Blueberries and Champagne

We Interrupt Etsy Thursdays For...

2010-03-11T00:01:00.001-05:00

Chuck Norris!

Since it was his 70th birthday yesterday, and he does not care much for Etsy, I decided it would be safer to move "Etsy Thursdays" to a Friday once rather than risk a roundhouse kick. So yea, Chuck Norris, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I realize that some of you may not know who Chuck is, so here are some common known facts about the man =)

Leading hand sanitizers claim they can kill 99.9 percent of germs. Chuck Norris can kill 100 percent of whatever the **** he wants.

On a high school math test, Chuck Norris put down "Violence" as every one of the answers. He got an A+ on the test because Chuck Norris solves all his problems with Violence.

Chuck Norris died ten years ago, but the Grim Reaper can't get up the courage to tell him.

Chuck Norris can strangle you with a cordless phone.

If at first you don't succeed, you're not Chuck Norris.

Outer space exists because it's afraid to be on the same planet with Chuck Norris...

On the set of Walker Texas Ranger Chuck Norris brought a dying lamb back to life by nuzzling it with his beard. As the onlookers gathered, the lamb sprang to life. Chuck Norris then roundhouse kicked it, killing it instantly. This was just to prove that the good Chuck giveth, and the good Chuck, he taketh away.

Chuck Norris destroyed the periodic table, because Chuck Norris only recognizes the element of surprise.

Before each filming of Walker: Texas Ranger, Chuck Norris is injected with fourteen times the lethal dose of elephant tranquilzer. This is, of course, to limit his strength and mobility, in an attempt to lower the fatality rate of the actors he fights.

Human cloning is outlawed because if Chuck Norris were cloned, then it would be possible for a Chuck Norris roundhouse kick to meet another chuck Norris roundhouse kick. Physicists theorize that this contact would end the universe.

When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn?t lifting himself up, he?s pushing the Earth down...

Chuck Norris is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head...

Chuck Norris sold his soul to the devil for his rugged good looks and unparalleled martial arts ability. Shortly after the transaction was finalized, Chuck roundhouse kicked the devil in the face and took his soul back. The devil, who appreciates irony, couldn't stay mad and admitted he should have seen it coming. They now play poker every second Wednesday of the month...

Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink...

Chuck Norris doesn't wear a watch, HE decides what time it is...

Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.

I love Chuck! Not as much as my Dad does though. =)

Dare to Wear

2010-03-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

Fashion is not for the timid...Fashion breaks the rules...Fashion is innovative, Fashion is art...but sometimes it is just UGLY!

You're a real woman, but in case anyone is not convinced, you have a dress that proves it!

Because having mesh pockets would just be too tacky

For the stripper who who wants to stand out, but can't completely get rid of her lucite uniform

For the one who spent all her money on sneakers so she can't afford an IPod, or just prefers CD's

Wedged In

2010-03-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

Today we were having really nice weather. Sun was shining, birds were singing, sky was blue. So naturally my mind drifted over to the summer, and all the nice clothes I get to wear. My favorite shoes for summer weather are wedges. They are comfy, bright, and show off my pedi, all while giving me the much needed height boost. Here are some styles I am craving right now:

He may be an ass on project Runway, but Michael Kors knows how to design pretty shoes

buy here

The classic nude pump - summer edition

buy here

Espadrilles are always classic in my opinion...and Tory Burch makes a gorgeous pair

buy here

Nothing says summer like turquoise

buy here

Coach has been putting out some amazing footwear lately...YUM!

buy here

Loubies!!

buy here

Since it is not too warm just yet, these Jeffrey Campbell wedges can be a nice transitional pair.

buy here

And the Oscar Goes To...

