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Celebrations Galore!

25 May

This week in May is usually quite beneficial to my closets and makeup drawer. You see, within ten days of each other, I have the priviledge of celebrating Mother’s Day AND my birthday! It’s nice having these holidays in the middle of the year. I have a chance to look over my closet and makeup to see if there is anything I need or if I need to add any new styles to my existing ensemble. This year, I was pretty set. Skin was in good shape, cosmetics were in high supply, fashions were clean and current. I was ready to roll for summer. But oh heck…. we know if you give us women gift cards, we’ll find more than one way to put them to use. And I did!!

My wonderful family indulged me in gift cards to two of my favorite stores—TJ Maxx and Sephora. Trust me, even if there isn’t anything I need, there are things I will find. I even went beyond the gift cards and found a couple of items in my local drug store that I fell in love with! So what did I treat myself to during this glorious week of May? In addition to a few days of tasty cheeses to go with my endless whine about getting old, I picked up the following:

Maybelline Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara (Waterproof) – Every time I get a new mascara, I rave about it, drop to my knees, thank the makeup Gods for such a good product, and tell everyone there is nothing better. Then, one of two things happens: a) something else comes out on the market, I try that and kick the other item to the curb; or b) it loses its initial pizzazz and doesn’t live up to what I expected a month or so after I had bought it. Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara is being advertised EVERYWHERE. Magazines, TV, internet, you name it. Its claim that it lengthens your lashes by 4 mm doesn’t really jazz me. I already have long lashes. Stay on my eyes all day, don’t flake or smudge, lengthen and thicken, and don’t run when you get wet? THAT’s what makes me love a mascara. So far… and I say that with a grin… it does all of those. I love the wide-tooth plastic brush which really combs and coats each lash for extra attention. The only fault I can find so far is that it takes each coat a very long time to dry. So I suggest curling your lashes FIRST, then waiting till you are completely finished with everything else to give them another squeeze. Be careful you don’t pull any lashes out, curling while the mascara is still wet. It’s not worth it. (Most drug stores, $6.99)

Pure Ice Nail Polish in “Strip Tease” – ‘Tis the season of neon and nothing looks better on your fingers and toes than a bright neon pink polish. It’s bright enough to give your look a bit of pop without having a color that looks totally over the top. “Strip Tease” has a slight frost to it as well to give your nails a bit of shine. This long-lasting, go with anything color is great for the warmer temps. Let your fingers and toes show with this awesome color that will definitely draw attention to your sense of style! (Walmart, $2.99)

Adrienne Vittadini Denim Rhinestone Wedges – There are three words right that that scream “chic” this season: denim, rhinestone and wedges. You can find denim everywhere this summer from shorts to skirts, including vests and hats. Rhinestones are on just about everything and it seems the more bling, the better. And wedges were hot last year and are not going away anytime soon. These wedges are super comfortable, extremely casual yet stunningly gorgeous. I am finding that it is the perfect shoe for both daytime and nighttime wear. The dark dye goes with most denims that are in style, the wood-look wedge keeps it classy, and all those gemstones will give you a “wow” factor like never before. I’ve only worn these twice since I’ve bought them and got more compliments than I could count. Definitely a great find for someone who likes that unique “sassy” edge. (TJ Maxx, $34.99)


So, with a couple other small items (Nine West Sunglasses and an off-the-shoulder tie-dyed top) I managed to use my TJ Maxx gift card all up in one outing. My Sephora card, however, has yet to be used. Although I have an idea what I’ll be spending some of it on, I’ll wait till I get my loot home. Who knows…. I could change my mind when I get to the store. I am a female, correct? Changing my mind is my given right! So stay tuned for for gift card goodie reports soon!!

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Sassy’s Product of the Day….

