g's gift guide

To be completely honest, blog posts may be few and far-between during the holiday season. I truly think that this is a time to gather with friends and family, eat delicious food until you feel absolutely stuffed, and relish in relaxation - which is what I will be doing. I hope you plan on doing just that, too!

In light of this, I want to make your life a bit easier before the holidays by providing a list of inexpensive gifts for that person you just quite haven't checked off your list yet.

[image from baublebar.com]

BaubleBar solo pendant necklace | This dainty little number is understated, chic, and a great price point. BaubleBar has been doing the 12 days of Christmas - with jewelry at $10, $15, and $20. Purchase in the next few hours to get it by Christmas eve!

[image from anthropologie.com]

Anthropologie Initial Mug | I love the gold detailing of this mug - it makes it look much more expensive than it really is!

[image from traderjoes.com]

Trader Joe's goodies | The oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, corn and chile salsa, bruschetta... and so much more are some of the amazing items you'll find at TJ's. Buy a friend, family member, or foodie some goodies, and I promise you'll get a lot for your money.

Spa-in-a-jar | Throw some lotion, a small candle, cozy socks, a bath bomb, and chapstick into a mason jar, and tie it with some burlap. Most women love beauty items, and this make-it-yourself gift set can be super inexpensive. I borrowed this idea from one of my favorite vloggers - Ingrid Nilsen. Check out her DIY gifts video!

[image from Lush.com]

Lush goodies | If you don't want to go all-out with the spa in a jar, you can easily grab one luxurious item from Lush. No matter your price point, Lush is sure to have something for everyone - even men. I particularly love the bath bombs and lip scrubs - both under $10.

[image from target.com]

Pajamas | I think these ones from Target are adorably classic, and perfect for snuggling up with a mug of cocoa.

Wine | Who doesn't love a nice bottle of vino? For around $10, you can get a pretty nice bottle of wine for someone who entertains, or simply enjoys a beverage with dinner.

And remember, gift buying isn't last minute until it hits December 24!

happy shopping!
G

confessions of a lushie: part III

Surprise, surprise... I'm reviewing two more Lush products, perfect for holiday gift-giving!

Sparkler bath bomb | This rose-jam scented bath bomb is a nice little treat at the end of a busy week, with a smell that is so comforting and relaxing. In an effort to preserve this goody for more than one use, I broke the "stick" in half. The bomb has a sparkly center, which adds a bit of glimmer to your bath (that also sticks to your tub once the water is drained - which I personally don't mind). I felt quite relaxed, moisturized, and sweet smelling after soaking in the tub with this bomb. Even if you don't take baths often, I would recommend buying this product simply for the scent. I honestly steal a whiff of it a couple times a week.

Right now it's sold out online, but you may be able to find it at your local Lush store. It's also included in this luxurious gift set! I think Lush's bath bombs make the perfect holiday gift for a friend, for under $10.

BB Seawood fresh face mask | Once you get past the odd texture of this mask, you might just love it. This product was recommended to me after I found out the Catastrophe Cosmetic mask was sold out. The scent of the BB Seaweed mask reminds me of the beach - fresh and slightly salty. With calming and exfoliating properties, my skin feels smooth and refreshed after one use. The only downside is that the seaweed is slightly weird - there are substantial pieces that are sometimes difficult to wash off once the mask dries. But, I can get past the seaweed because this product truly lives up to its claims.

xoxo,
G

hats off to Old Navy!

Just popping in to share one of favorite deals of the season. I stopped into Old Navy one night looking for a flannel, and ended up leaving with a cute little hat that cost less than lunch (only $5)! This hat is quite flattering and a style that is really popular lately. I'm happy I didn't have to spend a fortune to try out this trend.

Unfortunately, I can't find the exact hat on the ON website (I think I just got lucky finding it in the store's sale section). But, I did find a similar one from Target - complete with a bow!

[ jacket | J.Crew, similar
sweater | Joe Fresh for JCPenney, last year
leggings | J.Crew pixie pants in navy
boots | Steve Madden ]

In my eyes, this outfit is a perfect fall and winter go-to. Comfortable, cozy, and classic - three of my favorite things.

[ earrings | Kate Spade ]

I love a good pop of tortoise shell, and these Kate Spade earrings certainly fit the bill. They go with just about everything! Don't be afraid to mix tortoise with black or navy blue.

I'm not normally a hat person, but this floppy felt hat looks so chic and classic, I couldn't help but pick it up. I also cannot wait to re-create this look from Glitter & Gingham one weekend!

xoxo,
G

keep calm

"Give me all the chamomile!" is almost a daily thought for me lately. I have found two great products that I love, both of which include chamomile, a magic ingredient.

The silky cleansing oil from The Body Shop was a gift from my equally-makeup-obsessed best friend. I was so excited to try this, but I didn't know what to expect - putting oil directly on your face sounded like a breakout waiting to happen. Fast forward a few weeks, and it has seriously worked wonders for my complexion. The combination of oil and chamomile makes skin silky smooth and calms redness. I actually look forward to removing my makeup with this every night, followed by my regular face cleanser or a face mask. I would definitely consider this a must-have beauty product. I only wish it came in perfume form! The smell is so light and comforting.

My second favorite chamomile product is the chamomile vanilla tea by Bigelow. I've been a huge tea person lately. This tea is slightly sweet and very soothing. In addition, drinking chamomile tea has immense health benefits. It can help relax muscles, improve skin tone, and even help fight off colds - just to name a few. Did I mention it tastes delicious too?

