Saturday, July 30, 2011

from my makeup bag to yours

One of the million & one reasons why I just love this time of the year is my summer tan! Tans immediately ooze the illusion of being skinner, healthier, and happier. Noo I'm not talking about a Snookie tan...no offense but YUCKSTER!
Right now my tan is exactly where it should be, leaving little room for the need for makeup {but I like to always make room}. My daytime make up routine has been narrowed down to 5 basic essentials that leave my face looking natural with a sprinkle of glow.

1. Dior Addict Lipsticks: I'm officially addicted!!! The packaging itself speaks volume, in fact it was the first thing that caught my attention even before I read any reviews 3 months ago. The application is so light and smooth, it almost feels like a lip balm. The color palettes range from sheer to very pigmented with over 40 shades to choose from!!! I literally spent an hour trialling and deciding which shade would be my first purchase {Miss Dior}. And the very next day, I went back to Sephora and bought 2 more {Rock n' Roll & Lip glow}.
1.Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm: this is not your regular lip balm! Not only does it provide moisture and sun protection, it also "responds to the color chemistry of your own lips to create a shade uniquely yours". This is definitely the holy grail of lip balms.
2.Miss Dior 343: natural nude pigmentation
3.Rock n' Roll 750: slightly sheer with a pinkish red tone

2. Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara: I'm always on the search for the perfect mascara, and after hearing great raves about this, I had to immediately try for myself. Results>>> Nothing short of amazing!!! The bristle are aligned precisely separating each lash to perfection and allowing for maximum length and volume!!! Oh and minimum smudging!

3. NARS Orgasm Blush: This is probably the most universally flattering and popular blush out there. Need I say more???

4. Laura Mercier Mineral Illuminating Powder Candlelight: "imparts a natural, healthy glow with the help of pure pearl powder and a rich Gemstone complex of diamonds, emeralds, and other precious and semi-precious stones. The Gemstone Complex captures and reflects light—making it the perfect complement to eyes, cheeks, or face. The formula's weightless texture provides sheer coverage and a radiant soft-focus effect that perfects any look." All that goodness in a 0.34 oz container... and it will last you forever {I had mine for nearly 2 years now and not even half way done}! Definitely the icing on the cake after applying my make up.

5. Laura Mercier Press Mineral Powder {Classic Beige}: this is my numro uno, my creme dela creme, can't live without beauty product/ makeup. It's my secret weapon against all evils {the sun, redness, blemishes, paleness}. It absolutely zaps away any hint of oil and leaves your face looking flawless.

Friday, July 29, 2011

hello friday

In honor of Friday but more importantly payday... I present to you my personal take on KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON....


Tuesday, July 26, 2011

L O V E

I'm extremely delighted that my L O V E Candy in Silver poster from MadeByGirl has finally arrived. I'm a huge fan of the very talented Jen Ramos of MadeByGirl. Not only is she artistically gifted, but her taste in interior design and in fashion is impecable!
I couldn't possibly resist when she blogged about her new L O V E print being on sale! Luckily I acted swiftly because unfortunately this particular print is now currently sold out! Although it is a very simple & bold print that can probably be easily duplicated by anyone, I'm all about having the original product! Next step is now finding the right frame to showcase it in.


Don't forget to check out her Cocoa & Heart Gallery where original paintings by hers truly are up for grabs! I cannot wait to get my hands on one of her small paintings of COLOR {multiple colors of brush strokes}. But due to popular demands, they are also currently sold out! Booooo!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

beat the heat

I l♥ve me some summer time, but this week has just been holy hotness, with no signs of cooling down!!! I prefer my summer days to stay perfectly nested in the 80s. Unfortunately living in Jersey you get the extremes of all four seasons, winter nights that drop into the one digits and summer days reaching into the 100s. With this sweltering heat & humidity, my appitite has dwindled {thank goodness} leaving me craving mostly for cool, light, refreshing, & mouth watering treats:)
beat the heat with these yummies:


1. Venti Shaken Ice Green Tea (Sweeten): my current love at Starbucks!
2. Panera Bread Fuji Apple Chicken Salad: "All-natural citrus-herb chicken, field greens, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pecans, gorgonzola cheese, apple chips and a white balsamic & Fuji apple vinaigrette." It's pure deliciousness but minus the red onions & tomatoes!
3. Melona Ice Cream Bars: heaven I tell you! Savory creamy treat on a stick! {our freezer is filled with boxes of these}
4. Lychee Jello Cups: Yummster!!! These are insanely addicting especially when frozen!
5. Mangos: hands down my favorite fruit all year round!
6. Red Mango : healthy served in an invigorating mix of frozen yogurt sprinkled with your choice of toppings, but I like mine loaded with fresh strawberries, mangos, and mochi!
7. Blue Moon: Nothing beats a nice cold beer garnished with a slice of orange!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

adventures in babysitting

Hubs and I had a fun-filled weekend enjoying the adventures of babysitting. Although technically hubby & I were never left alone with the kiddies for more than an hour, I was more than happy to relieve my sister & brother -in -law of all baby duties during our time there {a much needed break for the both of them I assume}.
When it comes to new borns, I'm proud to say that I have bundles of experience under my belt. But between baby Jack and my extremely rambunctious 4 year old nephew Leo, I'm left utterly exhausted! After being attacked by dozens of Nerf bullets, bottle feedings & diaper changes every 2 hours, being pooped on, Auntie P this and Auntie P that, I'm glad to report our plans of being parents one day has not been tainted.
Although hubby was shamelessly the ring leader of the Nerf battles and has an absurd phobia of poopy diapers, it's undeniable that he would make an inconceivably amazing father.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

work - shop

Spending my Friday night helplessly stuck at work and doing some online shopping {and blogging!!!}. Now that's my kind of work!!! With my trusted iPad at my side, I've been able to scoop out some great summer sales & score some incredible deals with the effortless click of a button. I wish all work nights were this productive;)

1. J Crew Shirred Ruffle Bandeau Top in Bright Dahlia on sale for $29.99: modern vintage with a touch of sexy! A sweet pair up with the item below.

2. J Crew Chambray Pier Shorts on sale for $24.50: these shorts are just too cute for comfort! Perfect for a day at the beach.

3. LuLu's Pretty Girl Rock Lace Black Shorts for $34.50. Although this item was not exactly on sale, it's still priced at a great bargain. I have been on the hunt for the perfect lace shorts... I hope the fit doesn't disappoint.

4. Tory Burch quilted nylon soft small cosmetic case on sale for $53: contemplated between choosing the yellow/brown or the classic black/brown... In the spirits of summer, I opted for the yellow:)

5. Aldo CRIER Platforms on sale for $29.98!!! How can you possibly say no!

6. House of Harlow 1960 Black Resin Hexagon Ring on sale for $37.99: I have just the right pair of earrings to match it with;)

7.Opi Nail Polishes on sale for $7.99 buy one get one 50% off: imagine my delight when I walked into the gift shop at work & discovered this awesome deal! I knew right then & there that I was going to have a great night! {I couldn't walk away with just 2}

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Y + C Wedding Shower 07-09-11

Yvonne & I have been dearest & bestest of friends for as long as I can remember. I can ramble on & on about years of unforgettable memories & countless laughs & tears, but think I'll savor those moments for my MOH speech lol! But I will say that when it comes to style & taste, Yvonce {as what we like to call her} & I are undoubtedly in-sync! She has a sweet flare for details and craves for only the prettiest of things. There was no doubt that whatever I presented had to be beyond exceptional. After all, a fabulous girl deserves only the most possibly fabulous wedding shower!
One element the bride-to-be had requested was a vintage themed couple shower. As you all know vintage is one of my fave ingredients when it comes to anything and couldn't wait to whip up something delicious. My inner Martha Stewart has been insanely itching for this day to come.
First task was choosing the right invitation. Choosing the right one is essential because it serves as the perfect blender in mixing and presenting the overall theme of the party. After viewing what seemed like countless invitations, Kim {one of the 3 gorg MOH} & I narrowed it down {with Yvonne's stamp of approval of course} to a simple invitation that exudes the theme to perfection.
With the invitations checked off the list, I immediately started stalking my favorite blogs for inspirations and came up with endless ideas! Luckily Yvonne was in absolute agreement & loving everything! Phew!!! Lol! We gathered some of the gals {Kim, Kat (MOH),& Jess (bridesmaid)} and had a sweet DIY party where we began preparing for the big day. From lace trimmings on chalk boards to decorative buttons on pinwheels, no details were left unturned.
With only an hour & a half to set up before the guests started arriving, everyone began working on their delegated task {including the bride to be}, leaving myself in charge of the grand dessert table of course! Everyone worked extremely well together and did an incredible job. I put my ♥ into planning this shower as if it was my very own and there is nothing more simply satisfying then to see everything fall perfectly into place.

