Review: Lovely ME:EX Nail Polish Remover (01 Pink)

On Monday, my best friend, Sabrina of The Petite Style, and I hung out in the San Jose area. After a long day of shopping our butts off at the Great Mall, we stopped by The Face Shop, which has been on my yelp "to try" list since August 2010. There were a ton of cool Korean products, but unfortunately, most things were just out of my price range.

Lovely ME:EX Nail Polish Remover 100ml, $3

I picked up two face masks and this nail polish remover. Initially, I was drawn to it because of the color and the smell. It doesn't smell like just alcohol, it has a bit of a fruity scent to it. I thought it was lovely at the time.

T H E . G O O D
I removed my Muppets mani from a few days ago since it was chipping. It took off Warm & Fozzie alright but left bits of glitter all over my hand, which may be because of the cotton balls I'm using. I found that it took off Excuse Moi! a bit easier than regular nail polishes, but I don't know if the glitter is less stubborn in this formula or if the nail polish remover actually removes chunky glitter better.

T H E . B A D
I don't really like the packaging. It's cute, but I don't find it functional. It has a medicine type of cap which is supposed to make it harder for children to open it, but it just kind of annoying. It took me a few tries to open it because I didn't realize it was a medicine cap. And even after realizing it, I would forget and try to open it again without pushing down.

Also, the opening for the product is tiny! I'm so used to large openings. I find that if you stick a cotton ball or pad in the normal bottles and do a quick upside down swish, it has enough product to remove a few nail's worth. But this one just slowly drips and because of the light pink color (which is nice) I can't tell how much product is dispensing.

The smell also started to be a turn off. I liked it in the beginning, but the longer I'm exposed to it, I can smell more of the acetone. Then it just smells like bad medicine with this weird fake smell.

I also found the product to be kind of expensive for what you get. It's a tiny bottle. For $3, you don't get much.

I don't think I would buy it again. Disappointed, to be honest. Hopefully, the masks will turn out well because I read some good reviews on it.

HG: EOS Lip Balm

I've been using EOS for a while now. I had bought it on a whim because of its shape and was pleasantly surprised at how great it works. I've already gone four of them: summer fruit, honeysuckle honeydew, and medicated tangerine, and strawberry sorbet [ which was eaten by my boyfriend's sister's dog :( ]. I just bought the sweet mint one today to replace the eaten one.

A little background on me. I tend to lose my lip balms before I can finish them. I would buy lip balms almost once a month and I don't even use lip balms daily sometimes (bad habit, I know). So when I found this product, it was a miracle that I've gone through, not one, not two, but three whole spheres.

I find the texture of the lip balm to be ideal. It's not too heavy so I don't feel like I have a lipstick or salve over my lips and it's not too light so it stays put when I mash my lips together, which I happen to do a lot. I know some people find it waxy and not very smooth, but I really like it. I guess it depends on everyone's own preferences.

I've out of the four I've tried, I actually like the summer fruit the most. I thought honeysuckle honeydew would be my favorite since I love honeydew, but out of them all, summer fruit has the heaviest scent and longest lasting of them all. Honeysuckle honeydew and tangerine have a pretty mild flavor and scent which is great for those who don't really want too much artificial flavor, but I don't think summer fruit is too bad. Strawberry sorbet is a pretty standard strawberry flavor, but it's not too fake tasting, which is nice. I really like the sweet mint one as well. When I saw that it was mint, I was a bit worried, but it tastes a bit like candy canes. It's really nice.

I didn't realize that the tangerine one is medicated. I haven't really noticed any difference between them, but it might be because I didn't use it regularly enough. I just use it if I feel like it.

I've tried plenty of lip balms and this one is basically my holy grail. I always have it on hand. I never lose it. I finish them. It's basically the best thing for my lips. :)

NOTD: The Muppets: Warm & Fozzie, Excuse Moi!

