Essie for Gorgeous Nails

Essie nail polishes are by far some of the best since they are long lasting with the right prep and top coat as well as being a three free health conscious brand. Several polishes embrace the reduction of chemicals in their mixes which comes in either a three free or five free variety. Three free means it is without dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and formaldehyde. Brands in this category include Essie, OPI, Butter London, and Wet 'n' Wild. Five free includes all of the chemicals of three free plus formaldehyde resin and camphor. L'Oreal, Chanel, Dior, RGB, and Zoys are among the brands in this group.

With a rainbow of polishes available, Essie, like many other brands release special colors seasonally. I'm partial to the neutral collections since they are very versatile for matching to outfits each day without changing polishes.  Several of the colors that are my go to are in the photo above and left to right they are Urban Jungle, Sand Tropez, and Glamour Purse.  There are a few colors that transcend neutral browns with a beige base and neutral grays which may have a more taupe base for a greige look.  I adore these colors any time of the year.  They can look fantastic either with a tan or without.  

A good base that I like to use which lengthens the wear of my polishes is the Orly Bonder which has a rubberized texture that allows the polish to adhere better while protecting the nail.  My favorite top coat is Sally Hansen Insta-Dri and sets the nail much quicker than other brands.  Essie is a great brand that I highly recommend and it has major staying power especially on summer toes.  I work a lot with my hands which can take a toll on my finger nail polish however with the base and top coat prep it can last almost four days without chipping.  

Cheers and happy painting!

Back to Basics: Building a Wardrobe

There are a plethora of trends that span decades and fashion designers are famous for recycling ideas while fabricating new twists to keep things interesting.  While creativity is paramount, blending trends with classic pieces increases the longevity of the wardrobe.  In building a closet, the following are essential for a flawless look and execution of fabulousness!

• Crisp white shirt
• Dark indigo denim jean or pant in a flattering style
• Black or navy suit which should include a jacket, pant, and pencil skirt that is slightly above knee length
• White tee shirt and camisole
• Cashmere or merino wool crew or v-neck sweater and cardigan (a quality cotton sweater is good for early spring and fall)
• Black dress
• Quality leather dress flats and heels in black and brown (wedges are great if stillettos are not your thing)
• Trench coat

When choosing dress pants and skirts ideal colors include navy, black, gray, and taupe or brown.  Investing in quality pieces means ensuring correct proportions to truly pull off the look so a true fashionista needs a top notch tailor.  All of these items depend on a person's individual needs and lifestyle.  Not everyone needs to own a suit but a great blazer when mixed with a camisole or silk shirt is perfect for a night out. When building a wardrobe it is all about making it unique to you however a few thoughts to keep in mind include choosing fabric or material quality over quantity and adding pops of color like a red heel or scarf or even a costume jewelry piece extends the versatility of a look.  Mending favorites is ok but every closet needs purging over time especially for maintaining a polished look.  Also be aware of how many resources can be devoted to the care of the item (i.e. dry cleaning a suit or silk shirt). 

Cheers and happy building!

Prime Time Eyes

When working on an eye makeup look, I prefer a primer which provides staying power whether I'm using a powder or a cream. In trying various products, the top two performers are Too Faced Shadow Insurance and Urban Decay Primer Potion. Too Faced Shadow comes in one variety whereas Urban Decay has several effects available from matte to consistencies that include a background effect to enhance shadows.

My eyelids tend to be oily which is why I first sought a primer. A good eye makeup routine would consist of base primer, either cream or powder shadow (cream has increased staying power with a powder topcoat but more about that in a minute), and top the look with a light dusting of translucent powder.

Although both are great primer products, in my opinion Urban Decay has more staying power at the end of an evening than Too Faced. Also, when I first purchased Two Faced the product separated until many more uses.  Of course everyone's skin reacts differently and each will have a preference. For oily lids I highly recommend the Urban Decay brand.

Cheers and happy priming!

@sephora @urbandecay @toofaced #beauty #eyeprimer

Travel Like a Pro

As I travel more over the years I have learned  things like how to get through security faster, to pack like a jet setter, and various tools that make the journey more enjoyable. Here are a few of my thoughts on traveling like a pro.

What to wear can be a challenge but it makes a difference in being comfortable or cranky. If I'm traveling to a warmer climate I will dress in layers for the plane sans bulky jacket since I know I will not use it at my final destination. Everyone has difference preferences but I've found a pair of leggings or skinny jeans coupled with tennis shoes, long sleeve under layer, light sweater, and pullover North Face fleece to be the best attire. Also, remember to pack your belt as TSA will require you to remove it. You've read my review on the Apple Watch and while most airports have become accustomed to travelers having smart watches, mine has set off the security alarm so I make sure to tuck it in my carry-on shoulder bag then put it back on before boarding the plane to use the boarding pass feature which saves time. I love my waterproof North Face rain jacket. It's slim and packable. If I'm going to encounter colder weather I may pick a slim winter coat like my J Crew quilted barn jacket or pair my North Face fleece with the packable rain coat.

