Review: J.Crew Majesty Peacoat

Finding the right outerwear to perfectly fit a person's body is utterly the most difficult task ever, especially when that someone is yourself. I'm missing a peacoat in my closet and it's a staple piece that wouldn't go out of style each winter. So, I was perfectly fine investing in a peacoat that would fit me well and is also made of fine good material.

I was browsing through J.Crew and saw so many nice coats on their website. Although on the pricier side, there was a 25% off code floating around during that time which made it less painful. I was looking at this, this and this but find it wasn't practical and I needed to focus on the peacoat.

That's when I found the Majesty Peacoat from them. On the model, it was the perfect cut. It even came in petite, regular and tall. I went in-store to get a fit on the coat but unfortunately they didn't have the color I wanted. The salesperson was nice enough to help me order it through the phone. If you order/purchase anything at or through the store, you get a 15% off student discount (with a valid ID card). I jumped at that opportunity and ordered the size and color I wanted.

The shipping was quick, I was so excited when I received it in the mail.

The coat was nicely folded along with a hanger attached.

I had purchased the Majesty Peacoat in a size 4, heather charcoal (for reference, I am 5'4" and weigh about 120 pounds). When I tried it on, everything seemed to be a bit off. That wasn't the case in person when I tried on the same size but in the color navy. The sleeves are longer and the waist felt a lot wider with the heather charcoal.

To say the least, it wasn't flattering at all. It made me felt bulky and short. The reason might be because I had ordered it in regular instead of petite. But I really doubt the waist would be any narrower if I ordered it in petite. And I couldn't find any good reason to keep the coat and have it tailored. The material was really sturdy and can most likely keep you warm in weathers around 30-40°F since it's made of Italian wool.

Needless to say, I returned the coat because it wasn't exactly what I had in mind and wanted. At least I learned about the student discount.

Other peacoats to consider:

MICHAEL Michael Kors Outerwear · Marc by Marc Jacobs Wool Coats · Calvin Klein Wool Coats

Love,
LN

Halloween Hearts

Happy Halloween!

Although I find myself not exactly in the spirit every year. Well, not to mention I'm feeling uber sick the past day or so. I'm not the kind that dresses up and goes to parties and whatnot just because I don't think I'll be able to handle the scare. I don't think I can ever do those haunted houses or haunted mazes in the amusement parks.

But I do enjoy watching horror movies, just not by myself. To me, Halloween would to be lounging at home comfortably and enjoying a marathon of Nightmare on Elm Street with a bowl of popcorn while hoping kids/adults would occasionally ring my doorbell for some treats. That's my Halloween.

Top: Forever21

Pants: Express (similar here)

Shoes: Payless (similar here, here, and here)

Necklace: Boutique Shop (similar here and here)

Belt: Express

So, instead of some creepy and dark outfit (although you can choose to think that I chose red because of blood). I chose a cheerful and bright top for work today. The infamous red hearts that were so popular a couple of months ago is slowly creeping back since the weather is getter a lot colder and a nice long sleeve button down shirt will always do the trick for a work outfit. I like to wear things out of the norm; like, I would not wear this on Valentine's Day.

Besides feeling miserably sick with my stuffy nose, I've actually been really active with coat shopping. Being sick is starting to be a bad sign, in a financial way.

I rarely see anything festive in midtown NYC but yesterday I saw these pumpkin patches on the busy streets of Herald Square. How cute! I also spotted the bat-mobile, convertible version, but was unable to take a photo since almost everyone was hovering around it. Maybe next time.

Love,
LN

New Blog Layout

I have been thinking of changing the layout of my blog for the longest time. I don't understand the html and css coding to an extent that I can make my own layout but I do know the basics, like alignments, fonts, sizes and linking webpages and images. Plus, a lot of these can be searched on the internet if you have the time and effort. But creating a whole new layout for a blog would be too time consuming.

I really didn't know where to look for blogger templates but then I gave Etsy a shot since they basically have everything on that website. I totally hit the jackpot!

There were so many different layouts to choose from and you can even have the creator help you through private messaging them. I purchased mine from Pixelzine, this layout is called Strawberry Cheesecake. I instantly got drawn to the simplicity and hint of light pink. I messaged Andreea (the owner of the shop) and she was quite fast with answering my questions. I was confident in her help therefore I knew she would be a good seller to choose to do business with.
 

The process was simple. Once I purchased the item, there was a link for me to instantly download the whole file. Within the zip file, you basically have everything you need along with a document telling you how to install the new template.

There are many other templates by other authors/owners on Etsy you can choose from. This is definitely one of the easy way out to changing a blog layout.

Love,
LN

Loft 50% off everything - today only 10/23/13

I have to say, I am a fan of Loft. Their pieces are simple, classic, and work appropriate. They're currently having half off of everything, in store. I'm contemplating if I should go or just pass and save up for something a lot grander.

Nonetheless, here are some pieces that I do like from them which are also season fitting.

Stripe Compact Knit Elastic Waist Skirt // Zip Pocket Plaid Skirt // Tall Lace Overlay Ponte Pencil Skirt

Chunky Knit Open Cardigan // Petite Jeweled Collar Cotton Sweatshirt // Petite Beaded Bouquet Neck Sweater

Striped Terry Blazer // Cotton Canvas Utility Jacket

They also have 30% off of full-priced sweaters, not sure if they're willing to combine that with the 50% off though.

