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Scents & Sensability….

23 Oct

This week, my November issue of Glamour magazine came in the mail. I love the fall issues of my favorite glam rags. They feature such cozy clothes like warm sweaters and cardigans, killer boots, chic outerwear, accessories that you’d never consider, and great tips on hair and skin care for the changing seasons. This month, however, I noticed one thing more than others:  they had quite the extensive array of designer perfume samples inside. You know, the little “lift and sniff” flaps to test out what is new and what is hot in scents this season? As much as I’d love to rip them open all at once and wipe the strips on my wrists, I know you really need to just smell and try one at a time to get the full effect and see if it is something I like. After scratching, sniffing and wearing all the samples in this month’s issue, I think I found some nice scents that I would consider for myself. And I also found some that just were not for me…at all. Now, I’m telling you, not every scent is for everyone, and what smells like ick on me may smell enticing on you. Everyone is different. And that is why there are thousands of perfumes on the market—you need to find the one that speaks to you!

Here are my experiences with the samples that came in Glamour’s issue this month, and my thoughts and experiences with them:

“Viva La Juicy Le Fleur” by Juicy Couture

(from juicycouture.com) ‘Uplifting, playful, dreamy. Inspired by the blushing aura of being in love.”

I am a huge… I mean HUGE… Juicy fan. Their fragrance, “Viva La Juicy” (“VLJ”), might be my #1 go-to daytime fun designer scent. “Viva La Juicy Le Fleur” has notes similar to “VLJ” but also has notes of mandarin and wild berries, combined with warm florals like honeysuckle, gardenia and soft jasmine all wrapped in vanilla, caramel and sandalwood. I love “VLJ” because it has a strong, independent, fun yet feminine allure. “VLJ La Fleur” gives you all that with a softer, warmer, more romantic approach. I really like it. I mean REALLY like it! Where I might wear “VLJ” with jeans, a jazzy tee, and leather boots, I’d probably wear “VLJ LaFleur” with all that plus a set of peals and a ruffled cardi to give me a more feminine edge. The warmer notes are perfect for fall with a touch of sheer, modern romance, but is still a recognizable fragrance from Juicy without a doubt. Delish!

Sassy Scale of 1-10:  a big 10

 

“Beautiful” by Estée Lauder

(from Macys.com) “The fragrance of a thousand flowers. A tender bouquet of lilies and roses, marigold and orange blossoms…all warmed with a touch of citrus. Romantic, tender & memorable.”

Estée Lauder’s “Beautiful” has been a popular fragrance for quite some time. In fact, for many women it is their signature scent. Even though it is a high floral scent (with strong notes of roses), it can be worn all year round, by all ages, in all situations.  Personally?  I am not a huge fan. I am not a lover of heavy floral scents—especially roses—mainly because they just don’t wear well on me. How they smell in the bottle is not how they smell on my skin, that’s for sure! This is one of those scents that changes once it is on my skin, and not for the better. It is a simple, gorgeous, and recognizable scent without a doubt. But for me?…It just comes across too heavy and too mature for my liking.

Sassy’s Scale of 1-10:  2

 

“Dehlia Noir” by Givenchy

(from Macys.com): “A fantasy flower. The first fragrance developed under the creative direction of Riccardo Tisci. Dehlia Noir embodies the mysterious singular radiance of a woman’s graceful power.”

Givenchy Parfums have been around since 1947 and were inspired by their most famous client, Audrey Hepburn. Right there you know their scents are rich, sophisticate and distinguished. The newest version of “Dehlia Noir” that was launched this year is truly feminine with gentle pink shades, built around floral-fruity notes with woody accents with noticeable tinges of mandarin, lemon and peach zest. A warm cedar base makes this a truly romantic scent, perfect for cooler temps.

The scent is very unique to me. Although it, at first, comes across to my nose as extremely strong, it actually blends well and softens the longer it lingers on the skin. It is definitely exceptional, soft and feminine. Although I could not see me wearing this often, I could see me wearing this on a special occasion or romantic late night with my hubby, paired with the classic little black dress, high heels and bold red lips. Sexy!

Sassy Scale of 1-10: 6

 

“DOT” by Marc Jacobs

(from dotmarcjacobs.com ad) “Chic and charming with a touch of the unexpected. A lush floral bouquet of beautiful jasmine & juicy red berries.”

