Beautiful Browns

Recessionista Steals and Deals: Charlotte Russe Studded Sandal

2010-01-11T11:21:00.000-08:00

What’s Up Buttercups?

Although it’s much too cold to wear them right now, here’s a nice addition to your shoe collection for a mere $8.24. They are not real leather but for under ten bucks you can’t go wrong with this sandal. Check them out at CharlotteRusse.com.

Happy Shopping!!

Happy New Year!

2009-12-30T12:24:00.000-08:00

Hey Chicas!

I know I've been MIA for a minute but I've just not been in the blogging mood lately, but it's almost a new year and the holiday craziness is over sooo, I'm back at it...for now, LOL ;-)

I thought I would share a few sales and New Year's Eve party dress ideas to get back in the swing of things.

Steve Madden: 25% off orders of $59.95 or more. FREE express shipping with the code: WELOVEMADDEN25. Offers valid through 01.04.10.

My picks from Steve Madden:
Carlinn $89.97
Bonanza $99.95
Trinitie $99.95

Bluefly: Extra 20% off sale items

Ann Taylor Loft: Extra 25% off sale items

My picks from Ann Taylor Loft:
Chiffon Streamer Trim Tee $24.99
Paillettes Top $19.99
Corduroy Modern Slim Leg Pants $19.99

New York & Co.: Extra 30% off entire order with coupon code: 1252. Offer valid through 01.03.10.

My picks from NY & Co.:
Bow Tote $9.99
Fingerless Knit Gloves $7.99
Comfortzone Sequin Sweatshirt $19.99
7th Avenue Slim Pants $19.99
Zip Front Shirt Dress $28.47

Now, on to the dresses...

Love 21 Schrunched Ruffle Dress $27.80

Forever 21 Architectural Cocktail Dress $29.80

Forever 21 Shimmer & Sequins Tube Dress $24.80

Arden B. Chain Strap Pintuck Dress $62.30

Hmmm...looking back at these dresses my first thought is how conservative they all are. A reflection of my style ya think? Probably so...I like to keep it sexy and classy at all times - I think these dresses follow that general theme. Ladies, what do you think and what are you wearing for New Year's Eve? Leave a comment, I'd love to hear your feedback and check out your style.

On another note...I would like to thank everyone who has visited my little blog this year. I plan to take it to another level in 2010, so stay tuned! If there is something you would like to see here leave me a comment, I'm always open to suggestions! Also, I would like to change the look of my blog so if any of you have any expreience creating templates and things of that nature send me an email or leave your info in the comments section. Thanks!

until 2010...Have a happy, safe, and blessed New Year!!!

The Mo'Nique Show

2009-11-18T10:16:00.001-08:00

I've always had a love/hate relationship with Mo'Nique. Although I was a fan of the Queens of Comedy and I generally like Mo'Nique's personality, I also found her skinny girl bashing to be very tasteless. Y'all know what I'm talking about...in the past Mo'Nique has been famous for making jokes and talking shit about skinny girls. I personally have never found it funny. Why is okay to bash skinny girls and everyone thinks it's funny but it's deemed hurtful when we talk about fat girls? I've never understood that.

Anyhoo, Mo'Nique has redeemed herself in my eyes with her new late night talk show on BET. The show premiered on October 5th and made Mo'Nique the first black woman to host her own late night talk show. This show reminds me alot of The Arsenio Hall Show, it's so fun to watch and refreshing to see someone you feel you can relate to (Mo'Nique seems like part of the family) she looks great (her stylist has put her in the cutest dresses that flatter her full figure) and her hair and makeup are on point as well.

But the best part about the show are the FABULOUS guests she has invited to the "penthouse" so far, such as, Steve Harvey, Lenny Kravitz, Taraji P. Henson, and Dr. Cornel West. Come on now...Dr. West?!!! You know I LOVE him. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed to see him on her show. He stated that this was his first time on a late night talk show, as did Lenny Kravitz. Now, these are the people that I want to hear from and Mo'Nique has consistently brought these type of guests to the show.

There has been a bit of criticism about the show in that Mo'Nique tends to yell alot. I would have to agree, but yall know how it is when we get excited?! Folks get to hand gesturing and talking loud. LOL :-) To all the critics, I say "give her a chance", I'm sure she'll get the hang of it after a while and tone it down a bit.

I'll close this post the same way that Mo'Nique closes her show every night. "Take your arms and wrap them around yourself, and squeeze real tight. Now, we've all just been hugged".

How sweet!

Date Night

2009-10-29T12:08:00.000-07:00

Sephora Sale

2009-10-22T16:10:00.002-07:00

Hey Brown Beauties!

Sephora is having their annual Friends and Family sale from October 19th until November 2nd. You already know the drill...enter the code FF2009 at checkout to receive a 20% discount.

Recessionista Steals & Deals: Matte Polish

2009-10-07T16:45:00.000-07:00

As I said before in this post, I’m loving the new matte polish trend and I have found the best matte polish for Recessionista’s like you and I who want to rock the current trends but don’t want to pay too much for trendy stuff. So with said - check out the matte polishes at Diamond Cosmetics for $2 each! They only have 4 colors, and I’ll have to admit that the colors aren’t as fabulous as the colors offered by OPI and Zoya but at that price you can snag all 4 for the price of one OPI polish.

The colors in the matte collection are: Matte Black, Matte Smoke, Matte Mulberry and Matte Burgandy. The pictures below are from the website, the polish looks a little more matte once applied to your nails.

Another perk besides the price is that they are easy to apply. As you may have already experienced with matte polish, they tend to smear and dry quickly making it difficult to get a smooth application, not the case with these. All of the polishes at Diamond Cosmetics are $2, so if matte is not your thing they have other colors that may interest you.

Happy Shopping!!

Hair Update

2009-09-23T10:10:00.001-07:00

What’s up Buttercups?

Here’s a quick update on my hair (without any pictures, lol). As I promised myself back in July, I’ve been trying to focus more on taking care of my hair so I’ve been really diligent about following my regimen. I have made a few changes to my regimen since my last update, I’ve eliminated a few products that I felt just weren’t working for me and I have also stopped the mid week co-washes. I just can’t find the time to wash my hair more than once a week. Well...I guess I could, if I wore it in a ponytail after the mid-week wash but as I’ve told you before, I like to wear my hair down, so... Maybe when the winter weather kicks in I’ll start back with the co washes??

So anyway, the real reason for this hair update is to tell you that I started the Castor Oil Challenge on Hairlista.com! I’m so excited! I finally purchased the Jamaican Black Castor Oil (I tried the challenge once before but I only had the regular castor oil...I think I used too much...and I wasn't feelin' it) So here we go again...this time I’ll be applying it to my scalp on wash days and maybe once during the week. The consistency is kinda thick so I’ll probably stick to wash days only so I don’t weigh my hair down too much. I started the challenge on September 3rd, so it’s been about 3 weeks. So far, so good, my hair seems a little thicker but that could be attributed to the fact that I’m 7 weeks post relaxer and I recently put a rinse in my hair which always makes it seem a little thicker. The challenge ends on December 2nd and my goal for this challenge is to increase the thickness and length of my hair. I don’t have a current picture but I’ll post comparison pics with the next hair update.

I’ve learned a lot of great tips about products and taking better care of my hair on the Hairlista.com forum as well as the Hairliciousinc.com blog. Sunshyne keeps the blog fresh with new information and the forum is a great way to connect with other ladies who are interested in hair care.

I’ll keep you posted on the status on my hair. I plan to relax within the next couple of weeks so when I do, I’ll take pictures and post comparison pics from July.

What's the 411?...

2009-09-02T10:40:00.000-07:00

Ladies let me tell ya, the 411 with Mary J. Blige is...she and Gucci creative director Frida Giannini have collaborated to design this hot limited-edition watch in support of Mary’s charity, the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN).

The Gucci for FFAWN Twirl is a variation of the “Twirl” watch which transforms into a bracelet with a flip of the dial. The watch is all black with black diamonds and of course the signature double-G monogram. The watch will retail for $1,895 and will be debut at the Fifth Avenue flagship store on September 16th, with a percentage of the day’s proceeds going to FFAWN. It will be available in Gucci boutiques and select stores nationwide the following day.

Here's a little info about FFAWN…

Mary J. Blige founded the charity in 2007, with marketing pioneer Steve Stout to help women gain the confidence and skills they need to reach their full individual potential. There’s some good stuff on the site for young ladies such as, resume and cover letter writing tips and personal growth programs and articles. Check out their website and blog here.

Tyra Tweets

2009-08-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

Tyra Banks recently made the announcement via Twitter that she will be weave-less on the September 8th season premier of the Tyra Banks Show.

Here's what she tweeted: "Guess What! I’m rockin’ my REAL hair on my talk show September 8th. No fake hair at all! Will be the hair coming out of my scalp! 4 all 2 C! no ponytails, no ballet bun head. hair will be out and free!" Tyra has declared Spetember 8th "National Real Hair Day". lol

I wonder what her real hair looks like? It should be long and healthy from all the years of wearing a weave. I guess we'll see in a few weeks. In the meantime, she's teasing everyone via Twitter with pictures like this...

a picture of her with her real hair blurred out. The suspense is killing me...

