Wednesday

Attire:
- Black cotton wrap shirt from Ann Taylor Loft (worn Sunday)
- Gray “Drew” trousers from The Limited
- Black leather thong heels from Mossimo
- Silver cuff and hoops
- pashmina for warmth

Hair:
- Second day
- Large sections around curling iron in haphazard fashion
- Finger comb

Makeup:
- Philosophy: The Present and The Supernatural Color Corrrectors concealer trio in Light (see review in next post)
- Cover Girl: Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer in Light to Medium (see review in next post) and LashBlast mascara in Black
- Nars blush in Orgasm
- Revlon: ColorStay shadow quad in Neutral Khakis (ivory on lid and chocolate in crease and along lash lines), Shiny Sheers lip color in Sheer Plumdrop.

Today ended up being far colder than I expected; sort of wish I had worn my boots instead of my sandals. Oh well, at least I got to show off my purty pedicure (OPI’s I’m Not Really a Waitress – a classic dark red and the color of what I will be wearing to the wedding this weekend). Oh, and got notice yesterday afternoon that my camera shipped out. Hope to have it before the weekend is finished!

Product Reviews - Face and Foundation

Here's a few beauty products for the face that I have tried recently. A few scores, very few misses!

Benefit Cosmetics You Rebel Lite SPF 15 – I never tried the traditional You Rebel, but received a sample of You Rebel Lite just as I was considering switching out my beloved Philosophy The Supernatural Canvas powder foundation for something more sheer and summery.

You Rebel Lite is the perfect color for me – it is a hair darker than my skin, and a hair more yellow, so that combined with being a tinted moisturizer, it made my skin have a natural looking glow, hid redness while letting my freckles and skin shine through.

I haven’t had much luck with tinted moisturizers – I have bought many of the “must have” brands and found that they were so sheer they completely disappeared, and so moisturizing they left my face looking like an oil slick. You Rebel Lite is thicker than many tinted moisturizers – the finish was more like mixing 2/3 foundation with 1.3 moisturizer, than the opposite combination I often have experienced. As for the grease factor – I really hate when cosmetics give me a shiny look, and You Rebel Lite is NOT a matte or even slightly dewy finish when on (I did look as though I had just finished an hour on the stepper, I looked so greasy and sweaty). However letting the product settle in, the shine transformed into a fresh dewy look, and a very light dusting of translucent powder made my skin look wonderful – fresh, as though I had on no makeup and was just blessed to not have acne, dark circles or broken capillaries. For those with dry or normal-to-dry skin, this could be a very nice choice. I just find it very odd to have a company sell a tinted moisturizer in only one color – gosh knows we women are not all the same shade!


Cover Girl Smoothers SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer, Light To Medium – I liked the Benefit tinted moisturizer so much, I decided to go out and purchase one. Since You Rebel Lite wasn’t quite Nirvana for me, I went the drugstore route. I had heard great things about both Cover Girl and Neutrogena’s tinted moisturizers, and CG was half the price…

I am pale, but I wanted a hint of color so I went with the Light to Medium shade. The formula is oil-free and has SPF 15. Sounded perfect!

Eh, it’s… fine. It’s thin –I can hardly tell it’s even on my skin. I guess if you REALLY want the no-makeup look, this is a good choice. However, I really can’t see much of a difference. I even put it on one side of my face and checked out my reflection in daylight and under a bulb and couldn’t see much of a change. I think I will keep searching – I do want the sheer look but I want it to at least look as though the product accomplishes something.


Philosophy The Supernatural Airbrushed Color Correctors (Light) – In layman’s terms, this is a compact of three creamy concealers. It comes with a little brush, but I find application is far better with a finger. The concealer trio comes in Light, Medium, and Dark. I chose Light and almost wonder if I should have gone with Medium: the lightest of the three shades is positively ghostly on me, the middle hue has to be blended with a touch of the darker for under-eye circles and the darkest is the perfect shade to cover redness or acne.

However the formula is so great and these two colors are so blendably perfect, I didn’t want to let go of the compact for even a minute while having to exchange at Sephora. The consistency is great – slightly more creamy than a stick, but the thickness and tackiness that makes a perfect concealer that lasts through the day. I use it over tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation and everything blends beautifully. It even pats on nicely – no need to yank at your skin to have a seamless look. I haven’t had any issues with breakouts, irritation, creasing, or fading from a sweaty hot day. I even tuck this compact in my bag for long days and it does a better job of touchups than any powder or cream-to-powder compact I have ever purchased. I am very very impressed with the philosophy cosmetic line so far – this, their The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas powder foundation AND The Present clear makeup are all products good enough that I will probably replace when I run out.


