Royal Round Up, Vol 2: Week 14

in , by RoyallyPink, 6:30 AM
This was a weird, long week! As I've mentioned previously, lots of changes are happening and I will be ready to announce it in a few days/a week or so. That being said, it's been a sort of easy week -- not too much stress, and I feel very light. I've been doing a lot, planning a lot and just overall in a good place.

I have a nice long weekend ahead of me filled with shopping, food, friends and my boyfriend! I'm so excited and just ready to enjoy the next few days. I mean, doesn't everyone just love the weekend?! 

I don't have too much else to say so I will get right into everything from the week.



Links to Love

What You Missed on Royally Pink



March has always been my least favorite month and that was further proven three years ago when my dad passed away on March 3rd. Now, I really hate March but for some reason, this was a decent one. There were a lot of changes that happened and I did some soul searching and now I'm coming out on the other side.

It's really true what they say; March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. Once the time is right, I'll reveal everything here, just give me a few weeks but if you follow me on Instagram, I'm sure you'll get a sneak peek of the changes happening soon. @bribrilukes ;)

March was also the month I discovered my shopping addiction again. I blame my tax return and a renewed love of Sephora. I've been really into beauty again, mostly skincare; I've always had good skin but I developed a weird obsession with finding the right products and developing a really good morning and nighttime skincare routine, so you'll see that in my favorites below.

March Favorites


Julep Boost Your Radiance Anti-Pollution Daily Moisturizer

I needed a new, delicious daytime moisturizer when this Julep one stumbled into my life. It's a thick cream that comes in a tub, but in reality, it's very lightweight and seeps right into your skin. I feel comfortable wearing this under makeup or alone -- my skin doesn't get heavy or goopy with this and it feels really good. I also LOVE the anti-pollution aspect of it, but that shouldn't come as a surprise if you read one this post.

If you're looking for a new moisturizer and have normal to dry skin, I think this would be a good one!

Farmacy Green Screen SPF 30

So, I had a little bit of a skin scare this month and I'll go more in depth in a future post (I'm fine!) but I started to become a little obsessed with SPF. I got this Farmacy Green Screen SPF as a sample from Sephora and I've been LOVING IT. Farmacy is a great brand that I've only tried one or two products from, and of course, I love how it also has environmental & blue light protection. I apply this after my Julep moisturizer and once again, it blends right into the skin without leaving any residue or stickiness behind. It's currently sold out on Sephora.com but I'm hoping to pick up a full size when it comes back in stock.

Tory Burch Fleming Tote



Moving away from beauty products and onto accessories, I couldn't stop using this bag! I've pretty much used it every day that I'm running errands or just running around because it's the perfect size and shape. It's a great mini tote that isn't too big or too small; I can fit everything from a full-size wallet, a water bottle, and all my knick-knacks. The chain detailing is everything you could want in a Tory Burch bag and the light pink color is ideal for spring but really all year round. I cannot stress enough how much I adore the new Tory Burch Fleming Tote and if you can find it, please pick it up. Everyone should have this bag!


Louis Vuitton Emilie Wallet

If you were watching my many shopping vlogs this month, you saw that I purchased a pre-loved but BRAND NEW Louis Vuitton Emilie Wallet. I didn't think I'd ever want a full-size wallet again but the Emilie is perfect. It's the ideal size, not too big or small and doesn't get stuffed too easily. The canvas is carefree and I cannot get over the fuschia interior. It is my perfect wallet and I've dreamed about it for so long so I'm so happy to have it! I don't think I'll ever want or need another wallet as long as I have this.

Kate Spade Lip Ring



Kate Spade has been killing the releases lately and when I saw this mini lip ring hit Nordstrom.com, I simply could not pass it up. Kate Spade and other retailers have a larger ring but I really liked the idea of the mini rose gold studded one. It goes with everything and is dainty enough to be an everyday AND dressier ring. I have to stop myself from wearing it... along with this Kendra Scott one. They have both been in heavy rotation this month.

Disney

This is a weird favorite; one that is really a life long favorite but really has manifested itself this month... or the past week and a half. I suddenly got a longing to go to Disney World and decided to plan a complete trip when I was bored one day. I then started to look deeper into it and discovered the world of Disney influencers. I want to be one of them! I want to take pretty pictures at Disney World and buy all the Danielle Nicole bags. I watched "The Astriocats" last weekend and am planning on going to the Disney store tomorrow to pick up some new things. Expect to see more Disney content on Royally Pink coming in the next few months!

