If you ever wondered what my Sundays look like, sometimes they look like magical re-imagining of my childhood and it is THE BEST.


First, let's talk about how DC came *out* for this show. Not only was the audience packed, it was packed full of people of all ages, races, and genders, and so many of them were in theme. Or full on costume. As in if I had gotten their any earlier and had had more time in the hallways I would have been hard pressed not to ask a million people if I could take their picture. Everyone was there to be their best geeky self and it made me a little sad I didn't buy that one Torrid bomber jacket that I loved (even though I'd never have worn it in real life). There's just an energy to that much joy, and then when the show started? All bets were off.


I was trying not to be the most terrible of guests so I dutifully didn't take out my phone until the end/post story performances, but this show was so much fun. I'd seen the simulcast that E Street Cinema hosted a few years ago, but nothing compares to being there in person while the entire audience cheers when Kunzite comes on stage with a light saber (I don't make the rules guys, I just report what I see). 


For a relatively simple stage setup, the variety of actresses (this is a full female cast - see Takarazuka history for some relevant information) make the most of it, singing and dancing with gusto. I think what probably surprised me the most was how much of the story is told without any dialogue at all. The Negaverse and the Dark Kingdom come on stage first, with a combination of projection effects, lights, and dancing to communicate their back story/introduce the kind of conflict that we'll be watching later when it comes to Sailor Moon and the Earth itself.

Watching the show I actually thought a lot about how accessible it was to people due to the lack of dialogue. I'm not saying the show was silent, there are obviously some words spoken between characters here and there, but honestly most of the emotion and story movement are done during the musical numbers. So if you'd watch any of the original subbed series, you didn't have to pay too much attention to the two screens projecting translations - I think all of us were quite aware of what Sailor Moon was saying as she screamed "Eeeeeyyeeee!" and collapsed crying on the stage. Or what was going through Sailor Venus's mind when during the big battle with Kunzite, she pulls our her heart sword/wand thing and there's a flash and a pause while images of the Silver Kingdom run behind the both of them. There couldn't have been a better "past life love conflict" interlude than that, lol. Though I later realized that Queen Beryl doesn't actually do anything but cackle evilly until the after show mini performances and that is awkwardly hilarious.

So all in all I loved everything about the whole experience. Getting to return to my childhood and this show I loved so much surrounded by people who loved it too, was awesome. I asked on Facebook if you've even truly lived if you haven't been in a packed Warner Theater while the entire audience sings along to "Moonlight Densetsu" and I kind of meant it. It's pretty unforgettable. And according to this detailed post on Sailor Moon News there are a couple performances this weekend in New York if you're reading this and in the area!

So first things first, I want to point out the obvious - I have not included the Paris purchases in the infographic. I went back and forth about it, but ultimately while I acknowledge that with their inclusion I went way over my intended purchases for the season, I don't regret it and I think one must make room for exceptional circumstances. Instead I've put them in their own category so we can more accurately discuss my "real time" Winter purchases.

Winter 2019 Purchases:
1. Black Midi Dress (Reformation)
2. Floral Midi Dress (Reformation)
3. White Jeans (J.Crew)
4. Puffer Jacket (H&M)
5. Orange Maxi Dress (Anthropologie)
6. Blue Romper (Free People)
7. Turtlenecks (x2, White & Mustard, Uniqlo)
8. Wool Sweater (Uniqlo)
9. Light Grey Turtleneck Sweater (Marine Layer)
10. Cropped T-Shirt (Marine Layer)
11. Slim Leg Jeans (Abercrombie, replaces a split thigh pair)
12. Leather Jacket (Ralph Lauren*, returned faux leather one from Nordstrom)
13-15. Black Leggings & Two Workout Tanks

*I didn't pay anywhere near that, thus why I bought the jacket

Paris:
1. C&A Yessica Loungewear Set
2. The Frankie Shop Believe Crew Neck Sweater
3. American Vintage Cropped Sweatshirt
4. American Vintage Wool Button Down Shirt
5. American Vintage Cotton/Wool Button Down Tunic
6. OYSHO Puffer Jacket

Shoes (Not Counted Towards Seasonal Total):
1. Waterproof Leather Booties (Kodiak via REI)
2. White Sneakers (Puma)
3. Nude Leather Sneakers (New Balance)

Of my real time purchases, I actually think I did pretty well. A significant number of the pieces I picked up were for Summer, and the winter additions I made turned out to be not only useful for my international trip, but for Winter as a whole. I wouldn't have initially told you that turtlenecks would make such a significant difference, because sometimes I am stupid. Adding a couple more turtlenecks allows me to be warmer AND create a different look with less pieces, which helped me see my wardrobe as a whole in a different light.

