New Year's Resolutions

At the dawn of a new year, people look at the achievements they made the past year and reflect on the things they wish to change and achieve in the year that is just starting. It's tradition, period. A calendar dictated tradition. Folks come up with lists of the things they want to concentrate on in an attempt to make their lives better aka 'resolutions'. The most important thing to note is that everyone has unique New Year's resolutions. Therefore your resolutions will depend on what you want to achieve during the year and not what others' expectations of you are or what the populace wants.

Statistics generally show the top ten New Year resolutions include weight loss, getting organized and spending less money. Enjoying life ranks number 4 while quitting smoking came in 7th. Falling in love came in 9th, very surprising. Others are staying fit at number 5, learning something exciting 6, helping others in their dreams 8, and spending more time with family 10 (another surprise). About 45% of Americans make resolutions, and only about 8% still stick to it long after the excitement of the moment. Do you make resolutions? And I mean achievable ones? Come on now, pleeeease don't count winning the lottery as one, hehe. Where do you fall? I am definitely not a part of the 8% shame on me.

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New Year's Resolutions

A Few Holiday Obsessions...

Give Me More Lip 

Darlings, can we just stare and drool at this for a second. Ok now snap out of it. So many lippies just 2 lips! I picked up part of my Sephora haul and boy am I one happy gal! The packaging as well as the contents look so fun and the lipstick addict in me can’t wait to play with all 17 different lipsticks, lip glosses, lip balms, tars, lip creams and a lip liner. Many different brands in cute lil minis. Mini is such a huge buzzword this season, from bags to clothes to makeup. What a great idea.  I am in lipstick heaven!

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A Few Holiday Obsessions...

Hello December!

’Tis the season! For some, Christmas is just another holiday. For others it’s huge and they make a big fuss of it. They see it as an opportunity to get together with family and friends and so it calls for big planning ahead of time.

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Hello December!

It Smells Like Christmas

 I walked into my neighborhood Walmart and that familiar smell hung stiff in the air. I sniffed, and sniffed some more. My face lit up in a big smile as I sniffed even harder. The familiar scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, pinecones, aaaaaahhh. Those delicious holiday scents. And the words out of my mouth were ‘It smells like Christmas.’!

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It Smells Like Christmas

Tricks and Treats

Hello guys, so halloween week is here. Throwing a party or just handing out candy? I know you'll have fun whatever you decide to do. Here are some spooktacular treats to make your Halloween truly 'sweet'. And if you’re giving a party, these will be very popular with ghosts and goblins of all ages. The cries of 'Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat' will fill the air as these promise to be better than candy. They are as quick as they are easy to assemble. I am so not a diy gal when it comes to stuff like this but my daughter and I had fun putting them together. The best part is they are made out of things you most likely already have in your pantry. How cool is that? Enjoy.

‘Dirt’ Pudding Cups

Years ago I read a book called 'I Brought a Worm' to my class. One of the characters brought a worm to school for show and tell. The story went that after he showed the worm, right there in front of everyone, he ate the worm. Everyone gasped! The last page revealed it was just a gummy worm, haha. As a follow up activity I crushed brownies for dirt, sprinkled them on top of chocolate pudding cups and buried gummy worms in them. I told my students they’d be snacking on worms and some of them even cried. But loved it later. Crushed oreos for dirt work great too. Have the gummy worm or two sticking out or going across the top. Yummy Gummy dirt!

Boo-nana Chocolate Pudding Cups

 Cut some bananas in half to create ghosts rising from your pudding cup and use chocolate covered peanut balls for the ghost's eyes and nose! Raisins work well too. So fun and so easy even a baby goblin can make some. 'Boo'nanza!

Spooky Eyeball Pudding

In a clear cup layer chocolate pudding and peanut butter and top with one half of a cookie sandwich. Use decorating gel to make the veins and the pupil and voila. Spine-chilling!

Tombstone Pudding Cup

Peanut butter sandwich cookies double as tombstones for this hair raising treat. You can use crumbled brownies and green sprinkles to decorate your pudding graveyard. Yellow or orange sprinkles work even better if you want to stay in tune with the season. Welcome to scarefest. Eerie!

Deviled Eyes

Not deviled eggs but deviled eyes! A spin on deviled eggs made out of cut olives and asparagus. Watch out, these peepers are watching, Spooky!!!




