Category: Favorites

Crush Crush Crush

Chelsea HarperLeave a comment

Damn, Chelsea! Back at it again with two posts this week!

I know. I’m trying to be better (she says to her non-existent audience).

I thought I’d share a few of my product crushes this week, which is somewhat ironic since I’m *truly* trying to save money. Tryna pay those college loans, you know?

Things I’m crushing on this week:

These. Motherflipping. Sunglasses.: I’m waiting for this style to come back in black because I am ON IT.

 

Iris-Apfel-01.jpg
I mean, c’mon. Daily inspiration to slay the game.

 

This whole gosh-dang collection: Of COURSE it’s sold out. I feel like I’m being punished by the hip-hop gods for wanting merely to receive some of Rihanna’s essence.

P.S. Still shippin’ Ri & Drake SO HARD.

 

rihanna-work-video-billboard-650
TFW you can’t rock pink fur slides like RiRi.

This collection too, because I am a weak garbage-pail of a person. Beyoncé is everything. Beyoncé is so everything that it feels trite even writing this sentence. If anyone’s going to get me to do hot yoga in a bodysuit, it’s Bey. How do I justify buying all of this?

04_@2x_1940x1256.jpg

This book, which arrived in the mail today because I pre-ordered on Amazon. I’ve been reading Anna’s blog for years, and she finally has a book out! I can’t wait to revel in her brilliance. I wish I had the stones to do a Spending Fast. Hey, when those student loan payments kick in, I just might have to!

 

If-You-Want-the-Rainbow.png
image via And Then We Saved, quote via the queen of all things

 

This book TOO. I am counting down the minutes until I graduate because my books-to-read pile is getting way too tall. Augusten Burroughs has been one of my favorite writers since the love of my life (aka my college friend, Brian) introduced me to his work circa ’09. I can’t wait to see what he’s been up to lately—from the articles I’ve read, it’s bound to be a juicy read.

This book THREE. Jen Kirkman is my spirit animal. She once liked my tweet about a Nirvana song, and that’s really all I need in this life of sin. I don’t own her books yet, but they’re in my Amazon cue—you’re next, Kirkman. Her Twitter feed is basically Feminism 101—check that shit out.

200_s

And finally, this song. The Sirius XM station we’ve been listening to at work has been playing this on the reg, like they don’t even understand that I’m grieving. It’s so hideously cruel. But regardless of my personal Prince feels, this is the jam.

71bwuHAE3sL._SL1050_.jpg

What’s littering your online shopping carts lately?

—DellaBites

all images via Google unless otherwise noted

 

Friday, I’m in Love…

Chelsea HarperLeave a comment

IMG_8652

…with Essie’s Lilacism shade. And no, Essie is not paying me for this review, but I would love it if they did!

Essie is my brand. This ho is loyal. I even choose Essie gel shades when I go to nail salons. For years, I held food service jobs that forbade painted nails in the workplace. But now, more than ever, finally freed of that torture, I need my nails to be consistently on point—people grab my hand to check out my ring constantly! The *joys* of being newly engaged…

Lilacism is by far my favorite shade out of the 20 or so Essie polishes I’ve accumulated (runners up being Bikini So Teeny, Chinchilly, and Sand Tropez). It’s a “grown-up” purple—neutral enough to be professional, but still fun and funky. It’s a perfect pastel for spring and summer.

IMG_8653
I don’t think looking at this ring is ever going to get old…for me. I’m pretty sure everyone else in my social media-sphere wants to shoot me by now.

The odd thing about my obsession with this color is that I don’t even like the color purple. I’ve long found it completely obnoxious. Purple bridesmaids dresses, purple flowers, purple home décor—PASS! I don’t think there is a single purple item in my wardrobe. I’m all about pink, pastel blue, and mint, so it’s not that I don’t like traditionally “girly” colors. Purple just doesn’t really do it for my eyes and brain. That being said, this purple polish is so muted that even I, the purple-naysayer, find it completely aesthetically pleasing. It even makes for a pretty little tableau:

IMG_8651

What are your favorite Essie shades? Are there other polish brands worthy of my devotion?

Sound off in the comments!

-DellaBites

Products I Love: ABM x Agendas!

Chelsea HarperLeave a comment

So, like all 20-something girls with a pulse and a Pinterest, I’m obsessed with Elsie, Emma, and Laura over at A Beautiful Mess. I’ve made their recipes, done their DIYs, and gotten tons of inspiration from their books and site. My house is like a living tribute to ABM. It’s borderline sad.

Anyway, when they announced that their academic agendas were up for preorder, I had to jump on it! I’m going back to school full-time in a month (provided my financial aid comes through!) and I definitely need to stay on top of my game. Graduation is on the horizon. I’m tired of being the ancient lady-past-legal-drinking-age in the classroom.  Plus, I’ve got this whole “wedding” thing coming up that I might need to stay organized for…

amb1

The planners ship in mid-August (hopefully it will arrive not long after my birthday on August 19). In true ABM fashion, they come with cool little extras, like these emoji stickers:

abm2

So cute, right? I of course opted for the following cover option, because gold foil is life:

abm3
This actually looks like my desk at any given moment.

I’m so excited to receive mine in the mail! When it arrives, I’ll probably do a product review. In the meantime, I’ll just have to keep writing myself notes on scrap paper and hoping for the best!

**all photos via ABM

Friday, I’m In Love…

Chelsea HarperLeave a comment

with Best Coast, the California duo that just put out an amazing record, California Nights!

photo from amazon.com

While California Nights is not start-to-finish my favorite album of 2015, it is perfect and fitting for mid-June Massachusetts weather. Bethany’s voice sounds stronger than ever, and the songs are polished to poolside perfection. While the opening tracks “Feeling Ok” and “Fine Without You” are serious contenders for best track, my favorite has to be the title track, “California Nights.” Despite simple lyrics, its sound is mature, moody, and evocative of West Coast sunsets. The song wouldn’t feel out of place on Hole’s Celebrity Skin, which, coming from me, is a serious compliment. You could play this track during a blizzard and be instantly transported into summer.

I’ve been a fan of Best Coast since before she even put out a record, so watching her star rise these last few years has been such a joy. I’m so glad her songs haven’t lost their carefree, youthful vibe.