Affordable Alternatives: Christian Louboutin Rolando Pumps

2009-08-18T13:33:00.000-07:00

I heart these shoes, but at $695 a pop they are way out of my current budget. So, whats a Recessionista to do?...search for an Affordable Alternative...that's what...and I found it! yay :-) doing the happy dance.

I am actully lusting over the leather version and the Parigi pump by Jessica Simpson is the perfect alternative for a mere $89 online at Macys.com. Now that price sounds right! This shoe is very close to the original minus the red sole, of course.

There are a few other Rolando knock-offs, but these look the best to me. IMO these are the prefect pumps classy, sexy and modern...I can see myself now rockin' these bad boys to work with my favorite skirt suit!

Bored with Bordeaux

2009-08-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

Here's the deal...I've been wearing the same polish on my toes for the past 2-3 years, (yes, I'm a creature of habit). The color of choice has been Bordeaux by Essie.

I like this shade because I love how red looks on my toes (goes great with my skin color) and its just the right shade, not too bright. But lately I've been in search of a change (and not only my polish color, but that's another story...) and the matte polishes have been catching my eye! Especially the Zoya Matte Velvet Fall '09 collection. There are only three colors in the collection.

Dovima - matte black shimmer

Loredana - matte gunmetal gray with shimmer

Posh - matte wine shimmer

I absolutely love the look of Posh, so I'm gonna switch it up for Fall and replace my beloved Bordeaux with Posh and see if I can work with it. I don't usually wear polish on my fingernails but I'm thinking about rockin' Dovima on my hands. I used to wear a lot of different nail polish colors when I wore tips but not so much since I went natural because the polish chips too fast.

I've read mixed reviews about matte polishes but I'm willing to try them out. I really like the matte look so I might be willing to bother with the maintenance (we'll see). Click here to actually see the polish on someone's hands.

For LashBlast Lovers

2009-08-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

The wait is over, LashBlast Length mascara is available today...now let's see if it lives up to the hype! The latest addition to the LashBlast family, LashBlast Length promises to deliver flake-free lashes that are 80% longer. Unlike the LashBlast Luxe, I'm pretty sure this one will be a hit...I can't wait to try it.

Click here to go to the CoverGirl site where you can purchase online from several retailers. Amazon and Drugstore.com both had it for $7.49. The other 2 stores listed did not have it when I checked. Otherwise you can wait a few more weeks until its in stores and save the shipping costs.

Happy Anniversary

2009-08-04T09:52:00.000-07:00

This month is the 35th anniversary of Beverly Johnson’s history making American Vogue cover. Beverly was the first black woman ever on the cover of American Vogue in 1974, and paved the way for today’s black supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks and more recently Jourdan Dunn and Chanel Iman. Throughout her 30 year career Beverly Johnson has graced the cover of hundreds of magazines, including being the first black woman on the cover of French Elle.

Ms. Johnson continues to make her mark on the industry with a successful wig and hair product line. She currently serves as a judge on She’s Got The Look, a modeling competition for women over 35.

Happy Aniversary to Ms. Beverly Johnson a beautiful brown icon!

Affordable Alternatives: Jimmy Choo North Sandal

2009-07-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

Ladies,

Looking for an affordable alternative to the Jimmy Choo North Sandal? Well look no further, I’ve found them for ya!

Here’s the deets on the original…

Made from nappa leather and snakeskin
Back zip closure
4” covered heel
Goldtone hardware
Originally retails for $950 but you can find them on sale at Footcandy for $475 and at Bergdorf Goodman for $428.

The affordable alternative can be found at Charlotte Russe for $26.99. The details on the Ruched Strappy Sandal are basically the same except these are faux leather and the hardware is black instead of goldtone. The also come in brown.

Happy Shopping!!

America's Night to Repair: Estee Lauder giveaway

2009-07-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

What's Up Buttercups?

Tomorrow July 23rd, Estee Lauder counters will be giving away a free 10-day sample of the new Advanced Night Repair serum. No purchase or coupon necessary and while supplies last from 5-9pm Thursday only. One per customer only.

Now let me tell you a little about this fabulous product. If you have a problem with dryness and/or irritation, this is the product for you! This serum is very hydrating and soothing and contains both anti-oxidants and lipids. When used nightly you will notice a difference in the appearance of redness and irritation. The texture of the serum is very light and the product absorbs quickly, which is a plus. I don't have dry skin, so I prefer to use this product during the winter months and I have noticed a reduction in the appearance of the dry patches that I usually get around my eyes when the weather is dryer.

Product claims: Use it every day to help continuously repair the appearance of past damage, prevent future damage and deliver high levels of hydration.

IMO this product does what it claims. However, I want to caution you that this is a prevention product not an anti-aging product so if you are looking for something to address fine lines or wrinkles, you may want to try the Perfectionist serum.

So ladies, if this sounds like a product you might want, pick a sample up tomorrow so you can try it before you buy it! The 1oz. bottle retails for $47.50.

Product Review: Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

2009-07-20T15:03:00.000-07:00

I went to a baby shower a couple of months ago and received Burt’s Bees Lip Balm as a game prize. I was not overly excited about it until I tried it! This lip balm is the bomb! LOL…seriously, this is the perfect light coverage balm great for moisturizing without heavily coating your lips. This balm works well alone and under lipstick. It makes my lips really soft and it has a slight minty tingle and flavor. I like that it’s really conditioning but not too strong that it burns your lips, it doesn’t leave a heavy waxy film on your lips, and it’s not shiny like a lipgloss; it is exactly what it says it is…lip balm.

Here’s the list of ingredients: beeswax, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, prunus amydalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, tocopheryl acetate, lanolin, symphytum officinale (comfrey) root extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil, tocopherol

It comes in a tube and also in a tin. I have the tin but when I repurchase I’ll definitely get the tube. I’d prefer not to have to apply it with my fingers but since this was a gift I’m not complaining :-)

Product Rating: 4 out of 5
So would I recommend it…YES!

The T.O. Show

2009-07-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

Look at this promo...

umm, yeah...I'll be watching!

enough said ;-)

Recessionista Steals & Deals :ALDO Clearance Sale

2009-07-14T16:43:00.000-07:00

What's up Buttercups?

Just wanted to let you know about the summer clearance sale at ALDO. Click here or on the flyer above to enter the clearance section and enter access code "5489548".

This sale offers up to 80% off select shoes and accessories. In addition, if you use coupon code "29247590" at checkout, you will receive an extra 10% off. (yay!) Shipping is free on orders over $75; otherwise, shipping is $5.

Happy shopping!!

Hair Update

2009-07-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

You know what they say...pictures don't lie?...and ain't that the truth! I've been seriously slacking on my hair care routine as of late, so as you can see in the comparison pictures above I did not gain much growth from February through July :-(

In fact...it looks like my hair is shorter now than it was in January but I'll attribute that to a little trim I got in April.

The past couple of months my regimen has consisted of a weekly wash, blow dry and flat iron with a variety of shampoos and conditioners and maybe a deep condition thrown in every once in a while. I know it's terrible...I don't know why I got so lazy about my hair all of a sudden, but for some reason I just wasn't feeling it.

But now I'm back with a vengance! hahaha...I'm not sure if I've posted my regimen before but anyhoo, here's the New and Improved version...

PRODUCTS

PRE-POOS & SEALANTS: Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Castor Oil

CO-WASH: Suave Humetress Conditioner, Herbal Essence Long Term Relationship Conditioner

SHAMPOOS: Kera Care Dry and Itchy Scalp Shampoo, Cream of Nature Detangling Shampoo, VO5 Herbal Escapes Kiwi Lime Clarifying Shampoo

CONDITIONERS: Kera Care Dry and Itchy Scalp Conditioner

RECONSTRUCTOR: Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor

PROTEIN TREATMENT: Creme of Nature Nourishing and Strengthening Treatment

LEAVE INS: Infusium 23 Repairology Leave-in Treatment, Aphogee Pro-vitamin Leave-in Conditioner, Biosilk Silk Therapy

MOISTURIZER: Elasta QP Mango Butter, Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-in Cream

WEEKLY ROUTINE

Wash every Friday w/pre-poo (protein conditioner)

Co-wash every Wednesday w/pre-poo (coconut oil and castor oil)

Moisturize & Seal Every Other Night (lightly w/NTM Silk Touch Leave-in Cream & coconut oil)

Prepoo overnight before shampooing

Shampoo w/Kera Care and Cream of Nature shampoos

Condition w/Kera Care and Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor (every other Friday only)

Add Infusium 23 Leave-in, ApHogee ProVitamin Leave-In and Biosilk

Air dry for @ least 30 mins before blow drying (never blow dry dripping wet hair)

Add a little more BioSilk before flat ironing

If time permits I air dry completely before blow drying

I rarely protective style...on occasion I'll do a braidout and where it half up or in a bun for a couple of days, other than that I were my hair out.

