Clearproof

I've been using Mary Kay's Clearproof line for about a month and a half now. While my skin is not terrible, I get blemishes especially as my hormones change throughout the month. I often have blackheads, which drive me crazy.

Here's how I looked after one day of using the product:

And here's me today:

A few things impressed me about this product line. First, I am not great about washing my face before bed. I know, I know, but it's true. I wash off my makeup in the shower in the morning, so it's really important to me that I can use a cleanser on my eyes. Clearproof was great for this--no sting at all.

I was also impressed with the cleanser because it worked. See, as a teen, I used toner and it always found dirt or makeup my cleanser had missed. That was not at all the case using Clearproof. When I used the toner, the cotton ball came back just as white as before I swiped my face. Impressive.

Everything was very easy to use, though I really wish the moisturizer would help with either sun protection or help address thirty something skin, but I suppose we can't get EVERYTHING from one product.

I highly recommend contact your Mary Kay representative and checking out Clearproof!  You can find Mary Kay on Facebook at: Mary Kay

I received this product free to try from the Influenster program in exchange for an honest review. These are my thoughts completely!

November 13

No time for a photo yesterday, and the outfit wasn't really anything spectacular anyway... probably documented here somewhere already.

The same is true today, but at least I got a photo in.

I'm wearing my Pandora earrings, and a tee, cardigan, and pants from Loft.

November 10

I've tried this before, the chambray shirt and cardigan combo. The sweater didn't work so well then (and I don't think I had a mustard cardi), and it's not working so well today either. My sweater is too small, I guess, and feels just weird on. But, I went with it.

So, pants are Dockers
Chambray is from Kohls, I think.
Sweater from Loft
Belt is Loft
Necklace from Jane
Wearing my frumpy brown clogs too.

Hair, updated

I've been obsessed with my hair lately. Not really in a "wow, my hair is so awesome" obsessed way, but in a "I can't figure out what to do next" way. I have been admiring short hair for a few months, and I'm pretty sure I'm really just a short hair kinda girl, but I really love being able to toss my hair up in a pony, and I'm digging the tossing it over my shoulder thing too.

If you've ever tried to grow out a pixie, you know it can be a miserable experience. #firstworldproblems much? Yes.

I documented my journey, part 1 and part 2.

When this Timehop picture turned up today, I figured it was fitting to update with a November 2014.

So, without futher adieu, here's the November 2014 update. From super short pixie to below the collar in 2 years:

This photo was really taken in October, but so close to the end of the month that it totally counts as November.

Anniversary weekend!

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary in Atlantic City this weekend. We went out for an awesome dinner and I got dolled up. A nice blend of teacher wear and real life person wear... plus I am getting my money's worth on that Stitch Fix scarf I love! Apologies for the blur, darkness, and expression; my husband kept jumping into the mirror selfie.

Shoes: Payless
Jeans: They're blue though the black looks awesome in this photo: LC for Kohls
Top: Super old JC Penney
Cardi: Kohls
Scarf: Stitch Fix

Halloween

October 30

A crazy morning. I'm heading into my comfort clothing all the time, so we'll expect some dupes from now on, m'kay?

Top is super old from Dress Barn
Flyaway sweater from Coldwater Creek
Pants from Loft
Shoes are Merrell

October 29

Ooooo, the wrinkles.

All old stuff.

Jacket: Old Navy. The elbows have holes, and I'm wondering if I can fashion a sparkly elbow patch and make it work.
Top: Loft; received in a clothing swap
Pants: Dockers?

October 28

Oops. Busted wearing the same pants two days in a row...

I just got this sweater and although I do not look great in white, I LOVE it. It does require a cami underneath, but it does look great with a long tank and leggings, which I wore on the weekend but didn't take a photo.

Scarf: Stitch Fix
Sweater: Loft
Pants: Dockers
Sneakers: Superman Chucks

10/27

We had family photos taken over the weekend, so I'm rewearing the outfit.
Pants are Loft
Tank is Target
Cardi from Kohls

October 24

Comfortable dressy

Top: NY&Co
Sweater: Target
Pants, I'm not sure
Shoes: Clarks

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10/23

Top and pants from Loft
Necklace from Jane
Boots are Aerosoles

10/22

Professional day! I liked how this looked (I wore my Superman Chucks), but the orange top challenged my modesty...I felt on display.

10/21

10/20

10/17

Decisions decisions. I really like this new rank from Target. It has pretty detail on the back, is super soft underlay, but has this pretty black overlay.

I asked my husband if the fit was good, and he said fine but you need a sweater. I wanted to go with black and white and red (I have on red earrings too) but the gray sweater made it so colorless.

I couldn't decide on a necklace for pop and tried on 3. I don't know if the scarf is too much.

Argh!

