American Apparel Grab Bag for Women July 2013

I recently bought a grab bag from American Apparel for $45.  It was guaranteed to have 10 items in it.  I added on a pair of cheap shorts to bring my total over $50 so I could get free shipping.  I ordered size medium, and except for 1 item and anything 'one size', everything fits ok.  I'm a 27 (size 4) in pants and usually a small in tops, but according to AA, I'd be a medium.  

All photos (except the last one) are from American Apparel, and where available, I took the sale price (even if some of the colors I received are not listed in the sale section)

Baby Rib Long Dress in Asphalt
Couldn't find on sale, $46 regular price

Blossom Hair Clip in Black
$6 on sale (no black shown)

Leather Bow [Hair] Clip, Yellow
Sale $7 (no yellow shown)

Nylon-Spandex Micromesh Leggings in Fluorescent Pink
On Sale $2

Rhymer Print Nylon-Tricot Side-Tie Bikini Bottoms (Just the bottoms lol) in Rhymer Blue
On sale, $8.

Rib U-Neck in Olive
On sale, $3.

Sheer Jersey Two-Sided Top, in Black
$2 on sale, black not shown

Sheer Jersey Long Sleeve in Light Blue
I received 2 of these.  Identical colors and everything.  $4 on sale.

Striped Double-U Neck Tank, Black and Natural Narrow
Striped not on sale, solids sale $14

I couldn't find the last item on the AA website.  It is a leather belt with rainbow stitching and even though it is listed as a size ML, I estimate it is size ML for toddlers.  Seriously, I can barely fit it around my thigh with it set as big as it can go!

The belt and the two hair clips.
I really like the belt, I wish it fit!

Overall value: $96 plus belt.  I didn't even bother estimating that since I couldn't find it and it doesn't fit.

It's an ok value, but most of that came from the maxi dress.  I'd say I got my money's worth, but I probably won't order this again.  It was tempting, and I'm glad I saw what was in it, and it's nice to have some more basics, but that's it.  One-time only.  I'll stick to grab bags like Golden Tote; I like the items much more than these.

My Quest for the Perfect Coral Nail Polish

Spring, summer, fall... even winter... there is not inappropriate time to wear coral nail polish. I've become obsessed with finding the perfect shade. It needs to be bright, not dull, and shiny, but without shimmer. It has to apply easily without streaks and not take forever to dry. Not too pink and not too orange, and not too expensive. This polish has become my white whale. I couldn't rest until I found it. Every time CVS or Rite Aid got a new seasonal polish display I pounced... and usually ended up disappointed. However, I have amassed a collection of every variation on the coral theme, and will now review them in all of their sunset-y glory. I did the hard work, so you don't have to. Sorry for the random polish splotches. 

 My 10 candidates: 

My first 5 Candidates- the darker ones

American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Sunset Blvd. $6 

This is orange.  2 Coats.

Sally Hansen HD Hi-Definition Nail Color in Three D (discontinued color) $8.95 on Amazon

Orange with a flash of pink.  3 coats.

American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Pink Ladies $6

Non-neon bright pink

Wet n Wild Megalast Nail Color in Tropicalia $1.99 (I have an older bottle, not the new re-styled one)

This is pink and streaky and has a terrible brush. 3 coats isn't quite enough here.

Sinful Colors Professional in Boogie Nights $1.99

Orangey jelly.  3 coats.

The second half- the lighter shades

Color Club Professional Nail Lacquer in Reign in Spain $2 (as part of the $8 Wanderlust collection) The winner! Right in the middle of pink and orange, nice and bright; perfect for summer! 2 coats and my love forever.

Yes! This is the best! 2 coats.

eChina Glaze Nail Lacquer in Flip Flop Fantasy $5.99 (new version) I wish my camera could catch how bright this is.

Neon, semi-matte, very bright and a little too pink.  3 coats.

Revlon Scented Nail Enamel in Strawberry Cream $4.99.  The print doesn't stay on this bottle! Smells great for the first day. Super pretty, a hair darker than Alicia, but STREAKY and with a very thin brush.

This is my bargain pick, but it comes with poorer quality than the others. 3 coats.

Julep Nail Vernis in Alicia $14 or $11.20 for mavens They call this a salmon creme. If it wasn't so expensive I would have backups!

Not quite bright enough for summer; Winter pick.  3 coats.

NYC in a Minute Quick Dry Polish in Peach Sparkle (discontinued color) $1.99

Definitely a peach, and sparkly, but a little too light. 3 coats.

All 10 polishes

The lighter 5

The darker 5 compared to Reign in Spain

Almost ombre nails?