The choice of luggage is very individual and I adore my Samsonite 18" suitcase and High Sierra tote. Even though my 18" case is not be roller version it will fit in just about every overhead compartment and any under seat option. The High Sierra tote has three external pockets including one that zips. The other two are open for a cell phone or bottled drink. Both items are well traveled and have been invaluable to my journeys. I really like that I can get two jersey knit dresses, several t-shirts, three small sweaters, three pairs of shorts, two pairs of pants, and under garments as well as ballet flats and sandals into the outside pocket. The tote fits all of my essentials like liquid quart bag, makeup, rain jacket, hair tools, iPad mini, and a few other items for my trips. Since college I have rolled clothes in my suitcases however I recently discovered organizing bags through my sister's travel suggestions. I just purchased a bag bungee for my most recent trip to LA and it has been a back saver for sure. I highly recommend one.

Snacks are not a big deal in my day to day life however when I'm traveling I pack a few peanut butter and cracker packs along with my favorite Luna Lemon Zest bars. Both have gotten me through meals during travel in a pinch and served as snacks when I've gone long periods between eating. Young Living makes many varieties of oils in which grapefruit or lemon can be used to flavor water. In the future I will be posting about their products through a wonderful friend of mine who will be my guest blogger. These oils can be part of your quart bag limit for liquids. You will need a glass drinking bottle to add the oil to your water that can be filled after getting through security to stay hydrated during the trip. 

Cheers and happy travels!

@jcrew @northface @samsonite @luna

Living Proof of Great Hair

                    

I have fine hair but a lot of it in the words of my stylist. Over the years I have tried many products ranging from the least to most expensive promises in a bottle. In purchasing a few items from Sephora to replenish my stash, I was given a sample of Living Proof Full Thickening Cream. In two years, using it every day, I am now on my second bottle. It does not take much more than a small dime size to accomplish a full bodied look. The product smells fantastic and is super lightweight. I used too much one day and it still did not weigh my hair down. The product should be used on freshly washed hair.

I have reviewed Drybar Velvet Hammer in this blog which is a hydrating control cream that I blend in a product cocktail with Living Proof Full Thickening Cream, Kenra Blow Dry Spray, and Matrix Amplify Volume Foam mousse.  All products work extremely well together however everyone has different hair needs and I will be reviewing the others in upcoming posts. These items are applicable to fine color treated hair to give my hair bounce and shine all day long without feeling heavy.

Living Proof has won over 45 awards and holds patents on its products which provide revolutionary care that result in gorgeous hair. The founders use biotechnology to develop beauty products that are living proof of how their products are differentiated. The Full Thickening Cream has won five awards just on its own. It is actually designed with fine hair in mind. It is sulfate, silicon, and oil free. I receive so many compliments and really love the way my hair looks using this product. It has made a huge difference in adding much needed lightweight volume. 

Cheers!

Gotta Love Good Genes

Sunday Riley has developed amazing products to improve skin texture and restore radiance.  I had the pleasure of testing a Good Genes sample I received from Sephora.  The product contains unneutralized lactic acid, which is one of the most popular alpha hydroxyl acids to reduce fine lines, plump skin, and renew texture for acne scars.  Additional ingredients include licorice to brighten and improve hyper pigmentation as well as containing anti-inflammatory properties, squalene to replenish the natural oil in skin, and a yeast extract for healing the skin with moisturizing capabilities.

The product is very multi-functional.  It can be used as a serum morning and night, a peel for a quick facial, or a mask when combined with Sunday Riley CeramicSlip Cleanser.  Personally I use it as a serum at night and my skin is radiant by morning.  Occasionally I will use Good Genes in the morning under my moisturizer to treat a breakout.  It is a little pricey at $105 for a one ounce bottle however not more than a pea size is needed and will last for a few months depending on frequency of use.  

If you have sensitive skin, the product should only be used a few times a week as it does cause a peeling effect.  My routine with this product includes wiping my makeup away with POND'S OriginalFresh Wet Cleansing Towelettes, washing with Clean and Clear Deep ActionExfoliating Scrub, and finishing with Sunday Riley Good Genes.  I have very sensitive to combination skin and tried a plethora of products over the years.  These are my go-to items and I have seen great results.  

After much disappointment in harsh cleansers, I overhauled my entire routine to find a great base in Kat Von D Lock-It Powder Foundation, which I have reviewed in my blog that does not clog pores and reduced my cleansing ritual to only include three essential items.  The simplest yet effective methods are the best route to go.  A consultation with a good dermatologist can help you develop a list of products unique to your skin and texture as everyone’s skin responds differently. 

Cheers!

