locked stocked and two louboutins

And it continues....

2009-08-09T19:05:00.000-07:00

My eye condition that is. I had posted about it before, and it has been something like 3 weeks now.

Because of eye contacts that were not the right size for me and fit very tightly, a whole slew of problems ensued, and I am now on three (!) prescriptions, all topical. To avoid any further problems I haven't been wearing my contacts, makeup (no mascara?!?!), and I even contemplate going with facial moisturizers and SPF (gasp!) I am just afraid something will get in my eye and irritate it further.

People have been asking what happened, what is wrong with my eyes, etc. I am glad people care enough to ask, but I always feel the need to explain I am not contagious.

People also tell me I look tired a lot. How do you respond to that one? Thanks for letting me know?

Anyway, it is improving, albeit very slowly. And I will be back testing makeup before you know it!

Hair care- part 2

2009-08-04T11:47:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I discussed at length my choices for shampoo and conditioner. I also plugged Aubrey Organics, my choice for all things hair-related. I want to continue that today because I have some other great finds from the site. What good does a good conditioner do you if you hair still needs taming from styling products, right?

I am a curly-haired girl (and I refuse to straighten it- not everyone looks good with straight hair. I just end up looking like a chubby cheeked version of Cher.) So some form of hair gel is a must. But I am very picky- I don't want crunchy or crisp hair. I don't want the wet look even when my hair has long been dry. I want soft, shiny, defined curls that look healthy. And frizz must be kept to a minimum.

Tall order, right? Well two products from Aubrey Organics deliver. B5 Design Gel is a "Styling gel and conditioner in one! Herbal gums and vitamin B-5 (a natural hair thickener) offer body and hold, and Organic Rosa Mosqueta® and other herbs deep-condition and help protect hair from sun and blow dryer damage," according to the website. Mandarin Magic Ginkgo Leaf and Ginseng Root Hair Moisturizing Jelly contains "eight hair-nourishing Chinese herbals, plus hair-thickening vitamin B-5 and herbal gums add up to one superb styling product that moisturizes as it holds. Adds body and shine without weighing down the hair."

It may sound like the Moisturizing Jelly is like a true hair gel, holding the curl, but it is the other way around, in my experience. The moisturizing jelly does just that, it moisturizes and makes my hair super soft. The B5 Design Gel provides a whole lot of hold though. In fact, at the beginning when I experimented with these products for the first time, I went overboard with the B5 Design Gel and got a mild case of helmet head, where each curl was crunchy and crisp. Not cute.

So now, I have determined the perfect combination/ratio of the two (for me and my hair, anyway.) I put a quarter size-half dollar size amount of the Moisturizing Jelly in my palm, add only a dime size amount of the B5 Design Gel, and mix together before applying to my hair. I do this a total of 2 - 3 times, depending on weather conditions, humidity, and how much time I feel like spending on my hair. I also disperse it evenly by working on SECTIONS of hair (like top/front, back/sides, and then I flip my hair over and get the bottom/underneath.) It sounds time consuming, but my hair literally only takes 5 minutes in the morning, and most days I am happy enough with it.

Curly hair is tempermental regardless of how you style it, but if you take good care of it, treat it well with good, natural products, and lay off the heat styling and straightening, it tends to behave better. Another important factor is how much you touch/play with curly hair. When styling, don't run fingers through hair- it separates the hair into smaller pieces, creating more volume. (That is, if you have problems with excess volume, like me.) Once it is styled, touch the hair as little as possible- touching will break the curls up, contributing to frizz. And any curly-haired gal will tell you that frizz is the enemy.

Oh, and Aubrey Organics offers all sorts of styling aids- from hairspray to leave in conditioner to curl activator- to style any kind of hair. And you don't have to be a curly head to use the Moisturizing Jelly, it would also work (in smaller amounts) as a leave in conditioner for other types of hair as well.

Do you have curly hair? Have you been hiding it because you just can't get it to look healthy and frizz free? What do you use (whether curly, straight or somewhere in between) to style and care for your hair?

Hair care- part 1

2009-08-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

Going natural and organic is important, but it can be so expensive. It leads you to wonder, where do I begin? I will be the first to admit, there are more inorganic/unnatural things in our cleaning regimen (for both house and body) than there are organic/natural ones. But I make it a point to try an all natural method or product if it is cheaper or comparable in price to the one I was using. I stick with it if it turns out as effective or more so than the method/product I used previously.

And that brings me to my shampoo and conditioner. There are people who buy drug store brands because price is all they care about, those that are loyal to certain brands (like Pantene, Garnier, etc) because they think they work the best, and those that only buy salon brands, convinced they are more effective. I have been all these people.

Then, sometimes those people get fed up with the poor results they are getting with all of the above. Maybe they are intrigued by claims made by people who have gone all natural. But when you get to this point, as I did, you aren't sure where to get REALLY all natural products for hair care. Oh, there are plenty of products claiming to be all natural in drugstores, but reading labels is key. Chances are, if you can't pronounce it, it isn't naturally-occurring.

Having given up on products I had tried from the store, I searched the internet. That is where I found Aubrey Organics.

I have dry, coarse, curly hair with frizzy tendencies, so I chose my shampoo and conditioner based on that. However, they do have choices for oily hair, straight hair, normal hair, etc. Every kind of hair under the sun.

I wanted the products to calm my sometimes itchy scalp, clean off any residue from styling products, moisturize and detangle, and provide daily nourishment. The ones I have tried did all that. I am a huge fan of the White Camellia line, as well as the Jojoba and Aloe Desert Herb line. Both smell clean and herbal- nothing too strong. They rinse clean but still leave my hair soft, and de-tangled. Everything on the ingredient list is recognizeable. I am also quite satisfied with the price, considering the change in results I have seen since switching my products- most of the shampoos and conditioners are $10 for an 11 oz bottle, which lasts me forever. That's another thing about all natural products- since they get the job done right, I don't have to keep masking any damage done to my hair with more conditioner, styling products, etc.

What kind of shampoo and conditioner do you use? Do you buy and use them as a matching set? Do you try to use all natural/organic products?

If you like my thinking here....

2009-08-02T09:57:00.001-07:00

If you like my thoughts on fashion and beauty, you should read about my thoughts on food, nutrition, vegetarian and vegan fare, raw food and much more! Visit my other blog, here!

I might go see Bruno!

2009-07-31T14:09:00.000-07:00

So since we are on a spending freeze so we can do some major renovations on our house, both Chris and I have cut any unnecessary spending, right? Well, then he asked if I would want to go see Bruno on Saturday, and now I am thinking it might be an unavoidable expense. I mean, I blog about fashion, and Bruno is about a crazy fashionisto, right???? See the official trailer here.

What do you think, should I go see it? Have any of you seen it? Is it worth it? Is it dumb and not funny and offensive? Or is it just some light hearted comedy? Do tell :)

Troll beads

2009-07-30T16:30:00.000-07:00

What would you pay for a bracelet you can make all your own? You can literally have a different bracelet everyday, just by changing the beads on it.

Well that is what a friend and co-worker of mine does. Terrie bought Troll Beads in countless designs, the bracelet to put them on, as well as the necklace, and she has more beads on the way. The middle bracelet on her wrist, pictured above, is made from these beads.

