KatrinaLomidze.com

Bows and Stripes

2012-01-28T19:07:00.001-05:00

Jerrid and I stepped out for a quick lunch together this afternoon. I wore a casual and comfortable outfit along with my new Dizzy "Lounge" bow sandals and new Louis Vuitton clutch. Yesterday was Jerrid's birthday and he had a fantastic time celebrating with my family. I thank him everyday for being my best friend and soul mate, but yesterday was extra special and all about him.
The weather has been unusually warm here, especially for this time of the year. I've swapped the warm clothes in my closet, just to have to swap them right back. It's always nice to have the warm sun shining, but the cooler air was a nice change.
I've been trying out some fun colors on my nails, currently wearing Essie "Clambake", a really bright tomato red. Vibrant color with lots of shine. The polish is quite sheer though, even with 3 coats.

I've had an issue with my MAC ProLongwear lipglass, which is one of my favorite colors (MAC Patience, Please) but ends up being way too sticky for me to deal with. I can't bear the sticky dry lips that I'm left with after applying that gloss. I figured out a way to make the lipgloss as comfortable as a Creamsheen lipglass by first applying Palmer's cocoa butter lip balm on and then applying the gloss. It's easier to apply and much more comftrbale. No more sticky strings of lip gloss hanging off my lips.

What I wore:Forever 21 top / American Apparel leggings / Dizzy "lounge" sandals / Louis Vuitton clutch
xoxo,

Splurge vs. Steal - Valentino Bow Sandals

2012-01-25T20:53:00.002-05:00

I am always looking for a bargain so when I found these dupes for the beloved Valentino couture bow jelly sandals, I had to have them. I have wanted the Valentino bow jelly sandals ever since I first set eyes on them, but spending $295 for a pair of flip flops was not happening. Dizzy has created a perfect dupe of the couture sandals that will only cost you $25 a pop. The sandals are made by Dizzy and are called the "Lounge" jelly flip flops and they come in many color options. Perfecto!

You can find this steal at HintBoutique.com. I can't wait until my sandals get here! I ordered them in beige, black, and pink. I also want to get them in red once they are back in stock on the website. Also, if you do not find them in beige on HintBoutique, it's because I think they are sold out as well. There was a very limited supply when I purchased them yesterday. I'd wait a little while, I'm sure they will be back in stock soon.

Happy Shopping!

xoxo,

Les Fleurs

2012-01-22T02:38:00.000-05:00

"Happiness is like a butterfly.The more you chase it, the more it eludes you.But if you turn your attention to other things,It comes and sits softly on your shoulder."- Henry David Thoreau
Jerrid and I spent the day together shopping and grabbing dinner from a restaurant that I haven't been to in years. Today was the day that Jerrid and I got to go pick up our wedding bands and then Jerrid surprised me by taking me to DaDa in Delray Beach, a restaurant I used to love going to back when I was in high school.
I wore a simple outfit, a cotton dress from Francesca's and I paired it with my fuchsia blazer from Zara. The mix turned out nice and complimented well with the color of the flowers on the dress.

The tuna tartare at DaDa is beyond delicious! I ate so much of it that I didn't have much room left for my habanero maple glazed salmon, which was also divine.
Hope you enjoyed your Saturday!
xoxo,

A Temptation for Inspiration

2012-01-12T00:15:00.000-05:00

As the season begins to change here in Florida, and the breezier days approach us, I feel the need to be inspired for a wardrobe change. I can never get tired of flipping through boards on Polyvore.com and putting together my own. Here are 3 boards that I put together with the outfit inspirations that I am aiming for.

Tomorrow's post : "What in my makeup bag"
Stay inspired my friends!
xoxo,

Ring in the New Year

2012-01-02T16:11:00.000-05:00

Jerrid and I had the pleasure of ringing in the New Year with a dear friend of mine from college on one of the most important days of her life, her wedding day! We packed up the car and headed up to Atlanta for the weekend where we just fell in love with the city. The beautiful tree topped rolling hills, and weaving singe lane streets, it's such a cozy place to call home.

The wedding took place at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and then the reception was at the beautiful Dunwoody Country Club. The bride was my college tennis teammate and best friend, Laura. Seeing her walk down the aisle looking like a princess was such an emotional moment, she looked beautiful.

I wore a Sue Wong ostrich feather mini dress in eggplant with black strap heels and a black HoBo International clutch. For my makeup, I went for a deep purple smokey eye using my Sedona Lace palettes, and a nude pink lip using YSL lipstick in #2 Nude Beige, topped with MAC Creamsheen lipgloss, Partial to Pink.

At the Dunwoody Country Club

I want to wish the new couple many many blessings and endless happiness together!

xoxo,

Tuesday Morning

2011-12-28T00:28:00.000-05:00

Today was a fun day for J.J. and I. We headed to the mall and did some more shopping preparations for my friend Laura's wedding. I wore a simple relaxed outfit and very minimal makeup, just a bit of eyeliner and mascara. I can never resist kissing my son's cheeks too much so I had to stay clear of any lip products.

We stopped by the Gulfstream Park shopping plaza and casino and did a bit of shopping from the Container Store which just opened here not too long ago, and Crate & Barrel. J.J. helped me pick out the cutest couch pillows from Crate & Barrel and I also snagged the 10 piece pop top organizers. I was so surprised to see the couch pillows scan in at $11.99 all the way down from their original price of $32.99 so I had to plant another kiss on those cheeks that I love so much for having such a good eye for a bargain.

He loves to squish my face when he hugs me.

I hope you all had a wonderful Tuesday as well!
xoxo,

Winter White

2011-12-27T02:52:00.001-05:00

It's almost the end of December but feels like the middle of July here in South Florida. Jerrid and I spent the day shopping for our upcoming trip to Atlanta for the New Year's wedding of one of my good college friends. The malls were packed and we rushed through the crowds, hand in hand, to find me the perfect dress to wear to the wedding. I finally decided on another Sue Wong dress, this time the feather mini dress in eggplant. It's perfect and I can't wait to wear it!

I wore a simple outfit today, with a mixture of creams and whites. I popped on my gold vintage earrings that were a gift from my mom and matched my makeup to them. I used my Sedona Lace 88 metals palette which is always an easy tool for me to use for a quick look with all of my favorite shades.

What I'm wearing:Old Navy faux fur vest / Old Navy cream tank top / Paper Demin & Co. JeansXTC on Melrose shoes / SHIH by Stephanie Lin bag
Makeup:Sedona Lace 88 metals palette / MAC lipstick in "Hue" / MAC lipglass in "Baby Sparks"MAC blush in "Springsheen" / Lancome Doll Eyes Mascara in Black / LORAC eyeliner in Black
xoxo,

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T14:19:00.000-05:00

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!
This year was all about our little prince. He was such a good boy al year long and brought us so much joy, Santa had no choice but to bring him a significantly large amount of presents. Currently we are still on the couch watching JJ play with his new toys. We can't seem to get the smile off from our faces watching the joy on our son's face. This is truly a magical time of the year.

Soon is approaching the time to hop on over to Grandma's house and enjoy her Christmas feast! My tummy is rumbling and I certainly can't wait!
I hope you have all had as magical of a Christmas as we have had here at our home. I hope your holiday was filled with love, joy, and smiles. It's not about the presents, but the blessings that we have everyday...those simple things that we may overlook, but mean the world to us.
P.S. - more photos coming soon!xoxo,

MAC Pro Longwear - Patience Please

2011-12-19T20:51:00.002-05:00

I recently purchased a new lipglass from the Pro Longwear collection from MAC. I wanted to try out the Pro Longwear glasses to see if they were anything like the Creamsheen glasses with longer wear, but I was way off. This lipglass is not easy to apply and very sticky, almost to the point of being flat out uncomfortable. The color is pretty in "Patience Please", which is a milky pinkish beige. I wish they would make it in a Creamsheen lipglass. I will give this lipglass another chance or two, but it may just be one of those tubes that gets lost in my sea of lip products.

Overall rating - 2 out of 5Price - $18.50Where to buy - Any MAC retailer.
xoxo,

Scentsy

2011-12-13T23:00:00.002-05:00

It makes perfect "scents"!

Ever since I began to mention how wonderful Yankee Candle wax burners and waxes were making my home smell, a friend of mine introduced me to Scentsy. Scentsy is a company that produces flameless wax burners, which were got automatic green light in my mind since I do have a child. I received a few products from Scentsy as a gift from my friend and have been obsessing over their goodies ever since. I chose 6 delicious scents such as Paradise Punch, which has been a favorite ever since it touched the burner tray. The smell is strong and delectable.
The burners are easy to use with simple on and off switches. No more lighters, tea lights, and hot wax on the top tray and inside the tea light candle tray. The larger burners are very low maintenance with removable top trays for easy cleaning. To make cleaning even easier, Scentsy has created a scent tab that you place into the wet wax and let solidify during cooling, at which time you just pull on the tabs and remove the entire solidified wax from the burner tray. It's pretty neat!
By doing the math you can see that Scentsy is actually a smart choice for the penny pincher. In comparison to Yankee Candle, which sells their waxes for $1.99 each, Scentsy sells a bar of 8 separate cubes for $5.00. Yankee Candle waxes last about 8 hours where as Scentsy bars divided into 8 cubes, each lasting 8 hours makes up for more overall hours of scent and less money spent to constantly replace waxes. Also, no more money spent on buying new tea light candles, which last about 3 hours each. Scentsy wax burners are electric and totally flameless. Its such a convenience!
"Crinkle" large flameless burner.

These are the 6 scents that I have chosen; "Peach a la mode", "Paradise Punch", "Rio Beach", "Eskimo Kiss", "French Kiss", and "Sweet Pea and Vanilla". Browse the catalog here to check out the other available scents and read their descriptions HERE.

The waxes come in a container such as this and are separated into 8 blocks. They are easy to pull apart and convenient to store. Do remember to store them in a location that is not exposed to heat.
Scentsy also offers a variety of mini plug-in wall wax burners. They are easy to handle and turn on with a big on and off switch on the front. The burner looks like an adorable functional night light and brightens up any dull dark room.
"Roma" plug in mini wall wax burner.
The catalog is very easy to look at easy to understand. Its great for inspiration on where and how to place your Scentsy burner.

There is a vast array of designs and colors of burners that you have to choose from. It's fun and can be the perfect final touch to any room.

There are also pages and pages of scents to choose from, each in their own category.Just have a basic idea of what you're looking for, categorize it, and then hunt down the exact scent you're looking for by the descriptions!

I'm so glad I was introduced to Scentsy and I couldn't wait to share their products with all of you.
Scentsy may have your perfect holiday scent and may also be the perfect gift for someone special on your list!
If you're interested in some Scentsy products to get your home smelling perfect,check out my friend Lyndsey's Scentsy website here:www.lyndseybond.scentsy.us/Home
xoxo,

Visiting Santa

2011-12-11T22:58:00.000-05:00

Today I took J.J. to Outdoor World, which is a sportsmens shopping plaza with multiple fishing, sporting goods, and boating stores such as Bass Pro Shops. Every year Bass Pro Shops allows children to get a free photo taken with their Santa. The process is very organized and the wait is not bad at all. You pick up an appointment card with the time of your photo session with Santa, and you shop around until it's your time to line up and wait. There are about 10-15 people with the same time as you so your wait is never too long.
Bass Pro Shops has some of the best toys that I've seen. I picked up a few things for J.J. that he had showed interest for, such as the truck and boat toy set, later on that same day when I dropped him off with grandma for a few hours. The prices were guilt free and the toys are so intricate and finely detailed. I know J.J. will be one happy camper on Christmas morning.

Making sure Santa's sleigh is ready for the big day!

Santa : And what would you like for Christmas little boy?J.J. : TOYS!!!
xoxo,

Lorac Holiday Collection - Quick Look

2011-12-11T22:45:00.000-05:00

On my birthday I was gifted a Lorac gift set from Sephora containing 2 palettes (16 eyeshadow shades in each and 1 blush in each), 2 glosses, 2 liners, and a bronzer all neatly packed into a silver glittery jewelry box-like packaging. It was exactly what I had wanted and I have been using the palettes non-stop since receiving them due to the wonderful pigmentation and awesome color selection.
My look today was done using colors from both the Day and Night palette, which I will post about shortly. I want to get some photos in better natural lighting from the sun. I also want to include swatches of the shades.

I put this look together in about 10 minutes to do some quick Christmas shopping.
xoxo,

J-Work Limited 2011

2011-12-04T00:48:00.000-05:00

A good friend of mine and design mastermind, Jermaine Jenkins, has taken his clothing, J-Work Limited, line to the next level! Jermaine, creator of J-Work Limited has had his clothing line featured in many big name media outlets such as MTV, BET's 106 & Park, and plenty of blogs. At around this time of the year in 2009, I remember blogging about J-Work and featuring a few of the shirts in my post, and I am so proud of the huge leaps that J-Work has taken since their start back then. J-Work is very classy and exclusive. A great gift idea just in time for the holidays.

If you're looking to check out some J-Work for yourself or for someone else, hit up the website at www.JWORKLIMITED.com.
xoxo,
Disclaimer: Product was sent complimentary of the company for consideration.

Vanity and makeup storage

2011-11-28T00:10:00.000-05:00

I've been promising to post a photo of my new vanity. I love the way this vanity looks so chic and elegant and the price was unbeatable. I plan to get the matching lingerie drawer to store all of my makeup and beauty necessities in and place it right next to the vanity. I bought the vase, candles, and candle holders from HomeGoods. I preserved the flowers from my birthday by hanging them in the closet upside down and putting 2 coats of flower lacquer on them. They look beautiful.
I have so much new makeup to apply in front of my vanity. My nieces gifted me with the sweetest Lorac gift set on my birthday. The set comes with a day and night palette as well as a bronzer and 2 lip glosses. I did this look using the night palette and the black eyeliner that comes with it. The quality of the eyeshadows is superb. I'm so happy and can't thank my nieces enough! They know me too well! I took this photo when the sun was setting so I didn't have the greatest lighting, but I will be posting up some new looks and outfit posts soon. I have yet to organize all of my clothes and belongings in our new home.

