Talbots Ama pump review

Talbots Ama Patent Leather Almond Toe Pump

in Praline size 6

wow! now on sale for $27.59

From previous experiences, Talbots shoes tend to run large. Not these! These Ama pumps are true to size. I'm a size 6 and these size 6's fit snugly.

The Praline color is also true to the name. They do remind me of yummy caramels. Here's how they look under camera flash below:

Patent leather upper and rubber (made-to-look-like-leather) sole.

Here's how they compare to my other pumps (old black Ann Taylor Perfect pump size 6 and last year's cameo-rose Talbots pointy-toe pump in size 5.5 medium).

 As you can see, the Talbots Ama pumps looks identical to the AT perfect pumps in shape. The only difference is that it's a bit narrower in the toe area. Unfortunately, I have slightly wide feet, so the Ama pumps are too narrow for my comfort. It is strange that it's smaller than my old Talbots pointy-toe pumps in size 5.5 (which is more comfortable than the Ama almond-toe shape). I'm also disappointed this Ama style is not offered in wide-width options as with other Talbots shoes. 

The Talbots pumps are well-constructed and have a very sturdy-feel. Since the sole is synthetic, it feels heavier than the AT perfect pumps. Hands-on, Ann Taylor perfect pumps still beats all in comfort due to softer leather. Here's another comparison with my black AT pumps, showing the Ama being a tiny-smidge smaller, but don't they look identical?

Conclusion, my wide feet says "no" to these Ama pumps. But if you have narrower feet and no issues with bunions, these pumps are a great value on sale (original price $139), and especially since they look identical to the more expensive Ann Taylor ones. They come in some interesting colors too. See review of the Pink Salt color at Irene Likes.

(also wearing the praline Ama pumps in previous post below)

Anthropologie Glitz-dusted flats review

Anthropologie Glitz-dusted flats by Bibi Lou

sale $49.95

(free shipping for orders over $100 till July 31st)

Reviewing size 36 euro (6 US)

Leather upper, leather lining, and leather sole. These also have a hidden ~1cm wedge heel, which makes the flats more comfortable.

Very light weight and breathable. Fits true to size!

 

My only issue is that the grosgrain ribbon piping rubs right at my outer pinky-toe joint, which causes some slight pain point there when walking around. So if you have narrower feet or no issues with bunions, these flats would be perfect.

 Here's how they look in the romantic dim light:

So pretty and sparkly!

Ikat and I

There's something about Ikat prints or even geometric tie-dye patterns that is very pleasing to the eye.

 They remind me of rippling water patterns...

of surfers, exotic locations, and the remnants of an adventurous summer.

Inspired by these Anthropologie clippings:

Anthropologie Issue 4 2011 cover

Ikat Frequencies Shirtdress - available online

For the love of dots

 Inspired by Anthropologie January 2010 issue, page 3

Currently ogling these dresses:

ASOS Skater Dress With Belt In Spot Print (also comes in maternity)

 Forever21 Essential Polka Dot Tie Neck Dress

Basically any white on blue print is awesome! 

Best Lip Balms on the market

It seems like I've suffered dry lips all my life, even as a kid. I remembered my lips were always cracked, peeling, and bleeding, even after using my mom's Chapstick or that yucky-tasting Vaseline petroleum jelly. It wasn't until high school that I found relief, thanks to a wonderful lip balm sold in a fundraiser catalog by one of the cheerleaders. It was an unexpected miracle product! The 1 oz container of  "tropical strawberry" SPF 6 lip balm cost $10-12, but worth every penny! According to the label, it was made by Bath Works for Great American Opportunities. Oh, it was my holy grail! My lips stopped peeling and bleeding for the first time in my life. The product was perfect in every way...tasted good, felt nice on lips, and lasted a long time. One of those 1 oz containers lasted me a year it seems. I purchased in bulk from them (was sold online also) for the next decade or so. Then the devastating day came when Great American Opportunities decided to stop carrying that particular Bath Works product. I tried to order their new line of lip balms, but the ingredients had changed for the worse. Thus, I've been trying to find a replacement product ever since.

