beauty girl musings

organic beauty: Cecilia Wong Skincare

2012-01-29T16:31:00.000-08:00

i was fortunate enough to receive samples of Cecilia Wong's amazing anti-aging, organic line of products and, well...i'm loving them!

products i used include, but are not limited to, Awakening Gel Cleanser, Rejuvenating Toner mist, and moisturizer {for oily/overactive skin}.

free of all the yucky parabens, sulfates or artificial colors and fragrances, the cleanser has a name that is perfect fit for its name, awakening. the formula is refreshing, smells bright with citrus, and leaves my skin so clean, without over-drying it...

the rejuvenating toner keeps hydration levels up in my skin with luxe ingredients like chamomile water, rosemary and lavender {ahhh...},

and topped with the moisturizer, my skin was always left looking fabulously radiant.

visit the Cecilia Wong website to learn more about this beautiful line, its creator, and if you're in the nyc area, you can treat your skin to a facial at her park avenue spa!

products samples provided by the brand's pr for review consideration; pic taken by me :)

eye creams for every budget...

2012-01-22T10:35:00.000-08:00

for any beauty maven, eye creams are essential. for the prevention and/or treatment of dark circles, discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, it's safe to say that these concentrated creams {and gels} play a major part in the skincare routine.

when it comes to which are best for you, more often than not, it's not just a matter of which product is best and actually will work, but also what is most affordable for your budget.

thankfully, there are many fabulous options on the market that are effective and won't send you into debt. i've used the following eye creams {on their own, separately, over the last several months} and they are all effective and have varying price points...

Caudalie Premier Cru the eye cream is the priciest {just under the hundred dollar mark}, but lives up to its promise of delivering a healthy, youthful look to the eye area. tetrapeptides and grape seed polyphenols {antioxidants!} are to thank for the results this rich, iridescent cream gives. highly concentrated, this gem gave my skin a more hydrated feel as well as a supple and radiant look.

Philosophy Eye Hope is in the mid-price range and my favorite for reducing puffiness and keeping fine lines at bay. this popular eye cream is heavy with antioxidants and hydrating ingredients, but is completely lightweight and fast-absorbing.

the Yes To brand offers eye products that are affordable and can be found in your local mass retailer {CVS, Target}. Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel {not pictured} does exactly that, thanks to ingredients like chamomile and cucumber, while Yes To Blueberries Eye Firming Treatment gives eyes a radiance boost and aids in keeping the delicate area of the eye firm. both are rich in antioxidants and didn't irritate my eyes at all.

tell me: do you spend more on your eye cream because it's what works best for you and is worth the splurge, or do you only use what you can afford??

caudalie and yes to brands sent to me for review consideration; pic taken by me :)

Tangerine Tango: Pantone 2012 color of the year

2012-01-17T13:42:00.000-08:00

"sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

did you hear? tangerine is the it color of 2012. a fabulous hue that marries the radiant and vivacious heat of red, but with a warm, friendly-vibe, thanks to a touch of yellow.

orange shades have always been colors i like to look at, but honestly rarely wore. as 2011 progressed, though, i began to take more risks, like wearing red nail polish and ballet flats, as well as purchased my need-a-new-color-bag-i-don't-own-for-fall handbag...

clearly i made a fabulous choice. this deep-hued orange tote not only is one of my faves {i love this bag}, but the pop of color it adds to every ensemble is perfect!

some may see orange or tangerine as a risky color, but more than that, it's a cheerful one without going into kiddie territory. and yes, much to my pink-is-and-will-always-be-my-favorite-color self, i enjoy how looking at it lifts my mood. take, for example, Butter London's fab Jaffa, on my nails {above} ~ love it! ~ it looks good on both hands and feet and is the perfect way to introduce this "it" shade into your lifestyle.

tell me, what do you think of tangerine tango as the color for 2012??

Too Faced spring 2012 + Mystery Out of Makeup series

2012-01-12T19:08:00.000-08:00

bonjour, beauties! the weather remains on the cold-because-it's-still-winter side and i'm still relishing each opportunity to wear layers, but as you already know, beauty brands, including one of my faves, Too Faced cosmetics, are always one season ahead. in this case it means the spring 2012 collection has arrived!

along with a gorgeous selection of palettes and sets, Too Faced has also produced a video series, Mystery out of Makeup, that you can enjoy via youtube.

watch an episode here...

be sure to check out their channel for more fabulous ideas, tips and tricks and visit toofaced.com for more info regarding the new, gorgeous spring 2012 collection!

hello 2012...

2012-01-07T15:53:00.000-08:00

we've made it through the first week of 2012, beauties! a fresh new year. the holiday season is behind us and it's the desire of many to start fresh, get organized, set new goals and dream big dreams. it's the time of year we dive in head first, with a "go get it" attitude.

as for me, i'm keeping my resolutions from 2011. in a nutshell, i'm living a healthy, balanced lifestyle, full of fabulous food {maintaining my 25lb+ weight loss from 2010}, recipes and daily workouts...

with regard to style, i'm still all about investing only in fabulous things to wear; things that i absolutely love and know will last. sure, some trend items will be purchased from time to time, but i'm focused on building a wardrobe so i never have to find myself standing in a full closet with nothing to wear...

...keeping my closet full of {but not overflowing with} clothing, accessories and shoes i love and want to wear is key...

...my personal style includes pieces that are elegant, casual and glam, of course. ;)

for me, beauty in 2012 will be all about...

...experimenting more with my hairstyles, hair accessories and wearing hats. effortless styles, like this fabulous ballerina-esque bun, remind me to wear my hair up more often {and i love this cute hair bow, too ~ so fun!}...

...and i can't leave out taking risks with my makeup! sure a fabulous smoky eye will always have my heart, but it won't hurt to rock a cat eye every now an then...

in the self-care department...

...getting more sleep will be a priority {i've been using a sleep mask to help make it more glamorous}...

...as is a recommitment to my morning pages practice; doing more yoga {can't wait to participate in yoga journal's 21-day challenge!}, handwriting more letters, sending more snail mail, and to challenge my 103-books-read-in-2011 record, i am aiming to read 115 books...

no matter what your personal goals or resolutions are for 2012, these tips will help you stay on track:

start small. be specific. ask for help. anticipate setbacks. have patience.

tell me: what are your goals/resolutions??

hope it's a happy, healthy, fabulous 2012 for you!!

source; sleep mask and notebook images taken by me :)

birthday wishes...

2011-12-31T14:54:00.000-08:00

happy last day of the year, beauties! hope the year has treated you well.

i can honestly say 2011 has taught me a lot! i definitely have had many memorable things happen {some good, some not so good}. as the year comes to close, i'm taking the time to reflect on it and look forward with excitement at the thought of what 2012 will bring.

among other things, the reflecting includes two days that happened just this week: the blogiversary of bgm and my birthday. my little blog is 4 years old as of the 28th ~ i can't believe it! where did the time go? i can't thank you enough for all the positive feedback and just for reading this!

and speaking of time, i turned 32 yesterday...hello, what?!! i had a fabulous day, full of fun moments and a surprise.

some of the highlights...

after my early morning yoga practice, my daughter surprised me with a huge card that she took the time to make especially for the occasion {isn't she sweet? love it!}. when she asked me how i liked my other gift, i was a bit confused, until she pointed it out to me...

a Keurig! wow was i in shock! and no, i hadn't noticed it because i hadn't even been in the kitchen to see it at that point of the day {about 6:30 am}. it was on my counter, just as you see it in the pic, set up by my love the night before. i've wanted one for a long time now, but wasn't expecting to get one anytime soon. my guy is the best...

breakfast followed after a 30 minute walk/run/skip outing with the dog and kids {fun cardio!}; i washed my hair, dolled myself up, and the kids and i headed to the mall, of course. ;)

MAC was the first stop since i did have some items for Back to MAC, wanted to have my makeup done and play with the new goodies...

Fast Play, a pretty neutral pink/mauve/brown, was my lippie of choice...

a few store visits later {Sephora, Macy's, H&M, a watch store to have some links taken out of a new watch i received for christmas, Teavana}, we headed home and had a picnic in our backyard...

we watched Ratatouille {Remy is the only rat i love, LOL}, sipped coffee {me} and cocoa {the kids}, lounged around, caught up on some reading and had a quiet dinner.

we then headed to my mom's house. since my son gifted me with a huge box of chocolates for christmas, i thought in lieu of a cake, it would be the perfect day to open and share it. the kids, my mom, brother and cousin {who was in town visiting before heading off to the Army next month} were all quite happy with this...

my daughter snapped this pic of my ensemble...

in addition to an adorable pink raincoat {i forgot to take a pic, but i'll write a blog post if you want to see it. just let me know...}, my mom gave me a gift card to Macy's {yay!}. :)

sprinkled with many birthday wishes via facebook and twitter, the first day of my 32nd year was splendid. true, my love had to work all day, but i was blessed. and even more so when our kids replied with "fun!" and "really good!" to his question of how their day had been. :)

here's to many more fun and really good days in 2012...

all pics my own :)

5 fabulous winter skin soothers...

2011-12-29T16:42:00.000-08:00

this time of year is my favorite when it comes to weather. in my neck of the southern california woods, the days are sunny, mild {low to mid 60s}, and sometimes warm {low 80s}, but complimented with a cool breeze {or high winds}. nights and early mornings are chilly {20s-30s} and i love it. it makes me so happy to layer up with scarves; i relish the opportunity to wear my coats and gloves, and i never complain over having a numb face after being out for an interval run or brisk walk with my dog in the early morning hours.

unfortunately, my favorite season of year is responsible for my dry skin, something i could complain about. thankfully, this beauty girl keeps an arsenal for parched skin, so i don't have to!

i love and often use olive and coconut oils , two of the best natural ways to bring soft, suppleness to any dry area of the body, but also turn to these fabulous goodies for dry skin relief...

for hands:

Atopalm Moisturizing Hand Treatment ~ suitable for sensitive skin, i was introduced to this product a couple of months ago; it's a fragrance-free formula and not only makes my rough hands feel instantly hydrated, but contains antioxidants to help keep hands looking young.

Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Hand Therapy ~ shea butter and restorative sea salts are key ingredients in this lovely gem of a moisturizer. i love the light fragrance, inspired by the sea air.

Ahava Mineral Hand Cream ~ this silky, lightweight skin savior gives my hands the moisture they need thanks to its richly soothing dead sea minerals.

for body:

Julep Body Creme ~ i've become quite smitten with this brand's line of nail polish and was thrilled when i discovered how fabulous their body cream is. scented in pomegranate, this formula {rich with shea butter, avocado and jojoba oils} is decadent and highly moisturizing, but not greasy in the slightest.

Upper Canada Soap Sweet Vanilla Fig Body Butter ~ talk about fabulous, this rich, hydrating blend of shea butter, cocoa, fig and vanilla fruit extracts leaves my skin feeling amazing and really locks in moisture. the natural ingredients make my eco/green girl side quite happy as well. :)

tell me: what products do you use to soothe your winter skin dryness??

currently loving...