I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend!
xoxo,

So much to be thankful for...

2011-11-23T19:52:00.000-05:00

I have so much to be thankful for...for my family, my friends, and all the love and support they show me, and for my readers, who have been so patient with me. Thank you.
The winner of the Naughty Monkey shoe giveaway will be announced this Sunday! I can't wait to choose a winner! I've had a blast going through your entries and reading all of you wonderful comments. There have been some changes to the giveaway guidelines so do review them and make any changes that need to be made before Sunday. If you haven't posted your comment on the Naughty Monkey facebook page as well as under the post, please do so as soon as you can.
I have been spending so much time with my family and catching up on some quality time with Jerrid. We have just settled into our new home and moving can be so time consuming so I have been missing from blogging for a bit while my obsession over getting the house together has consumed me.
I have so much to share with you and so many new beauty products to share with you! I can't wait and don't even know where to begin!
I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving filled with joy! I wish for you all to be surrounded by the ones you love and to understand and appreciate one another.
Happy Thanksgiving!
xoxo,

Something to be thankful for...

2011-11-15T19:06:00.002-05:00

Naughty Monkey and I have teamed up to bring you a giveaway to be thankful for! This giveaway is special and the winner will be chosen depending on how they answer one simple question...
Why would you be thankful for a pair of Naughty Monkey shoes?
Leave a comment on this post AND the Naughty Monkey Facebook page with your answer! On your comment here only, leave your contact information such as your e-mail or twitter link.
You must be a follower of this blog as well as the Naughty Monkey facebook page HERE, and their twitter page HERE.
Thank you and GOOD LUCK! :)
xoxo,

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T22:29:00.000-04:00

I hope you have all had a fun and safe Halloween! J.J.'s Halloween was jam packed with treats, and costume craziness. Our day started out at J.J.'s school where a Halloween party took place. J.J. had so much fun with all of his friends and teachers.
Later on we headed over to the mall and walked around with some of the other trick-or-treaters in costumes. To finish off the night we frolicked around our neighborhood and went door to door to grab some treats from the neighbors. J.J. had such a good time!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
xoxo,

Mirror, Mirror

2011-10-30T13:08:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I dragged Jerrid along with me to Pier 1, one of my favorite home accent stores. I wanted to buy some autumn accents for the dining and living rooms. I instantly fell in love with the mirrored vanity and stool set in the Hayworth Collection. Jerrid thought it would be the perfect motivation for me to start filming my YouTube videos again, so he bought it for me. I had no place to film my videos before, and now I will have a comfortable and well lit area in the guest bedroom by the window to film! The vanity is beautiful! Heavy...but beautiful!

I have yet to actually put it into place since some furniture will need to be moved around in the room first, but when it is finished, I can't wait to show you all how it looks! The photo I have uploaded is from the Pier 1 website, so the stool looks rather small in comparison to the vanity, when in actuality it is perfectly sized to slide under the vanity and allow someone to sit in comfort. I may upgrade to one of the upholstered chairs later on, since there was one that I was very attracted to, but for now, I'm very happy with the mirrored stool.
In return for Jerrid coming along with me to Pier 1 and spoiling me, I tagged along with him to the gym. So all evens out in the end...and now I have extreme pain in my knee. No more stair master for longer than 25 minutes.
xoxo,

Halloween Hoe-Down

2011-10-28T23:42:00.001-04:00

Every year Jerrid and I take JJ to the local Halloween Hoe-Down in our community. He has such a good time every year, and its enjoyable to us to watch him appreciate it more and more as he gets older. This year JJ picked out his own costume. He wanted to be Buzz Lightyear with wings that light up. He loved being Buzz and would wear his costume around the house while he watched Toy Story.

At the Hoe-Down JJ got to play in the pumpkin patch. He had more fun jumping around in the hay than he did actually looking for a pumpkin. It ended up being a very hot and humid night, very uncomfortable for the children with long sleeve costumes...and for my hair!
It was another wonderful year at the hoe-down! I want to thank the city for putting on such a wonderful event every year for us to enjoy as a family.

Happy Halloween!
xoxo,

Game Time

2011-10-16T15:31:00.000-04:00

The nearby University recently built and established an expensive project towards their football program. The project took many months and finally was opened for the first home game of the football season with a brand new multi-million dollar stadium. Jerrid and I joined a good friend, who is basically family, to attend the first home game of the season for her University football team. Marlene and I grew up together playing tennis and now she plays for the FAU team, so I had to show support! Go OWLS!

The game didn't go so well for the Owls, but theres always next time! We had a great time at the game admiring the new stadium and grabbing some snacks. It would be unusual for me to miss out on concessions at sporting events.

xoxo,

Retro Red

2011-10-16T15:21:00.000-04:00

J.J. is a little tricycle pro! My big boy was such a little speedster at school on the tricycles that it was time for us to buy him his own. We went for a classic Radio Flyer with rubber wheels which would make for a smoother ride. Our little guy loves his tricycle!

xoxo,

Stripe Hype

2011-10-15T23:37:00.000-04:00

I am filled with so much excitement as my birthday gets near. I can't wait to spend time with the ones that I love! October is always a fun month for me, with the change of the weather to a breezier warmth, and so much to do for the Halloween festivities. I took some photos today before Jerrid and I headed to dinner. We had a great time. It's nice to put life on hold and get in tune with your loved ones after a busy week.

Vintage dress / Ralph Lauren shoes / Balenciaga bag
Makeup: Sedona Lace 88 Warm Palette
xoxo,

Glamour Doll Eyes - Halloween Set #1

2011-10-02T13:40:00.001-04:00

Glamour Doll Eyes, a popular eyeshadow pigment company founded by Vanessa (an eyeshadow pigment enthusiast) has sent me their brand new Halloween pigment set #1 to showcase. The Halloween sets have been released yesterday on October 1st, 2011 for purchase. The pigments are reasonably priced at $5 for a full jar and $2.50 for sample size. You can find them along with many other pigment shades and varieties to choose from on the Glamour Doll Eyes website at - www.GlamourDollEyes.com.

SET #1

Cadaver: a medium to dark purple with green sparkle.Approved for: eyes, face, and nails.
October 30th: a creamy yellow with orange hue and silver sparkle when blended out. This color was inspired by Candy Corn since October 30th is National Candy Corn Day. Approved for: eyes,lips, face, and nails.
Graveyard Shift: a gorgeous black with silver and purple sparkle. For best results, tap this into the lid or use with a mixing medium. Approved for: eyes, lips, face, and nails.
Flesh Eater: a muted almost matte green with purple sparkle. Approved for: eyes, face, and nails.

From left to right: Cadaver / October 30th / Flesh Eater / Graveyard Shift
I used all 4 colors for a look. It was very easy to blend the colors and they came out very pigmented and bright. The jars contain a generous amount of product and it was easy to apply without making a mess. There is no messy sifter atop the jars which makes for easy application, and easy clean up.

I applied my foundation, dotted on some blush and got started on the eyes. I used Flesh Eater for the inner corner of my eye, Cadaver for the outer V and along the crease, October 30th to highlight, and Graveyard shift to line the lower lash line. I lined my last line with my L.A. Colors black eyeliner, applied mascara and called it a day. For my lips I used Lorac Baby Doll lipstick. Super easy and quick!
www.GlamourDollEyes.com
xoxo, Disclaimer: Product was sent courtesy of the company for consideration.

Wham Bam...

2011-10-01T19:20:00.004-04:00

...thank ya ma'am.
There's something about October that awakens and excites me! Besides the fact that its my birth month, and the weather is a little less humid, October is filled with vibes of change, and renewal. The leaves don't turn here in South Florida and I do wish to see the change of season this year. It may be time for a trip up north.
I was sent a sexy pair of Naughty Monkey pumps; the "Wham Bam" leopard print open toe pumps. The shoes are really cute and comfortable! I feel like I can walk in them all night. That's not something you hear everyday about a pair of 4 inch heels.
About Naught Monkey:

Naughty Monkey is a fresh fun shoe collection that originated in California and has everyone clamoring for the monkey from coast to coast. The naughty monkey, whose identity shall remain nameless, heard constant gripes and complaints about how mundane and boring footwear had become. In his monkey mind came the devastating first designs of a brand that would leave a lasting impression on fashion and how fun it could be. The evolution of naughty monkey to this day continues on the same maddening quest to bring the opposite of boring to fashion and can only be appreciated by those who have a little of the naughty monkey inside of them.

I love Naughty Monkey shoes. If you'd like to check them out, here are some sites that sell Naughty Monkey shoes : www.endless.com / www.zappos.com / www.NaughtyMonkey.com.

WIN A FREE PAIR OF NAUGHTY MONKEY SHOES!

Make sure you follow Naughty Monkey on twitter - www.twitter.com/NaughtyMonkey

Like the Naughty Monkey on their Facebook page - www.Facebook.com/NaughtyMonkey

What I'm wearing:H&M dress / Ann Taylor belt / Hobo International clutch / Naughty Monkey shoes
xoxo,
Disclaimer: Shoes were sent complimentary of the company.

Misikko Review - Hana Flat Iron

2011-09-24T21:33:00.000-04:00

I was sent a complimentary Hana flat iron hair straightener for a review from Misikko.com, a site that I have worked with in the past for a review of the Hana Shine Shield hair serum. Misikko is a great site for hair necessities and has never disappointed when its come to service. The customer service staff are very friendly and the products are quality goods.
The product I was sent was a Hana 1" flat iron. It's great for styling all hair types. The flat iron is neatly packaged in a tin container, and a carry pouch for travel. It's very convenient for travel since the iron is much thinner than the everyday flat iron that I use which is a thick body 3" flat iron which works great for my very thick hair.

The Hana flat iron works very well, but I found it to take me a bit longer to straighten my hair than usual, in comparison to me using my 3" Helen of Troy flat iron. I do love the fact that I have plenty of styling options when it comes to the thinner model flat iron. I could do loose curls easily without having to twist my hair up in a barrel iron and waiting. I have yet to try this style technique out, but will do so in the near future. The 1" Hana iron was very convenient for styling my fringe since it easily fit all the way up to my roots for more volume.

Misikko.com offers many amazing quality brand name products for a fraction of the cost that you may find at other establishments. I would give them a try if your in need for some hot tools.
The Hana flat iron I was sent is the standard 1" flat iron. It's originally $149.99. but you get it for $71.99 at Misikko.com!
Happy hair days!
xoxo,

Brush me away

2011-09-06T23:44:00.000-04:00

Just writing a quick post to list the items that I had used to create the following look. It's a very simple look I went for using my Urban Decay NAKED palette, which has been a palette that I have been reaching for quite often lately. It's very easy to put together a 5 minute look using the NAKED palette or the Sedona Lace 88 Warm palette, which is another palette that I use frequently.
I had recently come across a great find. L.A. Colors, a cheap drugstore makeup line, carries a wonderful eyeliner which I came across by chance and have been choosing over my other eyeliners, such as NARS, Urban Decay, Stila, etc. The eyeliner is dark, goes on smoothly, and stays put, not to mention...it's super cheap! If I remember correctly, I think I paid $2 for 2 eyeliners and a sharpener in one package! I will be posting about this eyeliner with a full review within the next couple of days.
Makeup Used:
Face:Yves Rocher facial moisturizerMaybelline Mousse Foundation - Classic Tan
Cheeks:MAC blush - "Peechykeen"
Eyes:Urban Decay NAKED palette - - "Smog" used on entire lid. - "Sidecar" used directly above lid to blend. - "Naked" and "Sin" used as highlight.L.A. Colors eyeliner - BlackAvon mascara - Black
Lips:MAC Lipstick - "Hue"
xoxo,

Sedona Lace Vortex Brush Kit

2011-09-04T22:34:00.003-04:00

Sedona Lace recently revealed their new product lineup, and among this new lineup is their game changing brush set designed exclusively by blogger and makeup artist Renelyn of www.makeupbyrenren.com. I was lucky enough to have been sent the brush set and I am loving it!
The 12 piece brush set contains every brush necessary for a complete look, along with a cute brush belt for professional makeup artists, or just for the comfort of having all your brushes within easy reach. The brush belt contains many more slots for extra brushes you may have for easy storage and carry. The belt is adjustable for all sizes.
From the website:

The Vortex Collection exclusively designed by Renelyn Monteloyola of Makeup by Ren Ren for Sedona Lace. This pro line of brushes takes makeup application and technique to the next level. All of the brushes are multi-purpose and versatile and includes a brush belt to help store the brushes and keep them within easy reach.

About the brush belt:

Having a brush belt on a gig keeps you organized and professional looking. Use the brush belt at home for storage and easy access. The upgraded material is smooth, durable and easy to clean. With this belt, you can store dozens of brushes with room to grow.

Tip: When traveling, fold the belt together with brushes on the inside and then wrap the straps around the belt. Place in a baggie and your brushes will stay protected and won’t fall out of place.

The brushes are soft, dense, and carry color nicely from the palette to your skin. For $79.99, you're getting great deal, especially when you think about the quality that you get for the price. My favorite brushes are the fan brush, flat top buffer, and universal blender. The fan brush is perfect for everything! I easily brush away fall out from under my eyes and dab on any setting powder. The flat top buffer makes my foundation look airbrush perfect and the universal blender is perfect for blending my eyeshadow for sultry smokey eyes with all shades. Ren did an awesome job with the brush set!

Learn more about the brush set and each individual brush and its uses here at the Sedona Lace Vortex brush set website.
www.SedonaLace.com
Remember to use code KATRINALOMIDZE to get $4 off your entire purchase!
xoxo,

Color me mine

2011-08-12T23:06:00.000-04:00

We finally saw a day without rain, and it's certainly been something to cheer about. The cheery sunshine has brought out the playfulness in me that decided to give color blocking a try. It's such a fun trend and I'm loving it!