Every night she creates a new outfit, including her jewelry- and it shows. Terrie never seems to wear the same thing twice, and now that is literally true for her jewelry.

But there is a price to pay for individuality. Troll beads are not cheap- the glass beads range from $25-35. Gold beads go for $140-1130! They sure are fun though!

Terrie had lots of great jewelry, however- even long before Troll Beads came along. Just look at this amethyst necklace of hers:

Now THAT is a statement necklace.

Do you like big, colorful jewelry? Do you pick out yours to match your outfit at night before bed? (I wish I did, it would make for less harried and stressful mornings!) Do you like these Troll Beads? Will you be ordering some yourself? Say so in the comments!

Give me a little daily moisture, please

2009-07-29T11:50:00.001-07:00

I always have lotion on my desk at work. I drink so much water so I must have to use the facilities something like 10 times between 9 and 5, and all that hand washing wreaks havoc on my skin. So I make it a point to always follow up with lotion when back at my desk.

Well I was using this stuff:

Burt's Bees is awesome- they use all natural ingredients and most are organic too. But this one is pretty strong smelling and has a greasy feel. It would be fine at home at the kitchen sink, but I don't want greasy fingers all over my keyboard and on my work phone, etc.

I also wanted something with an SPF- your hands are often overlooked when it comes to sun protection. You apply SPF 15 moisturizer all over your face and body in the morning, but throughout the day you (hopefully) wash your hands a lot. And you probably don't reapply that moisturizer afterwards. Hands often show age long before anything else so sun protection is important.

A week or two ago (before the spending freeze) I was at Walmart over my lunch break picking up some produce so I figured I would get a few other things. So, I got more hand lotion for my desk and I went with this one:

Perfect! It has a light, clean, pleasant scent. It absorbs quickly and makes my skin super soft. It is gentle. And it has the required SPF 15 for me. Just one pump is all I need for my hands after washing. Oh, and it is cheap. Love!

Not at my most stylish....

2009-07-28T12:33:00.000-07:00

Lately (the past week and a half) I have had to wear my glasses and not wear much makeup. The reason: my eye. Last week it was really sensitive to light, but the sensation came and went. Over the weekend, it got pretty bad, and the burning kept me awake. My eye is red and irritated-looking, but no, it is not pink eye or anything else contagious. I have a few theories: a blood vessel popped from stress or not getting enough sleep, or (as Chris suggested) I accidentally poked myself in the eye and scratched it.

I know, what does this have to do with style, beauty, fashion, etc, right? Well, I have had to wear my glasses, which only brings back memories from high school of feeling like a nerd. And to stop anything from possibly causing further irritation, I haven't been wearing any makeup. No foundation, as it could get in my eye. No mascara. Nothing. So I kinda feel.... naked.

Last week, I thought maybe I could use the need for glasses as a reason to dress like one of those sexy librarians. I wore a satiny frilly top with black trousers and heels. Not only did I not succeed with feeling sexy, I was also really warm and uncomfortable whenever I left the extreme air conditioning of my work environment.

Ever have days like this? How do you deal when you don't feel like the best version of yourself? The good news is that it seems to be getting better.

Spending Freeze

2009-07-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

You know to what I am referring. No spending, no buying anything unnecessarily, unless it is grocery shopping, I will not be entering any stores.

Not that I did a whole lot of shopping before. I mean, compared to some of my counterparts, I am tame. But it has been declared out loud this time. Other than bills (and savings) no money will be leaving the checking account. And all because...? Because a lot (A LOT) of work is going to be done to the house in the next month. The kind of work that involves knocking down walls. Raising roofs. (Literally.) Ripping fixtures out. And all that takes money.

Normally I will not even realize when it has been a long time since I last bought something frivolous. But when I declare a spending freeze on myself, I become painfully (PAINFULLY!) aware. Suddenly, I NEED purses. Shoes. Sunglasses.

I know, I know. All in my head. And it's for a good cause. My house will look better for it in the end. Yea yea.

Having my house in disarray will not help matters, of course. I will be looking for any reason to get out, and shopping won't be an option.

Petty? Probably. Whiny? Mhmm. Petulant? Definitely. But hey, at least I can admit it, right? And I can tell myself that while I am not making myself more stylish, I am making my house more so!

Do you ever put yourself on spending freezes?

Bruno on the Today Show

2009-07-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

All I have to say is wow. Check it out:

Flirty little summer dresses

2009-07-24T18:52:00.000-07:00

One of the best things about summer is that getting dressed is so much easier. Just throw on a little summer dress and go. You can dress it up or down depending on what accessories you choose.

One of my favorite places to look for summer clothes is none other than Victoria's Secret. Well, the website anyway, as the store is mostly about what goes on under the clothes.

I did some virtual window shopping and came up with a list of looks I would love to add to my closet right now. Here are just a few dresses every girl needs:

A white dress- so fresh and clean looking. Great with any skin tone, and can be worn during the day or at night.

A shirtdress- a look that screams "borrowed from the boyfriend," which is right on trend right now.

The one shoulder- also right on trend. This one is a no-brainer for date night, weddings, basically anytime you want or need to knock someone's socks off. It bares a little skin without being revealing, and the options for accessorizing are endless.

Peasant dress- you all know how I feel about the boho-chic style. This kind of dress fits right in with that look.

The sporty dress- who doesn't love a built-in bra? This is the kind of dress you can run around, play and flirt in, but it still looks super cute!

So there you have it, my choices for must have dresses. While some of these looks are particularly in fashion right now, I think these are styles it is good to keep around. They can all be reworked easily in order to look more of the moment.

What do you all think? Have I forgotten any?

I have chic friends

2009-07-23T16:10:00.001-07:00

At a recent party for a friend's engagement I was wowed by the style some of my friends have. Just look at these outfits:

Above is Tiffany, and she gave me the lowdown on (almost) her entire outfit.
Dress: Free People
White corduroy jacket (pictured on her below): American Eagle
Purse (a lookalike of the timeless Coco Chanel chain shoulder bag): Etsy

Can you believe Tiffany scored this purse on Etsy for only $12?? It is vintage and real leather. Love!

I am unsure about the shoes and belt, but she is right on trend for this season with both. Wedges and espadrilles made of natural materials always work for summer, but there is definitely a focus on them this year. The belt is brown and leather, and is perfect for giving this sweet and girly flower print some edge.

On the right is Candice, who always manages to look beautiful. She obviously knows you can't go wrong with the little black dress. I forgot to ask her where she found it, but it looked great on her, especially paired with her sky high strappy platforms!

This is Brittany, our host and the guest of honor for the event. She said the dress is BCBG, and the shoes are Manolos. Aren't they beautiful??? I wanted to rip them off her feet!

Do you have stylish friends too?

I tried it- Mixing patterns

2009-07-22T16:44:00.001-07:00

I think Michelle Obama has GREAT fashion sense. Whether you agree with her husband's politics or not, you can't deny that. Take this look for example:

The rule used to be that mixing patterns was a definite no- that it would look too "busy." But as The Girls in the Fashion Department put it, "This is such a simple, wearable way to do the pattern mixing thing. She sticks with one color palette, keeps it summery and fresh, and doesn't complicate things with the rest of her accessories."

