Author: Mel

Sephora Score: history of a beauty junkie

- Mel

I set out to replace my Clarisonic brush head… and ended up WITH ALL THIS.

{The Lasting Impression It Kit (sephora gift) / samples from Clinique, Kate Somerville & Bliss / Clarisonic Replacement Brush Head Twin-Pack (Deep Pore) / Fresh Sugar Soiree Mini Lip Collection / NARS Essentials Set (beauty insider perk)}

Isn’t that how it always goes? I JUST NEED THIS ONE THING. But Sephora wants to give you 20 Things. Samples rule; I’m not mad. And I’m not the only one, I’m sure, who LOVES the extra goodies — being a Beauty Insider has definite rewards. That Lasting Impression Kit has, like, 15 different deluxe-sized products. Although, I’m probably all set on primers now. I’ve never tried a NARS product, but friends rave about the lip pencils. I saved up my Beauty Points to finally snag a decent 500 points gift. Time to build that account back up again! *smirk*

Sephora and Target are the same type of bank account killer: you go in for necessities, yet can never leave without dropping at least $100. True story.

Also, I have to mention these Fresh Sugar lip tints: OBSESSED.

ob·ses·sion/əbˈseSHən/
Noun: 1. The state of being obsessed with someone or something.
2. An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.

Yes, it’s exactly like that. I’m pretty sure there’s no cure. Naturally, I only wanted one color (Berry), but since I love the product so much, I splurged on the collection. These lip treatments have replaced my chapstick habit, for serious.

MANIAC Magazine Pittsburgh Bloggers Event

- Mel

I’ve been out of the local blogging scene for some time (save for PodCamp). With the “release” of this new blog, I need to start working on my marketing and networking.

I was excited to see the MANIAC magazine invite online for its Blogger Event in Pittsburgh. In an old shoe store — just my style! My coming out party (ha!). I was also happy to have a friend tag along with me to curb any needless social anxiety.


{top: Ella Moss / plum jeans: Paige denim / necklace: Paige Novick (no longer available) / bracelet: Blue Candy (similar) / flat, hat hair: free}

I just adore magazines like MANIAC — and particularly, special issues like this one: beautiful pictorials that include NYFW coverage and street style, and I literally swooned at the “bicycle from behind” photos. On the cover is the fabulous Nikki Reed; inside: local Pittsburgh scene captures… and the one-and-only Mr. Mark Wahlberg (mrwar!). There’s also a few helpful shopping guides and articles updating readers about technology, health and travel news (clever article pun: Turkey! A pleasant surprise, it’s not about Thanksgiving.).

But tonight, I’m sipping on cocktails, checking out the newest holiday issue & connecting with my fellow fashion and beauty bloggers. And crushing on this gifted schwag bag: copy of the new issue, a tarte lipgloss, an adult treat from Wigle Whiskey (yum!) and some generous coupons and samples from local businesses.

I even got a quickie manicure, courtesy of Spa Jema. Totally buying this Zoya color she used too.

Cheers to Bloggers (Tuesday!) Nights out… and one extra clink for the added food and drinks at the Wine Loft afterward.

Check out the MANIAC holiday issue online and follow the magazine on twitter and facebook.

Group Therapy: Can 30-somethings wear SEQUINS?

- Mel

Alternatively titled: Must. Not. Buy. Another Pair of Sequin Shoes!

An anonymous Reader asked: Can a 30-something pull off wearing sequins?

Answer: A resounding YES!

1. Aqua Spineless Sequin Jacket {ASOS} / 2. Embellished top {White House Black Market} / 3. Foldover Sequin Clutch {ASOS} / 4. Worn This Way sequin bootie {ModCloth} / 5. MICHAEL Michael Kors Tuxedo Sequin Tuxedo Pants {Nordstrom}

Sequins are like Happiness Therapy — an outfit pick-me-up and a MUST for those who don’t really experiment with bold colors.

Just this year (ahem, year 35), I invested in a sequin party dress from ASOS (it’s backless and super chic!), sequin leggings from h&m (via Poshmark) and an embellished cardigan from White House Black Market.

Unless it’s New Year’s Eve or a fab bash (in which case, ALL OF THE SEQUINS!), subtlety is key. And the trick to not looking like a holiday character is to NOT wear sequins from head-to-toe. A little accent here and a hint of shimmer there equals: classic-with-personality.

Remember, sequins are not glitter. No woman over the age of 30 should be wearing glitter on her person. Unless it’s Halloween, and in that case, let me remind you that you should definitely NOT be wearing “Sexy {insert character here},” Miss 30-something. Trust me. You’re not too old for fun, but you’re certainly too wise (and classy!) to be mostly naked in October.