Vintage shirt / H&M skirt / Alexander Wang shoes / Target bag
xoxo,

Lean Back

2011-08-03T02:47:00.000-04:00

"Some of the secret joys of living are not found by rushing from point A to point B, but by inventing some imaginary letters along the way" - Douglas Pagels
We dropped JJ off with grandma for a few hours and headed out for a stroll. One of the keys to a healthy relationship is the communication factor. Jerrid and I love going for walks, sitting down, and just talking to one another. It's so special to us, and it never gets old. We strolled around for a bit and sat around on these random stairs, snapped some photos, and headed out before I was completely eaten alive by mosquitos. Next time...I will remember to bring some Off spray!

Forever 21 top / Old Navy cargo pants / Zara sandals
xoxo,

Light Wash

2011-08-02T20:33:00.002-04:00

I love how versatile this shirt from Express is. Paired up with jeans it makes for a nice, casual outfit, ready to run the errands for the day and cool enough to manage in the heat. The shoes are my favorite part of this outfit. These Ralph Lauren shoes are so comfortable and believe it or not, I found them at Ross Dress For Less for $27.99! You never know what goodies you can find in discount stores such as Ross, TJ Maxx and Marshalls...I've struck gold in there many-a-times!
Today was a very laid back day for me. JJ and I took a nap, watched television and did some grocery shopping. I'm still recovering from our busy day in the sun yesterday.
For my makeup I went very light. I'm using my Yves Saint Lauren foundation in #7 which is a very light foundation, perfect for the hot summer. On my eyes I used my Urban Decay NAKED palette, using just 2 colors; "Toasted" all over the lid, and "Sin" as a highlight. I lined my eyes with my NARS cream eyeliner, applied mascara and that was it on the eyes. The blush I'm wearing is MAC "Mighty Aphrodite" which is one of my favorite products of all time. On my lips I'm wearing Napoleon Perdis lipgloss in "French Pink" which is another one of my favorite products of all time.

Express Top / American Eagle jeans / Ralph Lauren shoesLouis Vuitton Neverfull MM / Michael Kors ceramic watch
xoxo,

First of the Month

2011-08-01T21:24:00.000-04:00

Today was all about family and fun. I've wanted to take JJ to the Miami Seaquarium for the longest, and today was the perfect day to go. The Weather Channel predicted rain, but I knew that it was going to be a perfectly sunny day, I felt it in my gut. I was right.
Here are some photos from the Miami Seaquarium and the beach we went to afterwards. The day was gorgeous and JJ had so much fun. It was a perfect day...a perfect way to start the month!
Miami Seaquarium

JJ see. JJ do.

Key Biscayne Beach
Afterwards, we headed out towards on the beach on Key Biscayne to run around in the low tide. It was so beautiful! The water was warm and the waves were gentle. JJ had so much fun!

Today was perfect.
xoxo,

Looking back

2011-07-31T23:54:00.000-04:00

Quickly posting a collage of my outfit collaborations for July 2011. August will bring many more trends, and outfit ideas! I'm really loving summer! I made plans to take my boys out to the Miami Seaquarium tomorrow to watch and learn about the beautiful ocean life. I haven't been there in years, and now JJ is old enough to truly appreciate the majesty of the ocean creatures. I can't wait to see the dolphin and killer whale show! I'm getting my swim suit ready...those shows leave you soaking wet!
Wishing everyone a fantastic Monday.
Enjoy!
xoxo,

Whistle while you work...

2011-07-30T21:28:00.001-04:00

"One important key to success is self confidence. An important key to self confidence is preparation."
I decided to shoot some photos of the outfit that I wore to work...or as I like to call it, my good luck outfit. I had a fantastic day at work wearing this outfit which was a hand-me-down from my mom. So vintage and classic. Thanks mom!

Vintage top / Vintage skirt / Michael Antonio wedges / Target bag
xoxo,

Tempest

2011-07-28T21:48:00.004-04:00

The minute I laid my eyes on these Alexander Wang Tempest sandals in the color "Lemon", I fell in love and had to have them. The knotted sandals have extra padding and are super comfy. They are perfect for a casual outfit and the chunky heel is so trendy. I can't wait to wear these shoes with the many other outfits that I have in mind!
I wore minimal makeup today, going for a neutral brown eyeshadow all over the lid, pink gloss, tinted moisturizer, blush and mascara. As for my outfit, I raided Jerrid's closet and found the blue button up which went perfectly with my white denims for a casual and effortless look.

Jerrid's button up / J.Brand white jeans / Chloe bagAlexander Wang Tempest sandals / Michael Kors watch
xoxo,

Midi Me

2011-07-28T01:47:00.001-04:00

Midi skirts are super trendy and perfect for the summer. I have been on the hunt for a cute midi skirt and fell in love when I saw this blue Zara skirt worn by Delmy at Fashion Bananas. She wore the skirt with a crop top and I just had to go for the same look. I paired my skirt with a black cut off tank top and my Naughty Monkey "Joshua Tree" wedges. I felt so comfortable and the linen fabric of the skirt kept me cool in the humid weather. I love how the black complimented the black buttons on the skirt and put the outfit together. The embellishments on the wedges gave the ensemble a bit of an edge.
Today was beautiful. We walked up and down the pier and then enjoyed a nice dinner sheltered from the the rain in Aruba Beach Cafe. The seafood was delicious and the atmosphere was as "Florida" as you can get!

Vintage top / Zara skirt / Naughty Monkey wedges / Aldo bag
I hope you had a fabulous Wednesday!
xoxo,

Inspired

2011-07-22T14:45:00.000-04:00

I'm heading out to do some shopping on my day off so I made some outfit collaborations to inspire me while on the hunt for some new duds. I find it to be a good idea to go shopping with specific items in mind, especially on those days when I don't feel like spending the entire day at the mall. The one major thing that I want to pick up is a midi skirt. I found one that I love at Zara and I'm heading over there to see if I could get my hands on it...the best part about it is that its on sale!

xoxo,

Photo to glass

2011-07-21T19:32:00.002-04:00

Photography has truly opened a doorway into another realm for me. I have met some of the most creative, determined, and passionate people and made some amazing friends along the way. I recently met Daniel Gaddi, a professional photographer with a lot of work under his belt. He is the sweetest guy with a heart full of kindness and a passion for his work. He couldn't even call it work, since he loves doing what he does so much.

Daniel runs a creative business that has taken over by storm. His Photo2Glass creations have been a big hit! His patent is a burning technique which burns images onto the back of a special piece of glass, that lasts a lifetime without fading. Daniel was kind enough to use some of my photos and turn them into a Photo2Glass masterpiece! I LOVE them! Photo2Glass offers many different options of glass size, shape, and decoration, even making your photos into ornaments, like the one Daniel made of JJ and I!

Daniel, thank you so much!

For more information on how you can get your own images on glass, check out:

www.Photo2Glass.com

xoxo,

Gone Thrifting

2011-07-21T19:19:00.000-04:00

I had some free time today, so I gassed up my car and drove around town on a hunt for a few good thrift or vintage stores. I found one around the Deerfield Beach area and struck gold with a few items, but the other 5 stores I hit up in the area were quite a miss...either moving locations or bare, for the time being. You never know what you will get when you are thrifting, so never prejudge a store. I do plan to go thrift hunting in Miami and the North Miami area soon...I've done some Googling and found some great recommendations.
I already know of some great locations for vintage gold such as Fly Boutique and Recycled Blues down on South Beach, but have found those stores to be a bit on the pricey side. Next I am going to head up to Palm Beach and check out their awesome selection of consignment stores and vintage shops.
Wish me luck!
xoxo,

KiM Makeup Brushes

2011-07-20T01:27:00.002-04:00

Rekab, the makeup brush specialists, have cerated a new line of brushes that are of professional quality, but won't burn a hole in your wallet. KiM brushes was created for the everyday makeup enthusiast that wants the quality of a professional brush, but an affordable price tag. KIM is the line of professional grade hand made makeup brushes from Rekab - a long time (100 yr old) fine art brush company originally out of London, now producing out of Israel.
From the site:

Rekab, one of the world’s top brushmakers of hand-crafted soft hair artist brushes, now uses its expertise to the creation of a line of fine quality make-up brushes.

All hair is natural tip and the brush shape is created by hand-shaping and tying of the hairs as opposed to cutting the hair. While it is more time-consuming to create brushes using natural tip hair, the resulting brush captures the make-up colours more precisely, resulting in an enhanced ability to control the application of the make-up products to the face.

I was lucky enough to be one of the first bloggers to be sent a few samples to test out and share with you!
KiM brushes has a whole array of brushes to choose from, categorized for the face, eyes, lips, and nails. I was sent three brushes.

I'm very happy with the brushes I was sent. The bristles incredibly soft, and its so impressive to know that they were handmade. They look so immaculate and do the job very well. I have not used brush L311 handy for my lips since I do not use a brush on my lips, but found so many uses for it on my eyes. I love how easily it fits into the crease in my eyelid. Brush 131 for the eyes is perfect for applying that line along my eyelid to darken it with eyeshadow, rather than wearing eyeliner that may smudge. Brush F231 is just a dream. Foundation comes on smoothly and it blends onto my face without being scratchy or streaky. Such great quality products that KiM brushes has here, this line is sure to be a winner for Rekab.
If your order is more than $50, you are also sent a free gift; a BAGGU zipper top brush bag! It's pretty neat! I was sent one in the color blue.

If you want more information on KiM brushes, or if you are interested in buying some brushes, check out their website.
www.KimBrushes.com
xoxo, Disclaimer: Product was sent complimentary of company for review.

Unwind

2011-07-18T23:09:00.001-04:00

Just a quick photo post from today. The gloomy clouds were hovering over us, but we missed the rain. We had a casual day and went out to grub on some wings. I put the makeup aside and went fresh faced in my skinny cargo pants and chucks. Nothing beats a calm, casual, relaxed day with the family.
Old Navy top / Old Navy skinny cargosSteve Madden bejeweled sneakers / Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM

xoxo,

Tree hugger

2011-07-17T17:35:00.000-04:00

I'm loving these scorching hot days! Waking up, feeling like anything is possible, and could be done in the warm shining sunlight is a feeling that is indescribable. I pulled out a vintage all American denim button down romper, so perfect for a hot sunny day.
Jerrid and I strolled around and took some pictures by a rather unusual tree. I love the way they came out and wanted to share them with my readers.
Vintage romper / F21 belt / Steve Madden sandalsVintage cuff / F21 gold feather ring
xoxo,

Looking Out. Looking In.

2011-07-14T15:16:00.000-04:00

I wanted so badly for today to be sunny, and I got exactly what I wanted. A gorgeous day to spend glancing in from the outside, rather than stuck looking out from the inside, sheltered from the storms.
Old Navy top / Ann Taylor skirt / Aldo shoesChanel earrings / Hobo clutch / Gucci sunnies
I'm buying new toys for my Nikon D90; some new lens buddies for it to master. I have a couple that I want in mind and can't wait to share with you the winner that I bring home. Being able to capture perfect memories and feelings in still frame gives you such power, it's an obsession of mine.
xoxo,

Fashion Inspiration

2011-07-09T00:47:00.000-04:00

My summer fashion inspiration.

What's your favorite summer trend?
xoxo,

Liking It

2011-07-08T19:48:00.003-04:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I made a collage of all of my outfits that I really like along with naming some of the trends that I was very into. I loved the idea of making a collage, and had seen many other bloggers post theirs, which inspired me to do mine!
"Like" to give
In the spirit of "liking", I have started a Facebook fan page! Sedona Lace and I have teamed up and are hosting a GIVEAWAY to launch my new Facebook fan page! "Like" both of our pages in order to be entered into the giveaway to win a palette of your choice! It's as simple as that!
Click here to "Like" my Facebook page!
Click here to "Like" the Sedona Lace Facebook page!

We LOVE you for LIKING!
xoxo,

That's Money, Honey

2011-07-05T21:52:00.001-04:00

A penny saved is a penny earned, and looking for a great deal in any situation is a winning situation! A must have for many beauty lovers is a set of killer lashes, but the dollars can add up, especially when going through lashes quickly. KKCenterHK is a beauty company from Hong Kong that makes some killer lashes in bulk sets and sells them for reasonable prices.
I was sent eyelash kit A155 for review, and as far as packaging and lash quality, I'm a happy camper. Some of the lash strips may be a bit longer or shorter than than matching pair, but because they are quite longer than an average pair of lashes, its not a big deal to just grab some scissors and snip a bit off of each to make them match to your lid and not overextend.
The only thing I didn't like about the lashes, is perhaps the style that I have chosen. They do look fake when they're on my lids. They do have a synthetic shine to them, which is common for synthetic lashes since they are not made with human hair. I did prefer a different set, but was told the set I wanted was not available at the time, so I chose another. I still liked the lashes because I can make them work. The quality of the lashes is good, the strip is nice and thick. It's not a flimsy lash that will fall apart and bend out of shape once off the tray.
Check out www.kkcenterhk.com if your interested in grabbing a set of awesome lashes for a super price. They offer many varieties of lashes, from subtle lashes, all the way to glittery, neon bright falsies. The site also offers plenty of other creative beauty supplies, such as creative wigs and much more! The products do ship from Hong Kong so it will take a little while to get to you, but for the price, it's well worth the wait.

I used my Urban Decay NYC palette again today. I dusted it off after removing it from the depths of my cosmetics drawer, and went to work creating a look using 3 of the shades from the palette, Money, Bordello, and Uzi, being very careful to avoid fallout. Uzi is a pain when it comes to fallout since it contains such chunky glitter which can make your whole look appear messy if not taken care of. I use a strip of tape to remove the glitter, winding it on my finger and dabbing the sticky side to my skin atop the glitter to gently remove the flakes without disturbing my foundation and blush.

