Wednesday, December 31, 2008

makin' me over (and over, and over)

in rolls the new year. and with it, our resolve to make ourselves over.

we want new, better bodies. we want a fresh hairstyle. we want to reinvent our signature style and develop a wardrobe that makes our physique look like a supermodel and accessories that give the illusion of luxury.

or is that just me?

for the past couple of years, i have become increasingly aware that i need to constantly reinvent my personal style. not becoming an entirely new person, mind you, but making sure that i'm in fashion and age-appropriate while still feeling like "me".

i love glitter and bright colors...but those trends have an expiration date. even on legendary pop stars, they can look ridiculous after a certain point. i don't want to be an old lady donning baby barrettes and defending myself with "you're only as old as you feel". trying to look a lot younger than you are actually ages you, and i don't want to be a "don't". there are lots of classy people of all age groups that prove you don't have to dress frumpy just because you aren't in your twenties.

my goal is to find a style icon. i'm going to pick a celebrity (or two) that has a fashion sense that i admire and i'm going to incorporate it into my closet.

for myself, i think simple is better. i'd rather have a very basic, well-fitting wardrobe and keep in season with trendy accessories. i gravitate towards neutrals (black, gray and tan). you can add almost any accessory to that. the style i would like to develop will be modern and edgy, with a feminine twist. i like a little bit of rock and roll with my minimalism.

i've been trying to make this transition a reality for awhile...what stops me is the work involved. i'd have to trim down my closet (ew!) and purchase some new things (yay!). i'd have to bid a permanent goodbye to some things i've never worn that don't suit me anymore. i guess if they'd have suited me to begin with i would have worn them. being realistically harsh with what to toss and what to keep vexes me, because i tell myself i'll wear it "eventually".

honestly, i probably need to be that harsh in other areas besides my closet. i need to par down LOTS of things.

so my quest is on. i'll let you know as soon as i find a style match. perhaps you are doing some makeovers on your own? let me know!

Monday, December 15, 2008

deck the halls with bottles of perfume

i've been wondering if i should start purchasing only miniature perfumes from now on. i never go through a whole bottle, and it's a more economical way to build my collection!

in the spirit of tiny, wonderful christmas treasures, here are some miniature perfume sets. great gifts for that well-scented friend, or for yourself!

Escada.....


....Calvin Klein.....


...Victoria's Secret.....


....Kenzo....


....Gaultier......



...Bulgari Omnia....


...Clean.....


....Salvador Ferragamo Incanto....


...Ralph Lauren.....


...Dior....


for a mere $1600, your place in heaven can be assured by purchasing the ultimate Bond 9 gift set!!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

product crush....Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask


i wouldn't have tried this product if i hadn't seen the results on someone else.

honestly? ALL lines from ALL products claim to change your life. i need to be convinced.

i work with a woman in her fifties, and i noticed during one of our conversations that her skin was glowing. she looked well-rested and younger than usual, so i complimented her. that's when she told me she'd been using Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask. ironically, she wouldn't have tried it either, except she had complimented someone else's skin.

the sephora.com site states that this product is "A frothy mask that releases oxygen into the skin, so your complexion is instantly brighter, fresher, and younger-looking". it feels strange....it foams up (without your help!)on wet skin and you leave it for about five minutes.

the result makes your skin brighter. all the holiday and work stress that shows up on your face? no evidence. it's based on Bliss's best selling facial treatment. most of us don't have the time or money to make the trip to have this done by a professional. it's nice to know that your bathroom works just as well.

i don't totally understand the science behind it, but i can tell you that it's a visible difference, and that's enough to sell it to me.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

have a glossy christmas

the holidays are the very best time to stock up. yes, there are sales and limited-edition products. but the very best part (at least to me) are the gift sets!

i love sets for three reasons. one, it gives you a variety of products that you can created several looks from. two, i'm obsessed with tiny products. three, if you are going the economic route, you can bust the set apart and use them as gifts for several people or as stocking stuffers.

i'll try to do a few blogs based on the sets that are calling my name this christmas, but i'll start with a buffet of my favorite type of set-lip gloss!!


Mirror Mirror gloss from Two-Faced. tastes and smells great, not sticky, and super shiny!


Kat Von D's glosses come in great colors, but most appealing is "stormy", which looks black but goes on a dark silver. it would be gorgeous over a plum lipstick!


Lorac's mini Mocktail set is very glittery and smells just like the drinks each gloss is named after. plus, each tiny gloss has a mirror on the side so you can admire your lips!


NARS, gorgeous and pigmented as always.


ten glosses for less than 25.00? sign me up!!




i love smashbox. i especially like their nude neutral glosses!



stila's mini glosses have their trademark brush so you can glaze to your heart's content.

all of these gorgeous, portable gloss sets are available at sephora.com. buy them for yourself or for somebody else who loves a lacquered lip!