Moroccan Argan Oil by organix

I had experimented a bit with oils before this but nothing hit home like this one did. An oil that spruces up your hair, adds moisture back to dry skin and works well as a cuticle fixer-upper.... for $8? Too good to be true. And while that may be the case, that not everything in the bottle is pure 100% argan oil, it works swell enough for me not to be bothered not having the $50 half the size thing in my hand.

A little in the ends of my hair gives great shine and moisture but too much and I've ended up looking like a grease monster. Had to learn that the hard way. However, I've found I like it much more for it's moisture it gives me. A bit on my face each night and sometimes in the morning, it gives a great base for a solid moisturizer to go on. Doesn't make me face greasy, or cause foundation to fade. I think I've really found a steal, ladies and gentleman. Now I'm interested.... What other oils can I get drawn into? Body, face, bath, shower... The possibilities are endless, really.

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Essie | Bikini So Teeny

So fitting for where I am right now, a polish thats as bright and blue as the sky's here in Mexico and a name that is so great... Cause oh yes, I've seen a few bikini's too teeny. I've never been able to find this before in stores so when I saw that Walgreen's had updated their Essie collection, I had to steal it. I absolutely love it. So bright, so fun. Perfect for spring!

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A Tribute To My Favorite Pants

I am so infatuated with these pants. At $22 from Buffalo Exchange (a local beauty of a thriftshop on University Avenue in Seattle) it was love at first site... I paired with my favorite Steve Madden sandals and an old silk shirt of my sisters. A cropped cardigan works to my advantage and highlights my waist, as do the pants.

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Travel Essentials

Happy Easter everyone! Today, I'm sitting on the deck of my family's condo in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. About to take off for mass but determined to fit in a wee little post.

I love taking peeks in everyone else's makeup bags, so I thought I'd show you whats going in mine. Nothing too new. Everything has been stripped back by the basic questions: If I eliminate this, will it throw everything off? If answered no, chuck it -- or save it for when you get back of course. I've also asked myself, is it lightweight, easy to apply, not too fussy, etc? If yes, then in it goes on a little journey to central America!

For a base, I chose Maybelline's BB Cream. It's the only one I've found that stays put, is lightweight and has enough coverage to just conceal a little bit. I couldn't leave home without my beloved under eye concealer by Bobbi Brown. I brought a sample size of a Jergen's face moisturizer that creates a natural glow. I'm all about the glow right now, so I'm bringing NARS Laguna and Douceur. I'm also chucking in my favorite MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle for a bit of shimmer, which can double as an eyeshadow! Some mascara, which I ended up changing out for one I'm currently testing... Nonetheless, I wanted a waterproof baby to stick on all day. And the easiest eyeshadow I could find, the Maybelline 24 hr Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze. A little product on the finger transfers like a dream to the eye, a blend here or there and you're done. The rest is self explanatory, some brushes for application and poof, we're done and ready to go.

I hope you're having a wonderful Easter and Spring Break!

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Buxom | Dolly

The other day I was just feeling a bit... Lippie. I had no idea what to buy but I felt like spending. Being relatively comfortable with my foundation routine (and not willing to spend $40 on anything worth trying), I reach for the next best thing. I reached out to my step mom, who I had recently had lunch with, and asked her what type of lipgloss she used. She often applies after dinners out together and I'd always thought it looked so glamorous. I wanted to get back into lipgloss, and wanted to test out a product that was completely new.

Buxom is a part of the Bare Escentuals line that focuses on plumping naturally and bringing out your best natural features. I chose one called Dolly, a slightly shimmery muted plum. On the lips, it brings the most gorgeous natural finish with just a hint of color. The actual lipgloss may make your lips tingle a bit as its supposed to help plump just a tad.

At $19, it's a stinger but not as bad as my recent Chanel purchase... You win some you lose some and with these brands, it's always a bit of both.

P.S. This is my 100th post. Thanks for your support :)

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Chanel | 54 Boy

This is it... My first Chanel lipstick has been chosen. This is the beginning of the transition from girl to lady. And I've picked the one called "Boy" .... How fitting.

I wanted a practical, every day worthy lipstick that I can wear with any outfit, makeup, hair style, etc. At first, I reached for the more matte, long lasting ones but realized that I prefer reapplication over dried out chapped lips. With the help of my dear friend Denita (she's helped me over five times... we exchanged cards- ha!) I picked out a Rouge Coco Shine in 54 Boy. Denita said it was the most featured in their ads and is perfect with my skin tone. At $34, it is pricey but there's something about the click and twist, the perfect gold and black packaging in front of envious eyes that makes it all worth it.

What was your first Chanel purchase?

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NARS Laguna

Oh dear, it's been a while hasn't it? Once you get outta the groove, it just happens... I'm back with a bronzey little friend.

While browsing Sephora with a gift card in hand, I was lost in what to buy... A new eyeshadow that will probably sit in the back of my drawers? A foundation that doesn't quite match my skintone and gathers dust behind a few books? Not this time. I've landed in the NARS Laguna territory. The brand known for fantastic cheek colors, this is no exception. I've never truly been into bronzers and I'd go as far as to say this is the first one I can actually pull off, without looking like an oompa loompa. Too heavy of a hand however and you've turned into a true Snooki.