Vampire Sugar Cookie

Icing over a pumpkin shaped sugar cookie with red bell pepper for the collar and the nose. Olive halves form the eyes,  green baking gel the mouth, and black baking gel the brows. Beware, it's feeding time. Blood curdling!




Jack-o-Sandwich

Carve a pumpkin, no! Carve a slice of cheese for the perfect ham and cheese Jack-o-Sandwich. Use the bread crust for the stem. This is sure to be a hit so make a ton, ur guests can't wait to sink their teeth in. 'Fang'tastic!




Boo Pops

Savory to die for taste make these boo pops the perfect Halloween treat. Orange icing finish off the mini cup cake and black decorating gel form the letters. A favorite of ghouls all over. Ghoulish!

Have a great rest of the week, Boo!

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Tricks and Treats

Think Tape

So you’re invited to that event that has been on every one’s lips and you figure you have just the perfect lil outfit to rock the house. You’re counting down the days until. Then you decide to try on that perfect spaghetti strap backless dress...

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Think Tape

Melted Kisses

Hi there, welcome back! I finally got to wear and review this 4 pack Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick by Too Faced. This gives long wear a whole new meaning and will definitely make a great gift for that lippy loving girl on your Christmas list. The 4 pack is a definite killer value for your money at 25$ as against 21$ for a single tube although its a tad smaller. It comes in a great range of colors...Melted Nude, Melted Peony, Melted Fuchsia and Melted Berry.

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Melted Kisses

Romper Away

Cure your romper envy by wearing  summer's favorite style all year long! Seriously, there's nothing better than wearing that fabulous warm weather bit of fun aka a romper on a sunny day, but why limit yourself to one season. Here are three ways to style a romper for every season: 

Warm Months

Rompers, by their nature, are really fun additions to any wardrobe. Go ultra casual by wearing your romper with minimal accessories like a strappy sandal and a fringe bag. If you're going out, dress it up with a brightly colored clutch bag and a corresponding wedge sandal. 

Transition Months 

There is something intrinsically sexy about wearing an all black romper. Perfect for the transition months between warmer and cooler weather, pair your favorite black romper with a kimono cardigan and a pair of tights. You can also make this style more formal by adding a bold blazer and your favorite stilettos. If it’s long sleeved, a casual denim vest will add an oomph and some extra layering. Don’t forget a pop of color in the form of a bag/ boots. 

Cold Months 

Rompers don't have to be short! Try a long pant romper with a sleeve. Style with a chunky knit scarf and a pair of killer boots. Add pops of color by accessorizing your bag and jewelry for an awesome look. If you're feeling a bit edgy, you can also pair this look with a faux leather jacket to glam it up a bit. 

Have fun wearing your rompers ladies and don’t forget to go a size bigger for that not so snug fit that tends to be unflattering sometimes. 

Many thanks, see you back soon, Xo...

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Romper Away

10 Fall Essentials For Men

Hello readers, So I came upon this online and thought to share with my very fashionable male fans.. Why Not? Do more with less by anchoring your personal style to a curated core of 10 timeless staples. Even tho it reads Fall, these can be adapted to other seasons and to every part of the world. The holidays are also around the corner and these would make great presents, wifeys' take note. Thanks a lot to Nordstrom.com for this great piece, enjoy...

Your first inclination may be to throw this on with a pair of khakis or jeans, but a refined plaid shirt can also look right at home with a suit.

Impeccable tailoring means these pants look just as legit with a necktie as they do with a sweatshirt - perfect for a smart looking but easy going office vibe.

A versatile layering essential, the henley can be worn under a sport coat, on it's own with a pair of jeans, or layered on top of another.

 Thicker than a shirt and thinner than a jacket, the quilted overcoat delivers the ideal layering weight for days when it's not quite cold enough for a full-on coat.

A hardy, heritage rich fabric that looks equally great over a suit or a pair of jeans, tweet is designed with an extra tight weave to stand up to the elements.

With plenty of personality to spare, a plaid or checked sport coat can play nice with a dress shirt and tie or beat up T-shirt and jeans.

 Yes, you can wear lace up boots with a suit especially when the boots have the refinement of an oxford and the suit has the heft of heavy wool flannel.

