With Love and Lashes

...a statement 'coined' by my favorite makeup artist Lauren. (and website here)

Yes, today is Dare to Wear and I will be featuring this but first I want to talk about mascara.  I have tried my (beyond) fair share of mascaras from very very high end $30 per tube to very low end of $2 per tube and everything in between. I've tried waterproof, regular, lengthening, thickening, separating, colored, black, blackest black, etc. You name it, I probably have used it.

There are a select few mascaras that I feel that for me, hit the nail on the head when it comes to performance.  Those mascaras (in no particular order) are:

Cover Girl - Lash blast waterproof formula

L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen

Maybelline Full 'n Soft

Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara

And of course, the famous Dior Show

While all these mascaras work fabulously...I find that after about a month of usage, their quality seriously lacks.  Is this because it's not 'fresh' enough...is it because I'm just losing interest in the product and need something new? I've read on many beauty blogs and sites that you should not keep your mascara for longer than 3 months...so why, after a month do I feel like I'm not getting the same results?

Having very long, separated and feathery lashes is the result I crave from any mascara and if I have to replace mine every 3 weeks to achieve same...well, that's a little ridiculous.  Please tell me someone else has this issue? If so, how do you deal? If you don't...do you have advice for me?

Moving on...today's dare to wear will feature (bold) florals.  Not that floral is 'daring' by any means, because its really not. But for me, bold florarls are one of those trends that I just haven't figured out yet how to pull off.  While certain prints look soo effin cute on the rack they translate to a very grandma-ish look on me.  I will, again, try florals this year. And thanks to 2 of my favorite lovelies - Coley's Closet and the Obsessionista I have much inspiration to do so.

Here's my take on florals - casual, flirty, night-time, summer wedding

Untitled by justinsmami featuring Jimmy Choo shoes

Items in this set:
Stacie Floral Strappy Dress, $50
Tall Floral Tie Dobby Blouse, $50
Floral Print Ruffle Blouse - Women's Clothing and Apparel - Chic..., $49
Women: Women's Long Perfect Tanks - Lemon Pucker, $8.50
Womens AE Skinny Denim Bermuda Short - Studded Vintage Wash, $40

Hope everyone has a sunny weekend!!!

xoxo

Oh my Oscars

Oh how I love the Oscars...well actually the show itself kinda bores the crap out of me but like most women I favor the E! Pre-show with the lovely Giuliana Rancic and Ryan Seacrest :) Super unfortunately I missed the pre show this year because the husband has torn my bathroom to shreds and I spent most of the day yesterday cleaning up construction mess off my floor

D O N ' T    F R E T   P E E P S   I  C A U G H T   U P   O N L I N E   T O D A Y  . . . YAYY

I must say I am overly excited that my favorite bitches were the best dressed.  Just bask in the gorgeousness...

I am most certainly going to post about this woman very soon.  Her fashion sense is unbelievable.  She always dresses the part, looks her age and does it with impeccable class and glamour. 

Check out these earrings...145 carats.  That's right One Hundred freakin Fourty Five ::::sigh::::

Up next is the very lovely Miss Maggie Gyllenhal.  I think she looks ah-mazing enough said

And her disgustingly hot brother...I mean, c'mon now

(photo courtesy of Just Jared)

I <3 this dress big time.  I'm a huge sucker for ruffles and I adore the color nude so this is a home run in my book.

Did we even expect Carrie aka SJP to not look fab (although hubbs is lookin a bit old my dear):

Good Job Cam, good job.

I am shocked that Miley Cyrus looked so gosh darn good:

And for the inevitable fashion MISSES:

Charlize...How on Earth can you be so beautiful but go so wrong at the year's biggest event? why why why why?

