back to school beauty essentials: organizing

the school year is in full swing, and i've already bought plenty of stuff to make sure we're prepared for homework, projects, and the "i can't find my pencil" moments {ha!}.

 it's important to have a place for all those pencils {rulers, notebooks, scissors, paperclips...} just as it's important to have a place for all those fabulous beauty tools and new product hauls. having multiples of everything can be a good thing {it's actually inevitable with beauty products, right? }, but having lots of everything can become stressful if it's all over the place. staying organized not only saves time, but it also looks good {and keeps stress levels down}!

Pottery Barn Teen was kind enough to send me a couple of unique items that work fabulously for getting and keeping your stash in check...

this Manicure/Pedicure Lapdesk from Pottery Barn Teen is a gorgeous, completely functional beauty station. its wooden top makes the perfect surface for painting and polishing, while compartments on the inside allow for plenty of supply storage. i love that this allows me to keep all my nail items together for an impromptu mani or pedi; the hard part is choosing which polish color to wear... 

The Ultimate Beauty Organizer is available in two sizes {i have the small} and can be personalized via the website {love that!}; i j'adore how versatile it is, yet still looks so incredibly elegant ~ makes staying organized less of an effort, wouldn't you say? :)

other items of note that are quite beneficial for organizing your beautiful life {some i actually own myself and others can easily found on the web}:

 this rolling cart works fabulously for keeping your faves in view but out of the way; simple plastic drawers can go under sinks, in closets or on your countertop.

 i love using mini storage trays and drawer organizers {find pretty ones at TJ Maxx!} ~ they fit into drawers and are perfect for makeup, hair and jewelry.

lipstick holders and makeup brush holders keep your favorite lippies and most-used brushes in site;

small jars and vases can also be utilized for holding items {mascaras, liners, brushes...}, and as long as you create a "home" for your goodies, you'll fell so much better.

tell me: how do you keep your beauty stash organized?

Pottery Barn Teen organizers were sent to me for the purpose of review/feature ~ opinions and thoughts are my own; pics taken by me :)

back to school beauty essentials: pencils and pens

even as an adult, i can't help but love a new pen or fun-patterned pencil ~ it's such a simple happy-making thing that doesn't cost a lot and is functional. true, i can {and do} keep notes on my iphone, but i still love to write notes by hand.

when it comes to beauty, pencils obviously are fun and highly functional. they can make a face look completely different, adding definition to eyes. everything from creating smoldering, smoky peepers to amazingly colorful looks...

with a range of fabulous colors, Wet ' N Wild Color Icon pencils have been a must-have in my makeup case. they're even better now than when i was a teenager!

other pen and pencil faves:

 L'Oreal Extra-Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner and Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner; 
Expertwear Brow & Eye Pencil and Lash Stiletto Pen by Maybelline and Sonia Kashuk Eye Definer 

a new fave comes from Butter London. known for their incredible nail lacquers, the new beauty collection includes Wink liner. it boasts a creamy, long-wearing formula. available in 6 shades, the brand was kind enough to send me one in Union Jack Black to try. it glides on smooth, blends and smudges easily {if that's how you choose to rock it}, then stays put all day ~ i never looked like a raccoon ~ this is such a  plus when you don't have time for multiple touch-ups throughout the day!

Laura Mercier kohl eye liners are great, too; especially so when it comes to lining the inside of the eye {my fave shades for this include Stormy Grey, Black Gold and Black Violet}; MAC Penultimate liner is a felt-tip liquid {love!} and NARS new Eye Paint {a brilliant multi-tasker} offers beautiful eye-defining looks.

these are just a select group of products i think are worth mentioning. i could go on and on regarding eye liners, of course {there truly are so many amazing options!}, but i know you have other things to do, LOL! :)


tell me: what are some of your favorite eye liners? do you prefer liquid or pencil? both?

back to school beauty essentials: books

my kids have been in school for about two weeks and the excitement over new teachers, clothes, books, pencils, etc. is still pretty high {i'm thankful that they are the types of kids who look forward to going to school!}. this makes it easier for me, of course, since i'm still in denial that they're another year older and each in the last years of elementary and middle schools {5th and 8th grade}...

