Undeniable Cuteness

I am an animal lover, mostly a dog lover. As soon as I saw the latest Budweiser commercial set to air during the Super Bowl, my heart melted! So sweet.  You have to watch!

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Stop Scrubing

Think about the most delicate part of your face.  If you guessed your eye area, then you are right!  The eyes prove to be the most sensitive and delicate area on the entire body because it is where the skin is the thinnest and lacks glands, meaning a lack of hydration.  Think about it, one day the area may be puffy and the next day dark circles may pop up.  The area is always in flux.  Here are some tips to help protect and defend from long-term damage.

1). When removing mascara, don't scrub it off! Not only will it irritate the skin, but the eyelash follicles will become damaged.  You are scrubbing to hard if you find an eyelash or two on your makeup wipe.  Instead, hold a moist makeup wipe or a cotton pad soaked with remover over your lashes for 30-45 seconds.  This will loosen the formula so you can gently "feather" off the remaining product.

2). Use your ring finger to rub in moisturizer.  On the Today show, dermatologists Dr. Melanie Grossman and Dr. Jeanine Downie, revealed the ring finger is the weakest finger, therefore will reduce extreme stretching of the under-eye skin.

3). Refrain from those waterproof formulas.  They are extremely difficult to remove because they are waterproof... It isn't worth the insurance policy waterproof guarantees. My favorite formulas:

 

Maybelline Volum'Express The Rocket Mascara - $7.49

 

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara $9

4). Most importantly, take off your eye makeup every night.  Just do it.  No matter how lazy you are, it is the best thing you can do for your face.  You will never meet a makeup enthusiast who tells you to leave it on.  If you are lazy, try keeping makeup wipes by your bedside table, or next to a table lamp, so you will always remember.  Even though you should cleanse in addition to using a makeup wipe, using one is better than using nothing at all.

Maybelline Clean Express Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover - $6

Neutrogena Make-Up Remover Cleansing Towelettes - $8

Side note: Coconut oil is a great make-up remover.  I've never seen something work so well so effortlessly.

Lorde's Grammy Nail Art

Who watched the Grammys last night? Quite a show, right? My favorite performance had to be Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's, featuring Mary Lambert, Madonna AND Queen Latifah.  What showstoppers.  I have been totally loving the songs for good causes, for example, Same Love, Brave, and the song Hunter Hayes debuted last night, Invisible.

Celebrities have such a power over the minds of young fans, and I am happy that they are making music with powerful messages and lyrics.

Anyways, Lorde gave an... interesting performance last night.  I am impressed with the singer as she is 17 and from New Zealand.  Everyone hates on her artistic vision, but when you are a megastar at 17, and have a Grammy, we will talk.  If you missed her performance, here it is:

Anyways, she had quite a statement going on with her nails.  During the performance, I had literally no idea what she had going on... but after some research, Lorde dyed her fingertips.  You can see it better in this picture:

According to Elle, the look is inspired by Michele Lamy who uses Japanese henna to dye her tips.

I don't think this nail trend will be hitting the salons anytime soon.  I'm sure it will make its rounds on the runway if it hasn't already.

Do you think her attempt at artistic expression was a hit or a miss?

On Your Toes

An easy fashion statement for winter: socks.  I am a big fan of fuzzy, cozy socks.  However, since purchasing my Bean Boots, I've been into patterned socks.  J.Crew Factory just came out with a bunch of new arrivals, including new Critter socks.  Here are my faves:

Check them all out here!  As of today, they are on sale with all other new arrivals, at 30% off.

Opening Ceremony Looks

Ralph Lauren, the signature outfitter of the United States Olympic Team, has unveiled the ever so patriotic look the athletes will sport to commence competition.  Here is the promotional team shot:

And here is a close up of the sweaters:

Winter Wind

I am back at school, and while getting back in the groove of classes and being surrounded by friends has been great... the weather not so much.  My northeast friends know exactly what I am talking about with the return of the polar vortex.  My hometown was hit with double digit snowfalls yesterday.  Yet while my school did not receive any snow, we are suffering in the form of wind.  The wind coming off the Hudson River, (the campus is literally on the Hudson) is brutally cold.  My poor lips have suffered the most from the wintry wind.  Not to mention I've been battling a cold.

However, a godsend has been LUSH's Mint Julips Lip Scrub.  I've been eyeing the product for some time and when a friend recommended it to me about a month ago, I knew it was meant to be.

Check it out...

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Almay's Newest Face

I am beyond excited to share this news with you.  After closing out her sell-out Blown Away Tour, Carrie Underwood was busy preparing for the Sound of Music and had yet to release news on her latest project.  I was hoping she would start writing for a fifth album.  Instead, Carrie recently (a half hour ago...) announced that she is the latest Global Brand Ambassador for Almay Cosmetics! She joins the iconic Kate Hudson as the brand's second ambassador.

Red Carpet: SAG Awards

I am completely obsessed with Kerry Washington's look at the Screen Actor's Guild Awards from Friday night.  Her ensemble was bold, daring, and incredibly sweet.  All at the same time.  The pregnant starlet went for a pink, Prada crop top and voluminous black skirt.

