FOTD: My Everyday Look

My go-to look usually involves winged black eyeliner, pop of color on my cheeks, and a nude lip.  When I am going out for a night on the town etc, I up the smoldering factor by loading up the mascara and/or falsies and variations of a smoky eye.  I love to play around with highlighters as I think they make a particular look very alluring.  Here's what I used today:

FACE:

• Primer:  Dr. Brandt Pores No More
• Foundation:  Lancome Teint Idole Fresh Wear in Bisque 9W (for my review of Teint Idole Fresh Wear click HERE)
• Concealer:  Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Beige
• Cheeks:  MAC Beach Bronze, MAC Desirous (applied to the apples), MAC So Ceylon (to highlight)

EYES:

• Primer:  Too Faced Shadow Insurance
• Eyeliner:  Lancome Artliner in Noir 
• Eyeliner:  UD 24/7 Pencil in Zero (smudged on top of artliner)
• Mascara:  L'Oreal Voluminous in Carbon Black w/ Maybelline The Falsies on top
• Eyebrows:  MAC crayon in Lingering

LIPS:

• Liner:  MUFE in nude
• Lipstick:  MAC Peachstock
• Gloss:  NYX Smokey Look

Dazzled by Dallas (ShoeDazzle boots)

Dallas ShoeDazzle Boots

My new Dallas boots by ShoeDazzle have arrived and I am happy to report that I am in love this time around.  My first order from their website proved a bit underwhelming (for my previous review, click HERE).

For this order, I picked the Dallas style boot.  They are a brown faux leather, tall, and are adorned with gold studs.  The boot is both substantial and comfortable to wear. They look great paired with leggings or skinny jeans.  I paid $39.95 for them and that includes shipping and handling.  The one caveat to an otherwise great boot is that I feel the zipper is poorly made.  It gets a bit "caught", so to speak, when zipping and the quality of the zipper feels off.  I am hoping this doesn't prove to be a problem.

I look forward to rocking them throughout the fall.  I would love to know what boots everyone else has chosen for the season.

YSL Singulier & Maybelline The Falsies = WOW Lashes!

My favorite 5 words this week have been:  "Are you wearing false eyelashes?"  Well, no I'm not; however, I am THRILLED that you asked!!  So far, 3 people have asked me that in the last few days.  GLEE!  JOY!  LOVE!  My natural lashes are so non-existent, that for someone to mention my lashes is superlative!

I simply love to play around with mascara combos:  high-end, low-end, volumizing, lengthening, thickening- I try them all.  As a matter of fact, my first blog post was about mascara (read it here).  I covet bigger than life lashes.  It's a never ending journey to find THE ONE.

Here's my new favorite lash combo that garnered the false eyelash inquisitions:  YSL Singulier mascara paired with Maybelline The Falsies on top.  I think it has given me an almost perfect marriage of volume (thanks to the YSL) and length (thanks to the Maybelline).  The Singulier goes on a bit dry, but it is an outstanding base.  In contrast, The Falsies glides on wet and really adds to the overall effect.  Interestingly enough, I don't love either mascara on its own.  However, paired together, this lovely union of high-end mascara and low-end mascara really packs a punch!

I would love to hear some of your favorite mascara combos!

Blugirl Pretty Pink Heels: I'll Be Dreaming of you until Spring 2011

Blugirl Pink Heels- Spring 2011 Collection
(photo credit:  glamour.com)

Fall is my favorite season by far.  What I love most about this crisp season here in NYC is the fabulous wardrobe options:  hello tall boots and tights!!  This weekend proved a bit chilly and I was able to rock a great belted trench with black leggings and tall black boots.  I could barely contain my glee!

Then, of course, I stumbled upon the above photo from Blugirl's Spring 2011 collection and I immediately became sick for spring.  What's not to love about these princess pink, adorned, stacked heels?  They are going on my wish-list. I'll be dreaming in pink until then....

Surprisingly Fantastic Jewelry at Ann Taylor LOFT

Ann Taylor LOFT bracelet

On occasion, I will pop into Ann Taylor LOFT to peruse their latest fashion offerings.  While the store does not particularly define my style, I have found several key wardrobe pieces there that I have enjoyed.  Additionally, they have good sales pretty frequently that I sometimes take advantage of (Hello $30 denim days). 

Having said that, it completely took me by surprise when I wandered over to their jewelry/accessories display to find that I was semi-entranced by several pieces.  The real gem of the situation (pun intended) was the fact that most of the merchandise was marked down by 50%.  I purchased the above bracelet for $12 (originally marked $24).  The photo really doesn't do it justice as the piece is weighty (in other words...does not feel like it cost only $12) and the stones have a great sparkle.  Personally, I think it can be dressed up or down.