but i digress...

so, as we all know, summer is coming to an end. it's likely the time of year that you plan to get back to a more structured "back-to-school" frame of mind. days become more scheduled, put together, focused...

it's also a great time of year to stock up on the things we need {books, pencils, paper, notebooks, sharpeners, planners, etc. ~ it's all on sale!}, as well as possibly set aside time to learn something new. with regard to beauty and style, i have a few things on my wish list that you to may consider.

let's start with books! i love a good book and the following all have something fabulous to teach and are sure to beautifully inspire you!


Nails Nails Nails by Madeline Poole
it's all about the art of nails in this book. 25 nail art projects are in these pages, ranging in techniques from leopard print to plaid, stripes to lace, glitter, and more. complete with gorgeous images, you learn exactly what tools you'll need, easy step-by-step instructions, and fabulous shots of the finished nails, making it super easy to replicate the designs.

Lessons From Madame Chic: The Top 20 Things I Learned While Living In Paris 
by Jennifer L. Scott
in each chapter of Lessons, author Jennifer offers a valuable secrets she learned while under Madame Chic's tutelage in paris ~ tips you can incorporate into your own life, no matter where you live or the size of your budget! visit her fabulous blog here.

Jemma Kidd Make-up Masterclass: Beauty Bible of Professional Techniques and Wearable Looks by Jemma Kidd
Jemma gives insights into her life in the beauty industry and a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the preparation that goes on before a show or a photo shoot. she also shares how she works with the latest trends to create new looks and color schemes, as well as giving extreme looks a more toned down variation so it can be worn for an everyday look.


other stylish books i love {and i think you'll enjoy reading}:

non-fiction:

Allure: Confessions of a Beauty Editor by Linda Wells, Classy by Derek Blasberg,  That Extra Half Inch by Victoria Beckham, Beauty Confidential: The No Preaching, No Lies, Advice-You'll- Actually-Use Guide to Looking Your Best by Nadine Haobsh, The Fashion Coloring Book by Carol Chu &  Lulu Chang

fiction:

Confessions of a Beauty Addict by Nadine Haobsh, The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger, Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell and all of Sophie Kinsella's books in the Shopaholic series. :)


tell me: what are your favorite beauty/style book{s}??

Beauty 101: Back to School Essentials

my kids go back to school tomorrow (i now have a 4th and 1st grader!), and not only am i excited, but so are they. today the school held a "meet your teacher" event in their respected classrooms so the kids could do just that.


these are the books that let me know what my daughter has to look forward to (and i suppose that would go for me, too-- yikes!)

with all of the back-to-school excitement and shopping, i've obviously had school on the brain. i know that when i was in school, it was so fun to get new stuff at the beginning of the year. i also know that no matter what "grade" you're in, pencils, bags and books are essential. here's my list of beauty "school" supplies i think you'll enjoy...




pencils: a new liner i am enjoying is Motives Cosmetics' Kohl Eyeliner in Amethyst. the smooth formula has been amazing for giving my eyes a touch of deep purlpe color when i'm wearing neutral tones and adds that "little something extra" when i wear more bold shades.

also check out: Bobbi Brown's new Ivy League Collection or get the scoop on some new pencils from L'Oreal





bags: Sonia Kashuk's Cosmetic Tote gives a roomy way to travel with your beauty arsenal. carry your must-haves and some extras with room to spare.

also check out: Sephora Film Noir Lace Bag Collection features bags for every need. a pencil bag for, well...makeup pencils and a large handle bag that unzips to reveal three smaller, removable inner cosmetic bags plus an inner zip compartment for space galore to store eyeshadows, blushes powders and anything else you need to get beautified.




books: Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual by Bobbi Brown

also check out:
The Beauty of Color: The Ultimate Beauty Guide for Skin of Color by Iman and the new book, Who What Wear: Celebrity and Runway Style for Real Life by Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr

here's to a great school year! :)

xo