MANICURE MONDAY: EMANCIPATION OF "MIMI"

Today's Manicure Monday features Zoya's "Mimi"! It is a beautiful, (sparkly!) royal purple. I snagged it from the clearance bin at Ulta a few weeks ago along with "Valerie". Of the two, "Mimi" is definitely my fave. It is the perfect shade of purple and just looking at it makes me happy :)

Here it is sitting with my other sparkly metallic polishes. You can see the gorgeous golden specks in the polish. Absolutely stunning!

Here it is in natural light. I used Essie's All in One as a base coat. Opacity was achieved in about 2 coats for me, which was surprising because the formula is actually pretty thin. I finally topped it off with Seche Vite to make it extra shiny. Here's to hoping it survives throughout my 5 day trip to Iceland!

Happy Monday!

Sending love across,
Jael

MANICURE MONDAY: TWINKLE TAUPE MODEL

Today's Manicure Monday post is another DIY gelish, but this time with a twist on the French manicure! My cousin used 2 Nail Harmony colors: "Taupe Model" for the base "Twinkle" for the french tip.

"Twinkle"

"Taupe Model"

"Taupe Model" is a taupe (duh! haha) polish with tiny flecks of silver glitter. Unless you really look at your nails, you won't even be able to tell that it's glittery. "Twinkle" is a clear polish with larger golden glitter dispersed throughout. Painting "Twinkle" on at the fingertips really adds interest to an otherwise low-key, and possibly boring manicure. In the photo above, I'm holding on to a new hand cream I picked up recently at The Face Shop. It's the Lovely Mix Mini Pet Perfume Hand Cream in "Sweet Fruits". I think there were 3 or 4 other scents available. I chose this one because it smells exactly like the scent "Love Spell" from the Victoria's Secret collection. I couldn't resist the adorable packaging when I saw it at the store. Even though it was a little pricey, the sales girl convinced me to get it anyway because she told me that after you finish it, you can refill it with your own hand cream haha -_- If you have a student ID, you can receive a 10% discount. If you're not a student, you can sign up for their free membership program and receive 5% off your purchase.

Until next time, Happy Monday!

Sending Love Across,
Jael

 

GOODBYE 2012- HELLO 2013!

Happy New Years!!!  I would like to thank all my friends and family for making 2012 a great year. I am definitely looking forward to 2013 which will include much more silly moments, laughter, a fear tears here and there, and most importantly spending quality time with those who matter most.

With that being said, it was time to play catch up with Jael. We had our dinner date at Basta Pasta and the food was delicious. We had so much food we could not move after, yet we still managed to make room for Tiramisu. So what better way to get rid of our food sluggish coma? We shopped at TJ Max & Marshall. What we do best. Though Jael did not find any goodies, I happened to find a pair of suede booties! Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better night with any other person.

Basta Pasta

So lets talk about 2013! 

With the New Years, comes new resolutions correct? Jael and I decided we will try to make more time for each and also capture the moment  in everything we do, as we are young. Often times, many of us don't cherish the moment and take life for granted. Sounds cliche, but it's true. So lets make a toast and cheers to living in the moment and embrace everything that life has to offer. Choose who you want to spend your time with and filter out any negativity in your life. Just be happy.

2012 out, 2013 in. New Year,  new clothes. There are some pretty sweet deals out there especially after the Christmas and New Year Sales. One of our best deals we have encountered is the Target + Neiman Marcus Collection. Currently the sale is going on for 70% off. (AWESOME RIGHT? Better get to your nearest Target or order it online) We both got the Rag and Bone Sweater. Even though it did not come in Women sizing. (Boy's and Men's sizing), we all need one of these loose grandma cardigans in our closet. I also scored the Marc by Marc Jacob pouch which was a definitely good deal and size. I was able to put my keys, the New Years glasses and my wallet in there.