MONTHLY

Clarifying Shampoo 2x per month

Deep Condition 2x per month

Protein Treatment every six weeks or as needed

And there you have it...

I think I'm going to start trying some of the higher-end lines like Aveda or Kerastase so I'll update my regimen as I incorporate new products or routines. I am open to any sugestions or questions about my regimen...later ;-)

Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives

2009-06-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

Hey Ladies,

The Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives are currently available for pre-sale. The items won’t ship until July 17th, but this is the perfect opportunity to get your hands on some great products at great prices before anyone else!

Here are just a few items that caught my eye…

Bobbi Brown ‘Best of Bobbi’ Set $75.00
This set includes 7 lippies in a palette with a lip brush, 2 eyeshadows in a palette, Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, mini Everything Mascara and a dual-ended eyeshadow/ultra-fine eyeliner brush.

Nars ‘Modern Love’ Palette $55.00

This eyeshadow palette includes: Alhambra, Jezebel, Habanera, Tokoyo, India Song, and Pandora.

Dior ‘Jazz Club’ Palette $55.00

This palette indludes: Dior Liner, Sourcils Eyebrow, Fard Matte Eyeshadow, Fard Iridescent Eyeshadow, and a top coat.

Caudalie ‘The Weekend’ Kit $39.00

This travel kit includes: Instant Foaming Cleanser, Vinoperfect Day Cream, Vinoperfect Night Cream, Vinoperfect Radiance Mask, Nourishing Body Lotion, Hand and Nail Cream, and Beauty Elixer.

MAC Brushes $49.50

Two sets of 5 brushes each. The Define & Blend includes: the 129, 190, 209, 219, and 252. The Shape & Perfect includes: the 168, 187, 194, 212, and 275.

Juice Beauty ‘Organics to Glow’ Set $29.00

This set includes: 3 Lip Moisturizers, Hydrating Mist, Mineral Light Moisturizer, Mineral Medium Moisturizer, and Green Apple Full Strength Peel.

Mario Badescu Travel Skin Care Kit $28.00

This set includes a full size, Drying Lotion and Anti-Acne Serum as well as, an Acne Facial Cleanser, Oil-Free Moisturizer, Healing Cream, Drying Mask, and a shower sponge.

Narciso Rodriguez ‘For Her’ Fragrance Set $94.00

This 3 piece set includes: Eau de Toilette, Body Cream and 2 Soaps.

Philosophy ‘Unconditional Love’ Set $59.50

This 3 piece set includes: perfumed shampoo, bath and shower gel, perfumed firming body emulsion and spray fragrance.

Click here to see the entire list.

Happy shopping!!

Jimmy Choo for the Recessionista

2009-06-24T15:21:00.000-07:00

What's Up Buttercups?

Here's a little tidbit on info for ya, H&M has announced another fabulous collaboration...this this it's with JIMMY CHOO...yay! Now we can all unleash our inner Carrie Bradshaw and rock a pair of AFFORDABLE Choos.

The line will include mens and womens clothing, and accessories debuting worldwide at H&M stores on November 14th.

Past H&M designer collaborations include Matthew Williamson, Stella McCartney and Roberto Cavalli, to name a few. Here's what the Founder and President Tamara Mellon (pictured below on left) had to say, ""We are privileged to be among the fashion greats who have been affiliated with H&M, to be designing a collection that will appeal to fashion-savvy, street-smart women and to be including some great pieces for men, too. "

The shoes will retail between $69.90 to $299 - not bad considering the regular price.

What I Want Now...

2009-06-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

I want one of these Juicy Couture swimsuits and the coverup to add to my collection this year...

but which one should I choose?

I can't decide I love them both!

Edit to add: Here's one more I have my eye on :-)

I think this one is my fave!

Summer Essentials

2009-06-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

Here's the list of products I rely on to keep me looking fresh through the hot summer months...I'm an oily girl so I have to work extra hard in the summer to combat the ever present shine! ;-)

· MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural Dark
· Cosmedicine Medi-Matte Oil Control Lotion
· MAC Matte primer
· Benefit Gilded pencil
· Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner pencil
· Cover Girl Lash Blast waterproof mascara
· various lipglosses - Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, Benefit Her Glossiness in Who Does Your Work, Rosebud Salve and Loreal Color Juice lipgloss in Iced Latte
· Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55

Recessionista Steals & Deals: Old Navy

2009-06-18T15:10:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love a good steal!...oops, I mean deal ;-)

Old Navy's got one for us this Saturday, June 20th. Rib-knit taks for $2 each...yay. Available in 50 colors including stripes, prints, embellished and solids. Available in stores only and there is a limit of 5 per customer.

I'll be picking a few up for myself...I missed out on the $1 flip flops but I'm not missing this one!

Laters....

Recessionista Steals & Deals: Crown Brushes

2009-06-09T12:01:00.001-07:00

So here’s the thing…we all know the benefit of using makeup brushes, right? The problem I’m having is that the “quality” brushes are a little pricey and I don’t want to pay for them!

I still consider myself somewhat of a newbie when it comes to makeup and I’m just not ready to invest a lot of money in brushes, I’d rather use it to try out new skincare products. Now imagine my delight as I’ve stumbled across several rave reviews about Crown Brushes since The Makeup Show New York. Let me tell you a bit about them…

First and foremost, these brushes are AFFORDABLE and when I say affordable I’m talking less than $4 for eye shadow brushes! I have been on the hunt for a brush similar to the MAC 187 Duo Fibre Brush (which by the way is $42) to apply my MUFE HD Foundation. Crown Brushes has the dupe for $7!! Even though I’ve read mixed reviews about the quality of this brush, I’m willing to give it a try for 7 bucks. If you are thinking about trying these brushes I’ve also read that the Badger and Studio lines are the best quality so you might what to start there. IMO you can’t go wrong with these brushes for the price.

Happy Shopping!!

My Current Obsession...

2009-06-03T16:18:00.000-07:00

Steve Madden Crazzy Wedge Sandal...cute and affordable! Only $54.99 @ Piperlime.gap.com, they also come in black.

Speaking of NARS...

2009-06-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

In honor of the 15th Anniversary, Mr. Francois Nars himself will be making his first public appearance in 15 years, at the Nordstrom San Francisco Centre this Saturday, June 6th, from 2pm - 3:30pm (I've seen conflicting reports regarding the time so you may want to call the counter to verify). Mr. Nars will be there to launch the limited edition Nars Loves San Francisco Set. He will also be signing copies of his books X-ray and Makeup Your Mind.

The NARS Loves San Francisco Set contains four classics specifically resurrected for the women of San Francisco and renamed after iconic names in the city. The set includes:

Angel Island single eyeshadow

Haight Ashbury duo eyeshadow

Golden Gate blush

Alamo nail polish

The NARS International Makeup Team will also be there to provide consultations with the Summer Collection. Ladies get there early...it's gonna be jammed packed!!

Heres the details...

Nordstrom San Francisco Centre

865 Market Street

San Francisco, CA

NARS Counter (415) 243-8500 x. 1098

To make an appointment send an email to: narspa66@gmail.com

NARS Summer 2009 Collection

2009-05-20T16:11:00.001-07:00

What's Up Buttercups?

I know you all have seen the new Summer 09 collection from Nars right!? My first thought when I saw the collection was how pretty the turquoise shadow was but I probably couldn't rock such a vibrant shade. Now I see why people say 'never say never' because this picture of Malika Haaq has totally changed my mind!

Now, after seeing this picture here are the items on my MUST have list:

Tropic Single Eyeshadow $22.00
Scorching Sun Eyeshadow Duo $32.00
Belize Lipgloss $24.00

Here's what Troy did/used to create this look:

I used the golden eye shadow duo in "Scorching Sun" first as a base, then blended the bright glittery blue "Tropic" shadow over Malika's entire eye lid. Then using a liquid black eye liner, I applied a very thin line along the lash line, and coated and curled her lashes.I softly defined her brows with a light brown eyebrow pencil and to finish the look. I used the pale pinky-beige lip gloss in "Belize" to give a fresh, chic look with the blue eye make up. I also added a faux strip eyelash for added flare.

I absolutely love this look! Ladies have you tried any of the Nars Summer 2009 Collection?

Check out the whole collection here: New makeup - NARS

Black Honey's Back Again

2009-05-18T16:22:00.000-07:00

Clinique has reintroduced their cult favorite Black Honey Almost Lipstick in the Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss formula.

Have you guys heard about or tried Black Honey?...I’ve been hooked on Black Honey for years. So I’m excited about the new formula but a little reluctant to purchase it. A couple of years ago Clinique released Black Honey in the Glosswear formula and I was not impressed. The consistency of the gloss was fine but the color was a little off. It didn’t give that sheer wash of color that I was expecting and it was darker than the Almost Lipstick. That being said...I’m willing to give the newbie a chance since I really like the consistency of the Superbalm, I just hope the color is not too concentrated…I like my glosses to go on sheer otherwise I would just wear lipstick!

