Prabal Gurung for Target: My picks

Hi Beauties,

As many of you probably know, the Prabal Gurung for Target collection has launched in-store and online. To be honest, I didn't do the "prep-work" I usually do for the target collaborations, which include researching launch dates and combing through the online lookbook deciding which pieces to invest in. The Prabal Gurung collection was a completely different story, because at first glance (seeing the commercial) I wasn't impressed. I thought the patterns looked unwearable. But after looking further in-depth online after the launch, I found some really great gems that would be great transitional pieces from winter to spring. I'll list my picks of some of the pieces I think would be a great addition to any closet. 

Sleeveless Blouse in First Date Print- $26.99

This blouse reminds me of a Rock&Republic shirt that I have that I love to pair with faux-leather leggings and heels on a night out. I feel like this piece could really be dressed up or down. The black detailing paired with the floral print really makes this blouse a staple that could help transition from a winter to a spring wardrobe. 

Sleeveless Tee in First Date Print- $26.99

This tee with the mesh detailing is another gem. I could see this also paired with faux-leather leggings, but with flats and a denim boyfriend style shirt layered over it. I feel that if this piece is styled more casually, it would make this print more wearable for the everyday. 

Ruffle Dress- Apple Red- $39.99

This Apple red ruffle dress is what I would consider the most wearable piece out of the entire collection. This could easily be transitioned from work to a night out, and would be absolutely gorgeous for the Kentucky Derby! The apple red color really demands attention while the cut of the dress is really girly and fun. It looks like it would be fun to twirl around in! (Am I the only grown up who still likes to see how my dresses spin when I twirl around?!) 

Colorblock Long Sleeve Sweater in Atlantis Green- $29.99

This is another really wearable piece that would be nice to wear during the transition of seasons. I would wear it with skinny jeans, riding boots, and a top knot.

Shorts in Floral Crush Print - $ ? (In-store only!)

These shorts definitely make a statement. They could be dressed up or down, but I think with a black button up blouse tucked in to these shorts, and a simple black pump, they would be perfect for a night out. 

Peplum Top in Floral Crush Print - $ ? (In-store only!)

If I'm being honest, I'm still on the fence with this one. The silhouette and structure of the top is gorgeous, and I love the black trim against the floral print, but the spacing of the flowers on the top section is the part I'm unsure about. I really like the print on the bottom, but there's just something about the spacing on the top. Does this borrow anyone else?

Wedge Sandal with Ankle Strap Black/Grey - $29.99

I LOVE these wedges!!! The small wedge heel would be comfortable enough for the office, or a night out. Like everything in the collection, the heels could be styled casually or dressed up. I will definitely be going to target to find these babies! 

Shirt Dress in Nolita Print - $ ? (In-Store Only!)

This is my absolute favorite piece from the entire collection. If I could only pick on piece from the collection, this would be it. It could be worn alone, belted. It could be worn with jeans, leggings, or layered under or over something else. The possibilities are really endless with this shirt dress, and I have to say the Nolita print is my favorite print from the collection.


Have you guys picked anything up from the collection? What is on your Prabal Gurung for Target wishlist?

xox,
Erin

Kentucky Proud

Hi beauties,

If you didn't know, I'm a Kentucky girl born and raised. I LOVE to buy local products, because not only does it help the local economy, but it supports small businesses. Back in December, I went to something called "Southern Lights", which is where you drive through and look at over one MILLION Christmas lights. My family and I usually go every year, and it is something that I always look forward to. Something else that's great about Southern Lights, is that they also have an facility where local companies set up booths and sell their Kentucky Proud products. I always love browsing through and seeing all the local products. This year, I came across a booth selling all natural handmade bath and body care products called "sassa Bella". I am a vegetarian, and have a love for natural products, so I was so excited to talk with the owner at her booth and learn that all of her products are made without petroleum products, parabens, silicones, synthetic preservatives, artificial fragrances, GMOs, alcohol, or animal testing. I decided to purchase a few of her products to test out, and I'd love to share them with you.

 [L-R] Tea Tree Lavender exfoliating oatmeal soap, Lavender Calming soap, Peppermint Refreshing soap, Lemongrass Spearmint Uplifting soap, Pumpkin Pie soap, Vanilla body cream, Ageless Skin Geranium Rose face cleanser. 


Descriptions: [Directly from their website]- Link: HERE

Tea Tree Lavender soap: "Looking for a soap that can do everything? The Tea Tree Lavender Oatmeal pretty much can. Contains the Jill and Jack of all skin trades, Lavender and Tea Tree. This soap was developed with nourishing certified organic plant oils that provide moisture while gently cleansing away dirt and grime leaving you with clean and deodorized skin. Both 100% pure premium grade lavender and tea tree essential oils are antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic, and are know for their skin healing properties. Oatmeal is added to relieve dryness, heal skin irritations, absorb surface dirt and impurities and provide gentle exfoliation, leaving skin smooth, soft, and clean."

