Fall 2010: My Report

I have been thinking about fall a lot lately. I hate to see summer go, especially because this one has been a busy one for my husband and me. We haven't really had time to get outside and really soak it all up and he starts a new semester next Monday! Anyway, I don't know what it is, but last year as well as this year, I start thinking about fall in August. Sometimes I think I am done, DONE, with shopping. But apparently I still want more. Here are some things that have been on my mind. I will probably work on getting quite a few of these.

If you remember, I made a list last year in August...

So, a rundown of this year's list:
1) I really want to get into smaller handbags. I have only been using one handbag for over a year now. Just one. That I use for/with everything. Not only am I sick of my current bag, but I am tired of having a huge hobo bag that inevitable fills up and gets heavy. This oversize clutch is great.

2) I need an evening clutch, too.

3) I still don't own a perfect LBD. I would like to have one, I don't know, someday.

4) I also need a simple, sleek black turtleneck.

5) I just cannot get over my love for a good trouser jean.

6) Still would like to find my perfect skinny jean. Note: Levi's have just come out with some new sizes - slight curve, demi curve, bold curve, just for a woman's proportions!

7) I would like some kind of smallish, bag like this cognac one. Brown, rustic-looking, classic fall, to me. Perfect with jeans and a plaid shirt.

8) Ah, the search continues for a perfect green pump. This one looks like it would work with nearly anything.

9) I used to have a pair of simple pink ballet flats that I loved (and wore out. to death). I want a replacement. Maybe this time I'll kick it up a notch and go for something embellished.

10) I need some fun scarves. That is all.

11) Love this chalcedony ring. Love.

12) For some reason I've really been into chain-y bracelets like this for a while. I want.

13) This bag I have been wanting and eying for a long time. So lady-like and classic.

14) Flat cognac boots. Enough said.

15) I am ready to take the plunge into booties. When they first came out a few seasons ago, I thought they looked ridiculous. Last year I started to warm up to them and now I am obsessed. Is that bad? To join the trend late? Hopefully they stick around for a few more seasons...

16) I have never been super into hats, although I do occasionally think they work for me. Lately every time I try on a fedora, I love it on me. I might need one.

And there you have it! My fall 2010 wish list. Sheesh, this thing is long and intimidating, no?

Foundation: In My Opinion, One of the Most Important Steps

I have a few product reviews to do, so keep a look out.
First off, I needed new foundation. For the past two years I've been using (and very happy with) L'Oreal's True Match foundation. They have a superb color range for drugstore makeup, it is quite blendable and gives good, yet sheer, coverage. However, sometimes I get bored. Sometimes I just want to try something new. I saw this foundation in a magazine and thought, maybe I'll give it a whirl.
Anyway, it's by Covergirl, a brand that I have previously decided I don't trust or like. I have never liked any products I've tried from this brand. With the exception of this foundation. It's called Clean Oil Control Liquid Makeup. I noticed in the ingredients that it has silicone-based particles, which is kind of the same concept as those expensive foundation primers.
I think it blends well as it goes on, it does everything a foundation should. It makes a great canvas - smooth, even skin, makes me look "naturally perfect", which is kind of my beauty mantra. And as far as oil control, I guess it does that well enough. Probably better than my last foundation. If you are super oily, I'm sorry, but there is no miracle product out there. Trust me. But this foundation still looks pretty decent after a long day and even better if I take the time to blot once during the day. I have given up on perfection, but I must say I am very pleased with this foundation. Highly recommended. And I got it for just under $5 at my local Target!

Spring, Finally

OK, I'm just gonna blame my major blogging hiatus on winter and it's associated drabness.  I get really tired of it by February.  Lately the weather in my neck of the woods has been fairly decent, but very windy (let's just pretend like I didn't wake up to snow this morning - whuuut??).

Anyway, spring/summer is my favorite time of year.  Probably summer more so, because in the spring it's kind of annoying to still wear a jacket when you leave for work in the morning, right?
I always think that I should buy "against the season" but I can never get myself to do it.  You know, buy sweaters and boots when they are on sale in March and stock up on swim stuff, sandals, etc. in October-ish.  Yeah, I know that's a smart way to do things, but come March, I want to put away my boots and get me into some dang sandals.  So that's what I've been doing lately.  I bought some wedge sandals and a new swimsuit in the last few weeks.  And some shorts.  And some t-shirts.  Wow, when I write it all out, I've been doing a lot of shopping.

If you are smart and you stock up on fall/winter basics at the beginning of spring, or you just don't have the money at the moment to indulge in an of-the-season wardrobe boost, may I recommend a quick, easy, cheap fix?  I just bought this new shade of nail polish.
Sort of embracing the coral trend, in a way that works for me and is not so shocking to my cool-toned ways.

It's Revlon's new Electric Pink.  Under $4 at that really cheap, mega-store that shall remain nameless.  In real life, it is slightly more coral than it looks here in this pic . . .