Contests, Fashion, Reviews

DownEast Basics

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Since I’m from “Down East” (Eastern Canada, Newfoundland to be more specific), I was automatically drawn to the online store DownEast Basics for some fashionable yet casual clothes for either work or weekends.

I was excited when they sent me a tee from their new arrivals section of their site. This is called the Fancy Tee online and retails in the store for $16.99. As for the fit of the shirts? I requested a size small and probably could have easily gotten an XS. I usually never opt for an extra small because often times I’m not that size.I ended up getting my regular size, in a small — however when I wore it for a full day it seemed as though I could have easily asked for the XS and have it be totally fine, I guess it’s a big make.

The top is really pretty but when I saw neckline on the Fancy Tee online it looked different that it does in person. Online the fancy tee looks like the seams on the neck are just sewn with some satin peaking through, but in person it’s raw edges and a lot of layers of cotton/satin. It’s kind of neat really. But I thought I would let you guys know!

DownEast Basics is pretty rockin’, I have to say. This top would be super cute running errands and maybe even dressed up with some white pants and accessories and you could easily pull this off in a casual work environment. Like any working female, I like to look good for work or “play”. I usually end up putting together a whole weeks worth of clothes together on Sunday night. I definitely would like to get more clothing from DownEast basics, mainly because the store is stylin’ and fits right within my budget. Not too expensive either.

Since I am quite incompetent with putting together outfits, I liked how DownEast Basics’s store works, online. Everything is paired up with one another, so it’s not just showing a model wearing the tee, or just the skirt. You’ll see her wearing accessories, and even carrying purses. That right there gives me tons of ideas on what to pair items up with.

There is such a diverse selection on the Down East website that it would appeal to anyone of any age for that matter, as the styles just aren’t simply “one set style”. They’re classic pieces that could be worn for more than just one season. Also? So fabulous that you have a variety of accessories, bags and even SWIM wear!! The perfect one stop shop for me. Plain and simple. The site is so easy to navigate, even if a person (like my Mother) just getting into online shopping would find this site easy to search and find what they’re looking for.

Now tell me something. What is a review without a giveaway for my readers? I know you guys love freebies and having a chance to win something fun from DownEast Basics! However the item you pick out must be from the new arrivals section.

I’m not going to make you jump through hoops. But if you want additional entries for this contest, just read the rules and follow! Your first comment is basically free, see below!

Rules and Regulations:

  1. Comment once and tell me if you won, which item would you pick from the New Arrivals section?
  2. Comment again if you become a fan of DownEast Basics on Facebook
  3. Comment for the 3rd time if you follow DownEast Basics on Twitter
  4. Last comment? Tweet or Blog about this giveaway!
  5. Contest will be open to residents of the USA and Canada
  6. Contest will close 12 noon EST, July 5, 2010. Additional entries after that will not be counted, and deleted at a later time.
  7. Winner will be drawn from random.org

After this review/giveaway, the winner you choose will not be eligible to win another DownEast giveaway on my blog for at least 90 days.

Once the winner is selected, I will request they send me an e-mail with what they would like (from the New Arrivals section) in the color/size + shipping information. I will contact DownEast Basics and send them the information! :)

Wahoooo giveaways are fun! Good luck all. Remember, if you don’t win there’s always next time. Giveaways on spiffykerms.com are a super fun regular occurrence!

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Daily, Fashion, OOTD, Photos

OOTD – June 23

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Top: Joe Fresh. I actually purchased this shirt from a grocery store for $10!
Watch: Fossil
Shorts: Dynamite
Giraffe Shoes: Joneve (bought the same time as my zebra shoes)

I read my comments from my last OOTD post and I have to agree, I need to branch out of wearing these shorts all summer long. I only own two skirts that are work appropriate (to my knees) and I only like one of them which I posted a week-ish ago. I find dresses are a bit uncomfortable and my legs stick together when I sit down in a warm office environment. That and the fact they swirl around my waist and I always have to adjust them. I do have some pants picked out for tomorrow or Friday, I forget which. So I’ll at least be mixing it up a bit!

I ended up buying a few things on my lunch break today, which also happened to be a dress (not work appropriate in my opinion, it’s a bit too short) but it’s nice none the less.  Pictures will be below!


Closeup of my watch, top and shoes:


I tried on these jeans a week or so ago at H&M, but didn’t end up purchasing them because they were full price at $50. I went in today (mainly to go to Bath and Body Works because of their sale) and stopped in. Low and behold, those jeans were 50 freaking percent off! 50% yo! So I picked them up. They look nice. Won’t be seeing me wearing a white t-shirt wearing these pantaloons. Stain the shiznit right out of them.

Nice butt pants. Forgive… couldn’t decide which picture to post, so here they all are. I assume these would be classified under the “Skinny Jeans” genre? Get with the times, Nancy.

The front of the jeans:

Oo la la. Scott, take me out on a date! I need to wear these seksi genes.

I suppose you’d like to see the dress I purchased? It reminds me of the peacock dress I tried on and returned. But this is much more fitting, and nice, and too short to wear to work. I’ll be bringing this one with me to my trip out west this summer!

