Friday, January 31, 2014

Treat Yoself

Treat Yoself

It's time for the weekend! And in the wise words of Donna Meagle and Tom Haverfod, sometimes you gotta Treat Yoself! But while Donna and Tom were dropping the big bucks, you don't have to spend a lot of cash to get some goods. Because let's face it, not everyone is Flush with cash like Tom and his boy Jean Ralphio. Here are a few items under $20 that won't break the bank!

1) I finally got my hands on the Core Collection Kit from Real Techniques. My Ulta is always out of it and I'm always too lazy to drive to the other location to see if they have it. They retail for $17.99 which is an unbeatable price for four quality brushes. I actually got mine with a $4 off coupon that Ulta sent me so I got a major deal. Ulta always has the $3.50 off coupon, so you can get these at a discounted price too. They are my new favorite brushes.

2) These are my absolute favorite leggings so far and trust me, I've worn a lot of leggings in my lifetime. I love these because they're high-waist and I just about love anything with a high waist since I'm all legs and no torso but that's a story for another day. With these lovely leggings, you don't have to worry about them falling down and showing everyone your undies, especially don't want any of that Whale-Tale action going on (sorry this post is riddled with Parks & Rec. references).

3) I love baubles, I love baubles on a train, I love baubles on a plane, I love baubles in the snow, I love baubles in the rain. While they are beautiful year round, I've discovered that they're an easy way to spice up a look in the Fall/Winter and add some sparkle to a layered look. This little gem will look nice paired with a cute crew neck sweater or tucked under the collar of a button down shirt, the possibilities are endless.

4) I needed cash back at Target and instead of getting gum or something insignificant I headed straight for the makeup aisles. I It was pretty much love at first sight when I saw this beauty, I was drawn to the packaging and the concept of a matte lip balm. I was expecting good things because I've always liked Revlon products but I was not expecting true love. Maybe I'm exaggerating, I really can't tell the difference anymore. This is by far one of the creamiest lip colors I've ever tried but it's also not slippery like some creamy colors can be. And it is a true matte, none of that semi-matte foolishness, this is the real deal. I got the color Shameless which is a beautiful color that I think will work all year. If you're not as bold or want a more subdued color, there are a variety of shades that would be flattering on many skin tones. There is also a lacquer formula but I haven't tried those yet.

Will you be picking up or ordering any of these items? Know any other deals? Share below!
--LaRondezvous

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday: Dark Lip Color Edition


Dark and Lovely
I want nothing more than for it to be Summer, I am desperately longing for warmer weather and all it brings. But I must wait a few more months before breaking out the shorts and short skirts. Until then, I suppose I can enjoy just about the only thing I like about cooler temps. What's that, you ask? DARK LIP COLORS! I don't know whether it's my new haircut or what, but I've been super into dark lip colors this Fall/Winter and I'm sure I'll keep wearing them until Spring appears. I rounded up some of the colors I've personally been wearing, there are a few that might be good for those weary of a very dark lip, but there are some that I know my fellow vampy girls will love. Another plus? All but two are way under $10, which makes trying out this trend more accessible for everyone. I threw in two great lip liners that can be worn alone or under another color for a deeper color.


What do you guys think? Own any of these colors? Got any other favorites? Share.
--LaRondezvous 

Monday, January 20, 2014

Weekend Haul

So I actually tried the "no-shopping for a month" challenge again and despite a few slip-ups, I did pretty well. I only caught myself buying something a few times and those few times the items were really special so I found a way to justify it. I am getting better at this challenge each time I try it, I may actually start again soon. It's a good thing I was done with the challenge when I went to Madewell this past weekend because I might have picked up a few things. Madewell is currently having their "Extra 40% off" sale items-sale so my friends and I stopped by to see what they had. Now I've found some steals in here before but this trip was unreal, I got amazing deals. I tried to find links to these products but they're no longer on the website; since the prices were so unbelievably low, my guess is that these items were from a past season and they were trying to get rid of them, which is fine by me. So it definitely won't hurt to go to your local store to see if they have these bad boys in stock. But run, don't walk, these prices are unreal. And here's a little tip, if you're a student or still have your student ID, you can use Madewell's 15% off student discount on top of the amazing sale. The sale is also happening online but you can't use your student discount.

Extra 55% off $19.99, more expensive on the website 

Extra 55% off $9.99

Extra 55% off $1.99

Extra 55% off $4.99

Extra 55% off $19.99 (Crappy pic but I tried to capture the detailing) 

I hope you guys get some of these deals or some similar deals!
--LaRondezvous 

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday: Current Skin Care Regimen

Skin Care

Hi, my name is LaRonda and I am addicted to skin care products. I have been an addict ever since my teen years when I first discovered Clean and Clear. I'm telling you, I swore by Clean and Clear, I bought every product. My skin never really gave me any problems, just the occasional breakout and I don't know if that's because I was so proactive (pun intended) or because I had generally well-behaved skin. Either way, I am still a product junkie, and while Clean and Clear Products don't meet my exact needs anymore, I must admit that they're quality products that really worked during my younger years. As I got older, I began spending more money on skin care, nothing terribly extravagant but investment items that really nourish my skin's needs. Heads up, you're going to see mostly Mario Badescu products in this post, about a month ago I took a little quiz at the company's website and a few weeks later they sent me free samples of a few products. Since then I have become hooked and recently purchased this kit from Ulta. Sorry, this is one of those word-heavy posts again 

