wednesday wants - back to basics

This week for my Wednesday Wants, I'm going back to basics.

As every girl knows, there are some essentials you always need in your closet.

Here are the list of those "classic" needs that I'm craving right now!

{Old Navy}

Old Navy isn't my favorite store, but when it comes to basic layering pieces, they are IT.

The price is definitely right on this Perfect Rib-Knit tank. It comes in tons and tons of colors, is extremely comfortable, and just perfect for layering all year long!

{Madewell}

A black blazer is one of the greatest pieces a girl can own. Plus it's so easy to add it onto any outfit to fancy-it-up!

{J. Crew}

Black skinny jeans go with almost anything, and can give a more sophisticated look then your typical pair of regular jeans.

{Lulus}

LBD. Need I say more? Every girl needs a little black dress in her closet, and this one is just adorable!

{Madewell}

I may have a slight addiction to my chambray shirt, seeing as I wear it all the time. I have one in a darker color, but this light one needs to be mine ASAP.

There is nothing like having a few core basics that you can pair with fun different pieces to mix and match for amazing new looks!

What do YOU consider to be your basics?

my beauty basics

While I do not consider myself a beauty or makeup expert by any means, I do have my beauty essentials just like every girl.

As you can see, I seem to have an overflowing collection, but I tend to stick to six essentials that I use every day.

Personally, I try to keep my look on the more natural side.

I start with face primer first before I put anything else on. This is to ensure that my makeup stays on longer. It also puts a barrier between my face and my makeup, which protects against breakouts.


After that, I put on my tinted moisturizer. I used to use BB Creams
but happened to get NARS Tinted Moisturizer for free through a work
event and I have been using it ever since.


Tinted moisturizers exist to give you hydration and minimal coverage. BB Creams, on the other hand, provide you with those functions in addition to SPF, skin correctors, firming aspects, etc.

I'm thinking about switching back to BB Creams once my tinted moisturizer runs out since it has so many added features.

Does anyone have any recommendations of a good one? I've been thinking about going with Smashbox.

After that I'll throw on some blush, though not a lot because I DO NOT want to look like a clown!

Then on to my eyes! First I'll put on a separate primer for my eyes to keep my makeup on all day and to prevent smudging.

Then comes the eyeliner. Always brown, and just on the top lid!

After that, of course, comes mascara. I've perfected the whole routine to where it only takes about 5 minutes, which is completely necessary, because most mornings, I'm in a bit of a rush.

Below are the items that I use every day:

1. NARS
2. NARS
3. Lorac
4. Sephora
5. Smashbox
6. Urban Decay

So what are the items YOU use in your daily routine?

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Linking Up with My Thrifty Chic & The Sapphire Bee

low key weekend recap

In my opinion, there's nothing like a relaxing weekend that features the return of some long-lost friends!

Friday night was a night in with Bryan spent with a little pizza and channel flipping.

Low key and perfect.

Saturday was a little bit more productive. The day started off with a trip to Five Guys Burgers and Fries in Huntington. Which if you've never had it, is the greasiest but most glorious thing in the universe!

We then spent most of the day shopping around before going out to eat at Hurricane Grill and Wings in Syosset.

If you like wings, you HAVE to try this place.

I mean, you can even sample any of the sauces! My personal favorites are Mango Barbecue, Chipotle Raspberry, and Cyclone!

My beer choice that evening was called Leaf Pile. And while I found it to be extremely weird that a fall beer was available so close to April, I was more than happy to give it a go since fewer things make me happier than a glass of beer with cinnamon sugar on the rim.

Later in the night we went to Miller's Ale House, which is the usual hangout spot of choice for my group of friends. We had two of our out of town friends in for a visit and sometimes there's nothing to brighten your spirits like seeing some old friends.

Finally, Sunday was just another bum day with Bryan watching movies and eating snacks. Basically, a perfect lazy day is sometimes all you need.

It's always sad to see the weekend end, but it's back to the grind today. As always, I like to start my week in good spirits.
So I say to all of you: Happy Monday!