I was thrilled when I heard Marc Jacobs was introducing a new perfume this season. I am a big fan of “Daisy” and it is probably my most worn scent in the spring & summer. The packaging of “DOT” is adorable and catches the eye with a big bright red bottle that looks like a lady bug. How cute! Just like its perky bottle, the scent is energetic and alive. It makes you smile. It is simple, straightforward and upbeat. A total mood lifter. The top notes of red berries and bold hints of dragonfruit and honeysuckle give it its playful flirtiness. Add a touch of jasmine, coconut water, orange blossoms and creamy vanilla and it gives off a warm, rounded feminine scent with a colorful, unique statement.

Marc Jacobs’ “DOT” fragrance scores big with me. It is a bit more warm and fun than “Daisy” with its sassy, bright, sensual side which goes perfectly with the cooler temperatures. For me, it is a wear-with-anything…anytime…anywhere perfume and I can’t say that with many of the ones that I own!

Sassy’s Scale of 1-10: 9

 

“Pour Femme” by Dolce & Gabbana

(from dolcegabanna.com) “From the Mediterranean, epicenter of harmonies and contrasts, the classic fragrance is reborn embodying the essence of the Dolce & Gabbana woman—passionate, sensitive and maternal.”

Dolce & Gabbana is NO stranger to the fragrance world. Starting as an Italian luxury fashion house in 1982, they launched their first perfume “Dolce & Gabbana” in 1992. Their timeless and formal style expanded into current fads as well as a long-term trends in sunglasses, eyewear, purses and watches soon after.  In 2012, D & G “fine tuned” their original fragrance to give it a more modern edge. In addition to the original notes of neroli, tangerine, jasmine, orange blossom, sandalwood and heliotrope (huh?), D & G added hints of raspberry and marshmallow to bring it to a warm, contemporary level.

A while back, I had purchased D & G’s rollerball perfume “l’eau the one”. I liked the lily of the valley scent embraced by fruits. It is modern and light with oriental levels that embodies the fragrance. It is refreshing, , slightly seductive but a “go about your day” accessory perfume that is perfect for spring. It is a nice refined scent with charm and sophistication which makes a woman stand out amongst the rest. Because I liked “l’eau the one”, I thought I’d like D & G’s “Pour Femme” as well. It has many of the same notes as the rollerball that I own, but I’m sad to say…. it just did not work for me. It comes across a little too musky for me which I am not a fan of, and is a bit too rich and heavy for my liking. I don’t like a scent that makes me feel like it is weighing me down. Although autumn colognes tend to have heavier notes of warm scents, I just don’t like ones that come across as overpowering. Which is why this one doesn’t float my boat.

Sassy’s Scale of 1-10:  3

 

Finding a new scent for the new season can be an endeavor of trial and error. I seriously suggest you test a fragrance for several days if possible (see if your local beauty department can give you an extended sample) and don’t mix them each day. See how your body embraces the scent in various situations. Also, don’t just buy a scent you’ve sniffed in the bottle at the store. Spritz a card or get a sample to try outside in your own setting. With all open scents around, you may not be getting the true smell of how it lays on your skin in the store. And whenever possible, layer your scent. This time of year, it is great to use a moisturizing body wash and lotion of your favorite scent perfume before getting dressed and putting the final spritz on. This will not only condition your skin but extend its aromas. My favorite this year is “Cashmere Glow” from Bath & Body Works. The scents of warm peach and amber are blended into this warm, soothing fragrance, and it comes in a shower gel, body lotion, rich body cream, body butter, fragrance mist, shimmer mist, sparkle glow body lotion and more. You can layer it up and stay soft while smelling subtly sexy all day long!

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Fall Things I DON’T Need…….

14 Oct

The time has come to start swapping out a few of my summer dresses, sleeveless tops, lightweight tees and sandals for some longer sleeves, warmer tops, funky shoes and chic sweaters. I love fall. I’d rather layer it on than sweat it off. Move the shorts and capris over for some darker pants and jeans. As I pack things away, label storage bins and starting bringing out the fall fashions and accessories, I’m realizing I’m pretty stocked. My ensemble from last year is still in good shape and pretty current with the fashion trends. In fact, some things I have in abundance. Almost to the point of too many. As I check out the things I have for the change in seasons, I’m not quite sure what I do need but it is pretty obvious what I don’t!

