FAVORITE MASCARAS OF 2010

Here's the first entry in my miniseries about the favorite makeup products that I used this year. In terms of mascara, I've always belonged to the group that said that going with drugstore mascaras is the smarter choice. Formulas are so similar that I don't find myself ever feeling the need to try out high end brands. That said, I did have the chance to do so this year because I received some samples in gift sets that I was more than happy to discover.

L'ORÉAL HIP MASCARA

This mascara gave me amazing volume. However, I haven't seen it in recent months... Maybe it is no longer sold in Canada? Regardless, I enjoyed this formula while I was fortunate enough to have it :) The color is amazingly black and the formula is quite thick and gives amazing definition to my lashes! I was quite impressed since I got it on sale for $4! That cannot be beat!


L'ORÉAL TELESCOPIC MASCARA

This mascara is amazing if you want lengthening properties in your mascara. If you're looking mainly for thickness, I wouldn't suggest this. However, it's easily buildable in my opinion and layers wonderfully with other mascaras. I occasionally use it with Benefit's Bad Gal Blue and I find it to be wonderful when I'm looking for a little subtle color in my mascara.

TARTE LIGHTS CAMERA LASHES!

This is the reason I'd ever consider trying high end mascaras! I got this in a trial size with a Sephora kit and I am completely and utterly amazed by this product! Unfortunately I finished the tube rather quickly (the first time I actually finished a mascara before its supposed expiry date!) and it was good to the last drop! This formula is by far the blackest black I've ever seen! It's wonderfully thickening and lengthening! If the full-size didn't cost so much, this would be my holy grail! However, I simply cannot justify paying over $20 for a mascara when drugstore versions work just the same!

ALMAY ONE COAT NOURISHING MASCARA

This is the closest drugstore dupe I can find which replicates the blackness of the Tarte mascara. The brush is the real standout in this product: on one side you have a spiral-type wand which lengthens and on the other, you have very short bristles that seem stuck to the wand which thicken my lashes incredibly! I was so so so impressed with this mascara, I will definitely want to try more ALMAY mascaras in the future when I use up the ones I have.

E.L.F. MINERAL INFUSED MASCARA

This is my everyday mascara. I like it because it doesn't create a super dramatic look, but still defines my lashes and makes them look very black.  It's extremely inexpensive at $3 (and even cheaper if you get it on sale... E.L.F. ALWAYS HAS SALES!). The formula is a little wet and needs a few seconds to dry. So if you have deep set eyes, you need to be careful until it dries before you blink. The formula is surprisingly black for such an inexpensive mascara. The wand is pretty standard: plastic with rubber bristles which distribute the product.

Those were my top picks for 2010. 

What were your favorite mascaras of the year? What is your favorite mascara of all time?

Let me know!!

BEST MAKEUP PRODUCTS OF 2010 SERIES

I've decided to do a little series of the best makeup of the past year, since I haven't been posting in a little while. I figured it would make sense to do it in sections: lips, eyes, face. So stay tuned for my favorite products of the year! I will try to include a mix of drugstore and higher end products. I don't use that many high end products, what with being a student and all, but I do find myself splurging at Sephora a couple of times per year. I'll also include a few products that were a total fail for me which were purchased in the past year. I will probably be going on a Project 10 pan in the new year, since I do have quite a stash that I do want to use up, but I will continue to post reviews on products I do have.

So here's a little preview of the brands I will be going through:

• E.L.F. (obviously, I LOVE them!)
• NYX
• LORAC
• L'Oréal
• Benefit
• Wet'n'Wild
• Jordana
• Tarte
• Korres
• MAC

Also, I want to mention that I recently won a contest for a Stile palette on Twitter hosted by pinkiecharm. I love her YouTube channel. She does amazing, honest reviews and does high end as well as drugstore products. I find that her channel is quite balanced. So thanks a bunch for hosting a fabulous contest and not discriminating against Canadian subscribers!!!

So stay tuned for my year end reviews :)

My Review

Originally submitted at EyesLipsFace.com

better than other brands!!

By cocomabelle from Montreal, Canada on 11/6/2010

 

5out of 5

Pros: Long Lasting, Versatile, Good Value, Easy To Apply

Best Uses: Daily Use

Describe Yourself: Natural Style

Skin Tone: Fair

Age: 16-24

This matte finisher doubles your nail polish wardrobe. I was about to buy a matte finisher from another brand, but luckily elf came out with one that was 1/8 of the price!!