Merry Christmas everyone! :)

I decided to paint my nails today and I couldn't decide on what polishes to use. I was gifted The Muppettes (which are mini bottles of The Muppets Collection from OPI) from my Reddit Secret Santa and I really wanted to try Warm & Fozzie and Excuse Moi!

So I decided to do Excuse Moi! on my ring fingers and Warm and Fozzie on everything else. My god, these polishes are amazing. I couldn't capture some of the brillance of these polishes. Warm & Fozzie just looks like a shimmery brown gold in this picture, but there are a ton of red glitter that's just glimmers when you move your nails. It's so beautiful. I didn't realize there was going to be so much dimension. I definitely want to pick up a full size bottle.

Excuse Moi! was surprising for me. I thought it was just a glitter with a clear base, but it's actually glitter suspended in a pink base. It looks almost jelly like on my nail. I was surprised at how opaque it is. It's more of a deep pink, not super bright like a magenta, but not exactly red. It's kind of a hard color to describe actually. I really like it, it's super unique. There's a TON of glitter in it. I think there's some pink glitter as well as silver, but the bigger glitter particles are actually blue and green. I wouldn't have thought it would be a good color combo, but it's really nice. The color is actually lighter than the pic, but it's still really pretty and bright.

I really love these! And I can't wait to try out the other two colors. Maybe for new years!

Bras: The Atlas to Your Boobs

Ladies, let me tell you something that can help you drastically improve your wardrobe. ~*~*~THE BRA~*~*~. It’s surprising how this tiny contraption can change your look.

Unless you have some cute itty-bitty-titties (nothing wrong with that!), bras are essential to a girl’s wardrobe because they provide a basis for clothes to drape on. They can also help with your posture. I’m sure you’ve heard that most girls aren’t wearing the right size bra, right? Well, a lot of girls, even while knowing this, still aren’t wearing the right support. There are tons of bra styles and colors and shapes! It can get a bit overwhelming. Where to even start?


S I Z I N G
The first thing you should do is get measured. I didn’t get my first properly fitted bra until I was 16! Years and years of hiding under ill fitting clothes because I didn’t fit into my bra. :’( There are a ton of resources out there that try and help you decide what bra size you are with a measure tape and some calculations, but I would suggest going to a bra specialist first. They are trained to handle your hooters and help you find something that will make you feel and look better. If you’re nervous about going topless, they can always measure you under your clothes. Just wear something thinner (like a t-shirt, not a sweater) and expect to try on a few bras before you can decide which one fits well.

If you can put more than two fingers facing outwards between your bra and your body. If you can fit more than two, then your band size is too big, if you can’t even fit one, your band size is way too small. If your bra has an underwire, it should be laying flat against your rib cage, not on top of any breast fat. Your boobies should not overflow in the cups, unless you like the quadruple boob look. Also, if you find that you need to adjust your shoulder straps drastically just so that you feel supported, you’re probably wearing the wrong size. Most of the support should be from the back strap.

A common misconception occurs with bra sizing. Most people, *coughGUYScough* think that D cups are much larger than say B cups, but this isn’t necessarily true. The cup size changes according to band size. A bra that is a 34D has about the same cup size (volume-wise) as a 36C. So having a “D-cup” doesn’t really hold much weight. It all depends on your band size, which measures the circumference under your breasts. Confusing right? That’s why I recommend having an expert size you.

Also keep in mind that your breasts might change throughout the menstrual cycle. They tend to get bigger right before your period, which might warrant a different bra size. Gaining or losing weight might also change your bra size since your breasts are basically sacks of fat. :) Fun, fun sacks of fat.

As if bra sizing wasn’t bad and confusing enough, different manufacturers might vary on bra sizes as well. A 34C from Company A might fit you, but you need a 32D from a different company. I suggest that you try on bras in person or if you order online, make sure they have a good return policy. Bras are expensive.


