Sometimes yes, sometimes no. This - I know it's shocking - was a no. LOL!

I happily spent the day at "orphans Christmas", a potluck event where my friends and I spend the holiday together surrounded by food and t.v. classics. No matter how you celebrate, or if you celebrate at all, I hope you had fun today and got to hang out with those who matter.

To compensate for the weird fluke in DC weather earlier this month I pulled out some lighter weight pieces and layered them for a Fall inspired look. I will (yet again) remind you all that I love this dress.

Sometimes I throw work a bone and actually wear dress pants to work. Yay professionalism!

Here are some of the sights, sounds, and shoppably wonderful things that have made me happy this Christmas. And in a time that has had some pretty craptastic things happen we all need a little extra to be happy about.

1) Holiday cards! Now if only they weren't so darn expensive ...



2) Someone really went there - a Dr. Who Ugly Christmas Sweater. If anyone out there was concerned about what to get me, I would not tell you no.



3) Ok I didn't think it was possible to really be THAT AWESOME but my love for Mariah Carey never dies. Combined with the adorable (so adorable!) children singing backup and all the instruments being toys and there was just no way I could resist this.



4) Not specifically holiday related (unless you count the 'why doesn't someone love me enough to buy me one?') these are just too awesome not feature. As sacred as I consider books these are off the chain: book page sculptures. AMAZING.



5) OMG Check out Epbot's house! I will never - ever - be as prepared or as DIY committed to decorate like this but I love every bit of it.

Let me start with a warning ok? There's no guarantees, buying makeup for friends. Often they've got their eye on something special anyway so while I like/love all of the products I'm recommending, never underestimate a giftcard. Some would say that it shows lack of 'imagination' but what could be more loving then helping your friend buy what they've always wanted?!


 * LORAC Unzipped Palette, $40
I *love* LORAC eyeshadows. They're also incredibly pigmented, smooth, and easy to apply. I like this palette for the neutral colors and the great combination of mattes and shimmers. 

* Stila In the Light Palette, #39
I'm super impressed with the quality of Stila eyeshadows and this palette is a total keeper. Great for making a variety of looks (it even comes with a little instructional booklet!) it even comes with a wonderful, long-lasting, easily smugeable eye liner.



* Laura Mercia Mini Lip Glacé Collection, $38
I admit this is a bit of wild card because I'm going off online recommendations here. But seriously, I've yet to hear anything bad about this brand and a set of  4 glosses at this price is a good deal. 

* Sephora Cream Lip Stain, $12
When I want a lip product 9 times out of 10 I really want it to POP and these deliver the goods. They stay put while only being slightly drying and come in a great selection of colors.



* NARS Foreplay Palette, $49
NARS is a staple for a reason, and this palette of 4 (blushes and highlighters) should work on any skin tone to create a beautiful, flawless face.

* tarte Smooth Operator, $28
As an oily skinned gal I am all about the powder and this is possibly the best one I've tried ever. It leaves my skin matte but not *too* matte and with a smooth surface that I can tell blush applies better on top of. A little goes a long way (as evidenced by the fact I'm still working with a Sephora VIB sample) so this big size should last forever!



* Illamasqua Mystery Box, $60 
(I can't find the link online but you should still be able to get this at Sephora)
I would caution this was as for the true makeup lovers only. Illamasqua specializes in the unusual sometimes and buying a mystery box, where you only know 2 of the colors, is a gamble. I chatted with my local Sephora representative about it though and he had me on that edge - if you know someone who likes to experiment, go for it!

* EyesLipsFace Studio Collection 11 piece brush set, $30
(This sight always has coupons - DON'T PAY $30 FOR THIS!!)
The Studio line from Elf has some of my favorite synthetic brushes. They're super cheap and that flat top powder? Perfect for liquid and powder foundations. The flat eye brushes are great for cream eye products and even for applying lipstick/gloss.

~~

If you're looking for a recommendation in another category let me know - or if you want something at a higher price point. I like makeup & skin stuff and I'm happy to help!

A little bit of an older outfit, when it wasn't quite so cold.

