Sunday, June 29, 2014

Victoria's Secret Beach Sexy and Sexy Escape collection review + photos


          I can't tell you how wonderful summer is here in Chicago. It's a long-awaited season (this year especially) in this winter wonderland --- and a reason for celebration, if you ask me! To this end, I've been spoiled with a package full of tropical scents and bronze reflections, courtesy of Victoria's Secret Beauty. Let's take a tour through Victoria's Secret Summer 2014, shall we?




         First up, I have the Victoria's Secret Beach Sexy collection. I'm a little obsessed with the metallic bronze packaging. They add color to one's counter-top, as well as complexion! The Victoria's Secret  Beach Sexy Self-Tanning tinted lotion ($15) is a self-tanning lotion with avocado oil. It's meant to provide an instant glow, as well as a lasting one that develops within hours. (I tend to tan naturally, so I haven't yet given this one a go!) I have, however, been enjoying the Victoria's Secret  Beach Sexy Body Prep smoothing scrub ($18). The sugar crystals give a gentle scrub, while the floral coconut scented oils leave a moisturized finish.


          Victoria's Secret  Beach Sexy All-Over Bronzing stick ($15) is a generously sized bronzing stick. The gel-based formula is designed to dry quickly and leave a mica-based glow. I found that when applied sheer, you might appreciate a few gold / glittery sparkles. When applied heavily, it can be built up to a warm glitzy bronze (that reminded loosely of the NARS South Beach multiple). The color does conveniently wash off with water, but might not function best if you're hoping for a pool-friendly product!

From left to right.... Victoria's Secret Fragrance Mists in Ocean, Sunset, and Island
          The limited edition Victoria's Secret Sexy Escape Fragrance Mists for Summer 2014 have a wonderful island-like feel (and gorgeous ombré bottles). Victoria's Secret Sexy Escape Fragrance mist in Ocean ($35) is a fresh scent with pink currant, fresh peach, and island peony. Victoria's Secret Sexy Escape Fragrance mist in Sunset ($35) is a fruity floral with passion fruit, pink tiare, and coconut water. Victoria's Secret Sexy Escape Fragrance mist in Island ($35) is fruity floral with star fruit, jasmine petals, and white amber.

        I'm hard pressed to pick a favorite, but I suppose I'd most likely be a 'Sunset' as I do love tiare and coconut. (That said the watery peach and peony combination of Ocean do tickle my fancy as well).


          I'm feeling a bit less Chicago and a bit more Caribbean after playing with this collection! The summery scents in the Victoria's Sexy Escape Fragrance mist collection and the bronze shades in the Victoria's Secret Beach Sexy collection have added a fun summer twist to my beauty wardrobe. These gorgeously packaged products can be found at your local VS. (I've noticed a 2 for $40 deal on the fragrance mists online - might be worth checking out if you're a fragrance fan).

         Thanks for reading! Have you had the chance to try any beauty from VS Summer? Are you a self-tanner? Which of the three fragrance mists (Island, Ocean, Sunset) featured here would be your go-to?

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.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

J.Crew Quilted mini purse in Trellis Vine review + photos


            Lately I've been in the mood to accessorize. Maybe it's the summer heat, or maybe it's the fact that I have a 'winter' complexion that doesn't work as well with traditionally warm summer tones; I've been keeping a simpler beauty routine and been on the hunt for accessories and accoutrements instead! 

           When it comes to purses, I'm always fond of items that come in color! As someone with a profoundly neutral taste in clothes, I find brightly hued bags to be quite complimentary to my style. My latest find is the J.Crew Quilted mini purse in Trellis Vine. (I was lucky to find this at a nice discount too!) I'm really looking forward to adding this gorgeous garden green to my summer rotation!
Love the gold chain on this J.Crew mini purse! I've been favoring small gold details this summer...
        The J.Crew Quilted mini purse is constructed from soft quilted leather. Trellis Vine a dark green with just a hint of blue (I'm thinking it's a little less blue than in my in-the-shade photos here. It's more standard green in sunlight). The clasp detail is a hinge; it does seem like metal that can be scratched easily, so I'll be keeping that in mind. Inside, there's a zip pocket, pouch pockets, and of course the standard J.Crew plaque label.

        I love how the chain can be tucked inside; being able to convert to a clutch format is something I prefer in a little purse. Overall, I'm pleased with the quality (so far) for the price I purchased it at. It can be tough to find a for-fun find at a quality to cost balance! I haven't had the chance to road test this item, so I can't comment on durability - I love J.Crew, but their items can be variable in that regard!



            Overall, I've been loving garden greens lately, so my J.Crew Quilted mini purse in Trellis Vine was a fabulous find! I'm thinking it's a shade that should wear nicely from summer to fall. (Plus, I've been in the mood to collect clutches lately, so all the better!)

          Thanks for reading! What pretty purses have you picked out this summer? Are you into colors or neutrals? Have you found anything fun at J.Crew recently?


Love, Dovey.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Sunday snapshot


        Happy Sunday! I thought it would be the perfect day to send a simple snapshot your way! It's been busy to say the least; after a 100+ hour workweek (yikes), some serious unwinding is in order. On my one day off this week, I've been enjoying simple delights...

1. Sips of Starbucks + an old fashioned donut
Confession: I add five Sugar in the Raw packets to my Starbucks iced coffees. As meals are few and far between, I've grown accustomed to a simple sugar and caffeine diet.

2. A color crash course in InStyle
In the latest issue, I'm loving the Color Crash Course on p.90. For me, the featured hue is right on cue. I've been reaching for a lot of sand colored pieces lately!

3. The French Open
Any tennis fans out there? To be honest, Mr. Lovey is more into matches than I am, but there's something nice about watching sports on Sundays.

4. CHANEL Rouge Allure in Radieuse
I know it's a coral time of year, but I just can't quit my cool pinks. CHANEL Radieuse (click for swatches) is one of my all-time favorite lippies. I'm not sure what I'll do if I ever finish my tube...

5. A white-out pedicure 
I once spent an entire summer wearing a white pedi. I guess you could say it's a classic Cute and Mundane shade! Right now I'm wearing Essie Blanc.

        Thanks for reading! What simple delights have you been enjoying lately? Do you have any favorite Starbucks snacks, polish picks, or magazine articles you'd like to share? I'm always looking for new recommendations!

Love, Dovey.