What were your favorites this month?
xoxo
B
Whenever there is a hyped up ingredient in the beauty industry, I get very curious about it. Whether it's hyaluronic acid or environmental protectors, once something becomes popular you will notice it more and more.

Sometimes when a trend is popular in one category, beauty will pick it up and make it their own. That's exactly what is happening with Cannabis and CBD Oil.

These two hemp ingredients have become more popular in recent years (probably within the last year and a half) in the wellness industry. CBD is being used in supplements, in massages and facials, and even in food.

CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and a lot of other things so it's a no brainer that it would start to be used in beauty products.

*From the wellness perspective, I have used CBD and incorporated it into my wellness routine. That post will be coming soon! 

I've taken note of all the beauty products that contain CBD and have purchased a fair amount of them, so that's what this post is all about!


MILK Kush Mascara

The MILK Makeup Kush Mascara was the first time I saw a makeup brand release a CBD infused product and I was stoked. I was insanely curious about what this mascara would be like and what kind of effect the CBD would have on lashes. Per Sephora's website, the CBD is infused into the mascara to help condition and thicken your lashes and prevent any fallout. It will also help hydrate your lashes (interesting), even after removing your makeup.

I received a sample of this from Sephora and wow, I was blown away. It is hands down a top 5 mascara for me and I have a few samples stocked up so I haven't bought a full size yet. The brush is thick without being overpowering, so it grabs onto all my lashes and really lengthens them which is exactly what I look for in a mascara. It's a must-try in my opinion.

MILK Kush Lip Balm

Once I tried the Kush Mascara, I was intrigued by the other Kush products. After reading a review of the lip balm, I immediately purchased the $18 CBD infused balm. My shade is Green Dragon (which is the original and until writing this, I had no idea that there were other tints) and it is truly the most insane lip balm I have ever tried.

Before that, let's examine the CBD oil in it. It makes sense that CBD would work well for lips because it's a natural anti-inflammatory. The Kush balm hydrates and calms the lips; pair that with the other good ingredients like shea, cocoa and mango butter and you have a recipe for success.

I've had a lot of issues with lip balms in the past; sometimes they work for a few weeks or months and then they wreak havoc on my lips. However, I have used an entire tube of this over the past four months and I am blown away. It's a lip balm that leaves my lips smooth, soft, supple, and healed. It doesn't just cure the chapped lips for a few days, but really penetrates the lips and heals them. If you have issues with your lips, please pick up this lip balm. It's magic.

Origins Cannabis Hello Calm Mask

Back in September when I went to the Kate Spade NYFW event, they had activation booths for other brands, and that included Origins. They were sampling their new Cannabis Hello Calm Mask and when I tried it, I was very intrigued. I think this might've been the first time I actually tried a cannabis skincare product... just as the lip balm, it makes sense. CBD is supposed to calm you and incorporating that into skincare just makes sense. I recently picked this up after having it in my Sephora favorites for months and I'm so happy to have it. It's the ideal mask for when your skin is having a moment; it soothes and calms your irritated skin but also hydrates so you get the best of both worlds. I think it'll be great in the coming months as we transition out of cold weather and into the hot, humid months.

Below are more cannabis products that I hope to buy and try soon!




As CBD becomes more popular and people start to understand it more, I'm sure we will see the rise of it being used in more consumer products.

Have you ever tried a beauty product with CBD in it?
xoxo
B
Essie is killing the nail polish releases lately and my local Rite Aid is on top of the game. I think I've officially transitioned out of my winter nail colors and fully into spring mode. I want all the pinks, especially.

That's why when I stumbled across the stunning new shade called "Babes in the Booth" I didn't think twice about purchasing it.



Babes in the Booth is a newer shade to the Essie line; it was released in the Soda Pop Shop Collection a few months ago. I've never come across it online so that's why I was so enamored with it.



The pink polish is a traditional bubblegum, taffy shade that has silver iridescent and a slight shimmer to it. It almost has a metallic look without being overbearing. It is so pretty and really shines in the sun, making it the perfect warm weather color. I definitely think this will become a new favorite once beach season hits. It gives me the same happiness as Bikini So Teeny!

