So glad it's Wednesday!

Like I said a few days ago, my health has had its first big crash since June (when I decided to try jogging for a block= bad idea.) Part of it is frustrating and seemingly out of my control. The Sickness itself has been mostly out of my control and something I can't seem to ever completely figure out. But, parts of it are, in fact, my "fault."

For example, I have had a massive case of PMS this past week, not something I usually deal with. I have been craving (and eating) larger amounts of refined sugar than usual. Also, throwing out my heavy-on-the-protein diet and shoving french fries and chips into my mouth. Not wise ideas...

In spite of all of this, I haven't been feeling terrible about myself...as sometimes those types of weeks can leave me feeling. Instead, I have been gleaning rave reviews on my taupe/gray nail polish all week. I've been obsessed with flipping my front hair part over, ala a teenage girl, which feels like a break from the norm. And, this morning, threw on a gray dress I have had for eight months, but never seemed to be able to pull off. I put on some turquoise shoes, and felt cute...a huge feat considering this week.

Mermaid Style

I think this dress is delish. Really no other way for me to say it. The whole look is just...refreshing and clean somehow. Reminds me of a mermaid...which leads me to think about Zoolander (coughing and saying, "Mer-man...cough cough...Mer-man.") Can you tell I'm tired??

Favorite Self Tanner

I have gotten a little sun a couple of times this summer, but nothing compared to years past. Last summer, I self tanned religiously. I busted out my Glow Fusion tanner last week and had forgotten what a gorgeous color it turns my skin. Hands down, my favorite self tanner (for torso, as I use a different one on my legs...long story), despite its ridiculously steep price. It retails at $58, but I have always gotten it 20% off through Beauty.com. Still pricey, but it lasts awhile.

It isn't perfect, but comes as close as anything I've tried. It claims to be unscented, but I find that I use it at night, and then shower again in the morning unless I want to smell "tan" the next day. Also, it claims to not rub off on clothes. For the most part this is true, but on whites, I still find a little bit of transfer. Again, though, I haven't found as good of a product as this one. They all smell and transfer off!

I exfoliate in the shower, and use a now-discontinued tanning mitt from the Body Shop to blend it in. The mitt makes it easy to avoid streaks. I have to carefully blend it in the backs of my arms, and any creases.

The payoff is a gorgeous brown color. I use the Medium 02 shade, but it is formulated to react with your own skin color. I know it's still pricey, but I would never pay $30 a pop for a professional spray tan (those are the cheap ones) and this lasts me about a week and a half, WAY longer than any others I've tried.

You Don't Know Jacques!

I finally got myself to the beauty supply store after work one day this week and picked up OPI "You Don't Know Jacques" from the French Collection. I am obsessed with this color. It is truly unlike any other color I have seen. It is taupe/gray/brown...I can't figure out which most of all.

All I pretty much have to show for my weekend is painting my fingernails in this, and French on my toes (edgy fingers, classic/cliche toes.) Other than that, the old health issues flaring up again. I have spent most of my time in bed reading "Emma" for my Jane Austen book club. I haven't read the book in years, so keep picturing scenes from the Gwyneth Paltrow movie as I read it.

Fun headband idea

So, I started playing on the threadbanger.com blog. Very fun, with a lot of creative craft ideas. Let's face it, I won't be doing any of the actual crafts, but creativity inspires me.

I especially love this knit headband/half beenie look.

Nail Obsessed

All day, in between moments of working, I was obsessed with getting two polishes from OPI's fall French Collection. First, the You Don't Know Jacques! I wrote about last week. Second, Parlez Vous Opi? I haven't seen it in person yet, but I've read it described as "smoky violet." Sounds amazing. Last winter, I dreamed of a matte dove gray...and this looks like a more mainstream version of that. I can't wait to see it!

And, click on the link thru the picture above to see a great deal on OPI polishes, almost half off!

Curl your hair with a flat iron

I am currently watching The Hills season premiere...because I'm secretly 13. I hate it, but I can't look away.

Something I've been trying to master all summer is curling my hair with a flat iron. I keep reading about it. Here is a beauty blogger who gives a great tutorial video if you're interested!

Lake Bell, I love you

Asymmetrical

I have always loved anything asymmetrical. I love the unexpectedness, and for some reason, it feels like breaking the rules. Like going against the 90's prom hairstyle: french twist with two carefully curled tendrils framing the face.

I am loving dresses right now. I have to wear blazers at work...but am quickly discovering that I can pretty much wear any of my knee length dresses under said blazer. Working out well in the heat! And no nylons required until October. Then, back to restricted bank attire.

Miracle Mask

First of all, let me say that I am EXHAUSTED. The Olympics are killing me. I DO NOT understand why they have to be on until 12:30am. Ridiculous. I have been so tired all week. Tonight, I am determined to get some sleep.

