Friday

This is the view I had while waiting for the Metro this morning. A ballfield covered in fog and frozen dew looked almost purple and teal in the early morning light. Very pretty.

Today is cold, but there is no wind chill so I felt comfortable with almost-bare legs and my knee-length coat. I got to work a bit early so I could leave early this evening to have Happy Hour and then go to a friend's co-ed baby shower/cocktail party with the hubby (thank you Kim for not making me guess the melted chocolate bar in a diaper!).

Black merino shift from Banana Republic, tan Bern boots from Duo, black, gray and olive striped cashmere kneesocks from Christmas, black coral necklace from Mexico.

Hair is second day; I brushed it out, twirled pieces around my finger and used a curling iron on big sections and finger combed afterwards.

Makeup is Napoleon Perdis primer, L'Oreal True Match concealer in W1-3, philosophy The Supernatural in Beige, Nars blush in Orgasm, Body Shop eyecolor in Slate along lid and Soft Black in crease and along lash lines. Cover Girl Lash Blast in black on curled lashes, swipe of Body Shop Eye Definer in Black and on lips is Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Pink Afterglow.

Thursday

Black sheath from Banana Republic (hello eBay!), black tights from Talbots, purple patent with snakeskin trim Mary Janes from Poetic License.

Hair washed, conditioned, but of Jonathan Silky Dirt and then scrunched. Air dry 50%, diffuser with dryer the other 50% and then used a curling iron on the unruly pieces. Going out after work, so used a bit of hairspray to keep in place.

Makeup was Napoleon Perdis primer, L'Oreal True Match concealer in W1-4, philosophy The Supernatural in Beige, Smashbox Soft Lights in Tint on cheekbones and brow bones, Nars blush in Orgasm, Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Pink Afterglow, L'Oreal... some purple shadow - over lid and then wet and used as liner along both lash lines. Lashes curled, Cover Girl Lash Blast in black. Bit of Body Shop Eye Definer in black.

Had some time between work and the party, and ended up changing my look to the same dress but with a burnt orange crinkled silk scarf from Banana Republic around neck and my tan Bern boots from Duo.

How Does One Get the Polished Look?

This, or different variations of this question show up in my keywords on my blog’s stat counter every day. It seems that most women are searching for the Holy Grail of style instead of working on those spreadsheets or proposals at work!

Looking polished… well some women are born with that skill. They are able to wear a simple tee shirt, jeans and flats and look like Audrey Hepburn. Their hair never frizzes, their lipstick never gets on their teeth, they have perfect yet natural posture, and possess effortless confidence and style.

I am not one of those people. I always spill my Starbucks latte on my sleeve while walking into work. Friends are always picking a piece of lint out of my hair or a crumb off my sweater. I wear more bruises and scratches than articles of clothing and due to my shape can quickly look dumpy or dowdy in a simple tee shirt or sweater.

The first step toward achieving a polished look is to destroy that mental picture of Grace Kelly, Jackie Onassis, Cate Blanchett and Audrey Hepburn. If you are asking how to look polished, I can bet you weren’t one of those born with their frame, their personality, their “polished” look. To attempt to force yourself into an ideal will never be successful, look authentic, or be enjoyable.


For a week, keep a style journal. Note what you wore (and what condition it was in), how you styled your face and hair and what events took place during the day. Notice how people look at you, respond to you, what comments or compliments you receive (not just on your outfit, but on your work, your talent in another aspect of your life, your health or weight). Also note how you felt when you looked in the mirror before leaving that day, and how you felt when you returned in the evening.

If you leave your house in something that you don’t love and does not love you, you will not look polished, composed or comfortable. Maybe it’s a dress that is a smidge too tight, a blouse that requires a few carefully hidden safety pins to keep your bra from public view, a sweater made from a fabric that itches and of a color you don’t really like but seems popular this season. I always say style comes from quality and not quantity; donate or re-gift those items that make you uncomfortable and save up for worthy replacements.

How does the garment wear throughout the day? Does that chic pencil skirt end up resembling your venetian blinds by noon? Are you constantly adjusting the neckline of your blouse so all your feminine bits are not on display? Did the sleeves of your sweater stretch out so much from pushing them up on your forearms that now they are saggy bells around your fingertips? Again, these items do not deserve a place in your closet. Who cares how sassy you feel at 8am if you feel like a recycled grocery bag by happy hour.

But what pieces make you walk tall and feel good? Maybe it’s that matte jersey wrap dress you found for $10 on a clearance rack at Macy’s, or a cashmere turtleneck in robin’s egg blue that you bought with your holiday bonus. Possibly it’s a frilly feminine confection that makes you feel as though you have been transported from a different time period, or a black suit that has been tailored to fit your shape like a glove. When I say “good,” I don’t mean comfortable. I don’t mean an item that reminds you of your mom because she knit it for you back in college, or because it’s of cozy fleece and hides your lumps. Women often mistake feeling good for feeling safe. Again and again we see on What Not to Wear and How Do I Look? women who cry over a pair of threadbare flannel pajama pants or a college sweatshirt with a paint splatter across the stomach. These are not clothes that make you feel beautiful, strong, confident, sexy, creative, unique, daring or feminine. These are clothes that attempt to recreate the womb or your bed. Whether we like it or not, we have to get out of bed and we have to face the world. Best to armor ourselves with the type of garments that make us feel strong and true, not passive and unimportant.