17 May


I can’t hide the fact that I am a lip-product junkie. Lipstick, gloss, stains, balms, you name it…. I’ve probably tried it and/or owned it. When I finally embraced the fact that I had been blessed with full, luscious lips–Anjolina Jo-lips lips–I became a fanatic about lip products. Honestly, I’ll try just about anything. Shiny, sparkly, bright, matte, frosted, glittery, you name it. I’ll either love it or hate it (there really is no in between) and will make my thoughts known. Like right now.

I discovered Maybelline’s SuperStay 24 Color for lips close to a year ago when it first came out. Although I like my glamour to have a pop of color on my lips, I’m not too fond of having to check it or touch it up every 2-3 hours. That’s why I’ve been a fan of GOOD long-wearing lip colors. Many of them make the claim to last for hours and keep your lips healthy, but most don’t live up to the hype. Some even dry my lips out to the point where potato chips have more moisture. I saw the ads for SuperStay 24 Color in almost every magazine on the market when it first came out. I tried it, and loved it immediately. There are MANY (30) shades to choose from, and the color and moisturizer are conveniently packaged in one slim tube. I’m sure if you are looking for a specific shade, you will find one on the shade list which can be found here.

Even though I already own about seven shades of this great product, I felt the need for another color–something more vibrant, more bold, more spring. And I found it. Maybelline’s SuperStay 24 Color in “Lasting Lilac” is not a shade for the faint of heart. It is a bright lilac combined with a touch of light pink with an iridescent shimmer to it. I have to say, alone it has a MAJOR “wow” factor. And that is not a bad thing! But what is even better? It blends well with any of the other SuperStay 24 colors to create something totally different and unique! It’s great for day and night wear and will last and last. For example, I put it on today at 1pm and it’s still on even now…at 11pm! (FYI? Eye makeup remover takes it off at night with no problems.) If you feel your lips getting a little dry during the day, just pop off the end that contains the built-in moisturizer and give your lips a little hydration and love.

So are you looking for a great makeup item to really give your Spring look a pop? I seriously suggest you pick up Maybelline’s SuperStay 24 Color in “Lasting Lilac” for something bright, fun and long-lasting! It’s a color that does not run with the norm, and blends easily to create fun, fancy shades all your own!

(Available at most drug and department stores, approximately $6-8)

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Sassy Girl, Sassy Stuff!

16 May

Today, I ventured outside of the four walls of my room and decided to rock a sassy look with a sassy mood, something I’ve been missing for quite a while. I am slowly coming out of my change-of-seasons funk and feeling a little like my old spunky self. Today was the perfect cure for what ailed me. I broke out a new pair of shoes, threw my hair up in a messy bun, grabbed an edgy outfit complete with rhinestones and studs, and headed out on the town, sunroof open…windows down.

I put on my favorite tunes in the car, picked up my daughter and went to do some grocery shopping as well as get my girl a haircut. It was a gorgeous day and anyone in their right mind could not feel revived out on a day with such pristine conditions. It was fabulous.I wasn’t overly thrilled that she wanted to cut about 3” off the length of her hair, however (I love her long hair) but she wanted something less “frazzled” and demanding for the warmer weather. That I can’t argue with.

While out and about, I was thrilled to get compliments on a few of my fashionista choices that I wore today. That always makes me feel good. Sometimes the item cost me less than a dollar from a thrift store. Sometimes it was the cost of a car payment… or two. No matter what the price, I truly believe it is HOW you wear it—with confidence and pride—is what really turn heads. So what got Sassy noticed today? Let’s see:

1) My hair. It’s beginning to drive my daughter nuts how often I’ll get complimented on my hair. I was born a natural redhead, but the older I got, the browner my hair became. When I reached “29+” I decided to bring out more of the auburn red side of my hair. And since then it’s been getting redder and redder and redder. It’s bold, it’s bright, and it is out there! And it is SOOOOOOOO me! It has definitely become my distinguishing feature. What’s even better? I do it myself! I’ve mastered how to color it on my own, have found a shade that I love and the right products to keep it gorg! Sassy’s Picks: Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color in R3 (Light Intense Auburn) and L’Oreal EverPure Sulfate-Free shampoos and conditioners (Most drug stores, $6.99-$7.99)

