I was not sure that I liked Butter London’s “Bossy Boots” when I first painted my nails (on Monday), but it’s growing on me. This is my first bottle of Butter London, and overall, I’m pretty impressed with the polish. I love that it’s 3-free, but these days, most nail polish brands are 3-free (even Chanel). I use Seche Vite ridge filler and topcoat with the polish and I haven’t seen any chips at all (which is generally unlikely with my Chanel polish) in two days. I also haven’t done much to chip my nails, but it’s still a good sign.

What do you think? Should I keep my bottle of Butter London nail polish? Or give it away here on the blog?

PICTURES

Top Left
Me, with NO MAKEUP (OMG!). All I’ve done here is wash my face with this Kiehl’s exfoliating cleanser, then apply Josie Maran argan oil all over and finally Caudalie serum. FYI, I’m 39 years old.

Bottom left
After Clinique redness solutions on my cheeks, RMS un cover-up in #22, Modest lip2cheek and Living Luminizer on my eye lids and upper right colors near my brows, bridge of my nose and upper cheeks. I also used eyeliner & mascara (details and links to all products are below). I took this picture in the same lighting as the first “no makeup” picture so you could see the difference. This was as close to natural light as I could get when I was taking pictures – and there was NO sun most of the day yesterday. I don’t think these pictures are particularly accurate – I really don’t think (at least I HOPE) my face is always that red. Which is why I took another picture in bathroom lighting (the picture on the bottom right).

Middle top
RMS products – ‘un’ cover-up #22, lip2cheek in “modest” and living luminizer

Middle bottom
All the products I used on my face (minus the Lancome Defincils mascara)

• Clinique Redness solutions protective base – I like this, but I’m not sure it’s as effective a product as it could be. I’m thinking of trying this one by Koh Gen Do when the Clinique runs out
• Hourglass eyeliner (cognac) – this is my holy grail eyeliner. I’ve been using it for a year or so and every time I try something different (cheaper), I’m incredibly disappointed. I do also love Bobbi Brown’s gel eyeliner, but the Hourglass liner is so much easier to use, and comes off with regular cleanser
• Josie Maran argan oil
• Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance serum – this is my crack.
• RMS beauty products

Top right
Just a quick picture with the “modest” lip2cheek on my lips. I LOVE it. I also got a sample of the “smile” lip2cheek and I love that one too. It’s more coral-y and less dark, but so much fun. I can see myself collecting all of the colors…

Bottom right
My made-up face in bathroom lighting. You can clearly see here the dewey effect you get with RMS products.

My verdict: I want to own all of the RMS products, starting next with a creamy eye shadow, the lip & skin balm and at least one of the lip shines. Ultimately, I’d like to streamline my entire makeup routine to include all eco-friendly and natural/organic beauty products; but I may not need anything besides these RMS products.

On the product pages on RMS’ website, they state clearly that you don’t need to wear moisturizer under their makeup, and I have found that is true. All of the products are extremely moisturizing (even my eyelids feel moisturized – after I clean my face!), and give you a very healthy glow/sheen almost. This glow/dewey look is the only thing I have a small issue with – but only because I’m used to the idea that shine is bad. I’ve always tried to cover any shine with powder, but I don’t feel like this is the same, it’s more of a glow than shine. It is a very different look for me though, and something I’ll have to get used to – although I do know that RMS is coming out with a translucent powder to help achieve more of a matte look, so I may try that for more of a “finished” look every once in a while.

Overall, I’m SO pleased with all the products and plan on ordering more ASAP. I highly recommend at least trying the living luminizer and/or the ‘un’ cover-up. They may not give my face a “flawless” look because of my issues with redness, but I’m kind of tired of worrying about that so much. I don’t need to look “perfect,” I just need to look like ME, enhanced a bit. I don’t want to use a million products to try and cover-up imperfections and possibly irritate my skin further. The RMS products nurture my skin and make it feel supple & strong, which as I continue to age, is ultimately what is going to KEEP my skin looking healthy. I’m counting on that anyway…

What do you think? Have you tried RMS products? What has your experience been over the long term? Are you interested in trying RMS products?

First, I have to be up front and tell you that I am NOT actually wearing these today, I just wanted to post a review ASAP because Madewell is offering 20% off these jeans (and others) today and tomorrow + free shipping.

Second, my plan to use my iPhone and not buy a new camera after my other one just DIED all of the sudden obviously didn’t work. The lighting just isn’t good enough. I’m pretty embarrassed by the quality of this photo, but you get the idea, and you can see the jeans, so I suppose it serves the purpose for right now.