I wasn't going for the exact same look, complete with pearls, however. I wanted my outfit to have a bit more edge.

I wore a loose, flower-print spaghetti strap blouse from Old Navy, bermuda shorts from Old Navy, and the striped cardigan is New York and Company. Wedge sandals are from Nine West, bangle bracelet is from NY, and the skull-and-bones ring is Lucky. What do you think?

SPF in triple digits!

2009-07-21T16:12:00.000-07:00

My friend and co-worker Kelly and I talk about skincare (and other things) a lot. It is no wonder, after all- she sells Avon! She does buy and use a lot of products from Avon, but she is not exclusive to them. She also complains of sensitive skin that reacts and gets irritated by facewashes and lotions easily (a problem many of us have)- so when she finds a product that she likes, she tends to highly recommend it.

She took my recommendation of Cetaphil from a previous post seriously, and she says it helped to calm her skin. Yay! In return she told me about a little find she made herself. :)

Finding a good, high SPF sunscreen or facial moisturizer can be hard when you break out easily or have a tendency to get shiny. Believe me I know. I haven't found a good one above SPF 15 because it seems that the higher the SPF, the greasier the feel.

Kelly claims this is not so with one particular product from Neutrogena. She put it to the true test when she went to the Maryland shore for the weekend. According to her findings, it was not greasy, but it was also waterproof. It didn't cause her to break out, but it didn't budge the whole time she had it on. And she didn't need to reapply. She even had to wash her face more thoroughly to ensure it all came off. Those are some pretty great user results to back up their pretty big claims!

According to the website:

"Neutrogena Ultra Sheer^® Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 100+ with Helioplex^® offers the highest combined UVA/UVB protection. SPF measures UVB burning rays, while PFA measures skin-aging UVA rays. Now, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer^® SPF 100+ is the only sunblock proven to protect skin from over 99% of UVB sunburn damage. Plus, with an unbeatable PFA, nothing provides better UVA protection. Infused with a light, fresh scent, this elegant formulation is fast-absorbing, non-whitening, waterproof and lightweight. Neutrogena's Dry-Touch technology provides an ultra-light, non-shiny finish and leaves skin soft and smooth."

I may need to pick some up myself now- I am almost out of my higher SPF sunscreen (for when I am out in the sun for longer periods of time) anyway.

Anyone else use this one already? What do you think of it? Use something else you think works even better? Share!

Nutrition for your skin!

2009-07-20T17:39:00.000-07:00

My friend Alberta came to visit for the weekend, all the way from Mt. Vernon in NY. Along with eating out, getting ice cream, watching the new Harry Potter movie, and playing dominoes, she and I talked skin.

Night time skin care to be exact. Alberta has great skin naturally, but she has recently changed up her night time routine. A friend recommended a few products to her, which she has been using a few weeks. She loved the results, both immediate and over time, and has thus passed the recommendation on to me.

Two nights in a row, I patted Garnier Nutritioniste Skin- Renew Daily Anti-fatigue eye cream gently around my eye. Alberta told me she noticed a difference in her eye area the first time trying the product. So did I! The dark areas were brighter and fine lines were slightly diminished. It was a very slight difference, but improvement nonetheless.

She also had me sample her Garnier Nutritioniste Skin- Renew Overnight Regenerating Cream both nights as well. I immediately noticed it sunk into my skin, instead of sitting on top of the skin and feeling greasy. This is an issue especially in the summer for me- oil, humidity and clogged pores are a recipe for disaster. If a night cream sinks into my skin instead of just leaving an oily layer on top, I am a happy camper. The next morning, my face still did not feel greasy- a feat in itself.

If you are looking for a good eye cream and/or night cream, put these two on your to-try list! Thanks for the tip Alberta!

I tried it! the boho- hippie look

2009-07-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

I got this dress for- get this- $20. Yes, twenty dollars. TJ Maxx is a treasure trove.

The little bolero jacket is from The Limited- I got it forever ago, but it has served me well.

The bangle bracelets are Aldo Accessories- I wanted some color since the rest of the outfit was black, white and gray.

I wore my gladiator sandals and my purple fringed purse, natch. This is probably the most comfortable outfit I own!

Gypsy girl

2009-07-16T18:20:00.000-07:00

I wore this skirt because it is so damn comfortable. And the volume is very... "forgiving." But I knew I needed to balance out the volume by wearing something more form fitting on top. I wore heels in hopes of giving me some height and lengthening the legs, but I may have picked the wrong ones. I wanted a nude colored shoe, but these are more pink. What do you think?

I wore a cocktail ring, some chandelier earrings you can't see in the picture and my watch and wedding rings. My husband says I should have gone a little crazy with the accessories, and looking at this picture I kind of agree. I just didn't want to overwhelm my frame since the skirt was so big to begin with, haha.

New Nail Colors!

2009-07-15T21:00:00.000-07:00

It was time for a new manicure and pedicure. My hands and my feet (especially my feet) look like they have had it lately. For my hands, it is because I haven't been as diligent as I usually am with lotion, especially after hand washing. For my feet- well, you know how summer and sandals can be.

Please excuse the bad paint job, especially on the toes. I painted them on my lunch break at work in my car, haha. I went with OPI's "I'm Not Really A Waitress" for my hands, and Essie's Glamour Do for my toes. The Essie one was a free gift from Glamour! It is super pretty, but super sheer. I used something like 3 coats because I was afraid it just looked clear.

Somebody at work commented that I don't match the nail polish on my toes and fingers. I don't do that because I think it looks too... staged maybe? Besides, I think the notion that you have to do that is outdated.

What do you think of these colors?

I tried it- the boyfriend shirt

2009-07-14T18:53:00.000-07:00

I love the trend of stealing your boyfriend's (or husband's in my case) clothes- I think it looks so easy and casual, and not like you are trying too hard. Almost as though you just woke up late, needed to find some clothes quick and run out the door.

I had such a morning last week, and figured it was as good a time as any to try the trend.

Here is how it turned out:

Now here is my train of thought for the look: I like how Rhianna tucks hers into skinny jeans or shorts. However, I can't wear shorts to work- it just wouldn't be appropriate- and when wearing something loose on top I try to keep things tight or form fitting on the bottom, and vice versa. It is all about proportions and balance for me, especially since I am only 5' (and a 1/4 inch) tall!

So I wore mine with leggings. But then I belted the shirt so it wouldn't look like a tent. I wore flats because I thought heels might hint at the first time this kind of look was around- the 90s- and I wanted it look more up to date. My husband suggested heels would help with the proportions though, so I am going to play around with that more next time...

I am also going to play around with the accessories/jewelry. I only wore stud earrings, my watch, and my wedding rings. I want to layer on more, as Rhianna did here.

I wanted to do a makeup look that was similar to Rhianna's- very simple and light- except for those bright red lips. The lip color here, in case you are interested in trying it out, is Nars Bloodwork. Next time, I think I am going to try a more defined and matte lip.

I got one compliment on the outfit at work, but tons more on the lip color!

