Adrien: This Old Thing.

I have a bad habit of only taking outfit shots when I'm wearing something that I haven't worn on the blog before, usually something new. I realized this defeats the purpose of the blog, since one of the things I'm trying to show is that I wear the same stuff over and over again. So this outfit is mostly made up of items you've all seen before. My BCBG dress has been on the blog a bunch of times and it's still my absolute favorite. (Previously worn here, here and here. And here.)

My Chie Mihara sandals were a big purchase at the end of last summer, one made in spite of my worry they wouldn't be terribly versatile. So far, I think they're fitting in well (previously worn here and here):

One new thing - a black version of my new favorite Banana Republic cardigan:

dress: BCBG (another fun BCBG dress)
cardigan: Banana Republic Long Cardigan
sandals: Chie Mihara Trampa (another great pair of blue suede sandals)
bag: Marc Jacobs pocket satchel (gorgeous similar)

Marianne: Swedish Hasbeen Peep-Toe High Sandals

New shoes new shooooooes!Okay fine, I've had these since NOVEMBER, but this was the longest winter ever in history so I've only just been able to wear them. These are the Swedish Hasbeen Peep Toe High clog sandals (not the Super High, which are also cute but I don't think I could manage at this stage in my pregnancy).

I was nervous about these, because the leather is SUPER stiff and I was just sure they were going to shred up my feet until I broke them in. But they fit so perfectly (I'm wearing a 37.5, but I would say they run a bit narrow), that they don't rub at all. Somehow Swedish Hasbeen took a block of wood and super hard leather and made a shoe I can walk in all day.

Did I mention they are also just super freaking cute? I can't remember the last time I got this many compliments on a pair of shoes. This particular style seems to be sold out in red, but this style is pretty much the exact same. 

dress: Forever 21 (similar here and here)

sweater: The Original Inc (similar here and here)

bag: Clare Vivier Messenger in Navy (another less spendy navy messenger bag)

shoes: Swedish Hasbeen Peep Toe clog sandal (a similar Swedish Hasbeen style and another cute red sandal on sale!)

Whither Thou Hot Boys.

A: Where are they? Seriously. Where.

M: I can only look at the jumpy ball pictures so many times. WHERE ARE YOU?

A: Slim pickings around here and all the SHobbit is giving us is this:

source: The Sartorialist

M: It's like that guy is genetically engineered to repulse me.

A: He looks like he might have a box in his basement with my name on it. Lotion, basket, etc.

M: Oh yeah, there is a skin suit under his clothes for sure.

A: GAAHHH.

M: Sorry! Sorry. Here is where I would put a picture of a cute boy if they hadn't all run away.








A: SAD FACE. What about this guy?

source: The Sartorialist

M: What, poster boy for seasonal depression over there?

A: He does look very sad. I think the SHobbit was pissed that we liked jumpy ball because he just posted this:

source: The Sartorialist

A: THEY ARE ALL WEARING SHIRTS WHY.

M: They are...all picking each other up? I don't understand sports.

A: I suspect they are still learning how to play jumpy ball.

M: First off: you're wearing too many clothes, dummies.

A: Second off: you're too far away from the camera.

M: God, BOYS.

A: The worst.

Adrien: What I Keep At My Desk.

So, I work in an office and I realized I have a mini hoarder stash of beauty products in my desk drawer. Is this normal? Does everyone do this? I have no idea, but I thought I'd tell you about it. First of all, proof that I ain't lying:

See? Stuff is everywhere. On my desk next to my computer I have:

• Benetint
• A very tiny mirror
• La Cross mini tweezers (These come in handy more than you would think.)
• Curel Hand and Cuticle Therapy (It's okay.)
• Sugar Lip Treatment (Love.)
• Rainbow Light Nail, Hair and Skin Connection

(Just a pause to discuss that last one. My nails started peeling badly back in February and HAVE NOT STOPPED. I am at my wits end and have resorted to expensive supplements. It's awful - they peel and I'm left with the thinnest, saddest nails that break right down at the quick. Hateful. Any advice?)

