Return to Normalcy.

My mom sent up a package last week with a dress she repaired for me, and of course, guess what else was in the box? Articles! (Between you and me, I think she's fairly excited that I actually take a gander at all of these ripped out pages of magazines ... much less post some cool finds on here, so humor us!)

This batch was really good. I wish I could sit on some of these neat things for a drought, but I can't. I just can't run the risk of them a) running out or b) being discontinued before I find the time/remember to post. So, enjoy!

1. I'm a sucker for earrings. Scratch that. I'm a sucker for all jewels. Particularly the sparkly stuff. (Another thing I inherited from my mother, it wasn't just her face!) So, when I saw these studs I got really excited. See, there is a fine line between faux and Chinatown. Obviously there is nothing wrong with Chinatown - every single pashmina I own (minus the one Bryan bought for me in India) originally hailed from Chinatown. But with the jewelry you run the risk of turning green in two wears. So I'm fairly stoked that Kate Spade has whipped out some faux sparklers, and in all kinds of colors nonetheless! Not to mention the neat price tag at $45.

Bahh! In the words of Chip Brown, they're FAAAABULOUS!

2. I've always loved the black and white silhouette cut-outs of children. I think they're so elegant, but can also be super rad if done in bright colors. Anyhow, I really want one. Of something. Maybe even Piper. Technically she's my child even though I pawned her off on Mike and Lisa upon arrival in the Big Apple. Either way, take a look. Here's the website, too.

That's a teeny pair of scissors, fo' sho!

3. Lastly, my mother also gave me the love of makeup.

Quick side story: My mother uses a certain makeup product on a daily basis (she would shoot me if i divulged specifics, but, let's just say that she is making me go to the funeral home to make sure they use it as well before putting her in the ground. if only I were kidding) . But, her favorite kind is extremely specific. The company stopped carrying them so she wrote them and days later she had a box full of the discontinued item at our doorstep.

Anyhow, makeup can be expensive, but there are some drugstore brands that are awesome. According to Kristofer Buckle a professional makeup artist, these are the top 10 buys:

a. Johnson & Johnson Lavender Baby Oil, $5 (for a fresh, summery glow!)
b. Maybelline NY Colossal Volum' Express Mascara, $8
c. Max Factor Color Genius Mineral Bronzer in Sun Kissed, $9 ("Not heavily pigmented, so you can really layer it on without turning the color of a penny.") Needed/I recommend to college aged girls nationwide.
d. L'Oreal Paris Infallible Lip Gloss in Dulce de Leche, $11 (goes with all skin tones)
e. Dove Deep Moisture Foaming Cloths, $7
f. New York Color Cheek Blush in Riverside Rose, $2
g. Max Factor Lipfinity 3D in Midori Glam, $9
h. Cover Girl Eye Enhancers kit in Shimmering Onyx, $4 (think: hot, not-harsh, smoky eye)
i. Alcon Naphcon A Eye Drops, $9 ("They make you feel like you've slept hours, even when you haven't.")
j. L'Oreal Paris True Match Blendable Makeup, $11
k. Burt's Beeswax Lip Balm, $3

I already know which ones I want. And I'm going to buy them today even though I will be unemployed in one week. But, hey! I still have a job now, don't I?

Now that was a blog I felt comfortable writing. :)