Recent Buys

 

Here's another new type of post: recent purchases. This week I went into my first Gap store in years. The last time I remember walking through the Gap doors was when I was in grade school and their logo sweatshirts were a big deal. But I have since matured and now shop their other items.

 

If you want to know a thing about me it is that I LOVE stripes. My everyday bag is striped and when I wear a striped top it definitely clashes (and not in a 'mixing prints' type of way). Nevertheless, I still love stripes even if I look like a walking 'Where's Waldo' sans the hat & glasses.

 

So, when I saw multiple of my favorite bloggers wearing striped tees from Gap, I knew I had to check it out.

 

Having the 'Essential mini-stripe crew tee' in mind, I was quite surprised when it was the first thing I saw walking in. Lying in a neatly folded pile in the front table, it was either a coincidence or fate (I decided it was the latter).

In my basket it went! (actually there was no basket, but you get what I mean)

 

Although my main attention was on the striped tee, I my favorite buy was the small polka dot shirt. The shirt hangs on the body nicely. Not too structured and not to baggy. Great if you want a professional look or a casual outfit. I am also into the small little dots. They are very subtle and not too bold.

 

Shopping around I found a lot of things that caught my eye, but keeping my budget in mind, I put down some things. (which was really hard - there was one thing that I really wanted) Anyway, I walked out with 3 items; all under $100. I think Gap might be one of my all time favorite stores now.

 

The 4th item is a sweatshirt from Target. And like Gap, I don't really shop Target clothes. I usually go to Target to pick up some household items or cosmetics. But let me say, I will now be scouring their clothes department. This sweatshirt I picked up is amazing. It is surprising thinker than it looks and the material is heavy (in a good, substantial kind of way). I was slightly apprehensive about the crew neck buy after trying it on I love the crew neck. Also, another thing I love about the sweatshirt is the small quilted fabric; it gives the sweater detail and texture.

 

Overall, I am really happy with the items I picked up this week. I am really excited now because I found two new stores (at least to me) that I can shop at. And before this recent trip to the mall, I have kind of been in a shopping rut. I have gone into stores and walked out with nothing.

____________________________________________________________

Gap polka dot shirt ǁ Gap striped tee ǁ Gap colorblock striped sweatshirt ǁ Target quilted sweater

 

Classic with a Twist

 

Another tutorial today. I've been browsing Pinterest and found a pin similar to this manicure. I decided to recreate it and I think it looks very unique. I'm not entirely into this shade of grey; maybe a typical French manicure (with white tips) would look better.  

 

 

MATERIALS:

 

- main color (for the tips)

- assorted colors

- base coat & top coat (not shown)

- tape (not shown)

 

 

1. apply base coat

2. apply your choice of color

3. wait to dry completely

4. place the slightest bit of tape on top of the colored part of the nail

5. apply your main color

6. finish with a top coat

 

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

 



Let's Talk About: granola, nut allergies, my nail blog

Usually I like to publish posts over the weekend but I was in a rut --- Writer's block (even though I don't really consider myself a writer). Normally I have my posts planned out but not this week. I had wanted to post another nail post considering I haven't done one in the past, but I accidently hit my nail and broke it.

 

I still wanted to write about something so excuse me if this is not the most interesting topic.

 

I love yogurt and I am always looking for things to spice up my plain yogurt. For a while, granola in yogurt was a big thing. Unfortunately I am allergic to many nuts and many of the companies out there sell granola with nuts. I finally came across Love Crunch by Nature's Path. It says it is "premium organic granola' with 'dark chocolate & red berries made with organic cocoa, flax, & coconut.' Super excited to see that it didn't have any nuts in it, I ripped open the bag and dug in.

 

I always like to read the label and see what other information there is to offer but I guess that happens only after I eat some. I read the ingredients and low and behold it reads "Contains soy, tree nuts, and wheat" WHAT? Tree nuts? I have lived my whole life (which isn't saying much because I am fairly young) believing that I was allergic to all nuts. I wanted a while to see if I had a delayed allergic reaction, but after 20 minutes of nothing, I cam to the conclusion that maybe I am not allergic to all nuts.

 

To some this may sound extremely uninteresting, but for me this was enlightening. Perhaps I am not allergic to all nuts (just peanuts; I definitely know I am allergic to peanuts) and can start experimenting with other nuts. My next goal: hazelnuts. (You don't know how much I want to try Nutella)

 

By the way, as far as the granola, it's pretty good. It is exactly what it says. Granola + a few red berries + a few chocolate chunks. It is definitely not life changing but a fun way to add some pizazz to plain yogurt. Here's a picture if you are interested. (I think it is from Costco but I'm not entirely sure)

 

 

 

Thanks for reading to the end if you did! This post explores more of who I am. I don't know if you guys like these types of things, but I am quite enjoying them lately. This blog started as a blog mainly about nail polish, but I have really been liking writing about other things. I think it is finally time to change the description from nail polish blog to lifestyle blog.

 

x Katherine

Review: Maybelline 'The Rocket' mascara

 

First makeup post! Well I guess it's kind of bittersweet because this review is not the happiest.

 

Maybelline is one of my favorite drugstore makeup brands and I love their

'The Falsies' mascara, but 'The Rocket' was not one that made my top list.

 

My biggest problem with the mascara was that it did not hold a curl. To my straight lashes people out there this is not the mascara for you. I personally have straight lashes and 10 seconds after applying the mascara, major drooping. It pretty much didn't even look like I curled my lashes.

 

The next problem was the formulation. I thought is was gloopy and watery. I went every where. It made my lashes stick together and look spidery.

 

On the plus side, there was a lot of length. My lashes are already pretty long so length is not something that I look for in a mascara but hey, more length is always better right?

 

Personally, the biggest thing I look for in a mascara is volume and separation, which is not what I got in this mascara. So verdict: I stick with 'The Flasies'

 

P.S. I still love Maybelline but this product was a bust for me.

 

P.P.S. I've heard that the waterproof version is good. I personally don't like waterproof mascaras but maybe I'll consider it.

 

 

Here's what the wand looks like

(the very small bristles at the end are on purpose - a tapered effect)