Chic on the Cheap: State of Mind Necklace

Currently: Sitting on the couch in my pjs at one in the afternoon with a big mug of coffee and a snuggly puppy.  I'm unsure if I passed the bar, but I guess that goes into a lockbox in my brain until November when results come out! I'll get around to some things on my after bar checklist in an hour or so (cleaning, grocery shopping - how do I leave for three days and suddenly there is nothing in the fridge but beer, hard cider, and cheese?), but for now I'm not moving an inch. I often have a hard time being still and relaxing, but today I'm doing a damn good job. I'm currently perusing all the things I missed on the interwebs the past couple days, and I discovered something really exciting! Exciting to me anyway. 

I've been obsessed with Maya Brenner Jewelry for a long time. I love the delicate initial necklaces and I've been lusting after the state necklace (in MI of course) for over a year. 

However, the state necklace in gold is a whopping $395.00. So I figured I'd just continue to remain painfully separated from the object of my desire - until I discovered that dogeared jewelry has launched  a "State of Mind" line of necklaces. 

The dogeared take is smaller and more delicate than the MB necklace, which I actually like, because it can be an everyday piece. It's also much less expensive, the gold dipped runs $58.00, and the silver is $48.00. 

Image via Roses and Rags 

Such a great alternative to the MB necklace (although I still love it). If you do decide to shop dogeared, you can use the coupon code "xoxo" to snag 10 dollars off at checkout! I also love this. And this. And this. 

P.S. If you like the state trend, Kris Nations also has a version that is on sale at Urban Outfitters for $29.00, they have a few states left. 

Date Detox: Free Movie Night!

This past Friday night boyfriend and I decided to save some money and go to a free outdoor movie. DC's Golden Triangle has a great outdoor movie program at the The Heurich House Museum in the garden. It was surprisingly small and intimate, and the movie, A Philidephia Story, was fantastic. Katherine Hepburn was hilarious, and Cary Grant - le sigh. 

I put together a picnic and a pitcher of Pimm's, and we headed over for a fun and free night. 

I highly recommend heading over for the next movie. They have one left because of a rain date. Some Like it Hot will play July 28th at sunset! 

Splurge v. Steal Throwdown: Tinted Moisturizer

Studying calls, so I'll make this short and sweet. Tinted moisturizer is my favorite in the summer. Your skin gets a little color, so you don't need as much coverage. I've been using Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer for years now, but I thought I'd try something else a bit less expensive: 

SPLURGE: 

V. 

STEAL: 

The Lowdown: 

Laura Mercier: I'm just going to say it: this stuff is awesome. You only need to use a little, so even though it's price tag is hefty, it can last you several months. It is light, but still offers great coverage. It's the only make-up I generally use in the summer, along with a little pressed powder. available at Sephora.

Bonus Points: Simple to use, no mess. 

Negatives: $43.00 a tube is just a bit cray cray. Let's be honest. 

Garnier: This will give you coverage, but more than I'd expect from a tinted moisturizer or BB Cream. You should be able to see your summer freckles through this stuff, but if you use even a tad too much, it's way too much. However, if applied with a very light hand it does make for a good summer make-up. Available at any local drug store or online at Target.

Bonus points: $11.99. Long lasting. 

Negatives: You'll need to be very careful not to use too much. 

And the winner is: 

Garnier! It is not as good a product, but with a little patience and experimenting, you'll learn the right amount to use for your skin, you'll also save $31.00. The difference isn't enough to justify the cost. 

Meet Jacques, The Deep Tea Diver

Its a downpour in the Distict today. I braved the weather to let Riley do her business in the great outdoors, and grab some almond milk from the market across the street. I was outside for a total of twenty seconds and I'm soaked. (So is the couch/ living room rug because I cannot train the dog not to jump/roll on everything before I get a chance to dry her off). I'm fine with the weather. I have to be inside studying anyway, so it may as well rain. Cliche incoming . . . Misery loves company. 

Wanna know what else I love? My new tea infuser. When you're trying to save money you have to appreciate the little things. So meet Jaques, the deep tea diver: 

Cute. Yes? Loose leaf tea is actually a better bargain than the sachets you'll get at a grocery store. Also, it tastes much better. You'll just need an infuser. You can buy Jacques at the link above or one of these other cute ideas: 

I like this, but I'm legitimately terrified of sharks. 

For Beatles fans: Yellow Submarine. 

There are many more options out there, find one you like! 

Shopping Detox: Huge Madewell Sale Today

Madewell is having an amazing sale today. I am trying to be good and NOT shop it - but if you need to stock up on basic tees or you have a little extra cash, this sale is pretty great (and I can live vicariously through you). Their sale is an extra 40% off with the code: EXTRAEXTRA 

link to the sale here.

here are a few of the things I'd snap up: 

Chambray Tank 

Lace Top

Island Dress 

Lacebloom Dress 

Silk Cargo Tank 

Skinny Skinny Jeans 

Linen Printed Tee 

Hurry over if you're interested, they tend to sell out quickly! 