 With a hint of texture, the timeless flannel suit is thick enough for even the coldest of morning commutes. But don't stop there, break it up and wear the sport coat with a chambray shirt and sneakers on off duty outings.

 A weightier wool tie can round out a shirt and heavy jacket like nobody's business, especially with it's nubby dimension adding texture.

A men's wear staple, the cap toe oxford works just as well with a pair of jeans as it does with a three piece suit.

Enjoy the rest of the Monday, Xo...

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10 Fall Essentials For Men

I've Got A Crush

Yes, I've got a crush! On these products that I’m loving and raving about. I get bored easily and keep looking for newer and better ones. Finding great dupes and awesome products at great prices is also favorite past time of mine so we'll see how long this crush lasts. As they change, I’ll update. But for now, here are the loves I’m crushing on, enjoy..

Benefit Porefessional 

 I dissed Mac prep and prime for the Porefessional. This product leaves my skin feeling silky smooth. Like pores become nonexistent, literally. My foundation glides on flawlessly, looks more flawless not to mention wear time is extended even longer. I’ve heard that applying this over your foundation works wonders as well but I haven’t tried that. Just happy using it as a primer underneath my foundation. $31, not bad.

 Nurture Me moisturizer By Ole Henrikson

This stuff leaves my face drenched in moisture without feeling heavy. I use this once a day in the morning and love the luxurious feel of it as well as the fruity scent. I hope it holds up in the winter months when deeper hydration is the skin's best friend. Just be warned that this product will have you wanting to constantly feel your face, thats how good it feels. Check out the ingredients too, double thumbs up. Definitely a well spent 40 bucks for 1.7fl.oz of good stuff.

Lifecell By South Beach Skincare

Came across an ad for this product in a mag. I ordered a free trial that I used only in the p.m and all I can say is WOW! It doesn't feel as good as La Mer but is loaded with antioxidants and delivers too for just 189$. I can’t stop reordering until I find the next best thing that is, lol.

Statement Lippie

For that perfect cool violet lippie color to leave on a moscato wine glass, I’ve been loving my Violetta, and Heroine. When I want to go a little more plummy I go for Sin or even Flat out Fabulous. Cherry Bomb By Wet and Wild too. For these looks I use Magenta lip liner and further define my lips with Night Moth after applying the lippie. I love the matte finish so I don’t apply any glosses over it. And for wearable drama in a tube, I’ve been loving Mac Smoked Purple with Night Moth liner. Everyone should try this, fierce! For 16 bucks, I say affordable and gets the job done. I've also discovered dupes for these colors, yet to try. Must try!

Sunnies

A friend of mine introduced me to Shop Stay Wild Sunnies - very trendy, very cool, very affordable. They come in different finishes. Some are adorned with stones and others with flowers. There are chain handles and some have more pyramids than Egypt! They offer great uv protection for my eyes and I'm loving them all. $19 - $70, what a steal!

It's All In The Eyes

I am a purple lover and Urban Decay 24/7 glide on eye pencil in Vice is most definitely a gem in my opinion. I use it as an eye liner and as a shadow. When I have Hopeless Romantic from the Too Faced palette or the very vibrant Color Tattoo painted purple on my lid, this pencil is perfect to cut my crease. I'm yet to try it as a lip liner but I’m pretty sure it’ll work well too, Ha. Glides on smoothly and the color stays true, what’s not to love. $20 for a great product in purple, Yes!

Rio Nights Water Proof Gel Liner 

 Omg, why has this not been on my radar? This liner seems to be more manageable and in my opinion glides on more easily than Mac Blacktrack so that even a beginner gets that precision with so much ease. The black is also more intense. I don’t know about you but I always have to leave my Mac Blacktrack open so it dries up just a little bit and becomes more manageable and smudge proof. Rio Nights is ready to go, reach for the black pot and roll with it. A definite winner for $15.

Set It

 I never fail to set it all with Mac Fix + to trade the powdery finish look for a fresh dewy look. Also great for getting my brushes damp so they can pick up shadows and pigments better, apply more smoothly and keep the colors vivid. I use it a lot as you can see this bottle is almost empty. I love Model in a Bottle, worked even better as far as setting my makeup but was a little too harsh on my skin. I'll try it again and hopefully tolerate it better but for now I'm sticking with Fix + for $22.