E S S E N T I A L S
There are tons types of bras and I don’t really want to list them all. A quick google search can help. I think every girl should have at least one of these types of bras:

• A basic nude bra. Nude is boring, bland, but it’s an essential piece to have if you want to make sure that your bra isn’t glaring out from your whites or light colors. I would also get a black bra as well.

• A strapless bra. Ah, the ol’ strapless bra. It’s useful for those cute strapless tops or dresses. It’s kind of a love-hate relationship with me since I have larger ta-tas. Most girls with smaller boobs can survive with a strapless bra with two clasps. Oh, how I envy you. With larger boobs, I would suggest that you wear a long-line bra, which is a bra that has a longer supporting back strap so that the weight of the boobs is more evenly distributed, even if they’re a pain to get on.
• A t-shirt bra. These bras are supposed to give you smooth lines so that if you were wearing a t-shirt, the bra lines wouldn’t show.
• For the large chested, full support bra. It’s tough lugging around huge ta-tas all day. Sometimes your back just needs a little help. Full support bras usually have a wider back and shoulder strap.
• For the athletes, sports bra. Boobs are under a lot of stress when you exercise. You don’t want them to go flinging everywhere. If you have a larger chest, it also tends to really hurt. I would invest in a good sports bra if you’re serious about doing anything strenuous. You want the bra to compress your boob so that there’s minimal movement. These bras tend to make your boobs look funny. I’ve seen ones that section off each boob and compresses them. But you’re working out and your primary goal shouldn’t be trying to impress someone with your boobs. Also, I wouldn’t wear sports bras out normally because they give you that uniboob look or weird circle/triangle/any weird shape boobs.
• A feel-good-about-yourself/sexy bra. This is optional, but I’ve found that cute/sexy/pretty bras just seem to brighten my day. I don’t even need to be wearing it for a SO, it just makes me feel prettier. It can be a lace bra, a silky bra, a push-up, anything that’s a little different that makes you just feel good.

Note: I’ve once bought a minimizer bra and I really didn’t like it. It just smushed my boobs and made it harder to breathe. Your breast fat doesn’t really have anywhere to go, so a minimizer bra just pushes it to the side in an attempt to make you smaller in profile. I might just be a personal thing, but I don’t know.

B R A C A R E
I used to just throw my bras into the washer and dryer because I was too lazy to take care of my bras. This damages the elasticity of your bra and makes it wear out quicker. Try to hand wash your bras because that’s the best way to ensure that your bras aren’t damaged or roughly handled. If you must wash your bra in the washer, then try and purchase a lingerie bag so that it won’t get tangled with the rest of your clothes. You should shape your bras so that the cups are nice and full (if it’s lined) and air-dry it. I find that if I don’t shape and air dry my bras, they get this weird extra material on the inside, like it was supposed to be flipped inside out. 

I would also try to store it the same way you dry it, with the cups puffed out. You can stack them on top of each other like how Victoria’s Secret does it. It helps keep its shape. Also, avoid wearing the same bra two days in a row because you need to give the elastic some time to contract back. You gotta give it a break, it’s been working very hard.

Fun fact: Bras do not prevent sagging. They might make sagging worse. Your breast tissue will get weaker if your boobies are held up all the time. So, try taking it off once you get home and let your girls rest. They won’t droop lower because of it!


Disclaimer: I am by no means a bra expert. I’ve just pieced this together from what I’ve learned. I want to say everything is accurate, but it may or may not be a lie. (Just like the cake!) This is all really basic, so I would love suggestions and comments!

Also, love your boobs! There are so many insecurities surrounding them, but they don’t define you. Boobs come in all shapes and sizes and nipples can be large, small, dark, barely there. They are a part of you and you should love them!

Haul: Grocery Outlet

Lately, I've been toying with the idea of finding good deals on cosmetics and clothing. Yesterday, I went to Grocery Outlet, which is a grocery store that sells at a discount. Personally, I don't mind stores like these, but I don't think I would buy generic goods or produce from these places. Maybe I'm a bit of a snob, but I've been kind of pampered after going shopping at Nugget Markets.

