Fall Goodwill Pieces

I went to Goodwill today to drop off some clothes and other knick-knacks that have no place in my shoebox home anymore, and I decided to browse around and look at the sweaters and coats to see if there was anything worthwhile for fall. I LOVE buying winter stuff from Goodwill because the pieces are so...different? In stores, at least the ones that are on the typical fashion cycle, have pretty similarly cut clothes. And I'm always on the lookout for something a little bit different. And that I don't have to spend pre-fall prices on because well, unemployed.

And I think I had a VERY good day.

I am completely aware that it is too hot to wear any of this except the last dress, but hey. Just getting ahead.

1. Eddie Bauer Sweater - $5.49

The first thing I found was a long sweater-hoodie hybrid. It is extremely cozy and has a detachable fur lining on the hood. I would wear this out or even around the house - it's the perfect sweater for when you want to look a little bit put together but not put in much effort. And I think it would fare well even as outerwear till the end of this year - till the snow comes in, that is. Factoring in Eddie Bauer as performance wear cold weather, I'm hoping that it does it's job.

2. ABG sweater dress - $5.49

This baby still had the original tag on. It's in an XL, but works so well as a slouchy sweater dress. It looks oversized on me but hangs nicely. I love the leather detail on the sagging pockets. I'm sure I'll get loads of wear out of this. I'm also on the hunt for a pair of thigh-high boots, so paired with this, I think it'd both keep me warm and look like I tried at life, too.

3. Giacca coat - $6.79

This bomber styled quilted jacket is EVERYTHING. I've been on the hunt for a khaki coat, but I had enough jackets last season, so this was a welcome change to that line-up. It is ridiculously warm, and the (faux) fur detail gives it a nice touch. It also keeps me warm without making me look like I'm in my third term and about to pop.

4. Diane Von Furstenburg slip dress - $4.99

Need I say more. This silk (yes!) slip dress feels amazing on the skin, and I've worn it NON STOP. As a dress both belted and without and as a top tucked into shorts. It's so versatile and I think I can even get away layering it for the fall.

Like I said, the Goodwill Gods were definitely on my side today and I think for the prices, I snagged some insanely good deals. Now for the next haul...

Goodwill 101

I've gotten quite a few questions over the past few months relating to one thing - Goodwill shopping.
It's something that I wanted to do as soon as I came here because I've heard SO much about it from US based blogs and vlogs. Back in the UK, there is a similar concept called Charity Shopping but the stores are smaller and more full of bric-a-brac than clothes.

I thought I'd do a series of posts that basically help you all (well, my US based friends) shop at Goodwill!

There are a few things you need to know straight off the bat.

1. Goodwills can be HUGE. Some of them have clothes organised by size, some don't. Some organise by color, some don't. Some don't even organise past men's/women's. But that is exactly what makes it exciting. It's like a treasure hunt.
2. There are tonnes of Goodwills in NYC. Don't just look at the ones in midtown. The best ones are the ones that are in Brooklyn or even uptown (cause that's where you can score some designer shi*).
3. You need patience. Go through all the racks. It takes a few visits to really know what is worth it, what's overpriced and what you need to buy RIGHT NOW or you'll spend the rest of your life regretting it.

Items are typically priced between $5-25 (this is mostly clothing) but when you figure out the half-off color (will talk more about this later), you can score for as little as $1.50-2. I've gotten skirts for $2. With the original label on.

So here's a step by step to get you started.