Skincare, part 2

2009-07-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

In my first post about skincare I went over what I know to be the main types of skin. I also broke down the cleansing regimen, types of cleanser, and daytime moisturizer that I think are best for each type. In this post I want to discuss what I believe to be the best way to care for skin at night.

At nighttime, when you are sleeping specifically, your skin repairs and rejuvenates itself. (So does the rest of your body, by the way. Staring bleary eyed at your computer at 3 in the morning is not helping to repair anything- I have tested that already, haha.) So, a night time regimen is very important so that you and your skin can get the most benefit from those (hopefully) 8 hours of rest.

Here is what I have in my arsenal- all the treatments, serums and creams I use on my face AFTER CLEANSING. This stuff is useless and will probably just clog your pores if you do not cleanse and remove all makeup first. I do not use every single product every single night- that would make my skin erupt in flames. It hasn't happened yet, but I am making an educated guess.

And here's the explanation:
I wash my face- it's usually Noxzema at night, like I said in the first post. Once or twice a week I use Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion Peel- it leaves my skin super soft and any treatments I use after are more readily accepted by my skin. Creams and serums seem to soak in better.

Once or twice a week (not the same night) I use a mask. The ones above are all good, but I have tried a lot. The Mint Julep one is good for tightening pores, drying up any acne, oil etc. The grapeseed one is good for softening fine lines and overall firming, and the avocado and grapefruit one is good for light exfoliation and moisturization.

If I have acne of any kind- blackheads, blemishes or full-on pimples- I use the two Murad products. The Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel is good for larger areas and less serious acne. It contains salicylic acid which sloughs away dead skin, which is a big part of what causes acne. The dead skin gets in the pores and mixes with oil and dirt to clog them up and make them look big. The Acne Spot Treatment is for just that- spots. I dab it on actual pimples and rub it in. Both products are pretty strong (for me) so I don't use them everyday, just when I think I need them. I used to use pimple creams with Benzoyl Peroxide. It would definitely dry up the pimple, but it also made my whole face dry, itchy and red. So if you have the same experience, these two Murad products may be good for you.

If there are no acne problems to deal with (yay!) I use my other serums. I try to use the Avon Anew Clearly C as much as possible. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant- it fights the free radicals that do damage to your skin all day long. It has improved clarity and tone and it is supposed to fight signs of aging. Plus, this serum is super moisturizing- sometimes in the hot weather, I don't follow up with any other cream. I did my research on this one too- it has 10% Vitamin C, more than the more expensive Mario Badescu version, which I believe has 7%. Good deal!

Sometimes I use my Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Serum in lieu of the Vitamin C serum, but for the most part I use the Neutrogena one during the day. However, if using it during the day, you have to be careful. It contains Retinol which can make you sensitive to the sun. I always follow up with a good sunscreen or my Benetint You Rebel Tinted Moisturizer with SPF. Also, since many people are sensitive to Retinol, it is recommended you start slow with this product- use it every other day or every third day for a week or two before increasing to daily use. Retinol is another exfoliator- so obviously I wouldn't use it after I had exfoliated with my Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion Peel, or at the same time as the Murad Acne Gel. It would definitely result in sensitivity.

Every night, regardless of the other treatments I use, I also use an eye cream. The one above from Avon's Anew Force Extra Line is thick and creamy, and is the one I use currently. In the past I have also used this one from Avon's Anew Clinical Line.

This one is also great- it has a cream part to fade dark circles under your eyes as well as a cooling gel to calm puffiness on your eyelid up to your browbone.

At Sephora, I got this one as a free gift, and it is next in the lineup of products to try:

I will let you know how that one works!

Finally, I usually round out my nighttime regimen with this Avon Solutions Dramatic Firming Cream. It gives me the feeling of tightening my skin- although that could all be in my head, who knows. It is thick enough for the winter, which is a must for me. Sometimes, depending on what else I have used, I forgo it in the summer months.

I probably sound obsessed with antiaging products and promises, but I figure it is never too late to start preserving your skin.

What is your routine like? Is mine a little... overkill? Have you used any of these products? Do you have something you have tried, tested and now swear by?

Bohemian-hippie-chic style

2009-07-12T19:21:00.000-07:00

I am loving the Boho-chic style that is so in right now. I think it just epitomizes a carefree lifestyle. It looks eazy-breezy and casual, so that means the clothes have to be comfortable. Here are some ways to pull it off:

First you need a tie-dye maxi dress.

Then add some comfy, flat shoes or sandals....

Fringe on the accessories is always good (just don't go overboard and wear anything and everything with fringe.)

And wear some nature inspired jewelry! I really like the look of these headbands, too.

Bonus points for sunglasses like these- I have been looking everywhere for the perfect pair...

What do you think? Into this trend?

Sephora Beauty Insider

2009-07-11T17:43:00.000-07:00

I love Sephora. Whenever I am at the mall, I have to stop in there and play with the makeup- it's like being a kid again! I love all the crazy colors, the witty names for the products, the samples, the wall of perfume, the "free" gift once you accumulate enough points.... Of course, you don't earn points unless you are a Beauty Insider. And of course, buy stuff.

But being a Beauty Insider has another perk, in my mind at least. When I can't get to the mall to go in there and play with makeup, I at least get the emails about what they have in terms of the latest and greatest. It is like virtual "window shopping."

I just received the Beauty Insider email now, and it has a lot to tempt!

Is it just me or does the Cargo Lash Activator claim to GROW your lashes???? And how many of you have been using the Clarisonic brush for eons now and swear by it? Or do you want it as much as me? And that Lorac lipstick- the perfect summer shade of coral- not too pink, not too orange, and light enough to be sheer. Aahh Sephora.... I can't have everything, but I can dream!

Reader Q&A!

2009-07-10T12:17:00.001-07:00

Reader Billie Jean has a question:

I started looking more oily after using Noxema. Today is better after a full cold water rinse. Do you cold water rinse the nox to close your pores and get excess out? It's something I learned as a teen and just remembered.

Here was my answer:

If you are noticing you are more oily or that your pores look big because of the Noxzema, you could try toner. I do the cold water splash at the end too- tightens the pores! If you do try toner, be sure to get a good one. Most contain alcohol which is drying and really strips your skin. Burts bees should have a good one. Or use good ol' fashioned witch hazel. Just read the label and step away from anything containing alcohol. Hope that helps!

Do you guys agree? Would you do anything differently? Do you have a secret you want to share? :)

Flowers in fashion

2009-07-09T18:33:00.000-07:00

I have noticed more and more flower patterns when out and about shopping- and I think I like it. This is what I am talking about:

Urban Outfitters

I love beanies in general, and I am always hoping I will someday find a way to wear them with my crazy curls.

I love train cases- particularly vintage or vintage looking ones. I remember having one to play with as a kid, who knows how old it was. I only wish I knew where it was now. This one from UO may not be vintage or have a hard shell like that old one, but it does have pretty flowers all over it and a silky lining! Would look cute for travel or just sitting in your bathroom holding all your makeup, don't you think?

I love maxi dresses in all forms, and this one from UO is no exception. I like the big bold flowers on this one- I don't think small flowers would have had as much impact.