Make Up For Ever High Definition Microfinish Powder - I usually despise translucent powders. They aren’t really translucent and they end up making me look like a geisha or overly matte and powdery. I like low muss, low fuss. So when I received this powder, I ended up not even opening it for a couple of weeks. It came in a tiny sample package reminiscent of testers of mineral foundation (how many of you have ended up getting that mineral foundation on your clothes, your sink, your floor, and everywhere but the darn brush?). Well the Benefit You Rebel Lite was making me look a bit like a greased pig one hot day so I decided to try this powder.

Woah, this stuff is GOOD! I tapped a small amount in the cap (the mini sized packaging has a cap about the size of a quarter) and dipped my Bare Escentuals Angled Face Brush into it and lightly tapped it on my skin. No HINT of powder anywhere, yet suddenly my skin was… well not quite matte, more like natural. Looked soft, touchable, not greasy, but not overly matte. I took the powder with me to work and did a touch-up at the end of the day. Reapplication didn’t make it cakey or powdery – again I got that perfectly fresh look to my skin. The powder kept my oil at bay far longer than my MAC Blot Powder or The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas. The product claims to offer an airbrushed finish and diminish the look of fine lines – I didn’t really see that, but then I only used it on my T-zone to mattify and smooth. However this product gives me a FAR more natural look than Bare Escentual’s Mineral Veil, and I think it would be more forgiving to darker skin tones.

I think I will have to splurge on the full-sized package to get through the humid Washington DC summer. This stuff is pretty darn fabulous!

In Honor of Spring

I know many have probbaly seen this before or had it emailed to you by a girlfriend... well I got my first pedicure of the season this weekend and so felt inspired to share this. Very cute... and very good advice! (Thanks Amanda for sending this my way!)

The Open Toed Shoe Pledge
As a member of the Cute Girl Sisterhood, I pledge to follow the Rules when wearing sandals and other open-toe shoes:

I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. The sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps.

I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free. I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe.

I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow.I will shave the hairs off my big toe.

I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother, sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there.

If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back into place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it.

I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr. Scholl's if my feet need him.

I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99 even if my feet are small enough to fit into the kids' sizes.. This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat and I would hate to take someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle.

I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages.

I will promise if I wear flip flops that I will ensure that they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will swear NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them.

I will promise to go to my local nail salon at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are about$25 or $30and worth EVERY penny).

I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show signs of wear... nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals.

Tuesday

Wish I had my camera for the outfit is tres cute today! Hair was washed and conditioned, a bit of Pureology’s blow-dry amplifier and then some Got2B curling mousse added. Dried with a diffuser (got a cheapo Conair that folds up that was $12, I couldn’t hold out any longer and this was all I could afford) and then hit the crunchy mall-hair pieces with a curling iron. Finger combed it to relax the curl. Very big but messy/beachy/fun looking.

Nude cami from The Limited, my ivory lace shirt with the ivory satin ribbon belt that is from Banana Republic Outlet, my new fave jeans, black booties from Sudini, silver and crystal necklace from Ann Taylor Loft, silver cuff and hoops, put on my orange crinkle scarf for warmth but left it on with the outfit.

The new jeans are…. The Essential Jean from The Gap! I originally purchased a regular and they were too big everywhere, but a petite is a length that works with a flat to a mid-height heel (like my leather booties and my summer sandals). I got the darkest color – they are wide like a denim trouser, but with classic jeans pockets, fabric weight and stylings. There’s some lycra so they are comfy and seem to keep their shape and not a hint of gaping at the waistband! I plan on ironing a crease in them the next time I wear them and am considering a lighter pair to distress for the summer. So happy about these as that The Flirt bootcut jeans from Old Navy have stretched out to the point that I can take them right from the dryer and still be able to pull them up without having to unbutton them. The Essential Jeans is also dressier of a cut so I feel more comfortable sporting them at work.

Makeup:
- Philosophy: The Present clear makeup and The Supernatural concealer trio in Light
- Cargo: Matte BeachBlush in Tenerife
- Revlon – ColorStay shadow quad in Neutral Khakis (ivory on lid, chocolate in crease and along lash line) and Super Lustrous lip gloss in Glossy Rose
- Cover Girl: LashBlast mascara in black

The weather is nicer today, the phones are working so no mad dash to another office for our meeting, I have a lunch date on Thursday with a dear friend I haven’t seen in a while, and I am finally getting out from under the pile of paperwork on my desk! It’s a good day!

This Weekend and Monday

What a weekend!

Friday I dashed home from work to let out Ruckus and feed him dinner, then drove to the wedding. It was a nice time, the bride was gorgeous and it was very fun.

Woke up early the next day for yoga, and then a crazy day of errands. Target, grocery store, pedicure, bank, dry cleaners, make pasta salad, upload photos from the wedding we shot, laundry, clean the house...

I wore my black, lime and aqua print matte jersey faux-wrap dress from Maggy London, my black "Sandy" flops from Reef and my silver cuff. Hair was washed, conditioned and air dried. Makeup was only tinted moisturizer, mascara and Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey.