1. Before you go, set a budget. It's VERY easy to buy a bunch of crap you won't even wear. There is a 7 day return policy, but who has time for that. I can say with pride that I've probably made only 2-3 bad buys out of the 38749832 things I've bought in the past six months.
2. Check which color is half off this week. Each item is color-tagged (I think it's blue, purple, green, pink, orange, yellow and white) with a specific price - so if all the blue tags are 1/2 off that week, you're going to be paying half of the price 
3. Make sure you have a good 2-3 hours set aside for this. Hit up a couple of Goodwills, not just one. Get lost in the racks.
4. Try on stuff. The lines to the changing rooms can get a bit crazy - but with the assortment of clothing, you never know what will look good on you - sometimes the most unexpected things do!
5. This is just my personal rule of thumb - either get things that look new or if they don't, at least they should have some sort of aesthetic value. Like a worn denim jacket where the previous owner has stitched on buttons and studs. NOT a ratty sweater with holes in it which looks like it's falling apart at the seams. 
6. Check out the homeware section. You can get new Ikea plates and mugs for less than a dollar. And some really cute crockery.

Some of my favorite Goodwill stores are at:

• 217 W 79th St - UWS - Great for designer/contemporary stuff. The shit that rich people throw away...
• 157 West 72nd Street - Same. I found some amazing shoes for $4
• 258 Livingston St - This one is huge. Stock changes almost every three days. My favorite buy is my camel Armani coat. 

I hope this helps! I will do another post with my favorite Goodwill buys next - seriously, this has become something of an addiction.

Talking Body (Shop)

To all of you who got the Tove Lo reference, thank you, you made my day. I feel current and up to date with music :P

It was that time of the year where I cashed in those reward points and hit the Body Shop sale. My mom and I both bought stuff, so I thought I'd share.

1. Camomile Eye and Lip Makeup Remover (Original Price 795 INR - Sale Price - 397.50 INR)
I went in wanting to try a make up remover or a cleanser and I managed to snag the last bottle of this beauty at 50% off. I need something to take off the black warpaint, and this does the job without making my eyes sting.

2. White Musk Smoky Rose Eau De Toilette (Original Price 1395 INR - Sale Price - 697.50 INR)
This is divine. A brilliant light musk, which is not overpowering in the least. Definitely an evening perfume.

3. Satsuma Body Polish (Bought at Original Price - 650 INR)
This one is completely my Mum's. I'm the Strawberry Body Polish Fangirl, through and through. This one is for all you people who like something a lot less fruity and a lot more citrusy and refreshing. It leaves your skin feeling blissfully smooth.

4.. Color Crush Eyeshadow in Moonlight Kiss (Original Price 695 INR - Sale Price - 347.5)
 I've been on the lookout for a matte black single eye shadow since god knows when. Yes, at some point I will order Make Up Geek's Corrupt, but I thought I'd give Moonlight Kiss a go. I use it to smoke out my eyes and bedroom them down (or up?) a little. The initial color goes on VERY strong, but it does tend to fade out pretty fast, I've noticed. Kind of a miss for me.

Happy Weekend!

A bit of Sale shopping

Circumstances have led me to require new clothes for my wardrobe. And when there's a sale. I use any excuse I can to acquire clothing (in this case, moving out).

I'm really trying to build a good capsule wardrobe, and these five items honestly check off some of the boxes that have been left empty for years!

Let me share/enable some of you #spreadtheguilt.

1. Black sweater - MANGO (890 INR)
    Mango on sale is heaven. It is one of the only stores that actually stocks my size, and is brilliant for workwear. I've been on the lookout for a lightweight black sweater to throw over things for ages. Everything I seem to find is either really questionable quality, or has some absurd embellishment/graphic situation going on. But this one is perfect.

2. Jeans - Vibe - (1529 INR)
    Finding a pair of jeans that aren't hideously expensive and fit me well is quite a challenge. I've been slightly obsessed with this brand called Vibe. The wash and fit of their jeans is amazing. They're also super soft and last ages. Would definitely recommend the petite ladies of the world to check them out. They retail at Shopper's Stop, as far as I know. But I'm sure they're at other places too!

3. Purple lacy bra - Loveable (Zivame) (500 INR)
    I have been on the hunt for a lacy bra like this one to wear with low armhole tops for ages. It's also ridiculously comfortable.

4. Maroon top - Insense - (450 INR)
    This was on sale. And it looked nice. And my friend made me buy it - YOU KNOW WHO YOU    ARE.