What I used:
Face:Smashbox Photo Finish facial primerRevlon ColorStay #330 - Natural Tan
Cheeks:MAC Wonder Woman blush - Mighty Aphrodite
Eyes:Urban Decay eyelid primerUrban Decay eyeshadow - "Money" along entire lid.Urban Decay eyeshadow - "Bordello" as outline and to blend edges.Urban Decay eyeshadow - "Uzi" as highlightUrban Decay eyeliner - "Zero" along upper lash lineStile kajal eyeliner - "Onyx" along waterline.Maybelline Colossal Lash Mascara - BlackKKCenterHK lashes - A155
Lips:CoverGirl lipstick - Baby Pink
I hope everyone had a fantastic Fourth of July weekened!
xoxo,

Product Review: Organix "Ever Straight"

2011-06-30T16:56:00.003-04:00

Organix Ever Straight Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner
I've heard good and bad reviews of Organix products. Most users with bad experiences complain about how the products leave their hair dry. My last experience with Organix was while using the Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner, and I did like it, but I can see how your hair can feel slightly drier after using the product. Keep in mind, it does remove the constant build up of other shampoos and conditioners, so the drying effect may not be a bad thing, or a lasting thing.
I wanted to give the "Ever Straight" line from Organix a try, and purchased the "Ever Straight" Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo and conditioner. According to the labels the products contain a rich blend of cocoa nut oil with keratin proteins to build strength, avocado oil and cocoa butter soothe the cuticle of the hair and adds a beautiful glow and luminescent shine to the hair. It sounded amazing, and besides all that good stuff, knowing the product is sulfate and sodium free pushed me immediately into "MUST HAVE" mode.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a dangerous substance that can be found in many shampoos, soaps, and everyday products. It can be very irritating to human skin and hair, causing fuzzy hair and damaged ends over time. In the most extreme cases, it can lead to scalp issues, itchiness, damage to the hair follicle, and sever eye irritations, to name a few. The question is..."If this chemical is so dangerous...why do companies put them in their products?" The answer is very simple...it's cheap.

Quoted from Organix:

Why We Love It...

It's an amazing keratin therapy originating from the Amazon rainforest.

Why You Want It...

This rich formula of Brazilian cocoa nut oil and keratin proteins to smooth and strengthen your curly or wavy tresses.

What's In It For You...

Transform your hair into silky smooth locks with this exclusive blend of organic cocoa nut oil, rich keratin proteins, avocado oil and cocoa butter.

What It's In...

Organix® bottles are eco-friendly, manufactured from materials containing recycled post-consumer resin. All labels are printed utilizing environmental inks and compostable label film made from annually renewable resource corn, not from petrochemicals.

Sulfate & Sodium Free. Not Tested On Animals.

Made in USA

Back of conditioner bottle.(click to enlarge)
Back of shampoo bottle.(click to enlarge)
After using the shampoo and conditioner for the first time I absolutely loved the smell. It smelled similar to the Coconut Milk shampoo and conditioner, so it turned my shower into a tropical experience. After shampooing, I did notice that my hair wasn't very soft to the touch, and in fact felt stripped of its nutrients, but reminded myself that it was probably because all of the build up from previous products have been removed from my hair. After conditioning, and waiting the 3-5 minutes as directed from the back of the bottle, I felt as if my hair was "naked". I didn't know if it was a good or bad thing at the moment, but decided to wait until my hair was dry to give a verdict for my first try using this product.
After stepping out of the shower and letting my hair dry a bit on its own, I noticed my hair looked very shiny and soft to the touch. I began to blow dry and noticed my hair was straighter, and much more manageable than with I use other shampoos that are truly drying.
I don't want to say that Organix has transformed my hair, because it hasnt...it just provided my hair with the proper ingredients to be able to reach its full potential in shine, manageability, fullness, softness and overall health. Since using Organix Brazilian Keratin Therapy shampoo and conditioner more often, I have found the need to use heating and styling tools less of a necessity, therefore I am doing less damage to the health of my hair. Where other shampoos and conditioners may take away from my hair, I feel like Organix has given my hair something back, and in return, have created a loyal customer in me for a long time!
This certainly goes down in my book as one of my TOP 5 all time favorite shampoo and conditioner combination along with top brands such as Biolage, Nexxus, Aveda, and Bumble & Bumble.
Product: 4.5 out of 5Packaging: Product size could be bigger. 4 out of 5Scent: 5 out of 5Price: $7.99Where to buy?: Walgreens, Walmart, Amazon, Organix website.Overall: 4.5 out of 5Would I buy again?: Yes xoxo,

Caress Fine Fragrance Elixirs - Sheer Twilight

2011-06-24T22:22:00.000-04:00

I love Caress, and I was so excited when I found out that they have introduced a new line of body washes! Caress Fine Fragrance Elixirs Sheer Twilight is a combination if black orchid and juniper oil contained in fragrance pearls. The body wash smells divine and lasts long after your shower.
The deep purple color gives the body wash an enchanting look, similar to its fragrance name - Sheer Twilight. The purple gel looks pretty in the shower and immediately has your shower smelling of exotic blooms at the peak of their bloom. If you see these on shelves in stores, it will be hard to look away, but one smell will have you hooked!
xoxo,
Disclaimer: This post contains a sample product that was sent for consideration courtesy of PR.

World Cup

2011-06-20T15:22:00.000-04:00

My dear friend, Suzanna Mansour (click to follow her on Twitter!), sent JJ an adorable official FIFA soccer jersey for his 2nd birthday. I put his jersey on him today and we went out to run around on the grass. I brought along one of his mini soccer balls with no expectation that the boy would know exactly what to do with it, but he was kicking the ball around like a pro! It was priceless to watch him run around kicking the ball, laughing, and having a good time!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!

xoxo,

Turquoise

2011-06-16T17:37:00.000-04:00

Just a quick outfit post...
I brought out my favorite Michael Antonio espadrille wedges today to match with my turquoise romper from Forever 21. I have these wedges in the silver/turquoise and the gold/gold, they are so comfortable and stylish, I had to have them in both colors.

I'm working on a post featuring JJ's top 20 favorite children's apps on the iPad. I have searched high and low through the App store and I think I found a great variety of fun, educational, and attention grasping apps for children ages 1 - 3, so hopefully some of you mamas find this upcoming post useful!
Tomorrow Jerrid and I are heading off to spend the weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina paid for by ViSalus Sciences to attend and be a part of the ViSalus Convention, with special guest, Hulk Hogan! I'll be taking tons of photos!
xoxo,

Blushed and Flushed

2011-06-14T23:17:00.000-04:00

Blush is a summer necessity. It gives your face a healthy, livened look while contouring and emphasizing your cheekbone structure. Choosing blushes that come in peach, pink, and berry shades add a freshness and glow to the skin and are a universal choice for all skin types.
I have been looking for a deeper peach blush that doesn't come on too drastic for my skin tone and I found MAC Peachykeen blush. It's a perfect blush for a day or night look, giving a sheer, deeper, more natural peachy/berry tone to the cheeks when applied. The blush contains the slightest hint of shimmer.
As for the rest of my makeup, I used a few silver shades from my Sedona Lace 88 metals palette along with MAC eyeshadow in Deep Truth. I have Lorac Baby Doll on my lips and MAC Peachykeen on my cheeks.

xoxo,

Joshua Tree

2011-06-13T02:13:00.000-04:00

Today was a muggy, rainy day, but when the sun finally peeked out, it was time to scurry outside and enjoy the fresh "after rain" air. I wore my new Current/Elliot skinny cargo pants that I bought from Hautelook along with an adorable pair of Naughty Monkey platform wedges.
The shoes are Naughty Monkey's "Joshua Tree" wedges and they've been flying off of shelves. The shoes are adorned with studs and have touches of Spanish roping. The heightened platform give your arches a little rest while the strapping secures your foot within so the shoe is extremely comfortable to walk in. I wore them all day with no problem. They retail for around $85 and can be found on Zappos and Amazon as well as on the Naughty Monkey website at www.naughty-monkey.com.

Layered tank tops : H&MCargo Pants : Current/ElliotBelt : Wilson's LeatherShoes : Naughty Monkey "Joshua Tree" wedges
xoxo,
Disclaimer : Shoes were sent complimentary of the company.

How Blue You Do

2011-06-09T17:12:00.001-04:00

It was a nice day, some overcast clouds with the sun occasionally peeking out. We headed out to grab some lunch. I threw on my navy blue romper, a recent purchase from Forever 21, and paired it up with my Michael Antonio wedges which I am obsessed with. There is nothing like a pair of hot shoes that are also very comfortable to walk in. I grabbed a bag that I bought from Target a few days ago to match with the shoes that I have been buying. Tan is in for the summer, and I'm loading up! The outfit came out to be cute and affordable! Double whammy!

Romper : Forever 21Shoes : Michael AntonioNecklace : Forever 21Bag : Target
xoxo,

Urban Decay - The Quinceañera Bag

2011-06-09T00:23:00.001-04:00

I walked into Sephora yesterday with no intention of leaving with anything in a bag but I couldn't resist myself when I laid my eyes on the Urban Decay Quinceañera bag. It caught my eye with its glittery glory, and I had to make it mine.
The bag is spacious, sturdy, covered with a wipeable PVC and also has an easy to clean 15th anniversary print lining to keep makeup from making a mess in the bag. The glittery exterior tickles my fancy, I'm all about the bling bling! It's a pretty big bag, measuring 8.5 x 3 x 6". The bag comes with a clear compartment within for easy storage of smaller necessities. It fits plenty of makeup for travel and is secure and sturdy enough to trust in any suitcase.
The bag is priced at $26 and can be found at Sephora stores, or online at www.UrbanDecay.com.

From the Urban Decay website:
Spacious, fun and lined with our limited-edition 15-year anniversary logo! The three-sided zipper makes opening easy, and interior gussets hold your stash in.
In honor of our big 15, here’s a makeup bag they named after the 15th birthday extravaganzas thrown for girls in Latin American cultures. Large but not huge, its open shape holds plenty of makeup. The interior features a clear zippered pocket for your most sacred items. A double gold zipper opens on three sides so you won’t spend forever rifling through your bag, and satin inserts keep your makeup from falling all over the place. You don’t have to be 15 and primping for the object of your desire to appreciate its sparkly purple-ness or cool 15-Year Anniversary ticking pattern on the lining, but whipping it out might make you feel as blissed out as if you were. It packs easily into just about any suitcase, so take it with you on your next adventure.
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 3 x 6”

This bag is definitely a must have for all Urban Decay enthusiasts!
Stay tuned to learn how to WIN your very own Urban Decay Quinceañera Bag during my giveaway!
Rules and regulations will be put up in a separate blog post.Make sure you subscribe, and follow me on Twitter for updates!
xoxo,

Product Review: Clarisonic Mia

2011-06-08T01:18:00.003-04:00

I've heard incredible things about Clarisonic, I had to see it for myself. Clarisonic has released 4 different sonic systems, the mia, the classic, the plus and the PRO. The classic and plus feature two brush speeds, the plus includes an additional body mode. I did my research and found that many users preferred the size of the mia in comparison to the other sonic systems because of how comfortable it felt in hand and how much easier it was to handle. I also agreed to purchase the mia because of how reasonably priced it was in comparison to its competition.

I was lucky enough to come across a sale on QVC in which the Clarisonic mia was up for grabs at $124, or 3 easy payments of $43.00! The coolest part about it was that the Clarisonic mias that were featured on the QVC sale came in the most adorable colors and patterns. I snagged one up in hot pink and it was delivered to me in no time. It also came with 3 gentle cleansers and 1 replacement brush head.

I love the way it feels against my skin. The Clarisonic massages my face and leaves my skin feeling as soft and as smooth silk. I have also read that it allows your skin to absorb moisturizers better since its gentle sonic vibrations unblock clogged pores as well as clear away dirt, residue and dead skin cells. Removing all that gunk from your face gives you an instant refreshed look. Skin looks vibrant and awoken.

From the Clarisonic Website:
Mia is the new, go-anywhere Sonic Skin Cleansing System in a great compact size. The one-button, one-speed Mia fits your active lifestyle for beautiful, glowing skin wherever life’s adventures take you. All the great benefits of the Clarisonic Classic in a new, smaller size. The perfect compact cleansing system for use at home or on the go.

Directions from Clarisonic Instruction Booklet :
Prior to the first use, charge the Clarisonic for 24 hours. If you wear makeup, remove eye makeup by hand. Wet your skin and the brush head with warm water. Liberally apply cleanser to your skin or to the brush head. Push the power button to turn your Clarisonic on and gently move the brush using a small circular motion, beginning on the forehead, then moving to the nose/chin area and the cheeks at the T-TIMER prompts. Pressing too hard will impede the gentle sonic vibrations of the mia.

The mia uses a sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second, according to the product literature. The mia also comes with a built in timer that is set to 60 seconds, which is plenty of time to remove 6 times more makeup and 2 times more dirt than washing with your hands alone.

The brush head is gentle, and feels soothing and massaging to the skin on the face. It is also the same size as the brush head on the classic. The charger is a pLink charger that magnetically attaches to the handle of the brush. 1 charge can get you up to 20 uses, each at one minute.

The Clarisonic Sonic Cleansing system is a very effective way of cleansing your face. I would recommend Clarisonic, and would encourage anyone to make the investment. It helps with skin turnover, cell regeneration, and removal of dead skin cells and dirt. I just recently received my Clarisonic and I am addicted to it, I don't think I can live without this little beauty must-have!

Price : $124 - $149 depending on where you buy
Where to buy : QVC / Sephora / www.Clarisonic.com
Packaging : 5 out of 5
Product : 5 out of 5
Overall : 5 out of 5

xoxo,

Disclaimer : The product featured in this post has been purchased by me for my own personal use. All opinions are my own.

