:: Coffee Talk with C&C- January Favorites ::

I hate to be THIS person but isn't January one of the most useless months of the year? After NYE it's kind of like, "OK now what?" But this month was my coziest month EVER! I lived in some great Sherpa sweatshirts, leggings, and amazing boots! I added in some new and added back some old favorites to my skincare routine that have been saving my skin from the nightmare that is January weather- I mean honestly it was 60 degrees one day and LITERALLY the next it was 14!! How is that right? It's amazing I've kept any sort of sinus infection at bay.

I will say that my recent trip to Raleigh and Charleston brought me so much joy and was much needed to be traveling with some of my best girlfriends to see my very best friend and her brand new baby! Charleston is amazing and I intend on doing a post on recommendations based on our (too) short trip!

But on to the favorites

1. SHERPA!! I added a few Sherpa sweatshirts to my ever growing sweatshirt arsenal and have LIVED in them when it's not completely inappropriate to be so casual! The are soft, warm, and pair easily with leggings or skinnies to run errands or snuggle on the couch! Below I've pulled together some amazing, cozy options to buy right now!

Cozy...

2. Skincare!! Of course, this time of year is all about wellness but after a Holiday season of eating and drinking whatever I pleased  I needed a month of repairing my skin! I received a Bliss giftcard for Christmas and did not waste anytime spending it to ensure I had everything I needed to get my skin back in check for the new year!

Skincare...

3. Sip by Swell travel mug! This one may seem silly but I have spent too long getting spilled all over taking my coffee from the car to the office. I don't know if I'm the only person in the world who doesn't know how to put a lid on a travel mug but once I invested in this Sip by Swell travel mug from Target my whole life changed! Below are some of my favorite colors... I purchased the white because I have the white water bottle (I've included some of those too)!!

Travel Mugs...

4. New pink lip combo! I have been searching high and low to find my go-to pink lip combo and I FINALLY found it! Fortunately for me (and you) it's a really inexpensive pairing for products. I use this lipstick as a base and follow it up with this gloss!!

5. Warm winter boots. It's no secret that January brings cold and snow so I thought it wouldn't be a waste of money to invest in a pair of cute winter boots that aren't Uggs or Hunters.

Winter Boots...

6. Updated red polish! If there is anything that makes me feel pulled together it is a great manicure and red ALWAYS looks great. I do my nails myself from day to day so it's important that the formula and color work well for me! Generally I use this red but I wanted something with a bit more pop so I picked up this one from the Essie Gel Couture collection! I HIGHLY recommend for anyone doing their mani's at home, the formula, brush, and colors are amazing!

I am hard at work find my February favorites and pulling together some fun new posts to get us thru this winter slump!

xx

:: Distressed Sweater ::

::sweater/zara {similar}, skinnies/nordstrom, sunnies/zaful, bag/coach {similar}, booties/justfab, earrings/Rebecca minkoff {similar}::

 

This weather, you guys! My skin cannot take the bitter cold that then rapidly changes to 55 degrees, I am breaking out like it's my job. Not to mention, Holiday season is in full swing so my eating and drinking habits are all out of sorts so I've designated Sunday as my "I'm sorry for my bad behavior" day. I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite products that save my skin time and time again!

 

I have normal/dry skin so these products may not work for every skin type but I love these brands so if you have sensitive or oily skin I would definitely check out other options within each line that might be better suited for your skin!

 

 

 



Skincare Saviors 



Images by Nicollette

xx

:: Viva la Mexico ::

Hey Loves! We just got back from Mexico, I am tan & happy! I took the time away to reflect, relax, and recharge to gear up for a fun summer ahead! I will be sharing a life update soon as some really positive changes have come about in my life and it means I'll have more time to devote to getting back into this little passion project!

::see my spf review here & these sunnies saved my life::

::obsessed with these!::

We stayed at the same resort where we were married, see some of my thoughts on the resort here! It was a completely different trip without 15 or so of our very best friends with us. We ate, drank, and hung out by the pool but it certainly was not as much of a party! After a great first year of marriage, it was a nice way to cap it all off! 

xx

:: Beauty Talk- First Aid Beauty ::

::lippies/ysl::

Another skincare post coming at you in the form of cleanser! I received a sample of the First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser and when I ran out of my random cleanser I decided to give it a try. I absolutely love  it! It's a little more expensive than I like to spend on a cleanser but the results are worth it! And this time of year, our skin needs as much lovin' as it can get!

