{via}

I’m back from Kauai! I have a lot of photos to go through and so many things to take care of already! I wish I was still at the beach. Phooey.

Aside from my upcoming vacay photoblog, In the next few weeks I’ll be listing a few more things in the blog sale. I’ll let you know via twitter and blog post when that’ll be.

As always thanks for stopping by

♥ E&I

I have a few travel staples from the Container Store that I swear by.

In the above photo I have:

• 2 Eagle Creek packing envelopes (medium green and large blue)
• 1 Eagle Creek Pack-It cube (large)
• 1 Eagle Creek Wallaby Trip Kit for toiletries (bottom, 2nd from right). The Wallaby kit is old, but here’s the newer version.

I will admit, that these items aren’t cheap, but they aren’t exorbitant either.  Initially I was a bit skeptical if they’d actually be helpful, but now I won’t travel without them.

To give you an idea of what I packed in my 2 envelopes and 1 packing cube:

10 tees and tanks, 4 bikinis, 2 sleep rompers, 2 sleep camis, 10 pairs of undies, 5 pairs of socks, 2 denim shorts, 1 denim bermuda short, 1 linen beach short, 3 bandeau bras, 1 maxi dress.

The envelopes are great for packing bulky clothing items, and I use the packing cube for socks, undies, and bathing suits.  Having items compartmentalized like this makes it easier for me to find certain things, and it’s easy to toss the whole kit into hotel dresser drawers when unpacking.  Also, it prevents items of clothing from shifting and getting wrinkled.  Another bonus is if you ever happen to get your luggage searched, the TSA agent (and the rest of the security line) won’t be able to see your things.  The Container store sells various sizes for the envelopes and the packing cubes, but this system works for me so far.  Before our October trip to Oahu, I bought the same size set of envelopes and cube for Justin, but in black.

I have too many big toiletries to bring that won’t fit in my Wallaby Kit, thus the large zippy bag in the bottom left.  The black bag with the yellow tag contains electronic cords (actually I moved this to my purse/carry on), and you know from my last post that the orange and pink bag contains my makeup.

The white plastic thing with pink polka dots peeking out from the bottom is my laundry bag.  It’s a large plastic drawstring I bought from Daiso that will house my wet and dirty clothes from the beach.

Everything (except the electronics bag) above fits into only half of my red 14″ x 10″ x 26″ Heys hardside, spinner luggage (2nd biggest, on the right).  I bought it for less than $100 at Marshalls, but I have seen it at TJMaxx as well. The other half of my luggage will house some snorkel gear, sandals, and some room to spare.  I suggest if you’re planning on upgrading your luggage or doing a lot of city-hopping in the future, buy a lightweight, hard-cased luggage with 4 wheels.  Bringing this bag through 9 cities of Japan’s public transpo was effortless, even despite its weight towards the end of my stay.

My other packing staple:  Plastic vinyl TSA bags for carrying toiletries onto the plane.

I bought these 2 zippered bags from Ebay for $5.  Cheap, completely re-usable and durable.  When I was in college I frequently flew back and forth for the holidays and I used the same thin, dingy zippy bags over and over again.  Never again!

Thanks for reading!  Hopefully this gives you a few organizational packing ideas for your next trip.  And just FYI, I’m not affiliated with or sponsored by the Container Store, nor Eagle Creek.  I just love their products that much!

♥ E&I

Justin and I are Kauai bound!  Cold winter weather will be waiting while we set off for the tropics!  Hawaii makes me think of candy colors and punchy brights!  I’ll be back soon with lots of vacation photos as always.

Aloha!  ♥

{1.  Bottega Veneta Layered silk-chiffon dress,  2. Elizabeth Hurley Chloe Bikini (similar), 3. R&Y AUGOUSTI Cobra Tote, 4. Blonde Ambition Doris Neon Wedge, 5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Stardust embossed iPad case, 6. Asos Round Sunglasses (similar)}

♥ E&I

Basically it has 4 prism-shaped compartments that roll up into a square:

Compact, space saving, and with clear zippered compartments so you can see everything!  That way you can separate each pouch for a different purpose:  face, eyes, lips, etc.  So everything you need is clearly visible and you no longer have to go digging and searching blindly.

The best thing about this bag is that I don’t need a separate bag/pouch/case for my brushes.  One pouch is large enough to store a set of everyday makeup brushes and maybe even room for a few extras.

Luckily I found a dupe at JCPenney for a mere $6 on clearance!  The only real differences are that its brightly colored, and the sides are not clear. It was by Elle (fancy that!!) but I’m unable to find it online unfortunately.  I will link similar products below if you’re interested.

Bright punchy pink and orange!  I do wish the sides were clear like the Mary Kay bag, but then again it was only $6.

Pouch contents from left to right:

Face, eyes, brushes, miscellaneous.