Summer Chic

2009-05-13T14:36:00.000-07:00

Quick Trip to Forever 21

2009-05-06T14:29:00.000-07:00

Hey Ladies,

Excuse the absence but I have been super busy with my son's senior year/graduation activities! Real quick here's a few goodies I picked up from Forever 21 while I was supposed to be shopping for my son...y'all know I couldn't resist picking up a little somethin', somethin' ;-)

Knotted Colorblock Dress $19.80...this dress has the cutest fit - prefect for those days when you want a casual sexy look!

Animal Print Chiffon Top $11.80...because I heart animal print!

Ebony Skinny Jean $12.50...I couldn't pass these up, look at the price!!

I'll be back soon with some hot stuff for the summer...pinky swear!

A Sephora Sale

2009-04-17T15:39:00.000-07:00

What's up Buttercups?

Sephora is currently offering 15% off to Beauty Insiders. Ladies, hurry on over there because the sale ends April 21st! If you're not already a Beauty Insider, no worries...it's free to sign up on Sephora's website ;-) Print this coupon to use in stores...if you're shopping online use the code: BD2T9CB5 at checkout. Take advantage, they don't have sales like this very often! I plan on picking up the Rx for Brown Skin Bright and Even Exfoliating Cleanser and the Absolute Radiance Intensive Exfoliating Serum.

If you have tried the Rx for Brown Skin products, leave a comment and let me know how they worked for you. I was torn between the Rx for Brown Skin serum and the Juice Beauty serum. I tried a sample of both for about 3 weeks each, and I personally was a little more impressed with the Rx. So, let me know what you think ladies...bye for now.

Happy Shopping!!

Drugstore Beauty… Biore Skin Preservation Collection

2009-04-08T14:10:00.000-07:00

The Biore Skin Preservation Collection is a new five product collection which Biore claims is for those of us who are “too old for acne but too young for wrinkles”. Ladies, Biore has dubbed us the Inbetween Nation. (lol)

These products are made with botanical antioxidants and ceramide-based technology, an exclusive discovery by Biore Skin Care Experts. Each of the five products are designed to preserve the youth, strength and radiance of your skin with focus on improving dryness, texture and tone of transitional skin.

The products in the Biore Skin Preservation Collection are:

Clean Things Up Nourishing Gel Cleanser
Even Smoother Microderm Exfoliator
Dual Fusion Moisturizer w/ SPF 30
See The Future Fortifying Eye Cream
Hard Day's Night Overnight Moisturizer

This collection is perfect for thirty-somethings no longer dealing with acne but yet to have any serious anti-aging concerns.

A Spring Splash

2009-03-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

New for Spring 2009, Coach has launched a trio of floral-inspired Body Splashes. Each splash comes in a lovely 8.1oz. pastel bottle embossed with Coach's signature design and comes in the following fragrances: Peony, Iris and Freesia.

Peony Splash – a sweet floral fragrance with top notes of Pink Guava Nectar, Raspberry, Mandarin flowers and Bamboo. Mid notes of Honeysuckle Nectar, Cyclamen, Baies Rose, Magnolia, Jasmine and Pink Peony and base notes of Sandalwood, Cedarwood and Violet Leaf.

Iris Splash – a feminine floral fragrance with top notes of Geranium, Lychee, Wild Strawberry and Cassis. Mid notes of Tuberose, Peony, Rose, Muguet, Jasmine, Tiare Tahiti and Ylang Ylang and base notes of Orris, Violet Leaves, and Coconut Milk.

Freesia Splash – a fresh floral fragrance with top notes of Aldehydes, Mandarin and Green Cassis, Hyacinth. Mid notes of Freesia, Lily of the Valley, Rose and Jasmine and base notes of Sandalwood and Violet.

Coach Fragrance Body Splashes are available exclusively at Coach Stores nationwide and at www.coach.com with a retail price of $55 each. Ladies, these fragrances are the perfect addition to your spring wardrobe!

Happy Shopping!!

Recessionista Steals and Deals: Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

2009-03-17T13:54:00.000-07:00

What's up Buttercups?

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics is offering 25% off your order starting today through March 19th. Here's your opportunity to get the newest Platinum Pink Shimmer Brick for less than 40 bucks!

I have not tried the Shimmer Bricks yet but I hear they are great. I'm not much of a shimmery kinda girl so I've passed on these so far. I wanted the Apricot when it first came out but I never got around to picking it up - I wasn't exactly sure how to use it. If you enjoy using the Shimmer Bricks, leave me a comment I'd love to hear how you wear them!

Click here to start shopping. Free shipping if you spend $60 or more.

Happy Shopping!!

My Current Obsession: Jumpsuits

2009-03-14T20:32:00.000-07:00

I am currently obsessed with jumpsuits! I wanted one last summer but never got around to purchasing one, so now I'm on the hunt for the perfect style to fit my body type. Let me tell you its not that easy, there are so many to choose from! The few I've tried on so far have been too something; too baggy, too long, too short, too conservative...you get the picture. The key for me will be finding the right cut and fabric. I'd like something casual that can be dressed up with accessories.

This trend can be hard to pull off but I have confidence that I'll find the right one that will look great. Plus they remind me of my mom in the seventies rockin' her platforms, oversized glasses and perfect hair! Yeah...I have to find one ASAP, my summer wardrobe just won't be complete without it! Here are some jumpsuits I currently have my eye on...

What do you ladies think, will you be sporting a jumpsuit this summer?

Recessionista Steals and Deals: Free Sample

2009-02-21T12:52:00.000-08:00

Victoria's Secret is offering a FREE sample from the new Pink Body line of organic bath and body products. This line contains vegan ingredients that come in eco-friendly packaging and consists of 4 collections Energizing, Nourishing, Soothing and Essentials. I'm personally looking foward to trying out the Nourishing line which contains organic shea and cocoa butters (I tend to get extra dry during the winter months).

The free sample is a 1oz. bottle of Pink Energizing Body Lotion. The offer ends March 2, 2009, click here to get the coupon.

Another cool thing about the Victoria's Secrect Pink line...they've added 5 HBCU logos to their clothing! The schools are:

Southern University
Florida A&M
Hampton
Howard
North Carolina A&T

I know it's only 5 schools but it's a start right??

T-Shirt $39.50

Yoga Pant $34.50

Happy Shopping!!

Product Review: Makeup Forever HD Foundation

2009-02-21T10:17:00.000-08:00

Here's my two cents on the Makeup Forever High Definition Foundation...I know I'm a little late but I'm just now trying it :o)

I decided to to change from MAC Studio Fix powder and concealer because I wanted a little more coverage, the concealer was too cakey looking at the end of the day, and I had read so many rave reviews on this product so I said let's check it out...plus I think the Studio Fix was contributing to my recent breakouts.

So far my experience with this foundation has been great! I use as a triple threat: concealer, tinted moisturizer and foundation all in one. For everyday when I just need a little coverage I apply my primer and mix the foundation with a little moisturizer and whaa la - the perfect shade of tinted moisturizer! Dab a little on my dark spots, blend them in and I'm out the door. To kick it up a notch I just apply straight from the bottle and conceal my dark spots the same way. I have used this foundation with and without primer and I think it works best if you use a primer with it. This foundation gives my skin flawless finish but it's still natural looking. The key for me was the application and finding the right color. I first tried #177 and applied it with a sponge - it was too dark, so I switched to #175 which was perfect (my MAC color is NW43). I'd still like to try the HD Powder to finish the look, but for now I'm using my MAC Blot Powder and I'm a happy camper!

So, would I recommend it...YES!

Recessionista Steals and Deals: Cheap Tees

2009-02-19T11:18:00.001-08:00

What's up Buttercups?

Let me tell you about this site I found while on my daily internet browse...it's called America's Basics. This site has the cutest most inexpensive t-shirts and tank tops! They offer the basics only, no fancy patterns or styles, but they have a tight fit thats good for layering and looks hot with jeans dressed up or down.

The best part is the price! You can't beat 4 for $20 and 4 for $30. It's like the underwear sale at Victoria's Secret but with t-shirts :-)

They also offer leggings, polo shirts and hoodies.

Carlee - Sexy V-Neck Tee $8.00

Bella - Sexy Jersey Tank Top $6.90

Naomi - Basic V-Neck Tee $6.90

Happy shopping!!

Hair Care: Moisture and Protein

2009-02-12T11:35:00.000-08:00

Hey Ladies,

I found this article over at Associated Content. It's about maintaining a balance of moisture and protein in your hair. The article is kinda long but I thought it was very informative. Check it out...

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/278612/the_fine_art_of_protein_and_moisture.html?cat=69

Hair Update

2009-02-12T09:16:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick update on my hair...

I wanted to do something different with my hair after the "accident" in December - I thought about cutting my hair in layers or a short bob but I'm a HUGE creature of habit so instead... (drumroll please!)

I cut my bangs (and I'm determined to wear them)!

It's been two weeks now and I've worn them everyday. I'm trying to break out of my comfort zone this year - rocking the bangs is my first step.