These items that are overflowing my closet and drawers I have decided to put down in print, so I can share them and look back once in a while to remind myself, “Sassy, good heavens, do NOT buy another one of those.” I hope that works. Sometimes a good deal makes it difficult to say no. Here are a few of my “you don’t need anymore of these” items this season:

1) Boots — Holy smokes, I went boot crazy last year! When the new season came this year, I quickly picked up a pair of dressy beige boots which were the only ones I thought were a true necessity. I wanted to get them early before the good styles sold out. Then I decided to also get myself a pair of killer black leather riding boots that would go with everything. Now I am set. I have all colors needed for my ensemble, all fashionable styles, and all heel heights are represented as well. It is time to step away from the boots….. step away, step away. Sassy grabbed: Guess Black Riding Boots, $79.99, TJMaxx



2) Eye Shadows — I decided to reorganize my makeup drawer recently, sorting out all of my glamour items that I have collected over the years. Even after throwing out old items that probably weren’t “healthy” anymore, I realized the amount of eye shadows I still have is flat out embarrassing. Granted, I probably didn’t buy many of them (I sample a lot for various companies) but still… I have them. I have them divided up between creams and mineral shadows, then sorted by highlighters, lid colors and accent shades. In addition to all of those, I probably still have 15 color pallets from different brands with all combinations imaginable. It’s shameful. Even if I didn’t have a color I wanted (which I can’t see happening), I probably could create it with a multitude of my mineral shades. Just a little mixing of this and that and whala!!… A color is born. It’s time to stay away from ALL shadows. No more. However, if you’d like me to test or try a sample or brand…. send it over! I’ll never turn down a sample! The only thing I realized that I did need was a good shadow base to help even out my lids and hold all these colors I have… so THAT I got! Sassy grabbed: LA Minerals Eye Fix in Fair, $12.99, laminerals.com



3) Jeans — It’s obvious I love my denims. Up until about 15 years ago, I never wore nice jeans. They never fit well. Now, between changing styles and adding a few pounds in the right places, I love-love-love my jeans. Boot cut, skinnies, jeggings… doesn’t matter. I’ve got them all. I may find a pair or two at the store that is a brand that yells “Deal! Deal!” and I have to buy them. They speak to me! But for the most part, with the new season upon us, I’m good on denims. Now granted… if any nice colored jeans come out for fall, or patterned jeggings (animal print! cough..cough..), I may have to reconsider a small purchase. Which I already did. Sassy grabbed: Princess Vera Wang Feather Printed Skinny Stretch Jeans, $28.99, Kohl’s



4) Anything on summer clearance — Holy smokes, put a red markdown tag on something fashionable and I am drawn to it like steel to a magnet. Sure, a $5 cami or a $7 graphic tee is definitely a scream of a deal, but the fact remains I have MORE than enough to wear something different every day for three months and still have a few left over without doubling up. And NO I can’t say that I can just jazz it up with a cute cardi for winter because I have enough of those too! I’m such a sucker for a red tag. For all that is good for my well being (and the well being of my checking account), I have to steer clear of the clearance department. Period. (But before I did…) Sassy grabbed: Apt. 9 Gold Sequined Tank Top, $20.00, Kohls



Now that I know what I DON’T need, it’s obvious with changing styles and hot colors that there will be a couple of things that I will need to add to keep my look current. Not much and not a lot cost wise, just enough to keep things fresh and edgy. It really doesn’t take an entire credit card and a van to turn last year’s blahs into this year’s wows. So I will stay away from the big items I don’t need and just keep my eyes open for a few little accessories and add-ons to give last year’s fashions a splash of pop for today!!

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Hmm…. Makes You Think:

7 Sep

Never really thought of it this way:




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So True…. So True…..

1 Sep

Happy September, Fashionistas!

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My Influenster Summer Beauty VoxBox!

31 Jul

Last month, a Twitter friend of mine told me that if I was a glamour and beauty junkie–which we all know I am–then I had to sign up to be a future recipient of an Influenster box. (By the way, I’m a Twitter regular, so if you are on board, follow me @SassyAuburn).What exactly is this, you ask? Well, it’s a box mailed to you, based on items you indicated you might like from a survey, filled with all kinds of goodies for you to try and review. To good to be true? I thought so… until I was chosen to get the Summer Beauty VoxBox. WOOT! I got it a few weeks ago and it was like Christmas in July. All kinds of stuff from food to beauty supplies to play with and review. OMG, it’s like a Sassy dream come true. I encourage all of you to sign up as well so you too could be chosen in future months. No purchase necessary. No pestering emails or phone calls. It’s easy peasy and fun as heck. Go here to sign up!

So what came in my first VoxBox and how did I like the items I got? Well, I’ll give you a quick peak at what Influenster had me try:

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration – Hawaiin Tropic is a staple in most summer-lovers’ beach bags. This yummy product protects your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 30, all while keeping your skin silky smooth and smelling like the islands. Many sun blocks irritate my skin, but not this one. My skin stayed moist, I stayed protected while I worked outside, and the scent was awesome! It’s nice to have a product that doesn’t just keep me safe but also keeps me soft!

