Glossybox: Man Repeller

I was pretty excited for the Man Repeller box, because if that's not self descriptive I don't know what is (ba bum tssst! Thanks guys I'll be here all week).

Here's the video, guys. I think I'm a little quiet because I was trying not to be overheard by the roommates. Also featuring my broken mirror!

Here's what I'm wearing if you're curious:

Shirt: Sometimes Your Words Just Hypnotize Me
Lips: Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer (in plum)
Blush: Stila Custom Color (in self-adjusting coral)

Guess who's back?

Wow, has it really been almost six months since I posted?  Let's not do that again. For realsies. It's going to be like a New Year's resolution - but not.

 Here's updates since August:

- Changed jobs - I now work in retail. I am not mistaken for a teenager as often, but am mistaken for being younger than I am. I do to dress up more, which I love.

 ... that's basically it. Living in the same city, in the same house, hanging out with the same people. I did see Lady Gaga for the third time! There. That's another thing.


 Let's just look at some things I've worn, okay?

Smarmy, as usual.

 Here's a typical look for work. I am less fuzzy in real life.

Shirt: Rubbish Relaxed Menswear Shirt
Lipstick: MAC Viva Glam (Viva Glam I)
Necklace: made by me

Yes, I broken my mirror. 

Here's what I did for NYE.

As you can see it involved making a lot of stupid faces and rolling myself in bronzer. These are hobbies of mine along with the internet and observation humor.

Dress: Forever 21, bought over the summer.

Necklace: Nordstrom, now sold out. Here's a similar one from Express.

I'M SO EXCITED!!!!

 

Hair: I used a curling wand and if you don't have one, you should go buy one right now. Like this one. Which is one of two I own.

Lipstick: NYX - Pandora (520)

Jersey shore coloring: Mystic Tan Level II w/ bronzer, probably whatever else I found laying around.

Eyes: False lashes from Target and gold glitter liner (NYX?)

Just a castaway, an island lost at sea

And that brings us to what I wore today, which inspired me to make this post. What I thought was an ordinary outfit resulted in multiple comments from strangers. 

After seeing my shirt, a grocery store employee sang an 80s song to me and danced in the produce section. This is my real life, guys. I don't even know.

Blazer: Oliva Moon, similar here.

Shirt:The Police tank

As I was looking at the salad mixes, an older gentleman who reminded me of Leo from That's 70's Show said "WHOA WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE SHOES???" I told him and he seemed surprised. I thought my shoes were pretty tame, but what do I know?

Booties: Women's ankle boots (cleverly named).

Jeans: American Eagle

So that's it, dolls. It's my weekend, so I'm going to clean, shop, and internet (probably not in that order).

Warby Parker Home Try On

I could probably just call this blog Things I Bought That I Love, but Mindy Kaling already did that. This reminds me that I am still worried I frightened her when I told her that I'd been reading her blog for literally years. She was really nice about it, though.

Anyway, this blog is about glasses and not about my social awkwardness. The thing about glasses is I am basically blind. A year's worth of contacts cost me about $250, and glasses probably can easily run over $300. This year I used my insurance for contacts and decided to buy some glasses online, which is one step above when I bought frames online.
After researching the thousands of options I decided to test some frames from Warby Parker. They have a lot of great hipster styles (looove), free at home trials, and also use a one-for-one model that you're probably already familiar with. One for one essentially means that for every purchase they donate a pair. As a basically blind person, I love the idea of people elsewhere in the world being able to actually see. Best of all? A complete sent of glasses is $95.
You can borrow up to five pairs at a time. I borrowed Beckett, Fitz, Nedwin, Wiloughby, and Reynold.
After you pick your five try on pairs, Warby Parker will put a $1 charge on your card just in case you go rouge and decide not to return them. The glasses arrived at my house basically immediately, in a super nice case. I wish I had taken a photo of the case! You've got five days to try them at home, and then send them back with the pre-paid UPS label.

I made a video and posted it on Facebook, and generally polled everyone I know. Ultimately, I decided on Fitz in Blonde Tortoise. It's a less bold look than what I've been wearing for the last year, but I imagine I won't be able to resist ordering more.

If you want to check out how all the pairs looked on me, check out this video:


If you enjoy my ramblings, follow me on Twitter: hello_amanda

Also Fashionable: Wine.

 

Okay homeslices, first things first this is essentially a sponsored post as I was provided a hefty rebate to try Be. Wines from BzzAgent. If you don't know about BzzAgent, basically they send you a product (or a big ol' discount) to try a product and report back on it.I found my wine at Albertson's but it's available lots of places. Locate your nearest retailer here.

Anyway. So I a rebate and was able to try Be.Flirty (a pink Moscato) and Be.Bright (Pinot Grigio). Now if you know me you know I nothing about wine and the last time I was at a wedding with an open bar when they asked what wine I wanted I replied "whatever." 

Be.Flirty got cracked open on my birthday, which is appropriate because it is sweet like when you eat just the frosting off of your cake. My date was not super fond of it but I liked it, as I am basically a hummingbird and sugar is my largest food group after carbs. I don't know if I would buy it again but I would certainly drink it again if offered.

I preferred Be.Bright. The guide that accompanied my Be. swag calls it "effortlessly drinkable" which is so, so true. Guys I could drink glasses of this and not even realize it. I will totally be purchasing this in the future, even without the rebate. 

If those aren't up your alley, they also make two other varieties, a Chardonnay and a Riesling.

