Posts
Hope you all have a great day and remember don't sweat the small stuff.
images via beautyisdiverse
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff"
Yesterday, I was in a bit of a funk. I let something so trivial derail my mood. Don't you hate when that happens? Or does it only happen to me? Anyway, I realized that I shouldn't "sweat the small stuff". These editorial photos did cheer me up a bit though. Beauty and self-confidence really do go hand in hand if you ask me. When you don't look your best, you don't feel your best. These ladies on the other hand are serving something fierce.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Spring Fragrance: Neroli Jasmine
Price of eau de toilette fragrance $17; body lotion $12
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
How to Save on Six Spring Trends
The first official day of spring has finally arrived, creating the desire to overhaul our wardrobes with the latest looks. Sadly, most of us don't have celebrity-sized bank accounts to accompany our star-worthy fashion sense. But that doesn't mean we have to miss out on the latest trends. Consider the following ways to update your spring wardrobe without falling into debt.
1. Pastels
Just in time for Easter, pastels are making a name for themselves on New York runways. Embracing this trend requires the purchase of one versatile piece - like a blazer or pencil skirt - to be paired with other basics already available in your wardrobe. Channel your inner Chanel and pair pastel pink with black accessories, or keep it light with nude accents.
Just in time for Easter, pastels are making a name for themselves on New York runways. Embracing this trend requires the purchase of one versatile piece - like a blazer or pencil skirt - to be paired with other basics already available in your wardrobe. Channel your inner Chanel and pair pastel pink with black accessories, or keep it light with nude accents.
2. Colorful Denim
Leftover from fall, the colorful denim trend is spreading faster than wildfire and offers a refreshing pop of color to any outfit. Since this look is definitely a fad, avoid spending too much on your first (or third) pair by shopping inexpensive retailers like Kohl's. Shop online for even more inventory and savings, and look for Kohl's free shipping codes from reeShipping.org to dodge delivery costs.
Leftover from fall, the colorful denim trend is spreading faster than wildfire and offers a refreshing pop of color to any outfit. Since this look is definitely a fad, avoid spending too much on your first (or third) pair by shopping inexpensive retailers like Kohl's. Shop online for even more inventory and savings, and look for Kohl's free shipping codes from reeShipping.org to dodge delivery costs.
3. Color Blocking
Color blocking is one of the easier trends to embrace and offers an opportunity to incorporate other trends. For example, you can pair bright denim pants with a neon shirt or blouse to easily achieve the look. Bisect the top from the bottom with a neutral belt -- think black, navy or white -- and accessorize with equally neutral jewelry.
Color blocking is one of the easier trends to embrace and offers an opportunity to incorporate other trends. For example, you can pair bright denim pants with a neon shirt or blouse to easily achieve the look. Bisect the top from the bottom with a neutral belt -- think black, navy or white -- and accessorize with equally neutral jewelry.
4. Tangerine Tango
I'm enamored by the color orange and publicly display my affection with a bright leather purse I purchased a couple years ago. Tangerine Tango has a decidedly redder hue but can be incorporated easily with accessories. You can also find inexpensive tees or blouses to embrace the official color of 2012 without going overboard. If you want to balance the brightness, pair with white or gray. If you're more daring, go for hot pink or teal.
I'm enamored by the color orange and publicly display my affection with a bright leather purse I purchased a couple years ago. Tangerine Tango has a decidedly redder hue but can be incorporated easily with accessories. You can also find inexpensive tees or blouses to embrace the official color of 2012 without going overboard. If you want to balance the brightness, pair with white or gray. If you're more daring, go for hot pink or teal.
5. Metallic
Shiny dresses are great for the red carpet -- Jennifer Lawrence is clearly a fan -- but avoid this trend during the nine-to-five. Depending on your workplace environment, you might pull off metallic pants with a white blouse and black blazer. Alternatively, embrace the trend with footwear and find shiny heels for work and metallic, strappy espadrilles for weekends. Endless.com offers a great selection of well-priced foot candy, and free shipping both ways allows you to return whatever doesn't fit.
Shiny dresses are great for the red carpet -- Jennifer Lawrence is clearly a fan -- but avoid this trend during the nine-to-five. Depending on your workplace environment, you might pull off metallic pants with a white blouse and black blazer. Alternatively, embrace the trend with footwear and find shiny heels for work and metallic, strappy espadrilles for weekends. Endless.com offers a great selection of well-priced foot candy, and free shipping both ways allows you to return whatever doesn't fit.
