Helena

I have loved Helena Christenson since I was in 8th grade and got Seventeen magazine. She was a Cover Girl model at the time...one of the few models who weren't blond. My hair had just started going brunette, and I loved her. Niki Taylor was still my favorite back then, but over the years, I have never stopped loving Helena. Maybe it's the dark hair/light eyes combo (like me) or maybe it's the wide face (like me...although I prefer to describe mine as heart-shaped rather than ROUND.)

Anyways, I love her bangs...and really like her belted dresses in these. She never looks like she's trying too hard, or following the most current trends.

SJP

Score with this outfit.

I'm Back

I had a lovely weekend away. I'm totally exhausted, but my health held up alright. I scheduled rest periods each day, so I'm sure that helped!

My friends cancelled on me Monday morning for breakfast because one of them got some crazy stomach flu--so glad I didn't get exposed to that with my terrible immune system! Anyways, the point of this little anecdote is that I got to go by Crossroads, a great consignment store. I was bummed that I hadn't had any time or energy to go shopping at my fave consignment stores while I was there. Well, I got MARC JACOBS black patent leather wedges. Did I mention that they are Marc. Jacobs??? I once owned a Marc Jacobs knockoff purse. These shoes are so well made and unbelievably cushioned and squishy! I also got some J. Crew black flats. I had been looking for a pair exactly like them. Cheap finds.

When I'm more rested up, I'll post some pics of them. Also, a review on Benefit Erase Paste that I got in a sample. Let's just say I am totally impressed.

Do I Like JLo now?

My own style has lately been lacking, er, any style. I am definitely in a rut. But, wearing work attire all day and then being too sick to do anything else for a couple of weeks has really made me uninspired.

But, I really like the casual, jersey dress. I like the belt to make it a little more flattering. And I like that she paired it with those sky high shoes.

This picture does not do the color justice. It looks way more hot pink and less watermelon in real life. I got a manicure (the second worst mani I've ever received, by the way) and loved this bright, bright pink.

It is similar to OPI by Sephora in Arm Candy.

My package arrived!!

All day, I was so excited to come home from work because I knew my Sephora package would be here...my Stila tinted moisturizer and my Benefit Coralista. AND, most importantly, my Benefit bonus!!

The first product I tried was the Rush Hour stick. It is called a "soft plum rose" shade, made to be used for lips or cheeks. Now, this is a preliminary review because most lip/cheek combos are too drying for my lips. But, so far, I love the color. I have been obsessed with finding the right rose stain for my lips (I will admit that this look was inspired by Whitney in last season's The Hills.)

This picture is taken after a long day of work, and I swiped a little on my lips and cheeks. Love it so far. It helps that it was free!

To Splurge or Not...

So today, I dragged my sickly body out of bed/the couch and went to Sephora. I hadn't left my house all weekend, and had a coupon for 15% off that I wanted to use for a replacement eyelash curler (Shu Uemura) and the Bare Minerals sunscreen powder (I really want it to keep in my purse for times I'm unexpectedly in direct sunlight.)

I really, really wanted this in Jersey Pink:
But...it is $25.50!! It is BEAUTIFUL. I love glosses with peachy pink and gold flecks in them.

But, then I realize I could buy this for under $5 as it's on sale at Long's this week. Hmmm...

Big Fat Bun

I read about this hair donut on the Glamour beauty blog.

And last summer, happened across this tutorial. It is great and I wear my hair like that all the time. Check out pursebuzz's tutorial.

Here's me at Lindsy's wedding. My hair/makeup had to be done in under 5 minutes since I was doing the bride's hair/makeup until then. I was so stressed about her that I didn't plan on doing my own!

Dresses, Dresses, Dresses

Similar dress from Express here. I can't seem to save the picture any way.

Saturday Excitement

Nothing gets me more excited than a really good deal. Well, I exaggerate...many things get me more excited than that. But, on a daily basis, I love to get a good deal.

I have been wanting to purchase Stila Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer. It has SPF30, looks amazing alone or under my Bare Minerals, is full of physical sunscreen, and comes in a yellow enough shade for me (most have pink or beige undertones, which clashes considerably with the rest of my body, especially my neck...not pretty.)