If you’re in the market to buy a similar bag, here are some options:

• To buy the Mary Kate bag from the Official Mary Kay site, click here
• To buy the Mary Kate bag from Amazon click here
• Amazon sells a similar “Roll-N-Go” bag here
• To search for Mary Kay makeup roll-up bags  on Ebay (I’d personally use this method), click here
• eBags sells a similar one (that is cheaper) here

♥ E&I

Current CVS promos: Buy $30 in selected merch and receive a $10 CVS cash card.  Buy any Sally Hansen Item, get another 50% off.  (Ends 1/14/11)

Scenario 1: You have a CVS card, a CVS Beauty Club membership (sign up here)

Buy 4 Sally Hansen Salon Nail Effects $9.99
Buy One Get One 50% Off, On Sale thru 1/14
Use $4.00 off a $20.00 Beauty Purchased emailed to Beauty Club Members (exp 1/16)
Pay $24.96, Receive $10.00 CVS Cash Card
Final Price: $3.74 each when you buy 4

Or, if you don’t get the Beauty Club member discount in time, here’s what you’ll pay:

Scenario 2: You have a CVS card

Buy 4 Sally Hansen Salon Nail Effects $9.99
Buy One Get One 50% Off, On Sale thru 1/14
Pay $29.96, Receive $10.00 CVS Cash Card
Final Price: $4.99 each when you buy 4

Here’s my receipt.  I had a $10 cash card from a previous transaction, 2 $0.50 coupons for Sally Hansen Items (now out of print from Redplum.com), and my $4 off $20 purchase coupon from CVS Beauty club.

I paid $17.10 out-of-pocket and received a $10 CVS cash card.  Not bad!

♥ E&I

{via}

I recently saw this post from YouLookFab and I was intrigued by this idea.  Most fashion oriented blogs post trends that are coveted and inspiring.  But the idea of your anti-style?  The opposite of your style?  Style-that-is-not-representative-of-you?  Now THAT is something to think about.

Personal style constantly changes. It depends on a lot of things: location, friends, the media, occupation (student vs. worker), and general state of mind. I find as I get older the idea of my ideal personal style comes easier. But who knows, maybe it’ll change again.

Here’s my list.  At this point in my life, I do not aspire to a style that is:

• Preppy
• American Classic
• Ladylike
• Mod
• Romantic/Sweet/Cutesy
• Prairie/Country
• Prim
• Androgenous
• Earthy
• Formal
• Vintage/Retro/Rockabilly

I’m going to try to keep this list in mind when purchasing new items. Hopefully I can do it!

Although I admire those in classic cardi’s, pencil skirts, and white button downs, I’ve noticed that I buy them and I don’t reach for them.  My work-life doesn’t warrant it, and I rarely dress up unless its a special occasion.  So many of my online friends and acquaintances on blogs and twitter can pull this type of look off, but honestly I find it difficult for me!

Knowing your style means knowing what isn’t your style.  How about you?  What’s YOUR anti-style?

♥ E&I

1. Sensai Fluid Finish Lasting Velvet in 202 – My HG! See my original reviews here and here.  I like how the coverage is buildable so I can use a light hand for a natural look when I’m outdoors.

2. Canmake Cheek Gradation Blush in 01 – I first bought this in Japan (along with a big makeup haul) and I can’t stop using it!  The different color stripes allow a customized blush look.

3. Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel – My HG!  Okay my secret is out.  I have been using this for more than 3 years as my silicone-based face primer.  If I forget to use it in the morning my makeup fades very quickly!  For the amount of product, the cheap price and the payoff, this is my HG primer.  I will caution you though, that some people do find it clogging for their skin, so do test it out sparingly first.  See the 680+ makeupalley reviews here for more info.

4. Fiberwig Mascara – I generally use my HG mascara, L’oreal Voluminous Waterproof mascara for everyday use, but for Hawaii I’ll bring my Fiberwig.  There is no potential for smudged eyes while using this, and it gives a very natural lash look.

5. Makeup Forever Full Cover Concealer in 06 – My HG! This concealer is a good match for my skin and I find the staying power and coverage very nice for both the undereye area, redness and blemishes.

6. Shiseido Eyelash Curler – My HG!  I honestly did give the Shu Uemura curler a fair trial but the curvature didn’t match my eye shape well.  The Sephora cashier was shocked I was returning it!  I’ve stuck with this curler for many years and it has never failed me.

7. Too Faced Shadow Insurance – I made the switch to Too Faced on a whim when my Urban Decay Primer Potion was running out.  It is more emollient but the jury’s out (at least for me) whether or not this is better than UD’s.

8. Sonia Kashuk Remove – My HG!  I love Lancome Bi facil but it’s too pricey for me.  Neutrogena’s eye makeup remover didn’t cut it. Neither did the Pond’s eye makeup remover pads.  Target’s generic brand remover hurt!  But this is the closest thing I can find that is comparable to Bi Facil, but less oily.  The bottle is very pretty and modern, and I love that the color is a nice light purple.  Whenever there is a sale at Target or I find a coupon for Sonia Kashuk, I stock up!

