FAVORITO FRIDAY: NARS LIP PENCILS AT SEPHORA

One of the best birthday perks is all the free gifts and discounts you at your favorite stores the month of! I heard about the birthday gift from Sephora last year and I was stoked. Two free lipsticks? Count me in. 

Since my birthday was in January, I was quick to swing by and grab my freebie. Inside the adorable NARS box is a mini Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella and a mini Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien. I've always loved lip pencils since I've found them easier to use (I can't seem to figure out where my lip line actually is). The gifted colors are completely on point. Cruella is a vibrant, sultry red and Rikugien is the perfect nude color for my skin tone. The Velvet Matte Lip Pencil is still moisturizing, but packs one heck of a punch, and the Satin Lip Pencil is long-lasting and a great every day lip pencil. I've got my perfect day to night combination!

Thanks to Sephora, I am hooked on NARS. I've already got my orders for more colors on their way now!

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella ($26.00) - Sephora

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned ($26.00) - Sephora

NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien ($26.00) - Sephora

NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Yu ($26.00) - Sephora

Become a part of Sephora Beauty Insider and get your free gift this year!

Jess

BRAID BONANZA

It's been another late night on Pinterest...

From the rainy weather in Houston to wedding details to hanging with my niece, braids have, oddly enough, been a part of my everyday life lately. My curls are my daily go-to look, but ever since I successfully did a French braid for the first time ever, I've been on this braid kick. I've got the messy fishtail braid down (messy is my hair's middle name), working on the braided crown, and getting mentally ready for the Dutch braid. See my favorite braided looks below. (Don't worry, I added some for both short and long hair!)

via The Wonder Forest

via The Beauty Department

via Barefoot Blonde

via Twist Me Pretty

via Cupcakes and Cashmere

via Barefoot Blonde

via Makeup Wearables

via Style Me Pretty

via Free People

via Pinterest

How do you like to do braids?

Jess

SUPERGA X RODARTE

I really love designer collaborations, especially when it's a high end brand teaming up with an everyday label. So the second I read about the recent collaboration with Superega and Rodarte, I was on it like white on rice. And I'm not disappointed. 

Although I opt for heels over sneakers any day of the week, these shoes are super interesting (get it?).  You can check out the full collection here.

What do you think of the collaboration?

x Jill

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY

Or if you have to stay, let's get your feet ready to stay dry.

Rain isn't shy when it comes to Houston, but just like winter coats in Chicago, there is no reason to wear boring rain boots just because the weather sucks. From prints to studs, pops of color to sleek chic - you can find the perfect pair to match your changing outfit and style. Trust me, I've got a few pairs myself. See my favorite boots to stomp in puddles, below!

1. Joules 'Evedone' Rain Boot ($164.95) - Nordstrom, 2. Hunter Original Fringe Mid-Calf Rain Boots ($185.00) - Saks Fifth Avenue, 3. SLOOSH Italy Original Opaque Rain Boots ($220.00) - Shopbop, 4. Jeffrey Campbell Forecast Rain Boot ($70.00) - Urban Outfitters, 5. Original Tall Dazzle Rain Boots ($235.00) - Hunter, 6. Rockstud Rain Boot ($445.00) - Valentino, 7. Chooka Top Solid Rain Boot ($70.00) - Zappos, 8. Melissa Soldier Angkle Boots ($185.00) - Saks Fifth Avenue, 9. Spring 13 Rainboot ($10.00) - Marc by Marc Jacobs.

How do you keep your feet dry?

Jess

JILL'S 2015 OSCARS RED CARPET REWIND

Happy Monday!

If you've ever read any of my red carpet posts (which I'm hoping you're not here just for the pretty pictures), you'll know that the Oscars are my Christmas. As a bit of a movie-a-holic, I look forward to this night all year. And since last year I was out of the country and missed the show, I'm excited we can recap the red carpet together. So let's get to it!

Here are my opinions on the best and worst dressed from last night.

BEST

Lupita Nyong'o in custom Calvin Klein: Those pearls. That cut. It's no surprise this is custom, because it fits her like a glove.

Rosamund Pike in Givenchy: If anyone questioned just how amazing Amazing Amy is, Rosamund just answered them. AH-mazing. Wearing red on a red carpet is a risk, but she's standing out with that slit and lace texture. +1 for us pale girls - how beautiful is her skin against this color?

Emma Stone in Elie Saab: First, you know I give extra bonus points to those who opt for sleeves. But I love how Emma balances it out with an open back and a slit in the dress. Also, her red hair is always her best accessory, and everything she wears always compliments the color.