2011-12-28T09:08:00.000-08:00

how is your post-holiday week going? it's been pretty low-key here. my kids are out for winter break {for another 2 weeks!}, so lots of time is being spent reading, playing games, watching movies and just trying to take advantage of the time together and take most of the day at a slower pace.

along with these simple, everyday pleasures, i'm loving...

being able to wear sparkle for an reason, layering for the cool, brisk days, and creating cheerful ensembles by pairing bright, bold hues...

the newest addition to my accessory collection: this fab Michael Kors watch my husband gifted me for christmas...

finally got a french press ~ a new way to brew my coffee...

yes, i know, it's only three days post-christmas, but seeing the fun valentine's day dishes in Target made me smile...pretty sure it's all the pink...and those mugs are just too adorable... ;)

by the way, the top pic is of my precious pup, Piper, on her second christmas morning with us since we adopted her back in 2010...isn't she the cutest?!

source; source;

Duri nail colors inspired by The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo

2011-12-27T11:42:00.000-08:00

attention all Lisbeth Salander fans! you'll be happy to know that in addition to finally seeing the film, you can also add a bit of disturbed grunge and give your nails some edge with a coat or two of darkly intriguing, misunderstood style thanks to Duri Cosmetics...

deep hues inspired by Lisbeth's troubled nature puts nails in character with fiery hot shades and shivering cool nordic winter whites to capture the complete picture...

colors include:

Fallen Angel {pictured; dark plum with a hint of red shimmer}
Black Diamond {pictured; black with shimmer}
Dragontini {pictured; dark purple}
Angels and Demons {pictured; dark grey with silver glitter}
Icicle {creamy white with crystal shimmer)
Frozen Fire {sheer pink with sparkling crushed ice}

Icicle or Frozen Fire can be layered over the deep, dark hues in the collections for even more fierce nail variations!

p.s., all Duri nail products are completely environmentally-friendly and free from dbp, toluene and formaldehyde. visit duri.com for more info!

products pictured sent to me by brand pr; pic taken my me :)

hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend...

2011-12-26T10:30:00.001-08:00

Total Beauty: how to disguise those tired eyes...

2011-12-26T10:16:00.000-08:00

between shopping, parties and late night get-togethers, the holiday season is definitely one that can wear us out. and where does it show up? in our eyes, of course.

at some point a girl needs help to soothe, not to mention hide, tired peepers. i personally find eye drops to be a must-have, as redness is definitely a contributor to a tired look. i love this article {courtesy of TotalBeauty.com} that highlights some fabulous makeup tips on how to make your eyes look more rested than they may actually be...

4 Easy Makeup Tricks to Camouflage Tired Eyes

See our tricks to get your eyes looking awake and well-rested -- even if you're not

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeup tips article

Does clocking in a full eight hours of sleep feel like a pipe dream these days? Whether you drank too much eggnog at last night's holiday party, or your baby refused to fall asleep, these easy makeup tricks will help cover up puffy, tired eyes. Coffee will do the rest.

See tricks

beyond-easy hairstyles to wear for the holidays and beyond...

2011-12-23T09:19:00.000-08:00

personally, i'm always wearing some sort of variation of a "hair down" style; sometimes i add a braid on the side or tiny twists at my temples, but i often have to talk myself into wearing my hair up, even if only half up {strange it may seem, yes, but we're all guilty of keeping to our safe, comfortable, i-feel-better-wearing-my-hair-like-this style...c'mon, admit it! *wink}.

typically, it's at certain times of year {holidays, awards season, summer} that i am most inspired to change it up. celeb hairstylist and Redken artist Nelson Vercher, who has worked with many stars including Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Olivia Palermo and Kelly Rowland, has shared 3 fabulous hairstyles that are not only great, chic options for this time of year, but also easy, perfect for incorporating them year-round...

1) off the face ponytail or high buns: don't let your hair come in the way of your new year's kiss. many celebs have been spotted with a pony tail for a natural, softer look. with a smoky eye shadow and great accessories this hair do would be great for all your holiday festivities.

2) a loose french fish tail or classic plait middle braid: this is an easy, sexy and fun look. don't let the wind stop you from getting creative. you can add some hair accessories to it!

3) half up, half down: this is great for the holidays because the front of the hair is back off the face and the back is left down; curls can be added for a glamorous look.

Nelson says: "i think it is always best to do something off the face...a lot of times up and off the collar because people wear lots of high collars, scarves and very layered clothes this time of year, particularly new years eve!"

so easy, right? plus, with some creativity, you'll be able create these styles and make them look completely fresh for any occasion.

last-minute holiday gift ideas...

2011-12-21T08:39:00.000-08:00

as you may know, i love gift sets. they can be given as a way to introduce your recipient to a line of products they might not be familiar with, or feature their fave products. they can also be divided up among several different people, making them more cost-effective {always a good thing for the wallet, right?}

the fabulous LORAC Bejeweled Gloss set is a fabulous gift idea for your gloss-loving pal. it would also be splendid to gift one lippie paired with something you know she'll also love {movie tickets, itunes card, that book she has been dying to read}, then wrap it up with gorgeous ribbon or box {be creative!} and watch her face light up with delight over the gift and your thoughtfulness...so fun!

Stila Holiday Dream in Full Color Palette offers endless awe-inspiring color combinations. with 29 shadows, 7 cheek colors, the best-selling Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Stingray, this palette perfect for the gal who has much to do and places to be seen. a step-by-step 16-page artistry lookbook is included to show you how to apply each eye shadow shade to create numerous looks for everything from a day of running errands or grabbing lunch with friends, to a night out on the town or special occasion soiree.

Fresh Brown Sugar Affair combines luxury and nourishing products to pamper for a gorgeous at-home spa experience. the original Brown Sugar Body Polish and Brown Sugar Body Cream are included and will guarantee an end result of radiant, soft, hydrated skin; to give lips a pampering experience anytime, you'll also find Sugar Passion Tinted Lip Treatment spf 15 {love!}, a universal, buildable-shade of red looks stunning on all lips.

for the nail polish fanatic, any of the shades from Dr's Remedy Jolly & Joy nail polish collection would be fabulous. this unique collection of shades includes Revive ruby red, Serene silver glitter, Resolution red glitter, Essential emerald and Passion purple; all are gorgeous, perfect for this season and seasons to come.

hair therapy: 3 products i love to keep hair gorgeous

2011-12-20T11:10:00.000-08:00

during this time of year, the cold, dry weather can really do a number on hair. like all of you, i have my go-to products that i rely to make it look its best, but like any beauty ~~junkie~~ lover, i'm always on the hunt for new products to give my tresses refreshment and keep it looking gorgeous. these have been living up to their promises...

Bumble and bumble Straight Blow Dry. i purchased this a couple of months ago and am so happy i did. described for use by those who have curly, thick, course, unmanageable hair, not only does this silky-textured balm act to cut down on dry time {how? i have no idea, but it works, so that's what really counts, right??}, but it protects hair from heat and fight against pesky fizz. the result is gorgeous hair you can brave the weather in.

as a fan of the John Frieda Frizz Ease range of products, i was beyond thrilled to be given the opportunity to try the new Full Repair line ~ have you tried it yet? ~ and am especially loving the Perfect Ends Deep Infusion. use this inca oil-infused serum on damp hair {a little goes a long way, and to be honest, i sometimes apply it to my dry hair before touch-ups with my flat iron} before styling; you'll be left with a healthy-looking, silky-soft finish that will have you hooked after using just once!

i first discovered One 'n Only over the summer during a trip to Sally Beauty supply. the packets of Argan Oil Moisture Repair Conditioner were on sale for less than a dollar, so i thought, why not give it try? needless to say, i was back in the store buying a full-size bottle the following week. the sulfate/phosphate/paraben-free formula is highly moisturizing, but doesn't weigh hair down {a complete must in my beauty book} and is also safe for color-treated hair.

do tell! what products, new or old-faves, keep your hair looking fab during this season?

John Frieda product sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

Expert Nail Tips from Katie Cazorla

2011-12-12T16:56:00.000-08:00

'tis the season for dry hands and nails? no, it doesn't have to be, beauties! take it from me ~ i have some tips to share from Katie Cazorla, owner of the fabulous nail salon and boutique, The Painted Nail and star of TV Guide network's reality show, Nail Files {i admit, my new guilty pleasure}.

along with these tips and tricks, i also asked Katie to share her favorite trends, personal nail-friendly products and the one *shade* she absolutely would wear forever...

enjoy!

first off, thank you for taking the time to give us the top nail tips of the season, Katie! will you share with my readers your advice for keeping hands looking fab through the harsh, cold winter season?
KC: "always have cuticle oil in your purse ~ applying it often will keep your cuticles from drying out, which can be painful, which is totally not fab! moisturize often, and never have chipped polish! i'd rather see bare nails than chipped polish!!"

i couldn't agree more ~ boo to chipped polish! in addition to cuticle oil and a good hand cream, what are your fave, must-have products?
KC: "The Painted Nail polish because i love to layer polishes for a custom nail look! sugar scrubs! they're so amazing {especially in colder weather} to slough off dead skin. plus, they smell delicious and feel great! finally, a top coat... you never know when you're going to need to freshen up your mani!"

what would you say is the must-wear nail trend of this current season?
KC: "DESIGNfx nail appliques by Dashing Diva, with a soak off gel top coat!"

what nail shades are hottest right now?
KC: "anything with GLITTER!"

i love it! adding sparkle makes any day better! now, will you share your personal mani/pedi routine with us?
KC: "i always exfoliate with the ME! Bath ice cream sandwich in the shower, then use The Painted Nail Vanilla Cranberry shimmer creme so my feet are soft and sparkly. i am very particular and i want my pedicure water HOT with a Me! Bath ice cream scoop soak: strawberry flavored."

how often do you change your polish?
KC: "i personally do it everyday or every other day. i am neurotic! but to keep my nails healthy, i use a clean layer of soak off gel so my natural nail isn't destroyed by acetone!

if you could only wear one shade for the rest of you life, what would it be?
KC: "it would be glitter, and YES that is a color in my book, because it makes me happy!"

thank you so much, Katie, for taking the time to share your fun nail tips, recs and personal routine!

if you're ever in the neighborhood, be sure to visit The Painted Nail and tune in to watch Nail Files on TV Guide network {check your local listings}!

holiday gift idea: Borghese Gardens Tuscan Candle Set

2011-12-09T15:04:00.000-08:00

if you're still considering gift ideas, candles always make a most lovely gift in my opinion. they create calm, serene feelings and really, who doesn't love a good candle? this Borghese Gardens Tuscan Candle Set includes three beautiful scented candles:

Lavender {so soothing, yet refreshing}...
Tuscan Herbs {earthy and rich}, and...
Clementine {vibrant and energizing}

all three candles are inspired by the lush italian countryside, perfect for anyone on your gift-giving list; they're handmade with only the purest plant aromas, essential oils and natural beeswax, which creates a warmer glow and a longer burn.

visit borghese.com for more info, and find them at your local bloomingdale's or lord & taylor department store! :)

product sent to me by brand pr

Julep Maven Giveaway Winner!

