Sickday Beauty to the Rescue

 When I’m laying at home sick in bed the last thing that crosses my mind is keeping up with my beauty routine. As of late, I’ve been feeling quite under the weather. The only thing I want to do is sleep, drink juice, sleep some more, and watch old movies. There are certain beauty items, however, that will sometimes sneak their day into my sick days and make me feel a little better or occupy my time, if only temporarily.

1. Sephora Collection Colorful Mini Nail buffers, $8 for pack of 3; Sephora.com: I am really bad at keeping my nails up. They get filed and trimmed a few times per month and maybe even a coat of clear polish or the occasional swipe of colored polish. Other than that, I keep my nails fairly low maintenance. I like to keep these mini buffers on hand for quick fixes (snagged nails, uneven nail bed). I also love whipping one out when I’m sick in bed and watching TV to pass the time.

2. Lush Honey Trap Lip Balm, $6.95; lush.com: I love this moisturizing balm for sick days because it’s not sticky, greasy,  absorbs quickly, and won’t end up on my pillow when I’m napping. Thanks to a blend of shea butter and oilve oil, the hydrating formula feels great on the lips without leaving residue. It also features honey, a natural humectant, to hold moisture in.

3. Caudalie Grape Water Mini, $8 for 1.6 oz; Sephora.com: If you follow this blog, you’ll know that one of my go-to “It” brands is Caudalie. I use and adore a lot of their products. I always have a mini Grape Water on hand for spritzing anytime I feel dry or need an instant boost. I love chilling one in the fridge to mist myself with when I’m running a fever. It feels lovely, cool, and I love that I’m giving my skin an antioxidant boost at the same time. *Also great for hot summer days.* 

4. Carol’s Daughter Body Aches Bath Salts, $18 for 16 oz; sephora.com: I love these bath salts for when I’m sick or after an intense workout (especially Jackie Warner’s workout DVD’s). Peppermint, sea salt, and epsom salt help to ease muscle aches, while lavender calms the senses. I’m not a fan of the little floating lavender bits in my tub so I used an old nylon or cheesecloth to filter the salts under running water. 

5. Fresh Rose Face Mask, $55; fresh.com: Another of my go-to brands is Fresh. I love the luxe formula’s and simple yet elegant packaging. I love the decadent rose mask because it helps to hydrate and sooth the delicate skin around my nose when I’m sick. Sometimes I will even leave a little on when I’m napping to protect the area. It’s calming effect is thanks to rose, cucumber, and aloe. If I need to make a brief appearance anywhere, say a visit to the doc or pharmacy, it’s a great quick fix for the mild facial puffiness I get when I’ve been laying down for a while. 

6. Josie Maran Argan Oil Moisturizing Stick, $22; sephora.com: Argan oil and vitamin E hydrate and nourish the skin in a quick and easy to apply stick formula. I love this handy tool for it’s multi-tasking abilities: as a quick body hydrator (elbows, cuticles, hands, feet, knees), a quick lip ”balm,” around the nose,  to slick back any stray or flyaway hair and to hydrate the ends of my hair. It’s a great on the go beauty item and also fab for sick days when you don’t want to put in much effort. 

Some favorite movies to watch when I’m sick include: The Thin Man (any in the series, especially the orginal), North by Northwest, any Doris Day & Rock Hudson movies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Vacation =)

 

I know it’s been long time no post. Prom season is kicking my derriere and I need a vacation. I’m going on a few in the upcoming months and I’ve already mentally checked out. First up is Disneyland in a few days and I am so excited! I have only been once and that was 18 years ago. Hopefully when I’m back, I’ll be in the mood to blog more.

It’s My Birthday Week!

 Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, la la la la la la, happy birthday to me (tomorrow). The photo above contains a sampling of my plans. I’ll have more blogs coming up the week of the 21st, after my birthday vacation is over.