Anna Hendricks it looks like you're wering your grandma's nightie and the shoes are terrible

MC - I've been thinking for quite some time now that you have a Rx pill problem a la Paula Abdul and this outfit solidifies that assumption

Mo'Nique - its not because your big because I've seen you pull of some really gorgeous gowns but this one is just a bit too ill fitting for my taste and the pointy bun hairdo has got to go

yucky and yucky, enough said.

oh and here's another couple yucks to add

Stay tuned tonight for the great Joan Rivers, Jay Manuel, Giuliana Rancic and my personal fav Khloe Kardashian Odom on Fashion Police which is tonight at 10pm EST on E! for a hilarious wrap up of the whole gig. 

xoxo

C l u s t e r f r u c k

There are days when I log on to blogger and think "hmmm what shall I discuss today" then there are other days (today for example) that I log on and can't figure what it is that I'm going to discuss because I have SO much on my mind.  I'm a bit compulsive in the fact that if I blog it, then schedule it for another day I might not want to ever post it because I want it to come out right here, right now as I'm thinking it.  So this may be a   v  e  r  y   l o n g   post. 

First, I was greeted this morning with a rude, incompetent annoying man aka the service guy at my car dealership.  He's stupid and impossible.  The entire dealership sucks big you know what and I will never ever do business with them again - not to mention that I will spread the word like a plague so that no one I know will either.  Rant over.

I am one angry mama

Putting that nonsense by the way side,  I cannot say how FRICKIN EXCITED I AM....my bestie best best in the whole world is coming home to visit on Tuesday from her new temporary home in North Carolina; we're taking a trip to AC from Friday to Sunday and I took off work Thursday/Friday to cheeeel with her.  I can't wait, I haven't seen her since Christmas and miss her dearly; mind you we practically have been joined at the hip since we were 13 years old...this is a pictured scenario of what our weekend shall be like

Last night I took a pilates class and I must say it was AH-mazing...I've done pilates at home for about 4 or 5 weeks now and I certainly can see a difference in the toning and shape of my physique and it takes very little time to do so.  The thing with pilates is that its a TON of effort in a small amount of time, but that's allll me. I have limited time but am willing to work during my few moments.  I will continue the class regularly, no doubt.  And recommend any of you who want to shape and tone to take a class or pick up a video
(my fav is this one right here) which you can actually purchase, with the bands, for like $8!!!

I am definitely going to start focusing some of my posts of fitness, health & nutrition.  I have been very passionate about both of those issues for quite some time now and would like to share what I have learned and discovered.  I'm not saying I don't go off the deep end on a raging bing of chocolate of ice cream every once in a while, but for the most part I am dedicated and focused.  And bikini season is RIGHT around the corner ladies, believe it or not Memorial Day weekend is only 3 short months from Sunday..so we all need to get our arses in gear

And there's nothing like getting you motivated than seeing your favorite swimsuits in the flesh, literally.  I am a fan of the cut out one pieces because while sometimes I do have the balls to wear a 2 piece in the glory of my post baby :::cringe::: body I do prefer the one piece more and am very glad they made a stellar comeback more recently.  I'm definitely getting these 2 suits for summer.  Although hubbs will more than likely get rid of me if I buy one more bathingsuit (I must have at least 30)

Ruffle One Piece - Victoria's Secret  ................................ Plunge Neck One Piece - American Apparel

Which do you prefer...one piece cut outs, tankini, bikini, retro? what strikes your fancy?

Now that I've gone off on 3 separate tangents...let me regress back to the HFN (my new ackronym for health, fitness & nutrition)...I am doing well on my new, no-meat diet.  I actually feel really really great and I encourage any of you to try it out and see if you like it too.  I, personally, was encouraged by my dear friend Kori (who also doubled as my wedding planner at the time) who is now a vegan.  She briefed me on the industry standards for meat production which grossed me out terribly and told me to read the book "Skinny Bitch" which I ordered from Amazon yesterday.  So we'll see how that book goes. 

Separately, I must say that I have a much better appreciation of what goes into my body now in my 'older years' than I did when I was in my teen years and very early 20's.  I used to scarf down anything I could get my grubby little hands on and refused to basically eat any fish (besides shellfish), never ate beans or legumes of any kind and the only veggies I ever ate were the ones you could smother in ranch dressing; otherwise it was a no-go for me.  Now, I cannot get enough of raw (and cooked) vegetables, fish of every kind, beans, raw nuts, wheats and grains and steer clear of most things that are processed. I try not to eat anything that comes individually wrapped because 9 times out of 10 its probably not good for you. I've found that food tastes so much better when its fresh - from fish to vegetables and everything in between.  I also think that vegetables are one of those food items that you can mix a hodge podge of any of 'em and they taste incredible.

