Recent Favorites List!

Its been a while since I've created a list of some recent favorite purchases, so I figured today would be the day! I'm excited to show you these new finds/products so lets get right into it! :)

First on my list of favorites would be LOTION!

Its that season now.. our hands are getting crackly and the cold weather is doing a number on my hands. I've been using Ayers Brand body butter in Patagonia. I received this in my Ipsy bag, and I absolutely love it! The scent is so soothing and spa-like. What's great about this particular lotion is that it doesn't leave your hand feeling oily after use. Hate those smudges on your phone screen? Ya me too. No worries, pals. :)  

Sticking to that same "yummy smelling hand" theme, next we have..

Again, because of the cold weather and the recent health scares around the globe, I have found some odd solace in carrying around antibacterial gel. Also, I've decided that I'm completely obsessed with this smell! It smells just like apples and fall. Lovely and oh so necessary..right? Right. #Saynotogerms

Looking for a fall scent that you will never tire from? These puppies right here will do the trick! I'm serious. Although they are in the same ball park of scents, each one emits a different sense of happiness. I swear! I like to burn the Pumpkin Brûlée (Bought at Home Goods) while having guests over. It smells homey and like pumpkin pie. Perfect! The Pumpkin Apple I have also lit for guests when I know they will be here for a while. Its certainly more "Apple Forward" and less spicy smelling. Still warm and yummy though. And finally, I light Leaves in my bedroom. Its crisp yet warm and the perfect scent to keep you cozy and happy. Love them! As you'll see, I'm having quite a copper obsession at the moment, and I love how the the two smaller candles from the Body Shop have copper tops! Perfection.

Following up with the copper theme, I've recently purchased these amazing copper tumblers from Starbucks. It fits fine in your car drink holder, it keeps temperature very well, and it looks adorable. Couldn't have asked for a better tumbler, in my opinion! So happy with this purchase. Put it on your christmas list!  :)

Since registering for my wedding, I've become obsessed with household appliances and tableware/barware. These glasses make my soul smile. I love them! These are blue hobnail glasses purchased from Pottery Barn for an excellent price! Unfortunately these were in store sale items only, and I'm not even sure they are listed on the Pottery Barn website anymore! 

Straying from household items for a moment, I'm gonna tell you about this new favorite product! This is Tocca's Florence Fragrance. If you are familiar with Michael Kors original women's perfume, then you will definitely notice the similarity in this fragrance. I wore MK all through out my college days, so when I gravitated towards this scent, I immediately recognized why. It has a light to medium musk, feminine scent, with some lovely floral notes. I adore this scent, and the roller ball was about $22.00 from Sephora!

I know I've highlighted this Benefits Hello Flawless Powder in Ivory before, but I just feel like it deems repeating! I love this powder. It does exactly what it is supposed to do, and makes you feel like you are wearing NOTHING AT ALL even while giving you that extra coverage you need. Also, I'm adding my adorable Kabuki Brush with...you guessed it, a copper handle from H&M for $9.00. Many of you may scoff at buying an H&M brand makeup brush, but I kid you not -- this brush is as soft as any other luxury makeup brand. So soft, made well, affordable, and cute! <3

This is the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly - aka heaven in a tube. For real. If you suffer from the "tired eye" look that I do, look no further. This is a fabulous concealer/highlighter. This will immediately transform your under eye, and make your eyes seem so much brighter. You do not need to re-apply later on in the day, and you will feel/look so much more awake!  I highly suggest this product. (I also use this in other areas of my face, but mainly underneath the eye!)

Segway with me to food! Well.. sorta..!

The first thing I'm sharing you is my adoration for Fig Butter! Weird, but true! My fiancé and I purchased this fig butter from trader joes as well as some aged cheddar and crackers. What you do is layer a bit of the fig butter on the cracker, and then place a sliver of cheese on top. Voila! You end up with this perfectly salty, sweet, creamy, concoction. Its pure bliss, I tell you! So simple and yummy! Number 2 on the list is a Maple flavored Peanut Butter that is just other worldly. My fiancé and I went out on a date in the west village to the Peanut Butter & Co, where we got to eat "gourmet pb&j sandwiches." It was adorable, and we instantly fell in love with this particular peanut butter! Absolutely lovely..try it! And finally, number 3 on the list - Apple Cider Jelly! A few years ago, I went to a farmers market with a pal and we decided to purchase an apple cider jelly with some sour dough bread. Lets just say, I have never forgotten the moment of my first bite! Haha! So naturally, every autumn season, my senses are tuned to filling my "apple cider jelly fix." This year, I found some while apple picking with a friend of mine in Upstate, NY! Please oh please, for your sake, give this jelly a try. You will be so very glad you did! Yummm!

And finally....

This isn't something I would say fits the criteria of a "beauty blog," but what the heck! Its a favorite at the moment, so I'm sharing. :) I am certainly NOT a beer drinker normally. I am notorious for being a massive Wine-o. But I will say that this pumpkin beer with a cinnamon sugar rim is fabulous..for a beer. ;) Tastes sweet enough, cool enough, and festive.. (if something could taste festive...you get my drift) Yum!

Alrighty folks, thats it for my favorites at the moment! Check back soon for some other exciting posts on their way!

Stick with me <3

XO,  K

Fall Outfits pt. 2

Hi beauties! Now that we are in full swing fall weather here in NYC, I figured I would share with you some of my current style faves/fashion staples in this years wardrobe! Fun, right? I love seeing what other peoples statement pieces are for any season, but Fall is my favorite -- so I'm actually really excited to show you what I've got this year. 

Alright! Let's get started!

