Ins

The Wedding – I’m only a couple of weeks away from the big day so all the excitement is finally creeping up and the craziness is finally dying down.

Bali – I am really enjoying every moment of the big day but I can not explain in words how much I am looking forward to the HM and especially since we’re going to Bali. I think a little Zen is in order and lots of beach lounging too

Summer – I’m just glad to see it finally arrive. I just hope that is isn’t a case of #famouslastwords

Soap and Glory – I have just landed on this brand (yes I know, I’m a little slow) but I am starting to really love their products. I have a few that I’m almost ready to commit to HG status. I will blog about those soon, just want to see how they work for a little bit longer.

Beauty Prep Galore – I must admit its been really nice to focus a few months on myself and do the beauty treatments I could get my hands on.  Not sure when I’ll be able to indulge like this again, but it has been a great ride.

Getting in Shape – this year has really shifted my focus on being healthier, and Ive done a few big changes. I’ve become a shred head, learned to build a stable relationship with my elliptical and taken this article to heart and created a few dozen summer salads to keep me healthy and not bore myself.

Outs

Being a Bad Blogger – I have so busy with the wedding and things lately that I’ve been completely ignoring my blogging duties. I promise to resume this ASAP

Revlon Nail Polish Fail -I previously picked up a Revlon nail polish in Minted. Which at first glance is a gorgeous pale green with a gold sheen to it. It is beyond runny. I’ve dealt with some bad polishes before, I’m sure we all have but this was just one for the books. I tried to apply it the other day in a rush, and it just kind of smudged all around. I may either need more patience, or perhaps a something to thicken up the polish. I’m not sure if it was just the bottle I purchase, but perhaps someone can help me out.

San Diego without the Sunshine – I went to San Diego back in June for a lovely Girls weekend. I was hoping for lots of sunshine, and lounging on the beach. I ended up with a huge overcast sky, and needing to purchase sweaters. Oh well, there’s always a next time. At least I had a great view.

I hope you have all been well, and for those of you that stayed loyal.. thank you!! I’ll be back in action in about a month or so (full time).

Till then, Enjoy your summer!

I first heard about the new Revlon pastel collection from the lovely @never_e_gloss back in March. I was looking forward for it to come out and especially excited about the lipglosses. For a drugstore brand, I think Revlon has done a great job with the formulation (of their lipglosses). If you love the Revlon Super Lustrous lipglosses, then you already know how great the formulation is. It’s wearable, and non sticky at its best.

I picked up three of the lipglosses

L to R: Peach Petal, Lilac Pastelle and Pink Pop

So, what do I think? The lipglosses are really nice, they are a creamier variation on the regular Revlon lipgloss. (not cremesheen, just creamier). I absolutely love the pinkpop. It’s a vibrant pink, and I think w the summer tan it’ll be a great way to bring a little color to the face.

I however, wish I could love Lilac pastelle and Peach petal the same way. They are both gorgeous colors, but since I have pigmented lips, they come off a bit sheer and there isn’t much payoff. I think I need to find a good lip muting product (concealer, lip erase, etc.. etc..) so that I can try and work these two into my rotation.

Have any of you picked these up? What are your thoughts??

Yes I’ve been MIA. But to justify it, I have had a ton of finals and work to deal with the past month.

Just to make it up to all the readers – I will give you a little sneak peak at my engagement photo session.

I will post more information about the session and what I have on soon

Happy Friday Everyone!

You may or may not have noticed this, but I tend to do a lot of storage related posts.

If you met me IRL, you’d be suprised because i’m not OCD at all. But I do like the idea of creative storage solutions. I’m not obsessed with everything have to have a place, but more so with the idea that their are creative solutions for easy going organizers (like myself). All you hard core storage folks – bless you, but I don’t think I could ever find enough time to do that!

I am in the middle of a little transition. I have been hopping around a little this past year, paretns house, my apartment, and soon my own littles spot with the Mr. Combining things are not really my area of expertise (I’m a little greedy when it comes to space) and so that leads me to looking for creative ways to stay organized and to do it tastefully in the new abode.

Here are a few little peices that have caught my attention (for the bathroom at least)

Source (google image)

1. www1.bp.blogspot.com
2. www.decor-medley.com
3. www.allyou.com
4. www.poetichome.com
5. www.goodhousekeeping.com
6. www.countryliving.com

I borrowed this idea from ms. tiffany over at IamStyle-ish.com

Reading…

I heard a lot of good things about the book, and I’m only a chapter into it but so far it’s really good! I’ll let you know what I think at the end. I try to switch between chick-lit to interesting lit so I don’t overextend myself (due to all the reading I have at school). I think my next chick book will be from Ms. L.C (I have yet to read the candy series) Have you?

