Weekend Window Shopping: Halloween Edition.

I know skulls are supposed to be played out and we're all sick of them and whatever, but I'm not a quitter and hey, it's Halloween.

And because you might need something to put your candy in:

Friday #GoHugo

Happy Halloween, all! I don't know if any of you watch Sleepy Hollow like Marianne and I do, but even if not I think we can agree on Tom Mison.

Adrien: Beauty Stuff I've Been Digging Lately.

I feel like lately I'll I've been doing is complaining about the beauty stuff that disappoints. (Related: thanks for all the mascara recs! More on that soon.) So, today I'm going to tell you about a few things I've been digging lately. The first two are things I bought in Chicago last weekend, so keep in mind they were I'm-on-vacation splurges.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Bonheur

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Bonheur

This is a beautiful sheer plum shimmer lip gloss that passes my "put it on without a mirror" test. The color is a little more pink that what I usually go for, but I think it brightens up my face and it makes me feel fancy. Best of all it's got that awesome deluxe-feeling Chanel packaging which almost makes up for the price.

Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt

Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt

Most perfume is too cloying and gives me a headache but I've had really good luck with Jo Malone. Nutmeg & Ginger is my long-time favorite but I wanted something that felt less seasonal, more for everyday. The helpful Jo Malone counter guy suggested this one first and after walking around sniffing myself for half an hour I went back and bought it. It's fresh, woodsy and a little aquatic. Best of all, it's subtle.

Laura Geller Spackle primer

Laura Geller Spackle primer

Despite the perfectly awful name, this is a pretty good primer. I got a big sample of it in my Oct Birchbox (which sadly contained no gimp mask) and it's good stuff. I don't think it's an amazing game changer or anything, but it's good primer and I keep reaching for it.

ShiKai Borage Therapy lotion

ShiKai Borage Therapy lotion

This is the least exciting stuff ever but I keep a small tube in my bag and every time I use it I marvel at how freaking GOOD it is. It soaks right in and makes your hands feel like butter. And, it's unscented which is my favorite.

Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Nourishing Antioxidant Infused Body Wash

Aveeno blah blah blah

I included the full name of this product so we could all roll our eyes at the ridiculousness. Really, now. This is a decent body wash and I find the White Peach & Ginger version to be fresh and fruity but I don't think antioxidants are going to do jack shit for your skin when they're just washing down the drain. It's good at getting you clean without drying out your skin and smells good, which is really all I ask. (It's not as good at Kiehl's Coriander body wash but certainly less expensive.)

So, that's what I've been into lately. What have you been digging?

Adrien: Keepers.

This is what happens when you're all, "Oh, right. Outfit pic. Whoops." Then I realized that everything I'm wearing is something that ended up being a really good purchase. Every single thing is something that's given me that,  "I'm so glad I bought this" moment. This $20 Olive & Oak blouse doesn't photograph very flatteringly, but I have worn the everloving shit out of it. (You can see it here and here and here. Yawn.) Just so easy to wear and the pattern makes me happy. 

The jeans I'm wearing are 7 For All Mankind Slim Cigarette. These were a splurge and they've been such a workhorse for me that they've more than earned their keep. My pair is the velvet version and they are so comfortable and can pass for work-appropriate in a pinch.

My MBMJ Kirsten Globetrotter bag (long gone, but it's on eBay and this one is SO good) and Frye Emma flats are both more recent purchases but they've been things I've been using/wearing a ton lately. All these things went with me on my recent trip to Chicago, as I attempted to only take clothes I actually wear. (What is it with me and packing? I always lose my mind and want to pack my closet orphans. Like my sad, unworn clothes need a vacation?) 

You can't really see my jewelry, but I'm wearing a Giles & Brother bracelet and my House of Harlow mini sunburst necklace. 

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): Piperlime is Persnickety.

Okay, I was hesitant to post this because it's SO EFFING SPECIFIC but if you were wavering on a big purchase this might work for you. Plus, eBates is at 7.0% cash back for Piperlime (my referral link) and that is really very, very good. SO, here's the deal:

25% OFF PURCHASE OF $200 OR MORE on select merchandise at Piperlime with code: WINWIN25. 

