A Wonderfelle World

Wonderfelle Wants: 5 Essentials

wonderfelle — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:30:11 +0000

Sorry things have been a bit quiet around here – but if you follow me on twitter or instagram you may already know my husband and I have been busy getting ready to move next weekend! We spent a lot of the weekend cleaning out our closets to get ready for our scheduled Goodwill pickup on Tuesday, and it feels so good to have purged all of the unloved shoes/bags/clothes that have cluttered our space. Maybe it’s just that I’m getting older (and wiser?) but I really hated seeing how many cheap/trendy pieces I have accumulated and am now giving away. While each of the items was relatively inexpensive, I didn’t really need any of them and in retrospect it seems like a bit of a waste of money – though hopefully others will get to enjoy them now!

[a few instagram shots taken while packing (click photos for detail): Kate Spade Nell flats and Charm heels (my wedding shoes!) / Hermes Birkin, Louis Vuitton Palermo GM, Celine Mini Luggage / Miu Miu shoe collection: jeweled ballet flats, spectator pumps, pleated back platform pumps, platform sandals]

It did make me really think about committing to really invest in classic, quality pieces that I will keep for years. I’ve tried to do this more over the past couple of years, but I’ve definitely been guilty of making impulse purchases on a bad day, pulling the trigger on an item because the deal was “too good” to pass up and buying something from H&M/Forever21/etc. because “if it’s less than $25 it doesn’t count” – tell me I’m not alone here… anyway, I’m going to really try harder to only buy things I need or at least really really really love.

With that said, I’ll hopefully be buying less on a regular basis and saving more towards investment items – in taking inventory of my bags I realized that I need to be more strategic in my purchases – because I don’t need a 6th medium sized hobo style bag when I lack a great clutch! I’m taking notes from Bag Snob’s 5 Essentials and trying to build a well-balanced “bag wardrobe” – so here are my picks for the 5 styles right now:

tote: I recently added the long-coveted Celine Mini Luggage tote to my collection (it is everything I hoped it would be!) so I’ve got that covered for now.

travel: For as much as I’ve blogged about Proenza Schouler bags here, I still don’t own one. The PS1 Large Travel bag is my ideal travel bag – at 12″ x 19″ x 9.5″ its roomy enough to carry all I need for at least an overnight trip and the optional shoulder strap makes it that much more convenient.

treasure (exotic): The Chloe Paraty Medium Python has been on my wishlist for so long, but I’ve never been able to pull the trigger. I’d love to add an exotic leather piece to my collection some day though (so in case anyone wants to buy me a present…)

trendy: I don’t really believe in spending a lot of super trendy items, so when I think of this trendy category of bags I really want to stay away from anything that I won’t love years from now. My current pick is the Chanel Boy Tote which is a bit different than your classic Chanel but still timeless. I also love the smaller Boy Flap but it might be just a bit small for my preference.

clutch: I hate having to hold a clutch bag, so a chain strap option is ideal. My mother turned me on to Chanel’s Wallet on Chain bags which are perfect for when you only need to take the essentials for a night out. Now I just need one of my own :)

What would your 5 essentials be?

Wonderfelle at Work

wonderfelle — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:30:54 +0000

I love that this Elizabeth and James Scarf-paneled Printed Silk Top takes the thinking out of mixing prints the right way. It’s chic and easy – just the way I like it…

for work: 1) Vanessa Bruno cardigan 2) Elizabeth and James top 3) Soixante Neuf ring (this has me wanting a ring with my new monogram!) 4) The Row laptop bag 5) Isharya grid cuff 6) Pour la Victoire patent pumps (now 55% off!)

for weekend: 1) Leather leggings (similar) 2) Elizabeth and James top 3) Kevia bracelets 4) Proenza Schouler PS1 Pouch 5) Kenneth Jay Lane ring 6) H&M ankle boots (such a steal!)

Recent Beauty Hits and Misses

wonderfelle — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:30:59 +0000

1) Sephora Collection Pro Foundation Airbrush #56 and Pro Concealer Airbrush #57: I’ve been using these Sephora Pro Collection brushes which are supposedly designed to create “a flawless airbrushed finish.” The bristles are made of synthetic, three-tone Taklon fibers and are densely packed. I originally purchased these as part of a set that had gotten great reviews, but these are the real standouts for me. I’ve used the foundation brush with both MUFE Mat Velvet liquid foundation (no. 65 golden beige) and Edward Bess Sheer Satin cream foundation (natural) and been pleasantly surprised at how smooth and even my foundation has looked. I don’t usually use concealer but I find the concealer brush is excellent for subtle highlighting to blend in YSL’s Touche Eclat (luminous honey).