Splurge v. Steal Throwdown: Mascara

Let me first say that I love Sephora. I could spend hours sampling and sniffing. The problem of course is that designer makeup is expensive. Sometimes, it's worth it. Other times, you've just wasted gobs of cash on a product that will end up at the bottom of your makeup tray, drawer, bag etc. You know of what I speak - that moment a year from now when you get around to cleaning your makeup bag and you discover a twenty dollar eyeshadow you used once covered in the remains of all the other crap makeup you don't use. Don't have a makeup graveyard. Don't be like me. Only buy things you'll use. In the interests of promoting your fiscal health, I'm having a weekly throwdown: Splurge v. Steal. 

SPLURGE: 

V. 

STEAL:

The Lowdown: 

Benefit: This is my favorite mascara in Sephora. While I'm also a fan of Diorshow, Too Faced, and YSL, Benefit Bad Gal Lash is the perfect combination of volume and length without the dreaded tarantula effect. For me at least, this is the mecca of Sephora mascara. 

Bonus Points: It comes in plum! If you have green eyes, trust me on the plum. 

Negatives: $19.00 at Sephora. 

GreatLash Big: This will give you great big eyelashes with lots of length. The brush is sometimes slightly too big to get the little lashes, but is great overall. 

Bonus Points: $5.oo- $7.00 dollars at your local drug store. Or here on Amazon. 

Negatives: It does tend to run if you get it the teensiest bit wet. I know all mascara runs, but you have to be extra careful with this guy.  Also...does not come in plum. 

And the winner is (DUN DUN DUN): 

It's a really great mascara, and at less than a third of the price. Considering that Mascara needs to be replaced fairly often (every two months or so - although I will go longer) to avoid goopiness, the benefits of Benefit just don't outweigh the costs.  

Friday Steal: Dolce Vita Archer Sandal

Today the Dolce Vita Archer Sandal is $39.00 on Gilt. While I love heels and wedges (shoe saviors for us shorties), I tend to stick to sandals in the summer, because I like to be able to do things on a whim - without worrying about how far I can walk in my shoes. These are a perfect anytime summer sandal on a budget, and they come in 18 color combinations.

I have a pair and I can vouch for their comfortworthiness. Let us be honest: no matter how amahhhzing a woman's shoes are, if she can't walk in them or complains about them, she'd be more attractive without them. Better to merge comfort and style. 


P.S. I KNOW I'm not supposed to be on Gilt. But my bar lecture is over 4 hours long today and he keeps telling stories about his kids. My lack of self control is your gain in this situation. 

Shopping Detox: Discount Site Purge

Raise your hand if you check shopping discount sites daily. Sheepishly raises hand. I love them. I don't know if its because they have sales or because they offer a nice midday distraction. Whatever the reasoning. . . I'm purging my inbox, and my life, of discount sites. For several reasons:

1. They really are a distraction from whatever it is I'm supposed to be doing. Right now, I must study for the bar. No amount of discounted Prada pumps will help me learn civil procedure. 

2. The sales are not REALLY that good. I say this mostly about Gilt. Although they carry the things I tend to like the most (read: most expensive) I still cannot pay 130 dollars for a day dress on my budget. K? K. 

3. Sometimes, most of the stuff on the site is just crap no one wanted last season. I say this mostly of ideeli. They have the most sales and the worst stuff, and yet I still check to see if maybe they have something I want at a bargain. 

I say all this with one exception. Sometimes HauteLook has some really really reasonably priced items. Generally the kinds of things you want, but are afraid to spend money on because they are "trendy" and probably will only last you one season. HauteLook has great prices on that type of thing. Also, I snagged a pair of Seven Roxanne jeans for $60 that were still full price on Piperlime. HauteLook gets to stay. 

But I'm now committed to purging all other discount sites. After that's accomplished, I'll need to see if I can cut the cord and remove myself from Anthropologie's email list. 

Free!!!: Screen on The Green

I love free things! I get a kick out of even the smallest free samples; I can spend thirty minutes just trying things in Trader Joe's. Would I like to sample the free wine tasting? Um...yes. One of my favorite free things in D.C. is Screen on the Green. You bring snacks, a comfortable blanket to picnic on, perhaps a surreptitious bottle of wine....and when the sun goes down, you do the HBO dance and watch a free movie. 

I've heard these are popping up all over the place, so check and see if there are outdoor movies in your neighborhood! 

Here is the 2013 schedule for Screen on the Green: 

• July 22 – "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial"
• July 29 – "Norma Rae"
• August 5 – "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory"
• August 12 – "Tootsie"

More information here. 

Foodie Detox: Trader Joe's Espiral Vinho Verde

I like wine. Cooking a leisurely dinner with a glass of good vino = my happy place. Wine can be pricey. 

Solution: Trader Joe's. 

I don't need wine to be expensive, and I generally don't understand winespeak jargon. Wine tasting is a favorite activity of mine, but I always find myself slightly annoyed at vineyard patrons who ooh and aah over the "dry palate" or "floral nose" of a wine. I know what I like...no fuss about it. I'll buy what my wallet likes, because I'm not getting paid to study for the bar. 

Epitome of yummy affordablity? Trader Joe's Espiral Vinho Verde. Mostly dry and slightly sparkling, it's really good. It costs 3.99.

3.99!

I have to give credit for this discovery to my friend, who stocked our fridge with Vinho Verde while we were broke ass unpaid interns. Thank You. 

Tonight, after several hours of studying, I'll be opening a bottle to keep me company while I de-stress and cook risotto. Risotto = my other happy place. 

Another good deal: adorable flower wine charms (also seen above): 

Available here ($9.13 for 12).