5. Black high waist treggings - MANGO (1290 INR)
  Another wardrobe gap that I had to fill. I have quite a few cropped tops and I think this is a brilliant basic to have, anyway. Fits like a dream.

6. Black Moccasins - Carlton London (1248 INR)
    Whenever I put on a smart/work outfit, I feel like I'm really lacking work shoes. I really cannot be bothered to wear heels on a day to day basis, so I wanted some slightly dressy moccasins that I can slip on and feel really put together. Plus Jabong was on sale...

Happy sale shopping!

Little (?) Black Bag

So I've been on the lookout for a nice black handbag that looks designer but in terms of cost, lets me keep my kidneys.

This little number from New Look (retailed on Myntra) was everything I was looking for and more.

I love the feel of the bag. It's soft, and matte.And the imitation of snakeskin done by quilting? Genius.

I am terrified of owning patent-esque bags because I always feel like I'm going to scratch them. 

I am not a careful person.

It's a brilliant size, large without looking tote-y. And I'm a small person, big bags tend to drown me.

Buying bags online is always a toss up. I know New Look's quality, so I went with it.  More often than not, there will be a picture of the bag on a model, but if not, check the size chart. Or the 'sling shoulder bag' you wanted for work will be able to fit a tissue and one housekey. At most.

I'm really glad these e-comm sites are stocking more and more international brands now, so that till H&M and New Look finally come to our shores in the form of B&M stores, we can spend the better part of our salaries on these pretty imports that we probably don't need, online.
You can still get it here on an even bigger discount than I did :D

Street Finds: The White Edition

Once in a while I succumb to the temptation that is Commercial Street. You find some really good export reject stock and I got pretty lucky.
I've been on the hunt for white pieces for my wardrobe for a while now. And these two hit the spot.
I'm over the whole sheer-chiffon-buttondown craze that hit the streets a few seasons ago and I'm looking for more interesting textures. The white blouse had permanent pleat crepe and lace applique and the dress was lace and tulle (the ballerina in me was very excited).

Priced (I kid you not) at 200 INR for the white sleeveless blouse and 400 INR for the dress - I think you all can fully appreciate why I love nosing out export reject stock. They're good quality and have the tiniest defects (trust me, Zara has defected pieces in-store at times), and I couldn't find anything wrong with either of these pieces. Thank you to Nisha for helping me with these shots. And strategically blurring out the garbage in the background :P

                        

Have a great Sunday!
x

Wardrobe Resolutions 2015

As the New Year begins, I feel like instead of pretending to myself that I can change my life completely, I decided to start small - and fix my wardrobe. And a by-product of this is learning where to invest and where to budget. Which my parents will be thrilled about, no doubt.


1. Buy more investment pieces
  Don't get me wrong, I love to street shop. But when I moved out, I realized just how much I had amassed over the past few years. I wanted variety, sure. But a lot of those chiffony-flowy-printed pieces were getting quite old. I still, however, would probably buy export rejects. Purely because they followed SOME quality standards before they got tossed on the 'Discard' pile.

2. Be open to trying stuff out of my comfort zone A.K.A Never judge a garment by how it looks on the hanger
   Being a short, small person, options are limited. The skinny-bitch hating is all well and good in songs, but ain't so funny when we don't have options in terms of dresses, or well fitting pants. I tend to look at stuff in 'hanger mode'. And I don't bother trying it on. Need to change that!

3. Capsule wardrobe
  Popularized by Donna Karan, the capsule wardrobe concept is based on the principle that you only need a few basic staple pieces, and augment it every season with more color-specific pieces. I need to toss/donate a good amount of my stuff out in order to streamline my wardrobe.

4. Get more work-appropriate dresses
   As I work in a place where I deal with clients a lot, it's essential that I present myself well. Another option to pants and skirts are good work dresses. You can wear this with or without a blazer/cardigan, as is appropriate for your work environment. I recently got a BARGAIN dress online from a brand called Mast and Harbor on Myntra - check out some of their dresses here. Less than a grand, and really lovely quality.