Lavender Calming soap: "This simple natural lavender bar starts out on the right petal with nourishing certified organic plant oils that provide moisture while gently cleansing. Wash, inhale, and relax with the soothing, calming and healing benefits of 100% pure premium grade lavender essential oil. To experience therapeutic bliss, use as part of your evening skin care routine to enhance relaxation and promote a general sense of well being."

Peppermint Refreshing soap: "This holiday Soap is wonderfully reminiscent of the candy cane. The soap starts with nourishing certified organic plant oils that provide moisture while gently cleansing. Peppermint is refreshing with a minty fresh, cooling, slightly camphor-like, candy-like aroma, and it awakens your mental alertness and concentration. Red clay is a mild clay that is great for normal to dry skin to gently cleanse and exfoliate while improving circulation. Enjoy the refreshing and cooling feeling on your feet."

Lemongrass Spearmint soap: "If you are looking for a bar that’s invigorating and helps to jump start your day, this is the caffeine for your shower. The nourishing certified organic plant oils provide moisture while gently cleansing. The lemongrass and spearmint essential oils create fragrant bliss and will have your senses begging for more. Lemongrass is refreshing, rejuvenating, stimulating, and balancing, it inspires and improves mental clarity. Spearmint is a rich antioxidant and promotes a sense of balance and well-being. Apricot kernel meal is added to provide exfoliation. French green clay absorbs impurities from the skin, revitalizes, tightens pores and is marvelous for problem skin. Excellent for acne prone skin. This is a customer favorite!"

Pumpkin Pie soap: "Remember when you first walked into Grandma's house on Thanksgiving and you smelled the fresh pumpkin pies just coming out of the oven? Our Pumpkin Pie soap is so reminiscent of the nostalgic scent that you just might want to put a dollop or two of real whipped cream on top and enjoy a taste, its that good. There's more to this soap than just harvest fun, with nourishing certified organic plant oils that provide moisture while gently cleansing." 

Vanilla body Cream: "Vanilla Shea Butter Body Cream is formulated with nature’s most powerful moisturizing ingredients to restore your skin’s natural moisture balance, provide nourishing skin food, and an uplifting aromatherapy experience."

Ageless Skin Geranium Rose face cleanser: I can't find this on the site. It may be discontinued! 

I wish you guys could smell these soaps, they are so fragrant and pure, it's amazing. I've already used up the Tea Tree Lavender soap, and loved it! It was chocked full of oatmeal, which exfoliated my dry skin wonderfully without causing irritation. I also found that my skin was smoother, and any impurities on my skin were gone in a matter of days thanks to the tea tree oil. The Pumpkin Pie soap is so spicy and warm and would be perfect for a cold winter morning. The Peppermint refreshing soap is red and white striped just like a candy cane, and smells like it will be cooling and perfect for after an intense bikram yoga class! The lavender smells like pure lavender which is one of my absolute favorite scents. It makes me feel calm and focused, so I feel like this soap will perfect for a morning before an important meeting. The last (but not least) soap is my personal favorite. It is the Lemongrass spearmint soap, and to me it smells exactly like my favorite Tazo "Zen" tea. Just like the packaging says it is uplifting, it really is. I drink the Zen tea when I feel a migraine coming on and it usually helps to tame it, and I can only imaging how wonderful a hot shower using this soap would be.

The Vanilla body cream is so thick and luxurious it really puts other body butters and lotions to shame. I was so surprised by how wonderfully it moisturizes even my driest winter skin, without any harsh chemicals or junky ingredients usually included in mass produced lotions.

The facial cleanser first of all smells absolutely DIVINE. Although technically I don't need anti aging products as I'm only 22, a girl can never over-prepare right? It cleans my already dry skin without stripping it further, and adds a layer of moisture which has really helped improve the texture of my skin.

I really enjoy using all these products and can't wait to purchase more! 

Do you guys buy local? What are some of your favorite natural beauty finds?


xoxo,
Erin

Julep Maven Box

Hi beauties,

I have officially tried my first beauty subscription box! *YAY!!* I tried the Julep Maven box. If you aren't familiar with this subscription beauty box, it is a box specifically centered around Nail polish, and nail treatments. You start off by taking a beauty style quiz which leads you to the Julep box profile that is most like you and your personal style. I took  the quiz twice, just to make sure I knew which profile I was most like, and I ended up matched with the "Boho Glam" style profile. Boho glam is described by Julep as "An eternal romantic with an appreciation of beauty on a deeper level, you see your wardrobe as a creative drawing board. Your effortlessly elegant look pairs earthy neutral tones with fun, chic hues of turquoise, purple or orange." I would definitely agree that this is the profile most similar to me. Something I didn't know about Julep is that the company originated as a nail salon "parlor", in Washington state. (How cool is that?!) My box arrived from Washington, to Kentucky in only 3 days, which was very impressive. (Excuse the first three photos. My camera battery was charging, and I couldn't wait to open the package, so I took the "before" photos with my Iphone!)