2011-12-09T13:48:00.001-08:00

happy friday, beauties!

as i type this i'm looking forward to a restful weekend, hanging out with my kiddos, visiting with friends, reading and changing my nail polish.

and speaking of nails...

the winner of the Julep Maven giveaway is...Lacey S.!

congrats, Lacey!!! an email has been sent to the company rep. they will contact you soon ~ be sure to check your email {and soon your mailbox!} for more details. enjoy! :)

thank you to all who entered ~ you're all fab! have a gorgeous weekend...

holiday gift idea: Harajuku Lovers Jingle G

2011-12-07T12:28:00.000-08:00

looking for the cutest gift or stocking stuffer? i'm in love with Jingle G, the latest, adorable fragrance from the Harajuku Lovers range.

all dressed up in a super cute and sparkly santa suit, Jingle G features a built-in hook, making her the perfect holiday ornament for years to come. the scent itself is oh-so fab ~ fruity notes like tangerine and white star, along with floral accents of jasmine, honeysuckle and gardenia, finished with the perfect touch of yummy vanilla and cedarwood, make this fragrance unique and fun. :)

visit your local Sephora or sephora.com for more info about this limited-edition gem!

product sent to me for review/feature consideration; pic taken by me :)

Julep Zoe and Samantha + a giveaway!!!

2011-12-02T08:20:00.000-08:00

as my love for nail polish grows {really...it's only slightly out of control! *wink}, i love discovering new brands. like lipstick, gloss and mascara, nail lacquer is something that we gals can purchase as a way to treat ourselves without breaking the bank.

one brand i was recently introduced to, and have had the pleasure of using, is Julep. you may have heard of them by now since they recently started a fun program for nail polish lovers {more on that in a minute} and are being featured quite frequently in print and online.

Zoe is a fierce shade of metallic bronzy tangerine, just fabulous for fall and a shade i wouldn't have picked to wear had it not been sent to me. however, after wearing it, i'm an official fan.

the hot pink, Samantha, is characteristically more *me*, but since i'm in full autumn/winter mode, i've actually only worn only once.

i'm beyond thrilled with Julep's 4-free formula {that means it's free of formaldehyde or formaldehyde resin, toluene and DBP}; it applies smoothly and lasts with little wear {this is with regard to my personal i-don't-wear-a polish-longer-than-3-days, but i do plenty of handwashing, housework and everyday stuff, like typing, with my hands}.

the range also includes items for keeping hands and feet gorgeous. products like Facial for Hands Glycolic scrub {pictured, above} -- an amazing, simple way to pamper hands at the end of the day! -- spf 30 hand cream and a fun at-home spa pedicure set, just to name a few, is a perfect indication that the brand puts thought into their products when it comes to hand and nail care, but still keeps it fun ~ also makes me wish i lived closer to one of their salons!

another thing i love is that they have come up with, and so excited to share with you, is their Maven program. it allows polish-aholics to receive a set {called a sneak peek box} of their products each month, based on a fun style quiz you take via their website; from there, a selection of products are chosen for you {not-yet-released shades and products, as well as cult faves, plus a surprise}; if for some reason you don't like what is selected for you before the box is sent, you can request what they call a "shelf pull", and they'll select new shades for you. in addition, you'll have access to purchase products from their full line of goodies at 20% off.

each sneak peek box is worth over $40, but membership is less than half and ships for free! you choose when you want to receive your box, or you can skip the month {p.s. ~ if you like the box, but need a fabulous gift, you can opt to have it sent to your gal-pal-- it will arrive wrapped and pretty at her door!}.

sounds fab, right? needless to say, i love the polishes and am in love with this program. since i already belong to a few shoe clubs, and now style and beauty clubs, i figured this was clearly the next club to join! :)

would you like to join? what if i told you could have a 3-month membership for FREE?

you can...because i'm giving one away to one of you, compliments of Julep!!

{the crowd goes wild!} yay!!

i haven't run a contest in over a year, beauties, so i'm truly excited about this for you!

**entry is super simple -- here's how:

*email me, bgmcontests@gmail.com, with Julep in the subject line
*include your full name and mailing address and tell me what your favorite nail color is!
*next friday, december 9, 2011, i'll announce the winner {chosen at random}. u.s. entries only, please.

in the meantime, feel free to take advantage of this offer: enter code beautygirlmusings at checkout and your first sneak peek box will cost only $5! :)

be sure to follow Julep on twitter {@julepnailparlor} for fab tips and nail advice, and learn more about the brand and full range of products by visiting julep.com

good luck!!

*read please: entering this contest means you are giving me permission to forward your name and email address to representatives of Julep for fulfillment and mailing of contest prize. failure to include information requested will disqualify your entry. one (1) winner, chosen at random, will receive the prize mentioned. duplicate entries will not improve your chances of winning. giveaway sponsored by Julep. some restrictions apply. open only to US residents only. entries will be accepted through 11:59 am PST on thursday, december 8. winner will be announced december 9, 2011. thank you. :)

mark holiday 2011 beauty collection

2011-12-01T10:06:00.000-08:00

hello beauties and happy december! as if you didn't already know, it's time to start shopping for holiday gifts! while most of my shopping is almost done {i have my fabulous, non-procrastinating hubby to thank for that}, i still have gorgeous finds to share.

these beautiful, wallet-friendly goodies from mark will definitely bring delight to your favorite beauty-loving recipient. the holiday collection is glitzy, glam and feature products that are perfect for gifting alone, stuffing stockings or for yourself, to take along while traveling.

take a look...

Showcase Color & Clutch To Go is not only a great grouping of shadows, all-over face powder, blushes and glosses, but the inserts can be removed, transforming it into a clutch.

Earn Your Metal Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner in Silverado or Liquid Gold {pictured} is oh-so-fab! the long-lasting wear formula is an easy way to dress up eyes, even for day!

Glitz & Gloss Mini Purse & Go features a shimmering change purse with attached key chain that connects to any one of four best-selling glow baby glow and glow baby glow luxe lip gloss shades (lotus luxe, girly girl, sweet talk and sun luxe).

Bling On The Brushes Mini Brush Kit is purse-friendly and perfect for the gal on the go...

On The Dot Neutral Eye Color Compact features gorgeous must-have shadows in metallic, shimmering neutrals and Main Squeeze Lip Gloss{Cherry Squeeze, Papaya Squeeze {pictured} and Honey Squeeze} will keep lips feeling nourished and looking gorgeously glossed.

Nailed It Trend Mini Lacquers set includes a shimmery berry, called Sure Fire, and Meltdown, a metallic taupe, that are perfect for giving your tips a bold mani for all your holiday events.

the collection also includes sensational smelling products: Instant Vacation Fragrance Trio Collection {Original, Costa Rica, Ibiza Sol}, Body Luxe Pear Blossom Get Misty Body Mist, Body Luxe Pear Blossom Three’s A Charm 3-in-1 Cleanser and Body Luxe Pear Blossom Whipped Up Body Butter

for more info, to see the rest of the collection {which includes handbags, accessories, fragrance, bath & body and more makeup!} or to order products, visit meetmark.com

products featured sent to me by PR of the brand; pics taken by me :)

nail color of the week: Nars Bad Influence

2011-11-28T19:01:00.000-08:00

this week's mani was actually from last week, but in the hustle of the holiday week, my kids off from school {not to mention i was under the weather...}, blah, blah, blah....i completely forgot to share! thankfully, i did take pics, so i'm doing it now {*smile}.

as you may have already guessed, i dressed my nails in Bad Influence by Nars, a shade that made its debut around this time last year. i bought it just recently via Sephora's f&f {20% off sale and this beauty was also half price {woo-hoo!}!.

Bad Influence is a gorgeous smoky brown taupe, deep enough to make an impact, but still neutral for days you want to play it safe. :)

just to jazz it up a bit, i gave my mani a little accent with Butter London Wallis.

oh, btw, this week i'm rockin' a fun shade called Zoe by Julep {stay tuned~ a post about the brand along with pics of 2 gorgeous shades is coming later this week}.

so tell me, what are you wearing on your tips this week??

currently loving...

2011-11-22T10:18:00.000-08:00

current things i'm loving...

crisp, clear, mornings; core fusion dvd workouts {they have changed my changed my body in such a fabulous way...i've all but the current release, and let me tell you, i love them all. the precise toning movements, stretching and gentle cardio are so effective, not to mention that no shoes are required!}; autumn leaves in my yard {yep, that top pic is mine}; the sound of my kids' laughter as they play; devouring books; sipping a freshly brewed cup of cafe bustelo coffee...

my adorable deep pink frame ~ j'adore the shiny lacquer finish ~ i found this beauty at TJ Maxx! for now i have an image of SJP, but will soon be replaced by a fab family pic soon...

mark Whipped Up body butter* in Lemon Sugar...need i say more? from the the fresh, light scent to the silky moisture it gives my skin, this is a keeper.

butter LONDON's British Racing Green nail lacquer is a shade i saw and really liked. i didn't anticipate that i would love it as much as i do. yes, my love affair with red polish continues {BL's Come to Bed Red is beyond gorgeous!}, but this perfect, deep hunter green is fabulous!

Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear foundation* {spf 10} has been altogether brilliant with its hydrating, oil-free, buildable-coverage formula. i love that it has a pump and a little goes a long way.

*sent to me by brand PR; pics taken by me :)

fun, fab nail look!

2011-11-17T09:44:00.000-08:00

happy thursday, beauties ~ don't you love this fabulous nail look?!

i certainly do! it seems to be quite simple to do and looks fab, so i thought you'd also enjoy...

products used {you can, of course, experiment with different shades}:

OPI ~ Suze Takes The Wheel, RapiDray TopCoat
Mattese Elite ~ Always On Top
Deborah Lippmann ~ Boom Boom Pow

here's how to do it...

*paint all the nails with two coats of OPI Suze Take The Wheel, except the rings fingers on each hand.

*paint the ring fingers with 2 coats of Mattese Elite Always On Top.

*apply Deborah Lippmann Boom Boom Pow to the top edge of the nails and then use the edge of the brush to lightly drag the polish down the nail bed, about 55% of the way down.

*wait a few minutes of that to dry, then apply more Boom Boom Pow to the top edge of the nails, without dragging down.

*apply OPI RapiDry TopCoat to the entire nail.

et voila! fun, fancy nails. can't wait to do this myself! :)

source: Annamarie Tendler

Total Beauty: Keep Hair Healthy & Color Vibrant

2011-11-16T08:01:00.000-08:00

while i've embraced the ombre trend by allowing my highlighted hair to grow out, i still can attest to the fact that keeping hair color looking fabulous and healthy is possible.

want to know some fab secrets for keeping your color-treated hair looking its best? check out this article from totalbeauty.com...

5 Expert Tips to Maintain Your Hair Color

You've finally got the color of your dreams -- and then you watch it fade before your very eyes. Find out how to maintain your hair's color now

This is a TotalBeauty.com hair color article

Here's a happy scenario: You found the ultimate colorist and couldn't be happier with the color Mother Nature forgot to give you. Here's the sad follow-up: After a week of rockin' your new color, you realize your hair isn't as lustrous and vibrant as it was when you left the salon. What do you do? Check out these tips on how to lock in your color for good.