I've also been using the coconut oil as a pre-poo and I love it. I started using Organix Coconut Shampoo and Conditioner around the same time as the coconut oil, but me no likey! Both the shampoo and conditioner left my hair feeling kinda rough. So I've started using the conditioner as a pre-poo along with the coconut oil. The shampoo, I've been using for my first wash since I don't want to waste it. I think the coconut oil is contributing to my hair growth cause it seems to have grown quite a bit since December.

December 08

February 09

I wish I had one of those t-shirts that measures the length of your hair, I may have to make myself one so I can accurately determine the growth. As a matter of fact I'm off work for the next 5 days so I'll make that my little project.

(please excuse the quality of the second picture, my son was messing with the settings on the camera which I thought would take better pictures than my phone but I couldn't fix the setting back to normal and I was too lazy to go find my phone ;-)

Meet Bobbi Brown

2009-01-29T13:07:00.000-08:00

Hey ladies,

If you are near NYC here's a heads up. Bobbi Brown is making a special appearance at the Lord & Taylor in Scarsdale, NY on Thursday, February 5th. She will be signing copies of her new book, Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual. Here's the details:

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Book Signing 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Meet the Beauty Team 11:00am - 7:00pm

Lord & Taylor Eastchester

750 White Plains Road

Scarsdale, NY

You have to call to reserve a spot 914-723-7700, and if you're lucky enough to get in you will also receive a complimentary makeup lesson and personalized face chart from one of Bobbi's Beauty Team makeup artists.

Busy on the 5th? No worries, you can also catch her on February 24th at the Lord & Taylor in Westfield, New Jersey.

Drugstore Beauty...Lash Blast Luxe

2009-01-26T11:13:00.000-08:00

Cover Girl is launching a new version of my favorite mascara Cover Girl Lash Blast Luxe. It is the same volume-boosting formula with the big brush but the new one has a hint of shimmer. It comes in four colors, black-platinum (silver), black-cabernet (burgundy), black-royale (blue), and black-emerald (green). There is a swatch of the colors over at the Makeupbag.net, if you’d like to see them.

I’m not sure if I’ll try this one since I wear contacts and it seems like it might irritate my eyes, but I thought I’d tell you about it anyway. If you haven’t tried the regular formula I would recommend it. I like it much better than the ol’ standby Great Lash that I had been using for years. If you decide to try the Luxe, let me know how it works out. It’s in drugstores now.

And the Oscar goes to...

2009-01-22T13:10:00.000-08:00

Taraji P. Henson (I hope)!

Have you heard the news? Taraji P. Henson has been nominated for an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actress category for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I’m so excited! I have been a fan of Taraji since her breakout role as Yvette in one of my favorite movies Baby Boy. I also loved her in Talk to Me playing opposite Don Cheadle she held her own. And this isn’t her first Oscar run, I know y’all remember her singing “It’s Hard Out There for a Pimp” a few years ago, which won an Oscar for Best Song. I must admit when I first saw her I wondered if she would get stuck with the “baby mama” roles but I’m pleasantly surprised to see that hasn’t happened.

If you haven’t had a chance to see the movie I highly recommend it. The acting was superb, not only by Taraji, but Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchette were fabulous as well. Which is evident by the 13 nominations the movie received. The only other African-American nominated this year is Viola Davis for Doubt. Unfortunately, it’s in the same category as Taraji. But I guess I should look at the bright side…we have a 2 in 5 chance of winning!

One more thing…how fab has she been looking lately?...I’m loving her recent red carpet looks.

The Next Best Thing

2009-01-16T14:03:00.000-08:00

If you’re not going to be a part of the festivities in D.C. on Tuesday, why not treat yourself to the next best thing?…a designer item to wear to your local function! Many of the hot fashion designers have produced inauguration-themed clothing and accessories in support of President Elect Obama. Rachel Roy, Derek Lam, Diane Von Furstenberg and Marc Jacobs, and others have made t-shirts, tote bags and scarves perfect for the occasion.

Here's some of the items you can purchase on Runway to Change.

Diane Von Furstenberg Tote $70

Zac Posen Sheer T-Shirt $45 (my fave!)

Rachel Roy T-Shirt $45

House of Dereon $60

Vera Wang T-Shirt $60

Narciso Rodriguez T-Shirt $60

Zac Posen Tank Top $45

Rachel Roy Scarf $95

Happy shopping!!

Cosmetics Settlement

2009-01-08T10:28:00.000-08:00

Have you guys heard about the class action cosmetics lawsuit that was recently settled? Well, here’s the scoop…as part of the settlement $175 million dollars worth of products will be distributed to members of the class. Each class member will be eligible to receive one free cosmetics product from one of the Manufacturer Defendants. Ladies, if you have purchased Department Store cosmetics from May 29, 1994 to July 16, 2003, from the list of retailers below, (and I know you have!) then you are a member of the class.

BergdorfGoodman

Bergner’s

Bloomingdale’s

Boston Store

Carson Pirie Scott

Dillard’s

Gottschalks

Herberger’s

Macy’s

Neiman Marcus

Nordstrom

Parisian

Saks Fifth Avenue

Younkers

If you have purchased products from one of these Manufacturer Defendants during the class period, then you are only entitled to receive one free product from that Manufacturer Defendant. If you purchased products from one or more of the Manufacturer Defendants during the class period, you are still only entitled to receive one free product but you can choose your free product from the entire list of Manufacturer Defendants.

Unfortunately, you are not a member of the class if you fall into one or more of the following categories: all employees, officers, directors or agents (including attorneys) of any defendant, as well as any judge, justice or judicial officer presiding over this matter, and each such person’s immediate family.

Below is the list of manufacturers and products that will be available:

Boucheron (USA) Ltd. - Femme Eau de Toilette (1 ounce/30 ml)

Chanel, Inc. - Coco Mademoiselle body lotion (3.4 fluid oz)

Christian Dior Perfumes, Inc. - J’Adore Eau de Parfum (15 ml)

Clarins U.S.A., Inc. (customers will have a choice of one of two products)
Clarins Energizing Morning Cream (30 ml)

Clarins Beauty Flash Bomb (30 ml)

Conopco, Inc. (customers will have a choice of one of three products)

Calvin Klein Euphoria Bath and Shower Crème (6.7 oz)

Vera Wang Princess Body Polish (5 oz)

Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker Shower Gel (6.7 oz)

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (customers will have a choice of one of two products)Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair (15 ml/0.5 oz)

Clinique Moisture Surge (30 ml/1 oz)

Guerlain, Inc. - My Insolence Eau de Toilette (15 ml)

L’Oréal USA, Inc. (customers will have a choice of one of eight products)

Lancôme UV Expert 20

Lancôme Cils Design Pro Mascara

Lancôme Fatale Mascara

Lancôme Courbe Virtuose Mascara

Lancôme Primordial Skin Defense

Ralph Lauren - Romance Shower Gel (6.7 oz.)

Giorgio Armani - ACM Shower Gel (6.7 oz)

Lancôme - Hypnôse Shower GelParfums

Givenchy, Inc. - Very Irresistible Givenchy Eau de Toilette (15 ml)

The products will be distributed beginning January 20, 2009, on a first come first serve basis, while supplies last, for a maximum of seven days. I have my eye on the Romance shower gel – I just love the scent and a girl can never have too much Romance :-)

For more info click here.

Inaugural Ball

2009-01-06T14:58:00.000-08:00

Are any of you fortunate enough to attend any of the inaugural festivities? I wish I was at least gonna be in the area but my budget won’t allow it (I have a Senior in high school...too many Senior activities to pay for), and unfortunately, I’m way across the country in California! To make up for not being able to go to D.C., I’ve been reading all about the big day. I have a couple of friends who will actually be there so I can get a first hand account of the goings on.

And there will be plenty going on…did you know there are 10 official Inaugural Balls? Including a children’s party on the 19th where the Jonas Brothers will be performing. President-elect Obama has invited Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and Barbra Streisand to perform at different events around the city on the 20th. Most of the unofficial balls will be held in downtown Washington D.C., making it easy to hop from one party to the next, where Dionne Warwick, Chaka Khan, the Temptations and George Clinton among others are scheduled to perform. Of course there will be slew of other parties thrown by BET, MTV, and probably every party promoter in D.C. who could find a location. Imagine the fun…just reading about it gets me EXCITED!

Moving on to the fashion…

If you already have a dress in mind that you plan to wear, check out this site to find out if anybody else plans on wearing it too. Dress Registry was launched December 1, 2008, by Andrew Jones, an automotive consultant. He was inspired to start this business after his wife traveled from Florida to New York to purchase a gown so that no one at home would have it. (great idea!) Since the site launched, over 100 dresses have been registered for the Inaugural Balls. Keep in mind, this might not be a sure thing since it requires ladies to register their dresses and what if the person wearing your dress didn’t register??? Anyway, it’s fun just to look on there and see what people are planning to wear.

Here are some of my gown picks (if I was going that is…)

BCBG Max Azria $378

RM by Roland Mouret $3760

Amsale $240 - on sale at Bluefly.com

Vera Wang $336 - on sale at Bluefly.com

Are you planning to attend any inaugural parties? If so, what are you wearing?