The packaging was a sleek black box, and when opened, you first saw a welcome note from Julep, as well as an info card about what being a Julep Maven is all about.

 

Once you moved the cards, you saw a pink package wrapped in a black bow. You also find decorative filler, and a bonus gift of a Julep lip balm. 

 

The pink package was what my three nail products were wrapped in. How cute is that!

The package included a Julep daylight defense lip balm, 2 Nail Vernis polishes, and a Julep Essential Cuticle Oil.

The two colors included in my boho glam box were "Michelle" which is described as a Midnight, Inky blue (it looks lighter in the photo), and "Toni" which is described as a grey with a hint of purple. (also looks lighter in the photo) both of these are creme finishes.

Julep "Toni" nail vernis

Julep "Michelle" nail vernis

The Julep Cuticle oil was the third product included in the box. It smells delicious, and best of all it is in roller-ball form, which makes it a breeze to apply and is perfect for traveling. There is literally no mess or fuss! 

 
The bonus product included was a Julep daily defense lip balm. It is so nice, and smells absolutely divine! I suffer from really dry lips, and the lip balm is moisturizing and doesn't cause my lips to peel, even though it has an SPF.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Julep box this month, and am so interested to try their Mystery Cupid Box that they have available on their website. I would definitely recommend that everyone give the Julep Maven box a try! As a nail polish junkie, it was so nice getting to try new polishes this month in such chic shades.

Have any of you guys tried the Julep Maven box? What did you think? Any Julep vernis colors I should try out?

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

xoxo,
Erin

Youtube trial?

Hi beauties,

I have decided to do a youtube channel to go along with my blog. I will still be blogging every day of course, but I thought I might post my thoughts in video as well. So far, I have done a January Favorites video and a I heart drugstore tag video. I'd love if you checked out my channel. (Now I'm off to get back to work on my Julep blog post!)

Hope you're having a wonderful Saturday!

xo
Erin

The Great And Powerful OZ: Glinda

Hi beauties,

Yesterday, I posted about Urban Decay's The Great And Powerful OZ Theodora palette, and today I wanted to post about Urban Decay's The Great And Powerful OZ Glinda Palette. 

Just like the Theodora palette, the Glinda palette has the same gorgeous packaging, and comes in a tin-ish feeling palette similar to the style of Urban Decay's Build your own palettes. They are much more sturdy and compact than the previous Urban Decay palette packaging. The Glinda packaging is made up of light colors, which you would think of when you think of Glinda the good witch. The back of the Glinda palettes outer packaging box says "Graceful, fearless, and bewitchingly beautiful, Glinda is the kind of witch we aspire to be. The six BRAND NEW Eyeshadows (including two never-before-seen "duo-shades") in this irresistible palette give you everything you need to create her spellbinding look, along with countless others." 

This palette comes with 6 eyeshadows (2 duos), a 24/7 Glide-On Eye pencil in the color Rockstar, and a Super-Saturated High-Gloss Lip Color in the shade Glinda. I really like this palette, because I feel like even though some of the shades are more on the cool toned pastel-ish side, that it is extremely wearable and would be absolutely perfect for spring.It also includes a "get the look" card featuring steps on how to get the makeup that Michelle Williams wore as Glinda in the film The Great And Powerful Oz.

Just like the Theodora palette, the Glinda palettes eyeshadows are gorgeous and are smooth and apply evenly. Just like my worry with the "Spell duo" in the Theodora palette, I could definitely see the "OZ duo" having the possibility to have fall out due to the chunky-ish glitter. The OZ duo is gorgeous don't get me wrong, and the color payoff is stunning and one of the best silver and gold eyeshadow that I've seen to date, but I could see the potential to have significant fallout. 

How I would describe the colors in this palette:

Tornado: a dark blackened purple
Aura duo: a light pastel baby pink, and a light pastel baby blue
Magic: a light pink
Illusion: a peachy neutral
OZ duo: metallic silver and metallic gold with chunky glitter
South: a taupe-y dark grey/brown 


Would I recommend this palette? MOST DEFINITELY! It is gorgeous, and has all brand new shades. Any Urban Decay junkie or collector will definitely want this in her collection. 

Have any of you all picked up the Glinda palette? What are your thoughts on it? I'd love to know!

xoxo
Erin