I find that it makes my nail polish last so much longer than if I used a shiny top coat. I really love this product.

(legalese)

My Review

Originally submitted at EyesLipsFace.com

amazing value!!

By cocomabelle from Montreal, Canada on 11/6/2010

 

5out of 5

Pros: Easy To Apply, Good Value, Long Lasting, Versatile

Best Uses: Special Occasions, Dry Skin, Oily Skin, Normal Skin, Sensitive Skin, Daily Use

Describe Yourself: Natural Style

Skin Tone: Fair

Age: 16-24

These were the first brushes I bought, and let me say that I'll never need to look elsewhere for brushes!! For the price of a single designer brush, I have a full set of quality, non-shedding brushes. They smell a little funny when you first get them, but once you wash them, the smell goes away.

All these brushes are amazing! When I got my package, one of the brushes was damaged and elf customer service quickly sent me another one to make up for it!

ELF is amazing!! Thanks for making quality items for reasonable prices:)

(legalese)

My Review of lipstick

Originally submitted at EyesLipsFace.com

Now you can hydrate your lips and get a lasting soft color naturally! This nourishing blend of exotic oils, natural waxes, vitamins and plant extracts create the perfect moisturizing formula. The sleek lipstick has superior color payoff, glides easily onto lips, and is long wearing. Lips stay p...

lipstick

great colors!!

By cocomabelle from Montreal, Canada on 11/6/2010

 

5out of 5

Pros: Moisturizing, Convenient Container, Great Color Selection, Glossy Finish, Even Application

Cons: Wears Off Easily, Not True To Color

Best Uses: Daytime, Going Out, Special Occasions, Everyday Use

Describe Yourself: Natural Style

I love the colors available. There is something for everyone. I have most of the lighter colors and I'm super impressed with Natural Nymph and Cool Coral. They are great colors.

Application is really smooth. The finish isn't glossy, but it isn't matte either. It feel really nice on the lips.

The online swatches are nothing like what the colors are in real life. I'd suggest looking up swatches on blogs and youtube, which is what I did.

(legalese)

My Review of Mineral Infused Mascara

Originally submitted at EyesLipsFace.com

Mineral Infused Mascara creates fuller, healthier looking lashes. It enhances lashes for a naturally thicker and more volumized look. The long-wear formula and unique silicone brush creates clump free and defined lashes that last all day.

Mineral Infused Mascara

great for definition, but not thickening

By cocomabelle from Montreal, Canada on 11/6/2010

 

5out of 5

Pros: Defines & Separates, Lengthens, Applies Evenly, Doesn't Clump, Great Brush

Cons: No volume

Best Uses: Daytime

Describe Yourself: Natural Style

This is a great mascara if you're looking for definition. If you want voluminizing power, this is not for you. The brush is nice. It defines and separates my lashes nicely and the color is nice and dark. I often use this as a base with another mascara on top that has a thickening formula for extra oomph. But during the day, I can use this and get a natural look.

I think this is good for daytime. But if you want something more dramatic, this definitely won't cut it.

(legalese)

My Review of Liquid Eyeliner

Originally submitted at EyesLipsFace.com

No more tugging or pulling on your eyelids with this easy glide liquid eyeliner. The smudge-proof liner is rich in color, creating a long lasting defined look. The fine tip brush creates easy and precise definition for natural or dramatic effects.

Liquid Eyeliner

some colors are good, others not to much

By cocomabelle from Montreal, Canada on 11/6/2010

 

4out of 5

Pros: Easy To Apply, Long-Lasting, Bold Color, Doesn't Run, Easy Removal, Glides On Smoothly

Cons: Bad Color, Clumpy

Best Uses: Smoky Look, Going Out, Everyday, Thin Defined Line, Thicker Line

Describe Yourself: Natural Style

Let me make something clear. Some of these colors are great! Other are horrible. For example, the black and midnight ones are fabulous. The color is nice and opaque. You don't need to go over it more than once to get a nice line. I don't have the coffee one.

The plum and ash ones are horrible. The colors are streaky and not very pigmented. I was really disappointed in the ash one, because it was an extremely light grey that hardly showed up on my fair skin.

The sparkly ones were completely horrible. I'm biased, because I didn't think the eyeliner was clear with sparkles. I thought there was a color base in there, but it's basically clear with glitter in them, so you need some kind of other color underneath to make them look good.

