. I will never forget watching that. I will never forget that day, I can still remember what I wore to school. Freedom isn't free, September 11th was the day that our generation learned that for ourselves. 

Today, nine years later we remember the fallen and we honor the heroes.

"In times like this we realize how weak and inadequate we are, and our greatest need is to turn in repentance and faith to the God of all mercy and the Father of all comfort. If ever there was a time for us to turn to God as a nation, it is now, that this evil will spread no further."
 -Billy Graham, September 11, 2001

Foodie Friday: Betheny Frankel's Boo Boo Banana Bread

Generally for breakfast I eat a banana and a Danon Frusion smoothie, or Greek yogurt. Tuesday when I grabbed my banana I noticed that the whole bunch was really ripe, like too ripe to eat. I really don't know why I got the wild hair to make banana bread after seeing the ripe bananas but I did. So after looking up a few recipes I remembered that my beloved New York housewife Betheny, had tweeted about a banana bread that she makes. A couple of googles later and I find her recipe for Boo Boo Banana Bread. I stopped at the grocery store after work to pick up the ingredients I was missing and hurried home to try my first attempt at any sort of homemade bread. I was nervous at first but I have to say they turned out perfect!! I was so excited!! Not only is this banana bread actually healthy, it is SO YUMMY!!! And even yummier when you eat a piece that is still warm from the oven accompanied by a cold glass of milk. If you have never tried your hand at this type of baking but have always wanted to, then I suggest trying this recipe! It is very easy and is sooo good!!

Boo Boo Banana Bread

Ingredients:

1 cup raw sugar

1 tbsp. butter (regular or nondairy)

1 cup mashed overripe bananas (2-3 bananas)

1 egg

1 tsp real vanilla extract

1 cup oat flour (I used whole wheat instead)

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

**I doubled the recipe using 4 bananas and it made 3 loaves, I used the aluminum loaf pans that you buy in packs of 3 at the grocery store if you are wondering about the size.

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of the loaf pan and spray it with cooking spray. Pour in batter and cover loosely with foil.

Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 20 minutes. Insert toothpick in middle. If it comes out almost clean, then it's done. Cool completely and slice.

Fall's Hot List: Handbags and Accessories

Have I mentioned lately how excited I am that Fall is almost here?! I am so ready for fall weather I just can't stand it. The other day I was browsing on the Macy's website and came across one of their Fall Hot Lists. I love lists, so what could be better than a fall hot list??!! Especially about Handbags and Accessories!!! So, below is the list according to Macy's with the items according to me.

1. The Multi-Strap Satchel

The Large Lulu by Dooney & Bourke

$235

2. The over the knee boot. Ok, so there is no way I can do this trend, I am a Blair, not a Serena. (Gossip Girl fans will get that.)

Brynn by Calvin Klein

$295

3. Ceramic Watches

Michael Kors, $350

4. Fall Shades

 These are the new "must have" Ray Ban Signets

$145

Thoughts??

5. The embellished flat

 

Abbie by Kate Spade

$298

6. Long Strap Mini

Tory Burch mini bag

$250

7. The pearl and chain necklace

Charlotte Russe Triple Petal Pearl Necklace

$14.50

8. The printed scarf

 Dotted Weekend Scarf, Banana Republic

$59.50

9. The clog

 

 Divara by Bandolino

$75

why are clogs back?

Thoughts?? What trends will you follow this fall?