But anything goes for packaged, name-brand goods. And I found some good deals. Here's what I got:

[Please excuse the iPhone pictures. My camera is out of juice and I can seem to find that darn charger. :( ]

Sally Hansen Salon Nail Color Set, $5.99

From the looks of these bottles, they're part of an older set. I think Sally Hansen changed their bottle design sometime around late 2009, but don't quote me on it. I actually really like the shape of these bottles, they remind me of the Rimmel ones that I love. I thought it was a steal at 5.99 since bottles of Sally Hansen can go up to 8 bucks or so and I got 5 whole bottles at 6 bucks, which puts them at 1.20 each + tax. Not bad, I say. I don't know what I'm going to do with the clear one, but the other colors are very wearable.

Revlon Assorted Nail Polish Stick, 4.99

I don't think this is an official stick that Revlon would put out. There were about 3 sticks left and there were two different combinations, but inside those combinations, there were duplicates so that there were only like 2 bottles difference between the two. I just picked up one since who needs two bottles of the same polish? At $5 dollars, each of these polishes put me back $1 dollar each. I think I might have some of these shades, but I can always give them away if that was the case. Who can say no to a bargain like that?

L'oréal Hip Duo in Moon Goddess 35, $2.99

I haven't bought any of the L'oréal Hip collection, but I'm always reading about how great they are. This was the only one of the shelf so I just couldn't say no to it. I haven't opened it yet, but it looks like a kind of purpley taupe and a charcoaly black. I figured these colors were pretty wearable and I don't think I have anything like the purpley taupe color.

TRESsemmé Curl Activator Spray, $2.99

I really like curling my hair, but I've been too lazy to do it lately. It never seems to come out great. I have like 4 curling irons and some hair straighteners, but my curls never seem to hold for more like a few hours, and even during those few hours, the curls are droopy and lifeless. I've been searching for a product to help create curls and keep them for a while now. I decided to give this one a try. Hopefully, it won't disappoint.

Overall, I'm happy with my purchase. :) I wish the cosmetic section of Grocery Outlet was bigger. It was the size of those end shelves that you see at the end of an aisle and there were many good name-brand products. I only go with names that I know because I don't know if I can trust any knock off items and my body is extremely sensitive to products. There was an elf palette too, but I decided against it because I have so many palettes now.

Wants: Bib Necklace

Crescent Leaf Necklace, Forever 21, $6.80

I've never been a huge fan of statement necklaces. I think it's just because I've never had one that fit my body shape. I remember when the long multi-strand necklaces were in style. I even bought one. But the strands would cling onto my boobs for dear life unless I wore something that totally covered me up. Even then, they would travel along the sides and frame out my chest to everyone. As if they weren't obvious enough!

Lately, I've been thinking of getting a bib necklace, one of those that goes across your neck instead of down your chest. I shop quite a bit at Forever 21 (cause I'm poor) and I kind of like, love this necklace.

My boobs more or less make a shelf for necklaces and it always draws so much attention to the girls. I think having something across my décolleté will draw some attention from my fun bags. Hopefully. In any case, these won't get lost in my cleavage. I think it would also balance out the width of my chest as well.

What do you think?

Thanksgiving

I've always liked Thanksgiving as a kid. The food, the family, the chatter, it was really cool. For the past few years, my family stopped celebrating Thanksgiving and I've always been kind of sad about it. My mom works during the holiday and my family just doesn't have the motivation to have a huge feast.

Thankfully, my friends started celebrating it together so I was able to have the experience. It was fun just putting together a dinner all together and catch up.

What am I thankful for? I'm thankful for the health of myself and everyone that I love. I'm thankful that I have a home. I'm thankful for my boyfriend, of course. <3 I really like the feelings that Thanksgiving brings about.

It used to be all about family and food, but nowadays, it feels like people talk more about Black Friday or how excited they are for Christmas. Don't get my wrong, Christmas is great, but do we really need holiday music for all of November and December?

