March 27, 2014

Floppy Hat & Layered Chains


It's no secret that I'm more than obsessed with huge, chunky and most of the time gaudy necklaces. I was pleasantly surprised to find Forever 21's newer section of statement necklaces during one of my visits about a month ago; not only were they reasonably priced, they were absolutely gorgeous. Naturally I picked up a couple with the intention of stacking them like my Xevana chains. I thought these two went together perfectly and they even layered like they were made for each other, so I was very much satisfied with my $25 purchase. I've seen pieces similar to these in stores for close to $100 a piece so I'm still in shock I got them both for 1/4th the price.

As for my booties, I purchased them a few months ago but had to let them sit for awhile because it was far too cold to walk around sock-less. Since the weather is slowly starting to warm up, I've been able to wear them out comfortably. They are a bit old and of course, sold out, so I did link a similar pair below. I'm really into the cut out bootie look for this spring and have definitely invested in a couple more pairs that I cannot wait to wear out.

DSC_0336 DSC_0346 DSC_0340 DSC_0355 DSC_0342 DSC_0341 DSC_0350 DSC_0352 DSC_0349 DSC_0351 DSC_0353 DSC_0337
DSC_0344

OUTFIT DETAILS
top: originally PacSun, similar Forever21
denim: high rise seamed jean, UrbanOutfitters
booties: originally GoJane, similar GoJane
hat: originally Forever 21, similar AmericanApparel
necklace: cool girl layered chain necklace, Forever21
necklace 2: traveler faux coin bib necklace, Forever21
clutch: originally Steve Madden, similar GypsyWarrior

March 26, 2014

Skin Care 101: Pt II


I've gotten a lot of requests to do an updated skin care routine and since I recently changed a few of my steps, what better time than now? In case you missed my first post (Skin Care 101) and you don't feel like reading through my older skin care ramblings,  I do not suffer from any sort of severe breakouts, blemishes, dry/oily spots, etc. However, I do suffer from each of those symptoms moderately when the seasons change, specifically summer to fall or winter to spring. Since we experience frequent temperature changes during those two time periods, skin tends to react to it just as we do. 

Every year during these times I make sure I head over to Lush to pick up at least one of their Fresh Face Masks because they are the only things that seem to control and cure my oily/dry spots, small breakouts and any other issues I have at the time. I've been experimenting for the past few years with which masks work best for me during which time so below is my current winter to spring regimne.

Since my last skin care post I have also switched over to Lush products completely and am extremely happy with the results so far. Since we all have different skin types, my specific regimen may or may not work for you, luckily the lovely ladies and gentlemen at Lush are a lot more knowledgeable than I am in this field and will always help you out. Since I am in no way, shape or form trained in skin care all of my advice is from personal experience with a little help from my friends at Lush.


CUPCAKE
Fresh Face Mask @ Lush / $6.95
DSC_0274
This is my go-to mask for this time of year, since I mentioned that my skin does get a little oily as the weather is constantly changing from hot to cold, after just one use I noticed a huge difference. If you aren't familiar the Fresh Face Masks, they only last about two weeks because they're generally made with food products and need to be refrigerated at all times.. therefore they do expire. So, after my two weeks are over, my oily spots are completely gone and my skin settles into the weather perfectly. It also smells like chocolate so what more could I ask for?


THE SACRED TRUTH
Fresh Face Mask @ Lush / $6.95
DSC_0273
This year I also incorporated a second mask into my routine and although this one isn't made from chocolate it still smells great and gets the job done. I picked up this mask specifically to deal with any sort of unevenness in my skin while it's going through its weather changing stage. The lovely lady at Lush explained that the ingredients act as a toner and would help to calm any redness and help with any dry spots while the other mask helped with oily spots. I used each of these masks over a two week period (alternating every other day or two) and am extremely pleased with how well my skin is adjusting to the weather change.


OCEAN SALT
face & body scrub @ Lush / $21.95
DSC_0290
 I've recently purchased Ocean Salt to use as my exfoliator and I personally feel that it does a much better job than anything I've previously used (it also strangely tastes like a salty Margherita if you accidentally eat some). I will say that it is a little more harsh than anything else I've used in the past so I don't have to use it every single day. To me, this is one of the most important parts of my routine and I always stress it to other's as well so here's my excerpt from my last post that has a lot more detail on exfoliating:

"I'm pretty sure I've said it about 80 times already, but I feel that it is one of the most beneficial things you could do for yourself. When I was younger I was obsessed with using any face wash with the "little beads" because I thought they were fun. Little did I know, I was giving myself an early start to training my skin to "renew" itself for the rest of my life. If you exfoliate correctly and care for your skin afterward, you actually teach your skin to build collagen or "renew" itself constantly, thus creating healthier, younger looker skin. I take about two minutes every other day to exfoliate with St. Ives Apricot Scrub while I'm in the shower by using only use the tips of my fingers so that I don't apply too much pressure and damage my skin. This is also an important step for any gentlemen interested in skin care, not only will it leave your face feeling smooth it will also get any dirt out of your hair follicles that may cause razor bumps after shaving."
(I bought this product to replace my St. Ive's Apricot Scrub)


