currently loving: Pür Minerals

i'm not going to lie, i've been under a lot of stress these past couple of weeks. in addition to the fact that my daughter and son are now in high school and middle school respectively, health issues i've been battling and trying to manage have been acting up. i've been more tired, scatter-brained and unfocused than i've been in months.

it hasn't been pretty.

thankfully, there are plenty of pretty, uplifting and positive things in my life {on and offline} that keep me focused on the good things and the fact that things will get better. :)

among those positive things, the following Pür Minerals products have become some of my favorite beauty goodies and have been getting lots of use in recent weeks. want to know more? take a look, beauties ~ you just might want to add these to your beauty wish list!

the Jupiter Palette ~ how gorgeous is this? i've had this set, inspired by the forthcoming movie, Jupiter Ascending {starring Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum}, for a few months. it's fabulous and is so versatile. i love that it features a beautiful assortment of eyeshadows, an eyeshadow brush, pink lip gloss in Galaxy {it lights up!}, and black liquid eye liner.

the eyeshadow shades include:

Majesty {pale taupe}
Destiny {cream}
Night Sky eye shadow {slate}
Jupiter eye shadow {rose}
Caine eye shadow {mocha}
Cosmos eye shadow {iridescent white}

to keep skin looking its best, the brand offers primers to prep skin and an amazing foundation to create a flawless face, suitable for wear anytime. i've been using all of them, as i mentioned, on most days and highly recommend!

the Correcting Primers are available in 5 formulas that address the most common concerns: oiliness, redness, dullness and rough texture, all while creating a smooth base that enhances skin tone and makes sure your makeup stays in place all day. i was sent the Prep & Perfect, Redness Reducer, and the oil-free Hydrate & Balance. i like them all, but since the weather has been on the warm side, i've relished the oil-free formula and its ability to keep shine at bay.

j'dore...

the last {but certainly not least} gem is the Pür Minerals Air Perfection CC Cushion Compact Foundation. this portable liquid foundation not only makes skin look beautiful but is also good for it! with its skin-benefitting ingredients {like antioxidant vitamin e and hydrating lauric acid}, application is beautiful, it covers effortlessly and i love how lightweight it feels on my skin.


what products have been keeping you cheery these days? be sure to discover more about the fab Pür Minerals brand at purminerals.com. 

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

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??

Total Beauty: The Best Movie Makeovers Ever

for beauty fans, makeover montages in movies are always the best part, right? my personal faves are Brittany Murphy in Clueless (sure, i watched the movie at least 10 times in the theater when i was 15, but don't ask me for a grand total to-date, LOL) and Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada (love, love, love!!!).

i'm happy to report that both made the list.

read on to see the other 9 best movie makeovers to see if you agree...

Our Favorite Movie Makeovers -- Ever

Despite being grown women, we all love a good movie makeover, don't we?

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeover article You laughed, cried and cheered all in the span of a two-minute makeover montage, so here are 10 of our favorite cinematic transformations. See makeovers

xo