Washington looks sweet, feminine and glamorous.  She didn't over power the look by keeping the sparkle on top, and kept her make-up palette soft.

Another stand out for me at the SAG awards was Lupita Nyong'o, one of the night's winners.

This shade of blue is stunning on her, and the cut is extremely flattering.  I love the statement neckline piece, giving this Gucci dress true award season glamour.

My final fave was Sandra Bullock.  I tend to have a soft spot for green.  Not sure why, but I have an extreme number of green-hued nail polishes.  Anyways, I thought Bullock was a showstopper in this emerald green Lanvin dress.

Honorable mentions include Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams.

 

Add These To Your Vanity...

When I first purchased my Naked Palette a year and a half ago, I have been an avid follower of beauty bloggers/vloggers and pretty much visit the Sephora homepage once a day (if not more!)  I've been exposed to new products, spent more money than necessary and am now the owner of all three Naked palettes... is it necessary? No. But it makes me happy.

No matter your style or personal experience with make-up, here are 5 products I believe you should have in your collection.

1). Maybelline Color Sensational Color Whisper Lip Color
I love this product because it maintains a perfect balance between a sheer and lightweight formula that still delivers color. It is the perfect gateway to lip color, if you are on the timid side.  I own four shades, "Go Nude", "Petal Rebel", "Pink Possibilities" & "Rose of Attraction", and love all of them.  They are $7.50 at the drugstore.

5 Must Read (Exciting) Articles

So today's edition of articles I think you should check out are fun and light-hearted.  Sometimes we need a break from the bad news surrounding us every day.

1). Still a fan of American Idol, or have you changed the channel to watch The Voice?  Personally I think the glory days of Idol are over, and have been for a couple of years now.  Read this article on NBC about the original talent competition.

The Collection

Those of you who know me personally know very well that I am a nail polish addict.  Like any addiction comes a slew of questions. Why nail polish?  What is your favorite color? How many bottles do you have? It goes on...
So I started painting my nails like crazy during my junior year of high school.  I was going through an extremely stressful time between AP classes, changing swim teams, the loss of a friendship and relationship all at once. Painting my nails became cathartic and a place for personal expression.  Some people write poetry, well, I paint nails...  I would LOVE going to Ulta, spending hours looking at racks of lacquer.  Ulta became my happy place.

I typically only buy from OPI, Essie, Zoya, China Glaze and occasionally Orly.  I am not a big fan of Sally Hansen or NYC Color... I think they are cheap.  However, I do believe those companies are upping their game because nail polish and nail art blew up in the past year.  So maybe in a few years I will try again.  I try to stay away from high end brands like Illamasqua, nails inc., Sephora's new line, Formula X, and Deborah Lippmann.  While these lines have beautiful and unique formulas, I just don't think they are worth the high price tag.

I don't have a favorite color. I promise. It depends on my mood, the weather, and what is going on in my life.  Sometimes if I am feeling down, I will go for some sparkle.  Or I might want something neutral if I need to be professional.

I have over 170 bottles of polish. And I brought them to college with me.  I couldn't leave them behind or it was like I was sacrificing a child.  My room has become nail polish headquarters and girls on the floor come to borrow a bottle here and there.

So... here are the pictures of my collection:

Red Carpet: Golden Globe Awards

Award show season is upon us! Like most women I look forward to seeing the array of dresses and I loved drooling over the men in their sexy tuxedos.  So last night, NBC aired the Globes and once it was over, I had some mixed feelings about the night's events.

1). NBC's production of such a star studded performance was dismal.  They were a mess.  The dining room was cramped and difficult to maneuver.  Watching women in their teetering heels and sometimes large dresses was painful.  There were no aisles, that has got to be a fire hazard!

2). Jacqueline Bisset. Talk about another mess.  You probably have no idea who I am even writing about.  She won the award for best supporting actress in a series, mini-series, or TV movie.  She was in "Dancing on the Edge".  Never heard of Bisset, nor have I heard of her show.  Her speech was embarrassing.  Clearly she was as shocked as we were that she won the award, she spent like ten minutes just staring out at the audience.  You can watch the painful moment here.

The Month in Magazines: February

I always find the magazine game quite challenging.  Next month's issues are always released the month before, making it difficult to live your life according to the publications.  Am I the only one who finds this challenging?

Anyways... Here is the latest round of magazine covers.

InStyle went with SJP as their leading lady...

Polish Pet Peeve

I have been feeling sick the past few days, so I haven't been up to par with my blogs.  Hopefully with some rest this weekend I will be feeling better!

Today I am sharing with you my biggest pet peeve when it comes to nail polish.  It absolutely drives me nuts when my favorite bottle gets gunky and clumpy.  For base coats I find it happens when I am down to a third left in the bottle and for light colored creme formulas, I see texture issues half way through the bottle.

This frustrates me because I spend anywhere from $7-$9 a bottle and it can't even last me without issues.  I don't buy high end brands, like Nars or Deborah Lippmann, because they are too expensive and chip, but these products will exhibit the same issues.