The applicator was pretty decent. A little stiff, so you need to know how to use liquid eyeliner to start with. It's not easy for beginners to manipulate this wand. But it can give you a nice thin line, or a thicker one if you want that.

Overall, the opaque colors are the best in my opinion!

(legalese)

My Review

Originally submitted at EyesLipsFace.com

Nice colors!

By cocomabelle from Montreal, Canada on 11/6/2010

 

4out of 5

Pros: Good Value, Good Pigmentation, Easy To Apply

Cons: Wears Off Easily

Best Uses: Daily Use, Normal Skin

Describe Yourself: Natural Style

Skin Tone: Fair

Age: 16-24

I think this is amazing since most of elf's eyeshadows are shimmery. I like that these are matte. However, you need to use a good primer for these to show up and last. Without that, they will fade really fast.

The product is quite small, but the size is comparable to the mineral eyeshadows. Not a whole lot of product since they are in loose form.

(legalese)

My Review

Originally submitted at EyesLipsFace.com

nice, but all the colors look the same

By cocomabelle from Montreal, Canada on 11/6/2010

 

4out of 5

Pros: Versatile, Easy To Apply, Good Value, Long Lasting

Cons: Looks the same

Best Uses: Sensitive Skin, Dry Skin, Daily Use, Special Occasions, Normal Skin, Oily Skin

Describe Yourself: Natural Style

Skin Tone: Fair

Age: 16-24

While I think the concept for this product is really interesting, I don't think elf achieved the effect. When you apply the product, all the colors look the same. There's not difference between then on the skin.

That said, the shimmer is really nice and subtle. There's no obvious glitter unlike other highlighters. You can also use these as a base or a layered lip gloss for a multidimensional effect.

I think this is great! I just wish the colors were more obviously different!

(legalese)

My Review

Originally submitted at EyesLipsFace.com

Great, Inexpensive Primer

By cocomabelle from Montreal, Canada on 11/6/2010

 

5out of 5

Pros: Good Value, Easy To Apply, Long Lasting

Best Uses: Daily Use, Sensitive Skin, Normal Skin, Dry Skin

Describe Yourself: Natural Style

Skin Tone: Fair

Age: 16-24

I love this primer. Very easy to use. I love the silicone feel. The packaging can definitely be improved. It's hard to get the product out of the bottom of the bottle since the pump doesn't reach the product that sticks to the side of the bottle. I think elf should repackage this in a squeeze tube so we don't waste any of this goodness :)

(legalese)

CHECK OUT MAQUILLAGEM MASSTIGE'S GIVEAWAY!

There are fabulous things to be won including items from ELF and Maybelline!

Review: Sephora Best in Bronze kit

I just wanted to do a quick review of the much-hyped product from Benefit that is High Beam. I got it as a sample in the Sephora Best in Bronze kit with a slew of other fabulous products from LORAC, Korres, Too Faced and Tarte.

While you get a lot of great things in this kit, the high beam has to be one of my least favorite. I had high hopes for it since I received a full size bottle of it for my birthday... Now I'm a little sad that I have even more of this product than I want. High Beam is supposed to be a luminizing highlighter. All it managed to highlight is oiliness. The shimmer is ok at first, but as the day wears on, it mixes in with oil produced by your skin and just creates a mess on your cheeks. My skin is not particularly oily on my cheeks, more of a combination. I have also seen reviewers complain that it settles into fine lines. While I cannot attest to that, I can say that you absolutely need to use a very VERY light hand when applying. If you follow the instructions saying to apply three dots along your cheekbones, you'll end up with an oil slick where there shouldn't be one.

That said, the other products in the kit are fabulous. My favorites have to be the Tarte gel eyeliner and the Korres bronzer, because both are FULL-SIZED! The colors are flattering on almost anyone and are really rich. It doesn't take a lot of product to achieve the desired effect, which I like. I don't want to feel like I will empty the container after 5 uses (especially for the other deluxe samples in the kit).

While the Josie Maran Argan Oil tends to run a little dark, it can be used on the body, so it doesn't make too much of an impact than if it were used on the face. It's luxurious and rich. The smell is a little strange, especially since the bottle mentions citrus oils... It does NOT smell refreshing like citrus. I can attest to that... Other than that, it's a nice moisturizing oil that gives your legs and arms a nice bronze glow.

