A Few Boxing Day Finds

For all who celebrated Christmas, hope you all had an amazing day with your families and for those who celebrate Kwanza, Happy Kwanza!! As some of you know the day after Christmas is boxing day, which I only found out about just last year noting that it's a more prevalent holiday in UK. Lush in particular always has boxing day sales on all their holiday products and gift sets - buy one get one free! Disregarding the title of boxing day, a variety of stores were having sales yesterday through the end of December; to name a few, Uniqlo was having 50% off select styles, Stuart Weitzman is having 50% off select shoes, Macy's was having a huge one day sale, Aritzia is having up to 50% off fall/winter merchandise, Urban Outfitters was having 50% off all sale items,  Topshop is having up to 50% off select styles, and many many more. Long story short, after Christmas sales are amazing. 

Dream Steam Tablets, Candy Mountain Bubble Bar, and the Wizard Bubble Bar

Usually my local Lush isn't as busy, but on boxing day it was packed! Last year, I picked up two gift sets filled with bath bombs and bubble bars, but this year they didn't have many containing strictly bath bombs or bubble bars, they were all had one bath bomb and a bunch of soaps or shower gels, which I didn't particularly want. Luckily all their holiday products were also on buy one get one free, so I picked up the Candy Mountain bubble bar, which smells of vanilla and a hint of candy, giving it a very sweet scent. I also picked up the Wizard bubble bar, which smells like the signature Lush scent, very florally and sweet. Lastly, I stumbled upon these Dream Steam Tablets, where at first I thought they were for your shower and making the steam in your shower a certain way, but no you're supposed to drop them in a bowl of hot water and use the steam to leave your skin refreshed and unclog your pores, either way I'm excited to use them! 

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3, Beauty Blender, Living Proof 5-in-1 Styling Treatment, Bobbi Brown BB Cream, Glamglow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment, and Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream

On my way to the Lush Boxing Day sale, I stopped by Sephora to pick up a few winter essentials. I love how every time I go in to Sephora to pick up a couple things, I always come out with so much more.  After running out of toner and moisturizer, I decided to go get some more. I use the Clinique Clarifying Lotion toner for combination and oily skin, I have no idea if that is what type of skin I have, but it seems to work for me and thats all that matters, right? For the winter time I like to use the Yu-Be moisturizer at night because it is so thick and helps cure my awful wintery dry skin. I also picked up a new Beauty Blender, after having one for a whole year it got a bit smelly, even after sanitizing in the microwave and deeply washing it, I thought it was time to throw it out, and get a new one! While on line to check out, I saw a bunch of mini Glamglow mud masks, I had already tried the Supermud version and have gone through two big tubs of it, so I thought i'd try the Thirstymud mask as an overnight replenishing mask, lets hope it lasts me through the winter. Lastly, I got two beauty insider rewards, the Living Proof styling cream and the Bobbi Brown BB cream, I haven't tried either before, nor I have I tried products from either brands, so maybe they'll be my next holy grail product, who knows?? 

Hope you all have a great rest of weekend! And a great end to the year!!

xx
Francesca 

Holiday Party Outfit Ideas

Whether you are going to a large party or a family dinner, holiday parties are a great time to dress up. Rather than our usual casual attire- something we all love- we also enjoy the occasional fancy dressing. There are numerous ways in which one can dress up. You can keep it more low key with a pair of booties or go all out with a pair of heels. Either way, dressing up should be fun so enjoy mixing and matching different textures and styles! Hope you all have wonderful holidays and allow our styles to inspire yours!

Francesca's look is more for a fancier party. Her all black look features a Mongolian goat hair vest and a pair of Prada patent leather heeled booties. The vest adds depth to the monotone coloured outfit, giving her look a chic new vibe. Essentially, the all black look is always a go to because of the classy and elegant feel it gives to the appearance.

Turtleneck Cashmere Dress

Jocelyn Mongolian Goat Hair Vest

Urban Outfitters Pleated Skirt

Banana Republic Tights

Prada Patent Leather Booties 

Deena's look is more for a dinner with the family. The look features a floral print skirt and Dolce Vita brown booties. This outfit is great for nights with the family on the holidays because it is not too fashion forward however it's not too casual- perfect for those long chats with that one aunt!

Zara Cropped Sweater

Urban Outfitters Skirt

Calvin Klein Tights

DV by Dolce Vita Booties

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season! Drink all the hot chocolate and eat as many candy canes as possible. It has been a great five months blogging, we appreciate all the reads and support given! Have a very merry christmas, a happy hanukkah, an amazing kwanza, and a joyous new year!!!

xx

Francesca & Deena 

Holiday Wish Lists 2014

It's that time of year!!! It's the holiday season, our personal fave! We thought it would be a fun idea to put together our holiday wish lists and show them to you guys. Take some inspiration for gifts for your friends or family or even yourself! Enjoy and have a great holiday season!