Keep color

Laura Mercier Holiday 2011

2011-11-15T08:49:00.000-08:00

Laura Mercier's holiday 2011 collection is gorgeous!

really, could we expect anything less?

take a look at these fabulous gems, perfect to gift to any special makeup-loving gal on your holiday list....

Mini Lip Glace Set includes posh and portable shades in Rose {red pink}, Blush {medium rose brown}, After Hours {soft peachy-pink shimmer}, Sparkling {nude beige shimmer} and Quartz {rich sienna with a hint of red}...fabulous for any occasion.

The Luxe Colour Portfolio {first pic, at top} is packaged oh-so-beautifully in a faux snakeskin organizer and features a collection of 12 new, exclusive and top-selling eye color shades, plus 3 mini professional brushes. a great options for home or travel.

bath & body candles are available in Tarte au Citron, Creme Brulee and Warm Roasted Chestnut {pictured ~ smells beyond delicious!} and would make a splendid hostess gift!

other goodies in the collection include a Travel Brush Set {4 double-ended brushes + full size finishing brush}, Kohl Eye Pencil Set, bath & body duo sets {in Creme Brulee or Tarte au Citron scents} and trio sets {includes a Souffle Body Creme, exfoliating scrub and soothing honey bath in scents of Almond Coconut Milk, Creme Brulee, and Fresh Fig}; other palettes include a Book of Nudes {featuring 8 classically neutral eye shades, 1 universal-flattering black-brown Tightline Cake Eye Liner and 3 sun-kissed Creme Veil shades for face and cheeks}, Luxe Eye Portfolio {12 eye colors, plus 3 brushes}, and Petite Eye Colour Trio {available in Smoky Neutrals, Smoky Mauves or Smoky Taupes}.

Laura Mercier holiday 2011 is available now on counter at nordstrom, sephora and saks -- visit lauramercier.com for more info.

happy shopping!

pics taken by me :)

beauty must-have: Skindinavia Makeup Setting Sprays

2011-11-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

how do you keep your makeup in place? do you use a primer, a setting spray, both, neither??

for me, i'm all about the prep and the finish. being a busy mom and wife, i don't have time for numerous touch-ups throughout the day {yikes, did that sound super commercially? LOL!}

anyway...

Skindinavia produces a fabulous makeup setting spray that i used to use in the past {i was introduced to it via Beautyfix a couple of years ago}, so when the brand reached out to give me the opportunity to use it again, with the addition of a another finisher they've created for oily skin types, No More Shine Makeup Setting Spray, i was more than happy to give it go. i love the original and had high hopes for the new product -- i love multi-taskers!

No More Shine is amazing, beauties!

i've been spraying it on my skin just before applying my primer and foundation. then, after all my makeup is applied, before dressing my lashes with mascara, i spray my face once again, but with the Makeup Setting spray.

it's been remarkable, loves! my makeup doesn't budge and the oil stays under control.

another fun trick i discovered for making my eyeshadow last is to spritz the shadow brush with the setting spray, then swipe it over my shadow du jour before applying. not only do i get a more intense shade of color because the shadow has been applied wet, but it allows for more staying power!

obviously, these are two products i'm happy to have in my beauty arsenal. i mean, what gal doesn't want her makeup to last all day? :)

visit skindinavia.com for more info.

products featured sent to me for review consideration; pic taken by me :)

natural beauty: Korres Quercetin & Oak Antiaging Eye Primer

2011-11-02T08:03:00.000-07:00

i recently received a sample of the Korres Quercetin & Oak Antiaging Eye Primer courtesy of BeautyStat.com, and i after using it for about 2 weeks, beauties...

i.

just.

love.

love.

l-o-v-e it!

yes, i've used a few eye primers that i have had great experiences with {not to mention i still have yet to test out a few more before the year ends}, but as of this moment Quercetin & Oak Antiaging Eye Primer is my must have!

as i said, i received this a sample, but i just ordered myself the full-sized product.

yes. it works that well.

plus, i love that the formula is natural, free of the yucky chemicals, contains antioxidants {to keep eyes youthful, yay!} and does what it's supposed to do: keep my eye makeup looking fab and in place all day. and fyi, i've been sick for a bit, so i can report that it withstood many naps and eye drop-taking...

visit Korresusa.com for more info about Quercetin & Oak Antiaging Eye Primer. try it for yourself and tell me what you think!

nail color of the week: Sonia Kashuk Taunting Teal

2011-10-26T08:33:00.000-07:00

definitely a different flavor for me, but i am beyond gushing ~ j'adore this shade!

when i first spotted this beauty i thought, wow, gorgeous. my daughter was with me at the time said, "what, really, blue?"

please excuse her...she's 11

and besides, i own plenty of blues, thankyouverymuch...but with this one, it was love at first sight.

i didn't actually buy it that day, though.

then i kept thinking about it {does that ever happen to you?}, so i knew i really wanted and would wear it. also, it's affordable {$4.99}, so the next time i was at Target, i put it in my cart. :)

so, what do you think?

here's the rundown: the formula applies gorgeously and wears beautifully. since i don't wear my polishes longer than 3-4 days at most, i'm happy to say that there was very minimal wear, even after typing and lots of hand washing...fabulous job SK! i'll be wearing this one a lot this season...

you can find all Sonia Kashuk products at your local Target store.

all pics taken by me :)

support a good cause with Shiseido Shimmering Rouge...

2011-10-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

bonjour beauties! hope all is well in your neighborhood...

i've been under the weather for the past couple of weeks {and i'd say stuck out in the weather for all last week and weekend ~ it's not been fun, but i'm staying positive!}, so i'm a bit late in sharing this. i did, however, share this fabulous Shiseido lippie for breast cancer awareness via my tumblr and twitter accounts when i received it {weeks ago}, but with life, comes distractions and interruptions...

in any case, i'm here now to inform you that you should to not only visit your local Shiseido counter and take advantage of being able to donate $5 to a great cause {CEW's Cancer and Careers, an organization that helps women in the workforce coping with cancer}, but to treat yourself to a gorgeous Shimmering Rouge Lipstick in Iron Maiden {RS308}!

seriously, how divine is this color?!

not only a fab color, but it feels amazing on the lips ~ its silky, smooth texture pampers lips with moisture but still manages to wear well and lasted longer than i expected.

it's definitely a new fave...

visit shiseido.com for more details.

product sent for the purpose of review; all pics taken by me :)

wordless wednesday...

2011-10-19T08:56:00.000-07:00

green beauty: 100% Pure Color Cosmetics

2011-10-18T08:10:00.000-07:00

there's nothing i love better than knowing products i use are natural and good for my skin. while i realize that my ~~fondness~~ ~~obsession~~ love of beauty products means i won't always be using natural ingredients, i am always thrilled when i either find and purchase or am given the opportunity to try new green beauty goodies {in this case, the brand sent me products}.

the items i refer to are from 100% Pure, and let me say darlings, they are yummy, yummy.

i have reviewed the Tinted Moisturizer in the past, and this time i was able to try all the gorgeousness that came along with the luminous primer, fruit pigmented pot rouge {Rosy}, satin eye shadow {Halo} and flawless skin foundation {Toffee}.

by now, you've probably guessed that i am loving these products...

truly, it amazes me that these products are so incredibly pigmented and work as well, if not even better than a lot of chemical-filled products. i love that the primer left my skin feeling silky soft and the foundation is buildable, providing the coverage i wanted, where i wanted it. the shadow is as soft as satin, just at the name suggests and the pot rouge {isn't that such a fabulous, classic word? rouge...love it!} gave my cheeks the perfect flush of color right where i applied it.

another fabulous thing about 100% Pure products is that they're loaded with antioxidants and skin-loving ingredients {fruits, teas, vitamins} that help skin on a deeper level, hence the smile on my face! ;)

visit their website, 100percentpure.com, and discover for yourself these, and many other {like their body lotions!!} gems...

pics taken by me :)

receiving sparkle ...

2011-10-13T07:45:00.000-07:00

every girl loves a bit of sparkle in her life...

in my case it come by way of a fabulous arrangement, a swap to be exact, by the lovely Kaileen Elise, a fellow blogger and all-around extraordinary woman.

simply put, Kaileen wanted to celebrate her 2-year blogging anniversary in a way that would spread cheer, give other fellow bloggers the opportunity to connect, and share a little bit of, well, sparkle!

{via snail mail ~ which i thought was one of the best parts!}

i was assigned {for lack of a better term} to send a package of goodies to a young woman, Ashley, in virginia, and Danielle, the woman assigned to send me a package, i discovered later, lives in ohio. after we all received a little glimpse of our person {by way of questionaire}, we were to send along 4 things: a bit of sparkle, a treat that soothes, something sweet, and a surprise.

here's what Danielle sent!

everything came in a fabulous Breakfast at Tiffany's tin tote-- j'adore!

coffee and chocolates! yummy...

a Sephora gift card and travel-friendly mirror-- so fabulous!

also included was a gorgeous card from Danielle, with a lovely message, along with a note pad and sticky notes {a girl can never have too many!} ~ she definitely spoiled me! i'm forever thankful for her thoughtfulness and generosity ~ i love it all. :)

i had so much fun picking out goodies for my gal, Ashley, too. when she shares her post, i'll be sure to let you know so you can check it out {in the meantime, you can visit her here}!

and finally, i have to say a *big thank you to Kaileen, who single-handily connected so many fellow bloggers through this fun, sparkling adventure!

pics taken by me:)

hair therapy: WEN Fall Ginger Pumpkin Cleansing Conditioner

2011-10-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

just in time for the fall season, Chaz Dean introduces, for a limited time, his WEN cleansing conditioner in a fabulous, Ginger Pumpkin scent*.

and yes, it smells just as good as it sounds...

this being my first experience with WEN, i'm certainly thankful it was with this scent {looking forward to trying Pomegranate and Fig varieties}! i j'adore fall and all the gorgeous spices associated with it...

when it comes to hair products, i have tried many deep conditioners, often loving them when my hair was left feeling light and not weighed down. of course, i always used a shampoo beforehand. WEN not only left my hair feeling healthy, shiny and soft, but surprisingly full of body, bounce, and it was clean - without the use of any shampoo!

it's a bit of a different experience using WEN, but i have to say i enjoyed it. since it doesn't lather, you'll be happy to know it won't strip hair or scalp of moisture, and it keeps color-treated hair vibrant; after applying {directions call for a certain number of pumps depending on length and thickness of hair}, let it sit in for a few minutes. you can {as i did} wash and exfoliate you skin, shave, and when time is up, all that's left is to rinse it out.

WEN can also be used as a leave-in conditioner {who doesn't love a multi-tasker?}, so a few times i applied a small pump into my tresses before bed or right after styling {and if you didn't already know, i only wash my hair 1-2x a week since it is so thick}. me and my hair are in love...

have you tried WEN? if so let me know what you think. if not, i highly recommend treating yourself to a bottle! visit chazdean.com for more info and to order.

*product featured sent to me for the purpose of review; pics are my own

currently loving...

