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

Happy {freedom} 4th!

cheers to a weekend of great food/drink, fireworks, sun and gut wrenching laughs. mine will be full of bbqs, friends, and outdoor activities (along with the previous mentioned). make your summer must-do lists and slather on the spf. happy freedom friday weekend, darlings.

oh, and Go Oranje! Totally rooting for the Dutchies (that's for you,brother).

xo,

images via

green room

{via}

i want this room. {chartreuse+aqua blue}
absolutely splendid.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, lovelies!

"a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic."

cheers to my people (and all the green beer out there, ya?)!

xo,

tGif: Park City

{via}

here i come!

i plan on indulging in a little bit of this, this and this

(but we're blondies, not brunettes) ;)

i apologize in advanced for the lack of posts this weekend or monday.

but enjoy yourselves this Valentine's!

hugs and kisses, lovelies!

And here's to The Doctor...

{praxis}

"Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it."

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happy MLK Jr. Day!
and to the many years of struggle, education, love and triumph.

xo,

New Year for a New Routine

for thy face: exfoliate 3x a week.
St. Ives has updated their peach face scrub
(oil free, mm thanks!)
Makes for some supple cheeks.
$7, any drugstore/grocery store

for thy eyes: big time mascara.
i want them long and thick.
still on the hunt...
(suggestions, anyone?)
don't forget your eyelash curler, ladies!

for thy lips: bold and beautiful.
i'm thinking glossy and berry, or matte and red.
(Rimmel and MAC make the best)

for thy cheeks: matte bronzer (to highlight)
and pink cheeks (to illuminate)

and many more...
xx,

{photo via treehugger}

back from the depths of winter.

{uptownmpls}

and re-grouping still.
sorry for the lack of posts,
i spent a very long and glorious weekend in freezing minneapolis.

more to come...
and they're some goodies :)
xox

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.

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,

Skin Rescue

After a spooooky night with layers upon layers of this face makeup (grrr)...{photo by Double D, courtesy of Book Face :)}

...I desperately need a little face rescue to tackle the monster mash on my chin! So I depend on my dear Mint Julep Face Mask, $7.

Refreshing, but also drying in order to combat those pesky bumps and impurities in your pores. Slather it on in the shower with steam, or do spot treatment for 15 minutes until dry. Truly a skin rescue.

Grr baby, grr....XO

Spook Town

{MAC Facebook}

Scarrrrry pumpkins!

MAC is doing a phenomenal job at interpreting Halloween with these freaky, but ever-so-real Halloween makeup masks. Only to then inspire my closest girlfriends and me to morph into the roles of "Safari Predators" for All Hallows Eve. We are most excited.

Check out the video below. Welcome to Spook Town, everyone!

{Not Afraid to be Freaky}

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgmgyRX9Zn4

Can't wait for October 31st...

Happy Haunting,

Wear Your Whites!

Happy Labor Day weekend, all! Although they predict a monsoon of rain for all of the NW (would we expect anything different?), do be sure to grill some dogs and drinks some cocktails...all while wearing your white.

In honor of timeless and charming beauty, I give you Katharine Hepburn. I really heart her! Especially in classics like, Bringing Up Baby, Desk Set and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

I grew up on these movies, so if you haven't seen them, rent them! Perfect for a long, rainy, holiday weekend.

Toodles!

{photos via http://www.squidoo.com/wholesalefashion}