Boot Crazy!: AMI Clubwear, Target & Ross

Let me take a break from makeup and spend some money on boots! I went boot crazy and I still want some more. LoL =) Enjoy all the eye candy.

AMI CLUBWEAR

I first heard of AmiClubwear (A-M-I) from reading Pursebuzz's blog, and if you haven't been on YouTube lately, everyone is raving about their shoes. I've been eyeing their boots for a while and decided to order shoes online for the first time, but I was wary because I didn't know how they'd fit. Well, if you want a straight up answer to: Do their shoes fit true to size? The answer is: YES (but read my Gray Boots review). I'm 5' 4" and I wear a size 8. All the shoes I bought were also size 8.

At the end of this section, I'll also list a price breakdown of my AmiClubwear order and the code I used to get 30% off. Yay!

Also, if you were wondering, they ship from the City of Industry (Los Angeles) and I received my package in two days. Be sure to click the green links for more info.

CHARCOAL SUEDE RUCHED ROUND TOE LOW HEEL FLAT BOOTS
(as described on their website)
(yang-01charcoalsu)

• PRICE: $12.99
• BRAND: AMI Clubwear
• MATERIAL: Smooth micro suede (as described on their website); I'd describe it as faux suede. The inside material is a soft foam and the bottom sole is a textured somewhat rubbery material. The outside is very soft.
  
• TOE SHAPE: Very blunt, round toe and not like a typical round toe (like the other two boots)
• HEEL: Flat
• TYPE: Pull-on; there's no zipper so it's hard to adjust your skinny jeans inside them. (Folding up the bottom of my jeans before putting on boots helps a bit.)
• COLORS: Also available in camel, black, brown and fuchsia
• FIT: Like most people's feet, one foot is slightly bigger than the other so I fit all my shoes to my right foot, since it's a tad bigger. I noticed my left foot fits perfectly but my right big toe hurts just a little because it fits very snugly. I tried it with socks and my left foot still fits perfectly but my right big toe hurts a bit. I'm thinking if I break these in they'll be ok, but I don't know if a half-size bigger would be too big. I can still wear them, though. You may want to consider going a half size up if you order these particular boots. I blame the very blunt, round toe shape for this problem because the other two boots fit absolutely perfect.
• QUALITY: These feel the cheapest of the three. The hard part that hugs the back of your heel feels like cardboard and the shaft is just the foam and faux suede sewn together, but it's very "cushiony." If I try to pull these on too roughly, it feels like something might rip. BUT, for the price, I still like them. Don't expect these to be the best quality - their quite "cheapy." But they're still cute.
  

TAN SOFT FAUX LEATHER KNEE HEIGHT FLAT BOOT
(tory-3tan)

• PRICE: $16.99
• BRAND: ALBA
• MATERIAL: Faux leather but the really squeaky kind. They're a little noisy when walking and if you rub them together, they sound like sneakers on a gym court. It has the same type of soft foam lining as the gray boots but not as cushioned. There's also a cute satin ribbon detail on the top of the shafts that run through four eyelets. It would be great to wear in wet weather.
• TOE SHAPE: Round toe
• HEEL: Flat; rubber non-slip sole
  
• TYPE: Pull-on; there's no zipper so it's a little hard to adjust your skinny jeans in them.
• COLORS: Also available in dark brown and black
• FIT: Fits comfortably, even with socks. The pointier toe - although still round - doesn't hurt my right toe like the gray boots. True to size.
• QUALITY: Better quality than the gray boots but if you hate squeaky faux leather, then you may want to pass on these. But I like them. EDIT: Actually, I really love them now. =)
  

BROWN SUEDE CUFFED BOOT

(as described on their website)
(cher-80brown)

• PRICE: $25.99
• BRAND: Breckelle's
• MATERIAL: Microfiber upper; I guess it's faux suede but it's not described as such in the description. It has a cushioned, soft, fabric lining.
• TOE SHAPE: Round toe
• HEEL: About a 3 1/4" stacked heel; slants toward the front of the foot so it may feel a little different from other boots with heels towards the back of the heel.
• TYPE: Has a side zipper that zips all the way to the top - easier to put on.
• COLORS: Note- This pair is dark chocolate brown, not black or light brown so don't let the flash pics fool you. Also available in gray (I want those!), tan, black, taupe, purple and light brown
• FIT: Fits perfectly, even with socks. True to size
• QUALITY: Good quality and the best quality of the three I bought. I'd recommend these and I like the split collar cuff on the outer side of the boot. What I don't like is the bottom sole because it's a little slippery on linoleum, tile and marble. Go outside and scuff the soles up when you first use them. Final words: Love 'em!