Back to the jeans – These are the lower rise Widelegger jeans in the explorer wash that I (and Sharon) purchased last week during Madewell’s denim event. I wasn’t even going to try them on because it’s been a VERY long time since I could fit into a pair of jeans, but I did anyway, and I was pleasantly surprised. The 32 fit me nicely – they will probably stretch a bit with wear, but I really don’t think these will have the dreaded waist gap that I get with lots of jeans; they fit my curves VERY well. They’re also pretty lightweight and super-soft. Not lightweight enough that I’m going to wear them out to run errands in 107 degrees, but I will wear them to the movies, or out to dinner.

Overall, I’m VERY pleased with these jeans. The price was good – they’re $100 – and I just love the way they fit. I did also try on the high-waisted style and liked them as well, but they gaped in the waist quite a bit on me, and weren’t AS flattering on me as the lower-rise because of my hips & saddlebags (the BANE of my existence). **edited: I got a question just now about the sizing – I think these run true to size, 32 is my “normal” denim size, and the 32 fit as expected.

Oh, and I’m wearing an AG striped top from Anthropologie I snagged off the sale rack for $19 recently. Mine is a size small because it ran REALLY big IMO and was also available in red stripes and blue stripes. They’re not available online and sold out in my stores, but if you see one in your store – GET IT!!! I love the slight a-line fit and the softness of this tee. I’ve been wearing it a lot lately…

Did you see it? The Shopbop coupon code? It’s not the best, but it is something, and if you can spend $1500 (or $1000 I should say, because if you spend $1500 you get $500 off…) then you’re getting the best deal. I know you guys have tons of stuff “hearted” just like I do, so get shopping!! But first, I thought it would be a great time to review my J.W. Hulme legacy bag – also since Shopbop has two colorways available right now, the canvas/leather combo & “bare pewter” leather:

(my bag last seen in outfits here, here, here and here)

First, all the J.W. Hulme bags are made in the USA AND they are guaranteed for LIFE. FOREVER. That means if you have a problem with your bag, you can send it directly to J.W. Hulme and they’ll fix it. They also do complimentary monogramming when you get your bag!!

For the craftsmanship involved & the lifetime guarantee, the bags are very affordable: the canvas/leather version is $250 and the leather version is $410. My bag is black, but I’ve seen the bare pewter version in person at Barney’s Co-Op and it’s a very pretty, almost “sage” green color – perfect for Spring. The leather is extremely high quality, very thick and sturdy. I haven’t found that mine shows wear or scratches very easily, nor have I noticed the leather color rubbing off on my clothes. Perhaps with a lighter colored bag you will have to worry about dark denim stains, though.

This is the smallest bag I own at the moment, so I did have to downsize what I carry with me all the time, but the inside of the bag is so well organized I love how easy it is to find anything (I honestly missed the organization when I carried my 3.1 Philip Lim a little lately!). There are two inside zipper pockets, one on each side of the bag, two open pockets (good for a cellphone & notebook) and a few pen pockets. There’s a key fob attached inside the bag and an outside pocket on the back of the bag.

Here’s what’s inside mine:

Large Comme des Garcons wallet, large Baggu bag, smaller Baggu bag, a few small zipper Baggu bags, gum, sunglasses, lots of lipgloss, hand lotion…I can also fit my kindle in the back pocket for reading excursions. I carry the bag both ways – by shoulder and crossbody, and I love how easy it is to get into and secure with the lock on the flap.

I’d like to start a collection of J.W. Hulme bags There are several styles I love, and I’m addicted to the leather & classic shapes. I also struggle with paying twice or three times as much for bags made in China, under questionable circumstances…you know? Not something I want to do when I get get such a high quality bag like J.W Hulme’s made in the US and guaranteed for life – for around $450.

I highly recommend picking up this bag, you’ll wear it forever. Besides what’s available at Shopbop with the code, you can also buy J.W Hulme online at:

La Garconne
J.W. Hulme & Co.
Steven Alan
Barney’s Co-Op

By popular demand…and because I love you enough to be photographed without makeup…here are some quick pictures of the Best Dress Ever (aka T by Alexander Wang Asymmetrical dress) I posted earlier:

wearing: T by Alexander Wang dress | Thrifted jacket | Madewell necklace | Robert Clergerie Shoes

Convinced yet? I prefer it without a belt because I just love the way it hangs. And like I mentioned before the Modal/spandex blend is heavier and WAY less cling-y than jersey (this doesn’t cling at all – anyway, I think it runs big, I’m wearing a medium) and just drapes beautifully. And the color. TDF.

And how do you like one of my very first thrifted purchases EVER? I just got it back from the dry cleaner and they did a great job getting the stains out (LOL). I was toying with taking out the shoulder pads, but I don’t think I will now. Oh, and it’s from Petite Sophisticate, mid 80′s, I’m sure!!

