Wowza

Ok, so I definitely realize I'm probably the WORST blogger...ever! Well, maybe I'm being overly dramatic but I haven't posted for 2 weeks and that's just downright unacceptable.  So I apologize to all my adoring fans who have been clutched to K's Conspiracy for the last 14 days begging Jesus for a reason why, just why I haven't been enlightening you!

On to bigger, better and way more important things...last night I caught Sex and the City 2 after sipping delish martini's with 2 of my fav gals and I must say...I'm disappointed!  Really, I am.  Don't get me wrong, the movie was good...but just bleh...no real drama, which was the disappointing part.  And of course, I won't sit here and spoil the movie for those who haven't caught it yet but...remember the first movie? Who could forget especially when you watch it on average 2 times weekly Big leaving Carrie at the alter, Steve cheating on Miranda, Charlotte finally conceiving and Samantha leaving Smith...that was drama and we all loved it mucho.  Numero Dos my friends, contains WAYYYYY less drama. 

HOWWWever, the fashion was beyond dramatic...the shoes, the gowns, the hats - oh my!! It made it worth it, that's for sure.  I do love me some sparkly Louboutins

This was also a favorite of mine from the movie...I love the easy breezy-ness of this dress and the color is a hit

There was a gorgeous green gown that Carrie so easily wore as she lounged around watching TV with Big (really?) but I cannot seem to find a picture of it anywhere. 

Of course, we all have seen the one shoulder poncho dress by Halston Heritage...I would love to have, duh.

And on to something that just made my day...If these shoes don't scream fabulous I don't know what does...because my friends, these are friggin HOTT and if the man upstairs really liked me, these shoes and this dress would be delivered to me via UPS or FedEx (I'm not picky)...

Forzieri Loriblu Sand Ankle Leather Bow Platform Shoes Retail Price $495 

Lanvin One Shouldered Dress with Draped Bust Retail $3,060

Last, but certainly not least, I saw these beauties on the footsies of a fellow fab blogger (Life Love and the Pursuit of Shoes) and me likey! Deets are soon to follow she says and I'm dying to know patiently waiting for those

I hope everyone has an AWESOME Memorial Day weekend...weather is promising (well here in Jerz) and there's nothing better than a long weekend in the sun ;)

Enjoy. xoxo

How Well Do You Know What You're Wearing?

Well Happy Friday folks; like you, I am so glad this week is over...I have so much planned for this weekend and I cannot WAIT to get started on all of it.  I have a very dear friend's baby shower tomorrow and then another friend's bridal shower on Sunday.

So today's topic is a mix between health and beauty...How well do you know what you're wearing? How well do you know the ingredients that are used in products you slather all over your hands, face, body, hair and even your own children?

I ask this because I was recently 'schooled' on an ingredient in nearly 97% of cosmetic products out there today...that ingredient is Mineral Oil. 

For those of you who do not know what mineral oil is, it is the by-product in the distillation of petroleum to create gasoline and other patroleum based products from crude oil.  It is of relatively low value and it is produced in massive quantities. 

The oil refineries often sell mineral oil to cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies because it is CHEAPER for them to sell it than it is to dispose of it in an environmentally safe way!  --- this statement right here just blows my mind.  So its perfectly ok, basically, to put the stuff all over my body but its not ok to just throw it away? Hmmm...this is where I became intensely intrigued.

Go to your bathroom right now and read the back of the products that you use most...most meaning, those you use on a daily basis...I'd be willing to bet that if not all, then at least half of your products contain mineral oil.  And if not, good for you, you're on the right track.  Mineral oil may be hard to find on your labels, however, because it goes by hundreds of different names

The next MAJA factor that killed me on this mineral oil schooling that I got:
John Hopkins University...a highly accredited research university in Baltimore, MD (I know you've all heard of it)
Well JHU named mineral oil in cosmetics the SECOND (yes #2) leading cause of aging.  The first being direct exposure to sun.  Well, considering that 99.9% of sunscreens out there contain mineral oil...looks like a double whammy come beach time.  Looks like its a double whammy every time you walk out of your house with whatever makeup, primer, moisturizing products you use that contain mineral oil...and I don't know about you, but aging is something I want to steer as F A R R R R R R R away from as possible!