Anyways, I'm excited to eat myself into a coma tomorrow. I'm celebrating it with my boyfriend and his family. :)

Edit: I think Thanksgiving should be reserved for family, but if you do want to shop for beauty products on Black Friday, you can get some nice deals online so you don't have to wait in the cold.

Temptalia has a list of codes. :)

Trends: Dotted Tights

Frenchi Dot Tights, $12

Frenchi Dot Tights, $12

I was browsing lookbook.nu today and it looks like dotted tights are appearing everywhere. I'm kind of excited for this because I've been rocking my old H&M pair for the last two years or so. I really love them to death. They're pretty sheer so I'm thinking about layering colored tights under it. I think it would have a nice effect. What do you think?

I'm actually kind of obsessed with tights. I really love fall because it means I can start wearing the thicker ones without worrying about getting all sweaty. I also wear these in the freezing (well, Davis isn't quite that cold) winters. I don't know, tights seem to feel warmer than pants. I also like wearing them in the rain because they seem to dry faster than anything else I wear.

Lusting for Leopard Wedges

Mercer Wedge Boot $110

Mercer Wedge Boot $110

I don't know why, but I've been lusting over leopard wedges. This is weird because I've never liked wedges and I've always thought leopard should be reserved for the cats themselves, but somehow, I'm dreaming about leopard wedges day in and day out. I'm particularly in love with the above pair.

I think paired with some skinny jeans, a simple tee, these shoes would be so fierce. If only $110+tax would just fall into my lap. :'(

Designers for Less: Versace for H&M

I've been hearing a buzz about the Versace for H&M. I've never been a huge follower of designers. Fashion came really late for me and I really can't tell designers from each other. I guess in a way, it's pretty lucky because I would be lusting over all these designer pieces that I can't afford. But I'm always impressed when designers do a line that's more affordable than their main label.

I've never really looked at Versace's designs, but when I heard about Versace creating a line for H&M, my interest was piqued. The lookbook is out and here are some pieces that I think are interesting.

Love the waist detail and the charming arm slits!

I really like this dress. It's simple, yet classy. I think the little slits on the arms just adds a hint of danger without trying too hard. I also love the detailing around the waist. Love the different textures and just the touch of gold.

How luxurious does this look?

Funny thing about faux fur. I always thought it was super tacky to wear fake fur. Why would you want to have some dead animal hanging off your frame? But as I look at more fur stylings, I fall more and more in love with the idea of a fur vest or a fur scarf. I think depending on what you pair it up it, it can either look classy or cheap.

Every girl has to have some sparkle!

As with the faux fur, I always thought sequins were tacky as hell. But I'm getting more and more adventurous with what I wear to go out at night. I love how sequins reflect off light. I would take off the belt though. I think the belt looks too bulky and actually takes away from the sparkly goldness.

This just looks badass to me.

I LOVE this jacket. The gold detailing is so nice and I love the juxtaposition of having leather and gold studs. I think the gold actually warms up the jacket. There's enough detailing to make this jacket unique and not tacky.

I don't know why, but the bondage-esque top screams out to me.

I really like this color. I don't know if I could personally wear this dress because I don't think my girls would be happy in the top part, but I think it's one of those dresses that I would admire off someone else.

I love the back straps, bust detailing and the layering of the skirt.

This is probably another dress that I wouldn't personally wear because it has so much attention at the bust. But I really love this dress. All the straps and the corset-inspired top makes it looks really sexy, but then you have the soft flowy skirt. It's one of those little black dresses that just seems so unique.

Overall, I really liked some of the pieces from the collection. I wouldn't buy anything, per se, but only because I don't have the income for it. Even though it's significantly less than the designer prices, the items from this collection aren't cheap, in my opinion. Also, there's such a buzz about these that I doubt I would even be able to get my hands on it before it's all sold out.

