Classic Floral Nails

I love floral nail art. It's just so pretty. I have done a floral design a couple of times previously, for Valentine's Day and a Black & White version. This time, I picked a traditional colour scheme using some of my all-time favourite nail polishes.

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Coral Crush

Though I am craving the jewel-tone hues of fall, I also have quite the affinity for coral. As an ode to summer, I thought I would create a look centered around this popular shade. Plus, I had to try out my recently acquired Stila Countless Color Pigment in Finale.

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Deborah Lippmann 'Happy Birthday'

Even though today is not my birthday (hurry up September 7th!), I am wearing Deborah Lippmann's 'Happy Birthday' polish with pride. This is my first DL polish and will certainly not be my last. This glitter is amazing! After learning that this super cute mini bottle was a 100 point perk at Sephora, I searched several stores for several days until I finally found it. If you have the Sephora points, I highly recommend cashing them in on this. If not, keep reading for swatches, a review, and a possible dupe to see if you need to add this polish to your wishlist.

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Seven

This week, I have been noticing some subtle signs that the change in season is approaching. I have been ordering hot drinks instead of iced, sneaking in fall home goods at checkout, and focusing a bit more on organization. Even so, I am trying to not get too ahead of myself and enjoy the remaining weeks of summer including late evening sunny walks, a variety of local produce, and some extra relaxation time.

 [Starting early with Fall decor.]

[Rainy NYC days made better with a latte.]

 [Computer help from Patches.]

 [Bright skies but cooler air.]

 [Our haul from the Farmers' Market.]

 [Taking time to relax.]

[Balanced with a bit of an organization obsession.]

Hope you had an amazing week!

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H&M Home Collection

There have been so many fun fall releases recently. As I am anxiously awaiting the Target x Phillip Lim collection, I find out that H&M has a home collection (through this post on Design*Sponge). After beauty items, home decor is next on the list of my shopping weaknesses. I love finding home items that reflect my style and make my home more comforting. When I initially heard that H&M was starting a home line, I expected it to be a bit garish. I love H&M for fast fashion, but you do have to weed through a lot of things that might not be up your street. However, while browsing through the collection online, I was pleasantly surprised to see interesting typography, scientific botanical,  grayscale cityscape, and lithograph-like animal prints, along with cozy sweater textures and copper metal accents. And all at an affordable price point. This line will fit perfectly in my Brooklyn apartment whether in the form of pillows, tea towels, or candles (but hopefully all of the above).

You can check out the collection here.

P.S. Red pandas! They know me too well.

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Simple Make-Up | Copper & Pink

I am all for winged liner, smokey creases, and voluminous lashes, but sometimes it's just easier to sweep one colour on the lid and forgo the technical liner. This copper and pink combination is feminine, fresh, and natural. And with only a few steps, it is super quick to get ready in the morning.

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Juice Beauty Birchbox

On Thursday, I went to the Birchbox + Ann Taylor #ReadySetFinished event where I received a free Birchbox. I was super excited to see what would be inside and was even more excited to see that it was several Juice Beauty skincare products. I have been trying to find my ideal skincare routine and love trying products to help me become closer to that goal.

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Seven

 [Current obsession. Preston & I went through three boxes of this this week.]

 [Meeting Preston for lunch & window shopping in Union Square.]

 [A couple of new summery make-up items.]

 [Trying out new skincare from the Birchbox #ReadySetFinished Event.]

 [Finally found a Sephora with the mini Deborah Lippmann perk.]

[Loving braids.] 

  [Instantly downloaded this. Brains.]

Hope you had an amazing week!

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Ipsy | MyGlam August 2013

From North Carolina to Georgia to New York, my Ipsy bag has finally arrived. I have to admit I checked out "My Glam Room" early after finding out my bag would be delayed. I already knew I would love it, and I was anxiously awaiting it's arrival.

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Phillip Lim for Target

This is hands-down the most excited I have ever been for a Target Collaboration. And I have been excited for them all. I stalked my Target at opening for a week during the Missoni extravaganza; I have pieces from the collabs with Jason Wu, Prabal Gurung, Sam Edelman, Kirna Zabete, and more. It's a great way to have access to high fashion. What is really getting me excited is the handbags. From my memory, no previous collection has truly had a nice array of handbags. Sure there were designer neoprene laptop sleeves, pouches, and totes, but no designed handbags. As you can tell by my picks, I am in love. One, the affordability, two, I am a vegetarian and try my hardest to buy cruelty-free products, so I prefer non-leather items. The colour options for all the bags is great too; they are just stunning. I love the trapeze style bag and am debating whether I like this rich yellow or the also available classic black more. Another thing I am loving is the oriental print, particularly in this shirt dress and pajama set. And, of course, I am lusting after the leather jacket. You can bet I will be outside of Target early morning on opening day, September 15.