Sally Hansen Magnetic Color – Everyone knows that Sally Hansen is a leader in the hand and nail industry. Their newest product, Magnetic Color, isn’t just a nail polish but is a nail polish with a funky edge. On the top of the bottle is a magnet. Yup, a real magnet (I put a paperclip on it to test it!). After you put on your second coat of polish, you hold the magnet over your nail while the polish is still wet for about 10 seconds. When you move the magnet away, you’ll see these colorful waves on your nails! It took me a couple of tries to master it, but once I did, I loved the look. And so did others…. I got many compliments on how they looked. I was sent the color “Silver Elements” to try which goes with everything, but I plan on picking up “Polar Purple” as well. It’s a long-wearing nail color in a league all its own!

Quaker Soft Baked Bars – Oh yeay! FOOD! Let me just say, if you want to get my attention, send me food! These yummy little snack bars are soooo delish. They are healthy, easy to take with you for times on the go, and come in great flavors: banana nut bread and cinnamon pecan bread. Perfect when time is of the essence in the morning or when you need an energy boost later in the day, Quaker’s Soft Baked Bars are packed with 6 gr. of protein and 20% of 5 essential B vitamins. I love the soft texture and the taste is fab. These are always in my cupboard for whenever I need a fast, good-for-your body nomnom!

Clear Scalp and Hair Therapy – Every time I go down the hair products aisle at the store, I get dizzy. I have come to the conclusion that there is a product for everything. Dry hair, oily hair, frizzy hair, thick hair, thin hair, color-treated hair, hair that needs oomph, hair that needs to calm down, you name it. But do you know of any shampoo and conditioner that focuses on the scalp instead of the hair? Probably not. But Clear products do. It starts by taking care of the hair where the hair starts—the scalp. By giving the hair a healthy, strong foundation, you can get luscious hair in days. I like the way Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy shampoo and conditioner worked on my hair. It didn’t strip away the color, made my hair soft and shiny, and kept my scalp feeling clean for days. I like a product that does what it says it’s going to do and Clear did just that!

Sally Hansen Nails & Cuticles Crème – …and speaking of Sally Hansen, when you aren’t wearing one of their jazzy nail colors, what else can you do to keep your hands looking young and feeling soft? You can use their Nails & Cuticles Crème. I think this was my favorite product of all in my VoxBox. The hand cream has a light, refreshing citrus scent and is infused with shea butter to keep your hands smooth and silky for 24 hours. Everyone knows that hands are one of the biggest giveaways of your true age, so you want to keep them moist and prevent your cuticles from cracking and peeling. Sally Hansen’s Crème does just that. I’ve noticed a significant difference in how my hands look and feel, a difference I like. Plus my nails have seemed to grow in faster & stronger since I started using it. That’s something I REALLY like!

So, are you interested? Do you want to be an Influenster too? Come on board with me so we can talk about the great new products we will be testing in the future. Influenster’s Summer Beauty VoxBox was filled with the perfect items to keep me looking and feeling healthy each and every day this season! And I found some great new products to add to my beauty routine as well!

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Fab Finds In July!

31 Jul

Usually when I find a skin care product that I really like, it will take a lot of convincing for me to try something different. I guess that explains why I have been using the same line of cleansers, day creams, night creams, and eye cream for almost a year now. I like the company, love the results from the products, and they don’t irritate my skin at all. Makeup, on the other hand, is something very different. I’m always in search of the newest, the best, the hottest items on the market. I probably try at least 8-10 new things each month, either through product testing, freebies, samples, coupons, or just curiosity. A few are great, some just good, and an epic fail here and there. Let’s just say my glamour collection is extensive!

This July, I didn’t try as many new things as I usually do, but what I did try I was quite happy with. I can see myself being loyal to a few of them for quite a while. A few others I can see being used once in a while when the mood hits. Either way, there wasn’t any disappointments this month.

