New OPI & Benefit's Legally Bronze

I went to the nail salon to get a manicure again today! I was hoping to have time for a massage at the spa while I was here visiting my mom, but there is never enough time when I visit to get in everything we want to do. And, well, it was time to change my Jade is the New Black. Unfortunately, I am not talented/coordinated like all you ladies, and I cannot for the life of me paint my nails by myself. Am I the only one? I am left handed so the nails on my left hand always come out seriously awful! so off to the salon I went.

I was in a lilac sort of mood and I was hoping to try Essie's Lilacism after seeing it at J. Crew, but the salon didn't have it. Instead I chose a polish from OPI's Shrek Collection, and the name makes me cringe... I love OPI's polish names, you know? Like, I'm Not Really a Waitress, Not So Bora-Boraing Pink, Pistol Packin' Pink, Aphrodite's Nightie... creative. So imagine my disappointment when I saw that the name of the pretty lilac color I was looking at was Rumple's Wiggin. LOL! I'm not really too familar with Shrek... is Rumple a character? And more importantly, what's a Wiggin?!

I've since read on a few blogs that this polish, Rumple's Wiggin, is nearly identical to Essie's Lilacism. A blog I read said she cannot tell the difference in color even when they are on her hand, except OPI's formula is better and not streaky like Essie's version.

I love it! It makes me happy.

Next up - I've never tried any of Benefit's products, but the packaging is so adorable, I've always wanted to try them for that reason alone! I'm a sucker for package design!

I saw Benefit's Legally Bronze kit at Sephora, and luckily I snagged it before it was completely sold out everywhere. Its a kit with full size bottles of Benefit's Hoola Bronzer, High Beam, Bad Gal Lash Mascara, and Gilded highlighter pencil, and it was sold for just $35. The Hoola Bronzer is $28 BY ITSELF so this was an amazing deal I couldn't pass up! Its a $104 value for just $35, and, I've been wanting to try High Beam for a really long time!

This kit is supposed to be everything you need for that perfect bronzed look. I'm really excited to try it out! Hopefully I can do some daily makeup posts, the only reason I haven't yet is because I seriously can't take the pictures by myself. They come out all out of focus and you can't see anything! Anyway, I'm going to need the hubby's help for that. I can hear the groaning now! LOL.

I leave NY tomorrow to meet my hubby in D.C.! I can't wait to see him. Its only been two weeks, and as a military wife I know 2 weeks is a drop in the bucket... but I still miss him!

XOXO

Gossip girl

Just kidding. I couldn't resist.

Steph

The Secret to Looking Fit: Lululemon!

Um, Lululemon? Hello? Where have you been all my life?

As someone that has been working out since high school (really, I've had my own gym membership since about 9th grade), I have owned and worn a huge variety of different work out clothes in my time. In fact, when it comes to activewear for working out, I'm usually a yoga pants, sports bra and any 'ol-tank-top-will-do kind of girl. It was only recently that I decided to splurge on my first few pieces from Lululemon. I justified them not only by the gym workouts, yoga and pilates classes I could wear them to, but I also rationalized that I'd be traveling a lot this year and comfortable activewear would be necessary.

At first, I had a hard time with the price. But, I received them in the mail and tried them on and I was sold (once I bought the right size! I had to order online). I even did the husband test - tried them on, tried on my Victoria's Secret yoga pants, had the husband tell me which pair looked better - and trust me, he had no idea which was which or even that I could possibly be wearing a $99 pair of yoga pants. And the results, readers? Lululemon won by a long shot. When my husband unknowingly chose the more expensive pair and praised the way they fit, I knew for sure I had struck gold! He's usually pretty mild when I ask, "honey, what about these?"

I ended up buying (and I'll tell you the sizes so you can get an idea how Lulu runs): The Groove Pants in black (size 4)

The Still Pant in static charcoal (size 2) - I don't have a picture of these because Lulu accidentally hemmed the legs two different lengths... but no worries, they were very apologetic and are rushing it for me. Now, when I saw these pants on the website I thought they looked pretty unflattering and couldn't imagine why anyone would want them... but trust me, they are flattering in person, and SO comfy. I like to wear the waist rolled over like in this pic. They are so comfy, I am wearing them on Sunday for my 14 hour direct flight to Beijing!

The Scoop Neck Tank in black (size 6)

(excuse my hair! Its a mess! I didn't go anywhere all day so I gave it a much-needed break from the blowdryer and let it air dry.) I think this is my superwoman pose!

The Cool Racerback in teal (size 6)

Just a word on these tops - I'm a real size C, so just the fact that I can comfortably and supportively wear these tops with/without a sports bra underneath is a serious miracle! They are so supportive!

And finally:

The Mynah Jacket in static charcoal (size 4). I feel a little Jersey Shore with the way I have it halfway unzipped... lol. I probably won't wear it like that. Hahaha. But, really, I love this jacket. Its so cute and majorly comfy and I just love it! I also like that stitching detail - it doesn't draw attention to my shoulders at all and just makes it a little more fitted looking.

As you can see by the sizes... they were sort of all over the place. Also, for the pants, the regular length was way too short on me (I'm almost 5'6") but the talls were way too long - which was fine, because I had them hemmed - Lululemon offers free hemming!

BTW I am wearing OPI's Jade is the New Black on my nails in these pictures.

Can you tell I've had a little sun? I think I am slightly less ghostly!

I've loved being at my mom's, not only for the delicious home cooking, or the baths in the huge jacuzzi bath tub everything... but also because my mom is like a drill sergeant when it comes to working out. She is so fit! And has so much energy! We've worked out almost everyday since I've been here! My legs have that nice, after-work out-sore feeling.

Tomorrow I'm getting my hair colored by my mom's colorist! I can't wait! I have high hopes that she can do something to improve my hair color. Ever since I (disastrously) tried to go brunette a year ago, my hair hasn't been the same! No stylist has been able to get it back to the pretty shade of blonde it was. I found a really old picture from high school, before I went so blonde, and I love the color it is. Maybe I will see what she can do to help me get back to this (my natural color with just some highlights!)

As me and my mom always kid, we will pray to the Hair Gods!

What do you guys think?

Have you been on track with working out, too?

Steph