Sephora Friends and Family 2009

Sephora's Friend's and Family started today and runs until November 2. I haven't had much time to think of all the fun things I want to get, so all I have picked up so far are the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser and Soy Face Cream. After getting a facial at the Fresh Espace back in April, I'm in LOVE with their products and am excited about the chance to incorporate them into my daily skincare regime! I have read so many great reviews and the fact that they smell so fresh (I know, I know, but it's so true!) is just an added bonus. If I can think of some great undereye or anti-aging treatments, I'm definitely in for another order before this ends...

Although the promo hasn't been advertised nearly as much as in the past (what, no special flyer or email notification, Sephora?), you can enter FF2009 for 20% off your entire purchase. Remember you get 3 free samples of your choice and free shipping on orders over $50.

Cheers to the start of Friends and Family savings for us all!

Work Wardrobe and Then Some

Seems like every week there's a special sale, friends and family event, or what have you that entices me to bring out my credit card and swipe it like it's hot. This time it's the Banana Republic/Gap/Old Navy F&F; weekend that gives 30% discount on everything! I took the opportunity to amp up my work wardrobe for the fall.

I work in a conservative industry, and yet there are varying degrees of professional dress. My specific group gives a little more leeway to office wear; rarely do I see my supervisors wear full suits, and even then they wear skirt suits.  Actually, something I learned this year is that for very formal professional attire, a skirt suit is the way to go for women - not the pants suit as I originally thought. As apparel becomes more and more unisex (skinny jeans on guys anyone?), the skirt is one item that is still decidedly feminine. I like this differentiator in the workplace - women should not not have to dress up like men in the office; they can establish their own form of power attire.

Through these observations and seeing how colleagues and supervisors dress in my particular group, I now prefer to don skirts and dresses above pants. It makes working that much more interesting, and putting more effort into work wardrobes heighten confidence. Ok, that was a tangent, but it all segues into the pieces I chose and like from BR.

Pencil skirts are the skirt of choice for me, love the tapered bottoms which are more flattering. The high waist is also very "in" right now, and covered with a jacket allows you to wear a more casual blouse underneath vs. a button down shirt. I got a gray pencil, and this joins a black and navy one, filling in another "need to get" in my workwear.

No pictures online, but picked up a navy blue sleeveless sheath dress with ruffles on the shoulders. It's super cute and comfy though! The silhouette that a sheath gives is so classic and slimming. Also ordered a wrap dress that I don't know if it fits well yet. Wrap dresses are adorable for work and for weekends, the sash cinches the waist and the v-neck created by the overlap gives the illusion of a longer swan-like neck.

For fun, picked up two jewelry pieces, a mixed metal chain necklace, and a darker gray chain bracelet. This will go with both blacks/grays and warmer golds!! Love multi-purpose anything.

Going back this weekend to see if there are any good way-in-advance presents for my dad and bf. Stock up while the sale is still going on!

Shu Uemura Friends & Family

What's not to love about holiday season? Layering up with cute coats and scarves, tree lightings, crossing off items on wish lists, but best of all, all the Friends & Family events going on! Yeah you knew there was a beauty motive behind it.

Now through December 1st, Shu Uemura is offering 20% off your total purchase when you use the code SHUFRIENDS at checkout. Shu almost never has sales, so use this opportunity to gather wood for the winter, so to speak.

Need product recommendations? Most of what I love from Shu aren't makeup products per se - though I like and own several of their color products (they make great eyeshadows and blush), what I really like are Shu's skincare items and beauty tools in prepping the face.

I was introduced to the line through their highly acclaimed Eyelash curler, that is my number 1 must-have. I don't know any girl who has heard of Shu but doesn't own their curler. When I was 16, I saved up money to buy my first haha. Many replacements after (think I'm on #5 now), I'm still as enthusiastic about this curler as I was on day 1. A note - over time, the hinges will become softer and the curler will lose its shape. This happens with all curlers, and is the reason why yours should be replaced every so often... ideally every 4-6 months, although I don't practice this. I will say though, when I use my roommate's new curler, I can definitely tell a big difference in lash appearanace.

Depsea Water Facial Mist is another item in my shopping cart, as something I've been eyeing for awhile but didn't have the heart to pay retail. Facial Mist is similar to MAC's Fix+; you can spray it before and after foundation to set it, after powder to take away any cakeyness, and anytime your face feels dry and needs moisture. I like this particulary for cold New York winters, when my face takes a beating everytime it faces the wind. A technical improvement over Fix+ is that Facial Mist sprays on sheerer, whereas I feel Fix+ has a harsher spray. I would go with Rose, because the color is so pretty and smells classic!

Basic Mascara is another goodie-but-pricey-when-not-discounted. This simple mascara is great for daytime, and the applicator is really exact to grab all the wispy hairs. I also love the reflective pewter silver tube - it feels sturdy in my hand and makes the application process even more enjoyable.

The hardest part about Friends and Family events is remembering their named purpose - that they are meant to gift others with, and to share with friends and family.. but I end up buying all the products on my own wishlist instead! Funny how that works.