2) My shoes. I have a few…. very few…. pairs of shoes that I have spent a lot of money on. To me, “a lot” is over $100. When it comes to shoes, it is all about the hunt. To find the classiest, most stylish, en vogue pair of shoes for the least amount of money possible. I watch sales, I hit consignment shops, and I do a lot of research. One of my favorite places to get shoes is Marshalls department store. They carry name-brand footwear for a fraction of the price. And if you are lucky to get a pair on a markdown, you are golden. Today, I wore a pair of gladiator sandals that I found at Marshall’s a few months back with a gift card I had gotten. A women at the hair salon came running over to me swooning over my shoes. “I saw those on TV last night! Are those the ones?” I told her I wasn’t sure since I didn’t see the show she was talking about. “Those cost $150!!! Did you spend $150????” I smiled and said, “No, I only paid $39.99 at Marshall’s.” I then became her fashion hero. She thought I had the most stunning shoes she’d ever seen for a fraction of the designer price. Yeah… I was proud! Sassy’s Pick: BCBGeneration Silver Gladiator Sandals (Marshalls, $39.99)

3. My bracelet. Bracelets are my newest accessory addiction. I have very skinny wrists, but they don’t look as thin when I wear big, bold, chunky bracelets. I have one with a watch charm on it, one with removable charms that my kids gave me, and several sterling silver ones with various gemstones. Lately, though, I have been into sparkly bracelets. Ones with lots of glitz and glimmer and really stand out on their own. About a month ago, Macy’s had a clearance on some of their jewelry and had several stunning bracelets by Nine West. Now it’s no secret I am a fan of Nine West shoes and purses, but I had no idea they had awesome jewelry too! This one bracelet really caught my eye since it was dark, almost black, but was actually a midnight blue. It’s perfect to take any casual jeans outfit to the next level. The girl that cut my daughter’s hair noticed it immediately and had to know where I had found it. I told her but said there probably weren’t any left. She didn’t care, she was going to go looking anyways because she loved it so. I hope she lucks out… it IS an eye-catching accessory. Sassy’s Pick: Nine West Triple-Strand Sparkle Bracelet (Macy’s, $8.99)

So you see? I’m coming around. It only takes a few good days to lift the spirits and let the fashionista in me run free. Tomorrow I have to take a trip to my daughter’s school so that will give me another reason to sass myself up. I will have to raid the closet tonight and see what poor fashion items need to get out and get a shot at the “big time”. I can imagine it’s lonely being so chic yet so hidden all the time!

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I’m A Slug In The Spring……

15 May

Maybe I should have wrote in my blog sometime at the end of April that I’m not a big fan of May. As a fashion follower, you would think I would be. The styles are changing, colors are exploding everywhere, shoes are beyond your average drool. The fact is, it has nothing to do with the weather or the season. It has to do with a history of bad events happening in May during my life. I probably could change the string of bad luck if I just put my mind to it and barreled through, but as soon as May 1st gets here, I feel like I’m getting sucked into a black hole where I’ll be stuck for a whole month. Today, I looked at the calendar and realized it was the middle of May and I had been in a writing funk for over a month. Not good….. not good at all. But on the positive side, the month is half over. Wait… is that positive???

Well, I didn’t want my loyal followers to think I had been wearing old t-shirts given away at the latest vodka promo at the local bar and the same pair of jeans for an entire week. I’ve been checking out spring fashions, been slowly putting away my heavy winter attire, digging out my favorite summer sandals, looking for new styles that pique my interest. Although I’m finding some things that catch my eye, the way out of the rut is a slow one.

