Favorite Music Friday: Lisa Mitchell

Spring is in the air! At least here in Washington DC. We've had our ups and downs of crazy weather this winter, but the last few days have been in the high 60s! Unfortunately for me I've had very little time to enjoy it, but I do have spring fever. Time to put my ear buds in and listen to fun, sweet music while I enjoy the warm breeze.

Lisa Mitchell has that sweet, soft voice that brightens your day. Lisa is an Australian singer-songwriter that rose to her fame through Australian Idol (season 4). When I think of American Idol, I tend to think very straight forward pop, rock, or country music. But Lisa Mitchell is a little folky, a little pop, and a lot sweet. When she was on Australian Idol she was a 16 year old school girl that had a lot of potential, but holy crap has her voice grown. Since her time on Idol she has released her debut album, Wonder, which led to multiple Australian music award nominations and a few wins (APRA, ARIA, Australian Music Prize). But what she has not lost is her whimsy.

And here is a taste of Lisa and her video for the song 'Coin Laundry.'
Happy weekend! Enjoy!

Free Pair of Glasses from Coastal.com

Yeah, you heard me...FREE! Coastal.com is a contact and eyeglasses online website that has an offer where your first pair of glasses is free (use promo code: FIRSTPAIRFREE) and you only have to pay for shipping and handling. The company wants you to feel confident ordering from an online eyeglass website and to show you how easy it is.

I've looked at a lot of eyeglass websites that have very, very cheap quality products and I was expecting the same when I started looking at the glasses on Coastal, but I was wrong. They offer many well known brand names, such as: Cynthia Rowley, Espirit, Bongo, Converse, and more. They do offer luxury brands, but those products are not included in the free promo. And thankfully, they are easily labeled as not being part of any sale/promo. The majority of the frames that I liked were from their own brand names, but the quality of the products still looked stellar. The prices range from about $30-$100. And no matter the price, all of the standard glasses are included in the promo!

I had a blast deciding what I wanted. Ever since I saw Ali Wong on the Chelsea Lately Round Table back in December I have wanted to be her. No joke. And that includes her glasses. To really appreciate the glasses, take a look at the full-size image. I love the semi-cat eye shape, the strong bridge that fades into nothing. It is just such a great shape! And who can resist such a classic, vintage style. So my Coastal.com pick was my own version of Ali's glasses for me!

What I ended up on was Derek Cardigan's 7010 in Grey Haze. Derek Cardigan is a brand I've never heard of and from my searches I have only found the glasses on Coastal's website. The line is vintage inspired and 'reflect Derek's joie de vivre philosophy on fashion and life. Derek Cardigan eyewear evokes the spirit of a swinging by-gone-age brought right up-to-date full of color, whimsy, joy, and style' (Do I just buy things that are described in someway as joie de vivre?) 7010 are browline eyeglasses that were ever so popular in the 1950s.

The frame is made of acetate and silver metal. I chose the Grey Haze color which is a translucent grey tortoise style. I love that they define my brows but are not over powering as a fully opaque black would have been. Plus, if you look closely you will notice they are massively geeky. Check out the multiplication and division signs, and on the sides the equal signs. That sold me. There were multiple browline styles, but it was a done deal.

Once I got my eyeglass prescription from my optometrist I was ready to order.
Note: Your contact lens prescription is not the same as your eyeglass prescription! Because contacts sit on top of your eyes whereas eyeglasses sit a few cms away from your eyes they have different focal lengths. Call your optometrist and they will be able to give you the correct prescription and your pupil distance. If you have an astigmatism you will also need your cylinder power and axis numbers.

The website recommended me to upgrade to a higher quality lens, but even though my prescription is somewhat high (-3.5 and -4) I decided to go with the standard free lens. You can also change the lenses to sunglasses or transition lenses (although I do not believe these are part of the free promo) and you can add UV protection, scratch resistant coating, and anti-reflective coating. The coatings each are an extra +$9.95 so I did not take advantage of them.

I received my lenses just 3 business days after I ordered by Fedex. The glasses came with the case, a cleaning cloth, and a lens tightener. I was so happy when I first laid eyes on my new glasses, they are gorgeous! The lenses were obviously high quality and crafted carefully. The frame feels durable and looks just as in the picture, well even more shiny and beautiful. They fit my face perfectly, are really comfortable because they have spring hinges and adjustable nose pads. But if you find yours don't fit perfect, take them to lenscrafters and they will do an adjustment for free. I did find the lenses took some adjusting on my eyes. But now that I've had them for a few weeks they no longer bother my eyes and I see well. One thing I wish I had done is paid the extra $10 for the anti-glare. Any light causes a glare to show up, good luck using flash! I'm going to stop by Lenscrafters and ask if they will add the anti-glare coating. It is worth the extra $10!

