To keep or not to keep?

Recently scored these Cole Haan booties online for 50% off.

They arrived yesterday and I just tried them on - maybe a snitch tight in the toe area and feel a bit stiff in ankle area but maybe that can be fixed with leather softening spray. Ordered refill of that on Amazon already.

Really like those booties bc the black-gold metallic look is nothing that I have in my closet at the current time. Think they could get away as a great 'neutral' as they would work with black, brown, blue, green, and even purple. So bottom line they may just be a perfect fit for my many coloured jeans in my closet (I may have a problem with coloured jeans like in way too many ;-)).

So what do you think - should I risk and keep them although they need breaking in?

Beauty Monday - My first Birchbox

My friend Shani told me about Birchbox - an easy and cheap way to try new higher end products without major commitment.

So few weeks ago I decided to sign up and today my first box arrived. Cute to look at?!

Here's brief summary of what I got:

Really pleased with this month content!

The eyeliner is easy to apply and true black and seems to have staying power.

Did swatch of highlighter and am really pleased how colour looks on my skin tone.

Hair care samples are not my favourite but they seem to be generous size to use for one go.

Perfume smells nice - not my typical pick so perfect to go out of my comfort zone.

Plan to use the body cream as a hand moisturiser as I really love the scent and it is too small for full body application but on my hands it may last me a while.

Chocolate will be gifted as I have a friend who loves that flavour.

My November Birchbox did not disappoint and was well worth the money.

Are you signed up for any interesting sample subscriptions?

Benevolent Jewels - Shopping in support of good cause

What a week...

On Thursday eve we had a power outage and it hit while I was putting last touches on two presentations due for Friday... Somehow both got compromised so I waited until power came back and started over. Last one sent 2:18 in morning woohoo!

Friday nite I wake up to an annoying beeping noise... One of my fire alarms ran low on battery, duh. So 2:30 in morning I had to drag my big ladder out of garage and find replacement batteries. I'm not good on ladders in fully awakened state but zombie-like it was dangerous. And why do they make this things so fiddly to screw back together?!!

My treat of the week was an order I placed on Benevolent Jewels - gorgeous, very affordable jewelry and 20% of profit is being donated to a philanthropic organisation. Current cause is +Works ('positive Works') - an organisation that addresses bullying.

Michelle's customer service is outstanding. There was a little mix up with my order, I emailed them, response within less than an hour and resolution at no cost or hassle for me. Highly recommend!

I bought a few pieces and already wore these earrings out yesterday (sorry for not so great selfie on iPhone):

Will post my other pieces and how I plan to work them into my wardrobe soon.

Again -highly recommend... Go check them out: Benevolent Jewels

Maxi dresses

Have to admit that I love maxi dresses. Have bought a number over the years and can't get enough of them.
Like them in summer bc they often are light and airy but still cover you up and you can make them work for fall by combining them with leather or jean jacket and some cowboy boots.

Anthropologie has an additional 20% off their sale dresses and two maxis are really tempting me...

Sesvenna Maxi Dress

Boheme Maxi Dress

Will I cave?