Winter Moisture

Posted on January 24, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Hey Everyone! How are you all holding up in these freezing temperatures? I feel like this has been one of the coldest winters we New Yorkers have had in a very long time. I need some sun in my life!
Due to all of the frigid winds I have had to change up my skincare routine a bit by adding a moisturizer that will keep my face hydrated all day long. Here are my current top two picks.

Alba Botanica Natural Hawaiian Moisture Cream (Smoothing Jasmine & Vitamin E)
This moisturizer has a very creamy consistency providing hydration and nourishment to your skin without being too heavy. It settles into the skin without leaving a sticky feeling. I also love the smell, super clean!

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Moisture with Jasmine and Vitamin E

L’Oreal Youth Code Dark Spot SPF 30 Day Cream
This moisturizer’s main task is to fade old dark spots as well as prevent new ones from reappearing.( I have a few of these from picking at my pimples) The formula is very thick and rich, perfect for cold days. This product also provides a luminous glow, evening out your overall skin tone.
*Now I cannot say that I have seen a difference on the spots but I do like the coverage and radiancy it gives me.

L’Oreal Youth Code Dark Spot SPF 30 Day Cream

Before I apply my moisturizer I also prep my skin with either an oil or a serum. My two favorites are…

Josie Maran 100 % Organic Argan oil has received wonderful reviews and I too can say that it leaves my skin feeling amazing! It also has vitamin E and essential fatty acids. (I recently learned that oils should be “dabbed” onto the skin not rubbed).

*Also Pictured is the Argan oil with Radiance that my sister bought for me. It leaves my skin super luminous, (I sometimes use it as a highlight above my cheek bones)

L’Oreal Youth Code texture perfector serum fills in pores and fine lines. It really leaves my skin feeling velvety smooth. I am also obsessed with the scent!

Day and Night Regimen

Night Routine: (after cleansing) apply Josie Maran Argan oil, wait a few minutes until it settles into my skin and then add the Alba Botanica cream. I sometimes skip the cream step or I just add a few drops of the oil to the Alba Botanica moisturizer and dab away!

Day Routine: (after cleansing) I apply the L’Oréal serum and again wait a few minutes until it settles into my skin. Then I proceed to rub some L’Oreal youth code dark spot SPF 30 cream and I am out the door!

There you have it my friends! Don’t forget just because it is winter time doesn’t mean you can skip your SPF (the sun’s rays are still powerful) if you don’t have time to apply yet another product to your face opt for one with SPF already built in!

You can check out more of a detailed description and or purchase any of of these items below. Your local drugstore should carry all of these products (except for the Argan oil, you can find it at Sephora)

Alba Botanica Cream
L’Oréal Youth Code
Argan Oil
Serum

Stay Warm & Hydrated!
-Gwen

Sparkle & Nude

Posted on January 18, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Feeling sexy is subjective and it cannot be made more clear by the plethora of different looks and styles that are “trending”. Both me and my sister have very different views on what looks or makes us feel sexy and I have to say a good nude shoe has got to be top five for me. This outfit is based off this old season pair of sandals/heels from forever 21. I love the way they elongate my leg (as a proper tone nude shoe is supposed to) and the sparkle detail gives it a pop that I love! This is such a special shoe in that it can be paired so many different ways and everytime I wear them I feel chic and pretty while at the same time being a little enticing. This time I played off the neutrals vibe and wore a sheer creme top with rolled up sleeves, for a nice element of surprise I chose neon yellow/green shorts from the Jennifer Lopez collection at Kohls. The body chain added another sexy touch as it defined my waist a little bit from the oversized shirt.