Happy New Year!

2009-01-03T19:28:00.000-08:00

I wish you all a beautiful and prosperous New Year!

I went to a New Year's Eve party at my cousin's house and had the most fun with my family...it was a great way to bring in '09!

My 2009 New Year's Resolution is pretty simple - every year it's always the same, which is... to do better than I did the previous year in all aspects of my life.

This year I decided to throw a few Beauty Resolutions in the mix and since I'm documenting it here I thought it would be fun to look back at the end of the year and see how I did.

So here we go:

1. Follow my hair care regimen - I have a regimen that works for me but I don't always follow it, so this year I'm really gonna try to follow it and incorporate some new techniques and products that I've learned from other blogs.

2. Get back to my skin care routine - I had a GREAT skin care routine that I was following a couple of years ago and my skin never looked better but this past year I've been using different products and boy I have noticed the difference in my skin. So, I must get back on track with that! (I'll post the skin care routine later.)

3. Get in shape - which for me means eating right and exercising regularly. I'm naturally thin so I don't have to worry about dieting but I would like to gain about 5 to 10 pounds, tone everything up, eat healthier foods and drink more water.

With that said, let's see how well I live up to these beauty resolutions. Hmmm, now that I'm thinking about it, I think I'll add one more thing to the list...

4. Build my businesses - This is not a beauty resolution but I have a few business ventures that I absolutely must devote more time to.

Okay, now I'm done. What about you...Did you make any resolutions this year?

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T21:40:00.000-08:00

Hey Dolls,

I hope you had a safe and blessed Christmas!

Just in case you didn't get everything on your wish list, both Sephora and Victoria's Secret are having great sales right now. Sephora's got a few of the gift sets I previously posted about for a few extra dollars off the original price, like the Stila Shine on Gift of Glaze set which was $28 and is now $22, and the DKNY Be Delicious Key Chain, orginally $35, now $26.25. I got a gift card to Sephora from the BF so I'm gonna take advantage of these sales and get some things I wanted to get for myself for Christmas. Do you remember my post about Ebates? click here Well if you signed up you can get 8% cash back on your Sephora.com purchases!!

I love to read so my Mom usually gives me a book for Christmas every year, and this year it was Hope on a Tightrope by Cornel West. (You know who Cornel West is right!? If not, Google him ASAP and educate yourself!) I absolutely can't wait to read this book! I'm a huge fan of Cornel West for his honesty, intelligence, and courage to speak the truth about issues that affect blacks in America. I've known of Cornel West since I was a kid because he grew up in the same neighborhood and went to school with my Mom and my aunts. I also have a childhood memory of him at my friend's birthday party at the park; he jumped into the pond (fully suited and booted) to save a boy who had fallen in! (I was about 5 or 6 at the time.) I'll never forget that day (it's one of those childhood memories that just stick with you) and as I got older my Mom told me who that man was, so his name has always been familiar to me but I first read one of his other books, Race Matters, when I was about 25, and that's when I started really following his work. He was on the Bill Maher show recently. If I could figure out how to add a video clip on here I would, cause he is not only highly intelligent but his character and the words he chooses to use is quite entertaining!

Anyway, I digress...I've got to get some sleep, we're going to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button tomorrow morning (yea!!). I have a feeling I'm gonna like this one. It remains to be seen if it'll take the place of my all time favorite Brad Pitt movie, Legends of the Fall!

Merry Christmas to all...and to all...a goodnight!

Hair Update

2008-12-21T14:24:00.000-08:00

I have not had my hair cut since October '07, so I've been in desperate need of a trim. Friday night I went over my Mom's so she could trim it for me and...to make a long story short, I talked her into cutting it a little shorter than I wanted. :-(

Well, I guess I should explain a little cause I don't want you thinking it was my Momma's fault! I have a terrible habit of talking my hairdressers into cutting my hair more than what I orginally communicate when I sit in the chair. Here's how it goes...usually, my best friend's mom, who is a stylist, layers my hair and she does a great job but when she's finished, I always ask her to cut a little more off and I end up leaving feeling like I might have gotten it cut too much, although I always love the cut. But this time my mom was supposed to just trim my ends, which we both have complete confidence in her doing. BUT I talked her into attempting to layer it and that's where I messed up...the "layering didn't quite work out and she had to cut it a little shorter to even it out.

So after mom finished "layering" it, we both looked in the mirror and busted out laughing!! We couldn't help but to laugh at the whole thing. When it was all said and done...I ended up with a shoulder length blunt cut. The benefit is, my hair is really healthy and it feels great! Now, I'm debating on whether or not I should go ahead and let my stylist put some layers in it. I had been trying to grow it all one length, but I think the new length will look a little better with some layers added in. I'll post the pictures if I decide to get that done. For now, here's some pictures of my hair after my weekly wash and flat iron. I'm 10 weeks post relaxer right now.

and below it what it looked like in October '08...

Not too bad...I'm not sure how exactly how much we cut but it looks like maybe about an inch and a half. I guess I'll wait a few days before I decide on the layering but right now I'm leaning towards doing it. I'm not really feeling the style of this shorter length, it' too blunt...or something...I don't know...I guess we'll see how it goes in a few days.

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season, I'll be posting about some delicious holiday drinks in a few days!

Bye for now...

Coconut Oil

2008-12-15T10:35:00.000-08:00

What’s Up Buttercups?

I’ve read a lot about the positive effects of coconut oil and I want to see what effects it has on my hair so, I’m hopping on the coconut oil bandwagon! I remember using coconut oil years ago when I was pregnant. My hair was really long and healthy back then, but I don’t know if was the prenatal vitamins, eating healthy, the coconut oil, or a combination of everything?! So, I bought some unrefined coconut oil (I got a big tub from Wal Mart for about $9) and Organix Coconut Shampoo and Conditioner to incorporate into my routine.

Here are some of the good things I’ve read about coconut oil…The molecular structure of coconut oil is perfect for penetrating the inside hair shaft, and it’s an excellent conditioner providing the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair. It’s also an anti-fungal and a moisturizer, so using it as a pre-wash conditioner is a cure for dandruff. I have a problem with dandruff, which I keep under control by using Kera Care Dry and Itchy Scalp Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner. (I swear by this stuff) I’m curious to see how the addition of coconut oil to my routine makes a difference.

What I have noticed, is that it makes my hair really soft and shiny. So far, I’ve only used it as a pre-wash treatment the night before I wash. I think it’s too oily for me to use as a daily moisturizer. If you don’t have a heavy hand you can apply it after washing, just make sure you concentrate on the ends of your hair and only use a little to avoid making your hair look greasy. Next, I’m going to try it as a deep conditioner (mix with my regular conditioner and sit under the dryer for 30 minutes). I washed and conditioned with the Organix Coconut Shampoo and Conditioner last night and I’m not that impressed, but I’ll give it another try and let you know if I change my mind.

Have you tried using coconut oil? I’d love to hear how it works for you…

Movie Review: Cadillac Records

2008-12-03T11:00:00.000-08:00

I had a chance to see Cadillac Records Tuesday night. I don't go to the movies very often, but I do enjoy the annual holiday movie featuring Black Hollywood and I guess Cadillac Records is it for '08. Anyway, the movie was based on the true story of Chess Records, home of great blues singers like Muddy Waters and Etta James. I'll have to tell you...I'm not really that familiar with, nor am I a fan of the blues - but this movie was pretty good. We didn't dance out of the theatre singing and laughing like we did after Dreamgirls; and halfway through it my Mom said "this movie is boring", but the acting performances of Jeffrey Wright (Muddy Waters), Columbus Short (Little Walter) and Beyonce (Etta James) were on point!

After listening to all of the hype leading up to the movie I thought Beyonce had a bigger role, but I wasn't disappointed once her character appeared on screen. Her portrayal of Etta James is her best acting performance yet. I'm not exactly sure if it was Oscar worthy as many have said (well...I guess I could see a Best Supporting Actress nomination), because her part was kinda small (imo). It was different seeing Beyonce with a funky attitude and using profanity since she always appears to be so nice and happy. Oh and did y'all know, she's the Executive Producer? And she gave her entire salary from the movie to the Phoenix House, a rehabilitation program for women. (That's hella cool).

My favorite scenes were those with Jeffrey Wright and Columbus Short, they both acted their asses off in this one...oh, and Gabrielle Union was in it too, (she's my style idol)! Check out this jumpsuit she had on at the afterparty for the premiere the other night. Loves it! I wonder who that jumpsuit is made by??? I'll have to do some investigating...

If anybody knows, please tell me!

So overall I'll give the movie 4 stars out of 5.

Photo Credit: theybf.com

Cyber Monday Deals

2008-11-29T19:15:00.000-08:00

Hey Muffins,

Here's a few Cyber Monday deals for ya...