Here's the details on the wine:

Be. Flirty Pink Moscato – This mischievous Moscato, with rich berry and delicate floral notes, is made to be sipped with a wink and a smile
Be. Bright Pinot Grigio – This effortlessly drinkable Pinot Grigio keeps things light, with sun-ripened citrus flavors and a crisp, fresh finish
Be. Fresh Chardonnay – This cheeky Chardonnay energizes taste buds with crisp green apple flavors and zesty hints of citrus
Be. Radiant Riesling – This dynamic Riesling blend brings an exuberant vibe with tantalizing fruit flavors and bright floral notes

So that's what I've been up to. Drinking. I suggest you do the same. I recommend you be of legal drinking age in your country but I'm not your mother or probation officer. You do you, guys.

New Obsession: Rent The Runway

So I have know about Rent The Runway for basically forever. Forever is, in this case, about two years. I have never used their service until this past weekend. If you've never heard of them, here's the dealio: they have a ton of amazing high-end dresses and accessories and you can rent them only a portion of the full cost. They'll even send you a second size for free so if you can't decide if you are a 4 or 6 you don't need to panic.

I decided to rent because I was invited to a formal wedding. Never having been to a formal wedding before, I didn't feel that I owned anything appropriate. Rather than buy a $100 dress I'll never wear again, I spent a total of $55 and had a fabulous dress, earrings, and clutch.

Here's what I got:

 Shoshanna Noir Cream Puff Dress, $50 Rental

Photo from RentTheRunway.com

Lilly Pulitzer Opening Night Clutch, $15 Rental

Photo from RentTheRunway.com

CINER Emerald Pearl Stud Earrings, $15 Rental

Photo from RentTheRunway.com

If you know any math at all, you know that $50+ $15+ $15+ does not equal $55. I used a code that I got in my welcome email that gave me $50 off of $75. With shipping, tax, and insurance (mandatory) it came to $105, so saving $50 was awesome.

Here is me looking flying wearing the goods:

You can also see the bag and earrings, sort of.

Returning it was easy. Just throw everything (Nicely. Throw it nicely!) into the pre-paid USPS mailer and drop it in your nearest Blue Box.

I will totally be renting again - probably next month for another wedding (and my birthday!). 

RentTheRunway did not pay me for this blog post,  and I paid for the rental myself because I am an Independent Woman, just like Destiny's Child. None of these links I posted will make me any money, except THIS ONE.  If you click that and make a purchase/rental I will get $20 and so will you. Everyone wins.

June 2012 Birchbox

Okay, okay. So I did say that posting YouTube videos doesn't actually count as posting. But you're not my Mom, so I am going to post this video anyway instead of a real post.

Boy that screencap sure looks awkward. Can you believe that's the one I picked to use? I thought I looked sassy but I kind of look drunk.

Anyway kids, here's the breakdown:

THE GOODS:

- theBalm Stainiac: Despite my complete and total inability to pronounce this like a normal literate person, I like this product so far. I was super nervous about smearing it all over my face like a clean version of Ke$ha but it went alright. It will require some more experimentation, that's for sure.

- Eyeko Fat Eye Stick: This is not an eyeliner. I repeat: NOT. AN. EYELINER. I tried to use it as a eyeliner because directions are for people who like to do things right the first time. I ended up looking like a raccoon but luckily it was an easy fix. I then used it properly - drew it along the upper lash line and then smudged with my finger and it turned out much better. Totally a short-cut to the smoky eye.

- Likewise Facial Moisturizer + Sun Protectant SPF 50 Normal To Oily: Haven't tried this yet. I will update you when I do.

- Comodynes Self-Tanning Intensive: "You are soooo pale!" is hopefully what people will stop saying to me after I use this.  I have used similar products before so I have high hopes. Here's to not having them dashed on the pavement like a Jack'O'Lantern (get it? Cause I'd be orange? Pure comedy gold here, let me tell you.)


THE EXTRA(S)

- tili Bags small in Orange and Lime: This is a quart-sized plastic bag that is pretty. It's the right size for the airplane thought I can sort of foresee getting some BS from the TSA because it's not see-through. I am forever flying into small airports and being hassled by TSA, likely because I am the worst packer in the world. Last time I got my sneakers scanned because they were on top of deodorant. I don't know, guys. This is my life.

- John Varvatos Star U.S.A. or, In Which Birchbox reminds me I am single as fuck. Did I tell you there will be swearing on this blog? There is going to be swearing on this blog. This is a men's cologne and I'm supposed to give to my "man." The only men in my life are Ben and Jerry (and, creepily apparently, Ryan Reynolds, who klout says is one of my influential topics. I must tweet about him a lot. Sorry, Ryan. I know you get embarrassed about internet stuff). Maybe I will give this to my roommate, but I could just wear it like the last time I accidentally got a cologne sample.

I got box #9, which according to OiiO on MakeupTalk is worth about $27. Certainly not bad for a $10 investment. Or an $9.16 investment because I have a yearly membership, which obviously means I am saving money. Right guys? Right?

No, seriously, guys.

This blog is really happening.

I'm going to set some goals.

- Weekly posting. I will post once a week. Who knows what the hell it will be about? I don't. Also, this post doesn't count.
- Reposting my YouTube videos doesn't count. It just doesn't.
- Variety. In lieu of sticking to a theme I will pretend that variety is for everyone's interest and not just because I can't figure out what I'm supposed to do. (Shh, it's a secret).