Untitled #9

Untitled #8

{See Alice Go} ... And Acquire.

I hinted that I had purchase one of the items in Untitled #7. Today, I'm going to reveal that item...

*Ah Ahem* Drum roll please...

Now, I'm never ever spent close to this kind of money on a bag, but I've been saving up for a while in hope of finding a high-quality and timeless bag. I've done extensive search on the Purse Forum and narrow my list down to a (ok, not going to lie, but it's really quite a few) dream bags. Of course, I'd also promised myself a nice reward if I got into the graduate school that I had applied to- and I was accepted into the program last week!

I'm in the Midwest and am not close to many high-end department stores, so there are very few chances for me to even look at nice bags. But my local TJ Maxx started carrying "runway" goods recently. I've seen Prada, Ferragamo, and Gucci shoes, bags, and accessories  They also have a dozen or two small racks of designer clothing from Tory Burch, Alice and Olivia, and Rebecca Taylor, to Escada, Ralph Lauren Ready-to-Wear, and Valentino! This is where I found this Medium Yves Saint Laurent Chyc Cabas bag for significantly less than retail. 

I hope to keep this lovely object for many years (I should probably get up the nerve to cut the tags off first, eh?). As I get familiar with my new acquisition, I will be doing posts on care and maintenance of the Medium YSL Chyc Cabas.

Of course, I should probably also mentioned that I got something else in that (ok, same) trip to TJ Maxx. Want a hint? Stay tune for tomorrow's Untitled #8!

Sale Alert!

Hello, fellow shoppers!

Just wanted to give you a heads up. There's a Neiman's DOUBLE gift card event going on now through this Wednesday:

What's on your wishlist?

Here's mine:

1. Prada Cervo Center Zip Tote: 

I love the classic shape and color of this bag. It's very much like the regular tote- has a classic luggage tag, paddock and hanging keys.... but you get the added bonus of an all-leather interior. If you're looking for a bag that has fewer compartments, this is a good alternative. Plus, both of these bags get you the $600 GC and you could get a Prada wallet for "free"! My picks for matching/almost matching are the Saffiano Wallet on a Chain and Mini Zip Crossbody Bag.

2. Chloe Alison East-West Colorblock Tote:

I'm still not over the lovely burgundy from this fall and the simple, elegant shape of this bag, combined with the durable suede lining makes this a timeless bag that will last.

3. Valentino Bi-color Dress:

75% of my closet is black and white, and 50% of that are dresses! Needless to say, I can't take my eyes off this dress. I find that A-line silhouettes work really well for my petite frame. There are also the delicate, feminine, classic-Valentino bows that make the dress girlish but not immature. And just when you think you think you have this dress figured out and can't love it more than you do when BAM! You see the back... 

Are you thinking, "oh, be still my beating heart...", like I am?

Now, keep in mind, to double your gift card, you have to purchase both a regularly priced men/women's apparel item AND bag/shoe purchase. If you don't have anything in mind for your full-price apparel item, I suggest adding some cheaper item to your cart (i.e. plain mens tee or ladies socks).

Happy shopping and please, do share what you've bought!

Untitled #7

So, there's a twist to this Polyvore set. I actually purchased one of the item in this set... and a review is coming soon! (Hint: it's not the Chapstick :P)

(See Alice Review) Poudre Signée de Chanel

There's been plenty of buzz about the new  Spring 2013 Printemps Precieux de Chanel makeup collection and I've read many a review where beauty blogger are raving about the Poudre Signée de Chanel Illuminating Powder. Notably, the lovely and prolific Temptalia, Perilously Pale, and Musings of a Muse. 

I had a gift card burning a hole in my pocket and couldn't hold myself back from biting the bullet on this product ($68 USD, not including tax). I'd been looking into an illuminating powder and had narrowed it down to the Poudre Signee de Chanel and the Dior Shimmer Star in Amber Diamond. When I swatched the two next to each other, I noticed that the Shimmer Star was a little closer to my skintone, but overall the effect was very similar. Forgot to take pictures of these two,  swatched next to each other, bad Alice! 

In the end after spending 20 mins pro and conning each purchase... I decided to go with the Chanel:

1. I don't have any Chanel cosmetics and have heard really great things about them
2. I've been trying to buy cosmetics with fewer toxic ingredients. Granted, I'm not a chemist, but I like to read up on these kinds of things. It's nice to take precautions! The Dior has paraben(s?)
3. Have you seen the Chanel packaging? As you can see from my pictures below, it's frickin' unbelievably gorgeous!

