Complexion Rescue

As you know, I have been trying to be better with my skin (so far so good!), and although skincare products and makeup are separate categories, to me they go hand in hand. I want my makeup - specifically face makeup - to benefit my skin just like my skincare products, while of course still doing their job! 

I started using bareMinerals a few years ago, and haven’t looked back! I love the idea of makeup being natural & pure, and feeling like it is doing something good for my skin. When bareMinerals released this product, I was very intrigued. Complexion Rescue is described as the best of a BB, a CC, and a tinted moisturizer. It almost sounds too good to be true! I kept contemplating giving it a try, but at the time I was happy with my face makeup, so I didn’t really feel a sense of urgency to give it a go. 

It took me long enough, but after hearing again & again how good it was, I finally decided it was time to see for myself. I have been using it for just about a week, and I love it! I had no idea what I was missing out on, and if I had I would bought it so much sooner. Trust me. I have been using this product after I apply my face moisturizer, and I really love that I can either stop here or continue on with the rest of my makeup routine. It’s the perfect product to throw on with a sweep of bronzer & blush for days requiring less makeup, but when you still want to look equally put together. On the other hand it serves as a great base before using my bareMinerals powder foundation. Either way I seriously feel like my skin is glowing! I just love it. 

One of my favorite parts about the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue is that since it is a hydrating gel cream, it really does an amazing job keeping my skin soft and moisturized. It is perfect for this time of year as everyone is trying to ward off the dry skin that comes around in winter. I was a little bit weary that since my skin is on the more combination/oily side this product would make my skin shiny or a little too oily, but it has not been an issue at all. I can't go without mentioning the fact the this product also contain antioxidants, electrolytes, humectants, and an spf! It's basically a skincare product disguised as makeup. I really am so pleased with this product - bareMinerals you have done it again! 

A few of my favorites.. 

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue

bareMinerals MATTE Foundation

bareMinerals Blush

bareMinerals Warm Radiance

bareMinerals Illuminating Mineral Veil

p.s. the nail polish in the first picture is essie east hampton cottage!

xo. G

Valentine's Day Gift Guide!

Where has the time gone!? It feels like it was just yesterday that I was ringing in the New Year, yet here I am in the last week of January. Crazy. I always forget how fast Valentine’s Day creeps up on me {2.14.16}. It is here & gone before I know it! For those of you who forget like myself, I figured I would give you a heads up and also share a fun Valentine’s Day gift guide. It is safe to say I am pretty much obsessed with all of this and definitely adding a few things to my wish list! For anyone looking to drop a few hints to their loved one, surprise a friend, or even get themselves a little something (do it!) - this is perfect for you.

Happy almost Valentine’s Day! 

Kate Spade Lily Avenue Carrigan Tote

Sugar Paper Gold Heart Note Set

Tory Burch Jolie Fleur Rose Eau de Parfum

Kate Spade Square Studs

Diptyque Rosaviola Candle

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment

Rebecca Minkoff Crossbody

Kate Spade Heart Gramercy Watch

Ashley Brooke Designs Mug

Tory Burch Continental Wallet

BaubleBar Rose Bib Necklace

xo. G 

Gallery Wall

Oh this gallery wall… 

For months I have been staring at this blank wall, literally. I redecorated my bedroom quite a while ago (I think over a year), and I absolutely love how it came out. However, it’s not quite done yet. To me the finishing touches of any space come down to the small details - pillows, mirrors, artwork, photography, etc. I really feel like those things can bring a vision to life! 

With that being said, I have a few blank walls that are just waiting for some love. One in particular I knew would make the most perfect gallery wall. Since redecorating, I have been slowly collecting a few items that I thought could come together nicely, but I knew I needed just a few more. Long story short.. I have yet to find the “few more” that I think I need to complete the wall, and I have put off working with the pieces I do have. Apparently I thought staring at a blank wall was better than admiring a half done gallery wall.. I was wrong. 

