Monday

Make-up Art Cosmetics

Richard Phillips

  By now just about everyone in the makeup world has done a review on the newest collection by M.A.C.  I haven't been this excited about a new M.A.C. collection since the Hello Kitty and Dazzleglass collections.  After reading a few good reviews, I rushed to my nearest M.A.C. and I was definitely not disappointed.   Please go check out this collection if you haven't already.  I will share my review with you shortly.  Until then, view the collection at: www.maccosmetics.com. 

Sunday

Keep On Keeping On!

Everyday Answers

Keep On Keeping On!
by Joyce Meyer
Various thoughts run through our minds every day—some good, some bad. Our natural temptation is to focus on the bad, so accepting them doesn’t take any effort. The effort comes in being determined to cast down the negative thoughts and take a firm grasp of the positive ones.

Positive minds full of faith and hope produce positive lives. The opposite is also true—negative minds full of fear and doubt produce negative lives, which can ultimately destroy your life. Some people have been hurt so many times that they don’t think they can face the pain of another letdown. Therefore, they refuse to hope so they won't be disappointed.

Battles are fought in our minds every day. When we begin to feel the battle is just too difficult and want to give up, we must choose to resist negative thoughts and be determined to rise above our problems. We must decide that we’re not going to quit. When we’re bombarded with doubts and fears, we must take a stand and say: "I’ll never give up! God’s on my side. He loves me, and He’s helping me! I’m going to make it!" 


To read the rest of this article please visit:  http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/EverydayAnswers/Articles/art21.htm

Saturday

Sales and Such!

Not too long ago Urban Decay Cosmetics was having a sale on all of their products.  I was so excited and determined to take advantage of the sale and purchase at least two xl bottles of their primer potion.  A little time passed and I totally forgot about the sale until earlier today.  I went to the sight and to my dismay, the sale is apparently over.  I felt a sinking sensation in my stomach--I hadn't been that excited about a sale in a long time and I missed it.  
So, I thought it would be useful to post information about sales that I find on Saturday from now on just in case you are a serious Saturday shopper.  
Feel free to add your sales finds by commenting in the box below.  I will try to update this as I find more so please check periodically.

The first one is Sephora's up to 75% off sale.  For more information about this sale please go to: www.sephora.com.

Nine West has slashed the prices of their summer shoes so it's a good time to stock up on classic styles for next summer.  www.ninewest.com.

I have never ordered from this site (www.christianlouboutinonsale.com) however, I am open especially since they have some of my favorite shoes discounted beyond belief.  Order at your own risk.  If you have ordered from the site, please leave a comment with your honest review.  

Nordstrom's is having a 33-50% off sale.  www.nordstroms.com.

White House/Black Market is having a sale.  Save up to 65% on select items.  www.whitehouseblackmarket.com.

Surprisingly enough, I think the best sale that I found so far was at: www.saks.com

Gap Kids jeans are buy one and get the second pair for only $10....good until 9/3/09....www.gap.com.
The travel bag pictured below is free with a fragrance purchase of $30 or more.  For more information go to: www.Ulta.com.  You can also view their current advertised specials online.

Friday

A Dress for Everyone!


And this is why we love Diane---The oh so versatile Wrap Dress!!!




  • Diane Von Furstenberg
    85% Viscose, 15% Polyamide
    $298.00






  • The iconic wrap dress was invented in 1976 by Diane von Furstenberg and since then has been restyled, reinvented, and reworked year after year. One of the reasons that I love this dress is its ability to be worn by everyone. It's flattering for every figure from the tall and straight figured to the short and pear shaped. The wrap dress allows you to cinch your waist and is very versatile so that even on the rectangular shaped an illusion of an hourglass figure can be created.



  • Because this dress is so customizable, it's the perfect dress for expectant moms.



  • This dress can be worn to the beach over a swimsuit with flip flops. It can be worn over leggings or jeans or with a strand of pearls and stilletos for an evening out. Now that's versatile!



  • But my favorite feature is the waist cinching--Now I just have to find one in every color :D



  • How would you wear your wrap dress?



I found this affordable version at: Macys.com for $69.98
Studio M Flutter-Sleeve Matte Jersey Wrap Dress

Thursday

Quick Fashion Flash!!!


   For all of you tank top lovers, this one is for you.  I think I am the queen of tank tops in the summer or maybe a princess.  This top is fabulous-I am almost speechless.  BCBG Maxazria has added this metallic tank top to their fall/winter 2009 collection and I am elated.  Their suggestion is to layer this modern tank under the season's hot dresses for a directional look. It comes in gunmetal or gold and retails at $98.00.
  Pictured below is another fashion hit by BCBG Maxazria.  I think it's the perfect black dress.  It can be dressed up or down.  
This dress + metallic leggings=hot! 