First, we have my favorite go-to fall boots. These are from Zara and they are last years Chelsea Boot. I love pairing them with basically everything. They are comfortable and amazing, and have just enough of a heel. Totally fine for walking around in the city while still feeling fashionable. Today I am pairing the boots with my favorite New York & Co. skinny dark wash jeans and a navy/cream striped sweater from H&M that I bought in the beginning of the year.

Next, we have my perfect dress up outfit. Lovely simple black heels with a single strap, black leggings, and a black oversized scoop neck flowy shirt/dress from H&M. I've paired this with my leopard scarf. Leopard is still "In" right now, and is perfect for fall. Its able to tie into almost any fall color and add a side of sass to it. You can pair it with a pair of red pants and black blouse, or jeans and an eggplant sweater -- super diverse and playful. For this look in particular, you don't need much -- you have an easy, affordable, comfortable, sassy going out outfit. Personally, I like to throw my leather jacket on over top of this to add even more attitude. :)

Here's my new favorite purchase also from H&M -- is there a theme here? No, I'm not sponsored..Haha! But really, I am obsessed with this oversized tan open cardigan! I wear this at least twice a week, and pair it with everything! Recently, I wore it for my Engagement Photo Shoot! :) Today I am pairing it with an oversized sleeveless burnt orange blouse from..guess where..H&M, along with my brown leggings and chestnut riding boots. Simple, adorable, super fall-y, and affordable!

There you have it! Three Autumn Inspired fall looks, perfect for this season and perfect for NYC. Comfortable yet stylish, affordable, and totally adorable.

Thanks for checking in! Look for my next post within the week!

XO

<3 K

Get Ready With Me! Fall Edition

Hi Everyone! I'm patiently waiting for my favorite time of year to roll around, so with that came a few new FALL-Y purchases...hehe. Today, you can get ready with me! I'll be showing you my step by step fall inspired makeup routine, as well as two outfits that are really fun for the beginning of fall!

Lets get started!

Here's my blank canvas. AKA my face without make up. (I can NOT believe I am showing you guys my makeup-less face! Give me some kudos for this, please)

First we will start off with the Benefit Porefessional Primer. Put a minimal amount on your makeup brush and swipe it all over your face!

Next, apply your foundation. Today I am going with Estee Lauder's Double Wear Foundation in "Cool Bone."

Afterwards, just for extra coverage in my trouble spots I applied a bit of Benefits Boi-ing 01.

Then to set the foundation, I used Benefits Flawless Finishing Powder in "I love me."

After foundation and powder. Getting a bit better! Phew!

Now, we're moving onto brows! What I'm using today is OFRA Universal Brow Pencil in Brown.

Once you've properly filled in your brows, move onto contouring with me! Today I'm using my all time favorite - Too Faced in Chocolate Soleil. It smells like chocolate, its so soft, and I am so very obsessed with it.

After contouring my cheekbones, brow bones, and jawline, I put some highlight to create a sharper contour. For this I'm using a general highlighter that you can buy at your local department store.

What your face should look like before blending your contour makeup. ;) Funky, eh?

I'm using a Sephora Blending brush for this --

Once your makeup is completely blended, apply a bit of NARS "Orgasm" to the apples of your cheeks.

After all that work, it should end up looking like this!

NEXT PHASE! EYES! I am using the NAKED2 Palette. For this, apply the color snake bite on your lid. Afterwards, on the inner corner apply Halfbaked. On the outercrease create a crescent shape on your lid with Busted. Once you've blended those colors together, I took out my Clinique Palette and used a simple eggplant purple. The NAKED2 Palette doesn't have a purple, so hopefully you have that type of shade nearby! The final "shadow" product should look something like this:

I am lining my eyes with Jordana Fat Black n Bold Eyeliner. I love this stuff. Afterwards, I am lining my bottom waterline with Urban Decays "Goldmine." This liner looks REALLY lovely with the half baked golden shimmer on your lid. 

Afterwards, I am using MakeUp Forever Mascara and applying that to my lashes.

Your eyes should look like this:

LIPS! To go with that eggplant shadow on your eye, I've got this lovely deep purple lipstick from Revlon in Black Cherry. Apply this with a lip brush -- you'll get better coverage and its much easier to create the perfect lip lines with it.

After applying the lipstick, to add to that golden fall- like element, I've chosen to put a bit of liquid gold shimmer in the center of my lips. I applied this with a makeup brush as well, for even coverage. (Don't get scared, I know this looks orange, but its not -- just the lighting of the photo!)

Final Lip Look:

All together, this is what your face should look like! :)

Now, lets move onto clothes, shall we?! Today I've chosen two outfits - one a bit more casual, and the other more amped up. 

This look shown below is the more "amped up," outfit: 

Top: Ruffled Maroon Blouse from NY & Co! 50% off

Jeans: Average Dark Wash Skinny Jeans from NY & Co for 50% off

Shoes: Steve Madden Brown Wedges from Lord & Taylor on sale for $25.00

Accessories: Michael Kors Bag, Rose Gold Watch, and Alex & Ani Bracelets.

For our next more casual look, we have this:

Top: Oversized White Sleeveless Tank from H&M

Bottoms: Black Jean "Jeggings" from NY & Co for %50 off

Shoes: Black Leather Gladiator Pumps from Macy's (I think? These shoes are really old)

Accessories: Black Shoulder bag from H&M, Alex and Ani Bracelets. 

I'm sure once the weather gets a bit more crisp, a fun infinity scarf could really pull this look together.

Thats it folks! Hope you enjoyed this blog! If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below! Also, if you liked this post, feel free to comment below! 

Stay Close!

<3 Kara