In my drawer I have:

• Rosebud Salve (I never actually use this but the tin is pretty)
• Two different NARS lipsticks (Gipsy and Flamenco)
• Hand and Cuticle Salve-Lemon 2.10 Ounces (lemony!)
• Sugar Plum Tinted Lip Treatment (Love)
• Dental Floss Picks (These are the BEST for undercover after-lunch poppy seed removal. You know what I'm talking about.)
• mini nail clippers (very dull. I should throw away.)
• A MAC concealer brush I thought I'd lost. (I am the worst.)
• A large emery board
• The most bizarre and magical mirror thing I recently bought at Sephora. It's on sale for $5 and you need one. Check it:

Sephora Compact Standing Travel Set

I KNOW. And it comes with mini tweezers and nail clippers! I don't know why! It's just the greatest and it stands up on its own so you can quietly touch up your makeup hands free while hiding behind your computer monitor. Not that I do that. But you need one and it's a really good filler item when you're trying to get your order up to $50 for free shipping. Woo.

So, what do you mini hoarders have in your desk drawer?

Marianne: Thinking about Spring/Summer Hair

I am a summer person, full stop. I like the heat, love the clothes, and would happily spend my days in a pool. But there is one down side to summer, my hair. I have curly hair and the humidity and sweat of summer makes it go berserk. It's only April and I'm already starting to see the humidity creep up and my hair get more and more unruly. I tend to pull it on top of my head in a careless bun, but this year I'm determined to have pretty hair even if it's hot and humid outside. So when BlogHer asked us to feature some of their hair videos, I was all about this how-to video on creating a loose, sexy bun:

Make sure you watch to the end so you can enter to win up to $250! That's good shoe money, y'all.
Sweeps rules
Prizes & Promotions page on Blogher.com

I love a low bun, but I'm also intrigued by messy, pretty braids when the temperatures rise. Here are a few that I've been pinning lately:

How about you? Does warmer weather make your hair go crazy, or do you look forward to the heat and humidity?

So Many Questions.

A: So, I was completely convinced my Urban Decay foundation brush was a total waste of money but then I used it to apply my sample of NARS tinted moisturizer and it looks REALLY GOOD.

M: STOP IT. I DO NOT WANT TO BUY A FOUNDATION BRUSH DO I NEED ONE?

A: YES. NO. I HAVE NO IDEA.

M: Here's something that I was pondering this morning, do I need a face primer AND eyelid primer? I use both, but MUST I?

A: I always use eyelid primer but only use face primer sometimes because I am not sure about all the silicone they've been putting in everything. Should that be on my face? I don't know.

M: I HAVE AN IDEA.

A: OH MY GOD GOOD.

M: Okay. I will dial down the caps-ness. But my friend Claire the super fahncy makeup artist? Let's ask her ALL THE PRODUCT QUESTIONS (sorry).

A: She will tell us ALL THE THINGS! (I can't stop with the caps. I can't.)

M: YES! Okay, readers, Adrien and I obviously have LOTS OF QUESTIONS ALL CAPS, but what about you? Hit us with your pressing makeup-related product questions (I don't know if we can manage technique stuff), and we will force Claire to share all her makeup-artist secrets. Deal?

A: DO IT FOR SCIENCE, YOU GUYS.

M: DOOOOO IIIIIIIITTTTTTT.

Adrien: Patterned.

One of my favorite things to do is go to Ross and dig through the insane racks full of spring dresses. That store is crazy - 90% awful and 10% awesome. The 10% is totally worth it, especially if you like inexpensive, washable dresses of questionable print. I totally do. I picked this one up a while back and it finally got warm enough to pull it out:

Springtime! 

I wear this locket way, way, way too often.