The Sephora nail polish is pretty standard, but I think the coral color is fabulous. It's the perfect shade for summer and is flattering on anyone, especially with a (faux) tan! I'm very impressed that Sephora actually included a useful nail polish rather than a boring pale pink like they did in a past kit.

The Too Faced leopard blush is so pretty, I almost didn't want to ruin the design in the pan. When I finally did, I was surprised that the color came out more pink than bronze. It's a gorgeous pink with bronze shimmer. I like that they didn't put strictly bronzing items in the kit, but included this pinkish blush. While it's not full-sized, it's a really nice sample that I'm sure would last a few months with daily use.

The Bare Minerals bronzer is extremely dark. For someone with fair skin, you must use an extremely light hand or use it as eyeshadow. It is a little too dark for me to use as a contour shade, but for someone with a darker complexion, this shade is ideal.

I'm a little confused by the Temptu highlighter provided in the kit. It's a gold highlighter which I don't think is a very practical shade for someone with cool tones to their skin. For someone with a warmer base, it is a nice compliment to the High Beam which is more for cool girls.

Finally, I'd like to say that the selection in the kit is pretty good. To get this many big products in a kit at such a fabulous price is amazing for high-end makeup. I think this kit is a nice treat for someone who wants to treat themselves to fancier makeup and try new things without taking the plunge with a full-sized product right off the bat.

E.L.F. Haul

So we all know about E.L.F.  The inexpensive cosmetics line that is amazing quality-wise. Their recently launched Studio line is all about luxury at low cost. I decided to see what all the fuss was about and since they are having their 50% off sale this month, I figured I'd give it a try.

So here is what I got (don't be alarmed, it's a lot):

 This is their eyeliner and shadow stick in basic which is a brown eyeliner with a beige cream shadow at the other end. This is perfect for having one tool in your bag on a trip that will give you a natural eye. Both ends are very creamy and easy to blend. They also last a long time which is ideal for anyone.

Here is my ultimate gamble of the group. This is their mineral face primer. Primers are essential if you live in humid weather and tend to sweat your makeup off (like I do). I usually buy more expensive brands like benefit's That Gal, which I loooove. I have also tried one from Garnier and another from L'Oreal. Let me tell you that out of all the expensive primers I've tried, this one holds up! And for only $6 regular price, it's an amazing deal. If you act fast, you can get it for half off during E.L.F.'s sale. The texture is creamy and smooth. It blends well and doesn't make my skin oily. So I'm definitely thrilled with this one :)

Another item I was excited about was this Eye Primer and Liner Sealer duo. On one side, you have the primer which will allow your eyeshadow to stay on longer. And on the other, you have a liner sealer, which basically means you can dip the brush into any eyeshadow you already own and make it into a liquid eyeliner! This doubles your makeup wardrobe instantly, which is worth trying! I am super pleased with this and I'll definitely be buying again.

Ahhh concealer! What would we do without something that hides a multitude of sins. And the highlighter on the other side is just a bonus goody! It totally wakes up your eye. While it's not the greatest highlighter I've tried, I was definitely impressed by the quality for the price. The slim packaging is also perfect for on the go touchups!

The Eye Transformer. Another item that makes the  most of colors you already have in your collection. These four pastel shades transform any eyeshadow you have to lighten it. This is perfect for those what-were-we-thinking purchases that don't go too well with our usual style. There are pink, green, blue and orangey-yellow shades to lighten and brighten your too-dark-for-day shadows.

Next I have two lipstains. The one on the left is First Date, a gorgeous pinky coral. And next to it is Red Carpet which is a true blue-based red, perfect for fair complexions with pink undertones. I'll admit that I was really excited about these and I was a little disappointed. Granted the colors are gorgeous but I was expecting something more along the lines of a liquid stain and the formula in these is creamy. It doesn't dry so it feels more like a lipstick and a true stain. The gloss on the other end is a regular clear gloss that I don't really like. I tend to enhance my stains with a evenly matched colored gloss to make it stand out. Overall, so-so.

So here are the blushes I got. From the top we have Peachy Keen, Candid Coral, Pinnk Passion and Mellow Mauve. All of these colors are dupes for NARS blushes and are extremely pigmented. Super blendable as well, which means you don't need much product to achieve a good look. I was amazed by the colors. I read a lot of rave review about Candid Coral, and it didn't disappoint. I also heard good things about a color called Fuschia Fusion, but since it had glitter in it, I decided against it. Pink Passion is a similar bright pink without the glitter, for a more natural flush.