2) Burberry Beauty Light Glow Natural Blush in No. 5 Blossom: I’ve always thought Burberry Beauty packaging was stunning but after seeing The Beauty Look Book’s swatches of Burberry blushes I finally caved and purchased Blossom. It’s the perfect coral-pink for my (medium/tan skin with yellow/olive undertones) skin plus its finely milled and easy to layer. Like the name says, it makes my skin glow with a very slight light-reflecting shimmer – coming from someone who hates overly shimmery blushes – it is a definite contender for one of my favorite blushes ever.

3) Edward Bess Sheer Satin Cream Compact Foundation in Natural: This. Is. Amazing. According to Bergdorfs – it’s “So lightweight, so sheer. Unique cream-to-powder texture enhances the complexion with a radiant, long-lasting satin finish.” I’d say it provides light to medium coverage but is very buildable and gives me that ideal “my skin but better” glow. Unfortunately the current color selection is a bit limited – I’m usually not the very darkest shade of foundations but my best match by far is No. 05 Natural which will probably be too light in the summer. I’m crossing my fingers there might be a wider range of shades by then because I’m completely hooked!

4) Chanel Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow in Eclosion 34: As you may know, I love Chanel’s eye shadow quads and this new quad for Spring is no exception. The three lighter colors (a peachy-pink, light gold, medium golden taupe) are gorgeous when used across the lid, layered and as highlights while the plum color actually appears more brown on me (in a good way). All of the colors have a decent shimmer but as with most of Chanel’s eye shadows it’s a very refined shimmer – and unlike my blush, I do prefer a little shimmer in my eye shadow.

5) d.j.v beautenizer Fiberwig LX: In my never ending quest to find a magical mascara that transforms my eyelashes into something amazing, I purchased this mascara after a makeup artist described it as the best fiber mascara. It’s not bad, but not anything special. While I like the glossy formula and it does add considerable length to my lashes, it doesn’t do much in the way of volumizing and I feel like it takes too many coats to get the length I want. I think my trusty L’Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lash is a much better pick, especially for the price!

6) Oribe Moisture Control Shampoo and Conditioner: For the price, I really wanted to love these. For reference I have really thick, relatively dry, long, never been color-treated hair and need moisturizing products that tame my wavy texture prone to frizz. I’ve never been satisfied with drugstore shampoos and have tried everything from Bumble & Bumble to Kerastase to Frederick Fekkai to Aveda’s Brilliant line to various Keratin treatments and have yet to find something that smooths and moisturizes enough to let me get away with not heat-styling (or putting up with a dry, frizzy mess). Oribe is one of the pricest options I’ve tried and unfortunately it’s just meh. The packaging is really pretty, but the conditioner bottle has an annoying shape and I found it difficult to get the product out after just a few days. Overall I wouldn’t purchase it again… and I’m still looking for a holy grail shampoo/conditioner so let me know if you have any suggestions!

7) Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Pink Mosaic (also Golden Mosaic): I fell in love with Laura Mercier’s limited edition Rose Rendezvous Illuminator a few months ago and ended up getting a couple of the full size Shimmer Blocs for Christmas. Too bad the formula doesn’t seem anything like Rose Rendezvous – its much more of a frosted highlighter and the colors settle on my skin in an unflattering way. The pigment is substantial and some of the colors definitely work better as a blush/bronzer than a highlighter, but similar to Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Bricks, they’re just too shiny for my taste.

Any beauty products you’re loving/hating right now?

Daily Commute

wonderfelle — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:30:30 +0000

We’ve had some of that dreaded wintry-mix weather in DC this week which means these boots have been on my feet, but looking forward to Spring/Summer I find rain boots are a bit too much to deal with in the wet humidity. I love the idea of these brightly colored jelly flats with rubber soles for commuting in those hard-to-avoid April showers!

Kate Spade Juliana Too Flats

Wonderfelle Wants: DVF Mini Harper

wonderfelle — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:30:43 +0000

I love carrying my neon yellow Kate Spade Essex Scout bag on weekends for a bright pop of color – it’s definitely my brightest purchase but surprisingly versatile. If you missed out on the neon color from last year, this mini-messenger from Old Navy is pretty similar, but at a much lower price point! I had trouble choosing whether to get the Kate Spade bag in pink or yellow – and since I ultimately decided to purchase the yellow version, I’ve been itching to add a bright pink bag to my collection as well!