1) Once upon a time I used makeup wipes, then I read that a lot of supermodels and other unusually pretty people used baby wipes to remove their makeup. So I purchased some and gave it a try. Unless something drastic happens, I probably won't be going back to makeup removing wipes. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure most of them are great and super effective but these little guys work just as well for me. I have tried a few brands and types and the Target brand is by far my favorite. I always go with the sensitive, unscented version and they never irritate my skin. They also do a heck of a job of removing my eye makeup which is a must since I wear eyeliner every day. Also, let's not forget that they're significantly less expensive than most makeup removing wipes.

2)The Clarisonic Mia 2 has been a game-changer for me, like any one else who has ever used one, I was astounded when I saw all the excess dirt that my hands or washcloths were leaving behind. It's definitely not a cheap item but if you're really into the appearance and health of your skin, you can't go wrong with this guy.

3) Someone recommended this cleanser to me and I picked it up on a whim. And I must say that this is now a staple in my skincare routine. I thought I might not care for the peppermint smell but it's not overwhelming at all and the peppermint makes my skin feel rejuvenated. I can't use it every day because it can be a little drying but definitely use it a couple times a week. I also use it as a body wash, it's great at banishing bacne (gross but most of us have had it at some point in time). 

4) I first got this cleanser and the rest of the Mario Badescu products listed here as a sample from the company's website. This is an interesting cleanser in the fact that it doesn't really create bubbles, so at first it's hard to think that your skin is actually getting clean because we're programmed to think that sudsing (I guess that's not a real word according to spell-check) means cleansing. That's not the case with this cleanser, I use it with my Clarisonic and the two work really well together.

5 & 6) I've had a love/hate relationship with toners. I love what they are capable of doing as far as giving you that extra clean and balancing the skin but I hate it when some toners are just too strong and your skin gets that tight, cellophane type feeling. Once your skin gets too tight or too clean, your skin can start to freak out and produce even more oil.I'm not gonna lie, I don't know what the real difference is between this toner and this toner but I like both of them. They've been doing an excellent job of keeping things balanced and they always seem to remove that last little bit of dirt that's left behind. 

7) I don't want to jinx it but I think I might have found my holy grail moisturizer. This was the first sample that I ran out of because I used it so much. I have never found a moisturizer that makes my face so happy. Since I have oily skin I am real big on moisturizing, in order to keep from getting to oil slick level, you have to keep your skin's moisture in balance. This product does just that without leaving behind any weird residue like some moisturizers do.

8) The Drying Lotion was actually the first Mario Badescu product that I purchased, it was before I got the samples from the website. At the time, I'd been experiencing these really random breakouts that were quite small but still menacing to someone like myself. I spent days and weeks obsessing over them and using all of my products to banish them from my face (so dramatic). My attempts were futile at best, as the tiny, flesh-colored bumps remained hidden under my skin. I took a trip to Ulta and headed straight for the Mario Badescu products and reached for this miracle-worker. I know I've been known to be dramatic but this stuff has changed my life, it zaps pimples faster than they can erupt. However, ironically enough, since I've been using the full line of MB products, I rarely have to use this. I guess I can't complain there. 

9) I haven't tried many scrubs in my tenure as a skin care junkie, I've mostly been partial to the St. Ive's Apricot Scrub. It's never let me down. But this Strawberry Scrub is a dream, it seems to exfoliate and moisturize simultaneously, and really what more could a girl ask for? I also like that the particles are small, so it feels as if they're really sloughing off those dead skin cells.

10) I had always heard good things about this mask, I just never remembered to try it, go figure. One day whilst perusing Ulta, I decided to give it a try. It's one of those simple, uncomplicated products that just works. When I'm on my best behavior, I'll use this mask 2-3 times a week, and I see a major difference when I do. My skin isn't as oily and my pores seem smaller. Anything that can do those two things is a winner in my book. 

P.S. From the looks of this post, you'd think that I was sponsored by Mario Badescu himself. Alas, I purchased all of these products with my own money and these are just my humble opinions. If anyone knows Mr. Badescu, tell him he can sponsor my posts or skin care regimen any time he'd like. 

Monday, January 6, 2014

My Boyfriend's Blazer




Blazer: The Main Attraction | Top: Forever 21 | Bottoms: Gap | Shoes: Sam & Libby for Target | Necklace:: Lane Bryant|  Watch: Target | Bracelet: Five and Two | Rings: ASOS

The title of this post is misleading. This is not my boyfriend's blazer and I do not have a boyfriend. That's really neither here nor there. I've actually had this snazzy little blazer for a few years and because I'm kind of a hoarder, this was my first time donning it. I picked it up at The Main Attraction in Downtown Memphis, a cute little boutique with unique finds. The cold and rainy day thought that it could keep me from looking like a person but I stood my ground. My sister and I even braved the wind and rain to snap these pictures, we weren't quite brave enough to go past the porch to get the picture but I think the blog-world will forgive me for the dismal surroundings.   
--LaRondezvous