ULTRABLAND
facial cleanser @ Lush / $16.95
DSC_0281
A few months ago I chose to replace my makeup remover with Ultrabland because at the time I needed something that would not only take off my make-up but moisturize my face as well. Although I do love it and use it every day, I will say that is on the thicker side so I'm not sure that it will work for any and all skin types. Even though I've only been using this specific product for a few months, I've noticed that my skin is generally softer, more smooth and there is little to not makeup left over on my skin afterwards.
( I bought this product to replace my Neutrogena Oil-Free Make-Up Remover)


9 TO 5
cleansing lotion @ Lush / $21.95
DSC_0303
My best friend Lipsa introduced me to this product years ago and I still swear by it. If you now Lipsa personally her skin is flawless which is why I trusted her opinion on it, you can find her on instagram (@Lipsaaaaa) to see exactly what I mean. I use this product after taking off of my make-up to make sure I don't go to sleep with any left over dirt in my pores which can potentially turn into dreaded pimple or breakout. I also strongly suggest this product for guys who don't typically wash their face before bed, I can guarantee you'll find some dirt on your cotton pad after using it. 


TEA TREE WATER
toner water @ Lush / $21.95
DSC_0296
Although I still do use the Breath of Fresh Air toner I listed in my previous post, I wanted to try a different toner that would really control my un-even skin while the weather is changing. Since the Breath of Fresh Air is exactly what it's name says it is, I use it mostly during the summer months when it's extremely hot and I feel like my skin needs a drink. I carry a smaller bottle of it in my purse to use in case of an emergency and it really does work wonders. I use a few sprays of the Tee Treat Water on my skin after cleansing and I even spray it on my pillow since it has antibacterial properties. Since I've been using it I have definitely noticed my skin is more even toned and I've experienced less oily and dry spots.


COSMETIC LAD
facial moisturizer @ Lush $21.95
DSC_0279
I switched over to this moisturizer as the winter moths were ending because I didn't need anything too heavy anymore. Not only is it extremely light, it also smells amazing. I always use my moisturizer after I use my toner water and while my face is still a little bit damp, that way they mix together easily. If you chose to do it in this sequence you'll also find that you won't have to use as much moisturizer as you would if you used your toner afterwards.
(I bought this product to replace the Imperials Facial Moisturizer also from Lush)


GREASE LIGHTNING
tea tree cleanser @ Lush / $13.95
DSC_0282
This product has been a life savior in a bottle for me these past few years. Every time I get a pimple or break out, I apply a small dab of it and let it sit either while I'm out or over night. If you put it on before bet, you'll definitely notice results when you wake up in the morning. Not only does it clean the area to keep bacteria from making the problem worse, the witch hazel also helps with any potential scarring. Since the bottle is relatively small I always carry it around with me in case a pimple or break out pop up during the day.


Not only do I strongly believe in these products for myself for reasons I've listed in this post and my previous post as well, I have also seen them work first hand on my friends & family (gentlemen included). Although the products are generally a bit pricy in comparison to drug store products, the results are definitely worth spending a little bit extra. Not only are the products 100% vegan, Lush is  also fighting against animal testing which is a huge factor for a lot of us when deciding which companies to support. They also have a really great recycling program where if you bring back five empty pots they give you a Fresh Face Mask for free. As I said earlier, I've been perfecting my skin care routine for years now so everything I've shared is solely from personal experience and I definitely wouldn't feel the need to share my story with you if I didn't believe in it as much as I do.

Hopefully this post helped if you were in need and answered any of your questions about Lush products or which products I use and why, of course if you have any other questions please leave them below and I will always get back to you. 

(the comment section is working now, just click "post a comment" below)

xo

March 22, 2014

The Patterned Pant


I picked up these pants about a year ago and saw a pair almost identical in the mall recently, so seeing that they're still relevant I figured I would share how I usually style them when the weather isn't exactly... warm. For these specifically, I always wear a solid shirt because the pattern is so busy, sometimes I'll experiment with mixing lace and patterns but this time it was a definite no-go. Since the front of this leotard is as plain as it gets it doesn't take away from the pants at all. The back is very low cut, too low cut to even wear a bra, which makes up for the plain, round neck of the front. Maybe I put too way much thought into my plain clothing, I'm hoping I'm not the only one!

Like most of the things I wear- I tend to buy in bulk and this style of pant is definitely no exception. Over the past year they've become a lot more popular which explains why I've had to dedicate an entire drawer of my dresser to them. They're extremely easy to dress up for a night out by throwing on a pair of pumps and a blazer (which I used wear to work all the time) and easy to wear to more causal places like the beach (with a pair of flip flops and a bikini top). To top it off they're always reasonably priced, I don't recall spending more than $30 on a pair yet so I'll be sure to link some of my current favorites below.