The Palettes

Too Faced The Return of Sexy as well as Urban Decay Naked 2 are my go to palettes. $49 and $29 respectively. I love every shade from the nudes in UD 2 to the shimmer and sparkle shades in TF. My favorite shade in the TF? Hopeless Romantic and it's usually the 1st tray to be used up. You guessed it, its a shade of purple, haha. I recently added a cheaper natural palette by E.L.F to my arsenal. Has a wider variety for much less. I'm definitely bonding with it and I can already tell that I'll have that around for a long long time. 

Thanks for hanging out guys, see you back soon, Xx...

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I've Got A Crush

Buy This Not That

Dirt cheap products that work like magic. I’ve tried most of them and I’m definitely sold. Some of them are long lasting and so highly pigmented with colors so true that Mac and Sephora combined don’t stand a chance. Others I haven’t tried but have heard great reviews about. Think upgrade your look, with less $ = winner! I thought I should share with you my friends. I hope you find a few you relate to.

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Buy This Not That

Transition From Summer To Fall On A Dime

It's almost time to say farewell to the hot summer days and hello to the cool breezes of fall. In between seasons is a tricky time fashion wise, what’s a stylish gal supposed to do? Wait, don’t pack away your summer pieces just yet! You can take your warm-weather favorites well into the fall simply by using a few simple styling tricks.

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Transition From Summer To Fall On A Dime

Red Lippy, How To Do It Right.

If you’re like me you’ve been out and about and ran into sisters trying to rock a red lippy and you’re like dang, something’s off with that look. Do you love the deep vampy reds, orangey bright reds and pretty much every red in between? Stop sister, not every shade of red works for everyone. 

How To Red

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Red Lippy, How To Do It Right.

How To Rock Those Heels

Heels! Don’t we all love them? The higher the better. Or not, LOL. Your legs look longer, leaner (meaner too) not to mention sexy. Throw on a pair of distressed denim / a cropped top and a pair of heels dresses up your fit and gives you that edgy look.

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How To Rock Those Heels

How To Wear Nail Art

Hi Friends, Happy Happy Happy Monday! It's all about the nail today. So nail art has become a style statement and lets face it, a lot of us women express our moods through our fits and accessories including the nail polish. I personally lack the boldness, the experimental and artistic nature to be a nail trend setter, rocking nail art in different textures and finishes. How about you? Do you gravitate towards the easy breezy cheerful look of pastels, like a breath of fresh air and pretty/girly? So trendy, flirty and fun!

Christian Louboutin How To

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How To Wear Nail Art

How To: Keep Your Makeup On In The Hot Summer Heat & Beyond

Hi everyone, my very 1st 'How To' is live today. Read away and weigh in too...

Triple digit temperatures have been upon us. Thankfully the end is in sight. Your body's natural air-conditioning, aka sweat, can literally melt your makeup right off of your face! Like we don’t have enough to worry about! Here are a few tips to keep your makeup right where you want it,  even in the colder months. They have worked for me, hopefully they work for you…

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How To: Keep Your Makeup On In The Hot Summer Heat & Beyond

If you are a trend follower there is a slight chance you get lost every once in a while in a fashion world that is constantly evolving. What do I wear with this? What colors are trending. Uh oh, the season is changing, is it time to recommit to the boots and coats? How do I keep up with trends and not splurge? What pieces can be carried over and what pieces need to be shelved. How do I maintain the right amount of spunk and punk? And if you’re not a trend follower, that gal (or dude, Lol) that is not afraid to express yourself through your personal style, how do you defy expectations? How do you get loose, sit back and let your clothes do the work for you? On the beauty lines, what products seem to work well? What methods work better? Well, I’ll be doing all the work for you and posting weekly ‘How To’s’ on topics I have pondered or been asked about. And if there is any topic you’ll like me to blog a ‘How To’ on, do send me a message on the 'Contact Me' tab of the blog and I will try to accommodate that. Wait, it gets better..If you have a tried and tested ‘How To' that you’ll like me to share on the blog, by all means do send it to me and I’ll be sure to give you credit for it ;). I hope we all enjoy the interactive ride :-). Do check back soon for the 1st  'HOW TO'...

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