2011-10-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

happy friday, beauties! hope you had a fabulous week...

the first rain of the autumn season fell for about two days this past week, and to say i was thrilled is quite an understatemnet-- i love this time of year! i know that the weather will be going back and forth between warm and cool temps for several more weeks, but i'm still thankful. crisp, cold morning air has greeted me for morning outings with my pup, the leaves are changing colors, i wore coat and scarf {also purchased a new one!}, as well as set a fire in the fireplace. over the past couple of weeks, i've picked up, and been given, some new tea and coffee {discovering and collecting them is so fun-- drinking them is even better!}, finally put my oven back to use for baking...

there are so many things about fall to love, right? and among these seasonal joys, i'm also loving...

my new Midnight Soiree Ring from jewelmint.com -- fabulous, oui?

though i've been a member since the site's launch, i never bought anything. i considered making this ring my first purchase after seeing it on one of my favorite style mavens {and editorial director at Who What Wear}, Hillary Kerr; it was when i recieved an email from jewelmint for a too-good-to-pass-up offer for first-time purchases that sealed the deal...

i've been a fan of MAC's primer, Prep + Prime Skin for a long time {fyi, Victoria Beckham is also a fan!}, so when MAC introduced their Fortified Skin Enhancer, i was intrigued. i have been using it in Recharge {comes in other variations} and not only does this tinted primer give my skin a boost and help my foundation stay put, it also contains an spf of 35-- always a huge plus!

my domestic-diva self loves this gorgeous, good-for-the-planet, lavender floral & mint-scented dish soap by Seventh Generation for washing the things i can't put in the dishwasher...

my beauty-girl self loves that this concentrated formula works fabulously for washing my makeup brushes. ;)

what are you currently loving?

hope you all have a gorgeous weekend! be sure to follow me on twitter and visit my tumblr for more of my musings regarding all things beauty {of course}, style, decor, books, and daily happenings in my life.

image image

won't make brown eyes blue: L'Oreal Double Extend Eye Illuminator Eyeliner

2011-10-04T09:30:00.000-07:00

the beauty industry always has little gimmicks they like to throw out at us, the consumer, to pique our interest and hook us into their "newest" idea; in this case, i'm referring to the whole "only these colors enhance these eye colors" talk...

yada-yada...

it's all well and good, but let's face it-- it's not completely true. so much so, that i rebel when it comes to the only-stick-to-these-colors-if-your-eyes-are-this-color philosophy. yes, green and brown eyes look fabulous when wearing shades of amethyst and purples, while blue and grey eyes look remarkable when wearing shades of mauve and coppers, but skin tone and hair color also should play a role in choosing makeup colors.

but i digress...

so i bought L'Oreal's Double Extend Eye Illuminator Eyeliner color enhancing duo liner in Black Sapphire, intended for blue eyes.

and i love it.

though my skin tone is cappuccino and my eyes are definitely espresso {clearly, i have coffee on the brain}, this liner's shade is a fabulous compliment to them.

the lesson, in my opinion? have fun and experiment with your makeup; ignore what the brand says you should wear-- if you want to try the liner/shadow/palette for green eyes and yours are blue/brown/hazel, go for it. chances are, you'll find it stunning. if not, always know that you can wash it away if it doesn't work out. :)

pics taken my me :)

happy weekend...

2011-10-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

hope you had a fabulous week, beauties! it's the first day of a new month, can you believe it? since it's the weekend, things are a bit slower paced, but i still have some things planned...

i'll be giving my casual weekend ensemble a touch of edgy sparkle...

using an oldie, but a goodie {in new packaging}...

and as is typical for my weekends, do some yoga, spend time with my kids, sip loads of tea and read.

i might even try a new hairstyle...

how will you be spending your weekend?

today...9.28.11

2011-09-28T16:50:00.000-07:00

i'm thankful for today-- another beautiful day. no, not perfect in the least, but, along with the normal things {mommy/wife stuff} and fabulous beauty-related goodness {always}, i relished the time to savor the confetti that included coffee and tea sipping, books, magazines and music...

these days this is my favorite coffee to drink with my breakfast...

stopped by the market for some new-to-me bagged tea flavors...

initially went to barnes and noble for the october issue of Harper's Bazaar UK and Jones mags. only ended up with Jones, but i did find 2 books {plus 1} that i've wanted to read on the bargain shelf {hello, huge discount!}-- love that!

last month, i signed up for a tea exchange, so today paid a visit to my favorite local tea and coffee brewery; i know the owners and they are always extremely helpful when i visit {you can sip a sample of anything before you buy}. needless to say, they had some fabulous selections of new and rare loose leaf blends that i bought for both for myself and my recipient {i'll be sharing more about the exchange after i receive my package}...

the day was also complimented with good music. i've been on an indie and jazz kick for the last couple of days, so, via Pandora radio, my ears experienced selections from Kate Nash, Foster the People, The Head and the Heart, The Weepies, Deb Talan, Zee Avi, Adele, Landon Pigg and She & Him, just to name a few...

how was your day?

all pics, except the first, taken by me :)

nail color of the week: Wallis by butter London

2011-09-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

Wallis by butter London is a fierce shade of metallic-mustard-olive-green goodness...i wasn't sure if i'd like it, but had to give it a try...

i've been wearing this for about two days now, and have to say i do love that it's different; that and the fact that i decided to get it while taking advantage of the bogo free sale at ulta {it just happened last week-- did you get any polishes from the sale??}, makes it even better.

up until my purchase, i had little experience, ok, absolutely no experience with the brand. of course, i had heard such good things about it, and it didn't disappoint! the formula is easy to apply and this shade turned out fabulous in 2 coats. i suppose if i wanted to i could have done with just one, but i never do that anyway, so i won't start now.

so...what do you think of this shade?

pics taken by me :)

monday musings...

2011-09-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

the last week was pleasant, full of random goodness. while everyday life continued, i still managed to discover some new blogs, finish a few books, send a new friend a package filled with some fabulous goodies, shop for new nail polishes and was thrilled to test out some new hair and beauty products {all to be shared soon!}.

officially, summer is over, and i gladly welcome the fall season. cool, crisp air fills the mornings, leaves are changing color, and i'm looking forward to all the splendid and fun events that will occur in the coming months; these are only a few reasons why i love this time of year.

i've always been fond of layering, wearing hats and sipping hot coffee or tea next to a glowing fire {candles are always fabulous, too-- loving my new Autumn one from Bath & Body Works, pictured above}. i also love to begin reflecting on the past year while also hoping for the one forthcoming. it's strange how quickly each goes by the older i get, but i truly do try to enjoy each moment, finding and appreciating the smallest pleasures of each day-- i hope you do, too!

here's to a fabulous autumn season...

model, window and teacup images via tumblr.com

essie dresses nails on the 2011 Primetime Emmys red carpet...

2011-09-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

if you're like me, you find that award shows are one of the best places to get style inspiration. these days, it's not only for hair and makeup, but nails, too! since i have a special place in my heart for lacquers, i'm always overjoyed to discover what shades are featured in magazines {many mags are now listing what brand and shades the models wear in their fashion and beauty spreads}, on tv, and red carpet events.

at this past weekend's Primetime Emmy awards, some very fabulous essie nail polish shades were seen dressing the nails of tv's leading ladies...

Connie Britton {Friday Night Lights} wore Luxedo, a gorgeous dark mulberry, complementing her stunning scarlet gown.

Laura Linney {The Big C} was spotted wearing Hi Maintenance, a light-pink neutral hue on both hands and feet.

Mireille Enos {The Killing} chose to keep it neutral with Brooch the Subject from the winter 2011 collection.

Maria Bello {Prime Suspect} also went neutral on her fingers and toes with another light-pink classic, Limo-Scene

Total Beauty: Save Time on Your Beauty Routine

2011-09-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

who doesn't want to save time when it comes to beauty prep? or at least be prepared with knowing the best products to use when the time comes around for such a situation?

from stick-on nail polishes to multi-purpose products, take a look at this fabulous article from Total Beauty to discover what you can do to save precious minutes when it comes to your beauty routine...

9 Best Timesaving Beauty Products

These amazing, multi-tasking beauty products will save you from wasting precious minutes in the morning

This is a TotalBeauty.com beauty tips article

We know -- with everything you've got to do in the morning, you don't have time to futz with a complicated get-ready routine. That's why we talked to top makeup artists and got them to dish about the best multi-tasking products that are guaranteed to shorten your morning makeup routine. You know, so you can hit that luxurious snooze button just one more time.

See products

currently loving...

2011-09-20T08:28:00.000-07:00

it seems my days are going by so much faster these days. i wake up, and before i know it, the day is coming to an end and it's time to sleep! it's kind of nutty when i think about it, but i definitely many things to be thankful for-- my family, my friends, my health and the fact that you are here reading this! :)

sprinkled on top of my thankfulness are some delightful things i'm currently loving in this moment...

There's Cake in My Future by Kim Gruenenfelder....a fun chick-lit read {be warned, it is a bit rated-r, due to all the f-bombs dropped}, but the story is funny and engaging. i'm about 70% through it and can't wait to see how the story of three friends, their lives and hope for the future will end up!

fresh, roasted red peppers with my egg whites at breakfast {and sometimes lunch and dinner, too, lol!}...

this image of a small laundry room space is inspiring the redecoration of my own slightly larger laundry space...

NYX Natural Look Nude on Nude Kit is the perfect little gem for travel and everyday use. every shade is wearable, giving my eyes added day-friendly glam, but i also love that the neutral tones help to enhance the shade of a bright-colored eye liner!

philosophy Falling in Love...i picked this up on a Sephora run when they were out of favorite Unconditional Love {j'adore!}; i figured, "why not try it?"...and now, well... :)

Revlon beauty looks from new york fashion week

2011-09-18T10:05:00.000-07:00

fashion week for spring 2012 is still going strong in nyc {as i write this}, and global artistic director for Revlon, Gucci Westman, is creating some fabulous looks we can get excited about for the season!

take a look...

at rag & bone, the look was natural and sporty; think effortless, sun-kissed 1970's surfer.

"the look is about enhancing one's own natural beauty," says Westman. "i used a rich palette of terracotta, peach, and chocolate brown tones to create a naturally-freckled skin tone."

get the look:on the face: Powder Blush in Tawny Peach and Powder Bronzer; on lips: Super Lustrous Lipstick in Demure, Super Lustrous Lipstick in Silver City Pink and Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Peach Petal (with powder over); on eyes: new 16H Eye Shadow in Addictive, Luxurious Color Eyeliner in Sueded Brown, Grow Luscious Mascara in Black and Brow Fantasy in various shades {based on model}; on nails: Jin Soon Choi used Revlon Nail Enamel in Smoky Canvas and Hazy {based on model skin type}.

approachable glamour was the look at Luca Luca spring '12 where Westman paired an angelic eye with a strong lip.

