Filed under Beauty, Life by Mariana on September 18, 2010 at 8:05 pm
2 comments
September 22nd, the official beginning of fall, is just days away, and with the change in seasons comes the need to transition your wardrobe! It’s hard to figure out how to take what you see on the runway and incorporate it into your actual attire, though. My advice is to buy 3 or 4 unique items every season… hopefully some of my picks below will help you out!
Camel
 
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Camel is the new black! It’s a neutral that goes with just about everything. This trend can come in something as big a nice camel-colored coat, or as subtle as a leather belt.
Left: This Fossil ‘Vintage Reissue’ Satchel ($178) is beautiful!
Right: Tall-heel boots from Old Navy ($45) are an affordable and trendy option. |
Chunky knits
 
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Whether it be an oversized cardigan or a thick scarf, big, comfy knits are the perfect accompaniment to a cute tee, denim leggings, and a pair of lace-up leather boots. Most knits look heavier than they actually are, thanks to loose knitting and lightweight yarn. A cool leather belt around the waist shows off feminine curves.
Left: This Kensie tissue knit drop stitch sweater ($68) has a dramatic cowl neck with a relaxed, oversized silhouette.
Right: The long tie-belt wrap cardigan from Old Navy ($49.50) is a nice length and looks cozy. |
Cloche hat
 
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When it comes to shopping for hats, I find that “one size fits most” doesn’t always apply to me… I’m still looking for the perfect hat. An adorable cloche hat, if I could find one that fit, would be fun! It’s a classic style that’s been around since the start of the 20th century.
Left: The Kate Spade Galleria Marlena wool cloche ($125) is so chic, plus the wool will keep you warm during cold weather.
Right: The Sonoma life + style felt cloche hat is on on sale at Kohl’s for $19! While felt may not be as durable as wool, it makes this hat an affordable accessory for anyone. |
Denim leggings
 
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I don’t like the word ‘jeggings’ so I’ll just go with denim or jean leggings, k? You’ll see them everywhere this fall! These leggings are so versatile, and work well with boots, heels, or flats. Wear them with a t-shirt during the day, and a dressy shirt for going out at night!
Left: Gap legging jeans ($69.50) are super skinny and stretchy. They sit below the waist and look very comfortable, fitting pretty much like a true legging.
Right: A gray wash, like this pair of denim leggings from DKNY Jeans ($59.00), has a little bit more attitude! |
Flannel
 
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There’s nothing more comfortable than one of my husband’s old flannel shirts. Now more feminine colors and cuts are available.
Left: The Payton shirt ( $49.89), from Abercrombie & Fitch, is made of 100% cotton. The supersoft flannel fabric comes in a classic plaid pattern.
Right: The colorful plaid and western-styling of Old Navy’s double-weave western tunic ($24.50) make this a great choice! It has a longer, loose fit, more like a men’s shirt. |
Frills
 
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Soften a utilitarian look with something super-feminine! Ruffles, lace, you get the picture.
Left: This frilly Lauren by Ralph Lauren blouse ($99.99) has a ruffled trim with delicate ruching and picot edging.
Right: The ELLE mixed-media lace top ($24.99), sold at Kohl’s, looks so delicate and sweet! It’s made of soft pima cotton, so I’m sure it’s comfortable, too. |
Military
 
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Military-influenced jackets, coats, pants, totes, and boots will be popular this fall. You’ll see camouflage prints, brass hardware, and great tailoring.
Left: This Ellen Tracy military-inspired anorak ($119.50) is lightweight and stylish.
Right: Steve Madden Troopa boots ($99) are right on target with the combat boot trend. |
Sequins
 