Saxs Fifth Avenue
FREE shipping with any purchase - enter this code: SFAGIFT

Prescriptives
FREE full-size Colorscope Lipcolor in Berry Oodles with a $35 purchase

Nike
30% off $125 purchase - enter this code: NIKEJOY

Dereon
FREE necklace with $75 purchase

Southwest Airlines
$50 off all Southwest Airlines Vacations destinations - enter this code: BLKFRIDAY

Apple Bottoms
25% off any purchase

Barnes and Noble
Save 15% off any one item - enter this code: M8H7N3F

Banana Republic
Save up to 40% off holiday fashion

Gap
Buy one get one 50% off all sweaters

Origins
FREE sample of No Puffery Coling Mask for puffy eyes with any order (I've been wanting to try this mask)

Clinique
FREE Holiday cards featuring artwork from kids at Big Brothers Big Sisters, with a $40 purchase

New York and Company
Up to 50% off handbags (check out the cute clutches for under $15)

Happy shopping!!

Black Friday

2008-11-28T16:33:00.000-08:00

I didn't go shopping today cause I just didn't feel like dealing with the crowds. I usually go every year, but this year I'm just not that in to it. I don't have many gifts to get this year anyway so I decided to stay at home, put up my Christmas decorations and deep condition my hair.

That was a great idea cause I'm sitting here watching the news and I see that a Wal Mart employee got trampled by a crowd of shoppers and died! WTF...is it that serious?!

Umm...I think I'll wait to catch the online sales on Cyber Monday.

Clarisonic for Christmas

2008-11-24T11:33:00.000-08:00

My skin is changing (with age, I guess), so I'm in the process of testing new products trying to find a routine that works. I've been having some problems lately with random pimples popping up on my cheeks and a very oily chin area and I've been reading lots of good things from fellow bloggers about the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush. Although it's a little pricey($195), I decided to break down and buy it for myself for Christmas, (well, actually I planned to ask for it as a gift first, and then buy if myself if nobody got it for me). So, I went to the website to check it out, and GUESS WHAT? They have layaway! Nah...I'm just kidding, but they do have a payment option where you can make 4 payments of $49 each on a monthly basis. Sounds like layaway to me, but they're calling it the 'Easy Pay Program' so we'll go with that. Anyway, the offer is good until December 31st, for the white, pink and grey colors only. Oh, and you can get it personalized with a cute little phrase or your nickname for free! It also comes with a free .5oz Daily Renewal Serum, travel bag and headband.

I've read many reviews that say it's well worth the price, but I'm still skeptical. The sonic technology is supposed to remove 6 times more makeup than manual cleansing and reduce the appearance of fine line and pores. I willing to give it a try. I'll post a review once I've used it for a while. If you already have one let me know if you see a difference in your skin.

Later y'all...

Let's Go Dutch...

2008-11-18T15:37:00.001-08:00

Pennsylvania Dutch that is...

This is hands down my favorite drink for the winter! Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Nog is made with real dairy cream, rum brandy and blended whisky (delish).

This is a great drink to serve at your holiday gatherings. You have to be careful when serving it, cause the alcohol content is 14.75% by volume, so it may be a little too strong for some people. If that’s the case, just mix it with a little milk over ice. This drink also makes a wonderful hostess gift…it’s better than giving the same ‘ole bottle of wine all the time. There’s a ton of recipes for homemade egg nog online and I guess it would be cool to make it from scratch, but since cooking is not really my thing I prefer to go this route.

Pennsylvania Dutch is only available in my area at Beverages and More during the holiday season. You may be able to find it at other stores depending on where you live. If you absolutely can’t find it, try the Southern Comfort Vanilla Spice Egg Nog. I hear it’s just as good, I’ve personally never tried it so I can’t compare the two. Anyway, check it out; I know you’ll love it too!

*Sidenote* – After all the Patron and Hefeweizen I drank last Saturday I went on a self imposed drinking hiatus (don't you hate it when you drink too much and get sick? - especially at this age?!)…Well, we’ll see how long that lasts ;-)

Happy Holidays!

Recessionista Steals and Deals: Friends & Family Discounts

2008-11-13T22:33:00.000-08:00

Hey Bellas,
Here's some more Friends and Family discounts to take advantage of online and in stores. Now, remember to pick up a little sumthin' for yourself while you're out there shopping ;-)

Urban Decay, (November 10th - 18th)

Online only. Enter this promotional code: FFH30 to receive 30% off your purchase.

Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, (November 13th - 16th)

Online or in stores. Present this coupon in stores. Online enter this code: LZT3B7X84J83 to get 30% off.

Old Navy, (November 14 - 26th)

Online or in stores. Get 20% off your purchase when you use your Old Navy, Gap or Banana Republic credit card. Use this promotional code at checkout: STUFFSAVE.

Charlotte Russe, (November 13th - 18th)

In stores only. Present this coupon in stores to receive 30% off your purchase.

H&M, (thru December 31st)

In stores only. Print this coupon to receive 10% off a purchase of $50 or more.

Bath and Body Works, (thru November 16th)

Online only. Use this promotional code at checkout: 20FRIENDS to receive 20% off your purchase.

L'Occtaine, (November 13th - 16th)

Online or in stores. Present the coupon below in stores. Online enter this promotional code: FNF25 to receive 25% off your purchase.

Bloomingdales, (November 12th - 16th)

Online and in stores. Present the coupon below in stores. Online enter this promotional code: BCFF to receive 20% off your purchase.

Stila, (thru December 16th)

Online only. Enter this promotional code at checkout: ECYX12 to get 20% off your purchase. There's free shipping on all orders over $30. They also have a new rewards program you might be interested in joining if you are a Stila girl.

Bebe, (November 13th - 16th)

In stores and online. Present this coupon in stores. Online enter this promotional code at checkout: FRIEND25 to receive 25% off your purchase.

That's it for now...Happy shopping!

Cash Back...Why Not?

2008-11-11T09:53:00.000-08:00

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm all about saving money. So here's a site I stumbled across that gives cash back for your online purchases. I love this idea! In the past, I haven't done much online shopping but I'm finding a lot of discount codes and online sales, so I'll be doing more of that this season.

This site, Ebates has the places where you would normally shop like Sephora, Bobbi Brown, Nordstrom and Banana Republic. Some of the rebates are up to 17% cash back on your purchases. You can't beat that an since you're gonna be shopping at these places anyway why not get rewarded?! There's literally hundreds of merchants so I know you'll find your favorite stores. One more thing...there's all kinds of coupon codes to use as well, so not only are you getting cash back on your purchases but you are also saving money on the initial purchase.

Okay, so check it out and let me know what you think. I'll keep you posted on my earnings.

Celebrate Victory!

2008-11-11T03:15:00.000-08:00

I know you all voted and now it's time to celebrate this historic win! So, head on over to this site and pick up your free Obama sticker (free shipping too). This commemorative sticker was designed by Shepard Fairey the same artist that designed the famous "Hope" poster for Obama. When I ordered mine over 2 million people had already requested one! Pretty, cool, huh?

Recessionista: Debt Makeover

2008-11-10T15:47:00.000-08:00

Hey Y'all,

If you have challenged credit and are looking for ways to repair it check out this guide and new credit bureau.

The debt makeover guide is called Makeover Your Debt: Tips for Giving Your Finances a New Look (cute name). This e-book provides tips on eliminating debt. The website also gives you a number to call to get a free debt consultation with a certified credit counselor. All you have to do is enter your name email address and phone number to download the free guide. Check it out, it has some good money saving tips.

The other thing I found is a credit bureau that helps build credit with your regular monthly bill payment history. Payment Reporting Builds Credit (PRBC) is an alternative Credit Bureau which reports bills you have paid on time that aren't usually reported to the traditional credit bureaus, such as mortgage, utilities and cable. These payments aren't usually reported unless you are late, but with this service you can establish a positive credit file with those payments that will help you qualify for new credit and better rates.

Seems like a good idea but I wonder if companies actually take this information into consideration when looking at your credit history.

Hope this helps ya.

Early Christmas Haul

2008-11-07T14:03:00.000-08:00

Hey Chicas,

Every year I procrastinate (for various reasons) and I’m in the stores buying gifts at the last minute. Well, this year I have decided to get my Christmas shopping done early. With this awful economy and an possible 5% pay cut looming in the air, I’m on a tight budget this year. {frustrated sigh} I usually get a second job during the holidays so I can splurge on gifts for myself and my son. But this year I wasn’t really motivated and when I started looking I couldn’t find anything! So, heres what I’m gonna do…I decided to just take advantage of the sales and online discounts to get my family’s gifts and that way I can still spend a little extra on us ;-)

I have a lot of women in my family so that kinda makes the shopping a little easier. I like to give gift sets so it’s like a couple of presents in one. Here are some of the gift sets I’m considering purchasing.

Now, on to the goods...

Stila Shine On Gift of Glaze ($28)

This is a set of six Lip Glazes in the following colors:- Vanilla (pearly nude)- Brown Sugar (shimmering golden nude)- Raisin (shimmering golden plum)- Grapefruit (frosted pink)- Apricot (melon nectarine)- Gumdrop (vibrant pink).

