My Current Favorites: The February Edition

1.  Make Up For Ever Hydrating Base ($37): Hands down, the most amazing primer I own. It moisturizes my skin, provides a smooth base, and makes sure that my make-up stays put all day and/or night.  If you're planning on using foundation, make sure you apply this beforehand to get an even coat.  Your skin will look fresh and flawless.  Tip: if you're using a beauty blender, use this product to "wet" the sponge before dispensing foundation onto it.  It'll help the sponge absorb less and provide a supple looking finish.

2.  Exuviance Sheer Daily Protector ($42):  Thanks to brandbacker, I had a chance to try this fabulous product out.  As you all know, sunscreen is an absolute must in my book.  I wear it religiously!  If you don't use it daily, start doing so ASAP.  SPF helps protect your skin against photodamage.  This item's an ultra-fine transparent mineral sunscreen - the weightless fluid blends effortlessly on clean skin, or layered under makeup.  The universal tint smoothes imperfections and helps natural skin tone appear more even - a definite plus when you're too lazy to wear concealer, CC cream or the like. Multi-antioxidants Vitamin E and Lactobionic Acid fortify skin's natural defense, fighting free radicals before they can cause premature aging.  A PHA/Bionic complex helps prevent collagen breakdown to maintain firmness.  On top of it all, a highly purified and concentrated form of Green Tea Extract reduces cell breakdown and helps protect cellular DNA for healthy skin. Remember to shake the product vigorously for 15 seconds or so to ensure product consistency before use.

3.  It Cosmetics CC Cream ($38):  I am officially obsessed with IT Cosmetics.  You seriously can't go wrong with their line - all their products are incredible.  This CC cream is a multi-tasking beauty miracle.  ITC worked with plastic surgeons to develop this correcting cream, and it's clinically proven to improve skin.  It's infused with cutting edge anti-aging tech that improves texture, brightness and increases hydration by 79%.  The product's highly pigmented so it'll give you full coverage without creasing or cracking.  It also protects with SPF 50+.

4.  Make Up For Ever Artist Palette - Spring Flower ($44):  If you're looking for a fun new eyeshadow palette, make sure you check out Make Up For Ever's Spring Flower set.  It contains nine (3 perfectly matched trios) delicate yet versatile shades inspired by a fresh, blossoming spring bouquet. Innovative "gel-powder" formula boasts intense color pay-off and blendability.

5.  Jaqua Caramel Cappuccino Shower Syrup ($24):  Amazing shower gel that smells delicious enough to eat - a lusciously thick and creamy wash blended with coconut oil for deep hydration, mango extract for nourishment and avocado oil for softening.  This soap's made in the USA and tested on humans, not animals!  FYI:  they also carry four other scents:  buttercream, raspberry, champagne, and coconut.

6.  Shiseido Ibuki Multi Solution Gel ($38):  Zap zits effectively with this uniquely textured beauty gel.  It repairs breakouts, roughness, and dry patches while minimizing the appearance of pores.  You can apply it all over your face, but I recommend using it as a spot treatment.  It's gentle so your skin won't peel.  To fight an especially pesky pimple, use Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque beforehand.

7.  Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder ($34):  Love, love, LOVE this setting powder.  Get ridiculously smooth skin with this product.  Make Up For Ever's HD Powder softens the appearance of imperfections, fine lines, and pores, giving one an "instagram filter" like finish.  Your skin will look velvety smooth, and you won't experience any caking whatsoever.  This product's perfect for everyday use - it's invisible so it won't affect your foundation color at all.  TIP:  Use a powder kabuki brush to press and roll powder on the center of your face, then dust to remove any excess powder.  

Talking Fashion on Good Day DC: Three Fab V-day Looks

Workwear Wednesday: The Cowl-neck Sweater Dress

I'm super excited to share today's work-friendly look with you guys because I centered it around my latest bargain buy.  I scored this chic cowl-neck sweater dress at Old Navy for $11.97.  I don't know if you guys remember, but I featured this dress in black HERE back in November.  I ordered a bunch in different colors, but I actually ended up returning the gray.  I regretted it though -  it's such a great deal, and the dress is really versatile - so when I saw the piece on sale again, I re-bought it on the spot.  I highly recommend picking one (or four) up for yourself!  I guarantee it'll become a closet-favorite.  For your reference, I'm wearing a petite small.