No pic of the face (battery died and in a rush).

That night the hubby and I were so exhausted we had some veggies, hummus, crackers and watched Juno and passed out around 10pm.

Sunday we had to wake up early again for yoga, but it ended up being rained out. The hubby headed to the park to let people know, and I started pulling summer clothes out of the attic and packing up winter pieces. We then got dressed to head to his Aunt's house to celebrate his grandmother's birthday.

Attire:
- Black cotton wrap shirt from Ann Taylor Loft
- Tan tweedy trousers from Ann Taylor Loft
- Black leather heeled thongs from Mossimo
- Silver cuff and hoops

Hair:
- Used the Croc wet-to-dry to straighten
- Jonathan Silky Dirt to smooth

Makeup:
- philosophy - The Present, and The Supernatural concealer trio in Light
- Cover Girl - Smoothers Tinted Mosturizer in Light/Medium, and LashBlast mascara in Black
- Cargo - Matte BeachBlush in Tenerife
- Body Shop - Eye Color in Granite (lid) and Slate (crease and lash line)
- Clinique - Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

After the birthday celebration, we headed to another town to the 1st birthday of our friend's little son. We got home late, had another dinner of veggies and hummus and passed out.

Oh, forgot to mention during all this activity on Sunday I BROKE MY CAMERA! I tripped over a chair leg, the camera went flying and smashed into several pieces. Lens shoved into the body, unable to turn on, and various pieces of silver metal and plastic all over the room. I wanted to cry. "Are you hurt?" my husband asked when he saw me crumpled on the floor, tears welling up. "No, but how am I supposed to BLOGGGGGG??????"

Not to fear, a new camera has been purchased and I should have it this week. So today... no pictures. Hair was washed, conditioned, and dried/straightened with the Croc flat iron.

Makeup is exactly the same as yesterday.

Attire - black merino shift from Banana Republic, tan "Bern" boots from Duo, silver cuff and hoops, orange crinkle silk scarf from Banana Republic.

Today has also been crazy - phones are down in our office so we had to catch a cab and dash to our Virginia office to conduct a webinar. It's raining cats and dogs out, and my supervisor and I had to cart around several laptops and equipment for this meeting. Due to the extra time this took, I am super behind in my work. Had to have a quick late lunch and post, but now I have to go back to work! See you tomorrow!

Friday

Well now all you know what I got for the Ann Taylor Friends & Family! I got this dress (which was on sale already), the white wrap shirt and black pants from yesterday, and a 3/4 sleeve black wrap shirt that hasn't yet been worn. I also got white jeans but returned them (the 12 was too big everywhere, the 12 Petite barely covered my pelvic region). From Ann Taylor Loft I purchased the ponte skirt from the other day (sale), two things that were promptly returned, and two pieces of jewelry that were missing from my box when it arrived on Wednesday.

I called up Ann Taylor yesterday to tell them about the missing pieces and I had one of the nicest customer service experiences ever! The woman I spoke to had a very friendly, natural voice. She apologized about the missing pieces and within 10 minutes had credited my account, reordered the pieces and the Friends & Family discount, and even gave me free next-day shipping because of my trouble. Oh, and we chatted about the new collection and what we both love while waiting for everything to process. How awesome is that? Such a simple and pleasant experience.

Attire:
- Scroll print shift from Ann Taylor
- Black patent peeptoe heels from BCBGirls
- Silver cuff and heels
- Black patent clutch from Ann Taylor Loft

Makeup:
- philosophy’s The Present
- L’Oreal True Match foundation in C3
- philosophy’s The Supernatural concealer trio in Light
- Cargo Matte BeachBlush in Tenerife
- Revlon ColorStay shadow quad in Neuatral Khakis – Ivory on lid
- Cover Girl LashBlast mascara
- Shu Eumura lash curler
- Maybelline brow powder in Dark Brown
- Body Shop Brow and lash Gel
- Clinique Long Wear Lipstick in Beauty
- Maybelline UltraLiner in Black

Hair:
- Pureology Volume shampoo and conditioner
- Croc wet-to-dry flat iron (now on 300 degrees)
- Bangs twisted tightly and trimmed a touch with cuticle scissors (I sooo need a hair appointment!)

Why the clutch purse? I have a wedding immediately after work. I will be leaving a touch early and racing to Maryland for the wedding of my husband’s best friend’s little sister (who over the years has become a dear friend to us). Should be a fun evening!

The rest of the weekend… tomorrow and Sunday have yoga (the hubby is co-leading a yoga class on Sundays now outdoors at a nearby park) and Sunday we have my husband’s grandmother’s birthday AND the first birthday of a good friend’s son. Saturday is still up in the air… hope all of you have a great weekend!

