Maybe she's born with it

On Sunday I attempted to paint my toes purple. But apparently nail polish expires. It was a bust. I decided to toss it and use the non-clumpy pink I also had on hand. And I decided I needed to invest in some new shades.

Last night I walked to the Smith's on 12th and Harrison and discovered, to my delight, that all Maybelline products were "buy one, get one free." Perfect timing.

I became the new, proud owner of Maybelline's Express Finish polish in Racey Red and Plum Intense.

It really did dry in about a minute and the color really did go on smooth and even. For the first time in my life I have red fingernails. It's spicy and I like it.

Perfect for sensitive skin

I've been using Aveeno cleansing products for a few years now. I tend to have dry skin year-round, and certain products will make me break out (like Almay's blending foundations!). These are light cleansers that are still strong enough to remove all my make up and leave me free from raccoon eyes.

Enjoy.

I've been a chapstick addict since Jr. High.

I'm always skeptical when my friends hit me up for Mary Kay/Avon parties.

But when my friend Alicia invited me to test some products, I did end up falling for the Satin Lips collection. I got it discounted so it was even better.

The first product is the mask. You use it to gently buff your lips (I like to do it in the shower) and you wash it off a minute or so later.

The second product is the balm. It gives my lips a little shine without being sticky. Even Kev has used it in a pinch and he liked it.

A unisex product is always a favorite in my house.

I enjoy being a girl

My sister and I both have pretty intense eye color. The difference between them is mine are always intensely blue, whereas hers lean toward blue or green on any given day.

Regardless of the inconsistency, we both use one of Almay's amazing products to highlight our eyes.

I have a lot of trouble picking out a suitable eye product. Some powder shadows are too light and just dust off during the work day. Others are too greasy and leave junk in my eye lid creases. Some products have great application but bad colors.

That's where Almay came in and saved the day. I've used this product since last Fall and I still love it. The trio of colors is developed to enhance your eye color and it actually stays. It complements my blue eyes without much fuss. Just sweep a combo of the colors on and you're good to go.



(blue, brown, green, hazel)

Since I'm so pleased with the "play up" combo, I think I'll add the "bring out" trio to my makeup stash this summer. There's nothing like fresh colors to give me a boost.

New York & Company

It's been a long time since I visited NY&Co, so today I refreshed my memory of the store. I found some amazing sale-priced items that I would love to welcome into my walk-in closet.

Gem Plaque Belt $16.06

I have one black belt. And I share it with Kev. I don't know why I'm so picky about black belts, but it has prevented me from buying one for over three years. This one might just satisfy all my requirements!

Logo Buckle Tote $27.96


This would perfectly complement many of my outfits. I lean toward cool colors in my work wardrobe with a few warmer elements here and there. It's definitely time to update my purse collection seeing as how most of them are cloth and polka-dotted and showing their age.

Embellished T-Strap Sandals $13.77

I love shoes. Enough said.

Disc Flip Flops $11.97

Pave Rhinestone Swirl Ring $10.17

Years ago when I was still in college I bought a ring from NY&Co that I still love. It's lost it's shape... somehow... it looks like it's been stepped on. When I got engaged to Kev, we didn't have a ring right away. People mistook the GIGANTIC rhinestone ring on my right hand as the engagement ring. It resembles this swirl ring, and for $10 I think I might just head to Layton and try one on.

Treat yourself!

You're never too old to scan the Wet Seal clearance racks.

I promise. The music may be ridiculously loud in the stores, but if you can tune it out it's worth finding your size. Even if you only go into a Wet Seal once, just find your size. It'll make online shopping easier. And online shopping means no loud music.

It's a win-win.

Twist sleeve shirt $7.99

Rosette skirt $11.99 (imagine with a plain fitted top tucked in so you can show off the rosette!)
Variegated stripe top $5.99

Swiss dot ruffle top $9.99 (I love ruffles lately)

Pleated front jacket $22.50 (I have a small "thing" for jackets)

Lace smocked top $14.99 (great layering piece)

I am in serious danger of accidentally going to Wet Seal and figuring out what size I need for that pleated jacket and button-up shirt. How perfect are they for summer workdays? Not that it's been sunny in Utah lately. But I hold out hope it will eventually stop raining every single day.