How beautiful is that? The powder is pressed into the iconic Chanel interlocking "C", little mini lipsticks, mascara tubes, and CoCo Chanel's favorite flower, the camellia.

The powder itself is very pretty. I prefer highlighter that is slightly shimmery and gives a subtle sheen. Besides, who wants to look like a disco ball? I've swatched the powder below:

It's finely milled and of good quality- plus, it doesn't have parabens! I can use it as an everyday powder and it comes in a little black case with makes it highly portable. I'm not too fond of the price as this was quite a splurge for me or the little spongy brush that comes with it (it's not very good for applying the product and the shimmers from the brush get all over the little, black, velvet case). Overall, I was pleased with the product and am glad to have it in my arsenal!

What do you think? Have you tried the Poudre Signée de Chanel? What beauty purchases have you made this month?

Ta ta for now!

Untitled #6

Untitled #6 by abliuee

Untitled #4

Untitled #4 by abliuee

Sale Alert

I just got the email this morning, 25% off store-wide AND site-wide at J.Crew and Madewell. 

{See Alice Go} Wrap for the Holidays

I might have mentioned this before, but I LOVE Christmas because I love picking out and wrapping presents. What I don't like, is having to spend money on things to wrap the presents with.

Whenever I get a present that would fit well into the box available at the store, I ask for a box. And even if I can't get a free gift box, many other presents come in a package that can be easily wrap (And boy do I love it when the packaging is square/rectangular). I've refused to buy wrapping paper for the last two year and it's actually working out pretty well.

How do I wrap my presents, you ask? The secret is the brown paper bag you pack your groceries into at the store!

I cut the bottom out, use it like normal wrapping paper (with the printed side touching the present itself), tie it up with hemp string, and finish it off with a few personal touches. Last year, I made personalized tags from card stock, a glitter pen, and glue. This year, I've made more basic name tags and little origami ornaments. This way, I can get two uses of the bag and the paper can still be recycled.

You can see my creations from this year here (Yes, I start buy and wrapping mid-November so I can drag out this process for as long as possible):

 A bit of patterned holly...

 A cute little fox (He/she is sideways, see the nosey and the eyes?).

Have you started preparing for the holidays? Do you have any tips? I'd love to hear from you!

{See Alice Go} Gift Guide... For the Guys

{See Alice Go} Gift Guide... For the Guys by abliuee

(1) Leather Driving Gloves (2) Terry Cotton Robe (3) Flannel Jammers
(4) Gingerbread Boxers (5) Fleece-lined Slippers (On sale AND 30% off) (6) Watch (30% off here)

I actually got The Guy the Hydrocotton Cotton Robe from Restoration Hardware and it is UNBELIEVABLE. It's thick, plush, and so absorbent he doesn't even need a towel post shower. I tried it on and it's.... kind of like slipping a blanket of clouds over your shoulders. Seriously amazing!

What are you getting for the men in your life? Have you started holiday shopping?

{See Alice Go} Review

I have combination skin where I'm really shiny (That and dry/flaky.) by mid-day. It's gotten noticeably worse in the last few weeks so I decided to look into a powder compact for touch-ups during the day. I wanted the compact to be travel-friendly, durable, good at absorbing oil, and as toxic-free as possible. After looking into reviews of powders from Guerlain, Givenchy, YSL, Dior, Physician's Formula, etc, I stop by my local Sephora and picked up Laura Mercier's Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder (I already have a pressed powder that I very much love, Tarte's Smooth Operator, but it only gets me through 8 hours or so of wear).

Without further ado, here are a few pictures:

$32 USD from Sephora.com

Hopefully you can see that the powder itself is a slightly green tint. This helps balance out any redness you might have (Which I do). Here are pictures of the product on my fingers, swatched on the back of my hand, and finally, blended in:

Verdict?