Summer Breeze

2011-06-06T22:20:00.001-04:00

I visited Forever21.com last night and stormed through all of the rompers. I bought a few, and it wasn't hard to choose from their large selection of adorable rompers. Rompers are very trendy and comfortable during the hot summer months. They're perfect for an outfit that can be put together in minutes.
I wore one of my rompers today. Another cute one from Forever 21 which I own in two colors. I paired it up with my Asos wedges which are as comfy as can be.
As for my makeup, I wanted to use shades that remind me of a summer sunset. Yellow, orange, and pink, a perfect summer combination. I used my Sedona Lace 120 1st Edition palette to create this look. It's my go-to palette when I want color.
I teased my hair, locked the waves in with L'Oreal Ellnet hair spray and headed out the door to enjoy another hot day running around town with Jerrid and JJ.

What I wore:
Romper : Forever 21Shoes : Asos

My makeup:
Face: L'Oreal Studio Secrets Facial PrimerRevlon ColorStay #330 Natural Tan
Cheeks:MAC blush - Peachykeen
Eyes:Sedona Lace 120 1st Edition Color Palette 4 colors used - Yellow, muted orange, orange, and metallic deep pink.Sedona Lace 88 Warm Palette 1 color used - light peach as a highlight and under the brow bone.CoverGirl Lash Blast MascaraL'Oreal Lineur Intense felt tip liquid liner - BlackAvon eyeliner - blue green. Used on waterline
Lips:MAC Lipstick - JazzedMAC Lipgloss - Sock Hop

xoxo,

Heat Wave

2011-06-05T11:17:00.002-04:00

I am really enjoying the heat here in South Florida. It may not be summer by the calendar just yet, but it feels like it all around. The streets are buzzing with people, there are plenty of things to do, and so many places to see. I plan on doing it all this summer.
In the photos above, I'm wearing my new dress that I purchased from Hautelook during their Johnny Martin sale. The shoes are also from Hautelook from their Michael Antonio sale. I bought each piece for under $30. I love them both and have worn the dress often since getting it via UPS, but it wasn't exactly the dress that I had intentionally ordered. I ordered a purple baby doll dress, and was sent this one on mistake. The tag did describe this dress as purple, so I blame a mistake by the factory, but I still like this dress, and Jerrid likes it more than the dress I have originally wanted, so everyone's happy. I can't really complain either since I did end up getting it for $20 flat since Hautelook refunded me the shipping cost since there was an error, which I appreciate.
I was in desperate need of new sunglasses since my Dior sunglasses went missing, and I found a gorgeous pair of Gucci frames at Off Saks for $90! There was a sale going on for 30% off the already reduces prices, so I left with them at a ridiculous price. Nobody believes me, and for how cute the sunnies are, I wouldn't believe it either, if I didn't have to pay for them myself. They are comfortable to wear and don't start hurting the sides of my head like some other frames can. The funniest part about the whole thing, I ended up finding my Dior sunglasses. I'm glad they went missing when they did, or I wouldn't have found this great pair!
We celebrated JJ's birthday. Born on June 2nd, 2009 and changing my life for the better, my little man is growing up so fast. Thursday we threw on his Heat jersey and had a cook out for the game. He is a big Heat fan, watching the whole game with a basketball in his lap. Today we took the whole family out to eat at Longhorn steakhouse and enjoyed time together, spending most of the time talking about JJ and how special he is to each one of us. We went back to my parent's house afterwards to give him his gifts and boy oh boy, he was one spoiled 2 year old! His Godparents, Melissa and Fernando, also our best friends who we consider family, gifted him with his very own iPad 2! He loves it so much, and it is such a cool tool for his learning. They are truly his fairy Godparents! What a lucky boy!

Happy Birthday JJ!You bring joy and happiness to daddy and I everyday.You are the best thing to happen to us.We hope all of your birthday wishes to come true.Have a happy birthday, and we wish you many many more!We love you!
xoxo,

Powder Blue

2011-05-29T09:28:00.000-04:00

Happy Sunday! Today is the day before Memorial Day, a relaxed day to enjoy time with your loved ones and remember those who fought for our freedom. We're planning to cook out on the grill. What better thing to do than cook out on a gorgeous, hot, and sunny day!
I'm wearing a blue cotton A-line dress from Francesca's. A perfect summer dress to wear on a lazy Sunday. I love the simple crocheting on the back of the dress. I paired my dress with Asos wedges and got a comfortable yet dressy, casual outfit.

What I wore:
Dress : Francesca'sShoes : Asos wedgesBag : Louis Vuitton
xoxo,

Current/Elliot

2011-05-28T23:04:00.002-04:00

My Current/Elliot jeans I ordered from Hautelook have arrived. They came a lot quicker than I had expected. Usually Hautelook can take a while, but this order processed and shipped very quickly. I am obsessed with these jeans. I also ordered a pair of grey skinny cargo pants. Current/Elliot is my favorite denim designer. The jeans are so comfortable, and soft. Thanks to Hautelook, I didn't have to pay the hefty retail price for them.
I put together a casual outfit for the day just to run some errands.

What I wore:
Top : Romeo & Juliette CoutureJeans : Current/Elliot straight leg jeansShoes : AsosBag : Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM
Makeup :
Cheeks : MAC Peachykeen blushLips : MAC Fleshpot lipstick with MAC Partial to Pink lipglass.Eyes : Sedona Lace 88 warm palette xoxo,

Hooked on a feelin'

2011-05-25T20:54:00.000-04:00

Nothing compares to the feeling you get when you're sitting on a beach, listening to the crashing waves, and gradually watching the water get darker as the sun goes down behind you.
We went to Deerfield Beach, a hot spot for photographers because of the gorgeous rocks along the shore. We could have sat there for hours watching the waves crash onto the rocks.
I wore a Lilly Pulitzer dress for our beach stroll. The perfect designer for a Florida gal.

Always remember to enjoy the simple things in life.Get hooked on a feelin'.
xoxo,

Don't worry, be happy.

2011-05-24T21:48:00.002-04:00

Today was one of those lazy days. I took a day off from work and decided to clear away my worries at the beach. Any stress can wash away with the waves. Life is too good to sweat the small stuff.
Here's a quick photo post from our day at the beach.

After a long day of fun...
Here's a short video I put together of JJ's beach day.

I have plenty of posts lined up, so excuse my lack of posting...I've been saying that a lot. Stay tuned for many more fashion posts, product reviews, and my comeback into the makeup blogger realm!
Love you all...
xoxo,

The Boy of Spring

2011-05-20T16:26:00.000-04:00

Just sharing some updated photos of my little man. It brings tears of joy to my eyes to see my little baby turn into a very smart, active, and independent young boy. He has certainly come into his own, and has a keen little sense of humor. My boy makes me so proud!
I found an adorable shirt and shoe combo at Old Navy for a very reasonable price, and wanted to share some photos. I always find the cutest clothes for him at Old Navy for the best prices!
Just in time for baseball season, JJ is practicing his swing with daddy.

I hope you are enjoying spring!
xoxo,

Lilac Freeze

2011-05-15T17:04:00.001-04:00

Lilac has been a huge hit this spring, with appearances in multiple beauty campaigns. It's become a must have lipstick shade, and even though I do own a few shades of lilac, I would never wear them out of the house. Its too drastic of a color that can throw off the softness of your features. It lacks warmth, and gives a yellow tinge to the teeth. In my opinion, other variations of the light purple shade, such as lavender, are much more flattering in the beauty realm.
I gave lilac a chance...a few chances in fact. I own Lime Crime lipstick in D'Lilac and wore it on my lips today. Its a great dupe for MAC's Quite Cute lipstick, and much easier to find since Quite Cute has been doing a disappearing act ever since its release date. People wait in lines and clog up MAC's website speed in order to get their hands on the lilac lipstick. One which I assume will be collecting dust in their stashes.
It's a fun shade, I had a blast taking photos with it, but again...very unflattering. As you can see, I came out with ONE photo. It gives a doll like lifeless appearance to lips. I smothered a Revlon Lilac lipgloss over it. The lipgloss was a touch warmer and gave a pinkish hue. It was a much needed warmth to the color and gave the lipstick a smoother feel. To create a Lilac lipstick, it would require much pigment, there for taking away from the smoothness and moisture of the lipstick, so I would recommend a lipgloss over it, also to smooth harsh lines.

On my nails I wore Essie's nail polish in "Lilacism". Lilac is such a fun color, and I would much prefer to wear it on my nails rather than on my face. Again, it appears cold and very blue hinted. "Lilacism" has been a very popular color this spring and I assume it won't be going anywhere. I have received many compliments on the color and do not regret buying it one bit, but it still takes second place to lavender, which is a warmer color with more pinkish hues.
On my eyes I used my Sedona Lace 120 color palette along with my Urban Decay NYC palette specifically for Psychedelic Sister and Uzi. It was all about any purple color that I could find in those two palettes. I highlighted with Uzi, a super glittery frosty silver, which gave a gorgeous effect to the already cold lilac color I was going for.
My Makeup:
Face:Yves Rocher facial primer lotion.Yves Saint Laurent Tient Resist #7
Cheeks:Mark blush in After Glo
Eyes:Sedona Lace 120 color palette - 1st Edition - Using almost every purple color in the paletteUrban Decay NYC Palette - Psychedelic Sister - to line lower lash line - UziUrban Decay Black eyeliner -ZeroL'oreal Lineur Intense liquid eye liner - BlackCoverGirl Lash Blast mascara - BlackArdell false lashes - Demi Wispies
Lips:Lime Crime lipstick - D'LilacRevlon lipgloss - Lilac
xoxo,

May Flowers

2011-05-03T18:47:00.003-04:00

April showers brought May flowers, and May flowers bring sundresses, sandals, and lots of fun in the sun! The days have seriously heated up here in South Florida, so jeans are out of the question! I have been on a sundress binge, buying every single one that comes into my line of vision. I find them best at keeping me cool during these "feels like summer" days.
Sundresses are so easy to put together into a fashionable, yet simple and sophisticated outfit. Be careful not to over accessorize, something you may find that I pretty much stay away from. I synched my waist with a braided leather belt and called it a day.
The dress and shoes are both from Wet Seal, two new things I picked up using my SWAGG gift card on my iPhone! It's so simple and easy to use, and I don't have to dig through my entire house to find a gift card that I may have misplaced over time.
The dress is a chiffon feather print synched waist sundress with a black inner lining. It's very comfortable, flowy, and made of a light material. The shoes are bronze braided faux leather t-strap sandals. I am very particular when it comes to t-strap sandals. I dislike all of the extra straps, flaps, and heels backings that some t-strap sandals come with. I'm simple when it comes to t-straps, and I prefer a simple design to them. You would think it would be easy to find a simple pair, but its not. I was surprised to see that Wet Seal had a nice selection to choose from.

Dress & shoes - Wet SealBag - BalenciagaBelt - Vintage

For my makeup I used my Sedona Lace 88 warm palette. The perfect palette for everyday makeup. The colors of the dress inspired me to do a bronze look. I went for a neutral look that was simple and day time appropriate.

My makeup:
Face: Yves Rocher Inocitol facial lotionYSL Tient Resist - #7
Cheeks:MAC blush - Gingerly
Eyes:Sedona Lace 88 Warm Palette

I3 along entire lid and to outline lower lash line
J3 middle of lid and inner V
K7 along crease and outer V
H1 to highlight

NARS cream eyeliner - Black MoonCoverGirl Lash Blast mascara - black
Lips:MAC lipstick - Semi-AnnualNYX lipgloss - Perfect
xoxo,

Ankit "Naughty Teddy" Headphones with G-Bass

2011-04-28T23:41:00.006-04:00

The personal audio advancing industry is one of the hottest markets right now, but with so many types of earphones to choose from, and such a wide pricing range, it's not easy to find the perfect earphones that satisfy your wallet as well as your ears. These days, advanced headphones can cost a consumer hundreds of dollars! As a techie geek, I was intrigued by those advanced headphones with clear audio and bass, but I was not about to pay so much money for a pair. You'd be surprised at how much of a difference you hear. It's as if those headphones allow you to experience music the way it was intended to be heard. You feel like you're missing out on something once you go back to those stock headphones that came along with the iPod. Besides the lack in audio functionality...they look so boring!
I first heard about Ankit headphones through a fellow blogger and good friend of mine, Neha Uberoi. Her and I basically grew up together, playing tennis in the hot sun on a daily basis. I trust Neha and when she raved about Ankit headphones on her blog, I raised both eyebrows. She went into such detail about how her Ankit headphones blew her away when compared to her 2 other pairs of headphones, which cost her a pretty penny. Check out her blog and product reviews at www.nehasworld.com!
Ankit headphones go beyond where other headphone companies stop short...not only are they concerned about audio, they are also aesthetically pleasing! These headphones are not only a necessity, they are also an accessory! The bud design is metal and painted with acrylic. They are placed sturdily onto the headphone bud so you can rest assured that they won't be coming off. These metal decorations also act as inlays that shield from outside disturbances, so they are not all play!
I was sent the "Naughty Teddy" ear buds for review and my first thought...I'm obsessed!

What's in the box:

1 pair of Ankit Naughty Teddy headphones
1 tie baggie earphone pouch
5 pairs of different sized silicon tips (1 pair already installed on the ear buds, the other 4 found in the tie pouch)

Ankit headphones come neatly packaged in a sturdy tear drop shaped box. Everything you may wish to know about the product is organized and laid out on the front and back of the box so you don't have any paper to fidget with. I liked this concept since it saves paper, and makes the box look very interesting!
As soon as you open the box you have full access to your headphones! After pulling them out of the box, still attached to their thin cardboard place holder, you will find a small tie baggie. The baggie contains 4 different sized silicon ear tips so you can have a personalized fit. Ankit claims that the best bass is achieved when you have the perfect silicon tip for your ear installed on your ear buds. You get 5 silicon tips all together, one pair comes already installed on the headphone devices, and the other four pairs come in the tie baggie. The baggie also doubles as a headphone pouch for a unique way to store them!

Sound quality:
The sound quality of the headphones is outstanding. I can certainly recognize a huge difference in clarity, deepness, richness in sound, and bump of the bass. Music that faded from one ear to the other was perfectly heard. The silicon ear tips are comfortable even after a lengthy amount of time (30 minutes).
Ankit headphones use G-Bass technology in every pair, which produces a rich, deep, and clear sound, and this isn't just a one liner they're pulling on their customers...these headphones BUMP! I am very impressed with Ankit headphones!
Price:
Ankit headphones have just been reduced to $29.99 from $49.99!