2010-03-08T00:01:00.003-05:00

Every year I look for the round-up of the winners in one convenient place. Therefore, this year, since I am actually watching, I decided to compile my own list.
So here are the winners:

Best Picture - The Hurt Locker

Directing - Kathryn Bigelow [The Hurt Locker]

Best Actor - Jeff Bridges [Crazy Heart]

Best Actress - Sandra Bullock [The Blind Side]

Best Supporting Actor - Christoph Waltz [Inglourious Basterds]

Best Supporting Actress - Mo'Nique [Precious]

Best Original Screenplay - The Hurt Locker

Best Adapted Screenplay - Precious

Animated Feature Film - Up

Animated Short - Logorama

Art Direction - Avatar

Cinematography - Avatar

Costume Design - The Young Victoria

Documentary Feature - The Cove

Documentary Short - Music by Prudence

Film Editing - The Hurt Locker

Foreign Language Film - The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto De Sus Ojos) [Argentina]

Makeup - Star Trek

Music (Original Score) - Up

Music (Original Song) - Crazy Heart -- The Weary Kind [Theme]

Short Film (Live Action) - The New Tenants

Sound Editing - The Hurt Locker

Sound Mixing - The Hurt Locker

Visual Effects - Avatar

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!!

I was originally planning to do an Oscar fashion post, but this year the fashion was horrible. A sea of beiges, reds, blues, and weird taffeta. But here are a couple I actually liked:

Anna Kendrick, so feminine and floaty. I love!

Demi Moore, admittedly it has a tango-ish feel, but I just love ruffles.

both images from JustJared.com I don't know why my layout cut off the watermark.

Sunday Cupcake

2010-03-07T13:30:00.001-05:00

Double It Up

2010-03-06T00:28:00.001-05:00

So I took a break last night from blogging. Why? I was exhausted! Why? Because people suck. Thursday nights I do this volunteer legal thing where we help people being sued by credit card companies and collectors. We get a lot of visitors and our degree of service is VERY particular. Yet every week there a conversation like this:

Drunk guy who reeks of cigarettes: Yo can you help me?

Me: What is the problem?

Drunk: I am being sued by this schmuck for medical bills for when I punched him in the face at the bar

Me: I am very sorry but we can't help you. We only help with credit card debt.

Drunk: But you're an attorney! And I need a f----ng attorney!

Me: *sigh* [begins spiel] Attorneys are like doctors, we all have our own specialties. Some do criminal law, others do corporate, we do CREDIT CARD DEBT!

Drunk guy opens his mouth to say something rude, and at this point our 6 foot 4 volunteer comes over and asks if there is a problem. Drunk guy spits on the floor and leaves. And this happens EVERY SINGLE WEEK. And people get mad when they don't get seen even though we are volunteers, and we want to help, but can't. So yea, I was tired. So here is a Saturday post for you.

Lately I have been wearing 2 rings on one hand, on my pointer and middle fingers. Why? Because I like it =) I have been wanting a double-ring since I was like 16. Yes, waaaaay before Lauren Conrad made them popular. So I decided to see and here are some picks that caught my eye for one reason or another.

So badass!

buy here

Classic shape. I'm sure you can get it engraved or something.

buy here

My favorite! It is so dainty, and yet special somehow...LOVE

buy here

A little weird, but this style would not impede your typing.

buy here or if you want something A LOT cheaper then buy HERE

The Olsens can do no wrong as far as I am concerned! I just wish their stuff was cheaper.

buy here

Not quite a double ring but the talon goes over two fingers so it counts.

buy here

Forget what I said earlier...THIS is my favorite!! So pretty and feminine, but still badass because it is a double ring. Kinda like my own little dirty secret...muahahahha

buy here

And this one is just WoW, but so relevant because of the Drunk Guy story. And this is why you should read the words too and not just look at the pretty pictures.

buy here

We're All Mad Here...

2010-03-04T08:30:00.000-05:00

Words cannot express how excited I am about the new Alice In Wonderland movie by Tim Burton coming to theaters this weekend!!! I read Carroll's books numerous times, I saw all the cartoons and quote it all the time...I will not say I am obsessed, but I do truly love the story. I also love Tim Burton and his work, so I am expecting this movie to be amazing...