So matchy! 

dress: Taylor Dresses (similar print here) (another cute print dress by Taylor)
sandals: Chie Mihara (somewhat pricey similar) (another great pair of Chies)
bag: Marc Jacobs Stella tote (pricey similar) (inexpensive similar)
locket: J Crew (similar)

Marianne: Dolce Vita Isolde Thong Sandal Review

If this blog has done anything for me, it's taught me that what seems flattering in person can photograph really badly. Like this dress, for example. It's very comfortable and in person I think it's pretty cute, but in this picture I kind of look HUGELY PREGNANT. More than I actually am. I think.

But enough about that, let's talk about these shoes. Adrien and I both snagged a pair of these Dolce Vita Isolde Sandals (on major sale here!) from a now-defunct site that was having a 70% off flash sale. 70%! That's a lot of percents! They are very, very cute, but almost run too small. While they aren't the most comfortable sandals I own, they aren't terrible (though they shredded Adrien's feet, so be warned).

dress: Motherhood Maternity (similar here and non-maternity similar here)
shoes: Dolce Vita Isolde Sandal (another cute green t-strap sandal)
bag: Clare Vivier Messenger in Navy (a less pricey navy messenger)
necklace: Kate Spade Idiom Necklace in Hello Sunshine

Up for another round of Jumpy Ball?

A: He's fucking with us, right?

source: The Sartorialist

M: Oh come ON.

A: Just walking down the street talking on my iPhone. In my jammies. LIKE YOU DO.

M: The SHobbit is in his lair somewhere, all "first I'll give them Junpy Ball to lower their guard, then...PAJAMAGRAM!"

A: SNORT.

M: PAJAMAGRAM!

A: Dead.

Adrien: Beauty Re-Reviews.

Marianne and I talk about a lot of the beauty products we buy and most of our reactions/reviews are written when the product is still new to us. This is...sort of helpful. A first impression is great and all but sometimes my opinion changes quite a bit over time and I thought it might be good to revisit a few of the items that I've changed my mind about.

First, CoverGirl Clump Crusher mascara. (Original review here.) My initial review was really lukewarm. I do not have the most awesome lashes so I wasn't too impressed with the weak-sauce nature of this stuff. However, I've continued to mess with it and have discovered that if I take my time and do three coats it's crazy-good, especially for day. Not over the top, but good. And it is never clumpy, so there's that.

CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara, Black Brown 810

Next, that crazy-expensive Armani concealer I bought. (Original review here.) It's...fine. Not great, not horrible, just fine. My undereye circles are epic and I'm never quite satisfied with any concealer I buy and keep hoping the next one will be The One. This one is not The One. Save your money.

Armani Beauty High Precision Retouch Concealer Stick- 3

Then there was the Laura Mercier creme compact. (Original review here.) I got a deluxe sample of this back in November and I still really like it...or what's left of it. I keep it in my bag to use for touch ups and it's just a really decent product. I'm not sure why I haven't actually bought it yet, but I probably should.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Creme Compact SPF 20

One thing I'm standing by is my original review of the Urban Decay Optical Blurring brush. It's still not knocking my socks off and I mostly use it to make sure my foundation is blended around the edges. Eh. If foundation brushes are your thing you might like it, but fingers are free.

Urban Decay Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush

Finally, a couple of mini reviews of stuff I talked about buying but never actually reviewed. Whee.

Okay, remember that Josie Maran palette I wanted so badly? I bought it and it's weird. Not bad, exactly, just kind of odd. The three shimmery colors are SUPER loosey-goosey and you'll get fallout galore.  The matte shade, however, is an inpenetrable block of NO. I have to scrub at it to get any kind of color on my brush. What the hell is that stuff made of? And the whole thing smells a little...argan-y. But all that aside, if you do the work and apply all the colors the end effect is very pretty.

I also bought this Josie Maran argan color stick in petal pink. This, I like. It's a little like NARS Orgasm in color - a pretty shimmery peach-pink and it looks lovely on. A subtle flush of color. It also feels nice on the skin (argan-y!) and smells just fine. It doesn't last as long as my beloved Benetint, but nothing does.

