I haven't been buying as many nail polishes this fall as seasons past because I haven't really loved any of the fall collections. I also have quite a lot of dark, vampy colors already in my collection.

However, the Essie Wild Nudes collection was something that I've been wanting to get my hands on and the color Exposed was perfect for Fall. I don't have anything like it in my collection so when I saw a bottle at my local Rite Aid, I scooped it up.

I don't know if it's just me but sometimes when I'm buying nail polish in the drugstore, it's discolored and separated at the top. That's why I always order my nail polish from Ulta because it's fresher and looks better. Sometimes the nail polish in drug stores looks old, even if it's a new color. This bottle of Exposed was in the perfect condition which is half the reason I got it.




I haven't had a new Essie polish in a while and this formula is ultra smooth and applies perfectly. I probably could've used only one coat and been good but I opted for two as always. It was a bit watery so it bled onto the skin around my nails but it wasn't sloppy like some polishes I've used.

The nail color lasted about 4 days before it chipped a little and then I reapplied. After the reapplication, it chipped 2-3 days later and then I started just peeling the color off. I'd say it was about the same wear time as any other Essie polish, no worse and no better.

I do really love the color; it's not too green but is the perfect accent nail for the Fall season!

What is on your nails this Monday?
xoxo
B

Leopard is BACK and in a big way! I knew it was coming back when the Nordstrom anniversary sale had an incredible amount of leopard pieces to choose from. Now that we're in the full swing of Fall, leopard is everywhere.

I've talked about the trend before but with every day that passes, I find something new that I can't get my mind off of.



My girl Kate Spade is leading the charge with a huge leopard collection and I really feel like I need at least something from the line. Nordstrom also has a few great pieces and I'm eyeing them up for sure.

I wanted to round up my favorite leopard pieces, some of which I have and some of which I need.

I've already discussed what I was planning on wearing this Fall but the hot weather in New York has me longing for even more fall wardrobe goodness.

I've been eyeing so many of the trends that were in my previous post and have bought a handful of items but have held off for a few reasons: I've been losing a lot of weight & the unusually warm weather.

I always wear dark color in the fall, mostly black, but I really want to step outside my comfort zone and wear more than black and brown.

There are a lot of dark colors on the horizon for the fall and winter season, but there are also a lot of brighter, but muted colors on trend. They're not spring and summer pinks, blues, and greens but definitely give you a more warm, cozy feeling.


If you're ever wondering about what colors are trending for a season, I highly recommend looking at Pantone. They're the color whispers and basically, make the trends for us.

See what I mean? These colors aren't super dark but still scream autumn and I kind of love it. It's super different from other seasons, in my opinion.

The same could be said for men's style. We're seeing all the same kinds of colors, especially with a few shades of blue and deep plum. The best way to incorporate these types of colors are through a well fitted pair of pants You could definitely get a few great outfits together for the man in your life with some inspiration from the Pantone chips. 


Below are a few pieces I found across my favorite retailers that totally make these color trends ring true.




What colors are you most excited to wear this Fall season?
xoxo
B

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It's finally my season... it's my time to shine and I'm breaking out all my old (and new) favorites!

With the change of season comes a change of routine, whether that's your daily routine, workout routine, or more importantly, a beauty routine.

Usually, it's the skincare side of things that change up drastically once the weather chills out because, without a good skincare routine, your makeup routine means nothing.

I haven't figured out my new fall skincare routine quite yet because the weather is still in the 80s here in New York, but the day after Labor Day, I started changing up my entire beauty regime.

It's time to break out the dark colors, the matte foundations, and warm eyeshadows.. fall is here!

• Laura Geller Iconic Baked Lipstick in Broadway Plum: This is one of my favorite fall lip shades and one that I am constantly applying and reapplying all season long. It's the perfect plum without being too dark or too vampy so I feel like it's pretty universal for everyone. Also, this is one of my favorite lipstick formulas EVER! Very creamy, very comfortable, and simply gorgeous.

