It smells like Christmas!
My boyfriend sweetly surprised me with this as a stocking stuffer after I raved about a sample I’d gotten. I love love love the way it smells.
PS: Tiramisu For Breakfast followers can get 10% off on this and tons of other great stuff with the code TIRAMISU at ElementsBeautyShop.com
Read MoreI borrowed a fancy fur from my friend to wear to a fancy event (seen here) last year and loved it. Then, one of my favorite YouTubers, LisaLisaD1, mentioned this one from Forever21 and this one from ASOS in one of her videos.
I went for the one from Forever21. I wasn’t sure about it at $67 but I got it half price on Cyber Monday and it’s awesome. I wore it to dinner with my boyfriend’s aunt, and got lots of compliments when I wore it to the mall the next day.
I’m wearing it with this blouse from LOFT (one of my favorites), and a pair of black J Brand jeans I found at Marshalls.
Forever21 actually has a bunch of really cute coats like this. I like this one:
I was hesitant at first, but I think these are all really fun. If you’re dressing up for new years, it would be fun to wear one with a dress, but I also really liked it with just jeans and a blouse.
What’re you wearing for New Year’s?
Read MoreI loved these Vince mules (No longer available) when I saw them on Gal Meets Glam, and I just found a copycat version at Macy’s. Aren’t they cool?
Here’s what the Vince ones look like (on Julia from Gal Meets Glam).
How clever is this? I saw this on Buy Now Blog Later‘s instagram. I found the seller on Etsy, and they have a couple of different options.
If you’ve been following my posts, it’s no surprise when I say that REN is one of my FAVORITE brands. Ever since my cousin bought me their body cream and bath oil one year for Christmas, I’ve loved discovering new products from the brand. A lovely local boutique/online store, Elements Beauty Shop, noticed my love of REN and suggested we partner up to spread the word about great skincare products. I was blown away when
I saw all the brands they pack into their adorable Carytown shop. I’ve loved discovering new (to me) lines like Erno Lazlo, The Organic Pharmacy and Somme Institute.
This is the first of a collaborative series of posts about skincare. There are a bunch of great products I can’t wait to talk to you about. When I asked on Facebook, you all shared some of your skincare concerns. Make sure to let me know what you’d like to see so I can include it. I’m excited to learn along with you as I talk to the experts at Elements and share tips with you! Because I’ve already tried out and fell in love with so many things from REN, I figured it would be the best place to start. I talked to a representative from REN Skincare, Leslie, to make sure I had all the facts about the products included in this post, and I’m excited to share them with you.
These are my favorite products so far from REN. Let me know your favorites or the ones you’re excited to try in the comments! 
1. REN Rosa Centifolia™ No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm: This was one of the very first REN products I ever tried and it’s wonderful. (I mentioned it first here back in January, and again here when I shared my favorite rose-scented products.) Apply this to dry skin, and then use wet fingertips to rub it in as the texture changes from a (I use baby washcloths because they’re extra soft)
2. REN Rosa Centifolia Hot Cloth Cleanser: After I liked the balm so much, I decided to give the hot cloth cleanser a try. This one smells just as good and I like to alternate between the two.
3. REN Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil: My favorite thing to do with this is pour a little in a tiny bowl, add hot water, and soak my hands as part of a mini-manicure.
4.REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial: OK, does this not sound amazing? The marketers were super-smart about the naming of this product, because who doesn’t want an at-home facial? And it only takes a minute? Here’s how it works: Vitamin C from Ascorbic Acid stimulates collagen synthesis, evens out skin tone and provides instant radiance to the skin. Boswellic Acid from Boswellia Serrata Bark relaxes micro-contractions of facial tissue to smooth lines. Glycogen Magnesium from Marine Glucose Mineral boosts skin energy and radiance. Fancy, right?!
5. REN Rose O¹² Moisture Defence Oil: Fab, fab, fab. I got this last winter because my skin was feeling super dry. I use it at night and in the morning underneath my moisturizer. Even though it’s already gotten chilly in Virginia, my skin hasn’t gotten the memo and started being dry like crazy. But when it does, I’ll be pulling this out.Leslie called this “a blanket for your skin.”
6. REN Radiance Gift Set: I bought this set when I started hearing tons of buzz about the Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask. This whole set is the same price as just the mask, so I went for it and got the extra goodies at no extra cost. Leslie shared some very cool things about these products with me. The entire radiance line is for improving uneven skin tone (think acne scarring or sun spots) and dullness. She recommends this set to use the night before a big event as a “Red carpet facial.” Start with the micro polish cleanser, then apply the AHA concentrate for even deeper exfoliation. Then, apply the Glycolactic mask and leave it on for 30 minutes. Remove it with a wet cloth, and then use the vitamin C serum. Last, use your favorite moisturizer.
After chatting withLeslie about her favorite products, the Rosa Centifolia Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser and the Vita Mineral Emollient Rescue Cream are next on my list of things to try. A lot of you have talked about looking for products that combat dry, winter skin. Replacing your moisturizer with the Vita Mineral Emollient Rescue Cream is supposed to do the trick! (Update: I picked up the Emolient Rescue Cream and I LOVE it.)
A little bit more about REN:
Antony Buck and Robert Calcraft of the UK started REN Skincare. Buck’s wife was pregnant at the time, and was struggling with reactions to all of her beauty products. They founded the brand based on these three principals:
Performance: REN gives you groundbreaking product formulation, the latest hi-tech actives, rigorous product testing and clinically proven results.
Purity: REN uses only 100% plant and mineral derived actives and is free from skin-unfriendly synthetic ingredients *.
