Fallin' Up My Wardrobe

Fallin' Up My Wardrobe

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style

As I've said oh-so-many times before, I love autumn, it's the best season of all. And one of things I love most about this time of year is the fashion. I love layers, long sleeves, scarves, and boots! I thought I would show you a few of the pieces I've added to my wardrobe to bring it into the fall season.

First are some necklaces; once the weather gets cold my necklines start to rise. This means many of my smaller, shorter necklaces would just hide under my shirts. So I bought these 2 long necklaces to drape over my layers and give some interest to outfits. 

Left: Came with the gray sweater below, Right: from Burlington Coat Factory (similar here and here)

Next some warmer tops:

This one from AB Studio at Kohl's came with the necklace above. It's got a soft peplum that hides your bits but isn't shapeless.

This next top is from Coldwater Creek and was thrifted (similar here). I love this style for work; it's comfortable and warm, and goes great with trousers.

Now for some outerwear:

So this vest I actually bought for my Cruella costume, but when I tried it on I thought it would be a great layering piece. It's very warm and neutral and will go great with sweaters.

Finally, this Christopher Banks piece (similar here) I've already got a ton of wear out of. It's a khaki jacket! I've looked for years for a jean jacket but never found the right fit, but I saw this jacket at the thrift store and it fits great. I especially love it with the sleeves rolled up. I know I'll keep wearing this into the Spring!

So these are my updates for autumn. I'm excited for the cozy clothes and the holidays soon to come! What do you do to update your wardrobe for the cooler months?

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Kicking Primer to the Curb!

Kicking Primer to the Curb!

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makeup

I have been trying to combat this oily skin for quite a while now. It seems that by lunch time my face is shiny and makeup is patchy. It's not a good look!

So I decided to try primers to see what would work; I'd used them before but it always seemed like an unnecessary step in my routine. So I tried BareMinerals Prime Time, ELF Poreless Face Primer,  and sampled Tarte Cleanslate Poreless Primer (not pictured).

I found that none of these seemed to help my problem and they actually made it worse. I would get oilier, earlier in the day. I think it's because all 3 of these primers have that silicone texture. I just can't figure out what that's good for except for filling in pores and fine lines maybe. But I feel like it just made my makeup slide off.

I gave up primers and just went back to foundation and powder and eat with that midday melt away, until a certain YouTuber (Leighannsays) flipped my world upside down! She did a video on how she tried powder before foundation to ensure longevity. 

So I gave it a go and I do think it works so much better than primers. I use the ELF High Definition Powder in Translucent to provide a nice foundation but no coverage. Of course there are a few tricks for a great application:

• You want to use as little powder as possible, I used a fan brush for a really light application.
• Just put the powder where you need it; on the t-zone and cheeks for me, don't put it under your eyes.
• Apply foundation as normal and finish off with more powder if necessary... but be careful of too much powder, you can begin to look cakey (trust me!). 

Finally as an ultimate measure and to combat that powdery-ness I will use a makeup setting spray like Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray. 

I have used this for the day and it helps keep my makeup on through a full day of work and a crazy humid building, but more often than not this is a all-night kind of look. I hope if works for you all!

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Halloween Makeup - Cruella De Ville

Halloween Makeup - Cruella De Ville

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Makeup Tutorial

I love Halloween! Not the scary, bloody, Halloween, but the dress-up, lanterns, jack-o-lanterns, macabre Halloween. So I, of course, love costumes... choosing what to be and creating a character, it brings me joy.

I was inspired this year by the TV show Once Upon A Time's version of Cruella De Ville. You can see her wicked makeup here. See how I became this great villain below!

First, let me say that you are going to look like a hot mess through most of this make up, but I tell you it'll all come together in the end :)

Ok, so I know there's no breakdown of the eye makeup but my camera wasn't on for those pics :( But here's the step-by-step on how to get this look.

1. Start with the brows; use a brown-gray to fill in then go over in small strokes with a matte black.
2. Take a mid-tone gray all over the lid. Bring it up just up to the crease (or for hooded gals, a bit past)
3. Take a flat brush (I used a concealer brush) to draw a straight line down from the inner corner of your brow to the inner corner of your eye with a dark gray. 
4. For the ombre effect drag that line with the same brush inwards, then add a lighter gray and drag that inwards.
5. Fill in the brow bone and the area below with a shimmery white. 
6. Draw the dark gray across your crease and darken the outer corner for more definition. 
7. Then add black eyeliner and lots of mascara! We're not going for a wing here, but you can if you like that. Also, false lashes would look great with this look. 

Now for highlighting and contouring:

1. Use a brightening/light concealer in the middle of the forehead, down the nose, on the chin, and in triangles under the eyes. 
2. Blend!
3. Contour with a gray-brown. You want really high cheekbones, so put the contour line a bit higher than normal (If you don't have a contour brush just squeeze down a powder brush).
4. Also draw on either side of your chin to slim the chin (we're going for angular here). 
5. For once in your life, don't blend up, blend both lines down and out to darken that jaw line area - I went over the cheekbone line multiple times; we want to see that line a bit. 
6. Then find an intense highlighter (I used the lightest one from the NYX palette) and go over where you applied the concealer. Also highlight just above the cheekbones to bring them out.

Finally, (whew, I know there's a lot of steps!) the lipstick:

1. Cruella has a really true red lip, but I decided to go a little darker.
2. Use a dark red/maroon lip pencil or crayon all over the lips. 
3. Add a more true or orange-red on top focusing on the center.

Now add a wig, black dress, gloves, and of course (faux) fur! And you are Cruella! See below for the products I used.

