Feast Your Eyes On This, Friday

{Bodacious Blooms}

Let's be honest, we're all sick of talking about budgets, the economy, joblessness, and basically having no hope for anything promising other than potentially qualifying for food stamps. But I think it is critical to be indulgent every now and then. My three happy places: 1) Bubble baths. With sparkling water and a lemon, lime, and orange wedge with flamenco music in the background. 2) Starbucks. A cheap habit that adds up fast, but so worth it. 3) Flowers. Even if I'm going to be doing one-dish leftovers for the entire week, I always seem to find away to have a little vase of flowers by my bed. 

Note to the men: Don't buy red roses (or any roses unless they're heirloom, for that matter). Guys think girls like them. We don't. They're cliché. And this is just a personal note for my Mr. Right who is most certainly reading this, don't get me daisies (gerber or regular). They just remind me of a VW Beetle for some reason.

Ranunculus. My flower of the moment. 

Sometimes one big bloom is all you need. 

Girly and haphazard. A perfect combination.

Sometimes you just need an excuse to use your favorite vase.

Ball jars next to a lacquered green candle. Love.

Don't over-think it. Sometimes the least amount of thought is the best when it comes to arranging.

So glam and low-key all at the same time.

Blue and white will never fail.

There's something so indulgent about flowers in a bathroom. It's like they're there just for you to see and no one else.

Nothin freshens up a kitchen like spring hydrangeas.

Perfect on the walls. Perfect on the nightstand.

Pictures like this make me so thankful God made me a girl.

A tight bundle...

Or a loose grouping.

 For an extra pop in a muted room.

Or something soft in a bold space. 

On a stack of books or a bench.

Mixing modern, simple, and antique.

To greet you.

Bon weekend!

What Was Sista Thinking? Wednesday

{The Art of Crassy}

I saw this article in the July Allure. It is far too good to pass up. All I ask is that you don't get your panties in a wad about this. I had plenty of thing on the Trashy list that I j'adore: Kobe Beef Sliders. Yes, please. I love my fair share of tickity tack-- sequin anything, the more bejeweled the better. Besides, I'd way rather be trashy than crassy. At least if you're trashy, you're reveling in the trainwreck. Crassiness involves total oblivion. Being completely unaware of trying too hard. Now that, is truly trashy. And while I'm on a roll, I think the word "classy" is crassy. PS: I love blogging because I get to say the things I think in my head without it being too terribly offensive. Glorious!

Courtesy of Allure

Here are some of my crassy/tacky additions:

Exploiting your designer gear (especially when it's emblazoned with their logo). And, Paris Hilton, for that matter. She is the epitome of Crassy. Can you think of anyone who tries harder?

Square. French. Manicure. The square took it from Trashy to Trailer Park.

What are your favorite crassies and trashies?

What Was Sista Thinking? Wednesday

{The Art of Crassy}


I saw this article in the July Allure. It is far too good to pass up. All I ask is that you don't get your panties in a wad about this. I had plenty of thing on the Trashy list that I j'adore: Kobe Beef Sliders. Yes, please. I love my fair share of tickity tack-- sequin anything, the more bejeweled the better. Besides, I'd way rather be trashy than crassy. At least if you're trashy, you're reveling in the trainwreck. Crassiness involves total oblivion. Being completely unaware of trying too hard. Now that, is truly trashy. (And while I'm on a roll, I think the word "classy" is crassy.) PS: I love blogging because I get to say the things I think in my head without it being too terribly offensive. Glorious!

Courtesy of Allure

Here are some of my crassy/tacky additions:

Tuesday: Tip of The Day

{Summer Skincare}

Ever wonder why your face breaks out in the summer but is flawless in the winter? You're using the same products, in the same order, and nothing has changed but the multitude of blackheads that have recently made a happy home in your T-Zone. I think it's time for an eviction! I've provided your motivational anthem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IADdGzHreFQ

1. Cleanse: If you have combination skin or are prone to breakouts (we're talking mild, not excessive acne) then you should be using a cleanser with glycolic acid. The acid acts as an exfoliator. 


2. Exfoliate: Now, some of you think that because your skin is broken out, that you need to start using sandpaper to scrub off your blackheads. Wrong! Over exfoliating dries out skin and can make breakouts even worse. Use a good exfoliator 2-3 times a week.


3. Diet: Lay off the dairy. I love me some ice cream and cheese but resist the temptation to overdo it. And we all know it, but I'm here to say it again: hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. H2O is your bff.


