Sunday, March 4, 2012

Lily Lovin'

The upcoming Spring season is right around the corner and I simply cannot wait! Warmer months mean longer days, blossoming flowers and sundresses paired with Jacks. Like any gal, Lily is a personal favorite. Here are just a few dresses that I am currently coveting...













Aren't they just the cutest? Not to mention classic staples for an any Annapolitan : )

xxA

Friday, March 2, 2012

Friday Fab Five

Happy Friday!

Here are five products that I am currently loving:

1. Clarisonic Mia: This little gem is absolutely amazing! Just a few minutes each morning and night really does make a difference in my face. I have noticed softer skin, smaller pores and less breakouts! Yippie! Here are other benefits as stated on their website:

  • Removes 6X more makeup than manual cleansing

  • Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother

  • Cleansing helps products work more effectively

  • Gentle enough to use twice a day

  • Reduces oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes

  • Minimizes the appearance of visible pores






  • 2. Ulta Precision Liquid Eyeliner: At only $8.00 this stuff is spledid. I use carbon black to make a saucy cat eye or more demure lines. The best part, this stuff lasts and lasts, even after a night of gettin down on the dance floor. I highly suggest you pick this stuff up. Not to mention there is currently a "Free gift with Purchase" and a nice little coupon too!

    3. Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray: If you're like me and you miss sunkissed skin and beachy hair, then this stuff is for you! Its a lovely texturizing spray sold at Ulta that leaves your hair with increible, non-sticky texture and a fabulous cococnut I-just-left-the-beach scent. Perfect for the winter months!


    4. Estee Lauder Double Wear Light: This stay in place foundation is perfect for anyone who likes minimal coverage. It blends nicely and the color (Im a 3.0 intensity) makes for a flawless finish that lasts all day. To make a lifesavor even better: it has spf 10 AND controls oil! I have combination skin so most foundations stay on until around lunchtime when it usueally turns into an oil slick. This is one product that I have found that does its job.


    5. AHAVA Mineral Hand Cream: I work with children and not always doing the most glamorous activities (i.e. painting, collecting oysters, working with terrapins) so I find my hands are constantly dry and I go through hand creams like nobody's business. That is until I found this little lover! AHAVA's lightweight hand cream is non-greasy and contains nourishing Dead Sea Minerals that lasts all day. The light scent is perfect for all day use and gentle enough to use when working with kids. Its a little pricey at $20.00 a pop but worth it!

    Enjoy the weekend Lovelies!


    xxA


    

    Wednesday, February 29, 2012

    Leap Day Dreaming

    Hello lovelies!

    Today is February 29th which marks a Leap Day! Today is also a rainey mess here in Annapolis. Its dark and damp and the LAST place I want to be is here at my desk looking out into into a slip and slide waterfront. I would much rather be tucked in bed watching the ever-adorable Amy Adams and scrumptious Matthew Goode in Leap Year!







    Don't you just want to cuddle up in one of these beds and forget about a day that technically doesn't exist?

    xxA

    Monday, February 27, 2012

    Red Carpet Looks

    It is the one evening where it's okay for females all over the globe to veg out on their couches and judge woman as they galavant down the Red Carpet. Of course, this night is the Oscars! I firmly believe that everyone there has won the right to work it in their Sunday best. Here are my pics for the best and worst dressed celebs...

    WORST:

    Emma Stone. Deja vue anyone? This gal usually does it for me. But not last night. The color, the bow, the cut all just look too dated for the casually chic star.


    Natalie Portman. There is something about polka dots and the Red Carpet that just turn me off. She looks far too casual to be at the Oscars, not to mention the dress and hair do nothing for this beautiful gal. Even Harry Winton couldn't save this trainwreck of a look I suppose this was her year to realax...

    Shailene Woodley. From the looks of this get-up I would guess she's Meryl Streeps age, NOT 22. This look is far too old for her and the fabric is a far cry from regal. She is almost always on my worst dress list. Maybe she should hire a stylist.

    Busy Phillips. Wins worst dressed for me. Are we going to the Oscars or dinner at a resort? From this look we can't tell. What we can tell is that she needs to tap into her 2011 Oscars style. Better times.

