Sephora to Shop Rite

Deciding to put away cash for the house, I thought about ways that I could cut my spending and put more into the savings.  I have seen all the commercials with cosmetic companies claiming that there products are just as good as those found in department stores, so I decided to give myself a little challenge.

As my beauty products run out I have been replacing them with something I can get while at the grocery store.  Now, I must tell you that my local Shop Rite has the WORST selection, but I have stuck it out and done my best with what is available.

Here is how it has gone down...

Bobbi Brown Champagne Eye Shadow $21

Bobbi Brown Shell Eye Shadow $21

Bobbi Brown Taupe Eye Shadow $21

Maybelline Eye Shadow $3.99

Anastasia Brow Whiz $20

Maybelline EyeBrow Pencil $4.99

Guerlain Mascara $36

Maybelline Mascara $8.49

Aveda Shampoo $18

Loreal Shampoo $6.99

Aveda Conditioner $18

Loreal Conditioner $6.99

Boscia Face Cleanser $26

Clean & Clear $5.49

Jurlique Balancing Mist $31

Sea Breeze Toner $4.99

My skin still looks the same, and people have been asking me where my make up is from! I have to say that this switch was much easier than I ever imagined, and I am glad I did it.  Now I just have to use the rest of my over-priced cosmetics so I can find great low-priced alternatives!

By the way, my total savings so far $187.05!!!!!!!

Ssshhhhh....I'm Huntin' Critters

Hark! Do my eyes deceive me while scrolling down the J.Crew new arrivals page?
It is a critter, although not described as so.

No, it is the more sophisticated "Embroidered" variety.
Do not be fooled, it is still the same.
Somewhere deep down, you still want to be preppy, I know you do J.Crew!
Since it is most likely soon to vanish, I highly suggest wrangling putting it in your shopping cart ASAP!
It will become extinct sooner than later.

EDITOR'S NOTE: In the time that it took from the writing to the publishing of this post, these shorts did in fact sell out. Ok Jenna Lyons, shouldn't that tell you something? You're overpriced organza polka-dot shorts are still lying around, aren't they?! Thought so...

How Lovely to be a Woman

One of my favorite movies is "Bye, Bye Birdie" starring Dick Van Dyke. 

The wardrobe is amazing and what girl would not want to be Ann-Margret! She has her perfect prep Hugo, and her bad-boy crush Conrad.

Kim is dressed in wonderful looks.  The transformation from bright colorblocking to her comfy sweatshirt and jeans could not be better played and she is flawless in both.

The perfect couple!

If you have not seen it, I highly recommend putting in in your Netflix queue.

You will be singing "We Love You Conrad" for weeks!!

A Lesson in Easter Eggs...

From the Queen of Good Things...

Decorating Easter Eggs should be simple and fun, right?

Well, leave it to Martha Stewart to elevate the process to something not so simple and only fun when we were finally done.

I am great at following directions, but this time my attentions were elsewhere and the poor little blotchy eggs suffered.

Here is how it went down...

Step 1:
With an egg blower, pierce the top and bottom of each egg, puncturing the yolk; carefully expel the contents. Rinse, and let dry.

Step 2:
In a small mixing bowl, combine 3 cups warm water, 2 tablespoons vinegar, and a few drops of food coloring. Place egg in dye, and leave it submerged until it turns the desired shade.

Step 3:
In a wide, shallow bowl, prepare a second batch of dye -- which will provide the swirls -- in a darker shade or a different color. Liquid should be 1/2 inch deep. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Run a fork through this mixture, creating curlicues of oil on the surface.

(This is the face you get when the swirly things do not turn out the way you want them too and obviously there is nothing wrong with the way you did it and he must be the culprit.)


Step 4:

As oil swirls, place dyed egg in mixture, and roll it once around the bowl to pick up oil streaks; remove the egg.

Step 5:
Gently pat egg with a paper towel.


Step 6:
Let it dry. You can experiment with color combinations: Vary the base tints and the swirls to achieve striking contrasts, subtle shadings, or multihued richness.

And the end result...

Maybe we didn't use enough dye, maybe I was a teensy bit too impatient and we didn't let them bathe long enough.
Needless to say, my eggs look nothing like Martha's.
Long live the Queen!

Easter Basket

With the impending cavities holiday coming up, I made sure to stock up in order to satiate Nick's sweet tooth.
From the typical treats to an adorable bee cookie, he is sure to be excited this Sunday.

And since I am not one to forget myself...
this pretty Hydrangea followed me home.

Happy Easter!!

The Hunt

So, my brain has been near-explosion, as of late, because Nick and I are on the prowl for a house.
This will be our first home, and we are shaking in our Top-Siders.
With my eyes glued to the MLS website, I have had little time to peruse the usual suspects for new Spring items, and although I am feeling a little Lilly withdrawal, am looking forward to filling this new house with more items than can just fit in my closet.
Fingers crossed.....

Garden Party

Driving through the country yesterday (on our way back from an unsuccessful attempt at finding a car for my love) I couldn't help but notice spring just beginning to peek itself up from the ground.

Little purple crocuses, daffodils and even some cherry blossoms were coming alive after a long fall and winter.
Perusing The Mall at Short Hills earlier that day got me thinking about a few additions to my spring repertoire.
There are tons of brights, but between all the neon I found a demure design style that is perfect for the romantic that loves a bit of shabby-chic inside the home and out.
Spring is my favorite season. Every winter I can't wait for the pretty pastel palate, the hopping robins, and forsythia crowns. It is also my anniversary too!

I am not a huge fan of insects, especially of the stinging, crawling, creepy variety, but as you can see below these arthropods are adorable!

J. Crew

Ellen Allen Annapolis

Lilly Pulitzer

Kate Spade

Tory Burch

J. Crew

Brooks Brothers

Mimi di N

for the men...

Brooks Brothers

Starboard Clothing Company

Vineyard Vines

and for the home...

Anthropologie

Pottery Barn

Nature's Heavenly Art

Sundance

Nantucket Mermaid

Happy Spring!!

Under the Sea sweater

So my love of Vineyard Vines goes way beyond the polos.
On my most recent excursion to Short Hills I added an adorable sweater to my dressing repertoire.
Behold, a sweater that I should probably buy two of because I anticipate wearing the heck out of it!!!

The colors are a soft pink and light aqua.  The little seahorse it outlined in white.

Perfection!