My goodness, I've tried so many brands....Bath & Body Works, Chapstick, Lip Smackers, Carmex, Soft Lips, Neutrogena, CVS/Walgreens brands, Aquafor, Kiel's, random ones,......in all sorts of flavors....all failed. My lips started peeling annoyingly again. I even attempted to make my own lip balm by buying ingredients from Makingcosmetics.com, but I could not find a formula that worked and my creations tasted horribly. So the search continues, and I finally found a couple of brands that seems to be working. They are not perfect but close enough for the time being:

Here's my review on each:

Burt's Bees with Vit. E and Peppermint - Made in USA ~$2.99 for 0.15 oz
Stronger minty flavor; ingredients appear most natural compared to the others. The negative is that it does not glide on easily as the others. The balm has a thicker/harder wax texture...like trying to apply candlewax maybe, I don't know how else to describe it. It felt heavy and sticky on the lips, yet the moisturizing effect did not last as long. I felt the need to reapply after 1-2 hours. But it is still better than other lip balms I've tried because it does not leave lips peeling or drier.

Lypsyl with Swedish Beeswax - Made in Canada ~$2.99 for 0.10 oz
This is definitely the best tasting compared to the others in my opinion. It has a mild minty flavor with a sweet undertone. Packaging is different with the sliding-bee lever thing, but for a bigger/bulkier packaging, it has less product than the other balms. Despite the love-it or hate-it packaging, this balm gets high points because it glides on smoothly and feels very nice on the lips. It also lasts longer than the Burt's Bees. However, I kept wanting to reapply this just to savor the yummy minty taste, haha.

Aquafina - Made in China ~3.99 for 0.28 oz
This one applies smoothly and feels just as nice as the Lypsyl, maybe a bit glossier. Somehow, this one seems to penetrate better, leaving lips moisturized longer even after product has rubbed off. I felt like I only had to apply this after I brush my teeth in the morning, after eating, and before bedtime, and my lips were satisfied. The downside is that these don't taste great. Even though the packet contains 4 flavors, they all have a weird "fake" flavor taste with a cooling effect due to the menthol ingredient.

EOS sweet mint - Made in USA ~3.29 for 0.25 oz
Strong minty flavor. 95% certified organic and 100% natural ingredients. Unlike the others, this one lists an expiration date (good for 2 years). The balm actually reminds me alot of the Burt Bee's in taste, consistency, and duration. The only difference is that it glides a bit easier on the lips than Burt Bee's. However, I felt I had to really roll the balm on my lips several rounds to feel completely moisturized. The egg-like packaging is fun and cute, but clumsy and bulky when it comes to practicality. Not great for hiding in pockets or small purses.

Overall, these 4 lip balms have been the best I've tried because they do not make my lips peel profusely or feel drier after use. They all are not perfect, but good enough for their purpose. So if you suffer from dry lips and other brands have no worked, these might do the trick. I believe everyone has different skin type, so one product may work wonders for a person but nothing for another. It's all trial and error. If you're strictly into "natural" ingredients, Burt's Bees or EOS are good choices, however I probably will not repurchase them simply because of their harder-waxy application. Aquafina is a winner for the price and long-lasting effects, but wish it tastes better like the Lypsyl. Aquafina is also harder to find. I think it's only sold online or at some Walgreens in-store. Definitely Aquafina and Lypsyl are my go-to lip balms right now.

What is your favorite lip balm?  Or what lip balm(s) have worked best for you? Please share in comments!

***UDPATE on 10/20/12 - Found the BEST LIP BALM on the market that beats out all the above. See review on NIVEA A KISS OF HONEY & HONEY Moisturizing Lip Balm***

Late Bastille Day

I missed out on a red, white, and blue 4th of July post, so I'm compensating here for Bastille Day!

Paris, Rue de Parme on Bastille Day by Pierre Bonnard

(notice the little girl in the painting with the dotted coat, so very now!)

I don't know anything really about France, except I love French paintings from the past, and of course their fashion history. Remind me too look up more information on Pierre Bonnard!  I was so drawn to his paintings displayed in the Washington D.C. Smithsonian art museum.

Black and white and olive

So I won't be on hiatus after all! My laptop is working adequate again!

~

Today, there's something about black+white and olive theme that is very appealing to me.

Here's some old Anthropologie catalog clippings to help me put together an outfit as such.

Also adoring this dress at ASOS:

Can't find an olive/army jacket to go with the above dress though. Any ideas? Please share in comments!