I really enjoy these designer collaborations with every day people retailers. I think it's nice to be able to get some designer pieces at a lower price. After all, a girl needs to eat.

Wants: A Mustard Scarf

Looks so cozy!

I've been hearing that mustard yellow is the it color for fall this year. I love love love this color, but I never manage to find something that looks right on me. When I saw this scarf, I fell in love. It's so bright and cozy looking! I think I would be able to brave any storm. I've been really liking oversized knits lately, but my curves wouldn't look good in slouchy knits. I think a chunky scarf is a great way to play with some bulk without adding weight. It just looks so comfortable. Alas, the $31 price tag is just out of reach for me. (Poor college student has to eat)

I'm hoping that the mustard trend doesn't go away because I really love the color and I think it complements a lot of skin tones. Plus, by next year, hopefully a job will come in and I can afford scarves like these. :)


The scarf shown is from here.

BzzAgent: Maybelline's Baby Lips

I got the honor of getting sent some samples from Maybelline through BzzAgent. I got some Great Lash Lots of Lashes mascara and their new Baby Lips line. I was super excited to try them out. I was going to try condensing both product reviews, but I haven't gotten a chance to try the mascara yet. So I'll post that one up at a later time.

~*~*~ BABY LIPS ~*~*~

Current selection of Baby Lips by Maybelline. Love the packaging!

Current selection of Baby Lips by Maybelline. Love the packaging!

I was really excited to get these Baby Lips products! There was such a buzz about these. Before I even signed up for the campaign, I decided to buy the peach kiss and drenched ones before I received my package. I was super excited to get the rest of them in the mail because now I can review them all.

Tinted lip balms have become really popular lately. I remember when Burt's Bees came out with their tinted lip balms and when CoverGirl came out with NatureLuxe. I'm glad that Maybelline decided to step into the game as well. I personally don't really like wearing lipsticks because they always seem to dry out my lips no matter how I prep them. I also hate lip glosses because they always seem too shiny or too sticky. I think tinted lip balms are a nice compromise when I just want a hit of color and a ton of moisturizing and protection.

In order of left-right, top-bottom: Quenched, Peppermint,  Cherry Me, Peach Kiss, Pink Punch

In order of left-right, top-bottom: Quenched, Peppermint, 
Cherry Me, Peach Kiss, Pink Punch

The balms all fully retracted into their containers so you won't have to worry about nicking the product when you put the cap back on. Also, all these lip balms have SPF 20 in them to protect your lips. I love that about them. I didn't even notice that the first time around till I looked closely on the package. Lips need a lot of protection, but are often neglected when it comes to sunscreen. I've had sunburned lips before, it was definitely not fun.

Here are some swatches:

Top-bottom: Cherry Me, Peach Kiss, Pink Punch

Same swatches, different background

As you can see, the lip balms are decently pigmented. They applied heavenly; there was no problem with tugging. I almost didn't know if any of the product went on. I really like the fact that the tinted lip balms and the colorless ones all applied the same. Sometimes tinted balms almost feel gritty, but not with these.

On my lips, Peach Kiss tends to blend into my natural lip color. I even thought these lip balms were supposed to be clear since I only bought Peach Kiss and Quenched. To me, Peach Kiss might as well be a clear lip balm. The scent is really subtle compared to the other ones, but you can detect the peach scent. I find it very pleasing.

Pink Punch is a nice baby pink. I think it is a warmer pink. On my lips, it looks a bit like a frosty pink. I've never had much luck with pink lipsticks so it wasn't my favorite color. I find that pinks just sink into the lines of my lips and stay there. It's not my favorite, but the scent. Ah, I love the scent. It does smell "punch"-like, but I also feel like I can smell berries. Though, that might be reminiscent of the color. It's stronger than the scent of the Peach Kiss, but still not overtly offensive.

