baubles and jewels

in the cross country trek, certain important items just didn't make the cut (my amazing DVD collection, favorite handbags, and my gorgeous headboard to name a few). editing down and cramming my entire life into two suitcases and a carry-on was not easy, and there was one collection that I was not (under any circumstances) willing to part with. 

I was lucky enough to amass quite the collection of incredible jewelry pieces during my time at a M. Flynn thanks to my incredibly generous (and all around fabulous) bosses, all of which came right along with me to california. while I love the look of a fun statement necklace (bauble bar makes some of my favorites- check out my picks from a past sale here), I also gravitate towards daintier necklaces and rings for day to day and bold earrings.

on top of my burea I keep a few trays to collect my most worn pieces- this one from Hudson is one of my favorites and says "as far as I'm concerned leopard is a neutral" (one of my favorite fashion sayings and a sweet gift from a friend). I tend to have a pretty basic colored wardrobe and love to wear a bold earring to jazz up an outfit or add a pop of color (especially peeking out from my long hair)- emerald green from Les Neréides Paris, bronze and clear crystal from Camilla James, pink and multi colored crystals from Erickson Beamon, and gold and champagne crystal from M. Flynn. when it comes to bracelets I love mixing metals and a touch of sparkle- crystal pavé link bracelet from J.Crew, and rose gold and enamel bangle from Henri Bendel. the three dainty rings are each sentimental and are perfect when I want to switch out from my everyday ring- gold bow ring from Kate Spade, pearl ring from Kauai, and gold palm tree from a friend. my standard necklace switches between this rose gold and diamond bar, a sweet parting and birthday gift from my wonderful bosses, or this "charm" necklace with my baby claddagh ring, a blessed Italian horn from Florence, and a vintage chain from my mom.

and on the other end of the spectrum, are my favorite statement necklaces that make the outfit and are a great way to look effortlessly pulled together (with almost zero time and effort)- gold multi strand necklace from M. Flynn, brass triangular necklace from Camilla James, pink and crystal multi strand necklace from Nordstrom, gold triangle necklace from Karen London, and gold and enamel necklace from House of Harlow.

are you someone that likes to jazz up an outfit with fun accessories, or do you tend to let your clothes speak for themselves?

xx, marissa

love it/hate it: sephora collection cream lip stain

I had been on a mission to find a classic red lip product that would give me the perfect pinup pout, without turning my lips into a dried out mess and without smearing all over my face (tough order to fill). most products that weren't super drying had no staying power and I ended up looking like I had been smooching the Kool Aid man. and if they were a true stain, my lips looked like the sahara desert after a few hours (and don't even think about reapplying).

I had heard great things about the sephora cream lip stains (side note- does anyone else completely forget about sephora collection cosmetics? I'm always so jazzed about other brands that I usually don't even look) and whenever I would go to check them out, so many colors would be sold out. you know a product is good (or at least being buzzed about) when it's sold out at sephora. one color in particular (always red) was never available, so when I saw it a couple week ago I had to snatch it up.

for starters the product is super opaque- no need to apply multiple coats to build to the perfect color. one swipe and you are good to go. I liked that the product had a few seconds where it's wet before it truly sets, giving you a bit to quickly wipe any stray lines before it stains. I did notice though, that even though the product dries, there's still a bit of transfer when you touch your lips or take a sip. forget about applying this once in the morning and forgetting about it all day- it definitely isn't a true stain. but, because of that bit of give, it wasn't super dry and uncomfortable on the lips. the color is great, that perfect true red that can be classic, preppy, rocker, boho, or full glamazon. 

would I say I love the product? no, not love. do I hate the product? definitely not. I like it, really like it. but I haven't given up my quest for the perfect red stain. this one from sephora certainly isn't it, but it'll do for now.

have you ever tried the sephora cream lip stains? what's your favorite product from the store's line?

xx, marissa

no-heat banana curls

while I am most certainly a self professed beauty junky, hair has never been my forte. I've been lucky enough to be born with naturally nice hair (thanks mom&dad), have never dyed it, and keep the heat styling to a minimum- so I never really have to do much to it. with the help of my favorite products (I ranked my favorites here), and this simple trick, I manage to create the look of curls using a curling wand/iron, as it air dries. and the best part? the curls last for days.

normally this is my go to on mornings that I have to wash my hair (I'm totally a shower at night kind of gal, but sometimes...) and have to find a way to look presentable without blow drying. I start by towel drying my hair and twisting it into a towel on top of my head (this is the time when I'll do my makeup, moisturize, or anything to help the towel absorb as much moisture as possible). then I'll apply one and a half pumps of the serum to each side of my hair, parted in a deep side part (of course use more or less serum depending on length/thickness & part your hair to whatever side you prefer). after I'll brush my hair into a low ponytail, secure at the base of my neck (avoid securing it too tightly to stop dents- these are great), and twist the ponytail tightly from the elastic to the ends. once your hair is dry, just break up the twist into banana curls (side note- is banana curl a New England term? I've had people look at me like I have 10 heads out here) and it looks like you've spent serious time with a curling iron. and since this is the way the hair is drying, you don't have to worry about your curls falling out as the day goes on. translation? curls that look great all day, last for days, and can even be brushed out to create glamorous Hollywood curls. win, win, win.

ever heard of this easy peasy way to curl your hair? try it & tell me if it worked for your hair type!

xx, marissa