So you have gutted your closet of the ugly, the uncomfortable, the meek, the shape-shifters. What do you bring to your wardrobe to make you polished?

Keep it Simple
You never see a “polished” woman in cabbage roses, brand logos and bedazzled fabrics. The simpler your pieces, the more versatile they are, the more flattering they are, the more timeless they will be. It is tempting to buy the blouse with the kicky embroidery, but more often than not, you will tire of the pattern, the look will be out of fashion in less than three months and people will think, “oh there she is again in that embroidered shirt!” Fun and flashy pieces are added once a simple working wardrobe is created.

All About Fit
Look at the cut of garments – a polished woman is never in a muumuu or a shapeless shift dress. No matter her shape, size or age, a polished woman has accepted her frame and purchases garments that work to her advantage. An oversized sweater does not hide your stomach, if anything it draws attention to it. Whether you like it or not, everyone can tell that you have a tummy, very small breasts, large hips, short legs, back fat or heavy arms. Hiding these things under swaths of fabric tricks the eye of no one but you. Find garments that work with your lines, and if you cannot find well-fitting pieces, have them tailored. A great pair of black trousers can easily survive a decade in your closet if they flatter, fit, are made of quality fabric and are treated well.

And accept your size. I agree, it SUCKS when you are sure you are size X and you go into a store and you need to try on a size Y or even Z to get the zipper closed. This does not mean you are fat or bad or weirdly shaped. This is just proof that the sizing in stores these days is all out of whack. Once you let go of the “oh, I’m a size 6” mentality, you will have a better time shopping. If need be, cut the tags out once you purchase these garments. Heck, I have even removed the tag advertising the brand of a garment if it makes me uncomfortable (no one needs to know if your dress is from H&M, Lane Bryant, Mossimo or Prada). When you wear garments that are too big or too small, you look uncomfortable, and you never look polished.

Get Over the Name
Stylish, polished women hardly ever wear obvious brand names. So many times, a fashionista is stopped after attending a runway show or a gala and is asked who she is wearing and we find out that fabulous frock is from Club Monaco or that perfect-fitting shirt is from Gap. Walk the mall and scan the internet and catalogs looking at cut, style, fabric composition. Crap is sold at all price levels, and so is quality. Wearing an ill-fitting, and un-you dress from Stella McCartney is far worse than wearing a well-fitting simple one from Ann Taylor Loft.

Know Thyself
You got rid of the impossible dream to be Grace Kelly, now get rid of all those lists that say you need X perfect pieces to be well-dressed. I’m talking about that crisp white shirt, that trench coat, that pencil skirt, and the little black dress. Yes, these are great pieces for many women, but not all women. You’re an artist, you’re a weekend warrior, your wedding registry was at R.E.I., you have more curves than Marilyn Monroe, you live hundreds of miles from a city and heck, it never rains where you live.

Go back to your style journal. Did you feel strong in that rust-colored turtleneck with your brown tweed trousers? Did someone ask you if you lost weight, or notice your green eyes while wearing it? How about that turquoise sundress you bought on your trip to Mexico, the one that you were wearing when your husband told you that you looked beautiful and when your son’s teacher was shocked by your actual age, thinking you were a decade younger? More often than not, these pieces feel good to you AND to those around you because they express your personality best.

Personally, I love the look of a crisp white shirt tucked into a pencil skirt with some fabulous slingbacks… on another woman. A tucked-in blouse accentuates my short torso, my tummy and large breasts, most pencil skirts are unforgiving to my solid legs and round bum, and I have thick ankles and not enough definition from them to my heel to keep slingbacks up all day. However, I feel great in short shift dresses in stretchy fabrics and tall boots because they work with my petite frame, de-emphasize my midsection and wide calves, fit my lifestyle, and make me look pulled-together, stylish AND true to my personality. Accepting and embracing your exterior AND interior is the key to achieving personal style, and looking polished.

General Guidelines
These don’t always work for every woman, but a few tips that may help you on your journey to a polished look:

- Purchase a new purse. More often than not, a woman’s purse is a mess. It’s fraying, overstuffed, stained and tired. Look for a bag that fits your style, but will also be timeless. Try to find something that is stylish instead of trendy, relatively free of logos and shiny decorations so it will span seasons and trends.

- Get a new haircut. A polished woman does not have her hair in a claw clip or a messy bun 24/7. Get a cut that fits your lifestyle as well as your personality. Only have five minutes in the morning and have wavy fine hair? Don’t try Katie Holmes’ new bob – you won’t have the time to keep it looking good. Talk to your stylist before he shampoos your mane. Let him feel the texture, get to know you as a person before those scissors get anywhere near you. And be realistic – unless you want to spend a lot of time on your hair, you can’t make curly locks pin-straight, you can’t have a head of romantic curls when your locks are fine and straight. Just as you should accept your body, so should you accept your tresses.

- Stop purchasing prints. A few prints tossed in every so often are great, but polished women are those decked out predominately in solids. A solid blue sweater will look more polished than a striped one, a simple white shirt will get you more miles and compliments than a paisley one, and a black pencil skirt will look far more elegant than a purple tweed one with a satin-trimmed hem.

