Swirl, Tap, and Buff For Less!

Let me just start off by saying that I'm not the kind of person who's into foundation, especially the liquid kind.

After I started noticing minor acne scarring on my face, I decided to look for some kind of light makeup in addition to a new facial cleanser. So one day I was at my local drug store and I noticed this Mineral Power foundation by Maybelline.

When I saw the small pot of makeup, I immediately thought of an infomercial I had seen not long before. Does Bare Escentuals by i.d. ring any bells?

I always found myself intrigued by the 'swirl, tap, buff' method of reducing the look of imperfections that was represented in the Bare Escentuals commericals. I also found myself never having the money to afford the stuff....

So here I am at the drug store, face to face with what I can only describe as MIRACLE MAKEUP.

So, what's the big deal, huh? It's just Maybelline...you can buy it anywhere.
Very true. But.
This stuff is amazing. Seriously. It looks and works the same exact way that that expensive stuff by i.d. does. The light, mineral powder covers virtually any facial flaw without clogging your pores or making you feel that gross, cakey, over-made-up feeling.

I've been using this stuff for about a year now and I really couldn't be happier with it. I also love the fact that this makeup can cover imperfections anywhere on the body, not just on the face. For instance, I love using it on my shoulders and chest to cover up some old acne scars I have.

Oh, also. Maybelline makes blush and bronzer in the same type of light, mineral application. I haven't tried either of those yet but I'm VERY excited to.

So that's it. Just thought I'd share this little tid-bit with you. I hope this makeup works as well for you as it does for me! And trust me, don't bother paying so much more for Bare Escentuals. It's not worth it!

Montego Bay Club Shoes

Nothing makes me happier than finding that one pair of shoes that you can wear with absolutely anything.

I was lucky enough to find an exquisite pair of very affordable sling-back flip-flops this summer that I absolutely cannot live without. Now, the picture does not do these shoes justice (they're very metallic, so they don't photograph very well).

You can fool anybody with these shoes. I think they have a very expensive, high-end look to them. Who would guess that they could be purchased at Payless?!

These Montego Bay Club flip-flops are the embodiment of summer. One of the greatest summer shoe trends is the Gladiator look. These shoes are not exactly Gladiators, but they do possess a certain Greek/Roman appearance.

The interior and the side surrounding the heel of the flip-flop is made of a patent leather-ish material. Now, more often than not I find that that type of material can cause blisters due to the summer heat and humidity. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that these shoes are nothing but pure comfort!

The hardware on the shoes is metallic plastic (the metallic paint won't chip or scratch!). The flip-flops also have a very handy adustable strap that will prevent you from losing your lovely shoes :)

Essie: Sag Harbor

So, to be honest, I really bought this color because it looked gray in the bottle under the lights at Ulta. It wasn't exactly what I wanted, but it turned out to be a really great color nonetheless!
Sag Harbor is a very sky blue/periwinkle -ish color that I simply adore.
Application: VERY streaky at first, but two coats should be enough coverage.
Sag Harbor is a bit unusual and a great summer color.
I hope you enjoy it!

A Bit of Inspiration from Audrey

During my much-awaited shopping excursion to the mall yesterday, I stumbled across this book that I've been wanting for a while at Anthropologie. I couldn't resist it, it was literally staring me in the face and calling to me.

As one of the many people who consider Audrey an inspiration, I jumped at the chance of purchasing this book.