 Bag:  Chanel (look for less) || Shoes:  Wild Diva (similar) || Dress:  Old Navy || Cardigan:  Saks Fifth (similar)

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The Quilted Vest

A few weeks ago, I went to Grove City's Prime Outlet Mall and scored big at their Banana Republic store.  They were having a huge blowout sale so I ended up getting 9 different pieces for under $85. This vest was a steal at $11!  I wanted to share my awesome find with you guys so I decided to feature it today on Sensible Stylista.  This piece has a sporty vibe so I paired it with a sweater, jeans, and sneaker heels for a casual look.  I threw on my Burberry scarf to top off my look and carried my Handbag Heaven tote to match.  TIP:  when shopping at an outlet mall,  stop by customer service first.  You can get a free coupon book at the counter if you have AAA.  If not, you can buy one for $3 or so - make sure you leaf through first though.  You don't want to buy it and then realize your favorite stores aren't listed!

Shop my look:

Shoes:  Cole Haan || Jeans:  Aeropostale || Bag:  Handbag Heaven || Vest:  Banana Republic (similar) || Sweater:  Charter Club || Scarf:  Burberry

SS Eats: California Tortilla

I've been all about eating clean as of late because I'm determined to get super fit before the summer. It's been rough though.  What can I say? I love splurging on unhealthy foods.  Don't judge me, it's a weakness of mine, ha.  I literally spend a half-hour every night browsing yelp, studying menus and looking at pictures of food to stifle my cravings. I know that sounds sad, but it is what it is.  Lucky for me, I have California Tortilla now.  I can satisfy my tummy while maintaining my figure! I came here for lunch the other day with a friend and had a fantastic meal - I'm talkin' serious flavor explosion in my mouth. 

Before I tell you guys about my delish meal, I want to talk a bit about the restaurant itself.  Firstly, it's super clean, and trust me when I say that that means a lot coming from me because I'm kind of a germaphobe - and by "kind of," I mean totally.  The restaurant is fast casual so ordering is quick and easy, and its comfortable and welcoming dining area is a great place to sit and catch up.  Sidebar: props to Jim, who took my order, for being super friendly and helpful with food recommendations! I went during lunchtime to the Bowie location in Maryland, so Cal Tort was bustling.

After I placed my order, I turned my head and saw *drum roll, please* hot sauce heaven.  They call it the Wall of Flame (!!!!) How awesome is that?  I have never in my life seen so many incredible sauces in one place - there are 75+.  I grabbed, like, ten different bottles and took 'em all to my table like a hoarder - whatever, I have no shame!  I absolutely love spicy anything so this was a huge, huge plus for me.  If you're a fan of picante - see what I did there? - foods, you'll especially love Cal Tort.

We ended up getting the Superfood Burrito, a unique and filling healthy burrito/bowl option, & the California Sunset Bowl.   

Nom, nom, nom.  Just look at this magical goodness.  As you can see, they do NOT skimp on toppings. This burrito is made with Mesquite chicken breast (or farm-fresh veggies if you prefer), Mexican quinoa (with black beans, corn, jalapenos, and salsa), feta cheese, roma tomatoes and fresh Hass avocados.  It's then drizzled with their own Avocado-honey lime vinaigrette - that they make in-house daily - and topped with homemade kale slaw.  The entire burrito has 874 calories in total, but I only ate about half because it was really filling!  Next time, I'm definitely getting the Superfood bowl instead because it's 600 calories (much less if you swap the chicken for veggies and go cheeseless)! You can customize your meal to your liking because they're super flexible.  FYI, this dish (bowl + burrito) is wrapping up in late March so make sure you get it while you can!  It's such a wonderful lunch option and/or post-workout meal.

Now, let's take a peek at their California Sunset Bowl.  Doesn't it look super yum? It has grilled mesquite chicken and fresh veggies on a bed of spinach, rice and black beans with low-fat Spicy Sunset sauce, salsa, cilantro and sliced avocado.  Can you believe that this giant dish only has 480 calories?  Anywho, both dishes were really good - so much so that it's hard for me to choose a favorite.  I'm not surprised that their grub is yummy though - they use delivered-daily produce and homemade sauces so I don't see how they could go wrong.  They don't do large batch-cooking so food's not sitting around!  Everything's fresh to ensure max tastiness.

...I took a pic of their chips just because, ha.  I'm going to come back on splurge day to get a bag of these babies with salsa and guac.

