Accessories for Your Accessories

When I was younger I begged my parents to buy me a Super Nintento. After I got it along with the Super Mario play pack, I asked for extra controllers so my friends could play together. Then I wanted more games like Dance Dance Revolution...and then of course I needed the stomp pads to hop around on. You come to realize that when making a relatively large purchase, it's never in a vacuum and necessitates the future purchase of other things to go along with it. Accessories begat accessories. These businesses are smart.

After I got my Celine, I fretted about how to protect it from spills, stains, scratches, etc. Gotta protect your investment! The Purse Forum has a hugely helpful community to share resources and I learned about Meltonian Waterproof and Protector Spray. It's worked so far - and didn't alter the color of the purse either. For the inside though, I still worried whether placing heavy items would cause the bottom to bow. Past versions of the Celine with pebbled leather tended to slouch over time and create a saggy butt look = do not want. TPF'ers also mentioned bag inserts for the Mini's which I'd always heard about for organizational purposes but was now more interested in as it had a solid cardboard lining to prevent saggage. The most popular brand seemed to be Chameleon, which I ordered and recently received:

It works fantastically. The top picture of sans insert = sad and droopy. The bottom picture has just the insert inside = standing up straight! There are side cardboard inserts but I removed since it prevented the sides of the Mini to tuck in. I mostly just wanted it for the bottom protection anyway, which it did really well. Yesterday I had carried a ton of stuff in my bag (including a large padfolio, water, pumps to change into, makeup) and the bottom stayed even and flat, no giveaway signs of the weight inside. Plus, it's nice to have all the pockets and zippers to find and store items. I might transfer this into the messy pit that is my Longchamp Pliage for organization.

Chameleon lists multiple sizes and also offers unstructured and structured (has the cardboard) versions of the inserts. For the Mini, the XL fit perfectly with no extra room on the sides.

Another accessory for accessories is my Graphic Image eBook Reader Envelope for the Kindle - I love this! I like the naked feel of holding the Kindle so I opted for a case that I could remove at will instead of a bulkier cover that's stuck to the device. I like Graphic Image (they make the best planners) and trust the brand and quality. Love the sleek design and the lining is soft, nestling the Kindle just right =) Toughest part is choosing from all the colors, but I really liked the mustard yellow which has a nice sophisticated feel. I found mine via MyHabit for $35 so there are definitely other venues to get this for much cheaper than MSRP. Team Kindle!

Weekend Instagram

Hope everyone had a good weekend! I'm disappointed with the switcheroo that CA and NY pulled on me with the weather - it was rainy, gloomy and for the most part, very chilly in the Bay Area, while I jealously read tweets from East Coast counterparts about the 70+ degree gorgeous sunshine.

Top left: Am I the last person to find out about Daiso, Japanese dollar super store? If only I had my own place to decorate. This Saturday, my friend Eveline took me for the first time and I was itching for all the adorable housewares, including cutesy lunch boxes that I can't wait to make into bentoboxes for um, future kids. Foursquare also tipped me off to the beauty section, with its extensive false eyelash selection - will keep these in mind for Vegas or special occasion events. I picked up some hair tie ropes and chestnuts for snacking.

Top right: To honor St. Patrick's Day, I pulled out the only green thing I had, this Yoshi tshirt that was a genius gift for the bf. The bottom words say "games" in Chinese, which is pronounced "yo shi"!

Bottom left: H&M has stepped up its game and is enticing me with all the recent offerings. This is the third time I've bought stuff from the store in two weeks. Today's goods: khaki crocheted sweater perfect for layering over maxi dresses/skirts during summer, breezy black asymmetrical hem top on sale, white vest for layering (pattern emerging: I love holey knits for summer), and a geometric pyramid gray/white bracelet. 

Bottom right: Coachella wristbands are heeerreee! On my shopping list is what to wear for this music festival. Boho, carefree, but mostly being comfortable as I'll be on my feet for the better part of the days. Can't believe it's 3 weeks away.

Have a great week!

