All Gussied Up

My Favorite Self Tanners

2011-11-20T00:34:00.000-08:00

I am naturally as white as a ghost. To avoid this ~~white girl~~ problem, I apply self tanner year round. I've tried countless self tanners, and have found the best, most of which I've used for the past several years.

Clarins Delectable Self Tanning Mousse

I use only use this on my face, neck, and arms. It is absolutely amazing! It has a very light, moist whipped texture and doesn't have a foul smell like a lot of self tanners do. Since I prefer to be darker than my natural skin color year round, I use a foundation a few shades darker than my natural skin color. Your neck is usually lighter than your face, so it's important to have your foundation match and blend to keep your neck and face the same color. To maintain a blended look everyday, I apply the mousse to my neck (and chest/arms) 1-2 times/week. I do use it on my face sometimes as well, but I don't find it as important to be applied to my face because it washes off much quicker than the rest of my body since I do exfoliate and use the clarisonic brush often.

L'oreal Sublime Bronze Self Tanning Gel

I usually only use Sublime Bronze on my legs. I love the smell (it smells nothing like sunless tanner), it has a very light, clean scent. I love that I can see exactly where I'm applying it since the gel is a bronze color.

St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse

St. Tropez Mousse gives an amazing, natural looking tan when applied correctly. I usually use it during the summer, or layered under or over the Clarins Mousse when I want extra color fast. It dries very fast, so it's important to apply it quickly and evenly to avoid splotchy-ness. When I use this mousse, I always use latex gloves during the application process because it will stain your palms otherwise. I love that it doesn't smell, it doesn't stain clothes, and it is paraben free.

Tan Towel Classic Half Body Application

Tan Towels are one of the best beauty inventions in my opinion! When I'm feeling lazy, or don't have time to spend applying the mousse or gel tanners, I use a Tan Towel. The package says "half body application", but I'm able to use one towel everywhere from my face to my feet. It dries super fast, and has a light citrusy scent. These are great for travel and there's no mess involved. LOVE!

What are your favorite self tanning products?

My Skincare Routine

2011-11-03T14:28:00.000-07:00

I have a complicated relationship with my skin. It's usually VERY dry, and sometimes it's oily AND dry at the same time. Rosacea has been a problem since i was about 10 years old, and was way more of an issue as a child. My skin has always been very, very sensitive, turning bright red when I get my eyebrows waxed or am extremely hot or cold. I struggled with very minor acne as a teen, and now birth control prevents it almost completely. It took me years to nail down a skincare routine that works for me, but I'm finally happy with all of the products I use, and the way my skin looks and feels. Since I love these products so much, I think it's important to share how they've helped my skin. Please take into account that some of the products I use are prescriptions-please see a doctor before trying them!

1. Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil: This is what I use every night to remove my makeup. I don't think I'll be using anything else anytime soon because this product is AMAZE. It does the job at dissolving makeup easily with no pulling or rubbing, and it leaves my skin feeling very clean.

2. Clarisonic Mia: I honestly don't know what I'd do without my Clarisonic Mia. I've been using it for 2 years, about 4 days/week. It was worked miracles with my rosacea by leaving my skin so smooth, and my pores have never been smaller. Run, don't walk to get the Clarisonic if you don't have it!

3. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser: My dry skin loves this cleanser, which I use with my clarisonic brush and alone, with my hands on the days that I don't use the clarisonic. It cleanses the skin while maintaining the right moisture balance without leaving any residue.

4. Boscia Smoothing Facial Polish: I use this a few times a week to exfoliate my face, sometimes with the Clarisonic and sometimes without. For years I used St. Ives Apricot Scrub until I was told by an Esthetician that the scrub is damaging to the skin. The crushed apricot pits used in the scrub microscopically tear the skin since they have sharp edges. The Boscia exfoliator uses mannan spheres, which properly & gently exfoliate the skin.

5. Lactic Acid Gel Peel: I was introduced to peels through blogging about a year ago, and can't imagine not using one now! After a lot of reading, I learned that the Lactic acid peel meets my skin's needs. Lactic acid skin peels are ideal for Actinic Keratosis, dark circles under eyes, dry skin, Eczema & Dermatitis, Melasma, Psoriasis, razor bumps, scarring, sensitive Skin, stretch Marks, sun Damage and tone & texture. I use the peel once every few weeks for keratosis pilaris (on my arms), dry skin, and rosacea. There are lots of awesome tutorials on doing gel peels at home, but I would be happy to provide more information and do a tutorial if that's something that would interest any of you.

6. Retin-A: Retin-A and I have a history of about 15 years. It was prescribed to me as a child to use for rosacea. While it didn't produce great results for me as a child, I still use it more for prevention of acne and wrinkles. I apply it twice a week (sometimes more, but for my already very dry skin, it's not ideal for me to use on a daily basis) under my moisturizer at night.

7. Obagi ELASTIderm Eye Gel: I was introduced to this amazing eye gel from a giveaway on Shasta's blog more than two years ago, and I've since purchased it again. I use it every night, under my moisturizer around my entire eye area (lid, temples, under eyes). Here's a description from Obagi: "Obagi ELASTIderm Eye Treatment Gel helps minimize the visible signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. It is formulated to encourage the natural production of collagen and elastin while it hydrates and tones for firmer, younger-looking eyes."

8. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: For years I ~~wasted money~~ used La Mer's moisturizer as my night time moisturizer, but after a visit to my Dermatologist last year, I'm pretty sure I'll be using CeraVe's Moisturizing Cream forever. I cannot sing it's praises enough. While La Mer was a great moisturizer, when I woke up the next morning after applying it before bed, my skin was still dry in the morning. CeraVe's moisturizing cream is a pretty heavy duty moisturizer, so I wouldn't recommend using it during the day, under your makeup. Here's why I love it: "CeraVe's Moisturizing Cream increases the skin's ability to attract, hold, and distribute moisture. It penetrates deep into the layers of the stratum comeum (the skin barrier) to restore the balance of lipids that are essential for an effective skin barrier. It also forms a protective layer over the skin's surface to help prevent moisture loss."

9. iS CLINICAL Youth Complex: Youth Complex is another item I won with the ELASTIderm eye gel from Shasta. Its anti-aging benefits are amazing: clinically proven to stimulate production of collagen and elastin, smoothes and softens skin, provides antioxidant protection, and offers immediate and long-term results. I use it nightly, under or mixed with the CeraVe.

10. Devita Solar Protective Moisturizer: After I raided my sunscreen collection and threw out 99% of it due to harmful chemicals (see my sunscreen post here), I ordered new sunscreen and a new daily moisturizer containing SPF. I found the Devita moisturizer through The EWG, it is listed at #3 as one of the best moisturizers containing SPF. It is awesome for sensitive skin, provides excellent moisture without being greasy, and doesn't leave that white look to my face like so many natural SPF moisturizers do because it uses a physical barrier sunscreen.

Wedding Trailer

2011-11-01T12:50:00.000-07:00

I am SO excited to share our wedding trailer! I have to say, I was more excited to receive our wedding DVD than our photos. Rain Studios went above and beyond my expectations, and they were so much fun to work with. I highly recommend them to California brides!
Hope you enjoy!

YSL Touche Eclat: Review

2011-10-12T17:13:00.000-07:00

As a beauty junkie, I am always looking to try out new products, and this iconic gold tube had been on my mind as I ran out of Benefit's Erase Paste. Despite some pretty bad reviews, I purchased it anyway. What I love about YSL's Touche Eclat is that it is so smooth. Unlike Erase Paste, it doesn't settle in any lines and it stays put.

Many of the bad reviews I read stated that Touche Eclat does a poor job as a concealer. It is not a concealer. According to Sephora, "Touche Eclat banishes shadows and tired-looking eyes by adding light and creating an instant lift to the eye area. Touche Eclat widens eyes when used between the eyebrows and along the sides of the nose and created fuller looking lips when used in the hollow of the chin and around the contour of the lips. It's formulated for all skin"

I use it in number 1, the lightest shade after I've used concealer, foundation, and powder underneath my eyes, in the inner corners, and above my lip because I like to have a light, luminescent look especially under my eye area and feel as though applying it first, second or third diminishes the effect.

The bottom line: I absolutely love this product and I would buy it again, however, I've seen lots of rave reviews on the significantly less expensive Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Concealer. I would love to know if any of you have compared the two.

P.S. I don't know how you beauty gurus take such flattering, flawless photos! I struggled like a fool for about 20 minutes to get a decent "up close" shot! I guess practice makes perfect.

Missoni for Target purchases

2011-09-13T15:39:00.000-07:00

I was one of the many who went over to Target bright and early this morning after 5 months of the much anticipated Missoni for Target launch. I planned to go to a Target that I didn't think anyone would be lining up at, as I saw on twitter that other stores in California had lines winding around the parking lot. Luckily I was able to wait in my car and only saw about 5 people line up a few minutes before the store opened.

Within seconds of the store opening, people came flooding in, dashing for carts and swiping items right off the racks. I saw one woman take an entire rack of sweaters, then made a mad dash to the home goods items and took everything there. Never have I seen women act so batshit crazy! In my experience, people went way more overboard than black Friday craziness.

After 20 minutes or so, all of the accessories were wiped out.

Here are my purchases:

The quality of all the items was great in my opinion, including the housewares and cosmetic bags.

I would love to see what all of you think of the collection, so I'm adding a link up to this post. Please link your Missoni blog post below!

Wedding: The Dress

2011-09-02T01:28:00.000-07:00

Here I am, a little more than three months after my wedding, finally getting around to doing a series of wedding posts. I'm going to be very honest by sharing my ups and downs with all of you. I do not want to sugar coat the wedding planning process, because I would be lying to say that it was easy and perfect. I hope that I can inspire and help other brides by telling my stories and sharing tips and suggestions that I learned, many times the hard way!

