What's in My Bag

Hi lovely people <3

So happy to be back and I want to do the famous "What's In My Bag?" challenge that I've seen throughout YouTube and Instagram. 

So this is my tote bag that carries a billion things. LOL. When I bought this I was definitely thinking it could carry a lot of books. I LOVE huge bags and I hadn't came across many like this one until I saw this one last summer on blogs, Pinterest, Instagram. It is Madewell (J.Crew's sister store) "Transport Tote".Due to its price, I was definitely reluctant to purchase the bag, but I've saw a lot of great reviews of it. I finally broke down in late October and purchased this baby and I love it. Actually - I am attached to this bag yall. I haven't stopped carrying it since I purchased it. The leather is gorgeous and it's sturdy...beautiful...timeless...a staple piece....amazing. Okay...I am obsessed. 

Positioned on the left side of my bag is my "wallet" lol but it's a clutch.It is the Madewell Medium Pouch Clutch in English Saddle ! I've worn this by itself and it has a cool pocket for change and slots for cards and it's roomy. It's super pretty and it's all leather as well. I've had this since I bought the bag and it's super sturdy.  

I have a crazy love for notebooks and planners (Thanks to Alana and her organizational skills lol and to my  memory which isn't as great as it was in college. I have to write down everything these days smmmh. Signs of age ha). The White planner is by Moleskine and it's apart of the Peanuts tribute collection and Peppermint Patty graces the cover of mines. I purchased this in late December via Ebay for a great price. Alana also has a Moleskine planner that she purchased from Amazon. This is my first one and I love it so far. 

Next to the planner is my journal! I journal everyday and that mint green notebook keeps my thoughts, prayers, and breakthroughs in writing. 

To the right of the journal is my pocket-sized Bible! I purchased it at a Lifeway Christian Store. It is super cute and in the shape of a wallet and you can actually secure it in the front so that it doesn't fall open. 

Next to my Bible, is my iPad Air! I love the iPad and I can throw it in my bag when I don't need my to lug my Mac around the world. FYI - I am not a techno whiz but it definitely takes WAAAY better quality photos. 

I am currently reading Love Does by Bob Goff - one of my friends mentioned that this book changed his life and I love it so far! I will have to do a book review on this one for sure. The book talks about the fact that love is lived out and is an action word. Whew. It's awesome!

Direct your attention the bottom and you will see Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter and my Pacifica  Color Quench Lip Tint in Blood Orange - I looove this set and I bought it with a roll-on perfume at Marshall's for 8 dollars. The lip tint leaves a beautiful creamy color that moisturizes the lip! 

Beside the Lip Tint is the 

Sephora Cream Lip Stain in True Red and I LOVE THIS STUFF. It goes on as a cream and dries matte and it's so rich and it just adds color to all of my outfits. Definitely worth the money for sure!!!

My Lancome Pink Safari Eyeshadow Palette just happened to be in my bag. My mom bought this for me two summers ago and I love it because it has a good balance of neutral tones! 

In the little pink box are NYX Tea Tree Blotting Papers and I purchased this last week at Target for like 2.50 (steeeaaaaaal) and I like them so far

Annnnd of course I have my keys, a Pilot pen (can't leave home without it) and my Kleenex Pocket Tissues touched behind my Eyeshadow palette (because I apparently have year round allergies now and I have to blow my nose smh)

I hope you all enjoy! Please share your bags and items on your social media and definitely let us know by using the hashtag #allbasescovered

xoxo,

Tonyette

September 2014 Favorites

I’m still in disbelief that it’s October. We have a little less than three more months left of 2014. Holiday season is among us people! Hallmark already has their Christmas décor out and we all know that on November 1^st, the Christmas music will be blaring from every store. But before all of that chaos ensues, let’s talk about some September favorites, shall we?

1.     Dior Ultra Addict Lip Gloss in #452 Pretty Rose – I’ve had this for a few months now but I didn’t really appreciate it until recently. When I first got this gloss the pigmentation actually disappointed me until I realized, it’s supposed to be sheer. In September I began wearing this gloss over a lip liner that is ever so slightly darker than my natural lip color. I apply the liner just on the bottom center of my lower lip and to define my cupid’s bow to enhance the shape of my lips. This gloss just gives the prettiest, healthiest look and is hydrating like a balm. It’s become my go-to gloss for minimal or no makeup days.