With the holidays in full force, I think we all need a few fool-proof ways to stay calm.

xoxo,
G

marley lilly love

I don't think I can explain my excitement when Marley Lilly sent me a beautiful monogrammed scarf in the mail last week! I am a sucker for all things plaid in the winter months, and a sucker for monograms in all months. This scarf fit the bill perfectly!

The scarf has a cashmere-feel to it and is super cozy without being itchy. The colors in my particular scarf are relatively neutral, while the red adds that perfect hearty pop of color that I crave around the holiday season. Not your style? When ordering your own scarf, you can completely customize the tread color, font, and scarf pattern to your liking. So if you have simple style or colorful style, you can create a scarf that is just for you.

I love mixing plaid with a striped shirt... Throw a monogram in the mix, and I am practically in love. What girl doesn't love an item that is uniquely theirs?

[ scarf | c/o Marley Lilly
trench coat | Forever 21, old
striped top | LOFT, old
jeans | LOFT
packable boots | Hunter ]

For a custom monogramming service, Marley Lilly has a quick turn-around time and are very receptive to questions on social media. I have a few other Marley Lilly items, so I can say with confidence that their quality and customer service are both superior. They always have flash sales, so follow them on Instagram to keep up with their latest promotions!

Thank you so much to Marley Lilly for sending me this lovely scarf! I can't wait to style it again and again.

Be sure to also check out Marley Lilly's other great products!

xoxo,
G

pearl front & back earrings

I've said it once, I'll say it again: LOFT is on. point. this year. I can tell that LOFT is changing in order to appeal to a younger demographic, and I love it. They have been coming out with affordable versions of what is "in," while also carrying basic pieces that are a girl's go-tos. The other night I stopped in at LOFT to look at the new merchandise, when I stumbled upon earrings that I have been lusting over for awhile now.

Dior makes pearl 360 earrings that are 3 bajillion dollars, probably (a very accurate price). BaubleBar came out with a very similar pair for $28. One of my favorite bloggers wears them often, and I just love the way they look on her. I debated buying the BaubleBar version, but never got around to doing so because I thought they might look odd on me and I couldn't justify the price if I wasn't positive about them. Along comes LOFT. They have come out with their own rendition of the tribal pearl earring - the pearlized front-back stud earrings. With my employee discount (I work there one day a week), they ended up being about $10 (regularly $19.50). LOFT has 40% off sales pretty frequently, so you can definitely score them at a discount.

[Another reason to #loveloft.]

I wore them Friday night and realized that I was so glad I ended up purchasing them! They add a little edgy glamour to any outfit. Normally I'm not one for trends, but if it involves pearls, I can get behind it. These would be a great holiday gift for a friend as well.

Moral of the story - you can find a less expensive version of items you have been coveting. Lately, a lot of retailers are replicating what high-end brands are doing. It just takes some searching.

[These pearls are simply lovely.]

What I'd pair them with: flannels, chunky sweaters, a low bun, holiday dresses

I think you guys will be seeing a lot of these in upcoming OOTD posts!

xoxo,
G

november ipsy

It's mid-November, so you know what that means... Ipsy glam bag review time!

makeup bag | by Forever 21 for Ipsy. Not the best, not the worst. I think I had this same makeup bag when I was in my LTD2 days. I will probably give this away to someone.

SeaRx Birchsap Moisturizing Lotion | I'm all for a good face moisturizer, so I was excited to test this one out. The sample is pretty small, but I have enjoyed using it. The lotion has a strong citrus smell to it, almost like clementines, which I love. The formula is very lightweight, and absorbs quickly. Is it a life changer? No. Is it nice to use? Yes.

Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Hairspray | This product was one of the items that made this bag totally worth it. Argan oil seems to be very popular in haircare lately, and I've been dying to try something containing it. This hairspray is not sticky at all, and provides great volume and shine to my flat and dull hair. It also smells great, and doesn't tangle my hair like other hairsprays do. Win-win-win.

J.Cat Wonder Lip Paint | To be honest, this product confuses me. It claims to be a "lip paint," which I assumed meant it would perform like a lip stain. However, the formula of this lip product is very runny, more so than a gloss (swatched below). The liquidity of the product makes it difficult to apply straight from the tube, so I would recommend using a q-tip. It is very pigmented and does stain your lips, but wears like a gloss. I'm not the biggest fan, but I know I won't love everything each month. It was still fun to try this!

Starlooks Eyeliner pencil in ultra olive | As I told you in my first Ipsy review, I'm not a huge eyeliner gal. I don't wear it on a day-to-day basis because I think it makes my eyes look way smaller than they already are. However, I might give this one a try on a special occasion. I think this product might be nice because I can blend it up from my lash line and use it like a cream eyeshadow, rather than simply drawing a straight line across my lid. The color is beautiful (swatched below), and I think will complement my green eyes.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer | I saved the best for last! This under eye concealer is highly coveted in the beauty world, so I was quite happy to receive a sample. It really does what it says - conceals under eye bags, moisturizes, and even covers discoloration and acne. It is very thick, but I apply it with a Beauty Blender and it blends into my skin just fine. A little bit does go a long way. Also, this sample size will be nice to have in a bag for traveling.

[Top: Starlooks eyeliner.
Bottom: J.Cat lip paint]

This Ipsy glam bag was not too shabby! I loved that it had an array of different product types - hair, skin, and makeup. I have been using almost all of the products daily (except for the eyeliner and lip paint). Although some of the samples were smaller in November, I always feel like I get my money's worth each month. If you're interested in signing up for Ipsy, click here to get on the waitlist!

What beauty products have you been loving lately? I have a few more to report on in the upcoming weeks. Stay tuned!

xoxo,
G