5. Invest in shoes
    When I was in college, I traveled a lot everyday, so I never really bothered dropping cash on my everyday shoes. But now that I can actually wear nicer shoes, I feel like I need to invest more. Not only do better quality shoes last longer (provided you take care of them enough)

6. Stop falling for the online sales unless they're offering something that is cheaper that the store price

Well, this point is pretty self-explanatory, but I've felt myself being completely sucked in by the online e-tailers off-late. More often that not, though I've picked up some good bargains. For example, Only/Vero Moda had its 70% off sale in December and I picked up a few good pieces from the online store as opposed to the outlet purely cause of stock and sizing - I hardly find my size in stores. But online, I always get lucky *cue Daft Punk*

Anyway, I hope this helps some of you detox your wardrobe and your wardrobes, so to speak.

Good luck, and a Happy New Year!

Bombay Shopping Diaries - The highlights

Street shopping for me is a source of delight. If I come across one of those shops with export rejects (yes, there's a difference between the fake ones that claim to be 'H&M' or 'Zara' and the actual export rejects).
Thankfully, 4 years in fashion design school taught me what to look for, which ones to ditch and how to drive a really hard bargain.

I did buy a considerable amount in Bombay this time but SURPRISE SURPRISE, 50% of the stuff wasn't for me :P. In fact, I think the presents outweighed the haul I got for myself. That's okay.
There's always a next time :P

I am not including the stuff I got at malls, cause I went basics shopping, and I don't want to bore you guys with the Extremely Exciting Black Pants That Fit Perfectly (being a 26 really f&^#s with your options) or the White Top That Can Make Even Me Fake A Figure (trust me, Nicki Minaj can go around hating on us 'skinny bitches' all she likes, but finding a well-fitting top is almost impossible)

Here are a few pieces that I thought were pretty different from the stuff that I'd usually pick up when I go street shopping. I'd definitely consider these the highlights.

A huge thank you to my best friend for taking these pictures. And for waking up.

I am pretty camera shy when it comes to the whole 'posing' deal. Excuse the lack of face.
I will hopefully get better with the next post :P

Look! Detailing!

Awkward pose 1

Should've steamed this top damnit

I carry far too much shit in this bag.

Shit where's my phone

All three tops were a whopping 250 INR each (yes, I had to haggle).

Skirt was 500 INR.

Brilliant quality, all of them.

Really happy.

Happy Friday!

Online Shopping Checklist

As more and more people prefer to shop online over the ol' brick-and-mortar option (which I still personally love more), I decided to do a blogpost dedicated to the things you should definitely check off in your mind before making your next purchase.

These are lists purely from trial and error and copious amounts of shopping online that may or may not have been done in the past year or so.  There are a lot of extremely deceptive little tricks that the smaller and even a couple big retailers do to fool you into thinking you're buying some high quality product which will turn out to be one really sad piece of clothing or a cheap looking piece of jewelry. My cousin recently had an incident where she thought what was embroidery on a kurti turned out to be this weird looking foil print. Not nice.

There are tonnes of options when it comes to retail sites and although I have my favorites, I would definitely try shopping at a few new ones soon!


So. Let's get into it.

Things to look out for:

1. Sizing charts : This is the number one reason that people return clothes that they buy online. Because they obviously haven't tried it on, there is no way to tell how something will fit, unless you've tried the exact same item at a store and it's merely on some special discount online. Check the measurement chart ALWAYS. S/M/L means different things for different brands. There is also the matter that UK/US/AUS  etc sizing runs very differently. So please, always check the sizing charts and keep a tape measure handy!