2.     Maybelline Color Elixir in #065 Caramel Infused – When I first got this gloss last Fall I was really put off by the scent and taste, so I didn’t wear it a ton. I decided to put it on this past month and have been reaching for it frequently since. The scent and taste don’t bother me like it used to and I love the finish it gives. As my best friend said, “You’re lips look luscious!” and what chick doesn’t want luscious looking lips?! It’s a beautiful shade that enhances your natural lip color. The formula is thick but not sticky and hydrates well.

3.     L’Oreal Miss Manga Mascara (non-waterproof) – This mascara is great! I’m not super picky when it comes to mascara because I have really long lashes, so it doesn’t take much for my lashes to look like something. This mascara makes my lashes look unreal. I don’t wear waterproof mascara often, so I expect my non-waterproof mascara to not smudge (asking for a lot, I know…). But guys! This barely smudges on me! My waterproof L’Oreal Carbon Black smudges like crazy on me and this one doesn’t and I have oily skin, so that’s a big deal. If you’re in the market for a new mascara, give this one a go. It’s become one of my favorites.

4.     Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in shade #240 – This is another product I purchased last Fall and I only wear it during the cooler months because it will melt off my face in a heart beat in the hot summer heat. During the cooler months, when set with a mattifying powder I can actually wear this for a few hours before needed to blot. This foundation is marketed towards people with dry to normal skin, but I’ve been able to make it work for me. Bringing it back out this fall reminded me of how much I like it. It’s lightweight, light to medium coverage, it’s a perfect match for my skin tone, and gives a healthy glow without making me look like a face-planted a bucket of fried chicken.

5.     Formula X for Sephora Base Coat – This base coat is the best base coat I’ve ever tried. Period. My nails won’t chip for a week! I’m really impressed. It’s a sticky base coat so polish really adheres to the nail. It’s a bit pricey for .40 fluid ounces ($10.50), but I always do my own manicures, so it’s worth it.

6.     Estelle & Thild Face Cream, Fragrance Free for Sensitive Skin – I’ve wanted to try something from this brand when Estée from essiebutton on YouTube raved about it. However, it’s pricey (retail for this particular face cream is around $48. I paid $13) and not the most readily available. I was browsing around the skin care section of TJ Maxx and lo and behold! there was this face cream! I snatched it up and it’s been love ever since. This is a thicker, richer face cream that I only use at night on nights I apply a facemask, so about 3 times a week. I used detoxifying masks that can really leave the skin feeling tight and dry. On those days I want a heavier face cream that is really going to hydrate my skin and this fits the bill. It’s too heavy for me to use on daily basis but perfect for when my skin needs a little extra TLC. And the ingredients are natural and organic. Win!

7.     Crabtree & Evelyn Avocado, Olive & Basil Hand Cream – This is another TJ Maxx purchase. I’m always on the hunt to find the best hand cream and this may be my favorite thus far. It smells great, it’s super moisturizing and it has great ingredients. I picked up another in the scent Rosewater. When I apply this at night, my hands feel unnaturally soft in the morning. This comes with a hefty price tag at $20 a pop, retail. I paid $6 for mine. Check out TJ Maxx to see if you can score a tube.

8.     The Body Shop Atlas Mountain Rose Body Butter – I love rose anything. I love the smell, the look of roses and even the taste (if you’ve never tried Rose black tea, you’re missing out). Rose is absolutely one of my favorite scents, right along with bergamot. I stumbled across this body butter at TJ Maxx (one of my favorite stores if you haven’t noticed already). I took one whiff and was like, “Yep, I’m gon need that.” It’s a fresh scent without smelling heavy, or like a grandmother. Yet, there is a complexity to it. With my body chemistry it takes on a warmer quality that makes it appropriate for the cooler months. It’s unique also, which is what I look for in a fragrance. I love it so much I went on The Body Shop and ordered the fragrance mist, the shower gel, the perfume oil and a back up of the body butter. I. Can’t. Get. Enough.

9.     J.Crew Factory Statement Necklace – I’ve been looking for a statement necklace like this for a while, a little over a year actually. This necklace is perfect for dressing up or down. I wanted a necklace like this to pair with button downs and plain sweaters. It’s sparkly without being gaudy. I probably wear it 3+ times a week. I have no shame.

Those are all my favorites for the month of September! What were some stand out products for you this past month?

-Alana