Francesca's Holiday Wish List

Teddy Robe // Topshop $64 

Russel + Hazel Acrylic Tape Dispenser // Hattan Home $24

Reiko Kaneko Lip Tease Mug // Shopbop $25

 Clear Rosa iPhone 6 Clear Case // Rifle Paper Co. $36

Brvtvs™ 14k Gold Small Bar Earrings // J. Crew $84

Feuille de Lavande Candle // Diptyque $30-$60

Kate Spade Gold Acrylic Stapler // Hattan Home $28

2015 Bold Kraft Planner // Sugar Paper $16.99

Liten Gold Watch // Larsson & Jennings $337

Gold Carnaby Zebra Stacking Dish // Jonathan Adler $32

Lowland Boots // Stuart Weiztman $785

Deena's Holiday Wish List

Ultra Light Jacket // Uniqlo $69.90 

iPhone 6 Floral Case // Etsy $19.00 

Knit Hat  // Zara $15.90

Nail Polish // Butter London $15.00

Monogram Cup // Anthropologie $8.00

Birken Socks // Aritzia $15.00

Suede Boots // Sam Edelman $129.95

Wild Fig and Cassis Candle // Jo Malone $65.00

 Squarecut Bangle Bracelet // Madewell $24.00 

Marc Jacobs Beauty Products

Marc Jacobs, a brand in the fashion industry that we all know and love, was created by famous fashion designer Marc Jacobs. The company is known for many things- bags, wallets, scarfs, etc. However, more recently the company launched their own makeup brand. The products range from eyes to lips with numerous palates and colors. Just how we fell in love with our Marc Jacobs bags and wallets, we fell in love with the makeup. 

From left to right: Lovemarc - Lip Gel and Lust For Lacquer Lip Vinyl - Full in 316 Shooting Stars 

From left to right: Lovemarc - Lip Gel in 104 Dizzy Spell, Lovemarc - Lip Gel in 108 Have We Met?, Lovemarc - Special Addition 146 Cabaret

The Lovemarc Lip Gels and Lacquer Lips are two of our favorite products from the Marc Jacob's makeup line. The texture is creamy and velvety, leaving a soft feeling when put on your lips. Additionally, the wide range of colors is a plus. From deep purples to light pinks and oranges, the colors give a pop to any lip. The formula is generally long lasting but I would still throw the lipstick in your bag when you leave the house in order to reapply throughout the day. Although the lipsticks are pricey, they are worth it considering the enjoyable texture and variety in color.

Perfection Powder - Featherweight Finish in 100 Finish Line

The Marc Jacobs Perfection Powder is an amazing powder for setting makeup. All you need is a swirl in the powder with your brush and dust it all over your face and you will be ready to take on the day without your make up smudging. However, you don't need to use a lot of this powder otherwise it will leave a white cast over your face- something no one using make up wants. So while it is a good powder- don't over use it. Concerning the packaging, it is not our favorite. The entire powder fell out of the packaging after packing it away for a trip. Luckily, the powder was still intact and usable yet I would have preferred to avoid the mess altogether. 

From left to right: O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara in Blaquer 30, Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in Blacquer 42

The Marc Jacobs O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara is probably one of the best mascaras I have ever used. It not only separates your lashes but gives them volume creating a perfect everyday laid back look.  Both the wand and formula make this a holy grail product! The Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon is incredibly pigmented and glides right on, the formula is also super creamy. A plus to the liner is that it is a twist up which means no sharpening!

Black Friday 2014

Many say Black Friday shopping isn't worth it, but after going shopping for the past 4 years on Black Friday it has become tradition. For those who don't know what Black Friday is, it is  the day after Thanksgiving in which stores have incredible sales, some stores have such great sales that people go cray and get a bit violent. Fortunately, Manhattan doesn't have malls like most states where stores get that crowded or crazy. Both Deena and I woke up at 4 o'clock in the morning to make it to Urban Outfitters by 5AM, after going to Urban we made our way to the Flatiron District, where stores like Bath and Body Works, Anthropologie, Sephora, Madewell, J. Crew, Joe Fresh, Banana Republic, Loft, Zara, C. Wonder, etc. were having Black Friday sales. All in all Black Friday 2014 was a success, I was hoping to get a few sweaters √ , a few holiday candles √, and a pair of booties √!

