Blue Remix

MNG by Mango blouse, Gap jeans, Nine West heels, F21 clutch, Francesca's earrings,
Old Navy glasses, gifted bracelet and necklace

I've done a version of this outfit in the same colors before on my blog. I basically just swapped out the summer top for a more cool weather appropriate blouse. I also changed the accessories, shoes, and my hair to give it a slightly different feel.

Have a great day!

Top Twenty of 2012

Peter Pan, Change It Up, Same Shoes, Safari Chic, Color Clash, Fringe

It has been fun looking back over my outfit posts from the past year. Some of them I love and some of them I hate (you won't see any of those in this post!).

I hope you all have a great weekend and awesome rest of 2012!

Faux Leather,  Seeing Spots, Jagged, Girly, Fall Brights, Destiny

 

Basic Brights, Slouchy, Equestrian, Glitzy Gray, Bright White

Nautical in Fall, Vintage, Lace and Peplum

Skincare Routine

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One of my best friends asked me to do a post on my daily skincare/beauty regimen. She sweetly referred to my complexion as 'flawless' and was curious about the products/methods I use. (Thanks Katie!) 

I have been washing my face two times a day ever since I was thirteen. I have never gone to bed with my make-up on. I definitely believe in removing all traces of make-up before my head hits the pillow each night. I've been using Olay's Age Defying wash for a few years now. The tiny exfoliating beads in the cleanser are gentle enough for daily use. If you are looking for a good exfoliator, I recommend St. Ives Apricot Scrub. I use it three times a week for a glowing, fresh complexion.

During the day I use Olay's Age Defying Anti-Wrinkle lotion. I like using a light moisturizer during the day and this one is the perfect weight and consistency. It also has a SPF of 15. I think a huge part of fighting the signs of aging starts with protecting your skin from the sun. Once the sun has damaged your face, there is only so much you can do to correct it.

I started using the Revitalift Triple Power moisturizer as my night moisturizer since it is pretty thick. It claims to repair wrinkles, redensify, and re-firm the skin. Wearing this cream for over 8 hours gives my skin plenty of time to do all of those things! 

I've started using just a bit of the Revitalift around my eye area during the day because that is one of the dry areas of my face. I like to give it just a little more moisture before I apply my foundation and concealer.

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Once I have moisturized, I use the Garnier Ultra Anti-Wrinkle eye roller. I always use some form of anti-aging eye product before bed and before I apply my make-up in the morning. This just happens to be the product that I am using now. The eye area is so sensitive and is usually where signs of aging start. I definitely believe in using some sort of product around the eye area to combat the signs of aging.

My complexion is not always flawless - I get zits every now and then. I have found that the best way to avoid zits and breakouts is to not touch my face. When the stubborn zit appears every now and then, I use my Mary Kay Acne Treatment Gel. It truly is the one zit zapper that I have found that works. It stops a zit right in its tracks and heals it. The most effective method I have found is applying the gel to a spot when I feel a zit coming on. You know the feeling. That little sore spot on your chin. Nothing has 'formed' yet but you can feel something under the surface of the skin. Put a huge glob on the area and it will help prevent it from blossoming into a full-on nasty zit.

When it comes to primers, I am obsessed with the two pictured above. I use both on a regular basis. Sometimes I just use the Magic Perfecting base when I want a matte finish. Or if I want a little luminosity I use the Magic Lumi-Primer. And sometimes I mix the two - using the Lumi-Primer on just a few parts of my face to highlight them and using the matte formula on the rest. 

I didn't really think my skincare routine was that involved but this post is rather lengthy (for me at, least). Stay tuned in the next week for my daily make-up routine. That one will be even longer...

Have a great day!

The Reflection and a Reflection

I feel like it has been forever since my last post. As you might know, my husband and I took a cruise last week to the Caribbean. It was a trip that had been planned and booked for a year and a half. I was so excited (I even counted down the days when the trip was 80 days away). With a little boy in preschool (and a germ magnet) I even pulled him out of school the week before our trip so that he wouldn't bring any kind of illness home to us. I was so paranoid about being sick for my trip.

I think things happen for a reason. I started feeling ill the Wednesday before we left. I was so mad that I was getting sick despite my every attempt to stay healthy. By Friday (the day we left) I felt horrible. I sat in the airport in Atlanta feeling quite sorry for myself. As I sat at the gate bound for Miami (pouting) I noticed a commotion on the airport TVs. I couldn't really tell what was happening because it was so loud in the terminal so I texted my mom to find out. I learned about the massacre in Connecticut and was completely humbled. I couldn't believe that I had been sitting there, feeling sorry for myself, when so many families were suffering.