::find it here::

What it promises: Cleanses skin, removing surface oils, makeup, dirt and grime. It calms redness and is pH-balanced to maintain the natural acidity of the skin. Also a plus- the brand is cruelty free! 

How long I've used it: The sample lasted me just shy of a month.

Does it work: I found the rich, velvet like texture to be very soothing to my skin and it removed all my makeup without the extra effort of a makeup remover. My skin felt smoother to the touch and was more consistent. Again, if you've read this blog you know I have fairly normal skin so sometimes even subtle changes go unnoticed but I truly felt like this cleanser was working to not only remove my makeup but restore my skin to it's most natural state.

Recommendation: I recommend this product to anyone who has normal or sensitive skin. I don't know how the product would work with oily skin but it's a very mild product with pH-balancing properties that may help to even out. I am obsessed with the product!

xx



:: Beauty Talk- Mario Badescu Facial Spray ::

::find ysl lippies here::

One thing you guys should all know about me is how strict I am about my skincare routine. I am an avid night time face washer, followed by a solid mix of potions that help maintain my skin's appearance. Toner is one that I haven't found THE ONE product to subscribe to yet, until now. This product was recommended by this awesome Youtuber and contains rose water, if you know anything about me- if it contains rose water or notes of rose (fragrance) I'm in! Rose is my absolute favorite! So I had to give this very inexpensive but totally awesome product a try. See my review below!

::find it here::

What it promises: Revitalizes with dewy radiance. Boosts moisture and glow

How long I've used it: Roughly 6-7 months

Does it work: I spray my skin with this toner morning and night, or after I've done a mask on my usual weekend skincare refresh. I have noticed a definite impact to the consistency of my skin! My breakouts during that time of the month have calmed down considerably and I feel like my skin does have a glow sans makeup and highlighter. In addition, there is no better way to wake up your face than a few spritzes of an amazing smelling, rose toner.

Recommendation: I have pretty normal skin so I don't know how effective it would be for someone with sensitive or oily skin but I would highly recommend this product. It's amazing morning and night, and truth be told after a night out when I have the booze flu- it's a great way to get myself moving! It's so inexpensive it's worth a try without breaking the bank!


top image by Nicollette

xx

:: Beauty Talk- Invisibobble ::

::invisibobble::

What it promises: A strong grip hair tie that doesn't leave a kink, get tangled in your hair, and helps prevent split ends. 

How long I used it: I've been these for the last 4-5 months while my hair was long. 

Does it work: I wouldn't say that my hair doesn't have a kink or get tangled because it does but I will say it is much easier to get untangled and the kink isn't as bad. I can't say whether or not it prevented split ends but I have to imagine that it's going to be easier on your hair than a normal hair tie because it stretches easier and it does slip out at the end of the day! 

Recommendation: I would definitely recommend trying this product, I prefer the Power Invisibobble over the Original though!   The thing I like most about these is that my pony can fall a little flat but these hair ties definitely keep my pony looking perky! Also- these aren't as bad to keep around your wrist, the lack of fibers means there isn't an area of bacteria to build up on! Not to mention, it's a great conversation starter! 

Images by Nicollette

xx

:: Beauty Talk- Essie Gel Couture ::

Calling all manicure obsessed girls out there- I HAVE FOUND A BETTER OPTION! I cannot leave the house and feel like a girl without my nails painted, it's a sad, superficial truth. I love the look of shellac manicure but HATE the outgrowth because I do not love long nails. Essie Gel Couture really does the trick! It's a 2 step, at home process that comes off with simple nail polish remover! Sound too good to be true? I'm telling you, it's not!

I've tried it a few times, I've lasted 8 days without a chip but still high shine before taking it off only because my nails were really long! At about $12 a bottle it's going to save you so much time and money! You're welcome! Oh, did I mention the line already contains 42 to die for shades? Here are just a few!

