Author: chelseawp

August Birchbox | 2014

I can hardly believe September is here and summer is over! As another month wraps up, I have some Birchbox products to review and share with you! Birchbox is a service with subscriptions to receive monthly samples of beauty products. I personally use it as a mini treat to myself once a month and it’s a great, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. Below is what I found when I opened my August Birchbox.

birchbox.com

My box included:

Harvey Prince Ageless – Pink Grapefruit

Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream

SeaRX Birch Sap Moisturizing Lotion

ModelCo Bronzer

Aloxxi Thickening Serum

First I tried the Harvey Prince Ageless – Pink Grapefruit, and I have to say, this month’s Birchbox was immediately off to a strong start! I was pleasantly surprised by the fresh, sweet scent of this perfume. I am pretty picky about my perfumes, but this scent was light ,with just the right amount of citrus and floral. It all makes sense considering the Harvey brothers specifically developed this fragrance for their mom and not only wanted a pretty scent, but one that made you smell more youthful. This fragrance is amazing and great for all ages, the only drawback is the price at $98/100ml bottle.

Now onto the Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream. This shaving cream was a little different than what I normally use. I tend to gravitate to the Skintimate’s of the world that foam up and lather and this Whish product did neither. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, the consistency reminded me a lot of a standard conditioner. I loved the smell, and after shaving my legs actually felt moisturized without having to whip out lotion. I found myself using much more of this all natural cream than I normally use of the lathering shaving creams, but the results were great! Overall it was a great find and I would definitely recommend for anyone with dry skin.

Next I tried the SeaRX Birch Sap Moisturizing Lotion. This lotion is another great find! As I’ve mentioned before, I love light, quick drying lotions that absorb into the skin quickly and this SeaRX lotion fits the bill! It’s not only light and non-greasy, but it smells great too! And as a bonus, it can be used not only on your body, but on your face too. It’s rare that I find a lotion that works for both my face and my body, so this is now my go-to lotion for traveling.

Now for the ModelCo Bronzer. First, I have to say I found this sample to be VERY messy! My sample came broken up, so the powder went everywhere when I popped the container open. Therefore, I lost a ton of the actual sample to the floor of my bathroom. But, what I had left of the product I liked. It works well as a bronzer. Tt has a slight shimmer in it, so it gives that summer glow without being too disco! It’s a nice color and blends well. If you are in the market for a new bronzer, I would definitely recommend this powder.

Last, but definitely not least, Aloxxi Thickening Serum. This product was interesting. I was weary because I thought the serum was a little thick and sticky, but it did end up thickening my hair. I had to be careful to only apply it to the ends of my hair because once it got to my roots, it almost looked greasy. It mostly added volume to the end of my strands, which was great, but I usually like to get a little extra volume at my roots. I’m not really in the market for a thickening serum, but for anyone who is, this might just be the product for you!

Have you tried these brands or products before? Let me know your thoughts on them in the comments below!

That wraps it up for this month’s Birchbox products. Craving more? Check out last month’s samples on July’s Birchbox Finds.

Oh Joy! for Target

I love a good party, but who doesn’t? With Labor Day approaching, I have to assume many of you will be hosting end of summer bashes this weekend. For some party inspiration, I’m sharing some fun festive pieces I came across at Target to help accent any party!

Oh Joy! has partnered with Target to release a line of party supplies and décor. The fall collection was just released on Aug 17^th and is only available for a limited time, so act fast! There’s a ton of adorable items to choose from at great prices. This collection brings party supplies to the next level, even the disposable plates sparkle! I love all the items, but my favorites are definitely the tiny party hats, the ceramic pitcher and the fun stackable mugs! Which ones are your favorites?

photos by Oh Joy!

Christian Siriano Rocks the Emmys

I have been a huge fan of Christian Siriano since he graced the stage of Project Runway Season 4 in 2007. As he would say it, he’s fierce!… and I agree! He may be small, but he packs a big personality! Not only was he a ball of fun to watch on TV, but he’s also an amazing designer.