WORST

Felicity Jones in Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen: I'd love to take the top and put it on a different bottom. The color is amazing, and the neckline is interesting, but that bottom is giving me Cinderella vibes. It kind of reminds me of those wedding gowns inspired by Disney Princesses.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Ralph and Russo: 80s prom realness right now. Not sure why Gwynetb decided to wear an overgrown corsage on her shoulder, but I'm just not feeling it. She should consider consciously uncoupling with it. I do love the pink color on her though. 

OTHER

Margot Robbie in Saint Laurent: Usually when a celebrity wears black on th red carpet, I think they need to turn things up a little more. But how misplaced does this necklace look with this dress? It sticks out like the worst kind of after-thought, but she does looks like a total babe in this gown.

Chloe Moretz in Miu Miu: Usually Chloe's choices are a miss for me, but I thought she looked lovely in this gown. It's young enough without being out of place on the Oscars red carpet.

Reese Witherspoon in Tom Ford: Gorgeous? Yes. Noteworthy? Not quite. If the word "meh" came in the form of a gown, this would be it. Also, it's looks like she was inspired by past choices she's made.

Lady Gaga in custom Azzedine Alaia:  This dress is a work of art (and I'm not just saying that like the E! Correspondents do when they don't know what to say). Lady Gaga could never walk down the carpet in a strapless gown and I love her for that, plus her makeup and hair are on point. Just wishing she would ditch the cleaning gloves, because things would look so much better without them. But then she wouldn't be Gaga, would she?

Who did you love last night?

x Jill

FAVORITO FRIDAY: WILD & FREE DESIGNS ON ETSY

It's no secret that I love to travel and adore everything adventure and globe-related. My dear friend introduced me to an Etsy shop that she thought I would enjoy and that is an understatement - I want to buy it all! Wild and Free Designs is a shop filled with travel-themed prints and hand-drawn quotes on vintage globes, that go perfect in any house. Just looking at this shop has me ready to plan my next trip!

Come Away With me ($240.00)

Wild and Free ($14.00+)

Adventure Awaits ($230.00)

Prone to Wander ($14.00+)

Feeling the wanderlust?

Jess

JILL'S 2014 CHRISTMAS IN LA

Being one of my favorite places ever, and since my family is spread out throughout the US, we seem to be making it a tradition to spend our Christmas in Los Angeles (see last year's here). This year was no different!

My fiancé and I met my parents in Los Angeles, where my brother lives, to spend almost two weeks of vacation. What my parents didn't know was that on Christmas Eve they'd open a surprise trip to Vegas from us, which I'll share later on the blog. For now, I had a few snaps I wanted to share from my time in California!

And when you're spending Christmas in a hotel, you improvise with a tree and centerpieces. 

We did a ton of fun things in California, like spending the day roaming around the Silver Lake neighborhood, and playing escape room games in a basement and being trapped in a room with a zombie. (Side note: You must try this!). For New Year's Eve we went to my favorite LA restaurant, Gracias Madre, and had a ton of tequila, food, and of course, laughs.

I'm definitely missing this view, especially in this cold weather.

Until next time, California!

x Jill

MONOGRAM IT!

When in doubt - monogram it!

Whether it's for birthdays, the holidays, or just because - monograms are the perfect personalized gifts. (And perfect for yourself, as well!) With wedding favors on my mind, I found the tip of the monogram iceberg. There's serveware, jewelry, towels, leather goods... You name it and there's a way to get anything imaginable with someone's initials on it. Make sure no one's forgets your name or go that extra step in gift-giving with these monogrammed goods!

Top to bottom, left to right: 1. Monogram Boxed Candle ($7.95 - On Sale!) - Anthropologie, 2. Navy Greek Key Monogrammed Initials Tray ($86.50) - Jonathan Adler, 3. Monogram Card Set ($25.00) - Kate Spade, 4. Lock It Up ($75.00) - Lola James, 5. Colofield Clutch ($45.00) - Mark and Graham, 6. Signet Ring ($220.00+) - Bittersweets, 7. Front Door Key Fob ($19.50) - Madewell, 8. Block Monogram Necklace ($150.00) - Erin Gallagher, 9. Organic Brighton Matelasse Euro Sham ($29.99+ - On Sale!) - West Elm

How do you like to monogram?

Jess

WEDDING INSPIRATION: CAKE

This post may cause drooling.

They always say the details matter most in things, and there is no better detail to think about at a wedding than the cake (right?!). We've put together some cake inspiration photos not only for us both to refer to when we're ready to plan that part of our weddings, but because... who doesn't love cake?

Hello May

Martha Stewart Weddings

Wedding Chicks

Martha Stewart Weddings

Wedding Chicks

Style Unveiled

Mod Wedding

Paper and Lace

Ruffled

What do you want your wedding cake to look like?

Jess & Jill