::essie gel couture::

xx

:: Beauty Talk- Beso ::

If there were ever a product or beauty item I never thought I'd find that worked for me or let alone finish the tube it would have to red lipstick. Every girl who wears make up knows the struggle of finding the right red, no matter how often a new article is written telling you how! I took a chance on my red based on another blogger, who I'm obsessed with and has similar colors as me wearing it so often! I am lucky enough to work in an industry & in an office where wearing red lipstick is applauded, in a retail Beauty buying office. The first day I wore this product to work I got so many compliments (and then scolds because we don't currently carry the brand & it's a touchy subject) on how great the color looked on me! My own mother who has never liked me in red lipstick told me it looked amazing.

 ::the night I got engaged I wore this stuff!::

::lip/stila beso::

If you follow this blog you can probably guess what product I am talking about- Stila Liquid Stay All Day Matte Lipstick in Beso! Not only is this MY red but the product does not move all day, I mean literally only have to touch up if I'm out for drinks & dinner and then I'll just touch up the middle part of my lips, you know the one. I will definitely be repurchasing this product because when you find your red, you don't look back!

Have you found your red yet?

Images by Nicollette

xx

:: Beauty Talk- Sun Bum Review ::

There is nothing scarier than realizing you booked Mexico for your wedding, going 6 days before your actual ceremony, and realizing tan lines are inevitable. It was imperative on my wedding trip that my SPF game be so strong but allow some color. I decided to try a new brand of sun protection at the risk of looking crazy on my wedding day!

::sun bum::

What it promises: Protects from harmful UVA/UVB rays while enriching the skin with Vitamin E and is recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation. 

How Long I used it: One full week in Mexico during the third week of April

Does it work: YES, YES, YES! I have to say I am not as stringent about sun protection as I should be in a normal situation but the days leading up to my wedding I was nuts! I used only this lotion the entire week in order to truly get the best idea of the product's results. I reapplied about 3 times daily, saw a little redness after I was out of the sun but never FELT burned and got the most beautiful bronzed tan! Not only that but the product was extremely moisturizing without being greasy and also dried fast enough for me to get back in the pool without feeling like the product washed off. 

Recommendation: This needs to be your new summer SPF! It's a little pricier than your average sun protection but let me tell you- IT. IS. WORTH. EVERY. PENNY. I am officially obsessed and fully intend to use this product all day, everyday this summer! 

xx

:: Beauty Talk- Micellar Water ::

I am an avid skincare nut! I wash my face every night before bed, do masks a few times a week, and drink tons of water. So, I was intrigued by a new to the US product called micellar water that is supposed to be a super easy way to take off your make up without being harsh on your skin.

::garnier skinactive micellar cleansing water::

What is promises: An all in one cleanser that removes make up and other impurities to refresh skin without harsh rubbing or rinsing. There is also a formula for sensitive skin. 

How long I've used it: Just over a month

Does it work: This product does a great job of removing all make up other than eye make up with ease, it even took off Stila Stay All Day Liquid Matte Lipstick in Beso no less. Eye make requires some soaking time and I felt like I did have to add a little more pressure which is not ideal around the sensitive eye area. After a few weeks of use I found that I started breaking out in little bumps, not necessarily pimples though. It might be from not rinsing the product, which is one of the features but my skin might be too sensitive for the normal formula to leave on my skin and then add all my potions.

Recommendation: Micellar water is great for those lazy girls out there that hate washing your face before bed but want to still protect your skin. I would suggest rinsing after use and before applying any additional face creams to avoid clogging pores.


First image via Nicollette
xx

:: Beauty Talk- My Wedding Look Inspiration ::

When it came time to start making decisions about how I wanted to look on my wedding day I used my dress as serious inspiration. The vibe of my dress is vintage inspired romance and has a very soft look and feel, so I wanted my hair and make up to feel and look the same way. It was also really important to me that when I came down the aisle my groom actually recognized me, and I wanted to feel pretty looking like myself. I took my inspiration for my entire look from Julia from the blog Gal Meets Glam, her wedding has a similar look to mine and while her dress is different her hair and make up were just what I was looking for!