There have been a few things that have given me a glimmer of hope, however, that I’m getting back to my sassy glamourista self. Sometimes I over think it–honestly, it doesn’t take much! But I’m sure I’m not alone. If you’ve been in a seasonal rut, try these things like I have. Maybe they too will get you out of your fashion funk:

1) Jazz up those nails! – Pick a color that SCREAMS warm weather and “Notice Me”! Hot neons, bright pinks and flashy corals are the perfect nail pick-me-up. And don’t forget those toes! Seeing those bright colors will lift your mood right up! Sassy’s Pick: “Go With The Flow-er” by OPI

2) Change up your scent! – Still smell like the perfume your Aunt Helen gave you for Christmas? Well, it might be time to grab something new. This is the perfect time of year to find a nice body mist in a light, refreshing scent. Go all out and get the matching shower gel, body lotion and even the shimmer spray for those sleeveless shirt days. Awaken the senses and you’ll awaken the fashionista within! Sassy’s Pick: Bath and Body Works “Pink Chiffon” in shower gel, body lotion, fine fragrance mist, and shimmer body creme.

3) Wear some color! – Finding it hard to get out of the black sweater/blue jean rut? Man, I am. Of course, the weather hasn’t helped, but I’ve stopped waiting for Mother Nature to tell me when it is time to start looking spring stylish. One of the hottest trends this spring is going to be colored denims (especially skinny jeans) so I took a leap of faith and got myself a pair. Let me just say, wearing them took me FAR outside my comfort zone. And I survived! Now they are my go-to “lift my mood” pants. Think I may have to add a few other colors now too! I’m having way too much fun “creating” with these bottom hues! Sassy’s Pick: dELiAs low-rise skinny jeans in purple.

Okay, followers, I’m making a promise to myself: each day I will get up, put on something weather-appropriate, but fashionable. And I am also promising myself that I will take the TJ Maxx gift card that I got for Mother’s Day and get myself something that will be fun, refreshing, and WAY out of my comfort-zone. How about you? What do YOU plan on doing to get yourself snazzy this spring?????

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The “Eyes” Have It!

19 Apr

Today, I got the glorious experience (said with sheer cynicism) to visit my eye doctor for my bi-yearly checkup. Because of meds I’m on and health conditions, it’s important for me to go every 6-9 months. I feel bad. You see, my eye doctor is my favorite doctor of them all (and I have quite a few). I’ve known him for over 23 years and he’s seen me through my marriages, babies, radio talk shows, sports, and now my blogging. He makes me smile, and I like to make him laugh. It’s good to have that kind of rapport with your doctor.

When he asked about my blogging today, I was excited to tell him I had my own domain name now. I’m my own “dot com” I boasted. Oh, he thought that was the cat’s meow. He wrote down the website to check it out and everything. I don’t what learning about Springtime accessorizing or the which all-day lip color would be best for him on rainy days, but I’m not one to turn away any of my fans. So, in honor of my favorite eye doctor, I will tell my Fashionistas fans the best way to wear your eye makeup when going to the eye doctor for a full appointment.

Most doctors will tell you not to wear any eye makeup at all, and in all honesty, they are right. But you see there are a few of us who can’t leave the house without our “face” on. So certain things you need to be aware of.


Let’s start with mascara. Waterproof, waterproof, waterproof. Don’t wear anything that is going to make your lashes too thick or will make it difficult to look comfortably in the little eye testie things. Plus after all the air poofing, dying your whites orange then jamming the blue rod into your eye, I guarantee you’ll be tearing. (Excited yet?) So you’ll want them to look great, natural and not smudge or run. Sassy’s Suggestion: Maybelline Volum’ Express One-By-One coats each lash without clumping, running or blotching. It keeps them looking nice and natural–for a long time!