Anastasia Mini Brow Kit ($25)

This set includes one of each: Mini Matte Camille Highlighter, Mini Tweezers & Mini Clear Brow Gel.

Sephora Scent Samplers New Classics ($70)

This set comes with eight samples and a gift voucher to redeem for a full size bottle of one of the fragrances included in the sampler. The samples are of the following classic scents: Cartier Délices De Cartier Eau Fruitée, Guerlain Shalimar, Hanae Mori Butterfly, Marc Jacobs Perfume, Prada Parfums Prada, Robert Piguet Fracas, Thierry Mugler Angel, and Vera Wang The Fragrance.

Best of Korres Travel Set ($25)

This set includes the following Korres' bestsellers: Basil Lemon Showergel, Vanilla Cinnamon Showergel, Guava Body Butter, Wild Rose Moisturizer, Evening Primrose Eye Cream, and Yoghurt Cooling Gel.

DKNY Be Delicious Key Chain ($35)

This silver keychain includes a rollerball fragrance and lip gloss in Be Delicious and Delicious Night scents.

Okay, so thats the list of things I'm considering for gifts. I know I'll have to get a couple of things for myself. I'm really liking the DKNY keychain even though I know I don't need it - but it's so cute! Anyway, that's it for now. Happy shopping and let me know if you find some good bargains while you're out there!

Recessionista Steals and Deals: Sephora and Beauty.com

2008-11-03T19:35:00.000-08:00

November 6th - 10th, Sephora is having their Friends and Family discount days. Use the code: FF2008 to get a 20% discount on your online purchases.

Beauty.com is offering the same discount starting November 5th - 8th. The sale excludes all Nars products but you get 5% cash back on your purchase, so that's cool.

Happy shopping!

Beauty and Booty?

2008-11-03T18:30:00.000-08:00

Hey Chicas,

Lookey here, lookey here...

Nars has gone and put an Orgasm and condoms together in a gift set, called the Nars Safer Set, just in time for the holidays.

Sold exclusively at Sephora, this set comes with 2 condoms and a Multiple in Orgasm. A portion of the sale goes to Amfar programs to promote global safe sex initiatives.

Now, if you're not so naughty, you can pick up the Safest Set instead. This set comes with cute little black book filled with ways to say 'no', instead of the condoms, and the Multiple in Orgasm.

Cute idea.

VOTE!!

2008-11-03T16:59:00.001-08:00

Do your part to make this a reality.

Please vote on November 4th!

Need I say more?...

Product Review: St. Ives Elements Olive Scrub

2008-11-01T14:31:00.000-07:00

Hey Beauties,

Have you had a chance to try the St. Ives Elements line of facial cleansers and scrubs? These new products are made with natural ingredients and are paraben-free. I know you are probably familiar with the St. Ives Apricot Scrub...well, this new Olive Scrub is a perfect susbtitute for the winter or for those with dry skin.

Product Claims:
Fortified with olive oil, rich in Omega 3 & 6 and full of natural anti-oxidants. Your skin will feel soft, smooth and moisturized.

Dermatologist Tested

Olea europaea (Olive) fruit oil is a natural fruit oil rich in omega fatty acids.

Olive oil PEG-7 esters are derived from natural olive oil to deliver emolliency and moisturization.
Jojoba esters are used to gently exfoliate dry and dead skin cells without rough abrasion.

Olive leaf extract acts as a natural source of natural anti-oxidants that help stop damage-causing free radicals.

My Review:

What the website claims is true. The scrub really does "leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and moisturized".

I've been using this product for about a month now and I really like it. I use it after my regular cleanser about 2 to 3 times a week. I have noticed a difference - there's no sign (yet), of dry patches that normally show up on my face during the dryer months :-) and the exfoliating beads are not too harsh but I still feel like they are doing the job.

So, would I recommend it? Yes

My Hair Growing Journey

2008-10-29T16:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, so was inspired by the ladies over at the Long Hair Care Forum and other blogs like K.I.S.S., Relaxed Hair Health and Hairlicious to start my very own hair growing journey.

In October 2007, I decided to see how long my hair would grow if I made a conscious effort to take care of it. So, my journey began…I’ve always had shoulder length hair but I wanted to see if I could grow it longer and stronger. My ultimate goal is to reach BSL (bra strap length). I’m still experimenting with products that I read about on other blogs but for now here is my regimen and the products that I use.

Products
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Cream Lather Shampoo
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-In Cream
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Healing Shine Serum
KeraCare Dry and Itchy Scalp Shampoo
KeraCare Dry and Itchy Scalp Conditioner
Suave Clarifying Shampoo
Infusium 23 Leave in Conditioner
Dark and Lovely no-lye Relaxer
Clairol Beautiful Collection Semi Permanent Hair Color (Amethyst or Darkest Brown)

Regimen
Wash hair weekly (usually Saturday) – alternate between Neutrogena shampoo and conditioner one week and KeraCare dry and itchy scalp shampoo and conditioner the next week
Prepoo overnight before every wash
Deep condition under heating cap after every wash
Air Dry for 1 hour
Protein when needed
Clarify 1x a month
Relax every 8 to 12 weeks
Color every 6 to 8 weeks

Products I Plan to Try
Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise
Elasta QP Mango Butter
Coconut Oil
Aloe Vera juice, Glycerin & Rose Water mix (Traycee’s reciepe)

I usually let my hair air dry about 70% without any product then blow dry and flat iron. I’ve found that if I completely air dry it doesn’t get a silky as I like after the blow dry and flat iron. I try to avoid using heat appliances during the week and use a satin scarf or bonnet to wrap or cover my hair every night. I use a little NTM Silk Touch Leave-In Cream to provide moisture lost during the day since I usually wear my hair out.

I always wait at least eight weeks between each relaxer and no more than 12 weeks. Any less than that is too soon, and if I wait any longer than 12 weeks my hair starts to shed.

I color my hair as I feel is needed. My natural hair color is dark brown but lately I’ve been wanting to go a little darker so I’ve been using Darkest Brown color which I like a lot.

As you can see, my regimen is very simple and there are still some products and techniques I would like to try. I’m really trying to focus on keeping my hair moisturized without it looking greasy and maintaining the length. If you have any suggestions to improve my regimen let me know.

Here are some pictures of my progress so far.

Jan 08

July 08

Aug 08

Oct 08

Football Sunday

2008-10-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

I'm a huge football fan. Every Sunday morning during foootball season I look forward to watching the Sunday NFL Countdown on ESPN and the games that follow. I pretty much dedicate my Sunday mornings to relaxing and watching the games.

Ladies if you're not a football fan, check it out sometime. The guys on the Countdown will keep you up to date on the goings on and men love a woman who can talk somewhat intelligently about sports. Plus, have you seen the bodies on these guys? Wow. Just look at Reggie Bush's abs!

I also love watching the players compete on Dancing with the Stars. Emmit Smith, former Dallas Cowboy, won a couple of seasons ago. Jason Taylor of the Washington Redskins was on last season. This time around...how cute is Warren Sapp dancin' his big butt around the stage? Loves it!

Any football fans out there? If you're not sure where to start or which teams to follow, start watching the Buffalo Bills. I have a cousin on the team and right now they are in 1st place in their Division. Yeaaah...Go Bills!

Holla at me in the Comments and let me know your favorite team/player.

Well, I'm off to watch the Cowboys and the Bucs!...Enjoy your Sunday!

Pearls by Carol's Daughter

2008-10-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

Lisa Price of Carol's Daughter has added a perfume to to her already incredible line of skin and hair products. The fragrance is called Pearls. The top note combines lemon verbena, apricot and peach. Middle notes are layered with violet, jasmine and rose and the base notes consist of warm vanilla and sweet caramel. Sounds delicious! And look at the cute little bottle it comes in... I love the "pearl" on top.

The fragrance is $45 and comes with a sample of Tui Hair Smoothie.

Benefit from LV

2008-10-22T23:11:00.000-07:00

Hey Ladies!

I wanted to let you know about a giveaway Benefit Cosmetics is having. They have teamed up with Louis Vuitton, and are giving away a Monogramouglage Speedy handbag. The bag is designed by Marc Jacobs and Japanese designer Takashi Murakami, who designed the popular Monogram Multicolore a few years ago.

Anyhoo, here's the best part...it comes with $200 worth of Benefit Cosmetics! If you haven't tried Benefit Cosmetics take the opportunity to order a free catalog while you are on the site. I really like some of their products. I'll do a post later on the ones that seem to work for me.
In the meantime, click on the link below to enter to win:
http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/gp/subscription/?viewID=req-contest&nodeID=622809011

Gook Luck!!

First Things First...

2008-10-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

Well here it is...my first blog entry and I’m so excited! I’ve been a fan of some fabulous beauty blogs for a while now which has inspired me to create one of my own. I’ll be using this blog to document my hair growing journey (I'm going for BSL), share my experiences with hair care and beauty products, discuss current events, educate others about skin and hair care and most of all have fun! I hope you enjoy this blog. Feel free to leave a comment, I’d love to chat and exchange ideas with you.

In my head...MC Hammer "Let's Get It Started"