What? You weren't wavering on a big purchase? BY ALL MEANS, ALLOW ME:

Name That Celeb.

A: Well. Huh.

L: Are we quite...sure....this is Renee?

A: Apparently this is Renee Zellweger.

L: What has she done? Everything?

A: She traded faces with someone else?

L: I mean, I always thought that she had a bit of a sour-lemon pucker, but that was her face! I really don't think Bridget Jones would approve.

A: She looked fine! Is this is what happens when you botox All The Things?

L: I FIGURED OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS!!! Her face isn't that different (sure some peeling and some smoothing and some botoxing), but it's her eyebrows. She didn't put them on. Observe:

L: Just look what some very rudimentary (and admittedly bad - but give me a break it's lunchtime!) Photoshopping will reveal:

A: YES. You totally nailed it. This is why I feel like an alien if I forget to fill in my brows.

L: Yep! Anytime I look in the mirror and I'm like, "SOMEthing is not.....quite....riiiiiight," it's always that I forgot the eyebrow pencil.

A: I've never had a problem with people not recognizing me, though.

L: Point taken.

A: It would come in handy, though.

L: Totally know what I'm going as for Halloween now. Unrecognizable me/Me sans eyebrows!

Friday #GoHugo

Hey, check it out. Ewan McGregor and his brother (!) have kilted themselves up in support of Hugo.

Mascary Help.

Oh, you guys. Help. I recently bought a tube of my old faithful mascara, Maybelline The Colossal:

Maybelline The Colossal

But, no. Something is... different. The brush is a bit different and it's really clumpy and WOE. I don't understand. Did I just get a dud or did they change it? I am sad. I dealt with my sadness by buying this one:

Maybelline The Falsies

I thought maybe I should try a waterproof formula because my mascara always disappears by the end of the day. Nope. I do like the brush but it leaves flakes under my eyes and is impossible to remove.

I am pretty adamant about not spending big bucks on mascara, though I have been enjoying a deluxe sample of Buxom Lash more than I'd like to admit. Please save me from spending $19 on mascara and give me your best drugstore recommendation. I have thin, straight lashes, so I definitely need help with volume. I don't generally bother with lengthening formulas because the little fiber bits don't play nice with contact lenses.

Whatcha got?

Oh! And while I have you I need an opinion. I need new sneakers for the gym and I usually get the plainest version of Nike Frees I can find but YOU GUYS:

Nike Free 5.0 V4

Nike Free TR Connect 2

Which one? Or neither? But come on. This is going to happen. Which one?

Adrien: Super Casual.

I wore this last Friday to work and was pretty happy with my casual-at-work look. I started with the blouse tucked but I just get annoyed with it and eventually it gets untucked. Not the most flattering, probably, but sometimes comfort wins.

The blouse is this one from Banana Republic and it's great - washable, easy to wear, casual without being sloppy. I'm not sure that the color is doing amazing things for my complexion, but it only comes in meh and I love meh, so whatever. My jeans are the Gap Real Straight which I previously wrote about here. I continue to love them very, very much. Just the perfect length and a simple, dark wash. 

What's down below? That would be my MBMJ Baby Groovee bag and my Madewell sidewalk skimmers. Whee.

And this! This is the best part. I bought this Giles & Brother hook necklace during the Piperlime sale and it's SO GOOD. Just simple and shiny and I get a ton of comments on it. Highly recommend.

That's it! A lot of new things but it's all fitting in with my style/wardrobe nicely, which gives me hope that I'm getting better at buying the right stuff.

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): Amazon Boots.

Hey, just a head's up! There is a rare Amazon code happening right now: Take 20% off boots for women, men, and kids. Enter the promo code BOOTUP14 at checkout for a discount on eligible items sold and shipped by Amazon. (See eligible items.) Lots of good brands:

First Impressions.

A: Lili, please give me your immediate first impressions when you see this:

source: The Sartorialist

L: 1. I want to be there

2. Her skirt is...pixelated?

3. All that blue is lovely

4. I *love* her laptop clutch

A: Okay, NOW how do you feel?

source: The Sartorialist

L: WHY, GOD, WHY!