Want some line to define? This is actually the product that can cause the most damage to your look–it gets wet, smudged and runny. Find a good eyeliner that claims to either be 24 hour or waterproof. My recommendation? I would use a liner that you sharpen yourself. There tends to be a bit more wax in them, keeping them on longer, and more resistant to water, drops or tears. Try avoiding lining the waterlines on your eyes too. It won’t last while everyone is poking around there. Make a nice crisp line along your bottom and top lashes, feathering the liner in between the lashes for a slightly bolder color. Sassy’s Suggestion: NYC New York Color Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil. It’s soft enough to go on without tugging the delicate area, but stays put while giving you that deep smooth color you want to outline your eyes!

Now, how about just a LITTLE color? Your eye doctor really doesn’t want to see your eye makeup looking like you want to leave his office and tear up the dance floor at Studio 54. Since everyone will have their hands on and in your eyes, you want to put on ONE neutral color so it won’t look a paint swatch mess when they are done, with maybe just a thin line of a darker color in the same family across the top lid and along the bottom lashes. Don’t use any eye shadow primer… the fewer the chemicals near your eyes, the better. And leave the glitter and sparkle for the after 5pm dinners. Plus you don’t want your eye techie digging out flecks the whole time. Sassy’s Suggestion: Maybelline Eye Studio Color Explosion in Caffeine. A nice neutral shade that will still give your eyes a bit of “wow”.

So there you have it…. 20/20 vision with no problems (except your pupils will be the size of dinner plates for a while) and eye makeup that stood up through it all. It will probably be the hardest makeup to keep on under the most extreme conditions so if you can still leave the office looking fabulous, you, my Fashionista friend, have done YOUR job and done it well. Congrats!

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Sassy’s Quick Beauty Tip Of The Day….

13 Apr

Right now, my lips are a chapped mess. I think part of it has to do with it being so dry around here where I live (we haven’t seen a good soaking rain in over a month!) and allergy season is already going into full swing. Any balms or oils get absorbed in seconds, and lipstick looks blotchy and flaky seconds after I put it on. So, rather than covering the problem, or attempting to pick it off, I had to conquer it. How do we do that? EXFOLIATE! Believe it or not, fashionistas, the cure is as easy as 1-2-3 !!

 

  1. In a small dish, mix 1/4 tsp. brown sugar, 1/4 tsp. honey and 1/4 tsp. of olive oil. Combine into a gritty paste. (The mixture fits perfect in a 5 gram makeup jar.)
  2. Using your finger tips, gently rub the mixture into your lips. Do this for about one minute.
  3. Using a soft towel or tissue, lightly wipe off any sugar that didn’t fall off or dissolve. Rub lips together to make sure all the grit is gone and the oil is getting absorbed.)

 
Once you’ve exfoliated all the dead skin cells off your lips, put on a rich balm to keep them soft. My favorites?


 
eos Lip Balm with SPF 15 in Lemon Drop
 
 

 
 
Maybelline Baby Lips in Peppermint
 
 
 
 
 

 
Korres Lip Butter in Guava
 
 

The gritties will remove the dead flaky skin from your lips, the honey will naturally remove the dead layers underneath that don’t flake off, and the olive oil will moisturize your lips while infusing antioxidants to keep them soft and safe from the elements. If you do this quick, easy exfoliating every night for one week, you’ll notice your lips will be looking and feeling better in no time. Then, once they are feeling back to normal, you only have to do this little exfoliating trick 1-2x a week.

Don’t spend a ton to look like million bucks! Just a few simple things around the house can keep you looking sexy chic without breaking the bank!!

(HINTS: Don’t have brown sugar?…White table sugar will work fine. Don’t have honey?…. Molasses or corn syrup will do the job. Don’t have any olive oil? Sweet almond oil, organic coconut oil or grapeseed oil are perfect alternatives too!!!)

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Sometimes Nails DO Need A Break….

