Tops I NEED

January 18, 2012 by

I saw all of these tops last week and I can’t stop thinking about them, that means I NEED them right?

  1. Women’s Bird-Print Charmeuse Blouses, Old Navy
  2. Marina Stripe Boatneck Top, LOFT
  3. Ruffle Trim Woven Henley Tunic, LOFT
  4. Women’s Striped Jersey Henleys, Old Navy
Filed Under: ak, tops Tagged With: ,

3-fer Drugstore Product Review

January 17, 2012 by

I am a diehard drugstore cosmetic girl.  It’s not that I don’t like department store lines, I do purchase certain things like foundation and powder there; however, when it comes to eye shadow, blush, lip gloss, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, etc–I love me some Loreal, Revlon, and various other drugstore brands.  Plus I really dig the prices, considering they are at least half of what you can expect to pay at a department store.

So….during my recent trip to CVS, there were huge displays of all the brand’s new products and I picked up three to give them a try.  I LOVE THEM ALL, so need to tell you about them.

  1. Nuance Salma Hayek Lasting Wear Gel Eyeliner ($9.99)-  I can’t say enough good things about this eyeliner.  I was very surprised and pleased.  I’m ALWAYS on the hunt for a good one, because one of the most important things to me is the ease of application.  For me, the harder it is to apply, means the worse my eyeliner ends up looking.  I sometimes end up looking like a 3 year old who has drawn connect the dots with my eye lids.  So I was thrilled to see that this gel pencil glides on.  Great for a clean, subtle lining, but also works really well when smudged for a bolder look.  Another benefit is it’s lasting power.  Granted I wore this over the weekend (for whatever reason, make up doesn’t stay on as long or seems to wear faster at work), but it really seemed to stay on and not end up on my eye lids, corner of my eyes, or the always lovely black under eye look.
  2. Loreal Infallible Eyeshadow (7.99) – This was my favorite of the three.  This shadow comes packed tightly in a small little pot and even has a cap within a cap that keeps this half loose/half packed shadow compressed.  The coverage is great on this, as it totally exceeded my expectation of all day eye shadow.  I got the Hourglass beige, as I have been on a nude/neutral kick lately, but I plan on going back for more colors since I liked it so much.
  3. REVLON Photoready Color Correcting Primer  ($12.99) – this stuff is perfect for my combination (pizza face) skin that sometimes leaves my face looking blotchy, red and uneven.  I put this on after my moisturizer and before my foundation.  It evens out my skin tone and creates a smooth canvas to apply foundation on.  Its not greasy, but its not too dry either.  Perfect.  I’ll definitely continue to use this.

There you have it.  Another thing that wasn’t new that I picked up during my trip was ol’ faithful Loreal Telescopic Mascara.  I’ll try other mascara, but I always come running back to this.

Filed Under: court, frugalista, makeup

Beauty Discoveries

January 11, 2012 by

I thought I’d share some stuff I’ve used in the last few months either via a sample or I’ve purchased and been using, that I’ve fallen in love with.

  1. Biodroga Intense Moisture Formula Eye Care-I have been on the hunt for an eye cream for what seems like EVER. The problem I run into is that as the day goes by my eyes start burning from certain eye creams. I got a sample of this a while back and used it for a good week without any problems…that was a first! So I bit the bullet and bought it and I have no clue if it’s going to make me look 20 years younger but I figure eye cream that doesn’t cause massive burning is better than no eye cream at all. Right?
  2. Aquage Beyond Shine Spray-I use this when I’m done with my hair, but I spray it in my hand first and then run my hands through my hair.  If I spray it directly on my hair it will look DUUUURTEEEEE and I might as well start all over.
  3. Nars Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer – Oil-Free-I read somewhere that as you get older you will want to use a primer under your foundation so that it falls into all those fine lines and wrinkles and your foundation will go on smoother.  I’ve tried a couple and then got this as a sample from Sephora and LOVED it. I feel like it makes my pores noticeably smaller and my foundation goes on smooth but also I’m not an oil slick by the end of the day.
  4. Redken Hot Sets 22 Thermal Setting Mist-I use this prior to flat ironing my hair.  I like it. I mean there are a lot of different ones out there and I just thought I’d change it up a bit.  Good stuff.
  5. Rosebud Salve in a Tube-I’m a fan of the Rosebud Salve in the little tin, so when I saw this (and I may be behind the times on this being in a tube) I instantly bought it.  It’s always nice to change up the lip balm every now and then and I love the way this smells.
  6. Jonathan Product Weightless Smooth No-Frizz Hydrating Balm-I’m going to venture to say that this product has been LIFE CHANGING. And I’m two for two on Jonathan Product stuff. I think I’ve said this before but my hair is very thick and naturally wavy but not always in a good way, so I straighten my hair when I want to look presentable.  However, living in the Houston area with humidity 11 out of 12 months of the year, straightening my hair can be challenging.  UNTIL NOW! I got this stuff as a sample and I just thought I’d give it a shot and OMG the difference it has made in getting my hair straight and KEEPING it straight once I walk outside is unbelievable.  It’s a keeper.
  7. Finishing and Blending Face Antibacterial Makeup Brush #955 – Studio Line by bdellium tools-I’ve always been the kinda girl that put on her foundation with a sponge, and thought I might try a brush recently and this one didn’t disappoint.  It’s kinda crazy how different foundation can look with a brush as opposed to a sponge.  Definitely worth a shot.
Filed Under: ak, hair, makeup, skin care Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Captured by Chambray