So what few things went into my “absolute fave” section of my makeup drawer this month? Here’s what I fell in love with in July:

Maybelline’s Dream Bouncy Blush – I have been using mineral powder blushes for almost 3 years and still love them. But a few weeks ago, I needed to add a touch of blush to my look and the only thing I had nearby was a pink cream eye shadow, so I used that. I was pleasantly surprised how well it looked and stayed on. So then I went in search of a good cream blush. I had seen advertisements in magazines for Maybelline’s new blush for a while now, but I thought it might irritate my skin or make my face oily & shiny. I was so wrong. This blush goes on light, is totally buildable, and doesn’t make my face greasy at all. It goes on like a creamy gel and dries to a powdery finish. And it LASTS…. all day! I picked “Pink Plum” for my shade and it gives my cheeks the perfect light, rosy glow! (Found in most drug stores and retail stores, approx. $6.50)

L’Oreal Visible Lift Serum Absolute Makeup – Usually I’m not a big fan of liquid foundations, especially in the summer, since I have a tendency to shine up in the heat. But the mineral foundation I had been using just wasn’t lasting and giving me the coverage I wanted. So I decided to take a chance and search out a liquid foundation. After testing several on my wrist, I found that L’Oreal’s colors matched my skin better than most others. When I saw the Visible Lift Serum, I thought the product had a good goal in mind: a foundation that didn’t just reduced the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and age spots but also contained Pro-Retinol A and Vitamin C which would help reverse the signs of aging. The SPF of 17 was an added plus too! Although putting it on straight from the bottle seemed to look a bit “thick” on my skin, applying it with a damp makeup sponge gives me the coverage I like. Not only do I have a foundation that looks good but also prevents the increased appearance of aging. Perfecto! (Found in most drug stores and retail stores, approx. $13.50)

Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner – It’s no secret that heavily lined eyes are in style right now. Cat eyes, smoky looks and rocker eyes are all over the runway and glamour field. There are all kinds of products to give you these high fashion looks, and honestly, I think I’ve tried almost all of them. The only liner I can’t seem to master is the liquid liner look for the top lid. It either looks too thick, goes on crooked or “melts” into the crease. Many times the brush was too short, too fat, or the liner dried out too fast. I just couldn’t get it mastered. One day, while picking up another skin care item at Sephora, I stumbled upon Urban Decay’s liquid liner. What I REALLY liked about this product is that dries almost instantly (so being precise is a necessity!), is totally waterproof and wears true all day. I also love the brush because it is the perfect length and super thin for a really sharp look. Now I am having a blast wearing all kinds of funky eye looks with my new liner. U/D’s liner makes it so easy. Available in 11 colors including carbon black. (Found at Sephora, $19.00)

Red Apple Lipstick in “Flirt With Me” – Everyone who knows me knows that I am a contest-entering fool. I try to win all kinds of things, especially makeup, glamour and fashion items. This month I entered a contest to win a variety of items from a brand I never heard of. I did a bit of research and loved the premise of the company. Red Apple Lipstick makes lipsticks, glosses, liners, and eye shadows that are completely free of gluten, paraben, soy and allergens. They are vitamin E enriched to keep your lips soft and the color long lasting. It definitely sounded like something I would use. So I entered the contest… and I won a lipstick! Yeay Sassy! Free makeup is a good thing…. free makeup that I LOVE is a GREAT thing! I love the color of this lipstick since it is a light, neutral shade with pink, peach, bronze and gold hues. It went on smooth and easy—no tugging!—and lasted a long time while keeping my lips moist and conditioned in the hot summer weather. I’m already planning my next shade since I just love the way it wears. If you want nice cosmetics made by a company in the USA that is safe and free of unnecessary additives, check out Red Apple’s. They guarantee you’ll like them! (RedAppleLipstick.com, $17.50)

That’s it for July, fashionistas! Summer has one more month of heat and sun, then we will begin to get ready for fall and back-to-school. Wow, where does the time go? Well, I’ll worry about all of that when it gets here. For now, I’m going to enjoy my new makeup items, start searching for sale items, and enjoy the warm weather as long as I can. Because I know it won’t last too much longer!!

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Yes, Be “Blue” This Summer!

27 Jul

Have you ever had something that you’ve had to do—like laundry, dishes, vacuuming, etc.—and you just stare at it, like you are waiting for it to do something by itself? Yeah, Ive been doing that with my laptop lately. I know my blog has been neglected. I even have things I want to write about, but the “oomph” just hasn’t been there. Every day, Mr. Sassy can’t wait to go out with his camera and take photos that move him. Why do I need a kick in the arse to get going? Do they sell bottles of motivation at the drug store? I guess if they put them next to the nailpolishes, I would have found them by now. Sigh.

