Winter Essentials: My Favorite Lip Balms

Has anyone else noticed that Mother Nature seems to be awfully confused about what season it is? One day its -8º out and the next its 60. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for an early spring, but these constant changes in temperature seriously wreak havoc on my body. My allergies are going nuts, as is my skin (which can't decide if it wants to be bone dry or oil slick). Truth be told, if there is one word that I can use to describe my usual state of existence between January and April living here in New England, it's uncomfortable.

So what's a girl to do? Do you just need to suffer through three months of static shocks, frizzy hair, and dry hands without reprieve? The answer is no. Or at least, not entirely. Maybe you can't avoid the pain of your face being slapped by a wind chill of -25º while you're walking in to work, but you can certainly do something to protect and treat the bits of you that are exposed to the elements.

Perhaps the most crucial of all my cold weather essentials is lip balm. Chapped lips can range from annoying to downright painful, which means I am all about taking the necessary steps to prevent them. And as your resident beauty enthusiast, it also means that I am forever on the hunt for that life changing, Holy Grail, ultimate savior from angry lips. Which, of course, brings us to today's post. I'm sharing 5 tried and true balms for surviving winter chap-free.

Get Your Chocolate Fix (Minus the Calories)

Valentine's Day is around the corner, and regardless of how you might be feeling about the holiday, I think there is one thing many of us can agree on - a love for all things chocolate is always worth celebrating. If you #treatyoself to a giant box of chocolates and don't feel like sharing with anyone, I will not judge! You indulge. You deserve it. But if you're craving a bit of cocoa infused goodness and don't want to totally infringe on your New Year's healthy eating resolutions, I've got a solution for you! Why not opt for one of these glorious, chocolate scented beauty products instead? Not only are they crazy decadent, but they'll definitely last longer than a candy bar!

Skincare Week: An Intro to Facial Oils

When it comes to skincare trends, face oils are currently having a bit of a moment. It seems like every other day there's a new nut or plant or tree that's being pressed into the latest and greatest luxury oil (although I'm sure the communities where they are coming from have been utilizing them already for years). As someone who within the last decade was terrified of anything with the word "oil" in it, embracing this skincare trend was another counterintuitive step towards getting my face in check. I'm definitely still in the process of learning what differentiates one oil from the next, and if there is such a thing as a "best" oil for my particular skin.

Holiday 2015 Preview: Gift Sets Galore

Is it just me, or do stores release their holiday goodies earlier and earlier every year? Maybe it seems a little crazy, what with it not even being Halloween yet, but at the same time, we all know that the 3 month stretch leading up to the Holiday season basically flies by. So what does it hurt to start making that wish list early? Or to get a head start on your gift shopping? We're all friends here. You know I won't judge! From skincare, to makeup, to beautiful brushes, the beauty world has really amped things up for the 2015 holiday season, and there are a TON of amazing gift sets to give or to get. To help you narrow down the sea of choices, here are a few of my top picks!

Spring 2015 Wish List - Prestige Makeup Picks

After yet another snowy morning commute to work, I am SO ready to welcome any sign of spring. Given that there are still mountain high piles of slush and ice everywhere I turn, I have a feeling it might be a while before I see any flowers budding or greenery growing. My solution? To distract myself with pretty pastels, sheer shimmers, and petal hued cosmetics that have me daydreaming of sunshine and warmer weather.

On-the-Go Handbag Must Haves

If you read my previous handbag post you'll know that I'm a regular Mary Poppins when it comes to my purse preferences. I like to be able to carry my whole life around with me (although a floor lamp might be a little bit much), and my Kate Spade tote is THE perfect bag to do so. Not only is it gorgeously stylish, it's also the first bag that I've ever owned which is both roomy and easy to keep organized. As much as I often feel like I could never need another handbag in my life, I've come to realize that it's not the most practical thing to carry while running around. Since I pack so much in there, it can get a bit heavy, and I often tie up an arm keeping it tucked under my shoulder. So, when I saw this beautiful cross body last week during Kate Spade's surprise sale, I knew I had found the perfect lightweight cousin to my beloved tote.

Handbag Essentials

It's official. I've finally splurged and bought my first designer handbag.

So I bought it from the outlets at less than half the retail price. STILL COUNTS.

While I'm all about purses, shoes, scarves and the like, I've never been one to shell out insane amounts of money on accessories. Actually, I've never been one to shell out insane amounts of money on anything. I think there is something to be said for spending a little extra on a quality piece, but if I can avoid paying full price, you can bet that I will find a way.

Up until this point, the majority of my purse collection has been a mishmosh of Kohl's clearance rack purchases and retired Vera Bradley pieces. And while I do still love them all, with their various shapes, sizes, and funky patterns, they don't always scream "professional adult". I decided it was about time that I bit the bullet and bought myself a beautiful, classic leather handbag that I could rock through any season.

The outlets offered me many a choice in designer labels - Michael Kors, Coach, Tory Burch, Cole Haan, Fossil, Guess. In the end, though, I found my calling with Kate Spade, whose playful yet sophisticated style is right up my alley.

Of course, with a new handbag in my possession, I've got to show you some of my favorite essential items that I'll be packing in to it. Take a peek!

Sephora Summer Sale Haul

Even though the weather has decided to get a head start on things over the past few weeks, it is finally officially the first day of fall! As much as I love the summertime, my inner New Englander does appreciate fall just about as much. From the changing leaves, to pumpkin everything, to apple picking, to breaking out the boots and sweaters and scarves there is a lot to look forward to over the coming months.

I have SO many things I have to share with you all. Right now I literally have about 5 different posts in progress - my September favorites, my Birchbox and Glambag reviews, a quick overview of the awesome haul I got at the Grand Opening of the new ULTA a few towns over, and my thoughts on the timeless red lip. I have had such a crazy week though, and this is the first day that I'm actually able to sit down and write. So...expect a lot of updates over the next couple of days as I'm finally able to wrap things up!

In the meantime, I have a long overdue review of my haul from the Sephora Summer Sale. A lot of these products are still available at the discounted price, so you may able to snag them if you are interested.

Lazy Day Look & Free Sample Friday

I love the summer.

The heat, the sunshine, the longer days, trading in regular coffee for iced, shoes that show off my latest pedicure...everything about the summertime just makes me feel a little bit happier to be alive.

I think I'm in a little bit of shock that it's already July. The summer months always seem to fly by so quickly, despite my attempts to savor them as much as possible. As a birthday gift to myself I decided to take the 3rd-5th off from work and it has been FANTASTIC. I've already had a whole weekend's worth of time and it's still only Friday!