Variety is the Spice of Life

Hello Lovelies!

  I thought I would dedicate a post today to some of my favorite perfumes! I'm sure I'm not the only one when I say that I cannot just have one "signature" scent. There are just too many delicious fragrances out there to try :) For me, I usually pick the one I'm going to wear according to my mood and yes, outfit of the day ;) I do, however, have a couple of scents that I have been wearing a lot lately. The following beautiful creations complement the colder weather and holiday spirit: Laura Mercier Vanille Gourmande and Creme de Pistache, as well as Victoria's Secret No.1 Limited Edition Feathered Musk. They are just so yummy, not to mention my hubby loves the way they smell as well...bonus ;)!

When choosing a new scent, keep in mind the season you are in. During colder temperatures, scents are less noticeable for various reasons. First of all, people tend to be more bundled up and perspiring less, keeping the scent closer to their bodies. Cold air is dense and heavy which allows for less efficient scent dispersal. Air motion and humidity play a role in how fast or slow scent molecules move. That is why you can wear a heavier perfume ( with notes of vanilla, chocolate, anise, and licorice, for example), and not feel like you're leaving a scent cloud behind! This is not to say that you can't wear your favorite summer scent during the winter, but it will most likely not do the scent justice. Of course, I do not always follow these rules because there are times when I simply want to wear a particular fragrance because it evokes a happy memory ( think fresh baked cookies, your first kiss, or an exotic vacation:)!

 I would love to know what some of YOUR favorite scents are! Do you have any tricks for making them last through out the day?  xo, Magpie

From left to right: Bath and Body Works Vanilla Noir Radiant Powder Spray, Laura Mercier Vanille Gourmande, Fresh Brown Sugar eau de parfum, CLEAN Original Eau de Parfum, D&G 3 L'Imperatrice Eau De Toilette, Sula Sun-Kissed Citrus Perfume Oil, Fresh Hesperides eau de parfum, Salvatore Ferragamo Incanto Shine Eau De Toilette, Laura Mercier Creme de Pistache, Tokyo Milk Dark: Chance, MOR Lychee Flower Perfume Oil, Voluspa Saijo Persimmon Home and Body Mist, Victoria's Secret No.1 Feathered Musk Eau De Parfum.

Below, a good reference book if you are interested in learning the specifics of some of the most world renown perfumes! I believe the authors just came out with a newer addition called The Little Book of Perfumes: The 100 Classics (buy here).

Book: Perfumes The Guide by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez (can be found here).

  

Gray Matter

Beanie: Urban Outfitters (here). Bomber Jacket: old but similar look here and here. Top: Gap (here). Tank: H&M (here). Necklace: H&M (old). Skinnies: similar but more dressy here. Shoes: Onitsuka Tiger (old but you can find them on amazon). 

In Midi Mode

Ever since the Billie Holiday inspired wedding dress I wore to our City Hall ceremony, I've been loving the elegance of the midi-length dress! The trick to elongating your legs with this length, is to, at least, wear a kitten heel (I wouldn't recommend a flat unless you're amazon lady already ;)

Evening Dresses

Cocktail Dresses

Dress by JS Collection, Shoes by Glint, Silk Wrap also by Glint, from Nordstrom

Light & Shadows and Floppy Hats

Loving this floppy hat from Forever 21! I must say, it looks just as nice as some of the more expensive one out there.

Hat: Forever 21 (here). 

Below, a few more of my favorites ;)

Hats
Hats

Peaches & Cream

Top: H&M (similar here). Chunky Cardigan: Zara (old but this one could work as well). Pencil Skirt: Asos (old). Heels: Zara (old but love these as well).

Poppy Red

Hi Ladies! Excuse the mess in the background ( this is what happens when I decide to "sift" through my closets)! :) The outfit, on its own, is pretty basic, but by adding a pop of color ( any bright color, really), and some nude heels, you're taking a casual day look up a notch ;) Don't forget to add a red lip if you dare ;) 

xo, Magpie

Top: purchased at Jeremy's Department Store (similar found here). Jeans: Gap Destructed Sexy Boyfriend Jeans). Belt: Forever 21 two-tone belt (old). Bag: Urban Outfitters (old but this one is cute too). 