"i chose shades and textures that would bring out the essence of the entire collection...sophistication of an italian vogue story i'd seen with girls that looked very luxurious, young and polished....slightly transparent yet glossy purple eye works beautifully with the lip."

get the look: on face: Illuminance Crème Shadow in Not Just Nudes, Age Defying Spa Face Illuminator in Pink Light; Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fuchsia Fusion and Berry Haute, Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Lilac Pastelle and Shine City; on eyes: Matte Eye Shadow in Rich Sable, new Diamond Lust Eye Shadow in Plum Galaxy, Luxurious Color Eye Liners in Black and Brown {based on model eye color}, Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara in Black; on lips: new Expressionists limited-edition Multi-Use Palette in Bordeaux in the Snow.

at Oscar De La Renta {swoon! the collection was amazing!!!}, the makeup was natural and feminine with an emphasis on the brows and a nude lip.

"i was inspired by the pre-raphaelite painters...i used rich a palette of creamy, peach and nude tones to create a fresh dewy skin tone."

get the look: on face: Illuminance Crème Shadow in Not Just Nudes and Age Defying Spa Face Illuminator in Pink Light; on eyes: Matte Eye Shadow in Rich Sable, new 16H Eye Shadow in Moonlit {available jan. '12}, Grow Luscious Lash Liner in Espresso, Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara and Brow Fantasy in Dark Blonde and Brunette; on lips: ColorStay Lip Liner in Natural, ColorBurst Lipstick in Fashion's Night Pout, and new Limited-Edition Lip Gloss Palette in Bordeaux in the Snow

at J. Mendel the look was futuristic, complete with shimmering, metallic skin and eyes.

"i wanted to create a simplistic look" says Westman. "i used very little color on the cheeks and played up the eyes with hues of brown and added a hint of gold in the crease to create a glowing affect.”

get the look: on face: new Expressionists Limited-Edition Lip Gloss Palette in Bordeaux in the Snow; on eyes: new ColorStay 16H Eye Shadow in Bombshell and Adventurous {available jan '12} and Illuminance Crème Shadow in Black Magic and Not Just Nudes: on lips: ColorBurst Lipstick in Fashion's Night Pout mixed with Revlon Foundation to mute the color {available for a limited-time on lookgoodfeelbetter.org/revlon}: on nails: Nail Enamel in Smoky Canvas and Gray Suede

so many looks from such a fab brand, don't you think?

visit your local drugstore or mass retailer for products and be sure to visit revlon.com for more info

images: teen vogue, birchbox, racked, paul wilmot communications, vogue.com

random pics from my tumblr...

2011-09-17T20:19:00.000-07:00

this glittery eye is so fun!

amazing manicure...

love the mixing of prints, and a blazer is always a must for fall...

backstage at Monique Lhuillier spring 2012

i love the wallpaper in this room, not to mention the color scheme, the lamp on the nightstand...ok, the whole room!

the inspiration board from the office of WhoWhatWear.com's creative director Katherine Power; includes a shot from Jenni Kayne's Resort '12 collection, her favorite Chloe advertisement, a few street-style shots, and her blue Reed Krakoff mini shoulder bag.

a shot taken of Rachel Zoe's spring 2012 collection...bananas...

here's to a fab rest of the weekend...and to an even more gorgeous week!

images via my tumblr and not owned by me...

Total Beauty: 8 Must-Have Makeup Trends for Fall

2011-09-15T17:32:00.000-07:00

the spring runway trends are still fresh in my head at the moment, so it's fitting that i share this fab article from Total Beauty to jog my memory of the trends that are to be embraced now.

fall is, after all, my favorite season!

from rich lip shades to metallic smokey eyes, many of these beauty looks aren't new, but seeing them in current mags, on models, done in fantastically outrageous ways, can be overwhelming.

learn how they can me worn in a real-life-friendly way...

How to Wear Fall's Hottest Makeup Trends Without Looking Ridiculous

See the 8 hottest trends off the runway and learn how to make them wearable for your everyday

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeup trends article

While avant-garde makeup looks amazing in magazine spreads and on models strutting down the catwalk, the looks can end up looking ridiculous at the office or even when you're headed out for a Saturday night on the town -- until now! Our beauty expert fills us in on how to translate these trends into looks that are wearable.

See how-tos

a BOGO not to be missed: butter LONDON at Ulta!

2011-09-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

bonjour, beauties...

hope you're day has been fabulous! just had to share that you must. not. miss. Ulta's amazing buy one get one free {!!!} sale on butter LONDON nail polish! i personally have no experience with the brand {though they do have an awesome reputation and are loved by many a nail polish fanatic, not to mention are creating some killer nail looks at fashion week}, but plan to take advantage of this so i finally can!

and if you haven't already guessed, i think you should, too...

so visit your local Ulta or go online to Ulta.com on september 20th, 2011.

some popular shades i'm considering: Come to Bed Red, Fash Pack, Yummy Mummy, Marrow, Royal Navy and Wallis.

happy shopping!

Vivienne Tam spring 2012

2011-09-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

taking inspiration from a japanese zen garden, Vivienne Tam created a gorgeous spring collection, complete with delicate sheer prints, embroidery, lace, and flowy gowns.

in keeping with this zen theme, lead hairstylist Leon Gorman {for Redken} kept models' hair simple and modern. "the more messy it is, the better. i don't want it to look like a hairdresser has touched it," he said.

to break down greasy strands, Gorman sprinkled on baby powder or spritzed with dry shampoo. after creating a side part, he pulling hair back into a relaxed, off-center chignon, finishing with Redken Fashion Work 12 Versatile Working Spray to wet roots towards the crown.

for the makeup look, Maybelline makeup artist Andy Koh created a clean, fresh face, inspired by 1970's glamour.

products used: Fit Me Foundation; gold shade from Color Explosion Luminizing eyeshadow in Forest Fury ; copper shade from Eye Studio Color Plush Eyeshadow palette in Irresistible Ivy in the crease and outer eye; Falsies Volum' Express; Color Sensational High Shine Lipstick in Coral Lustre topped with a dab of gold cream shadow; Shine Sensational gloss in Minty Sheer.

images: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week; style.com; tumblr.com

today...9.13.11

2011-09-13T20:26:00.000-07:00

hello beauties! how was your day?

my day included...

seeing a butterfly hanging out on the sidewalk while out on my morning walk...

a bit of audiobook reading while making breakfast for the fam...

tea sipping...

more reading, post housework and laudry folding...

also answered many emails {lots of spring fashion week info plus more to share!}, cooked a yummy lunch and enjoyed some rare couch time watching a movie with my love before picking up the kids from school...

hope you had a splendid day!

pics taken by me :)

nail color of the week: Zoya Tao

2011-09-13T10:26:00.001-07:00

fresh from the fall Smoke and Mirrors collection, i picked up Tao and Jem {will share that beauty soon!}, along with some other things from a recent trip to my local Ulta...

well, it's 30 minutes away, but definitely worth the drive!

Tao is a gorgeous metallic, light smokey grey that leans a bit toward blue, giving it a very edgy, rock and roll vibe...

yet another reason to love the fall season.

pics taken by me :)

my favorite looks from the 2011 Primetime Emmys

2011-09-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

the 63rd Primetime Emmys aired sunday night, and the red carpet was on fire with fabulous looks. there were many gorgeous gowns and beauty looks, but there were four ladies who were my faves of the night...

with her hair pulled into a simple side chignon and classic, elegant makeup, Rashida Jones was a stunner. using products that including the new Maybelline Fit Me! foundation {in Honey Beige} and blush {in Medium Mauve}, makeup artist Jo Strettell, gave the actress a vibrant lip {using Color Sensational High Shine Lipcolor in Dazzling Plum) to add a bit of modern drama to an otherwise classic look.

when it comes to fashion hits, Kerry Washington is in my hall of fame. dressed in a red strapless Zuhair Murad Couture gown, her look was complimented with a side-parted bob and uber-glam makeup {love her with the red lips!}. she once again wowed me with her look!

Sofia Vergara was the quintessential bombshell; i loved her lush lash look {created by makeup artist Kayleen McAdams using Liquiline Eyeliner in Black Fire and LashBlast mascara, both by Covergirl}. her mane of shiny waves {stylist Jen Atkin used KeSARI Indian Oil Hair Serum to give it added shine.} completed the look and was the perfect compliment to her coral, one-shoulder Vera Wang gown.

Emily Blunt, wearing an oh-so-fabulous Elie Saab gown, looked effortlessly beautiful. i love the subtle makeup {a bit of grey shadow, liner and mascara to create a smokey eye, peach blush and pink lipstick} and simple ballerina-inspired bun, created by stylist Laini Reeves for Wella Professionals.

tell me: who were your Emmy red-carpet faves??

images: WireImage, Getty

Peter Som spring 2012

2011-09-12T10:53:00.000-07:00

featuring 60s tailoring, bright, bold color, stand out prints and edgy hair styling led by Eugene Soulieman and colorist Aura Friedman, the Peter Som spring/summer 2012 collection was another fabulous one from fashion week!

the hair, with a deep side part, swooped to the opposite side of the face and tousled with texture, was described by Eugene as "an undone 'do approached in a classic way." Wella Professionals color ambassador, Aura, chose a universally-flattering haircolor palette of warm pastel shades varying from rose gold, peach, apricot, and salmon.

as far as makeup was concerned, Tom Pecheux led the makeup team for MAC Cosmetics, giving each model a fresh, healthy-looking skin; eyes were the focal point. choosing a violet-burgundy shade, noting that this had no connection to the collection, he decided to play with color, adding a playfulness to the girls' faces.

watch the collection...

remembering 9/11

2011-09-11T08:18:00.000-07:00

on this 10th anniversary of september 11, 2001, i feel it's important to take time to remember, and pay tribute to, the lives lost and affected by the tragic events of that day. there are so many emotions and memories are attached to this day and each of us cope differently; i thought i'd share this incredible image and the story behind it...

ten years previous to 9/11/01, almost to the day, this photograph, 'Towers of Power', was taken of the Twin Towers, by Scott Andrew Tugel. the model, wearing the famous Donna Karan body suit, is positioned between the towers, with plane overhead, foreshadowing the tragedy that was to take place. this iconic image will be part of the permanent collection of The National September 11TH Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center, slated to open fall, 2012.

let us never forget...

source

style inspiration: Olivia Palermo

2011-09-09T08:47:00.000-07:00

where do you find your style inspiration?

true, we as americans find it via celebs, and this post is no exception. in my defense, i don't really think that everyone knows who Olivia Palermo is, but her star is definitely rising and she is {thankfully} making a name for herself aside from her reality show persona {google her if you have no clue what i'm talking about}.

whether she's wearing her hair dark or light, long, cropped, curled or straight, Olivia P has a true sense of personal style that i love. her lady-like ensembles almost always include a statement necklace along with a great bag and shoes. the looks are well put-together, and yet she always looks comfortable and at ease.

in addition, she's not afraid to take risks and plays with many silhouettes and prints. take a look at these random pics, and you'll see why she's definitely a gal to look to for style inspiration...

p.s., i'm happy to report that fashion e-tailer Piperlime.com is expanding its guest editor program to include Ms. Palermo for fall along with Rachel Bilson and Byrdie Bell! :)

all images via tumblr

hair therapy: Davines Defining Wonder Wax

2011-09-08T11:28:00.000-07:00

a couple of weeks ago, i had the pleasure of having a glam session at my local Macy's MAC Me Over Event, and while i loved having my makeup done {it's always so fun to dish with the artist about the new goodies, not to mention old favorites!}, it was the fact that my hair also got a little love that was the cherry on top. the product used, Davines Defining Wonder Wax, blew me out of the water.

this beyond-fabulous defining cream is infused with a special silicone that gives hair definition and hold, without weighing it down. i was taken in by it's luscious cake batter aroma, but even more pleased by the way it left my hair-- looking so shiny and feeling soft, all with a managable hold.

if you have the opportunity, absolutely try this Wonder Wax-- it's for all hair types and textures, and can be used on wet or dry styles-- love it!

visit davines.com for more info and where to buy. :)

video: Zoya Smoke and Mirrors Collection

2011-08-26T14:22:00.000-07:00

have you seen the Zoya Smoke and Mirrors collection yet? it's gorgeous! i can't decide which shade i am loving most-- they are all fabulous.

check out this video, featuring various runway looks that inspired each new shade.

which shade {if not all!} has caught your attention??