Happy shopping!

I wish these models had faces

Target has some amazing sales online. Check it out and score yourself some pretty summer dresses, or snag a clearance wintry sweater dress!

Merona Faux Wrap Dress $20.98


Merona Ribbed-Waist Dress $12.24


Merona Halter Dress $13.99



Mossimo V-Neck Dress $14.99



Mossimo Striped Sweater Dress $5.74



Mossimo Scoop Dress $19.59

Not too shabby

Shabby Apple is so unbelievably out of my price-range but I still find myself checking the site every couple of weeks. It's nicely organized and even recommends dresses based on body shape (go to the "Fit to Flatter" menu on the homepage).


I browsed again this morning since I decided to cut out my 10am snack. A girl's gotta stay busy if she's going to stay out of her lunch box!


Here are the ones that caught my eye:


Ballerina
Beauty Mark
Bon Voyage

Rita Hayworth

Yorkshire


Of course, I can't forget to include a link to this dress, which has been popping up on a lot of the blogs I frequent. It is quite fabulous.

A perk for Shabby Apple shoppers is the free shipping in the event you need to exchange your purchase for another size. It's great to have that reassurance when you're not sure what size you are for a given online shop.

Happy dress hunting! Please be sure to let me know if you become the proud owner of any one of these beauties!

Why pay more when you can pay less?

There's a Banana Republic outlet in my hometown of Freeport. That's usually the only time I shop BP. If you haven't noticed, it's fairly expensive. Good quality (usually) but expensive.

When I visit Freeport I always stop by the BP outlet for a fragrance or clearance-priced skirt. There's an outlet in Park City that I hope to check out soon too.

I got an email from BP and decided to browse their site. I found this beautiful bib necklace and although I didn't find an exact match at Forever21, I found a few less expensive necklaces that I think are comparable in effect.

Banana Republic Glam bib necklace $69



Forever21 Round cluster beads $8.80



Forever21 Antique beaded necklace $5.80


Forever21 Triple strand leaf necklace $10.80

It just goes to show that with a little time, you can easily find alternatives to items you initially fall for in higher-end stores.

I promise.

Out of the Wild; The Alaska Experiment

Kev and I love this show. It airs Tuesday nights on the Discovery Channel at 10pm E/P. We watch the free reruns on demand on Sundays.

First of all, most of the participants are originally east coasters. That means they have accents. I love their accents. It reminds me of home.

Secondly, I get so wrapped up in their plight to trek across Alaska in search of what may end up being a completely dilapidated shelter with no food or a place to sleep away from the elements. I love getting that involved in a show.

It's heart-wrenching to watch them share a field mouse between 7 people. And they're always so cold. I feel so badly for them.

The show also gets bonus points for not being a typical "reality" drama. It feels pretty real, so even if it's 100% staged they're doing a great job.

I think it's taking a short hiatus right now, but when it's back I'm looking forward to seeing how they do at their next shelter. Check it out!

I never covet electronics, but this has me obsessed:

The HP Mini is a recent discovery of mine. My office has one so students can sign up on the spot for Housing through their online Weber portal.

When our offices were once again out of comission due to re-carpeting, the staff camped in the common room and passed around the Mini so we could all stay entertained.

It's a 10" x 5" laptop. The keyboard is 92% the size of a typical 12" x 8" laptop, and the Mini only weighs 2.3 pounds. It fits in my purse.

Kev said it's possible that when I finish my sales agent course and pass my tests, we could buy a Mini as a present.

I need a study partner.

I really hate the theme song but that's what fast-forward is for

I couldn't stand this show when it was on TV, but now that I own all the seasons, I love it.

I don't really know how to explain that.

Delight in DownEast

DownEast Plaza Dress

DownEast South Street Skirt

DownEast Stratton Dress

Oh la la what a SALE!! Head over to DownEast Basics ASAP and check out their super inexpensive online inventory!

For the kitchen

Right now I have an old-school library desk in my kitchen. Maddie's kennel fits nicely under it, and the little shelf above the writing space allows me to keep plants, candles and metal tins out of the way while still adding visually pleasing elements to the kitchen.