Yesterday, I finally decided to pull out the hammer & nails. Yay! I had been having a rough few days, and thought that channeling my energy into a creative project would be a fun way to take my mind off of things. Full disclosure - I have never hung a gallery wall before, so I headed to the always trusted pinterest for some tips and inspiration! I found the process to be quite simple, and I really just tried to have fun with it and trust my eye on what I thought would look best. I started by laying out the pieces on the floor to play around with the arrangement, and then sketched out my final design on a piece of paper before bringing it to life on the wall. As I said before, I didn’t have many pieces yet, so it didn’t take long to hang what I had. And just like that the start to my gallery wall was up! Voila!

Although it isn’t finished, I am thrilled with how it looks already. It’s crazy how just a few wall hangings already makes the room look that much better. Now I can honestly say I am much more inspired to get out there and find the final pieces for the gallery wall. Until then I will just admire what I have! 

p.s. I will keep you up to date on how the rest comes out! 

After

Before 

Where to shop... 

Design Darling Boutique

West Elm

Pottery Barn

Miss Poppy Design

Charm & Gumption

HomeGoods

Rifle Paper Co.

xo. G 

Winter Must Haves

I don’t know about other parts of the country, but oh my has New England been getting hit hard with the cold temperatures lately! For a while it seemed that we might luck out with a mild season, but mother nature thinks otherwise, and it appears winter (& the cold) are here to stay.

For those of us that don’t live in places with wonderful, warm winters (quite jealous), I wanted to share some of my cold weather favorites that make winter a little more bearable!  Braving the elements, while staying warm and looking good is a win-win if you ask me. Enjoy & stay warm out there!

J.Crew can really do no wrong when it comes to just about everything, and as always they deliver with their outerwear and cold-weather accessories. Being petite, I always used to worry that long puffer coats would just eat me up, but the J.Crew wintress puffer coat keeps me warm without making me feel like a huge marshmallow. My coat is from a couple seasons ago and doesn’t have the faux-fur lined hood, but I love that added detail. Throw it on with this ribbed pom-pom hat, and these adorable rainbow speckled mittens and you’re almost good to go! Add a pretty plaid scarf to complete the look. Thank you, thank you J.Crew!

If I could pick an outfit to live in throughout the entire winter season it would easily be either this fleece pullover or this 1/4 zip fleece, with a quilted puffer vest, and L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins. All are crazy warm and comfortable, but you don’t feel like you are compromising on style either. I am not lying when I tell you I wear my moccasins all the time when I am home! There’s a reason they call them 'Wicked Good'.. 

Footwear can be a bit tricky in the winter when snow is involved, and when wearing ballet flats is just a no-go. It seems that boots are the only option, but on the plus side there are so many to choose from and you don’t have to worry about your toes freezing off! My go-to for the snow is my Hunter rain boots. They are great all year round, but in the winter I throw in some boot socks for added warmth. Bean boots seem to be all the rage, and I am working on becoming a proud owner myself. I hear they sell out fast - so get them early in the season! 

Some more favorites.. 

 UGG Bow Boots 

Sorel Snow Boots 

 Club Monaco Scarf 

 Patagonia Vest 

 J.Crew Nordic Parka 

Anthropologie Blanket Scarf

 J.Crew Fair Isle Excursion Vest 

The North Face Knit Hat 

 The North Face Down Parka 

Anthropologie Gloves

xo. G 

Skincare Favorites

January first always brings the promise of a fresh start, and with that comes along the desire to kick off the year on a happier, healthier foot. I am making a vow to myself that this year, and in all years to come, that I will take much better care of my skin. College most certainly did not set me up to take care of my skin the way I should have. Sleeping with makeup on (yikes), skimping on the sunscreen, lack of sleep, and yes, even the occasional trip to the tanning bed were doing nothing but damage. All are BIG no-nos in the world of skincare. I owe it to myself and my skin to be more dedicated to beautiful, youthful looking skin. Hopefully my future self will thank me! 

There are so many people out there with the desire for flawless skin, and the beauty industry has given us a plethora of options when it comes to choosing skincare products that work best for varying skin types. There is absolutely no shortage of choices, which don’t get me wrong is a wonderful thing, however it can be quite daunting trying to figure out what works best! I have found that finding the perfect beauty regimen is truly a process of trial and error. You won’t know what works best for you until you try it out for yourself. What works for me, might not work for you and vice versa. However, I still want to share some of my favorites!

