👜 Handbag Review ~ Louis Vuitton Graceful MM

Hello there! Today I’m sharing a review of my newest addition to my handbag family, my Louis Vuitton Graceful MM. I’ve been wearing it non-stop and wanted to share my thoughts!

David picked up this bag for me on a recent business trip to Chicago, he purchased it at the Louis Vuitton inside Nordstrom. He worked with Bryan, who was lovely to work with and more than helpful (send me an email if you’d like his contact info). I love using my double points day on Nordstrom credit card for larger purchases, the points really add up!

This bag comes with a luggage tag, a nod to Louis Vuitton’s heritage. Free hot stamping is included, so we opted for 2 hearts in red and gold and I love the way it turned out!

Miss Graceful measures 16” x 12” x 4”, is nearly weightless, and has a bright red microfiber interior which is great for finding things in your bag, as well as completely wipeable in case of any spills. I love the slouchy shape and the wide shoulder strap makes it very comfortable on the shoulder. I also love the large interior zip pocket, great for storing my keys and cellphone. 

The canvas is super sturdy and easy to clean, and I also love the dark leather trim, great for carrying in inclement weather without having to worry about water spots. 

If I had to find one flaw in this bag, I would’ve loved if the design included feet on the bottom, but I carry my Clipa handbag hook with me, so I can hang her from any bar top or table. I hate putting such a gorgeous bag on the floor~plus I’m superstitious~”A purse on the floor means money out the door”!  ;-)

There is an optional crossbody strap that can be purchased separately and I’m considering it have more carrying options. Crossbody would be wonderful for travel. 

All in all I love this bag and will treasure it for many many years to come!

Do you have a favorite handbag? Let me know down below, I love hearing from you. 

Thanks for reading, have a fabulous day. :)

PS~ A very Happy Father's Day on Sunday to all the dads out there, especially my Dad and the best fur-dad around, David. Love ya!!! 💙💙💙

Vaca Recap ~ The Windy City

Chicago is an amazing city and one that is near and dear to my heart. When David and I first met he was working and attending grad school in Chicago. We were long distance and spent many many weekends dating there. In fact, we even got engaged on the rooftop of his apartment on Lake Shore Drive! 

Whenever we have the chance to go back, we love exploring the city and everything Chicago has to offer. It’s such a quick plane ride from NJ so it makes the perfect getaway, and Southwest usually has awesome deals from Newark to Midway. 

Our view as we were landing at Midway

We love staying at the Drake Hotel. It’s a gorgeous Hilton property and so rich in history. It’s also perfectly located on Michigan Avenue so it's a quick walk to everything we like to do while we're in town. 

Our room-we had an executive suite on the 8th floor with great lake views!

The beds here are always super comfy too!

Not the largest bathroom, but big enough to get the job done. ;-)

The gorgeous view from the executive lounge on the 10th floor

Stunning flower arrangement in the lobby

David surprised me with an exquisite arrangement from the hotel florist!

I always check out the Red Door Spa when I’m in town and this time I had a hydrating manicure and I highly recommend it. The spa is exceptionally clean and I always receive the very best service. I also feel $28 is a bargain for a spa manicure and the polish always lasts a full week. 

Essie "Birthday Girl"

I also did a bit of window shopping as well. Michigan Avenue is an absolute paradise to me with all the best stores in one place. I love checking out Water Tower Place as well as the Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. FYI if you’re a hotel guest in the area you can show your room key at the Visitor Center at Bloomie’s for an extra percentage off during your stay!

And what’s a trip to Chicago with out some seriously good eats? No stay in Chi-Town would be complete for me without some deep dish pizza. Giordano’s is our favorite! They also sell frozen pies that are packaged for airplane travel so we like picking some up for an easy dinner at home. 

We also try to make a stop at the Red Apple, an authentic Polish buffet that ranks in the top 5 buffets in the country. It’s not fussy but it’s immaculate and the service and food are always exceptional. Make sure to have a shot of vodka with your meal, it helps digestion!

The cleanest buffet you will ever see

David enjoying the Red Apple!

Have to start off with some chicken soup. 

Traditional Polish cuisine such as cabbage rolls, sauerkraut, and schnitzel

We also enjoyed a fancy date night and had dinner at RL, Ralph Lauren’s restaurant. The decor is stunning and lush and very cozy. Luxe leather chairs, sterling silver vases with fresh flowers on every table, and lots of equestrian artwork on the walls. It’s upscale American food and everything we try there is always amazing. 

We had such a cozy date night in the corner booth

We had such a nice time and I’m already counting down to our next visit there!

Elevator selfie :)

Do you love Chicago as much as I do? What’s your favorite thing to in town? Let me know down below, I’d love to hear from you. 