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This is a Weekend Shenanigan link up with Samis Shenanigans!

new places and old faces

There are fewer things I enjoy more than trying new places and reuniting with old friends.

This week I had met up with my old friend Marissa, who've I've been consistently attempting (and failing) to hang out with since Hurricane Sandy.

We finally met up on Wednesday at a place called Thunder Jackson's on Bleecker Street in New York City.

This place had a fun dive-bar vibe that I really enjoyed, but what really stuck out to me were the fantastic deals.

Every day is happy hour from 11:30 - 7:00 with drink specials between $3 and $5 dollars. Wednesdays and Thursdays are Ladies' Night which brings additional $3 and $5 dollar specials through the end of the night.

In addition to that, there are incredible food specials to boot.

Basically, these are incredible prices for The Village.

I took advantage of Ladies' Night by indulging in the incredibly priced $3 glasses of sangria. I then had a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich for dinner.

Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches aren't the most difficult meal to make, but as far as they go this one was awesome!

For your side - definitely get the Filthy Fries, which have a little Cajun kick. No extra cost, but it is extra wonderful.

This blog isn't for restaurant reviews by any means, but I just enjoy sharing my interesting and fun experiences with the world.

With that said, have a great weekend.

And try something new!

color of the year 2013 - emerald

As you've probably heard by now, Pantone has announced that the 2013 Color of the Year is Emerald.

Just like everyone else, I am so excited to find some new and different ways to rock this color all year long!

Here are some items that I'd love to add to my collection to sport this hot new hue:





1. GAP // 2. 7 For All Mankind // 3. NARS
4. Tory Burch // 5. MICHAEL Michael Kors //6. MICHAEL Michael Kors

wednesday wants - dresses

In honor of the first day of spring, I want to celebrate an item that

I am so excited to bring back "sans tights" - dresses!

Of course it goes without saying that a dress is such a versatile item to have in your closet.

It can be worn with a pair of Toms and a denim jacket for a casual look.

Or maybe a blazer and heels for a work-appropriate look.

Or even with a sweater, tights, and boots to bring a summer look into one for winter.

So without further ado, these are five dresses that I really want at the moment:

Has anyone else been hypnotized by those Old Navy commercials for their new eyelet dresses?

Well I have.

They are just so cute AND only $25 each!

{Old Navy}

 And with Easter just around the corner, I think that it's appropriate to mention that I think that the yellow one needs to hop into my closet as soon as possible.

{Urban Outfitters}

I love everything about this dress. From the bold pattern to the exposed back, there is simply nothing that I think looks better.

I could easily see transitioning this piece from day to night once the weather gets warmer!

{Anthropologie}

And speaking of the change in seasons, this dress might be the perfect combination of fun and color that I need to jump start me into warmer days.

{H&M}

I love the shade of green in this dress, and you can never argue with H&M's low prices.

{Loft}

Just like i mentioned yesterday, big and bold stripes are HOT right now! And on top of that, these colors would brighten any day!

And while I'm always looking to add more dresses to my closet, the real question is what dresses are YOU currently craving this Wednesday?

runway to closet - stripes

While a lot of trends seen on the runway during Fashion Week can seem a little bit out there, some can easily be converted into everyday wear.

Stripes in particular were seen all over the place this season, but these were not just any stripes - the hot variety these days is "Big, Bright and Bold!"

Below are some examples of how this was used on the runway:

{Dolce & Gabbana}

{Christian Dior}

{Oscar de la Renta}

Of course, sprinkled into stores everywhere are fun ways for the everyday girl (and guy, we won't discriminate by gender) to rock this look for spring.

{J. Crew}

{Gap}

{Forever 21}

Even though the first day of spring is not technically until tomorrow, and here in New York the weather is still very much stuck in winter mode, I am just SO excited that I needed to get a jump start on this trend a day early.

{Shirt: Loft, Skirt: Express, Tights: H&M, Boots: Ciao Bella}

While this shirt is from last year, this is inspiring me to think of all the fun striped items that I need for my closet this year.

Are you excited about stripes for spring?