Essie Summer 2014

So Essie has come out with another, yet limited edition line for summer 2014. They have at least one shade I think I would like to wear this summer, urban jungle.

 

 

urban jungle

irresistible alabaster orchid
city smart. wild at heart. live on the edge of paradise in this irresistible, alabaster orchid.

fierce, no fear

intense cocoa mahogany
seize control. the world is your in this no-holds-barred, intense cocoa mahogany.

roarrrrange

unstoppable, bold orange
hello, tiger. your fashion instinct is anything but basic in this unstoppable bold orange. meow!

strut your stuff

compelling cobalt aqua
kick up the color and take a walk on the wild side in this compelling cobalt aqua.

ruffles & feathers

powerful peacock teal
extravagant. effusive. euphoric. have some serious fun in this powerful peacock teal.



haute in the heat

unforgettable hot guava
turn up the chic in this unforgettable hot raspberry. burn, baby, burn.

What the website says: strong. intense. polished. inspired by women with instinctive style, these six irresistible shades amplify summer’s sultry mood with bright, sexy color. consolidate your power with gorgeous colors perfect for a cosmopolitan safari or a walk on the wild side. this varied palette gives women a bevy of fashionable options that go perfectly with an unstoppable attitude.
www.essie.com

Lucky May 2014

 

 

So jumping right in on page 24 of the May 2014 issue of Lucky is Behind the Scenes with Olivia Wilde. I’m loving the white bag she’s carrying for the photo shoot. I think page 24 is one of my favorite pages.

On page 38 you can wear bright red lipstick in the summer and on page 40 there are clothes for women who are short and curvy yet who are not plus size.

Jeweled embellishments liven up jean jackets to light weight sweaters to clutches making it even more chic and stylish on page 43 & 44.

I really liked the article on page 50 entitled, The Boyfriend Effect. To this article not only applies to those who have boyfriends, but also those who have friends who have a fairly big influence in their lives as well. To sum it up to not give away too much, its about a woman who was single and meets a guy and after a while they move in, and in the process she loses who style. Once the bf moves in they spend more time at home so she doesn’t feel the need to dress up like she use to, only when she goes to business meetings and then when she decides to wear a dress she’s not worn in sometime and her bf kind of makes fun of her, but then she changes her style and she works on having that old part of her back. It just makes me think of how we let the influence of others at time dictate how we dress and what we do.

Page 56-62 is all about Office Hours and how to stay stylish while you’re at the office and keeping it modern while doing so. I really like the trench coat on page 58, a collarless trench coat by A.P.C.

Style Rules: Kate Moss is a refreshing read in page 72. I like a good tuxedo jacket, which can go with just about any outfit from jeans to a pencil skirt. And I’m loving the metallic heels by Gianvito Rossi.

Find the perfect cuff on page 78. I like the ones they have featured from Tiffany & Co., but since not all can afford those prices, they are listed for $495 to $1,150, you can find some at The Limited (www.thelimited.com) and still look stylish, but I do those cuffs that are featured there.

Espadrilles get a makeover on page 91. They get a sophisticated makeover in denim, raffia and ultra-luxe leather. I think if you had the right pairings, they would look good with linen pants and a flowy top. But that’s just me.

On page 95 is about the new cat eye, which is a slash of punk rock meets Brigitte Bardot sophistication. A simple way to get out the door in a hurry!

Then on page 96 is Viktor & Rolf’s new perfume, Bonbon. While its $165 at Saks (www.saks.com) its worth every penny and the bottle along makes a feminine touch on your vanity or chest of drawers. I would buy it if I had it.

You can do a glamorous manicure on page 100. I also do manis and pedis for myself because then if I smudge it I can fix it myself.

Check out the 6 prettiest new scents on page 104. I like Philosophy Loveswept. It’s a tart-yet-sweet passion fruit mixes gorgeously with jasmine, violet and cedarwood. The lotion and shower gel are just out of this world. I would wear all three!!! You can find Philosophy at Ulta, Sephora and of course www.philosophy.com.

In Beauty Rules: Kate Upton chats about perfected key tricks she’s picked up from photo shoots on page 105.

On page 110 is Indie Heaven. Its all natural bath and body products you can’t find anywhere else and it worth checking out.

And of course, pick up this issue to read all about Olivia Wilde and how she views life when she as in her 20s and now that she’s a mom and in her 30s, she just recently turned 30!!!

MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection for Summer 2014

Thursday, May 15, 2014 MAC releases their summer collection, Alluring Aquatic. I see two eye shadows I'd get. As well as some bronzers. As you scroll down you can preview bits and pieces of the collection.  With this collection, they have 2 eye liners and 2 lip liners. . .
www.maccosmetics.com Hurry, some of the eye shadows are selling out. . .