Thanks for reading, have a fabulous day! :)

My Everyday Makeup ~ May 2019

Although I am very into makeup, I don’t keep tons of it laying around. Instead I keep a cosmetic case with my everyday look and I don’t purchase more until I run out. I feel like once you open and start using makeup on your face bacteria can grow. That’s why I also stay away from makeup blenders and brushes. 

Here’s what’s currently in my cosmetic case:

Face-
Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in shade C2-
Ever since I learned about his product in flight attendant training it has been the only thing I use on my face. It easily lasts 12 hours and isn’t heavy in the slightest. It creates a smooth, matte finish and I love that you can buy refills for the sponge that comes with it, it’s actually very good quality. I also use MAC Studio Finish, a creamy concealer, in shade NC15 when I need to cover a blemish.

Makeup Revolution Jelly Highlighter in shade Prestigious-
I purchased this from Ulta back in January and I have been using it ever since. The texture of jelly glides on so smooth and stays put all day. It is the prettiest rose gold shimmer and isnt full of glitter so it’s perfect for daytime. 

Eyes-
Too Faced Pretty Puppy Eyeshadow Palette-
I’ve done a review of this palette in a previous post and I absolutely love it! Aside from being cute as a button it’s full of 6 super versatile shades that apply beautifully and last all day without creasing. 

Jordana Retractable Eyeliner in shade Eggplant-
These are super inexpensive and work great! No sharpening needed and I find them at my local Walgreens for only a few dollars. I love this deep purple shade to bring out the green in my eyes. They also sell a great range of other colors. 

Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara in shade Excessive Black-
I am currently using a sample of this mascara and I love it. (I love getting 3 free samples with cosmetic purchases at Nordstrom). I love the curved shape of the wand to get all the little lashes in the corners of my eyes and I love how dark the shade is. It never clumps and it agrees with my contact lenses. 

Lips-
Too Faced Rich & Dazzling Sparkling Lip Gloss in shade All the Stars-
While I love playing up my eyes, I tend to only use a sparkly nude gloss on my lips. This one is so sparkly with a faint pale pink shimmer and smells like vanilla. It isn’t sticky and the packaging is so cute. 

Honorable Mentions-
I keep a few extra things in my cosmetic case (I've used this Cuyana one that I had monogrammed for a few years now and it still looks brand new. I am so pleased with the quality) such as tweezers for my brows, a Burberry gold shimmer lipstick for nighttime (I purchased it at Sephora in Poland-I can’t find a link for it), and a sample of Dior lash primer that I have been loving when I want to condition my lashes or give them some extra oomph.  

Voilà! Here's the finished product, my daily, everyday look. 

Do you have any favorite cosmetics you use daily? Let me know down below, I love trying new things!

Taking some time this long Memorial Day weekend to remember in my thoughts and prayers those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country and their families. Thank you. 

Thanks for reading, have a fabulous day. :)

Valentine’s Treat Ideas

Valentine’s Day is one of my very favorite holidays. Everything hearts, pink and red, chocolates and flowers, and a whole day to celebrate amore.

I love exchanging little tokens with the people I love, and if you do too I put together a little gift guide you might find helpful:


For Her-

Body Shop Strawberry Set-
Body Shop always has great quality ingredients, delicious scents, and effective products. This cute set is in classic Valentine red and would be so useful. 


BP Heart Sunglasses-

These make such a statement and don’t break the bank! I have a pair and wear them every February. 

Tiffany & Co Color Splash Heart Charm-

This is such a fun spin on the classic Return To Tiffany collection and who could resist a little blue box? ;-) 

It comes in the iconic Tiffany Blue, pink and black and you can add the charm to a necklace or bracelet. 


For Him-

J Crew Factory dress socks-

These have heart eye emojis and every man could use a new pair of socks. 
-A special someone might be receiving a pair of these. ;-) 












Versace Eros cologne travel spray-

This smells so clean and fresh with notes of mint, green apple, and lemon. It’s also a great size for travel. 

MCM card case-

I love MCM for their quality and sleek designs and this is such a classic piece he could use every single day. 




For Anyone-

Wooden Postcard-

Who doesn’t love getting snail mail? These postcards have really thoughtful sayings on them and would make such a sentimental keepsake.





Godiva Cherry Cordials-

What’s Valentine’s Day without chocolate? You can never go wrong with Godiva in my book. The classic combo of cherries and chocolate would be a nice treat for anyone. 

Williams-Sonoma Silicone Spatulas-

These are not only gorgeous, but they are such good quality and would be a lovely addition to anyone’s kitchen. A portion of the proceeds from this specific design goes to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital. They also have designs for No Kid Hungry, FEED, and The Human Rights Campaign. Such a nice way to give back while also giving a gift to someone you love. 




DIY-

Handmade gifts are the best gifts! Here are some ideas for gifts made with love:

Chocolate Covered Strawberries-

In February you can usually find some really juicy strawberries. I love to use this chocolate dip and make them myself!