On Jael- She got an XL in Boys (please see below)

Men Size Small (please see below)

Marc Jacob Pouch +  New Year glasses (please see below)

Here are the links where you can find the Rag + Bone Cardigan and the Marc by Marc Jacob pouch:

Rag + Bone:
http://www.target.com/p/rag-bone-men-s-sweater/-/A-14206604#prodSlot=medium_1_20

Marc by Marc Jacob Pouch:

http://www.target.com/p/marc-jacobs-pouch-gold/-/A-14210325#prodSlot=medium_1_19

Much appreciated to those who read and follow our blog. Most post coming soon... stay tuned...

Also, feel free to share your New Years resolutions with us!!!

Sending love across,
Elsie

MANICURE MONDAY: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

The holidays always put people in great spirits, and what better way to spread holiday cheer than with festive nails? Today's manicure features a semi-DIY gelish nail job. Why is it a semi-DIY? Well, it's because my cousin, who is NOT a professional nail technician, did them for me! She recently purchased a UV machine and a nail kit online so that she could save some money by skipping her biweekly trips to the nail salon. I've always wanted to try gelish manicures because my nails chip very easily at work. I find myself having to repaint them every 3 days and quite frankly, I am sick and tired of the upkeep!

Left: Gelish in "Good Gossip" Right: Gelish in "Just What I Wanted"

Not too bad, huh? I'm definitely in love with gel manicures now. My nails are no longer chipped after a long day's work! :) I'll just have to keep seeing my cousin every 2 weeks to change my nail color!

Until next time, hope everyone has a great Christmas!

Sending love across,
Jael

GOOD EATS: BRUSCHETTERIA

WOW,  can't believe the last time this blog was updated was back in January. Guess you could say we hit a very long blogger's block, eh? No worries though, because we're back and ready to update!

Wednesday night was spent eating with a jet-setting friend of ours, N, at Bruschetteria in LES. They have a great 3-course pre-fixe menu for $24. The restaurant itself is very cozy and intimate; a great spot for 3 friends to catch up, and that's exactly what we did in between mouthfuls of Italian food :D

chicken breast wrapped in prosciutto di parma,stuffed with fontina cheese and served over garlic mashed potatoes with an espresso bbq sauce

Nutella Panini

On Jael

Shirt: F21 (old), similar here

 On Elsie

Shirt: F21, similar here

Scarf: H&M, similar here

 

 On Jael

Scarf: Madewell, similar here

Jacket: Free People, similar here

Jeans: Madewell here

Zebra print flats: Betsey Johnson here

Bag: Foley&Corinna, on sale here

On Elsie

Jacket: Zara, similar here

Shorts: Lucca Couture via Urban Outfitters, similar here
Tights: F21, similar here
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff here

Flats: (not shown) Aldo here

Photos were taken with the iphone 4s, so the quality is really not that great, but they'll do :)

Sending love across,
Elsie&Jael

RE-UNION SQUARE

Restaurant Week in NYC means it's time to take advantage of $35 prix fixe meals at the City's fabulous restaurants! We met up on a Tuesday night to check out Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill near Union Square for dinner. The place was packed for a Tuesday! Guess we weren't the only ones with the "brilliant" idea to go out for Restaurant Week haha. After a delicious Sixteen Spice Chicken dinner, we traipsed to Union Square to walk off our food babies.

Deep, highly intellectual post-meal conversations

Coat: H&M from 2(?) years ago (similar here)

Infinity scarf: Primark in London (similar here)

Bag: Asos (old)

Leggings: American Apparel Shiny Legging (here)

Yoohoo, TAXI!

Jacket: F21 (similar here)

Scarf: Urban Outfitters from Black Friday sale (as seen here)

Bag: Marc Jacobs Single Quilted Bag (here)

Shoes: Zara (no longer on the website, but see better pics here)

Being silly with a lamp post!