One. Origins Zero Oil Cleanser

Before finding the Zero Oil Cleanser, I found myself rotating through a few different drug store face cleansers that I just never really loved. My skin is on the oilier side, so I was looking for a product that would help reduce any excess oil. Origins really came through with this one. It is made with saw palmetto and mint so not only does it get my skin super clean, but it smells great. It also contains salicylic acid which helps prevent breakouts. Overall its a win win. 

Two. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel 

I have been a Clinique fan for as long as I can remember - since the day I first started wearing real makeup. That was long ago, and I have yet to be disappointed by any of the makeup and skincare products they offer. Their Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion and Gel are one of their top selling moisturizers, and for good reason. I prefer the gel because it provides oil-free hydration, which is great for my combination skin. It is lightweight, fragrance free, and leaves my skin feeling so soft. Whats not to love. 

Three. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes

There is nothing worse than drying your face on a towel only to find that there was makeup left behind after you have already washed it. I find that merely washing your face with soap and water is just not enough sometimes. These towelettes are a gentle yet effective way to get rid off all your makeup the first time. It's a quick and easy way to remove the day before I wash my face with a cleanser. I never have to worry about any makeup that may have gotten left behind! 

Four. Origins Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay and Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

I decided to put these together not only because they are both face masks, but also because they have really become some of my FAVORITE products. I set aside a day in my week where I do a full face routine including a face mask (usually Sundays) and I find myself looking forward to it rolling around. The charcoal mask is the only product that I have found to successfully clear my pores. The stuff works wonders. And don’t even get me started on how much I love the retexturing mask. Not only does my skin feel renewed and radiant after, but it smells wonderful! It contains exfoliating beads, which is also a plus because I really feel like it gets rid of any dry, dull skin. I will sometimes use these each separately, but often I end up just using them both at once over the ares that need attention. I honestly feel like my skin is glowing afterwards. Ah, love. 

Five. Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins Moisturizer

This night cream was the first Origins product I was introduced to and it has been a love story ever since. It is gold. It is rich in the sense that I feel like it is really moisturizing, but by no means does it feel overwhelmingly heavy. I really feel like my skin is soaking in the minerals and vitamins C, E, and H - who doesn’t love feeling like a product is really doing its job. I cannot go without mentioning my most favorite part of this night cream… the smell. It has a light, citrusy scent that I absolutely adore. Use this Night-A-Mins Moisturizer after a face masks, and I promise you your skin will thank you. 

xo. G

Hello Again!

Wow, where has the time gone!?

It feels like it was just yesterday that I decided to create Faith & Fancy, and yet somehow two years have managed to fly by. Although ambitious, the decision to start a blog midway through my junior year of college was just not the best timing. When I look back on the past two years, I can say with certainty that quite a lot has happened! I returned to Springfield to finish out my last two years of college (some of the best!),  finally decided on a career path, started dating my then best friend now current boyfriend, had the best senior year a girl could ask for with some of the best people in the world, got accepted into nursing school, graduated college (ah), and am currently about to dive into my second semester of nursing school! Kind of crazy, I know. 

So here we are again, as I decide to start up Faith & Fancy again, hopefully for good this time! I might be crazy for choosing now to be the time to do so, as I am already committed to an intense twelve-month accelerated nursing program, BUT I just couldn’t ignore the reasons why I should do it now. I had originally planned on waiting until after I graduated from nursing school and things settled down a bit, but I came to realize that I could be waiting forever for things to settle down. And quite frankly, I just didn’t want to wait for another year to go by and waste time that I could have spent working on something I’ve always wanted to do. If there is a time to do it, why not have it be now! Twenty-sixteen I have high expectations for you!! 

Faith & Fancy is an outlet for my love of fashion and style, and it allows me to express that side of myself. For anyone who is familiar with or a member of the healthcare field, you can attest to the fact that it is not the most glamorous of careers. Although nursing is an extremely fulfilling and rewarding career that is highly valued, aesthetics are most certainly pushed to the wayside! It is my hopes that Faith & Fancy can be an escape for me and a place for me to share my more creative side, something that I am not always able to do in my career! It will serve not only as a source of happiness for me, but it is my hopes that it will do the same thing for you. I cannot wait to begin & I look forward to all that is to come! 

xo. G