11 Apr

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been going really bright with my nails. I wanted a little oomph to my manicure and I thought some out-there colors and eye-catching hues would not just look good on my hands but also boost my mood during the “blah” weather trend we are having. It was a nice change to see my nails all decked out in flamboyant shades such as “Red Red” by Wet n Wild, “Go With The Flow-er” by OPI, and “Bling-tastic” Gem Crush Nail Color by Sally Hansen. Although the color makes my hands look fantastic, the minute I’d get a chip, the niceness all goes away. And once the chipping starts, it’s all over. There’s no saving it.

Because I have had bright, dark colors on for awhile, I noticed when I took my polish off today that my nails were looking a little dry and stained. Yucky. They needed a little love and attention. And rest. So I grabbed myself a natural-colored polish but not before I got my nails in good shape by giving them a quick, mini-mani:

 

  1. Remove all polish with a non-acetone nail polish remover. (TRICK!: Use lotion-infused tissues to help keep your hands and nail from getting extra dry!)
  2. Rub a good oil into your hands playing special attention to your cuticles, ridges and sides of your nails. Sweet almond oil works the best, but if you don’t have that, coconut oil, grapeseed oil or even olive oil will work just as good.
  3. Take a Chorlox Bleach Stick and with the brush end, give your nails a quick going over, avoiding the skin as much as possible. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
  4. With a nail brush (or an old toothbrush), brush off all the bleach using a few drops of your favorite fragranced soap or bath gel. Scrub lightly, underneath the nails as well. Rinse.
  5. Add a nice rich hand cream to keep them soft and silky. (My favorite? Tree Hut Shea Body Butter! Rich, moisturizing and smells good!)
  6. Give your hands about 30 minutes to absorb the moisturizer, then wipe each nail off with a paper towel, so any remaining oils won’t interfere with the nail polish. Then give them a couple of coats of your favorite light, neutral polish to keep them strong, protected and looking classic-ly neat!

 

So what are my go-to favorite neutral shades?

 

 

Sally Hansen Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Color in “Brilliant Blush”

 

 

 

MODE Nail Enamel in “Shade #118” (Sheer Mother of Pearl Pink) – I got this at my local grocery store on clearance for 75 cents!!

 

 


 

Revlon Nail Enamel in “Pure Pearl”

 

 

 

Plain nails don’t have to look boring. In fact they can look simply classy! Not only does it give you a simple, elegant look but it also gives your nails a rest from heavy dyes that can stain and dry out your nails. Not to mention, it won’t look like a puzzle missing a piece when the shade starts to chip. It will keep your nails on the down-low when only you know they aren’t completely up to par!

Okay, Fashionistas…. share on! What is YOUR favorite nail polish shade right now??

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Here Comes The Rain Again…

8 Apr

The weather forecast for the next several days is not good: rain, rain and more rain. The fact is, we need it! The ground is dry and the rivers are low, so a good soaking spring rain is exactly what Mother Nature ordered. It’s not, however, what anyone who is a fashion and makeup fanatic wants to hear. Rain can ruin a fashionista’s look in an instant. That is why you have to have the right things on hand for not just the bright, sunny days but the rainy, yucky ones too.

When I hear that rain is on the way, the first thing I think of is my makeup. Visions of 70’s soap opera stars crying with streams of black eyeliner running down their cheeks flies through my mind. Makeup has come far since then, but not all of it. One damp day can cause your eye glam to smudge and smear, can cause your foundation to blotch up bad, and can make your lips dry and chapped. I think it’s important to chose your makeup based not just on your preferences but also on your skin type, where you live, and what your day will consist of.

For example, with rain on the agenda the next few days, these are a few things that will be MUST WEARS when it comes to my makeup:

Covergirl Lashblast 24 Hour Mascara – Rain or cry, this mascara will stay put ALL DAY without any smudging or flaking.
L’Oreal Infallible 24 Hour Eye Shadow – A creamy eye shadow that glides on and STAYS on through anything and everything.
Maybelline Eye Studio Master Drama Eyeliner – A bold, smooth line with a soft, oil-free formula that holds its own for hours and hours.
Lancome Color Design Sensational Effects Lipcolor – Long, fade-free colors that keeps lips soft and protected from all elements.

