I’m trying to get better at looking in my closet/make up drawer before buying anything new. Hopefully “Shop the closet first” will become my new motto. I’ve been pretty poor at this in the past, which is evident by the 20 tubes of mascara that are currently sitting in my bathroom.

For my spring make up, I wanted to try to keep things streamlined and minimal for everyday, with a pop of color and gloss for evenings and special occasions. Here is what I came up with…

OLD

1. NARS Orgasm lip gloss & pressed powder blush. I’ve had this kicking around in my purse for a while, the label is all worn down and the tube is probably close to empty. I held off buying anything in the Orgasm line for a while since I assumed it was popular just because of the gimmicky name. Turns out it isn’t a gimmick , it is popular because it is the best color out there. Pinky/gold/peach/sparkly!

2. Cargo bronzer. I’ve had this tub for I think over four years, and have just started to hit the bottom, so I’ve definitely gotten my moneys worth. It’s taken me some time to feel like I really know how to apply my summer bronzer. For me a light touch is key! When this tub is empty I am going to check out NARS Laguna based on the recommendation from Ramshackle Glam.

NEW

1. Bare Minerals Original SPF 15 Foundation in fairly light N10. Bare Minerals is one of those products I got back and forth on. Sometimes I’ll stop using for months since I think the powder emphasizes my wrinkles and the color wears off by 2pm in the afternoon. Other times I feel like it is the perfect make up for my face with a healthy, dewey finish. For this spring I am back on the powder bandwagon and what could be better than this pretty gold lid?

2. Bare Minerals Redness Remedy: I haven’t been using this long enough to say if it works, but I have high hopes for the product. The older I get the redder my nose and chin get, and now I am getting some discolored spots on the apples of my cheeks (age spots????? ahhhhh!!!) I’ve cut down the use of my Clarasonic Mia to three times a week since I was worried that was aggravating the issue, and now I am looking for a powder solution as well. The brush is overkill, but it comes with the product.

3. Benefit They’re Real!: I actually bought this over the winter, but it never made it into my regular mascara rotation. I thought it irritated my eyes, and was hard to wash off at night. I finally started using it again this spring, and am liking it much more. Still looking for a good suggestion for make up remover though.

4. NARS Heat Wave: Finally! I’ve been eyeing this lipstick for going to two years now after obsessing over the red/orange lips of recent JCrew models, but my fear of orange kept stopping me. I was pretty happy with NARS Gipsy since it was a more brick red/blue that I was comfortable with, but for this spring (and after another JCrew catalog landed in the mail) I started thinking about Heat Wave again. It is exactly the right kind of POP that is called for on a warm spring evening.

What are your old/new make up picks for Spring 2012?

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On the subway about two years ago I saw a girl carrying an amazing bag. It was an olive shade of leather with studs all around the handles and pockets. After a couple stops of inching closer to her and that amazing amazing bag I was able to read the Kooba nameplate.

I had purchased a Kooba Ada bag a few years ago, but it was way too heavy! In fact I tried selling it on Ebay a couple times with no luck. So I wasn’t totally sure I wanted to take another Kooba plunge, but as soon as I got home I started googling and eventually identified that amazing subway bag as the Kooba Tracy bag. The Ebay search began!

First I found the canvas blue version with purple patent leather trim. It was cheap since it was from a couple seasons ago. Two pockets in the front and (the best) two side pockets inside the bag to hold everything.The blue/purple bag is amazing. I swear I carried it around for about 6 months straight.

Next up was a warm chestnut leather version. Although not as beautiful a cold as the olive shade I originally saw on the subway, I was able to justify this purchase since I didn’t have any other bags in this color. Plus, I got it for a steal since there is a water stain on one side. It does run into some weight issues with the leather, but I love the beautiful studs!

Double trouble! Do you have any bags you loved so much you bought multiple versions?

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Bag // Blouse // Jacket: JCrew (old) // Jeans: Citizens (old) // Shoes // Nails: Essie, No Pain No Spain

Saturday mornings mean a trip to the Brooklyn Grand Army Farmer’s Market and it is finally starting to feel like spring. Normally I am afraid of wearing anything white due to spill factors, but the price was right for this Old Navy top that I can wear without fear.

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I resisted getting a Le Pliage from Longchamp for years. About two years ago I picked up a small Le Pliage from Bloomingdale’s in eggplant but ended up returning it a few days later since I was too small for my daily commute. But still the Le Pliage was on my mind but I was always able to talk myself out of it due to the price and the fact that everyone carries this bag around.

Over the summer I started reconsidering and found myself in Bloomningdales one again, but this time with a 25% off coupon. The Le Pliage came home with me and it has been my favorite bag ever since.

Turns out this bag is popular for a reason, it is perfect. Or about as perfect as a mass produced bag can be. I can fill the bag to the brim, including my iPad and lunch, but it is so lightweight it is still easy to tote around. I also got the version of the bag with the long straps, which is comfortable to throw over your shoulder even while wearing a bulky winter coat. I selected the color Graphite, and it is the perfect cool mix of blue and grey.

The past summer was a really busy time when work was crazy and on top of that we were searching for a new apartment in Brooklyn. I was able to carry everything I needed for work, as well as piles of paper work for potential apartment applications in this bag, as well as all my normal stuff like my wallet and makeup. Everything fit, and the bag was still comfortable to carry, and beautiful to look at. This bag saved me.

My only complaint is that the one inside pocket tends to fold into itself when the bag is set down, so my subway pass and my Black Honey Almost Lipstick tend to fall to the bottom of the bag. I’ve found I have to lean it a certain way when I set it down, so not that big a deal.

I’m also pretty happy that after about six months of continuous use this bag look brand new with zero wear and tear.

Next on my list: A mini cosmetics case (to use as a clutch) and a Mini Fold Up Tote for weekends.

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Is it just me, or are sequins and chambray the best combination ever? Here are some ideas from Madewell.

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