To celebrate the release this weekend, I decided to combine my Etsy Thursday with Alice...and let's say I went a little bit crazy =)

I am so in love with this pendant that I decided to post the pic even though it is sold out ='(

sold out HERE

Carroll's original drawings around your neck

available HERE

For an Alice-themed party, or just because =)

available HERE

This print is stunning! I totally want one for myself...now I need to convince the Boy

available HERE

One of my favorite scenes where the spades are painting the roses. I feel that it really defines the mood of the Wonderland even more than the Tea Party does

available HERE

Classic!

available HERE

A little cutesy, but I like it. Note that it is not a functioning watch.

available HERE

So adorable! And she can customize it with whichever cards you prefer. I kinda want one for when we host Poker nights.

available HERE

Something more dainty and not so obvious. Perfect if you love Alice, but don't necessarily want to proclaim the love

available HERE

The Cheshire Cat smile...I love it!

available HERE

These are so adorable and cheap! And the seller has a bunch of other scenes from the book available.

available HERE

Self-explanatory....I think there are other colors available =)

available HERE

PHEW! I hope you enjoyed all of these, my little mimsies =)

Pass Me the Carafe...

2010-03-03T08:50:00.001-05:00

The Boy is obsessed with getting a carafe for his expensive whiskey, or scotch, or whatever. So I went on a search for a perfect carafe and all the cool ones are either uber expensive or available in UK only. So here are the ones I like, but will not buy. If I end up purchasing one, you'll be the first to know =)

This one is by Hermes...I don't even want to know how much this beauty costs

Oh my, it comes with extra glasses... *gulp*

So perfect, and yet a limited edition Mikasa piece...the price is over $1,000 *EEP!*

UK only, boooo hisssss

So pretty!!! Enjoy Englishmen!

So simple! So why so pricey???

The Boy's top pick...once again -- UK only, BOO!

Notice I did not post where you can purchase these...that's because if I can't have them NOONE can! If you want these the google "carafe" and don't tell me about it. *pout*

Get It Through Your Thick Skull...

2010-03-02T08:05:00.000-05:00

Angels singing * ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh * My job got extended for 3 more months!!!! So it is 90 more days that I don't have to go to the poor-house or cut down on my sushi consumption, same thing, =) [j/k].

Anyways...a few posts back I showed you guys my frilly ribbon-loving side. This time I will toughen up and show my skulls some love. Here are some items with a skull motif that I am jonesing for.

purchase here

purchase here

no longer available *whimper*

purchase here

The Iconic McQueen Scarf on backorder here

Cure for the Common Cold

2010-03-01T00:05:00.002-05:00

Wintertime in NYC is a miserable time. February and March are particularly nasty months and this year is no exception. It also does not help that The Boy's mother is currently lounging on the beaches of Puerto Rico, and two of our friends are going on a tropical cruise on Thursday. How rude! Since I am stuck in the cold, I decided to pretend I will be on the beach soon and bought these two bathing-suits from VS. If I have to freeze for now I at least have something to look forward to! I also got a free beach tote in hot fluo pink with code SWIMTOTE. Yay!

Both are available at VictoriasSecret.com

Sunday Cupcake

2010-02-28T00:02:00.000-05:00

MAC Cosmetics and Rodarte

2010-02-27T00:02:00.000-05:00

OMG OMG OMG OMG....MAC will be teaming up with Rodarte on a new collection!! My favorite cosmetics company and one of my favorite designers whom I can't afford are coming together. I just hope there is nailpolish involved in the collection.

image & info via tfs

Fashion Icons

2010-02-26T14:35:00.003-05:00

You've heard of the Three Blind Mice, and here is the new generation - Three Fashion Icon Mice.

Anna Wintourmouse

Karl Lagermouse

Coco Chanel-O-Mouse

Each one can be yours for a "mere" $39.99. Available for purchase HERE.

LMAO...enjoy!

Etsy Thursday

2010-02-25T21:32:00.004-05:00

My job blocks all the blogs, so when I have some downtime and I am not farming on FarmVille [addictive like crack!] I browse Etsy. While it is an amazing resource, a lot of the stuff sold there is pretty *ahem* craptastic. Sometimes it literally takes me hours to find something even remotely interesting, but there are definitely many gems to be found there. Since I wish there was someone who was willing to weed through thousands of listing for me, I figure since I am already weeding myself I can help someone else. So every Thursday I will post my picks from Etsy for your enjoyment.

Today I was looking for some decorative ceramic plates. While I did not find what I was looking for, I did find some pretties I want to share.