The formula is noticeably better on my nails. I've had the polish on for about a week and there is a lot of chipping (most of it my doing) yet some nails are still completely intact.




If you're in the market for a new pink polish, try to get your hands on this. It's not a typical hot pink but the more muted, shimmery tones really make it special!


What is on your nails this week?
xoxo
B
Happy Friday! Boy, what a week this was! There are a lot of changes happening in my life, all of which are exciting and those changes really manifested themselves this week. I will tell you more in the coming days but I'm excited!

It's been an exciting week really; last Saturday I went to my childhood friend's engagement party and got really emotional. I grew up with her and my two other childhood BFFs were there, and it was just surreal to be celebrating someone's engagement. I remember when we were crying over boys in elementary school or dancing together at the 8th-grade dance and now we were dancing together at the first engagement party. It was very surreal and wild, but so much fun!

Then I was hungover all day Sunday (whoops!) and then the week got busy/full of changes. I'm excited to have a weekend to myself since my boyfriend is out of town and my friends are busy, so I'll be hunkering down for some R & R!

Shall we get right into the links?



Links I Loved


What You Missed on Royally Pink


Sleeping is not something I ever really struggled with but as I've gotten older and my anxiety has gotten worse, my sleeping patterns haven't been that great. It takes me forever to fall asleep and then I'm up at all hours of the night and exhausted the next day.

I've been very into wellness lately and reading up more on sleep so it's become more important to me than ever. There have been a few different products and techniques that have not only been helping me get more sleep but more peaceful sleep and better wellness all around.

Taking a few minutes to do these things each night and have helped me calm down a lot before heading to bed each night.

For some of the things mentioned, I'm going to do separate posts on where I review them in detail and give me thoughts.

Side note, I know I did a post on this last year but these are a few different techniques that have been helping me recently. Oil diffusing, reading, and a sleep mask still help greatly!



Skincare Routine

This sounds so weird but I promise, it's been helping. Every night I've been taking some time for myself to decompress before bed. That consists of deep cleaning my face, applying oils and moisturizers and using a Jade Roller. Those few minutes to myself, to take care of myself are essential to winding down and calming me for a good rest.

Meditation

I cannot wait to give you a full review on my meditation habits but for the past few months I've been using Headspace and it's almost the only way I could fall asleep. It has been so helpful in helping my fall asleep and stays asleep. I pair it with my airpods and it helps me fall into a really deep sleep.

CBD 

There is a post coming on this as well but I've been using a few different CBD products over the past few months, mostly for my anxiety but it has nice sleep benefits too. I use the Sunday Scaries gummies and the Charlotte's Web Hemp Oil; the gummies have been a total lifesaver in helping me calm myself down enough to get to sleep. I never want to be without CBD again... it has changed my sleeping and anxiety forever. 

KlovaSleep Patch

I stumbled across this brand of sleep patches on Nordstrom's website a while ago and was very intrigued by them. After one use I was hooked! It's basically like taking a melatonin pill but it's in patch form. I don't use it every night because I don't want to have to rely on it but sometimes when I feel like I won't be able to sleep, I'll use it. It doesn't make me feel drowsy like typical melatonin but just slowly makes me fall asleep without even realizing it. One thing I'll say is that they leave a mark on your skin, like some of the stickiness from the back of the patch gets left on your skin. It eventually comes off but it's just worth mentioning. 

What are some of the ways you get a good nights sleep?
xoxo
B
This is the first Weight Watchers Wednesday of 2019 and it's already the end of March! I decided that I wasn't going to make this a monthly series anymore because truthfully, there isn't that much to update on. I have been yoyoing with my weight and I'm not proud of it.

I decided that I was going to just share a Weight Watchers Wednesday post when I had something to share, and here we are!

In the past, I've shared low point recipes and my favorite Trader Joe finds but I don't think I ever touched on my go-to's in a normal grocery store.

My mom does a full grocery shop for the house every week but then I usually go at least once on the weekend to pick up a few things or see what is new and low in points. It's easier if I go because I can scan the food I'm curious about...

These are items that have become staples for me and are constantly on the weekly food shopping list.


