The Things They Carried: What's In My Bag!

Who cares, right? You would think so, but people friggin' love these types of things. I know I watch YouTube videos of people showing me what's in their purse. It's a weird, voyeuristic view into the mundane things we chose to carry with us at all times that are eerily similar, but oh-so different! I had a sexy beach photo shoot with the contents of my bag today which was only destroyed three times by the wind. Here's the end result!

The Bag

Vegan Slouchy Tote- Free People

The Contents (L-R)

 iPhone with case from Society6

A Book (currently The Code by Shaun Thompson)

Cameron Hawaii Aloha mini clutch

People Towel reusable napkin

Fossil wallet

Rio change purse I got from Macy's last year

Yu-Be skin cream

Clinique Chubby stick

Shea Butter stick

Sun Bum Pink Guava spf30 lip balm

Burts Bees Pink Grapefruit Lip Balm

Bigelow "I Love Lemon" tea bags

Keys

Samudra + Brooklyn Hawaii "Pupukea" clutch

If you couldn't tell, my bag seems to be made up on lots of little bags inside of one bag in a vain attempt at organization. I love my bag, though. It holds everything and would be great for school/work. It's big enough to hold a laptop or a change of clothes and it even reverses to a beautiful royal blue color once summer rolls around! I like using the Samudra clutch when I don't feel like carrying a big bag and want something a little more festive!

Well, those are the secrets of my purse. I hope that interesting in any way. If not, I have certainly wasted my time and yours. Anywho, it's nice out so I'm out of here! Adios!

Ear Candy: Free People

Ear Candy: Free People by elbonner featuring Free People

Ear candy may sound like a weird wax fetish, but that's totally NOT what I was going for. I'm talking about all the beautiful earrings and ear-related jewelry that's been coming out recently. The pieces I've been eyeballing the most come from Free People, and man are they out of this world! They have a new collection of really beautiful ear cuffs by jewelry designer, Knobbly, that I'm so in love with. They manage to be very delicate, but make a cool statement at the same time. My absolute favorite is the rose gold hammered cuff pictured below:

 The color blends in to make it not such an in-your-face piece, but is still really different and super cool. 

Free People also has a lot of really cute stud sets that are good for those with multiple ear-piercings or if you just want a bunch of cute new earrings. This little set is my favorite, mostly because of the triangle studs:

I went without wearing earrings for a very long time. I wasn't into the super intricate chandelier earrings that were popular for a few years and I just never thought to buy earrings. After getting some really cute one from the BF for Christmas, I've gotten back into earrings and now all these beautiful pieces are coming out to taunt me! If you've got the spare cash lying around or want to get a special someone a special gift, have a looksie at some of these pieces from Free People. They will not disappoint!

All Pieces Available at Free People

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Money Grubbers: New Wallets for Spring!

Wallets for Spring! by elbonner featuring green bags

I have a confession to make: I hate my wallet. I didn't hate it when I bought it, but it was my first foray away from a large wallet since my Roxy Velcro wallet phase that probably lasted longer than it should have. The wallet I have now can't hold bills that aren't folded, the soft leather is very floppy and it's small enough to get lost in the cavernous abyss that is my giant purse. I am, for what might be the first time ever, on a hardcore wallet hunt. I have never had a problem getting wallet because almost every one I've ever had has been given to me as either a birthday gift, Secret Santa present, or a "I bought this and hated it, now you get it" present from my mom. I am excited at all the new possibilities that wallet shopping can bring, but unfortunately, my old nemesis has reared it's head again. It's almost a law of nature that the one thing I really want, whether it be purses, shoes, or even Greek yogurt, is the most expensive one I find. I am having this problem with my current wallet obsession. Cleobella is an awesome retailer of handbags, but they make these "Mexicana" wallets that are just the dogs bollocks. They come in every bright, obnoxious color you can imagine and they just look super cool. Of course, they are $138 a piece, but maybe I'll find $200 stuffed in the pocket of something (never ever going to happen) and spoil myself with a fabulous wallet.