Run For Cover: Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer Review

Stress for me this year meant having less than one month to 1) pack four years of NYC living into 16 boxes and three suitcases, 2) find subletters to take over the rest of my lease, and 3) frantically squeeze in and check off as many "bucket list" items as I could...then moving cross country and now daily prepping for recruiting and interviews in CA. Ack! My skin's exhibiting symptoms of stress and while I'm using some trusty acne fighters (Mario Badescu Drying Lotion and Acne.org regimen), there's no replacement (yet) for a great concealer to mask newly-popped or old scars.

Who knows when I'll finally win the war against breakouts and acne, but for now, I at least have a new weapon to fight my battles with - Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer. I was strolling around SF's adorable Union Street in the Marina district and walked into Sephora, intending to get a replacement for my Nars concealer, but was open to seeing if I could get a recommendation for other products. Nars did a good job color matching to my skin (I used Ginger btw, which is fairly yellow) but after they switched to a new, slimmer packaging, I felt the formula also slightly got tweaked to a drier, more chalky finish = not blended in super well. Meh.

My first stop was the Make Up For Ever (MUFE) counter since I use their HD Foundation, really like how it feels/looks on, and haven't broken out from it. Why not try something else from the line? It'd been good to me so far & I reward performance with loyalty =P I was looking for some heavier coverage to hide fresh breakouts so the Full Cover concealer looked attractive. A rep helping me also suggested Stila but after we did some cheek to cheek comparisons, she said the Stila felt oilier and slid around during application which wouldn't be good for my already oily skin. The MUFE stayed on better - probably due to it being waterproof so it's drier.

#7 was a color match for my skin and I've been using it now for the past 3 weeks to very good results! No adverse reactions from my skin, and great coverage of dark spots, especially older, flat scars. It's oil-free, waterproof, and doesn't feel heavy. As far as long-lasting, it holds up for least ~4 hours but I do see that I would need to reapply in the late afternoon. However, this could be because I don't finish with a powder on top to fully set the concealer (train case is still packed away somewhere!).

One negative is that it oxidizes a bit and gets darker, but I can deal with that. Also, after a few sunny afternoons I've tanned a little and will probably need to go a shade darker for my "summer" tone. The shades don't go in order (ex. #8 is too peachy instead of yellow-based) so I would likely need #10.

Some "after" pictures for results after application - not willing to post "before" pictures, but I definitely have visible dark spots and pitted scars on both cheeks, near forehead, and a few live ones near the eyebrow that are still visible since concealer unfortunately can't magically make the larger 3-D bumps go away. It doesn't make everything perfect - I have no disillusions that any product can actually make you look airbrushed with active acne going on - but as of now, this is my new go-to concealer. At $30, it feels like a good value as a little goes a long way and well, it works! Just wanted to share if you were on the lookout for a promising product =)

The Sun Sets in the West

It's been a hectic start to 2012 - from here on out, Michelle and I are making an effort to be more active in the blogosphere! Regardless how many people read our posts, it's nice to have a little piece of the web to call our own. Also, based on my recent post-shopping experiences where I hunt relentlessly for online reviews of things I buy to justify my purchases, you can never have too many blog posts.

The biggest change in my life: after 3.5 years living in Manhattan and absolutely having a ball, I've moved back to California and am starting fresh! There's no place like NYC and it will have a special place in my heart forever, but I am so excited to explore San Francisco and uncover gems to make it feel like home.

In my last month in NYC, I played tourist (finally attended a taping of Letterman) and basically shopped and ate my heart out. 

Before I left, there were several events planned and I was lucky to attend, my favorite one being the Estee Lauder visit. We got to see and walk around Estee's original office, which was meticulously preserved. Her original choice of furniture, wallpaper (which was completed by hand), and decor are left as it was when she was still there. The upper right picture is of her "secret" vanity and bathroom - it's behind a camouflaged wall panel!

It was super sunny the morning of the big move. I loved and am missing my neighborhood - Chelsea! Had to grab one last cinnamon raisin bagel from Murray's, cappuccino from Joe the Art of Coffee, and enjoy both on the Highline one last time and soak it all in. 

