FEBRUARY FAVORITES

I have to say, the only two things I disliked about this February was when Phil the groundhog said we had six more weeks of winter (which by the way, what do they do when Phil dies? Is there another groundhog to take this job over?) and this incredibly nutty dress phenomenon that just hit us this past week (um, WTF?! it keeps changing color every time I look at it so I guess I'm both #teamblueblack and #teamwhitegold, lmao). The things I've loved about this February was that it was Fashion Week, I was featured in Look UK, and that I've had a Black Tea Lemonade from Starbucks almost every day (thank you Lindsey for introducing them into my life). Otherwise, enough with my tangent, and let's get into products & items I've been loving this month.

Beauty 

01. Bobbi Brown Corrector in Bisque- I've had my eye on this for a VERY long time, and when I scraped the last bit out of my Erase Paste pot by Benefit, I knew it was finally time. I would say that the two are pretty similar dupes, but I've found the coverage and staying power of this stuff to be a lot stronger! Don't get me wrong, I really like Erase Paste, but I'm happy I've switched over because I can definitely see a difference in my under eye circles. This is a great concealer to add to your wishlist as Spring approaches and allergies get worse (cause, fun fact: allergies cause dark undereye circles!)

02. Mac Old Gold Pigment- I got this back in 2013, when it was in the Holiday Nocturnals collection, and I believe I've spoken about it a few times in my monthly favorites. All I have to say about this is what I've said time & time again: its beautiful! This is gorgeous for sparking up a day time look or going for a really dramatic evening look. When foiled, it creates a beautiful greeny-browny-gold that looks stellar packed on the lids (this pigment will make any eye color absolutely pop). A highly recommended pigment, for sure (#teamwhitegold lololol).

03. Mac's Springsheen- An old time favorite of mine! (Surprised I haven't hit pan yet, I've had this forever). Thought I'd throw this one in because I'm adoring coral-ly colored blushes as I usually do this time of year, and it's gorgeous for the end of February into March, when you're still super pale cause there's barely any sun (hence the sub degree weather in NYC). It gives you a little color and warmth to your face, and the gold sparkles in it really make you glow.

04. Mac's Boldly Bare Lip Liner- One of my favorite purchases EVER! I picked this up when I lost my Mac Whirl Pencil (which I found, and then somehow lost again.. whoops). I went to the store and asked for something similar, and they suggested Boldly Bare, which is about one shade lighter than Whirl, it's less purple and more pink, but still has a lot of taupe in it. I really dig this and have been using it nearly everyday though! You can build it up just the same as Whirl, it's just more natural looking which I think is more universal anyway. This was in my favorites last month, but I couldn't resist but add it again. High recommendation for this one!

05. Mac Taupe- In December, I mentioned one of my favorite lipsticks was Verve by Mac. I'm still obsessed with that one, but I've found another that's a little lighter that many people might like just as much if not more! Taupe is a matte lipstick, so it's extremely thick and creamy (which I love), and it actually is really close to the shade of Mac's Whirl (maybe a little nuder). I recently had my makeup done at Mac and the artist put Taupe over Stone Lip Liner on me, and I fell in love with it. I ended up going back to get both, but they only had Taupe in stock (womp) but I'll be back to get Stone, the combo was gorgeous and super Kardashian. 

(PRO TIP: never book a $50 appointment at Mac- [unless you have a special occasion I would say] Go into a Mac Store and ask to get lashes put on you (for $15), and chances are, the artist will ask if they can "play around with you," and you can oblige and ask them to try different products on you. You'll leave with a face full of makeup, I guarantee, and they'll only charge you $15 dollars!)

Body

06. Formula X Base Coat & Nail Cleanser- So basically, I have really bad nails. Like, they're super weak, they peel a lot, and guilty as charged, I sometimes bite them (which is why I have nail polish on 99.9% of the time-- so I don't bite them). I get manicures pretty regularly (not weekly, but definitely once or twice a month), but when I don't and just decide to paint my nails, I've been using Formula X Cleanser & Base Coat, and I really like them a lot! I received the Formula X System for Christmas from Sephora (yay VIB Rouge status),  and I've been really digging the whole kit (minus the red one I received since I barely wear colors other than Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI or Blanc by Essie- but hey, I appreciate it anyway). The cleanser, base, and top coat that you use is super important to keep from damaging your nails and making your nail polish last a while, and I would definitely say to give these a try, I've had great results.

07. Coconut Butter by The Body Shop- If I had to pick one moisturizer to use for the rest of my life, it would be this stuff (even though I am die hard for Ro's Argan by Lush as well). This is absolutely luscious in every way, shape and form. It smells out of this world, and hydrates your skin unlike any product I've ever used (except maybe Ro's!). Just buy it already, that's the only advice I can give you. You will never regret it.

Accessories/ Miscelleneous

08. This Earring Set by H&M(similar here)- So obsessed with the gold, black, diamond, and rose gold theme that H&M has going on right now with their jewelry! I picked these up this month, and I really love the delicacy and different complementing shapes of this particular set. I'm going to try to make these last longer than my other Forever 21/ H&M earrings because they usually tarnish fast, but here's hoping these will be more durable. 

09. This Makeup Case/ Clutch by H&M (clutches here)- I unfortunately couldn't find this online- but it caught my eye in the store so much that as I was walking out, I turned right back around and purchased it. It's technically a "clutch" from H&M's definition, but I think it can certainly be used as a makeup bag (it's a little too flimsy to work as a clutch for me). Either way, it was so cute and only like 10 dollars. 

