The Weekly Gimme: lemlem Bathsheba Dress

$248, lemlem

This is a gorgeous dress, no? I don't know what's wrong with me. For the entirety of summer, I'm just shopping for cashmere and boots, but a week before October hits, I want to buy a white, pleated dress. 

I actually saw this dress in Harper's like months ago. Serious, I think I started Googling this dress in April. Well, it's finally hit the interwebs. It's beautiful. It's also made in Ethiopia (it definitely has a slightly African feel to it). 

I actually want a lot of things on lemlem's website . . . If only their prices didn't seem so outrageous . . . (Although Gwyneth Paltrow doesn't think the prices are too bad.)

Review: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad

$18 for 10, Sephora

I don't remember which subscription box I received these self-tanning wipes in (that's a bad sign, right?). I don't really use self-tanner, since I'm naturally pretty tan and if I really need a tan I can just sit outside for an hour. 

But, free is free and bored is bored so I used one of these. They really work! I only used one wipe and it was very subtle and natural looking. Not orange-y at all. I used it on my face, and I didn't find any streaks, even without using an exfoliate first. 

I didn't suffer any adverse effects. The tan washed off in about half a week. If I had wanted a deeper tan, I would have used a wipe every day until I reached the color I wanted. I would also suggest to make sure you wipe all over your chest, in case you want to wear a low-cut shirt.

tl;dr: Great tanning wipe, if you're into that kind of thing.

Review: Korres Quercetin & Oak Eye Cream

$42, Sephora

Have you guys seen that new Kia commercial with the hamsters getting in shape? I love that commercial. It's unfortunate that the car is so ugly and stupid looking, because they really have some brilliant admen. 

Anyway, this Korres product could use some brilliant admen, because it sure as shit doesn't work. To be fair, I don't know why I keep trying these antiageing/antiwrinkle (although a shadow fell on my face the other day that made me panic because I thought I was getting a wrinkle).

This will be a short post, because this product did nothing for me. It didn't really smell like anything (I don't know what quercetin even is), and the consistency was just blah. 

Tieks: An Endorsement

$175, Tieks

I have been looking for comfortable black flats (that aren't Toms) ever since I realized that I was going to work in London. I needed some good, classic, COMFORTABLE flats for commuting. I have other flats (here and here) that I really like, and that are fairly comfortable, but they weren't plain enough to be good commuting shoes. 

Tieks are Oprah's favorite shoe, and even though I'm not a huge Oprah fan, she usually has okay taste. Not to mention, these shoes have been featured on a lot of blogs. So I ordered a pair. Shipping was easy and fast, and my shoes got here in excellent quality. 

The shoes themselves came in a little box, along with a fake flower elastic thing, a reusable bag that can be stuffed in a little sac, and a little pouch to store the Tieks. Honestly, I wish they would knock $10 off the hefty price tag and just do away with these little extras. 

The shoes are excellent quality. The leather is great, and the rubber soles are very sturdy. The insoles are cushioned and comfortable. The first time I tried them on, I felt it was too tight in the toe-box and too long as a shoe. (The only have whole sizes which can also be difficult for some people). There is a bit more toe cleavage than I like, but just a bit.

After wearing them around the apartment for a few days, they leather molded to my feet more, so that they're more comfortable. One thing that sold me on these shoes is the fact that the back of the shoes don't rub against my heels. I always, always have that problem with cheap flats and these did not give me any blisters at all. 

Although I haven't worn them out for an extended period yet, they feel very comfortable. I think they're just as comfortable as my Toms for walking for hours. I don't think I would really travel in these shoes though, since I wear my Rainbows in the spring/summer and my boots in the fall/winter. They will definitely serve their purpose in being commuting flats.

Finally, I was at first hesitant to buy these shoes because of the blue soles and the little blue stripe on the heel, but when I saw them in person, I liked it a lot. It was a lot more subtle than in the photos and it's hard to see much blue when you're actually wearing them and walking in them. I'm going to wear these shoes for a few months and see how they hold up. Meanwhile, I've got my eye on this shiny patent red crocodile pair and this hot pink pair. 