10/16

Yesterday's shoes have my poor broken big toes crying, so flats. I may change I to sneakers before I leave, especially with this rain!

Shoes Merrell
Pants Loft
Top is old JCPENNEY

10/15

I got this new top from Target, and I really like it. It's such a pretty blue, and it has the fun ruffle in front. I thought it would go well with these navy pants I have from Loft, and I was right. This color combination is very similar to the one we used for our wedding, though the blue was more navy. The cream cardigan is from Loft, and my necklace is an old one from Kohls. You can't see it in this photo, but I'm also wearing my sapphire earrings. When I got to work, I switched into my leopard heels, which got a bunch of compliments today!

#clearproof day 1

I received my ClearProof box from Influenster yesterday, and began my regimen today. I washed my face with the cleanser, and was thrilled that it didn't bother my eyes and took off yesterday's mascara (not so great with the washing off before bed, not gonna lie).

I felt tightness since this is a new product, so I skipped the toner and used the moisturizer. It felt really nice, not too greasy but my skin also didn't feel too tight.

So, here's my day 1 photo. It's not a great one; I'm wearing mascara but no other makeup. Scary!

10/14

I didn't get around to taking a decent full length photo yesterday. I had a feeling this would happen so took a quick (and apparently terribly blurry) photo in the restroom.

I love this top. I got it forever ago at Kohls. It has a cowl neckline, but also plenty of coverage. It came with a thin black belt, which I replaced with this bright yellow one from Target. I wore my frumpy Clark's clogs and these tan Loft pants.

It was not perfect, but it worked pretty well and I was comfy... well, except that I keep stumbling over my clogs.

10/11

It's the weekend, and my parents are coming over for dinner. It's rainy and damp, so I'm layered up...and wearing my in the house shoes so my feet stay warm.

Shoes are Fila
Skinny jeans are Lauren Conrad
Top is Loft
Sweater is Coldwater Creek
Scarf from Stitchfix

10/10

Running late today, so my photo was at work. And the lighting is even worse than using the Camera Timer app at home. I wanted a little color to balance the gray, so I added the pink belt, which I'm never sure about. I covet bright tights, but it seems Target is all sold out of them.

Cardi is last year's Target
Blouse is last year's Loft
Belt is Target
Skirt is old Loft
Tights are ancient Old Navy
Shoes are Clarks
ID by UCVTS

10/9

I really love the idea of these pants, but in reality they are not working out. The waist is ever so slightly too large, and there are no belt loops. I suppose I could have the pants altered, but is that going to cost more than the cost of these pants? I don't know. As a result, I feel like too much of my low back is exposed, and that makes me uncomfortable.

I love this top, though, and it really works well with the necklace and denim.

I have my hair up today, and wish I had some great earrings that would work with everything else.

Top is NY&CO outlet
Pants are NY&CO
Shoes are Clarks
Denim jacket is ancient Old Navy Factory
Necklace is jane.com

My 1st Stitchfix!

My first one arrived today!

How it works: you pay $20 in styling fee, which is applied to your purchase. You set your style, tell them a little about yourself, set price points, then a stylist styles you. If you buy it all, you get a 25% discount. You can return it all (but then lose the $20) for free shipping.

In total, this would cost $177 (after the $20 is applied. It includes the jeans, all the tops, and the scarf.

My referral link is https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3625174

Feedback on what I should keep is welcome!

This is the Collective Concepts Diane Abstract Dot blouse. I thought I would love it, and was excited when I took it out of the box. But it doesn't look right on, the material doesn't feel nice either. Sending back.

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This is neckline detail on the Paper moon Ivan Embellished Collar Knit top, which is also below. I think it would look much better tucked in.

Ooooh, you get to see my face, and the weird expressions I typically crop out.

Oooooh, you can see the baby bump that has no baby under it. I like this top, but I'm not sure if it's flattering, or if it's worth the amount they want for it.

Here you see the Octavia Henry Birds Infinity Scarf, Sweet Rain Thomas Striped Raglan Sweater, and the Just Black Jimmy Skinny Jeans (which I'm also wearing in all the photos).

I love this outfit. I love the way the scarf looks with the sweater, how comfy the sweater is, and the fit and feel of the jeans. They really are perfect. But the jeans are not $88 worth of perfect. The jeans are definitely going back, but I am highly likely to keep this scarf and sweater.

10/8

I received my first StitchFix yesterday, but was way too sick to check it out. I figured this scarf would be a good thing to try out first. I'm not super confident about it; it's way puffier than scarves I typically wear, and the price point is much higher than I would pay, but I love the print and the color will work well in my closet.

So, today's outfit was sort of based around the scarf! 

Tee is from Target

Belt (recommended by my husband) is super old Gap

Pants from Loft

And I'm wearing my gray Superman Chucks.