A diffused brown with the tiniest bit of golden shimmer -- which doesn't show up on the face -- casts the most natural glow. Used in the contours, it gives me a bit of a cheekbone, a lacking feature I try to make up for. The packaging is the classic rubbery stuff that is ruined within a moment, with a thumb print straight across the front, but you know, I actually really like it. Makeup gets a little messy sometimes, and it's okay. However I know it's a hit and miss type thing. For me, it's outta the ballpark.

I expect this to last me as least a year or more -- that's what I get from one of their smaller blushers. Overall, I'm happy I remembered to pick this up and will most likely be repurchasing it in the future. It's a must have for a glowy, contoured spring-summer skin.

What's your go-to bronzer? Any recommendations?

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To The Max

Dress: california flea market

Shoes: Aldo

Cardigan: J. Crew

Nail polish: Essie's Snap Happy

Nothing special, just a whole lotta excitement about finding a maxi dress that doesn't make my butt look like a lump of fat and compliments my small chest. And just in time for spring... :)

And have you heard? Google Friend Connect will most likely be closing on July 2nd, so if you follow me there, have a whirl at bloglovin. Personally, it's how I love to read blogs. Organized and efficient. 

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L'Oreal | Voluminous Million Lashes

I don't believe that I've ever done a true mascara review before... Just here and there's, oh yeah, I like this one. You know how that goes. But I think I've found the one that checks off every box in my list. Longevity? Decent. Lengthening? Fabulous. And who can argue with a $7 price point? It's got my cheap little heart singing its praises to all my friends and getting compliments up the yahoo, which is never a bad thing. One thing about it that I love is the ease that comes with application. Some mascaras you really have to work with to get your desired effect. Not this one.

What do you think? Favorite mascara?

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Essie | Avenue Maintain

As always, I've reverted to my old ways and stooped to pick out an Essie color from their spring collection. I promised myself only one and this is what I ended up with. It's described with words such as "parisian" "chic" and "fashionably adroit" -- whatever that one means. I've found myself staring at my nails all day. I filed down my nails quite a bit and with a few slicks of this, a fresh foil, and a mini chop I feel like a whole new girl. A sixteen day hospital stay really can make you feel that way. Brand new. Rejuvenated. And I didn't even need to go to rehab! (Score.)

A formula that's to die for, and a price point that you can't really argue with, Essie continues to be my favorite brand. Definitely the accessibility of their varnishes help to sell them to me, but they're relatively cheap and last a significant amount of time.

Have you picked any new spring favorites? Look out for a whole post dedicated to shopping my stash - as they say - to find some new colors...

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A Statement

While I was away, my appendix decided to burst and then further complications landed me in the hospital on a thirteen day stay (that continues now)... As for the blog, it'll be up and back to it's old self by March. Love to you all. Being sick is no fun.

Topshop Chase

I can see myself wearing this little stunner with a sundress, floppy hat, sunglasses and blasting music during... you guessed it, the sThe first of what I hope to be many more Top Shop nail polishes, I chose Chase. It caught my eye right next to a gorgeous little blue number, although the display was all a little jumbled up in a big bin (hop on that, Nordstrom!) A plethora of beauty bloggers from across the sea (that'd be those precious Brits) rave about the Top Shop beauty section and so I decided it was time to give it a whirl.

Bought on a whim at the counter, $10 isn't too bad for the time it lasts. The wear time on this beauty was four or five days longer than Essie ($8) which last on average up to two-three days on me. I really like this color but I'm excited to try out some others. A little birdy told me that perhaps the full beauty selection will be at Nordstrom counters soon... A girl can hope, can't she?

Monday's Muse #5

One of the world's biggest superstars, it comes as no surprise that she can be our lovely muse for this Monday. She's fierce, sassy, sexy, a mother, a wife, dancer, singer, actress and she does it all with a certain air of class about her. She took a break as her daughter Blue Ivy was born but she's back at it, full force.

At the SuperBowl, her entire set was put on by ladies. From the band to each dancer, the stage was dominated by females. She was powerful beyond measure and that is what makes her a role model.

Who are your muses today?

Valentine's Day Nail Picks

from left to right:

Essie Watermelon

Essie Lilacism

Essie Muchi Muchi

Essie Vanity Fairest

NARS Anardana

Top Shop Chase

I just want to put this out there that I am a HUGE fan of Valentine's Day. Pink is my favorite color, I love everything about love, plus I'm a real sucker for a bouquet and a sugar high. That's not to say that I'll necessarily have a Valentine on this day, but I always get a card from my nan, plus some specials from my mom and step dad. Among other things, I also have a major love for nail polish and this is where the two loves collide to create something.... beautiful.

These are essentially classic colours that I love during spring as well. Light, pastel, girly. I'm a huge fan of Essie because of their accessibility and range of unique colours that most often, you can't find elsewhere. NARS did some great nail colours last spring/summer collection with tons of brights. Chase is the only Top Shop shade that I own (since a Top Shop just came into my area in the last six months) and I caved for this babe. I'm dying to try some others. Two hot pinks, two baby pinks, and two light purples and we've got all the options I thought of for this Thursday, which essentially, is just another day in my world. But filled with candy. Yum.

How are you celebrating this year? Treating yourself (like me) or going out with a significant other? Leave a comment below.

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