Sales and Shoes... Two of My Favorite Things

Hello and HAPPY FRIDAY! This week has flown by, but it's been a bit of a doozy, so I'm glad it's over! If you're feeling the same and need a weekend pick-me-up, let me recommend my favorite combination -- shoes and sales!

J.Crew is running a 25% off sale through Sunday and I highly recommend checking out their shoe selection. I recently purchased a pair of Martina Patent Wedges, similar to the ones pictured above, which have been popping up more often than not in my daily wardrobe. They are already marked down, plus you get the extra 25% off with the code "STYLE25". I might just have to invest in a suede pair, too! This style is the perfect not too round/not too pointy toe, just the right height for everyday wear AND comfortable to boot! Can't beat that combination! Don't miss the sale... grab a pair {or two} here.

A Little Bit of Beauty

I'm no expert on cosmetics, but I thought I'd share some of my go-to products!

Hair:
1. Moroccan Oil is a must for my hair! I have naturally wavy/curly hair that I subject to a dryer and straightener daily, but with this product, my hair remains silky and soft. 
2. Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco conditioner not only smells amazing, but truly does the job for my tangly locks. 
3. Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco shampoo leaves my hair feeling clean and shiny without feeling greasy.

Face:
4. Smashbox BB Cream... I've never been a fan of heavy foundations and tinted moisturizers don't provide quite enough coverage for me, so BB Cream is the perfect middle-ground. This is the first and only one I have tried and I LOVE it. Part of me is tempted to dabble into the drugstore versions to save on cost, but I think I'm hooked!
5. Clarisonic Mia 2 was definitely a splurge for me, but I can really tell a difference in my skin. I've been a long time lover of the Sonicare toothbrush, so when I learned the Clarisonic was made by the same company, I knew it had to be good! I have to admit, the hot pink version finally helped me pull the trigger after contemplating the purchase for a while.
6. Diorshow mascara. Amazing. I've actually tried all of the variations in the Dior line and the original is still my favorite. The extra large application brush creates false-looking long and lush lashes. 
7. Diorshow Maximizer adds a great layer of fullness to my mascara routine. I put this on first and can really tell a difference when I use it. It also helps your lashes grow over time, too! Bonus!
8. Fresh Cosmetics Sugar lip balm in Honey is my go-to lip treatment. It keeps my lips hydrated and soft while adding just a touch of nude tint. {I'll be back with another post soon on my favorite glosses, balms and lipsticks... Stay tuned.}

Perhaps my favorite tool of all is this "big" purchase:

I don't go a day without using the Trim Deluxe Eyelash Curler! I feel like curling my eyelashes makes me look awake and alive. And at a whopping $2, it's well worth it! I've been tempted in the past to try some of the more expensive eyelash curlers on the market, but why fix it if it's not broken? 

So there you have it... as long as I have clean hair, throw on a quick layer of BB cream to my Clarisonic-cleaned face, curl and plump my lashes and hydrate my pout, I'm pretty much set! 

It's a Piece of Cake!

Actually it's a whole cake, but it's a piece of cake to make!

I'm jumping on the pumpkin bandwagon to share with you my favorite fall dessert recipe. The best part about it? It only has 2 ingredients! No joke.

Pumpkin Spice Cake
1 box Spice Cake {any brand}
1 15 ounce can 100% pure pumpkin puree {not pumpkin pie filling}

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl mix cake mix with pumpkin puree until smooth. Pour batter into a greased 8x8 baking dish or pyrex. Bake for 28 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting... I use cream cheese frosting from a can, so I guess you can call that ingredient #3. 

And if you're like me and have a large family, it's an easy recipe to double! 2 boxes of Spice Cake and either a large can of pumpkin puree or 2 cans. I usually use two small round cake pans and add a layer of the cream cheese frosting in the middle.

Dress it up by adding some fun toppings! My favorite is a drizzle of carmel sauce, chocolate sprinkles and chopped toffee. It adds the perfect layer of sweet and crunch.

Apologies the low res iPhone photo :(

Emmy Style

It's awards season again! And you know what that means... I get to dream of fancy dresses that I have no where to wear!

Here's a few of my favorite celeb looks from Sunday night.

usmagazine.com

Hot mama's in yellow! Julie Bowen is hands down the Best Dressed of the evening in my opinion. And Claire Danes and her baby bump look amazing!!!

usmagazine.com

And of course, the classics always get me! Giuliana Rancic looks HOT! And Jessica Pare from Mad Men looks beautiful in this custom Jason Wu. LOVE her choice of emerald ring.

Now, if I would have been at the Emmy's Sunday night, I'm thinking one of these dresses would have been perfect:

Oscar de le Renta/Jenny Packham/Monique Lhuillier

Maybe next year!

My Inner Carrie Bradshaw

This may be a little odd to admit, but every time I start to picture what type of house I'll end settling down in someday, my mind always drifts to my dream closet. Now, don't get me wrong, even in my rental, I have an awesome walk-in that I'm perfectly happy paying extra for each month, but there is just something about a space that will be "mine" in a more permanent place that really makes my mind start to wander. 

My girl, Carrie Bradshaw says it best:

found on http://sannaw.blogg.no/

I even have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to this very subject.  By the way, hop on over to Pinterest and follow me... I'm almost as obsessed with Pinterest as I am with my future walk in. Here are  a few ideas I think I'm going to have to incorporate someday...

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Purses are one of my favorite things to buy and I definitely need a better way to store them so I can see all of them!

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And I'd also love to have my jewelry more on display... it's so pretty, why hide it away? I think I'd try to brighten up the space a bit more that this photo.

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Rolling racks are a must for outfit planning! I have a couple now, but I should have invested in more quality pieces. I think I'd like to DIY this guy! Industrial parts + happy color = WIN!

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And while we're at it playing this game of make-believe, why not just go all out? Two story walk-in? YES, please. 

It's like Carrie told Mr. Big... she didn't need a diamond, she's just needed a really big closet! Cheers, Carrie! 

1 Week Down... Many MORE to GO

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75141710/print-typography-inspirational-the-best

This is my motto and I believe it to be true for so many things. It's been a great first week being part of the blog world, and it's going to get even better from here! The best is yet to come for ella.bella.bea&flo! Hope you all stick around to experience the fun to come!

By the way... wouldn't this etsy print look cute as part of a gallery wall? I might have to order!

Happy weekend!

Color Me Happy!

Spring NYFW has wrapped up and you know what that means... Pantone has released their color report! And I must say I'm in love!

source: Women's Wear Daily

I have to say this might be my favorite palette yet. Usually there is one or two colors I'm not in love with, but honestly, I think this is a really well rounded variety. I'll be posting more in the next week or two about how to incorporate these AMAZING colors into your wardrobe, but I couldn't help but share my new favorite nail polish, which happens to be pretty close to color #1 above!

Big Smoke by butter London. I had been on the hunt for a good navy for a while and I think this one is perfect... just dark enough, but doesn't look black, with just a touch of metallic. What's not to love?

More to come on these 10 great colors soon! Stay tuned!