A: BLAME THE SHOBBIT.

BUY THIS (Because I Sure Did): Banana Republic Style Notes

If you've been shopping at Banana Republic lately you probably got an email about Style Notes, which earns you $20/$40/$60/$80/$100 off your order, depending on how much you spend. My friend Kate pointed out that you can stack that code with the current deal: 30% off with BRSAVE. (Also, 2.0% cash back with eBates. Yay.) The Style Notes thingy ends tomorrow, so get on it! Here's what I ordered:

I pulled out some of my winter stuff yesterday and my long-sleeved tees are looking SUPER SAD.  I ordered two black t-shirts (assuming I'll keep whichever one looks best). I don't normally like to spend this much on t-shirts but I've been happy with BR quality lately, so hopefully they'll be worth the (awesomely reduced) price.

Piped Luxe Tee

Slubbed Easy Tee

I want more blouses, and this one got great reviews on the website. I love the color and it looks pretty comfortable:

Soft-Wash Herringbone Military Shirt

I don't own a single black sweater and this one got good reviews. The back is a different material which could be an interesting detail or a total pain in the ass:

High/Low Pullover

That's it! I decided to stick with basics in order to fill current holes in my fall/winter wardrobe. Not very exciting, but it's the well-chosen basics that tend to get worn the most, right? Did you take advantage of the Style Notes deal? Do tell!

Weekend Window Shopping: So Many Sales.

Where to even start? It's too much, you guys. So many good sales right now! I'm trying to save my pennies for a trip next week but that doesn't mean you can't see what's out there. I've listed out a few good deals along with eBates cash back when applicable. Related: I am a mean enabler. (Just a reminder: the eBates links are my referral link.)

Urban Decay Friends & Family 
20% off with code UDFANATICS14. I’d buy this, which my friend Ashley swears by:

Naked Basics Palette

And maybe one of these because they’re new and I’m curious:

24/7 VELVET Glide-On Eye Pencil

Madewell Sale
Extra 30% off all sale styles with code PICKMEUP (plus 2.0% back with eBates.) I’d buy this:

the berliner satchel

And maybe these:

the ames boot

Saks Fifth Avenue Friends & Family
25% off sitewide with code FRNFAM. (plus 8.0% cash back from eBates!!) I’d buy this:

Joie Marru Pleated Silk Blouse

And obviously this:

MBMJ Too Hot To Handle Flap Satchel

Kate Spade New York Friends & Family
30% off with code F14FFUS. (plus 3.5% back with eBates.) I’d basically lose my damn mind:

Autumn Leopard flared dress

Angelique heels

Night Creature coin purse

It's Written in the Stars iPhone5 case

Day Tripper earrings

Happy shopping!

Friday #GoHugo

Michael Fassbender, anyone?

Adrien: Yay for the Wrap Dress.

You can read the story of this dress here. Thanks again, Adina! 

While attempting to organize my sad hell of a closet the other day I realized I have five wrap dresses. Does that seem like a lot? While I don't agree that they're universally flattering, I do think they're really effing versatile. For one thing, if you gain or lose five pounds that dress will still fit you. Yay for that. I also like that they can be styled conservatively for work and also can be a great date dress. You can't ask much more than that.

This particular dress is Diane Von Furstenberg, the queen of the ridiculously beautiful wrap dress, but you can also find a perfectly reasonable version at Target. And you guys know I love the Banana Republic Gemma wrap dress, especially in this cool diamond print.

I don't generally wear flats with dresses but I loved how my purply-blue Madewell flats looked with the colors in the dress so that's good enough for me. My bag is my MBMJ Baby Groovee, who's tininess I'm still adjusting to.

So, you there. Wrap dress yay or nay?

BUY THIS (So We Don’t Have To): Shopbop Friends & Family!

It's that magical time again. Until October 16th get 25% off site-wide at Shopbop with code FAMILY25, plus 3.0% cash back with eBates.