I think the shooting put a lot of things in perspective for me, and probably for a lot of people. As a mother to two little boys, I know how frustrating it can be sometimes. I told myself that I would stop being so hard on my sons. Of course I will continue to discipline them, but I won't freak out so much when I see one jump on the couch, or when the 15-month-old unloads every cabinet in the kitchen. I am so lucky to have them. Unfortunately we don't know how long we have on this earth and I plan on taking every moment to cherish my sweet boys.

I did manage to start feeling better mid-way into our trip. I actually spent quite a bit of time reading and relaxing (read 2 whole books!). Here are a few pictures from our trip onboard the beautiful Celebrity Reflection.

Our stateroom

Spent many hours out on the balcony reading

A live tree suspended between two elevators

A little cabana out on the lawn of the ship

Pulling into port next to a few cruise ships

The area where we swam in St. Thomas

Sailboats in St. Thomas

I'm so glad that we had a chance to get away but nothing beats coming home to my two excited little boys. I hope you guys have a fabulous day!

All Black

LOFT sweater and pants, Charming Charlie cuff, unknown necklace, Francesca's earrings,
Tinley road heels, sunglasses

I know wearing all-black may seem a little drab and dreary but it is still one of my favorite colors to wear. I almost put on a neon necklace but just couldn't seem to stray from my all-black look. I did choose to wear red lipstick so I'm not a complete Gloomy Gus...

I haven't been able to read any blogs or comments on my own blog this week because I have been on a cruise (a much-needed vacation with my hubby). I will post pictures from our trip (and our gorgeous ship) on Monday. Have a great rest of your week and weekend!

Can't Live Without Them

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I don't really consider myself a beauty junkie but I love a good product every now and then. There are a few products that I came to realize that I would be lost without.

Back in the day (when thin brows were in) I plucked my brows until I had about 3 framing each eye. (My mother warned me against doing so. Why didn't I listen?) I hear about people 'growing their brows out' but mine refuse to do so. (Let's just say I've been growing them for fifteen years and still no progress.) I've tried shadows to enhance my brows and I've tried pencils but have hated the effects of both. I discovered this brow pen by Anastasia and was instantly hooked. It is really for filling in missing gaps of your brows but I use it to draw in what is missing. It is the closest that I have come to having eyebrows again. If you are like me and have over-plucked, then you have to try this brow pen.

I recently received this Anastasia brow gel along with my last brow pen purchase at Ulta. I love the freebies that you get when you make a purchase but I didn't think I would really like the brow gel. Using a brow gel for the first time was very odd. After the gel dried, my brows felt quite stiff. However, after a week of using it, I was hooked. I never realized how disheveled my brows were until I started using this gel. It holds them in place all day, keeping your arch perfect until you wash your face at night. This was definitely one of those items that I never saw myself needing before but after a few weeks of use, I am hooked for life.

I definitely cannot live without this Urban Decay eyeshadow primer. I really don't know how I ever wore eyeshadow before it. Not only does your shadow stay put all day, it goes on so smoothly and vibrantly with the primer acting as a foundation. I have had a few days where I have felt a little lazy and have skipped the primer. I can tell as soon as I try to apply my shadow. There is no going back once you have tried it!

These are just a few of my favorite beauty products that I absolutely can't live without. What are some of yours?

Gray Days

Club L top, Kirna Zabete for Target faux leather pants, Steve Madden heels, Old Navy cardigan,
F21 jewelry and clutch

I know it is normal to have gray days in December but it isn't that normal in Louisiana. Sure, we have them every now and then but our 'winter' days are typically bright and sunny. 

I hope you all have a fabulous day!

Lace and Peplum

Warehouse blouse, MNG by Mango skirt, Nine West heels, F21 jewelry, sunglasses

The bottom of this blouse has a pretty scalloped edge (see here) which never made me think about tucking it in. I typically wear this top untucked over shorts, pants, or jeans. I love the way tucking it into this peplum skirt changed the whole look. If you have any tops or blouses with interesting hemlines, you should try wearing them tucked in as well as out. It will give pieces in your wardrobe a whole new look.

Have a great weekend!