10/7

I think of these pants as my frumpy, comfy pants. Their appearance signals returning to my rut. But boy are they soft and cozy.

Necklace: Jane.com

Sweater: NY&Co outlet

Pants: Dockers from forever ago

Shoes: Merrells, again.

10/6

Idk if any of it works, but I'm cold.
Jacket...old old navy
Blouse...Ann Taylor Factory
Skirt....old navy
Leggings and shoes...target

10/1

Well then. I loved this blouse. Then I looked at this picture. Hopefully pictures are deceiving and I don't get asked a million times if baby #3 is on the way. Sigh.

I changed my pants so I could wear flats. I know these shoes are not the most fashionable, but with the amount of hall steps I take this school year, comfort is key.

Top is NY & Co
Pants are Loft
Shoes are Merrell

9/30

What's black and white and red all over?

I love this cardi. I bought it a few years ago, in a size too small, but that didn't matter since I kept it open anyway. It seems to have shrunk, though perhaps I've grown, because the length is not right. But I really love the shape and beautiful cobalt blue.

I wouldn't have thought to pair a blue cardi with black, thanks to the navy - black combo looking "like a bruise," but the bright blue just works.

Shoes - Payless
Pants- Gap, from a friend's closet
Blouse- Lauren Conrad for Kohls

9/29

I was inspired by a friend's outfit today. I don't have cute brown flats so frumpy teacher clogs unless I can find my tan Mary Jane flats.

My cardi has shrunk, so I'm not feeling super confident, but I like how it all came together.

Pants and cardi from Loft. Clarks shoes. Tank from Target. Necklace from jane.com.

9/27

And here's where I show my fashion hot mess. It's the weekend. I typically wear jeans, a tshirt, and a sweatshirt. I mean, what's the point when I'm going to the grocery store, soccer, and an amusement park?

So I tried. Do you tuck in a tee shirt? Cause it feels so 90s, but NOT tucking is so shapeless. Maybe this shirt just isn't for me.

I love these jeans, but they look so stupid with the shoes. Flats won't work for what I'm doing today, and I don't think my boots will be comfortable enough for today. Maybe Chucks will be better?

So I tried, yet I still feel like a mess.

9/26

I'm fighting and surrendering to fall. I really went back and forth for footwear; the boots look black in the picture, but they are chocolate brown. I'm not certain of them with the black leggings,  but they looked better than the flats. I really want a full length mirror.

Anyway, all this has been seen before. Denim skirt, pink top from Loft
Necklace from Jane.com
Leggings from Target
Boots are Aerosoles

9/24

I ended up staying home yesterday, so that outfit wasn't worn. Today I decided the sweater is too short for these lower than anticipated (and no belt loops!), so a tuckable tank was in order.

I bought this scarf with a particular outfit in mind, but forgot the plan by the time it arrived. I wear it infrequently,  because it's so bulky, but I thought the colors brought my tank and cardi choices together.

Sweater, tank, scarf from Loft
Pants from NY&CO
Shoes are Clarks Primo

9/23

Happy birthday to The Boss!

I am thrilled with these pants, not least of all the great price I paid.  NY&CO had them on sale then I received a $10 off your purchase mystery coupon.

My sweater is from Dress Barn, I believe. Yesterday was so chilly in school, I wanted something a little warmer. Of course, this means today will be hot.

Shoes...these are from Payless. I'm not sold on them. I've wanted black pumps for awhile, but the leopard ones are the same style and not all day comfortable for me.

Back to School Night

I bought these shoes yesterday at a new (to me) store, MJM Shoes. It's owned by Burlington Coat Factory, but almost all shoes....and inexpensive!

I don't like slides, and would have bought with a back if they were available, but I'm super happy to have found a pair of shoes that aren't sneakers, but I can wear trouser socks. Hopefully they'll last all day.

For back to school night, I may switch into my leopard shoes, depending how I'm feeling. I chose regular teacher clothes rather than a special outfit, dress or suit.

9/16

I never feel comfortable in long necklaces like this. Am I wearing it correctly, does it work, should there be something closer to my collar.......

I realized this morning we're in that weird transitional time, and Capris aren't a good choice....yet I haven't gotten my fall clothing out from storage yet. This week should be "awkward," as my 7 year old would say.

I love this old top. It's so versatile, I found it on the casual side of my closet, though it belongs on the school clothes side.

Happy Tuesday!

9/15

Coming to the end of my new school clothes and Jane order. I was surprised that the pants were too big this time, and needed a belt both to keep the hem from dragging but also to keep the waist where it belongs.

I suspect I'll end up layering, since it's a chilly morning.

9/13

9/12

Bad lighting, but I'm wearing brown boots this jeans day.

Yesterday's outfit is already documented (black and white dress with red shoes).