Steamfresh Veggie Pasta

These are a little controversial in the Weight Watchers community because there is an issue with the nutritional information on the bag. The bag says that there are 2.5 servings aka 2.5 cups in the bag but when you measure it out, there is only one cup, therefore, the entire bag is 3-5 points depending on what kind of pasta you get.

Now that we have the controversy out of the way... I didn't think I'd like these because I hate all things vegetables but wow, I love this pasta so much. I am in the midst of a strong love affair with the pasta and I eat them at least once a week. My favorites are the Rotini Alfredo (4sp for 1 cup) and Penne Cheddar Cheese Sauce (5sp for 1 cup). There are a lot of other flavors and they really do not taste like vegetables. 

There is a slightly weird taste to all of them like they don't taste like real pasta with real sauce but man, they are delicious. I seriously crave them when I haven't eaten them for a while. It's also great for me because each bag is a serving of vegetables and I for sure am not getting my daily veggie intake.

Mini Synders Pretzels

When I started Weight Watchers, I knew snacking was going to be an issue. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered my favorite pretzels were 3sp for 20. These make a great midday snack (I usually eat mine on the train to and/or from work because I get so peckish on public transportation) and the crunch is super satisfying. 

Light Whole Grain Bread

As Oprah exclaims in her WW commercials, 'I can eat bread!' and that was really the only thing I cared about when starting Weight Watchers. I cannot live without carbs so knowing there was a low point sandwich bread out there was a saving grace. I found a light, 45 calorie bread that is 2sp for 2 slices. I use this for toast, sandwiches and grilled cheeses - it's a lifesaver. 

Babybel Lite Cheese

Cheese is another item I cannot live without so when I found out that the Lite (blue packaging) Babybel cheese was only 1 point, I was thrilled. This is a tiny snack that really feels me up and I can't even explain why. It's the perfect mid-day snack for me and gives me the cheese satisfaction that I crave. 

Honorable mentions include veggie sticks, Thomas Lite Multigrain English Muffins, Sargento Low Fat Shredded Cheese, Skinnypop Popcorn, Oscar Mayer Ready to Eat Bacon, Sugar-Free Chocolate Pudding.


Let me know what your favorite WW products are at the grocery store!
xoxo
B
This is the store of a love affair a girl has had with a pair of shoes, get ready.

One of the first blog posts I ever wrote on Royally Pink was about Sex and the City and Carrie Bradshaw. From that moment on, I've written countless times about my love for New York's favorite fashionista and today, in 2019, my love of the fictional character remains and has probably grown.

My life is spent trying to emulate Carrie Bradshaw, in my fashion, decor, and writing. A few months ago I rearranged my room and my desk ended up by my window so whenever I'm writing, I just feel like Carrie.



With my love of Carrie comes my love of Sarah Jessica Parker and a while ago, I started following her new shoe brand on Instagram. The page posted a while ago that they had a new pair of shoes, the Fawn, exclusive to Bloomingdales and I screamed when I saw them. They are a newspaper print and in my mind, are intended to pay homage to the famous newspaper dress that Carrie wore in Sex and the City.



For months I lusted after them and tried to justify a $400 pair of shoes. Yes, I buy that much in handbags but shoes are not my thing, and especially heels. I don't own a real pair of heels and try to get away with wearing flats whenever I can. I also destroy shoes; I will wear a pair for just one season and by the end of it, they have holes in them and are just in horrible condition. I am very hard on my feet and harder on my shoes.

However, I couldn't get the shoes out of my head. I went back and forth and finally decided I wasn't going to get them. Then, as soon as that happened, I went onto Bloomingdale's website on a whim and saw that the shoes were nearly 60% off. At that moment, I knew it was meant to be. I also knew exactly where I would wear them; I had a few parties coming up like my cousin's Christening and an engagement party. I knew that they would match pretty much anything and everything because they're black and white.

I bought the shoes and when they arrived on my doorstep, I nearly cried. These are by far the most gorgeous shoes I have ever owned in my entire life. I don't think I've ever been so happy with a pair of shoes or purchase in general. I couldn't wait to wear them for the first time.



Now, as I mentioned before I am not a heels girl. I look like Bambi when I walk in them and my feet are pretty much bleeding by the end of the night. I've worn heels and my legs hurt for at least three days after that. It's never a pretty sight.

I walked around a little bit in my house to break them in and found that they were pretty comfortable. The heels are around 4 inches so I wobbled a little but nothing I couldn't handle.

