and another thing...

i ordered a new swimsuit from VS. an adorable neon coral with black polka dots. so stoked. and then, i got it in the mail. and...eh? pretty cute on. but i was somewhat dismayed. then the boy came over and could tell from my lackluster expression that i was less than pleased. so he proceeds: "are you disappointed because Miranda Kerr didn't come with the swimsuit too?"....

EXACTLY!

photo via

got to try

doesn't it look yummy? with spf, thank'ya very much. gotta have it. $22.50. i also purchased this little goody recently...can you tell i'm just a tad obsessed with anything related to lips? in other important news, all i want to be doing is reading whilst wearing stripes. next to a wall of windows. in the sun. mmm yessss...

photo via

skin wipes

as i wandered target for almost two hours on sunday with no distinct purchase (or purpose) in mind, i stumbled (literally, stumbled over a basket in the beauty isle) upon these wipes...

Giovanni Organic Towelettes. Sanitary wipes for de-germing; post workout, after traveling on planes, trains and automobiles (you know that icky, sweaty, sticky feeling), or wrapping up a long night out when you have little motivation to use your arms or turn on the faucet. They are biodegradable, safe for all skin types and full of natural oils. I bought them in the travel size (6 pack for $3 at target) for my upcoming travels...and because I'm a sucker for anything in neat, small packaging that invites travel and convenience. In refreshing scents of grapefruit splash, energizing scents of peppermint surge and calming lavendar. xo,

photo 1

flowida

im heading to Naples, FL for spring break (not that kind of spring break) with the boy, and i need a new, fabulous, delicious, swimsuit. i don't want a torpedo chest or a chunky behind. any ideas? *hint, affordable.

photo via

january lips

the velvet matte lip pencil from NARS, dragonfly girl. a siren, hot pink with a red undertone a la January Jones. My newest weekend purchase and I'm obsessed. Uber smooth. $20. Get yours.

photo via

what im using now

When the new year was approaching, I decided to zone in on my favorite beauty products. Instead of buying anything and everything off the shelf that attracted my eye, I committed to some essentials. I bought, I tired and I loved. I'm back on the Bare Minerals bandwagon for full face coverage, but I needed some additions. So here are my gems for the new year:

1. Bare Minerals Renew and Reveal Facial Cleanser, $26 (sale, $18). A dry powder cleanser that is extracted from mineral soil. Activated like a clay cleanser once mixed with water. Gentle, brightening and won't cause breakouts.

2. Philosophy's Hope in a Jar moisturizer, $38, as previously posted. Amazing.

3. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish, $34. A shimmery but beautifully pinky bronzed base for all over your face. I really like to focus on my cheekbones. Will make any complexion glow!

4. MAC Cream Colour Base $16.50. To add to the apples of your cheeks, after the Skinfinish. Smooth with a punch of color. So natural and lasts forever.

5. Rimmel Max Bold Curves mascara, $7. I haven't been impressed with any designer mascara I try, even MAC. I'm a drugstore mascara junky and I've been oh so happy with this thick and fluffy mascara.

6. Philosophy's Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash, $25. For the nights I need a little extra scrub, especially after nights out ;) but still gentles for my sensitive and oily skin.

7. Bath and Body Work's Warm Vanilla Sugar body wash, $10.50. So delicious and soothing.

8. MAC Select Moisturecover in NC 15, $16.50. Creamy with a perfect coverage, especially for those purple/pink under eyes typical for fair skinned ladies.

I always stick to MAC eyeshadows and cream eye pots, lip gloss and concealer. Philosophy makes incredible facial products and am very pleased with the outcome. Truly, I'm a MAC and Philosophy loyalist, but am always open to more.

What are your essentials? What are you using right now?

jar full of hope

it's heaven in a jar. light, fluffy with great moisture. combination skins is quite the dilemma and i usually have trouble finding that perfect balance, but this does the trick!

$38 for a 2.5 oz, but well worth the bills. a dab goes a long way. the perfect lotion underneath your makeup, or lather it on for your evening snooze. i couldn't be more obsessed.

find at sephora and nordstrom. happy skin, lovies!

photo 1 (unknown, sorry!), 2

Holiday Beauty Buy #3

again, im a total loser. flurry of a week last week and now im stuck home with the worst head cold imaginable. but either way, here is the next holiday must have beauty buy.