• Essie Angora Cardi: There's a reason this is the most popular Fall nail polish season after season on Pinterest... it embodies everything that is Fall. It's the perfect mix of mauve, plum, and brown and every year it's my favorite, most used shade. I'm rocking it now and I've never been happier.

• NARSissist Loaded Eyeshadow Palette: I love a good warm shadow palette all year round but there are certain palettes that just scream fall and this NARS one is it. It has the perfect mixture of greys, browns, and golds with a few plum and pink shades thrown in for good measure. I have hardly worn it all summer because it's just too fall(y) for me! 

• Too Faced Love Flush Blush in Your Love Is King: Once Fall hits I'm all about a full face of glam and I love a good plum blush. This shade from the Too Faced collection is one of my favorites. It's a nice mauve/purple/plum shade without being too much and it adds the perfect amount of color to the cheeks. 

I was always a little self conscious about my sense of style. I really like to be comfortable and for my outfits to be easy. I don't wear heels, I don't wear items that don't make me feel good, I hardly even wear jeans anymore.

However, the Fall season instills something in me and I get the will to be stylish. I also have been really admirable of my favorite fashion bloggers, like Emily Gemma -- she's always been one of my favorite bloggers but recently, I've become even more obsessed. Her fashion sense is attainable, seems comfortable, but also fun and stylish. She is definitely my style icon right now.

I've also become more in tune to trends. I have to be on top of beauty trends for work (and also because I like too) but now fashion has kind of trickled into that realm as well.

The trends for Fall are very apparent right now; sometimes I feel like there's nothing 'on trend' because it's just sweaters and boots but this year, there is a noticeable shift in the industry and what you're seeing brands put out.

Credit

I rounded up my favorite trends of the season (so far) and what I'll definitely be rocking!



Velvet: During the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, I noticed that everything was velvet. I gave into the trend and purchased a velvet bag and smoking jacket. No matter the price point or what item you're tempted to buy, velvet is going to be everywhere this fall and winter.


Leopard Shoes: Jenna Lyons once said 'As far as I'm concerned, leopard is a neutral' and I couldn't agree more. Ever since I was a pre-teen, leopard was my favorite print. I even persuaded my mom to accent my 11-year-old bedroom with leopard accessories. That's why I'm so excited that leopard shoes are having a moment. From flats to heels, everyone is wearing leopard. I already got a pair from J.Crew and am hoping to add at least one or two more different types to my wardrobe this season.


Bell Sleeves: This is a newer trend I'm noticing but I'm into it! I don't know how it's going to look on me but I just ordered this top from J.Crew so we'll see! Everyone is showing an accent sleeve, whether it's bell or ruffles and I think it looks really flattering. It's feminine without being overly girly but still looks very polished and put together.


Athleisure: This has been around for a while and I don't think it's going anywhere.. which I'm very happy about! Athleisure is becoming a little chicer instead of looking like you're actually going to the gym. I've been loving how Emily Gemma is styling all her athleisure clothes, and I really have my eye on this Nike Crop Top everyone has been rocking since the NSale!

Boy, what a week! I traveled down to QVC in Pennsylvania for work, came home Wednesday after being up from 7 AM on Monday till 1 AM on Tuesday. I was definitely hurting Thursday but it was a really great trip.

On Monday, when we got down to Pennsylvania, my coworkers and I sat in a parking lot and watched the solar eclipse -- or what we could see of it. I wasn't that impressed but it was really cool to be in on this natural phenomenon that took the entire country by storm. It was also really cool to see how the eclipse was said to effect us, even our beauty routines. 

The summer is winding down and I'm so excited for September 1st next week. I will be breaking out my fall decor and drinking Pumpkin Spice Lattes the day after Labor Day! It can't come soon enough.



I don't have much else to report because my brain is FRIED so we'll keep this short and sweet-- here's what I loved this week:

• Websites all writers need to bookmark -- what a huge help this is
• How to tell if you're stressed out
• Tea or coffee-- what's your poision? 
• Pumpkin Spice bath bombs? YES
• Burts Bees has gone from lip balm to skincare and now makeup -- this is exciting