The Weekly Gimme: Alexandra Grecco Tulle Skirt

$188, Alexandra Grecco

I really wish I had purchased this skirt last season from Anthro. I was just all "Where would I wear that?" even though that's hardly stopped me before. But now, thanks to Pinterest, I've seen all the ways to wear it! I could make it cazh with a graphic tee and booties, make it ladylike with a nice black sweater and pumps, or go full-on ballet with pearls, a cardi and ballet flats. 

The real question is whether I want it in ivory (ready to ship!) or peach (have to wait until December, which might not be a bad thing). 

Meanwhile, my shopping moratorium begins this Monday, September 23 and will extend until I get settled into a new flat in London!

My Favorite Casual Pants (That Aren't Skinny Jeans)

$14.97-29.94, Old Navy

If you're new around here, you might not know this, but I'm not really a pants person. I am vehemently anti-pants. I'm not wearing pants right now. I even consider yoga pants as pants--and thus uncomfortable.

Review: Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser

$32.95, Birchbox

I have received at least three samples of this face wash. Even though I would never buy it, I think it is a good product and will continue to use any more samples I receive.

Everlane: An Endorsement

$60, Everlane

I understand I'm way late on the bandwagon, but better late than never. I've been meaning to try Everlane for over a year, but for some inexplicable reason I never did. Maybe I thought that $80 was too much to pay for a silk shirt, considering I was a law student and pretty much only wore jeans and t-shirts. Silk shirts are for people who have their shit together, like CEOs and princesses and Wall Street mistresses.

Review: Terry Creme de Rose

$99, Birchbox

I got two samples of this stuff: one in my Space NK bag and one in my Glossybox, I think. Anyway, I didn't realize it was quite so expensive, since both the samples were pretty deluxe. It just goes to show the mark up on beauty products--I probably got about $30 worth of samples, meaning that in reality, $30 of face cream cost a dollar or two to make. Which means that the nearly $100 jar costs a few bucks to make . . . 

I liked this face cream. It didn't seem to do much, but it was moisturizing and it smelled good. The rose smell wasn't too overpowering, like some rose scented products can be. It was a good consistency, in between too thick and too runny (it was like a nice sour cream consistency). It felt good going on (I don't think it would be a problem for sensitive skin) and it did seem to moisturize. 

Unfortunately, it wasn't great at controlling oil (but it doesn't advertise that it will do that), and didn't do much for dark spots or other blemishes. As always, I can't say much as to it's "lifting" properties, but the other reviews online aren't exactly glowing.

tl;dr: Pricey. Nice smell, great consistency, but ultimately nothing special. Spend your money on some Creme Ancienne instead, because that's what I'm going to do. 

The Weekly Gimme: Tammy Fender Epi-Peel

$80, Space NK

You know what I hate? When magazines feature a really cute dress or skirt, and you can't find it anywhere. I don't understand it. This has happened to me with a Kenneth Cole skirt, a Mango dress, and a LemLem dress. It's absolutely infuriating. In a similar vein, I hate it when stores (*cough* Ann Taylor *cough*) put up pictures of clothes that they don't have out yet. 

Anyway, I've been hearing about this peel in many magazines and I'm interested in trying it. Eighty bucks is a bit steep, but I might have to treat myself after pulling in a paycheck. I like how it's all natural, because I'm also wary of putting too many chemicals on my skin when I'm still young. Also, if you google Tammy Fender, she looks pretty damn good. Something she does must be working.

Gimmes Update: Gots and Nots

I thought it would be fun (and a bit ghastly) to see what Daily/Weekly Gimmes I eventually purchased. I probably should have waited for the one year anniversary of the blog, but I was bored. I wish I could say that I only bought these things . . . but that would be a baldfaced lie.

The Weekly Gimme: Rag & Bone Newbury Booties

$495, Shopbop

I don't know what I've been doing. Honestly. I keep meaning to post, but then I get sucked in by terrible television and cakes and napping. Unemployment makes the days seem longer and yet also shorter.

Anyway, I'm in Hotlanta right now and I just went shopping yesterday. Got a really cute tweed suit set from Banana Republic and some black jeans from Madewell. And my first pair of Loubies!! Just the Simple 100s in black, which is the perfect foundation for a designer shoe collection.

Speaking of classic shoes, I've got my eye on these Rag & Bone Newbury booties. They're classic and pretty much every who's who has a pair. The only question is whether I should get them in black leather or a dark suede. I might even go off the reservation and get some hunter green suede booties.