My goodbye gift to self - a Celine Mini Luggage in Souris, which is a taupe-y mushroom greige. February ended up being the month of Celine, with two other friends also getting Luggages (the red is a friend's bag - so gorgeous! and I've let go of the pink).

The leather is scrumptious on this bag; this is the new drummed leather for 2012 Resort which is stiffer than the old pebbled so should retain its shape better. To be on the safe side, I still bought a bag insert to prevent the bottom from sagging. I wish the bag was lighter; even with just my wallet, Kindle, vitamins and a scarf inside, the purse rests on the heavier side and I find myself rotating positions between handheld and crook-of-elbow to alleviate pressure. It's still beautiful though so its negatives are forgiven.  

I've been exploring San Francisco every weekend and it's glorious! The best part is definitely all the people here - my boyfriend also moved west last year, my college and high school friends are here, and so are my family. I'm looking forward to being a ton more outdoorsy here (in Manhattan I counted living in a 5th floor walkup as my exercise) and exploring the distinct characteristics of SF's charming and endearing neighborhoods. I welcome any tips and suggestions!

Falling Slowly

Is it really time for the holidays already?! It literally seems like summer was just yesterday... Between moving into my new apartment (with Jessica of See Jessica Go), exploring our new DTLA neighborhood, studying for my GMATs and heading into the busiest time of the year at work, finding time to blog and keep up with reading blogs has been tough! I will forever love Coastalpolitan, but I think blogging will have to continue to be a rare occurrence given the other demands in my life right now...

As a quick check-in, though, I thought I'd share some highlights via pictures shot with my beloved new iPhone 4S (I couldn't be more excited to finally be rid of my ancient 3GS!). All photos were edited using the Camera+ app (collage was made using Photo Frame Maker HD).

Mignon (Downtown): One of our first DTLA discoveries was Mignon Wine and Cheese Bar. Conveniently located on 6th and Los Angeles, Mignon is cozy and stylish with its wraparound circular bar. The wine was delicious and the owner was personable and accommodating. I would definitely recommend this place for a low-key Friday outing with friends or even a date! Being able to hop on over to BabyCakes next door also made the visit a treat. :)

Mazinga (Koreatown): I always credit my undergrad days at Berkeley for introducing me to the amazingness of (and addiction to) Korean fried chicken and spicy rice cakes with ramen. Finding a place in LA that caters to these two cravings was a delightful surprise! Unlike most Ktown establishments, this place does not allow indoor smoking so my asthma-stricken lungs were quite happy. On me: Top from Reverie Market (online store launched by Danni of ohhellofriend. She is so crafty!).

Forneris Farms (Mission Hills): I've always wanted to visit a pumpkin patch and it's silly that it's taken me this long to go, but it was well worth the trip into the Valley! We roamed around the corn maze, picked out a medium sized pumpkin and turned it into an adorable Hello Kitty! It was pretty impressive, I must say!

Bricks & Scones (Larchmont): This place is undoubtedly the best study cafe I've been able to find in all of LA! There is always space at one of their spacious tables in The Study and unlike most cafes, it's actually quiet enough to concentrate. Their coffee and teas are tasty and I've always received great service while here. We've always lucked out with parking, but the private lot is rather small so I can imagine it being difficult to plan a full study day here without snagging a spot in the back. Bricks and Scones, I wish I could come study here everyday.

Los Angles County Art Museum (Mid-Wilshire): Ah, the beautiful LACMA lightposts! When Jess's best friend visited LA, we had to take her out here for a photoshoot. We missed the Tim Burton exhibit, but the brisk November weather still made for a perfect visit! On me: Zara ruffle blouse, Citizens of Humanity Avedon Jeggings, Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, Chanel classic studs. My unruly long hair is now the perfect length for my favorite side-braid hairstyle. Yay!!