Also, we can’t forget the hair! Humidity and rain will weigh down any style that you could have put in minutes before. Even before you begin styling you will want to use some products to help hold the style, then top it off with a secure spray. When I hear the weather isn’t going to be favorable for man nor beast, I break out the heavy hitters:

Garnier Fructis Curl Shaping Spray Gel (Strong) – Just a few spritzes of this while my hair is damp will hold my style all day!
Samy Fat Hair “0” Calories Amplifying Hair Spray – This hair spray holds better than 100 paperclips on two pieces of paper. STRONG is an understatement!

With my glamour selected, I’ll be ready to face the elements! OH WAIT!…. I can’t forget about fashion! Doesn’t matter, really. My family gave me my favorite rainy day fashion statement for my birthday last year, and I actually smile a bit when I hear that rain is coming. Why?…because I know I will be able to wear my uber-chic, fashion fab rainboots by Coach:


When you have a jazzy pair of rainboots like these, nothing can stop you. Not even the weather. Bring it on, Mother Nature… I’m confident that the beauty and fashion products I will be wearing will keep me look sharp and sassy all day long!!

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“When In Doubt, Wear Red”

3 Apr

I get up with my daughter in the morning to make sure she gets off to school okay. While she’s in the bathroom straightening her hair, curling her lashes, or body spritzing from head to toe, I am in the living room checking all of my social networking sites for any news or updates that happened overnight. Today while checking Twitter, someone who I follow typed this simple statement: “Good morning everyone! Make it a great day by wearing red lipstick!” Seemed simple enough but it stuck with me. Especially since red isn’t one of the popular colors in my wardrobe and makeup ensemble. Love it on my nails, but for clothes and lips? I always question if it the best color for me.

But I wanted to make it a great day, so when I got up after dozing back up off for a few hours, I grabbed myself a pair of jazzy jeans, a lightweight red top and a pair of black flats. Now, I had the right colors with my clothes, the next was the makeup! When I usually wear red, its a very NEUTRAL red. Not a cool red with blue hues, not a warm red with yellow/orange/brown hues. Straight up neutral red. I tend to wear very neutral makeup. Fair ivory foundation, a neutral peachy-pink blush, and a light silver shadow on the eye with deep black liner and mascara. Oh, but how about those lips? What do I pick when I want a good, long lasting, not too bold red lip? Let’s see:

L’Oreal Infallible Plumping Lip Gloss in Plumped Red – I love L’Oreal’s Infallible lip glosses. They have a great applicator, the scent/taste is actually nice, and the color is long wearing… up to 6 hours! It’s almost more like a liquid lip color than a sticky gloss. The plumping part for me is just an extra since I have full, pouty lips to begin with. It was more the color I liked about this gloss than anything else. It’s a true, bright, red gloss that moisturizes while it colors. And it DOES color… hour after hour, keeping my lips soft, tasty, and sexy with this shiny shade. Taking a chance with a red lip color is a gutsy move… and this is the one that definitely works for me!

Avon Shine Attract Lipstick in Passionate Red – This is a new item to Avon’s makeup line, and I think they might have hit a home run with it. The concept is unique: take a great shade of lipstick and surround it in a clear, moisture-infused gloss for one great tube of color with ton of shine and conditioners. When I ordered this, I have NO IDEA what possessed me to order it in red. But now? I’m so glad I did. The shade is very neutral, and with the high shine, it keeps it looking more like a light lip tint than a heavy, thick lipstick. It is a great balance between hydrators, gloss and color. It is easy to put on, lasts a good amount of time, and keeps my lips feeling silky smooth. The color isn’t over powering, and the taste/scent is tolerable. If I wanted something light and silky for everyday wear? This is a great red lip color to turn to!

