{my beauty favorites}

Happy Friday! It's been a strange week with the snow day, but I cannot complain that Friday is here. This weekend will be pretty low key with a hockey game this evening and some much needed blonding tomorrow morning. I plan to make some cocktail recipes I found on Pinterest and kick my feet up.

I wanted to share a few items that I absolutely cannot go without on any given day. They are my "go to" for any type of day that lies ahead of me.

1. I first mentioned this brush in a post a couple months back and it still stands true. I love this thing and use it every.single.day. It provides smoothness and added shine into my morning blow dry routine that other brushes just haven't done.

2. I am still somewhat of a "newbie" to the Josie Maran Argan Oil but since I've started using it, it has become a must have for my dry winter skin. I would classify my skin type as combination as some parts of my face are really dry while other parts can get oily. I was so nervous about putting an "oil" on my face, especially as sensitive as it is to certain products, but this stuff is seriously amazing, ya'll. I've read so many reviews that it actually helps your skin with continued use. Any readers that use this, are there any other uses for this that you love?

3. A little bit goes a long way with this bronzer. At first, the price seemed pretty steep, but I have a feeling it will last forever. I ordered it in the "blondes" shade as I have very fair skin, but this shade not only works for me in the winter but in the summer as well. It blends so nicely with my skin tone and provides an overall natural look.

4. I tend to find something I love and it eventually gets discontinued. I certainly hope that is not the case with the Jo Malone perfume that I've recently begun to wear. It really feels like a fragrance I could wear for a lifetime as it has such a fun yet classic scent. I have both the full size and the smaller size for travel!

5. I've been using the Clarisonic for about a year and a half and only ever used the brush head that came along with the MIA when I purchased it. I bought a few refills and when the time came to get new, I decided to branch out a bit. I decided on the Deep Pore brush head. I was skeptical wondering if it would be too harsh, but it does a great job at exfoliating while being gentle at the same time. I've found it works best for me to use mine about 3-4x a week as opposed to once a day. Once a day was a little too much for my skin type.

6. I probably have about 5 of these scattered around our house. One on my nightstand, one in the bathroom, one in my purse, you get the idea. I absolutely love this stuff. My lips are so dry in the winter and this product really works at locking in moisture. I'm sure Vaseline would work just as well as the texture is about identical, however I love the minty taste in them.

7. I first tried this compact after my mom purchased it. We have similar skin tone and I wanted to see what it was all about. From first application I knew I had to have this Dior compact. It provides smooth, full coverage without the look of a chalky "powdery" powder. I even use it over the Josie Maran Argan Oil and it glides effortlessly.

Happy Weekend!

-K

snow day steals

Remember that girl that was just talking about how she was only wanting Spring? Still here. However, there are some amazing deals to be had on winter wear, especially at J. Crew (40-50% off already reduced sale items with code HAPPYSALE). Here are some items I am currently thinking would be great winter closet additions!

This little number is only $89! Many colors and sizes.

I have been lusting over this bib sweatshirt and at the price, it makes complete sense.

I wouldn't quite classify this piece as winter. But I am not complaining about the sale price. I can see it over a bikini this summer now!

Ever since I picked up the gingham pair last month, I have been addicted to these pajamas!

so cozy and versatile to match so much!

{snow day}

Well, its about as close to a snow day as I'll get. I'm still working from my couch, but it was so exciting to wake up to the beautiful blanket of snow (even if I am counting the days till Spring).

Last night we ventured out while it was still coming down (hence the blurry photos) but had a blast with a cocktail and the puppy running as hard as she could. I am taking full advantage of this slow morning by firing up our waffle iron and keurig with the Mr. I hope everyone is staying warm today!

Photo I snapped of Bailey as she first was trying to figure out what that silly white stuff was :) 

-K

concealer comparison

I love reading others reviews for various beauty products, so I figured I would do one myself for a recent product switch I made. Especially in the winter when my skin is paler, I have a constant battle with under-eye dark circles. For the past two years I have always relied on Benefit Boi-ing (shade 2) to get the job done. Its full coverage and very creamy and worked very well. However, I wouldn't recommend it for any type of acne prone skin. I love a concealer that provides great under-eye coverage as well as coverage for various other spots. I found this one caused me to break out unless only used under my eyes.

Enter Make Up Forever Full Cover Concealer. I've been using this product for a couple weeks and am already loving it. It's a little more expensive, but you only need to use a tiny amount so I assume this tube will last for a long time. I was matched with the color (flesh) and it blends oh so well. Some love concealer brushes but in my opinion, at least with this product that it works better if I warm it up with my finger on my hand. Like I said earlier, a teeny bit goes a long way and I very lightly tap it under my eyes. I'm also loving that it works so well with my very sensitive skin. I can use it on other parts of my face and it doesn't cause me to break out.

This is my first time using any product from Make Up Forever, but I have a feeling I will be adding more to my collection. I'm a beauty product junkie (to put it lightly) and would love to hear other recommendations of items you love!

-K

wednesday.

{weekend}

It certainly was tough leaving a sleeping dog and husband this morning for the office, but I'm ready to tackle Monday. This weekend was relaxing and fast paced all at the same time (if that even makes sense).

Friday evening, we cooked with another couple and drank way too much wine and worked on the design of her new living room. I woke up to still having the decorating bug on Saturday morning and popped into Homegoods. Big. Mistake. I left nearly wanting everything in the entire store, but had self-constraint and left with two of these lamps. I'm still working on a home for the second one, and am not positive I love where I placed the first one in our guest room, but it's a start. (The plant is moving, its too matchy-matchy for my taste).

Saturday evening, we headed to downtown Durham to celebrate a dear friend of ours 30th. It's so wonderful to be able to keep up with our sweet friends from DC when they come down south to visit!

Austin and the birthday boy. The also felt the need to model their Barbours. Boys.

typical elevator selfie after probably too much champagne.

Sunday was filled with so much nothing-ness and I loved every freaking second. Most of my day was spent snuggling this little sunshine and catching up on some rest.

Happy Monday!

{weekly roundup}

My heavens, it is so great to see you Friday. You were taking your sweet time. I am looking forward to a somewhat low key weekend with my husband. Tonight, I am helping a friend design her new living room and tomorrow I'm doing a Pure Barre class and going to a great friend's 30th birthday (side note - when did we become old enough to have 30 year old friends?!) Time slow down.

In 2014 Austin and I are really making a conscious effort to eat better. We love cooking together, but sometimes the recipes call for things we'd rather live without. I loved this article about how to start a paleo lifestyle.

I picked up this YSL lip balm in succulent pomegranate a few weeks ago and haven't been able to live without it. I feel like it does such a great job brightening up the winter blues. I swear by this too.

I am making this recipe again tonight and can't say enough great things about it. Its quick, easy, fresh and tastes so good.

I started burning this candle this week and its such a warm winter scent. I am entirely ready for Spring, but it really is a nice cozy and masculine scent.

I've always raved over my Clarisonic but always stuck with the same brush head. I recently switched to the deep pore and that shit is a game changer. They can be a little pricey, but mine typically last well over 6 months!

Happy Weekending!