I wore them for the first time in February to my cousin's Christening and they were perfectly comfortable. I did a lot of standing and walking at the party but my feet weren't burning. They also looked so beautiful.

This past weekend was the 2nd time I wore them, this time to my friend's engagement party and it was a success. My feet were killing me by the end of the night and I walked out of the party with said heels in hand, but truthfully that would happen with any pair of heels. What was special about these were that I was able to dance in them comfortably, I was able to walk and didn't want to rip them off my feet during the night.

Once again, they looked beautiful with my plain black dress and even the men at the party complimented them.



I think if you're someone who loves heels, you'll find these shoes to be really comfortable and practical. I'm someone who hates heels and I love these shoes... and kind of want another pair of SJP Collection heels. I feel like SJP knows what she likes when it comes to shoes and if I'm going to trust anyone's opinions on heels, it's Carrie Bradshaw.

The newspaper print is not available in a ton of sizes right now but the SJP Collection does have the Fawn style in other colors and patterns! Also, make sure to keep an eye on Bloomingdales' website because the newspaper print shoe has gone in and out of stock a lot over the past year and a half.


I'm excited to continue my love affair with the SJP Collection!

xoxo
B
It is Friday yet again and I am thrilled. It was quite a week but it's going to be a really fun weekend. I'm off from work today, running around and doing errands and then tomorrow is my childhood friend's engagement party! I can't wait to celebrate her and her fiance and have an excuse to get dressed up for the first time in a while.

I'm going to pamper myself a bit and get my nails done and go get my hair blown out. It's going to be a really fun weekend.

There isn't too much rambling I have in me right now so we'll get right into it.



Links I Loved



What You Missed on Royally Pink



Things I Bought This Week

I did the last of my big shopping last week but did pick up two things this week, and have a few more things in mind but after that
I've talked about my love of true crime in the past, mostly through my book reviews. I would say about 75% of the books I've read in the past four years have been a mystery/domestic thriller. I can directly link that to my obsession with true crime.

I'm truly addicted to true crime whether it's binging the new Ted Bundy docu-series, watching 20/20 on a Friday night or even reading a memoir from a serial killer's daughter.

I think some of that obsession has come from the fact that I listen to so many true crime podcasts. True crime podcasts have really set the world on fire and I think we owe that all to Serial, the first viral podcast that happened to be based on a murder.

In 2019, it feels like there's a new true crime podcast popping up daily and it can be hard to keep up with them all. I'm always looking for a new pod to listen to and it's even better if it has that criminal twist to it.

I know true crime isn't for everyone and there have definitely been some podcasts that I've had to stop because it's too gruesome or twisted. Not all true crime has to be that way, though; true crime can be fraud or scams, not just murder, and kidnapping.

Must Listen True Crime Podcasts




True Crime Garage

This is probably my favorite podcast because it doesn't focus on one crime. Each week is a different story and you learn so much about the ins and outs of the case. Some of them are solved, some are not but they pull you in. The hosts are also really great; they are great storytellers and don't do too much commentary. They give you the hard facts and help you really understand what is going on. 

Generation Why

This is a very similar podcast to True Crime Garage; it is the same formula. It is equally as good in my opinion. The hosts are similar as they don't provide too much commentary and really stick to the facts.

Broken Harts

This was a podcast from Glamour that recently ended. It revolved around a case of two women who adopted six children... that all sounds well and good until one day, one of the women drives the entire family off a cliff. There were reports of child abuse beforehand, and it was just a really sad story. It also opened up the conversation of adoption and how the process works. 

Cold

This is another podcast that recently ended and completely broke my heart. Susan Powell goes missing and of course, her husband, Josh, is the suspect. It is so much more than that because Josh was completely controlling, was emotionally abusive and a whole bunch of other uncovered secrets. 

The Dropout

Ok, another podcast that just ended! This is the story of Elizabeth Holmes who was the founder of Theranos, a failed biotech company. She's on trial now because the entire company was a scam, and everyone is clamoring for her story. I had never heard of this story before so it was totally new to me; it was incredibly interesting and it's nice to be caught up while it's in the news. There is a 20/20 episode on the case tomorrow which I cannot wait to watch! 