Total Beauty: Alexa Chung's Signature Look

2011-08-25T16:15:00.000-07:00

if you don't know who Alexa Chung is, it's time to do your homework. not only is she a fabulous, modern style muse, but this former model also hosted a fun talk show on mtv {It's On with Alexa Chung}, and will soon be on as the host of Lifetime's 24-Hour Catwalk {there's also a rumor about a shopping show on PBS called Thrifting America, but solid details have yet to surface}.

Alexa not only has amazing style, continuing to keep the fashion world in awe, but she also happens to have a simplistic beauty look that anyone can achieve.

want to get the minimal, but still gorgeous, look for yourself? click the link below and get the step-by-step from Total Beauty's Charli Schuler so you too can recreate the Alexa Chung signature makeup look...

How to Copy Alexa Chung's Signature Makeup Look

We've figured it out. We finally nailed down the beauty products and application technique to copy the former model's gorgeous makeup look -- make it yours now

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeup tutorial article

This fashion icon has been called "the most stylish woman in the world" in "Vogue" magazine, and "beautiful and clever" by designer Karl Lagerfeld. And now, as the new host of Lifetime's "24-Hour Catwalk," we can't get enough of her simple, yet flawless makeup. Want to know how she does it?

Get tips

lippie du jour: Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss

2011-08-22T16:12:00.000-07:00

who doesn't love a fabulous lip gloss?? Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss has been applied to my pout a lot these days, and i love it! this one, though named Light Purple, is a gorgeous mid-tone mauve with just the perfect amount of shimmer. i applied it just before my morning's spin class to give my lips glamified hydration before getting my sweat on-- yes the non-sticky formula lasted through the hour-long session.

you'll also be happy to know that Korres is all-natural and packed full of vitamins and antioxidants to love and nourish those gorgeous lips! the cherry oil gives it light scent and a hint of flavor.

visit korres.com for more info.

stepping out of my nail color comfort zone...

2011-08-21T15:05:00.000-07:00

recently i've found myself craving to wear a nail color i've shied away from most of my life...

red!

don't get me wrong, i love red polish on nails. they're classic. they're uber-feminine. they can even be edgy.

truth be told, the very first nail color i ever wore was red {thanks, mom}.

but...

i've never been a red-nail-polish-wearing gal. i admit it, the color has always been a bit intimidating to me. that, and i love all shades of neutrals, pinks and purples; those are my go-to, safe colors. for fall/winter seasons, i typically go with "deeper" versions of them.

so...

i'm adding the shade that adorned my nails first into my color rotation-- especially for fall. i've gathered my small stash of red lacquers, and plan to rock them like nobody's business {and yes, the number of reds in my collection will be expanding}. Chanel Lotus Rouge {pictured, above}, a gorgeous berry-red, started me on my not-afraid-to-wear-red-nails-anymore path this past week...

and i just changed my polish to nubar's Competition Red this morning. :)

btw, i tore this Piperlime.com ad for my fall ensemble inspiration journal, then noticed a few days later: the model's nails are red!

all pics taken my me :)

Total Beauty: Fabulous Makeup Primers

2011-08-14T06:20:00.000-07:00

i have my favorite primers-- what are yours? did they make this list?

12 Amazing Makeup Primers

Keep your makeup from melting off your face with these primers

This is a TotalBeauty.com best and worst makeup products article

Makeup primers are crucial for keeping oil at bay, filling in fine lines, and providing a smooth canvas for your foundation to stick to. So, if you don't have one yet, choose from these reader-approved favorites.

See the best

No. 12: Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy Luminizing Face Primer, $19.99

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 7.8

"I love that post-gym workout glow and I can achieve that (minus the workout on those lazy days!) with Carmindy's Luminizing Primer."

No. 11: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF 15 with Dermaxyl Complex, $42

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 7.9

"My makeup stays on all day and night. And, it also minimizes my pores, which is a plus."

No. 10: Bare Escentuals Prime Time Brightening Foundation Primer, $21

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8

"I have tried many primers and this one actually does what it says! I am a Mineral Makeup girl, and this definitely sets it for the day."

Want to see what other primers made the list? Click here!

bonjour beauties...

2011-08-12T14:35:00.000-07:00

hope you've been enjoying your summer! it has been a fabulous one for me, i have to say...

with all the fun and busyness going on, i chose to take some time away, as you may have noticed. :)

i realize this is something i've done before-- reevaluating my purpose for blogging and allowing myself time away from it-- and i will be honest: it could quite possibly happen again.

the truth is, sitting down everyday to post isn't the easiest thing for me to do. it was my personal choice to step away and just allow myself to not worry about it. i love sharing beauty reviews, news and goodies with you, please don't get me wrong-- but priorities have to be established, you know?

that said, i am still here! in my hiatus, i've stayed connected, working with fabulous pr darlings, and plan to continue to share my thoughts on this beautiful life with you. i can't say how happy i am to see that you continue to visit here, to check in-- it makes me so happy to see!-- but i encourage you to subscribe via email or feed reader, so when i do post, you'll get it sent right to your inbox.

also, if you're not already, please follow me on twitter to go along with me through my day {i tweet everything from beauty and style to my family, food and fitness lifestyle}, and check out my tumblr {yes, i jumped on that bandwagon, lol} for fun, girly fashion, lifestyle and of course, beauty, goodness that i update very frequently {it's so easy to do from my iphone!}.

thank you for being so incredibly fabulous...stay tuned!

image image

hair therapy: Pantene Relaxed & Natural Dry to Moisturized Shampoo and Conditioner

2011-05-26T10:11:00.000-07:00

when it comes to shampoo and conditioner, i am definitely the type to go for the most hydrating and moisturizing. i use products for dry or color-treated hair, mostly concerned with ingredients rather than using products that are specified for women of color.

if i'm being honest, i haven't had the best experiences with products for woc when used alone. my hair isn't coarse enough to handle the oils, and they have only left my tresses oily and weighed down. i found this to be frustrating the first time this happened to me because i had to go back and rewash my hair. since then, i have found that i can benefit from the heavier products-- they do give my hair a boost in condition-- but always plan for rewash.

this, however, has not been the case with Pantene Relaxed & Natural Dry to Moisturized shampoo and conditioner. i don't know how they do it, but Pantene has it down when it comes to moisturizing hair! i love their "regular" dry to moisturized line and have used those products many times over.

this new-to-me duo is like a step up in the dry to moisturized range. and no rewashing necessary- yay! i love that i can let my hair air dry and it's left with minimal frizz {tip: if your curly hair is frizzy, it needs moisture!}, and when i style, my hair is soft, shiny and full. fabulous work, Pantene!

i would recommend this to any woman with unruly or coarse tresses. don't let the Relaxed & Natural label deflect you. try them. you can find them at a drugstore near you.

currently loving: Penelope Cruz's Cover of Vogue

2011-05-25T16:25:00.000-07:00

i don't know about you, but i am in love with Vogue's june '11 cover featuring Penelope Cruz.

her look is so fresh and unfussy, yet of course, still gorgeous.

nail color of the week: Essie Sew Psyched

2011-05-16T16:10:00.000-07:00

over the weekend i gave myself a manicure using essie's Sew Psyched, a shade i discovered thanks to one of my favorite bloggers, Daneen, when she shared it first on twitter {and then her blog}.

this color is described as a cashmere-soft sage pewter, and i couldn't agree more. it has a sheen like pewter, but definitely leans on the grey-green end of the spectrum.

in the bottle, Sew Psyched looks lighter, but is darker once it's on the nail. this gem is fabulous and a great color to choose if you're looking to be daring yet still a bit understated.

this one's a keeper. :)

~splendid weekend to-do list~

2011-05-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

happy weekend, beauties! here we are, another week behind us-- how was yours?

this past week, my love was off the entire week {something hasn't happened in quite a looong time}, so it was fun having him home and being able to spend some time together while the kids were in school.

this weekend, as you may have guessed, will include reading some books and june mags, as well as giving myself a manicure with Essie's 'Sew Psyched'. also on the splendid list:

go to the movies with the fam
write
use new handbag that i received yesterday from JustFab.com
go for two runs
attend a live power yoga class
bake blueberry-banana muffins with my kids
plan for and set goals for the week

and you? any fun things planned for your weekend?

inspired-style: mixing prints...

2011-05-09T15:25:00.000-07:00

when it comes to mixing prints, my daughter is a pro. from a very young age i told her my #1 rule: just make sure to coordinate your colors. she's very good with it now. she loves having fun with her clothes {exhibit a, above}, but manages to stay coordinated, never thinking twice about taking fashion risks! :)

i myself am a huge fan of mixing prints, but to do it right {and in a more, sophisticated, grown-up way}, you should keep these guidelines in mind:

**be sure that at least one color repeats throughout your outfit.
**loose prints work well with structured prints {think swirls with stripes}.
**blending small designs {think plaid} with larger-scale ones {bold flowers} are fun and look great year-round.

for more ideas regarding this inspired trend, check out this article on RealSimple.com

source

to all the fabulous moms...

2011-05-08T09:04:00.000-07:00

happy mother's day to all of you fabulous, amazing moms! it's your day, so be sure do something for yourself-- take a walk outside, read your favorite magazine, get a manicure, take a nap, dance to your favorite song...

and if nothing else, look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself that you are fabulous!

enjoy your day!

pic taken by me :)

~ splendid weekend to-do list ~

2011-05-07T10:15:00.000-07:00

hello saturday, so we meet again...

hope you had a gorgeous week, beauties!

as if you didn't already know, it's mother's day tomorrow {happy day to all you fabulous mamas!}, but for my baby girl, her 11th birthday {ugh, it feels like i just had her yesterday}!

having my girl as a daughter is such a gift {my son is, too, of course!}. sure, it's not always fun and fabulous times, but she is truly marvelous. watching her grow up to this point has been quite the experience, to say the least. i'm so excited to celebrate with her tomorrow!

so, this weekend's splendid to-do list is more about her, but still will be rewarding to me just the same.

make a fabulous breakfast for my little lady
read
pen a letter to remember the occasion of celebrating her once-in-a-lifetime-birthday
listen to fun music and dance!
enjoy the gorgeous weather, bbq and swim at my mom's house sunday afternoon
enjoy a pleasant, but challenging run
sip my favorite tea
savor a slice of ice cream cake
set goals for the forthcoming week

what's on your splendid weekend to-do list?