FINAL THOUGHTS ON AMI CLUBWEAR BOOTS

I'm HAPPY! I got three pairs of boots for a total of $42.80, which averages out to $14.27 for each pair. Good deal, right?

If you spend $50 or more you get free shipping and I suggest you spend at least $50 because shipping was around $15 before I used the code: AMISHIPPED. Then I used a 30% off code: AMIUSWEEKLY30 (check Retailmenot.com) for extra savings.

I would definitely order from them again, plus, they have NYX makeup so you can add that to your cart if you need a few dollars more to get free shipping.

ROSS

I was searching around two weekends ago for these exact style boots - scrunchy, split collar cuff, round toe, high heels, black, faux leather and under $25. I found these Nicole boots at Ross for $22.99. Yay for Ross! I freaking love these and they're my favorite of the bunch. The pleather material isn't squeaky like the tan boots, but I still love those, too.

TARGET

These Mossimo Kaylen gray peep toe booties are from Target and are really comfortable. It has a 4" heel (wrongly described on the website), a side knot, a side zipper and it's made from faux suede. It's a little pricey for Target shoes at $29.99 but they're really cute and the sole is so flexible.

Target also has these sexy Velicka peep toe pumps (pictured below in the Wishlist) that I want to get, also. Ah, so many shoes!

OTHER STUFF

Skinny jeans are not Badonkadonk-friendly but you gotta rock 'em with boots!

I went to Burlington Coat Factory - which is just like TJ Maxx, Ross or Marshall's, but bigger and often better - and I got this tunic length plaid top with a belt.

At Kohl's, I got a pair of skinny jeans at the lowest price of the season - only $13.99. I always passed up Kohl's So brand when it came to jeans, but they're actually pretty good; they're not thin at all.

FOREVER 21 ACCESSORIES

I can't find this bracelet on the website but they have a lot of other items. Oh, and this is the same bracelet but different sides. It has turquoise, red, orange, green, brown and white in it.

Shimmer Flower Ring
The green one is pretty, too, but I wish it was silver-toned rather than gold.

EDIT: I forgot about my really cheap leaf necklace. I think it was only $2.80.

WISHLIST

Make sure you protect your new shoes with a fabric protecting spray, especially for shoes with faux suede. I like to use Kiwi Nano Super Protector spray and it's about $6 at Walmart or Target. Test a small area first to make sure that it doesn't change the color of the material, but I've never had a problem with it. I even use it on all my handbags.

Thanks for reading! =) I had to bust out in some Yoga poses, trying to not take these boot pictures through a mirror. LoL.

Copyright © 2009, Lady Lostris

I Found a New HG Mascara! REVIEW: Maybelline Volum' Express Turbo Boost Waterproof

A REPLACEMENT

I've been looking for a replacement for my beloved Max Factor 2000 Calorie Waterproof mascara, since they don't ever have BOGOs anymore, and Max Factor products will no longer be sold in the US early next year. Boo! I'm guessing Carmen Electra wasn't such a great help for their products?

Although 2000 Calorie Aqua Lash defines, lengthens and volumizes my lashes in one coat, the one con about that mascara is that it flakes, like many waterproof mascaras. But I found something better that knocks down 2000 Calorie a notch or two...

MAYBELLINE VOLUM' EXPRESS TURBO BOOST WATERPROOF MASCARA

• PRODUCT NAME: Pay special attention to the exact name of the product since there are 4 other Volum' Express Mascaras. Volum' Express Turbo Boost Waterproof is packaged in a black tube with a gray cap and is only available in Very Black.
  
• PRICE: ~$7 - $8
• AMOUNT: 10 ml (0.34 fl. oz.)
• WHERE: Found just about anywhere
• BRUSH/WAND TYPE: Normal type of brush; not rubber or plastic
• BRUSH/WAND SHAPE: Fairly skinny with a slight taper at the tip. When viewed on end, the brush is shaped like a rounded-off triangle.
• TEXTURE: Smooth, creamy gel-like texture that's not as wet as Clinique High Impact and not thick, dry or gloppy.
  