J.Crew

J. Crew was having 30% off the entire store and 40% all sale items. In addition to the 40% off sale, I used my student discount of 15% off. 

Solid Fair Isle Ankle Socks (Natural) and Chunky Marled Socks (Ash Ivory)

Originally these socks were $12.50 and with 30% off they were $8.75 each.

Lambswool Pointelle Sweater

Originally this sweater was $98 put on sale for $69.99, but with 40% off it came to $41.99, and using my student discount of 15% off the sweater came to $35.69! For an 100% wool sweater that is a pretty good deal!!

Madewell

Madewell was having 25% off your entire purchase, 20% off all jewelry, and 30% of all sale items. In addition to the 30% off sale, I used my student discount of 15% off. 

Raw Edge Tee (Hthr Parchment)

Originally this tee was $39.50 put on sale for $29.99 and then put on sale again for $14.99,  but with 30% off it came to $10.49, and using my student discount of 15% off the tee came to $8.91!

Urban Outfitters 

Urban Outfitters was having 50% off all sale items. 

Skinny-Sleeve Oversized Tee

Originally this top was $69 put on sale for $39.99, but with 50% off it came to $19.99. 

Sansa Tee

Originally this top was $44, but with 50% off it came to $22. 

Cozy V-Neck Sweater (Ivory)

Originally this sweater was $69 put on sale for $39.99, but with 50% off it came to $19.99!

Knit Racerback Fit + Flare Dress

Originally this dress was $44 put on sale for $19.99 and then put on sale again for $9.99, but with 50% off it came to $4.99! How could I pass up a $5 dress, that was not only cute but cheap?? 

Joe Fresh 

Joe Fresh was having 50% off all regular priced items. 

Thick Shaker Knit Sweater (Coral)

Originally this sweater was $39, with 50% off it was $19.50! 

Ponte Pant (Black)

Originally these pants were $49 put on sale for $12.94! Unfortunately, they weren't eligible for the 50% off, but besides that they were a pretty good deal!

C. Wonder 

C. Wonder was having 40% off everything! And when I went back on saturday 11/29, they had priced certain items down, making some items even cheaper with the 40% off. 

Feather Down Pillow Inserts (16x16)

Originally these pillow inserts were $12 put on sale for $7.99, but with 40% off they were $4.79 each! With these incredibly cheap pillow inserts I hope to DIY my own christmassy pillow cases!

Holiday Scented Votive Candle Set

Originally this candle set was $28 put on sale for $20, but with 40% off it came to $12. 

Cancer Zodiac Candle

 Originally this candle was $22 but with 40% off it was $13.20!

Sephora

Sephora was having their $10 deals. 

Origins: Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, Modern Friction Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion, and Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask Tarte: Lip Surgence Lip Gloss (magic), Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush (magic), and Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara.

Both sets were $10! Unfortunately, these sets were only available on Black Friday in store.

Bloomingdales

Bloomingdales was having a variety of sales, unfortunately I did not make it to the store, but they were have Brown Bag sales online.

DV Dolce Vita Chelsea Booties- Vancie

Originally these boots were $140 on sale for $98!

Chunky Scarves and Detailed Jackets

As the temperature in the city starts to drop, the chunkier scarves and warmer jackets start to come out. Whether you use a scarf as a statement piece or as something you casually throw over a sweater or shirt, a scarf can add a significant amount of depth to an outfit. Plaid, bold colors or even plain black can make an outfit super comfy.  Depending on where you live, this is the time for you to pull out your transition coats. Cute transition coats with certain details, such as leather, can really make a piece stand out.  To us, the perfect transition coats are the ones that keep you warm but not to the point where you feel as if you are boiling hot. It's all about feeling comfortable, meaning you aren't going to feel super cold or hot in your perfect transition coat. Essentially, detailed jackets and chunky scarves are our essentials when transitioning into the colder months.

Francesca is wearing a darker toned ensemble with her navy J. Crew sweater paired with a navy and green plaid scarf. To give more emphasis on the blues in the outfit, she wore black Topshop jeans and a pair of tall black Stuart Weitzman boots.

Ray-Ban Sunglasses 

J. Crew Sweater

Gifted Scarf

Topshop Jeans

Stuart Weitzman Boots

Deena is wearing a toned down, grayscale coloured combination with an edge. While mixing metals between the hardware on her Vince Camuto jacket and the buckles on her Dolce Vita booties, she succeeds in accomplishing the biker girl look. Although she is wearing just a simple tee and a pair of black skinnies, the quilted details on the jacket dress up the whole outfit. 

Ray-ban Sunglasses

Vince Camuto Jacket

Zara T-shirt

Madewell Jeans

Dolce Vita Booties