I found that this product does reduce shine. However, as mentioned in a few reviews, it is kind of chalky. I made sure to blend the product out well, otherwise, the chalky white/green powder would be noticeable (Well, to me at least). Unfortunately, the flat sponge doesn't that comes with the compact doesn't do a very good job. If I had to carry a brush with me, it would defeat the purpose of the compact... but do the brushes/sponges/puffs what come with the product ever work that well? I thought the packaging looked ok on the outside, but a little meh when you open it up. I don't know if you can see in this picture, but the plastic hinge is just unsightly and looks a bit cheap:

Overall, I think this is a decent product and it does the job it's supposed to do. I just wish Laura Mercier would give us a better applicator. Lastly, I thought the product could do with a little extra milling. That's not to say it's crudely milled, it's just not quite as nice and smooth as soon other powders I tested (Guerlain, YSL, I'm looking at you!). I wouldn't repurchase this product because it did not impress (Which actually works out ok because I love testing new products!).

Do you use a powder compact during the day?  I'd love to know what you're using! (Yeah, I think I'm still in the market...)

Untitled #3

Untitled #3 by abliuee featuring skinny leg jeans

Peter Jensen long cable knit sweater
lagarconne.com

Cocoon coat
$500 - stun-l.com

Miss Selfridge skinny leg jeans
missselfridge.com

American Apparel bangle watch
americanapparel.net

Gold clip earrings
my-wardrobe.com

Mulberry Ted Convertible Leather Messenger Bag
mrporter.com

HUDSON Etty Tie Boots
topshop.com

{See Alice Go} Review... Gap

I went to Gap as well today and wanted to share these pictures in a separate post.I feel that overall, J.Crew is (usually) better quality, but I've really been liking the offerings at Gap this season! Right now, they have 30% off store-wide (Shoot, just checked and it sends today apparently... Well, maybe our west coast friends will have some luck?). Check out my picks below!

Cable Boatneck Pullover in Navy

+

Two-Tone Wool Mini

I tried this on in navy. I believe it was $40.99 (+30% off) and is almost 100% man-made materials. Still pretty cute though, maybe I'll pull the trigger when it's discounted any more... I liked the skirt but that doesn't mean it's NOT too short... for work. I can see myself wear this on the weekends but seeing as how I'm constantly moving around, I don't want to be inconvenienced by it's (lack-of) length.

Grey Sweater Dress with Zipper Detailing

I don't believe this item is available online, hence no link. It's 95% wool and 5% cashmere and wow, I really like this dress. It's warm and slightly loose on the frame. I can see myself wearing this any day of the week with any kind of black boot. It's also get this nice silver zipper detailing on the shoulders:

I bit. I took that sweater right home and tried it on again. Yep, still love it.

Sleeveless Shift in Navy

This was so bland, I thought. The hips were slightly too narrow for me and I almost couldn't pull it down. It's shapeless in an unattractive way and the snug hip-area makes it a bit worse. I think this would look lovely on someone with less hip and the price was quite attractive ('bout $30 or so without the extra 30%) for such a nice, basic staple.

What do you think about Gap's offering? I've love to hear from you!

{See Alice Go} Review... J.Crew

Hey ya'll!

I know I said I would try to head into a J.Crew store to check out their 30% off in-store sale so I did. They had a lot of basic tanks, striped tee's, and for whatever reason, lot's of polka-dotted Nicky tops. Only a few things caught my eye:

Oxford Boy Shirt in Polka Dot

I'd only seen this in white with black polka dots, but my store just got lavender with navy dots (I know, I can barely tell this is lavender!). This is a size 2 and would have probably fit better if it was my regular size 0.

Black and Grey Bow Sweater

This item does not appear to be online. I believe it was $98 (original price) and consisted of about 65% man-made materials and 35% wool? I thought this was quite cute and was definitely warm and cozy!

Polka Dot Dress

This item does not appear to be online either. I believe it was $148 and consisted of 100% man-made materials (mostly nylon). I don't know if you can tell in this picture, but it has these small velvet polka dots. I think this dress is cute as well, but it would be even better if it had pockets (I don't know what is it with me and pockets, but if a dress has pockets, I'm pretty much sold!).  You can see the polka dots better in this picture:

Have you been to a J.Crew store lately? What do you think? Did you purchase anything? I have some mixed feelings about the design and quality (Yet I still go in and get an itchy trigger finger...) and would love to hear from you!

Sale Alert!

J.Crew is giving us 30% off sale items! The code is available on their website (code: MUSTHAVE) and purchases of more than $175 will receive free shipping, otherwise it's a flat rate of $8.95.

What are you eyeing? I'd love to know!

Right now, I'm lusting over:

Edie Tote                                                       Trench-style Coat