Black & White

Shirt: Gap Boyfriend Shirt (here). Pants: Gap Skimmers (here). Belt: Vintage (old). Bag: Urban Outfitters (this one is pricy but very nice, and this one is a bit more casual;). Shoes: Zara (old but similar here). 

The Last of Summer

Shirt: Anthropologie. Skinnies: American Eagle. Belt: Forever21. Bag: Ecote. Bracelet: Francesca's. Sandals: Nine West (Piperlime.com)

My Daily Makeup Favorites

Ok ladies! Here are the makeup products I use on a daily basis for a natural, pretty, sun kissed look:)

Face Bronzer
Face Blush

I've placed them in order of how I apply them to my face (from left to right). I interchange my blushes between MAC "warm soul" and Nars "orgasm", since they both create a pretty and natural, blushed cheek. As for lips, my current favorite is YSL Rouge Volupte in "ultimate beige", which is not too much darker than my natural lip color. Its a little pricy but the packaging and mango scent is worth it! Nars Lip Gloss in "orgasm" has been a continued staple for quite a few years now. Its a great topper to almost any color, or is great just worn on its own as well. For a healthy glow and contouring, I've been using Victoria's Secret Mega Glow Bronzer (which is no longer available unfortunately). As an alternative, Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Bronzer is fabulous, and gives a beautiful, natural glow as well! I cannot say enough wonderful things about Urban Decay's Naked 2 eye palette! The colors I use the most are "half baked", "bootycall", "tease", and "snakebite". This set is all you need to create anything from natural to smoldering ;) If you are needing your makeup to last longer without creasing, I would recommend a face primer prior to putting on your makeup, but after you apply moisturizer. I like VS Pro Airbrush FX Perfecting Primer SPF 20. Another trick is to spritz the entire face with a setting spray, such as Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray.

I'd love t hear what you ladies think and love! What are your faves?!

Purple Reign

Both dresses are from Bebe! The one on the left is super comfortable, and the beautiful dress on the right makes me think of butterfly wings (both are found here and here)! Shoes: Bebe (here). Now, if only I had an event to go too...;)

Sealed With A Bow

Top: H&M (got it on sale but this one would work too). Skirt: Express (old but this one is nice too;). Belt: H&M (old). Heels: Zara (old but similar here). 

Neutrals & Metallics

Hi Ladies! I was in a neutral kind of mood, and I couldn't decide which sweater I liked the best with my new cropped pants from Guess :) The first two ensembles, perhaps, are a little more casual, while the third one is a little dressier (for, say, a business dinner ;) Hope this gets your creative juices flowing!

xo,

Magpie

From Left to Right: Sweater: Banana Republic. Cropped Pants: Guess (purchased at Macy's). Heels: Zara (old). Watch: Men's Diesel (purchased on piperlime.com).V-Neck Sweater: Banana Republic. Embellished Sweater: Ann Taylor (old).

The Last Days Of Summer

Tee: Old Navy (here). Skinnies: American Eagle Outfitters (old). Skinny Belt: Forever 21( similar here). Heels: Nine West (old). Necklace: H&M Men's (old). Bracelet: Banana Republic (old)

Neon Brights

V-neck tee: Victoria's Secret Pink (here). Jeans: Gap (here). Scarf: Gap (here).

Seasonal Transition

We are nearing the season of transitional weather, and I just love this light, military-inspired jacket by Club Monaco for cooler days to come! Sometimes, all you need is one statement piece to build your whole outfit around ;)

Jacket: "Susie" Parka by Club Monaco (here). Tank: "Marlow" Tank by Club Monaco (here). Pant: "Jessie" Pant (here). Shoes: Lockport Wedge by Off The Beaten Track (here). Watch: SendTheTrend (similar here).

Leather Jackets
Blazers

*Click on the set for details