But because I live in the lame world of reality, I will probably be looking at my old haunts like Target, H&M, and Urban Outfitters to find myself a fun new money-holder. Now, these places are in no way a downgrade, in fact, I might find something even better than what I originally lusted after. For now, I'm still shopping around for the perfect wallet, but I can gaurentee this: it will be neon, it will be big, and it will have at least 4 Pita Pit cards in it because I always tell the cashier I forgot mine. Organize your life and get a new wallet!

Cleobella Mexicana Wallet
Cooperative Colorblock Zip-Aorund Wallet- Urban Outfitters
Merona for Target Zip-Around Wallet

Pretty Livin!: New Beauty Goodies

Pretty Livin! by elbonner featuring a straight iron

It's been super cold and unseasonably warm, all within the same week. It's wreaking havoc on my poor hair and skin! Luckily, I've come across some products that will do well spanning the seasons and are helping with my weather-related skin and hair problems. 

My mom was lovely enough to purchase me some hair products from Living Proof for Christmas. This line did themselves a huge favor by making Jennifer Aniston their spokes-model because really, who doesn't want her hair?! First of all, it smells A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I often find myself just grabbing the bottle and smelling it whenever I'm in the bathroom like I have some kind of huffing problem. It's a fresh, almost peppery smell that just smell luxurious and fancy! My mom got me the anti-frizz line which is good for my wild hair. I have three different hair textures on my head: wirey and thick on the bottom, normal midway up my head, and then super fine on the top. That and it's super dry! This formula moisturizes while keeping the frizzies away without making my hair greasy. I can easily go a day or two between washings which is only helped by the style extender spray I also got. Top that off with the Nourishing Styling Cream and you've got yourself a fabulous head of hair. I feel like this will work well in the summertime too to keep the humidity from making my hair frizzy and flat.

My skin has been super dry too and I've been trying to solve the problem by slathering my face with various oils. They have been doing the job, but I always wake up with oily bangs and have to douse my hair with dry shampoo. I recently came across this moisturizer by Nuxe that is super moisturizing, but very light and not greasy at all. The Creme Fraiche 24 Moisturizer does have a pretty strong floral scent. It's very jasminey which is actually pretty nice at night time, but if you're sensitive to fragrance, be aware!

The BB cream I was using was also too drying for my face, so I bit the bullet and purchased the Tarte Amazonian Clay Tinted Moisturizer that I've been putting off for years. It's very light, but keeps my skin moisturized. I got the wrong color, but it blends so nicely that I can usually fix it with some blending and bronzer. It's got an spf of 20 which is also a big selling point. This is a great wintertime tinted moisturizer that provides light to medium coverage.

I actually had a great first week back to work after the holidays. It went by pretty quickly, and I received a beautiful gift from a great company. They took an interest in my previous post and showed me just how great of a company they are. The girls over at Pearl. Love. Jewelry sent me this beautiful bracelet as a thank you for my write-up and I haven't taken it off since I got it!

A little piece of Tahiti I can have with me every day! I don't want to be braggy, but I was so blown away by their generosity that I wanted to tell everyone how wonderful they are!  Thank you, ladies; you've made 2014 start off in the greatest way possible! Hope you all have a good mid-January and stay warm y'all!

Pearlicious Tahiti!

Pearlicious by elbonner on Polyvore

No, this isn't a post about how great pears are (pears are the worst), it's a post about how great Tahitian pearls are! I am obsessed with these little guys and can't get enough of their dusky, iridescent loveliness. Grown in special pearl farms in the lagoons of French Polynesia, Tahitian pearls are very sought after and make the most beautiful jewelry. Black pearls are really my only expensive jewelry interest (screw your blood diamonds!) and they're the only thing I would maybe super splurge on if I had the chance. My favorite creator of Tahitian pearl jewelry would have to be Pearl. Love. Jewelry. Every featured above is from this little dynamo of a company and I find myself coveting everything on their site at least three times a week. I would die to own one of their multi-strand bracelets! If you are fortunate enough to get your hands on one of these pieces, watch out, I may burgle you. Just kidding (don't test me)! What's great about Pearl. Love. is the way in which the pearls are displayed. There aren't any gaudy jewels or weird settings/metalwork you'd find if he went to Jared to get your pearls. It's as if someone just pulled the oyster from the ocean, popped it open, strung the black pearl on a leather string, and gave it to you. I love the rawness and simplicity of it all! It's like someone made it especially for you on a rainy Sunday afternoon after a fabulous pearl hunting trip to Tahiti. Anywho, before I get too whimsical, check out Pearl.Love. Jewelry for a nice gift for a friend, family member or loves one. It would make the most schmooze-worthy Valentine's Day present ever, and it's not that far away, ladies and gentlemen! Hope you all had a good New Years and hello 2014!!