Pleasure: We believe that the texture, fragrance and experience of using REN can make the world a slightly nicer place to be and make us feel slightly nicer being here.
Elements is having a special skincare event next Wednesday, December 17th. Eva DeVirgilis, an amazing actress and make up artist, is sharing skincare tips and giving makeovers. Check out her TedxRVA speech.
I love what she has to say about beauty: “I think every woman who sits in my chair is beautiful, with or without makeup; she just has no idea…Makeup is my therapy puppet to help a woman open up about how she’s feeling…Almost every time, it works. I see a woman leap up out of my chair and actually smile at herself. Even if it’s temporary, there is a very real transformation that happens in this chair.”
If you’re in Richmond, I’d love to see you there! Everyone’s invited, and all the details are in the Facebook event here. Tiramisu For Breakfast followers will get 10% off their purchase at the event. If you’re not in Richmond or can’t make it on Wednesday, use the code ‘TIRAMISU’ to get 10% off your first order at ElementsBeautyShop.com. They’re also doing free shipping for the holidays!
*This post is a sponsored collaboration with Elements Beauty Shop. All opinions are my own. Thanks so much to Leslie from REN for sharing awesome tips!
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Here are a few fun things I spotted this Black Friday.
I’ve been wanting one of these little fur infinity scarves. I picked this one up at American Eagle after trying on a couple of pairs of ripped jeans and finally deciding I’m too old for them.
The LOFT I went to on Friday didn’t have a lot in stock, but I saw these things online.
1. Colorblock mock neck pullover
3. Black and crystal gem cuff earrings
4. Crystal cluster fan earrings
5. Pearlized Front-Back Stud Earrings
I also loved this coat, but I already have four white coats and needed to draw a line.
Everlane was doing a Black Friday donation promotion, and since my friend Corey mentioned she loves the, I decided to try the V neck and U neck versions (in white, obviously). I splurged on this Vince tee last month, but it already got a hole in it so I’m returning it and back to trying out other brands.
I’ve been seeing a lot about these over the knee flat, black boots (see here and here). These ones are from Nordstrom.
I usually wear Stila beso when I want a red lip, but it’s super drying. I’m going to try out this NARS Matte Velvet Lip Pencil in Cruella, a scarlet (blue-toned) red.
This little Tocca set was one of Sephora’s limited edition gifts for the holidays, so I ordered a couple to give away. 
I bought some backups of this candle last year, so I didn’t pick up any new ones yesterday but I wanted to mention that this is my favorite Christmas candle. The Bath and Body Works candles are my favorite (Mahogany Teakwood, specifically), and I love the Fresh Balsam for the holidays. I’ve already been burning a few from my stash for the past few weeks.
Always get these candles when they’re 2 for $22 and use a $10 off $30 coupon OR the 20% off. (unless they’re on an even better sale). I also put up my Christmas tree, and my kitty was pretty curious about it (the top part turned on a little while later).
Here’s what I like to wear when I’m working out.
1. Super Fun Yoga Pants: Definitely the most fun thing in my workout wardrobe AND these feel so cool! I always get compliments when I wear these.
2. Reusable Shopping Tote: How cute is this?! I use this to carry my clothes in my car when I don’t have time to go home and change in between work and class.
3. Nike Favorite Sports Bra: This is my favorite sports bra. I have it in black and in pink.
4. Nike Dual Fusion Lite: I actually found these when Kohl’s posted them on Instagram. I’m wearing them here with some fun pants I got from my yoga studio.
Here are a few of my other favorites:
I got this jacket in my never ending quest to dress like Olivia Pope. I also love the pants in this picture. They’re from the Gap outlet and they have a double seam on the inner thigh that’s super flattering. I don’t think you can shop the outlet online, but these seem similar.
The lovely, lovely Amy gifted me these Super Fun Yoga Pants by Teeki. They’re made from recycled plastic bottles! She stopped by the office let me try on a bunch of different styles. (My friend Megan’s review of them is spot on)
Here they are in action. My barre teacher was wearing the same ones!
And here they are in serious action.
I’m wearing my favorite tank in this picture. It was called the Nike G87 but now I think it’s called the knockout tank? I have it in black, white and mint. It’s so, so soft.
My friend Liz raves about the wonder unders from Lululemon. I still haven’t tried those but I always wander into the store to see what new things they have. I finally caved when I saw this Free To Be Wild sports bra.
Update: It’s now out of stock (boo), but I got the Free to Be bra in white and I love that one too.
I also found this tank and the neckline reminded me of this dress, so I picked it up too.
My favorite places to work out are Richmond Barre, Hot house Yoga and Gymquest Gymnastics (they have an adult tumbling class on Sundays at noon that I go to with my friends). I pretty much wear the same thing no matter which I’m going to, but the sweat wicking clothes are definitely my favorite for yoga. But, sometimes workout wear ends up just being lounge wear. Here are a few of my favorite things for hanging around the house or running errands.
Update: How could I forget to mention Marshalls/TJ Maxx. These are some of the BEST places to get workout gear. I can’t really link to anything from there because you never know which stores have what and when, but I love stopping in here for deals. I have picked up a few of these Nike “Favorites” tanks there and and my latest find was a pair of stirrup leggings that I LOVE for barre class (similar here and here).
I’ve been loving all the new faux leather stuff coming out this fall. I saw this cute faux leather sleeve blazer from Forever21.
And here’s LOFT’s version:
I picked up a similar pair in vegan leather from Blank NYC last year. I think these are the ones, but if you search “Blank spray on vegan,” there are several similar pairs.
I have a peplum faux leather jacket from Forever21 that I LOVE. It’s not available online anymore, but I’m wearing it here. This one from French Connection is pretty fabulous too.
