Happy Halloween!

It's Halloween!

 

I actually can't believe that October 31st is here. I feel like the month completely came in and flew right on by. I didn't even get to putting out my decor for this month!

 

 

Today at work we are having a major costume party - each department chose a theme and planned costumes and office decor just for today. My department's theme was a 'Haunted Masquerade Ball' - think a darker version of Phantom of the Opera or the like. I wasn't all into it since Halloween isn't my thing, but this is a sneak peek of my outfit...

 

 

 

 

 

Can you guess what my costume was?

 

 

The Latest from Sephora

It's been awhile since my last shopping trip at Sephora. I have to spread my trips (or online orders) out because Sephora is one of those places where I can get lost in the abundance of beauty products and then wander out $200 cheaper than when I started! I have been keeping a beauty shopping list, so I ventured in telling myself that I would only buy what was on my list. And I actually stuck to it!

 

 

 

 

The first necessity was a new pink blush. I have heard lots about Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes and read many reviews online, so I decided to pick it up in Dollface. I wore it yesterday and was really pleased with how long lasting it was. And Dollface is such a pretty pink color. I think it would be really flattering for most skintones.

 

 

 

 

My other need was for an eyebrow pen. I had one from a local beauty place but I wasn't really in love with it. After searching online, I came across the Anastasia Brow Pen - Long Wearing Brow Tint. I know it's advised to wear a color lighter than you would think, so I chose the Universal Light shade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My last purchase wasn't really a necessity, but rather something that I kept forgetting - a blue eyeliner. I was pretty pleased with Sephora's own Jumbo Liner 12HR Wear Waterproof sticks in the past, so I grabbed one in the color Marine. I've been able to use these as liners but also to smudge on as an eyeshadow base!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you purchased anything from Sephora recently?

 

 

Crushing on Green

 

Green is one of my favorite colors for fall. The richness of it is just perfect!

 

 

Wedge Sneakers / Hat / Scarf / Blouse / Necklace / Eyeshadow / Blazer / Earrings / Legging Cords / Leather Flats / Clutch / Nail Polish / Dress / Skirt

Friday's Five

My five favorites this week...

 

 

 

#1 - Heather at Pearls & Paws made this map coasters for a gift...so fun & unique!

 

 

 

#2 - Last night I spent 2.5 hours sitting in a salon chair getting my hair colored & cut. Is there anything more relaxing?!

 

 

#3 - This album is AMAZING. Taylor, you've done it again!

#4 - My family got big news last week & I finally get to share - my brother & his wife are making the move back to South Florida! They have been living in Orlando for the past few years so we are SO happy that they will be local year round. :)


#5 - Kiley of A Sequin Dress at Breakfast made these pumpkin shakes - they look like a MUST for the fall season. Am I the only one obsessed with pumpkin?

Happy Friday lovelies! xo

 

Breast Cancer Awareness

October is just about over but Breast Cancer awareness doesn't end on the 31st. This disease has affected me personally as my mother has battled & defeated it twice. Being that she has had it, I have to be even more aware of my body.

 

 

I love this little fact chart that The Everygirl put together.

 

And this one by Julep and The Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation.

 

Be aware. Be healthy. Take care of yourself.

Poshmark

I regularly clean out my closet in hopes of adding more to it. But sometimes my wish lists are more flexible than my wallet. Enter in Poshmark - an iPhone app that allows you to buy & sell goods from your closet! All you have to do is upload photos, enter in the item description and post to their news feed (it can even upload to Facebook, Twiiter & Instagram!). Poshmark just takes a 20% fee once your item sells - even the buyer pays the $7 shipping costs!

 

 

I have made several sales on Poshmark and even made a few purchases! Here are a few items that you can find in my Poshmark closet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have an iPhone, add the Poshmark app and shop my closet!

 

@theprettyfactor

 

 

Current Wants: J. Crew

I have become a recent lover of all things J.Crew. I didn't really fit their style in the past - I felt it to be too grown up, too proper, too classic, too preppy. But as I have gotten a bit older and my personal style has evolved, I have found that the reasons I stayed away from J. Crew in my twenties are the reasons I am drawing nearer to it in my thirties. I love their simple & colorful crop trousers, their lightweight sweaters & cardigans and all the ladylike touches infused in their inventory. Here the latest items I am crushing on.

 

Collection Cafe Capri in Jade Jacquard

 

 

 

Hothouse Floral Dress

 

 

 

Maddie Ballet Flats

 

 

 

Bow Coat

 

 

 

Crystal Burst Bracelet

 

 

 

Chiffon Dot Top

 

 

 

Collection Sequin Tweed Pencil Skirt

 

 

 

Collection Sasha Snakeskin Pumps

 

 

 

Cafe Capri in Tiny Dots

 

 

 

Fall Floral Crystal Necklace

 

 

 

There are about a million other items that I could have added onto this list - like this, this and especially this....wowza! - but then this wish list would be more like a wish catalog.

 

And I don't have an unlimited stash of cash to make this wish list a reality.

 

 

 

Oh J. Crew, why do you have to be so expensive?

 

 

Friday's Five

My five favorites this week...

 

 

#1 - I love this dark ladylike look by Atlantic-Pacific. It totally proves me wrong about combining navy & black together.

 

 

#2 - Maya Brenner's iconic pieces are now on BaubleBar. I totally love the state pendants & teeny, tiny initial necklaces!

 

 

#3 - Bath & Body Works "Leaves" candle. The perfect scent for fall.

 

 

#4 - My 'little' brother was in town this week and I totally enjoyed every moment we had with him. Lots of family time at our parent's house. And just before he left, we got some good news! I'll share it once I get the ok. :)

 

 

#5 - Today is "Pink Day" at work in honor of those who have battle & survived breast cancer. I'm wearing it for my mama who has survived it twice.