#3 Glitter Me Pretty. I've moved on from my love of MAC face products. Convinced their studio fix cover-up was giving me some serious breakouts (couldn't be those cookies and bags of sea salt vinegar chips ive been eating...kidding. er, sorta). ok, im off track. but really, i have recommitted to the simplistic and au natural bare escentuals line and am luuurving my matte face powder, warmth, and veil. but even more, im waiting the minutes for my next paycheck to purchase their All Wrapped Up Holiday Eye Collection, $34 (a value of $66).

well, i really don't need these fabulous eye colors, but wouldn't this make the best gift for that girlfriend, sister or mother who is also a die-hard makeup fanatic? great for blending, day or night. don't forget your ultra black mascara.

Purchase online or at your local Bare Escentuals store.
xx,

photo via OH & bare escentuals

Holiday Beauty Buy #2

Friends, so sorry. Yesterday was insane and I didn't have one second of down time to post my #2 favorite for the (holi)day. So we resume here...

#2- Glow town! If you remember, last year, I posted about Josie Maran's all natural, organic line of skin care and make-up. But, I was a total fail- never even tried the stuff, although I was really dying to see what all the rave was about...well, m'friends.... my sister finally said that her argan oil was spectacular and that I must purchase a bottle. I gave it a chance and have been using for about a month. and let me tell you, I am a total convert! I use a dime size (or less) on my face and neck morning and night. A lightweight oil that isn't greasy and full of essential fatty acids and vitamin E. Tones and firms; reduces wrinkles, redness and other forms of skin annoyances. You can also use this on your cuticles, body and hair! (i've tried it everywhere, practically).

Josie's .7 oz bottle is $14 and lasts! But you can get the 2.1 oz for $48. My other sweet sister, however, purchased a generic bottle of simple argan oil at her local all-natural food store and it does the same trick; a 3.2 oz for only $20! So don't be afraid to search.

Purchase at Sephora or online.

Toodles! xo,

sorry, i can't remember this photo credit!

Kick Off to your Holiday Beauty Buys

Good morning, lurvies! Here we are- enjoy this week's Holiday Beauty Buys; the cream of the crop for either gift ideas or a much needed treat for yourself. Each day I'll post my favorite beauty product as of lately and hopefully, you'll want to give it a try. Yay for the holidays!

#1 - Wing it! I've always been a huge fan of liquid eyeliner- at least the heavy, 60s cat eye version. If you're going to wear liquid, make it strong and meaningful. And now, the wing look seems to be everywhere.

So try this: Maybelline Line Stiletto Ultimate Precision Liquid Eyeliner, $7

No dragging, smearing or awkward chunks. Ultimate control with a firm and flexible tip. Perfect for beginners. I love it and wore it all weekend... and it's oh so budget friendly.

ok, back to work and some cafe sippin'...

xo,

photo via

happy 1st!

welcome, december!

looking forward to holiday parties, gifting and gilded nail polish.
xx,


photos via a cup of jo & definitely golden

favorites

hello, lovelies!

im here again. sorry for the hiatus; haven't had a moment to sit down and breathe. while im laying low at home feeling under the weather, still very full from stuffing my face this past holiday weekend, thought i would disclose all things making my happy and thankful right now. and feeling festive- here comes December!

1. my cozy bedroom- whether it is a mess or perfectly tidy, i love crawling in with my full and heavy down comforter, soft sheets with a candle and book. (wish it only looked like this) ;) or waking up so warm and relaxed from a cat nap or that perfect night sleep.

2. snowy travels.

3. jewels and trinkets

4. delicious candles- especially these from anthropologie.


5. holiday reds and holiday spirit.


6. books, books, and more books. im running out of room and my list/collection keeps growing...

7. love.

8. soy lattes and sequins.