These make me think of Spring...*le sigh*

buy here

How awesome is this??? A bit tacky, but so useful for backyard picnics

buy here

I have a slight obsession with picture frames...don't judge!

buy here

So simple and delicate...it is begging for a piece of angel food cake to be put in the middle

buy here

Too cute!

buy here

I love how simple this is.

buy here

Such a delightful set! Bright and happy, but very simple. I hate tacky and gaudy china.

buy here

I also have a candle obsession =)

buy here

This makes me think of the Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland.

buy here

Be Gelous

2010-02-24T20:08:00.002-05:00

Whenever I hear raves about a new product I MUST try it. I honestly think about so much that I drive myself insane until I get my grubby hands on it. More often than not, it does not live up to my expectations *cough* Barielle Camouflage basecoat *cough* But sometimes the praise is truly deserved.

The product I am talking about is Gelous basecoat which is found at Sally's beauty supply for about $6. It's description says that it is an "advanced nail gel coat" and that's exactly what it is. When I tried it I first put on my beloved Barielle Hydrating Ridgefiller and let it dry a little. Then I applied a coat of Gelous over it, then polish, then topcoat. Gelous is very thick and reminds me of the acrylic gel that is used on fake nails. It dries relatively thick so use a light hand when applying it. Once my mani dried I was ecstatic! My nails felt so strong as if I really did have acrylics on. I felt safe, like my nails were truly protected.

The best part is that my mani lasted for 5 days without a SINGLE chip! That is just unheard of for me. I type a lot for work, and that weekend I went to a Russian Bathhouse where I spent a lot of time in the steam room. Usually my manis peel in sheets after steamrooms, but this time it did not budge. The only reason I removed the polish was because I got bored, but I almost wanted to see how long it would hold up. One day I'll do that.

I tested it with four other colors, two of which were glitters. Often my glitters peel in sheets 1-2 days later. This time they stayed put. Once again I got so bored that I removed them 2 days later, but I can confidently say the wear is much better than with just a regular basecoat.

Rating: 5/5 blueberries!

Verdict: Will buy again; will recommend to a friend

Awesome Polaroid Art

2010-02-22T22:14:00.000-05:00

I recently stumbled upon these composites made by Patrick Winfield and I am in love. All of these collages are comprised of many individual polaroids...how cool is that?!? Here are some of my favorites:

All pictures are property of Patrick Winfield.

For more of Patrick's work visit his website.

Sunday Cupcake

2010-02-21T20:06:00.002-05:00

I don't blog on Sundays...but I think you all should still have a treat! And what is better than a cupcake?

How sweet it is to be loved by You!

2010-02-19T19:29:00.003-05:00

Happy 5th Anniversary Sweetie! I truly love you more and more each day...you are my best friend, my partner, my everything...and I can't wait to spend 555 more years with you!

Minty Splat

2010-02-18T20:50:00.007-05:00

I am so proud of my mani today, I HAD to post it. The minty base is Claire's Dreamcatcher, which is a very close dupe to the much coveted Chanel Jade polish. Since I do not care much for Chanel or it's polish, I am very happy with my dupe.

The splats are made by using the Konad system and using black and white Konad special polishes.

Please excuse my horrific photo-taking skills. I am just not able to master the macro setting =( One day I will master. I am not too upset though since I am not a nail blogger really, so as long as you can see the design I am OK. =)

My 12 Step Program...

2010-02-17T19:49:00.004-05:00

...for perfect at-home mani and pedi. I do my own manis and pedis at home. I do not have the time nor the money to go the salon lately. Also, I do a much better job than the salons anyway. Last time I got a pedi [March 2008?] I had to spend 30 minutes at home doing extra clean-up and refiling my toes into a perfect shape. Waste of time! [and money]. With a little practice and the right products you can do your own salon quality work.

Here is my routine step-by-step with product illustrations.

1. I take off old polish.

[Steps 2-4 are for pedis only, the rest applies to both pedis and manis.]

2. I soak my feet in a bucket with warm water and some monoi oil. I like the one by Yves Rocher.

3. I exfoliate with Yves Rocher foot exfoliator.

4. I dry my feet and use Ped Egg [$9.99 almost everywhere. I got mine at Bed Bath & Beyond]

5. I push back the cuticles gently with an orange stick. Twice a month I use Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover. There are many varieties, but the one in the blue bottle is the best by far! Please use as directed. Leaving it on for too long can cause a slight burning sensation, but a little bit of warmth is normal.