I think flower prints on tops are great. The thing about a top like these is that it can be dressed up or down easily- depending on whether you wear boyfriend jeans or skinny, dark wash jeans, flat gladiator sandals or stilettos. And depending on the jewelry, the versatility goes even further. Wear a studded bracelet and a piled on bunch of chain necklaces and you have a rocker-chic style. Go with some stacked gold tone rings and a single long chain with several little charms and you have more of a girly style. Also, anyone notice the one sleeve black t-shirt up there? Accentuating one shoulder is hot hot hot right now. Isn't it nice when you can draw attention to a little bit of skin without actually revealing much?

This plaid flower headband is so cute- I think it would look great with a plain white boyfriend t-shirt, some slightly destroyed denim, and some simple jewelry. It looks like the flower is pretty big and would be hard to miss on one's head. So since it would draw so much attention, I would keep everything else simple- let it take the spotlight. (Charlotte Russe) The earrings would be cute mixed with rocker-chic jewelry- I think matching up things from opposite styles makes things look modern and fresh, and like you aren't trying too hard. (Urban Outfitters)

I have a feeling about what many of you might be thinking about this dress, because I initially thought the same thing. I had several dresses a lot like this in elementary and middle school. Maybe you are thinking it is very "circa 1990" with it's cut and the small print. Maybe you think the pattern looks like your grandparents' curtains. But I am telling you, this could be very fashionable with the right add-ons and accessories. With the right boyfriend blazer or denim jacket, and some casual gladiator sandals or distressed leather cowboy boots, it would be right on trend. See below for some good options. (Dress, jackets and shoes all UO)

This cardigan caught my eye because it has a very relaxed and drapey feel- very different from the cardigans we are used to from JCrew and Gap (which I love as well!) Plus, it has a print, while most of the cardigans I currently own are a solid color. This skirt is adorable- would be great with a solid v-neck t-shirt. It has the same flouncy cut we have been seeing, but the wide waistband should make it more flattering for a wider range of body types. And it has pockets! I never put stuff in the pockets of my clothes, but it's nice having them, haha.

Do you like the flower trend? Too girly for you? Do you prefer them hippie-style? big and ornate like upholstery? (ha!) bold and eye-catching?

Fashion inspired by the Fourth of July

2009-07-08T18:31:00.000-07:00

So this weekend, like most in the U.S. I saw fireworks. Even if you weren't looking for them or laying out on the ground beneath a display, you probably couldn't escape them. And like most (other than dogs and car alarms,) I enjoyed them! It did make me think of fashion that dazzles in a similar way.

Bedazzled

The last time I went to Topshop I noticed sequins are back in a big way- they are definitely having a moment. Check it out.

Then there are these rings from Forever21:

Big statement rings have been in for a while now, but in the past it has been big stones. Here we have lots of little stones, and the effect is kind of like glitter.

Graffiti art

This picture from the fireworks we saw made me think of graffiti art and fashion, like these:

Tassles

When the fireworks go up they light up the sky, and then as they fall they kind of look like streamers, or maybe tassles? And tassles have made a comeback too:

Topshop skirt

Do you ever get inspiration from an unexpected place?

Skincare, part 1

2009-07-07T18:32:00.000-07:00

A reader recently emailed me, asking me to discuss skincare in a future post. (Thanks Billie Jean!) Well, there is a lot to the subject, so there could be several posts about it. Let's start with the face- cleansing and moisturizing during the day.

Skin type
Most people fall into one of several categories. There is oily, dry, and combination. You know you have oily skin when you develop shine on your face during the day, and you have to blot or use face powder. You may break out in acne often and/or easily. Summers are worse than any other season because of humidity. You may have greasy facial skin, but the rest of your body may be fine, or even dry. You may have the same issues on certain body parts as well, like the back- you may even have back-ne (acne on the back.) You probably have trouble finding a good moisturizer, since so many are greasy.

Dry skin tends to be a problem more so in winter than in summer, but people can and do have it all year long. There could be flaking, irritation, fine lines, dullness, etc. You may have trouble finding a moisturizer that is thick/creamy/emollient enough. If your face is dry, the rest of your body probably is too- especially the feet, elbows, knees, and hands.

Then there is combination skin, which is just that- a combination. You may get an oily T-zone (forehead and nose) but you could also have dry patches on your cheeks. You could have back-ne but really dry arms at the same time.

So, once you know what category you fall in, it is much easier to choose a good facewash and moisturizers, day cream, night cream, treatment serums, etc.

Cleansing
First off, never EVER wash your face with the bar soap you might typically use on your body. The skin on the face is much more delicate and sees a lot more of the elements than the skin on your body. Bar soap is drying and harsh for facial skin, whether you are oily or dry. Secondly, just because you may have oily skin does not mean you should get a harsh or drying facewash. Your face, being constantly dried out by the facewash, may react by overproducing oil in an attempt to balance the skin. It is much better to look for a product that will clean your pores, not necessarily strip the skin of oil. Who said that oil was bad? It is the stuff in the pores that will cause them to look big, and will clog them and lead to breakouts. So regardless of type of skin, I suggest a facewash that will do a good job of cleaning and removing makeup but that is also gentle. Here are a few I have tried that I think do a phenomenal job of that.

I use both the Cetaphil and Noxzema (the blue tub you use your fingers to scoop out of) myself everyday, and I used to use the Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser. I use Noxzema at night mostly, because it feels like a deeper clean, and I usually need to remove makeup and the daily grime. It is also very refreshing and cooling. I have heard it is great if you have a sunburn, too. (Although, it is much better to avoid the sun damage in the first place, of course!) I use the Cetaphil in the morning, since my face should be clean from the night before. But I still wash it (so should you!) because I could have picked up dirt and oil and hair product in my sleep. None of these options suds up- they are all gentle cream cleansers. Suds are a sign that the product contains harsher ingredients, like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, which you don't want on your face, if possible. The Cetaphil does contain SLS, but at least it is not the main ingredient, and it can't be much considering the lack of suds.

Moisturizing
It is my opinion that all skin types should use moisturizer, day and night. But this is where the type of skin you have determines the product you use. Obviously, oily skin and combination skin mean you want a non-greasy, non-comedogenic moisturizer. With dry skin, you don't necessarily want oil in the product, you just want something thick and creamy. However, oil in the product may prove helpful in cold, dry weather and gusty wind, as the oil will provide a barrier against the elements. In this case, the type of oil matters, and experimentation might be necessary to see what works for you.

During the day, SPF is also a must, no matter the season. Five minutes a day, like running to and from your car/house, is all you need to get sun damage. But sun exposure is also good because it provides Vitamin D in a way you can't get in fortified foods. So, since we can't and shouldn't avoid the sun altogether, wearing an SPF 15 minimum is best. A shotglass full is the amount necessary to cover the body sufficiently, and a dollop the size of an almond is the amount you need for the face.

Applying separate products in the morning for moisturizing and sun protection is annoying and tedious, so I recommend products that combine the two. Here are some great ones for the face.