9. memories (and day dreaming) of paris

what's making you happy right now?
happy holidays, my dears.

xo,

photos via coco+kelly, Look Linger Love , this is glamorous, and a picture is worth a thousand words...

a tartan tale

MAC's new holiday collection.

how fun and euro! i love it.

photo via

see more here and here

xo,

golden strokes for November folks.

happy monday, lovelies!

how beautious are these golden locks?

me thinks i'd like a few more highlights such as these

(or a perfect grow out *note, pic 1).

hello, first of the month- November, here we are. cheers!

xo,

photos via

pump it up

no, not my batwing arms. im talking hair. ive got that fine, limp hair that is reminiscent of your 2nd grade scruff. mine has not changed and ive battled flat, bland hair for years (thank god for highlights). however, i have found my cure (and on a budget).

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Lavish Lift Root Booster, $5.99 *

an easy spray when your hair is wet.

dry as normal.

and boom, instant volume!

plus, smells pretty sweet too.

Give it a try, we all need a lift once in a while.

xo,

*Sale price at Walgreens and Drugstore.com

photos via drugstore.com and here

over the hump

i need a pedicure and a serious glass of bubbly, stat.

weekend, get here!

xo,

photos, dd&d

the strength in brows

+ wildfox

welcome back to reality (and the work week) people! i hope your holiday weekend was restful and playful. i ate too much, slept too long and drank lots for our blessed 'merica. i am somehow lacking some serious motivation. nap, please?

and for you to ponder while i take a little snooze: peroxide blonde + dark strong brows? some may scoff, but i say YES. gorgeous and a perfect beauty statement for the summer. the saucy lips are also a plus in my book. what say ye?

xo,

coral crushes

i've got a thing. a thing for lipstick. not that i wear it all that often, but when i come across a fabu color, it usually makes it way into my purse/makeup bag. i have an entire diddy bag devoted to just my lip gloss, lipstick, liners, lip pens and lip crayons. matte, glossy, red, purple and pink. i've pretty much got 'em all. and now...i'm onto the orange ones. my skin may not be the best fit for the orange tones, however, you can mix and play with many. although it's rainy cats and dogs outside my pathetic excuse for a window at work, these colors evoke the meaning of summer.

one affordable shtick i do recommend:

Maybelline's Coral Crush, $6

a delightful blend of red and orange.

try it out!

xo,

images via models

i'm a sucker...

{images via}

...for trying new products. hence, the birth of this blog. so while i had the monday blues at work (don't we all, some days?) i decided to take a trip over to my beloved walgreens for an update to my makeup bag. i've been dying to try some certain goodies.

and here they are (click on the product titles below to see more)... plus, i signed up for the rewards card (not a credit card- god knows i dont need any more of those) and i saved almost $30! yeah.

Revlon Spa Illuminator (in light pink face), $12

perfectly serves as a light coverup and spf lotion, for the days you don't want to pile on the foundation.

gives gorgeous shimmer but nothing over the top.

Revlon ColorStay Mineral Bronzer (in honey), $12

safe and nourishing minerals for the face with a blend of pinks and browns for any face.

doesn't go on heavy or cakey- you can really add layers of this without looking like jersey shores.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss (in peach petal), $7

im a MAC addict, however, sometimes i just can't shell out the dough. ive been craving a good, nude/pink gloss that is thick and glossy. well ladies, this is it. perfect for all skin types, even you olive ones.

Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Loose Powder Foundation (in classic ivory), $13

i have yet to try this gem, however, i know im a huge fan of anything loose and full of natural ingredients. mix this with my revlon illuminator and im sure to have glowing summer skin. i'll get back on this one.

Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Concealer Kit (in fair), $12

a mini jar with creamy (but substantial) concealer on top, with illuminating finishing powder underneath.

blends easily and gives full coverage- the soft illuminating powder gives a nifty reflecting light under the eyes so you don't look so dead. i also added this around my cheek bones. use before and after foundation powder if you wish.

There is something to be said about simplicity and a natural face. However, sometimes a girls just gotta spruce it up. I decided to stick with Revlon and Neutrogena for a few reasons:

1. Neutrogena is always natural looking, soft and predictable. I never break out with this stuff and it is never heavy.

2. Revlon has some good ish right now! nicely done.

3. Both Revlon and Neutrogena were having savings- buy one, get the other 50% off (how could i resist?)

so instead of spending almost $100 on products like these at say, MAC or Bobbi Brown, try your local walgreens for about $42.

xo,