Back to School Beauty

After eight hours in the car and one whole day of unpacking, I'm finally back at school. My room is still somewhat of a disaster area, but I'm just happy to finally be here.Once the room gets a little more organized and my newly-ordered vanity comes in the mail (and I manage to assemble it), I'll post some pics.

One thing I made sure to do before I left Nashville was stock up on beauty essentials. My mom and sister both recently started working in the Therapy Systems corporate office so I got a discount on products from their store The Cosmetic Market! Naturally, I took advantage and picked up everything I needed for back to school. Check out my reviews of the products below:

Bliss Vanilla and Bergamot Body Butter: I kid you not when I say this is the best lotion in the entire world. Thick and creamy with a light sweet scent it makes your skin oh so soft. It's a must-have in my beauty routine.

Tweezerman Tweezers: Whether you're plucking your eyebrows or trying to take out a splinter, Tweezermans are way to go. They even offer free sharpening on all their products!


Moroccan Oil: My sister swears this stuff changed her life. While my day-to-day hasn't altered drastically since I started using the hair product, it has made my hair noticeably more smooth, even in the summertime humidity.

Bare Minerals: I don't know how this one snuck out of the picture! I love Bare Minerals products because they're easy on my sensitive skin, and they include sunscreen in the foundation.

Lancome Mascara and Free Gift: Lancome has been my go-to for mascara for some time. They just came out with a new version of my old stand-by "definicils", so naturally, I had to pick some up at the mall before I left for college. Fortunately, I shopped at Macy's when they were having a free gift promotion, so now I have all sorts of new freebies to play with--I'm already obsessed with my deep red Juicy Tube, and I'm so excited to try everything else!

Readers, what are your favorite products for back-to-school beauty?

North Carolina Bound

Sorry for the lack of posts lately! I've been running around Nashville in a frenzy trying to get ready for college. I promise I'll update later this weekend, but until I settle in to my new room, I want to direct you What Claudia Wore. This Babysitters Club-inspired blog is simultaneously nostalgic and hilarious.

Readers, were y'all BSC fans growing up? Who was your favorite? I was always a Mary Anne girl myself!

P.S. As I drive through the mountains, be sure to check out Gilt Groupe's Target Collaboration preview sale! They'll have pieces from the new Tucker, Mulberry and John Derian diffusion lines for Target. I'm so disappointed I'm missing it.

P.P.S. If you're a Nashville reader, head over to Spaces in Belle Meade for HerNashville's Fashion for a Fraction this Saturday, August 21st.

Katy K and Local Honey

Non-Tennessee readers--sorry for all the Nashville-related posts lately. I'm trying to cram as many blog-worthy activities into my last week at home as I can! I can barely believe I leave for my senior year of college on Friday! Eek! Ok, onto the shopping.

The 12th South distract of Nashville is known as an up-and-coming area of town, full of unique stores and tasty restaurants (see a review of a couple here). Tucked away, down a residential street is Local Honey, an edgy boutique that sells a mix of vintage and locally-designed clothes and accessories. I walked away empty-handed, but not before I tried on half the store. Fit was my issue more often than not, and when it comes to vintage, if it doesn't fit me perfectly, I tend to pass. If you're in the market for a one-of-a-kind piece, I recommend the boutique's in-house label, White Rabbit. 

A little further down 12th Avenue is the iconic Katy K, home to all things western and fabulous. Seriously, if anyone has plans of being a cowgirl for Halloween, head over there ASAP. There are enough boots and hats to keep Hank Williams Jr. outfitted for the next 15 years. Again, I walked away empty-handed. Saloon chic was never really my style, but if I ever need to invest in some authentic cowgirl boots, Katy K's will be the first place I look.

Beeline A-Lines

While exploring East Nashville's Tomato Art Festival this weekend, I stumbled upon what has now become a favorite Esty site. Beeline A-Lines is the product of Meg Giuffrida, a sewist from Nashville who creates one-of-a-kind skirts from vintage fabrics. I wasn't able to try any of her products on, but they sure look cute! A-line skirts are universally flattering, and I'm certain these are no exception. Retailing at $65 a piece, these skirts would make a unique addition to any wardrobe.

Readers who are your favorite Etsy sellers?

I Say Tomahto

Let's be honest. Tomato-themed art is all well and good, but the best part of this festival is the food. After all, it is an event celebrating a fruit. Armed with growling stomachs, my mom and I hit East Nashville full force this morning searching for the perfect tomato dish. This is our illustrated food diary.

 

Appetizer: Guacamole BLT from The Heirloom BLT Stand
This savory sandwich was an excellent way to commence our culinary adventure. I mentioned in an earlier post that I love bacon, so the traditional coupling of tomatoes, bacon and lettuce left me satisfied. The unique guacamole added a touch of flavor and was a healthy alternative to the expected mayonnaise spread. My one complaint? The sandwich was slightly messy, making it difficult to eat while exploring the festival.