I'll start by saying that I planned my own wedding; I did have a venue wedding coordinator to guide me and help with logistics but in all other respects I was on my own. I absolutely loved planning my wedding, even though ~~sometimes I wanted to rip my hair out~~ it was stressful at times. Google docs, Inside Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings, Bride and Bloom magazines were my best friends during the planning process. My wonderful, talented, and beautiful bridesmaids were also always there for me and I really couldn't have done it without them!

I fell in love with the Maggie Sottero Sabelle wedding gown right after I got engaged. It sounds cliche, but as a little girl (and into adulthood) I wanted to look like a princess on my wedding day, and the Sabelle dress is exactly that, a princess dress.

I went to try it on, and absolutely loved it. I decided not to buy it that first time because I had 20 months until my big day and wanted to browse and try on others before making my decision. I cannot even tell you how many wedding dresses I tried on in the span of 16 months. Among my top picks was the Kenneth Pool Degas gown, a very different dress than the Sabelle. After trying on the Degas gown, I flirted with the idea of a more modern, clean, mermaid or drop waist gown which is a stark contrast to the Sabelle- a dress complete with every imaginable detail: crystals, lace, silk, rosettes, asymmetrical shape, a cathedral length train, and some pickups (which I usually abhor).

I purchased a Barbra Allin gown that was majorly discounted at a sample sale, with the hopes of altering it to fit the princessy style I'd always envisioned. I liked the dress, but I had hopes of reincarnating the blank canvas of a dress into something completely different. MAJOR mistake, ladies!

DO NOT buy a wedding dress under these circumstances, no matter how much the price is reduced.

In the end, to "fix" this dress would have cost me more than the dress itself.

12 weeks before my wedding, I bought the Maggie Sottero gown I had fallen in love with first.

{wiping my lipstick off my husband's face after our first kiss}

After my dress saga, the most important things I learned were:

-Buy the dress that you can't say no to and can't keep your mind off of.

-Only take one or two people dress shopping, those who know and understand your style.

-For women of all shapes and sizes: make sure there is support BUILT IN to your gown! As you can probably see, I am big busted. I did not wear a bra on my wedding day because 1. When the bra is not attached to the dress, you'll naturally have the urge to pull up one or the other. 2. I had lots of support built in to my dress, and did not need to wear a bra.

Fall Purchases and Wants

2011-09-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

Being that it is September first, I thought it would be appropriate to do a Fall post-despite the fact that it has been 90+ degrees here in California. I'm ready for fall already!

Fall Buys
People's Liberation for Charlotte Russe Tanya Red Skinny Jeans

Colored Jeans have been a hit this summer, and are huge for fall as well.

These were marked down to $29.99 from $94.99 which I thought was quite a steal. When the tag was scanned, the price came up as $0.99!!! With tax, I payed $1.08. major SCORE! Never in my life have I payed so little for clothes, not even for socks. Unfortunately these are sold out on Charlotte Russe's website.

Heart print blouse from H&M

Bath and Body Works Salty Caramel Wallflower

This is a new fall scent of Bath and Body Works'. I love it, however Creamy Nutmeg is my favorite but it won't be available until later in the fall.

Fall Wants

ASOS ACT Suede and Snake Effect Platform Boots

Snakeskin is all over the place for fall-check out Kim and Kourtney Kardashian both wearing Christian Louboutin snakeskin shoes.

Missoni for Target Scarves

I will be ordering these online as soon as the Missoni merchandise goes live on Target.com.

ASOS Leather Portfolio Clutch

What's on your wish list for fall?

Group Encounter

2011-08-23T16:28:00.000-07:00

One of my biggest beauty pet peeves is nail polish bubbling, as the only places I like bubbles are in champagne and the bathtub. Nail bubbles are not cute, and after dealing with them recently no matter what techniques I tried (not allowing a lot of air in the nail polish bottles, using a base and top coat, using a thin layer of each application, and the list goes on...) I decided to try a new base and top coat because I suspected that my old base and top coats were the culprits. Sure enough, I was right.

Behold my new favorite base and top coats:

Orly Bonder-$9

The best base coat ever, I love the "rubberized" texture that allows nail polish to grip onto your nails sans bubbles.

Out the Door Top Coat

I had heard great things about this top coat, as well as Seche Vite, but Seche Vite's reproductive harm warning was alarming and turned me off. I am very happy with my Out the Door purchase, this top coat is very fast drying and super shiny.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: Season 2

2011-08-01T22:31:00.000-07:00

My favorite housewives are coming back for round 2 of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on September 5th at 9 PM on Bravo and I couldn't be more excited! It seems as though we can expect quite a few changes (and no shortage of drama!) from season 1:

-2 new cast members will be joining: Dana Wilkey, who is apparently a good friend of Taylor's and Brandi Glanville, who is Eddie Cibrian's ex wife.

{Glanville &Wilke) photo c/o Access Hollywood

-Taylor opens up about her divorce

-Lisa deals with the harsh fallout with her "permanent houseguest", Cedric

Check out the season 2 trailer below:

Will you be watching?

Bachelorette Weekend in LA

2011-07-18T20:58:00.000-07:00

My bachelorette weekend was about two months ago and I figured I should start here before doing wedding posts. My maid of honor planned everything and kept me in the dark about everything but our destination (Los Angeles). She did an amazing job planning and organizing everything, from the car ride snacks to restaurants she knows I love or have always wanted to try.

Here is the PG version of the weekend...

We stayed in the gorgeous Hollywood Glamour bungalow at Villa Delle Stelle in West Hollywood

Shoe shot before our first night out

Delicious Coconut Creme Brulee at Geisha House

Blowouts at blo

I asked for a combination of "Holly would" and "hugs, sex, and rock and roll"

Drinks and dinner at Lexington Social House

Poison Ivy-best drink ever!

Dancing and an unexpected Maggie Berry fashion show at Supper Club

There was an amazing acrobat performing above us almost the whole night!

Miss J on the red carpet at Supper Club-pretty sure he was there for the fashion show

I met Jo from RHOC in the bathroom(!!) and she was super sweet. Please try to ignore the white rectangle, where I blocked the suggestive straw I had wedged in my dress :-/

Rooftop brunch at Barney Greengrass before heading back to the bay.

{Hair} Line I Love: Oribe

2011-07-15T13:49:00.000-07:00

I fell in love with Oribe's hair products about a year ago, when I switched hair stylists. Surprisingly, I had never heard of Oribe, who is a world renowned hair stylist who has worked with countless celebrities and has styled several Vogue covers, Victoria's Secret fashion shows, Fall 2011 Runway shows, and famous Chanel and Louis Vuitton editorial campaigns. He has been in the hair biz for 30+ years, and is known to have made Jennifer Lopez's hair as famous as it is since her first album cover.

{Completely obsessed with this hair}

There are so many reasons why I love Oribe's products. What first caught my eye was the glamorous, rich looking, sleek packaging. I was surprised to hear from my stylist that all of the packaging is made from recycled materials, and Oribe's products are all vegan, made from plant extracts, vegetable proteins and vitamins.

The first Oribe product I purchased was the Signature Moisture Masque, after finishing Aveda's Damage Remedy which honestly seemed to dry out my hair. The Moisture Masque is so luxurious from the look of the jar to the smell. It makes my hair SO soft, like it naturally was when I was 5. I did have to talk myself into purchasing the 5.9 oz jar for $60, but it was well worth it.

Since then I also bought the Ultra Rich conditioner to prevent myself from using the moisture masque every day, which I love. It detangles my hair and smells just as good as the moisture masque.

And after using the Royal Blowout spray for my wedding hair trial (and wedding), I had to pick up a bottle. It's super light and doesn't weigh my hair down, which is great because I LOVE big hair.

I also have the Dry Texturizing spray and the 24k Gold Pomade sitting in my amazon cart.

Read Rachel Zoe's review of the 24k Gold Pomade here.

Have any of you used Oribe's products? If so, which one(s) are your favorites?

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Review

2011-07-12T15:53:00.000-07:00

These are my newest obsession.

I'm not usually a fan of intricate nail art, but I found many of Sally Hansen Salon Effects strips to be wearable. The first ones I tried out were the multi-color glitter stickers in "Frock Star", which I wore during my Bachelorette weekend-they were perfectly appropriate for such an occasion.

Next I tried "Laced Up", the pattern I was most drawn to:

Today I applied "Bling It On":

Each box contains 16 nail strips with varying sizes to fit each nail, a mini file, buffer, and a cuticle stick. I ended up not needing the cuticle stick. The strips are very easy to apply and what's great about them is that you can shape them onto rounded or squared nails at almost any length.

Once applied to the nail, the remaining strip is easily filed off the nail with the mini file/buffer.

Ta Da!

The Salon Effects package claims that the nail strips last up to 10 days, which I've found to be true. I removed the "Frock Star" strips after 6 days since my wedding was one week after I had applied them but they would've held up at least another few days, and I kept the "Laced Up" strips on for almost two weeks!

I love that there is no dry time (also stated on the box), the strips are easy to remove with nail polish remover, and they do not contain any DPB, Toluene or Formaldehyde.

The one con for me is the price ($8.99 at Target), however they are significantly cheaper than Minx and last about as long.

Up next I'll be trying "Misbehaved"

What are your thoughts on Sally Hansen's Salon Effects? Which is your favorite Pattern?

Workout Playlist

2011-07-07T22:37:00.000-07:00

I go to the gym at least four days a week and always listen to music while I work out on my own (I go to group exercise classes a few times a week as well). Naturally my workout playlists get old after about two weeks, so I'm constantly removing and adding songs. Below is my current playlist {click to enlarge}. While it is certainly not all appropriate, it does keep me motivated! I am always looking for new workout music, so I would love to hear what's on your list. Please share in the comments!

Versace for H&M!

2011-06-21T13:38:00.000-07:00

Donatella Versace announced this morning that she'll be collaborating with H&M for not one but two separate collections, one to launch on November 17 of this year, and the next to debut as a pre-spring collection that will be available on January 19, 2012. Included in the collection(s) are menswear, womenswear, and homeware, which I'm REALLY excited about! If the homeware items are anything like the luxurious duds in Donatella's home (see photos below), they'll be sure to go fast.