Honorable mentions: Teacher's Pet, Serial (obviously), Dr. Death, Dirty John, 


What are your favorite true crime podcasts?
xoxo
B

Concealer is my favorite beauty product of all time. It has to do with the fact that I have hereditary dark circles and I'm a little self-conscious about them. I like a full coverage concealer that is easy to blend and one that I can layer if I need to.

I don't understand the appeal of a light coverage concealer, like the Glossier Stretch Concealer. I ordered it and hated it because it barely hid anything which I should've known because Glossier is all about the no makeup look.

Ever since then, I know not to purchase anything light coverage when it comes to concealer. It's funny because when it comes to my foundation, I'm not a full coverage kind of girl.

After a bit of a funk when it came to beauty products, I'm back in the game. I've been ordering so much from Sephora, looking out for all the new launches and really just feeling makeup again. That got me thinking on some new content for the blog and I decided that I wanted to share my top three favorite beauty products in each category. This week, we're clearly doing concealers!

These are concealers that have completely changed my world and concealers that I can't really see myself ever being without. I use them all in the rotation and they all cover my dark circles, don't cake my face, and don't dry out my under eyes. They are my holy grails!



Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

If you have ever read a beauty blog or watched a beauty vlogger, you know about this concealer. It flipped the beauty industry on its head. Everyone gave it rave reviews and I was so excited to pick it up. Well, it's been a few years and I'm on my fourth tube of it. Shape Tape is full coverage, creamy, smooth, and applies like a dream. It blends in really nicely with your fingers, a beauty blender, or brush; it leaves your under eyes with a nice, natural finish -- nothing too matte or too radiant. Shape Tape is like my security blanket; when I don't know what I want to do, I just apply Shape Tape and everything is better. There is a reason this is a best seller and a reason why no one can stop talking about it so many years after it's release, it is THAT GOOD. 

Laura Geller Spackle Concealer

This is the first doe foot applicator concealer from Laura Geller and it was well worth the wait. This is a concealer that is infused with primer ingredients so it primes and sets your skin. It is medium-full coverage but I think of it leaning more toward full. Once again, it's a concealer that isn't really a matte or radiant finish but completely natural. It just feels good on the skin, blends beautifully and is a great concealer. It's definitely not as heavy as Shape Tape but isn't incredibly lightweight so that makes it a great everyday concealer in my eyes. 

Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer

This concealer is unlike any other on the list because of a few things: it's not a liquid concealer but more of a cream consistency that comes in a twist up tube. Also, it is incredibly expensive, like $70 expensive. I bought it as a birthday present to myself last year and I will continue to purchase it until further notice. This is known in the beauty industry as the end all be all concealer; like, if you love concealer you need to get this. It is so full coverage but very lightweight and so easy to apply. I bring this concealer with me everywhere and it's perfect for touch-ups. I also really like this for blemishes because it blends out with just a few taps. When I don't feel like putting on foundation, this is what I wear because it's really all you need. If you are as obsessed with concealer as I am, save up for this one because you will not regret it. 

Below are some honorable mentions! 




What are your concealer suggestions?
xoxo
B
I have my first engagement party on Saturday for one of my oldest and dearest friends. I'm so excited to celebrate her and her fiancé! It's at a local rooftop restaurant, one that I surprisingly never have been to. 


Because I've never been to an engagement party, I wasn't sure what to wear. I also wasn't too keen on buying a new dress because I have a bunch of dresses in my closet from other parties. 
After trying on only two different dresses, both black, I decided to wear a J.Crew dress that still had the tags on it. I bought it over a year ago because it was on sale and I figured I would be able to wear it sometime. I mean, it's a simple black dress with scallop accents. 



This is in blue but my dress is black! 

*Before I even knew what dress I was going to wear, I had my shoes picked out and they are the SJP Collection Newsprint shoes -- more on those in another post!I think the key to an engagement party is to dress for the couple and the venue. I know this will be a slightly fancier event because we're a group that likes to look our best, but it won't be over the top because it's on a rooftop. 


Just remember to not outshine the bride to be and remember that it's not a wedding. My motto for any kind of party is "when in doubt, wear black". 

Even though I knew I wasn't buying a new dress, that didn't stop me from looking. These are my favorite dresses that would be perfect for an engagement party.





I've been on a roll with buying new polishes and I'm so happy to have the first polish of the Spring 2019 collection on my nails this week.