Love,
LN

For More or For Less: Rose Gold Watch

I've been wanting a watch for the longest time but have not yet been able to settle for one. The price definitely plays a role but there's also so many different types of style. I always wanted a rectangular watch but these round watches are starting to make an impression on me.

Below is a kind that I was thinking of getting. Should I get the more expensive one as an investment or stick with an inexpensive one so I can get more watches and swatch it out here and there?

 

For More (left): Michael Kors $275

For Less (right): Titanium $22 

Love,

LN

Ann Taylor Perfect Pump

I recently made a purchase on Ann Taylor. I saw on Extra Petite's website that Ann Taylor was having a 40% off sale plus there was a stackable 30% code.

Extremely tempting so I gave in and gotten 2 pairs of pumps.

The Perfect Patent Pump and the Perfect Exotic Pump.

I ended up returning the Perfect Patent Pump because it just doesn't fit. I originally bought a size 7 but it was too loose. I exchanged both for a 6.5 but the Perfect Exotic Pump actually fits but the Perfect Patent Pump doesn't. So, now I only own the Exotic Pump in Pumice Stone size 6.5.

I love these pumps. Perfect height and perfect color. It's amazingly comfortable also which I find quite rare with pumps. The price for these were $178 but I got them for less than half the price. What a steal!

Meatless

I've been going meatless for 3 days straight for the past 2 weeks. Sure it was hard but I'm getting use to it now. It's good to go meatless and just have some light dishes like tofu and vegetables.

Dinner tonight was a bowl of sautéed vegetables. It's like a mushroom galore.

Lunching Alone

My first time eating at a ramen shop alone and it's not as bad as I thought it would be. I sat by the bar, secluded in a corner. I like.

Lunch was great. I've found a go-to ramen shop near my office.

Birchbox 102011

This month's box gave me sort of a mix feeling. Kind of a love and hate kind of thing. There were products that I liked and also products I thought was a waste to be given to me.

Let's jump right into October's box!

Redken - shine flash 02

A hairspray that gives a shine. I really want to like this product but for some reason it makes my hair look greasy... odd. But I love the scent, makes me smell good.

Pangea Organics - Facial Scrub

I thought it was a mistake when I saw this. I had the same looking thing last month, but it was a facial cream, this is a scrub. So much better than the cream. The scent is pretty pleasant and it leaves my face so soft after usage. Win.

blinc - Mascara

An interesting mascara indeed but I'll pass on this since it's not waterproof. Also, the instructions for applying is insanely complicated. After the first coat, you have to wait 2 minutes for the lashes to dry and then you can apply more coats. I don't have time to wait! Plus, to remove the mascara it says to use warm water and add pressure to your eyes and tubes of the mascara will come off. Does this sound familiar? Like those Japanese mascaras?

Befine - Lip Exfoliator

Heavy oatmeal scent. I usually don't believe in lip exfoliators because it just doesn't work on me. No matter how often I use it and how hard I scrub, my lips cannot be baby soft. Unless there's a miracle product out there for me...

Tea Forte - Minteas

Freebie of the month. I love this! Taste so good, with a hint of cinnamon. Plus there was a lot of mints inside the little tin can. Win.

After getting this month's, I can't wait for next month's!

Freebies

I love me some freebies.

All from Target.

Keep your eyes open on their website for free samples. This is actually my second batch from Target. A lot more hair products this time. If you haven't gotten in the trend of getting samples from Target, go sign up!

Score some here.

HG For My Face

The weather has been changing here in NYC and it's feeling more like Autumn. I like the feeling of the weather but I don't like how it's not entirely hot nor cold, makes it difficult to choose clothes to wear. I mean, I like layering but it sort of makes a person looks "chunky". But anyways, my face has been acting up ever since the weather changed.

My skin is combination-oily and the t-zones are the most oiliest parts ever. Under the light, you can see a shiny layer of grease (I know it sounds nasty but I can't help it). My pores are quite big hence the excessive amount of oily it releases. I haven't tried much facial products that would decrease the secretion of oil because I feel like my face needs it. Oil secretion allows the face to be hydrated and not dry. Dry skin leads to wrinkles therefore I don't take any supplements or put on any moisturizer to stop it.

But lately, it got way out of hand and it even had me using multiple sheets of blotting paper, I even have to use it 2-3 times a day. That's a bit scary.

In the beginning of the year, I started using the moisturizer from Avon that my boyfriend's mom gave me. I liked it because it was light and had an SPF of 20 in it. I also like how it can become a base for my concealers to glide on. I've been using it in the summer also and it was fine. I had to blot my face only once throughout the day which was absolutely normal. Then once September hits, I started getting even more oilier. I started to freak. I went researching for primers which I heard can really help with oily skin. I was about to go purchase a primer but I suddenly remembered something.

Laying on my table was the Shiseido sunscreen that I used to love. I stopped using it because I had received the Avon moisturizer. It was just sitting there on the table, so I decided one day to use the Shiseido and put the Avon aside.

The Shisedio sunscreen was a lifesaver. I have raved it before as one of my favorite products of the year and it never failed me. The sunscreen that I have has an SPF of 55. Insane, but it helps protect my skin. Ever since I started using the Shiseido sunscreen again I have been getting less oily.

So, the Shiseido sunscreen is officially my HG product for the face. It's a must have. It's not as runny as any other sunscreen products and it has a nice pleasant scent to it also.

What's your HG product for your face?