“The Wizard of Oz had one thing right: it’s [life] ultimately about the journey and the characters who accompany you on it, not about the destination.” -Kelly Cutrone

Get the Look: Bold Lips and Soft Waves

 Why not try out a new look in 2010? Taylor Swift’s soft waves and a hot lip stain are the basis of this easy to create romantic look, fit for a night out or Valentine’s Day (her new movie or the Hallmark hyped holiday in February). For a twist, try using a bright blue mascara or fun colored lashes.

1. Shu Umera Faux Lashes in Smokey Layer, $25, sephora.com: Shu Umera lashes are hand-made with attention to detail. Try the Smokey Layer lashes (pictured) or for maximum drama, try the Feather Black Velvet lashes (my fave).  

2. Smashbox Lash DNA Mascara, $19, smashbox.com and sephora.com: Finally, a good for your lashes mascara. Swipe the double-helix shaped wand over your lashes for length and volume. The high-tech formula also helps to condition and strengthen lashes while you wear it. This is one mascara that I will definitely purchase over and over again because it makes my lashes almost look like I’m wearing the faux version.

3. Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Cream, $9-$27.50, fekkai.com: Lightly dab on a little of this gorgeous shine infusing cream for hair that looks healthy and hydrated. The new and improved formula releases shine throughout the day and infuses strands with a slight shimmer for added shine.

4. GHD IV Styler, $240, ghd.com, sephora.com, beautyencounter.com: Investing in the GHD is one of the best things I’ve ever done for my hair. The MK IV version features a built-in microchip that senses how much the styler is being used and will automatically heat back up and it has automatic shut off after 30 minutes. You can create stick-straight styles, wavy styles, and even curl your locks to perfection.

5. TIGI Fashionista Smooth and Shine Heat and Iron Safe UV Protector, price varies by store and is carried by Ulta, Trade Secret, many salon’s throughout the US, and some drug stores: My absolute fave for protecting my silky strands from heat damage from my hair drier and GHD IV styler. It’s easy to apply and doesn’t leave hair feeling sticky or too wet. Great on wet or dry hair before heat styling. Sometimes you can find this in sets with the matching shampoo and conditioner.

6. Guerlain Meteorites Illuminating Pressed Powder in Beige Lumineux #3, $65, sephora.com: The newest member of the Guerlain Meteorites family will highlight features while diffusing imperfections. Sweep over your cheekbones with a fluffy brush or fan brush for a model worthy glow.

7. TheBalm For Keeps Watercolor Lip Stains Duo in Petunia Pink / Rasberry Red, $28, sephora.com: Try this no-budge water activated lip stain duo for a kissable pout that won’t rub off on your napkin or your date. Add more water to the included brush for a kiss of color or less water for an intense pout.

Tonight: Tim Gunn on “How I Met Your Mother”

 

I rarely watch TV nowadays but tonight I will be tuning in to How I Met Your Mother because Tim Gunn will be making a cameo on the show. Exciting! Also, check out TG’s facebook page for a video update of the People’s Choice Awards best and worst fashion. I didn’t watch the awards show and I would love to know who the  “star who looked like he came in from doing yard work” is.

EDIT: If you missed the show, you can catch the Tim Gunn scene here (@ 1:33):

New Year, New You: Home

I absolutely love my space as it is at the current moment, and even so, I still have the urge to constantly redecorate. It’s not in my budget at the moment to do an overhaul so I may just rearrange or perhaps spice things up with some new accessories. I’d love to share some of my fave inspiration photos of what I’d love to do with my space if I was able to. Perhaps you’ll be inspired, too. Also, for more inspiration, check out Amazon.com for decor books or apartmenttherapy.com for instant ideas by city or space type.

Click below to see photos.

Holiday Gift Guide: The Hip Gentleman

Confession: I know more about men’s fashion then I do about women’s and love to style guy’s outfits (when they let me, which is rare). Here are my fave picks for the hip, modern gentleman:

 

 1. KRIS VAN ASCHE – Elongated waistcoat: $500, farfetch.com; Want to spend a little extra change on your fashionable guy? Try this “waistcoat” that he can wear with everything from tee shirts to a suit. I’m also a fan of the John Galliano Double Vest Jacket. Look for similar styles at Nordstrom and Macy’s. 