So, my foul-proof fix... Nail Polish Thinner.  It is a liquid product that you add to a nail polish bottle and it thins out those clumps.  You can even use it on a fresh bottle that just seems to thick.  Unfortunately, this happens frequently with light and pastel colors.
I pick mine up from Sally's, and my nail polishes are good as new. Never ever put remover in your polish bottles.  It will create a mess that cannot be fixed.

Beauty Secrets Nail Polish Thinner

What are some of you biggest issues when it comes to painting your nails?

Skin Care Tips

I wrote this post to provide some clarity when it comes to skin care.  Sometimes we get caught up in how gorgeous our favorite celebrities look or become obsessed with trying all the beauty regimens in Cosmo or Allure.  One of my latest projects has been improving my own skin, and after lots of research I wanted to share with you my input when it comes to taking care of our body's largest organ.  So here are seven steps you can take in feeling better about putting your best face forward.

How to Shop Lilly Pulitzer Without Breaking the Bank

Cure your Monday morning blues with the Lilly Pulitzer New Year Cheer Sale! Thanks to a gift card from my birthday and from Christmas, I was able to shop this sale and score some great deals.

Keep reading for more tips on shopping Lilly Pulitzer.

Lust List

There are always those items you just have to have.  You can see yourself wearing that dress or using that new eye shadow palette.  But then you realize it was all a dream.  A girl can dream though, can't she?! So today, I thought I would share with you my lust list with the hope that if I talk about it, maybe it will happen...

1. J. Crew's Jewel Collared Topcoat

I saw this beautiful garment on Sarah Vicker's blog and fell in love.  So beautiful.

2. Lilly Pulitzer's Demaris Tunic in Iris Blue Mai Tai

I swoon over just about anything Lilly, she keeps being a girl fun and flirty.  I love the cute of this tunic, it is easier to wear and the print is colorful without being too loud.

3. Kate Spade's 2 Park Avenue Small Beau Bag in Cipria

This bag screams Katie.  The soft pink color is perfect for the transition from winter to spring, and it is the perfect size.  Not too big, not too small.

4. Hourglass's Ambient Lighting Powder in Radiant Light

As this is a highlighting/finishing product, and is meant to enhance your look, not be the focus of it, I have a hard time spending almost $50.  However, I am drawn to its effect and its ability to diffuse lighting to work with your make up and skin.  Radiant light is described as "A sun-kissed golden beige that enhances the overall complexion with believable, subtle warmth. "  Other types of this power include Diffused light, Mood light, Dim light and Ethereal light.

5. Marc Jacob's DOT Fragrance

I am mainly drawn to this product because of the packaging.  However, it is on the lust list because I have about six full bottles of the Bath and Body Works sprays... I tend to accumulate when there are coupons or the Semi-Annual Sale is in swing.  Once I use those up I might splurge for this.

What is on your "Lust List"? Will you be splurging in the new year?

New Year, New Nail Polish?

My favorite beauty item ever is nail polish.  I love it. I have over 170 bottles of lacquer ranging from cremes, glitter, holographics, and everything in between.  There will be a post on my collection in the near future.  Today I thought I would share with you some of the upcoming collections from my favorite brands.

OPI Spring 2014: Brazil Collection 

Keep reading for more.

All About That Sparkle

New Year's Eve is one of the glitzier holidays that I adore on the sole basis of being able to get dressed up.  My night was spent with one of by best friends, Maddie, and we had a delicious dinner at Not Your Average Joe's. My Mona Lisa Chicken Salad was divine as always, it is my staple dish.

Unfortunately my dress and necklace are no longer available for purchase from Francesca's despite being purchased within the past month.  However, here are similar items:

Dress / Necklace / Shoes

For my make up I used...

Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation - Classic Ivory

Urban Decay's Naked Palette

L'Oréal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara

Sephora Collection Color Reveal Lip Balm - Unique Pink

(This is the kind of product that adjusts to your pH and becomes your perfect shade of pink, and it really works!)

Benefit Rockateur Powder

If you didn't catch my NYE Manicure, here it is:

I hope your NYE was filled with glitz, glam and love.

After Christmas Deals & Radiant Orchid

Happy 2014 everyone!  Not only is it the year of the Sochi Winter Olympics games but it is also the year of Radiant Orchid.  Personally, and Olympic year is a bound to be a good one, but when the celebrated color is in the pink/purple family, I know it is going to be fantastic.

Today, I want to show you my latest fashion find.  I went shopping the other day and found this wool peacoat for a great deal.  If you find yourself looking for a new winter jacket at the first sign of winter, wait.  Stores know that you will be dying to get your hands on the latest trends as the temperatures begin to drop.  Prices however, remain quite high.  You may be lucky and score a deal during a Black Friday sale, like my best friend Sarah did.  If not, do not let the temptation of a new jacket take over your willpower and your wallet.  After Christmas sales are the best places to score deals on items featured in the store windows.  Why? Because designers are anxious to get their spring lines out for the new year therefore must clear out sweaters and other hallmarks of winter wear.  By going shopping the week after Christmas you are guaranteed to score a good deal in department stores.  Keep reading to see my deal....