Mineral oil is popular with manufacturers because it is inexpensive and makes skin smoother and softer to the touch and more attractive to the eye. Unfortunately, the damage that is being caused behind the scenes makes it an undesirable ingredient in any skin care product.

I have done my own research on mineral oil and I'm not gonna lie, there are conflicting reports (of course, as is with anything)...but to me, if it can't be proven safe why use it at all?

Oh so cute.

There is this darling woman who is the HI-larious author of a great fashion (and sometimes recipes) blog called Chloe's Conspiracy.  Most of you bloggers know miss Chloe and her fabulous blog and if you're smart you know about her spin off blog 'See Chloe Shop' where she warehouses tons of useful knowledge aka sale alerts and coupon codes!! Me likey.

Well, in celebration of her great new blog, Chloe is giving away a $100 gift card to ShopBop and for those of you who do not know ShopBop...know it now because they're effin awesome. Here are just a few ahmazing pieces from Shop Bop that I would love to pick up courtesy of See Chloe Shop

More Velvet...

So click HERE to get all the details and enter for the $100 gift card

Manday

Happy Manday to all my lovely followers.  I hope that all my mama readers had a wonderful day yesterday, I know I did. 

I received blueberry pancakes and fresh fruit...although not in bed, on the couch - which is equally as good because frankly, I wouldn't eat in my bed. 

I was then treated with a mini-shopping spree which turned out to be a jackpot day of quick shopping with my own mother.  In about 2 hours, I turned out some realllly cute stuff.  Went home with a pair of sandals, wedges, 5 dresses, 1 belt, 2 tops and a pair of shorts -- all for $250!!! I'll do IRL pictures when I wear them.  Unfortunately its a bit chilly today in Jersey and I couldn't wear any of my new spring/summer stuff. 

Me and mama then topped off the afternoon with a fabulous pedicure which we both were in desperate need of and came home to a feast of lemon/dill fish and king crab legs -- way to go hubbs ;)

...awfully, I further capped the night off with a DQ Brownie lovers blizzard cellulite special but hey, it was Mother's Day I deserved it.

How was your mother's day? What did you do for your mutha?

And of course, Manday.  Featuring the very late, great and handsome Heath Ledger:

 

Shop It to Me

Just the other day I saw this gorgeous Rachel Roy dress featured on The Look 4 Less style me saturday feature and I was in ultra grabby hands mode, I am a HUGE sucker for drape, jersey and asymetrics and this dress is all those yummy things in one delightful little cookie:

This dress retails for $109 on the Rachel Roy website

Today, my shop it to me sale alert featured this delish little cookie by DVF

Here's a better pic of it

Although, more expensive (even on sale) for $240 at Neiman Marcus

My dilemma...while I love the Rachel Roy version it appears to be very long - and you know that model is probably 5'10" which I am NOT...And the price difference between the Roy and the DVF is quite a chunk of change? Plus RR is offering free shipping on orders over $75 now through 5/31

I guess I just convinced myself of the right choice ;)

I recently bought some very cute shoes @ Piperlime as mentioned in post below and I'm so sad they didn't work out because they would be very cute with the dress above.  Although I am digging the modeled shoes big time. 

At first, cuffed sandals and heels turned me off in a big way but I've grown quite obsessed fond of them.  I'm picking up these for a mother's day gift to me-self

All from Urban Original a great little cheapy place to buy shoes  

Hubbs will more than likely make fun of these shoes...he's not really into anything I wear that's "out of the norm" he still laughs when I wear any type of 'bootie' so I'm sure he'll be lol'ing at these

I'm also in DESPERATE need of a new bag for the Spring...and I mean desperate!!! I've been rockin the same Dooney & Burke bag for what seems like centuries now and frankly, I'm sick of it.  I have a fabulous-o Fendi spy bag look-a-like as well but that's got to GO.  I realllllllly would <3 hubbs maja if he decided to bring home this purdy little kitten for me on Sunday:

But that, my dears, is HUGE dreamin at its finest considering that's a nearly $4000 bag.