Wearing…

studs. any size. any shape. any design. I’m all about them for spring.

Listening…

Grooveshark Radio. It’s perfect for work – I can listen to whatever I’m in the mood for.

Trying…

a new SPF – recommended by my esthetician. It is supposed to not only help with sun protection – but also with acne marks and dark spots. I just like that its SPF 46, doesn’t irritate my skin (I can even apply it right up under my eye). It’s also good since I’m going to be getting a beta peel or B-lift x. Which is a baby facial peel that uses salicyilic acid.

Using…

Tried and true the mac refined golden bronzer – I just rediscovered this in my make up stash and it’s an instant favorite again. I think I’ll be hitting pan on this pretty soon.

source for all images www.gooogle.com

spring scents by lady.b on Polyvore.com

I don’t know about all of you, but I’m in need of some sunshine. I am anxiously awaiting the days of all spring like things!

To get me in the mood I have rounded up a few of my favorite spring scents. There is something about spring that makes me want tropical, floral scents around me – I mean apricots, and jasmine, ginger and citrus…and well you get the idea.

One of my new favorite scents is the Viktor & Rolf flowerbomb, its a little intense to say the least but it is just an amazing scent on me – and as we all know perfume is such a personal thing. Some stuff just doesn’t work with certain people – but if you are in the mood I would reccomend trying it out at the very least!

I’m also loving the citrus scented hair products – Amber rose is amazing. I really just purchase the conditioner and use it at the very end of my shower, or when I need my hair to smell fresh I add a few drops to the ends and blowdry. The Orange & Citrus shampoo is also really good for the days when you need a little “pick me up” like after a long workout.

The rest of the products on the list are just great for in and right after the bath. Jasmine in a body scrub (how can you wrong) apricot body wash – and Mango body lotion….Yum!!

Lastly, my everday scent is Sweatpea. I wear it to work or at the house on days where I dont have much going on, and its a really pretty floral scent that will seriously remind you of spring.

Well….I will try to surround myself with as many pleasant reminders of spring until it actually arrives

1. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb
2. Mango Whip Body Lotion (The Body Shop)
3. Amber Romance® Shampoo & Conditioner (Victoria Secret)
4. Energy – Orange Ginger Body & Shine Shampoo (Bath & Body works)
5. Apricots and Cream Shower Gel & Bubble Bath (Apricots)
6 .Boots Botanics Hawaiian Islands Jasmine Body Scrub (Target)
7. Sweet Pea Forever Eau de Toilette (Bath & Body Works)
8. Mange Too Massage Bar (Lush)

Yes, everyone is doing this post…but you know what? I like it! I like the concept of it, so I’m joining in too -here are my 40 beauty answers!

SKINCARE

-How many times do you wash your face daily?
Morning and Night anything more than that and I dry out my skin.

-What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)
I have dry with occasional oily zones.  

-What is your current facial wash?
I use the Biore Fighting Ice cleanser (which is a dupe for the Murad cleanser FYI) in the morning, and plain on liquid Cetaphil at night.

-Do you exfoliate?
Yes, I use two types. A glycolic treatment every other night, and an occasional scrub for blackheads.

-What brand do you use?
I use the Skin Effects 2 part Glycolic peel system, and a clean and clear scrub.

-What moisturizer do you use?
In the morning I use the Olay Regenerist with SPF and at night I use the Neutrogen Healthy Skin with Retinol.

-Do you have freckles?
No.  

-Do you use eye cream?
I use the olay eye cream, but I’m not loving it.

-Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
Yes, I had major breakouts right when I started college. So I still use a lot of acne treatment products in my routine to keep it at bay.
-Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?
Yes, and it dried my skin out way too much.

MAKE-UP
-What foundation do you use?
MUFE HD and the new Photoready

-How about concealer?
Mac, but I want to try the Bobbi Brown.

-Do you know your undertone color?
yellow, golden yellow

-What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I think they’re great, but not an everyday thing. I don’t have the patience for that.

-Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
There are a lot of things I’m supposed to do

-What brand of mascara do you use?
Volouminous, YSL and Telescopic

-Sephora or MAC?
Sephora, I like the mix of beauty, skin and haircare.

-Do you have a MAC Pro-card?
No

-What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
My Fingers, and of course make up brushes. It all just depends on what I’m doing.

-Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
Yes – I use UD PP or an eyebase from Sally Hansen’s by Carmindy line.