I have gotten many compliments on my glasses! Even from my 60 year old photography professor! They pair very well with my style. They definitely add a whimsy and fun feel to any of my looks. I have a heart-shaped face and they do not overpower my big forehead or accentuate it at all. Plus, I think the fact that the majority of the frame is thin, silver it allows me to shine through! I originally bought these to be an extra pair to wear when Im just around the house or laying in bed watching TV, but I almost think I like this style more than my Ray Bans!

top: Gap

necklace: Jewelmint

earrings: F21

Coastal's website is a bitch glitchy. I couldn't use the try on view and the website is slow. It took forever to search through all the glasses since the pages would every so often freeze up. But in total, I am VERY satisfied and will probably get getting another pair from Coastals in the future. I would definitely recommend taking a look at the Coastal website. Don't forget your first pair is free with promo code (FIRSTPAIRFREE), excluding any additions and shipping ($9.95). So for $10 I have a pair of glasses that beat out my $300 pair!

Have you ordered from Coastal's before? What is your favorite style of glasses? Let me know what you think in the comments!

Julep Maven: March 2012 (It Girl)

I decided to try out Julep Maven because the first month was a penny! I used the promo code COLOR2012 and it looks like it is still active. Why not get nail polish that is practically free?

Don't know what Julep Maven is?
Julep Maven is a nail polish subscription service that delivers Julep nail polishes and nail products to your doorstep. Each month you will receive 2-3 nail polishes in the hottest colors and an extra. The extra may be a hand lotion, cuticle oil, glycolic hand scrub, etc. The nail polishes are all made by Julep a boutique nail salon company in the Seattle area and the colors are never before released or cult favorites. Each month you will have the choice of 5 different kits that are made to reflect a specific fashion style (It Girl, Boho Glam, Classic with a Twist, etc). You will take a fashion quiz once you sign up to set your main fashion style, but you have the option to order whichever of the 5 boxes you like best. Julep Maven is $19.99 a month, but you are able to skip a month whenever you like!
Click here to join Julep Maven.

March 2012, It Girl
I took the style quiz and was given the profile It Girl. It states that the It Girl is: edgy and bold, your statement making look exemplifies the modern rock 'n' roll chic. You love bright, bold, fun, and innovative cuts and hues. Inspired by colors and accessories that exclaim anything but the ordinary, you're not afraid to stand out and be noticed. 


I'm not quite sure this is me. I think I am more a Classic with a Twist/Boho type of girl. I like flowy tops and prints, but whenever I wear bright colors they are a classic garment like a trench or my shoes, nothing crazy. But either way I decided to go ahead and pick the It Girl kit because it had 3 nail polishes, whereas all the other styles had 2. Although, the other styles did have a bottle of argan oil.

Information Card:

Products:

Julep Nail Vernis in Melissa

Sheer opalescent shimmer adds a soft glow when used alone and a high-fashion holographic effect when used over another color.

Melissa is exactly as Julep describes it, a pretty white sheer, shimmer. The shimmer is very green in color which gives it the opalascent/holographic effect. When it is worn alone it does look like a gorgeous opal. With just two coats you are set to go. It does look pretty cool as a top-coat, but it is more opaque than I like for a top coat. In the swatch below I layered Melissa over Charlotte and you almost completely lost the purple color. The formula was more runny than I am used to, but it dried pretty quickly. I really liked the color when I put it on, but I am so disappointed in how quickly it chipped off. Less than 24 hours after I painted my nails I have massive chipping on every single nail. It looks like I wore it for a week! The nail that I used it as a base coat is much better and has just the top sliver chipped off.

Julep Nail Vernis in Charlotte

Demure lavender creme. Sophisticated with a twist.

I already have a very similar color that I got from Gap, but I really love purple nail polish, so I was happy to try this shade. It is a very sweet purple, creamy grape. It is a very thick, goopy formula. It took FOREVER and ever to dry. I messed up a few nails the first time around since I didn't really think it would still be not be dry after 10 minutes.But it really only takes one layer for it to be fully opaque (below I have two). I really love the color, but I had the same problem with chipping as I did with Melissa. I already have two very noticeable chips and even my pinkie has some chips in it. 

Julep Nail Vernis in Jodie

Deep rose with a golden shimmer.

This reminds me of a phoenix rising. I think the color description is off, it really is more of a copper red with gold shimmer. It is a pretty color though, I love the added shimmer and how when it catches the light it lights up. The formula of this one was standard, wasn't too runny or too thick. I think it is weird how this color is in this set. It seemed like most of the other kit's complimented one another, but Jodie sticks out like a sore thumb with the opal shimmer and the cream purple. I haven't had a chance to wear it out, but I dont have too high expectations for it being chip proof. 