 

 

 

 

Let's Play Ball!

 

 

Tonight is game 4 of the ACLS series between the New York Yankees & the Detroit Tigers. The series is currently Detroit - 3, New York - 0

 

 

Can you guess who I'm rooting for?!

 

 

 

 

 

It's not over till it's over! Go Yankees!

 

 

Handy Dandy: Homemade Facial Toner

 

Homemade Facial Toner for normal to dry skin

 

 

Ingredients:

 

  

• 1/2 Cup Lemon juice
• 1 Cup Water
• 2/3 Cup Witch hazel (can purchase at any drug store)
• Plastic bottle or jar
• 2 Tablespoons of alcohol (for oily skin)*

 

 

 

Mix ingredients together.

Wash face & apply toner with cotton pad all over face.

Apply moisturizer.

 

 

via

Luxe for Less - Miu Miu Glitter & Suede Sandal

Today's "Luxe for Less" post is dedicated to the Miu Miu Glitter & Suede Sandal.

 

 

 

  Miu Miu - $730

 

 

 

 

Guess - $95

 

 

 

 

This isn't my first "Luxe for Less" post paying homage to Miu Miu's gorgeous shoes - you can see the first one here.

 

Glossybox / September 2012

I received my September Glossybox over a week ago and meant to share it at that time, but other posts (and life!) got in the way. Then I looked back to my last Glossybox post and was shocked to realize that I never shared my boxes for July and August! Whoa.

I'll try to stay on top of these posts because I really do love my Glossyboxes and I think you would to!

 

 

 

 

 

The theme for this Glossybox was "Fall Forward" featuring beauty products essential for this season - items that help keep you nourished and refreshed during the cooler months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 $29.99 / Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water $13 / Kryolan for Glossybox Moisture Rich Lipstick $14 / GKHair Moisturizing Shampoo $20 / GKHair Moisturizing Conditioner $20

 

 

 

I was super pleased to see a BB cream in this Glossybox. I have been hearing so much about these creams and how they differ from tinted moisturizers. Same goes for the spa water - never tried one before! And who can ever have enough of shampoos & conditioners perfectly sized for traveling?! (I have a whole bin of these travel sized goodies & they get put to good use!) The GLOSSY pink lipstick is such a pretty shade - a great addition to my lippy collections.

 

 

Have you ever tried these particular brands or items? I would love to hear your feedback on them. And if you haven't signed up for Glossybox yet, you can read all about it here and sign up for this monthly goody box here.

 

Friday's Five

My five favorites this week...

 

 

 

#1 - Penny Pincher Fashion shares her rules for an envious arm party.

 

 

#2 - I love this sign from The Brunette One.

 

 

 

#3 - Zara Home has launched. Love!

 

 

#4 - Mixing patterns makes me nervous, but I am crazy about the plaid & polka dots that Bows & Sequins paired up! How cute is this?!

 

 

 

#5 - I FINALLY got myself a pair of the Me Too Patty flats in nude. Obsession fulfilled!

 

 

 

Happy Friday lovelies! xo

 

 

Unplug

I have been overly exhausted this week due to an extremely tight workload. Some days feel as if the phone will never stop ringing, the emails won't stop coming in and that the piles of papers on my desk won't disappear. I can literally see 5pm flashing on my computer screen and know that I still could use another 3 hours to get work done.

  

Last night I came home from work just before 8pm, ate dinner and tried to watch "The Voice". But because I have been so sleep deprived, I had to force myself to shut off the technology and hit the sack way earlier than normal. 

 

Sometimes the need to 'unplug' is exactly what I need to keep going.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

 

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Recent Mani's

I love pampering myself. If I was the richest girl in the world, having a beauty team on staff would definitely be at the top of my list. I love getting massages, long hours at the spa getting my hair done or sitting in the lounge chairs while my hands and feet get prettied up. Unfortunately, not being the richest girl means I have to take matters into my own hands at time...literally. Here are the latest of my at-home manicures.

 

 

Essie 'Ole Caliente' and 'Bachelorette Bash'

 

 

 

Essie 'Boxer Shorts' and Julep 'Carrie'

 

 

 

Essie 'Bahama Mama'

 

 

 

Essie polishes are one of my favorite brands (along with OPI. Julep is pretty great too - plus with their membership, you get a few polishes every month for under $20 - you can read more about Julep Maven HERE.) If I find a color I really love, I buy the polish and add it to my personal collection. When it's time to hit the salon, I will take it with me to get a professional manicure & pedicure done. Then when it chips within a week's time (mani's just don't last so long on me!), I now have the exact color to touch up with at home!

 

 

Are you a salon girl or a DIY girl when it comes to your manicures?

 

 

Friday's Five

My five favorites this week...

 

 

#1 - This black & gold mani by Tiffany D (Instagram - makeupbytiffanyd) might be one of my absolute favorites. I can't wait to try it myself. I think it would be perfect for the holidays!

#2 - Fall tv premieres have been all for the past week or two. My regular faves have been playing but I came across a new show that has me hooked - Travel Channel's "Airport 24/7: Miami". Gotta love the dramatics of the 305!

 

 

#3 - Wet n Wild's eyeshadow trio in "Silent Treatment" is really pigmented and pretty good quality for it's $2.99 price tag! These colors are perfect for daily wear.

 

 

#4 - How gorgeous is this sketch of Anne Hathaway's wedding gown by Valentino?

 

(via)

 

 

#5 - Ellie Goulding's "Lights" - obsessed.