As for the clothes, Vogue UK says to "expect leather and colourful prints for the girls; sharp tailoring and plenty of bling for the boys."

Sneak peek photos of the clothing collection:

Photo credit: huffingtonpost

I'm back...and MARRIED!

2011-05-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

I wanted to give you all a little peak of my wedding from Sunday. I am planning a huge wedding recap with all of the details + DIY projects once I get the professional photos, so look out for that in the near future!

Here we go...

Bridesmaid's bouquets

Chuppah flowers

Something blue

The cake-our vows were written on the top and bottom tiers

Alice in Wonderland Themed Baby Shower

2011-05-04T09:56:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to share with you all a baby shower I planned and designed last month for a wonderful friend. I had endless creative freedom, and knew that I didn't want to use any pastels or muted colors. Instead I aimed for whimsical touches, bright colors with an Alice in Wonderland/Mad Hatter theme.

My inspiration:

Photo Credit: http://www.hostessblog.com/

The below photos are from Taylor Armstrong's daughter's (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) birthday party, so they may look familiar to some of you!

I fell in love with the look of the stacked teacups and set out to find some at Goodwill. Luckily my local Goodwill had a ton, and I think I bought every single teacup in the store. Stacking and gluing them together was surprisingly very easy to do with a hot glue gun. Next up was the moss covered teapot. I desperately wanted to make one similar to the one pictured above, pouring rose petals into another moss covered teacup but I figured hanging fishing line or constructing something to hold the teapot up would be too difficult for a novice party planner...

Instead I used two teapots that I bought at Goodwill, foam balls cut in half from Michaels, and moss sheets from Michaels to create a similar look:

After cutting the foam balls in half, I simply applied glue from the glue gun to the ball and stuck pieces of the moss sheets to each half dome. From there, I hot glued the flat side of the dome to the teapots.

The finished Result of the teacup stack and moss covered teapot:

{Please ignore the mess in the background!}

I made several teacup "stacks" and placed them down the center of the table along with vases I covered in wrapping paper and ribbon from the Container Store, topped with silk roses.

The finished Result:

Next Up...my Bridal Shower! The same lovely friend whose baby shower I put together co-planned my Bridal Shower and I can't wait to show off what they did!

Wedding Bracelet

2011-03-23T22:16:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I went out to buy the bracelet I'd been eyeing for about a year to wear on my wedding day. I was hesitant because I knew it would be hard to find earrings that match, since I want glamorous, teardrop shaped earrings. I still haven't found the perfect pair but I went ahead and bought the bracelet anyway because I'd exhausted pretty much every department store I could think of, as well as local boutiques to find a comparable style, and I just could not stop thinking about it since I first saw it at Haute Bride in San Francisco.
Without further ado...The "Petit Glam B912" Bracelet:

If any of you have suggestions as to where to look for earrings, please let me know!

Inspired by: Rebecca Taylor

2011-03-15T23:40:00.000-07:00

First off, I hope you can forgive me for posting so sporadically here. I am planning on resuming regular blog posts asap, but with school ending and a wedding to plan, I have been SoOoOOOo busy.

Anyway, enough with the excuses....

Today I stopped into Target for some boring household items when I stumbled upon this dress which is almost identical to Rebecca Taylor's "red poppy" dress, skirt, and top(s).

The Target dress:

I'm excited to wear the dress once it starts warming up in CA, and I'm thrilled about the $25 price tag! Have any of you found some good finds at Target recently?

Favorite Drugstore Products

2011-02-08T23:35:00.000-08:00

Below are my favorite drugstore products, which are pretty much the only drugstore beauty products I use but absolutely swear by. I admit that I am a little bit of a designer brand snob. I am really interested to hear what your favorite drugstore products are, so please share yours with me!

Buy on Amazon

I use Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser for shaving, in place of shaving cream. After years of dealing with razor burn and ingrown hairs, I've finally gotten a system down for avoiding such problems. I've tried pretty much every shaving cream out there, from drugstore brands to fancy $50 products. Once I tried this cleanser, I never looked back! Some major factors that I believe make this product work with shaving are: it's fragrance free, non-comedogenic (most shaving creams are not), and it does not disturb the skin's natural pH balance.

Buy at Walgreens

Again, I've used so many different types of razors and none have worked for me...until I tried the cheapest of them all: Bic's sensitive razors. The key with these are that they do not have that "moisturizing strip" that most razors have above the blade. I only use these one time, so they do tend to add up.

Buy at buy.com

While I use non-drugstore shampoos and conditioners regularly, this is the only clarifying shampoo I use. I've been using Suave's daily clarifying shampoo for about 10 years! I use it when my hair feels heavy and a regular shampoo won't get all the buildup out. I hate it when I wash my hair and then when I dry it, it looks and feels dirty! This shampoo fixes that problem and makes your hair feel squeaky clean.

Buy on Amazon

I just discovered these scunci evolution hair bands during a recent trip to Target. Love. They are "ouchless" and do an amazing job at holding your hair in place. I never have to fix a ponytail at the gym or a bun when I wear one of these, and I have very thick, long hair.

Buy at Walgreens

Without Aquaphor's Healing Ointment I don't know what I'd do! I'm pretty sure I suffer from Psoriasis on my scalp and forehead (going to the dermatologist this week to confirm) and nothing pacifies the dry skin on my forehead like this stuff. It definitely doesn't treat the problem, but it's a world of help. If I don't put it on before I go to bed, my skin is a peeling hot mess in the morning even with my daytime moisturizer. I definitely recommend this to anyone who has extremely dry skin, or just some dry patches.

Buy on Amazon

I've been using the Demi 120 Ardell Lashes since high school and swear by them, over MAC lashes and other drugstore brands. Ardell lashes are very thin, so they're easy to apply and they look natural.

Buy at Target

To apply the lashes, I use Duo eyelash adhesive. Trust me when I say your lashes will not go anywhere. I've really tested this stuff in crazy HIGH wind weather...it must have been a hilarious scene to watch this girl covering her eyes with one hand and weave with the other!

Golden Globes Red Carpet Favorites

2011-01-16T22:43:00.000-08:00

Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive

Olivia Wilde in Marchesa

Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang

Angelina Jolie in Versace

Eva Longoria in Zac Posen

January Jones in Versace

Lea Michelle in Oscar De La Renta

What were your favorites (and misses) from tonight's Golden Globes red carpet?

Decade Influences on Resort 2011 Runways

2010-12-30T18:49:00.000-08:00

Resort 2011 Runways were sprinkled with 60's and 70's inspiration, with the 60's garments having graphic prints, polka dots, and Jackie-O style, and the 70's with palettes in golden tones, vintage, and ethnic patterns which resulted in a casual elegance. Below are some of my favorites from each category.

Alice And Olivia

Christian Dior

Salvatore Ferragamo

Chanel

Balenciaga

Which style appeals most to you?

*All photos are from style.com

Our Wedding: The Save The Dates

2010-12-17T12:38:00.000-08:00

Now that all of our Save The Dates are sent out, I can finally showcase them here. I am lucky to have my dad, who is a graphic designer and owns a family business print shop design these exactly how I wanted them. I knew I wanted something different from the norm, and after looking through hundreds of designs, I chose to use Vera Wang's crown emblem that she uses as caps to her perfumes so that we were able to include the royal theme of our wedding onto the Save The Dates.

The fonts used were Weiss and Balmoral (for our names), all of the text & crown was printed letterpress.

I knew I wanted to use a heart in another area to match the one within the crown without being too cheesy, and embossing it was the perfect way (IMO) to do so without it being over the top.

After I selected the design, my dad added a custom monogram to the metallic gold crown.

For soon to be brides: make sure you order extra envelopes and invitations/Save The Dates "just in case" and for keepsakes.

Ga Ga For Gingham

2010-12-01T23:31:00.000-08:00

Gingham was all over the Resort 2011 Chanel Runway, it reminds me so much of Barbie...LOVE. I know that gingham will be big this spring/summer, and I've included one "look for less" item at the end of this post.

{Chanel}

...and because I couldn't resist, this gorgeousness from Christian Louboutin's Resort 2011 Line:

{The Look For Less}

Forever 21 checkered Longline shirt

Will you be partaking in the gingham trend this spring/summer?

Gift Guide Part 1

2010-11-23T17:58:00.000-08:00

For a fashion lover, or virtually any woman, a Rent The Runway gift card is the perfect gift. *hint hint* *wink wink*

A little about RTR:

A RTR giftcard is so great because it allows your recipient to choose whatever they want to wear, eliminating any judgements that have to be made about someone's personal style, size etc.

Click Here to read my review of RTR

Saddle Up

2010-11-19T09:01:00.000-08:00

I am loving Riding Boots for F/W this year, they are so versatile and chic. I'm over the slouchy-boot look and really liking the clean, sleek look of equestrian style boots.

Lauren Conrad wearing Chloe boots

Kourtney Kardashian wearing Chanel boots

Here are some affordable options...

1. Aigle Jumping Boots

2. Kohls Elle Over The Knee Riding Boots

3. Juicy Couture Cadley Riding Boots

4. Banana Republic Roman Equestrian Rain Boots

Lavish & Fabulous

2010-11-16T18:32:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday (Veterans Day) I had the pleasure of attending a beautiful wedding event in Sacramento; Lavish and Fabulous at Arden Hills. The event featured several vignettes and tablescapes set to inspire. Although I have my wedding decor pretty much all planned, I did steal some *fabulous* ideas from the event. If you're a bride who need ideas, or just love interior design, you'll love the photos below...

{Entry Way}

There were two harpists playing as we entered into the first room

Future SIL and I

{Moulin Rouge}

Each vignette included a dress to match the theme, this one was my favorite!

This Table was covered in real roses and various other pink flowers, with raised glass place settings. I am considering stealing this idea...

{Spanish Eyes}

{Urban Cowboy}

{Heavy Metal}

{All you need is Love}

{Havana Nights}

Havana Nights was a lounge area with a coffee and cigar bar

and there you have it!

*I'm kicking myself now for not taking photos of ALL the beautiful dresses!