These headphones certainly reintroduced me to music. I couldn't even tell you how long it's been since I put some music on my iPhone or iPod and had been excited to listen to it. Those iPhone/iPod headphones, and any other headphones that I tried in the $20-$50 price range weren't cutting it, and music just seemed bland and something I could wait to listen to in the car. I wouldn't even play any music while going for walks or to the gym. It was pretty serious.

Not only am I excited to listen to my music now, but always I'm excited to rock these adorable teddy bear ear buds! I get countless compliments and curious eyes who end up asking me where they can get their hands on a pair. I am thrilled with this product and would certainly recommend them!
Ankit offers 4 different styles to choose from!

Something for everyone!
Grab your pair at www.theankit.comand listen to your music in a whole new way!
Use my coupon code, "K-LO" and get 20% off your purchase!
xoxo,
Disclaimer: Product featured in this post has been sent complimentary of the company for consideration.

Easter Sunday

2011-04-24T23:55:00.001-04:00

Happy Easter!
Today was a beautiful day that was spent with the ones I love. There is nothing better!

The Easter Bunny paid JJ a visit and dropped off a basket filled with goodies!

JJ had a blast finding Easter eggs during the egg hunt!

It was a gorgeous but scorching hot day in Sunny South Florida today. I went bare faced and decided to wear a cute coral sundress by American Eagle Outfitters. I wore the dress with beaded wedges by Colin Stuart. It was the perfect outfit to wear while we hung around outside in sun.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!
xoxo,

Springtime Romance

2011-04-22T21:10:00.001-04:00

Today was a day from a dream. Jerrid and I walked along the beach, hand in hand, talking and enjoying the view. The ocean breeze was perfect to keep us cool in the heat of the sun, and the gorgeous twinkling waves amused us during the moments when we sat silently in each others arms.

My makeup
Face:L'Oreal Studio Secrets Facial PrimerYSL Tient Resist #7
Cheeks:MAC blush "Bite of an Apple"
Eyes:UD "Smog" eyeshadowUD "Snatch" eyeshadowUD "Suspect" eyeshadowUD eyeliner "Zero"CoverGirl Colossal Lash mascara in Black
Lips:MAC lipstick "Fleshpot"Milani lipgloss "Glitz and Glam"

What I wore:
2 tank tops, both from H&MSkirt from H&MSandals from ZaraCoach bag
Wishing you all a wonderful Good Friday!
xoxo,

Wedding Bells

2011-04-12T12:56:00.001-04:00

Jerrid and I packed our bags, got JJ ready and headed off to Ohio to join the family for the wedding of Jerrid's cousin Kelli! The wedding was at the beautiful Columbus Athenaeum. This was the first wedding that I had ever attended, and it was such a special day! Just witnessing the pure joy and pride on everyones' faces made me realize how much a wedding can really touch everyones lives, not just those of the bride and groom.
It was so nice to see Jerrid in his element back home with his childhood friends and finally get to see his family members again, who have become family to me as well. Those are always the moments that count the most, the ones spent with loved ones!
I didn't snap any photos at the wedding ceremony, I didnt want to interrupt the video recording sessions with random flicks of flash, but I took plenty of photos at the reception.

I wore a sapphire blue Sue Wong dress with beautiful intricate hand sewn detailing and beads, Michael Antonio black patent leather strappy sandals, and a black leather HoBo clutch. Jerrid and JJ both matched my blue dress bye wearing blue ties. I really wish we could have snapped a photo all together, but JJ was not having it. There was too much going on!

Jerrid's little cousins, Zoe and Jada.

Dancefloor action!

We wish the bride and groom many blessings in their happily ever after!
xoxo,

Rose Gold is all the "Rage"

2011-04-05T14:34:00.000-04:00

I have been on a mission to find the perfect rose gold watch. Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs to name a couple, have designed some of the hottest watches this spring, all in the gorgeous, and super popular rose gold.
In the midst of the rose gold obsession, nothing seemed more fitting than to paint my nails rose gold! I found a beautiful nail varnish by ORLY called "Rage", which is a metallic from the Foil FX collection. It can still be found at many Sally's Beauty Supply Stores, which is where I got mine from.
Rage passes by as rose gold, but there are hints of silver shimmer in the mix. It is the most popular color out of the three that came in the Foil FX collection, and there is no question as to why. It's gorgeous, and a color I could look at all day! Certainly one of my favorite polishes that I have seen in a while!

Above : without flashBelow : with flash.

xoxo,

Playing in makeup

2011-04-04T22:11:00.000-04:00

I've been meaning to blog about this for the longest. I found out about an Inglot store at the Aventura Mall down in Miami from a fiend of mine, (@LaReinaDeFL, follow her and her blog, she's wonderful!). I headed down here and discovered this gorgeous store, so neatly put together, with makeup from wall to wall. Such a futuristic glam feel as soon as your inside!

Inglot cosmetics may be new to some of us in the U.S., but it has been a very successful and popular cosmetics line around Europe for a while. The pricing is so reasonable, cheaper than MAC, and the quality of the products is great. The loose pigments looks gorgeous, in some shades that I have never seen before. They also carry very affordable eyeshadow or blush quads for under $50 in all colors that you can imagine. Their shades of blushes especially caught my attention since they all seemed to be such flattering shades of peach, pinks, and beige. I can't wait to go back and get more goodies!

I picked up a lipgloss that would be a crime to pass up on. Inglot has a line of AMC holographic lipglosses. They look so cool, and worth a try, priced at $15.

Inglot AMC lip gloss - #546

I couldn't get a great swatch of it, since you need perfect lighting to be able to get the rainbow in the shine, but you can certainly see it when you swipe the doe foot applicator onto your lips. As for really being visible while applied, I wouldn't say it's an obvious sheen, but it has a very nice juicy appearance and does tone down the lipstick that you wear underneath it.
I choose color #546, which was the neutral shade, no color tint to it. These glosses do come tinted in pink, orange, yellow, blue, and so on.
It may not do so much color wise, but it feels so smooth and soft on the lips and has a very pleasant scent. I would recommend this product to any lipgloss enthusiast since it is pretty to look at, feels nice in the lips, and if enough is applied, you will get a nice holographic lip in the sunlight.
* * * * *
It's still so memorable to me to have finally met Robyn of www.Fashionista514.com! We've been internet buddies for so long, ever since I can remember starting my blog! She's such a thoughtful person, and she showed it again as she gifted me with so many goodies from Annabelle cosmetics at the fashion show we attended.
Annabelle is a cosmetics line that Robyn works with based out of Canada. Everything looked so pretty! Thank you again robyn for spoiling me with all these goodies!

These lipglosses have got to be some of my favorite. Good thing she gave me plenty to last me a while (some where not photographed) because I will need them! The color is a baby pink with a slight lavender pearl. A gorgeous and fun color for the summer! It brightens up the face as soon as its applied, lasts a long time, and is not sticky! I will have a swatch up with a makeup look that I will be uploading sometime this week, so look out for that!

Goodies for my peepers! I can't wait to try these fun eyeshadow colors, they look so pretty paired up together! The eyeliners are right up my alley! I love neutral shades and wearing neutral shades such as these on your waterline to widen and brighten the eyes, is one of the hottest things this spring!
Make sure you check out Annabelle cosmetics on their website!www.annabellecosmetics.com
* * * * *
I needed a new scent for the summer, and I always feel like scents with a citrus hint are the best for those hot sunny days. I was a huge fan of Moschino's I Love Love when it came out a few years back, and a similar scent has been on the market released by Dolce and Gabbana - Light Blue. I picked it up and haven't put it down since. It smells wonderful!

xoxo,

Zoo Miami

2011-04-03T20:56:00.002-04:00

I woke up with an urge to do something fun with my family. I remembered the look of wonder and awe in JJ's eyes when we brought him to Jungle Island a few weeks ago, and I wanted him to get to experience that again. With so many fun things to do in South Florida it wasn't hard to decide where to go. We have never been to the Zoo in Miami, and that was exactly where we headed off to today!
As soon as we pulled up to the Zoo, JJ knew we were someplace fun. He had a smile from ear to ear and couldn't wait to get out of his car seat. Once we were inside he was loose with the other kids, discovering and exploring! It was a blast!
Here are some photos from today!

We saw many Zoo-goers riding in Safari cycles. It looked like so much fun so we had to get one! It's great for kids, they get a great view from a nice seat right up front. The cycle also helped keep us cool, since we could feel the nice breeze when we rode by.

Hope you had a wild Sunday!
xoxo,

Beach Bliss

2011-04-02T17:40:00.000-04:00

Today was the perfect day to go out for a stroll on the beach, and that is exactly what Jerrid and I did. I wore my new white French Connection sundress that I got from Bloomingdales and I love it! It's so comfortable and perfect for summer.
The beach was beautiful and so peaceful. The light roar of the waves is so soothing and acoustically washes away any worry. It was a beautiful Saturday!
Dress : French ConnectionBag : BalenciagaShoes : Betsey Johnson
xoxo,

Which way the wind blows...

2011-03-31T18:03:00.000-04:00

The branches swayed vigorously. There was a strong wind today, one like we haven't had for a while, but it kept us cool in the midday sun as we kicked around a ball and found bugs. Two of JJ's favorite things to do.

Top : H&MBottoms : H&MEspadrilles : Michael AntonioBag : SHIH by Stephanie Lin

I love days like this!
xoxo,

Work Flow

2011-03-31T17:42:00.000-04:00

Blazers have been one of the hottest items this spring. I absolutely needed to get one and found the perfect one in a gorgeous fuchsia pink at Zara. The color really pops, so it completes any simple outfit. I paired the blazer up with a plain white ensemble and was ready for work or play!

Simple white tank top : H&M White denim pants : J-BrandFuchsia blazer : ZaraT-strap sandals : Calvin Klein
xoxo,

APP-le of my iPhone

2011-03-23T01:26:00.001-04:00

iPhone and Android apps are created daily, but only 24% of them are opened more then once (according to new studies). Creating an app that engages the user and involves itself into the users everyday life is a tough job.
Finding that perfect app is a tough job too! Scrolling through the AppStore or Android marketplace can take hours, and it could even take months before you finally find THE app that you just don't know how you survived so long without.
Of course there are the basics, the calendar, alarm clock, Twitter, Facebook (or other social network apps), weather, and mail apps, which at times may come standard with our phones, but I want to list a few apps that many may find a nice deal of use out of.
Here is my list of 20 iPhone apps that I find useful to me. A part 2 will follow shortly, along with a list of my favorite iPad apps!
1) Epicurious (Free)

Epicurious is a handy little app for the everyday chef. With over 3.5 million downloads, this app is a leader in the recipe and shopping list support! Find recipes quickly for a number of delicious dishes from quick and easy meals to fine delicacies. You can also share your recipes via Twitter, Tumblr, and more.

2) Parenting (Free)

Parenting magazine has created an app for techie moms and dads who can read up to date articles about their child's development, what to expect, along with great tips! The app also comes with fun recipes for healthy, quick snacks and meals for children of various ages. The app is age specific according to your child's age, and you can personalize it with a photo of your child.

3) Shazam (Free)

Shazam has got to be the coolest app I have ever used! Have you ever heard a song on the radio that you just needed to know the name of? It's hard to figure out who the artist of a song is just by hearing it, but now you can! All you have to do is open the Shazam app, click on the Shazam button, raise your iPhone up, and wait for the Shazam app to listen to the song, and tell you what the name of the song is, along with the the artist is. It's incredible! Of course, there are some songs that it may not recognize, but overall, its a handy app to have.

4) Fooducate (Free)

Fooducate helps you figure out what is in your foods of choice, along with how healthy they are. All you have to do is scan the barcode on a certain food item, and it will pop up! Fooducate will list the ingredients in the food item, and the ingredients that you may want to stay away from. It will also grade the food on a A-F scale to you can get a good idea of where the food item stands in your dietary needs.

5) The Knot (Wedding Dress Look Book) (Free)

The perfect app for the bride-to-be! Just open The Knot app, put in your measurements or body type and up pop thousands of dresses for you to browse through with the swipe of a finger! You can add the dresses to your favorites tab and come back to them later, as well and figure out where the dress can be found for purchase.

6) Skype (Free)

Keep in contact with your friends and family via video chat and free phone conversation on Skype for your iPhone. Video chat does work through 3G so no WiFi connection is necessary! It's neat to use the convenient front facing camera on the iPhone 4 and chat away with friends!

7) Tango (Free)
Tango is a video chat app that works without the WiFi connection that FaceTime requires. Tango only requires 3G to make those unbelievable video phone calls right from your phone! Want to FaceTime your friends but aren't around a WiFi hotspot? Just Tango them! (Both parties must have the Tango app in order to use the features of the app)

8) Red Laser (Free)
Red Laser is an innovative app that allows a buyer to shop around for a better price on an item without ever leaving their current location. Just scan the barcode of the item of your interest and a list will pop up of the same items pricing in various stores without a certain distance of your current location. Very handy for the bargain shopper!

9) Sky Safari Lite ($2.99)

Are you a stargazer? Maybe you have always wanted to be. Now you can find out what those beautiful cosmic wonders are, and what they are called. You'd be surprised at what you find! Sky Safari comes to life as soon as you open the app. The compass aligns with your location and allows you to point the phone in the direction of your view and align it to exactly what you wish to stargaze. Zoom in on the star or planet to see it up close and find out more facts about it! Once you're finished zooming on or focusing on one object through your phone, simply shake the phone to reprogram the compass and move on to the next twinkling star in the sky.

10) Fluent News (Free)

We all know of news apps such a CNN, and the New York Times, but Fluent News is different since it shows headlines from various news references. Find out what's happening from all across the front pages of numerous big name news sources.