Check out similar tops from Forever 21 Here, Here & Here

Get the sparkly feel with these beauties from Jeffrey Campbell, Aldos and Forever 21

High Waisted Shorts- Boo Hoo

Body Chain- Ebay, Ebay, Ebay, Asos

* Giveaway Announcement *

Posted on January 16, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Its about that time for a giveaway! As of today we are only 1 follower away from 100! Its been slow and steady progress for us as we got into the groove of posting more regularly and figuring out what our niche was. For those who consistently check our page out and like or comment we love and appreciate you. With that being said we will be choosing one random follower next week on January 23,2014 to win some special goodies from us. No need to do anything to enter besides just being a follower. Check us out continuously throughout this week for more regular post and stay tuned for the winner announcement next week. Next short term goal is 150 followers! Let’s get it!

Love Ari & Gwen

Itsapplesandorangesblog.com

Denim on Denim

Posted on January 15, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Hey everyone, I have another outfit of the day! I am so glad my sister was able to snap a few shots of yet another one of my favorite looks. While in Florida I was able to wear shorts and leave the house without a million layers on, how exciting right? So lets jump right in! My previous look (Green with envy) was a more of a going out kind of outfit as oppose to this one which is super casual and trendy. I paired some older pieces with newer ones creating a laid back feel.

Top: Old Navy Button down light denim
Bottoms: Forever 21 Front camo spiked denim shorts (last summer)
Shoes: Forever 21 booties (again)
accessories: Bag Phillip Lim for Target, (borrowed from Ari) Watch Marc Jacobs, Bracelet Forever 21 and lion head necklace from street vendor.

Here are links to the actual items or similar ones:

Denim Top
Studded shorts and Boho Denim
Booties
Jaguar Bracelet
Watch
Handbag
Lion head Necklace

* The Phillip Lim bag no longer exist at Target your best bet would be E bay or the full price handbag I linked above.

I have enjoyed posting outfit ideas very much and hope to be able to add some more soon,
till then my friends
– Gwen

Classic Fall Look

Posted on January 13, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Although the cold weather was very short lived, here I have a fall appropriate outfit for those lovelies that have to endure actual cold temperatures during this season. Even though Im back in my shorts and tops for the moment, it was great to make use of some of my autum pieces that Ive had in my closet. This knit a-line shift dress is old season from target (Kirna Zabete line) and I paired it with classic patterened tights and high black wedge boots. If its really cold and a turtle neck wont suffice, I threw on my old cozy peacoat. The pastel pink softens the look and contrast the subtle leather details in the dress and boots. Last but certainly not least my new beautiful bag was purchased at Marshalls! Such an amazing find. This Kate Spade chain link bag is neutral and the quilted pattern makes me feel like I have my own little Chanel. I love the simplicity and classic appeal that it will bring to any outfit from here on out. Links with similar items below, and check out my sisters previous autumn fashion inspiration looks Here, Here & Here

Similar Dresses ASOS, Missguided and Zara

Beautiful Pink Peacoat Options, ASOS, Missguided, Nasty Gal and Zara

Patterned Tights- Target, H&M

Kate Spade Bag

Green with Envy

Posted on January 9, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Hey Everyone! So, I was visiting my sister in Florida a few weeks ago (oh how I miss the sun, and my sister of course) we were able to sneak in some photo shoot time, which is great for me since I hardly ever post outfit of the day entries. I never bring much clothing with me when I travel to Florida because I know I am going to shop while I am there, and boy did I shop! While everyone was off at work I drove myself to The Florida Mall and had a grand ole’ time. Forever 21 was of course my first stop and I managed to score some great pieces that were on clearance. I put together an outfit that I absolutely love (under $100 might I add).

-The Black peep mesh peplum top is perfect for adding curves to a not so curvy figure (such as mine) and the mesh adds a little sex appeal to a classic top.
-The Green pencil skirt gives this outfit the pop of color it needs.
-The black and gold studded boots are a favorite of mine (from my look for less post) and they give the outfit a nice edge to it.

Black and gold clutch is from H&M
Gold and black earrings are also from Forever 21

To all of my plus size ladies there is ALWAYS a way to put an outfit together while keeping some money in your pockets!