As soon as he won Season 4 of Project Runway, his career started booming. He has worked on a ton of projects, including a bridal collection for Nordstrom, a shoe and handbag line at Payless and has dressed a ton of celebrities! Just Monday for the Emmys he dressed six celebrities, including Sarah Hyland who made the E!’s best dressed list! Sarah Hyland’s huge coral skirt and crop top was definitely my favorite look of the night. She looked young, fresh and fabulous, I was thrilled to see her on the best dressed list. But, Sarah’s look wasn’t the only one turning heads, all of Siriano’s dresses were amazing. I included my favorites below, each bright, fun and dramatic. Which is your favorite Siriano look of the night?

Sarah Hyland (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Samira Wiley (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Teyonah Parris (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Uzo Aduba (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Rag & Bone Booties for Less

Rag & Bone booties continue to be some of the most coveted boots season after season. I love the look of them, but the price ($525) makes them more of an investment than what I’m looking to spend on boots.

That’s why I put together the below list of reasonably priced alternatives. The prices range from $35-$78 and they all give the similar look of the rag & bone harrow boot, but with different silhouettes so there’s something for everyone! The options range from peep toe, flats and extreme deals (under $50!). Which one is your favorite?

the rag & bone harrow boot- the real deal!

rag & bone suede ($525)

rag & bone leather ($525)

look for less- peep toes:

ModCloth Strappy Bootie ($54.99)

DSW Crown Vintage Lacy Bootie ($69.95)

look for less- flats:

DV BY DOLCE VITA Jaxen Suede Booties ($64.48)

DV by Dolce Vita Suede Booties ($64.48)

Wallis Black Ankle Strapped Booties ($78)

look for less- steals!:

Tillys Strappy Booties ($34.99)

Old Navy Strappy Booties ($42.94)

Summer in San Francisco

As August comes to an end, summer in San Francisco begins! Fall is a magical time for us in San Francisco- it’s when temperatures start to rise and tourist season starts to wind down, the sun starts to shine a little brighter and the streets are a little less crowded. That’s why this weekend we were focused on enjoying our wonderful city!

I wore my favorite summer shorts, my white Levi 501’s. They scream summer with the multi colored neon dots embroidered on the front. With these temperatures, it’s key to wear your shorts and tanks, but I never leave home without a jacket! I chose my favorite chambray top from Levi’s, the perfect piece to complete any outfit and shield me from the wind.

Levi’s Chambray Shirt (On Sale for $47) / Neon Pink Tank- similar BKE tank (On Sale for $12) / Levi’s 501 Cut offs ($78) / So Sandles- similar ZIGI (On Sale for $29.97) and Steve Madden Kween Sandals (On Sale for $33.47) / ALDO Leeton Fringe Crossbody (On Sale for $29.98) / Gold Tassel Necklace- similar Topshop Chain Necklace ($28) / ASOS Fruit Watch (On Sale for $17.41) / Bracelets- Pink Fitbit ($99.95), kate spade new york bow bangle ($78) and CC SKYE Mini Love Spike Bangle ($125)

August RocksBox Review

Happy Friday! Thanks to my friend Claire, I have a new fun service to share with you called RocksBox! She recently sent me a promo for one free month, so I thought… why not give it a try?

Here’s how it works. It’s a monthly subscription of $19.99/ month. First you create a style profile, which basically consists of a quick survey of what jewelry types, metals, etc. you prefer and a gallery of pictures where you can pick your favorite items. From that profile, three styles are picked just for you and delivered in cute little boxes wrapped up with a ribbon. Now for the fun part, you can wear the jewelry as much as you want and just as easily send them back whenever you want! There’s no timeline, you can get as many or as little boxes as you want a month. As soon as you’re ready to send them back, you drop them in the mail and three more will be sent your way. Fall in love with one of the items? No prob, keep it! You get 20% off the retail price of any piece in your box to add to your permanent collection.

What I really love about RocksBox is the flexibility it offers. It allows you to experiment with your style risk-free! You can try out new trends and colors in the comfort of your own home and send back what doesn’t work. You also have the flexibility to update your style profile and review each item you receive to give the stylists a better idea of what you want in the future. So far, the stylists have been spot on with their selecetions for me! Ready to see what I got in my first RocksBox?

House of Harlow 1960 Five Station Necklace in Black ($60)– I love this necklace; it’s actually one of the styles I favorited in my style profile! I’ve been eyeing this piece on piperlime for over a year, so I was thrilled to see it included in my RocksBox! It’s simple and elegant. I love the geometric look and the leather details. It’s super versatile and I know I will get a ton of use out of it.