 

InStyle May 2014

I loved this issue because of the 2014 Best Beauty Buys, on page 265, but let’s talk about all those other pages before it.

Starting on page 36, in Let’s Get REAL!, I’m loving the Dries Van Noten leather sandals to wear with just about anything to an all-black out ensemble. They are not my first choice of colors, but I’m trying to be more outside the box and these shoes fit the bill in that area.

At the Cover Shoot on page 40 you can find out some of Cameron Diaz’s likes and she answers a question from one of the readers!

Page 41 is all about behind the scenes for Queen Latifah’s article to Beauty by the Numbers! The InStyle editors spent 112 hours photographing the beauty items for the Best Beauty Buys.

On pages 44 & 46 is makeup secrets by the numbers!!! Staggering too!

On page 50 is a little story about the different contributors to InStyle and where you might have seen their work.

On page 56 & 58 is Inspired by InStyle and my favorite look is the all-white outfit on page 58, one I want to try this summer.

On page 73 in What’s Now, Kate Moss has a line coming out for Topshop (www.topshop.com). I personally like the yellow dress for spring/summer events that you need to look nice and well dressed for, but not over the top. It’s one that could be worn to a wedding or even be a braid’s maid dress if needed to be.

I like the preview of The Shoe Lovers Book on page 76. I’m liking the 3 pics they have featured in the book. It would be make an excellent coffee table book.

So May 30 Maleficent hits theaters, but on May 8 you can purchase MAC’s line of makeup with the same title!

Skipping over to page 117, I’m truly loving Lupita Nyong’O’s ice blue pleated silk georgette gown she wore to the Oscars and won! And then from page 118-124, is what everyone else wore and its beautiful.

Then on page 127 is pics of the after parties at the Oscars!! Brad and Angie looked chic while Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner looked like the perfect and is the perfect Hollywood couple, and Chris Hemsworth and Channing Tatum looked hot just goofing around, both on page 130. In case you missed Oscar host’s Ellen’s Twitter selfie, you can see it on page 132, which got 3.4 million retweets on Twitter March 2!!!

In Her 10 Best Ever, Rose Byrne looks stunning in Lavin’s custom jersey bodysuit and silk crepe kimono skirt (#9), on page 142-143.

Your Look on page 157 features pleated skirts that has a sophisticated makeover.  I have one from White House Black Market I got a few years ago that would be in style now as well as when I bought it!!!

On page 190 there are 3 ways to wear white pants and they are all simply chic.

In Your Look is all about Pant Shapes on page 208. I personally would love a classy wide leg pant to pair with a semi flowy blouse for nights out on the town. But to keep it classic sticking to a tapered or slim leg is featured on page 210. Even the high waist looks classy when paired with the right top.

Getting into beauty, check out the new lob on page 225. Celebs wearing the new lob are Lily Collins (daughter of Phil Collins), Ciara, Jessica Alba and Jennifer Connelly. I personally like my bob to be jaw length, or as short as I can get in the summer time.

In Hues for You starting on page 227, Celosia Orange, Sand, to Radiant Orchid are colors woman of all colors can wear. You can look chic and office friendly to bolder for nights out.

In Beauty Talk on page 235 Kate Winslet shares her beauty secrets and tips for looking her best and what advice her mother gave her when she and her sisters were growing up.

And then on page 265 is my favorite feature of the magazine, the 2014 Best Beauty Buys!!! Giorgio Armani Maestro liquid foundation is one of the high end foundations featured as well as Smashbox’s Camera Ready BB Cream. Nars and Tart make the list for blush, while MAC’s Eye Kohl stands out for its staying power and an hallmark for smoky eyes. I do love my MAC and I love this one in Smolder. Shu Uemura’s eyelash curler to Nars eyeshadow, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz (Jaclyn Hill swears by, check her out on Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/user/Jaclynhill1), to YSL eyeliner. Again MAC in the lip department as well as Josie Maran Lip Treatment to Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipsticks on page 274 (Editors’ Pick 20% off). Page 276 is all about nail polishes such as Nars in Dovima (an orange based red) to Essie in Butler Please (cobalt blue), to a nice top coat by Seche Vite to help prevent chips to a new mani. On page 278/279 find shades that flatter every skin tone from fair to dark, think Cate Blanchett to Lupita Nyong’O. On pages 280-288 is all about skin from normal to oily and dry skin, to anti-aging and what gadgets such as the Clarisonic Aria ($199.00, www.clarisonic.com) for exfoliating to hair removal by Tria Laser 4x for $449.00 (www.triabeauty.com). Page 290 is all about creams, cleansers and scrubs for your body. I like Gillette the best, while Secret Clinical Strength made the list this year. I honestly can’t remember if they were on the list last year or not. On a day I wanna splurge I would try the Fresh Brown Sugar scrub at Sephora (www.fresh.com, www.sephora.com). Page 292 is all about sun care and self tanners, while page 294 gas shampoos & conditioners for color-treated to curly, fine and normal hair as well as eco-friendly line by Rahua. Check out the styling products on page 296 and hair brushes, and tools on page 298.