Well, this week I did do something that was a bit out of the ordinary for me. I spun the color wheel and found myself a new shade that I chose to wear that wasn’t predominant in my closet. It was way out of my comfort zone, yet still looked good with my red hair! What color is that? Sea Blue! It is such a fun color because you can mix and match it with other bold colors such as neon yellow or hot pink to create a head-turning look. And you can accessorize it with chunky chains, bows and bangles to really make your look pop. So what are a few of my new blue hues that I’m jazzing on? Take a peek:

L.E.I. Junior Colored Skinny Jeans – Don’t miss out on this fashion fad—everyone needs at least one pair of brightly colored skinny jeans. And these ones fit the job perfectly, pardon the pun. Available in five different colors, I decided to go with a pair in “Lake Blue” since it would fit nicely into my wardrobe. The material is a bit lighter-weight than traditional denim, but has a lot of stretch to them. They can be worn casually with tennies and a graphic tee, or dress them up with a pair of spiked platforms and a long cami. No matter how you pair it, don’t miss out on this hot fashion trend this summer! (Walmart, $15.88)

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Eye Shadow – It’s summer. You want to look good for as long as possible without your makeup running down your face from the heat and humidity. If you are in need of an eye shadow that can go the distance all day without creasing, fading, or running, this is THE eye shadow to wear. To match my skinny jeans, I grabbed a one of these long-wearing cream shadows in “EndlessSea” which goes on bright and beautiful! Wear it as a bold liner on top and bottom lids, or give you eyes some pop by applying lightly from lashline to brow bone on top. However you wear it, you will really like this color and love its 24 hour wear! (Walmart and other retail distributors, $6.97 and up)

Sally Hansen Gem Crush Nail Color – The newest accessory this year is decorated nails and Sally Hansen has all the items you need to bling out your manicure and pedicure. I love this nail polish in “Bling-tastic” which is a multi-hued blue jammed with glitter and sparkle. Wear several coats alone for nails with pop, or use it as a top coat over a shade like coral or yellow for a colorful mix. Keep your nails looking their best in blue and make them an attention-getter with this bright blue Gem Crush nail color!! (Walmart & other retailers, $6.24 and up)

In your mind, you might be thinking that the summer is half over because it’s already the end of July. But don’t let that make you “blue”. Take that flashy color and put it in to your closet and makeup drawer to give your look a bit of an edge this season. From head to toe, you can brighten your ensemble and turn some heads with a blast of blue that will be sure to turn heads as you strut your new bold look and fun burst of color!!

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Do You Prepare For Your Mani?

15 Jul

Tonight, my family and I decided to go out to a nice dinner. Mr. Sassy selected a nice restaurant which wasn’t too fancy but still very classy. I chose to wear nice capri jeans, a patterned “cut out” shoulder top, and strappy sexy sandals. I added a nice smoky eye look with some bright wine-colored lips and I was working it in a good way. Err, well almost. I realized my latest manicure was chipped and splotched, and I had no time for a touch up. When faced with this situation, a fashionista knows it is better to go with NO polish then a sloppy manicure. So I took off all my neon pink polish and thought I was good to go….

…till I got outside in natural sunlight.

My nails were yellow–almost orange!–from dark polish stains. In addition, they had ridges & rough edges and my cuticles felt like bunions. Ewww….. not good. Thank goodness the restaurant was dimly lit so you couldn’t really tell my “clean” nails were stained and uneven. But I knew they were. And I couldn’t wait to get home and get them cleaned up.

Having a perfect home manicure needs to start BEFORE the colored polish even comes out. And I have learned this from experience. So what do I do to prep my nails before the mani begins? Here are some tips you can follow to keep your nails looking just as good bare as they would with color:

  • Have yellow staining from dark polishes? Base coats can help but not completely. If you have some yellowing, brush on a light coat of Clorox Bleach. The Bleach Pen works awesome! Leave a light coat on for about 5 minutes. Then give your nails a good brushing with some whitening toothpaste and an old toothbrush. Bleaching your nails often can make them soft and irritate your cuticles if you do it often so try to only do it every few weeks. Brushing them with the toothpaste, however, will help keep them clean and also stimulate growth.

  • File and buff! When your nails are at their cleanest, that is the best time to shape them and shine them up. File them so the tips are even, cutting down any super long ones and smoothing out any jagged edges that can get caught and tear. Use a buffer to even the tops out getting rid of any uneven ridges or rough spots (this includes any rough spots on the skin around the nails too.) Finally, use a polisher to give your nails a nice, healthy shine. Want a great tool that does all three? Sephora’s 3-Step Ergo Buffer is the perfect tool to get the job done!