Neutrogena^® Oil-Free Moisture SPF 15 and Neutrogena Ageless Intensives^™ Deep Wrinkle Anti-Wrinkle Moisture with Helioplex^® SPF 20

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30, Aveeno PR Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30, and Aveeno Ultra Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15

The first and second Aveeno choices are good for dry, normal or combination skin, but the second has color. It could be used in place of foundation for lighter makeup. It does not give a cakey, or "greige" look (combo of beige and grey). The third is good for oily skin.

I personally use the first Neutrogena choice, except right now I am using a tinted moisturizer with SPF for summer. Read about that here.

So that is my take on the beginning of a good skincare regimen. I believe the most important parts of skincare are cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection, especially when it comes to the face. In the next skincare segment, I will touch on a good nighttime skin routine, so stay tuned!

What do you use to care for your skin? What do you think of these recommendations- do you agree? Think I missed key options that are better?

The purse collection

2009-07-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

I love purses, hand bags, whatever you want to call them. I can't get enough of them, and I secretly feel I need them in EVERY single color. Yes, I know, a bit obsessive. I am also picky- I like buttery leather (or really soft suede) that looks high quality, and I like the purse to be well designed and constructed. I don't however need the purse to be a particular designer or design house. I know a lot of girls who love Coach, Dooney and Burke, Louis Vuitton, etc. I think such purses are beautiful and well made, but I don't feel loyal to any brand.

Since I am also cheap and (usually) broke, and these qualities usually cost a lot, I don't buy purses as often as some of my friends. But I would like to think my collection is well edited and suits my taste and the rest of my wardrobe.

Check it out:

Nine West doctor's bag, found at TJ Maxx for only $30.

Nine West- I found this one years ago at Marshalls.

I found this one at Lane Bryant one time when I should have been shopping for a gift for my mom, haha.

This one was a gift from my sister at Christmas 2 years ago.

I have had this one forever- it only makes an appearance when I need a small black evening bag, since it has a bit of intricate beading.

This one was a gift from my sister in law. She loves Dooney and Burke.

This was a gift from my best friend Lauren- cute right?

Believe it or not, these are from Bath and Body Works. They came with little body lotions inside. I loved them so much I bought three- I didn't even care about the lotion inside, haha.

I found this one at the Wilson's Leather outlet when I was on a yellow kick. Too bad Wilsons is going out of business! This one has a wallet built in on the front of the purse. Convenient, but I don't use this one when I go to NYC or Philly or somewhere else crowded and busy, since the wallet could easily fall open if I wasn't careful.

My mom gave me this one- who knows where she got it, though. Doesn't it have a late 80s, early 90s vibe about it? I love over sized clutches, especially envelope style ones.

This is the one I blogged about recently in the piping post.

And this is the one I got recently at Topshop.

I realized only just now that I don't have too many wallets. I think this is because changing a purse is so much easier (for me) than changing a wallet. Also, sometimes I will use some of the small clutches pictured above as wallets. The Coach one was a gift from 4 girls I had as residents on my floor my senior year of college (I was an RA.) The orange and green ones I got at the Liz Claiborne outlet a year ago.

What do you think? Is there a certain style or color I am missing? Do you have a love for purses? Are you loyal to certain brands or stores? Share :)

Charmed, I'm sure.

2009-07-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

I love charm necklaces for some reason. Charm bracelets are not my thing, but I always want another charm to put on a long chain around my neck.

These are a few I am coveting as of late:

I used to hate lockets when I was younger- I just felt they were a little too quaint for me. But now I love anything vintage, or vintage inspired; vintage stuff looks like it has a story, as though it had a life before I came upon it. These are a few lockets I want:

Aren't they adorable? Just lovely.

I do have a few cute charms. check them out. Sorry about the poor photography....

My mom gave me this Italian horn charm and this S. I tend to wear them together, I like a few charms hanging from one long chain.

I don't know how old this charm is or where I got it. I think I found it in a box of tangled junk jewelry. I love how simple it is. Since it is hard to tell, the silver etching is a flower.

I got this one in Newport in a store called "Green Envy." The charm is made 100% from recycled materials, including the little pictures. Great idea, right? One side says, " Life is too short, eat dessert first." The other side says, "Some days require cookies." And the pictures, since you can barely tell, are of little kids with those cookies and dessert!

I love how some celebrities, like the Olsen twins will hang a pocket watch on a long necklace like a charm. I usually notice they wear it tangled up with other necklaces, like pearls. I need to first get a long enough chain to do this, as this pocket watch is pretty big. If the chain is too short and the watch is sitting too high up on my chest, it would look ridiculous.

Gotten any charms of your own? Good stories about how you got the jewelry? Share!

The Neon trend

2009-07-03T14:34:00.000-07:00

Neons (and the eighties in general) are back in a big way. Just look at this evidence:

Charlotte Russe:

Urban Outfitters:

Topshop:

I love me some trendy neon as much as the next girl, but I know full well that a trend like this will go as fast as it came. So what are you to do when you still want to get in on the fun without spending a lot of money on stuff you might hate in a few months?

My way of getting in on this trend cheaply and without a whole lot of commitment was with my nails. Take a look:

Now I know neon green fingertips are not for everyone, but that is the beauty of nail polish, it doesn't last all that long. As soon as you are sick of it, it is time to take it off anyway.

If you like these colors and want to find a bottle of your own these are the names to look for:
OPI La Paz-itively Hot (hot pink on toes)
China Glaze In the Lime Light (neon green on fingers)

The thing with crazy nail colors like this is that nails should be kept short. Fun colors can look great, but if the nail is long it can start to look... overwhelming.

Normally I try to buy OPI exclusively. It just seems to last the longest and the color stays true. Plus, OPI contains no DBP, Toluene or formaldehyde. But, OPI didn't have a neon green (that I could find at Sephora, anyway) so I found this China Glaze version at Sally Beauty.

What color(s) are you wearing on your fingers and toes? Are you into the neon trend?

With a little piping....

2009-07-02T16:52:00.000-07:00

I am now convinced that by simply outlining, one can make anything look "sporty." I read on the Glamour blogs that piping was going to be on everything this year, and so far it has.

Check these out from Topshop:

and this cute little bathing suit from Anthropologie:

And this stuff from Charlotte Russe:

The first three items from Charlotte Russe would actually make for a good outfit for the office if worn with a blazer to make the top more work-appropriate.

But notice how the piping gives it all a sporty edge?

Other than the obvious work out gear, I could only find one item in my wardrobe that had piping on it:

I love this purse. I found it at TJ Maxx for $12. It is real leather and well made. It is an oversized clutch and can fit almost anything I stuff into it. And it works with a lot of outfits I already have. Plus it is right on trend with the contrasting piping all around the edge! All the qualifications of a great buy.

Are you into the piped look? Already own a lot of stuff with piping? Tell me all about it! :)

I am blushing

2009-07-02T16:10:00.001-07:00

I know they are modeling Armani underwear here, but who is actually noticing that itty bitty swatch of fabric?

dollface

2009-07-01T20:11:00.001-07:00

This is a new model on the scene- Lindsey Wixson. Troy Jensen, makeup artist to the stars, blogged about her recently, saying she reminds him of a young Angelina Jolie. Doesn't she look like a lifesize doll??? So pretty in such a unique way. Troy did her makeup so that she would look like she barely had any on at all, so she didn't look like she was trying too hard or anything. I think he did a phenomenal job.