I love the Graphic Frames in Shop it! on page 307. I like the black & white pairs the best. They seem to go with everything!

On page 309 its all about finding the perfect bathing suit and I think they A to Z guide in finding the right one for you is perfect!!!

Cover girl Cameron Diaz is ready to leave this earth…and find out why on page 339. I love Giampaolo Sgura’s photography of Cameron. Makes look forward to summer and its only May!!!

I hope you enjoy reading this issue and pick it up for a nice relaxing the house work can wait kind of read!!!!

Spring/Summer Dresses

  Now that the weather is in spring mode and reaching unseasonably warm temps, its time to think about those beautiful spring/summer dresses. I love a good, classy yet comfortable sheath dress. I have quite a few of them hanging in my closet right now and I keep them out until its too cold the wear them and then they are put away for winter until next season, and I got to pull mine out about 2 months ago. . . I think. Well down below are pics of spring/summer dresses that can be worn to work to cocktail hour or just because.

Essie Spring 2014

The other day Essie released their latest collection, Neon's 2014. Such beautiful shades, I just may have to go back and get another shade.

 

Too Taboo

 

Florescent fuchsia berry. This vivid intense fuchsia is poised to take the world by storm. Sit back, relax and enjoy the glow.

 

 Chills & thrills  

Supercharged blue violet. Wildly sexy. Totally unexpected. This supercharged neon blue violet keeps you on your toes.

 I’m addicted

Neon aquamarine blue. Bright. Hot. Dangerous. Nothing is off limits for this decorum-defying neon aquamarine blue.

 

 

 Vices versa

Juicy neon lime. It is so good to be bad in flawless, juicy neon lime. Cool and contrary, this opposite attracts.




 Serial shopper

Florescent fire coral. Full disclosure: this you-know-you-want-me florescent fire coral is seriously habit-forming.



Sittin' pretty

Vivid intense lavender. To buy or not to buy? Go ahead, splurge! This florescent berry hibiscus is a total must.

NOTE: Most of these shades are sold out online, but you can check with your local Ulta store to make sure they have them in stock!

The Essie 2014 neon collection celebrates stylish girls around the world struck by fashion fever. They are $8.50 and to me they are worth every penny, especially if you do your nails yourself.
http://www.essie.com/Latest-Collections.aspx

May 2014

I can't believe its May!!! This year is really flying by, and a little faster than I would like it to. I have higher expectations for May than April. The weather is warmer, flowers are in full bloom as well as stormy weather. I don't mind the stormy weather at all, just as long as no one gets hurt.

 I plan on being out doors more and going to the gym more as well. I have some events coming up in June and July that I want to look my best for so that will be the shot in the arm that I need to get to the gym since its not always an appealing thought, more like appalling. LOL!!!

I hope everyone has a good month and enjoys the great outdoors and takes in life and creates memories along the way through May and the rest of this year. 

 

So Sorry. . .

I’m so sorry I’ve not been here in a while as you can see. I just haven’t felt up to blogging, but next month I plan on blogging a lot more and posting my reviews for InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar and Lucky.  April didn’t go quite as I planned on, and that added to me not blogging or posting really much of anything. I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the spring weather.   

Harper's Bazaar April 2014

So they say age is just a number. I say embrace it! On page 180 you get can get ideas of what to wear when you're in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s+. Then on page 202 find our more tips on the right makeup for your age as well.

Through out this issue is tips for embracing whatever age you may be. I'm in my early 30s so I really liked this issue on embracing my age as I get older.

I liked this issue because its fabulous all the way through!

Lucky April 2014

So on page 35 spring dresses gets a ladylike update.

On pages 44 & 46 some of the editors picks and I'm going to have to give Dolce by Dolce & Gabbana another try.

Pick up this issue for even more great ideas for this season!

April 2014

It’s going to be a good month, I can just feel it! I’m going back to the gym…finally!  And the weather is warming up with storms rolling in. I just love this month as well as this time of year.  All the stores have their spring clothes in, thinking about summer plans and vacations. I think April is going to be a really good month. I hope all the best for everyone!!!