Resort Wear 2011: Pink

2010-10-24T17:00:00.000-07:00

Pink was all over the Runways in Resort Collections for 2011, which makes me so happy. Pink is my favorite color and if I could, I would paint my house pink. Unfortunately, that wouldn't fly with the fiance.
Here are some of my favorite pink runway looks:

Christian Dior

Giambattista Valli

Monique Lhullier

Carolina Herrera

Christian Dior

As you may be able to tell, Christian Dior was my favorite of all the Resort wear Runway shows. I will be doing a separate post on that because I loved every single item from the show.

Runway to Real Way:

1. D & G Satin Crepe Wrap Dress

2. John Lewis Cashmere Coat

3. Black Halo Dress

4. Bird by Juicy Couture Cardigan

5. Pink Chanel Flap Classic

6. Christian Louboutin Declic Glitter Pumps

7. Diane Von Furstenberg Pink Luggage

8. Michael Kors Pink Aviators

Word of advice: Don't go overboard with wearing pink, always add a neutral color like black to your outfit so you don't look like a walking cupcake!

Rent The Runway

2010-10-24T00:04:00.000-07:00

I had been wanting an excuse to try out renting a designer dress from Rent The Runway since the company debuted, and last month I had the perfect opportunity; one of my dearest friends got married in the beautiful Napa Valley, and I knew I wanted a long dress to wear to the wedding since I don't usually get the opportunity to get decked out in long gowns! I ordered my dress about two weeks prior to the wedding, where I was asked to select an arrival date. Once I chose the date, Rent The Runway's calendar application automatically told me when I had to send the dress back. You have the option of renting for 4 or 8 days. What I love most about Rent The Runway is that they will send you the same item in another size (of your choice) for FREE just in case. When my package arrived, I was so excited to open it up and try my dress(es) on! I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the package and had FOUR dresses (all the same, in different sizes). I'm pretty sure this was because the dress I chose was floor length and they sent me my two sizes in addition to the same sizing with "regular" and "long" lengths. Each dress came in it's own garment bag (for me to keep), return labels for free shipping via USPS, and a cute little bag of Hollywood fashion tape, a foam sheet, and lint removing sheets.
The dress I rented was by Mark and James by Badgley Mischka, which retails for $550. I rented it for $75.
Unfortunately I didn't get any photos of myself (full body) in the dress, but below is one that I got of the upper half.

Sending the dress back was SO easy, I just slapped the label on the ready-to-go box and dropped it in the mailbox @ USPS. I will definitely be renting more dresses, especially for my wedding festivities this Spring!
Click Here to Sign Up for free!

Sweater Dresses

2010-10-10T00:44:00.000-07:00

It's finally time for Pumpkin Spice Latte's, Halloween decorations, color change in the leaves, and crisp cool air (albeit not quite yet in Northern California). As you may be able to assume, Fall is my favorite season for several reasons, especially for my love of fall clothes. This fall/winter I am planning on stocking up on sweater dresses. They are so easy to throw on with leggings and boots while still looking put together. Below are some sweater dresses from the Runway @ F/W New York Fashion week 2010, followed by my top picks.

DKNY

Halston

Rag and Bone

*Photo credit: google images

Theory Cutaway Sweater Dress

Bird by Juicy Couture Puff Sleeve Sweater Dress

Bop Basics V Neck Sweater Dress

L.A.M.B. Cowl Neck Sweater Dress

Mossimo (Target) Turtleneck Sweaterdress

Look For Less: Leather Mini Skirt

2010-09-29T22:15:00.000-07:00

Leather jackets, vests, pants, and skirts are hot for F/W this year and I love it! One of my favorite shows from fashion week that featured lots of leather was Jen Kao. Her pieces are rocker-chic while still embracing pretty, feminine details.

and the look for less:

Top:Alice and Olivia Skirt, $395
Bottom: H&M Faux Leather Skirt, $24.99

Are you ladies into leather this fall? If so, what leather items will you be buying?

Hanging Glass Votive Holders

2010-09-16T17:01:00.000-07:00

photo credit: google

As I move forward in planning my wedding, I've been gathering all kinds of unique decor ideas. My latest purchase was for these glass hanging votive candle holders. They are so stunning and versatile. You can put tealight candles in them and hang them from trees, the ceiling, or centerpieces. In addition, you could also put colored water in them to match your wedding color(s) and add a flower to float. My plan is to put crystals in the bottom and add a little flower on top and hang them from the trees in our ceremony location, as well as hanging them from the centerpiece on the placecard table.
These will work best in a contemporary/modern setting, but can certainly be used to compliment vintage and rustic weddings as well. They are a great alternative to regular candle-holders because they're unique and unexpected!

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

2010-09-11T23:23:00.000-07:00

The time has {almost} come for the premier of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and I couldn't be more excited. Unlike most of the other Housewives from other cities, the Beverly Hills Housewives are for the most part more well known and are extremely wealthy.
Here's the rundown of the cast:
Kyle Richards: Paris Hilton's aunt who is married to a wealthy realtor
Kim Richards: Paris Hilton's aunt and Kyle's sister. She's been in a few movies and in this first season of RHBH we'll see her and her sister feud.
Lisa Vanderpump: Just hearing her name makes me think "pornstar"; Lisa owns two restaurants and has two kids, one of which is named Pandora.
Adrienne Maloof: I was happy to hear that Adrienne Maloof is part of the cast because I grew up hearing the Maloof family name as her family owns the Sacramento Kings (my hometown basketball team!, she is married to a plastic surgeon.
Taylor Armstrong: Taylor is from the midwest and has a four year old daughter. In the show, you'll see her throw her child a $50,000 Birthday party.
Camille Grammer: Kelsey Grammar's soon to be ex-wife.

The first season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills will begin on October 14. Will you be watching?

LANVIN for H&M

2010-09-02T07:19:00.000-07:00

When I woke up this morning, I found out the most amazing news...Lanvin is doing a line for H&M! I'm most excited about this release above all other designer-for-retail-store mass releases. Lanvin pieces grace the red carpet regularly and is truly a luxury brand, which I love, love, love. The line will be released at H&M on November 23 of this year. Lanvin's mastermind designer, Alber Elbaz gave the following statements: "I have a problem to do a collection that is a secondary line. I mean, you don't want to be the stepsister. You want to be Cinderella. Show me one girl who wants to be the stepsister." He later explained his collection for H&M, saying "H&M approached us to collaborate, and see if we could translate the dream we created at Lanvin to a wider audience, not just a dress for less. I have said in the past that I would never do a mass-market collection, but what intrigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury rather than Lanvin going public."

Are you as excited as I am? I can't wait to see a lookbook for the collection and will be sure to post it as soon as it releases to the public!

Fall 2010 Fashion Report: Leopard

2010-08-23T23:23:00.000-07:00

The Animal print clothing and accessories trend has been around for quite awhile, but the Fall/Winter 2010 runways were chalk full of leopard prints, more than ever before. See below for a few runway looks...

From Left To Right: Philip Lim, Dolce and Gabbana, Oscar De La Renta

From Left to Right: Blumarine, Moschino, Balmain

Here are my favorite leopard pieces for fall:

Diane Von Furstenberg Della Dress

Rebecca Taylor Cashmere Leopard Print Sweater

J Crew Leopard Patent Belt

Asos Leopard Drop Waist Shift Dress

I love mixing different prints with leopard accessories, over the summer I've been big on floral dresses with my J Crew leopard belt around my waist. What are your opinions on mixing prints and the animal print craze for Fall/Winter 2010?

Get The Look: Carrie in Sex and The City II

2010-08-20T00:37:00.000-07:00

T-Shirt: T by Alexander Wang

BCBG Ruffle Hem Skirt

Colada01 Pumps

Home Inspiration

2010-08-10T19:01:00.000-07:00

I have HUNDREDS of home inspiration photos loaded into a folder on my laptop and have been obssesed lately with collecting them because my fiance and I are starting to look to buy our first home. My decorating style is modern with an Old Hollywood twist. Below are my favorite inspirational photos taken from various magazines, books, and blogs.

Christina Aguilera's desk and inspiration board

Christina Aguilera's bedroom

Boulangerie Hotel in Paris

Paris Hilton's Entryway designed my Faye Resnick

Paris Hilton's Dining Room designed by Faye Resnick

Paris Hilton's Bedroom designed by Faye Resnick

Barbie's Bedroom designed by Jonathan Adler

Nicky Hilton's Bedroom designed by Faye Resnick

Kim Kardashian's Guest Bedroom

*Photo credits: Faye Resnick

Instyle

others unknown

The Look For Less: Sequined Sweatshirt

2010-08-04T00:55:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth and James Sequined Sweatshirt, $365

J Crew Sequin Studio Sweatshirt, $168

Fall 2010 Fashion: Army Green

2010-08-03T12:01:00.000-07:00

Military influences are back again for Fall 2010, a trend I wasn't so hot on at first but now I can't get enough of Olive-green utility pieces. See below for Runway examples of this trend from the Fall 2010 Runway and then my own take on the trend.

Eryn Brinie

William Rast

Marc Jacobs
...and how I would style olive hued clothing...

Are you guys loving or hating this trend?

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self Tanner Review

2010-07-29T19:43:00.000-07:00

I'm a sucker for buying different self-tanners although I usually try and stay away from drugstore self-tanners because they tend to be orange-y and streaky, leaving me looking like I have a skin disease. *note: I have had the same experience with some high-end brands as well! I'd heard lots of good things about L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self Tanner and decided to try it. I am so impressed with how easy is is to apply: you can see the gel go on as it is already a bronze-y color. After a couple hours I had a very even tan that looked more like I had been out in the sun {brown} rather than slathering myself with a self-tanner {orange}. It has been 3 days since I've applied the tanner and it still looks great with no splotchy-ness. One downside: I got a really bad breakout on my chin, which could be attributed to something else (I'm thinking maybe constant diet coke consumption if not the self-tanner). I normally have clear skin and rarely break out. My word of advice to anyone who tries it is not to use it on your face just in case.
What is your favorite self tanner? Do you usually apply it to your face?