Orange Sparkle

Old Navy blouse, ASOS (specific brand unknown) shorts, Target tights, Tinley Road heels,
Francesca's earrings, sunglasses

Once again I had an outfit in mind but grabbed a different piece than what I had planned. (See Monday's post.) I was planning on wearing a black sweater with these shorts (and I will in the future) but this bright orange top jumped out instead. 

I couldn't decide if I liked the half tuck or all the way un-tucked. So I tried both.

Have a great day!

Sweet Steals

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When it comes to shopping, I am not usually one to spend a lot of money on a particular piece unless it is a handbag, or a pair of shoes. Being a mom with only a part time job, I like to try and challenge myself when it comes to shopping. I get so excited when I score a major find at a low price.

 Not too long ago I picked up these faux leather pants at Target in the clearance section. After struggling to find a comfortable pair (that fit), I couldn't pass them up. I can't recall how much I spent but I believe it was around twenty dollars.

I also found some cute navy patent leather sandals at Zara for only $10. Check their website regularly for some great markdowns.

Or what about these shoes that I got for only 6¢? Combining reward certificates with major sales can only work to your advantage. I take advantage of email lists for sales, reward programs at stores like DSW and Ulta, and coupons at Target. I'm not an extreme couponer by any means, but I love a good deal!

Think about shopping in an off-season. You can pick up some great pieces for a third of the original price if you are patient and take your time. 

Here are a few finds under fifty dollars that are just too good to pass up:

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Small accessories like belts and jewelry can make a big impact. Look for big markdowns (especially after Christmas) and stock up. Accessories play a huge part in giving an outfit a new twist. Take advantage of those sales to spice up your wardrobe!

Have a great day!

Yellow and Blue

F21 blouse and necklace, handmade pants (last seen here), Nine west heels, Old Navy glasses

I had another pair of pants in mind for this shirt and right when I went to grab them, I saw these pants instead. I made these a few years ago and try to wear them any chance I can. I patterned them from a similar pair that I purchased a few years back (you can see those pants here). 

Have a great day!

Vintage

Vintage coat, LOFT t-shirt, JCPenney faux leather skirt, Target heels, Charming Charlie earrings,
unknown clutch

We rarely have need of a heavy coat here in Louisiana but given the chance to wear this awesome coat, I will take it. It was my grandmother's and I am so happy that she gave it to me. You just can't buy coats like this one anymore!

Have great weekend!

Black and White

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Sometimes I get stuck wearing the same tops with the same bottoms. Since I don't have a lot of sweaters (and don't really need too many) I like to try and figure out different ways to wear the same one. Chunky sweaters aren't really great layering pieces (too much bulk) so getting creative with bottoms, shoes, and accessories is the best way to change a look.

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Adding color to a black and white look is the easiest way to stand out. Try a bright pair of pants, or maybe just stick to a few accessories in a bold color.

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If the sweater isn't too thick, you might be able to get away with tucking it into a skirt. Tucking it in gives it a completely different look than wearing it out over leather pants (or any other pants, for that matter).

What is your favorite way to wear black and white?

Nautical in Fall

F21 peplum t-shirt and necklace, Zara blazer (similar), Seven jeans, Nine West heels

This post should really have been called 'big bun.' I was feeling lazy and threw my hair in a high pony tail and somehow fluffed it into this bun. It almost looked like I achieved a sock bun, without the sock. 

Have a great day!

Party Picks

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Pretty soon invitations to parties will start arriving. If you are like me, you like to plan out your party outfit days or perhaps even weeks in advance. While the red dress pictured above is absolutely perfect, it is out of my price range ($320). I've put together a few items that would be perfect for your next holiday party. Whether sequins are your thing, or maybe perhaps just a jeweled cuff, the following list should have you covered.

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All under $40, these peplum tops (each slightly embellished in some way) would be affordable options. Pair them with jeans, leather pants, or black satin cropped pants for a perfect party look.

Sometimes all you need is just a little shimmer to spice your look up. Adding shimmer to just one element of your look should be sufficient. 

Have a great day!

Bright White

F21 blazer and blouse, Kirna Zabete for Target faux leather pants, Steve Madden heels,
Old Navy glasses, Francesca's earrings 

I never thought I would wear my white blazer so much in the fall. Typically people tend to think of white as a summer color but paired with the right pieces, white can be worn year-round. 

Have a great day!