Product of the week: WEN (Just try it already!)

I KNOW I KNOW. I am SO late to the game with this one. I recently was browsing through my local Sephora and decided to snag a sample of the Wen hair cleansing system. Despite my prior skepticism (infomercial products to me always seem too good to be true!) this stuff works!

Wen is a total game changer. 

I feel like I am betraying Moroccan Oil (A hair care line I've been seriously loyal to) just by this little sample I got. I am floored.

Not only is my softer, it's not frizzy at all and totally more manageable. To give you an idea about my hair it is very fine and has been bleached at the ends 3-4 times over the last year because I keep covering & then redoing the ombré which is seriously bad for hair and left me with some severe split ends and dryness. Wen is a miracle worker. It has completely restored the luster of my hair and what split ends I have are hardly noticeable after 1 use.

I wasn't expecting miracles here, but I got them. If you haven't tried Wen, and are skeptical like I was, go to your nearest Sephora and ask for a sample, it's free and worth it if you've been searching for your hair care soulmate.

Now, I don't think I'm converting permanently (I just love Moroccan Oil too much) but  I'm definitely mixing this stuff into my routine somewhere because, like, my hair looks totally awesome you guys! I'll try to add a picture when I can of a before and after, but for now, you'll just have to take my word for the amazingness.

**(Wen is a "cleansing conditioner" which basically means you forgo your normal shampoo-conditioner routine for this "all in one" style product-- it claims to reduce frizziness and boost volume)

(Pre)Easter Sunday Funday

Over the weekend I attended a Yelp Elite Event at this great restaurant in Palo Alto. One of the perks of loving to review things and being a little bit of a foodie is that you can become a Yelp "Elite," which gets you into all kinds of cool events at local spots for free! 

Anyways, this weekend's event was Easter themed which I was so excited about because I have been wanting to wear this dress for a month or two now, but haven't had the occasion.. but it just felt perfect for spring! 

Dress / Shoes / Necklace / Cardigan 

Step into Spring

I am also excited about Spring. I know that a lot of people favor the Winter and Summer seasons, but there is something extraordinarily amazing about the season (Maybe because it's a transition between the two meeting perfectly in the middle). 

I love the crispness of the days and the warm yet strikingly cool nights. I also am a huge fan of the way it smells outside, it's just about my favorite thing ever. 

Anyways, here are some of my picks for Spring that seem to perfectly compliment this transitional nature of the season: 

Lulu's Sweater / Free People Shorts / Etsy Necklace / Aritzia Peplum & Leggings / F21 Dress

TOMS: A Smelly Conundrum

After several years of popularity (and in my case several years of wear) TOMS are officially everywhere. I have not been immune to the simplicity, comfort and style of the now footwear giant and own multiple (6!) stinky pairs.

Which brings me to my point: They freakin' stink. Some of them smell so bad that I refuse to wear them now. I have tried SO many methods to keep them stink free and only two have really "cured" the stench.

So what's a girl to do with six stinky unwearable pairs of shoes? I realize now that I should have been more preventative with some of my newer pairs...but on my newest pair I have finally started taking the proper courses of action to keep them wearable. It also seems to me that if you want to get real longevity out of TOMS you absolutely must must must not get them wet, once they are wet that's when the worst smells happen.

Normally I hate wearing socks with them-- but that's just about the best way to keep them smelling as "fresh" as possible. Target has some great socks (meant for flats) that are even smaller than 'no-shows' and work great for this purpose, and don't show on the outside of your TOMS. (The ones online don't look as thick as the ones I've seen in the stores.. so I suggest hunting for them in the sock area!)


So, here's what I've learned when it comes to keeping your Tom's smell free: 
- Do not get them wet, I repeat, DO NOT get them wet! Avoid water at all costs. Toms + No Socks + Water = Stench.
- Don't attempt to de-stink them once they've gone past their prime. The washing machine, sprays, powders etc. do not help & in my experience genuinely MAKE THINGS WORSE! (Also time & money wasted attempting to try these things!).
- Buy & wear some liner socks. They help keep the smell down to a minimum like normal shoes, and I promise are worth every penny if you care about keeping your Tom's smell free!
- Keep dry old newspaper inside of them while they're off your feet. This helps absorb excess sweat, moisture and also absorbs the smells!

Prosciutto & Mozzarella bites

I am a fiend for any cheese or cured meat, so naturally when I tried this at Locally Grown Love over the weekend I was pretty determined to make them at home. Luckily for me, the process was very easy and the ingredients were simple enough that it was easy to figure out without too much effort or knowledge of cooking. 

Olive oil, Proscuitto & fresh mozzarella. 'Nuff said. 

 After tossing some mozzarella around in some garlic (regular is fine too) olive oil  and salt and pepper wrap that sucker up in half a slice of prosciutto and stab it with a toothpick (...Or feel free to keep the peace and gently poke through it ;] …).