6. Bold Prints
As if neon and color-blocking weren't bold enough this season, runways everywhere featured bold prints with nods to art deco and the great outdoors. Since this look will likely go the way of last season's Navajo-inspired patterns, opt for one or two pieces that you can pair with basics from your closet. Shop discount retailers like TJMaxx and Ross to find this trend on the cheap.
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This post was written and submitted by Kendal Perez, a frugal fashionista and bargain shopper who helps fellow shopaholics find hassle-free ways to save money. For savings tips and more information, visit Kendal at HassleFreeSavings.com.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
"Find Your Shade" ~ There's an App for That!
According to the following, IMAN Cosmetics will soon introduce a smart phone app to help women of color "find their shade". The QR (quick-response) code will allow consumers to scan the package and immediately select their personalized shades of foundation or powder, as well as other complimentary IMAN products that match their skin tone.
The goal is to take the guess-work out of shopping for color cosmetics.
While Iman Cosmetics is not the first beauty company to join the wave of QR codes, they're confident the tool will be helpful to women of color.
Are you a fan of IMAN Cosmetics?
Do you think this will eliminate some of the guess work in shopping their shades of foundation/powder?
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Kanye West Fall 2012
I admire Kanye West. I find that he is driven, talented, and ambitious. You all know he has a pretty distinguished sense of style as well. When I saw photos from his recent fashion show for his Fall 2012 collection, I couldn't help but share. I imagine there's a lot that goes into creating a collection not just in terms of the fashion but hair, makeup, accessories as well. Everything about this show screamed glam, luxury, and fabulousness.
What about you? Do you love or loathe what you see?
To see more pics from his collection check out Beauty is Diverse
Message in a Bottle - Argan Oil
I've had that little bottle sitting in my stash since last year and decided to use it a couple of days ago since I had washed and blow-dried my hair, and ran the flat iron through it as well. It's funny I was willing to go and purchase an argan oil product when it dawned on me that I had something already. I didn't have high expectations prior to using it but I was pleasantly surprised. First thing, it smells amazing. Second, my hair felt smoother to the touch. Last, but not least, it minimized the frizz dramatically. I'm a happy camper.
Don't you love when a product proves you wrong.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
PShiiit Nails
It takes a lot of patience to paint my nails, let alone attempt any intricate designs. Instead I admire those that nail it (pun intended) themselves. PShiiit nails happens to be a nail blog full of nail colors and art inspiration.
Do you have any nail blogs that you check out for inpiration?
all images via pshiiit.com
Monday, March 5, 2012
Beauty in Words: Don't Live a Half Life
Hope you all had a nice weekend. I've been in a reflective mood as of late, especially with my aunt passing this past weekend. I stumbled upon a poem and thought I'd share. Have a great week.
Do not love half lovers
Do not entertain half friends
Do not indulge in works of the half talented
Do not live half a life and do not die a half death
If you choose silence, then be silent
When you speak, do so until you are finished
Do not silence yourself to say something
And do not speak to be silent
If you accept, then express it bluntly
Do not mask it
If you refuse then be clear about it
for an ambiguous refusal
is but a weak acceptance
Do not accept half a solution
Do not believe half truths
Do not dream half a dream
Do not fantasize about half hopes
Half a drink will not quench your thirst
Half a meal will not satiate your hunger
Half the way will get you no where
Half an idea will bear you no results
Your other half is not the one you love
It is you in another time yet in the same space
It is you when you are not
Half a life is a life you didn't live,
A word you have not said
A smile you postponed
A love you have not had
A friendship you did not know
To reach and not arrive
Work and not work
Attend only to be absent
What makes you a stranger to them closest to you
and they strangers to you
The half is a mere moment of inability
but you are able for you are not half a being
You are a whole that exists
to live a life not half a life
Do not entertain half friends
Do not indulge in works of the half talented
Do not live half a life and do not die a half death
If you choose silence, then be silent
When you speak, do so until you are finished
Do not silence yourself to say something
And do not speak to be silent
If you accept, then express it bluntly
Do not mask it
If you refuse then be clear about it
for an ambiguous refusal
is but a weak acceptance
Do not accept half a solution
Do not believe half truths
Do not dream half a dream
Do not fantasize about half hopes
Half a drink will not quench your thirst
Half a meal will not satiate your hunger
Half the way will get you no where
Half an idea will bear you no results
Your other half is not the one you love
It is you in another time yet in the same space
It is you when you are not
Half a life is a life you didn't live,
A word you have not said
A smile you postponed
A love you have not had
A friendship you did not know
To reach and not arrive
Work and not work
Attend only to be absent
What makes you a stranger to them closest to you
and they strangers to you
The half is a mere moment of inability
but you are able for you are not half a being
You are a whole that exists
to live a life not half a life
Gibran Khalil Gibran