-For the face?
Not really

-What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
This is a tough one, I’d say Javabean by Milani and Humid by Mac

-Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
I’m not a fan, I like gel eyeliners and pencils, in that order.

-How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Not often, unless I’m rushed.

-What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
Fun to look at, but not something you’d see me wearing Monday – Friday.

-Do you use mineral makeup?
I do and I love it. I like BareMinerals and Bella Pierre, I think mineral makeup is not great for coverage but after my acne it was the only thing I would trust on my skin. If you mix it with a good spray like the MD formulations, or Fix + it becomes a great dewy consistency.

-What is your favorite lipstick?
Rimmel Airy Fairy and Mac Angel (I can’t decide sorry)

-How about lipgloss?
MAC Oyster Girl

-What is your favorite blush to use?
I like Peaches by Mac and Luminous by Milani

-Do you buy your makeup on ebay?
Not really, I bought a few things a long time ago but I prefer to do my shopping in store.

-Do you like drugstore makeup?
Yes, there are some hits and misses but overall I have found products that I love.

-Do you go to CCO’s? (cosmetic company outlets)
I try, I like the concept of the stores, but I end up disappointed when it comes to buying make up. I have scored some good perfume deals though.

-Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
It has crossed my mind, but not anything I’ll be doing in the near future.

-Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
Not so much clumsy as hurried, I can put on makeup and it will look hurried : )

-Name a makeup crime that you hate?
Overdone glittery matchy-matchy eyes, I love eyeshadows but when it matches everything you have on it’s not a pretty sight.

-Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
I prefer neutrals, I can use color time to time but it’s not something you’ll see me in easily.

-Which celebrity always has great make up?
Hmm… I think Olivia Palermo pulls off underdone makeup really well and I love Eva Longoria’s glowly skin and smokey eyes.

-If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?
Mascara!

-Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
Yes, I love makeup but I like my skin to breathe from time to time.

-Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
I don’t mind myself without makeup, but I don’t feel like I’m polished without it.

-In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
I think it’s NARS, I don’t shop there as often I would like but I think they have great blushes, and foundation. They have some really pretty lip products too! Mac is great too, but I think we all know that!

-What do you think of Makeup?
I like finding new brands, new products, and experimenting. I think that’s the best part!

 If you did a 40 beauty tag, link me up!

Most of us have those days when we are out looking for something new to wear and the rows of racks at the mall just don’t do it for you.

I think Tumblr is a great source for inspiration – so are other blogs and bloggers (especially the fashion bloggers, they are all amazing) The only down side is some of my favotire stuff is from the bloggers out in Europe and I can’t get to a Top Shop or some of their other stores and outfits that I want

So my other trolling site is Etsy. I love finding new designers and seeing their super creative pieces. I think I just heart Etsy period and one day when I have more time I’ll be on there doing my own thing (hey, we can all dream right?)

On one of my usual visits I saw this.

Etsy Designer: emilyryan

 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42013823

I think all of her peices are unique but I like the feminity this peice has and the structure. It’s a great mix of whimsy and practicality (it’s made from a sweatshirt material)

I will be def keeping an eye out on Etsy for her and other interesting designers.

Now I ask you, What are some of your etsy favorites?                     Comments and Links are greatly appreciated 

When you come across new nail polishes – your first thought is always OO! I want. The second is – I wonder how streaky it is?

For me at least it is. So I’m always two minds about buying new products – but since I am trying to stay away from the skin care experiments at least until after the wedding nail polish has become my new “thing”.

There are a lot of polishes stored away in the closet – but when I see the new line from Wetn’Wild I was tempted. The packaging was really cute – and the colors were very me. Soft, subtle and perfect for spring (not to mention work appropriate)

Here are the three that I picked up: (Please excuse the bad manicuring – I was doing this in between midterm week)

Left to Right:

Private Viewing

Sugar Coat

Bite the Bullet
Have you tried these? What are some of your favorite drugstore nail polishes?

Finding the perfect blush is well… hard to do. So when I came across this lovely color, True Peach by Mabelline. I knew that I had found a winner. It is really the perfect shade for my skin tone. Sometimes pinks just don’t cut it for me and I always am on the hunt for something plummy or peachier so that it works with the tones in my skin.

We all love mineral blushes – but I really have been surprised by the Maybelline line. They are super soft and blend-able.

You can see from the swatch it has just a subtle amount of gold sheen to it but its still very pigment and won’t dissaper on you right away.It does call for re-application if you’re looking for a dramatic affect, but for work and especially my work environment its a good fit.

What are your favorite blush of the moment?