And then arrange them like so on a plate:

Or don't bother arranging them in any kind of fancy way because it's midnight and you were up late experimenting for yourself.. or do..whatever… and then be very naughty drizzle them with balsamic and eat one.. or two.. or three… and then serve/save.

*As a side note: These refrigerated nicely, so these would be great to prep ahead of time for a dinner party. 

Ingredients: 

Makes 12-15 bites

1 package of fresh mozzarella (ciliegine -- for the bite sized shape)

1-2 packages of prosciutto (I used one, but if you're making this for  h'orderves I would say err on the side of 2)

Olive Oil, Salt & Pepper to taste. 

Package of Toothpicks or small skewers.

Balsamic Vinegar 

Locally Grown Love

This weekend my beau and I worked an event in SF called "Locally Grown Love" that brings local artisans together with newly-engaged couples. Even though we spent most of our time promoting my family's brewery, we got to take a few breaks and experience excellent food, drinks, and crafts made by locals. We were particularly impressed by this poet Silvi who was able to take one word (in our case Lemurs) and create a unique and personalized party favor in under 3 minutes.

While I didn't get to do a formal outfit post, I did get to take some pretty silly pictures in a photobooth:

Friday Five

Sometimes there are few greater things than a homemade BLT, walks with your loved ones, signs of spring, your pup (who thinks he's a person), and some new duds (like these ankle booties I got on sale, and denim from H&M for $20-- take that Thrift Shop!).

Makeup Favorites: Mascara Roundup

Sometimes.. I feel like I've used them all. Sometimes I go into the store and I walk around for like an hour with 7 mascaras in my hand and shake my head in disgust because there are so many and I feel like I'll find the right one and it will change my life if I just try something new. I go around and then spend time feeling overwhelmed and thinking, "Man, this is stressful," so I go back around the store again in circles and pick them up and put them back over and over and over. 

Well here is a short list of some mascaras that I love, and some that I probably won't be using again anytime soon to save you from that same headache (probably): 

#1.  If I put Benefit's BADgal lash mascara on a scale from 1-10, it would rate some where between a 2-3. I feel very "meh" about this formula. For me, it never stayed put and I could never get the results I wanted. Also, it's on the pricier side of things coming in at $19. (Also I notice that on their website it has a 4/5 rating, but honestly what? I don't buy it!)  Hate!

#2. I've said it once, and I'll say it again: I cannot get enough of L'Oreal Voluminous Power Volume mascara!! I am seriously obsessed with it, and I've had so many compliments from strangers asking what kind of mascara I'm using because I get insane length & volume from this one. This one is great because it's also budget friendly ($7.99!). Do yourself a favor, go to the store now and buy yourself this immediately. LOVE!

#3. Man, after writing the review for the last mascara I don't even want to talk about this one. Ironically this is the same brand. While Waterproof L'Oreal Double Extend mascara has a great primer and honestly getting nice length and volume, my lashes always turn out gray and a little too clumpy for my liking. Perhaps it's just user error on my part? Hate!

#4.  I know, I know... This is a classic mascara, and maybe I'll get a lot of flack for hating it, but with the mass amounts of mascaras on the market this one is behind the times. Maybelline Great Lash, though it is well-known and a continual best seller will never again see the inside of my makeup bag.  Hate!

#5.  Want long lashes? Have 20$ to spend every few months on mascara? Well, Urban Decay's Skyscraper mascara will give you super long, super thick lashes. I have kind of a love it or hate it with this formula. On one hand it works, but on another hand it kind of flakes off your lashes and onto your cheeks throughout the day. It also seems to dry out fairly quickly in the tube, which means only a short period of time before you have to toss it. ($20) Love-Hate

#6. Zoom Lash from MAC has been a staple in my makeup bag for years. It was only recently beat out by the Power Volume (see above) but I still keep one in my bag for rainy days (not literally). It comes in at a mid-price range for mascara, but I really like the length and volume and the fact that it still seems to be on my lashes by the end of the day. ($16) Love!! 

Black Out

With only one day off of work this weekend, I totally felt like I would never get an outfit post done. So when I got around to shooting the weather was warm, but extremely overcast. (I think I have bad luck because the last 4-5 times I've tried to do these the weather has been less than ideal to take pictures.) 

Regardless of those issues, I still made it outdoors and rocked an all black outfit and with the help from the bf got a few photos I approved of. (As a mini sidebar I am so thankful to have Jon, because without him I probably wouldn't have the courage or help I need to take any outfit photos at all!)  

flats: target / bracelet: Therapy (similar) / sleeveless collared blouse : nordstrom / jeggings: 7forallmankind / necklace: f21 

What did you do this weekend? 

hugs

Siobhain