9. Physician’s Formula Healthy Wear Bronzer in Light – I bought this last year during the CVS winter sale and I generally use this for contouring or if I don’t feel like using blush.

10. Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Creme – A must for outdoor use!  The cream is a bit thick but sun protection isn’t something you should skimp on.

11. Urban Decay Naked Palette – I recently bought the Naked2 Palette, but for Hawaii I’m bringing this.  The Naked2 is separated in half (warm then cool) but I find that the original palette has a nicer warmer tone.

♥ E&I

EDIT:
J. Crew dress sold out

EDIT:
Blazer sold out

Shop elleandish here.

**Note**
I’ll be on vacation very soon so shipments will be postponed until I get back. If you purchase I’ll let you know exact dates. Thanks!

♥ E&I

Kanebo Sensai Liquid Lasting Velvet Foundation

My HG foundation has a new formulation!

When I first bought this product in 2009 it was simply the Sensai Fluid Finish foundation by Kanebo.  (See my original review here.) Then my sole shopping source it stopped selling it and I wasn’t able to buy.  :(

Recently Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus have added a new variation of this foundation to their online shopping sites:  ”Lasting Velvet.”  It has the same amazing qualities as its first generation counterpart, but it has a velvety matte finish.  And because of the subtle matte finish it has slightly better coverage.  If I want a dewy look instead, I can just add a highlighter on top of my cheeks.

It’s still very natural looking, still buildable, still 55% water-based, and they carry the exact range of shades as the first one.  I’m Soft Beige 202 for reference, and I’m approximately an NC20.  And it’s still the same price: $50 for 30mL of product in a glass pump form.

Yup I still love it!  Even after 2 years!

If you’re looking for a new foundie I recommend you try out this one.  And note: According to the Bergdorf Goodman website, “All fragrance and cosmetics returns must be unused, unopened, and in original packaging for a credit/refund or exchange to be issued.”  So I suggest you go to the store and test it out in person first to find the best shade for you.

♥ E&I

Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment (find here)

I first saw this product on Youtube on Checkinthemirror‘s channel as one of her favorite acne treatments. Since I’m a fan of the Mario Badescu products that I’ve tried (glycolic acid toner review here), I read reviews on the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. Reviews were mixed and I decided to pass for the time being.  But upon hearing some raves for the Kate Somerville line in general I decided to try this product out.

After a month of testing it on my skin, I’m ready to review it!

From the Sephora website:

EradiKate Acne Treatment
What it is:
An effective blemish banishing therapy.

What it is formulated to do:
Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment heals blemishes and prevents future breakouts quickly!

What else you need to know:
This skincare solution provides the highest level of sulfur allowed in order to calm acne flare-ups and free skin of further bacteria buildup. The result is a clear complexion that lasts!

The price is $22 for 1 oz of product. (The Mario Badescu drying lotion is $17 for 1z) Quite pricey for a skincare product, but I haven’t had much results with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide treatments in the past. This is a dual phase product with a light pinky sediment with a layer of isopropyl alcohol on top. Essentially you’re getting 0.5 oz of active product, I think it will last a while. The isopropyl alcohol layer is there to keep the pink sediment from drying out.

Sulfur is a ingredient that causes the skin to dry up and peel.  I’ve heard that your outer layer of skin is renewed every 30 days or so.  So this essentially speeds up that skin renewal process.

To apply this treatment, you dip a clean Q-tip into the bottle to pick up the pink sediment at the bottom.  It has a wet powder consistency and dries to a light pink powder on the skin.

After using it on two different types of acne, cystic and surface acne, I feel that this product does work.  But up to a point.   This is no acne miracle product, but knowing what the active ingredient is and its purpose, it does do what it claims to do.  Sulfur makes the skin slough off quicker than if you try to leave it alone, as it speeds up the skin cell renewal process.

For surface acne my spots dried up within a day and completely healed within a day or two.  Cystic acne does take time for it to rise to the surface and this product does not make that process any faster.  But once it does come up to the surface I do see that the EradiKate treatment helps with the inflammation, and the drying and subsequent healing process is faster with nightly treatment.

And now. The smell!  I’m not a fan, but I can deal with it.  Justin affectionately calls me “match face” when I treat my spots.  But hey, beauty is pain!  Or smell, in this case.  It doesn’t stop me from using it.

So! Will I buy it again?  Yes, I think I would.  There are products out there that prevent acne and products that will treat acne when its already here.  This product is the latter.  In my experience the EradiKate acne treatment helps dry up and heal my acne faster.  I’ll try my best to prevent acne, but when it pops up I just want it gone!  :P

Pros:  Skin turnover is faster, helps heal blemishes quicker.

Cons: Expensive, smelly.

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

♥ E&I