My scarves

2009-07-01T18:09:00.001-07:00

So I said I would post about the scarves I own- which are all pretty much gifts, except one.

This one was given to me by my mom- I think she figured I might need it as a shawl for a more formal event, but I tend to wrap it around more casually.

This one was a gift from my sister- I usually tie it to a brown purse.

This was another gift from my mom- it is from India. It is pretty thick so I will only be using it in the winter. But the colors are so vibrant, it will really jazz up an otherwise simple outfit.

This scarf is from Amalfi in Italy. It was given to my mom as a gift, and she passed it on to me.

This is the only one that was not a gift. I got it on one of my first trips to NYC. I bought it at the United Nations and it is from India.

This was yet another gift from my mom, and it was given to her before that. This one is from France. It is pretty heavy so it is reserved for use in colder months.

Since some of the scarves have "mature" patterns I try to wear them with simple tops in white, black or gray (men's undershirts are a favorite) and with "younger looking" jewelry to balance out the look.

What do you think?

The newest addition

2009-07-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

A reader (thank you, K @ blog goggles!) asked that I post a photo of my new Topshop purse, and I finally got around to taking that picture. Here it is!

Get Scarved

2009-06-30T15:39:00.000-07:00

I love scarves. I love how the French know how to wear a scarf just so. I love that a scarf can dress an outfit up or down. And that you can wear one in pretty much any season, any weather.

You can wear it wound all up around your neck:

Or as a hair accessory:

You can spice up a plain t-shirt for a fun and casual vibe:

Or you can wear it with a blazer for a multi-layer look:

You can use it to stay incognito:

Scarves can have so many different prints, they can be made of silk (ooh la la) or soft and comfy cashmere or chunky wool. I also love that scarves can have such a history behind them- each comes with a story.

Tomorrow I will show pictures of a few of my favorite scarves- most of which were gifts from my mom!

Do you have an accessory you find so versatile and useful? How do you wear your scarves?

Latest Topshop visit

2009-06-29T07:11:00.001-07:00

So, the trip on Sunday to Topshop was not as successful as I had hoped, but it DID result in a purchase:

I can't find a picture on the site, but this will give an idea of the style. It is a cross-body bag with a long strap, and with a flap that folds over on the front. It is purple, not blue, has the same type fringe, with big metal grommets (I am OBSESSED with metal hardware lately, on EVERYTHING.) And it is suede. I am loving the boho-chicness.

I also tried on both this macrame vest:

as well as this little jacket.

Both were well made and looked nice on the hanger, but just didn't fit me as well. I also tried on a few pairs of shoes, none fit well enough to buy though. *Sigh*

More to follow on the weekend activities. What was your weekend like?

Chicken or the egg?

2009-06-27T19:48:00.000-07:00

If it weren't for Michael Jackson, Sargent Pepper Jackets with severe shoulders by the likes of Balmain may never have gotten so huge. Which came first? You decide.....

Will anyone influence our fashion and culture the way MJ did?

Suit of armor

2009-06-25T15:28:00.000-07:00

How crazy beautiful is this picture? Part of it (most of it) is because this is Kate Moss. But a small part of me feels like I need this little cropped jacket.

Here is a shot of the back:

Doesn't it kind of remind you of body armor??? Love it. I am adding this to the list of things I will have to narrow down and choose from when at Topshop....

A beauty and fashion legend

2009-06-25T15:15:00.000-07:00

Today, Farrah Fawcett died after a long hard battle with cancer. In addition to her memorable career, she pioneered high-waisted pants, feathered wavy hair, bed head, and that image of a natural California blonde. I found these pictures to commemorate her- I think she looks the most beautiful and natural here.

British Invasion

2009-06-24T18:41:00.000-07:00

I first found out Topshop was coming to the US through- what else- the blogosphere. I can't remember exactly where or which blog exactly, but I remember thinking "what is Topshop, what's the big deal?" But I kept reading about it and hearing about it in all things fashion, and I guess the frenzy was infectious. When it finally came here, namely to NYC on Broadway, I knew I would have to pay a visit on my next trip there.

I walked out of the store with the following:

It may be hard to tell how cool this jacket is, but let me tell you, I feel pretty badass wearing it.
I also got heart shaped earrings and a heart shaped ring with the British flag, but they don't have those online and I don't have a good picture of me wearing either, other than the following:

(My friend Mike got a Michael Jackson-esque jacket the same day, and wanted to show it off. And no, we don't normally wear sunglasses inside, I don't normally smile weird like that, and I don't normally wear the matching British flag ring and earrings at the same time.)

This weekend I will be going to NYC again, and hopefully going to Topshop again. The store will probably have different things to choose from than the website, but just in case, I prepared myself with a little online window shopping:

The vest on Kate Moss is black macrame, and all the purses are big enough to hold all my stuff and either leather or suede. And the glasses are just fun. Now, obviously I can't get all these things, much as I would love to, so what do you think I should get if I were to choose among these things?

Spring/Summer makeup vs. fall/winter makeup

2009-06-22T17:15:00.000-07:00

Until recently, I thought I had the kind of skin where it didn't matter the season or how I did my makeup- I was still going to need to blot, blot, blot. I could keep Clean and Clear in business all by myself, since I need to buy those darn blotting sheets so much and I have even tried strange potions like "mattifier," whatever that is.

But within the past year, I found that my skin was getting super dry in cold months while it still gets oily in the warmer months. To compensate for the lack of moisture in the winter I started using very emollient lotions for both day and night (and of course, I always use SPF 15 or 30 during the day, year round.) I haven't found a liquid foundation that doesn't make me look like I am wearing a mask, so I have been using Bare Escentuals/Bare Minerals. It gave me even, natural looking coverage, blended well, never looked cakey, and was buildable so I could use more as needed.

However, as it started getting warmer, and I started using my blotting sheets again, I did not like what I was seeing. I would put my makeup on in the morning, get greasy looking by 11am, blot, and I would be left with cake face. It would be noticeable (at least to me) that I was wearing a powder on my face. I am the type of person that doesn't want to look like I am wearing makeup, I just want to appear as though I have good skin!

So, I decided that maybe I needed makeup that was a bit lighter for summer, maybe an all in one product. I never tried a tinted SPF moisturizer that I liked from the drugstore, so I figured I would try some from Sephora, which has a great return policy. I always try to read reviews of products at Sephora I am interested in before buying, and my results showed that Benefit, Philosophy and Laura Mercier would give me the best bang for my buck. So far I have only tried the Benefit one- You Rebel, but I kind of love it. It gives me a little bit of color and evens me out, it moisturizes, and it has SPF built right it.

Since I was changing from a mineral powder to tinted moisturizer, I thought this was the perfect excuse to try a different blush. I was using an Estee Lauder (I forget the name) or Nars Orgasm- both in powder compacts. I had tried Nars cream blush in the past. But I had been dying to try an all around stain- like Benetint, although there are others. You can use it on lips AND cheeks, but so far I really only use it on my cheeks. You kind of have to play around with it to get used to it and see what works best for you. But I can best describe the effect you get as a "glow from within." It just looks like you are naturally blushing, which was exactly what I was looking for.

