Memorial Day Sales and Steals!

Happy Memorial Day weekend!! (well almost... one more work day for me.  Jealous of those taking tomorrow off).  Like any other big holiday weekend sales are in full swing!  I've always loved memorial day sales because usually lots of summer styles are out and on sale and gets me right in the mood for the warm days to come! 

I've rounded up a few of my favorite sales and steals and linked my picks below.

Now tell me what are you picking up this memorial day?

Tips for Moving into your first apartment

I have officially been a resident of NYC for just over a week.  The past week has been crazy, moving in, assembling furniture, and getting settled.  This is the first time I'm living in a real apartment (as my college apartment was still part of on campus housing).

Here are my tips for moving into your first apartment

1.  Bring a hammer and screw driver.  

Even if you furniture is coming assembled these tools are insanely helpful for hanging things on walls and doing other little tasks around the place.  If your furniture isn't assembled they are helpful for putting furniture together. 

2. Know where the nearest drugstore and grocery store is.

You'll likely want to stop at one of them soon after arriving to pick up basics like soap, paper towels and snacks

3. Also know where the nearest place to get coffee is (if you drink coffee)

Because you'll be very tired, and if you are like me and need caffeine in your life you will be grateful

4. If you need to assemble your furniture start with your bed or couch.

Because you will want a comfortable place to sleep

5. Know where the nearest Target, Bed Bath & Beyond or similar store is

Because you probably will forget to pack/ship something (I forgot a shower curtain) and you will want to make a run (or three) to those places during the first few days in your new place.  

6. Schedule your cable and wireless as soon as possible from your move in date

Because having internet is useful and its nice to be able to watch TV 

7. Take breaks to explore
Get to know your new area.  Find local restaurants,  test out your route to work or school,  or just go for a quick walk.  Getting fresh air and taking a break from work to refresh and recharge helps productivity.  

8. Try not to stress

Moving is hard.  Stay hydrated, make sure to eat snacks throughout the day, and relax.  Moving can be stressful but it is also an exciting adventure

Spring Blues

Shirt - Topshop (other colors available) // Skirt - Madewll (on sale!) // Purse - Kate Spade (on sale!) // Necklace - Baublebar // Shoes - Jack Rogers 

The color blue has always been a favorite of mine (right after pink).  I love wearing blue because it really makes my blue eyes pop.   The second I saw this chambray skirt at Madewell I knew I needed it.  I love it because not only is it soft and comfortable but its so flattering.  Anyone else remember the huge denim mini skirt trend back from 2005-2009ish.  It was huge at my school and I hated it (tight denim minis never were my thing).  This skater style though, totally me! 

I paired it with an off the shoulder top from Topshop and my new bright pink Kate Spade Crossbody.  It was perfect for a weekend spent running errands.  And the weather that day was amazing too.  Super sunny and hot. 

Shop my style below:

Sephora VIB Sale Haul and Mini Reveiw

All right guys time to gear up for a long post

The Sephora VIB Sale is one of my absolute favorites.  Why?  Because everything in Sephora is on sale.  All perfume, high end brands, EVERYTHING!  

Rouge get 15% off

VIBs and BIs get 10% off.  Plus signing up for the BI program is free! 

So during these sales I tend to go overboard.  It's the perfect time to grab things I've been eyeing and dying to try.  

Here is what I picked up, plus some mini reviews 

Kat von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Bow n' Arrow

Kat Von D makes some of the best liquid lipsticks.  A great formula and Bow n' Arrow is the perfect your lips but better neutral on me.  

Marc Jacobs The Lolita Eyeshadow Palette

The Marc Jacobs Lolita palette was one I had been lusting after for sometime.  Such nice neutral colors perfect for creating everyday looks and special occasion looks. 