Finally I got the Complexion perfection powder that supposedly tones down imperfections like redness and uneven skin tone. I swirl a powder brush over it and buff my face with it. It does an amazing job of hiding the redness near my nose. So I definitely recommend it!


So that was my extremely long haul entry. Hopefully I was able to answer questions about E.L.F.'s Studio line. If you have any questions, just drop a comment below!

Where Are Your Manners?

I have a quick post to make about something that has really been bothering me. Maybe it is slightly related to style. I recently have been branching out in what I wear in an attempt to accept my body and love it for what it can do and not solely for how it looks. We all have something we don't like.

Anyway, I don't understand why certain people (let's face it, MEN) feel the need to stare and objectify you as you're walking down the street in a dress or a skirt. Whenever a girl wears a pair of jeans, you never get a second glance. As soon as there is some leg (whether it's covered with a tight or not) guys lear... It really pisses me of. Then you get ridiculous judgments like these which allow guys to get away with sexually assaulting you because of what you were wearing. A girl can't possibly be raped in skinny jeans because they are so tight that you need TWO people to get them on and off. I for one always need help in putting them on and taking them off. It makes it difficult to go to the bathroom alone and have some privacy. (For anyone who didn't understand that last bit, it was sarcasm.)

If I decide to wear a miniskirt or tight jeans, I am in NO WAY encouraging a man to do anything, be it learing or raping. Just because I want to show some skin (in a tasteful way of course), it doesn't give anyone the right to assume that I'm in the mood to have sex with the first thing that walks by. The sexualization of clothing has been around for ever and I understand that, but unless you're in a setting that is explicitely promoting intimate encounters, we shouldn't be afraid to wear what we want while waiting for the bus on a Sunday morning.

50's Style Modernized

I'm in love with polka dots. Anyone who knows me knows that obsession. It's the one print I can buy over and over and never get tired of it. I think it has to do with my fascination with circles. I don't like squares or lines as much, although I've been getting into stripes. I used to have a fear of them, but now I realize that I just didn't find the right stripe for me.

With my newfound love for stripes, I decided to revisit my old polka obsession. The polka dot is demure yet sexy as hell and there are so many choices in size and color of print that it's impossible not to find something you will like. I love this print for summer because you can really go all out with crazy colors.

This dress from Faith21 is absolutely stunning and extremely summery. It feels so festive and fun that I want to wear it for a party or barbecue. I also love the little yellow cardigan the model is wearing! This makes it even more fun. I'm all for mixing up crazy colors. Just yesterday, I wore an orange jersey top with a purple tank underneath. Let me tell you that the contrast was gorgeous and my friends commented on the combination.

I'm sorry for the quality of this photo but I couldn't find a decent one online. I bought this dress from MXM about 3 years ago, and let me tell you that I've worn it to death. It's so versatile and the muted colors make it easy to dress up or down. I've worn this dress everywhere: work, parties, Christmas dinner! It's a lightweight fabric with a self-tie belt and the length is just above the knee. We big girls shouldn't have to hide our legs! I suggest findind a dress like this that is easy to switch up. Although you probably won't be able to find this one anymore, they have replicas of this style every year in many different brands and shops. The key is finding one you're comfortable in.

What's your favorite print? Let me know in the comments!

Being a Cancer Fashionably

I was inspired by this great article on CollegeFashion about dressing for your astrological sign. While I'm a super-believer, I'll take any excuse to relate to style.

I'm a Cancer, so I'm supposedly romantic and in touch with my emotions (which I am!) and I'm moody and influenced by the moon and its cycles (which I think is pretty cool). So maybe I believe in it more than I like to admit, but I thought I'd come up with some little outfit sets from my Polyvore account.

Before I get to that, I'd like to do a little background on the wonderful sign that is Cancer. After all, we're summer babies, and who doesn't LOVE summer?