2. Color Options
Sometimes sites do not have those tiny icons which let you view the same item in different colors; it takes a significant amount of scrolling to figure this out. It's extremely annoying but I cannot count the number of times I see the same dress that I didn't want in blue but see in red a couple of days later and is already sold out in my size because I didn't check properly. It takes a while but don't give up! Make sure you've checked the whole site exhaustively. Of course, after you've narrowed down the search. Don't scroll through all 44,834 items, please :P

3. Returns Policy
Most sites offer 30-day returns. But in reality, how easy is it to actually return an item that you don't want? Make sure you check exactly what the terms and conditions of these policies are. More often than not you won't get your money back, only store credit.

4. Legitimacy of a Site
MAKE SURE you're going on a site that is legit. Maybe you can check if it has a Facebook/Twitter page where you can see other customers' feedback and issues. The 'Customer Testimonials' are more often than not written by the person who owns the site. I've seen many, many instances on Instagram where girls are just losing their sh*t and spamming the comments section of these Instagram pop-up shops because items haven't been delivered, but they've paid the money. Which is completely unfair.

5. Price Comparison
Because a lot of sellers retail the same brands, it's always good to compare prices on at least FOUR sites before you make your purchase. (Take into account the delivery and shipping charges too!)

6. Tracking?
Check if they have a decent tracking system. Ask around. This will make your life easier, especially if you want it delivered on a specific date.

DO NOT BE FOOLED BY:

1. Materials/Vague descriptions of materials
 A few of the bigger online shopping sites do have extremely comprehensive photos of each product from around ten different angles. And sometimes, on a model too, if it's clothing/accessories/jewelry. Zoom in to see what kind of fabric it is. If you can't zoom in that much, just pray that there's a decent description of the material content. Otherwise, it really is an at-your-own-risk thing. Do not be fooled by vague descriptions of materials such as 'Flowy green top'. Really? What is it even made of :/? You may expect a nice chiffon top but in reality, it might be jersey knit (the thin material our t-shirts are made out of) and hang very awkwardly on your body, in the most un-flowy way possible. Also, if the clothes aren't on models or really really well laid out, I'd really suggest not shopping at that site. Too much of a risk.

2. Detailing 
Sometimes you'll order a bag, or a pair of shoes, or even a top, expecting decent quality trims (buckles, rivets, buttons, zippers, embroidery) and you'll end up with some really cheap looking, questionable stuff. Especially with jewelry - more often than not I've bought a piece thinking it's metal and it ends up being plastic. Fail. Make sure you gauge from the pictures what exactly you're dealing with. Sometimes what you think is a pretty embroidery detail on a dress will end up being a flat print.

3. Sizes of Jewelry/bags/other accessories 
At your own risk. If measurements/pictures on a model aren't provided, be prepared for it to be any size, really :P Maybe use something as small a stone, or a link/clasp on the chain to kind of put the whole piece into relative proportion. Because you know how big that'll be more or less, so it'll work itself out. Same with bags - look at the buckle or a zip.

4. Shoes - the soles and straps
A lot of the cheaper shoes online have cardboard, yes, cardboard in their soles. Watch out for these! And always check how the straps are held in place, if any. If you can tell it's shadily glued in place - then please do NOT buy them. It'll last you a grand total of three days. People who street shop in Delhi/Mumbai a lot - you'll know what shoes will and won't last and more often than not - THE EXACT SAME ONES ARE SOLD ON THE SITES TOO.

5. Material 'claims'
Be smart when you shop. If there's a wallet or a purse that's INR 200 and it says 'GENUINE LEATHER' it's probably very low grade leather not at all. And some sites do not literally mean 'Leather sling bag' for INR 400, they mean imitation. But they'd rather NOT put that out there.

6. Deceptive Photography
Be very wary of highly edited pictures. They probably have something to hide. GAUSSIAN BLUR - YOU'RE NOT FOOLING ANYONE.

7. Buying Makeup/ body products (especially on Ebay)
Make sure it says brand new. And the picture doesn't look shady. Of course, they may just put up an existing photo of the product in it's prime, but look at the seller. Make sure they're trusted.

