Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Liner Trio

i recently bought a Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Liner Trio {in Nude Eyes}, a fabulous trio of eye liners from Physician's Formula, and i am in love…

i confess, it's been some time since i've bought any PF products {really not sure why…}, and each time i see them i've been able to resist the gorgeous products, including those from the Shimmer Strips range {which include other liner trios as well as eyeshadow palettes}. this combo of liner shades was obviously the end of that.

:)

hypoallergenic, fragrance free, paraben free, gluten free and dermatologist approved, Shimmer Strips eyeliners are safe for sensitive eyes as well as contact lens wearers; and just as the brand claims, these liners offer so many possibilities for creating endless looks to complement and enhance all eye colors.

 from the automatic, retractable-style {perfect for lining the waterline} to the high-pigment formula, it's hard to say why i'm so enamored or why i finally decided to take the plunge and buy.

 maybe it's the colors ~ j'adore bronzy-neutrals for summer!

in any case, i'll definitely be purchasing i've already purchased more gems from this range, and now that the brand has my full attention, some other fab goodies are on my radar…

if you're a fan of Physician's Formula, tell me: what products are your faves and what do you recommend as must-haves? thanks for sharing!

visit physiciansformula.com for more info!

i bought this; pics taken by me :)

3 cleansing products i'm loving right now

have you been to the drugstore or your favorite mass retailer recently? if you're like me, i'm quite sure you have {LOL!}; i personally visit my local Walgreens, Target {and the like} multiple times a week, and of course with these visits come the stops to certain {cough, cough} departments that showcase a beauty girl's favorite things.

"i'm-just-going-to-look" is always what i say to myself, but …

hey, i'm only human!

in any case, the following items are very much a necessity in my beauty arsenal; they're all about cleansing {and we all know how important that is!}. 2 were purchased by me {yes, on a store visit that had no items regarding their function on my shopping list}; they are fabulous and keep me {and for one product, my beauty tools} fresh and clean.

take a look…

Rimmel London Gentle Eye Makeup Remover was a purchase made because i'm already a fan of their makeup and had never tried it, and also i was out of my fave Mary Kay eye makeup remover. it was the perfect opportunity for me to find out if Rimmel's remover was a drugstore version that would work just as well. like eye makeup removers from Clinique, Mary Kay and Lancome, i love that this beauty isn't oily, removes all eye makeup {yes, even waterproof!} and there's not a hint of sting when i use it.

keeping makeup brushes clean is important for many reasons and Sonia Kashuk Brush and Sponge Cleanser makes it super easy to do {saturate your brush bristles or sponge completely under running water, spray on cleanser, working up a lather ~ rinse under water until water runs clear. repeat as necessary; lay fat to dry}. from the first time i used it to now, i absolutely love it. it works on both synthetic and natural bristles, kills bacteria, breaks up oils and residue with ease {i use long-wearing products, so this was especially impressive}, and the scent, while strong at first, is surprisingly refreshing {i'm not sure of the exact scent, but lavender is definitely involved}.

finally, Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Body Wash* creates the luxurious, uber-foamy lather that makes me feel so fancy and pampered. the scent is a long-time favorite {when i comes to sweet scents}: fabulous, warm pistachio. it's blended with magnolia, so it keeps the overall scent on the lighter side {so amazingly refreshing}. it comes in bar form as well, and as is the case with all Dove products, this body wash contains the brand's signature NutriumMoisture® ; my skin is always so soft and pampered after using this!


what special cleansing-type goodies are getting your love these days? do tell!

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

beauty girl tv: my january 2014 beauty favorites!

there were so many things to be thankful for in january ~ especially beauty products! it was a bit tough to narrow it down {but i did it!}, and these things have found a special place in my beauty-loving heart…

  check out my latest video featuring the products i couldn't get enough of in january. thanks so much  for watching ~ and if you don't already, i'd love it if you'd subscribe to my channel!

currently loving...

happy september, beauties! can you believe we're already entering the final quarter of 2013?! the year is flying by; my 10 year old commented on how fast the year has gone by, so i know it is most certainly the case {a kid saying the year is going by fast? how often does that happen...??}

ok, enough of my rant, LOL! 

it's been some time since i shared current faves, so...here i am. i had to narrow it down a lot for this post, but don't worry, i'll be sharing those omitted-for-now goodies with you in the coming weeks ~ i've resolved to get back to this series of posts, even if it's only one or two things  ~ so, take a look...