11) SIMON Malls (Free)

The SIMON malls app allows you get familiar with any mall in their listing. Simply open the app, find the mall, or have the app locate you itself, and select from a number of choices to find out about that mall. Whether you want to see the directory of stores, map of the mall, list of restaurants, and even sales, you can find it all on the SIMON malls app.

12) MenuPages (Free)

Menu Pages is a free app that lets you look up a menu for the restaurant of your choice before you enter through the doors. Wish to know whether a restaurant is in your budget, or has exactly what you're craving, Menu Pages can pull up any restaurant menu in minutes.

13) Open Table (Free)

After looking though a restaurant menu on Menu Pages, simply reserve a table at that restaurant using the Open Table app! You can make a free account or reserve a table as a guest!

14) Starfall ($1.99)

Starfall.com is an incredible online tool for children to learn the alphabet, numbers, colors, and so much more. Now Starfall comes to your iphone/ipad! Using the touch screen of the iPhone or ipad, children have a hands on learning experience through fun visuals and activities for each letter.

15) Parking Assist (Free)

Sometimes finding where you parked your car is a very time consuming task. BMW has created an app to help us all relocate our parking spaces without playing guessing games and running and down the wrong aisles in parking garages. Simply open the app, and with the press of a button the Parking Assist app saves your location. When you're ready, simply open the app again, and it will direct you in the direction of your car with a live tracking of your location, as well as the location of you car, on a map.

16) Craft Finder (Free)

Children learn through various activities, and arts and crafts are a wonderful tool in the fine motor development of children. Fine motor development helps children train their brains that will in turn help their speech, hand-eye coordination, and other motor skills. Craft Finder is a free app that helps you find adorable crafts to do with your children for any occasion!

17) Cool Facts (Free)

The Cool Facts app won't change your life, but it will help pass the time. If you're ever bored, this app can help you stay entertained, at least for 10,000+ facts.

18) Shopping Apps (Living Social, Groupon, GeoQpons, Entertainment)

Living Social, along with many other shop saver app can help you get the best deal in your area! Living Social, Groupon, Deals, Entertainment, and GeoQpons, are apps that list coupons in your area that you can take advantage of to save a few extra bucks!

19) Pandora Internet Radio (Free)

Pandora radio is a popular resource for music by your favorite artist at your command...for free!

20) Foursquare

Foursquare gives you & your friends new ways to explore your city. Earn points & unlock badges for discovering new things.
Share some of your favorite apps in the comments section!
xoxo,

The Knot

2011-03-19T22:56:00.000-04:00

Wedding season is approaching. With the sunnier days and lighter attire, the urger to jump the broom lurks, and as many of my close friends and family members tie the knot, Jerrid and I will be doing so shortly as well. Planning a wedding is hard work, and since I have never even attended a wedding, I'm eager to be present at the many weddings that will be coming up this summer, and filling up my calendar all the way until next year!
Melissa, my best friend and fellow bride-to-be, is a wedding ace, and with her planning, it has helped me be able to learn and see what goes into the process of planning. We both still have plenty of time, since her wedding is scheduled for next spring, and mine will follow in the summer...but it's never to early to begin the planning and gathering of ideas.
We attended the Bridal Showcase at the Addison mansion in Boca Raton, where Melissa is planning to have her reception. The Addison is a gorgeous mansion that has been since turned into a legendary venue and restaurant here in South Florida, and to have a wedding or a reception there would be a dream come true. We got a taste of the food via the h'orderves that were flowing like water. Delicious mini beef wellington, raspberry brie turnovers, crab cakes to name a few.
The Bridal Showcase was an excellent way to get ideas for a wedding through the booth set up by each vendor to show off their products, or services. Wedding cake bakers and designers presented their finest work, along with samples of their delicious cakes for brides to nibble on. Flower preservers set up booth to present their beautifully persevered samples of bouquets, to then showcase.
You get the idea...now on to the photos!

These cakes were beautiful, but tasted even better! I have never had a cake that melts in your mouth like this! Absolutely divine! These cakes were made by specialty cake baker and artist, Ana Paz. I recommend!!! Her cakes have been featured in the Miami Herald and Bride Magazine. She is a cake maker to the stars, creating the masterpiece that J.Lo and Marc Anthony indulged in on their wedding day, along with creations that have been made for many other celebrities such as Gloria Estefan, Shaunie O'Neal, and Donetella Versace. I will certainly be splurging on my wedding in the cake department with a cake designed and created by the incredible Ana Paz! www.anapazcakes.com (305) 471 - 5850

Ana Paz cakes

Preservation of the bouquet. After fighting off whoever catches the bouquet during the ceremonial toss, some brides may want to preserve theirs and showcase it in a beautiful frame, as shown below. If so, a service is available to do such a task. Floral preservation and custom framing via Forever Flowers not only can preserve your flowers but your wedding dress as well! I thought this was neat!

Designers showed off their beautiful event decorations and floral arrangements.

xoxo,

Stop them in their tracks

2011-03-13T22:25:00.000-04:00

Sedona Lace has recently made a change to the website layout featuring a new photo of me and a clever quotation to the setting. I am loving it!
Check it out at www.SedonaLace.com!
Also make sure you check out the amazing goodies sold by Sedona Lace on their website, like my favorite, the 88 metals palette!
Use code: KATRINALOMIDZE to get $3 off your entire order!
xoxo,

Spring Forward

2011-03-13T22:10:00.003-04:00

As we spring ahead to daylight savings time, we find the adjustment to be a tough one on our sleep, but with the sunnier days ahead, a pleasant change it is. I've fallen in love with pink all over again...as if that was possible. It may be spring fever. I've been shopping for dresses to wear to numerous weddings that Jerrid and I are invited to this summer, leading up into the winter. Many friend's and family members of ours are getting married this wedding season and we are so excited to attend and celebrate with them as they jump the broom! I've never been to a wedding, something that has put a halt on my own wedding planning. I do want to look elegant yet party ready for the first wedding that I will attend, the wedding of Jerrid's cousin, Kelli, in Ohio this April. All the dresses I love are pink. What a shocker.
I've narrowed it down to 4 dresses, all of which are by designer Sue Wong.

Spring has brought a clean trend in makeup. Neutral eyeshadow to lighten the lids, a touch of eyeliners blended out to thicken the appearance of lashes, and a heavy coat of mascara for lengthy batty lashes.

What I used:
Face:Yves Saint Laurent Tient Resist - #7
Cheeks:MAC blush - Gingerly
Eyes:Too Faced neutral palette - Velvet Revolver & HeavenNARS cream eyeliner stick - Black MoonMaybelline Lash Stiletto mascara - BlackLa Charme lashes - #107
Lips:MAC lipstick - FleshpotMAC Dazzleglass - Perfectly Unordinary

Calle Ocho
Every year, a HUGE festival goes down on 8th street in Little Havana, Miami. Calle Ocho (8th Street in Spanish) is the largest Latin festival in the world! Of course, everyone of every ethnicity is invited to attend and have a great time! An unbelievable amount of people come to the blocked off street, lined with vendors selling food, handmade goods, jewelry, shirts, and so much more! Radio Stations set up stages and have some of the leading artists in the United States perform for free! This year Trina, Jeremih, and FloRida showed up performing songs that had the entire street dancing and grooving along. The festival was a blast, something that everyone needs to come to once in their lives! Just remember to wear tennis shoes...your feet WILL get stepped on! (Lesson learned the hard way)

Top off the evening with a delicious funnel cake for dessert!

There was too much going on, and too much of a crowd to really worry about photos. People were adorned with the flags of their nations, representing their ethnicities (from all around the world!). It was nice to see the cultural dancing, eat the delicious food, and enjoy the festive environment. Everyone was in a good mood!
Hope you are all enjoying your weekend!
xoxo,

Miami Beach International Fashion Week

2011-03-09T22:37:00.000-05:00

I was long overdue to attend a fashion show, and when I was invited for the first time, my heart skipped a beat in excitement! Robyn Chalmers, a fellow blogger (www.fashionista514.com) and good friend of mine flew down to sunny South Beach all the way from Canada to attend Miami Beach Fashion Week at the Convention Center, and she invited me to tag along! I was thrilled to finally meet Robyn! We had developing a friendship behind our computer screens, but when we finally met, it felt like I've known her for years!

The fashion show was such a glamorous experience. Besides the models who strutted down the runway, the people in the audience where just as extravagant from head to toe. Robyn walked the catwalk and looked fantastic. There is a personalized technique and to the walk, and Robyn certainly had hers down to a tee.

I quote Robyn, "Fashion shows are addicting", and she was right...I'm HOOKED! I can't wait for the next one!

Here are some photos from the show!

One designer did an entire tribute to "Black Swan", which included a beautiful ballet performance.

Ballerinas getting ready back stage.

A big thank you Robyn, I had a BLAST! See you again soon!

xoxo,

Get Green

2011-03-06T14:07:00.001-05:00

In the March spirit I decided to go for a long shot and use a color I rarely would ever use in this bright form. Usually when choosing greens, I tend to pick evergreens, or metallic darker variations of the color, which are beautiful, but this time I was tempted to go for a bright, in your face green, and...it was fun! Since I have every beautiful color I could dream of in my Sedona Lace palettes, I have the option to try and play around with many different shades of a certain color, and fit my look to any occasion!
What I used:
Face:L'Oreal Studio Secrets Facial PrimerRevlon Color Stay - #330 Natural Tan
Eyes:Sedona Lace 120 palette (1st Edition) - 3 shades of bright greenNARS cream eyeliner - Black MoonYSL Faux Cils mascara - #1
Lips:Barry M lipstick - Pinky PeachNARS lipgloss - Striptease
Buy Sedona Lace at www.SedonaLace.comUse Promo Code: KATRINALOMIDZE and get $3 off your entire order!
xoxo,

Jungle Island

2011-03-01T22:44:00.000-05:00

Jerrid and I both put work aside today and decided to have a family day down in Miami at Jungle Island. The spontaneous days are the ones that create the memories that will last you a lifetime. I recommend them to everyone...

My big boy had so much fun!

Jungle Island was tons of fun. We got to see so many beautiful animals and learned so much about them. My favorite part was seeing the wonder in JJ's eyes when he would see an animal and the elegance in which its every move was performed with, or the joy and laughter he showed when the animals did something silly. Jungle Island is definitely a place to see and bring your children to if ever in Miami.
Happy first of the month!
xoxo,

Permanent Way

2011-02-27T19:58:00.001-05:00

It felt great to snap some photos during a weekend stroll with Jerrid. I have to make a habit of bringing my camera along for every trip that we make out of the house...like old times. All photos taken with 50mm F1.4.

Clothing - Button up and cargo pants from Old Navy.

Makeup - Sedona Lace 88 metals palette, mascara and MAC lip conditioner - "Feelin Good"

xoxo,

SWAGGaholic

2011-02-21T19:14:00.004-05:00

Technology comes at us at full force, but there is no technological match for the feeling of freedom when you disconnect from the social network, and connect to yourself. I took some time out today to enjoy the sunset and sway back and forth, hair in the wind, air in my lungs. There's no app for that...

On the other hand, there is an app to create a more enjoyable shopping experience without the hassle of digging through your purse or wallet for a gift card you may have misplaced, forgotten about, or perhaps just left at home. iPhone users and Android users alike can download SWAGG, a new and cool app to help you use and manage your gift cards, coupon codes, or to inform you about any sales going on in your area that you cannot miss out on. The app is available in both the App Store and Android Marketplace. It's FREE so download it today!

Besides just the cool perks of having the app, SWAGG is hosting a huge contest along with Wet Seal where you can win up to $100,000 in prizes! It's easy to enter! Just download the app, register with a new, free account, enter code WSXOXO and thats it...you're entered!

With SWAGG you can send and receive gift cards from friends and family, as well as send them. I received a gift card to Wet Seal...

Here's a screen shot of a gift card on the SWAGG app!

I headed over to Wet Seal today to use my cool SWAGG Wet Seal gift card! I picked up so many cute things to go right along with my spring wardrobe!

Top from Wet Seal!

Shoes - Soda, from Wet Seal.

I can't wait to show you guys what else I picked up from Wet Seal!

Get the SWAGG app today and turn your SWAGG up!

Hurry, the contest ends on February 25th - Enter today!

********************

Aside from the huge contest hosted by SWAGG & Wet Seal,
I am also hosting a giveaway right here on my blog!

Enter my SWAGGaholics Giveaway and you could win a
$100 SWAGG gift card to Wet Seal!

Rules:

1) You MUST have the SWAGG app downloaded onto your phone
2) Leave a comment on this post letting me know that you have downloaded the SWAGG app
3) Leave the e-mail address with which you registered your SWAGG app with in a comment on this post. (This ensures that you get your gift card directly to your app if you win)
4) Spread the word!

Winner will be announced on March 1st.

Good luck SWAGGaholics!

xoxo,
Disclaimer : Gift card was sent complimentary of company for review.

Watercolor Prancer

2011-02-21T01:35:00.002-05:00

The days grow warmer and the plants explode with flowers. It's the time of the year when life slowly comes back out from the shelter of home. The suns' warmth on my skin brings a sudden burst of excitement, when making plans to do so much out in the world just seem like a necessity.

I finally got to go shopping for a new pieces for the spring. I found this gorgeous airy top at Bebe. It was exactly what I had pictured in my head when heading out to the mall to do my goodie picking.

What I'm wearing:

Top from Bebe.
J Brand white wash jeans.
Calvin Klein alligator t-strap sandals.
Coach bag.

My makeup:

Bare Escentuals mineral makeup
MAC blush - "Mighty Aphrodite"
Sedona Lace warm palette
NARS eyeliner - "Black Moon"
YSL Faux Cils mascara - Black
YSL Lipstick - #2 Nude Beige
NARS Lipgloss - "Turkish Delight"

Cream of the crop
I recently went on a small shopping haul for some goodies that I have been in need of. I needed a new purse. Something light in color, durable, and suited for any day wear. I wanted something I could buy without much guilt, and where else can I get the quality of Coach leather and stitching for their prices? Coach is unbelievable! The bags are put together beautifully, the leather is supple and superb, and the prices are unbeatable. I bought my Coach bag along with a new wallet to match, and I could not be happier! I see an updated "What's in my bag" post coming up soon!