California Tortilla has locations ALL over DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.   If you're a fan of nomtastic Mexican food, you'll absolutely love this restaurant, and if you aren't, you'll still love this place because they offer dishes like the Bacon Chicken Club Burrito, the Blackened Chicken Caesar Burrito, and the Crunchy BBQ Ranch Burrito!  There's something for everyone so make sure you find one that's close and go immediately - your taste buds will seriously thank you!  

Also, make sure you take advantage of their Burrito Elito program.  It's totally free, and you get one point for every pre-tax dollar you spend at Cal Tort.  It's a great deal because they give you $5 in Burrito Bucks when you reach 75! 

PS.  Before I leave you, I'd like to add that Cal Tort is super green.  Their napkins are made from 100% sugarcane fibers, and their products are 100% compostable.  If you're interested, you can read more about their ecological efforts here.  Make sure you guys hit them up STAT!  You can keep up with them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Sponsored by California Tortilla, but all opinions are my own.

Wardrobe Must-Have: The Cable Knit Cardigan

A while back, I blogged about this fabulous cardigan on Sensible Stylista as a "Find of the Day." This is the first time I'm officially featuring it on here, but I've already gotten a ton of wear out of it as predicted.  It's seriously my favorite cardigan right now.  The piece just oozes steeze - I really can't recommend it enough.  There's just something about it that's effortlessly stylish.  You can dress it down with jeans for a chic look or pair it with a dress like I did for a casual yet polished vibe.  

To be honest, I've been having a really, really rough semester.  Things have been insanely busy, and as always, I find myself gasping for air, perpetually flustered.  I wish I could freeze time and sleep for a day to recharge, but unfortunately, that's not an option soooo tea it is!  In all seriousness though, I complain about being busy, but honestly I like having a packed schedule.  It keeps me focused!  I guess I kind of get off on stress, ha.  I skapose I'm a masochist.  How do you guys destress? Make sure you leave a comment below.

Anywho, for today's OOTD, I kept things simple.  I'm all about chic comfort lately because I've been working on history papers for upcoming doctoral comps.  This ensemble's perfect for a late night study sesh because the cardi's basically an oversized (and very fashionable) blanket.  I carried my beige tote from Handbag Heaven to hold my life (sold here) and threw on my fave animal print flats from Maumero (available here) for personality.  A pop of animal print is always a win in my book! OH, and before I forget, let me tell you guys a bit about Maumero.  They're a fabulous online shoe retailer run by owners Sam Lee & Susan Son.  Not only are their designs super cute, they donate 10% of their sales to participating charitable organizations of your choice so you can feel good about getting your shop on.

Shoes:  Maumero || Bag:  Handbag Heaven || Cardigan:  Off Saks Fifth || Dress:  Old Navy 

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Workwear Wednesday: Madewell's Lace Magnolia Dress

As you guys know, I'm a huge fan of Madewell - I raved about them HERE recently - and a serious lover of lace, so when I saw this gorgeous dress hanging on their sale rack,  it was pretty much love at first sight!  This piece originally sold for $168, but it was marked down to $79.99.  On top of that, I got an additional 40% off + 15% student discount, which brought me to a flat $40.80.  For $40, this piece is a serious bargain because Madewell clothing is legit, like designer-quality legit.  Stores like Charlotte Russe and Forever 21 sell pieces for that price.  Now, I'm not knockin' those stores at all!  Y'all know how much I love shopping their collections - I buy trendy pieces from them all the time, but I tend to look elsewhere for classic pieces that'll last me forever.

Everything about this dress is a do in my book.  The sheer sleeves are classy yet sexy, and the scalloped peekaboo hem is beyond cute!  The best part of this piece though, by far, is the fit.  It's as if it was tailored for my body!  As a plus, it's super versatile so transitioning from work to play is easy peasy lemon squeezy.  I do have some bad news though!  Unfortunately, you can't score this dress online for the same price I did - I looked it up for y'all, and it's marked $79.99 - but I recommend checking your local Madewell regardless. For those of you interested in the dress regardless, clicky HERE.  FYI, it's also sold in a beautiful cabernet.  