Kev and I use the writing space for our unsorted mail and as extra prep space. The built-in counter original to the house probably measures a total of four feet. One foot is consumed by our petite microwave, and more precious inches are used up by the ever-present toaster (I need my poptarts!) and our knife block.

That's why I want something like this from IKEA:


Or this:



They offer a greater sense of permance (although the library desk is quaint and I do love it) and much more storage than just a simple work top. I'm not crazy about the natural wood color but hey, maybe if I ever get around to refinishing the kitchen table, I can stain one of these as well.

It's not likely that we'll be dropping $330 or $500 on additional kitchen storage, but a girl can dream, right?

Pour some sugar on me

When my sister visited a couple of months ago, we went to the Newgate Mall and enjoyed the "buy 3 get 3 free" sale at Bath & Body Works. We also cashed in a coupon and got a fourth lotion for free. SWEET.

Anyway, at the time I was in love with the Wild Honeysuckle lotion. It was very light and refreshing. I have a hard time with over-powering lotions. I usually lather on unscented Suave body lotion in the mornings.

But I'm glad I gave Honeysuckle a try. I have a couple of bottles of lotion stocked up as well as a body wash. I thought I had found my new favorite flavor.




And then I found Butterfly Flower. It's one of the newest scents from B&BW and holy cow.


I kid you not, when I put this lotion on I feel like I'm laying in a field of wildflowers. It is so delicious. On my drive home from work I pass over a river and a large field. There is lots of lush vegetation and when I have the windows down, I honest-to-goodness smell the exact fragrance that has been infused into this lotion. It is amazing.

I'm sorry to say that the semi-annual sale at B&BW is probably over. So keep your eyes peeled for their next big event and snag yourself this airy, springy lotions ASAP.

I hate the super-mannequins, but the clothes are worth the annoying marketing ploy

I got this cross-front tank in black from Old Navy's clearance for $4. Boo-yah! I already had GAP's version in white (from the Park City outlet!) and I love love love how it feels when I'm teaching pilates. I'm not constantly pulling it down or adjusting the straps. It has a built-in bra, so for ladies like myself who have a modest B-cup, it's a good thing. The less layers I have to wear while working out, the better.

I also picked up this twill blazer while I was browsing the clearance and it fit like a dream. I'm a big fan of Old Navy's light-weight jackets (I have different styles in green and hot pink too) so whenever I find one for under $20, I usually go for it. This is more expensive online, so if you have the time I suggest digging through the clearance section in person. It's so worth it. A blazer can dress up an outfit for going out, or just be the finishing touch on your work ensemble.

Last but not least, I scored a $10 sweater before calling it a day. I know it's too warm now for even a light sweater, but this will be a great punch of color in the fall and early winter months. When I went to Maine for my brother's wedding last winter I went on a sweater buying spree because I realized that the two I had just weren't cutting it. That's the beauty of living in an outlet shopping town! Anyway, I love this. I've been drawn to birds lately, whether in fashion or art.

I know it's frustrating to dig through the unorganized racks of clothes in the clearance section (of most stores) but it's worth the time invested. You end up finding things that you would otherwise miss or pay too much for online or at another store. Plus, I think it's incredibly satisfying to walk away from a mess of clothes with steals under $10.

Go on, covet my mad skills.

Ruffles and simplicity

Ruffle Trim Top

Wonder Tee

Scoop Neck Tee

At Seth's last weekend, I ventured over to the new Forever21 in Sandy's South Towne Center.

Fabulous.

I snagged the ruffly pink top above and the scoop neck (which is only $4.50!) in a variety of colors.

I followed up with a quick trip to DownEast in the Newgate Mall for the versatile Wonder Tee to wear under my new frilly top. I had to exercise great restraint in order to walk out of there with only one Wonder Tee. They're on sale right now 4 for $30 (buy 3 get 1 free).

Definitely my new favs.

I think I could handle having about 2 dozen dresses from this site:

ModCloth

Some of their SALE items are lovely as well.

Allow me to tantalize you with a few pretties:

*This glittery dress is my favorite!*

Go check it out and discover what you can no longer live without!