Rag & Bone Lilford Tall Boots

Kate Spade New York Small Square Stud Earrings

Rebecca Minkoff Bowery Cross Body Bag

Rebecca Minkoff Spike Ring Necklace

Marc by Marc Jacobs Patent Mouse Ballerina Flats

Lauren Merkin Handbags Nina Satchel

Funhouse Mirror.

source: The Sartorialist

A: The SHobbit, regarding this photo: "A long pencil skirt is so flattering on a young lady with curves." Um. Okay.

L: By "young lady with curves," does he mean, "not a boy"?

A: I like her outfit and thinks she's cute but, yeah. No.

L: Me too! Love the outfit and wish that I had as few "curves" as this lithe little Euro does. Maybe things look curvier from way down there where he's shooting from?

A: AH! I think you nailed it. The bag might have confused him into thinking she had really curvy knees.

L: Total paralax effect!

A: Or else he's just a creep who thinks all women should look like mannequins. Maybe.

L: OK, seriously? Before looking for perfection in women, mayhaps the SHobbit should look deeply into a (non-funhouse) mirror?

A: He could just put it on the floor.

L: Or use an apple box.

A: Or two apple boxes.

L: He will *definitely* need Camilla to steady him.

A: CAMILLA. STEP LADDER.

L: STEADY, CAMILLA! STEADY!!

A: CAMILLA! HOW MANY YEARS OF BAD LUCK?

L: CAMILLA THERE WILL BE SO MANY YEARS!

A: NO YOU CAN'T HAVE A RAISE.

The Boot Equation.

It’s boot season so I thought I’d talk about boots. Specifically, how many pairs you need for a proper boot wardrobe. The correct number of boots to own is of course n+1, where n is the number of boots currently owned. Even if you think your boot game is tight, there’s always room for one more pair…right? Minimum boots I think you need in your life:

Basic, good quality low-heeled riding boot.
Spend some money on these! As I said in a post I wrote last year, cheap boots are just not the same. If you can find a great, quality pair inexpensively, that’s great, but don’t waste your money on cheaply-made boots. Trust me on this. Buy these in whatever color you'll wear the most. For me, that's black but I also have a pair that are brown because hey, why not.

Sleek black dress boot.
This is a nice option if you work in a more conservative office or for wearing out on a date. A classic tall boot with a bit of a heel will get you through all kinds of dressy events.

Black ankle boots with a stacked heel.
This is a more fashion-forward choice and a little trendy right now, which is kind of great because you can find decent knockoffs of really cool expensive styles. This kind of boot works with skirts and tights, skinny jeans, or even just to give you a little height when worn with your plain old boot cuts. It’s more versatile that you’d think.

So, that is the BARE MINIMUM boots you should own. Like, maybe you live in Florida or you have hard-to-fit legs and can’t find styles you like that fit correctly. If you’re good on that front and ready for more, what other styles should you consider?

Motorcycle boots*:
I bought my Frye Veronica boots because they seemed so awesomely badass but I was worried that I would look like a dummy wearing them. Nope. Motorcycle boots, tall or short are just great all-around stomping boots that will serve you well for all kinds of casual occasions. Also, if you actually have a motorcycle (or ride with someone else on one) a good pair will help protect your feet which is what they’re designed to do.

Clog boots (or something similarly wacky):
I bought my Ugg Lynnea man-repelling boots not because I thought they’d be super versatile or sexy, but because I loved them. They’re kind of odd and only really work with jeans or leggings, but I no care. They are close to my heart. Wacky boots are fun for YOU and screw what anyone else thinks.

Cute cold weather boots.
My friend Ashley lives in Chicago and snowboot are a necessary part of her wardrobe. They don't have to be ugly! I promise.

Chelsea boots.
These seem like they'd be a challenge to style correctly but how freaking cool are they? That's enough of a reason for me.

Something you love already in a different color.
I love my Loeffler Randall Matilde boots SO MUCH. They're my favorite and I really want another pair in cognac. They won't get quite as much wear as my black pair, but I already know I love the style so the hard part is out of the way.

Your odd heart's desire.
Life is too short to only have boring boots. If you love it and you can afford it, just buy it. You can totally pull off gold boots! (I tell myself.)

What did I miss? Do tell.

*Or cowboy boots if you lean that way. I have no advice on cowboy boots because I do not lean that way.