Dress:  Madewell || Cardigan:  Francesca's || Necklace:  Charlotte Russe || Bag:  c/o Handbag Heaven || Shoes: Kate Spade

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My Morning Routine

Alright guys, today's post is all about my morning routine - many of you have asked me about my schedule so I decided to blog about it today on Sensible Stylista.  My "morning" actually starts late in the evening.  I'm all about hustling so I make sure to prep as much as possible the night before.  I lay my outfit out and pre-cut veggies to save time in the AM. I wake up at 6 and down a glass of water with a probiotic - hydrating's super important so I go out of my way to drink copious amounts.  I throw on a sports bra and power through a T25 workout - exercising is a keystone habit so it's important to fit it in daily.  I then take a quick shower and cook breakfast.  I usually make a veggie omelette and eat it with a side of yogurt or cottage cheese - if I'm super hungry, I'll throw in a piece of toast with jam as well.  Lipton tea is my drink of choice. I used to be a coffee fiend, but I weaned myself off of it about a year ago due to stomach issues.  I thought I'd die at first, but tea's a much healthier alternative so it's for the better!

I love starting the day off with a cup of Lipton's.  Their new black and herbal varieties and improved green teas refresh the tea experience with bold and stimulating flavors, such as Enticing Chai, Orange Passionfruit Jasmine and Peach Mango.  I've tried all three of the aforementioned flavors, and they're all delish.  The multi-sensory teas refresh standard tea time, creating an exciting and unique drinking experience.  

After breakfast, I sip on more tea and write a detailed schedule for myself.  I lose track of time easily so I have to be strict with my alarm - I don't know really know when to stop otherwise.  I then work on my blog for a good 2-3 hours (this includes checking email and whatnot).  From that point on, my day varies depending on my work schedule, blogging events, performances, and whatnot!  It's super hectic but always exciting so no complaints on my end.  I do need to learn how to manage my stress better though. I also always tend to lose steam around 2-3:30 so I make sure to schedule a tea break with Lipton.  I'll either watch an episode of New Girl or rock out to some EDM to give my brain a break.  I like drinking Lemon Ginger or Enticing Chai in the afternoon - they're perfect pick-me-ups IMHO.  

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Felina Intimates

I'm all about Felina Intimates today on Sensible Stylista.  I've partnered up with them in honor of Valentine's Day. I don't know if you guys are familiar with their line, but I'm a huge fan of their designs because they're classy yet sexy.  I'll be featuring two chemises and a robe for y'all today. First up is FI's Alice Chemise, a stunning black and pink a-line that flatters like no other.  The lace bodice is just the right amount of girly, and the flared bottom makes the piece ultra-comfy to wear in and out of bed!  Available here for $39 - get an extra 15% off your purchase with code SENSIBLE15.

Next up, the Charming Chemise in black.  Love, love, love the lace lining.  Like the Alice Chemise featured above, this piece also has an a-line silhouette.  If you want something brighter, no worries, this item's also available in lilac, violet cheetah, and white HERE.  I actually thought about getting it in white - to match my angelic personality, of course, ha - but I went with my signature shade as per usual.  I don't know what it is about the color black.  I just find it effortlessly cool and sexy.  I could probably wear it every day...for the rest of my life.  Ok, I might be exaggerating, but you guys get the point.  I. Love. Black.

Before I share other faves with you guys below, I want to tell you a bit about my satin kimono.  This piece is super luxurious.  It has wide 3/4 length sleeves and a long tie belt that creates a faux-hourglass shape.  Available in 10 different colors HERE.

A few of my other faves: 

1.  Niki Bodysuit

2.  Lana Unlined Bra

3.  Niki Unlined Bra

4.  Mayra Babydoll

1.  "United In Love Pendant" Necklace

2.  Secret Admirer Heart Crossbody Bag

3.  Heart Gramercy Watch

4.  Stemless Wine Glasses

5.  Rosebud Iphone 6 Case

6.  Mayra Babydoll

In honor of V-day, here's sexy lingerie for your browsing pleasure:

 LEFT || MIDDLE || RIGHT

 LEFT || MIDDLE || RIGHT

Pixie Market Picks

I'm extra pumped to share today's post with you guys because I did a fun editorial-like shoot for y'all.  I'm partnering up with Pixie Market for my latest.  For those of you unfamiliar with the brand, you're in for a serious treat.  They carry the most unique designs!  Their entire site is legit - I swear, each and every piece is a gem IMHO.  I'm wearing their Fiona Dress below.  Isn't it beautiful?  As you can see, it's a flowy mini with lace cut-outs and chiffon balloon sleeves.