Total Beauty: 10 Best Budget Beauty Tips

2011-05-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

looking to save money on your beauty routine? want to pamper yourself without blowing your budget? using foods and other household items you probably already have is not only cost-effective, make you look and feel awesome, but is amazingly healthy as well!

check out this fun article from Total Beauty that shares some fabulous tips for pampering yourself naturally and still keep your bank account happy.

enjoy!

10 Best Homemade Beauty Products
Those leftovers that even the family dog wouldn't eat are actually great ingredients for homemade beauty products

This is a TotalBeauty.com budget products article
These bargain beauty tips will show you how to turn kitchen leftovers and more into everything you need to look great. Bonus: These tips all use natural ingredients.
Get how-tos

wordless wednesday

2011-05-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

pic taken by me :)

beauty product stalking...

2011-05-03T08:57:00.000-07:00

do you have beauty products that you stalk? you know, those beauty items that you seem to always swoon over and visit {in store or online}, but can never bring yourself to purchase?

maybe it's just me...

seriously, i don't know why it is, but i can't seem to just take the plunge with these goodies. maybe i don't want to be let down. their reputations are so good, but what if it turns out that i don't like them as much i think i will? well, in any case, here are 3 items i've been stalking for some time...

Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Lip Colour has been on my personal lust list since it's release. i have sampled it firsthand, and can say it's beyond fabulous. sadly, my issue is that i'm not a big lipstick wearer {you'd think this would change my mind, right?}, so, again, i just can't bring myself to make the purchase {by the way have you seen the new Rouge Coco Shine?!}. oh, how i do still love it so...

Coastal Scents Orignal 88 Palette--hello! how many beauty lovers own this? i imagine the majority. and although this plethora of shadows in one sleek palette is budget-friendly, not to mention adored by many a makeup junkie, i can never seem to hit the final button to complete my order when on their website. sigh...

Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara. anytime i hear that this fabulous woman is on tv, i make it a point to watch. i am always so inspired by her passion and gorgeous energy! her Volumizing Mascara is out of this world amazing to see in action, and {you guessed it} i have yet to try it myelf. i love the story behind the creation of this little beauty. maybe i should just get it already...

what makeup or beauty items are you currently stalking? let me know in the comments!

splendid weekend to-do list...monday edition

2011-05-02T15:38:00.000-07:00

see what i did there? haha!

yes, i admit, i forgot to post my newly-introduced splendid weekend to-do list on saturday as i had planned. as you can see from the image above, however, i did make my list.

i'm happy to report that my weekend did present many opportunities for me to indulge in all the fabulous tasks i wanted to do.

first on the list was to write. and that i did. journal writing {online and pen to paper} is so dear to me, so making time to do it everyday is important. other items on my list included sipping my recently-purchased 'Paris' tea from Harney & Sons. i could hardly contain myself when my package arrived. i also purchased Royal Wedding (yep, created just for that occasion, but not the reason i bought it) and an old favorite of mine, formally known as Bangkok, "a green tea with a thai twist".

another highlight of my weekend was movie night with my kids. we finished reading the first Harry Potter book and they wanted to see the film. it was a little dark, and sometimes scary {LOL}, but but we enjoyed ourselves; all dressed up in our pjs, with pillows and blankies, it was fun to stay up with them a little later than usual, watching the book in action. other to-do's were easy and always leave me feeling blissful: yoga, buy fresh flowers, take a nap, cuddle with my love and change my nail polish. i found fashion, beauty and fitness inspiration on the pages of my may mag issues, and relished time reading and listening to books.

i love weekends! what did you do?

pic taken by me :)

Splendid Weekend To-Do List...

2011-04-23T11:51:00.000-07:00

as you may already know, i'm a fan of lists; in some ways, they keep me sane {ha, ha!}. they help me remember more of what i want to accomplish when i actually write them by hand {not to mention i find it to be such a romantic, old-fashioned practice to do these days}, but overall i find them to be the best way to put personal priorities into focus.

inspired by a très fabuleaux blogger i discovered not too long ago, Kaileen Elise, and her weekly weekend creative to-do list, i've been creating my own weekend lists. in doing so, i've found myself enjoying more simple luxuries even during the "work" week; things that aren't necessarily the most exciting to some {like eating my meals on pretty dishes, shopping alone, listening to the sights and sounds of nature while i walk my pup, coloring, taking slow deep breaths, just to name a few}, but truly are fabulous when you think about it.

so, i'm going to do my best to post my lists here and hopefully you'll take the time to make a splendid to-do list of your own!

write
enjoy time with my family
reflect and meditate on what this holiday weekend really means to me
try a new recipe or two
walk my pup
indulge in a longer yoga practice
catch up on favorite podcasts
create some pages for my art journal
read my current library books
change my nail color
cuddle with my kids
call an old friend
dance
organize my makeup bag
relax

hope you have a gorgeous weekend, and if you're so inclined, share with me your splendid weekend to-do list in the comments below.

pic taken be me:)

sprinkles of bliss...

2011-04-22T16:34:00.000-07:00

happy good friday and earth day, beauties! hope it's been a fab one for you. the week was steady-- it didn't go by too fast or too slow {which is a good thing considering my kids are off for spring break. if you have kids, you know how that goes...}-- and i have many things to be thankful for.

days have been the usual: laundry, cleaning and errands, but also filled with creative time, games, trips to the library, the park, sleep-overs, scavenger hunts while on walks with the dog, early gym workouts and lots of cooking! when kids are home all day, there seems to be so much more to do.

even with lots going on, there are always lovely things adding sprinkles of bliss to my day. here are just a few i have been especially loving...

the public library-- it's such an amazing resource for books {duh}. i love to read, so i take full advantage of getting {almost} every book i want without spending loads of money on them {don't get me wrong, i do still buy books, but this cuts cost way down}. as you can see i have many current selections, including audio books, ranging from history to fiction, chick-lit to mystery.

Good Earth Caffeine Free Sweet & Spicy Tea is just that, sweet and spicy. no added sweetener needed. there's a black tea version, but for some reason i just like this one better. yum! j'adore that each tag has a great quote printed on it as well-- from inspiring to thought provoking to funny, they're always a treat to read.

for easy and fast makeup removal, i've been using Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover Pads and One-Step Cleanser. the pads take off eye makeup with ease and the cleanser breaks up dirt, oil and makeup so my treatment cleanser and serums can do theirs job even better.

i'm incredibly late to the party, but Nylon magazine has become my new faves. while i realize i may not be their target audience {hello, suburban housewife here, lol}, i still find the content and imagery refreshing. it's full of amazing fashion, beauty, music, lifestyle and celebs stories, and a fun, funky voice all its own.

tell me: what things are adding sprinkles of bliss to your day?

first image via weheartit.com; all other pics taken by me :)

Total Beauty: Undo Stress-Induced Beauty Issues

2011-04-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

when you're stressed, whether you like it or not, it shows up on your face. i don't know about you, but i do everything in my power to deflect stress. non-beauty-related things from journal writing, to daily exercise; getting together with friends and also spending time alone; all of these things help me keep the peace in my mind and body, which translates directly to how my face looks.

in the following article (courtesy of totalbeauty.com}, you'll find a handful of tips that may be helpful when it comes to keeping you looking happy and stress-free, under any circumstance...enjoy!

How to Ditch the Side Effects of Stress

See how stress affects your skin and learn how to reverse the damage

This is a TotalBeauty.com stress and women article

According to New York City dermatologist David Goldberg, MD, when a person becomes stressed, the hormone cortisol rises causing skin to become oily, red and aged. So what can you do about it? Check out these easy lifestyle tricks that'll keep you looking good no matter what your stress level.
De-stress

tell me: when you're stressed, what are your favorite beauty practices??

nail color of the week: Color Club 'Uptown Girl'

2011-04-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

there's nothing like giving myself a manicure. i realize this may not be the case for everyone, but it's become one of my favorite ways to center my thoughts and relax. i love the way i can pamper myself and give my hands polish {no pun intended}.
for this week's manicure, i chose a shade that's even relaxing to look at: Color Club Uptown Girl, from the Rebel Debutante collection.

this gorgeous shade of smoky lavender, though part of a collection from last year, is still a fabulous color for the current spring season.

and to keep with the purple theme, my daughter changed her polish to her current fave purple, OPI A Grape Fit!...

yep, she did her nails herself. :)

what nail color are you currently wearing this week?

pics taken by me:)

bathing beauty: Caress Cashmere Luxury Body Wash

2011-04-13T11:44:00.000-07:00

back in 2010, as 2011 approached, i really took time to think about what it was i wanted to do and accomplish by year's end. one of the few things i decided to do (among saving money and getting back in touch with my creative self) was to stop spending money on things, especially beauty products and clothing, that didn't make my beyond ecstatic each and every time i used or wore them. my ultimate desire was to spend only on items that were of absolute necessity and of great quality. so, i cleared my beauty stash of items i hadn't used in months and bagged up clothing, bags and shoes that didn't fit or hadn't seen the light of day in over a year.

everything i could donate or give away, i did.

to be honest, i can be a very impulsive buyer, so i thought this new practice would be a hard one, something that i'd have to keep "starting over" with. as it turns out, this "resolution" has been much easier to stick to than any other in my life.

maybe this quality over quantity mentality comes with age, LOL!

in any case, one of my absolute, favorite body washes, Caress Cashmere Luxury, definitely falls into this category, and it also happens to be wallet-friendly. my saving money plan is also being put into practice (btw, i am loving hellowallet.com as a tool for helping me manage and save more moolah)-- yay!

Caress Cashmere Luxury key ingredients include white orchid milk, warm vanilla essence and sunflower oil. the creamy, rich texture lathers up beautifully and feels just as the name suggests, like luxurious cashmere. it leaves skin so incredibly soft and lightly scented. i love it!

next time you're looking to gift yourself a simple, yet luxurious, treat, try this body wash, won't you?

pic taken by me:)

worth the wait...OPI Black Shatter!

2011-03-25T17:03:00.000-07:00

i have been waiting (and waiting...) for OPI Black Shatter for some time now. it seemed everywhere i could possibly get it didn't have it because they sold out so quickly (obviously, i'm not the only nail polish fan in my area!).

boo.

until wednesday when i took a chance at Trade Secret and found they had just received a new shipment-- yes! i was beyond excited. i have been telling my daughter all about it and she, a huge nail polish fan, didn't stop asking me every other week, "did you find it yet?".

haha!

in any case, i did find it and as soon as i was able, swpied a coat over my fresh manicure (pic at top; the color is an old fave, Color Club Ms. Socialite). i have to say, i love it! it's no wonder it's so popular. plus, application is so easy-- one coat, let it sit, and within a minute you've got a most fabulous shattered mani! a top coat is necessary if you want it to be shiny, but other than that you really can't mess it up.

my baby girl's nails, Shatter over Sally Hansen Choco-Latte...cute, no?

have you tried OPI Shatter yet?