When I saw the colors for Spring 2019, I was taken with them all but mostly the bronze shade "Teacup Half Full". I also love the name but when don't I love an Essie polish name? I wish that was my job -- it is just so cool.

The collection is inspired by a beautiful garden tea party in the height of Spring. The colors are light and airy with the exception of the sparkly grey shade "Reign Check".



Teacup Half Full is a beautiful bronze shade that is described as a chestnut brown that has golden iridescence. It's the perfect polish to wear halfway between winter and spring. I'm starting to desire my light pink polishes but this is a great way to satisfy that spring fever.

Just as the other new Essie polishes, this has the flat & wide brush. I know I've talked about it in the past but I just have to say again, this new brush is life changing. I feel like I get such a more even and easy application. In one swoop, your entire nail is covered. It does get a little tricky around the cuticles but with practice, I think it'll be ok.

The formula is a dream, as all the new polishes have been even if I chipped 2-3 days after application.

I'm excited to pick up another Spring 2019 polish but for now, I'll continue rocking Teacup Half Full!
This week felt very short which I am eternally grateful for! I need to get into the habit of not waiting for the weekend... I need to enjoy every day and that was something that hit me this week. I spend every single day waiting for Friday at 5 PM and life just shouldn't be like that because my life doesn't just happen on the weekends.

I got better about that in the latter half of the week after having the day off on Wednesday. I had to go to the dermatologist for a yearly check-in where she took two moles off my back and sent them for testing; hopefully, they come back normal.

I had the day to myself on Wednesday; I ran errands, went to Target and just enjoyed every moment of the day. It was so refreshing and I just really felt good when I went back to work on Thursday. I had a really positive day on Thursday; I meditated twice, did yoga, drank a ton of water... just those little things made my day better and I think taking a few moments for myself and really relishing in them will be good for me.

I've been so back and forth with all my habits and really just all over the place lately that I think I need to take a minute, decompress and find out what I want to focus on. Can anyone else relate or do you all just sit there and think I'm crazy when you read these post every week?

Anyways... I guess I will get straight into what I loved and what I bought this week because I bought A LOT OF STUFF.

Also, RIP to Luke Perry. I'm pretty sure Dylan McKay was one of my first crushes when I was 12 years old and binge-watched Beverly Hills 90210 for the first time. I was so happy to have him back on my TV screen as Fred Andrews in Riverdale and honestly, I was devastated when the news broke on Monday.



Links I Loved 

What You Missed on Royally Pink

I also picked up two pre-loved Louis Vuitton items from eBay that I will be revealing in a Youtube video! 

This post was originally posted in March 2019 and has since been updated

I do not own a Chanel bag and I don't know when I will be able to afford a (preloved) one but that doesn't stop me from lusting after them obsessively. My passion for Chanel is a post for another day but today I really wanted to focus on the gorgeous Chanel backpacks that are all over my Instagram.

I also think I timed this post pretty perfectly because of the passing of Karl Lagerfeld two weeks ago. I was really upset to hear about it because he was the head of two fashion houses, Chanel and Fendi. I am not an expert on Chanel and I don't claim to be but over the past few years, as I've become more engrained in the luxury, I've learned more about the brand.

While backpacks are a trend that has been creeping up for a while, I think it's finally solidified itself as a classic (for the moment at least). I didn't know how I'd react to a classic fashion house like Chanel jumping on a bandwagon trend but when I thought about it, they are the ones who put these trends out so it makes total sense.




There are so many different Chanel backpacks from the Gabriella to the Urban Spirit, but all of them are stunning. While backpacks are definitely a trend, I can see these Chanel backpacks becoming classics because they have everything a Chanel bag should have; quilted leather, chain detailing, and a CC logo.

However, these bags are a pretty penny and as much as I love them, I'd much rather spend my money on a classic Chanel. Despite that, I have become obsessed with them and lust after them every chance I get. It was about a month and a half ago when my obsession reached its peak and I was doing everything I could to find dupes for any of these bags. That's what inspired this post! 

Below are some bags that resemble these Chanel bags but one that I think resembles them the best, you can find on resale websites and it's the Tory Burch Kira Chevron backpack.