Palate Cleanser: Cherry Ice Pop courtesy of Mad Donnas
An unexpected addition to our dining itinerary, this cherry ice pop was of the standard, grocery store variety. That's not to say it wasn't appreciated! Unfortunately I forgot to snap a pic :(

Entrée: Fried Green Tomatoes with Crab Meat Salad from Margot's Cafe and Bar
This is one of the best things I've ever eaten in my entire life. The tomatoes had a perfect crust and the crab meat was cool and refreshing. Everything was seasoned perfectly--just thinking about it is making my mouth water. My mom and I each ordered the dish, and we both had to restrain ourselves from licking the plates clean. Margot had a special menu this afternoon in honor of the tomato festival, but if the dish ever shows up on the menu again, I highly recommend it.

Dessert: Chocolate Ice Cream from Pied Piper Creamery
Located in a converted house on South 11th Street, Pied Piper is known for punny flavor names and excellent ice cream. My mom went out on a limb and ordered a small Chai Curious while I kept it simple and stuck with chocolate. At the end of a hot day, it was just what I needed. Rich and creamy, this ice cream hit the spot.

Even though we didn't eat there today, Mas Tacos deserves a mention. If I had unlimited space in my stomach, I certainly would have ordered a chicken taco. We also passed up The Jolly Rogue and I Dream of Weenie this year (See a previous review here), but they both had specialty tomato-themed menus that looked enticing. Unfortunately, there's just not enough time in the day!

We came, we saw, we conquered. Overall, a successful Tomato Fest :)

You say Tomato

During the summer of 2004, Meg and Bret MacFayden hosted a small art show honoring the tomato and planned a handful of neighborhood events to promote their business, The Art and Innovation Gallery. Six years later, The Tomato Art Festival is East Nashville's premier summertime event. With over 100 street vendors, a New Orleans-style parade, musical performances, a tomato 5k, and of course, the tomato art that started it all, The Tomato Art Fest has something for everyone.

 (Image Credit: Delgado Guitars)

Around 10 this morning my mom and I headed over the river and through the 'hood to East Nashville's five-points area, the crux of the festival. Having attended the event since 2006, we like to consider ourselves seasoned tomato veterans. This year, we slept in and missed the parade, so we made the Art and Innovation Gallery our first stop, in an effort to beat the crowd. This year's tomato art contest winner was a beautiful mandolin embellished to resemble everyone's favorite summertime fruit. The piece was handcrafted by Manuel Delgado of Delgado Guitars.

 Pictured above is all of our tomato fest loot. My mom's piece of folk art, a tomato magnet, bumper sticker and commemorative coffee can from Bongo Java.

After making a few tomato-themed purchases, we decided to peruse the hoards of booths crowding the streets. There were restaurateurs, insurance salesmen, book vendors and clothing designers. You name it, there was probably a vendor selling it. I pocketed a handful of business cards, but couldn't commit to purchasing anything today. At 90+ degrees, it was just too hot to carry anything. My mom, on the other hand, picked up a piece of wooden folk art.

We finished the day at Fanny's House of Music. This instrument store doubles as a haven for vintage lovers. I walked away empty-handed, but there were some fabulous pieces. Now that it's on my radar, I'll definitely be going back.

If you're in the Nashville area and missed out on this morning's activities, don't fret. There are still events going on! Click here for a complete schedule. And don't think we starved ourselves during this celebration of food. The culinary experiences of The Tomato Fest deserve a post of their own. Check back later tonight for all our dining adventures!

For more photos from the festival click below!

 Every year the festival hosts a bumper sticker contest. These are some of the winners from years past.

 My mom and I both entered the "Guess how many tomatoes are in a jar" contest at Wonders on Woodlawn.

 My mom bought her folk art dove from the man who owns this van!

 The star of the show!

 Being a musical theater nerd, I thought this was hilarious!

 How cute are these tomato tutus?

We stumbled upon this fabulous vintage Lilly dress in Fanny's House of Music. The silhouette wasn't my style, but I absolutely loved the pattern!

Anticipation

I don't know what people did before online shopping. More specifically, I don't know what people did before online sample sales. Designer clothes for cheap and I barely have to lift a finger? There must be a catch. All in all, they're pretty terrific, but it takes forever for purchases to come in the mail.

A few weeks ago, I ordered a super-cute Rachel Pally dress through one of Hautelook's blow-out sales. I got a great deal on it, but it's no where in sight! I recognize that I'm being a bit impatient, but cross your fingers that it comes before I leave for school next week. My order status suggests an estimated delivery around August 14, but the dress hasn't shipped yet.

Have any of y'all ordered through Hautelook? How long did your order take?