DSC_0075 DSC_0076 DSC_0069 DSC_0085 DSC_0078 DSC_0072 DSC_0070 DSC_0068 DSC_0081 DSC_0079 DSC_0086

OUTFIT DETAILS
bottoms: originally Charlotte Russe, my current favorites: Forever21 CharlotteRusse UrbanOutfitters
leotard: double U-neck long sleeve bodysuit, AmericanApparel
shoes: Jeffrey Campbell Tatum ankle-strap platform wedge, UrbanOutfitters
hat: originally PacSun, similar Forever21
sunglasses: Vogue cat-eye sunglasses from SunglassHut sold out, similar UrbanOutfitters
watch: Marc Jacobs small Amy crystal bracelet watch, Nordstrom

In case you haven't heard I did make a new twitter which you can find here @CoriBetch
or if you're only on instagram, you can find me here @CoriBetch as well

March 19, 2014

Off-Whites


I had absolutely no intention of buying anything spring related until the weather finally started warming up, but when I came across these cream tuxedo pants I just couldn't help myself. I'm really into this year's trend of mixing cream, ivory & nudes together so my shoe and bag choice were a no brainer. Since it's not quite spring yet I chose to darken it up with a black off the shoulder crop I got earlier this winter; not that I'm one for following any season related fashion rules- I just didn't want to stand out too much when I went out. I'm sure you've noticed how often I use this clutch/chain bag from Gypsy Warrior and I can assure you that I will use it until it literally falls apart, I just can't seem to let go of it! Since it finally sold out on their website I did link an almost identical version I found on Etsy below. 

March 16, 2014

Men's Feature: Everyone


Among the long list of my very talented friends there are also plenty whose style never fails to impress me. I've been thinking about doing a men's feature every once in a while to showcase my oh-so stylish male friends and since this is my very first, I wanted to do something extra special. Much like us ladies, all guys have their own personal style which I am always extremely interested to learn about, especially those who spend the extra couple of minutes to pick out their version of a perfect outfit.

March 12, 2014

Leather & Lace Playsuit


I've been waiting over a month for a chance to break out this playsuit so of course I jumped at the opportunity when it was 60 degrees and sunny.... for a day. Even with a pair of tights this bad boy isn't cut out for the winter because the shorts are extremely thin, but, at least the top portion is a bit warmer since it's faux leather. I cannot wait to wear it without having to worry about layering to keep warm, it killed me to have to hide all of the beautiful lace lined details under a kimono and jacket.

 My friend spotted these wedges while he was out shopping (he recognized the box from my room because I'm a sucker for JC's) and since they were the last ones and my size on top of that, we knew it was meant to be! I was going to try to hold off on wearing them until the spring but, I could only contain myself for a few days. I wore them for about 8 hours and they were super comfortable, so, definitely worth the investment!

March 10, 2014

Jersey Crop & Chain Pumps


I was head over heels in love with the temporary spring weather this weekend, it was so nice to go out in a skirt without having to worry about ripping through a pair of tights with my nails. Even though I had to wear a light jacket I was still beyond grateful to be able to wear this outfit comfortably and without having to freeze to death. Since I've already expressed my new found love for jersey tee's, this silver lined crop from Tobi had to be a part of my collection... as well as this knee length pencil skirt. Since the crop is loose and flowy I wanted to pair it with tighter and more feminine pieces to give it a different look.

DSC_0097 DSC_0073 DSC_0094 DSC_0104 DSC_0078 DSC_0095DSC_0089 DSC_0100 DSC_0072 DSC_0103

OUTFIT DETAILS
top: jaywalk crop top, Tobi
skirt: miss interpreting pencil skirt, Tobi
necklace: Nemesis x Elektra & Titania x Isis, Xevana1 Xevana2
pumps: street chic faux leather pumps, Forever21
clutch: find out how I made it on Vinted

March 6, 2014

Pmpn 8 Ez


I've been waiting quite some time to get my hands on this jersey and it was everything I wanted and more when it was finally in my possession. I was never much of a fan of them until recently.. I used to be that person at a sporting event who wore regular clothes because I was so anti-jersey. Since this one is longer, it's perfect with a pair of thigh highs so I cannot wait for it to get a little bit warmer. Since jerseys are typically associated with guys and give off a bit of a tomboy vibe (much like the boyfriend jeans I wore in the previous post) I wanted to pair it with more feminine pieces- and what better way to do that than with a pair of pumps. I've recently been obsessing over ivorys, nudes and whites which explains my shoe & pant color combination below.

DSC_0034 DSC_0036 DSC_0049 DSC_0038 DSC_0054 DSC_0047 DSC_0037 DSC_0042 DSC_0046

OUTFIT DETAILS
top: Pmpn 8 Ez jersey, DanielleGuizio
denim: originally PacSun, similar PacSun
pumps: gift from my Mom , similar Zappos
clutch: originally Gypsy Warrior, similar Etsy
ring: YSL Arty Ovale Ring, SaksFifthAvenue
watch: Riley Rose Gold Plated watch, Fossil
sunglasses: WayFarer folding classic, RayBan
Powered by Blogger.
Designed By Boutique-Website-Design