Blog Sale

2010-07-21T03:15:00.000-07:00

It's time for another blog sale! Like usual, please e-mail me at allgussiedupblog@gmail.com with the item you want and I will send a paypal invoice including shipping cost, which is $5. Each item will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.

Jessica Simpson Black Platform heels size 10: Retail: $80, bought for $50, worn once. Selling Price: $30

Jessica Simpson nude heels, size 10, worn once. retail: $80, bought for $50, selling price: $30

Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder, used once. Retail is $32.50, selling for $15

Sex and The City 2 Interior Design: Where to purchase and Look For Less

2010-07-19T00:17:00.000-07:00

I've scoured the internet and found several of the original items as seen in Carrie and Big's apartment as well as a couple cheaper options. If anyone has a specific request for a certain item, let me know and I will try and find it for you!

Lee Jofa Belgravia Fabric-Price upon request

Lindsey Adelman Chandelier, same as in movie, retail is $15,360

Bed Bath and Beyond Abra Vanity Mirror, $192

Katie Ridder Oiseau 500-01 Cream Wallpaper

The Rug Company Candy Flower by Marni Rug, Price Upon Request

and the look for less:

World Market Natural and Pink Rug, $179

Zatista "Creamsickle" Painting, $900

Interior Design: Carrie and Big's Apartment in Sex and the City 2

2010-07-11T22:53:00.000-07:00

In Sex and The City 2, Carrie proclaims that she's been "cheating on fashion for furniture", which is apparent in her and Big's NYC apartment in the sequel. I fell in love with every room and admire the use of several different textures, patterns, and colors.
Onto the tour...

Up next...I will be doing a "where to buy" and "look for less" for several pieces in the apartment, stay tuned!

Celebrity Look For Less

2010-07-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

Kim Kardashian in Torn by Ronny Kobo (Unable to find this top for sale online)

Forever 21 Glam Studded Top, $22.80

Blog Sale:Hair Products

2010-06-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

Please e-mail me at Allgussiedupblog@gmail.com if interested in any of the below items. Please provide your paypal e-mail address and I will send you an invoice with shipping included-$3

Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo & Conditioner, used twice (both are practically full) both 8.5 oz, $20 for both or $12 separately
Retail: $40 for both

From Moroccanoil website:

• Color Safe
• Restores Moisture
• Keratin Enriched
• Sulfate, Phosphate and Paraben Free

Bumble and Bumble curl conscious reactivating mist, 8.5 oz Brand new-$15
Retail: $22

From Bumble and Bumble's website:

Reawaken soft waves or tame hyperactive curls - perfect for mid-morning touchups (and evening revivals).

Who: For all curl types looking to refresh curls throughout the day.

When: Mist anytime throughout the day to tidy and refresh curls (use last when layering with other products).

How: Mist from roots to ends on dry, styled hair (anytime).

Frederic Fekkai Full Volume Instant Root Lifting Spray, never used-$10
Retail: $20

Frederic Fekkai's Full Volume Instant Root Lifting Spray is heat activated styling spray which creates instant fullness and lift at the roots.
Yarrow, oak root, kukui, and cherry bark nourish and condition the hair while Pro Vitamin B5 and wheat protein protect from the over-drying heat of a blow-dryer.
Directions:
Apply to towel-dried hair before blow-drying paying extra attention to the roots.

New Blog Design

2010-06-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

I'm currently in the process of re-designing my blog (by myself!) so it will probably take me a couple days to complete--I am keeping the blog open but just be aware that it's going to look jacked up the next 48 hours or so!

♥ Lynn

Hair Inspiration

2010-06-15T22:20:00.000-07:00

I was blessed with a head of super thick, wavy hair and when I went to get some layers a couple months back, I came out with a mullet. Like one (yes, just ONE) layer that was ear-length and then the rest of my hair hit mid-back. With my thick hair this just looks awful. It takes almost an hour to make my hair look decent, but it looks very contrived, especially after spraying it with ten pounds of hair spray! The cut was right before the craziness of midterms, and then finals, so since I barely had time to even shower, I did not get my hair fixed. I am thrilled that I think I have found my wedding stylist who I am going to next week to get the layers blended and to figure out hair color for my wedding. As you can see in the photos below, Kate Beckinsale is one of my hair idols. She always looks put together without looking like she tried too hard. When I saw her on a shopping trip awhile back, I was in awe of how naturally beautiful she is! Here are some photos I've kept in a "hair" folder on my laptop of beautiful hair; some of which I will bringing to my appointment next week. I will keep you guys updated on how it turns out!

My Week in iPhone Photos

2010-06-03T10:05:00.000-07:00

I saw these amazing, humongous cupcakes at The Malibu Country Mart. The photos don't do them any justice, they were the size of a small cake!

Beautiful day at the beach in Malibu. Each time I go to So. Cal I always have to go to Malibu. It was 85 degrees the day we went, perfect for spending the day at the beach.

The reason I went to LA was for a sample sale at Winnie Couture , but I was not successful there. I did find my dress at another store, which I am super excited about!! I am super picky about beading and details, so I bought a dress that does not have any beading and I am going to have the beading portions of the dress custom made. Unfortunately it won't be until next May that I get to share it on my blog. =(

Just doing a little house shopping....

The Truth About Sunscreen

2010-06-01T19:39:00.000-07:00

With summer rapidly approaching and a need for a new bottle of sunscreen, I went to research products and a rumor I've been hearing over the last several months about the safety of sunscreen. What I found out is horrifying and I think it is SO important that I share with everyone who reads my blog.

In simplified terms, most sunscreens on the market are harmful to your health for a couple reasons. First, most contain cancer causing chemicals. Secondly, sunscreen depletes the body of Vitamin D, which can slash all forms of cancer by 77%. One article I read states: "Scientific evidence shows quite clearly that sunscreen promotes cancer by blocking the body's absorption of ultraviolet radiation, which produces Vitamin D in the skin."

The carcinogenic products in sunscreen have never never been tested or approved by the FDA. As a side note, I took a pharmacology course recently and learned that many drugs are never tested by the FDA, but they pay the FDA to write them off. I believe that this is the truth regarding sunscreen products.

The chemicals that are proven to be harmful when absorbed into the skin include:

Benzophenone-3 or Oxybenzone: These are both free radical generators activated by ultraviolet light. Free radicals can initiate reactions and lead to melanoma and other skin cancers.

Triethanolamine (TEA): his ingredient may combine with nitrite (used as a preservative or may be present as an environmental contaminant) to cause formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines. Nitrites are not disclosed on cosmetic labels so there's no way of telling which products are contaminated with nitrosamines. Particularly disturbing is that up to 35 percent of TEA applied to the skin can enter the bloodstream.

Titanium Dioxide: has the ability to cause DNA damage in human cells and there is concern that it may be carcinogenic.

The Good:

Zinc Oxide: Zinc oxide is a mineral that provides complete UVB/UVA protection, has anti-inflammatory properties, and is considered a safe sunscreen ingredient. However, the regular form of zinc oxide leaves a strong white residue on the skin. To create a clear skin product rather than one that leaves a white residue, zinc oxide is now made in the form of nano-size particles. There is growing concern about the toxicity of nanoparticles, which has initiated a world-wide effort to study the skin absorption and phototoxicity of nanoparticles of preparations used in sunscreens and cosmetics.

From here, I felt helpless but found a few brands of sunscreen that did not contain the harmful products normally used in mainstream products; I ultimately chose to order a sunscreen from Kabana Skincare.

In addition to ordering sunscreen, I felt it was extremely important to buy some Vitamin D capsules as well.

To read more about sunscreen safety, click here or here
*Update: Check out EWG's website for more information and help with picking out the right sun care products for you.

Home Inspiration: Closet Edition

2010-05-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

Paris Hilton's Closet: LOVE the mirrored island and pink!

*These photos have accumulated in an "inspiration" folder on my computer and I do not remember where I got each. If you own one of the above photos, please e-mail me and I will add a photo credit(s) or remove your photo.

Beverly Hills, That's Where I Want to Be...

2010-05-26T19:37:00.000-07:00

As of tomorrow afternoon, I will be en route to Beverly Hills with my maid of honor for a bridal sample sale. I am super excited; it's been waaay too long since I've had my fix of being in So. Cal. Yes, I know I am crazy for going on a road trip during Memorial Day weekend...but 75% off bridal gowns is totally worth it (in my opinion.)

Hopefully I will come home with my wedding dress!!

I've scheduled blog posts for the weekend while I'm gone, and you can also keep up with me on Twitter.

Red Carpet Fashion: Draping

2010-05-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

A huge trend right now on the red carpet is draping. I love this look; it's very Grecian, feminine and pretty, and adds some detail to otherwise plain pieces. Below are a few red carpet looks, and below are more casual, every day drapey dresses that are inspired by the gorgeous red carpet gowns.

Anna Kendrick in Elie Saab

Christina Applegate in Roberto Cavalli

Demi Moore in Atelier Versace

Juicy Couture Dress

Black Halo Dress-On sale!

C&C California Dress

Mink Pink Dress

Wedding Inspiration

2010-05-21T23:03:00.000-07:00

I love, love this cake. It's so unique because the couple's vows are written in frosting on the top tier. I love finding unique, personalized details for weddings--I have a folder full of little details like the above photo.

The above photo is inspiration for our furniture rental at the reception. I changed the wedding colors for the billionth time...now they are gold, white, and pink.

I'm finalizing my Save the Dates and Invitations and can't wait to share them on my blog. Hopefully I will have them up in about a month!

Problem Skin Part I

2010-05-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

For years I've struggled with super dry scalp (other details I will spare you) and have tried so many different products to fix the problem, I've gone to a dermatologist who told me to try something that did not work. So, I did some research of my own and discovered that I have Psoriasis. Thankfully only my scalp is affected, although I have super dry skin as well.
Here is a description of scalp Psoriasis:
Psoriasis is a noncontagious, genetic disease of the
immune system affecting the skin and/or the joints.
According to the National Institutes of Health, as
many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. The
most common form, plaque psoriasis, results in raised,
red lesions covered by silvery white scale. Psoriasis can
be limited to a few lesions or can involve moderate to
large areas of skin.
Scalp psoriasis can be very mild, with slight, fine
scaling. It can also be very severe with thick, crusted
plaques covering the entire scalp. Psoriasis can extend
beyond the hairline onto the forehead, the back of the
neck and around the ears.

