#RidiculousDeal: Black Friday Spoils

My Black Friday strategy was to buy staples in my wardrobe that I've been wanting for a while. 

Sephora

'Dealtopia' $10 Deals

I surveyed these on Pinterest long before the event so that I could plan out exactly what I was getting. I literally selected all the ones that I ended up buying. I also went crazy getting Kicks (for Shopkicks) before I went to pick this up so that I could use a gift card for nearly half the purchase. A $25 gift was a sweet gift for this purchase. 

The Tarte of Giving sampler. 

Includes: Pure Marajuca Oil, Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay (Translucent) Finishing Powder, Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara

Bite Lush Lip Trio

Includes: Lush Fruit Lip Gloss in Strawberry, Honey & Cocoa

Too Faced Amazing Eyes Set

Includes: Better Than Sex Mascara & Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner

Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow Duo

Includes: (Waterproof) Aqua Shadow Pencil in 20E & 28E

Ole Henriksen Clean Sweep

Includes: African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser & Truth to Go Wipes. 

Guess

40% off everything in store. 

I bought this pair of Adriana pumps that I've been wanting practically forever. I specifically wanted the version of this shoe with the stacked heel- and got it! 

Adriana Pumps (-http://shop.guess.com/en/Catalog/View/women/shoes/pumps/adriena-platform-pumps/GWADRIENA )

Charlotte Russe 

BOGO one pair of shoes, $5 for the second.

I seriously wanted at least one pair of combat boots from my Black Friday experience but this special proved to be perfection. 

Quilted Combat Boots

(-http://m.charlotterusse.com/product/Shoes/Boots-Booties/entity/pc/2115/c/0/sc/2656/246131.uts?colorCode=301525479_001)

Buckled Combat Boots ($45 USD, Charlotte Russe)

*modded after photo. Removed gold shackle-looking hardware. Looked too much like slavery. )

http://m.charlotterusse.com/product/Shoes/Boots-Booties/entity/pc/2115/c/0/sc/2656/246178.uts?colorCode=301525716_001

Studded belt

http://m.charlotterusse.com/product/entity/239347.uts

H&M

Bracelet set silver

http://m.hm.com/us/product/17708?article=17708-A#mediaType=STILL_LIFE_FRONT

Bracelet set gold

Same as above, no picture 

Maroon Tank Top

Cross double chain necklace

Button down shirt

Sheer button down shirt. 

Bandage Miniskirt

http://m.hm.com/us/product/17645?article=17645-A

Tights- Cheetah

http://m.hm.com/us/product/17684?article=17684-A#mediaType=FASHION_FRONT

Tights- Lace

http://m.hm.com/us/product/16014?article=16014-A#mediaType=FASHION_FRONT

Urban Outfitters

Leggings with liquid leather stripes (bought Black, shown in Maroon) 

Leggings with perforated knees

Express

Sheer Portafino Button Down 

Express Rollerball

Review: Sephora Favorites Beauty to Go Prelude to a Kiss Fragrance Sampler

Sephora's 2012 fragrance sampler comes with five scents- one of which is bound to be your favorite. My issue with purchasing this is that I went into it biased- as my favorite is among those listed below. My hopes were to find a scent that could swing a close second to Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb. 

Five fragrances came with this:

Romance by Ralph Lauren. This scent is actually something that I've sampled at the spa I work at. This is also just classic & clean smelling- almost unisex. 

Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf. My all time favorite. The sweet floral notes & I think there's some cassava or something... It's to die for. If you hate candy sweet smelling fragrances, Flowerbomb is not for you. 

Collette by Tocca. I actually loved this the first time I smelled it. But as it worked with my body chemistry the several times I wore it, I scrubbed it off with soap & water because I couldn't take it anymore.  The smell was overwhelming. It's floral. 

L'Eau de Chloé by Chloé. Literally smells like a fresh mowed lawn. The grassy scent was a little overwhelming for me & I feel like it doesn't get any more organic than grass. 

Guilty by Gucci. A bit more traditional, sort of musky. 

Update: I finally decided on Guilty by Gucci.It grew on me. I wasn't crazy about it at first but after I went through the scents again as I do every so often, I fell for it.

The deliberation process went as follows:

I wasn't getting V&R Flowerbomb because I already have a full size. 

The L'Eau de Chloé was not for me- too grassy. 

Tocca's Collette became too overwhelming as the day went on and I think my body chemistry went insane.

Romance by Ralph Lauren was alright but not super unique- plus it was $20 USD I could afford to get it on my own.

Which left me with Guilty by Gucci.

Rings & Things: Midi Rings

I have to admit that when they first appeared on the scene, I thought that midi rings were a stupid idea. I now eat my words. Besides the fact that Ive been getting really into rings lately, I just enjoy how sassy they are. I can't wait to stack them & combine them with real rings. Bonus: they double as pinky rings! (Gangster life with size 5 fingers)

Love Midi Ring

Pearl Midi Ring

Heart Midi Ring

Ridiculous Deal: Cortex Platinum Black Series Special Edition

The MSRP is $200 USD. I paid 30$. Need I say more? I've kissed breakage & dryness goodbye due to black titanium plates. This iron has professional temperature settings as well as a limited warrantee. I'm definetly in love.

Update: My sister also purchased this iron. About a year in, the plates on both irons fragmented and fell off. I can still use it and these irons still do a fabulous job- just expect for the plates to break just when you think that this is a long term investment.

#YouShouldRead : 18 Solutions for When Your Bob Starts to Grow Out

Just read this awesome Redbook article that was completely helpful as I'm transitioning my short hairstyle. Enjoy! 

18 Solutions for When Your Bob Starts to Grow Out

How to: Bouncy Blowout

I've been trying to work on doing my hair at home to save money & to gain some source of independence from the salon machine. I know I'll never be as good as my stylist but the more techniques I'm familiar with the less money will escape from my wallet. 

#Rave: Affordable Reversible Denim

For half the price of Express' Reversible Jeans, Target has released their own line. (Like Express, there are no functioning front pockets. I wish they would find a way to incorporate them...) 

FlipSide Jeans at Target

They have several options:

Blue/Floral Lace

Close up of pattern 

Red/Floral Lace

Close up of pattern 

Indigo Wash/Acid Wash

Black/Camo

Indigo Wash/Cheetah