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A little sparkle goes a long way! Sequins are perfect for a night on the town, obviously, but can also be toned down and worn with a suit to work!
Left: A sequin tee, like this INC Short Sleeve Sequin Tee ($69), is versatile.
Right: The Xhilaration floral sequin tank ($12.58), sold at Target, is slightly sheer but has lots of sparkle from sequins across the front of it. The racer back adds a sporty feel to it.
If you only want a hint of sparkle, a sequin vest is a nice touch. |
How about winning some new duds? Enter these fun, fashion-forward giveaways:
Filed under Beauty, Lists by Mary on September 17, 2010 at 12:37 pm
22 comments
Fall is right around the corner. I love it! The crisp, autumn temperature brings pretty colored leaves, pumpkin pie, and warm sweaters. For many women, myself included, it also means a transition in makeup colors. I’ve been doing some reading, and it looks like a really big trend in makeup this fall is red lipstick. Lipstick is such a versatile cosmetic item. It can make a big impact on your look. I decided to ask some of my online friends what their favorite lipstick brand is. They were very enthusiastic about this one. There are certainly many brand loyalists when it comes to lipstick! Here’s what they had to say.
| Brand |
Description |
Price |
Reviews |
Mary Kay
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“Rich, stay-true color in irresistible glamorous shades.” – Mary Kay website |
$13.00 |
 “There are extra moisturizers in all of the MK lip colors, plus the new Liquid Lip Color has peppermint to tingle your lips <3″ – @notdiyheather |
Clinique
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“Our luscious lip colours are loaded with do-gooders like moisturizers but not a lick of fragrance.” Clinique website |
$14.00 |
 “I love Clinique. I always find the right shade whatever the season, but mainly it’s brand loyalty.”- BethBlair
 “I personally like Clinique glosses.” – holleeinbalance (Hollee also says she likes Sephora glosses.)
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Buxom
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“Buxom Big & Healthy Lipstick works three full-time jobs – it defines the shape of lips like a liner, fills them in with creamy velvet color, and then plumps them to their full buxom potential.” – Sephora website |
$18.00 |
 “It’s shiny, it plumps just right, tastes good, lasts long to wear and the colors are just juicy. And the price is right!” @KatjaPresnal |
Neutrogena
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“Available in 20 beautiful, full-color shades, Neutrogena® MoistureShine® Lipstick with SPF 20 delivers rich, creamy color while clinically restoring lips’ moisture.” - Neutrogena website |
$8.49 |
 “I like Neutragena. No smells and the color lasts well.” – @Fearless |
Rosebud Perfume Co.
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“The cult favorite, multi-purpose lip balm soothes dry lips, calms and soothes irritation, and soothes the sting of minor burns.” – Sephora website |
$6.00 |
“I love the Rosebud Salve. Shiny lips and smells good too.” – @JulieDiazAsper (Though technically not a lipstick, this sounds just perfect for those who don’t like a heavy feeling product.) |
Filed under Beauty by Mary on June 17, 2010 at 2:48 pm
no comments
I’m a makeup junkie. I admit it. In my opinion, mineral makeup is the best makeup you can use. It’s good for your skin, offers great coverage and lasts longer than other kinds. So I did a little searching around the ‘net and talking to my Twitter friends to come up with some examples of the best mineral makeup out there.
I tried to go with the most current reviews I could find and even found a couple giveaways that are still going on. So check it out, and don’t forget to weigh in on your favorite mineral makeup. We’d love to hear all about it!
| Product |
Description |
Price |
Reviews |
Illuminare Cosmetics Liquid Mineral Makeup
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In addition to being more moisturizing than powder and offering great benefits to your skin—including a true SPF 21 and UVA/UVB protection—it is a multi-use product. |
$10.00 – $27.00 |
“The makeup goes on very smooth, and the color I chose from the website ended up being a perfect match.” Crissy from Dear Crissy |
Everyday Minerals
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Flawless, pure, fast and fun, simply so soft, wears so long and so light – 4 unique finishes for all skin types: Original Glo, healthy dewy glow | Semi-Matte, a soft luminous touch | Matte, radiant without shine | Intensive, extra coverage. |
$6.00 – $8.50 |
“The powder went on easily and offered nice coverage in just a few brushstrokes.” Crissy from Dear Crissy. Giveaway ends June 21st!
(Crissy was featured twice because she had two recent reviews. I do not know Crissy, but I think I like her! She’s a girl after my own heart!) |
freshMinerals Tinted Moisturizer
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Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20 protects and replenishes your skin will adding a touch of tint, which adds enough color to smooth and even out skin tone. With an SPF 20, loaded with vitamin E and C, the freshMinerals tinted moisturizer protects against harmful UV rays while replenishing the health and natural glow of your skin. |
$25.00 |
“It is definitely sheer and gives just enough color to my face for a slight glow. If you want more coverage you just use more. I felt good knowing that it has a SPF in it.” Shop With Me Mama |
Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation
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A weightless, skin-perfecting powder foundation that provides buildable coverage. |
$18.00 |
 @notdiyheather says, “It’s a great value for the price, it’s light weight so I don’t feel made up but it covers as well as liquid foundation.”
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Filed under Beauty by Mary on June 3, 2010 at 2:15 pm
one comment
I am definitely in the mood for summer. You can probably tell, since my last couple posts were dedicated to the upcoming lazy, hazy days. This time I’m on the hunt for the best summer bronzers and self-tanners. I’m a natural redhead, and like most other redheads, my skin is quite fair. So I’d like to use bronzer on my face to add some glow, and my legs definitely need a bit of color if I even want to consider wearing shorts.
