A few of my favorite things - November 2013

            I've always felt that November heralds the twilight of the calendar year. Deep blues and majestic hues color the long shadows cast upon the Northern hemisphere, punctuated by the festive glow of tiny twinkling lights that mark the beginnings of the holiday season. These wintry chroma certainly feed my flair for vivid colors, and also (incidentally) complement my 'winter complexion! Today, for my monthly A few of my favorite things series, I''ll be sharing snapshots of the threads and maquillage that I've adorned (and adored!) this November!

1. Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine
While most are donning perfumes laden with sugar and spice at this time of year, I've been helping myself to a seasonal slice of citrus! My spritz of choice has  been Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine, a blood orange concoction that's anything but sweet. It has the bitterness of an orange rind, tempered by the slightly sour clarity characteristic of real citrus fruit!

My sample of Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine. (Thanks mom!)

2. Illamasqua Lover powder blusher
Illamasqua Lover adds the perfect whisper of peachy orange to my complexion. It also happens to be a great pairing to my embroidered sweatshirt below. I have a considerable collection of Illamasqua blushers, as the formula works well for me and agrees with my skin.

3. CHANEL Poudre Universelle in 20 Clair
When it comes to complexion, I've really come to rely upon CHANEL for my incredibly sensitive skin. CHANEL Poudre Universelle in 20 Clair is my latest acquisition from the line; the sheer finishing powder adds just the right touch to any look.

4. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Liner in 13 Mat Black
I've stashed away my brown pencil liners in favor of liquid blacks. There's nothing I like better than a crisp long-lasting line! The dramatic contrast is particularly flattering on those with cool winter complexions like myself.

4. Butter London Union Jack Black nail lacquer* (reviewed here)
I've been all about noir nails this month! Black is an unusual lacquer shade for me, but it's a perfect complement to this season's monochrome styles. My favorite has been Butter London Union Jack Black, which applies beautifully and dries fairly quickly; it's been a great go-to for nights out.

5. My custom MAC Quad
As you know, I'm a big fan of the MAC custom quad, which allows me to precisely arrange the color combinations I require. As you can see, my current custom foursome contains a set of very basic, monochromatic colors, including MAC Blanc Type, MAC Electra, MAC Concrete, and MAC Soot. MAC Blanc Type is my newest acquisition; it's the perfect cream base with pink undertones.

6. J.Crew floral sweatshirt in navy
Normally I'm not a pattern person, but it was hard to resist this gorgeous embroidered sweatshirt from J.Crew fall! I love the Dries van Noten-esque feel of the patterning, and the defining contrast between the navy and coppery orange threads. I've been wearing this comfy-cool piece all month long.

Closeup of the embroidered paneling on my J.Crew floral sweatshirt in navy.

          I hope you've enjoyed my favorites this month! I've really been embracing navy and noir this November, inspired by the lengthening shades of winter light. Orange punctuation makes for a natural embellishment on this twilight aesthetic, adding a hint of the warm candle-lit glow seen twinkling through frosty windows!

        Thanks for reading! What perfume, makeup, or threads have you been loving this November? Do we share any favorites?

Love, Dovey.

*Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.