@sephora @sundayriley #beauty

Apple Watch Part II: Apps

The primary reason for purchasing the Apple Watch was for the fitness component.  I use Apple's built-in workout app for the watch which syncs with the iPhone. A workout can be logged and saved under various categories such as outdoor and indoor walk, run, and cycle as well as elliptical, rower, and stair stepper. The Activity app stores calories, steps, and total distance walked each day. Each week a new move goal can be set for calories burned which is motivation for progress. Other built-in apps like Apple Pay, messages, mail, reminders, and calendar can mirror notifications that are currently set up on the iPhone. Applications like Weather.com and Wunderground are useful quick reference apps in planning your day without having to check your iPhone.

Fandango is great for storing movie tickets purchased through the iPhone app or online. It has a feature to let you know when the movie is about to start and when you should leave your current location to be there on time. Theaters that support digital ticketing can scan the watch QR code for all persons in your party from a single swipe. Uber is a useful extension of the iPhone app which provides a notification that the car has arrived. Airline apps like Delta and American are helpful for boarding quickly by scanning the QR code and not having to worry about where to store your phone while holding your bags. Hotel apps like Marriott and SPG have a built in room key at participating hotels which mirrors the capabilities of the iPhone 6. Shopping apps such as Amazon and eBay are great on the Apple Watch which allows the user to know when items are shipped. The eBay app has the capability to increase the bid on watched items.

There are many other fantastic features that can be viewed on Apple's website and incredibly useful apps for various needs. I never leave home without it and I'm sure you will love it too!

Cheers!

Intro to the Apple Watch

I have a penchant for the latest technology so I was ecstatic when the Apple Watch was announced last year.  Although I did wait several months after the release to adopt the product, I was instantly impressed by the potential capabilities.  Like any technology acquisition, I wanted to know as much as I possibly could about the product.  For quite some time, I had planned to get back into a regular workout routine and I knew the Apple Watch was designed to do just that plus more.  The fitness component was by far the biggest driver for my purchase. 

The original operating system, watchOS 1.0, did not offer but the basics such as shorthand responses to text messages only, thumbs up for Facebook Messenger notifications, and basic watch faces.  When watchOS 2.0 was released, there were more features such as shorthand responses to email, Photostream watch faces, and enhanced support for more watch compatible app complications.  There were several new tech terms to learn with the Apple Watch release.  Without knowing one would assume complications means a glitch however in Apple’s world it means controlling app features right on the watch face. 

Another new term is glances, which are quick views for various watch features and apps.  My personal favorite is Shazam Encore.  If you love music this app is a must have.  It’s worth the $6.99 to continuously add new favorites to your music collection.  The convenience of the Shazam Apple Watch feature is being able to dine out, hear a song, slide up from the bottom of the watch face then over to the app, tap and instantly tag the song to later download.  I have found this invaluable at the gym since I am always looking for good workout songs.

My device has sparked many conversations including what do I love the most about it.  One of the best features is being able to operate somewhat remotely without carrying around my phone from room to room, leaving it in my purse, and plugging into my car stereo all while still being able to answer calls, text, and email either by shorthand or dictation.  When traveling, the watch does a great job of making you appear as a local while discretely using Apple Maps since it will tap your wrist rapidly for a right turn and intermittently for a left turn.  I love that I can set one particular mailbox for notifications for priority emails and either respond or flag for later in depth responses.

There are a plethora of accessories that can be purchased for the Apple Watch including bands, face covers, bumper guards, charging stations, and charging bands.  I picked the basic Apple Watch Sport and proceeded to find accessories on Amazon including a Spigen bumper guard and link bracelet band.  The watch comes in a variety of styles from the basic Apple Watch Sport at $349 to the Apple Watch at $549 to the Apple Watch Edition at $10,000.  There is an increase in price for each level depending on what type of watch casing, size, and band is chosen.  Bands can be purchased separately to upgrade each type of watch.  Size options are the smaller 38mm and larger 42mm screens.  I personally selected the 38mm and can see the screen perfectly.

Several people I know have the Fitbit in one variation or another and others have brands by Samsung and Garmin.  I am partial to the Apple Watch, which does require one to have an iPhone. Later in the blog, I will review great apps and accessories for the Apple Watch. Overall it is functional for fitness, communication, and makes a great conversation piece. 

Cheers!

#apple #applewatch #fashion #watch #accessories @appleincglobal @spigenworld

Drybar Your Way to Dream Hair

I was lucky enough to be born with curly hair which is both a curse and a blessing at the same time. In testing many products throughout the years I have found that Drybar Velvet Hammer Hydrating Control Cream as one of the best products for taming frizz, smoothing hair cuticles for straitening or hot iron curling, and making my hair look and feel healthy. 

