It’s usually very rare that I fall madly in love with a non-premier designer bag. It’s not that I’m THAT much of a bag snob…it’s just that there’s something that comes along with owning LV and Chanel (and other premier designer bags) that makes it really hard to carry other brands. To me, it’s kind of like, hard to carry a common, lower priced bag while your 4k sits in the closet. That’s just me, though…

Anyway, I randomly came across this bag last year while visiting New York City. I saw it in the Michael Kors storefront and also on several billboards, and I was instantly drawn to it. Since then I’ve admired it every time I’ve seen it, but never ended up purchasing it, as I feared it wouldn’t get used. Fast forward to just the other day. I was in Marshall’s and they had a gorgeous gray-colored, croc-embossed one for sale. I tried it on and was in love, and realized I needed to buy this bag ASAP!!!

It’s the MICHAEL KORS “HAMILTON” tote in vintage “MOCHA” suede! This is the vertical version. They also have an east-west version, which I’m also lusting after. Maybe actually a little more… Either way, both styles are super roomy and can fit pretty much whatever it is you need to carry. They have both handles AND a shoulder strap and look amazing carried either way. The shoulder strap is undeniably comfortable and WILL NOT slip off your shoulder! That’s pretty much what sold me in the end…

These are definately some classy looking bags…quite possibly the secret love spawn between the Hermes Birkin and the Mulberry Bayswater, only wayyy more affordable! My boyfriend told me he thinks it looks like a “horses ass”…literally…but he’s half retarded, so you don’t have to listen to him. They come in a nice array of colors, textures (leather, suede, croc-embossed), and also have cute little wallets to match (sold separately, unfortunately).

Retail price for this bag is around $348, but do yourself a favor and check eBay first… I got this sexy thang brand-new-with-tags from my fave eBay seller for a mere $160 w/ free shipping. That’s more than HALF OFF! Marshalls had them for $199 + tax, but no sense paying more if you don’t have to! :)

I’m soooo effing obsessed with…

KISS STICK-ON STRIPS!!!

What the are basically, are gorgeous, intricate designs for the nails (some with crystals and stones!) the form of easy-to-apply, self adhesive nail strips. I’ll do a full review on this product in a later post because it wouldn’t be fair for you not to know about these!

In all honesty, these are truly the most amazing beauty product I have ever tried. If you’re like me and don’t even bother with your nails anymore, because you’re sick of polishes chipping so soon, this is the product for you!

Originally, I assumed these were gimmicky, and figured they wouldn’t work as well as they claimed (7-10 days!), since they are not made of real nailpolish like their counterparts. I figured they would peel quickly and lose their stones. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised! They are BY FAR the longest-lasting nail strips on the market…not to mention, the best looking and easiest to apply!

What’s even better is the price… Though I’ve heard Sally beauty supply has them for around $12.99, I got mine at my local Dollar General store for only $3!

(Actually I bought TWELVE packs of them, but I don’t think anyone needs to know just HOW unhealthy my obsession with them actually is…lol.)

In case you didn’t know, I am a total eBay addict and seriously go through withdrawel anytime that I don’t get wifi/3G! My “watched” list is always filled to the max (that’s 200 items!), and I’m CONSTANTLY scouting my next purchase!

That being said, here is a snapshot (I knowww, not the greatest pic…) of a few eBay items I’m lusting over! I think they would all look amazing mixed and matched w/ each other and with a pair of black leggings! :)

L to R… 1) Sparkly jeweled headband 2) Michael Kors “Hamilton” tote 3) Vince long sleeved knit top 4) Minelli leather gladiator sandals 5) Bottega Venetta leopard ponyskin lace-up booties

LIPS…

I am wearing…

Chanel “Glossimer” lip gloss in “Constellation”…

Super-sparkly touch of gorgeousness!

Hair feather extensions by ME! (contact me for more details…)

I am wearing…

House of Harlow Aztec hoop earrings (you can’t really see them).

Hoodie by Gap. Vintage gray t-shirt and black skinnies from the Salvation Army, yo! ($0.99 and $2.99, respectively!)

Louis Vuitton leopard print scarf (Stephen Sprouse collection)

Gucci “Sukey” bag (medium) in “Mauve”.

Sexy iPhone case from Fendi… <3

Bracelets are by Alex and Ani (bangles), and Louis Vuitton (“Keep It”~Stephen Sprouse leopard print)

Everything about this girl is perfection! <3 She just has a way of making everything she wears look effortlessly chic.

Most of her outfits are sooo simple, too… Like an oversized white tee and skinny jeans, but her accessories pull it all together perfectly.

Thing is, I own alot of the same accessories as her (except the gorgeous Hermes bag…sigh). Balenciaga bags… CC Skye wrap bracelets… CL heels… House of Harlow sunnies… For some reason, though, I just can’t put them together and make it work like she does! Absolute gorgeousness!!!

NICOLE LOVES…animals that aren’t your typical cats and dogs…

Look at these little cuties! Haha…I originally saved this picture because the little guy on the left looks exactly like my friend Tommy, and I was kinda losing it over that… But then I really got to thinking that I actually might want one! They seem like really fun animals, and I already have two rats, who I adore…so this would be more or less an upgrade? Only thing is, I’m HIGHLY allergic to animals. I know…that makes me sound like a total nerd, but I can barely even touch my rats without breaking out in hives and getting all stuffy and wheezy… Ughhh… Not that it stops me, but some animals I’m not so bad around. I wonder how these would be???

I could totally picture myself walking one of these around with me everywhere I went (on a Louis Vuitton leash, no doubt!), a lá Jennifer Anniston in “Along Came Polly”. And of course my little guy (I don’t buy girl animals) would have only the finest designer wardrobe out there-little Juicy Couture hoodies…an LV carrier…

I’m sooo getting one! :)

NICOLE LOVES…

Sally Hansen’s Salon Effects-Real Nailpolish Strips!!!

Let me tell you, these things are amazinggg! When I first heard of them, I honestly didn’t think they would work well. I thought they would probably peel off quickly or be difficult to use…or both! Was I wrong!!! They are my new fave beauty product! They are super-simple to use…all you do is smooth them on and your done! You don’t even need a top coat! And their staying power is incredible! They last roughly around 14 days…which I think is seriously amazing, because I’m the kind of girl who can’t get her manicure to last any longer than a day!

They come in TONS of different styles, both solid colors and prints, and range in price from around $8.50-$11.00 at stores such as Walmart, CVS, and Rite Aid.

TIP-DO NOT open air-sealed packages UNLESS you plan on using ALL of the strips. Even though strips are affixed to a backing, exposure to air will cause the strips to dry out and lose their “stickiness”, thus making them unusable.

Whyyyyyy…?!????

Could it really be that I’m the ONLY person in this ENTIRE world knows how to correctly use the word “ignorant”? Because it certainly appears that way… I really wish people could know how dumb they sound!