6. I swab each nail with a tiny bit of acetone to remove oils.

7. I file my nails into shape with a GLASS file. Please do not use regular files because they damage the nail and make it peel and split. My fave is the one from Sephora.

8. I put on base-coat. I'll be honest, I still have not found my Holy Grail basecoat, but I am certainly trying! Currently I am test-driving Barielle's Hydrating Ridgefiller, and so far I like it. However, since my nails are still recovering from that horror also known as Sally Hansen's Nail Quencher, I can't tell you how well the Barielle is working just yet. Once I figure it out I will do a full review. Barielle products are generally VERY pricey, but often can be found at Marshall's or TJ Maxx for $3-4.

9. Then I apply 2 coats of any nailpolish. No drying time between coats. Some of my fave brands are OPI, China Glaze, Essie, Zoya and Color Club. The cheapest to order then is online at 8ty8beauty.com, head2toebeauty.com, transdesign.com, and victoriasnailsupply.com. Zoya is only available at Zoya.com, but follow them on Twitter, they have great offers very often. These sites are tried and true and sell polish and most of the products I list here at a huge discount.

10. Next I use Revlon Colorstay top coat [on the right in pic.] They are sold in 2-packs with a color and the topcoat. I hate the colors and usually throw them out. I also buy only at Dollar Tree stores for $1. The old version is much better than the new one sold at drugstores. So if you see the old one I suggest you stock up. The purpose of this step is to prevent the polishing from shrinking at the tip when we apply the last product.

11. Then with no wait time I apply Seche Vite quick drying top coat. I know it seems like many layers of products, but Seche dries everything in under 10 minutes. I am not exaggerating, it is that fast! And it is very shiny and professional looking. The key here is to apply it to wet polish. It is VITAL! Seche was designed to be used specifically on wet polish. One time when I used it on dry polish it peeled off the next day. So please follow the instructions.

12. Lastly, after the polish is dry I put lotion on my feet/hands and cuticle oil on my fresh fingers or tootsies. My fave oil is Haken oil from Sally's, but I am sure any oil can be used.

TA-DA!! You're done =) Once the polish is dry you can clean up any mess with some remover and a cotton wrapped around an orange stick. Or you can wait till the next morning and scrub it off in the shower and it will easily come off.

During the week I also use Creative Cuticle Eraser twice a day on my cuticles. It is amazing at keeping your cuticles looking neat. The AHA in eraser gently exfoliates the cuticle and removes the dry raggedy pieces. Even if you get professional manis I suggest you invest in this product.

Once again, remember that the key is practice, and also finding products that work for you. The ones above are my favorites, but you may find that something else works better for you. Good Luck and always feel free to ask me if you have any questions.

Bow Down

2010-02-16T20:42:00.005-05:00

I have ADD when it comes to style...I love skulls and I love bows, I love studs and I love pearls...I love leather and I love taffeta. Well, you get the idea. The problem is that I do not have the budget for two separate wardrobes, so I try my best to incorporate both into my outfits, without leaning heavily into either direction. The best way to do that is through accessories. Just think - you start with your basic tee, jeans, and black high heeled boots. Add some pearls and a cocktail ring = sweet. Now if you add a studded cuff and a skull-ring instead = badass!

Today I am feeling extra girly so let me show you some bracelets with bows that I am currently craving. I promise there is one for every style and budget =)

My absolute favorite! I love everything...the ethereal feel, the beads, the colors...drool...the price? Not so much =(

purchase here

This one is a more "in your face" bow. Very girly, but also a total statement piece. Do a smoky eye and some pink lips and you're good to go!

purchase here

Want something more elegant and understated? Here you go! Not too blingy or gaudy...adds just enough sparkle and sweetness without the frills. LOVE!

purchase here

Another favorite. I love baubles, I really do...I blame JCrew! This one is just a perfect mix of sparkles, bows, and pearls. Very girly, but oh so delicious at the same time. Definitely not badass, but not sugary sweet either...WANT!

purchase here

Finally, another beauty that is more than my car payment, but this is definitely one badass bow! The chain and shiny jet-black base give it a gothic feel, while the swarowski crystal and satin bows give it just enough femininity to work for any occasion. * le sigh *

purchase here [it is on sale now - 50% off!!]