I did an internet hunt for recent reviews from beauty bloggers and asked my Twitter friends their opinions. I learned a lot about products I haven’t yet tried. Here’s the lowdown.
Filed under Beauty by Mary on May 27, 2010 at 12:18 pm
2 comments
Summer weather is here for most of us, and for me, that means summer dresses. I love wearing dresses in the summer. They’re so easy, comfy, and cool. So I scoured the web to find some of the best current giveaways and reviews for summer dresses, and I really hit the jackpot! Check out these blogs for your chance to win a great summer dress and learn about brands you may not have known. For example, who knew Hanes had dresses? Looks comfy!
| Company |
Price Range |
Reviews/Giveaways |
Shabby Apple
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$50 – $114 |
“Shabby Apple is one of my favorite stores ever. So stylish, yet so flattering.” Jen from Tatertots & Jello (giveaway ends 5/28) |
eShakti
 |
$49.95-$119.95 |
“This dress is made of cotton and has embroidered flowers on the bottom. The flowers were very cute and seemed sturdy after washing. The dress is actually two layers — so I could actually turn this into a winter dress since I live in Florida by adding a cardigan. I really enjoyed their product.” Krystal from Krystal’s Kitsch |
Mikarose
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$36.99-$84.99 |
“Things that are brag worthy: modest elegant clothing, affordable prices, their clothing is super cute & fashionable, high quality fabrics, versatile clothing, dress up or down.” Joanna of The Bragging Mommy giveaway ends 6/1) |
Hanes
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$14.99 – $28.00 |
The Hanes wrap dress is super comfy, tagless, and it has pockets. I L-O-V-E the pockets!” Jamie from I Am a Money Magnet (giveaway ends 5/31) |
Igigi
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$47.50-$275.00 |
“The cut of the dress made me feel as though it was made for me. The extra bonus was how the cut created a long silhouette! I just loved all of the details on the neckline and sleeves.” Aimee of MP Product Reviews |
Filed under Beauty by Mary on May 20, 2010 at 4:00 pm
2 comments
Warm weather is coming, and I couldn’t be happier. I love being outside in the sun. Even the heat doesn’t bother me, but it does do a number on my hair. I’m a naturally curly girl. Being curly is lots of fun. It’s great to be different, but curly hair does come with its downfalls as well. It can be hard to manage, especially in the humidity. Add drying chlorine from days spent at the pool and exposure to the sun’s rays, and curly hair can really be hard to handle.
So I decided to ask some of my Twitter friends and savvy gals from around the blogosphere how they deal with curly hair and what their favorite products are. I firmly believe that a good hair product can be a lifesaver. I was quite pleased with all the good recommendations I got from those in the know. Here’s what my girls had to say.
| Product Line |
Description |
Price |
Blogger Review |
| Carol’s Daughter |
“Beauty by Nature” is their tagline. The line carries something for every hair type. For the curly girl, there’s a product for tight, medium, and loose curls. These products are perfectly tailored to meet every woman’s needs. |
$10.50 – $58.00 |
Renee Ross of Cutie Booty Cakes says, “I love that it makes my hair shiny and that it provides a great deal of moisture that my dry hair needs.” |
| SunSilk Captivating Curls |
This formula contains rosemary and chamomile, ingredients that help to smooth and calm hair. Fights frizz and won’t weigh hair down. |
$5.99 |
Heather of Not a DIY Life says, “It contains the frizz but keeps my curls intact. Other ‘curl’ products often flatten my curls.” |
| John Frieda Frizz-Ease |
These break-through products prevent frizz and help protect against it. Fights frizzies. |
$5.99 – $9.00 |
Audrey of Mom Generations says, “I love it because it goes on smooth, makes your hair silky, and reduces the frizz.” |
| Aveda |
According to Aveda,”Beautiful hair starts with repair.” Their curl products shape and define curl, as well as intensify the curl, all the while preventing frizz. |
$9.50 – $87.00 |
Britt of Miss Britt says,”I have naturally curly hair and have to be super careful about products that don’t dry my hair out or weigh it down.” |
Filed under Beauty by Julie on April 11, 2010 at 3:10 pm
no comments
It’s very important to have a little bit of support and no evidence of it when you are trying to look good. After having a few babies, I have found body shapers (aka mommies little helpers) to be more essential than nice to haves. Here are some great reviews and giveaways to help you find the right ones.
Product: Pure STYLE Girlfriends
Blogger: @MsLatina
Under 140: This girlfriend has your back – literally! She’ll cover you, squeeze you, lift you, & even inflate you in places you didn’t even know needed inflating. Honestly, I never looked so good until I met her!
The Why: Providing women with a healthy, simple and inexpensive way to have Hollywood glamour like the stars and instant gratification. Pure Style offers women a hassle-free alternative to surgery.
Giveaway: Goody basket of body shaping garments, valued at $250! Ends: April 21, 2010
Product: Kymaro
Blogger: @ParentingAuthor
Under 140: I’ve tried other shaping products before, and they squeezed me so tight that I was in agony within a few hours. These products are not like that at all!
The Why: Kymaro: Health, Beauty, and Spa Essentials is a brand for women who want to look great for under $39.95.
Contest: “Say Yes to the Prom Dress.” Contest for Teens Ends: April 14, 2010
Product: N-Fini.
Blogger: @ThriftyJinxy
Under 140: Say goodbye to your grandmother’s girdle, suffocating Spandex, and old-fashioned corset bras!
The Why: N-fini™ has a shapewear solution for every problem area of the body, providing for the utmost lift, shape, support and comfort for its wearer. The line offers ultra-flattering styles, ranging from strapless, tank, scoop neck, and cami styles to shaper bras, bustiers, torso trimmers and long-sleeve tops.
You also can see a great round up of other great body shapers over at the Styelist.
So feel and look good with a little help. Let us know if you have any products you think are the D Best Of.