I only got one piece from their site, but I pretty much want everything they sell!  Here's my wishlist:

1.  Marina Asymmetric Dress

2.  Pale Pink Off-the-shoulder Top

3.  Teal Green Faux Fur Clutch

4.  Eyelet Midi Ankle Boots

5.  Black Quilted Leather Gloves

6.  Jeffrey Campbell Lace-up Flats

7.  Coco Black Cat Eye Sunglasses

8.  White Lace-up Blouse

I haven't done a look for less in quite some time now so I'm extra excited to share today's find with y'all.  Mansur Gavriel's bucket bag ($595) is an exquisite yet pricey classic made of tanned black leather.  It comes with a detachable wallet, adjustable strap, and customizable interior - you choose from 8 different shades. Due to its popularity, the bag has sold out completely - it's apparently being restocked later this year? Who knows when though!  Lucky for you guys, I found a fabulous alternative for a fraction of the price.  

Baginc sells a similar piece HERE for $109, which is $486 cheaper (!!!) As you can see, it looks a lot like the Gavriel, and by "a lot," I mean pretty much identical.  Let's talk differences though! The designer-inspired version is made of calf leather and is slightly smaller than the original - here are dimensions for you guys:  11.8" H x 9.8" W x 5.9" D vs.  12.25" H x 10" W x 6" D.  It doesn't come with a detachable wallet, and obviously, it's missing the Mansur Gavriel logo.  If those aren't dealbreakers for y'all, I highly recommend this bag!  It's super cute and versatile - perfect for daily wear. If you get sick of carrying your everyday tote, you can swap it out with this!  

What do you guys think of this look for less?  Is this something you would carry?

Workwear Wednesday: The Collared A-line Dress

I am officially obsessed with Betsey Johnson.  I was a huge fan of her designs when I was younger, but I stopped shopping at her store because it was totally out of my budget.  I was in high-school so yeah, I was perpetually broke...which actually kind of sounds like my life right now, ha!  In all seriousness, I found her line to be a bit much (borderline tacky) at one point.  I don't know what I was thinking though because I pretty much love everything she sells now.  Confession:  I spent a good hour browsing her online store last night.  Thank god for sales!  I enjoy looking at full-priced items, but unless it's a designer bag or coat, I probably won't buy it.  

That brings me to *drum roll, please* my new dress!  Isn't it freakin' adorable?  The collar is accented with faux-pearls, and the three-quarter sleeves are cuffed.  The dress is made of a polyester/cotton/spandex blend so it has quite a bit of give.  It's an a-line dress so it flatters all body types (reinforcing tip 6 of my "9 Ways to Cover Muffin Top" article)!  I scored this gem for $56.99, which is still pricey, but a good deal considering it was $168 originally.  For those of you interested in this dress, you can still purchase it HERE for $55.99 + free shipping at Saks Off Fifth.  Oh, and FYI, I'm wearing a size 4.

Shop my look:

1.  Sharper Image Bluetooth Headphones

2.  Fossil Leather Shaving Kit

3.  Coach Double Billfold Wallet

4.  Cashmere small dots socks

5.  Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity + Sleep Wristband

6.  Platinum Collection Entertainment Projector

7.  Sandalwood Carry-on Shaving Kit

8.  Big Blue Mini Wireless Travel Speaker

9.  Italian Silk Bow Tie in Dots

Color Combo: Beige + Gray

Hello, hello, hello!  I hope you guys had an amazing weekend with lots of R&R.  To start the week off with a (very polished) bang, I featured a chic yet casual ensemble for y'all on Sensible Stylista. I centered my latest around my favorite knit from Madewell.  I absolutely love shopping at their store because their clothing is effortlessly stylish.  Tip:  make sure you go straight to the clearance section in the back.  They usually have stuff - that's already reduced - on sale for an additional 40% off! On top of that discount, you get an extra 15% off if you're a college student or teacher; just make sure you remember to bring a valid ID.

Moving on, I've been really into neutrals as of late so I decided to stick with a classic two-tone color scheme for today's look.  I paired my top with gray skinnies and threw on nude wedges to elongate - these shoes are a godsend because they give me both height and comfort.  If you want your legs to look longer, find shoes that match your skin color to create a long, uninterrupted line. I threw on a beige moto jacket for warmth and carried a Celine-inspired bag to match.  I accessorized with a sophisticated statement necklace to top off my look.

Jacket:  Charlotte Russe || Jeans:  Theory || Sweater:  Madewell || Bag:  Chicwish

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