- Cut down on the cosmetics. A polished woman many have one facial feature accented, but that is about it. A polished look is clean skin, groomed brows, an elegant and simple look. If your brows are sparse, invest in a brow powder or gel – brows define a face and also your look. Instead of multiple products on the face, consider a great concealer and a highlighting tinted moisturizer to give the look of fresh, healthy skin. Lips are soft, moisturized, and either subtly colored or the focus in a subtle red or wine shade. Glitter, high gloss and shimmer are not in the makeup bags of polished women. As for eyecolor, it should be subtle neutrals to accent the eye, lashes curled and defined, but never thick, heavy or false looking. A blush or bronzer should give only a subtle flush to the skin and not attempt to recreate the look of the sun, cheek implants or a trend seen on the pages of Allure.

- Take care of your shoes. They say shoes define the man, but they also define the woman. Be they ballet flats, classic pumps or knee-high stiletto boots; your shoes need to be cared for. Get them re-heeled and resoled each year, polish them, store them carefully and immediately treat them for stains, scuff or any other damage. Instead of five pairs of fun and cheap shoes that will last a season, use that money to invest in one pair that will last you a generation. Simple black leather pumps will provide you with miles of wear, a tall boot with a classic heel and toebox will work for decades, and there are many adorable flats out there that can be just as comfy as your ratty trainers. No matter how beautiful the woman, how sassy the outfit and how perfect the hair, a pair of scuffed, cheap and worn down shoes will destroy your image.

I would like to thank The Sartorialist for these images. If you haven't visited his blog yet, I highly recommend that you do. He is an impressive photographer, has fabulous style and captures street style all over the globe - women, men, all ages and styles. It is a wonderful resource to help you see what you do and do not like for yourself, and examples of awesome personal style.

Product Reviews

As promised, a few more product reviews based on goodies I have tried recently:

Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara - So I finally caved and tried this mascara. It hasn't gotten the best of reviews, but I am a sucker for the cute Benefit line, and we all know I am addicted to mascara.

Not worth it. So glad I got a travel-sized bottle. Doesn't give half the volume, separation or lengthening of Cover Girl's Lash Blast or most drugstore mascaras. Major disappointment. Only good things - no weird smell that some mascaras have, no flaking or smearing, not a ton of clumping and no irritation. Great day mascara is you want a simple look, but really then go buy yourself something like Lash Exact or Great Lash.

Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo - So I have been wanting a dry shampoo for a while. I color my hair and am prone to damage at the ends and oil at the roots. Thought this may help extend the time between actual washings and improve my hair quality and looks.

Dry shampoos may be great, but this one is not great for me. It would be amazing if you had blonde or light brown hair - on my black-brown tresses it looked white and a tad dull, even with a small amount being used and brushing it through the strands.

However, the product did make my hair look fresh, it has a lemon scent that is very strong upon application but fades quickly to a subtle fresh scent that lasts, a little goes a long way, the squeeze bottle is remarkably easy to use and control, and I can run my fingers through my hair without any product depositing on my hand.

I would purchase again if it came in a variety of shades. I do like it enough to invest in a different one that is made for dark hair, and will continue to use this product when in a pinch.

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Fragrance - Okay, I didn't use it but my sister has. This season, my sister received a gift from one of her work clients that had an Elizabeth Arden gift certificate and small bottles of a couple of their fragrances. She has fallen in love with Green Tea, and I must say if she hadn't claimed it first, I would too (I love my sister and may look like her, but I don't want to smell just like her).

The scent is quite lovely, and not obviously green tea like many cheesy scents from places such as Bath & Body Works. It is elegant, subtle, feminine and fresh. A wonderful day scent, and a good choice for a woman who finds that too many fragrances are heavy, intense or cloying.

The Body Shop Coconut Hand Wash - Handwash is handwash, right? Notsomuch, especially after trying this one from The Body Shop. I used to use whatever was on sale at the grocery, or Bath & Body Works when they were having a sale on their Antibacterial line. I purchased this because A. I love The Body Shop and B. I love coconut.

The scent is fresh, not heavy. Smells like fresh coconut milk instead of the toasted smell in many product lines. The product is typical handwash thickness, pearlized and lathers lightly but cleans very well. Not only does it leave a slight trace of the yummy coconut smell on the hands, it also keeps my hands remarkably hydrated, hives-free and soft. My husband and his friends do not find the scent to be too strong or girly, and have even mentioned to me how they like how soft yet non-greasy their hands are after using it.

Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser - Bought in a pinch when I ran out of face wash, I am now in love with this product and plan on repurchasing when it runs out. No weird smell, doesn't dry out the skin yet doesn't leave it feeling filmy. It takes of all makeup, even waterproof mascara and liquid eyeliner. No eye irritation, no breakouts, and the price is lovely.

This isn't the best product for severely dry skin, but I must say it is very gentle for it was the only thing that didn't hurt when my hives spread to my face. One pump seems to be enough to get off a normal day's worth of cosmetics and grime. On occasion, I mix it with a face scrub for the cleansing and exfoliating properties at once. My husband loves it too, and says it hasn't dried out his skin or caused any breakouts with his acne-prone skin.

Wednesday

The hives are 99% gone; I have been trying to relax, consume plenty of Vitamin C and I think cleaning my house helped. Because of being without hives, I totally slept through my dog pacing to go out or my alarm this morning and was running late.

Navy stretch v-neck sweater from Banana Republic, white ribbed tank from Old Navy, dark "The Flirt" bootcut jeans from Old Navy, black city boots from Impo.

Hair is Day 3, bit of Oscar Blandi dry shampoo added and blown straight with dryer and round brush.

Makeup is Napoleon Perdis primer, L'Oreal True Match concealer in W1-3, philosophy The Supernatural in Beige, Nars blush in Orgasm, Body Shop Sheer Lipcolor in Sheer Strawberry, Revlon ColorStay shadow quad - ivory in inner corners, khaki on lid, olive along lash lines and in crease. Lashes curled, two coats of Benefit Bad Gal mascara.

Christmas

Christmas Eve, I worked until 3pm and then headed to the insanely busy grocery store to get the needed supplies for the next day (my responsibility was Bloody Mary supplies and hors d'ourves for the brunch). True Maryland Bloody Mary - mix, Old Bay seasoning, celery, olives, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and even an English cucumber cut into slices for garnish. Hors d'ourves were the frozen kind because I was so limited on time.

I took this picture of this fruit at the grocery; they were the strangest looking fruit and then when I saw their name I just HAD to snap an image!

After that, I cleaned up my house and used all the vegetable remnants I have been collecting for a month or two (we're talking bases of celery, carrot peels, freezer-burned sugar snap peas, ends of peppers and onions and random leftovers that have been tossed on a freezer bag in the freezer instead of the trash) and roasted them and then simmered them with water and made several quarts of vegetable stock. I put two cups in each freezer bag and place in the freezer for future recipes. I used to do this every year with a turkey or chicken carcass but this year being a vegetarian, it was my first foray into all-vegetable homemade stock. It smelled amazing and I think turned out quite well (I spilled a bit on the floor and Ruckus lapped it up as quickly as he would if made from meat).

Then we went to my mom's for Christmas Eve. Before I got married, I always spent the night at my mom's house and "Santa" would take the stockings from the fireplace mantle, fill them with toys and leave them at the foot of our beds. Us kids would open the presents and play with them until our parents would wake and we would go downstairs to open the presents under the tree and have breakfast. Now, Mommy fills the stockings for us and my husband and I go home with them, promising to not open until the next morning.

I changed from my black tee and black city boots to my orange scoop-necked merino sweater and black flats from Naturalizer. Otherwise, outfit the same as it was during the day.

Christmas Day, the hubby and I woke up and opened our stockings (these are not big presents; we receive things like magnetic notepads for the fridge, lip balm, post-it notes, travel sizes of toilitries, Clif bars and other little randoms) and then got showered and dressed to go back to my Mom's house.

Green and off-white print silk shirtdress from Banana Republic, gold hoops, gold bangles from Ralph Lauren, long gold necklace from Express, brown suede boots from Silhouettes.

Hair was second day.

Makeup was L'Oreal True MAtch concealer in W1-3, philosophy The Supernatural in Beige, Nars blush in Orgasm, Nars lipstick in Dolce Vita, Revlon ColorStay shadow quad in Neutral Khakis - ivory in inner corners, olive on lid and along lash lines, chocolate and olive mixed and in crease and long top lash line. Lashes curled, two coats Benefit Bad Gal lash.

We opened presents while eating toast, deviled eggs and coffee. Then we cleaned up and had my husband's father, sister and her boyfriend as well as my mom's friend over for a meal. We cleaned up and left the food to be set up buffet-style and my cousin, her boyfriend and his son, as well as two friends of ours showed up. Everyone else ate, we sat around and talked and then had dessert. Everyone left by 7pm.

Monday

I knew I would be one of the only people in the office, so figured a super great outfit wasn't necessary. Black silk/tencel tee from Banana Republic, denim trousers from Gap, black city boots from Impo, gold hoops, gold necklace from Express, gold bangles from Ralph Lauren.

Hair was washed and conditioned, a tiny bit of Jonathan Silky Dirt added while damp and blown dry with a round brush.

Makeup was simple because I still have a few hives on my face. philosophy The Supernatural in Beige, Revlon ColorStay shadow quad in Neutral Khakis - the khaki on lid. Lashes curled, Cover Girl Lash Blast in black and Maybelline UltraLiner in black on top lash line. On lips is Revlon Shiny Sheers lipcolor in Sheer Cocoa Glaze.

The hives are far better than they were on Saturday or Sunday. I have Emergen-C to add to my water, and an orange for lunch. I also read that green tea helps so I will be drinking that as well. Life has just been terribly hectic recently - new job for me, husband has had a few career changes, travel, family events, possibly moving, and much much more. Guess that even though i have tried to remain calm, cool and collected my body has decided to proclaim my stress. Well I have off tomorrow and will be spending it with my loved ones and have a 4-day weekend coming up so hopefully things will settle down and my skin will follow suit!

This Weekend

 

Friday after work I headed across the street for a Happy Hour with friends. There were about a dozen of us and we had a great time. I wore what I wore to work, a quick swipe of MAC Blot Powder and my lipgloss to look a bit more pulled together. I stayed there until about 9pm. Picture of me with my Belvedere and soda, and then with my sister.

Heading home on the Metro I was feeling really icky and sickly.

Saturday started with an early-morning yoga class, then we went to my husband's aunt's house for a Christmas brunch. My hives had come back again, so i dressed for comfort more than for style - teal jersey dress from Proenza Schouler for Target, beaded necklace from Mexico, brown suede slouch boots from Silhouettes, my green pashmina. Picture with my mom.

Hair was washed and conditioned that morning, air dried. I hit a few pieces with the curling iron and used a bit of Jonathan Silky Dirt to add separation and shine.

Makeup was L'Oreal True Match concealer in W1-3, philosophy's The Supernatural in Beige, Cargo Matte BeachBlush in Tenerife, Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Glossy Rose, Revlon ColorStay shadow quad in Neutral Khakis - khaki on lid, a bit of olive in crease and along lash line. Cover Girl LashBlast mascara in black.

Saturday night, didn't do much of anything. Out friend came over, but I hardly recall because I took medicine for my hives and passed out on the couch until 10pm, when I dragged myself to bed.

Sunday, went to brunch with friends. The hives were even worse; I put on the same dress and boots from the previous day since I just couldn't function very well. No makeup, as that the hives had spread to my entire face. After we went to Target for last minute Christmas needs, then I spent the rest of the day consuming Vitamin C, sleeping and feeling miserable. Here's a lovely picture of some of my hives.

And yes, they are confirmed to be stress-related, exasperated by allergens. Saturday I was in contact with adorable fluffy kitties that I am allergic to. So I am to have about 2,000 milligrams of Vitamin C a day, eat yogurt, use baking soda and oatmeal to soothe, take cool baths, keep up with the anti-histamines and try to relax.

Friday

I feel that I may be getting sick. Throat feels weird, head hurts, restless sleep, tummy quivering, body feels a bit achy... it's expected, I get sick at least one major holiday a year. Last year it was the flu at Thanksgiving. I combat it with everything known to man, but I just can't battle the Holiday Cold. Swell.

So I woke up in a sweat and tried to wake myself up enough to get going. My stomach could not handle anything other than tea, so I had that and then a hot shower and a full-body scrub in an attempt to remove the toxins from my bod. Then I got to get dressed in the dark since the husband got home very late last night from a meeting and was crashed out.

Purple Dream v-neck sweater from J. Crew, black wool blend trousers from Ann Taylor Loft, black city boots from Impo, silver hoops and cuff bracelet.

Hair is second day, I hit most of it with a curling iron and turned upside down and used some aerosol hairspray to give it some body. Worked a bit, but by time I got to work it was limp again. If I fluff it, it looks awesome for about 5 minutes. Even my hair is feeling the Holiday Cold.

Thank goodness for modern cosmetics. Napoleon Perdis primer, L'Oreal True Match concealer and I put on my philosophy The Supernatural in Beige and then realized I should have probably hit up my cheekbones with some Benefit That Gal. Oh well. Extra dose of Nars blush in Orgasm, Revlon Colorstay shadow quad in Neutral Khakis - ivory in corners and all over lid. Lashes curled, two coats of Cover Girl Lash Blast in black and Maybelline UltraLiner in black on top lash line. On lips is Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Shine That Pink.

The commute was awesome - the Metro was at about 70% capacity and I had no trouble finding a seat. The streets still had lots of people, but not the level a normal workday holds. The office is about 75% full. I have a feeling I will be one of the very few here on Monday (one of the problems with starting a new job this time of year - no PTO saved up) but rumor has it that the office closes early.

This evening I am going to Happy Hour with some friends at a bar near my job. This shows how clueless I am with the city (really, I use the Metro website to get anywhere around DC, I am such a suburban girl): My friend suggested this bar for Happy Hour. I asked my sister, the City Chick what the place was, she said it should be pretty fun. I had no clue where it was, but figured it must be within walking distance as that the planner's job is about 8 blocks from my job. Went to the bar's website to see the address.

Um, the bar is literally across the street from my office building. I pass it EVERY DAY and had no clue. I feel like such a suburbanite! That day, I made a concerted effort to know my surroundings better, and not just the walk from the Metro station. I took a long walk - my whole lunch hour and went in the opposite direction of the Metro and got to know my area a bit better. I hit parts of the city I was already familiar with so it made the geography a bit more... clear to me. Found some great restaurants, saw bars and clubs I had visited in the past but always with some Designated Driver who got there while I gabbed in the back seat until we found our meter or parking garage. My goal in the next month is on every decent day possible, use my lunch hour to explore.

As a teen, I spent almost every hour not in school in DC. I loved the National Gallery of Art, and knew all the cool shops and eateries in Georgetown. I used to go regularly to the old 9:30 Club to see barely-known artists perform and once 18, used to go to the College Nights at Trax and The Fifth Column. However, I always went with a more city-familiar friend so I often let them lead the way. When my sister moved to DC, I learned how to Metro and drive to her apartment, and then had her deal with which bus to take, which cab to hail to get to our destination.

It's time for me to stop following the City Leader and become the Leader!

So here's to a new year with a new job, becoming familiar with an old city, possibly a new residence (I will go into details when they are concrete - no worries, same neck of the woods), and a new outlook on life! I will be here through the holidays - working all days except Christmas Day, New Years Eve and Day. For those who are off to visit families and fun destinations, I wish you safe travels and happy holidays! The rest, hope to see you here soon!

My Shoes!

Reader Allyson asked about my shoe collection. She is trying to figure out what she needs versus what she wants. I am probably the worst person to ask about this for I have an affinity for shoes that match nothing in my wardrobe and will probably cause bunions and hammertoes before I am 40. I like them tall, I like them funky, I like the heels to be spindly...

Anyway, looking at the shoes that get a lot of wear in my collection, I see the not-quite-traditional ones get the most use. The classic black shoes are great in a pinch, but I often find an unexpected neutral like a camel, tan, red or a print like leopard (one with black AND brown in it) seems to work with the majority of the wardrobe.

So here is my collection. You'll see a few I never wear, and will wonder where some have gone (sold, donated or tossed - recently did some gutting of my closet - hello red patent peeptoes and pilgrim shoes). This is my current collection, all seasons combined:

1. Leopard peeptoe heels from BCBGirls. I actually own two pairs because I adore them so much. One pair is a bit scuffed and smelly; the other ones are reserved for more special of occasions. These are fabric, have a 4” heel and make me feel sexy and powerful. I bought the first pair I think late 2006 and then the second pair on sale in spring of 2007.

2. Brown croco peeptoe heels from BCBGirls. Same exact style as the leopard ones. Bought in spring of 2007

3. Black croco peeptoe heels from BCBGirls. Ditto. If you find a pair of shoes that are comfortable AND fit your style, stock up! I bought them the same day I bought them in brown.

4. Black satin peeptoe heels from Enzo Angiolini. Very similar style to the BCBGirls, but a wider opening at the toe, and evening-appropriate. I got these in summer of 2007 to replace my previous black satin dress heels that broke a heel.

5. Black city boots from Impo. These are actually pleather so they look a bit like patent leather. Side-zip ankle boots with a 1” or shorter kitten heel. I bought these in winter of 2006 to replace my 5-year old city boots that were just DONE.

6. Tan leather calf-height boots from Duo. These are the “Bern” style from their website. Very low heel, comfortable casual style. Got these in the fall of 2007.

7. Brown suede tall boots from Silhouettes. 1” kitten heel, pointed toe, slightly slouched/rouched fabric. I must say a pair in purple are en route to my house via eBay - got them for about $20 on there. Yes, PURPLE! The brown ones I received as a gift this winter.

8. Black low-top “Chucks” Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers. I bought these this fall, got them for my husband as well (yes we are the corny couple with matching shoes).

9. Red pointy-toed pumps from Steven. 2” heel, candy apple red and a sale price I couldn’t resist. Have had for a couple of years now, got them at Off Broadway Shoes.

10. Black heeled oxfords from BCBGirls. Super high heel, pointed toe, classic oxford styling. Can go with skirts or pants. Ordered these in the fall but they were backordered and didn't receive until winter.

11. Black ballet flats from Target. A total waste of money. They have no cushioning, no support, no study sole and are pleather so they make my feet sweat. I keep these for emergencies, but have no clue what emergency it would be as that I haven’t worn them in months. Bought these in late spring of 2007.

12. Black leather flats from Naturalizer. Very simple style, rounded toe, soft leather, arch support and comfort sole. These were bought for comfort, but are nondescript enough that they work okay for style as well. Bought these in... I think late summer 2006.

13. Black open-work pumps from Steve Madden. I have had these for years (I beleive it was 2001). Classic pump style, but peeptoe and the front is a lattice-work of leather. I call them my Carmen Miranda heels.

14. Hot pink studded pointy-toe pumps from NYLA. Hot pink, dark metal studs and a dangerous heel. These are a bit scuffed in front (and where can you find hot pink shoe polish?) but still a blast to wear and get tons of comments and compliments. I think I got these in... 2004. Yes, I got them while trying to find shoes for my wedding. I couldn't resist - also from Off Broadway Shoes.

15. Hot pink and orange suede peeptoe wedges from J. Crew. Tall wooden wedge, pink suede with orange trim and tiny bow. Super cute, got end of summer season 2007 so haven’t had the chance to wear a lot.

16. Black leather thong-style heels from Target. 1.5” heel, simple. My go-to shoe all summer long. I buy a replacement pair every other year; these were bought in the summer of 2007.

17. Brown stacked flip flops from J. Crew. Have had them since 2004.

18. Black stacked flip flops from J. Crew. Got at the outlet for a song in 2005.

19. Black “Sandy” flip flops from Reef. Replaced my old pair just this summer.

20. Purple Crocs. Only worn in the yard or to as music festival. I promise! I bought them specifically for Bonnaroo this summer.

21. Aqua flip flops from Old Navy. Thin and cheap, but the same color as my bathing suit! I bought them on clearance in 2006.

22. Black crocheted elastic-strap flops from J. Crew. A slightly dressier version of flops, but hardly ever worn because the elastic stretched out and they don’t stay too well on my feet. I bought these also on clearance back in 2004... they went with me on my honeymoon!

23. Black leather pointy-toed heeled mules from Steve Madden. Horribly uncomfortable and super tall heels, but make suite a dramatic look with pants so I keep them. But I haven’t worn them in years, bought them in 2001.

24. Gray and blue hiking shoes from L.L. Bean. Bought these in 2003.

25. Black and green hybrid shoes from Keen. These have Kevlar lacing, mesh so they can be worn in water, but lots of cushioning and support so they can be worn for long walks. I take them on every vacation. I bought them in 2004 for my honeymoon.

26. Gray and orange sneakers from New Balance. Purely for the gym, the sidewalk, activities. Not the style for street wear. I have had them since the winter of 2005.

27. Black round-toe “Henri” pumps from Jessica Simpson. They got a bit stretched out this spring so I don’t wear as often because they aren’t as comfortable as before. However they are perfect for fuller skirts and more retro of styles. I bought them in... I think spring of 2006.

28. Purple satin strappy heels with rosette. 4” heel, delicate straps and a fabric rose on the strap over the toes. Very fun and quirky; I usually wear them with a non-purple dress. I bought these in 2004.

29. Black and silver strappy heels from Nine West. 4” heels, delicate straps and a rhinestone buckle on the strap over the toes. Have had these for about a decade and adore them. Remarkably comfortable as well. I remember buying them at the Nine West store in White Flint when I managed that Express store so we're talking... 1998?

30. Purple Birkenstocks. Yep, I have a pair. Haven’t been worn since… I guess the early 90s but I hold on to them because I did adore them so and they ARE comfortable!

31. Beige satin strappy heels. 3” heel tiny bow at foot, very delicate. Considered them as wedding shoes (my dress was ivory) but went with hot pink instead (come on, you must expect that from me by now). Very subtle style that works with any color of dress and are great for summer affairs. Have had since early 2004.

As for where I store my shoes - I have a canvas over the door contraption in my office that holds the majority of the heels. On the floor of the office closet are sturdier shoes like my boots, ballet flats and sneakers. Outside on our deck is a large Rubbermaid box. In there are my slip flops and Crocs. In my bedroom closet I have shoe boxes on the floor that hold my strappy heels/evening shoes so they won't get dusty. The shoes I wear daily (like my Chucks and city boots) end up next to the front door and when they are out of rotation, they go back into the office.

UPDATE: I added the dates I bought these shoes because I wanted you to know I don't buy a whole new shoe wardrobe each season. Yes, shoes break and get stinky and stretch out and get scuffed, but many can last season after season if they are a more classic cut (or an really unexpected style that doesn't follow a specific fad). My pink pointy heels garner just as many compliments now as they did three years ago because they are so unexpected. When I buy my city boots, I usually get a half a decade worth of wear with proper care and maintenance because they are a very simple, streamlined style that works well with pants as well as jeans.

Thursday

dark orange scoopneck merino sweater from Marshall's, tan tweedy looking trousers from Ann Taylor, black city boots from Impo, gold bangles from Ralph Lauren, gold hoops from my mom (she bought them, found them to be too big for her tastes and gave them to me).

Hair was washed and conditioned, a bit of Jonathan Silky Dirt applied while damp, then let air dry for about 30 minutes and dried the rest of the way with the dryer while scrunching.

Makeup is Napoleon Perdis primer, L'Oreal True Match concealer in W1-3, philosophy The Supernatural in Beige, Cargo Matte BeachBlush in Tenerife, Revlon ColorStay shadow quad in Neutral Khakis - khaki on lid, a blend of chocolate and olive in crease and along lash lines. Lashes curled, two coats of Cover Girl Lash Blast in black. On lips is Body Shop Sheer Lipcolor in Sheer Caramel.

Wednesday

Black puff-sleeved sweater from Banana Republic (got from their sale rack this past weekend), black and cream knit circle skirt from Rachel Palley, black tights from DKNY, black heeled oxfords from BCBGirls, silver cuff.

Hair is second day, I straightened the bangs, left the rest as bedhead and even in creased the bedhead look by flipping head over and hitting with some hair spray.

Makeup is Napoleon Perdis primer, L'Oreal True Match concealer in W1-3, Benefit's That Gal, philosophy The Supernatural in Beige, Nars blush in Orgasm, Body SHop's Sheer Lipcolor in Sheer Pink, Body Shop eye color in Slate on lid, Soft Black in crease and along lash lines. Two coats of Cover Girl's Lash Blast in black on curled lashes.

Product Reviews

I have recently tried many new products and have been a bit lazy in providing reviews so I'll try to fit as many as I can remember in this post!

Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Pre-foundation Primer. I received this as a sample, and didn't try it for a couple of weeks. I have my Smashbox Photo Finish, and even that primer I only use for special occasions when I need my foundation to last longer or be more durable (long days, hot days, days when I will be photographed after two Grey Goose and tonics...). I just never saw the real need for a primer on a daily basis, and I didn't really like the feeling of "something" on my face all day. I had tried primers over the years from Smashbox, Paula Dorf, Laura Geller and Benefit and have liked them okay, but didn't see such amazing results that I felt this step needed to be added to my daily routine. I also didn't like the feeling of a layer, tightness, or heaviness that many of these provided.

The Napoleon Perdis primer doesn't feel like other primers. First, it looks, smells and goes on like a lotion. It didn't get tight, it didn't feel obvious, it didn't smell weird and it didn't take too long to dry. I applied liquid concealer and powder foundation over it, and both applied nicely - glided better than on just moisturized skin yet still looked natural and slightly sheer (which I like - want to show off my freckles). Three hours after application, my makeup still looks as fresh as it did at application, my face feels naked (which I love) and when I touch it, it feels the same as if I was without primer - soft, natural. So far, so good!