I'm really going on and on now so I will stop.  Comments, anyone?

Well that caught me off guard

Well hello Wednesday...again this morning early riser to the gym, feeling good - my legs are so sore though, I may have put too much weight when squatting.  Oh well, I'll stretch later to some pilates. 

Nonetheless, last night I headed out to the wonderful world of Wally to get a few things so while I was there I picked up a couple pairs of pants for the gym (because I can't stand spending good money on clothes I'm just going to sweat in and wear for 45 minutes) anywho, while I was browsing the 'activewear' section I realized that the wretched Miley Cyrus has a clothing line at walmart...I'm sure this is old news, but I'm not making a breaking story about the fact that she has the line but that she teamed up with the great Max Azria and the clothes are actually, dare I say it, very cute!! And let's not fail to mention that I got each of these shirts for THREE FRIGGIN DOLLARS!!! Yes, $3.00 that's right.  So even if they are on the poorer quality side (eh hem F21) they're so darn cheap who would even care (eh hem F21).  I was just floored that they were $3 and couldn't resist (so much for my vow yesterday to shop more strategically) but what the heck isn't strategic about 3 bucks?

I got this shirt in both purple and black (although its offered as well, in a teal-ish color and cream) and its very adorable in person - form fitting (c'monnn pilates) but cute :  

 

I got this sweater-y vest in black and in cream (it was also offered in grey) - they're oversized, like that 'boyfriend' look - I'm actually wearing the black today with a dark purple v-neck longsleeve and leggings with black pointy toe flats - its very cute and comfy!!

Then I picked up these 3 t-shirts with plans for the gym, but I actually kinda like the butterfly one to wear on the weekends. Excuse the picture the only one I could find was from Ebay.   I'm not a big graphic Tee fan but I am diggin 'em for lazy days

And last but not least, I picked up this little lovely for again, $3.00.  I also got a purple going out type shirt that I couldn't find a picture of anywhere.  Its very rocker-chic the front is plain, sleeveless and it has a drapey neck then the back is racerback but the whole back is held together by a zipper which you can choose to keep all the way closed or completely open...will go perfect with my new black booties ;)

So my dears, head to your nearest Wally World and get yo self some cute little Miley Cyrus stuffs.  I also noted that they had these black skinny pants that look like leggings but they have pockets and belt loops, they were very cute.  But I was in a bit of a rush and didn't feel like trying them on - they were only $11...I guess Walmart is making a (weak) attempt at trying to up their par to the much better (fashion wise) Tar-jay.  Fine with me. I'll flourish in their efforts.

Another unexpected, delightful find...I certainly know that I raved beyond belief about CoverGirl's Lash Blast mascara a couple weeks ago and I'm not gonna lie - the shit is great...but I found something that is BETTER..yes, friends much much better...Let me introduce L'oreal Extra Volume with Collagen (Keep in mind that with some mascaras the waterproof version may differ slightly from the non waterproof versions - I have only tried the non waterproof version in Blackest Black)

This stuff is incredible.  I am attempting to webcam myself here and show you just how magnificent it looks and I am totally aware of how ridiculous I must appear and that I am utterly terrible at taking pictures but you can pretty much see the feathery-ness, separation and NO clumping what-so-ever, also note the up flip on the outer corners that I usually could only create with single falsies:

You can purchase the mascara at any drugstore but for your convenience, here too

That's all for now. Thanks for reading and enjoy hump day :)

How Do You Shop?

Up at an even crisper, snowy 5:30am ~ had a protein power punch and jogged to the gym for 30 minutes of cardio coupled with back and bicep strenth training rounded out with abs.  Loving the feeling this early morning workout is giving me  Am super motivated now that I have bathingsuit plans come end of March!!!

On to more interesting information, I was inspired by Veronika at Veronika's Blushing to re-evaluate my shopping habits and strategies.

I am definitely one of those people who consider shopping a hobby and use it as a social event  as well.  Nothing like gathering up a few of my favorite bitches and headin to the mall or the outlets and there's really no therapy like retail therapy.

