Knot So Blah

while perusing Marie Claire's January issue,
the beauty beat struck a nice little cord.
...not only because of the stunning Natalie Portman.

but i digress.

hair and ponytails and buns, oh my.
what to do?

while i face the tedious feat of growing out my hair (c'mon, please please!)
it is beginning to sit at that awkward length.
ick.

sooo...do i just pull it up in some boring pony?
or worse, a claw?
the claw is fine for house work and running errands, but that is about it.

so here is a renovated updo, courtesy of stylist Mark Townsend.



1. High Step
pull your hair into a sleek, back high pony tail.
be sure it isn't '80s' high, and grab any large pieces from the front.






2. Braid away
braid the ponytail.
it can be loose.
if your hair isn't long enough, just twist.







3. Twist and place
coil the braid (or twist) into place on the top of your head.
it should create somewhat of a loose knot look.
pin in place with your handy bobby pins.
fly-aways are good.






4. Cleaning up

be sure to pin up any large chunks or bumps.

bobby pins and hairspray are a girls best friend.

{all images via marieclaire.com}

Kind of that corpse look...

the whole dark copper eye shadow, fair cheeks, and deep lip stick.

if you've seen Sherlock Holmes (please do!) you will notice the lovely Rachel McAdams.
she wears the almost red black eye shadow with a copper apple red lip.
it is somewhat shocking since the color contrasts are so harsh,
but then it dawns on you that it is completely beautiful.

not really a day-time look, but if you need the drama, this is it.
there are plenty of varieties, so play around.
just be careful with too many red tones.

some images to reflect a current trend.


do with it what you wish.
always,

btw...

totally unrelated to beauty...but...

i realllllly want a pooch.
some may hate them, but pugs just tug at my heart strings.
two dear dear friends of mine have one, charley.
and he is absolutely b e a uuuutiful.

check these little guys out!
who could resist?
that's all for now :)

{via mypetchronicles and pbase}

Thank you, Santa.

after a lonnng weekend filled with family time and some major r&r,
i am, alas, back at work.
boo hoo.

missing home and my parents very much.

but must always give a BIG FAT thanks to Santa, dearest (Mum&Pops!)

very happy to have received this...


and this... MAC "Nocturnelle"


while we drank a lot of this...


ate too much of these...in addition to sweet breads, almond cake, homemade chocolates, spice&candy cane cookies etc....ooof, very full!


and finally...a little bubbly cheers to a wonderful year...and onto the next.


back with more...later on.
xo,

To Sunny California We Go...

{r is for rodellee}

my sister and i are cali bound this evening.

spending Christmas in Sacramento with the parents, minus a few:
our brother, other dear sister and her hubby.
tear...

but still so glad the sky is blue and our plane can jet!

things i must remember to pack:
razor (love the venus!)
amlactin body lotion-- a little spendy, but well worth it during the winter months.
my precious jewelry (costume and family heirlooms)
and this:

Forever21, $3.80
Hair pin

a perfect addition to your holiday outfit. and oh so cheap!

can't wait for some spice cookies, hot cocoa, mum's delicious cooking, & family.

Merry Christmas&Love,

For the Love of Christmas

i baked my grandmother's famous cookies yesterday with my dearest aunties, sis and cousin.
it was dumping rain, but i was still in the best of spirits.

there is something about the Christmas holiday that just does it for me. rain, snow or shine.

wool knee-high socks.
cozy knitted sweaters.
gold eye shadow.
berry lips.
hot tea.
sizzling coffee.
cookies and chocolate (i've definitely had my share this week...)
wine. wine & more wine.
warm vanilla body sugar scrub.
pumpkin spice candles.
the best friends&family.

these past few years i've celebrated the Birth of Jesus with some of the best people on earth.
this year, although missing one of our dearest members, we welcomed another.
lots of wine, champagne, delicious eats and a good competitive game of Fish Bowl.

pictures over the years.
close to my heart that make me grin big.

A Very {Merry} Weekend

Thank goodness it is FRIDAY!
Parties, shopping and cookie baking.
Nothing more to say.

Booya.

XO,

Friend or Foe?

I'm still deciding.

Recently I purchased the new L'oreal Paris Everpure Sulfate-Free color care shampoo
and it has received mixed reviews.

{mylifetime}

L'oreal Everupure Sulfate-free, $7

The rosemary juniper smell is just divine, leaving a minty, refreshing scent.
It lasts forever-- you need only a dime size to lather your whole head.

However, the lathering part is tricky.
When I begin at the top of my head, it just builds this huge soapy mess but won't lather and spread down into the rest of my hair.

hmph. oh k...

Then, I rinse. Rinsing usually goes well, but it takes some time.

After blow drying my hair, I've realized my roots feel somewhat...
waxy (for lack of a better word).
So, really, not the cleanest.

On the flip side, my hair has had great volume, body and movement.
Maybe L'oreal is a friend?