A few weeks ago I came across the DVF Mini Harper Bag in Neon Leather and was instantly smitten…

This is the perfect sized weekend bag for me – just big enough for the essentials and a chain shoulder strap for hands-free ease! The colors are all fabulous but I do love the pink especially… and in case you’re not a fan of the tassel, its detachable. For a limited time save $50 with code DVFINSIDER!

Wonderfelle at Work

wonderfelle — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:30:14 +0000

This Tara Jarmon wrap dress is an great wardrobe staple that can easily for from work to weekend. Pair it with a cropped blazer, simple gold jewelry and pumps for work and with sleek heels and a statement necklace for weekend cocktails.

for work: 1) Topshop cropped boucle blazer 2) Tara Jarmon wrap dress 3) Kate Spade stud earrings 4) Kenneth Cole linked bracelet 5) Reed Krakoff tote 6) Dara Ettinger Nadia druzy ring 7) Stuart Weitzman Hello pumps

for weekend: 1) Rebecca Minkoff bag 2) Tara Jarmon wrap dress 3) Kendra Scott Riley earrings 4) Kendra Scott Harlow necklace 5) Christian Louboutin patent sandals

Daily Commute

wonderfelle — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:00:57 +0000

I’m a fan of the Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan Air Bacara flats – but in glitter they’re that much better. Featuring a cushioned foot bed, Nike Air technology rubber pods on the outsole and a laced bow accent at the heels, these flats are much better constructed than the similarly styled Gap City Flats and come in a plethora of colors including black and silver glitter.

Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan Air Bacara flats

Wonderfelle Wants: Miu Miu Valentine’s Day

wonderfelle — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:27:57 +0000

Last week I was smitten with the new bags in Proenza Schouler’s Valentine’s Day Collection… and then I came across Miu Miu’s Valentine’s Day Collection – filled with luxurious grained leather, Swarovski crystals, gold plated and palladium studs – its definitely a new favorite!

The collection ranges from cute calf leather key holders for $250 to embellished shoulder bags that run from $1,150 – $1,495. Miu Miu’s crystal embellishment is always impeccable – and infinitely more stunning in person. Unfortunately the Valentine’s collection doesn’t include shoes, but there are a few standouts in the current collection fitting for the holiday as well…

1) Ballet Flats 2) iPhone Case 3) Jeweled Ballet Flats (LOVE these!) 4) Wallet

5) Crystal Heels (incredible in person) 6) Key Holders 7) iPad Case 8) Bracelet

Wonderfelle at Work

wonderfelle — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:58:31 +0000

Day after day of wearing plain (insert black/ grey/ navy) suit blazers can get a bit boring in the corporate world, so I’m always on the look out for interesting blazers that are more versatile – this Cascade Open-Front Blazer is tailored enough to wear with a slim fit cobalt pant for casual Friday and stylish enough to wear with sequin leggings for a night out.

For Work: 1) Tibi Silk-Crepe tank (perfect light layer for wearing under blazers) 2) Cascade Open-Front Blazer 3) Tibi Crepe de Chine Pants (how gorgeous is this color) 4) Z Spoke Zac Posen bag 5) Beyond Rings Cabochon Spiral Ring 6) Mulberry Bow Pumps (can’t resist a bow!)

For Weekend: 1) Karl Sequined Pants (underwhelmed by the new Karl collection overall, but these are awesome) 2) Cascade Open-Front Blazer 3) Theory Tank 4) Elizabeth and James Nile Ring 5) Vince Camuto Jorgie Pumps (20% off with code 20GIFT) 6) Asos Metallic Portfolio Clutch (only $23 now + 20% off with code THANKS20) 7) Bounkit Onyx Earrings

Happy Weekend!

On My Radar… Studs.

wonderfelle — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:41:15 +0000

As much as I love pretty chandelier and drop earrings, they usually end up bothering my ears after a few hours and I end up taking them out (and inevitably losing one to the bottom of my purse). I end up wearing plain pearl or diamond studs more often than not, but in an effort to change things up more I have had my eye out for sparkly studs that I can wear during the day that aren’t as boring!

1) Ben-Amun Flower Studs 2) Ben-Amun Deco Studs 3) LaFonn Double Studs 4) Kenneth Jay Lane Flower Studs 5) Roped Paved Posts via BaubleBar 6) Badgley Mischka Deco Studs