Coupons-

A little cheesy but very thoughtful. You could make coupons for your amour for things like foot massages, breakfast in bed, anything you know they’d appreciate. You could always buy these and fill them in too. Be creative!


Date Night-

Plan a date night for your love. You could do something simple like a walk in the park or ice cream, something classic like pizza and a movie, or an experience together like a concert or museum. Spending quality time together is what matters most.




Hope that helps any Cupids out there getting ready! Thanks for reading. :)

Nail Polish Picks ~ Jan 2019

Bonjour! 

In the middle of winter I tend to gravitate more toward sparkly polishes-something bright and cheery when I look down at my fingers and toes. Also, glitter lasts on my nails longer than regular formulas. 

Here’s two glitter nail polishes I used and loved this month:


Deborah Lippmann in “Snowflake Kisses” with Etsy snowflake decals
                                                          

This polish came in a set from Nordstrom before Christmas. It’s a white glitter with the faintest blue sheen. I added a snowflake decal to one nail and then applied 2 coats of my favorite, Out The Door topcoat. This lasted two weeks!




Pure Ice Color in 991 “Spitfire” 




I purchased this randomly at a Walmart in Las Vegas last summer. I am obsessed with everything rose gold and this has quickly become my most used polish. It is a rose gold glitter and has pretty good color pay off with 2 thin coats. It reminds me of the more expensive Essie Luxe Effects in A Cut Above. 


What’s on your nails? Do you prefer bright colors or dark for winter? Thanks for reading, have a great rest of your week. :)

Winter Skincare Faves

Here’s a quick rundown of some perennial favorites for the cold, dry climate this time of year in my neck of the woods:


Clinique Comfort hand and cuticle cream-$24
The best hand cream I’ve found to date. It’s unscented, super thick without being greasy. It’s also convenient that it’s 2 products in 1. You can never go wrong with Clinique in my book. 

                               


Lancôme Hydrogel sheet mask-$15
This item is a bit of a splurge for being a one time use mask, but I love using these before an important night out, or the morning after a late night. Just one of these masks contains 30ml, equivalent to one whole bottle of Lancôme’s signature serum! I feel like it also locks in more moisture than the paper masks. Plumps and hydrated your skin in just 10 minutes. Very good on sensitive skin too.

                         

Laura Mercier Crème Brûlée Sugar Scrub-$50
This is such a luxurious treat in the shower. It smells heavenly and the sugar truly scrubs away any dead winter skin while improving skin tone. It comes with the cutest little scoop so you don’t have to stick your fingers in the jar. Also, I know it’s pricey but my last jar lasted me almost 6 months. 
                 
Sarah Happ Lip Slip Balm-$24
If a super thick balm is your jam, then this one is for you. It is the faintest color pink, has a nice light scent, and is one of the thickest lip balms I’ve ever used. I enjoy using this in the morning under lipstick and at night as a mask for my lips before bed. I also have a coconut lip scrub from this brand, very good as well. 
                                         
Bath & Body Works Pocket Bac 5 Pack-$6 for 5
A winter skincare list wouldn’t be complete for me without some sort of antibacterial hand product. With flu season in full force I don’t leave the house without it. (This little guy is cuteness overload and I think I need him.)
                                           

What are some of your winter skincare essentials? Let me know down below, I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading, I hope you have a fabulous week. :)

It's Christmas Eve!

What if I tell you the best cookie recipe I’ve perfected so far is only 4 ingredients and you probably have them all on hand right now? 

These are sure to wow Santa tonight, let’s get baking!


You’ll need:

• 1/2 cup butter at room temperature (1 stick)
• 1/4 c sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 c all purpose flour
• Optional-toppings of your choice-these are delicious plain but can also be jazzed up with sparkly decorating sugar, chocolate chips, or even sprinkles

Method:
Preheat oven to 325F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla with a hand mixer for approximately 2 minutes. It will start to look like buttercream.

Now with a spatula slowly add in the flour. At this point the dough will be soft. I always pop it in the fridge for a few minutes to make it easier to work with.

Roll the dough into walnut-sized balls and space them out on the cookie sheet, they will spread a bit. Push the dough down with you fingers slightly. Now’s the time to add your toppings if you choose.

Bake approximately 12-14 minutes until slightly browned. Let them sit on the cookie sheet for a minute or two until they harden slightly and are easier to handle. Now it’s time to enjoy! Try to eat just one, hehe. Bon Appétit!


PS-I also have to share this eye shadow palette that I’ve been loving lately. The colors are perfect for day or night, with a mix of matte, shimmer, and glitter shades. It has great color payout, doesn’t crease, and it’s scented like a sugar cookie. It is also mini sized so it fits perfectly in a cosmetic case or would be great for travel.
                                            
What do you leave out for Santa? Do you have a palette you’ve been loving? Let me know down below, I’d love to hear from you.

Wishing everyone the warmest of Christmas wishes and lots of time spent with loved ones.

Thanks for reading. :)