Marc Jacobs New Nudes Liptick in Role Play and Eat Cake

These lipsticks are hands down two of my favorites in my collection.  Both are great neutral colors that can easily be worn everyday.  Also for lipsticks on the sheerer side they are long wearing and give great color payoff 

Ardency Inn Punker Liquid Eyeliner

My new favorite liquid liner.  Super easy to use, plus the thin tip makes getting a thin line simple.  So glad I went for this one over the Kat Von D tattoo liner.  

Sephora Collection x Disney Illuminating Blush 

This blush is sold out now (hoepfully they will restock more!).  Super light neutral orange color with light shimmer (lighter than NARS orgasm for reference).  Easy to apply plus the packaging is so cute! 

 Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Bronzed

Urban Decays summer collection packaging is perfection!  And the product inside is great as well.  Super blendable and natural looking.  It will be perfect for warming up my skin this summer.

Urban Decay Afterglow Highlighter in Aura 

Another pick from the Urban Decay summer collection.  I have been highlighter crazy lately and I am so glad I grabbed this one.  The light pink color (that isn't even noticeable on the skin) give a soft gentle glow.  Can be easily built up or layered on top of blush.    

Sephora Collection x Disney Lipstick in Minnies Perfect Red 

I'm not the biggest lipstick wearer,  but I am a huge Disney fan.  So of course I had to grab this lipstick with the classic Minnie ears.  This bright red is beautiful.  It has pinkish cool undertones (so it will make your teeth look whiter), and goes on the skin smoothly with a creamy consistency.  The only downside...I don't want to mess up the top of it :( 

Sephora Collection Bronzer in Los Cabos 

This bronzer has been super hyped up lately and after using it the past month non-stop I can see why.  It's fairly affordable (by Sephora standards), and it blends out perfectly.  You can use this to contour or just warm up your face.  

NARS Blush in Madly 

Another super hyped product from YouTube.  It's a NARS blush so you know the quality is there.  The color is nice (a very nude, light flush blush color).  My only thing is Sephora's website didn't note that there was shimmer in this product (not a huge deal, but as an FYI if you are buying it w/out swatching).  

Bobbi Brown Highlighter in Pink Glow 

Continuing on the "super hyped" trend, this highlighter.  It provides a nice glow from within look, but again can be built up to a more intense highlight.  Slight pink undertones (but like the UD one on the skin they aren't noticeable)  The sparkles in this product aren't super fine so those will show up more clearly than the UD one (so depending on your preference note that).  At the price part of me wishes that this product was more finely milled, but it is gorgeous!  My other gripe is the packaging on this.  Super bulky and the compact only opens up to a 90 degree angle (yes I am being very nit-picky there, but compacts that open that little are a slight pet peeve).  

Tarte's Tartiest Blush Palette 

4 Tarte Blushes so you know the quality is there (seriously so pigmented!!)  Only one has super big sparkles in it, the others are light shimmer/matte.  The names are a little campy, but because the quality is there and the outer packaging is so cute I can get past that.    

 Benefit Cheekathon Palette (Literally the best deal of the bunch!)

Hands down the best bang for your buck.  5 full sized products from Benefits permanent line.  I've used all of these and seriously they are great!  Dandelion is a light shimmer pink blush/highlight (depending on your skin tone).  Hoola is a light bronzer/contour color.  Rocketeur is a rosy-shimmer blush (personal favorite).  Coralista is a coral (my go to summer color), and Dallas is a deeper mauvey nude blush.  Plus you get a small brush.  

Tom Ford Lipstick in Solar Affair 

Yes I jumped down the Tom Ford rabbit hole...but it was 15% off in my defense.  And I will say that Tom Fords lipsticks are fantastic quality.  Seriously it lasted through 2 coffees and a meal, which for a non matte lipstick impresses me.  Plus the color is perfect for the summer.


Did you make it to the end of this post?  Much longer than I usually like to post but I wanted to give updates on these fun new products incase you are looking to make a new makeup purchase.

Have you picked up anything fabulous lately?  Let me know!  I'm always looking for new makeup products to try.  And as always I've linked all products mentioned below:

Thanks for reading,
Claire