This a view from the back-I didn't expect the v shaped band in the back but I think it adds a nice touch.
This dress retails at $288.00

Which would you rock?



Wednesday

A Little About ML and & My Top Picks-Part 1

First of all, congratulations to all of the brides-to-be!  For those of you planning to get married this fall or winter,  I know that you probably already have your bridal trousseau, but I couldn't resist at least showing a few pictures of dresses that I thought were a nice mixture of two of the hottest trends for the upcoming season that borrow from the rolling 20's and 40's and the romantic era.
Kleinfeld Exclusives
 Style: Ian StuartKleinfeld Exclusives
 Style: RS CoutureKleinfeld Exclusives
 Style: Ian Stuart

The dresses featured above are from Badgley Mischka and U.K. bridal designer, Ian Stuart. 
  
  I reviewed several collections from some of the top luxury bridal designers in the world and so far I was impressed the most by  two of my favorite luxury bridal designers: Monique Lhuillier and Ramona Keveza
The name Monique Lhuillier is to weddings as water is to sea in my opinion.  Monique is one of my favorite bridal gown designers.  I love her style,  creativity, and ability to steer trends.  I even appreciate how she and her husband work together as a team and rely on each other's strengths to create a brand that has made a strong mark in the fashion industry and after thirteen years, they are still growing strong.
ML has now expanded and have added to their collections: ready to wear, tabletop, fine paper, and bridesmaids.
I am very happy to see that her collection has something for everyone even those of us with broad shoulders (she never leaves us out).
I like the names that she gives each dress.  I took a peek at her fall 2009 bridal collection, and some of the dresses stood out to me because they were either flattering for most figures, flattering for curvy figures, flattering for the broad shouldered, and/or their uniqueness (i.e. Jillian).  The ones that stood out the most were the Leighton, Zuzanna, Jillian, Soraya, Lourdes, and then there's Evita, which I nicknamed "The Finale" or "Diva Dress".  Evita is covered in peacock feathers, you have to see this one!
I wrote extensive notes about each dress but I'll let you draw your own conclusion.  You can check out this collection at: www.moniquelhuillier.com
Please tell me your thoughts....



 


 
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Tuesday

A Natural Face Lift



I know that mostly all of us have been accustomed to applying blush to the apples of our cheeks.
However, if you apply blush a little higher than the apples of your cheeks, about an inch under the middle of the eye and extend it out and over the apples of your cheeks, it will visually pull everything up and make you look as if you've had a natural face lift.
Try it out for yourself and tell me how it works for you....

Monday

My Makeup Journey--Part 1






Someone recently asked me how I got started doing makeup which made me take a trip down memory lane.

I first got started doing makeup out of necessity. I went through a bad acne period when I was in my early teens. My mom, out of the goodness of her heart :D, took me to the nearest Fashion Fair counter in Evergreen Plaza..Did I mention I grew up in Chicago? My mom and I made regular trips to Carson Pirie Scott in "the Plaza".
My mom and the beauty advisors worked with me until I became a master of concealing my facial flaws with the covertone foundation. I finished it off with a translucent white setting powder which was supposed to keep the foundation from smudging. Somehow it always ended up on my collars and on the clothes of whomever I embraced...That was always so embarassing.
I recently went to their website to see all the product changes and to my delight, even though they have made a lot of product changes and improvements, they still have some of my old favorites like their fabulous smelling lipsticks in chocolate raspberry, earth red, grapesicle, and etc.
They even had my mom's favorite foundation: oil free perfect finish souffle makeup in honey glo and the oil control pressed powder.
Wow!!! What fond memories I have of us going to the makeup counter and experimenting with color. I am definitely going to have to visit a Fashion Fair counter for old time sake :D

No matter what shade you are, there is a lipstick in this line for you...Check it out and let me know what you think....

Sunday

Everyday Answers


I recently came across this article and I wanted to share it with you. I hope it blesses you as much as it blessed me. The following is only a portion of the article, to view the entire article please click on the link below(or copy and paste it in your browser):

www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/EverydayAnswers/Articles/art33.htm


How Do You See Yourself?
by Joyce Meyer

Do you like yourself? After years of trying to help people emotionally, mentally, spiritually and socially, it was a major breakthrough when I discovered that most people really don’t like themselves. Some of them know it, while others don’t even have a clue that this is probably the root of so many other problems in their lives.

God wants us to have great relationships, but self-rejection and even self-hatred are the roots of many relationship problems. In fact, I’ve found the Bible to be a book about relationships, providing valuable advice about my relationship with God, other people and even myself.

How are the relationships with other people in your life? What about your relationship with God…and even with yourself?

Did it ever occur to you that you have a relationship with yourself? While I’ve never given it much thought, I spend more time with myself than with anyone, and it’s vital to get along well with me. Remember,
you are the one person you never get away from.