You can see all the items in the collection here.

What items are you loving from the Phillip Lim for Target collaboration? 

Are you with falling for the hype or are the Target collabs not your cup of tea?

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Fall for Duochromes

Lately, I have been obsessing over duochrome nail polishes. I mentioned on Monday my love for Essie's 'For the Twill of It', so I thought I would share my other duochrome nail polish picks. These jewel-toned colour-shifters are perfect for the upcoming fall season.

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Essie 'For the Twill of It'

The fall nail polish collections have been revealed, and I am, of course, smitten. Combine my love of nail polish with my favourite season, and you have my attention. Aimlessly flipping through a magazine, I came across the advertisement for Essie's fall collection. It was love at first sight. 

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Birchbox | August 2013

 This month Birchbox collaborated with Ann Taylor for the theme 'Finishing School'.

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Seven

Just sneaking in there with this week's Seven.

[Trying the Valencia Orange Refresher. Super orangey!]

[Wish list item: La Sardina Camera]

[Window shopping around Union Square]

[Mornings with Preston & ginormous muffins]

[Latest nail polish-check back tomorrow!]

[Enjoying the show at Celebrate Brooklyn]

[Happy cat.]

Hope you had an amazing week!

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Classic Wishlist

Just thought I would share some girly, classic items currently on my wishlist. 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light 

Zara Pointed Ballerina Flats

Diptyque Baies Candle

Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara

Teacup by Fifi Lapin iPhone Case

Zara Mini Office City Bag

Brandy Melville Rose Gold Chevron Knuckle Ring

Fossil Stella Rose Watch

As an owner of the original Zara Office City Bag, when I saw the new mini version on the site I was ecstatic. This will be perfect for fall, especially in this gorgeous navy colour.  I have been hearing so much lately about the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders. I am eager to purchase one but am debating between the Dim Lighting and Diffused Lighting. I think I am leaning towards Diffused, but if you own any of these powders let me know which you prefer! Another popular fad lately has been midi-rings. These rose gold chevron rings from Brandy Melville are the trifecta of trends and very inexpensive. I first saw the Zara Pointed Ballet Flats on Milk Bubble Tea's blog. Instantly it was love, so perfect. I love tea, bunnies, and my iPhone, and the print Teacup by Fifi Lapin merges all three and more with it's gray and blush colour scheme. I love the look of the packaging of Too Faced's Better than Sex Mascara as well as the cheeky name. The Diptyque candle and Fossil Rose Gold Watch are splurges that have been sitting on my wishlist for a long while now. One day, one day.

What's currently on your wishlist?

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My First Birchbox Order

I have been subscribed to Birchbox for over a year now, but as of this post had not ordered any full-sized items from their online shop. Instead, I had been hoarding my points in order to make a big purchase to mark my one year. By the end, I had accumulated 600 points, equivalent to $60 to spend. I coupled those points with a 15% off discount code. Additionally, I added a few promos to my cart. I ended up with a cart total of over $100 and reduced that down to $1.04.

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Seven

[Ordering a Happy Meal for the Toy.]

 [Spending an afternoon doing Nail Art.]

 [My first Birchbox order. Check back tomorrow for details!]

 [Having fun getting ready for date night]

 [Preston & my anniversary dinner at my favourite restaurant.]

 [Enjoying homemade lemon cookies with a cup of coconut tea.]

[Sunday food truck rally tradition.]

Hope you had an amazing week!

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Despicable Me Minion Nail Art & Pictorial

I am so excited about today's nail art. Weird confession: I love watching animated kids movies. The characters are always so adorable and the worlds fantastical. There is always the funny side character for comedic relief and in the movie Despicable Me and it's recent sequel, the Minions serve as just that. I love those little guys! Though I am a vegetarian and haven't been to McDonald's in years, I purchased a Happy Meal for the toy. That's right, no judging! Minion nail art has been popping up all over the place, and I knew I would just have to do my own rendition.

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