Heck, I don't even bat an eyelash when I spend $5 on a latte.  So, to spend $12 on a cute piece of costume jewelry that I hope to wear again and again seems worth it to me.

Has anyone else ever had a great jewelry score at the LOFT??

Waiting to be Dazzled by ShoeDazzle

ShoeDazzle boot in Anise

If you haven't guessed so far- I AM A SHOE-ADDICT (click here and here to see my other shoe posts).  So, it makes complete and utter sense that I would join the site Shoedazzle.com, right?  Of course it does!

For those not familiar with the site, Shoedazzle is a subscription based shoe shopping site headed up by Kim Kardashian.  The site offers you shoe selections on a monthly basis placed into your own personalized "showroom".  The stylists determine your selections via an online survey you take at the beginning of your membership.  Essentially, you pick and choose photos of shoes and designer styles that most appeal to you.  Then, each month you are given a choice of shoes to pick from each for $39.95 (which includes your shipping and handling).  The site offers handbags, jewelry, and accessories to choose from too.  Don't like any selections presented to you that particular month?  Simply, press the button to "request alternate styles" and different selections will be delivered to your showroom in a couple of days.  Still not happy?  Press the "skip this month" button by the 5th of a particular month.  You are not obligated to purchase each month.

Practically drooling at the thought of a fantastic new pair of shoes each month hand-picked by a stylist, I joined.  In my first "showroom", I didn't care for any of the styles.  I was a bit disappointed in this and requested an "alternate selection."  About two days later, my new "showroom" was ready to view.  I was much happier with this new selection presented to me.  I chose the faux suede bow boot pictured above called Anise.

Long story short, I received an email from the company two days later stating that there was going to be a delay in my shipment (free delivery is supposed to arrive in 3 to 5 business days).  URGH!  Okay, I didn't like my first round of shoes and now this??  We were not off to a good start.  Finally, about a week and a half later my boots arrived.  I tore into the box and put these babies on.  Let me just say that they look cute enough but are terribly uncomfortable.  The inside arch feels awkward when I walk and the bottom sole doesn't feel like it was made with the best quality.  However, they are kind of adorable!  I have not decided yet if I am going to return them or not (returns are accepted for a credit towards another month).

Just as soon as I received these in the mail, my next month's showroom was ready for me to view.  Well, my mouth almost hit the floor at a pair of tall brown studded faux leather boots called Dallas.  LOVE!!!  I quickly ordered these babies right up.  And, guess what?  They shipped already.  I almost don't even care if they are uncomfortable, they are just so gorgeous!!  Perhaps now I will be dazzled!

ShoeDazzle boots in Dallas

What is your experience with ShoeDazzle?

Nordstrom Rack Love

Michael Kors Bella du Mod and Preview International Zebra Print

It amazes me how finding a great pair of shoes (or two) at a deeply discounted price can somehow transform a day into glittery, shimmery happiness.  

Occasionally I venture into my local Nordstrom Rack, not searching for anything in particular; just sort of browsing if you will.  Very often, I will find a phenomenal pair of heels and want to take them home immediately.  With every fiber of my being, every restraint possible, I sometimes put them down in the hopes that I will find them again at a later date and at a much discounted price.  Mind you, this is usually not the case.  If you know anything about stores like the Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, or Marshalls; you know that if you find something you like at all, you better pick it up and run to the register as if your pants were on fire because the likelihood of you finding it again is slim to none. 

Well, I am happy to report that my most recent visit to the Nordstrom Rack was one filled with love and glee!  While meticulously searching the shoe racks from top to bottom, I stumbled upon gold!   Do you recall in my earlier post titled:  "Superfluous Shoes- Bring 'Em On!" (if not, click here) that I was still searching for the perfect zebra-print stiletto that I thought was lost forever??  Well, I found them on this visit at the very bottom of the rack!  One pair left, in my size, and 35% off the original listed price!!!!  The smile on my face couldn't get any wider or brighter the rest of the day.  It was as if the Sparkle Fairy came down from Glitter Heaven and waved her bejeweled wand at me!  

To make matters even sweeter, I also found a  fantastic pair of rock-star style black leather stilettos from Michael Kors- also deeply discounted.  Score!!  These will be perfect as they have the slightest hint of a platform with a bit of a rugged bottom and gorgeous silver details.  

Well, as far as I am concerned, I am at peace and tranquility for the moment- until of course, my next shoe obsession comes along!  

Have you ever had a great score at Nordies Rack?