There are several products that are available to treat Psoriasis, below are the common ingredients:

Salycic Acid: Salicylic acid is approved by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), it softens
scale and makes it easier to remove. It can be used in
combination with tar or other products. Its popular
nickname is “sal acid,” and you will find it both in
over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription products,
mostly in over-the-counter shampoos and soaps.

Tar
Although tars have been classically used to treat psoriasis,
they offer an effective therapy option in treating dandruff as well.
Problems with staining, odor, and messiness in its application
make tar a second-line therapy for most patients.
Tar gelscontain coal tar extract, and they are generally less
messy and smelly than tar itself. Tar shampoos work through
antiproliferative and cytostatic effects, although definitive analy-
ses are difficult because of the large number of biologically
active components in coal tar products. Tar products disperse
scales, which reduce Malassezia (yeasts;high rate of cell turnover) colonization. I've tried Neutrogena's T-Gel which contains 2% Tar extract and it did not help much.

Zinc
It is thought that zinc pyrithione (ZPT) heals the scalp by nor-
malizing epithelial keratinization, sebum production, or both.
Some studies have also shown a significant reduction in the
numbers of yeast organisms after the application of zinc
pyrithione. (I used Pureology's Scalp Cure shampoo (which is 2% Zinc pyrithione) and conditioner for about a year and while I did see a bit of a difference, I still had extreme problems with Psoriasis of the scalp).

What I found while researching treatments was that it's very effective to use a shampoo that has a combination in high percentages of the above ingredients. In other words, drugstore products do not do the trick.
I ordered a shampoo called X-Seb T Plus online for $25, which contains 10% Coal Tar Extract and 3% Salycic Acid. LOVE IT. No more Psoriasis (however it needs to be used continually, otherwise it will return).
When I recived it in the mail, I was alarmed to see that the label said: "Warning: this product contains ingredients known to cause cancer."
...Back I went to doing research...
What I found is that a major concern of many people considering coal tar as a psoriasis therapy is cancer. While occupational exposure to coal tar (miners, asphalt workers, or chimneysweeps for example) may be responsible for some lung, skin, and scrotal cancers, no relationship between even high therapeutic dosages of coal tar for psoriasis and any form of cancer had been established. Some 25-year-long studies have found no increase in any form of cancer over what would be expected without coal tar. HOWEVER, coal tar IS a photosensitzer, which means it makes the skin more sensitive to sun. So if you are planning on using a product that contains coal tar, make sure you wear hair sunscreen or protect your scalp by wearing a hat.

I hope this has been helpful to some of you. Please let me know in the comments or e-mail if any of you have questions.I thought it would be a good thing to share since I spent hours digging for answers for this problem!

A New Name

2010-05-12T19:06:00.000-07:00

I'd been thinking about changing my blog's name for a long time, but couldn't think of anything until today when I thought up "All Gussied Up"...which I think is funny and describes me quite well. Ever since I started wearing makeup (about 10 years old--and it was BAD), my dad would say (and still does), "What are you all gussied up for?!" So the phrase stuck with me and I thought it would be perfect for the blog.
Here's Urban Dictionary's definition:
Something gussied up has been made more attractive, but in a showy or gimmicky way, so it’s often not intended to be a compliment. It can also refer to dressing in one’s finery for some special occasion, when it is intended to be taken more straightforwardly. It is usually considered to be an American expression, dating from the late 1930s or thereabouts.

My blog header and design will shortly change as well...

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T00:34:00.000-07:00

*my mom and I the day I was born circa 1987

Recent Purchases

2010-05-05T19:27:00.000-07:00

I ordered this XOXO dress (inspired by Carrie's dress in Sex and The City 2, pictured below) last week and am still awaiting its arrival. I was worried because it was in my shopping cart at xoxo.com, then a couple days later I went to pay for it and it was sold out. Luckily Macy's still had it in stock and I ordered it there. Click Here To Buy

Tory Burch Revas in Gold--Got these on ebay for $90!
I was BEYOND excited when I saw these on The Look For Less because I had been wanting the Valentino version (pictured below) but did not want to pay the price. Click Here To Buy Valentino Bow Wedges

My Week in Photos

2010-04-29T21:43:00.000-07:00

I got the idea from Tiffany to start posting iphone photos from the week so you all can get to know me on a more personal level, and so I can remember everything I do in an organized manner. Please let me know if you hate (or love) this idea...
I figure it's also a way to enforce the "one a day/project 365" rule I'm trying to live by this year.

First up are some practice engagement photos that my friend took of Chris and I in San Francisco over the weekend. These were taken at the Legion of Honor; when we arrived we saw four brides being photographed! If you look closely you might be able to see one in the background.

...Onto the iphone photos...
I was sitting in class dreaming of going outside. Such beautiful weather.
@ Kobe Japan in Pleasant Hill

Minx Nails

2010-04-26T18:39:00.000-07:00

I'd been wanting to try Minx for months and last week I found a salon close to me that does them. I had no idea how they were applied or anything about them beforehand (except they look really cool!) so I'm going to give you all the low-down on how they work.
When I got there, I picked out the gold minx (from lots of different colors and patterns). They come as nail-size strips adhered to a piece of special paper and are activated by heat. The nail technician put them under a heat lamp and asked me to put my nails under it, too (verrrry hot and when it got painful I took my hand out from under the heat). Once she peeled the minx from the paper, she smoothed it on over my nails and cut it down to my nail length and held it, again, under heat to seal them on.
I love the way they look but I'm starting to get annoyed because the minx will start peeling back from the top of the nails. It's been 5 days now since I've had the minx on and they still look great (probably because I'm paranoid about messing them up) but I can feel them snag on things. For $40-$50 I don't think they're worth it unless it's for a special occasion. I'm missing my regular, painted nails that are smooth right about now, but I'm going to keep the minx on as long as they stay on. Have any of you tried Minx? What was your experience like?
Those of you that read my blog regularly may have noticed that I have a different ring on my finger--I exchanged my radiant cut engagement ring for a round Tiffany with a Platinum band a couple months ago.

Living in The Lap of Luxury

2010-04-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

I LOVE anything and everything luxury, it defines my style and if I had the money I would give into it. I know the things listed below are extremely gaudy and gratuitous but that doesn't stop me from wanting and loving the opulence!
Pictured on the left: Chocolate cake covered with edible gold. Pictured on the right: Champagne with edible gold flakes. This gave me an idea I will probably be using for my wedding. I'm looking into ordering edible gold to put in champagne and other various cocktails. Fortune Small Business Magazine named edible gold leaf the most expensive food. One pound costs $75,000. The cheaper option is to buy small (sand like) 23k edible gold in a shaker, which retails for about $30. My Grandmother's sister used to use edible gold when she entertained, maybe that's where I get it?
This Macbook pro was blinged out by Stuart Hughes. He is famous for blinging electronics including iphones, game consoles, and televisions. See below for more Stuart Hughes designs! This Macbook is all platinum, and the Apple logo is encrusted with 53 'IF' Flawless diamonds, for a total of 22.5 carats. If you want to buy it, it will burn $209,000 in your pocket.
Ooooh how I wish I owned this TV. Another design by Stuart Hughes. It is the most expensive television set in the world at $2,250,000.00 The PrestigeHD Supreme Rose Edition is has screen size of 55 inches and covered with 28 kilograms of solid 18ct rose gold. The entire frame of the is adorned with 72 flawless IF diamonds.

You're looking at one of the most expensive mattresses in the world. The Gold Mattress is made byMagniflex and has 22-carat gold yarn cover and features the company’s patented Memoform Core, which adapts to the shape of the body with up to 85 percent accuracy. Magniflex says the physical properties of gold makes the mattress anti-bacteria, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress and anti-dust mite and odor-free. It sells for $24,000 and comes with matching gold pillows, priced at $1,000 each.
For $3.2 Million, you can own this gold and diamond 3GS iphone. It has been named the most expensive cell phone in the world. The phone itself is made entirely of 271 grams of 22 carat high grade gold, with the front panel consisting of an astounding 68 carats of 136 flawless diamonds and the navigation button on the iPhone 3GS Supreme is composed of a single rare 7.1 carat diamond.
PS3 by Stuart Hughes, 2,500 grams of solid gold!

Here is another design by Stuart. A Wii made of gold and encrusted with 78 diamonds. Retail is $487,000.00. Here is a similar look to Stuart Hughes' iphone 3GS design for a cheaper price. It is called Royal Crown iPhone Case and is studded with swarovski crystals. Retail is $180.00.
I first saw these "Sweet Dreams Beds" on Kimora Lee Simmons' show Life in the Fab Lane, and wanted to look them up to see how much they cost. Obviously this bed is a child's bed...Here's the description from poshtots.com: "Imagine your little princess sliding down this slide in her best ball gown! This beautiful Princess Palace Bed features custom hand turned spindles, custom fiberglass fabricated curved slide, custom made spiral staircase, and so much more. The grand spiral staircase leads to a balcony complete with pink turrets." I asked Chris if we could make one of these for our child(ren) when we have them because the cost would be in the hundreds as opposed to a whopping $50,000 to order.

Candy Colored Eyebrows

2010-04-16T23:19:00.001-07:00

While at the gym tonight, I read the new issue of Allure and this trend featured really caught my eye. At the Fall 2010 Balenciaga fashion show, the models wore colorful hues on their eyebrows. Pat McGrath was the makeup artist who created the look by bleaching the models' eyebrows and then covered them with grease paints. McGrath's explanation: "I just thought about the playfulness and the fact that it was like children's toys and I was thinking 'where can I put it, the eyes are kind of boring, so do it on the brows."
I wouldn't pull this look except maybe for Halloween, but I do think it's fun and very creative! What do you guys think?

