Statement Necklace + Casual Basics

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What I'm Wearing:

Necklace from Choies (c/o - thank you!)

Skirt by Mural (similar from BCBG)

H&M Top (similar here and here)

F21 Clutch

Pink Aldo Pumps (similar by B Brian Atwood and Ivanka Trump)

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Love, S

Julep May 2014 Review - Nail Polish Subscription Box!

Lately, I've been obsessed with Julep, a monthly nail polish subscription service!  I was excited to receive my May 2014 box in the mail today, so I'll be reviewing this month's box.

What's Julep?

Before I get into the review for the May 2014 box, here's a quick intro to Julep, in case some of you haven't heard of this it yet:

For $19.99 per month, you get $40+ worth of nail polish and beauty products mailed to you each month.  The products always come in a pretty box.  Part of the fun (and one of the reasons beauty subscription boxes are so successful) comes from the anticipation of getting a package each month...it's like unwrapping a birthday present every month.

To start, you take a short, fun style quiz to get sorted into one of 5 style profiles:  It Girl, Classic with a Twist, Bombshell, Boho Glam, and Modern Beauty.  Each month, you'll receive at least 2 nail polishes + 1 full-size beauty product (or 3 nail polishes if you choose "It Girl").  You also start out with a free welcome box (with the same amount of product as the usual monthly boxes)... keep reading to find out how. 

You can preview what's in your box during the Monthly Maven Reveal on the 20th-24th of each month.  Don't like what's in the box for your style profile?  You can swap items in and out of your box for free with their newly updated program terms, or you can also switch to another style profile at any time.  Boxes ship on the 1st of each month.  If you don't need / want new nail polish every single month, you can also send a box to a friend for the month --- they make for great birthday gifts! 

In terms of quality, the polishes are typically high quality and currently retail for $14 each at Sephora, so the monthly box is typically a good value.  I've been a member for 3 months, and I've been really happy with the program thus far. 

Lastly, if you're thinking of trying it out, you can actually get a free welcome box (with $40 worth of product) through this link: Get Your Free Julep Box. 

Just use the code FREEBOX!

May 2014 Julep Maven Review - Boho Glam

Although my original style profile was "Classic with a Twist," I switched to the "Boho Glam" box this month, since I couldn't resist one of the colors in that one --- namely, Paulette, a golden lilac tulle shimmer.

Here's a pic of all the May colors (includes all colors from all 5 of the style profile types).  The name of the May collection is the appropriately summery "Fresh Twist." 

Here's what I ordered for my box:

The products are:

• Jeanne: Jet-set blue creme
• Paulette: Golden lilac tulle shimmer
• Julep Plié Wand

This month, all mavens receive a Plié Wand (pronounced plee-AY, like the ballet term "to bend") in their box.  This is actually the item I was most excited about.

The Plié Wand is a new, innovative nail polish tool created by Julep --- designed to make polishing easier....especially with your non-dominant hand.   It's designed to let you grip it like a pen (when in use by your dominant hand) or in a comfortably bent shape (when in use by your non-dominant hand) and fits on every Julep polish (both old and new).  

I can't even count how many times I've made a mess when trying to apply nail polish with my left hand (being right-handed)... this invention is pure genius.  In fact, I can't believe no one else had thought to create something like this before.

This month, since I had some extra Points (you earn reward points for each month you remain active as a member), I also ordered a free Add-On Item:

• Saaya: Golden apricot shimmer

It's perfect for summer! 

Here's what the inside of my May 2014 Julep box looked like when it arrived:

Julep also threw in an extra attachable brush for the plie wand, which was a nice addition.

I was happy to see that the nail polish colors looked just as expected in person, as color depiction can often vary from one computer screen to another (or in the case of some retailers, due to image editing, professional lighting, etc.).      

I'm wearing "Paulette" here - shown with no topcoat, so you can see how shiny the color is on its own.  I also needed only one coat, and the formula was nicely opaque and smooth when applied. I love it! 

Above: I'm wearing "Paulette" from Julep's May 2014 Boho Glam Box

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Get a free Julep box:

If you'd like to get a FREE full-sized Julep box (just pay the $3.99 shipping), click here and use the code FREEBOX.  

Happy polishing!  

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Lastly, apologies for the absence of posts recently - a demanding new job had taken over my life for the past few months, and I'm just now getting to slow down a bit and breathe.  I have some more personal style posts in mind for the next few weeks, along with a new series of beauty product reviews.  'Til next time, and thanks again for reading! 

Love, S

Last Chance to Keep Subscribing Before Google Reader Goes Away!

 As some of you might know, Google Reader is shutting down from the 1st of July. Start tomorrow, you will lose the list of blogs you follow. Fortunately, you can easily transfer the list of all the blogs you already follow to Bloglovin', so you don’t miss out.

Here is how to import all the blogs you follow from Google Reader to Bloglovin’ …Don’t forget to follow Shamelessly Overdressed! 

Love, S

Geometric

What I'm Wearing & Where to Buy:

Coat from SheInside (c/o - thank you!)

Agaci Dress

Nine West Red Pumps

Red Belt - Vintage, from Mom (similar)

F21 Envelope Clutch (another great pick)

Ring from Oasap (c/o)

Michael Kors Sunglasses

*****

Love, S

Shades of Grey + Something Blue

What I'm Wearing:

Dress and Necklace from F21

Jacket (old)

Bangle from InPink

Shoes by Connie

Grey Envelope Clutch (old) - similar here

Michael Kors Sunglasses

*****

Love, S

Layers and Lace

 

 

What I'm Wearing:

White Blazer from SheInside (c/o - thank you!)

White Lace Top by Kenar (similar)

Gold Choker Necklace from Pop of Chic (c/o - thank you!)

Pyramid Bangle from H&M (similar)

 Skirt and Purse from Forever 21 (similar from Nordstrom)

Gold Heels by Nine West (another option from Tory Burch)

Sunglasses by Michael Kors (similar)

*****

Love, S

Nudes and Floral

What I'm Wearing:

Nude Jacket - thanks to Rock With U!  (c/o)

Floral Dress (old)

KAVA Wing Necklace from Hong Kong (another pick from Dogeared)

H&M Bangles

Cathy Jeans Nude Heels (another great option for Spring)

Michael Kors Hamilton Bag

Michael Kors Sunglasses (similar)

***** 

Love, S

Army Green and Leather Sleeves

What I'm Wearing:

Trench Coat with Leather Sleeves - thanks to Haute Juncture! (c/o)

Skirt from Urban Outfitters

Striped Purse from Bebe

Leopard Print Necklace from Oasap (c/o)

Boots from Apartment9

Sunglasses by Michael Kors

Love, S

*****

Casual in Burgundy (and New Hair Color!)

I've been wearing this casual burgundy dress paired with this jacket fairly often lately, whenever I want to be comfortable while still looking somewhat put together. What I love most about this dress is that it's a stretchy, cotton material...which means lots of room for eating!  I've definitely been doing a lot of eating recently, especially with Chinese New Year this past weekend.

I also decided to ring in the start of a new lunar year with a new hair color.  It's been awhile since I last changed my hair, so I figured it was time to make a change and avoid a style rut! 

Do you change your look often? 

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What I'm Wearing:

H&M Burgundy Dress (another great pick)

H&M Bag

Jacket by Zinga

H&M Bracelet (similar)

H&M Ankle Boots (similar)

Michael Kors Sunglasses 

Vintage Gold Necklaces (from Mom)

*****

Wishing you all a happy Lunar New Year!

Love, S 

Preppy in Plaid

I wore this outfit to work this week and got several compliments on this vintage, plaid wool skirt - though I actually can't claim any credit for it.  The original owner of the skirt is my mom! As you know, I'm a big fan of borrowing from Mom's closet. Over the holidays, I had this skirt tailored to fit my size, and I've been wearing it nonstop since. 

When it comes to dressing for the office in the winter, I've found that layering is key.  Between the chilly San Francisco winds and frigid office A/C, my fail-proof work uniform usually consists of the following: a wool sweater layered over a silk dress shirt, blazer, pencil skirt, tights, and black pumps. At work, I tend to keep my accessories simple and on the conservative side.  Arm parties unfortunately don't work for me at the office, since I've found that a stack of bangles can often hinder typing (not to mention clank loudly and embarrassingly during meetings).  A single necklace or bracelet usually pulls together an outfit, while keeping it professional.         

What does your typical work outfit consist of?

*****

What I'm Wearing / Where to Shop:

J.Crew Blouse

J.Crew Sweater (other colors available here)

Banana Republic Work Tote

H&M Blazer (similar from Club Monaco)

Vintage Skirt (from Mom)

Gianni Bini Patent Pumps (similar)

Michael Kors Sunglasses

*****

'Til next time!

Love, S