Josie Maran Argan Mini Color Stick

So there you have it. A bit of an update on some old stuff and a quick review of the new. What have you bought lately that you love (or hate?) Please save us from ourselves.

We Are Very Old.

M: Target jumps the shark:

star print bodysuit

A: I have three!

M: I am lighting a candle for your...areas.

A: There is nothing quite like a crotchfull of snaps for comfort.

M: Indeed. There is also this, which looks SO well made and nicely cut, doesn't it?

black jumpsuit

A: That looks...no. And if there's one thing Target doesn't do well, it's tailored.

M: Who is this Kate Young anyway and why won't she get off my lawn?

A: What, you mean this isn't for you?

strapless ruffle dress

M: Cotdamn kids and their rock and roll music.

A: Back in my day...

Marianne: Rachel Comey Atsina Clogs Review

First things first, let's talk about these shoes. As you already know I love getting good deals off season. But man, let me tell you. It is SO HARD to buy awesome new sandals in the dead of winter and then have to wait until almost mid-April to get to wear them. So. Hard.

But wait I did, and this week I used one of my Heels Days (hey, when you are 32 weeks pregnant, you have to ration the wearing of the heels) to finally wear my new Rachel Comey Astina Clogs (mostly sold out because they are from last season, but these are really similar), which I got in a random flash sale for $75 (reduced from $435!!1!) in early February.

Y'all. These shoes are like walking on marshmallows. The footbed is so squishy and leather is so soft. And even though they have a huge wooden wedge, they aren't heavy. I think the wedge is hollow? These are the first Rachel Comey shoes I've ever worn and I have to say, the quality and comfort is unparalleled.

They skew a bit on the "kooky pottery teacher" side for me, which it turns out is my favorite style of shoe. And now I have to show you Lu's shoes because she made her dad take pictures of her as well and she's sitting right here ordering me to show you. So:

I think I have some major competition. Those would be the Saucony Jazz for kids. Highly recommended.

She's even mastered the "style blogger walking nowhere" pose. Oh dear.

shoes: Rachel Comey Atsina Clogs (similar here and less expensive similar here)
dress: H&M Mama (similar here and non-maternity here)
denim shirt: Gap (similar here and here)
bag: Su-Shi Old Skool Mini Satchel in Honey Brown (similar here and here)

Adrien: More Cardigan Nonsense.

Despite my annoyance with the direction Banana Republic has gone in the past few years, I have to give them credit for the excellent cardigans they've been stocking. I bought the Long Cardigan recently and I've been really, really happy with it. So much so that I'm contemplating buying a second one with the code they sent out. (30% off of full priced items with BRDEDUCT and 2% back on eBates. Go.)

The retail price is absurd, but discounted? Totally worth every penny. Just simple and well cut, and the buttons are enameled metal which is a nice expensive-looking touch. It comes in a few fun colors but I stuck with a pale neutral grey on this one because I'm boring and I'll get more mileage out of it. I wish I'd remembered to push the sleeves back down in at least one of these photos, but you get the idea:

Has my cardigan obsession gotten out of hand? I promise to talk about something else soon.

cardigan: Banana Republic Long Cardigan
dress: BCBG (covet-worthy similar) (budget-friendly similar)
shoes: Miz Mooz Hype (this year's version)
bracelets: Giles & Brother skinny railroad spike cuff
necklace: J Crew (similar locket here)
bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo

We Love Sports.

A: Hi.

source: The Sartorialist

M: Go team!

A: There's more:

source: The Sartorialist

source: The Sartorialist

M: JUMPING THEY ARE JUMPING.

A: I like sports that involve: swimsuits, beach, jumping. Yes.

M: Muscles. Don't forget muscles.

A: VERY IMPORTANT YES.

M: These guys jump so high! Sports!

A: I don't even care what they're playing! I assume it's a game! Jump!

M: There is a ball and jumping. Jumpy Ball! I'm a huge fan.

A: I am Jumpy Ball's number one fan. NUMBER ONE.

M: GOOOOO TEAM!

A: *happy sigh*