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Nailed it!: Stocking Stuffers

Stocking Stuffers by elbonner featuring ncLA

Stocking stuffers are always fun at Christmastime. Making things like tissues and nail clippers glittery and christmasy are a great way to make boring stuff way exciting to receive. Now, if you want to outdo everyone else's nail files, lottery tickets,  and Chili's gift cards, give them some really cool nail art! There are a bunch of drugstore brands that make cool nail wraps, but my favorite come from NCLA. They are a little bit more expensive, but they have really cool patterns, colors, and themes. Wear them to holiday parties, or save them for a rainy day; I can't get enough of these nail wraps! Give yourself or your friends the gift of dope nails this holiday!

ncLA 

E. By The Seine

E. By The Seine by elbonner featuring a leather messenger bag

Now, I know this blog is very beach-themed at the moment due to my impending Brady Bunch inspired Hawaiian adventure, I can't forget that my ass is going to PARIS this summer!! It will only be for a day or two, but it's been one of my dreams to go to the city of light/love/Nutella crepes/amazing drugstore skincare! Now, my only problem with Paris is that I feel I'm not really cool enough to go there. I don't want to give off the "white tennis shoe wearing, I don't speak a lick of French so I'm going to yell everything in English very slowly at you" feel, so I've been looking for some cute stuff that won't force me to go broke. I can thank Zara for the collage above. They have a bunch of Euro-chic pieces that will keep me looking like a country bumkin or a member of the Griswold family without making me poor.

 Paris in July is warm, but not ungodly hot like it is where I live. I think I will stick to flowly dresses, tops, and shorts so I can look cute, but not sweat all over anything. I also have a limited shoe window because I can't wear anything with a heel if I'm going to walk in them, so I'll have to stick with supportive flats and sandals. French women are always so effortlessly good-looking, I'm convinced it's a lie and worry about back sweat as much as I do, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. All I know is that I'm excited and ready to load up on some Bioderma and macarons. Au revoir tout le monde!

All Pieces- ZARA

Secret Boho Jewelry Jackpot: World Market

World Market was put on this earth to make your house look like some sort of African hunting lodge, Indian summer house, or Morroccan souk hideaway; filled with beautiful lanterns, rich colors, and so much patchouli incense. And all of this can be accomplished without even leaving the country. Yes, it may be cheating in terms of kitschy souvenir shopping, but this place has some cool stuff for your home. Surprisingly,it also has a lot of cool stuff for your body; jewelry that-is. I never knew how much cool jewelry this place had until I visited there this weekend. There were at least five displays full of beautiful earrings, necklaces and bracelets in all colors and that brushed gold I love so much. If you don't have a World Market near you, their wares are available for purchase on their website.

Take All Of My Money: Spring at Target

Spring at Target by elbonner featuring pacifica fragrance

Everyone who knows me is well aware of the fact that the return of neon and pastel 80s colors are the greatest thing to happen to me since Christian Bale became Batman. After a visit to Target last weekend, I damn near bought the entire store because everything there was so bright, beachy, and fun I had to have an out-loud, semi-embarrassing, one-on-one talk with myself about not buying everything I laid my trembling hands upon. Let's just say everyone stared at me. Everything was a color that I loved, everything was flattering, and everything could be worn for a multitude of different occasions. I had died and gone to reasonably-priced, sherbert-colored heaven. Not only that, but Target now carries Pacifica products which come in the most awesome scents! Jesus, Target, why don't you just go ahead and declare bankruptcy for me now. I have almost reasoned myself out of paying for my health insurance so I can get a new weekend wardrobe. 

I held myself back and purchased the sweatshirt and orange top you see above and some Pacifica Coconut Water face wipes (which are pretty good once my eyes stop burning) so no debtors prison for me! If you are looking for a place to get some seriously cute stuff on a budget, head out to Target and blow a few pay checks (don't do that) on some fun stuff for spring and summer!