The first thing I thought when I put this dress on was “OMG where has this dress been all my life?” That was yesterday. And today, when I wore it out to go meet Sydney and Diya for lunch, I was still thinking that…this dress is amazing! It’s impossible to capture all the details properly with my camera and in my kitchen, but you can get a little better idea of how the dress looks on Vogel10′s site.

The dress is washed silk, with picot edges and an asymmetrical hem. It’s not a wrap dress really, more of a loose shift, with a self-tie at the waist, and since it’s loose, I took a size 2 (I’m usually a size 12). You can wear it with either the v-neck or the scoop neck in the front – I don’t have a preference, I just wore it today with the scoop-neck in the front because that’s the way it went over my head! When you wear it with the scoop-neck towards the front you get a pretty straight hem on the front, and an asymmetric hem in the back (you can see this in the picture), but when you wear the v-neck towards the front, you end up with more of a handkerchief-hem in the front (which is fabulous). So you can totally change the look of the dress depending on which way you wear it…

I wish I’d had this dress all Summer, I wouldn’t have taken it off, but I really love the idea of wearing it this Fall/Winter with cashmere cardigans and/or my leather jacket and tights. I have yet to wash it (hand wash in cold water, hang to dry) or travel with it, but I will be taking this dress with me on my trip to Atlanta next week, so I’ll let you know how it wears while I’m there, and I’ll definitely report back on my washing experience (cleaning silk kind of makes me nervous, but I’m sure it will be okay).

I’m wearing the Vogel10 dress with my Calypso cardigan (yes, I decided to keep it), Swedish Hasbeens clogs, J Crew tote and Candace Ang necklace.

If you haven’t already, enter to win a $200 GC to Vogel10 via this link, and save 35% with code GRECHEN35 through 10/29 (contest runs all month).

**I received this dress free from Vogel10 to review, but they didn’t tell me what to say

Remember the Dylan Folding Tote by Linea Pelle bag I was carrying in an outfit the other day? Well, here’s the full review. I’m going out of town on Monday and this will be my carry-on/handbag while I’m in Florida. In the video, I packed it exactly as I will on Monday to carry on the plane, and remove everything so you can see how much STUFF fits in this bag:

(I want to apologize for the video and that my head is cut off sometimes, I shot it with iMovie and I always forget that what I see on the screen is NOT what ends up on YouTube! Anyway, the video is about the bag, not me )

This bag is wonderful, and perfect for traveling. I have been carrying it around here shopping, etc., but even for me, it’s a bit big for an everyday bag. This Summer when we take day trips with my future step-son, it will be perfect, because I’m sure I’ll be carrying water bottles, hand sanitizer and other random stuff, but just for running quick errands, it’s big. If you’re a frequent traveler, it’s a wonderful bag, because you can fill it full of stuff to carry on the plane, and then fold it over to use as a handbag. Or use it as a work tote and keep a smaller clutch inside.

I also love it for traveling because while it’s an ORANGE bag, it’s neutral, because it will go with black and navy. Call me old-fashioned, but I don’t like to carry black bags while I wear a navy dress – I’d rather use a color, or a brown bag. Since I’m bringing a few navy & black dresses with me to Florida, by bringing this bag, I won’t have to worry about changing it out. And I am DEFINITELY not the type to bring more than one handbag with me on a trip…

Overall, as my first Linea Pelle bag, I’m very impressed. I’ve heard wonderful things about their bags for quite some time, but never had an opportunity to try one until now. The leather is seriously soft, and thick (I don’t worry about carrying my laptop in this bag, it’s sturdy enough), and the hardware is luxurious, but not frivolous. And I’m VERY happy with the vibrant orange color! Since I don’t wear a lot of color in my outfits, it’s essential that I try to include a bit in my accessories

*disclosure: Linea Pelle sent me this bag at no charge to review for you. Thank you Linea Pelle!!!

Here they are!!!!

My TOMS Shoes wedges arrived this afternoon, and I am sad to admit that I have mixed feelings. I wanted them to be PERFECT and WONDERFUL right out of the box, and well, they’re not.

First, I was a little taken aback by the brightness of the color; on the website, they were clearly more muted. They’re not horrible, but I was hoping for more of a light minty green than a bright minty green. That’s really not a big issue though, because I’m assuming they’ll fade a bit with wear, and honestly, the brightness doesn’t bother me that much. I still like the color. I chose the mint green because I had just received the orange linea pelle bag and hate to be matchy-matchy with shoes & accessories. And my initial feeling was to get the green anyway…

Second, they slip off my feet in the back. I wore them around the house for a while, but it was difficult to walk because it was like walking in flip flops, but not flip flops…I think I can remedy this quite easily with those sticky puffy things you can tape to the inside of the heel area. I really hope I can anyway. Otherwise, they were very comfortable. The padding on the sole is great, and I like how the wedge narrows a bit in the back. In spite of the height (which really isn’t that high), it doesn’t feel like you’re walking on “high” heels in these. But again, it’s hard to tell because I could hardly walk in them anyway because of the slipping-off-my-feet problem.