You try and decide.
You can't beat the sulfate-free aspect; VERY good for your hair!

Toodles,

It's the start of the week...

...and I don't want to work.
But, what's new?
Coffee much needed.
Had a fabulous Christmas party with my best college buds last night.
Still a little fuzzy this am.

xox,

Be a Rebel

{polyvore}

TGIF!
It's Friday and that means be wild.
Let loose.
Be free.
Have a cocktail (or two).

Wear a bold color, like this lipstick by MAC
Rebel, $14

{MAC}
Berry good!

Love to all,

Let Us Not Complain...

{twolia}

Although it may be bitterly cold and dropping pounds of snow across the nation, it is another season of beauty-- WINTER!

However, most skin begins to feel the effects of the winter drear...
the culprit: wind, snow, arctic chill, etc result: drab skin.

So a little quick fix for you all--
Things you'll need:
Face moisturizer; tinted, preferably
Loose shimmer eyeshadow in a white or champagne color

{qdazzle}

When you are facing the morning mirror with dark circles and dull skin,
take a dime size of your facial cream (I use Neutrogena spf 30 tinted moisturizer) and add a pinch of your shimmer eyeshadow to the lotion.
Rub together and lather on your face. I even add a tiny pinch of shimmer to my concealer for under my droopy eyes.

{prdctjunkie}

It is a sure fire way to brighten up your face; looking alive, well and glowing!
Then dab on some light bronzer with blush and you're done.

*Any loose eyeshadow will work for this trick. I use a cheapo version of Bare Minerals from Fred Meyers, but Target, Rite Aid or Walgreen's will have plenty of choices. Just make sure it's a very light white or champagne/pink color.

Cheers xo,

It's Brit Brit!

For the January 2010 Elle, the Cheetos queen Britney Spears will be gracing the cover and I have to say, I'm pretty giddy with excitement (oddly enough)! The photos are already showing great beauty potential. I don't know why, but I always love me some Britney (blame my college days), even though she is still kind of a train wreck.

Enjoy the preview...

Give Me...

....The New Year, Travel, and the Finer Things.

Here's to the holidays and loved ones!

During this time of year, when family and friends and togetherness are paramount, sadness is never too far behind it seems.

After news of a college friend dealing with an incredible shock and loss to his family, I can't help but be thankful for the health, happiness and undying connection between me, my family, and friends.

Even though there seems to be beauty all around,
Tell the ones in your life you love them!

Peace&Love,

Sparkles and Sprinkles

After a week long HIDEOUS flu ( I was out for the count-- totally dead-zo),
I am craving and loving anything that sparkles.

An 80's like sweater (got one this weekend!)...

pink antique studs...

cream blush (for the winter dreary skin)...

or even a fabulous sprinkled sugar cookie.

Yes, PLEASE!
It's time to boogie.

Be Merry, everybody.
xx

e.l.f; Tis the Season for Gifts, ya'll!

No, I'm not talking about the hilarious Will Farrell flick, but instead the awesome line of products from e.l.f (eyes.lips.face.) Everything is $1. yes, $1 folks! And even better, they are starting to sell sets of lip glosses, fake eyelashes (love me some!), shadows and brushes at Target.
Gimme gimme more!

Click on the title above to visit the website.
There is a PLETHORA of products!

{elf}

'Tis the season of giving and gifting.
Make it worth your while and without breaking the bank.

XO,

Giving {many} Thanks

{couturecarrie}

Put on your elastic waistbands everybody because it's...
Thanksgiving!
Happy Turkey Weekend to all.
Red holiday lips, sparkly shorts, and bourbon&gingerale cocktails.
That's my weekend with the people I love (minus some!)

Peace, love and mash potatoes.
XO,

Supernatural Thursday

{sephora}

Dying to try Philosophy's Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas SPF 15
A multi-tasking 4-in-1 high pigment powder that serves as a concealer, foundation, powder and SPF. Talc free, paraben free, water free and oil free; perfect for all skin types while leaving a satin finish.
Sounds divine....and it must make the face look smashing!
Must try asap.
$35. Cha ching!

XO,

Inspire Me

Visuals that come to mind when I'm needing some motivation and re-energizing are from two of my favorite places in the world : Australia and Portland. Both so different yet display some of the most beautiful arrays of colors I've seen.

The Australian seas and the fall leaves of Portland...

{redbubble}

{tmblr}

And then I ran across this photo from Fashionation and I am dying over the combination of these colors and creativity! Wow.

{fashionation}

Tis the season for some inspiration, I should say...
XO,

To My Beautiful Mother...

{1974..or..1975}

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY
to the most beautiful woman in my life...my mother!
Charming, smart, feisty and incredibly self-sacrificing,
I don't know where I would be or what I would do without her.
She is forever my inspiration.
You are ageless, mamma!

"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."
-- Abraham Lincoln

Here's to another year...loads of smooches to you!

With my deepest love
xo,