I find that I tend to purchase items based on their saleability...is it discounted or just a great price, are they offering an additional umteenth percent off just because I use my store card, etc.  This creates a HUGE problem - a closet full of crap (well cute, crap) that you wear once or twice or never even at all...I have, at a minimum, 5 dresses that I've never wore once.  I have at least 10 pairs of shoes I can't even remember when I wore last and don't even get me started on the retarted amounts of basic t-shirts I own just because F21 sells them for $3.50 - not that the price of those shirts is breaking my budget, but I'm pretty sure I don't need 42 variations of the color pink in a basic T.  I could've bought a really cute cardigan from express for all those basic T's I never wear.

So, just like I've vowed to revamp my physique and workout routine I am now vowing to revamp my shopping strategy and habits.  I won't just buy something because its on sale or because I get a discount for using the store card, similar to how we now plan our meals a week in advance (which, might I add has worked wonders on our shopping budget and the healthiness of what we eat) I will plan my shopping trips in advance.  Lay out staple items I need for each season and figure out which items I can relive from last season with say, an accessory instead of replacing the item all together.

I really want to stock up on a variety of cardigans - I'm especially diggin the lace and ruffles that's been plastered all over every store window.  I want to pick up a scalloped edge lace skirt a la Carrie Bradshaw at Vogue offices in SATC the movie (terrible pic, but the only one I could find)

and definitely some breezy tops that can be coupled with said cardigans and then worn alone come summer time (see, I'm carrying my Spring items to Summer!) and from what I hear - peep toe booties, t-strap, bright suede and zippers will be the top shoe trends of Spring 2010 so I'mma pick me up some of those too...Something along the lines of these items:

Spring Fever by justinsmami featuring Forever21 tops

Items in this set:
Button Column Cardigan, $23
Embellished Sweater Cardigan, $23
Cardinal Ruffle Knit Top, $15
Lace Back Cardigan, 14 GBP
Fab Lace Back Top, $11

...and tell me, what's your shopping strategy? Do you have one? Or are you a mindless shopper like me? How do you carry pieces through seasons without looking outdated?

Fashion Icon

With the smoldering looks of DB below, it made me think of fashion...What it is to me and why it is so important to some. For me, its just an outward expression of who I am. Polished and sophisticated with an unexpected twist of dare.  It's funny, because although that may seem a bit conceited to say, I truly feel that those few words kinda sum up who I am in my entirety.  At work, at home and at play.  I try to represent this description in my fashion, in my beauty (hair and makeup) and even with what I drink when I'm out  ...seriously, I think everyone can truly sum up who they are in their entirety with just a few short words, it just depends on whether or not you're confident enough to say them out loud.  And for those who know me, I'm not afraid to say just about anything. 

Soooo...before I go off on a complete and separate tangent, my focus in this post is about fashion icons.  Who do you look to for fashion or beauty inspiration? Who do you look at and say, wow that is just the eptiome of what I look to do (not be, because you should just be gravy with the person you are) but there's nothing wrong with a little admiration and inspiration. For me, my fashion icon is Victoria Beckham.  And my beauty icon is Kim Kardashian. 

Ms. Beckham, yes I covet your other half...but besides that I must uphold my love for your fashion sense and ability. The woman has said that she just doens't wear flats, she loves her heels and that's what she wears (this is so me) and I can bet you there are less than a handful of pictures out there of her wearing anything BUT killer stilettos. This is my first admiration.  Second, her look is so very polished and sophisticated (eh hem).  She doesn't take huge risks, which I wouldn't either but she pushes the envelope a bit here and bit there - she knows what works for her and she rolls with it...I just adore her style

Hello fierceness:

CHECK OUT THOSE LOUBOUTINS!!!!

These are all items I would wear, any day.  Well if I had boat loads of cash, but I surely try to pull off the celebrity looks for less (all the time)...

Although I said I look to Kim K for beauty inspiration, her fashion sense as well is not too shabby at all.  She does a very good job of wearing what I feel is very normal.  You will never catch her in any haute couture pieces or anything 'right off the runway' she plays it simple yet very sexy.  But her hair, makeup and physique is what really gets my vote.  Here are some of her best looks

What or who is your inspiration? A celebrity, your best friend or maybe an actual designer like the late and very great McQueen? I'd love to know.

Off to my real estate class...very exciting.  Happy Manday night to all of you lovelies

xoxo