Studio DeLucca (Long Beach): My friends and I spent last weekend down in Long Beach crafting some cute custom-made necklaces at Studio DeLucca. We've been wanting to try our hand at jewelry making for a while now and the class turned out to be an excellent choice. The studio was very homey and the girls running the studio were extremely patient, talented, and fun!

Lula Glitter Ballet Flats (J.Crew): My favorite of all my recent purchases!! I've been on the hunt for adorable glitter flats for some time now and the recent J.Crew 25% off sale allowed me to try both the Glitterati and Lula flats. I was sure I'd fall deeply in love with the classy looking Glitterati skimmers, but when the shoes finally arrived, I was surprised to find myself quickly favoring the more comfy style of the the Lula's. Both are beautiful, but these were definitely the perfect choice for me. I cannot wait to wear these with everything in the coming months! Lovelovelove.

Maybeeee, I will post up some more photos of my room and apartment, but I thought this was a great way to share some of my favorite decor items since decorating the apartment has been my biggest obsession lately. Luckily, our apartment comes with spacious walk-in closets for each of us, so I was able to get away with buying the smaller Koppang dresser from Ikea and decorating the nook with plenty of knick knacks! Found here: (1) Anthropologie flower wall hooks, (2) Desktop photo calendar by Irene Suchocki, (3) "I Love You, Blogs & Tea" print by Jen Ramos, (4) Tea light holders from IKEA, (5) Anthropologie Capri Blue Candle-in-a-Jar (Volcano is the best smelling scent EVER), (6) Anthropologie Zinc Letter "M", (7) Photo ledge from IKEA.

Happy Fall, friends! Hope to be back again soon! 

A Coralistic Summer

When deciding on my summer wardrobe color palette, I was focused on really building up a fun and colorful collection. White has always been my prime pick for the summer because of its simplicity and softness. However, this was going to be the year I was going to change it up a little! It's funny, though, how my mind seems to only know how to focus on one color at a time... So much for diversification. Over the past few weeks, there's been a clear winner... CORAL. My obsession with the color began back in my days of hunting down the perfect coral dress for Senior Prom... Perfectly balanced with just the right amount of energy for the summer, it's no surprise that my love for it has easily and quickly resurfaced... and not a complete surprise that I've been buying coral bits and pieces with a furor lately.

Essie Canyon Coral: I picked up this pretty polish for only $2 at Starlight Beauty Supply in DTLA! I love digging in the "value bin" and finding discontinued colors at an absolute steal. The store focuses more on China Glaze and OPI, but I've never left without some awesome Essie finds! I like to check out the bin here before heading across the street to Hollywood Nail Supply where I can score some newer shades for $3.50 (like the gorgeous Braziliant from the new summer collection). These two stores have become an addictive stop for me whenever I'm in the area...

Coral and Gold Bangles: I'm still learning how to accessorize more with bracelets and bangles, but this set was definite love at first sight (impulse buy!) while checking out at SUO in Monrovia. The store features the usual collection of cute dresses and tops, but lately I've really been lucking out with the jewelry here. Earrings, necklaces, and bracelets range between $8-$20 and offer up some unique alternatives to the likes of Forever 21 and H&M. I've been mixing and matching these bangles with some of my other bracelets and love that I can even group the bangles within the set for a different look each time!

Kimchi Blue Silk Tank: My coworker and I have been sneaking off to the Urban Outfitters near work every week or so and have been enabling each other to buy one too many things lately. I was happy when I found this tank on sale (had previously decided I couldn't talk myself into paying $50 for something so little...). The little flare out back is super fun and the lace detailing is absolutely adorable. I wore the top paired with white shorts for a daytime look and then quickly glammed it up with black jeggings, heels and a necklace for a night outing! Simple, fun and comfortable--this will be getting lots of wear for the rest of summer!