Obviously we have different colors in our hair & skin tone so I had to adjust to what works for me but I loved that she looked like herself! Her hair is the perfect soft romantic curls which is exactly what I want and will make it easy to put up once the reception starts. I am planning to have my hair done at the salon on the resort but chose to do my own make up. Please do not think I'm crazy but I have always found doing my own make up relaxing, and when I take my time it always works out. When I've gotten my face done for friend's weddings I don't think I look like myself and the colors are all wrong, it's weird I know! 

::palette/it cosmetics, blur perfector & lip gloss/ysl, foundation/laura mercier, heels/manolo blanik::

I received the it Cosmetics palette for Christmas and fell in love because it's all matte colors and the pigmentation is perfect! I realized after years of trying to make eye shadow with shimmer work that it just makes my eye lids look heavy & not very complimentary, so this palette is great & it's just plain pretty. I don't want to know a girl who doesn't love a pink crushed velvet! 

I use Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer daily but wanted more coverage for my big day so I went with their Smooth Finish Flawless Fluid because it's a medium coverage foundation so it wouldn't be a huge change from what I'm used to but gives me a little more cover. My skin loves Laura Mercier, I've been using it for years and while it is a bit more expensive to me it's worth it because I'm smoothing the product all of my FACE!! Nothing should be taken care of better than your skin, especially the sensitive skin on your face. 

Preventing shine was another concern of mine due to the weather in Mexico, being right on the beach I wanted to try and prevent as much as possible so I invested in the YSL Touche Eclat Blur Perfector. This product will be great because it can be used as an alternative to foundation, it'll just blend over your nature color or as a finishing product to reduce shine. I've used it a few times since buying and I love it. 

The gloss is the Gloss Volupte in #202 Rose Jersey, I find the majority of the YSL lip colors I love have "rose" somewhere in the name which is interesting because my favorite fragrances have notes of rose and my favorite lip balm is Christian Dior Creme de Rose. Do we notice a beauty trend here? This gloss is a beautiful shade of rosey pink that still looks very natural! 

The shoes...well you get the shoes! 

xx

:: Scenes ::

::leather jacket/wantable, skinnies/zara, tee/gap, bag/cambridge, shoes/nike {similar}, lips/ysl#2::

I don't quite know what happen but when the clock struck midnight on January 1st, 2015 I decided I really wanted to make getting dressed easier for myself. Not that it was hard before but I was constantly looking to put together these outfits that were more work than they were worth. Ease has come in the form of black and white on repeat and this outfit has become a main stay. So consider this your SPOILER ALERT for what is to come in future posts, and who knows maybe by the time 2016 rolls around I'll change my mind again.

Side note, I attempted the rose gold look but my hair just doesn't like any dye that isn't the purest form of bleach. It looked great when I left the salon but after the first wash it wasn't as bright which is sad but I also really like the color is washes out to. Come December 1st I'll be going back to super blonde though, I've been a blonde for 99% of my life and I think that's how I should look on my wedding day. Although this current color would look really pretty with the color of my dress. 

::leaving the salon::

::a few washes later {oh hey fiance}::

Images by Nicollette

xx

:: A Beauty Tale- Bliss Serum Review ::

::bliss triple oxygen energizing serum/kohls::

Skincare has been very important to me since I was young, I started washing my face nightly the same day I started wearing make up! Finding the right routine takes time and can require changing up every now and then as products no longer work on your skin. I have become way more willing to try new products and different brands as I get older and thank goodness because this serum is amazing! 

If you splurge on any skincare item I recommend it be your serum or your moisturizer as they are 2 products that don't go right down the drain! This serum has seriously changed my skin for the better in one huge way- it is more consistent and breaks out less. I generally break out once a month right around the time I'm supposed to start surfing the crimson wave and since I've added this product to my regimen that has no longer happened! I've noticed a glow about my skin and a reduction in the size of my pores. 

This product is a bit more on the expensive side which is truly the only downfall but I recommend spending the money and it's a great introduction to the Bliss brand! Truly 10 out of 10 rating! 

xx