Leslie Lana Photography captures the exquisiteness of Y+ C Wedding Shower!
An evening filled with Sweet Love!!!

******stay tune for photos from the talents of AIM PHOTOGRAPHY!!!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

sweet glimpse

A quick hello to share with you an impossibly sweet little event happening today. As one of the Matron of Honors for my bestie Yvonne's wedding & first cousin to the groom-to-be Clyde, I been quite a busy MOH planning a positively wonderful wedding shower. With a room soon to be filled with sweet deliciousness of treats, flowers, & whimsical touches, I'm in pure anticipation to see it all come together. I'm certain that I will have oodles and oodles of photos to share, so until then...
below is a pretty glimpse of last week's DIY gathering.

baby jack dylan

A week ago on July 1st at exactly 8:04pm, my family got a teeny bit bigger and enormously happier with the arrival of my undoubtably adorable nephew Jack Dylan. I can't get enough of this little man, all 6lbs-14oz & 20.5 inches of him! Just when I thought I already had my hands full with his older brother, now I have 2 little guys to spoil.
Of course with my sister already on her second baby, it's inevitable that hubby and I are asked the most infamous questions... "Are you pregnant yet?"or "So, when is it your turn?" Just to set things straight, no I'm not pregnant and it will happen when it happens. Until then I'm going to enjoy being Auntie P to these 2 little cuteness(s)!

Friday, July 8, 2011

summer trend obsessions

Although the official first day of summer was only a little over 2 weeks ago, it seems as if it's already seeping away in astonishing speed! Oh Dear Summer, please kick off your shoes/stilettos and stay awhile! Short shorts, breezy summer dresses, the aroma of back yard bbqs, beach days, hot pink nail polishes, frozen drinks, flip flops, & colors of boldness... Is there any doubt that summer is the best season ever or what?!? I've immediately fallen in l♥ve with all this years summer trends and I just can't get enough!!!
Here's a few of my FAVES:
1. sky high platforms with fierceness stamped all over it! These have to be some of the most comfy 5 inch heels I've ever worn. All 3 are under $100!

2. I have a slight obsession with all things color blocked especially with pink & orange/coral combos.

3. Can never have enough jewelry! 2 pieces sitting pretty on top of my list are currently my horn necklace from A.B.S Jewelry {almost died when I saw this} & the Dye Dipped fringe necklace from Juicy! Oh, and I'm still very much gaga over all things bangles!

4. I just couldn't resist these House of Harlow Carrie Sunglasses. It exudes the perfect hint of the cat eye without being too catty. Loving the retro vibe!

5. Bold Colored nail polishes especially from Butter. What I adore most about Butter London 3 free nail polish is that they do not contain Formaldehyde, DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate), & Toluene (toxic chemicals) in their formula! I must admit, I also got caught up on the crack nail polish look... fave combo is gold & pink!

6. Unless they're colored denim you probably won't catch me wearing jeans this season. I was an instant fan of the colored denim trend and was fortunate to have found the perfect shade of coral & mint green. I've been secretly yearning for some cooler weather so I can rock them more often.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Big 3-0

I've reach a colossal milestone in my life a few weeks ago {on June 16th, to be exact} and it just wouldn't be right if I didn't share.
Initially I had difficulty grasping the fact that I was no longer going to be in my twenties, and the mere thought of turning thirty became nauseating. But after reflecting on where my life is today, I can only feel utterly fortunate to be blessed with another year filled with awesome-ness. My day started off awakening to a room filled with balloons, followed by floods of sweet greetings, and ended with a romantic dinner out with the hubby. Sweet & intimate, exactly how I wanted to spend my day=)
But let's not be mistaken, I turned 30 not 50, so of course I still wanted to say farewell to my 20s and hello to my 30s with a bang! So with the help & planning of one of my besties Aimee, I certainly went out with a bang... and passed out cold!!! LOL! Luckily we had some great pictures to capture how the night started and how it ended. Great times!

Ooh I'm sure you all are wondering about the gifts. I was really looking forward to adding to my Chanel collection, but with the recent 20% increase on their prices (June 1st), it just got too ridiculous to spend all that $$$ on one bag.
However, hubby never fails to spoil me. Along with a shopping spree and a new white Fendi bag (featured in one of the pictures above), hubby got me a pair of gorgeous diamond earrings!!! Oooh yeeeaaa... I was a ridiculously happy birthday girl!!! Love my man to pieces!