The Essentials

My everyday routine includes:

Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Foundation (Beige)

 Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick (Beige)

 

 Mac Blush (Mocha)

 

Ulta Automatic Eyeliner (Moss)

Laura Mercier Thickening and Building Mascara (Black)

 

Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss (Nude)

Easy, Breezy.

Word Smith

I love super delicate rings. The idea of word rings really intrigues me. I found this one on shoprumor.com, and while it's quite pricey($298) it is pretty adorable. There are plenty of cheaper options on etsy. I'm thinking about getting a personalized one with my cat's name (Lola) in gold. Let's hear it for the crazy cat ladies.

 

Products That Make Me Cringe

Every few months I look at my makeup/product collection and think "oh god, why did I buy that". I guess it's a lot like looking at your closet and finding something that might shame you if you wore it in public. I have a lot of makeup regrets and as a 2011 resolution I vowed to buy smart instead of impulsively. I also vowed not to be a hoarder, but that's a whole other story. Here are a few products that I've regrettable taken home:

Essie Rock Candy Nail Polish

I can't be too mad at myself for this because I got it on sale for half off at Ulta. While this may look like a nice milkly pink in the bottle, it comes out a gross gray on me. It makes my nails looks dirty and yellow.

Mac Midimauve Lipstick (pic from uk.ebid.net)

I officially hate Mac lipsticks. While their color range is fantastic, their formulations are not. Every lipstick I've tried from Mac has dried and peeled my lips, including lip conditioners. I hate this lipstick especially, because while it worked in the store in artificial lighting, in the day light I looked like I was 80 years old and on my way to play the slots in Atlantic City.  

Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes

I don't understand why people love these. I bought the dark brown one to wear on my water line and to tightline and it was a disaster. I tugged and dragged and got zero color payoff. Creamy this is not. I prefer my Ulta Automatic liners.

Mac Groundwork Paint Pot

This is just a hot mess in a pot. While it looks like a pretty neutral brown, it comes off with an orange tint on me. Maybe I hate Mac, or maybe I'm too quick to write this off but I could never make this work for me. 


 




 

Obessed With:

Chanel Unity Glossimer

I'm a huge fan of Chanel products, who isn't? Glossimers are the best lip glosses because they feel incredible on the lips and have perfect pigmentation. One of my favorites is Unity. This was actually the first Chanel product I ever bought. It is a pretty bronzey pink, these sort of shades tend to look best on me since my lips are pretty pigmented. I prefer this gloss in the winter because it has great way up warming up my skin. I stay away from it in the summer as it tends to blend too much into my lips when I'm tanned. I put this aside for a while because I've been trying to use up a few lip glosses that are half way gone. As it's almost spring, I revisited this and fell in love again. My poor Blackberry pics don't do it justice, but it is definitely a classic.

Currently Craving

Surface to Air Pandora Platforms (Image from Net-A-Porter):

  
Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch:

I'm also loving this hot number (Michael Kors):

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Lipstick in Boy (Available April):

Nude Boyfriend Blazer (Zara blazer shown):

Sigh...

Heels and Denim Shorts... Arty or Tarty?

I think every girl has fallen victim to the occasional skanky look. I've had my fair share of incidents with a bandage skirt or two.  Lately, I've been crushing on heels with denim shorts. When done right the look can be so effortlessly sexy, but I've seen it done wrong so many times. I think the best way to do it is with a loose tee plus or minus a blazer/leather jacket and thick heels/platforms. Victoria Beckham pulls it off well in the first look below. But when she pairs skin tight shorts with a tight vest, not even a Birkin can save her from looking cheap. 

It takes some balls to work the heels + tiny shorts look. My legs are definitely not ready to debut this look anytime soon, so that means more pilates for me.

Summer Boots

My love for boots transcends all seasons. If it were socially acceptable I probably would wear boots to the beach. Last summer, I happened upon an amazing pair of Sigerson Morrison slouchy perforated boots that were unbelievable. Alas, fashion fate didn't strike because they were two sizes too big. This got me started on my search for the perfect pair of summer boots. Nothing tight, effortlessly worn-in, with maximum breathability (nothing worse than hot, confined feet in the summer). While I haven't found the perfect pair, here are some that come as close as possible:

Vivienne Westwood Pirate Boots (on Sienna Miller)  

  

Joie Suede Slouch Boots (on Vanessa Hudgens)

 
I'd love to get my hands on the V.W. Pirate Boots, but for now they are not in my budget. In the mean time, I enjoy rocking my Minnetonka Ankle Boots. While they can lean a little towards Pocahontas, they are perfect to wear to music festivals, for casual days, with shorts, dresses...Check them out Nicole Richie (below).