Urban Gem Dahlia Earrings in Mint ($45)– The stylists hit the nail on the head with these earrings. They are so much fun and definitely something I would pick out for myself. I love the mint color, the diamond shape and the dramatic feel of them. These earrings are a statement piece so I love the idea of switching them out with a new style after getting a few uses out of them. This is where I think RocksBox makes the most sense, lending me things I would love to try out for a few weeks and easily send back for something new!

CC Skye Mini Spike Gold Bracelet ($110)– This bracelet might be my favorite of the three pieces! It looks great layered with my other bangles and its small spikes give it a subtle edge. It would be a great staple for my growing collection of arm candy! There’s only one drawback, the price. Although great quality, it’s the priciest of all three options in my box, coming in at $88 (after the 20% off membership discount). For me it’s not worth the price, but I will enjoy it until I decide to send my box back!

Have I sold you on RocksBox yet? If not maybe one free month will help! Click here to get your first month of RocksBox free! What’s to lose?

The Track Pant Trend

To be honest, I have been hesitant to jump on the track pant trend this year. But since it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere for fall, I think it’s about time I start embracing it! To be fair, part of my hesitation may stem from making a living off of the sale of denim, but I also think this look is tricky to style. I’ve seen track pants styled on the street and they sometimes end up looking sloppy, like pajamas. I think it is key to pair these pants back to feminine, formal pieces. I love the idea of styling these pants with heels (as seen in some of the pictures below), a feminine blouse and layered with a blazer. Add in details like scallops, bows, etc and you get the ultimate glam look for fall.

Have you been wearing the track pant trend this year? How do you style them?

Topshop Floral Pants (On Sale for $34.99) / Forever 21 Faux Leather Trim Joggers ($17.80) / Forever 21 Tribal Print Joggers ($24.90) / H&M Decorated Sweatpants ($39.95) / Piperlime Jogger Pant ($52) / H&M Light Beige Joggers ($24.95) / Gap Side-Zip Track Pants ($49.95) / H&M Leopard Soft Pants ($17.95) / Forever 21 Crepe Woven Joggers ($22.80) / Topshop Mixed Print Joggers ($56) / Forever 21 Denim Drawstring Pants ($29.80) / Nordstrom Tuxedo Track Pants (On Sale for $53.98) / Express Printed Track Pants ($69.90) / Gap Heathered Track Pants ($44.95)

Homemade Tortilla Chips and Corn Salsa

Today I’m sharing my homemade corn salsa recipe. It all came about a few years ago when I came home from the grocery store with corn tortilla chips, but no salsa! After staring blankly into the pantry hoping some would appear, I finally grabbed corn, black beans and a red bell pepper. And Voila! My husband’s favorite salsa was born! He’s not a big tomato fan, so he loves that it’s tomato-free. If I’m not careful, he will eat the whole batch in one sitting!

Corn and Black Bean Salsa

You will need:

• 1 red bell pepper

• 1 can corn (low sodium)

• 1 can black beans

• ¼ cup of pickled Jalapeños

• 2 T hot sauce

• 1 T olive oil

• cilantro for garnish

1- Use a large saucepan to sauté the diced red bell pepper in the olive oil and hot sauce

2- Pour sliced jalapeños and some of the juice into the peppers while they finish sautéing

3- Add the corn and rinsed black beans to the peppers and simmer for at least 10 minutes

4- Serve hot or cold

(Disclaimer– I do love spicy foods, so feel free to use less hot sauce/jalapeños if you are looking for a milder salsa!)

What I love most about this salsa is it’s easy. I almost always have all the ingredients on hand and it’s a huge hit at gatherings. It’s quick, cheap and healthy, what’s not to love?

And what pairs better with homemade salsa than homemade tortilla chips? They are a healthy alternative to the store bought brands and a fraction of the cost. Check out the recipe below, once you try them you will never go back!

Baked Tortilla Chips

You will need:

• corn tortillas

• salt

• optional- cayenne pepper

1- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

2- Cut the corn tortillas into quarters (I use a pizza cutter)

3- Place them evenly on a baking sheet

4- Season lightly with salt (optional- sprinkle cayenne pepper to add some heat!)