Do you have different makeup for different seasons? Do you like Mineral makeup? How do you feel about tinted moisturizers? Love a certain one and think it beats out my Benefit You Rebel? Ever try Benetint? Love it as much as I do? Share!

The no!no!

2009-06-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

In the summer, most women strive to be as smooth as possible, so hair removal is a necessary evil. We pluck, we wax, we shave, etc. But the end result is almost always the same- it doesn't last long enough. This is why I thought I would give the no!no! a try.

This is what Sephora says about the device:

"no!no!, Sephora's exclusive next generation hair removal system, is changing the shaving routines of women around the world. Portable and sleek, it utilizes revolutionary Thermicon technology, a gentle heat wave that destroys hair without pain or irritation, to safely reduce hair re-growth up to 64%. It gives professional removal treatments, like lasers and electrolysis, a run for their money. Over time, you'll notice decreased hair density, a lot less stubble and a lot more time spent not shaving. Created by Radiancy Ltd., it's a whole new concept in hair removal, in the privacy of your own home. Like any professional hair treatment, it takes time and dedication to achieve your desired results. The same holds true for the revolutionary no!no! hair removal system; with all the right moves, stubble-free, smoother skin will be yours. Be sure to follow the directions closely for the safest, most effective results."

Chris surprised me with the no!no! one day since he remembered me mentioning it and how it might actually work. (To those thinking this is one of those gifts you might be insulted in receiving, this wasn't the case- I had been wanting to try it out for a while, but I thought it was too expensive.)

It says to be patient with it, giving it months. So I was prepared for that. But the problem I had with it was that it doesn't get so close to the skin, it leaves you with some stubble. I know "thinning" out the hair would not be instant, but the immediate results should be similar to those of shaving, in my mind. I even used the buffer after going over an area as much as possible.

By the way, the buffer is a foam (like styrofoam) disk. Cheap, much?

There is also a smell that lingers. It smells of burning hair. Chris noticed the smell an hour after I had used it- and I had the windows open and a fan on. I could have put up with the smell in the name of hair removal though, as long as the results were smooth.

The good news is that the no!no! does not burn you. The heat (Thermicon technology) is conducted to a wire filament that is suspended on a sort of blade. When you glide the no!no! on your skin, the filament is just a hair shy of your skin. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) But since the filament doesn't come in contact with skin, this explains why you don't get a close "shave."

In other good news, Sephora has the best return policy I know of. I was able to return the no!no! without any problems. I am thinking this technology has good potential though- maybe they will come out with a new model in a year or two that gives better results.

Have you tried the no!no!? What did you think?
Have you ever bought a device that seemed too good to be true, like from an infomercial? Did you ever fall for a gimmick?

I want I want I want

2009-06-12T15:25:00.000-07:00

Lately, I want more clothes, more shoes, more purses, more accessories- this is bad. First, my money should be going elsewhere, like my vacation fund or to pay down debt. Second, I have nowhere to put more stuff. My husband may kill me if the weight of my clothes breaks another closet rod. Third, I don't NEED any of this stuff. And it creates a lot of pollution, manufacturing all these things. And a lot of these things are made from leather, so animals are raised and killed just so I can have another belt. So, let's see if I can satisfy my urge to shop by showing instead of buying, shall we? Let's see how long this lasts.

Orion Ankle Boot at Bakers- it has a 4 1/2 inch heel, it is open toe but still an ankle boot so it could work for multiple seasons, and it is real leather, so it feels like it might last. I will admit that sometimes, the shoes I have gotten at Bakers in the past have just fallen apart- but lately I have had better luck. Plus, the prices are decent and some of their styles are just so bad ass, and I love them.

Professionnel Platinum Angled Foundation Brush #51- Right now I have quite the mix of makeup brushes. I have the ones I got in the Bare Escentuals Starter pack, and I hate those. They are made with real goat hair I believe, but the hairs fall out all the time, especially during makeup application. Annoying. I have a great one for powder foundation from The Body Shop- really soft fake hairs and it has held up very well. And then I have a bunch of drugstore ones, and they are all pretty crappy. The bristles are rough and feel scratchy.I have been doing my research on what brushes I want to get when I am ready, and I think this line is it. It looks like they come in real hair and fake, but I think real hair may be over-rated. It absorbs more of the cosmetic and the hairs seem to fall out more easily. These brushes are made with nylon hairs, which are tapered just like real hairs, and they are super soft to the touch. And the nylon isn't porous like hair is, so less makeup is absorbed into the brush, which I think makes for better application and less cleaning.

For a while I was saying I didn't want any more tshirts because I already had so many and my job is kinda professional so I thought they wouldn't be appropriate. But we don't have a dress code and when in doubt, just throw a blazer over it! I really like the ones I have been seeing at Forever21- they are tissue thin, and the fit is just loose enough. I thought these two were cute (among others)- I really like the simple black and white design and the rocker-chic feel.

I don't think I have the confidence yet to wear the skinny jean but I am thinking maybe I could work up to it. I think they are so versatile and can be flattering if worn and styled correctly. I am hoping by fall, I can wear them without feeling so self conscious.

There's more, but I have to stop somewhere. What have you been wanting lately?

Lady Gaga is insane and I love it

2009-06-11T04:30:00.001-07:00

"Gaga called me and said she wanted to be in a wheel chair. She wanted
me to design it and not the prop department. I took it upon myself to
drive to East L.A. and exchange the wheels for some low rider ones. I
ordered some Gucci fabric and handed it over to my genius
friend/designer Michael Schmidt so he could embellish it with Swarovski
crystals. " Lady Gaga's stylist B. Akerlund on the wheel chair in the
"Paparazzi" video, Anthem via Jezebel

I've finally done it

2009-06-10T04:02:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone! I have been trying to get this started for a while now- try months. My husband Chris is always saying, "So WHEN are you going to get on the whole blog thing" etc. I am always talking about it, but this is finally it. I have been reading a lot of blogs, trying to get ideas for what I want it to say, what I want it be like/about, and definitely what I DON'T want it to be.

I want this blog to have a lot of focus on fashion, but that does not have to be it. Fashion, to me, is an art. Many people do not understand fashion, they think in terms of "Do's" and "Don'ts." I will concede there are rules to fashion, just as there are certain rules in art in general. But sometimes it is ok for those rules to be broken. Sometimes, what comes down a fashion runway won't necessarily be worn on the streets or to work, and that is ok. It is ok to just appreciate fashion, even if it is not functional. That is how I view it at least.

Other ideas I have for this blog: I love thinking and planning when it comes to money and (my personal) financial situation. However, I could see where this could be limited, as I don't want to share too much information in that regard. I love thinking, planning, and researching health, wellness, exercise, and living more naturally and organically. (Although, I will admit, I don't always follow through. Maybe this blog will keep me accountable on that front?) I love travel, but I am not necessarily jetsetting all over the world, or the country for that matter (but only for lack of money.) I do go on short weekend trips to RI and NY often enough, and I have been to Italy and Canada. It sounds like I may have a male contributer- Bill- who will give us the guys perspective on many things, including fashion!

And of course, ideas and suggestions are welcome. Thanks for reading!