Zac Posen For Target: April 25

2010-04-12T08:41:00.000-07:00

I have been eagerly awaiting this collection to arrive at Target, there are a few items that are high on my wish list. I think I'll order them online since I have a feeling several pieces from Zac Posen's collection for Target will sell out quick...

Which items are you loving...or not loving?

Mini Blog Sale: Kain Pocket Tee

2010-04-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

Up for sale is this Kain Label Pocket Tee for $30 OBO. Color: Lilac. Retail is $85. I got this Tee on e-bay and the cut doesn't really flatter my body. I am 5'9" with a long torso and humongous boobies so it's a tad too short. It does look cute tucked into a skirt but that's not what I bought it for. It's in excellent condition. I bought it used but in pristine condition. Please e-mail me @ lynnmg87@yahoo.com if you're interested in purchasing. Shipping will be $4 USPS Priority.

Bling Bling Wedding Details

2010-04-02T09:49:00.000-07:00

In the midst of planning my wedding, I have decided on one consistent theme for my wedding: BLING! It will be everywhere possible. I'm incredibly detail oriented and want to include it anywhere I can. The photos below are some inspirational photos I found while browsing for ideas...

Love this blinged out pedicure. I might steal this idea and have my toenails covered in crystals on my wedding day. Yes, I will most likely be wearing sparkly shoes but my philosophy is "more is more", especially for my wedding!
I would love to wear a dress like this at my wedding reception, but it probably won't happen. I want to savor every moment I can in my wedding dress.
I love the bling details between each tier of this cake as well as the sparkly cake stand. I will definitely have one of these!
This man's wedding ring caught my attention with diamonds placed on the bottom; not something you see very often. My fiance wouldn't ever wear this wedding ring but I love it.

*photos are all from http://www.blogbykarrie.com

Pretty Flowers

2010-04-01T00:31:00.000-07:00

While at the grocery store today, these beautiful flowers caught my eye and I had to buy them. They certainly brighten up my living room and I think from now on I'm going to do a "Flowers of the Week" post a la Amber.
Whenever I have flowers, I'm so happy when I enter the room and see them. So, from now on I'm going to buy flowers weekly. For $5-$10, they are a great addition to any room. Do any of you do this? What are your favorite flowers?

A Fix For Dry Scalp

2010-03-31T11:35:00.000-07:00

For years I've struggled with extremely dry scalp. I've tried medicated shampoos and conditioners, specialty products; basically anything and everything on the shelves for dry scalp. While some of the products have helped a little, I (still) haven't been able to find a shampoo and conditioner that works for curing my dry scalp. A few months back I bought moroccan oil and have been using it as a shine and strengthener on my hair. A couple nights ago after I got out of the shower I thought I would try massaging it into my scalp in addition to putting it in my hair and it did the trick! I was afraid it would leave the top of my head greasy but it didn't at all. If you're searching for something to help dry, itchy scalp you have to try this! While I don't have a shampoo/conditioner that works for my problem, moroccan oil will work for now and it also smells so good!

A New Start, A New Blog

2010-03-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

As some have you may have noticed, my work out calendar on the right side of my blog has been empty for a couple months. I religiously updated it every day with my workouts but after a certain number of views, it became "locked" for a few weeks, then released and I could then continue to update it. Since the calendar only allowed for sporatic updates on my workouts, I just started a new blog completely dedicated to diet and fitness. It will solely track my progress; what I eat and what I do for excercise.
Visit my new blog http://foodandfitnessnotebook.blogspot.com/

Drugstore Beauty Products I Love

2010-03-26T20:18:00.000-07:00

Most of the beauty products I use are "high end" but I have found several drugstore products that work fabulously for me. Below are my favorite items that I re-purchase time and time again...
I use Aquaphor every single day during the winter or any time my skin is dry. No other facial moisturizer has worked as well to hydrate my skin in extremely dry areas. Now, I do not use this all over my face because it is VERY heavy and thick. I only use it on my forehead between my eyebrows and close to my hairline (these areas are EXTREMELY dry on my face). Also, I never put it on in the morning. It takes hours to absorb since it's so heavy, so after I wash my face at night I slather it on and my skin is hydrated and not dry in the morning.
I know I've blogged about Tresemme's Heat Protectant before but it's seriously a miracle worker. My hair loves me for using it because I use heat on my hair almost every day.
If you follow me on Twitter you might know that I tried facial wax for the first time a few weeks ago. I don't know why I didn't try this sooner. My mustache was out of control (IMO)--no, it wasn't a full-on 'stache but it definitely glistened in the sun when I caught myself in the rear view mirror while in my car. I love that the Sally Hansen stripless wax doesn't hurt horribly. I was terrified of using it but coming from a wuss--no pain! I just bought another jar for round 2 of mustache removal.
Love, love Revlon's lip glosses. I own three of them and I've never found another drugstore lipgloss I like more than Revlon's. I just recently bought the lilac color (pictured on the right end) and it is GORGEOUS. If any of you have tried MAC's cremesheen gloss in the lavendar color, it's similar but has more of a color payoff.
I usually do my own nails (can't say the same for my toes--I can't give myself a pedicure to save my life!) and Sally Hansen's Double Duty clear polish is amazing. It's SO shiny, and my nail polish stays on for 5+ days which never happened before I started using Double Duty. I've used OPI and various other topcoat polishes and none have compared.
Too often I am way too lazy to wash my face at the end of the day so I keep these in my night stand drawer. They have probably prevented numerous breakouts and do the job well at removing all traces of makeup.

What are your favorite drugstore beauty items? I'm always looking for new goodies to try!

The Look For Less: Initial Necklace

2010-03-23T11:43:00.001-07:00

Max and Chloe Initial Necklace, $765
Couture Candy Personalized Pendant Necklace, $78

Clarisonic Mia: A Review

2010-03-14T22:26:00.000-07:00

First of all-I am so sorry my posts have been so sparse!! I'm currently in the thick of finals, being sick and having visitors from out of town. Bear with me; everything will be back to normal next week.
On to the review...
I bought the Clarisonic Mia at Sephora 2 months ago and have been using it every other day. For the most part, I LOVE it. I bought the Mia because it's smaller, travel friendly, and cheaper than the regular Clarisonic. The biggest difference I've seen with my skin is smaller pores. When I get out of the shower (yes, you can bring it into the shower with you!) my skin is glowing. In addition to smaller pores, my skin feels SO clean and smooth after using the Mia. I've also noticed that makeup stays on longer than usual. In addition to my makeup having more staying power, moisturizer has the same effect. I'd heard this before I bought the Clarisonic and was so glad that it was true (for me). I have one complaint and that is it's difficult to cleanse small areas such as under the eyes and nose. When I do use it on my nose, it tickles like crazy. For me, the price ($150) was WELL worth it, the Clarisonic Mia has become an absolute must in my beauty routine and I bought the pink one; part of your purchase goes to breast cancer research. I want to hear your experiences with the Clarisonic if you have one, or let me know if you have any questions!

Beauty Trend: Pastel Hair

2010-03-08T08:55:00.000-08:00

In addition to candy colored dresses, pastel hair color has become quite the trend this spring. I first saw the trend worn on Kelly Osbourne (I know she wasn't the first one to rock it), but now I see it all over! I'm kind of intrigued by it as I love pastels, but I probably won't be carrying this trend out.
Here are a couple websites that carry pastel colored extensions:
http://www.hairextensions-onlinestore.com/
http://www.manicpanic.com/human_glamstrips.html

Would you add pastel color(s) to your hair? I would love to see pictures if any of you decide to do it!

Avant Garde-Madrid Fashion Week

2010-03-04T10:36:00.000-08:00

Last week on the runway in Madrid, Isabel Mastache's penis trouser definitely got the most attention for being the most odd piece. I was immediately reminded of Lady Gaga when I saw these pictures...maybe the male version? Anyway, I think these pants are AMAZING and hilarious so I had to share.

Recent Purchases Part II

2010-03-02T08:45:00.001-08:00

J Crew "Rainy Day" Flats in Neon Pink
Ella Moss "Antoinette" Top-Shopbop
Marc by Marc Jacobs Mirrored Heart clutch-Marc by Marc Jacobs in San Francisco
Jonathan Adler Malibu Barbie Candle-Jonathan Adler store in San Francisco
Twelfth St. By Cynthia Vincent Faux Bra Slip Dress-Shopbop
Lulu's "Chilltown" Dress in Coral
Rory Beca Monte Carlo Wrap Dress-Shopbop
Kate Spade Pink Earrings-Bloomingdales

In The Nude + A Little Update

2010-02-25T23:30:00.000-08:00

I hope I can be forgiven for being MIA this week! The last couple of weeks have been hard (to say the least) with school. I am so ready for the weekend! My birthday is on Saturday and I can't wait to relax and see my friends! So far I have a spa day planned with my BFF and a dinner with friends.

In my last post, I got some questions about doing OOTD/LOTD posts and I'm going to try and incorporate those into my blog in the near future. Please let me know if there's anything else you'd like to see here! Also, stay tuned for another Recent Purchases post coming soon!

Right now I LOVE nude everything and have been lusting over these pieces...

Nude by PrettyInPink87 featuring Joie tops

Items in this set:
Milly Asymmetrical Ruffle Dress, $350
Rory Beca Monte Carlo Wrap Dress, $215
Joie - Joyce Lace Top (Off White) - Apparel, $160
Forever21.com - Tops - Casual - 2070840618, $15
Hyper Prive - Nude, $865

Recent Purchases Part I

2010-02-21T12:02:00.000-08:00

I've had some people ask me what I've bought recently, and if you follow me on Twitter, you know that I've done some major damage in the shopping department lately. Let me know if you guys like this post and if you're interested in seeing things I buy in the future and I will continue to do shopping posts!
Here's part one of my recent buys, more to come later!
Tory Burch Thora Sandals in Platinum-Shopbop
Urban Outfitters Cooperative Mini Skirt-I got this in purple but couldn't find an image of purple online (UO won't let me steal photos from them!)
Alice and Olivia Draped Panel Dress in Lavendar-Shopbop
Alice and Olivia Red Tunic Dress-Shopbop
J. Crew Vintage Silk Scarf in Lilac
Marc By Marc Jacobs Ruffle Tee-Bloomingdales
Aqua Striped Dolman Sleeved Tee-Bloomingdales
Aqua Printed Silk Combo Dress- Bloomingdales

Interior Design by Faye Resnick

2010-02-18T00:34:00.001-08:00

I came across Faye Resnick's website while browsing for interior design inspiration and love her style. She designed both Nicky and Paris Hilton's homes. Below are photos of both. I like Nicky Hilton's Old Hollywood Regency style home and Paris Hilton's ultra girly home. I would say my style is an equal merge of both.