So today was red day for me. I’m glad I stuck to my Twitter’s suggestion and wore a color that lifted my spirits and made me step outside of my comfort zone. Red is definitely a color to reach for on days that you need a boost. I guess I should listen to the famous Bill Blass when it comes to days such as these:


“When in doubt, wear red.”

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Make Your Statement With Shoes!

30 Mar

Okay, today was not a good day for me. It was not a sassy day at all. It was a day that started with an “s”, that’s for sure, but we’ll keep this blog PG. Just before I went to bed last night I noticed my right eye was getting itchy. Because my immune system is not as great as your average healthy person’s, I figured I would try and stop any type of infection the second I felt something unusual. I removed my contact lenses, removed all my eye makeup (nothing new worn, nothing out of the ordinary), and then washed my face by removing my makeup with organic coconut oil and giving it a light cleansing with Aveeno Foaming Cleanser for sensitive skin. Then I flushed my eye out with saline solution, and went to bed with the hopes that all would be good in the morning. Right?

Wrong.

When I woke up today, my eye was stuck shut with yuck and when it was open, it was as red as a beet. I’ve worked in doctors’ offices before. Eye doctors in fact. I know a case of pink eye when I see it. And as blurry as my vision was, I could see I had a classic case of conjunctivitis. One phone call later, I was going to be heading out to the doctor. Oh yay, just how I want to spend my weekend. The nurse on the phone was strict with her instructions–she said keep my hands clean, wear my glasses, wear no makeup, and be there in 3 hours. Fun, fun, fun.

Well, it wouldn’t take me long to get ready. Without makeup or hairspray, that shaves 30 minutes off my getting ready routine. So for me to feel even remotely sassy today, it was going to all be up to the clothes. And honestly?… all I wanted to do was wear a pair of comfy jeans and a cozy shirt. Nothing runway gasping. Oh but wait! I was wearing skinny jeans, so I could REALLY make a statement with my footwear. I had the options of boots, heels, or flats. What to do, what to do.

I figured that I would be comfortable and wear my flats. Oh but not just any flats. I decided I was going to wear my pewter-studded Calvin Klein “Morgan” flats that I found on a killer sale at Macy’s two months ago. They were a one-of-a-kind design and only a limited number of pairs were released. (I did my research with my iPhone!) They were originally $80, on sale recently as low as $60. But these little beauties had made it to the 50% off rack. So I asked… yup, they were only $29.99. And… AND… I had a $5 coupon! BEE-YOU-TEE-FULL!! There was only one pair in the entire store (records showed they only had five to begin with) and this pair was in my size. They fit like they were made for me. Had to buy them. Just had to.

So I wore them today to the doctor’s office with my skinny jeans and a teal rouched tunic from Body Central, one of my favorite online clothing stores. The minute I walked into the reception area, the assistant told me she absolutely loved my shoes. Oh cool! She didn’t realize my eye was swollen shut and I had no makeup on. I made my statement with my shoes! Oh it didn’t end there either. When I went to pick up the prescription for my pink eye, the pharmacy assistant said in the cutest voice, “Oh my, I just love your footwear!” She sounded so sweet! I thanked her, bragged a bit that it was a fab fashion find, and then got my meds and went home. Even feeling like crud with a sticky eye, blaring headache, and tired body, it was nice to know I could still put myself together enough to attract a fashion conversation! One pair of shoes changed how I felt for the day. Not bad. Not bad at all.

(Of course, I had to go home and disinfect everything I had worn or touched in the past day. This included cleaning all of my makeup brushes and taking care of my liners and mascara. We’ll have to talk about this very soon because taking care of your makeup and accessories is very important since it is a bacteria breed ground! ICK!)

Do you have anything fashionable that is a must when you need to lift your mood when you’re not feeling your best? We talked about how doing something simple like changing handbags can make you smile, but what about a favorite piece of clothing? Something that always brings a smile to your face or lifts your sad or sick spirits? Tell me about them or send a photo! I’d love to know and would really love to see it!!

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