• PRODUCT CLAIMS: Will give you "5X volume and builds instantly." "Speed Expand waterproof formula and Turbo Brush take volume up to 5x in one clean stroke." (NOTE: The washable Turbo Boost claims to volumize 7x.)
  

INGREDIENTS

THE RESULTS

One coat = one dip, several strokes (enough to coat all lashes). Can you see the obvious difference?

Again, with one coat. It looks a little blah here in this picture but the other pics do it justice.

Top view

One coat

THE PROS & CONS

PROS

• VERY MINIMAL FLAKING - This is the only waterproof mascara I've tried with practically no flaking. I'll get about 3 - 5 itty bitty dots upon application, but they're hardly noticeable and flick off easily with my fingernail or a small fan brush. That's a wonderful thing for a waterproof mascara. (Maybelline Full 'N Soft Waterproof flakes like crazy - all over my nose and cheeks when I apply it, after I finish my makeup, before I leave the house, and while I'm out. I'll never buy that again!)
• DEFINES, LENGTHENS AND VOLUMIZES IN ONE COAT - One coat to me is one dip of the brush with several brushstrokes.
• WATERPROOF- You'll never know when you might bust out crying so I always use waterproof mascara. This holds up all day without smudging or flaking, too.
• AFFORDABLE- This is around $8 or less but even cheaper when there's a BOGO special. Drugstore mascara is so much more affordable than higher end brands.
• SKINNY BRUSH - This allows me to get close to the base of my lashes without poking my eye out, like with fuller brushes. I hardly get mascara on my eyelids, either.
  
• NO FOUL ODOR - Has a very nice, decent smell and it's not stanky like Maybelline Lash Stiletto
• BUILDABLE - One coat gives you nicely defined natural-looking lashes, but you can apply two coats for a more dramatic look. (See pics below)
• EASY TO FIND - You can find this at all drugstores, Target and Walmart
• DOESN'T CLUMP - Hardly ever applies a glob of product but if it does, just keep stroking the brush up and it will brush right off
• HOLDS CURL - Doesn't weigh down my lashes and doesn't curl down my lash tips like Maybelline Define-A-Lash Volume (hate that one!)
  
• SOFT LASHES - Doesn't make my lashes feel stiff or too brittle
  

CONS

• CAP DOESN'T CLICK SHUT - On some mascaras, the cap will click into place when you've turned it to the right place. This mascara doesn't, and I feel like I have to really tighten it or else it might not be properly shut.
• LASH COMB - If you apply two or more coats, you'll probably need a lash comb to separate your lashes.
• ONE COLOR - This only comes in Very Black.
  
• NOT ENOUGH RECOGNITION - This wonderful mascara doesn't get props! I've never even heard of it, either, until I bought it on a whim.
• YMMV - Your Mileage May Vary because mascara is that one makeup item that gives different results for everyone. So I can't promise that you'll get the same results that I did.
  

DRAMA

Two coats applied for a more dramatic look.

My lashes look much thicker and darker with two coats than one. Compare this with the previous pics. I'm happy with just one coat, though.

NOTE: I had no eye makeup on before or after applying the mascara except for a light shimmery eyeshadow on the lids, inner corners and lower lashlines. No eyeliner, either.

A shout out goes to my $1 elf Eyelash Curler. I love this thing!

FINAL THOUGHTS

I LOVE Maybelline Volum' Express Turbo Boost Waterproof Mascara! The name is too dang long, though, and I don't see the wittiness in the name. Why not just call it Volume instead of Volum'?

Anyway, if you're looking for a waterproof drugstore mascara, with a skinny, non-rubber brush that doesn't flake and gives you length and volume, then you may want to check this out. Just remember, I can't promise you anything since everyone will get different results.

********************

If you have this or if you try this, let me know how it worked out for you. What's your favorite mascara?

My Favorite Mascaras Ranked in Order:

1. Maybelline Volum' Express Turbo Boost Waterproof
2. Clinique High Impact
3. Max Factor 2000 Calorie Aqua Lash
4. Maybelline Intense XXL Volume + Length Waterproof Microfiber

(Hope you ignored my bloodshot eyes.)
Copyright © 2009 Lady Lostris