MAC Prep + Prime BB Beauty Balm 

i posted recently that the brand had extended its range of BBs, and since then was given the privilege to receive my own for use. i have to say i'm in love! my recent experiences with BB creams from other brands have been ho-hum {mainly because they've been way off the mark with regard to color}, but MAC's beauty balm* {in dark} is simply fabulous. not only for making my skin look more even-toned, but is {like their others in the P+P range} a great primer; the finish is gorgeous and it has an spf!

Prestige Cosmetics

with a wide range of colorful products to create any look, from barely there to bold, this brand as a whole has really impressed me. if you're not familiar with Prestige*, i highly recommend you check them out! you may consider starting with their new WonderGloss nail polishes {uber-glossy and wears extremely well}, any Shimmering Trio Mineral loose powder eyeshadows {which can be worn sheer or intense, applied wet or dry, and stays in place all day}, or their pretty Illuminizer {it adds just the right amount of sheen to wherever you apply it}.

eos Smooth Sphere lip balm

i confess, i've seen these cuties* for years, but it wasn't until just a couple of months ago that i actually used one {two actually}. i have to say since then i've tried to make up for my late-to-the-party status {but hey, better late than never, right?}, and have made up for it by collecting {almost} every flavor. :)

other things i'm currently loving:

How2Girl.com
i discovered this blog and iHeartRadio show thanks to a retweet from a  fab celeb makeup artist i follow, Troy Jensen {@itstroyjensen}; how-to maven, Courtney {@how2girl}, offers tips and diy projects ranging from beauty to home, entertaining and decor that are simple and to-the-point. visit her soon!

these two shows  are completely different, but fabulous just the same... :)

The Mary Tyler Moore Show
this much-loved, groundbreaking, classic tv sitcom is such an enjoyable show, it's hard to believe that when it debuted back in the 70s {before i was born!} many people didn't really "get" it; i love that so many of the topics are still relevant to today, and the humor is spot on; the entire cast is brilliant! i'm currently about half through season 6 of 7 {i've been borrowing the dvds from my library}, and suffice it to say, i am just enamored...

Breaking Bad
with just less than a handful of episodes remaining in the last half of this fifth {and final} season, i'm on the edge of my seat {like every other fan of the show} just waiting to discover how Walter White's tale will all unfold and ultimately wrap up. i'm sad to see the show go, but i know i'll always hold it up as one of the best tv shows that has been produced. are you watching?!

enjoy the rest of your week, beauties! and if you have anything you're currently loving, leave a comment and share ~ i'd love to know!

*products sent to me for review consideration

fit beauty girl: 3 workouts i love

bonjour, loves!

i have a question...where did january go?

time just flies by, doesn't it?? my family has been fighting off an icky cold, but thankfully i haven't come down with anything. it's very rare that i get sick, but it doesn't mean it doesn't ever happen...

in any case, because healthy eating and being active are such a normal part of my life, i wanted to share some workout types that i really love. when it comes to fitness, it should be enjoyable {my motto is, if you don't enjoy the activity, you won't stick with it}! so aside from traditional cardio and weight training, these are a must in my life: yoga, barre and interval training. each is challenging, fun and definitely never boring; i love how each practice offers so many benefits!

yoga
so much more than stretching, each movement {done barefoot on a mat} aids in building balance, strength, focus and detoxification. styles can range from slow and restoring to high-paced and challenging; each class always leaves you feeling relaxed yet energized {unless i do a practice specifically for bedtime prep}, and you'll always be challenged mentally. this is beneficial for cultivating patience...ideal for dealing with all of life's daily stresses off the mat. you can take classes in a gym, a private studio, via dvds and podcasts. my fave resources include Yoga Journal and yogadownload.com 

barre
also done in bare feet, barre workouts are a blend of ballet, pilates and yoga. they may also include the use of props such as a small ball and light hand weights. the concentrated moves really work all the tiny muscles that support the large muscles, thus helping to further define, lengthen, lift and trim the body. and because you don't wear shoes, your feet will get stronger, too. your gym may offer classes like these, but for at-home convenience {you'd use a chair in place of the barre}, i love Ballet Conditioning, Leah Sarago's Ballet Body series and Burn at the Barre. i have to also mention Core Fusion because the whole collection is fab, and for classes online {subscription required}, Barre3  is the best!

interval training
a must to build stamina and strengthen your heart! consisting of bursts of high effort followed by slower paced or different movements to recover {like run 30 seconds, walk 60 seconds}, variations can also include switching between cardio work and toning exercises. not only high calorie burner, these workouts are so efficient at getting a lot done in a shorter amount of time.