Till next time!
-Gwen
Links to Items Below:

Forever 21 Skirt

Peplum Top’s Here and Here

Similar Booties

Similar Earrings

Similar Clutches- Here and Here

Muji Acrylic Cases

Posted on January 7, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Happy 2014 everyone! Cannot believe it is already a new year, where does the time fly? Once a new year rolls around the saying “out with the old in with the new” resurfaces across the lips of many people. I took that catch phrase and ran with it when I did my winter cleaning/organizing last week. My makeup and brushes were a priority for me because everything was all over the place leaving me no choice than to act like a mad woman while getting ready in the morning.

With that said, I’ve had these Muji Acrylic Cases for a long time but as I mentioned before my makeup wasn’t very organized. So I tackled this task by removing all of my makeup and categorizing everything for easier access.
These cases are clear and come with a pull out slot, you can also remove them completely if need be. I know that many people are obsessed with the CosmoCube (including me) but I quite frankly did not want to spend that amount of money on an organization tool and I also do not have enough space for them on my dresser. The Muji cases are a perfect size and they don’t break the bank (The 5 drawer one is the most expensive at $27.95).I also bought two of them for Ari as a Christmas present and she loved them! Here’s how I use them:

5 Drawer case standing alone on the right
3 Drawer case stacked on top of a Large 2 Drawer case

Lip tints, stains and balms in top row, Lipsticks in second, Glosses in the third, lip, eye liners and highlighters in the fourth and shadows in the fifth.

Lip Products

Blushes & Bronzers

Eyeshadows

As for my brushes I cleaned out an old candle jar to place the bigger ones in and small mason jar to place my eyeshadow brushes in.

Below are the links to the cases that I utilize.

2 Drawer Case
3 Drawer Case
5 Drawer Case

Happy Organizing everyone!
-Gwen

Pink Floyd & Camo

Posted on January 4, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Oh to reminice on the good days of fall weather! As I edit this post I am bundled up in layers and Gwen is stuck under a pile of snow somewhere in New York. Temperatures have reached new lows as of recent so I will be sharing more “winterized options” but this was a last outfit of the day shot just before the turn for the worse. I love these camoflage jeans that were recently purchased at “Dots” and Ive had this awesome fringe pink floyd top from forever 21 for a long time. I love the baggy loose fit of the top and the fringe can easily be duplicated on any other shirt for a funky edge. I threw my go-to target boots on (old season) and went on with my day feeling comfortable yet stylish. Links Below!

cross body bag, camp, forever 21, boots, target, combat, pink floyd

Camo Print “Roll Cuff” Skinny Pants- $22.00

Similar Pink Floyd Top

Similar Boots- Dolce Vita

Similar Boots

-Ari

On Sale Today!- Forever 21 Cutout Booties

Posted on January 1, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Dont miss out on these amazing Forever 21 cut out booties! Perfect dressed up or down these babies are super comfortable and can be paired with so many different looks. They are now on sale for 50% on forever 21’s website and originally priced at $39.80. Check out how I styled mine below. Target denim button up, Forever 21 mustard pencil skirt and loose waved curls for a simple casual day. At the advice of online reviews I sized down and got a 5.5 and they fit perfect! I do have to agree with those that wrote they run big, half size down did the trick for me! Links below.

Forever 21 Cutout Booties

Target Denim Tunic

Similar Mustard Skirt

Love, Ari

Oxfords & Blazers -Fall OTTD

Posted on December 28, 2013 by itsapplesandorangesblog

So we were finally together again for the holidays! Gwen & I had so much fun eating and enjoying each others company. Stay tuned for some more fabulous photos and hauls of our lovely gifts! With that being said the weather in Florida was bi-polar the entire time. On this particular day it was very nice and sunny outside in the high 60’s. I got to play around with some layering and neutrals and came up with this casual fall look. I paired my classic crew neck Ralph Lauren polo with my thrifted grey blazer and Zara dark wash jeans. For the shoes I chose my favorite beat up forever 21 (old season) Oxford’s as well as my mustard Phillip lim for target bag. Links below!