"On many occasions, she was approached to pen her autobiography, the definitive book of Audrey Hepburn, yet she never agreed. A beloved icon who found success as an actress, a mother, and a humanitarian, Audrey Hepburn perfected the art of gracious living.
More philosophy than biography, 'How to Be Lovely' revisits the many interview Audrey gave over the years, allowing us to hear her voice directly on universal topics of concern to women the world over: careers, love lives, motherhood, and relationships. Enhanced by rarely-seen photographs, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights from the friends who knew her well, 'How to Be Lovely' uncovers the real Audrey, in her own words.
While she would have been the last to say so, Audrey Hepburn was an expert in the art of being a woman. 'How to Be Lovely' imparts whatever wisdom and insight she found along the way to the millions who grew up, or will grow up, wanting to be just like her.
Published to coincide with Audrey Hepburn's would-be seventy-fifth birthday, 'How to Be Lovely' offers a rare glimpse into the woman behind the mystique and is the definitive guide to living genuinely with glamour and grace."--Melissa Hellstern

I already started to read this book today in the car. I'm not very far into it, but I find myself being more inspired every moment! It's chock full of AH quotes, ranging from the thought-provoking to the laugh-inducing. It seems like the perfect gift for any fan of Audrey or anyone who just enjoys being a woman.

Parisian-Themed Clothes & Accessories!

Summer is in full bloom, and so is America's obsession with Parisian-themed items.

These European-styled pieces have made a comeback in clothing stores all over the U.S.

As you can see, I have taken advantage of these gorgeous items myself (if you know anything about me, you know that pretty much everything I own is inspired by the city of lights =]).

Below, I've gathered some Parisian-themed goodies that will make you the envy of all your friends (some of which I own, some of which I'm DYING to own).

This is one of my favorite shirts. It's vintage Parisian style makes it irresistable to me [Forever 21]





I purchased this top a long time ago. Although the artistic design is similar to the shirt above, the style of the garment itself is very different. This shirt wears just above the knee. Perfect for the beach! [Forever 21]





Adorable, gold necklace featuring a heart-shaped lock & antique key and, of course, the lovely Eiffel Tower (sorry it's kind of small! I wanted to show the whole necklace). [Forever 21, noticing a trend here?]





Gorgeous silver necklace, featuring (what else?) the Eiffel Tower. This one really goes with anything and will add a touch of European flair to your ensemble. [Forever 21]






Another necklace. This one's a bit more simple, but gorgeous nonetheless. No explanation necessary. [ModCloth]






Something a little out of the ordinary. Whether you're traveling to the City of Lights or not, this luggage tag is a delicious addition to any valise. [ModCloth]






Okay. This is by far my favorite item of the bunch (I have a thing for my pal Snoopy). I was at the store the other day, and if I had seen it, it would be in my closet as we speak. I discovered it one night on the website, dangit! I just think this is too cute to ignore. I plan on purchasing it very soon! [Forever 21]








This is a very hip tank top featuring France's most famous landmark and a lovely French phrase. [Forever 21]






Hope you've all enjoyed this little tour of Paris!
Au revoir!

A Sexy Skirt for Less!

Hey all!
I just recently made a trip to Forever 21 (yes, another trip...I'm obsessed, what can I say?)
I was looking around for some hot summer deals, and I stumbled across this adorable skirt.
This lovely, "Full Twirl" skirt only cost me $15.80. Can you believe it? I was especially surprised because it reminded me of a skirt I had seen at Bloomingdale's not too long ago.
This "Gwen" Watercolor Print skirt from Bloomindale's is very similar to the skirt from Forever 21 above, however purchasing it would set you back a whopping $138.60. It is lovely, but why would you spend so much on something that can be purchased for so much less?


In my opinion, I think that the "Full Twirl" skirt from Forever 21 is not only a better value, but more fashion forward. Maybe it's just a thing I have for twirly skirts, but it definitely gets my vote!

NYC Nail Polish in Purple Pizzazz Frost

If you're feeling a bit frisky, try this shade. It's different, it's quirky, it's eye-catching.

As far as coverage goes:
Its a bit thin in application. I achieved this dark look with three shades, which is more than I would normally prefer. But overall this polish gets a thumbs up from me! I've had it on for about 3 days now with minimal chipping, and I didn't use an ultra-special top coat, just some Maybelline Express Finish Clear Base and Top Coat.


The picture does a pretty good job of showing the true look of the polish, but in reality, its a tad darker.