30-Something with a Sequin Fetish? Let’s talk about it via twitter & facebook!

Nov 9th & 30-something half birthdays

- Mel

You know what’s worse than turning 35?

Turning 36.

No, I’m not kidding.

35 is still in the middle (even though you’ve just skipped to the next age demographic); you’re no closer to 30 than 40… well, not until the day after your birthday if you’re a Glass Half Empty type of 30-something. Alas, the hump: you’re officially in your mid 30s. Mid-effin-30s.

AND THEN YOU HAVE TO GO AND DO THINGS LIKE MAKE 5-YEAR-PLANS WITH YOUR BOYFRIEND AND THINK ABOUT BEING 40 YEARS OLD.

Yes, all caps and bold. And *puke*

Today is my half birthday, and I’m officially halfway to 36.

I feel like I’m about to have a crisis…

Shoe Therapy: Bakers Shoes and Wedge love

- Mel

Hey, let’s lighten up the mood in here! Indulge in a little Shoe Porn with me?

I exclaimed at the beginning of the season “How do I not own any closed-toe wedges?!” after seeing them endlessly pinned and continuously highlighted in magazine features. My current collection of peep and open toes just weren’t going to cut it in these cold Pittsburgh temps, obvs.

Of course, do I really need another pair of shoes? Don’t answer that.

Then, Bakers Shoes sent me a Sale email, and I acquired two pairs to take me through Fall.

It’s a done deal. A done, super fashionable deal.

Follow my Shoes!!! board on Pinterest!

Aroma-therapy: my favorite scents

- Mel

Last weekend, the boyfriend asked me to rank my favorite scents in order. I have no idea how this conversation was even prompted.

I think he was surprised by a few of the (admittedly) ridiculous ones, but I was (am) completely serious:

  • Clean, fresh linens (I cannot STAND when clothing smells like you’ve been sitting outside for too long; adding to that: a linen is not fresh if it has been hanging outside. Just saying.)
  • Lemons (boyfriend also hates when I put them down the drain… but it’s like a fresh burst of citrus tree!)
  • Bleach (no, really; it’s the only way the bathroom is REALLY clean; I relate that smell to cleanliness.)
  • Gardenias (I might have forgotten this in my spouting off, but it’s on the list)
  • Lavender (I DID remember this one; I currently have a bouquet of dried, smashed lavender in my car… perhaps that’s what started the conversation?)
  • Mulling spices (reminds me of Fall and Winter at my grandmother’s making spiced cider)
  • New paper (printer paper, greeting cards, a box of new envelopes, journals… not newspapers or books though. They smell dirty. *smirk*)

So random, right?

Aromatherapy is popular for a reason. Your sense of smell is most closely tied to memory, and the smell of a favorite flower or spice or an old boyfriend’s cologne can be mood changing — both positive and negative. I can often be REALLY sensitive to smells (actually, most of my senses are super-heightened), but the fresh and airy scents help me relax.

And the pungent ones put me into cleaning overdrive — ha!

Finding Your Place: the loss and cultivation of identity

- Mel

I realized that making a commitment to blog for 30 days straight, that I’d be “calling it in” on more than one occasion (I promise not TOO many only-picture posts; I don’t want to talk your ear off either). But the REAL goal is opening up this page every day, logging into WordPress, considering what to write in this space — the possibility of connecting with Readers (hi there, if there’s anyone out there!) — creating a habit. Creating a new identity, albeit online.

Starting over with this new site, there is considerable time to realize any sort of growth or success or even pride. In life, you experience many stages of growth and need to adapt accordingly. Take this blog, for instance: I need to find my voice here. Find topics to write about that matter to a completely different audience. Just writing SOMETHING is an exercise in finding myself again.

I’ve now experienced the death of a blog too — a “popular” one at some point in its existence. And, likely, an idea that was stretched for far longer than its need. Can the Stages of Grief be applied to the loss of a blog?

The Kubler-Ross model, commonly known as the Stages of Grief, include the following steps:
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance

More recently, there has been the addition of Shock and Guilt to encompass a “seven stages” cycle of grief.

I only kicked the “other” blog to the curb when I could hit PUBLISH on that final Goodbye post. When I knew everything would “be OK” (however many emotions I go through that equate to relapsing those stages). And as I go through a variety of online and in-real-life changes, I’m feeling a considerable loss of identity.

I thought the worst of that was behind me when I turned 35…