Chemical Peels & Frye Boots, Oh My!

Boy, do I love some chemical peels. I've been using at-home Glycolic peels for about 6 months now and I can tell a major difference. I would absolutely recommend incorporating a mild glycolic peel into your facial regimen at least once a week. I currently use a 10% Glycolic solution and hope to work my way up to eventually using a 30% solution. This is what I am currently using 3 times a week.
A couple of weeks ago I purchased a bundle of facials from Groupon at a local skin spa. I went last week and got the Jessner's Lite peel. A Jessner's Peel is a mild chemical peel that consists of lactic and salicylic acids. The lite version contains 7% solution and the full-on Jessner contains 14% solution. I decided to try the lite during my first visit, but I already scheduled my appointment for the full Jessner to be done right before Christmas!

{Give yourself at least a couple of days after your first peel because you will look red like Samantha!}

The peel was great! The first layer didn't sting at all, so I told her to put on another layer. The second layer stung a little, but not much. I didn't start peeling until 3 days after getting the peel. I will spare you all the gross pictures, but I looked like a snake losing its skin for about 3 days. Now my face is done peeling and the results are phenomenal! I would highly recommend getting a chemical peel!

{Me with the actual first layer of the Jessner Lite Peel}

In other news, I purchased the Frye Harness Boots during the Piperlime F&F sale because I need an edgy boot to go with certain looks. I really like them! At first I was hesitant to keep them because they are SO HEAVY compared to my other boots, but I decided to keep them in the end.

I wore them with some leggings and a poncho to break them in. I really like the moto chic look they provide!

Fa la la la la

Yesterday I wore my new Anthropologie Wrap Sweater. I belted it with a gold J. Crew belt and wore it with leather leggings and boots. I just love this sweater! I might order it in the black version. You can see it here.

Last night I got OPI "Tease-y Does it" on my nails- it's a really festive dark wine color with sparkles!

I'd like to wish a very happy Birthday to Rob- we are two weeks apart!

This is a picture from 3 years ago when we had a joint Birthday party! Nice mesh dress, huh?

Dear Santa

Oh, HAI Santa!

If I could have an endless list of things that I would like this Christmas, it could quite possibly include the following items:

- Chanel Mini Flap Bag: I need a small little purse for the occasional (errrr or frequent) shopping trip or outing where it would be ever-so-convenient to be hands free!

{Don't I look cute with one? Oh wait, that's Lauren Conrad}

{pictures courtesy of The Purse Forum}

- UGG Sequin or Sherling short bootie: you all know I love my UGG's to trug around the town. And yes, I would totally rock the sequin or fur.

- David Yurman 11mm earrings: I have this earring in the 7mm, but Mama needs the 'biggins' now.

What is on your Christmas list?

Black Friday Loot + Tgiving Updates

I hope everyone had a splendid Thanksgiving Holiday! We all have so much to be thankful for every day of the year!

My parents came into town and we had a fun time. We did a lot of trugging and shopping. We also visited Graceland to see the Christmas lights!

Mom and I hit up the Black Friday sales today. I didn't get a lot, but I did score some great bargains! I got a lot of deals online and definitely hit up the cyber sales!

My favorite bargain was scoring the Banana Republic "Hina" boots that I've wanted for a while now. They were $225.00 online and in stores until today- on sale for 94 dollars with an extra 40% off. I got the boots for 62 dollars with tax! Unbelievable!

I got a cute puffer vest at NY&CO for 15 dollars:

Anthropologie wasn't really having any sales, but I did get a cute wrap sweater:

Here are some various trugging outfits from the week (I got a chemical peel so I couldn't wear make-up all week hence the lovely pics):

{Fierce Shopping Outfits- no makeup wooftastic}

{another wack hair and no make-up day}

I also put up all of my Christmas decorations. I am not really talented in the "decorating department", so I always just kind of throw stuff together and hope it works out.

{I still need to find a tree skirt}

Did you all score any Black Friday deals?!

Crazy Sales

Am I the only one who is feeling a little overwhelmed by all of the online sales this week?

It is taking some SERIOUS restraint not to just blow it out with all of the sales!

I feel like the crazy Target lady, preparing for Black Friday sales.

My email inbox has been flooded this week with "NEW MARKDOWNS! UP TO 40% OFF!" type of emails. I caved and bough an ALPACA sweater ... seriously, what is wrong with me!

Please tell me I am not the only one going crazy this week with all of the sales?!?!?!

Deals Galore!

Just like my affinity for eBates, I have found another online deal website that I am now a raving fan of- Groupon!

I have been signed up for Groupon for quite a while now, but until last week, I never purchased any of their "daily deals".

{This is what the Groupon Daily Deals look like}

I will always see deals for laser hair removal, haircuts, skin treatments, dry cleaning, restaurants, etc., but it took me a little while to warm up to the idea of buying one.

{For example, this was today's Groupon for Memphis}

Last week I got my groupon email for a microdermabrasion, chemical peel, and facial at a local spa. That's all I had to see to click PURCHASE!

So basically, I got nearly 500 dollars worth of spa services for 125 dollars. I was ecstatic!

If you think about the concept, it makes sense. Businesses are guaranteed a mass amount of Groupon-ers purchasing the daily deal, which brings them in money, regardless of them having to discount the service.

You can sign up for Groupon HERE and start receiving the daily deals for your city!

Another interesting website came my way by referral of my friend Shasta. She recently wrote a review on Rent The Runway, so naturally, I had to check it out.

Rent the Runway let's you rent a dress for 4 or 8 days for a set fee and you can choose from all sizes. They mail the dress to you, you wear it, and then you mail it back! What a genius idea, right?

Most of the dresses that Rent-the-Runway offers are cocktail and/or occasion dresses, so this is perfect for a wedding, engagement party, shower, Christmas bash, NYE dance, or any event where you might need a nicer dress!

I will admit that I have yet to use this service, but I am attending a wedding in January that will be a perfect excuse to use Rent The Runway. Instead of spending 400 dollars on a sequin dress that I will wear one time, why not rent it for 100 instead?

You can sign up and start browsing all of the dresses on Rent-the-Runway HERE.

Week Wrap-Up

Some recent OOTD's:

- Theory Sweater, Pixies:

- ADAM sweater dress, LR Riley OTK boots:

- Old Navy Sweater Poncho, Leggings, LR Riley OTK boots:

- Milly Dress, LR boots:

Royal Watchers

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Prince William and his longtime girlfriend announced their engagement on Tuesday. He gave her the ring once worn by his late mother, Princess Diana. The ring is a 7 carat oval sapphire surrounded by diamonds.

I have always been obsessed with the British Royals, especially Princes William & Harry since they are in my age range and I have known of them growing up.

Ever since William started dating Kate Middleton, my interest in the royals quickly peaked because I had a girl crush on Kate Middleton. Maybe it's because she seems normal like all of us and down-t0-Earth. She is also educated in Art History, something I loved in college. I think generally girls feel like they can relate to her because she is a classic beauty and seems very reserved and modest. I think Kate will quickly become a style icon for our generation.

Us American women tend to become obsessed with European Royalty. Princess Diana was widely speculated during her time around Buckingham Palace. Also, Grace Kelly was an icon from her time while she was the Princess Consort of Monaco.

I will definitely be psyched for the royal wedding. I would love to travel to London before next summer to take it all in!

Who else is going to be a Royal Watcher with me?!