Some Pictures

I wrote about my consignment store finds a couple of months ago. Here is finally a picture! The shoes are Marc Jacobs and the dress is Maeve.


In further random postings, I've been spending a ton of time with my niece and nephew.

My mom had a tank top that was too small and I made it into a maxi dress for Amelia, and added tulle for fun!

I French braided her hair. Didn't last long.

Paintin' the Nails

So I've been really not paying attention to beauty tips or products this week. With Lent beginning, I was feeling very contemplative. Hey, I'm allowed my moments, right?? Also, my health hasn't been great for two weeks, and I'm making some job changes. Big week!

This weekend, I did get a chance to paint my 2 year old niece's fingernails in a French manicure. This was a toughie. She was so enamored by the process that she would forget to hold her free hand still, and kept messing up the same two nails.

Here are our nails. Hers were inspired by just the idea of it being super cute on her little hands:

And mine are a cheapie Sally Hansen brick red that I have loved for a couple of years. It looks especially good under the amazing OPI Drip Dry drops. I have been inspired by all the red nails on The City lately.

Speaking of The City (which I watch every week and then berate myself for wasting 30 minutes of my life on), I love Whitney's use of bronzer. I myself am a big fan of bronzer as a year-round makeup staple. Apparently Whitney feels the same. She used it consistently on the apples of her cheeks. Love it!

Observe below:

Doing My Part

I have been seeing pictures of wearing headbands hippie style lately, so decided to bring Amelia, my niece, up to speed. 17 months and already blazing ahead...

Melts My Heart

How can I care about beauty products when there is such perfection as this little soul??


Don't worry, I still care...and will continue to post about them.

Pretty Kitty Mascara Obsessions

I have just discovered a new beauty blog. She too has a mascara obsession. Stop in and read her tips and reviews for mascara. And she also watches QVC and gets obsessed with products...

As for my life this week, I am exhausted! Not "fatigue", as in my Chronic Fatigue. It is always refreshing to simply be tired from staying out too late here and there, exercising, having fun...namely, starting to have a life again. In other news, Amelia finally let me paint both feet of toenails!! It took some coaxing and cajoling to con her into sitting still, but totally worth it. They look adorable and actually match my toes at the moment. Lastly, I am going to cut about an inch and a half at least off my hair this Friday. I will post some pre-cut pictures as it nears the dreaded Cher length (as in the singer-actress, not character from "Clueless.")

For now, check out these little piggies...

Make Up For Ever

I am only beginning to discover the wonders of this brand. I had heard of the waterproof "Aqua Eye" eyeliner. However, I have tested so many "waterproof" pencil liners and am convinced that the only truly waterproof are gel liners (like Bobbi Brown.)

Alot of magazines and beauty blogs are raving about the new High Definition Powder, and how its light-reflecting particles mask any skin imperfections and set makeup with 100% mineral silica powder (seriously, this is all from my memory...no joke, everyone is writing about it.) So, I got myself down to Sephora to try it out.

I go to Sephora about once every few weeks, and have a list of all the products I want to play with. While playing around at Make Up For Ever, I tried on the Pearly Waterproof Eyeshadow Pencil in shimmery taupe. It went on kind of creamy and I had a blend a little, but--boy--did that stuff stay put. I was seriously impressed. I usually put in the eyelid primer, then eyeshadow (on the odd day that I actually wear eyeshadow.) This was one step. If they had it in gray, I would snap that thing up.

$18

Desert in the Spring

We made it to Palm Desert. Seven hours in the car next to my niece Amelia. I clipped her toenails and applied hot pink polish to her left foot. She said, "Pretty," but then wouldn't let me do the right foot. "Don't, Kara. Don't. No" were her exact words. While I read a magazine, she begged for "paper" and I gave her the subscription card out of the magazine. That kept her occupied for quite some time. Did I mention that she is 15 months old?

Eleven hours of sleep later, we're ready for the pool. I wish I looked like this on vacation:

Photo: Frugal Fashionista

But, alas, I do not. I did, however, get a generous sample of MAC Prep + Prime SPF 50 and I LOVE it. I am a little concerned about using a primer everyday, as it seems as though it would clog the pores. But, it is pretty amazing. I will tell more later.

True Beauty

True beauty: my niece. Look at her truly makeup-less face, beauty mark on the side of her eye, stylin' dress, tousled hair, banana-covered teeth. Effortless, natural beauty...