So now you're ready to plunge deeper into the world of shopping for lazy-girls. It's ridiculously addictive :P

End of the day, however, I am Team Brick and Mortar. That satisfaction you get when you're home after a day of shopping is just unparalleled.
P.S Any suggestions to new sites or sellers will be welcome :P
Sigh.
Happy Tuesday!

Purchases: Smooth Sale-ing

So I recently went to Express Avenue to go to The Body Shop to pick up a couple of things with the vouchers I had. And somehow, two other items ended up in my bag. I have no idea how that happened. But come on, sales suck you in. Those red stickers/markers which just boast of 20, 30, 50, 70% off the original price. Think of all the money you'll actually be saving! What if you need something similar in the future but it's full price? You'll regret it then.

And so on.

1. The Body Shop Seaweed Purifying Facial Cleanser - NOT ON SALE

    It was a toss up between this and the Tea Tree face wash, but as I recently purchased something very       similar to the latter (I honestly think it works just as well), I went for the cleanser. Now I'm one of those people that strongly believes that foamy face washes or cleansers are the only ones that actually work. It's some weird placebo that makes my face feel cleaner. It's the same with shampoos and body washes (am I alone here?) But this cleanser (I've been using it for about a week now) is amazing. I use it twice a day and it leaves my skin feeling absolutely velvety soft. I have been caught many a time poking at and stroking my cheeks because I simply cannot believe how a tiny blob of cleanser can make such a difference. I have mild combination skin (the t-zone is dry most of the year but during the summer it gets oily) and I find that this just evens everything out and makes it super super supple. A definite repurchase.

2. The Body Shop Born Lippy Sticks in Plum

    I was pleasantly surprised with this one. I've wanted a chapstick that gives a TINY bit of color

without looking like a tint and this really does the job. And I'm allergic to 9/10 of them. As someone who absolutely despises the little potted ones (they get sticky, stuff gets inside, and they burn your lips off more often than not) I really like the stick versions. The only downside is that they don't taste as good as they smell. They don't taste like anything, actually which I find sad because they smell really, really fruity. It was around INR 200 (originally priced at INR 395). Pricey for a glorified chapstick, but I think this works for those days where I want a LITTLE bit of color on my lips.

3. Head Over Heels - Black sandals

    Oh my god. If you're going to EA anytime soon, go to Westside and see if you can find these in your size. I absolutely love them. They go with both day AND night time outfits without looking too casual or too dressy, whatever the case may be. And I love the zipper detailing on the back. Perfect, perfect, perfect. The original price was around INR 1200 but on sale, it was around INR 699 which is a really good deal. I love Head Over Heels sandals and flats purely cause they last a long time. I used to travel by train and bus with them all year round and they don't come apart easily AT all. Trust me, with people stepping on your feet all the time on public transport, you need a pair of hardy shoes to do the job.

4. NUON Lace Dress

   When I saw this dress, my world stood still. It's like nothing even existed anymore. As long as I could have it, the universe would be alright, I'd get a job, be successful and win at life.

It wasn't the gorgeous black lace at the front.

It wasn't the sexy bandage back.

It wasn't even the cost (INR899, people.)

It was an XXS.

Being petite and skinny isn't fun. Finding a well-fitting dress that doesn't gape or isn't too long is almost impossible. When it's my birthday, or New Years, or Christmas, or an event which requires me to find a nice dress, I don't get excited at all. Because I'm sure that no matter where I go, nothing will fit. And if it does, there'll always be something wrong with it. Color-wise, fabric-wise, trim-wise, price-wise.

BUT THIS. THIS WAS PERFECTION. It fit like a dream.

(I will take a picture of this dress when I find someone to take a picture of me in it :P)

Have a nice week!

    

Sale Shopping 101

Sale shopping is something that I find to be either the best or worst thing that can happen to someone's wardrobe, guy or girl.

It's when we go into malls, more often than not, with no plan as to what we actually need or want at all.

If you're one of those people who has been waiting for a particular piece to go on discount, or you have a well organised mind, then this is not for you. I commend you on your restraint and your planning.