Nicky Hilton's home

Paris Hilton's home

Paris Hilton's dogs' home: Faye Resnick designed the dog house as well. It sits behind Paris Hilton's house and is a miniature version of her home. It is estimated to cost $325,000 and has central air, a crystal chandelier and is decked out with designer duds including Chewy Vuitton dog toys.

Blog Sale! Part III

2010-02-15T13:38:00.000-08:00

If you're interested in any of the below items, please e-mail me at lynnmg87@yahoo.com and I will send you an invoice via paypal. All items will be shipped via USPS Priority within the US for $5.

BCBG Leopard Boatneck Tunic/Dress $50 OBO
Size Medium.
Retail: $118. Tags attached, never worn.

SOLD
MAC Love Connection Eyeshadow, used 3 times. $5
Retail: $19.50.
From MAC's website:
Two coordinating shades baked together in a single pan. A superb way to experience Mineralize's unique properties: exceptionally sheer and lightweight application, and easy, rich colour. Finishes include super-fine pearl that leave a soft dimensional shimmer on the skin.

SOLD
MAC "Cocomotion" Pigment, never used. $8
Retail: $19.50
From MAC's website: Pigment is a highly concentrated loose colour powder that contains ingredients to help it adhere to the skin. Create a subtle wash of colour or an intense effect. Does not streak or cake. Easy to blend and long-lasting. Please note: Pigments are sold by weight not volume. Containers can appear to be less than full due to settling of the product.

Rebecca Taylor Black sequined button up Cardigan $100 OBO
size medium.
Worn once, excellent condition
Waist Tie
Retail: $398.

Makeup Forever HD Microfinish Powder: A Review

2010-02-12T23:24:00.000-08:00

I had been intrigued by Makeup Forever's HD Microfinish Powder for awhile, but when I went into Sephora to check it out about a month ago, the sales lady who was helping me said "it does nothing, to be honest." I didn't take her too seriously because a. she had to ask someone else what it was, and b. her makeup looked awful. On a side note--how can you work at a makeup store and wear blotchy turquoise eyeshadow with bright red lips and the wrong color foundation? Anyway, I didn't buy it then but went home and did some research of my own. The majority of the reviews I read about the HD Powder were good. Back I went to Sephora and purchased the small container to see if I liked it. I don't only like it, I LOVE this stuff. It is A-MA-ZING. First of all, the HD Powder sets your foundation and it does not move all day. I even took a nap with it on and my makeup didn't move. Secondly, it keeps oily-ness under control without drying the skin. I have combination skin and the powder doesn't dry out my dryer areas, and it keeps my oily areas under control with no shine. Thirdly, it disguises my pores. They are invisible once I put it on. It seriously gives the skin a flawless finish.
My one gripe is that it's really messy.

If you're interested in reading more about Makeup Forever's HD Microfinish Powder, here is Sephora's description:

What it is:
A universal translucent finishing powder to be applied over foundation or worn alone.

What it does:
Sets the foundation and slightly mattifies skin without changing its natural contours. This 100% mineral silica powder softens the appearance of imperfections. Completely evens out the complexion for a glowing, radiant look. One universal shade for all skin tones.

What else you need to know:
It's completely translucent and goes on any skintone. Its talc-free formula does not dry the skin and is formulated with 100% silica. Dermatologically tested.

Makeup: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

2010-02-09T10:15:00.000-08:00

The Good

I'm in a makeup rut right now, so I was looking for some inspiration to switch things up a bit; love all of these looks...
I love this bold, bright pink lipstick on Kim Kardashian. I would only wear this look at night.
I think Megan Fox looks STUNNING here, I love the neutral colors with pops of shimmer and nude lips.

I'm going to try this look out for our engagement photos, I love the black rimmed eyes with a pop of coppery brown shadow right under the lashline.
Not so crazy about the hair, but I love the natural look Leighton Meester is wearing here.

The Bad and Ugly

In my opinion, these models from the Elli Saab Spring 2010 runway show look dead. The combo of pinky-copper eyeshadow and flesh toned lips is a no-no.

Jennibean's Designs

2010-02-05T08:49:00.000-08:00

The above pictures are of FABULOUS bags, handmade by my dear friend Jennifer. She is super talented and in addition to hand-sewing bags, she makes hand made cards that are adorable. She debuted her business in December 2009, and started out making travel bags for shoes. From there she began to make coin purses and cosmetic bags, which I am the proud owner of!! I cannot wait to use the travel shoe bag. I always just throw my shoes in my suitcase and worry about them getting my clothes dirty. Even worse, when I went to Florida last September, one of my shampoo bottles burst on the airplane and ruined my leather boots which I'd never worn!!
My most used Jennibean's Designs product is definitely the laptop case. I asked Jennifer if she'd be able to make a padded, protective laptop bag for my macbook, and that she did! It's padded just enough and I don't have to worry about my laptop getting scratched while I lug it around in my huge purse. An extra up-side is that it's so cute! So many laptop bags are so ugly and expensive!! If you're interested in buying any of Jennifer's bags, check out her blog and website, listed below. She can pretty much custom make anything you want, and you can choose different patterns for both the outside and interior!

Jennifer's Website

Jennifer's Blog

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

2010-02-03T16:58:00.001-08:00

When I heard the news that Bravo will be adding another city-BEVERLY HILLS to the "Real Housewives" repertoire, I was beyond excited. Beverly Hills is my favorite place to be. I go there at least once a year (always on my birthday) to shop! It's become a tradition for the past 4 years. One day it will be my home. I love the opulence, the fabulous restaurants, and most of all the awesome shopping!
It's also been released that Paris Hilton's aunt, Kyle Richards will be one of the housewives. If you're planning on googling her, beware...there is a male porn star with the same name...that's all I'm saying.
Anyone else as excited as I am about the Beverly Hills Housewives?

The Look For Less: Ruffle tank

2010-02-02T10:26:00.000-08:00

Parker Layered Ruffle Tank
Silence And Noise Pink Ruffle Cami

Parker also has the gorgeous tank top in cream, and Silence and Noise had the same one as above in cream, but it was gone before I could snatch it up! I just purchased the pink one, so if you're interested in buying, do it sooner rather than later because I have a feeling this color will soon be sold out as well.

Engagement Photos

2010-02-01T19:12:00.001-08:00

As our photoshoot for engagement pictures rapidly approaches, I have been stockpiling ideas in my "wedding ideas" folder. The look we're going for is ultra sexy and racy. There will also be classier pictures taken, but I just love the romantic, sexy couple photos I've found while searching for different poses and locations. We have two separate photo shoots booked, one in a studio, and one on the beach in San Francisco. I will definitely show you guys the end result(s) afterward! Below are some inspiration photos...
Jennifer Skog Photography
Source Unknown
Alain Martinez
Alain Martinez

Videography at our wedding

2010-01-26T11:48:00.000-08:00

Emily + Meeko ~ Tiburon, CA ~ 10.3.09 from Rain Studios on Vimeo.

Thanks to a mutual friend of Emily's and mine, I found Rain Studios who does amazing Videography work. I've looked at several other Videographers and Rain Studios trumps them all (in my opinion). We are so excited to have booked them for our wedding!!

Runway To Real Way Spring 2010 Fashion: Neutrals

2010-01-21T19:22:00.000-08:00

Runway...
Lanvin
Isaac Mizrahi
Christain Siriano
Christain Siriano

Real Way...
Lipsy Grecian Drape Dress
Alexander Drapey Stretch Sequin Skirt
Kiera U Neck Shirt

Haute Hippie Batwing Dress
Elizabeth and James Luna Dress

Runway To Real Way Spring 2010 Fashion: Feathers

2010-01-19T18:45:00.000-08:00

Runway...
ADAM
Louis Vuitton
Roksanda Ilincic
Jason Wu

To Real Way...

Let me first say that this is my least favorite Spring 2010 trend. I found several fashionable dresses with feather details during my search for this post, but most of them used Ostrich or Turkey feathers, which I am adamantly against. I do NOT support the use of animal parts used for clothing, so I chose not to post those items on my blog.
CC Skye Gold Feather Pendant
Madison Marcus Swanky Dress

Alice and Olivia One Shoulder Feather Top

Homemade Lip Scrub

2010-01-18T23:45:00.000-08:00

After searching high and low for a good lip exfoliant and being astounded at the prices for them (average is $25), I figured I would do some research and make my own. Nothing is more annoying than putting on lipstick or gloss and having extra, dry skin on your lips that is extremely noticeable once lipstick/gloss is applied.
Here's my DIY method for making lip scrub:
You'll need:
-Brown sugar and white granulated sugar: sugar is abrasive and gets the job done at removing dead skin.
-Honey: Honey has anti-bacterial properties, it can heal minor wounds/cuts on the skin and it's non-allergenic.
-Olive Oil: Moisturizing, it protects and soothes the skin. It will not clog the pores around your mouth.
-A small container that closes all the way. I went to the Container Store and bought a pill box for $0.99.
-Measuring spoons
-Small bowl for mixing ingredients

How To:
-Measure 1/2 teaspoon for each ingredient and stir. Once it's evenly mixed, pour into your container/pill box.
That's it!

Let me know if any of you try this! I love that it's so tasty and doesn't taste chemical-y at all.