In the meantime, let me rave about my latest find: Mario Badescu Drying Mask. The last two months, my skin has decided to act like I'm 16, not 26. I have been breaking out a ton around my chin. Very annoying.

I decided to try this and I am seriously impressed. I have been using it every other night. Let me warn you, it smells very potently of sulfur. But, totally worth it, especially on cystic acne (the deep kind that swells up and just sets up camp for weeks.) You are supposed to use it in combination with the Buffering Lotion, applying it before and after the mask.

The mask has completely calmed my skin down and speeds up the elimination process of those big, cystic breakouts (which apparently are hormonal when around the chin and jaw.) I still use my MB Healing Cream too, and a very mild cleanser so as to not dry out my skin too much.

Seriously impressed, I tell you.

Scent Coordination

I randomly got a Bath and Body Works Wild Honeysuckle wallflower plug-in scent a couple of months back. I fell in love with the scent. Last week, I bought a mini body spray and hand sanitizer for my purse. Again, LOVE. Today, I used the body spray on my way out the door. While at work, brushed on the hand sanitizer. All day long, I have basked in the wild honeysuckle.

I never thought I would be a scent coordinator. Usually, I like mostly unscented products that don't clash with my perfume--whichever signature scent I am attached to at the time (Stella, Escada Paradise Blue, Issey Miyake.) However, I am tempted to go full throttle WILD HONEYSUCKLE. Could I be that coordinated?

I am someone who firmly believes in never coordinating too closely my clothing, shoes, purses, etc. I prefer a little purposeful clashing. But, scents...I may be a convert.

Edit

So, I saw OPI You Don't Know Jacques in person. It's not chocolate brown, but rather a fantastic matte taupe. Seriously amazing. It's my next nail polish purchase. When real fall comes around, I'll transition to a chocolate brown!

Penelope

Lovely--simple, yet effective.

Doesn't feel like fall to me

I have been overwhelmed this week by all of my fall magazines coming in...by sheer volume of magazines I subscribe to, and by how hot it is outside. I may not be able to get excited about coats or tights yet, but I'm all about fall's hot new nail color--BROWN.

Revlon, Hot for Chocolate
OPI, You Don't Know Jacques!

Pink Lips

Normally, I go for more subtle makeup looks, but I was so taken with this photo of Alexis Bledel. She somehow pulls off those shockingly pink lips so well.

I have been addicted to my Burt's Bees Guava Lip Shimmer lately...loving the hint of fuschia on my lips (pairing it with a fairly heavy bronzer, ala Heidi Klum.) I feel like I can take baby steps to brighter, pinker lips.

My next step is Stila Cherry Crush Lip/Cheek Stain. I doubt I will use it as a cheek stain, but I've read pretty good things about the lip stain. It is supposed to be less drying than some stains, and naturally adjust to your own coloring to give the perfect cherry stain. I have tried it on my finger at Sephora, but it's in a clicker pen and I'm not about to share that with hundreds of other girls. Luckily, Sephora has an amazing return policy, so I could always buy it and see how it works on me. It looks pretty pink on my hand, so I'm curious to see how it will look on my lips!

In Love

Maria Bello...perfect outfit. I have no words to describe it...

A Rat's Nest

My hair drives me crazy sometimes. It is very fine, but I have a TON of it. Sonny works his magic on my hundreds of layers to make it lay so, so much better. But, the fineness is still a problem. The bottom layer gets so incredibly tangly by mid-day when I wear my hair down. Sometimes I lift up my hair and show off the tangles, always drawing gasps from my audience!

I have tried many detanglers...sprays, lotions. I use Biolage Ultra Hydrating Balm every time I wash my hair and patiently/gently comb out the tangles. No matter what I do, however, I have had to accept that I am going to have a small to medium rat's nest on the bottom layer of my hair.

This is where my pursuit for perfection gets me obsessed. For a few years, I have sought the perfect product, the perfect routine to get rid of this flaw. And, now, have had to admit and be content with defeat.

I think it's good for me to recognize that there are some things I just can't change. My goal in all of my product/routine searching is to be the best version of myself, not someone else. I glean things from what I like from other people. But, at the end of the day, my hair is still going to be fine and still get very tangly.

And, once I admit that, I can be liberated to do all that I can...and live in acceptance of my very tangly hair. I think that it's the same in life. Sometimes, it is so healthy to just accept the things we can't change.

Until I stop caring altogether, I will still use Phillip B Detangling Finishing Rinse. I will continue to use heavy conditioners to comb out the tangles both in and out of the shower, experiment with hair glosses, braid my hair at night, and be mindful of the rat's nest growing everyday. None of these things take away the problem, but that's ok with me.