I was trying for a burgundy liner with  gold sparkle (think subtle Christmas) but sadly the Sephora liner turned the pigment kind of bronze-y. Sigh. There's always next time I guess!

Please excuse the wrinkles - some outfits suffer from the 'lunch time picture' blues than others, lol.

If you excuse me the long rambly post, I wanted to chat a bit about mystique. Or the lack there of, when it comes to your beauty routine, in a relationship.

India-Jewel (xojane) wrote a post recently talking about how for her, her extensive beauty routine would most definitely remain secret from any significant other ('How Much of Your Beauty Regimen Do You Hide From Your Partner?'). Rather than 'ruin the magic' she would keep up appearances because, well, that's what the other person was expecting when they started dating her right? Now originally reading this I didn't have much of a problem with her attitude because I have my own routine that I don't think is always the most flattering (skin masks anyone?) and if I don't feel all that cute covering up my zits then when would I let another person see all that? But ,as they often do, the comments below the article made me backtrack on some of my thoughts.


As someone's who not in a relationship it's hard for me to imagine my beauty routine as interesting per se, but according to a lot of people, men often view it that way (yes I recognize I'm generalizing, but I said I was responding to the comments ok?). I guess if I can visualize a relationship where each party finds the other sexy in sweats (a look I personally don't think is all that great on me), is it really that much of a step to see 'him' being ok with 'her' face being covered in green clay? I guess not, but it's a step. And in my brain I think I still see a difference between some admittedly goofy looking face treatment stuff and me putting on makeup. The eye work can be sexy, the application of false lashes can be different, but when I'm making my skin look like what I wish it could be? That is my covering my own insecurities and I don't think I'd want anyone witnessing it.

ooo sexy

Yes, yes I've read all about how men rarely - if ever - notice the differences in a woman's skin after applying makeup. But it almost doesn't matter if they notice because I notice, and the truth is I'm not doing it so much for them as I'm doing it for me. I guess that says it all now doesn't it? My routines are 90% for me, as I guess I've grown enough as an individual to care less what other people think. No I can't dye my hair purple because I work in an office and accept the limitations of that position, but when I'm doing my makeup I'm doing it so I feel pretty.

Except for those times I put on foundation to avoid those 'are you sick' comments. Fuck those guys. I'm not sick or tired, just slightly paler than I pretend to be. OK?!

Now India-Jewels progresses this argument to being akin to how once in a relationship she wouldn't be ok with 'letting herself go'. I admit to having my own judgey moments where I wish everyone would wear fun, comfortable, flattering clothing but even when I do that I can't help but acknowledge that my own use of the word flattering is subjective. That imaginary other person has no responsibility to me; they can wear whatever the heck they want to and I should keep my nosey nose out of it. I-J takes offense at one particular comment that looks to separate the two points and the whole reason for this post I guess is the fact that I agree with the commenter more than her. I-J choosing to judge the woman in sweats in Olive Garden as someone who's 'let herself go' should be recognized as subjective. I'm not saying she should immediately be perfect and never think badly of another person on the basis of looks ever, but there is, I feel, a separation between one's beauty routine and 'letting themselves go'. Each person has a different idea of how they think they look best and rather then undermining a solid article discussing her own choice when it comes to routines, I would have preferred she not gone the judgey route. I don't that being open about what you do to look/feel nice should be equated with 'letting yourself go'. If you feel good, your partner feels good, then everything's good right?*

What do you think? Would you hide your own beauty routine from a significant other? Do you ever find yourself judging others for 'letting themselves' go? I wanna know!

*I do not equate beauty routines with using the toilet. Sorry to let you down but I really really feel like the door should be closed for all that kind of business.

When a few days into my trip I realized that clothes were really not going to be my friend (shopping-wise) I decided that no one could blame me for a few beauty purchases. Most of these were picked up from ColorMix but a few I did manage to grab at a Sasa I visited before I left. Swatches will come later - it's cloudy in DC today - but so far I can happily say what I've used I love!