Enjoy your President's Day weekend!
xoxo,

Coach Poppy - Little Things

2011-02-17T23:11:00.000-05:00

Walking past the Coach store today, I noticed the sales people restocking the store with new merchandise. Looking around I could see items in fun spring colors, and others adorned in the cutest sequins, glitter, and graphics. I was immediately magnetized to the booth of "little things" in the Poppy collection and was overwhelmed with how adorable all the goodies were. I grabbed hold of the Poppy Leather Universal Case since it was perfect for my iPhone, but would fit any phone. It also has slots inside for cards or important documents you carry along with you. I also grabbed the Poppy Signature Sateen Lurex Medium Skinny in pink which I would attach to my key chain and keep my cards, IDs and such inside of. I still have my eye on an opal sequin wristlet, and will be going back for it soon!
I love Coach Poppy!
Poppy Signature Sateen Lurex Medium Skinny (Silver / Cream Light Khaki / Sweetheart - $42)
Poppy Leather Universal Case (Silver / Strawberry Milk - $58)

Check out the new items released in the Poppy Collection at Coach.com.
xoxo,
Disclaimer : All items presented in this post have been purchased by the blogger. No item was given complimentary in exchange for an article.

Wonder Woman

2011-02-13T13:23:00.001-05:00

Thursday, MAC released one of the most anticipated collections of the year, the Wonder Woman collection, featuring special edition comic book inspired packaging. I didn't have anything in mind that I absolutely had to have from the collection until I saw it with my own eyes. The packaging alone is enough to have you coughing up the cash.

I initially got three things, but ended up returning an item since it just wasn't for me, so I'm left with "Mighty Aphrodite" blush, which is a gorgeous peachy pink color with sheen, and a great blush for multiple occasions, since you can mix it with a brighter pink chunk within the compact to give a darker pink cheek if necessary. I also grabbed "Emancipation" lipglass which is a frosty nude pink. The Wonder Woman lipglass tubes are unbelieveable, about twice the size of a regular MAC lipglass!

"Mighty Aphrodite" / "Emancipation"
Wonder Woman for MAC lipglass tubes are enormous! They look so fun. Here is a comparison shot of the Wonder Woman lipglass tube next to a regular MAC lipglass tube (Florabundance pictured).

The doe foot applicator has a small divot which allows every pump and removal of the applicator from the tube to get the perfect amount of lipglass for each application, so you don't have to dig for more product. The applicator is also twice as big as the regular lipglass applicator. The only issue I found was the difficulty in removing the applicator from the tube. It does require some effort, and in doing so, a string of lipglass can fly out, so be careful when removing the applicator from the tube.

I enjoyed this collection, its certainly something fun to look at and a pleasure to own. I do have my mind set on picking up Marquis'd lipstick next, so perhaps I will. I was slightly disappointed at how similar the colors are to colors that have been released in previous collections, and how the eyeshadows only come in a palette of 4 rather than having an option to buy certain ones separately as well. I did really like the extra large mineralize powders and might pick up one as well. The packaging is my favorite part, so I will really need to make my mind up about whether the product will be used, or just looked at in my top drawer. I already have plenty of products I just "look" at. Overall, I like this collection and I will be sure to stop by MAC to take a look at it once again soon.
Did you get anything from the Wonder Woman collection?
xoxo,

Whip it good

2011-02-09T22:34:00.002-05:00

I've been begging for a new car. Something small, but big at the same time. Sporty, yet girly all at once. Good on gas, but not the size of a thumb tack, and most importantly, a car that is safe, reliable, and (super most importantly) affordable! This weekend I was finally surprised with a trip to the dealership! I have had my eye on a new Nissan Altima for a while, but I wasn't picky. I needed something that would get me to and from work, and to all the malls in the entire state of Florida (and the continental US) without costing me a fortune.
Our first stop was a nearby Nissan dealership, and once I set my eyes on a gorgeous brand new pearl white 2011 Altima, it was mine. I had the paperwork signed and coughed up the cash in a matter of minutes and I was whipping my brand new baby out of the lot.
I named her "Pearl".

Pearl's got a cute booty.
There is a reason as to why autos.com rated the Altima the #4 selling car in the U.S. in 2010, its a great car, and for the price...unreal. Roomy, comfortable, drives smoothly, enormous trunk space, keyless entry, keyless trunk release, keyless push start, XM radio, bluetooth...I'm set!
Next time you see me, JJ and I will be cruising down the strip in Pearl!
xoxo,

Bling Bling

2011-02-08T00:49:00.001-05:00

My iPhone 4 is something that I probably can't survive a day without...it's like my backup brain. If you're not familiar with the body of the phone, it is basically entirely made of glass. One drop, and you're out. There is really no wonder as to why iPhone 4 cases are flying off shelves. It's insanity to own an iPhone 4 without a case...but just about any case just isn't good enough.

A short while ago I put my mind to finding the perfect Swarovski crystal iPhone 4 case, and I wasn't settling for just about anything. I really disliked the ones that were sold in stores because they used larger crystals, and some smaller crystals just looked like plastic to me. I wasn't sold on them, and for the prices that they go for, they're a rip off. Trust me, I know how much most of those cases are wholesaled for, and you'd lose your mind if you knew how much of a profit you'd be giving the store by buying. Most of them are not handmade, and all in all, a big disappointment.

I looked all over the internet and was led to a couple of eBay sellers that handmade the case, with YouTube videos as proof. I narrowed down the sellers to my favorite, simply because her work seemed immaculate - Claudia from REMCrystals, website; www.REMCrystals.com. I contacted the seller, and with the friendliest personality, she had my mind set on buying one of her cases. The money was sent via PayPal, with which she would order the crystals with, and then within a weeks time, the case is in your mailbox!

I eventually bought 2 cases from REM Crystals and am 100% satisfied with both. For my most recent purchase, I chose Light Rose AB Swarovski crystals. Pink makes me happy, and already decked out with a Crystal AB case, I needed something more ME. I chose 9ss as the size of the crystals, which is the perfect size for me...not too big, and not too small.

The cases have cut outs for access to any chargers, ports, headphone outlets, volume controls, etc. that are on the phone.

Blingage

The cases are sturdy, so once you clip it onto your phone, it does become quite a hassle to get off. It's easily removed with a small tool (tweezer) and a careful hand. The case is wonderful for protection against scrapes, scratches, and also gives the phone some weight and size so it doesn't seem so delicate and fragile.

I find the bling to be a stress reliever. When I look at my phone with the Swarovski case on it, it makes me happy!

REMCrystals has a large selection of phones for which a case can be made for. They are all custom made, so they are not pre-made and selected from. You can choose any design you wish, and you have plenty of inspiration to look at on her eBay store - http://www.remcrystals.com/Ebay-Store.html.

You can also check out the REMCrystals YouTube page to see Claudia make the cases and display them.

Most cases made by Claudia range from around $150-$200 dollars depending on the size of the crystals. iPad cases are also available but range in the $300-$400s due to size.

Looking to buy a custom made Swarovski case? I would recommend you check out Claudia at REMCrystals.com! Shoot her an email at remcrystals@hotmail.com and let her know exactly what you would like! She will send you over a color chart, and you can let your creative juices flow!

www.REMCrystals.com

xoxo,

Disclaimer: All products shown were purchased by blogger. No item was sent complimentary in exchange for a review. Simply doing a review on a product and seller that I think deserve a lot of recognition.

Dear Diary: I Do It With No Hands

2011-02-04T00:18:00.001-05:00

The past 2 weeks have been jam packed. Jerrid's twin brother flew into town in celebration of their birthday, the Wale & Roscoe Dash event took place, and we finally started the process of shopping for another car so we can give the gas guzzler some rest. Thus, my reasons for taking so long to post. Life got in the way. I'm accustomed to blogging before to go to bed, but the Zzzz's have been getting the best of me.
Regardless of how busy I may be, I find time to shop for some makeup. My most recent purchase in the beauty department was an eyeshadow palette from Too Faced. I was attracted to the Natural Eye palette. I've fallen in love the the soft and sultry look of neutral colors, and my top drawer has been swallowing up every product that can give me that look.
The Too Faced Natural Eye palette comes with 9 soft shades. It's a beautiful palette, and perfectly priced at $35.00. The palette also includes step-by-step instruction cards to help you get the exact look of your choice, and a mini duo-sided application brush.

I used this palette for the look I wore to the Roscoe Dash and Wale concert at Club Cinema, on January 29th. I instantly drifted to use Velvet Revolver, Sexpresso, and Heaven, which is the perfect highlight.

The time frame to prepare was short, so we were in a bit of a rush to get ready. I pulled out my ASOS dress that I had yet to wear, and to my pleasure, I found it to be rather warm, perfect to keep me warm on that chilly night.
The concert took place at Club Cinema in Pompano Beach. Jerrid, Jerrod, and I had a wonderful time. It's never a dull moment with those two, and it makes me the happiest to be surrounded by my true friends.

My good friend Tsippy also came through and showed support for the event. I appreciate her coming by! She is such a busy gal, so it meant the world to me!

Not only did she bring her gorgeous self,she also brought a gift for me!

I can't wait to fill this baby up with my business cards!How sweet and thoughtful of her!I LOVE IT!Thank you so much Tsippy!

NO HANDS

The concert was great! I will admit, I had a hard time understanding what Roscoe Dash was saying, but all in all, they were great performers and he crowd loved them! Wale was excellent and showed his true lyrical talents with a freestyle that blew everyones' mind. They looked like they enjoyed being up on stage, and we enjoyed watching them.
Upcoming posts: My next few posts may be involving the iPhone and some iPhone accessories. My new Swarovski crystal case by REM crystals is on its way over to me so once its in my hands you can expect a post. I will also be blogging about the Invisible Shield for the iPhone, something that I believe every smartphone owner should have to protect their screens. I will also be doing reviews on Serious Skincare Glucosamine Cleanser and Wen Cucumber Aloe Shampoo/Conditioner after I give each an adequate amount of usage.
Wishing everyone a great day!
xoxo,

Still trying to get NAKED?

2011-01-19T16:37:00.000-05:00

Here is an update from Urban Decay in response to the slow production of NAKED palettes.

Keep your heads up ladies!You'll be NAKED in no time!

xoxo,

Getting Peacocky

2011-01-17T17:27:00.002-05:00

Peacock eyes are a huge trend in January. Bright blues, teals, purples, and greens are a huge favorites amongst eyeshadow colors that have made recent appearances on the big screen, magazine covers, and all over the beauty realm.

I used my Urban Decay book of Shadows Vol. III to come up with this look, since it comes complete with the perfect shades for a peacock inspired look. The colors were somewhat difficult to work with since they did have a lot of fallout, and these particular colors were darker, but with extra care and clean up, it worked out just fine.

What I used:
Face:L'Oreal Studio Secrets Facial PrimerCoverGirl TruBlend Mousse Foundation - #460 Classic Tan
Cheeks:MAC Blush - Bite of an Apple
Eyes:Urban Decay Primer Potion along entire lidUrban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. III - "Loaded" from outer V until center of lid. - "Haight" applied onto center of li blending out with "Loaded" - "Kush" blended into "Haight" to make a brighter green - "Radium" applied onto inner corner of eye extending out and blending with "Haight" Same gradual color order and blending is used for lower lash line. - "Perversion" to create outer V corner and along crease of eye lid. - "Psychedelic Sister" to highlight creaseSedona Lace 88 Warm palette - One of the light matte colors are used as a highlight.Urban Decay eyeliner - "Zero"Stila Kajal liner in "Onyx" applied to lower lash lineL'Oreal liquid liner to line false lashesFalse Lashes purchased during Halloween at Walmart
Lips:MAC Lipstick - Pleasureseeker
I am trying to play outside of the box, or in my case, inside of the box, whatever boxed palette it may be. I am exploring with bright colors and funky lashes, using inspiration that is all around us and incorporate that into my looks. I had a blast doing this look, and was glad to be able to use these colors and see how beautiful and vibrant Urban Decay shadows are, even after being photographed.
xoxo,

Honoring a Great

2011-01-17T11:49:00.001-05:00

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Words to live by.
Wishing everyone a happy, blessed, and appreciative Martin Luther King Day. Remember how lucky we are to have such a man, who stood up for everyone and everything that is peace and love. We must come together as one, red blooded, and on one planet. May we be inspired by this man, his dream, and continue to live out our own dreams in the honor of peace, love, and prosperity.
xoxo,

Happy Sunday

2011-01-16T16:50:00.001-05:00

Photo of the day

A gift, from the love of my life.

Oh, a Happy Sunday it is!

Photo specs: Nikon D90 / ISO 200 / 50mm F1.4 / -0.3EV / f/1.8 / 1/40

xoxo,

Collabo - a Giveaway

2011-01-13T23:55:00.000-05:00

Sedona Lace and I have teamed up to spoil some of my readers, as well a fans and customers of Sedona Lace and their cosmetics. Sedona Lace has hit the scene with a big bang and their palettes are flying off shelves like hot cakes...here is your chance to score a palette of your choice for FREE during our giveaway, hosted by me!
Here are the rules!
1) You must follow my blog and follow me on Twitter, this is how I know that you want to enter. My twitter link is www.twitter.com/katrinalomidze. Follow my blog by simply pressing the follow button on the followers widget in the right hand sidebar.
2) Next thing you have to do is follow Sedona Lace on twitter. Their twitter link is www.twitter.com/SedonaLace
3) Once I reach 4,300 followers and Sedona Lace reaches 3,100 followers, we will select a lucky follower as the winner!
Stay tuned for more giveaways and collaborations between Sedona Lace and I. We have so much in store for you all!
Good luck!
xoxo,