I did take my normal size (8), which is also my “TOMS” size, and I definitely can’t size down a half or a whole size. There’s no room in the back when I put my foot in the shoe, so I don’t feel like they’re too big, it’s just a problem when I walk. IMO, that’s maybe a design flaw with the shoe…

I do really love them, and I hope I can make them work somehow, because I think they will be a great summer shoe. But I am kind of sad that I wasn’t as excited when I received them as I was when I ordered them

What do you think? Do you have any suggestions about what I can do about the heel slipping?

Okay, so yesterday after I posted ISO the perfect ankle booties, I went ahead and ordered both pairs of Seychelles booties from Endless and they arrived about an hour ago (how cool is that?). I intended to only keep one pair, so I need your help choosing which you think works better on me – or if neither float your boat, that’s okay too. Honestly, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to find a pair of shoes to wear with skirts/dresses that I’m happy with – I’m just not liking my calves much right now…but I’m trying to give it a go.

First pair (mine are brown):

I’m wearing the first pair in these two outfits -

Second pair (mine are “clay” – which is kind of a grey/olive color):

I’m wearing the second pair in these three outfits…I think. I don’t remember now which pair is with the outift with the black dress! I think it might be the first pair….

Do you have a favorite pair of booties? Favorite outfit?
THANKS

You may have noticed in my most recent outfits of the day, I traded in my Alexander Wang Donna bag for a Fullum & Holt oversized spiral bag in cream I received from Emmy’s Boutique:

After carrying this bag for about a month pretty much non-stop (the days I didn’t carry it, I regretted it!), I can say that it’s a phenomenal bag. When I first saw Fullum & Holt bags online, I was intrigued, but not in love; the shapes are very “different” and I wasn’t convinced I’d want to carry one for very long. So, I was really interested to see and feel (and carry) the bag in person so I could form my own, more educated, opinion about them. And while I can’t necessarily speak about the other shapes and styles by Fullum & Holt, I’m convinced that this spiral bag will be one of my favorites for a very long time.

Why I love it:

• Lightweight: I love a bag I can stuff my laptop into when I want to go and work somewhere else, and even with my laptop and wallet (which is HUGE), makeup bag, phone, another pouch and odds & ends, this bag didn’t get so heavy it was hard to carry. I wouldn’t necessarily use it as an everyday laptop bag though, I don’t think the leather & stitching was meant to hold up to that much weight.
• Easy to carry: the shoulder strap is lightly padded on the underside which makes it a little easier to bear. But as I mentioned earlier, the bag isn’t really that heavy, so it’s not a huge concern, just a very nice touch. And the strap never ONCE slid off my shoulder. That makes me very happy!! The shoulder strap can be adjusted so you could wear this bag as a messenger, although it still hangs a little too high up for my taste (I like my messenger bags to hang at my hip).
• Holds everything: obviously…this bag is HUGE, so it’s even a great size for an overnight trip if you don’t carry your laptop. There are three inside pockets, one zipper pocket on one side, and two pouch pockets on the other side. I do wish the pockets were a little deeper though, my phone falls out of the one meant to hold your phone, and the zipper pocket could be a little wider & deeper to hold more stuff since there’s not an outside pocket.

I chose the cream color because I don’t have a bag that color in my wardrobe yet, and was interested to see how it would work with my clothing. I love it, and feel like it brings a little “light” to my otherwise black/gray/brown wardrobe, but I HATE that my dark denim has already worn blue spots on the leather. That is no one’s fault but mine – it’s inevitable that you’ll stain lighter bags with dark denim (all of my bags are stained) – I will just need to clean it and try to avoid carrying it with my dark jeans in the future.

Something I feel like the bag is missing – but not missing – is an outside pocket. I say that it’s not missing it because with the spiral design, I don’t see how you can add an outside pocket without messing up the beauty of the design. So, I put stuff I normally put in outside pockets in the inside pockets and all is well…unless I forget and just dump stuff in the bag – then it’s a disaster trying to find anything loose in there!!

All in all, this is one of the most well-designed bags I’ve worn. The spiral is so cool, I love the color, and mostly, I LOVE that I can carry this bag all day and not want to kill myself afterwards. (I did use it the second day of a conference I attended last weekend and was very happy I did)

Buy Fullum & Holt at Emmy’s Boutique for 15% off with code “Grechen15″ or for a limited time, use code Emmys100 for $100 off your order of $325 or more (this is better, the bag would be $500 with this code as opposed to $510 with the “Grechen15″ code)