Face & Skin Care

I'd wear this kind of thing everyday if I had a choice about it. We'll see how long (if ever) it takes people at work to notice that while these are burgundy they're still technically jeans.

via

What the heck DC! I leave for a week and come home to dark skies and cold temperatures. Brrr.....

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, I recently spent some time in Asia and let me tell you - it was awesome! I've always had an interest in East Asia but the price ticket (after much stalking I got one for $1100) has been a deterrent. I'm not good at delayed gratification ok? Saving is something I'm working on getting better at but with the help of my tax return last year I was finally able to make it happen.

Even better for my budget I stayed with a friend of mine from college. Her and her family were completely wonderful in letting me invade their house (and their TV during election coverage) and I don't think I could have stayed so long or done so much without their generosity.


Often described as having the most beautiful skyline in the world, Hong Kong was a blast to visit. It's very English friendly, with almost everything repeated in English which makes independent traveling much easier. Plus everyone I spoke to in a professional capacity was just nice - I'm big on just asking when I don't know what I'm doing so I pay attention when people are open to it. Oh and the exchange rate isn't bad either, about USD $1 to HK $7.8.


I'm going to do another post on our sojourn to Taiwan, but in Hong Kong it was all about the shopping (& the eating, but that was true everywhere). I feel like everyday there was a new street market to see and new stuff look at. It's great for chotsky's but not so ideal for clothing; the cheapest stuff you can't try on and I am not built along the typical Asian lines. After a somewhat disappointing first try (biggest problem? My arms surprisingly enough) I just stuck to everything random that caught my eye. I mean, if I couldn't/didn't have to be sensible with my shopping then hey - I wanted everything else instead!

Since for the life of me I cannot find a size 14 in store, for this latest round of 'sale off a sale' at J.Crew I picked up two blazers to try. I definitely think this was the way to go because now not only do I have an idea of how they fit I have a new one to add to the closet!

I want this too. Poop.

With the love I have for the brand growing (despite its somewhat exorbitant price tag) I wanted to highlight J.Crew's current 30% off sale price promotion. I wouldn't say that anything is 'cheap' cheap, you'd probably get a better deal in store, but here are a few of the items I picked up to try. Use code 'MUSTHAVE' at checkout to save your own 30%!

P.S. - I specifically avoided anything final sale because the price point is just too high for me to buy anything without trying it first.

Prices reflect the 30% off savings (I know - I cried a little too)

You're probably not gonna believe me, but I brought like nothing makeup wise to Asia. I just didn't want to deal with it. I was going half way across the world, hopefully bringing back some cool stuff, and even my neurosis about the state of my skin wasn't enough to make me pack in the items, lol. Instead I brought one small makeup bag, a few items to play with it, and a few brushes to make it all happen.

Looking back to how I used it all I'd have to say that despite a few longings for purple eyeshadow I had everything I needed for a chill 'weekend' look. There were also a few items there to create a more dramatic look but I didn't end up sampling the HK nightlife.

If you're about to go on a trip I'd definitely recommend checking out your routine and seeing the possibilities for streamlining. I'm never gonna be the girl who only has enough makeup for one bag, but for 9 days? This didn't suck.




The Perfect Skin Perfection Gel is pricey (SO PRICEY) but I like what it does. It doesn't cover imperfections so much as impart a slight tint that livens up the face - along with mattifying everything while being water resistant. Combined with my MAC concealer and powder, I don't think I ended up with sweat face, so I'm happy. 

This Milani quad is a powerhouse (when I remember I own it). The colors are super flattering and it contains the first shadow highlighter I ever fell in love with. The matte tan is great for shading in the crease area and the dark brown does double duty at the lash line to create a smokey effect.



A combo of well worn  favorites here. Each of them can be used to create a variety of effects (especially the two liners) so I was very happy to have all of them with me. I can't say I that I like the NARS primer more than my tried and true UDPP but it does the job and sometimes that's all you need.



And last but not least, there are the brushes. Mostly picked for functionality, the combo was very helpful while I was gone. It might not have covered my ever want and need but again - travel is about doing the most with the least so....I'm happy.

What do you think - could you have survived 9 days with the little pouch of makeup you see here? What are your must haves?