Cardigan: Urban Outfitters (similar here)

Dress: Urban Outfitters from Black Friday sale (see post here)

Top: Brandi Melville (similar here)

Shoes: Shoemint Janice in Taupe (here)

NYCRW lasts until Feb. 10th, so definitely check it out if you guys have time!

Sending Love Across,
Elsie & Jael

BLING BLING BLING!!!

Yes, New Year is over but that doesn't mean the sparkle, glitter and sequins have to stop. Today's theme is all about the studs, jewels, gems, zippers, buckles, chains, and anything you can think of that shines through, whether it is jewelry or on your shoes. We've chosen from some of our favorite jewelry and shoes that have the perfect touch of BLING to it.

Hope you guys enjoy! 

Jael's Collection

Thrifted black cuff and cat ring
White ring from Club Monaco
Black Diamond Ring from House of Harlow here

Rings Left to right:
Leopard ring from H&M
t+j designs Glam Leatherette Ring here 
Jewelmint Sweetheart ring
Heart rings from Forever 21   
All so styling on the NAKED palette collections

Bangles
Left:  t+j designs Gold Large Braided Cuff here
Jewelmint Zoe Bangle here
Right: t+j designs Luxe Mesh and Gold Bangle here

Jewelmint Mumbai Bracelet here

Jewelmint Bow Tie Bracelet here

Rings Left to Right:

Star Ring from Forever 21

Jewelmint Aqua Bomb Ring here

Rectangular ring ( reflecting Jael taking a picture) from H&M

Circular Link ring from Top Shop

Shark Fin ring from Rachel Rachel Roy

White Jeweled Flats from Sigerson Morrison

Black Buckle Flats from BCBG Max Azria

Steve Madden Flats

Zippers and Studs all on one shoe?!?! (similar here)

Elsie's collection: 

The Treasure chest
Jewelmint Corsica Bracelet here
 Jewelmint Lost Treasure Bracelet here
Marc by Marc Jacobs Chain Bracelet similar here
 Jewelmint Golden Goose Bracelet here
Jewelmint Love That Binds Bracelet here
Jewelmint Zoe Bangle here
Jewelmint Bird Cage Bangle here

Various Forever 21 Rings

Center: Jewelmint Ever Frost Ring here

Right: Thrifted cat ring

"Hearts all over the world tonight"
More Forever 21 rings

Sam Edelman Lorissa Pumps: Deadly threat (here)

Dv by Dolce Vita Wink (here)

That's all folks!

Sending Love Across,
Elsie&Jael

LIPSTICK THROWDOWN: REVLON LIP BUTTER VS L'OREAL COLOUR RICHE BALM

Happy New Year! I was super excited to find the L'Oreal Colour Riche Balms yesterday at my local CVS! I picked up two colors, Plush Plum and Caring Coral. The Balm is supposed to be a competitor to the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters so I had to do a comparison. I also threw in a picture of the them with my new Maybelline Baby Lips lip balm in "Cherry Me" just because I adore the packaging ;D

The Line Up:

Left to Right:

Revlon Lip Butters in Peach Parfait & Berry Smoothie,

Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me

L'Oreal Colour Riche Balms in Caring Coral & Plush Plum

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter

Left & Right: Revlon Lip Butters; Center: Dior Addict Lipstick

This lipstick definitely lives up to all the hype about it. It comes in 20 (maybe even more!?) shades, ranging from bright pinks to neutral browns. The Lip Butters are quite pigmented and pretty moisturizing for a lipstick. On my lips, they seem to have a creamy, somewhat sticky consistency, making them last longer than L'Oreal's Colour Riche Balm. There is no smell/taste to the lipstick which is definitely a plus. The Lip Butters remind me of my Holy Grail Dior Addict Lipstick, except the Lip Butters do feel stickier on my lips. However, they are both moisturizing and impart a nice shine on my lips because of the silvery flecks in both formulations. Lip Butters retail for $7.99 each at CVS, a much more reasonable price than Dior's $28. I will definitely be replacing my Dior Addict Lipstick when it runs out with Revlon Lip Butters.

Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait, Dior Addict Lipstick in Garconne

L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm SPF15

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Bel Ami, L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in Plush Plum

The L'Oreal Colour Riche Balms are definitely different from the Revlon Lip Butters. It only comes in 8 shades and the color ranges from nude to plum. There is less pigmentation and the finish is much glossier. On my lips, the Colour Riche Balms have a greasy/oily texture. Because of this, I feel like they are much more moisturizing than the Lip Butters. However, they have less staying power than the Lip Butters. I guess that's the trade off. You have to choose between moisturization and pigmentation. The finish reminds of of Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine, except Chanel's has more pigmentation than L'Oreal's. The darkest color available from the Colour Riche Balm line is Plush Plum, and really, it barely imparts any color on my lips. I would say that my Fresh Sugar Lip Balm in Plum has more pigment! WARNING: there is a smell to the Colour Riche Balms! I would describe it as a vanilla/cotton candy kind of smell. It isn't overwhelming, however, unlike the L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipsticks. In fact, the smell virtually goes away when applied, and there is no taste. In terms of packaging, when you remove the cap, the L'Oreal tube actually looks very high end because of the gold base at the bottom.

Chanel Coco Rouge Shine in Bel Ami, L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in Plush Plum

The Colour Riche Balms retail for $8.99 each at CVS whereas the Chanel Rouge Coco Shine will cost you $32. Even though the L'Oreal balm is much cheaper than the Rouge Coco Shine, I would not replace one with the other. In this particular case, I would continue shelling out the extra cash for the more pigmented product.

Swatches:

Left to Right:

Dior Addict in Garconne,

Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait,

L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in Plush Plum,

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Bel Ami,

Fresh Sugar Lip Balm in Plum

Top: L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in Plush Plum

Bottom: L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in Caring Coral

Verdict:
These two products are totally different. I would describe the Lip Butter as a moisturizing lipstick, whereas the Colour Riche Balm is more of a glossy, lip shine. To me, the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter wins, hands down.

Until next time!

Sending love across,
Jael

LOTD: SHOEMINT'S JOLLY IS FIERCE

Out of sheer coincidence, we ended up wearing the same shoes today: ShoeMint's Jolly Pony Hair Wedge in Leopard. While Elsie wore her pair with a neutral color scheme for work, Jael went with a dark color palette for a day of running errands around the city.

Shoes: ShoeMint Jolly in Leopard (here)

Nails: Chanel Le Vernis Nail Color in Lotus Rouge (here)

Scarf: Primark UK (similar here on sale! & here)

Sweater: Forever 21 (old; similar here)

Top: Republic UK (similar here & here)

Jeggings: Hollister (here on sale!) These are a super warm alternative to leggings for Winter

Rings: H&M (old)

Bracelet: Jewelmint Polar Ends Bracelet (here)

Earrings: Jewelmint Rachel Earrings (here)

Top: (old; somewhat similar here)

Belt: H&M (old; find similar here)

Cardigan: Urban Outfitters (similar here)

Jeans: Forever 21 (similar here)

Bracelet: Jewelmint Bird Cage Bangle (here)

Lotion: Bath & Body Works True Blue Spa Super-Softening Hand Lotion (here on sale!)

Overall, the Jolly is pretty awesome. The shoes are comfortable and look super fierce. The wedge measures a little over 4 inches tall with approximately a 0.5 inch platform. The sole is non-slip, perfect for trekking around without having to worry about slippery sidewalks or uneven pavement. They retail for $79.98, but there's usually deals for new members. The website says that the sizing runs small and recommends ordering up 1 size, but luckily, we both ordered 1/2 a size up instead. 

That's all for now, hope this little review was helpful for those of you who may have been on the fence about the Jolly Wedge! 

Sending Love Across,

Elsie&Jael