have you tried any of these styles of workouts? do you prefer something different? share in the comments!

currently loving...

bonjour, beauties!

hope you enjoyed a beautiful holiday. it was quite splendid for me. time with my family, relishing the reactions to gifts opened by my kids, and laughing at yet another year my extended family argued over the white elephant gift exchange added to my 2012 holiday memories...

i received some pretty fabulous gifts {books, dvds, gift cards, beauty products, etc}, but it was one gift i was ecstatic {and in tears} over when i unwrapped it: a MacBook Pro from my love. yes, i'm actually typing this out from my new device! so strange {but still all good} how different this thing is ~ the key spacing is throwing me off, so i'm typing a bit slower at the moment, LOL.

clockwise from top left: Zelens skincare products; my dog, Piper; Kate Spade books from my mom; my new MacBook Pro

also, i'm loving, and am beyond proud, that BGM turned 5 yesterday {insert thunderous applause}!! being able to publish my thoughts in this tiny part of the web has brought so many positive experiences and people into my life; i'm definitely looking forward to sharing more...

other current loves...

"The Queen of Versailles" ~ i recently watched this documentary via Netflix, and it was every bit as good as i has heard and read. while, at times, i found myself flabbergasted at the lifestyle of the couple featured, it was an eye-opening and very real look at an american family impacted by the economic crash.

cold temperatures ~ this california girl is all about the fall and winter season. it's truly my favorite time of year. the so-cold-there's-frost-on-the-lawns-and-all-over-the-cars, runny-nose-and-eye-watering-inducing temperatures i have been encountering on my morning walks with the pup have been very refreshing for me. it never lasts long enough around here, so i'll take what i can get.

Zelens PHA Bio Peel Resurfacing Pads and Z Recovery Intensive Recovery Balm ~ highly effective skincare, these beauties have given my skin some fabulous results! i'll be posting my review, complete with full ingredient and brand details, for you in the coming week.

3 really good books ~
The Silver Linings Playbook {contemporary fiction}; Rules {award-winning, realistic children's fiction that i read with my kids}; Marilyn in Fashion {a fashionable biography featuring one of my favorite hollywood stars} ~

as 2012 comes to an end there are many things going on and many things to be thankful for. i hope you're cherishing each moment and will savor the last few days of what has been a very eventful year.

what are you currently loving??

currently loving...

bonjour, loves! hope you're having a beautiful week!

i don't know about you, but i like to make it a point to find something to appreciate every day. i've shared previously, for example, the morning walks i take with my dog, Piper. our pre-dawn ritual is not only a healthy thing to do, but allows me to mentally plan for my day. it's on these walks that i also get to see  gorgeous sunrises and sometimes experience the unexpected. on two different days last week i found myself in a sudden downpour {the pup and i were too far from from home at that point to turn around, so we kept walking and, thankfully, it lasted less than 10 minutes} and witness to a huge spider spinning a fabulously huge web. at first the sight scared me {did i mention it was a huge spider?!}, but realizing i was in no danger i stopped to watch...it was beyond fascinating!

in any case, these are some other things i'm currently loving...

fashion week month! for the past week nyc fashion shows have been wowing me, but will be wrapping up tomorrow; london shows are the 14th through the 18th, followed by milan {19th-25th} and paris {25th-october 5th}. i find it so inspiring to see the months of work and creative thought come to life, even if only for a comparatively short span of time on the runway.

to keep myself on task {believe me, it's easy to let all the fashion week coverage take up precious time} i have adopted the Pomodoro Technique. this basic concept instructs individuals to spend 25 minutes of devoted effort on work and then take a 5-minutes break. this has truly been helping me to focus on whatever it is i need to get done, then i can do something different for 5 minutes {like blast some music and dance around the living room} until i'm done with my task.

this DIY video {can't wait to do this myself!}

{one of} my current reads, The Way She Looks Tonight, a biography of sorts that highlights 5 fabulous trendsetting women in history.

Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream. this is an old skincare fave that i admit i forgot i enjoyed using until i was reintroduced to it {thanks to a gwp}.

what are you currently finding love for? share in the comments! :)

currently loving...

happy saturday, beauties! hope you're enjoying your summer. it's been a fabulous mix of busyness and relaxing in my life these days...

because my kids home for summer break, there's obviously more to do {more meals to cook, laundry and dishes to wash, messes to clean up}. so i'm never without something to do in that respect. thankfully, they help out with those chores and the like, but can keep themselves occupied doing the things they enjoy when we hang at home for the day and it's just too hot to play outside.

with regard to relaxing, i'm still an early riser {i prefer to do my daily workouts before the fam wakes up and there's nothing more fabulous than watching the sky wake up while out on a run}, but i've grown to appreciate the slower-paced mornings {no school!}. i've been watching lots of movies and tv shows {many thanks to Netflix streaming service, the library and my cable's VOD}, reading, and of course, cooling off in the pool.

this past week i've relished cooler temps {though still hot, don't get me wrong!}, discovering new music via NPR's podcast and website, All Songs Considered, and using some fabulous beauty products...

Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Overnight Treatment Crème* makes split ends virtually disappear, allowing me to extend time between salon trims. this has definitely saved me some moolah! in addition to giving beautiful overnight results {no residue or stickiness} over the past few months of using it {about twice a week}, my hair has benefited from its rich, conditioning formula.

since i can't always avoid spending time outside mark No Place to Run Longwear Eyeliner* is perfect. during hot summer days when makeup can literally melt off {not pretty!}, this eye-defining gem lines smoothly and blends well, but when it sets, it stays there all day.

in the fragrance department i've been wearing an old favorite: Mark Jacobs Daisy. i wore it a lot last summer, too. it's bright, cheery and feminine; just the sort of scent to put a smile on any face. i prefer it in rollerball form-- easy to apply where i want it and travels well.

do tell! what beauty goodies are you currently loving?

*products sent to me for review consideration; pics taken my me :)

currently loving...

spring is in full swing...isn't it fabulous?

mornings are still cold, but the days are getting warmer, longer, and i'm so inspired by all of the new and gorgeous things in my life that are making the season so much more splendid...

fresh blooms!
i love fresh flowers, and seeing them everywhere always brings a smile to my face.

a new scent!

i've enjoyed wearing Shenandoah, by Terri Michelle fragrances, a lot lately. the clean-smelling scent has floral notes, but also musks, making it sophisticated but still light. i admit, i probably wouldn't have liked this a few years ago, but i now find this to be quite lovely. this gem is perfect for the spring season with its notes of bergamot, white lily, white musk, freesia, lotus, ylang ylang and sandalwood.

pastels!

coral and mint in particular are among the eye-pleasing, happy-inducing pastel shades every beauty girl should be adding to her daily life this season. both shades are uber flattering and can easily be incorporated through clothing, accessories and beauty products. i'm loving Sally Hansen nail polish in Mint Sorbet and Revlon's Coral Reef lipgloss.

new mascaras!

even if i'm not wearing shadow or liner, i wear mascara. three i can't get enough of all happen to be made by Maybelline ~ One by One {clump-free, fabulous volume}, Lots of Lashes {amazing, glossy length and volume with a fabulous brush to get at every lash} and Illegal Length Fiber Extensions {gorgeous, flake-free length}. trust me, dolls, you need these eye-opening gems in your beauty arsenal.


what are you currently loving??

Shenandoah fragrance sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me

currently loving...the website edition

there are so many things to love when it comes to beauty, fashion and lifestyle. from new collections and collaborations, to the latest color palettes and design ideas, there's so much online to see and read and it's so inspiring...

at the same time, i confess, it sometimes overwhelms me. just the mere thought of all the info that exists on one lone topic out there is beyond my imagination! sometimes i find myself thinking, why didn't i think of doing that?, or i wish my blog was more like xyz's, and when i do, i have to take a step back...

in doing this, i allow myself to either unplug completely or limit my time online. blogs and websites are to be enjoyed; exploring and appreciating {rather than comparing myself to} what others have to share, makes for a better blog/website visit.

if you're a blogger {or any other creative type for that matter}, you know what i mean, right? :)

we all have something fabulous to share and can all contribute our view of the the things we love and want to talk about.

{i love this fun hairstyle...find out how to do it yourself }

all of this rambling is to say that the following are just a handful of sites that share fabulous style & beauty inspiration, encourage creativity and celebrate the beautiful things in life that we all find pleasure in...

please visit them very soon and enjoy!!

The Glitter Guide {i also j'adore the site's founding editor, Taylor Sterling's blog, Sterling Style
79 Ideas
Lace & Tea
Houzz.com
The Beauty Department
A Girl, A Style
Beeyond Yoga
Design Seeds

tell me: what are some of your favorite blogs and websites to visit?

image source; hair image source

currently loving...

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;

currently loving...

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 :)