January 10, 2012 by

I’m beginning to think that my love for chambray could very well trump my love of stripes in the very near future.  Could that really happen??? Well, I am coveting all of these chambray pieces hard core right now for my whole family.

  1. Old Navy, Red Chambray Shirt
  2. Gap, Mens Lightweight Chambray Jacket
  3. Target, Merona Chambray Scarf
  4. Gap, Chambray Driving Cap for Boys
  5. Alloy, Paper Bag Waist Pants
  6. Gap, Boys Chambray Button Down

 

Filed Under: der, fashion, Jeans Tagged With: , , ,

My New Stack

January 10, 2012 by

I’m going to share with you one of the Christmas presents I got that I LOVE LOVE LOVE. These rings by Leslie Freeman Jewelry Design were gifted to me by my parents. I love the endless possibilities with these..you can wear them all or just a few or mix and match with other rings. Here’s what I did on the day I got them, I mixed them with some of my sparklies.

Filed Under: ak, jewelry Tagged With:

Baby Lips

January 5, 2012 by

I don’t know whether it’s this cold/plague that I have come down with or the drier weather around these parts, but my lips have been horrendously dry and scaly. Enter this.

I purchased this in Peach Kiss for it’s shimmery light pink color several weeks ago, not knowing it would be my saving grace when I thought my lips just might peel right off. I literally used this all day long and have seen DRASTIC improvements in the condition, feel and overall grossness of these chapped lips of mine. I would say this one is a keeper fo sho!

Filed Under: der, health, makeup, skin care Tagged With:

Sweatin It in a Sweater

January 5, 2012 by

There are two things Texans don’t need many of: coats and sweaters. That does not keep me from wanting all the cozy numbers that show up in stores the second we drop into the 60 degree temps.  These are REALLY calling my name. They are also calling out that I may need a stripes intervention. I think every single item I like these days is striped.

  1. Old Navy, Striped Intarsia Sweater
  2. Forever 21, Wide Stripe Sweater
  3. Forever21, Striped Sweater Top
  4. Forever 21, Thick Stripe Sweater
  5. Forever 21, Colorblock Turtleneck Sweater

 

 

Filed Under: der, tops Tagged With: ,

Holiday Gift Guide: Bracelets

December 13, 2011 by

I do not know what it is about bracelets this year, but I can’t get enough of them! Here are a few I wouldn’t mind finding under the tree with my name on it:

  1.  Gold bangles; Etsy
  2. Turquoise and gold; Etsy
  3. Cara accessories leather and stud wrap; Nordstrom
  4. Simple initial bracelet; Etsy
  5. Gold eternity circle karma bracelet; Etsy
Filed Under: gifts, jewelry, sk Tagged With: ,

The Great Necklace Exchange of 2011

December 9, 2011 by

Hey everyone! I’m going to be participating in The Great Necklace Exchange of 2011 over on the Fashion Loves People blog. Go read about it, it sounds super fun and it clearly states that you don’t have to be a designer or even creative…SOLD! I was a little hesitant at first but I’m just gonna go for it and see what I can come up with.  Who wants in? It’s the last day to sign up!!!

Filed Under: ak, diy, jewelry Tagged With:

The Bar Necklace

December 5, 2011 by

Currently my everyday necklace is a gold rectangle bar with my sons’ initials on a silver chain.  I’ve been quite partial to mixing the gold and silver lately.  So when I saw these necklaces on Clementine etsy shop, I immediately fell in love and also think it would perfectly compliment what I already wear…just another layer.  We all need layers right?  Personally I think I’d get the gold chain/silver bar combo since my other necklace is the opposite combination.

Filed Under: ak, jewelry Tagged With: