Wedding Season

December. Yikes. That's the last time I've posted anything on this blog. Between my teaching program, work, and family obligations, I don't know how I've even had time to breathe. I've been a guest writer at LOX Extensions (you'll see a separate post on that later), so that's taken up a good portion of my time as well. I won't make any sweeping promises to post on here six times a week, but with my schedule clearing up a bit, I'm happy to dedicate the time to this blog that it deserves.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending my great friend Anggie's wedding shower (remember her AMAZING Valentine's Day manicure, previously seen here?). I had such a great time; the decor was so fresh and ladylike, the food was amazing, and the sweets were to die for! And those macaroons you see below? Homemade! It's so nice to celebrate big life moments like this one with friends. With wedding season approaching, I'll need to do some serious dress hunting!

Will you have many weddings or special events to go to this summer? Leave comments below! Talk to you real soon! Xx

¡Bienvenido a Miami!

Well actually, adios Miami! After a particularly wonderful weekend in Miami, I am forced to face the reality that is damp and dreary Detroit. All that remains is my semi-decent tan and peeling forehead. Ah well, as least I have some pictures to remind me of that Florida sun. Take a looksie, and let's all close our eyes and pretend we are on a beach somewhere!

You'd think we were going to Miami for four months!

Weird yet super-comfortable harem pants brought to you by H&M.

The view of the bay from our room at the Fontainebleau.

News Cafe!

It's everywhere!

Adrienne, Menka and I at Louis Lounge.

 Yes, that's an Inglot! After hearing so much about the brand, my heart skipped a beat when I spotted an Inglot Store at Aventura Mall. I instantly fell in love with the super-pigmented eyeshadows and lipsticks, but alas, I controlled my impulses and left with only one eyeshadow duo. I'll do a separate post on the eyeshadow, so you can see the color and texture.

Dear Miami, I will miss you so. I can't wait until my next adventure, but I will be prepared with SPF 3,000,000 to avoid my third degree burns. Xx

Yellow Nails

While my nail polish collection is adventurous, I am not.  I'm always buying a million different colors, but usually stick to black, blue-black, purple-black...you get the idea.  When I saw Kimora Lee Simmons on "Fashion Police" wearing a cobalt blue dress and sunshine yellow nails, I instantly became obsessed with this unusual (albeit trendy) look and knew I had to try it.  So begins my foray into nail colors that are not shades of black.

I went to Walgreen's and picked up this Sally Hansen nail polish. It's Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in Mellow Yellow.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to go for a really neon, highlighter yellow shade, but I went with this true yellow.  I'm kind of a polish snob, as I have this notion that drugstore polishes don't go on as well and aren't as opaque as higher-end brands.  As you can tell in the picture, this polish probably needed three coats to be super opaque, but it wore really well.  I can't tell you exactly how long it wears, as I have a bad habit of picking my nail polish off after a couple of days.  If you're feeling the look but don't want to spend a ton on what will probably be a short lived trend, I recommend this polish, which cost less than three dollars.

Are yellow nails something you would try, or are you more of a polish traditionalist?  Let me know what your favorite summer polish shade is in the comments! Xx

Summer Foundation

While it's important to practice good sun habits (like using sunscreen every day), it's unusual that a person's skin tone will stay the same shade throughout the year.  I, for example, have olive skin regardless of the season, but my paleness in the dead of winter contrasts greatly with the glow I get over the summer.  I noticed when I returned from Florida (back in February) that my usual MAC NW25 foundation was too light, although it was perfectly suitable a week before.  I've been using that foundation every day, but as summer approaches, I know NW25 won't cut it.  That's why I decided to purchase a summer foundation.

Take Vanessa Hudgens, for example.  Here she is (above), in all of her beautiful olive-skinned glory, but looking a bit paler than we usually see her.

While I'm sure her skin tone in the picture on the right is the result of a few encounters with an airbrush machine, anyone can see that the same shade of foundation would never suit both skin tones shown here.

Besides modifying every aspect of her makeup (frosty light pink lips are traded for a juicy rose gloss, pinky-coral blush takes place of a nearly naked face), the most obvious change is her tan.

I, for one, will be switching to NW35 in my favorite foundation, MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Foundation.

Take a look below!  Although it seems like only a subtle change, using a slightly darker foundation shade will really warm up your face over the summer months.  It may seem like a waste of money to buy a second bottle of foundation, but the customization you'll get (switching shades, mixing them together) will really make it worth your while.

Did you switch foundation for the summer?  What are your winter and summer shades? Leave comments!! Xx

All done...

I'm really excited to be finished with classes for the semester; I got my grades today and I did pretty well. I didn't really put in much effort this semester, which really isn't anything to brag about, but I think that if I at least try next semester I can get on the Dean's List...but anyway, school is done, so enough with that.

On to SUMMER plans!! I'm anticipating that this will be a really fun summer...we have a couple of weddings and such to go to, and my sisters and I are going to Kings of Leon and Backstreet Boys this summer, haha. Maybe a trip to Florida or Chicago thrown in there somewhere. Either way, I'm making sure it'll be eventful. Not like last summer, totally boring and forgettable. I really need to go buy some summer clothes, my lack of wardrobe is starting to turn ridiculous...