Weekend Haul: Boston Edition

Happy Monday everyone!  I have returned from my sojourn to Boston, and I had the loveliest time there.  I apologize for not getting a post up on Friday, but my best friend's wireless was being very difficult in that it was only working for 30 seconds at a time, which was not conducive to completing a post.  Anyway, I'm back, and I'm gonna show you a few of the goodies I picked up in that shopping mecca, Boston's Prudential Center.

They have a rather large Sephora, and I simply could not resist its wiles.  Here's what I came away with:

I've had my eye on the lipstick and the blush for a few minutes, but the lip gloss just jumped out of nowhere, screaming at me that it was a perfect summer color.

The blush palette is Pierre Hardy for NARS in Boys Don't Cry, in case you couldn't tell from the packaging.  There's just something about the smooth black, matte finish of a new NARS product that I find absolutely intoxicating. When I first spotted this in person a few weeks ago, I was immediately attracted to the beautiful design, neon coral pink with shimmering gold details.  However, the blush seemed like it might be too BAM, so I resisted.  Finally in a situation in which I could try it on, I took the cautious approach and discovered that, not only is it a fantastic color, but a little bit goes a really long way and the color is really buildable based on how ferocious you're feelin.  The gold is really more for show and gets lifted almost immediately upon use, but I dig matte colors, so I think this is a real winner.

Next up, I got my hands on an Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté in No. 11 Rose Culte.  A true hot magenta, it can be applied straight from the tube for a full coverage smack of color or with a lip brush for a lighter touch.  I formula is silky smooth, with a little bit of shine and definite moisturizing qualities.  I've waited quite some time to get my hands on one of these beauties, and in terms of texture and color payoff, it is definitely worth the (admittedly terrifying) price tag.

The third product is a true impulse purchase.  I'm a loon for lipgloss, especially in the summer, as it's so easy and you can throw it on after the beach to get dolled up fast even if you don't feel like putting on any other products.  I was accosted in Bluemercury on my way to the airport by Bobbi Brown Shimmer Lip Gloss in Golden Nectar.  The shimmer is really subtle and, though it looks bright orange coral in the tube, it mellows on the lips and is quite sheer with just a tinge of that beachy color.

Pierre Hardy for NARS ($41) and YSL Rouge Volupté ($34) available at Sephora and other retailers.  Bobbi Brown Shimmer Lip Gloss ($23) available in Bluemercury stores.

Miscellany #6

Good morning everyone,

I thought I'd share with you a little bit of my life this week so far.  I have recently come into possession of a delicious and fragrant lemon thyme plant, and it has thus far survived my lack of a green thumb!

Cafe Tola, in Central Lakeview, serves some of the most delicious empanadas I have ever had the pleasure of tasting.

One of my dog friends, Lee-Lee, has gone to the big dog park in the sky to hang out with my beloved dachshund, Royal.  She was a sweet dog, and I am glad to have known her.

Have a lovely day, my friends!  I'm off to Boston tonight to visit my very best friend, so expect and update from Beantown tomorrow.  If we're all lucky, someone will be wearing something outrageous in the airport that I can share with you all.

Oh, Happy Day!

Hello friends!

Today I have broken out what may be my very favorite late spring/early summer dress, a Lilly Pulitzer Camie in the most gorgeous sailboat pattern. It's lightweight skin cotton, and I just adore how easy the fit is. Being able to drag it out of the top of the closet makes summer seem closer than ever and hey! It's practically June, right? Right.

What are some of your favorite summer pieces?

Photo edited with the A Beautiful Mess photo app.

A Day at the Beach

In honor of one of the first 80 degree days we've had (yay!), I decided to throw together my ideal beach look for you all.

A Day at the Beach by strandedinchi featuring a polka dot one piece swimsuit

I have a similar swimsuit that I cannot wait to bust out, and isn't that embroidered tote just perfect?  Makes me hungry for a dinner at the beach!  No look is complete without a wide-brimmed hat, and I love the yellow detail on this classic straw one.  All this is just getting me more and more excited for my first day at the beach, which (I hope) is going to be very soon!

What's your ideal beach outfit?