10. Beats by Dr. Dre- Thank you Santa! I got Beats for Christmas, (I'd wanted a pair for a long time),  and I've been using them nonstop, they're amazing. The only quip I have is that the headphone kills my right ear if I wear it for a long time because of the hoop in my midway piercing- (I'm not sure if it would hurt less if I had a stud in as opposed to my hoop) Either way, I love them and wouldn't do without them from now on!

& Clips and a few outfits from this month: 

"Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind"

[Hamlet 3.1]

Cheers, lots of heart, xxx

PS::  CHECK OUT MY NON-TRADITIONAL NYFW RECAP ON THE LALA // AND THE LALA'S FAVORITE NYFW STREET STYLE ! 

PPS:: This is really rad music. 

SOVEREIGN

(LAST TWO BY ERIC PAYNE)

What a rad (+ FREEZING) NYFW it's been! Really cool shows this season though, and I think this was the fall/winter season for color. I was lucky enough to attend some downtown & uptown shows and all of them really pushed the boundaries. Take a peek at my Instagram to see which shows I attended & loved. And don't forget to check out my non-traditional NYFW Recap on the Lala, as well as the Lala's Favorite NYFW Street Style. 

For this look, I played with proportions and textures. I started with this sweet black high-waisted shorts from Zara, and added this chunky vintage sweater over my black collared blouse. To stay warm, I threw tights and a long sleeve top underneath, and added this adorable cream pleather jacket to my shoulders. I wanted to compliment and make the cream color stand out, so I added one of my favorite pairs of shoes by Deena & Ozzy. And of course, a killer queen cannot do without her crown, so I added this quasi crown-like headband courtesy of Free People. To pop some color, I added Mac's Heroine Lipstick, and finished off the look with my typical Ray-Bans. 

 ♕ Check out Eric's whole spread for NYFW here & first photo by Joanna Riker  ♕ 

"My crown is in my heart, not on my head; 

Not decked with diamonds and Indian stones, 

Nor to be seen: my crown is called content: 

A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy."

[King Henry VI Part III 3.1]

Cheers, xxx

BEST BEWARE MY STING

 The NYFW gods have granted below freezing temperatures in NYC this week, but lucky for me, I live a whopping one block from the MB tents, which has made it a whole lot easier to run over and snap some photos or attend a show (my luck will definitely be changing for upcoming downtown venues I have to head to during the next few days and for the rest of my NYFW future, nevertheless, RIP MBFW at Lincoln Center).

 I've had a lot of fun with in these freezing temperatures, though, with creating outfits that are a whole lot warmer than they look (snaps for creating illusion with clothes). The first are these awesome pants I purchased back in September from Necessary Clothing. I know what you're thinking: how are you not becoming hypothermic? Well, that's where nude CVS tights come in to save the day. Super easy to slip under a thinner pant, the double layer will create extra warmth for your legs. Plus, wearing nude tights under a skirt isn't my favorite (would much rather go with a color, pattered or black), so it's a great way to put to use the pairs you might have. Next for my top, I have a long sleeve plain black tee from Urban Outfitters underneath my bright yellow vintage wool sweater- layering long sleeves under chunky sweaters changes the game and will warm you up always. On top, I added my faaaavorite new BCBG Jacket, and popped on my beautiful motorcycle gloves from Florence. 

♕ Photography by Jack Walsh ♕

"If I be waspish, best beware my sting."

[The Taming of the Shrew 2.1]

Cheers, xx

PS CLICK THIS LINK FOR A GREAT CAUSE!

HATTER

Happy NYFW ladies & gents! To kick off this week, I played with proportions and colors- and of course, I decided to shoot this look in the current heart of Mercedes Benz, Lincoln Center. (Fun fact: the "M" on the tent is currently missing, so right now it reads "ercedes Benz Fashion Week", here's hoping they'll fix it by this evening or tomorrow..?). 

I started with one of my favorite high collared shirts of all time by Nasty Gal. It's this gorgeous ivory chiffon-y texture, and it has this amazing studded collar (that I've featured many-a-times on KQ). I wanted to mix up the proportions though, so I thought it would be fun to add a cropped sweater on top of the normal length blouse. This deep forest green crop sweater is from Brandy Melville, along with my dark wash skinnys, also courtesy of BM. I popped on this cute pleather jacket from Forever 21 up top, and added my black Lydia Deetz hat to edge it up a bit. Finally, I wanted to keep this look pretty casual, so I added my Doc Martens, but I still swiped on some Mac's Pure Heroine to pump some bright color into this look. 

♕ Photography by Jack Walsh ♕

"Well, if Fortune be a woman, 

she's a good wench for this gear."

[Merchant of Venice 2.2]

Cheers, xx

BEASTT

Cableknit looooove. Today, I've put together this quasi- casual ensemble for a little stroll around Lincoln Center (watching them build the MBFW tent, naturally!) I started with one of my favorite pieces in my closet: this maxi jersey skirt c/o Urban. And, yes, it's inside out. That's on purpose. If I find that a piece of clothing can work reversibly, I'll definitely use it reversibly. I like the dulled down same pattern on the inside, so I decided just to bring it to the outside (the seams showing doesn't really bother me- and I've just cut any tags). 

Up top, I've added one of my most cuddly favorite cable knits, that's totally vintage and was actually made by my great aunt. It's super comfy and incredibly warm. I popped on this Topshop leather jacket on my shoulders and added my favorite beanie and boots by Jeffrey Campbell. Naturally, I was feeling a little 90's so I added my black tattoo choker to edge up the look even more.

♕ Photography by Jack Walsh ♕

"Our doubts are traitors 

And make us lose the good we oft might win 

By fearing to attempt."

[Measure for Measure 1.4]

Cheers, xx