It's the people who go in with the whole 'Oh, I'm just going to have a look around and see if I like anything.' attitude that I am a bit worried for. They end up going in with half an idea of what they may want and coming out with ten things, out of which two won't fit, three are dresses that they are probably never going to wear and the remaining are a bland selection of things that will end up at the back of their closet. Maybe one or two items will make it but why the remaining eight? That money could have gone to much better use or not been spent at all!

This flowchart will hopefully help those people when they are making those quick dashes to the mall during sale time. Keep looking at it till the thought process happens involuntarily.

An even better way to keep yourself in control is to keep a budget so you know your upper limit and when to stop shopping. Withdraw money from an ATM beforehand - Don't swipe the card. It'll help you more than you know!

Purchases: Bath and Body Works deliciousness

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for things that smell good. Be it perfume, soap, candles, lotions, men - I appreciate the subtle science and fine art that is scent-making. It bewitches the mind, ensnares the senses and all that.

When I found myself outside a Bath and Body Works during the summer sale, I went a little crazy.

I went over three different days (eep) and as things were on sale in rotation, it was just a matter of time before the scents that I wanted to buy were on knockdown.

I am no beauty expert but I know that some people do prefer The Body Shop for their lotions and potions probably because of the natural ingredients. But come onnnnn. I think the scents that Bath And Body offer are amazing. A lot of them have incredibly creative names and associations with places/seasons and feelings which I think is extremely fun. I don't think it particularly does wonders for the skin, they're nice, good quality products that do their job.

Out of all the things I bought, I think these four products were the best smelling ones.

1. Dark Kiss

    This is probably my favorite. It makes me feel like a sexy vixen because it's all night time-y. Light floral with hints of vanilla in it, it's something you should bathe in if you've had a long ass day and want to wind down. Or if you're heading out and want to smell good because the scent DOES linger (which is what I really like about these products).

2. Warm Vanilla Sugar

    Where to start. If you like smelling edible, this is the one for you. I've tried vanilla scented products from loads of brands, but I feel like they all get it wrong, because this clinical, chemical, cream smell comes through the vanilla note, completely killing it. But this product, you ONLY get this amazingly warm, vanilla scent. I swear I have spent a good ten minutes post shower just sniffing my arms.

3. Sweet Pea

    If you're one of those people that likes sweeter, floral scents, you will enjoy this. Their whole Sweet Pea line is pretty great, actually. But I picked up the lotion because one, it was one sale and two, I didn't want a perfume or a bodywash because I feel like that would be an overkill on scent.

4.  Paris Amour

     Ah, the city of love. This is one of those cleverly named scents that suck you in and make you buy it because you can fool yourself into thinking you've been transported to Paris in your shower space. This is another fruity floral scent but a rather fresh one.

I envy people who live in a city with Bath and Body. India seriously needs to get one. More importantly, Chennai. So if you've got that uncle/aunt/sister/brother/grandparent/boyfriend/girlfriend who has access to a store, especially during the sale because it's INSANE, do not pass up on the opportunity to force them to go there for you and pick up something. I've done it. I have good friends :P

Purchases: The cheapest and most Long Wearing nailpolish I own

I normally walk past nailpolish counters when I'm shopping on holiday and go straight to the face stuff. I feel like I can get decent polishes in India, so why bother?

But when you're in Wal-Mart, and you're surrounded by drugstore brands, how much can in really hurt to pick up a couple and see how they go?

So I walked up to the NYC section. Reminded me of my teenage years when some visiting relative would drop one off. I picked this one out. Wine Bar. I've been looking for a good wine colored polish for god knows how long and this was the perfect shade. 

It was around a dollar so I didn't really mind if it totally sucked.

So I got back from my trip. Tried it on. Yes, two coats (oh come on, it was a dollar). It was gorgeous.

And it stayed gorgeous, no top coat no nothing for, wait for it, 8 days! 

I was so happy. My only regret? I only bought one.