Dear Hubbs, I will take this replica or THIS bag instead, thank you!

Well I hope all my fellow mama's have a great Mother's Day, you know you deserve it! And for everyone else, treat yo mama to something nice and enjoy your weekend as well.

xoxo

Dare to Wear: Arbonne

Yesterday I mentioned some amazing things I had to share with you all...and it is Arbonne.

Have you ever heard of the company??

Do you or have you used it??? Let me know what you think of the products

Arbonne is a botanically based skincare company that started in Switzerland in 1975 then began in the United States in 1980. All of Arbonne's research and development is based out of Switzerland and their manufacturing is done here in Irvine, California.  The company is VEGAN CERTIFIED and more recently, the farmland in Switzerland just became ORGANIC CERTIFIED which means many of the botanicals used in Arbonne's products are organic!

The company produces many products from anti-aging creams to diaper rash ointments and everything in between. They just recently launched their all new (AH-mazing) makeup line in March as well.  All Arbonne's products are produced without testing on animals, without animal or human by-products, free of PABA, PH Correct, dermatologist and pediatrician tested and approved and so much more.  The company's motto for 30 years has always been Pure-Safe-Beneficial and they are just that.  

Arbonne is an amazing company.  Their products do not get NEARLY 1/4 of the amount of exposure as they should.  I have been using several of their products for the last couple of months and I honestly couldn't say enough good things about every single one of them.  My 4 year old son's chronic dry skin problem drastically improved within just a few days from using their baby care lotion and I can't tell you how fabulous their fine line/anti-aging products are! You really have to try it to understand. 

I don't want to babble on for hours, which I totally would about this company and the products, but I just wanted to review/share/advise to each one of my lovely readers how freakin outstanding everything I've tried from Arbonne is.  I mean it.

If you want more information on Arbonne, to order products or try free samples please leave me a comment with your email address below.  Let me know which products you'd be interested in

Skincare

Anti-Aging

Men's Line

Acne Line

Teen Line

Children's Line

Body care

Health & Wellness

Weight Loss & Management
Cosmetics

**Note: I am an Arbonne Independent Consultant.  Although I was not paid in any way to write this review; I do sell the products for retail consumption.  These are my true opinions and are based off of using the products on myself and my family prior to becoming involved with the company as a consultant 

Hiatus Recap

I have been a bad, bad blogger and have taken a sort of 'hiatus' as the post is appropriately titled. Not purposely, its just that life itself has consumed me more than ever over the last week or so.  I've been hitting the gym - hard.  Working - hard.  Playing - hard. I had a bachelorette party in AC this past weekend for my friend Christine which proved to be a true girls fiasco! I've been avidly working with my trainer and attending my weekly fitness classes, proudly reporting. As we hear time and time again, summer is truly just around the corner. 

Which summer, I will be prepared for with my very cute new bathingsuit from Vicky's (as posted about here) - of course the bathinsuit arrived a la UPS 30 minutes after I left for AC so I couldn't even wear it on my trip (indoor pool)...but it looks great on and its very cute with the ruffles and fitting color!

I picked up a pair of shoes from Piperlime this past week and they arrived yesterday - very cute.  Although they are a bit uncomfortable and I'm just not sure yet if I'm going to keep them. I even bought them a 1/2 size larger because that's all that was available but my toes seem to squish quite a bit...I'm going to wear them around the house for a while to get the full feel of them. Thanks to E at Strawberry Swing and other things for the awesome coupon which led me to score these beauties for a measley $38 -- If I do return them, I'm going for a nude caged bootie, which I've been desperately lusting after for quite some time now. 

I haven't done much shopping otherwise...I'm trying to avoid the malls and actual stores because we are finalizing our bathroom renovation which has turned into an over budget, over timing project.  Hopefull WELL worth it when all is said and done.  I will post before and after pics when finalized, I can't bare to let the cat out of the bag before it complete.

I can't wait to post something so very exciting later on today...but I didn't want to overwhelm on one post.  I have great news about AH-MAZING products and even more ah-mazing opportunity that I'm overly excited to tell you all about. 

ta ta for now

xoxo