I told myself I wasn't going to buy it until I got something free with it. In the meantime, I have been lusting after Benefit's new CORALista blush, but haven't wanted to spend that much on another blush when I have so many blushes I really like. I have looked for it on ebay and said I would treat myself to it as a completely frivolous purchase if I could get it for $20, instead of its normal $28.

WELL....today I got an email from Sephora that I could get this set with a $50 purchase, as long as you buy one Benefit item. ($113 value)
Every one of the items I considered purchasing at one time or another, but in my research, found a more perfect product at a better price (or decided I didn't need more stuff.) Well, I am splurging on yet another new blush, getting the TM I have been wanting...and this set.

It's a good day.

Audrey Tatou...perfect

So summery, sweet and chic...

She also reminds me of my sister-in-law!

Hair Color

This week I noticed my grow out. For most people, that would mean dark roots; for me, it means lighter roots and random grays. I dye my hair with demi permanent color at home. I just don't want to mess with going lighter, and especially the cost of going lighter. It's easy, cheap and I think it's flattering for me. I always am drawn to glossy, dark brown hair!

Anyways, I ordered my favorite dye. It is demi permanent and I go about three months in between colorings. I have all the supplies. It takes me quite some time as I put the color on the roots first, and then painstakingly separate all of my hair and brush on the color. But, it only costs me about $30 a year to keep up.

I use L'Oreal Color Gems in Darkest Natural Brown and love it. It is super dark, but not quite black. This time, I ordered three boxes of the color, one bottle of activator and am going to try out their glossing treatment, the Diamond Gloss. I once had a glossing treatment in a salon, and loved how good my hair felt for about 6 weeks.

Right after I ordered my color, I got this in my Glamour weekly email...proving that demi permanent is the best kind of haircolor to keep natural highlights and keep dark colors from looking flat...

Deep Thoughts (on Hair Color)

"When times are hard, hair should stay soft," says VIP hair colorist Jason Backe. Well, that explains his client Anne Hathaway's sophisticated new hair color: "It's a tone-on-tone single process brunette with lighter brown highlights running through it. The highlights take away any harshness." The best part? While you can get hair color like Anne's via a double-process technique at a salon, it's also super easy to DIY. When you're shopping for an at-home color kit, keep this in mind: "A demi-permanent is a great choice because it enhances your natural highlights and at the same time gives depth and warmth without looking heavy or harsh--you get a dramatic result without being drastic," says Jason. "My recommendation is Clairol Natural Instincts Haircolor in Roasted Chestnut--Dark Warm Brown 28B." To make the color last longer, Jason advises using cool water at the end of your shower to help seal up strands.

Cameron

Loving this look.

Staple

Every so often, I realize that there are many products I use that I have never written about. I'm not even talking about that random plum eyeshadow or fuscia blush...I mean the staples! What is wrong with me??

So, like I've mentioned before, up until a few years ago, I was incredibly tan. I loved to go to the beach and pool and lay out for HOURS (so did my friends, by the way...you know who you are.)

Here is us circa 2003
And, then, much less tan last summer:


Anyways, about two years ago, I became obsessed (hard to imagine, I know) with making my face look tanner sans sun. I researched the best gel tanners (Benefit Talk to the Tan, Stila) and powder (Guerlain Terracotta.) I finally decided that powder works best for me since I already wear powder makeup. And, since I'm obsessed with not clogging my pores, a mineral would be best and the least flat.

I ended up getting Bare Escentuals Faux Tan and have never looked back. It is a great staple. I use it with my BE Flawless Face brush. It only takes a tiny bit, and I brush it on over the bridge of my nose, a little on my chin, forehead, temples (everywhere the sun hits.) Then, I buff a little more onto the bridge of my nose, and then blend under my jaw since I was told directly under the jaw is the whitest part.

I wear this year round. During the summer, I ramp it up a bit...but I'm a fan of a little faux glow all year long.

Happy Birthday, Blog!

On April 1, 2008, I started this blog. With this post. 214 posts and an eventful/tough year later...

I am a big fan of milestones. It's strange to look back on this last year. Slightly discouraging with my continued tough health, but most of the progress is so slow that it's hard to recognize it as it's happening.

I love blogging about the little things in life. It makes the bigger things easier to deal with, and keeps my mind feeling productive.