About Joyce Meyer

Every Sunday I plan to post an inspirational message. I decided to post the first one in honor of my mother. Joyce Meyer was my mother's favorite female minister. My mother was a faithful partner with JMM and owned every tape and every book released before she went home to be with the Lord. My mother used to play her tapes over and over throughout the day. Whenever we took a road trip, she'd play the tapes until we reached our destination. I've always loved music so I would beg to play some (there were no ipods back then) to which she would reply, "Music is good but you need the Word. You need balance."
I copied the following from her website:
Joyce Meyer



Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A New York Times bestselling author, her books have helped millions of people find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ.

Through Joyce Meyer Ministries, she teaches on hundreds of subjects, has authored over 80 books and conducts approximately 15 conferences per year. To date, more than 12 million of her books have been distributed worldwide, and in 2007 more than 3.2 million copies were sold. Joyce also has a television and radio program, Enjoying Everyday Life®, that is broadcast worldwide to a potential audience of 3 billion people. Access her programs anytime of day.

Having suffered sexual abuse as a child and the pain of an emotionally abusive first marriage, Joyce discovered the freedom to live victoriously by applying God's Word to her life and in turn desires to help others do the same. From her battle with breast cancer to the struggles of everyday life, she speaks openly and practically about her experiences so others can apply what she has learned to their lives.

Over the years, God has provided Joyce with many opportunities to share her testimony and the life-changing message of the Gospel. In fact, Time magazine selected her as one of the most influential evangelical leaders in America. She is an incredible testimony of the dynamic, redeeming work of Jesus Christ. She believes and teaches that regardless of a person's background or past mistakes, God has a place for them and can help them on their path to enjoying everyday life.

Joyce holds an earned PhD in theology from Life Christian University in Tampa, Florida; an honorary doctorate in divinity from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma; and an honorary doctorate in sacred theology from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. Joyce and her husband, Dave, have been married for over forty years, and they are the parents of four grown children. Dave and Joyce Meyer make their home in St. Louis, Missouri.

Tuesday

The Strong Shoulder Fall Trend

So I was checking my inbox today and I received another sneak peek for fall from Yves Saint Laurent, Robert Rodriquez, Dolce & Gabbana, Stella McCartney, Michael Kors, Prada, and others!!! All the fall sneak peeks I've been getting lately are making me even more excited about the upcoming season's fashion...I opened the message to view the pictures and I wanted to share some of the looks....


I think I will have to pass on this trend because of my already strong shoulders, but if it is for you, work it!!!

Which look would you rock?

A Dollar on my Lips?

Summer is winding down and fall and winter are fast approaching. I am a huge fan of fall and winter, I am really excited, especially since pointy-toed pumps are making a comeback!!!
I am not really crazy about cold weather. No, it's all about the fashion for me. I love all of the colors associated with fall and winter, rich, vibrant hues of purple, turquoise, red, and the list goes on and on.
  
The only thing I don't look forward to is the drying effect that the colder seasons have on my skin and especially my lips.
For some reason, I had a rough time last winter with excessively dry lips--how unattractive! I tried everything from petroleum jelly to shea butter, high end, low end and many organic products.
Nothing seemed to work.
  
I almost became obsessed with moisturizing my lips, it seemed as if it was getting worse until one day I decided to go to the Dollar Tree.  I'd heard about the hidden treasures in the cosmetic sections of some dollar stores. Because of my somewhat obsession with my lips at that time, I decided to purchase a couple of lip glosses.
As soon as I went home, I tried them on. I noticed the texture of each gloss as soon as I put them on (because of the slight obsession ;) I could tell right away which ones wouldn't work. That night I put on the one that felt the heaviest in texture--it was a moisturizing lip gloss made by LA Colors. I purchased two of them. One was a pink shade with glitter and the other one was peach. The next morning my lips were so soft and that softness lasted throughout the entire day. The lipgloss really delivered and I was pleasantly surprised to get such great results for a dollar. The fragrance is very light and sweet as well--that's a bonus.
So, I am not worried about the return of the matte lip trend--darker colors on the lips--bring it on! I am equipped.
  
Do you have a similar experience? Have you ever spent lots of money on a product or several similar products and found the results you were looking for in a less expensive product? If so, please share...

Friday

A Bit About Me

Hi Everyone! My name is Jamie
and I am very passionate about makeup artistry and all things
beauty related. I am a freelance makeup artist and a recovering cosmetics shopaholic. This is my
very first post and I am super
excited.

This blog is for those who are interested in all things beauty i.e. makeup, skincare, diet, exercise, fashion, health, and etc.
I've always had a strong interest in all of the above and am looking forward to us sharing with each other.


So tell me a little about yourself...