Cover Girl LashBlast Mascara. I am a sucker for Drew Barrymore. Love her, and love her new Cover Girl ads and am a sucker enough to buy something simply because her face is associated with it. However, I have been burned far too many times buying the drugstore wonder mascara that I would find to be nothing short of bleh (hello Great Lash and Volume Exact). Mascara is the one cosmetic I would want on a desert island, and I am willing to pay for what I know delivers length, volume and separation (hello DiorShow). However my DiorShow ran out and I was in desperate need of a new mascara and had to go to Target anyway...

Hey, this stuff ain't bad! The large orange brush does look a bit ridiculous, but once coated with mascara, it looks similar to the DiorShow Unlimited brush - four-pronged rubbery bristles. The bristles pick up the product well, add it to the lashes without much issues with clumping and layers nicely for thick dark lashes. It lasts all day, doesn't irritate my allergy-prone and contacts-wearing eyes, and washes off with normal face cleanser without leaving black smudges on my towels or under my eyes. I have read other reviews that say this product doesn't hold curl, but I haven't had an issue as that I use my Shu Eumura curler before, and see the curl stay as well as it does with most any other mascara.

This by far is my favorite drugstore mascara so far, I think even beating L'Oreal Voluminous (which is awesome but gets gummy and/or dry in just a few weeks).

Revlon ColorStay Soft & Smooth Lipcolor in Rich Raisin. Ladies, I think I have found my 2007 replacement for Revlon's LipGlide in Rum Radiance. This product is amazing. I have tried the ColorStay lipcolors before and have liked the feel, but the color has always been a bit strange (too pink, too fake). Rich Raisin looks to be a dark brownish-red in the case, but comes out with a nice copper sheen over a dark wine hue. This color works with my warm-toned clothing as well as the cooler hues in my closet. It is far longer wearing than a traditional lipstick, but does require reapplication after drinking/kissing/eating. However unlike a traditional lipstick, it evenly wears away still leaving some color pigment. Reapplication is nice, and not rough or dry like most long-wear products. Also unlike most long-wearing lip colors, this product does not seem to dry out my lips. The color is not a classic red or wine shade, but easily can work in the same situations (I have used it to create quite the pinup look and found it matches almost all the rube and garnet-hued holiday clothing in my collection).

Darphin 8-Hour Nectar. You all know I try to budget my beauty products... I am not made of money and have a mortgage and student loan to wrestle with every month along with all the other bills and necessities of life. I received this as a prize from a contest at Beauty Maverick (head over there, she has a very fun blog and some awesome contests this month!) and it is the only way i would be able to afford this product.

What an AMAZING gift this oil is! The product is supposed to firm and minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles, restore natural radiance, suppleness and resilience for overall youthful-looking skin. And yep, this product delivers! The instructions say to add a few drops to skin and neck in the evening, massaging in a downward direction. I feared putting an unknown oil on my face, but it product is light, absorbed quickly and felt heavenly (and smelled just as good - an herbal/lavender and ylang ylang/day spa sort of scent). I also put a drop on the tops of my hands that are starting to look crepey, dry and miserable from the cold weather and my on-again, off-again hives and sensitivity to almost any hand cream.

I woke up, my skin looked as though I had gotten 10 hours of blissful sleep, not the measly four I tossed and turned through. No reactions, no breakouts, no greasiness. I hardly had to tone my face when I woke, my skin felt ready for the day. And my hands? I think the product actually HEALED my hives! The hives are on my wrists and forearms, but my hands are soft, hive-free and look as healthy as they did in the humid summer.

When this runs out will I fork over $150 for another bottle? Not likely with my salary. However I would be scouting out an equivalent or similar product from a different line because I am so impressed with the results.

Neutrogena Body Oil. The catchphrase for this product is "No moisturizer can touch this experience." You know, I think for once, the marketing execs got it right. I LOVE this stuff. I used to use it in high school, and then dropped it for fruiter smells, and then fancier brands. Recently with this bout of hives, I have been simplifying my routine and trying products to soothe, hydrate and not inflame the skin. On a whim, I bought my first bottle of Body Oil in over a decade (it was on sale at Target).

I use it daily now. The very subtle scent is feminine, clean and compliments my perfume. I apply it post shower to wet (not even towel-dried) skin and immediately put on my bathrobe to let it all soak in. My skin feels like silk, even 12 hours later. My hives don't react to it and the scent lingers nicely. The skin also looks healthy, slightly glowy a la Mandy Moore. The ritual of marinating myself is very feminine and decadent. As I mentioned before on this blog, the dog does like the taste and will try to lap it off my legs, I recommend everyone to steer clear of your pets until this product has fully absorbed. It isn't as intensive for the super dry parts of my body like elbows and knees, but I don't mind using Body Shop Body Butter or another heavy cream for those spots post-oiling up my bod. Even without that final cream step, my skin is touchably soft and happy in the cold weather with just the Neutrogena Body Oil.

More to come! I know I'll probably be getting some goodies for the holidays and also have received a bunch of yummy samples that need to fit into my routine!