4. Tone: Some find it meaningless, but think of it as a back-up cleanser. It just takes the clean factor one step further.


5. Moisturize: No, humidity doesn't count as a moisturizer. Although the air may feel thicker than lotion, moisturizing is one of the key things of clear summer skin. Use a light gel or serum. It hydrates skin but is a lighter formula than cream. Try one with acid if you're breakouts are more severe. (I use a salicylic gel on my T-Zone and a light serum everywhere else).  

Raves and Favs

Glycolic Foaming Cleanser, $15; mariobadescu.com

Triple Action Organic Scrub for Acne, $49; sonyadakar.com

Clarifying Lotion #2, $12.50; clinique.com

Acne Lotion, $27; glytone-usa.com

Hydrating B5 Gel, $69; skinceuticals.com

Make It Work! Monday

{Clear Mascara}

Clear Natural Mascara, $10; sephora.com

To me, clear mascara seems like something your mom lets you use when you're 13 as your first "big girl" makeup thing. Beyond that, it's kind of worthless. However, this little baby is genius. Get a small tube and leave it in your glovebox for quick touch-ups. Here are my three favorite ways to make it work!

1. As a mascara. (Thank you Captain Obvious) It opens up your eyes and gives lashes a nice curl for a fresh-faced feeling.


2. Brow gel. I love to use it as a brow comb, the clear mascara just helps shape and sculpt brows for a polished look.


3. Unruly hair. You know those small hairs that won't stay in place-- especially if you're going for sleek ponytail or bun? Just swipe over fine hairs and they won't budge. It's nice because you get more accuracy than you would with hairspray.

What Was Sista Thinking? Wednesday

Do You Know The Muffin Man?

"Yummy!" you say, but think again.

Many a fabulous female have gone far too long sporting a good old fashion muffin top. Ladies, ladies, ladies. Now listen, I understand that sometimes you want to show off your killer six-pack abs...

Let's not forget the back tat...

Or perhaps a little south-of-the-border cleavage...

Or maybe, just maybe, you were blissfully unaware...

Regardless of how/why your spare tire got a little face time is not the issue. The issue is why you have one in the first place. A muffin top is the easiest thing to fix-- no extra eating, exercise, or diet tips required. Just put your pride aside and swap those size 4 jeggings out for a 14, then, voila! No more Mr. Muffin Man. If you're still in shock and can't swallow the tag size, then go to Chicos, where they make all women feel skinny with their 1, 2, 3, 4 sizing. There ya go. Personally, it's not the size that matters, it's the fit. Just make your clothes fit. It's as simple as that.

Tuesday: Tip of the Day

Megawatt Lashes

Hallie Burton for Real Simple

No liner, no shadow, no false lashes, just mascara for this one. Here a few easy tips to get super-full lashes.

1. Blast your lash curler with your blow dryer for just a few seconds. It warms it up so your lashes bend easier and hold their curl longer. Make sure it's not too hot, especially if you have a metal curler.
2. Start at the base of your lashes and pump the curler up, from base to tip- about 5 times- instead of one long, hard squeeze, which makes your lashes look like a 90 degree angle instead of a full curl.
3. Hold an old credit card at the base of your lashes to make them fan out. Wiggle the mascara wand up your lashes instead of pulling it straight up. It gets more product on your lashes for a fuller, thicker look. Don't let it dry between coats to avoid clumping.
4. On your lower lashes, hold the wand with the tip facing up and gently feather it along lower lashes. It helps to get in those hard to reach places.

B-Rad Picks:

Eyelash Curler, $19; shuuemura-usa.com

You know it's good when there is a waiting lash for an eyelash curler.

Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara, $5; drugstores

 This is my favorite mascara-- put it against luxury mascara heavy-hitters and it still comes out on top.

Make It Work! Monday

Fuh-get you, frizz and fly-aways!

It's summer. In the south. With terrible humidity. Those three make one nasty combo when it comes to having a good hair day. I usually throw caution to the wind and let my hair do it's kinky curly thing come summertime. Here's a secret beauty weapon that I absolutely love: dryer sheets. Stash a few in your car or purse and when the flyaways are getting frisky, just wipe them down with a bounce sheet. Voila! Sleek mane.

FRIZZ

+

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Yes, your hair is guaranteed to be this sleek and smooth with one swipe of Bounce. Fo sho.