Cherry Me is my favorite one in terms of colors. It's hard to describe, but it's like a nice barely there red. It looks like how your lips would look if you were having a good lip day. Does everyone have those? I have days where I wake up and think, "Wow, my natural lip color looks nice today!" Maybe it's just me. Scent's a typical cherry. It's a bit juvenile, but I don't mind it.

Peppermint has a nice minty scent. I actually really like minty lip products because they make my lips feel all tingly. Like the others, peppermint isn't too strong of a smell, but you can tell it's definitely there. I feel that peppermint is the one that you can keep feeling on your lips. I think the smell lasts the longest.

I had a hard time figuring out Quenched out. The scent is just so... unique. Because the name quenched didn't give any clues to what the scent was, I just kept wondering. My boyfriend said he could smell pineapple in it. It does seem to have a tropical scent to it, but I just can't seem to put my finger on it. It's not offensive, but it does make me double take.

Me wearing Cherry Me. Excuse my nostrils!

So I tried to take lip samples of all the colors, but with my current lighting/camera combo, they ended up looking all the same. I decided to put this one up so you can see the finish of the lip balm. It's nice and slick without looking too much like a lip gloss.

I wore these for about two weeks, but I don't find that they're moisturizing enough. They're very lightweight so I feel like they just disappear. Wearing them overnight seems to dry out my lips rather than moisturizing them, so I think I would limit them to day use. I don't think they're quite moisturizing enough for winter alone so I think I'm gonna layer them over a heavier lip balm.

Overall:

• Color: Like the Cherry Me, didn't particularly love Pink Punch, Peach Kiss is more or less colorless on my lips.
• Texture: Love the effortless glide. Has nice sheen, not too greasy looking, but has some obvious shine.
• Wear: Pretty short wear. I find myself having to reapply pretty much throughout the day, but that might be because I tend to mess with my lips a lot.

Final impression:
I really do like these products, but I don't think I would use them as much as I'd like. The weather has gotten much dryer and these products aren't moisturizing enough for my dry lips, but I think I might use them in conjunction with another heavier lip balm. If you want to try it, there's a coupon on Maybelline's facebook.

I love fall~!

photo source

Fall has come and I really love this season. As a kid, it would always represent the beginning of the school year so I was never really excited for fall to come, but now that I'm in my 20s, fall brings me tons of neat things:

Fall leaves. It's kind of silly, but I get this swell of happy feelings when I see leaves fall. It gives me inner giggles when I see a ton of leaves being blown off their branches, watching them slowly drift in the wind. I've always found the effect to be ethereal and calming. I always feel like I'm in a fairy tale.

The weather is really nice too. It's cool, but not cold. I'm a San Francisco girl so I'm not afraid a little chill. Plus I get to pull out my cute coats and scarves!

Hot drinks. Now that the weather has cooled down, it's finally time to pull out the hot cocoa, hot cider, tea, and other hot drinks. I love hot cocoa, but I don't really drink it during warmer climates because who wants to sweat while trying to enjoy something? Having warm drinks on cold days are the best because you can feel yourself getting warmed from within! Oh, I also love chilis and soups during this time. Yum!

Thanksgiving. I LOVE Thanksgiving. I feel like Thanksgiving gets overshadowed by Christmas. After Halloween, it seems like stores just switch to Christmas music and Christmas ornaments. I personally like the idea of getting together to give thanks and having a meal much better than the consumer crazy culture Christmas seems to envoke. Though, even Thanksgiving is being overshadowed by Black Friday...

Fall Fashion. I couldn't end this without talking about fall fashion! I really like the fact that we can start layering our clothes. And tights! I love tights because they keep me warm (sometimes I wear two pairs) and they're so versatile. You can dress up or down an outfit with just the right pair. I also really love scarves and hats. Fall lets me wear them without worrying too badly about being too cold. Winter just forces me to bundle up and it doesn't always look cute.

I also love the colors of the season. Right now forest green and mustard yellow seems to be everywhere. I've been on the hunt to find the perfect forest green nail polish.

I love fall. There's just something magical about it.

<3 Teresa