Okay. So I promise it looks much nicer and probably not as short as it shows in these photos. Self-portrait mode is difficult when you have a flailing dog bouncing around you.

Dress wearing outside:

By the way, Bath & Body Works are re-doing their packaging and coming out with new scents, therefor they’re having a huge sale on … everything in their store. The soaps are $2.50 instead of $5.50!

Mmm yummy scented flavors.

Have a good evening all!

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Fashion, Hair

What do I use?

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Shampoo: Aveda Rosemary Mint. I could be the spokesperson for Aveda. Look at how much I own! I know a lot about their line and I freaking love all of it! Except the stuff that’s made for coarse/thick hair obviously, since my hair isn’t like that. Oh, and everything smells like a hair salon when you use it. Mmmm hair salon.

Conditioner: I use the Aveda Rosemary Mint and then I use a leave-in conditioner that’s almost all gone called AG but I’ll probably just go back and buy an Aveda leave-in next time I’m at the salon.

Treatment: I never use that stuff on my hair.

Styling products: I freaking love Aveda’s volumizing tonic, and phemolliant. I ran out of both about a month ago, and have yet to pick some more up. NEED. TO. But my hair hasn’t been too flat lately. Maybe I don’t need it anymore.

Styling tools: I let my hair air dry or in a towel, then I blow dry it with an Aveda round brush and use my misikko straightener.

Shower gel: I actually use a Victoria Secret PINK kind that I won from Pam’s giveaway a few months back. It smells really fresh, but it’s almost all gone.

Body moisturizer: I rarely use one, but when I do it’s a Johnsons & Johnsons baby one in a white/pink bottle.

Deodorant: After using my coupons and getting some free Secret deodorant, I’m still using some random brand I just opened from Christmas. It’s called Balea  Body? Weird. It’s okay, I wouldn’t buy it again.

Fake Tan: Aue naturalee. Meaning none! I am sporting a bit of a sunburn now. Maybe it’ll turn into a tan. Only time will tell.

Cleanser: I just use soap…lol OH WAIT. That’s not true. I use Marcelle’s line for makeup removal.

Toner: Rarely use it, but it’s again a Marcelle (hypoallergenic type).

Facial moisturizer: Clean & Clear. Probably for teenagers, but whatev. It works for me.

Exfoliator: St. Ive’s Apricot Scrub once or twice a week. Not really sure what it does, but I like the smell.

Primer: I only use one because it came in the Laura Mercier starter kit. Once that is used up I probably won’t buy it anymore.

Foundation: I used to use “Rimmel Long Lasting Finish”  in  the shade 103.  Until it ran out (I still have 2 tubes of backups though) and I switched to using Laura Mercier’s foundation that I bought, and also Chanel Pro Lumiere foundation. I need to do a review of the Chanel, but I find that I’m using Laura Mercier’s product more often.

Foundation brush: MAC 187 stippling brush for a flawless airbrush finish. Voilaaaa

Concealer: Lise Watier’s concealer wheel. This is a a definite re-purchase on my list. Fantastic and if it’s drying out a bit, add a bit of moisturizer to it!

Powder: Don’t like using powders on my dry face. I used to use MAC’s studio fix powder, but  haven’t replaced it since I used it all up.

Blusher: Peachykeen and Blossoming, both by MAC (I reviewed them here. They’re basically the same color lol)

Bronzer: Hoola by Benefit. Literally almost out. Hit pan and beyond. I’m too cheap to buy another one but it’s such a gorgeous color. I also am interested in trying Nars – Laguna bronzer. Heard that one is quite popular as well.

Highlighter: I’m not that involved with makeup. I do have some iridescent powder from MAC that I received as a sample, and I even bought some which I rarely used. I don’t even know what it’s called. I don’t use it!

Eyeshadow base: I’ve been lazy lately and using my eye shadow base as my eye shadow color. So Rubenesque paint pot by MAC is my go to eyelid color these days. Peachy, gold, and summery.

Eyeshadows: NIL at the moment. Occasionally I’ll reach for my Sedona Lace palette, but that’s rare right now (I don’t wear much in the summer).

Eyeliner: CoverGirl, not sure of the name/color/line.  But it’s a click-up gel/pencil thing. I also rarely use that.

Curler: I hate metal eye lash curlers, they’re too harsh. So I like to use plastic ones. I recently picked up a Sephora one.

Mascara: Sephora lash plumper. I didn’t think I’d love a huge mascara brush, but this one is incredible. It’s not spidery and the sample size I received, totally rocked. So I bought the larger version. I got ultra black when I bought the big version.

Lipstick: Don’t wear it often, but I have 3 tubes of GOSH Darling lipstick

Lipgloss: I like my avene lip balm instead.

Nail Colour: I rarely wear any color on my fingernails, but on my toes it’s some pink shade by OPI that I got done a while ago. Time for a new pedi!

I tag all of you! Again! Do it up, either leave your answers in the comments, or post them on your website. I love reading everyone’s answers :)

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