100% Pure - Fruit Pigmented Mascara

Loreal Telescopic Mascara - Similar here (Not Cruelty-free)

ELF Products - From this haul

NYX Highlight & Contour Pro Palette

NYX Hi Definition Photo Concealer - Porcelain

I hope you all have a happy Halloween and would love to hear what you're going as this year!

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Fall Favorites Tag

Fall Favorites Tag

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Favorites

I've never done a tag before, so why not now at my favorite time of year, Fall! I got this tag from Jaclyn Hill, and I'm excited to give it a go!

Fall Favorites Tag by amberbutbetter featuring Burt's Bees

Favorite Candle
Yankee Candle Apple Cider... I am obsessed, OBSESSED, with apple and cinnamon scents and this candle is the best I've smelled. It's very apple-y but not over sweet and there's just enough cinnamon to give it warmth. Mmmm... just writing about it makes me want to go home and light that bad boy up (I haven't yet this fall).

Favorite Lip Color
As I don't wear lipstick very often (if ever!) I would just say a really good lip balm is vital to Fall and Winter. I really like the Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm in the original scent/flavor.

Favorite Drink
I love them all! I love hot apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes, hot cocoa, the whole lot! YUM :) I love them in my large 'A' mug at home, or my larger-than-life Starbucks mug (similar here) for bringing on the go.

Favorite Blush
I love the natural rose flush of Milani Baked Powder Blush in Berry Amore. It adds the perfect amount of shimmer to bring out those cheekbones but remains natural. The berry shade just gives you a beautiful flush.

Favorite Clothing Item
In general, sweaters, scarves, and boots... all the time. I just bought these black moto booties and I couldn't be more excited to bust them out. It's just I love them so much I feel I need a special occasion, I know, silly.

Favorite Fall Movie
I had to think on this one for a bit as I'm not into scary movies at all, so that really limits the Fall/Halloween-ish movies. My favorite has to be that throwback Disney made-for-TV movie, Halloweentown and it's continuations. Yes, it's nerdy, but I really enjoy that kid-friendly monsters and witches type of Halloween, just pure fun!

Favorite Fall TV Show
Once Upon a Time! I've watched this show from the start. I wasn't sure how they'd pull off more than one season of weaving Fairy Tales in and out of each other with all the twists and turns one could want. But somehow they've done it! I'll admit last season I stayed away because I couldn't keep up with my schedule, but thanks to Netflix I got caught up through season 4 right before this season started, so I'm ready!

Favorite Thanksgiving Food
I love the mashed potatoes and gravy. I am in charge of the gravy in my family and I'm obsessed with it, yes I'm a little conceited, but trust me it's good.

Favorite Halloween Costume
This year's, but since you haven't seen it yet (coming soon) I'd have to say my fave was when I was about 9 - I was invited to a friend's last minute Halloween party. So my mom dug around the house; with some play clothes, glitter, tights, and makeup she made me into an adorable Cinderella. I was cute! 

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Getting to Know my Neighborhood

Getting to Know my Neighborhood

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Thoughts

As you may (or may not) know I have moved twice this year! Ahh, let me tell you about some stress :) But I'm finally in a place that I feel comfortable in and the animals have settled in as well. Since they're much more comfortable and relaxed now, I've been able to go about and about and explore my area.

I now live in Lakewood, CO near Golden... which is my favorite place in Colorado! I'm close to my family, who've been a wonderful support for me, and all the places I love.

My first foray out in the neighborhood was to Casa Bonita, a famous restaurant detailed in a certain South Park episode. I hadn't been there in something like 15 years, so when a friend wanted to go I thought it'd be fun. If you haven't heard of Casa Bonita, it's hard to describe, but I'll try. It's basically a Mexican restaurant that's jungle/pirate/miner themed, LOL it's a little all over the place. But they have an indoor waterfall and divers for entertainment which is awesome.

It's a lot hokey and a little fun and has great sopapillas! I would not recommend any of the other food though, this is purely an ambiance type of place.

Next my mom, grandma, and I decided to take a stroll in downtown Golden. We looked at the antique shops and local boutiques. The shops are a nice mix of handmade, country, and antique aesthetics. I really enjoyed just people watching, walking along Clear Creek, and seeing the local handmade items for sale. It was a really fun day... and it doesn't get much better than this welcome sign!

Then my brother and I decided to go for lunch in Belmar. This was once the site of a mall which was torn down for an outdoor mall/luxury apartments/business center/whatever else it wants to be. It's a fun place to walk around with great shops, cafes, restaurants, and bigger stores. It's a pretty popular place so I decided to use the OpenTable website to reserve a table at a restaurant. This site (and app too) is like a reservation maker and Yelp all in one. You can find local restaurants, read reviews, and browse Top 10 lists (such as, Neighborhood Gems, Best for Brunch, etc...). So I searched the website and decided to try Little India in Blemar. I also found some restaurants that I'd never heard of but am dying to try!

I'm not normally a fan of Indian food, but my brother's into it so I thought I'd give it a second chance. We got the lunch buffet so I could try an array of food. And let me tell you, I'm a convert! I love Indian food; it's spicy and flavorful and just so delicious. My favorite food at the buffet by far was the onion chutney in naan bread. It's raw onions covered in spices; I know it doesn't sound special, but the spices make all the difference in the world. It's just so good!

I also tried tandoori chicken, chicken vindaloo, curries, and carrot pudding (which I love and need to recreate!). Everything was really good and I ate my fill for sure.

I've really enjoyed reacquainting myself with my new neighborhood. I've especially enjoyed be able to focus on spending time with friends and family. I hope all of you get a chance to explore or re-explore your neck of the woods, it really feels good to see the sites in your own backyard.

This post was solicited by OpenTable, however, all opinions are my own.

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