Mossimo Twist Bandeau Top: Ever since I can remember, I've bought most of my swimsuits from Victoria's Secret... probably out of laziness since it's a one stop shop. I purchased a cute dotted bandeau suit a few summers back and it's become the only one I've worn since thanks to the lack of strap tanlines. Since I've pretty much decided triangle tops are no longer for me, I've been in desperate need of an additional bandeau suit. This Mossimo suit from Target was the absolute perfect choice for that! Although more reddish looking in the photo, I guarantee that it's the prettiest shade of coral in real life. The best part is that it pairs adorably well with some other bottoms I have. Can't wait to wear this for the upcoming July 4th weekend!

Ecote Macrame Skimmer: Ecote sandals are quite the staple in my summer wardrobe. Thankfully, their flats are just as cute and comfy. My friends were a little cautious about me buying them and I was a little concerned about possible pairings, but I've literally been wearing these with everything! They're the perfect pop of color for any outfit and are so light, I catch myself reaching for these over my sandals even on weekends! Loveloveloveeeee. The Kimchi Blue Peep Toe in coral or yellow was also a covet of mine.

...And if all that isn't enough, I recently stumbled upon the most beautiful Coral Necklace from Bauble Bar. This gorgeous necklace was featured by the fabulous Budget Babe (fashioned after AnnaLynne McCord) and I cannot stop thinking about it! P.S. I am kind-of-sort-of really obsessed with those cute boat shoes as well...

I hope everyone is having a lovely summer so far! Work has been light and I can't lie and say that half-day Fridays aren't the most amazing things that's ever happened to me since I started working! ;) What color are you loving for the summer season? Any recommendations for some more additions to my wardrobe?

Self-Gifting: June Birchbox

June's Birchbox arrived yesterday! This month's samples were awesome, and from reading members' reactions on the web, the Laura Gellar full-sized Blush n Brighten Duo seemed to be the major attraction. June's theme was travel-friendly products, so all items in the box related to making trips easier and more comfortable.

If the Birchbox name is unfamiliar, here's what you need to know: each month, you receive a beautifully presented box of 4-5 samples (and some are actually full-sized products) at a cost of $10 a month (or $110 if you prepay for a whole year's subscription). Items included range widely but can be skincare, haircare, makeup, food (chocolates and other sweets), etc. It's just like giving yourself a gift regularly except you don't know what's in the package. The surprise and discovery elements are the best part!

I signed up for the March box and have been looking forward to the bright pink shipments every month since. Five of my coworkers have also signed up, and I love seeing what everyone gets since the box contents vary depending on skin type and complexion. I'm not always impressed with every single thing I receive but for the most part, have been very happy with my experience so far and think it's worth the cost.

June's contents and some quick thoughts:
1) Archipelago pomegranate soap - repeat from last month, which was surprising but it's okay because it smells good!
2) Deborah Lipmann Stripper To Go portable nail polish removers - each pack has a mitt that removes polish on all 10 fingers, pretty useful for weekends away when you don't have a bottle of remover
3) Sircuit Molecular Mist
4) Kate Spade Twirl perfume spray - I don't prefer perfume samples since these are always available from Sephora
5) Laura Gellar Blush n Highlight in Como/Portofino - gorgeous duo with shimmer for the summer

If you end up loving a sample, you can purchase the full sized item through the Birchbox store and get free shipping. They also sell other goods in the shop but only offer free shipping on the featured products of the month. There is a loyalty program that rewards you for spending through them, and when you rack up enough you can exchange them for products. The shipping promotion and rewards programs are good motivators to buy through Birchbox, because otherwise the price points are the same and sometimes slightly higher than the retail prices through Sephora.

What I think is a strong selling point of Birchbox is its content found in Haute Box. You'll find videos, articles and how-to's relating to beauty, sort of like having Total Beauty + Sephora rolled into one. It's useful also for learning how to use all the samples that came in your box.

From past months...(been meaning to post these for awhile haha)

Rustic looking package

Sweetly wrapped in hot pink tissue paper... love!

March box - I really liked the Pangea Organic lip balm (full size) and the I Need to Heal aloe mask

May box - the AHAVA hand cream felt amazingly smooth and the Bvlgari Jasmin Noir smelled really good!

Intrigued? Sign up through my referral link! Hope there's something awesome in the next box for you =)