Things I Am Currently Obsessed With

I know I haven't done one of these in a while. It's probably because now, when I'm obsessed with something I usually just save up and get it for myself and either I love it as much as I think I will (Tarte blush!) or it ends up disappointing me (all mascaras :( ).

1) Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface (REVIEW AT THIS LINK) http://smartandsarcasticwithdashesofinsanity.blogspot.com/2011/12/review-of-tartes-amazonian-clay-12-hour.html

I've been gushing about this ever since it came in the mail from my Sephora F&F haul. I blog about it to you. I tell all my friends. I've stopped just short of accosting random strangers... It is a problem. But this blush is wonderful.

2) Circo Ceramic Banks available at Target

I have a certain acceptable quotient of girly and adorable. For example, there will never be enough videos and pictures of puppies looking adorable but I hate the color pink. I would say that on the whole, the way I dress and decorate my apartment has a more classic, feminine sensibility than any overt fondness for the adorable. However, I was transfixed when I saw these in Ingrid/Missglamorazzi/TheGridMonster's vlog from Target. So cute! These are my favorites.


Image credit: target.com $12.99
http://www.target.com/p/Circo-Ladybug-Bank/-/A-13531580

Image credit: target.com $12.99
http://www.target.com/p/Circo-Dirt-Bank-Frog/-/A-13060582


Image credit: target.com (out of stock at time of post)
http://www.target.com/p/Halloween-Piggy-Bank-Doctor/-/A-12631236

3) Lena Erziak Adam and Aime handbags

I can't imagine how you would make the Adam handbag without some knowledge of bag construction, but I feel like the Aime bag could be DIY-ed. I'm still trying to work it out. Maybe I could use a hard shell gourd or a round empty candy container that splits in half.


Adam $2650 http://www.lenaerziakshop.com/pre-fall-2011/adam.html


Aime $2375 http://www.lenaerziakshop.com/pre-fall-2011/aime.html
(Oh, and be sure to check out the Aime in gold. It is absolutely gorgeous.)

4) Pauletta Embellished Dress from DVF

I'm obsessed with this dress because of the fabric, simplicity, and dupeability. I could totally make this dress. Maybe not with hundreds of sequins, but it would be easy to find a shimmery gold fabric that would look the same at a reasonable distance.

http://www.dvf.com/Pauletta-Embellished-Dress/D4024006T11,default,pd.html?dwvar_D4024006T11_color=GOLD0&start=8&preselectsize=yes&cgid=sale

5) Black Eyeshadow look

I don't know what it is about this look, but I can't manage to mimic it. I've been fixated on it ever since I saw it on one of my favorite nail polish blogs, Fashion Polish.

Image credit: YSL/FashionPolish.com
http://www.fashionpolish.com/2011/09/yves-saint-laurent-new-blacks-black.html

6) Braccialini handbags

There is a storefront near me so I'll sometimes pass by if I've gone to Benefit or MaxStudio. These bags are just so lovely and whimsical. However, they're also not really practical. Yes, they have more traditional styles, but come on, the adorable designs are really the ones you want.

One of my absolute favorites is this one with a little squirrel. http://shop.braccialini.com/cz/temi-handbag_914733.html

But the one I'm obsessing over is this little mushroom/toadstool handbag because it is so DIY-able. Sure, it would take some work but this is just implementing basic sewing/quilting skills. All you have to do is make a good pattern. http://shop.braccialini.com/cz/temi-small-shoulder-bag_917746.html


A lot of my obsessions these days are about jewelry and hangbag DIY and clothing design. I have a portfolio full of designs crying out to be made as well as some simple designer dupes I could quickly get out if I just had the time. I don't think I'll ever have the sufficient time for this to be a DIY blog but maybe someday I'll do some posts on simple DIY jewelry. Would you be interested in that? Let me know in the comments. Also, let me know what your obsessions are this month or what is on your wish list for the holidays. :)

New Summer Nail Polish Color - YSL Beauty La Laque in Turquoise Blue REVIEW

YSL Beauty La Laque in "Turquoise Blue"

Yes, it finally arrived and I adore it. It's a more playful color outside in direct sunlight and more of teal inside in dim lighting. I had a professional handle this...I think it took 3 coats though 2 coats are probably sufficient.

Doing my own nails I find that I hate the brush. One or two of the bristles keep sticking out and the brush is really rough making it difficult to sweep the polish on quickly. It goes on ridged unless you use lots of polish which of course can lead to bubbles and to a thickness that prevents it drying evenly, etc. etc. problems. Also, it's very difficult to remove and I find that it has stained my nails, the underside of my nails, and my fingers around the edges of the nail blue. A bit more nail polish remover and soap and water should remove it all but right now I'm a little woozy from the fumes and my nails are looking particularly dry and unhappy.

So...pretty color. Hard to apply. Stains nails. I might suggest using a different brush and maybe resorting to an acetone nail polish remover (I'm currently using non-acetone and it's taking a lot of it).