All in all, Im not sure if I will keep this subscription. The nail polish formula is not long lasting on my nails even with a top coat. I had such a range of types of polishes that I can't just blame their cream style or their shimmers. But it cost me only a penny! So I'm not complaining. I can see using Charlotte as part of a nail art design or wearing Jodie on a Friday night. And Melissa had okay wear as a top coat. The nail polishes retail for $14, but since it is their brand name only, who knows how far marked up these are. So the value of this box was $42, but do I think it is worth $19.99 a month? Not really. I find Sally Hansen better quality than these.

The program does include a lot of perks though: skip the month if you like, send your box to a friend as a gift, refer a friend (ever 2 friends is a free box for you), 20% all julep purchases, and every month they send out randomly to 100 members who are receiving their box free from referrals a Golden Box with all the colors from all the current month's boxes! Pretty sweet. Since I can skip, it doesn't hurt to keep the account open so I can see the new colors each month.

If you are interested in trying Julep Maven out for yourself, don't forget you also can get your first box for a PENNY! Even though Im not too excited about the wear, I'd recommend trying them out on your own nails, I tend to have chips no matter how expensive or good quality the polish. Click here to sign up. And don't forget to use promo code: COLOR2012 to get your first month for $0.01!

What are your thoughts on Julep Maven? Do you think the program is worth $19.99? What kind of wear have you gotten with their nail polishes? Let me know in the comments below!

Friends and Family at Gap! (40% off entire purchase)

Hello Friends and Family!!
Anyone who reads my blog is a friend of mine! And some of you may know that I work at Gap.

Either way. I wanted to let you all know that Friends and Family at Gap (US and Puerto Rico stores only) is happening Thursday March 8th - Sunday March 11th! What does this mean? It means that you as a friend of me get to save 40% off your ENTIRE purchase!

All you have to do is like my brand new facebook page and the coupon will available for you to print out! Click the awesome Gap snapshot below to go straight to the Friends and Family Link on my facebook.

It is a great time to take a look at what Gap has to offer. Here is a little snapshot of my favorite women's Gap items so far this season. All of these looks are available in-stores and online right now!

Happy Shopping Everyone! And if you have any fit, sizing, or style questions about Gap in general or for a specific item, Im your gal!

Favorite Music Friday: M83

Today marks the day before my comprehensive exams that allow me to graduate from graduate school! This is a 48 hour exam that starts Saturday at 8am and must be turned in Monday at 8am. The chunk of the exam is open book, take-home style but there is an in-class portion Saturday morning that is closed book. Im a bit nervous now that the date approaches, but I organized all my notes and am studying like a crazy person so what happens happens. If I fail I get one second chance to re-take them in the summer, but that is not an option! Wish me luck!

Since my mind is racing and my hands are shaking from nerves I figure I should showcase one of my favorite bands (ever) that help me relax and is the best study music. M83 is my absolute favorite band. ever. ever. M83 is a French shoegazing, indietronica band started by Anthony Gonzalez and Nicolas Fromageau in 2001. If you haven't heard of either of those genres, dont worry. Shoegazing is a genre that was named as it was because on stage the musicians of the early bands stood still in a detached, introspective state. So they were gazing at their shoes. But don't worry, M83 is not boring or detached. I've seen them multiple times live and was jumping up and down and giggling like a schoolgirl.

M83  is mostly instrumental and uses reverb effects and petals, but with the loss of Fromageau and the addition of Morgan Kibby the band has gone in a different direction with more lyrics and more upbeat sounds. You may even know an M83 song (Midnight City) that was made popular last year by the Victoria Secret Angel Perfume TV ads.

What I loved about the early days of M83 is how much power each song holds. When you listen to M83 with headphones the beats and sounds echo within me almost to an euphoric, peaceful point. Words cannot express how brilliant M83 is. When I see M83 live I go by myself. Yeah it is awkward while Im standing around before, but once the music begins I close my eyes, forget where I am, and only feel the music. I get chills just thinking about the show. I'm really sad that I will be missing their next round to Washington, DC, but I got to see them this past October and it was magic.

The song I am sharing with you is from the CD Dead Cities, Red Seas, & Lost Ghosts which was when Fromageau was still with Gonzalez. Gone is a 6 minute completely instrumental track from the CD, but what is in the video is just a 3 minute excerpt. I dare you to put on your headphones, block out all of your worries and current thoughts and press play.

Time lapse - M83 / Gone by Ulllyssse

Happy weekend all! I wish you all a more fun, less stressful weekend than I!