The Coveted Wish List

There are two kinds of wish lists. The Hoop Dreams List: Items that are a little out of reach, to say the least (Chanel 2.55 Caviar Bag, Rick Owens Draped Leather Jacket, YSL Mombasa Bag, Cartier Love Bracelet). I equate these things with milestones: important birthdays, anniversaries, promotions...man I hope my boyfriend is reading this. And then there is the coveted and attainable wish list, items that take some serious penny pinching and saving, but at the end of the day, or year, totally doable. Here are some of my favorites, and hopefully, future purchases:

Diane Von Furstenberg Opal Wedges $295

I'm hard core crushing on these for Spring. They come in nude, but I'm leaning towards the ever so versatile black.

Yves Saint Laurent Arty Ring (Lapis) $250 on ysl.com

 

I've wanted this ring for months now, and have hinted that it would make a great birthday gift on several occasions. Too bad I might have to wait till October to get my mitts on this.

C C Skye Leather Wrap Bracelet $295

 

I know these were super popular a few years ago but I'm still in love. I've wanted one for ages but could never justify paying the hefty price tag for something that I know will tarnish with wear. But I just can't seem to get this baby out of my head. Sigh...sometimes you just have to give in. 

Tinge of Jealousy: Perfect Brows

There are two things I absolutely covet: flawless skin and perfect brows. While the first is years in the making for me, thanks rosacea and hormonal break outs; the latter is far more attainable. I am insanely obsessed with Anouck Lepere's brows (pictured in the first three above). To me, full, dark, natural brows scream youth and sexiness. They have a wild lolita-ish quality that I can't quite put my finger on. I've been threading bi-weekly for years, but ever since my mother told me I looked like a Romanian prostitute when she saw me during Christmas, I decided it was time ease up. I've been growing my brows out for a few months now, and while they are past the awkward bald but full stage, they still have light years to go. I refuse to fill them in because at one point in my life I had Brooke Shields-esque eyebrows and never appreciated them. Well no more foolishness! I am working towards having a two manicured jungles on my forehead and with some patience will get there soon.

Fav 5's of the Moment

Here are a few things that have stolen my heart over the last few weeks.

5. Victoria Secrets Beauty Rush - Body Double Mist

I bought this on a whim at the Miami International Airport last summer when I realized I forgot to pack perfume for my trip to Costa Rica. It served its purpose for the 8 days we were there and then was quickly chucked aside for other lovely perfumes as soon as I got home. I recently re-discovered it after I got bored with my unscented moisturizer. In an effort to jazz it up, I apply the moisturizer then spritz on the mist, making my own body lotion. Kinda. I like the added moisture the mist gives because it's packed with body nourishing oils. I also love the light scent it leaves behind. I'm partial to Appletini, but am excited to try Strawberry Fizz next. At $12 a pop, these bad boys last for months and are a great way to spice up a boring lotion. 

4. Laura Mercier Topaz Eyeshadow

Anyone that knows me knows I'm not an eyeshadow girl. I prefer a bare lid, tight-lined liner, and lots of mascara. Some say boring, I say classic. But this baby holds a near and dear place in my heart because it is just the perfect, perfect color. It compliments my green eyes beautifully and is virtually fool proof. I wear it as an all over wash, creating a super polished and easy look. If I had to own one eyeshadow for the rest of my life, this would be it. 

3. Mac Point of View Lipstain (LE)

Hands down my favorite lip stain. This is the perfect My Lips But Better color. A rosy nude with a hint of brown. I wear it with Bobbi Brown Nude lip gloss on top, which is the best lip combo for winter. I love everything about this...the lasting power... the yummy vanilla scent. Bummer this is Limited Edition and came out last year with the Art Supplies collection. So perfect that this was the only thing I ever bought a back up of from Mac.

2. Loreal Lash Serum

I can't say enough good things about this lash conditioner. I don't agree that it will grow your lashes, as it promises to do, but I do attest to the fact that it makes your lashes the best that they can be. I've been using this for six months and have noticed less lash fall out and more shine and thickness. What I love most about this is that it will revive any dry mascara you have. I can not bear to part with my Max Factor Stretch and Separate Mascara because it is awesome, and also because Max Factor is no longer sold in the US. Even though the mascara is dry as a bone and way past its prime, whenever I wear this serum as a primer, it just brings it back to life.

1. Strawberry and Grape Nerds Candy

Enough Said.