CANCER:

1. It's the least clear-cut sign, which means people born under this sign have a range of moods that go from shy and reserved to crazy and outgoing. I must admit that I can go from one extreme to the other in a matter of seconds, so this definitely rings true for me. 
2. Cancers are huge about family and love to spend time at home with them. I love the comforts of my home and I always feel comfortable. I'm not the kind of person who needs to go out and be crazy to have a good time. I have no problem spending a Saturday night at home. It's not the end of the world to want some time for yourself.
3. Intuition is another important trait for Cancerians. We focus on our first impressions and when something seems amiss, it usually is. How many times have I predicted somet hings based on intuition? It's crazy what you can pick up on if you only pay attention to details around you. 

So that's it for the astrology lesson. It's time to get down to fashion business:

I love this outfit because it's made up of pure fantasy pieces that I'll probably never be able to own in my life. I love the little gray oxfords and I'm dying to get a pair of tap shoes like this with the cutout. I think it's such a fabulous idea! I had to add elements of romanticism for the dreamy aspect of Cancers. We like to be close to the earth, which is where the wooden bracelet came from and the purse was just pure style.

Here is my more realistically affordable look (apart from the bucket bag, we all know my obsession with Alexander Wang!). The top and the skirt are from Forever21 and I added a little romance with the patterned floral tights. Combine a little sexiness with the bandage skirt with more demure items like the bow top and you have a fun outfit! I love that the bandage skirt is totally wearable and does hide some sins.

Let me know what you think!

FAITH 21 my looooove!

I've been really into stripes lately and I'm thrilled to see that plus-size shops are jumping on the bandwagon. Too often, I hear rubish stories that big girls shouldn't wear stripes because they'll make you look bigger. Of course, you need to find a flattering width of stripe that you feel comfortable in, but you shouldn't limit your style choices to what some foolish people say. If we don't take risks with our style, only we will suffer! And that's totally unfair! We need to make the best of what God has given us, and dress ourselves to feel good.

So here are some of the striped tops from Faith21 that I'm lusting after:

I think this top is soooo adorable. The stripes aren't too thin or too thick, which doesn't give you a chunky look. And the flower and beading adds visual interest that anyone can appreciate. Pair this with a simple pair of jeans or a colorful skirt and you're all set.

This particular top is super casual and can be mixed up in a variety of ways. I'm thrilled that I added this item to my closet this week, and I can't wait to incorporate it in my wardrobe!! It will definitely be a staple in my summer rotation.

This skirt is something I think it a little different than what I would normally wear. I purchased it also on my stripe-rampage through the store and I'm not 100% sure what to wear with it. I definitely have a challenge on my hands and I'm ready to jump in :)

A Little Intro :)

Welcome to my lovely blog :)

My name is Samantha and I'm passionate about fashion.
Of course, being a plus-size girl, it can be hard to find nice things, but luckily, we live in a world that is starting to cater to our needs more (even if they might not like it). I'm hoping that the world will eventually accept us for who we are, and not judge us solely based on our dress size.

So, my style is a little mix of everything. I couldn't wait to get started so I posted my excited purchase of the coveted bucket bag I've been dying for. I thought it would be a good idea to give you a little insight into my personal style.

I've recently been more into exploring the different things I can do with fashion. I used to be a jeans-and-tshirt girl and I realized that clothes are a necessity, so I might as well have fun with them instead of seeing them as a chore. Because I'm a college student, it's important for me to stay on a budget all the while being able to look good and have fun with my style. That's why I shop at Forever21, The Gap and other places to give me some variety. Although I could be totally comfortable buying everything from a single store if the style inspired me. I'm not picky about where my clothes come from. If it's Chanel but it doesn't complement your body, there's no point in dropping the cash for it. That's why I'm all for high-low dressing (or in my case low-low dressing haha!). Combining expensive items with sale finds isn't a problem. It can help you showcase a GORGEOUS bag with a backdrop of more simple things.

So I hope you can find something of interest here.
If you want to contact me, I'm on twitter @cocomabelle.

Enjoy :)

The Sacred Arrival of the Bucket Bag

Alexander Wang 'Diego' Textured Leather Bucket Bag - Women - Bags

Just take a moment to look at this creation.

It's glorious isn't it? The perfect mix of roomy and stylish. This bag is something to lust after for sure. Although Alexander Wang is slightly out of my price range, there are many affordable options for someone as poor as a college student.

During a recent shopping trip, I discovered a gem of a find: Chinese Laundry's fabulous grey bucket bag for a fraction of the Alexander Wang number. When I found it underneath that pile of sale items, I almost squealed with delight. With the double straps I've been searching, it allowed me to indulge in a multitude of wants all at the same time.