Nars Radiance Primer 

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My daughter, A, and I are at Ulta a lot. Between getting our brows done and her favorite person for doing her makeup for events now working there, and just stopping in to pick up the latest and greatest things we've heard about and have wanted to review, has made us well known by the staff. Chatting with them is dangerous because we always walk out with way more than what we went in for, but we do receive some of the best recommendations this way.

 Brando, who runs the Nars cosmetics counter at our Ulta, recently asked me if I had ever tried their Radiance Primer, and because I hadn't, he sat me down and had me watch while he reapplied my makeup. I'm always leery of "radiance" products because often that means shiny, but this is genuinely luminous.

The primer looks peachy-pink in the tube and has a very fresh almost spa-like scent that I find refreshing. As you apply, the color diminishes, leaving a glowing, beautiful skin finish.  It does not have that heavy, slippery, slick feel of primers like the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, but it is tacky enough to grip the makeup applied over it. 

As the weather has begun to heat up here in Nevada, I've noticed a dramatic change in how my makeup 1. is not budging and, 2. it is not breaking down, which is a significant problem for me. I usually get two hours into the day and have what look like small dots of makeup everywhere as it has sunk into my pores in some places and disappeared in other. 

Nars Radiance Primer is my new favorite primer for aging skin. I've found it especially good under full-coverage formulas like the Marc Jacobs Re(marc)able I shared here or the Armani Power Fabric. 

Have you tried the Nars cosmetics primer? Are you a fan of Nars makeup in general? Do you use a primer or do you think it's unnecessary? I'd love to hear your thoughts. I mean who even had heard of this product when we were in high school? 

This week I'm linking up in Midweek Inspirations on PoshClassyMom. Please go visit and show some love for the other bloggers posting.  

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Vince Shearling Coat

Le Sarte Pettegole Blouse

H&M Skirt

Rag & Bone Booties

BaubleBar Hoops

I know it's late, but I'm going to squeeze one more coat in before it gets any warmer. Since it is still cooling off in the evening, I think it will fit in nicely for a date night outfit.

The Vince Shearling coat is definitely an investment, but let's face it, it will last a lifetime. The shearling side looks like the perfect, roomy, slouchy teddy bear coat, but unexpectedly, it reverses to soft nubuck with the shearling peeking out on the edges and the trim for a more casual look that's perfect with jeans and boots or trousers.

As much as the Vince coat is at the end of its season, the Le Sarte Pettegole blouse will work well throughout the rest of the spring and the summer due to its sheer, flirty fabric and tonal pattern. Paired with the calf-length skirt from H&M, this could be an outfit for a casual day out as well. This piece has an elasticized waist and pockets (!) that works equally well with boots, sandals, pumps or flats. 

And speaking of booties, I've found yet another red pair this time from Rag & Bone that has a little higher heel than the last bootie I shared here and is a combo of the softest leather and suede. 

Finally, it all comes down to the hoop. Although this one is large, it's substantial, and the three-quarter circumference makes it somehow more sophisticated. I love the mix of metal and tortoise, but this is also available from BaubleBar in four different color combos including navy and ivory. 

Minus the coat and switching over to flat, strappy sandals, the blouse, skirt, and hoops smoothly transition to the perfect brunch outfit for the entire summer. 

This week I'm linked up to the #SaturdayShareLinkUp on Not Dressed as Lamb. Please to check out Catherine's very insightful post on blogging for free as well as the other posts from the delightful bloggers in the link up. 

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Dress: Zimmermann

Smashbox Create & Transform Palette

Everlane Skinny Jean

Athleta Stellar Tight

Moschino Booties

I swear I won't do that "florals for spring. Groundbreaking" joke from The Devil Wears Prada, but I have to admit that most of the time when I see seasonal lists, I never feel there is anything ground-breaking on them. It's natural that we are drawn to lighter, floral dresses and brighter makeup shades when warmer weather is beckoning, but bear with me as I include some transitional pieces in my current top five.

Yes, that is a flowy, floral dress, but, in my defense, it's a black and blue floral dress, which is not a typical spring dress color scheme, and it has a higher neck with long sleeves, which make it extremely functional for day and night, casual and dressy. Just change out heels for flat boots or booties, add tights on a cool or rainy day or a blazer for work and you are good to go. I always want a unique detail when I'm buying a dress or skirt and this has both a ruffle and an asymmetric hem. Perfect.

The Smashbox Create & Transform Palette is actually four palettes in one and is now on sale over 50% off at Nordstrom Rack. It consists of an individual lip, cheek, and eye palette and then a palette of "Transformers" that you mix in or layer to create unique shades. If you are traveling, what better way to save luggage space and still have a huge number of choices. I always overpack makeup because I never know in advance what I'm going to feel like when I'm getting ready.

These Everlane skinny jeans are just perfect. Can't or won't wear skinny jeans, you say? Just try these. Trust me. They come in five different colors, are only $68 and have a little bit of stretch without feeling like leggings pretending to be jeans. And if you know me, you know that I really detest jeans that have lycra in them, so this pair is supreme. 

Speaking of leggings, let's be honest. We all go out of the house occasionally wearing yoga pants even when we aren't on the way to yoga. Without fail, I almost always regret it immediately. Athleta defines these bottoms as "tights" not leggings, and they are a fine mix of casual and comfortable while still being a step above your standard yoga pants. With trouser-like seamlines, I can totally get away with wearing these to the office for casual Friday without worrying about them being inappropriate. I just flew to Dallas and wore the black pair into the office then onto my flights home. I was so comfortable, I think this is now my go-to travel wear.

Finally, those are indeed red booties. I know a lot of people have moved on to white booties, but I'm still firmly planted here, and this Moschino pair reminds me of my favorite Mary Poppins booties.

We've had warm temps for a week, but now we are being pounded by a storm. My mind is on that dress, those booties, and a warm cardigan. What are you wearing this week? 

This week I'm linking up to the Thursday Moda linkup. Please go visit some of the lovely bloggers who share there as well.