5- Bake for about 10 minutes or until edges start to brown

DIY Intersecting Circles Art

Although we’ve lived in our apartment for almost a year, I’m still trying to find ways to add character and to make it our own. Lately my energy has been focused on our bathroom- it’s white, ALL white! I’ve been looking for a piece of art to add some color to the walls, but haven’t found anything that fits our style. Then I came across this DIY Intersecting Circles Piece from Tristin & Company and loved the unique pattern. Since I’ve never been one to shy away from a DIY project, I thought this could become the perfect customizable artwork for our bathroom.

I do love Tristin & Company’s finished product, but I wanted to update it by adding some fun prints to mine. Instead of using paint chips like Tristin & Company did, I decided to use magazine clippings. I wanted to be able to bring some of my favorite patterns and pictures into the piece and I ended up loving how the final product! The magazine cutouts add the funk and humor I was missing in the original project.

Tristin & Company have great directions on their site, so I will just give you the cliff notes version.

First you need to make your football shaped template. It’s important to start with a circle that has the right diameter for your canvas. The key is to find the common denominator of the width and height of your blank canvas. I chose a 16×20 canvas, making the common denominator and the diameter of my circle 4. A compass is the best way to get the perfect sized circle, but if you are like me and haven’t seen one since middle school, you can go around measuring candles, vases, etc until you strike gold and find the right size.

To make your template:

1- fold your circle into quarters

2- cut two quarters out of the circle and face the curved edges toward each other

3- overlap the two quarters and trace along the curved edge to make a football shape

4- cut along the traced line and you have your football shaped template!

Next I got out my latest vogue and went to town cutting out footballs! Four football shapes are needed for each circle. Since my canvas was 16×20 inches (4 circles x 5 circles), I needed 80 football shaped magazine cutouts. Now you’re ready to start putting the pieces of the puzzle together. You will need your canvas, magazine cut outs, canvas and Mod Podge.

I started by LIGHTLY tracing the circles on the canvas to give me some guidance for placement. (If you look really close you can see my light blue tracings)

I suggest taking the placement circle by circle, lightly filling each circle tracing with Mod Podge, then placing the footballs exactly where you want them. Be careful, since magazine pages are so thin the footballs rip very easily once placed on Mod Podge.

After you fill your whole canvas with footballs, start your coats of Mod Podge! After 3-4 coats, you have a masterpiece! What I love most about this project is the ability to completely customize and have fun with it. Also, if you get bored it can quickly turn into a game of I SPY! 🙂

Each one of these footballs pack a ton of personality. I added pieces of some of my favorite brands’ advertisements, a picture of a building in Italy reminding me of our honeymoon and I even snuck Minnie Mouse in! This project took a lot of patience, but it was also a ton of fun!

Celine Trio Look for Less!

I absolutely love everything about the Celine Trio… except the price. This purse is known for it’s three separate compartments, each detachable to be used separately or all together! I love the simple look and the versatility it offers, but retailing at over a grand, it’s always been out of my price range. If dropping over $1000 on a bag seems extravagant to you too, I have good news! You can get the Celine Trio look for less!

I was browsing Forever 21, I found a similar style for only $22! This great find inspired my hunt for other Celine Trio look-alikes. After searching high and low, I gathered three bags that will have you doing a double take!

GLAMOURITA

Author: chelseawp

August Birchbox | 2014

Oh Joy! for Target

Christian Siriano Rocks the Emmys

Rag & Bone Booties for Less

the rag & bone harrow boot- the real deal!

look for less- peep toes:

look for less- flats:

look for less- steals!:

Summer in San Francisco

August RocksBox Review

The Track Pant Trend

Homemade Tortilla Chips and Corn Salsa

Corn and Black Bean Salsa

Baked Tortilla Chips

DIY Intersecting Circles Art

Celine Trio Look for Less!

Forever 21 Multi Compartment Crossbody ($22)

Go Jane Triple Compartment Crossbody (On Sale for $23)

Annabell Ingal JoJo Crossbody ($320)

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the rag & bone harrow boot- the real deal!

look for less- peep toes:

look for less- flats:

look for less- steals!:

Share this:

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Corn and Black Bean Salsa

Baked Tortilla Chips

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Forever 21 Multi Compartment Crossbody ($22)

Go Jane Triple Compartment Crossbody (On Sale for $23)

Annabell Ingal JoJo Crossbody ($320)

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