What is your opinion on backpacks? 
xoxo
B
Last Fall I was able to attend an NYFW event with Kate Spade. It was basically a dream and a true highlight of my year. The event was with the CEO and new Creative Director; Nicola Glass took over for Deborah Llyod last year and this Spring collection was the first for Nicola.

I got a preview of it at the event so when the rebranding kicked off earlier this month, I was prepared.  I think if you didn't know it was coming, this new rebrand would be jarring.

Kate Spade has a completely new look and feel, along with a new (beautiful) website and new dustbags (which I'm a little too excited about).



As a tech nerd and someone who works in E-Commerce, this new Kate Spade website is truly beautiful. I love the new soft pink brand color and the smaller black text for the categories. It also feels like the backend was updated because I think the website runs more smoothly now too.

As for the products themselves, I get major 70s vibes from the patterns and colors. It has an old feel with a modern twist and I personally like it.

There are tons of new styles that still feel like Kate Spade, like more structured bags but have been updated with curves and smooth edges.

We also got a new Kate Spade logo embossed on all the bags; it's a step away from the traditional 'Kate Spade New York' and is a simple Spade. However, the spade is upside down at certain times and looks like a heart, which was intentional.

I remember Nicola talking about the new look and the new logo at the event. She wanted to embrace the bright colors of the brand in a new way but also pay homage to the spade logo, which is why you see so many spades incorporated through the designs.

I've read a ton of comments on Instagram and a lot of people really don't like the new look but I personally really like it. It's definitely a step away from the classic Kate Spade look and feels but if nothing ever changed, we would get bored very quickly.

There are definitely some pieces that I am just not on board with but a lot that I really do like! Change is always weird and takes some getting used too and while Kate Spade might not be 'kitchy' anymore, it's still beautiful and remains a beautiful, sophisticated brand.

If you want more information on the rebrand, I think Kate Spade's social media explaining everything beautifully, days before leading up to the launch.





*Also, after it was announced that Rachel Brosnahan was the new face of Frances Valentine (Rachel aka Midge Maisel is the late Kate Spade's niece and Frances Valentine was Spade's most recent brand), I took a look at the website and wow, if you want an old school Kate Spade fix, please go pick up one of Frances Valentine's bags. I will definitely be purchasing one in honor of Kate Spade because they are simple and gorgeous*

Below are a few of my favorite pieces from the collection!


What are your thoughts on the new rebranding and new collection(s)?
xoxo
B
Well, I told you that I was going to pick up more of the Serene Slates collection from Essie and I did just that. About two weeks ago I bought the next shade I wanted to try called "Generation Zen". It is described as a 'mauve taupe grey' which I think is very true to what this color looks like.

It is definitely a deep grey, but does also have a bit of mauve undertone. It has that hint of purple and I think it deepens the color and adds really nice dimension.



The formula is the same as the other shade I tried, 'On Mute' and applies just as creamy and smooth. I think this one might be a little harder to not get on your cuticles but it was fine.

'Generation Zen' is the perfect winter color and I'm sad that it's almost time to stop wearing dark colors. It looks so beautiful on the nails, has a great amount of shine and really is an ideal dark shade.









To hear more about my thoughts on the new Serene Slates collection, head to my last Manicure Monday post. 

I have to just say again how much I love this collection and I can't wait to get my hands on other colors!

What is on your nails this Monday?
xoxo
B
The Jonas Brothers are BACK. It's been a really weird week but the one bright side was news that my favorite brand ever was coming back together. They released their new song 'Sucker' this morning and it's SO GOOD. I definitely feel like it's old school JB but with a modern twist. Ugh, I'm so so so excited!

This is going to be a hard weekend for me because the anniversary of my dad's death is on Sunday. It's been three years but man, it feels like it's been so much longer. I haven't really talked about it much and was planning on writing a post on my grief this week but everything kind of got away from me. I might do one soon... it's just really hard to talk about and hard to face the emotions if you could understand.

To distract myself, my sister and I are going to visit my aunt in New Jersey (my mom's sister in law) and she's going to take us shopping so spending money is always a fun distraction for me!

That being said, I did shop quite a bit this week and we'll get into that in a bit, for now, it's all about the links I loved.


Links I Loved


What You Missed on Royally Pink

What I Bought This Week

Aside from the things below, I also picked up this adorable mouse pad! I don't know if I'll actually use it but I really couldn't resist it, even as a decor piece.


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