Winter Woes

2010-02-15T20:30:00.004-05:00

Even though Valentine's Day is behind us it does not mean we should stop taking care of ourselves. Winter is in full swing and so are the problems that come with it. Every week I will do a "Winter Woes" post, which will address a winter-specific problem. Today it is the sexily named "Keratosis Pilaris."

Have any of you ever looked at the back of your arms and noticed weird flesh colored bumps that came out of nowhere? You don't have to admit but I know some of you did...and wondered what in the hell are those??? It is most likely keratosis pilaris, more commonly known as chicken skin. And it is just as gross as chicken skin, at least I think it is. I'll be honest and admit I get these every single winter..without fail..blargh! This was the bad news. The good news is that I finally figured out how to get rid of it. It is so simple that a monkey can do it...if monkeys got keratosis pilaris, which I am not sure they do, but IF they did, they could easily get rid of it.

Anyhoo, according to Wikipedia, or some equally reliable source, KP is caused by lack of moisture in the air. Since your skin is very dry it is actually little hairs that can't poke through the skin (eeek) so they stay right under it and cause bumps (double eeeek). So the key is hydration and exfoliation. Once I read that I followed a simple routine and it worked like a charm. Every time I take a shower I use a sugar-based body scrub like this one:

I take a small amount and rub it on the backs of my arms only...rub, rub, and rub, until the sugar melts. You can use a salt scrub instead, but those are much harsher, and if your skin is really dry it can get into the cracks and sting (OUCH!), so I stick with the sugar scrubs instead.

Once it melts, I was it off and go on with my shower. Then once I get out I put lotion as usual with one exception. I take a large glob of very rich lotion, like this:

(I recommend creme, not lotion - not moisturizing enough for this) and rub it on the back of my arms in the specific spots affected by KP. That way my skin gets the optimum amount of moisture and the bumps do not get a chance to form. Easy peasy I think.

Let me know if you try it and if it works for you too =)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

2010-02-14T23:10:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Day Bonanza - Day 3

2010-02-11T22:48:00.003-05:00

Even though we don't celebrate Valentine's Day, we still exchange cards. It is an excuse to be sappy and write some cheesy haiku just to put a smile on one another's face. There is also something exciting about picking out a card. Sifting through hundreds before finding that perfect one. I am getting chills just thinking about it. Yes, yes, I am crazy...don't judge...mmmkay??

Anyways, while I do enjoy Hallmark and their selection, this past year I had to swear it off for good. I was busy picking out a card for my Dad's birthday. I always try to get him something funny and this year was no exception. So I narrowed it down to 2 candidates and was trying to pick the winner when something weird happened. I could not remember if one of choices was the card I gave to my Dad 2 years ago. It was funny, and definitely something I would normally give him, but it was also somehow familiar. ARGH! After agonizing for about half-hour, I decided to just buy it. Thankfully, it was not a repeat, but the whole experience ruined card-buying for me forever. I decided it was worth it to me to pay a little more for a guarantee that my card is unique. So I turned to Etsy. With thousands of pages of handmade cards there is no way I can repeat a card.

With that backstory in mind, take a look at some of my choices for one-of-a-kind Valentines cards. All these cards are truly unique, and fit different tastes [and budgets]. Some are more personal, some are funny, and some are just plain adorable. And even if you think it is too late, some of these [like the Russian nesting doll] are downloadable and very cheap. So you can print one out in time for the 14th! Here goes:

purchase here

purchase here

purchase here

purchase here

purchase here

purchase here

purchase here

Let me know which ones you like, even if they are not one of the cards I picked! =)

Valentine's Day Bonanza - Day 2

2010-02-10T21:23:00.005-05:00

Going on a date? Girls night out? Plans with Mom? Forced romantic dinner with your boyfriend/husband/bootycall? Whatever the plan you should look cute...why? well why not!! Also, this is the one time of the year when wearing red or pink dress is perfectly acceptable...in fact it is almost required! So leave your LBD on the hanger and embrace color...here are some cute options to get you started:

1. For a dinner at a five star restaurant

2. For a wine-tasting and a Broadway show

3. For drinks with your girls...or a casual date with that cute guy from class

4. For daytime...whether it is yoga or shopping for lingerie the spirit of V-Day is there =)

5. My personal favorite! And it is suitable for whatever plans you've made...yes, even lunch with Mom...

6. Still afraid of too much color? Then try a classic black dress with a red accent, such as this rose applique

all images from shopstyle.com.

If you like any of my picks then go to style.com and get one for yourself. All of these are still available and are very affordable.

So do you have a dress/outfit picked out yet?? Yea, me neither =)

Valentine's Day Bonanza - Day 1

2010-02-09T21:25:00.002-05:00

In honor of V-day I will be doing a 5-day bonanza with all things Valentines. Before I begin let's just talk about the holiday a little. Now, many think it is a Hallmark holiday that is cheesy and choose not to celebrate it. Frankly, I don't much care for the commercial aspect of it. Romance should be random, not planned and prepackaged in a red heart-shaped box. But, being as tacky as I am, I love hearts, I love pink and red things and I love chocolate. I also have a very personal reason for loving St. Valentine. My grandma, may she rest in peace, was named Valentina, after the saint. My cousin, who is the father of my godson, is also named Valentin. So the day has special significance for me. Therefore, I will enjoy the holiday in their name, literally and figuratively. And since this is my blog, you will enjoy it with me. So lets start with drinks!!

I was originally going to save it for last, but I had to drive to UPS to pick up a nailpolish package so I am sort of pressed for time. Therefore, I will leave the more in-depth posts for later, and start with what I know best =)

Even if you choose to shun the holiday, it falls on a Sunday, which is followed by a true holiday, so drinking will likely to happen. And in the spirit of tacky romance, there is no reason to not include red in your potent potables. At the very least it will be a nice change from beer, or dirty martinis. So as a courtesy of cosmopolitan, here are some V-Day themed recipes:

Kerasi (cherry in Greek)

- 2 oz. peach vodka
- 1 oz. cherry puree (just blend fresh pitted cherries)
- 1/2 oz. peach liqueur
- 1/2 oz. cherry brandy
- 1/2 oz. lemon juice
- Sparkling wine, like Cava

Shake all ingredients but the Cava over ice and strain into a flute. Top off with Cava. Garnish with a cherry.

Strawberry Kiss

- 1 1/2 oz. Absolut Vanilia
- 1/2 oz. strawberry liqueur
- Splash of CranPineapple juice

Combine ingredients and top with champagne. YUMmmm....champagne!

Watermelon Martini

- 3 oz. Ketel One Citroen
- 1 oz. Watermelon Pucker
- 1/2 oz. Cointreau or triple sec
- Splash of lemonade
- Splash of 7-Up

Mix all ingredients together over ice, shake, and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a slice of watermelon.

Rediscovered Cherry Cosmo

2 oz. Smirnoff Black Cherry vodka
1 oz. white cranberry juice
3/4 oz. Cointreau
Splash of fresh lime juice

Combine all the ingredients in a shaker, and add ice. Shake and strain into a glass. Garnish with fresh or dried cherries.

Pink Margarita

1 1/2 oz. tequila
1/4 oz. Campari
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. honey

Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Pour into a tumbler. Serve on the rocks and garnish with a lemon slice and mint leaf.

pictures and recipes courtesy of cosmopolitan.com. Check them out for 11 more delicious recipes.

I hope you try one of these, and please let me know if you do...or if you have any recipes of your own you'd like to share!! Especially mojitos!
But, please please please drink responsibly!

Yay SAINTS!!!

2010-02-08T19:49:00.004-05:00

So the Saints won last night and so did I. Though I am a Giants fan I rooted for the Saints for the stupidest reason ever. I like Kim Kardasian...Kim is dating Reggie Bush..Reggie plays for the Saints...so there you go! I won $10 and my mani did not go to waste:

Not as personal as Kim K.'s mani, but still awesome.