Many products weigh hair down but a half dime size for short hair or dime size for long hair is all you need. The bottle is 6 ounces which will last a long time and the fragrance is mild yet sweet. I purchased mine from Sephora however it can also be purchased direct from Drybar or another personal favorite shopping spot Nordstrom.

This product should be used on freshly washed hair. Different people have various ways of applying products but I like to create a hair product cocktail. It really depends on your type of hair since each person is an individual with different needs. My favorites at the moment in addition to Drybar Velvet Hammer include Kenra Blow Dry Spray, Living Proof Full Thickening Cream, and Matrix Amplify Volume Foam Volumizer mousse. I place each product in my hand, blend together, then work through wet hair and roots. Used in small portions around a dime size or less depending on hair length, none of these products will weigh down roots so it works well to blend throughout. 

I'll be writing about each item separately within the blog so you can find more details about each brand and product.  It smells wonderful and leaves hair feeling soft and bouncy all day long.  I've never received so many compliments on my hair since I've been using this product.

Cheers and happy hair days!

@sephora @thedrybar @nordstrom #conditioningcream #beauty #hair #drybar #sephora #hydratingcontrolcream #drybarvelvethammer #leaveinconditioner #gorgeoushair

The Wonderful World of Maui

My sister and I decided to take a trip in November to Maui to escape the cold.  With much research and deliberation we chose to stay in Wailea on the western side of the island.  The scenery is absolutely gorgeous.  Upon arrival and after a long flight, we rented a car then searched and found a great lunch place called Eskimo Candy.  The poke and teriyaki chicken were absolutely delish.  Since it was quite warm, we chose to eat inside.  It was a cozy atmosphere.  Shortly after such a great meal, we traveled to Maui Brewing Company http://mauibrewingco.com/ that would immediately turn into our regular vacation hangout.  They have unique handcrafted beers and it is a great place for social gatherings with food trucks outside and games that can be played while chilling with friends.  We settled into what became our usual spot in the sun and proceeded to plan our vacation activities. 

First on the list was ziplining, which neither of us had ventured to try before.  We chose the Piiholo Ranch Zipline based on a recommendation by the hotel concierge.  The instructors were very knowledgeable and safety conscious.  Most zipline adventures have buckles and straps that can be very uncomfortable.  Piiholo has designed their zip gear to include a “seat” which allows the individual to “sit down” while zipping making it a far cozier ride along the treetops.  If you have a fear of heights, it is quickly quashed by the astonishing views via the best seat in the house.  They also treated us to drinks and snacks mid-tour.  We were fortunate to have a great group to zip with as well.  Pictures can be purchased and Go-Pros rented however we were just out to enjoy the experience.  Expected of any island, it started to rain that afternoon and was much heavier on the last zip.  I highly recommend a light rain jacket and sunglasses.  The sunglasses seem counterintuitive however when you’re going at a high speed down the line with rain in your face you’ll understand why they are important.  More information can be found https://piiholozipline.com.

That evening we had dinner at Monkeypod.  They have the traditional Hawaiian dishes like poke and pulled pork.  It is a very popular place so be sure to make a reservation which can be done by phone or online at http://www.monkeypodkitchen.com.  When we arrived after a fun filled day ziplining, Monkeypod was packed.  Since we had no reservations and outside seating was closed due to the evening rain moving in, we decided to scope the bar area for seats and had a minimal wait.  The atmosphere, food, and service was fantastic!

A light misting rain moved into Wailea the next day so we sought refuge in sunny Lahaina.  The beach had gorgeous views and was very peaceful.  It was much deserved relaxation.  We enjoyed working on our tan then headed off to Local Food for a late lunch.  My sister enjoyed the Spam Sushi dish and I had a craving for the pulled pork.  Later that evening we headed upward to the 10,000 foot mountain located within Haleakalā National Park http://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm to watch the sunset.  The views were absolutely breathtaking.  Also, remember to fuel up the car since it is a long way up and a long way down on a very winding road.  The top of the mountain can reach much cooler temperatures than beach level so warm gear is essential.

On the last full day of the vacation, we took kayak and snorkeling lessons.  The water was gorgeous and it was my first time trying out both adventures.  My sister had kayaked before so I let her take the lead.  We were suited in lifejackets for safety with flippers to move across the water and masks while snorkeling.  The views were absolutely gorgeous.  It was unreal to be that close to sea urchins, Hawaii’s state fish the reef trigger fish that had blue lips, moray eels, and sea turtles.  The turtles were truly fascinating creatures.  We learned they live to be 150 years old!

Later that day, we soaked up the sun on Maui’s Big Beach, which had incredible views and a peaceful landscape.  The water was so clear and the sand super soft.  More info can be found here http://www.mauiinformationguide.com/makena.php. It was a great way to end the vacation watching the sunset.  

Mahalo!

#travel #maui #piiholoranchzipline #piiholozipline #gohawaii #monkeypod #eskimocandy #localfood