  • Use a moisturizer made especially for hands and nails. I’m absolutely loving Sally Hansen’s Nails and Cuticle Hand Cream. It is infused with shea butter to help keep the delicate skin around your nails soft and your cuticles pliable. If your hands are super, super dry, coat them with the Hand Cream then soak them in warm olive oil for 10-15 minutes. Once a week, exfoliate them by adding a teaspoon of white sugar to the olive oil and rub it in on the backs and palms of your hands, and in between the fingers. Then rinse with warm water. This will help removed the dead skin cells that keep your hands from looking young.

  • Keeping your manicure fresh longer will allow you to change and/or remove polish less. That, in turn, will keep you from having to paint your nails more often which can cause staining. Wear gloves when doing dishes and housework, moisturize every morning and night, and protect them if you plan on working outside or with harsh chemicals. If you can keep your mani looking fab for a week? That will keep your nails from staining as much and also keep them strong!

Now I’m relaxing watching TV and taking care of my nails before I put on my next coat of polish. I have removed the yellowing from old colors, brushed under and over the nails to remove any dirt and chemicals, and softened the cuticles and ridges by deep moisturizing my hands–coating them with hand cream and putting them into warm socks for several minutes. Now, I don’t have to be ashamed to go without polish. If my fingers want to take a vaca from polish for a while (which is a good thing now and then), I can make sure they look their best when they are “naked”!!

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When The Student Becomes The Teacher….

11 Jul

A while ago my husband found that writing relaxed him after a rough, stressful day. Then he realized that he couldn’t get the right words from his mind to the paper and instead of easing his soul, it caused him more anquish. That is not a good thing.

So, for Father’s Day last year me and the family gave Mr. Sassy a camera to take nice photos with. It took him a while to get into it, but now he ventures out into the unknown taking photos of anything and everything that jazzes him. He’s very fussy and very self-critical about his pictures but I think his work is fabulous! Plus it is still a way to channel his “down time” so he doesn’t go insane from boredom. Although what he calls boredom, I call relaxation. C’est la vie.

I think when I first started writing, I too did it to relax me and keep me focused on things other than the ones that stress me out. I didn’t think about family issues, I didn’t worry about money, I didn’t concern myself about my health, I didn’t get anxious about my mother. I could submerge myself completely in my writing and get lost in the world of fashion, glamour and makeup. It was a dream world for me and I was loving every second of it. Every day, I’d walk the red carpet…. even if it was in my own mind.

Today, while at CVS getting a new top coat for my nails (I am no longer using my previous fave due to certain reasons). While there, I found a mom and her daughter in a dilemma about which mascara they should get since they were going to a water park tomorrow. I couldn’t help but chime in with my two cents. I told them that currently, my favorite waterproof mascara was Covergirl Lashblast 24 Hour Mascara. Lasts all day with no smudging or flaking. The mom said she had used that before, but didn’t like the brush too much. She was also hoping to take advantage of the Maybelline sale that was going one—Buy One Get One Half Off. Okay I can work that. I said that my favorite Maybelline mascara, by far, was their Illegal Length Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black. It stayed put no matter what you put it though. She asked if it would withhold the torments of a waterslide park and I said no problem! With the BOGO sale, she wanted to take advantage of another waterproof eye product but didn’t know what to choose. I told her that I absolutely loved Maybelline Master Drama Eye Studio Cream Eyepencils. I said they were smudgeproof for up to 16 hours and I found them to be very waterproof myself–so much so, that I had one in every color! I loved the way it went on easy, had the intensity of a cream, but was convenient in a pencil. She decided that she would give that a try in Bold Brown. She seemed happy with her selections and even continued to browse at a few of the other products I had pointed out earlier that I had liked and why.

After I helped her with her choices I decided to take advantage of the BOGO sale as well and picked up two of Maybelline Color Tattoo by Eyestudio Eyeshadows since I am totally loving long-wear cream shadows lately. With coral being my new hot color in my wardrobe, I got two shadows that would match this color perfectly: Fierce and Tangy and Bad To The Bronze. With my auburn hair, these colors should look ultra fab! Plus… hello?…. we all know this year’s color of the year is Tangerine Tango and these eye colors should enhance any outfit with that shade! With those shadows plus my new top polish, Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, my beauty shopping was done for the day.

Just as I was about to leave, the mom and daughter came running after me as I headed to the door. She once again thanked me over and over again. She didn’t just thank me for giving her my opinions but also educating her on a few different products and brands. I just smiled and said no problem–the honor was mine. And truly it was.

I realized something while helping the mom and her daughter out in the drug store today. My love and knowledge of the fashion, glamour, and makeup industry is not just something I do when I’m bored or when I need to do something to ease my stress. It now has become a part of me. I’m trained, educated and informed and can actually help people when it comes to these loves. It’s not just a case of “This is a jazzy color!” anymore. It’s become a “I really like this product because…” which gives me a good feeling inside.