On the other hand, I'm not sure any of these wardrobe challenges are bringing me joy.  I like shopping, and at this point at my life I have such a discerning eye (*cough* picky *cough*) towards what I like, that I try a lot, return even more and purge even more after that. So does that mean I should feel bad about the stuff I've bought that's over a magical number? I really don't know. I definitely couldn't get on board with Mademoiselle's 5PFW challenge (props to her, I'm not committed enough) but I also am not sure opening the flood gates is the best answer either. I'm going to continue keeping track, that roundup from last year's data was very interesting to me, but on the rest I don't know.

I think the general consensus among my friends right now is that I need more green items in my closet. It's not a color I'm typically drawn to, but ooh, that is a-changing.

Since I like to be as real with myself as possible, I'm going to say that title up there is 100% correct. Even if I tried at it I probably couldn't pull off as effortlessly cool an outfit again (though believe you me, I will try). Stumbling upon this jacket in Ralph Lauren is one of those holy grail discoveries I'm not typically known for. I'd tried so many times since watching Lizzy's Testing Basics review to find that perfect leather/faux leather jacket of my own, and it'd always been close but no cigar. I did find one for a friend though, so not a total loss.

But this jacket is just AMAZING. It is both already broken in but still structured, fitted in the shoulder but still manages to hang perfectly unzipped (I could zip it, but I probably won't). And the final reason that I couldn't walk away from it was that it was down to $200. FROM $800. It was 50% off the red price and that, folks, is why you sometimes go into stores you usually can never afford, and try on everything.

So in my month long quest to find a new foundation I've ended up trying a bunch of new to brands, with some hits and misses along the way. Am I super devastated I don't match a color in Sisley's $170 tinted sunscreen? Not really, but at the same time there are moments when this undertone vs color battle has me ready to leap off the deep end and I'd love to just have *one* thing that worked. Still, in the pages of Neiman Marcus's beauty section I came across a new to me brand with a CCC cream that came in actual colors, deeper end of the spectrum colors, and what few reviews I could find seemed very positive. And with one click of the button (thanks free shipping) I picked up a few products to talk to you about today!


First up is a little bit about the brand. From the website,

"CLĒ is a team of artists, designers, and professionals dedicated to the belief that true beauty lies in embracing your natural self. We are not beauty insiders, experts, or cosmetic industry veterans; we are real women.

Guided by the belief there is truth in imperfection and freedom in fluidity, CLĒ Cosmetics is a minimalist lifestyle brand designed to support the contemporary woman with self-care basics pursuing the fullest expression of her personal power and sensuality.

Our skincare and makeup are created with safe, wholesome ingredients, the latest Korean beauty technology, and understated design. Intended to nurture the beauty of a woman's body, our effortless daily rituals focus on supporting the purity of your most natural state."

**I can't find where the brand itself is located, so I'm not sure if "Korean beauty inspired" is the same as actually being K-Beauty, but I've decided to just go with that label for now. Sorry if there's any confusion! 

Sounds nice, right? I didn't read this until after I bought the products but hey. Still sounds nice, lol.

But as I mentioned before, part of the reason I wanted to try this brand out was because their CCC Cream (color, control & change, SPF 50, $31/ 1oz) came in a much wider variety of shades than most brands, but especially for Korean beauty brands. At my time of purchase NM had 5 shades to choose from, but if you buy directly from the brand there are ten! Ten shades from light to dark, and apparently, for beige and yellow undertones! What I'm able to share with you today are my thoughts on Medium and Medium-Deep.


To skip to the end a little I have to admit that I didn't keep either shades, but honestly there is very little to complain about it. This is exactly as it's described, a medium-to-full coverage tinted complexion product, one that starts off white-ish and only shows its true color once you start rubbing it in with your hands. The finish is beautifully radiant, and ultimately too much for my oily skin, but the true deal breaker was the beige/gray-undertone to the medium shade. I think if I'd ordered Warm-Medium I'd find an almost perfect match, but while this formula wasn't too too dewy in the depths of winter, once summer arrives in DC I'm pretty sure there's no way it would stay put. Oh and my one con? The huge shade jump from Medium to Medium-Deep. This provides enough coverage that even with a light hand I'm not sure the shade could adjust enough to match the majority of people, but it's a great start from a smaller brand.

Now the winner? The winner is this amazingly beautiful, over the top Essence Moonlighter Cushion ($30) in Copper Rose.


This is a wonderful combination of "blinded from space" and "subtle skin sheen". I don't have other cushion highlighters to compare it to, only powder and cream, but this goes on BLINGY but somehow also sheers out to subtle incredibly easily, and even dries to the touch (it kind of makes me want to try this foundation over color trick). I don't know how many more colors I'd buy, there are three total, but I think Copper Rose is perfect for my medium/olive skin tone and I'm looking forward to using it as I pick back up my summer tan! Also, I'm now officially intrigued by the idea of their Essence Air Cushion, despite the fact that is sounds also too radiant for me.