 2. Fossil Analog Silver Dial Watch: $75, fossil.com; This modern cuff watch features a sleek dial, date window, is water-resistant up to 5 ATM and has an 11 year warranty. Look for similar, less expensive styles at Target. 

 3. Pinstripe Paisley Tie Mens Fedora: $16.99, tillys.com; This cool grey fedora features a subtle paisley print that will look smart with any look from casual to dressy. 

 4. D & G 6 L’AMOUREUX & 1 LE BATELEUR: $65 each, sephora.com; This series is modeled after tarot cards and features simple yet elegant 3.3 fl oz bottles at an affordable price. The collection is genderless (for neither man or woman) and each fragrance is designed to be worn alone or layered with another in the collection. L’Amoureux is the “lover,” sensual and romantic with notes of musk, woods, bergamot, and cardamom. Le Bateleur is the “magician,” is seductive and features notes of an aquatic accord and coriander, vetyver, and cedarwood. I really like the advert for these fragrances, especially Le Bateleur with Tyson Ballou. Click here to see it on youtube. 

 5. BKE Argyle Skinny Tie, $24.50, buckle.com; This grey, black, and white silk tie is a go with anything essential. Also available in blue argyle. 

 6. Banana Republic Black Split Leather Belt: $49.50, bananarepublic.gap.com; Sizes 32-46, 100% leather, 1 inch width. Look for similar, less expensive styles at department stores, discount stores and Target. 

7. Personalize your gift with a mixtape or mixcd. Or, if you can get ahold of his mp3 player, a special mix playlist.

New Moon: Which “team” am I on?

I saw New Moon with my cousin today and let me tell you, If I were 15, I would absolutely be all about team Jacob. What a little cutie-patootie.

Since I’m not predatory, I’d much rather be team Peter Facinelli (aka Carlisle) but that’s not an option since he’s much too old to be a 17 year-old vampire or a 16 year-old wolf:

 

Oh, forget it. I’m team Jacob, too. I mean, after this movie, who wouldn’t be?

I <3 Going to the Theatre

 

I’m a busy bee this week so I won’t be blogging again until next week. The photo above is a peak of the show I’m currently working on.

Next week I plan to review Bare Escentials Matte Foundation. I’m generally NOT a B.E. fan (the bismuth oxychloride makes me itch soo bad) but I’m trying to give the new formulation the benefit of the doubt. I’ll  let you all know how it goes after I’ve been wearing it for a few more days.

SF: Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs

The de Young Museum in San Francisco currently has an exhibition showing various items from King Tut’s tomb. It features artifacts from King Tut’s tomb as well as his ancestors (Note: there seem to be more of his ancestors items then of his on display). The museum advises that the self guided tour takes about 90 minutes. My mom and I finished in 45. There is an audio tour for $7 that you can follow, although we did just fine reading the signage for free.

General admission on weekdays for adults is $27.50 and $32.50 on weekends. For what it was, I felt the tickets were a little steep but you also get to view the rest of the museum. One of the most impressive pieces Tjuya’s gilded coffin (thought to be Tut’s grandmother). It was huge! And gold! There was also a fairly large head from a broken statue of Akhenaton (Tut’s father). The rest of the items were smaller, everyday objects like jars for ungents and oils (I was excited to see these after studying about the role of fragrance in ancient Egypt for my Fragrance Foundation certification). I was blown away by the amount of gold used, but then again, you wouldn’t expect anything less for a king and royal family.

I wouldn’t recommend going to the city just  for the exhibit. Plan a day around the city to make the most of your time. By purchasing a ticket, you will receive a Pharaoh’s Gold Card, which offers discounts and perks for various businesses around the city. There are quite a few restaurants that offer 10% off or a complimentary dessert with purchase of entree. There’s also tons to do in SF, and if you don’t want to venture too far from the museum, there are several things to do and see within the park: Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, Arboretum, and California Academy of Sciences, to name a few. Sutro Heights, the beach, and the zoo are also close to the park.

Read on below for information about handicap access at the museum and the exhibit.