I know I don’t know everything there is to know in this industry, and that what makes it so interesting. It is always changing and that means I am always learning. I challenge you to find something you’d like to know more about, then start learning. Ask questions, read books, talk to experts. Anything. And keep learning, keep asking, keep reading. Become an expert on something, and just when you think you know it all…. go learn more. Like the great Eartha Kitt once said:

“I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma.”

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And My Scent Is….

27 Jun


Man, I am a writing slug. I will write blog posts every day for a week, and then disappear for a month. Of course, life has been ruling everything lately. I’ve had birthdays, holidays, my baby girl’s high school graduation, doctor appointments, car repairs, you name it. Right now, I’m watching an episode of “America’s Next Top Model” and Mr. Sassy is napping next to me. That is actually the best time to watch shows like that because Mr. Sassy says that engaging in the viewing of senseless reality shows just eats your brain. I’m not sure if he is right or not, but it gives me writing ideas and that in turn gives me blog ideas, which helps me on my dream of being a big-time writer someday. So we’ll just call this reality college. Nice.

Today on ANTM, the contestants had to choose a fragrance with notes that represented them and their personality. And that got me to thinking: If I had to create a perfume that represented me, what would it be like? What notes would it contain? What would the bottle look like? And WHAT would I name it??

So let’s go through these questions. First, what would it smell like? Well, I probably own over 25 different perfume scents right now. I wear something different every day. Depends on my mood. But there are some things I know I don’t like in my fragrances. I don’t like heavy notes of musk, and I don’t like heavy notes of rose. I like things that smell light and fresh. With that being said, my perfume would most likely have floral notes of magnolia, peony, jasmine, apple blossom and/or gardenia. To keep it fresh, I would add hints of things like berries, pear, peach, mandarin or other citrus notes. Of course, I would want some under notes of vanilla or caramel for a bit of warmth. I’m sure if you checked, all the fragrances in my collection would have one, two or more of the aromas I like. Now even I know that all of those scents I like, mixed together, would probably smell like muck, but with the right guidance and noses, I’m sure I could blend up something that would be to my liking.

Now, the packaging. I vowed if I ever made it famous, the color pink would NOT be on anything with my name. I’m sticking to that. It’s hardly in my wardrobe, and almost never on my lips. I think I would want something that catches the light… a narrow bottle that is made from yellow glass that lightens as it tapers down. And the cap? Hmmm. I’m a fan of silver and I love disco music, so I think I would want to top to be in the shape of a mirrored disco ball. Bright fading yellow bottle with a disco ball cap. I’m liking this so far.

Oh, onto the name. I thought that would be the hardest. I could call it “814” which is my anniversary. Hubby would like that. I think. With the disco ball cap, I could go 70’s and call it “Le Chic”, “Stayin’ Alive” or “Superstition” but young kids wouldn’t have a clue to the references. I could be a wiseass and call it “Stink Pretty” showing my humorous side, but I could see me having difficulty getting stores like Saks or Macys to carry it.

Then it hit me. Duh! I’d call it “Sassy”. I mean, that IS me! It would be exactly like its name… fun, light, and sassy for daytime wear and also warm, sexy and sensual for evening. Versatile-just like me. I mean I am the girl who can wear a pair of $700 shoes with a pair of thrift store jeans and consignment shop sweater and you’d never know! I would have a fine, silver chain that hung off the bottle with a tag that said “Sassy” so you’d know the name of the perfume, and have an interactive bottle to play with. So unique. Damn I’m good.

I think I will go play around with my picture programs and design my bottle right now. Who knows, maybe someday you’ll be able to buy “Sassy” at a store near you. Until then, though, I suggest you pick up and try one of my favorite scents that I really like. Out of all the perfumes/scents that I own, these are definitely some of my faves:


  • Viva la Juicy by Juicy Couture
  • Dior J’Adore by Dior
  • Stella by Stella McCartney
  • Coach Poppy by Coach
  • Daisy by Marc Jacobs
  • Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift
  • Michael Kors by Michael Kors
  • Pink Chiffon by Bath & Body Works
  • Ibiza Sol by mark
  • Someday by Justin Bieber
  • BCBGMAXAZRIA by BCBGMAXAZRIA



So share with me….. what are your favorite scents? Do you have a “signature scent” or do you have many that you coordinate with your style of the day or the occasion of the night? Have YOU ever thought about making your own perfume? And what would you call it?

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