    Let's end on a good note shall we....The BEST dresses winners are:

    Cameron Diaz. I love the movement and sleek silhoette of this dress. Her svelte figure looks phenomenal in this Gucci frock. Kudo's to Cam!

    Octavia Spencer. Was it just me or does this woman glow! I love everything about this Tadashi Soji gown. She looks like a million bucks!

    Jessica Chastain. At first glance, I hated this dress. However, after seeing the detailing up close it grew on me. Her understated hair and makeup allow this dress to be the focal point. Very regal!

    And Best Dressed goes to....drum roll please...

    Milla Jovovich. My word this is pure Hollywood perfection. The cut, the color, the detailing, the hair, the make up, the jewels I am coveting all of it. Milla looks simply beautiful in this Elie Saab gown. In love!

    What a lovely evening of fashion, movies and shticks by Billy Crystal.

    xxA

    Wednesday, February 22, 2012

    ReLENTless

    Ah and so today is Ash Wednesday which marks the first day of Lent. Every year I try by best to give something up and stick to it. However, like the second week of most people's New Years Resolutions I have always called it quits after a few weeks. I hoestly think the longest I have gone is 35 days when I was 9 and HAD to do it for Sunday School. By day 35 of no ice cream, I cracked. I was at a Fair. How does one NOT eat ice cream at a Fair? Who has that kind of self control before even hitting the double digits? I was set up for failure.

    But I digress. This year I am going to stick to the plan! I am going to give up all meat, chicken, steak, pork etc,. Yep, that's right, Im going Veggie!

    For the next 40 days I shall be vegging out (literally) on these delicious creations:

    Portobello mushrooms stuffed with spinach and artichoke


    Cilantro and coconut milk pasta

    Butternut squash, spinach and carmelized onion lasagna













    So how about it. What are YOU giving up?



    xxA

    Friday, February 17, 2012

    Friday Fab Five

    Here are five fabulous products that I am currently obessesing over:

    1. Peter Thomas Roth: Blemish Buffing Beads for Face and Body


        I picked this up at Spehora a few weeks ago after hearing rave reviews. My face could always use a pick me up especially by this time each Winter. I must say, it does EXACTLY what it says it does. I have been using it every other evening with my Clarisonic and I am sold! Not only does my skin feel soft and supple but I am sans blemishes (so far) AND my face is glowing!



    2. Maybelline Baby Lips


    I am a lip product junkie. My Longchamp is currently holding about 10 different lip products. But again, this is Winter and we all know how harsh this cozy season can be on our skin. I chose the peppermint flavor (lime green container) and couldn't be happier. So far my lips are super soft and it doesn't leave behind that cakey feeling like most heavy chapsticks do. I am going to stick it and and see if it lives up to its hype.




    3. Issey Miyake 'L'Eau d'Issey' Perfume


      years back and due to its hefty price tag and my college budget, $99.00 a pop just wasn't happening. Alas, we have been reunited once again and my love for this scent is rekindled. With notes of freesia, lotus flower, rose water, carnation and lily its the perfect everyday scent. Not too powerful but definitely noticeable. The best part...you don't have to buy a new bottle each time you run out, it's refillable!




    4. Hask Placenta with Olive Oil No Rinse Hair Treatment


    I know I know! You are probably saying, "what in the world is wrong with this girl? Who on earth would put this on their hair?" Well my friends, it may just be the best thing since sliced bread! I have gone through numerous color changes over the years and its definitely done a number on my locks. My stylist suggested I try this stuff out, so I did. I picked up this $6.00 gem and have sworn by it since! Just spray it in your hair before you get out of the shower, massage in and Voila! Welcome to the world of beautiful, healthy hair. And don't worry, its made from sheep placenta and the company maintains that no animals were harmed!




    5. Maybelline Illegal Lengths Fiber Extension Mascara


    Much like my obsession with lip products I am also a sucker for mascara, especially that of the lengthening kind. The bigger the lashes, the better in my book. I kept seeing commercials and ads for this stuff so I figured I would give it a go. Glad I did. It definitely does add length and drama and the blackest black is intensely dark as well. My little brown eyes seem to "pop" when using this product.


    What products are you obsessing over?

    xx A

    Thursday, February 16, 2012

    I wish I was...

     Here...



    ...or there




    or anywhere...


    But hey, it is ALMOST Friday : )

    xx A