Gold: OPI "I Get A Kick Out Of Gold" hard to find unfortunately
Black: Wet 'n' Wild Black available at most pharmacies

I was going to add more to it, but the Boy said it was perfect so I let it be as is.

Nexxus Dualiste

2010-02-06T15:24:00.002-05:00

My recent obsession has been with my hair. I cut it verrry short a few years ago and now have been trying to grow it out. It is currently below my shoulders and growing out at a good pace. I also went from bleach blonde to dark , almost black, brown a while ago so it is healthy and shiny. But unfortunately there is zero volume. ZERO!

Many women strive for voluminous hair and there is literally nothing we can do. Yes, you can tease it, hairspray it, get extensions, but there is no way you can make your natural hair have more volume. If I do find something you'll be the first ones to know, I promise =)

Now going back to healthy hair. We all know that switching up shampoos is good for it. Your hair adjusts to your current products and they no longer have the wonderful effects they did the first few times you experienced the first few times. So lesson 1: keep 2-3 shampoos in your shower and switch them around every 2-3 washes. It will be worth it, trust me.

One of the shampoos I am currently using is Nexxus Dualiste.

It came highly recommended by the makeupalley.com hairboard and some long hair forum I stumbled onto a while back. Well, this just proves that nothing works for everyone. I hate it so much I can't wait till it is finished.

Shampoo: absolutely nothing to write home about. It cleans my hair but that is about it. No extra shine, no extra softness, nothing. For the price, it is a complete dud. I was not expecting miracles, but it gives me the same effect Alberto VO5 does except for 10x the price.

Rating:

Conditioner: oy vey! It is very moisturizing, but that's where the benefits end. You need to wash it out for a very long time, otherwise the hair becomes greasy and stringy within minutes. After blowdrying it still feels greasy and sort of clumps around the strands. Absolutely horrible! In order to get my moneys worth, I use it once a week as a deep conditioning treatment and then spend 10 minutes washing it out. It is definitely good for that, but as an every day conditioner it is awful.

Rating:

VERDICT: will not purchase again, will not recommend to a friend

Have you tried Dualiste products? Have they worked for you? Let me know!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow..

2010-02-06T15:04:00.003-05:00

For days all that New Yorkers talked about was a big snowstorm scheduled for this weekend. People stormed supermarkets to stock up on essentials, and according to my friend it was on the level of a Black Friday madness. The Boy[friend] and I recently bought 6 cans of "emergency soup" aka "I don't feel like cooking soup." We were also fully stocked up on liquor so we decided we can make it through the storm.

Last night I saw maybe one snowflake. I assumed she was just a rogue or maybe a spy sent out to check out the situation [no, not Mike from Jersey Shore, or maybe him, he lives around here I think.] Either way there was no snow. This morning the ground was white, covered with fluffy snowy goodness that was about 1 inch thick. Manhattan did not even have that...they got nothing, zip, zero, no snow. So now I am pissed...pissed I tell ya. I was looking forward to some sledding, to a snowball fight, to SNOW! And all I got was the measly inch and in this case size does matter. My only consolation is that I did not bother to stock up on food and fight the supermarket crowds. I think I deserve a drink now...can't let the liquor go to waste =)

The obligatory introductory post that nobody ever reads

2010-02-05T17:10:00.000-05:00

Hi!

So the first post is always the worst...like a bad interview it makes you nervous and sweaty while trying to appear confident. You rack your brain for witty things to say to draw them in...if they are laughing they will come...right? RIGHT? So here goes...

I love pina coladas, but not getting caught in the rain, I am somewhat into yoga, and have more than half a brain...

Now that you have the song stuck in your head let me really tell you about myself...

I am a 20-something Law School grad living in New York City. I love all things girly and frilly, but I also love camping and biking and such. I like make-up and nailpolish as well as shoes and bags. I love baseball and "Sons of Anarchy" and I adore all the "Real Housewives of _____ ." I am learning how to cook [very slowly] and I love crafts and DIY. I live with my boyfriend and our cat and I really do love blueberries and champagne. So there it is...if you're interested then stick around...if not then nice meeting ya and you suck [kidding..or not]. Either way I will be here =)