Thursday

Attire:
- White wrap shirt – Ann Taylor (hidden safety pin to hold wrap from opening)
- Black tropical wool trousers – Ann Taylor
- Leather sandals – Mossimo
- Red necklace – boutique in Rehoboth Beach, DE
- Red earrings – gift from my mom from her African safari

Makeup:
- Philosophy – The Present
- L’Oreal True Match foundation in C3
- Nars blush in Orgasm
- Revlon Super Lustrous lip gloss in Pink Afterglow
- Cover Girl LashBlast mascara
- Clinique eye shadow duo in Like Mink

Hair:
Second day, brushed and tossed in a messy updo with an ouchless elastic. It’s hot out and I am in desperate need of a hair cut and color. I ended up wearing my Celine sunglasses on top of my head the majority of the day.

Wednesday

Black cashmere puff-sleeve sweater from Banana Republic, black ponte pencil skirt from Ann Taylor Loft, black patent peeptoe heels from BCBGirls, silver cuff and hoops.

Hair washed the night before and dried while sleeping. Woke up to a beachy look that would be awesome with a tan and floaty white peasant top, but not for a day where corporate is visiting the office. Straightened with my Croc wet-to-dry iron.

Makeup:
Philosophy The Present
L’Oreal True Match foundation in C3
Philosophy The Supernatural concealer trio in Light (used under eyes and on bumps)
Cargo Matte Beach Blush in Tenerife
Clinique shadow duo in Like Mink
Body Shop Eye Definer in Black
Shu Eumura lash curler
Cover Girl LashBlast mascara in Black
Benefit Her Glossiness lip gloss in Next Question Please

For those who have emailed me about my flat iron, I keep it at 430 degrees, seemed to be the standard it was preset to.

When already dry, I run very quickly through the hair in very small sections (if the sections are too big I don’t get it really straight and miss the roots). I often redo areas more than once, especially around the face and at the nape (where the hair is more unruly). For my bangs, I do a slight flip under at the end of running the iron through the hair to get a teensy bit of curl. It takes about 10 minutes to fully straighten my entire head of hair, and it holds pretty well – seems a bit limp when finished but after my commute, wind and motion it seems to gain body and a slight bit of wave in the right places. I find when I set it with hairspray it gets limp and greasy through the day (aerosol, water-free for straight hair).

When wet, I use no product because I fear excessive damage to the hair. I am tempted though, because my thin hair works far better with a volumizer. I start with bigger sections and not near the scalp, trying to get rid of the moisture. The sound is like bacon frying, but there is no smell of burned hair. Once the hair is a bit dry, I follow the steps I have above for dry hair, taking small sections and running quickly, sometimes multiple times from scalp to end. In total, this takes about 15 minutes. After I occasionally use a touch of Jonathan Silky Dirt, but it seems to give a greasy look more so than with traditionally dryer-dried hair.

Tuesday

Black and white print cotton top from H&M, black stretch poplin trousers from Caslon, black leather thong heels from Mossimo, silver cuff and hoops.

Hair is second day, brushed out a bit and the scraggly pieces hit with the curling iron.

Makeup is philosophy The Present, L'Oreal True Match foundation in C3, philosophy The Supernatural concealer in Light, Cargo Matte BeachBlush in Tenerife, Clinique shadow duo in LOike Mink, Cover Girl LashBlast in black on curled lashes, Maybelline Ultraliner in black on top lash line and Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey.

Wardrobe Alternatives

We all have safety nets in our wardrobe. These are items we collect because they are comfy, they are cheap and they often remind us of younger, happier and more fun days (come now, who doesn't get excited when the weather warms up enough for flip flops?). Problem is, many of these wardrobe safety nets are devoid of any style and often end up destroying the personal style we otherwise may possesses on a given day. How do you keep it easy, breezy, yet maintain your personal style?

The Flip Flop Alternative
Don't get me wrong, I love flip flops as much as the next gal. This weekend when grabbing a pair so I could play in the yard with my dog, I rifled through eight different pairs to find my beloved Reefs. I have stacked ones for longer pants, crocheted ones that are a tad dressier, aqua ones to match my bathing suit, ones that work well in wet conditions, ones that work with certain sun dresses or beach coverups in my closet. The thing is, flip flops are not real shoes. They don't look like real shoes, they don't wear like real shoes (any orthopedist will tell you they are terrible for your feet), they are often dirty, run-down and ruin the line of your silhouette. Flip flops are great for the beach, the pool, the casual cookout in your friend's backyard or putting around your own; but what does a gal grab when heading to the market, to work and other places where flip flops are just not a chic choice?

The Gladiator Sandal - this style of shoe has been in style for many summers, and with good reason. It's flat, it's simple, and it looks chic. In a metallic leather and with a simple and low silhouette, this shoe works with cotton and linen trousers for work, simple dresses and skirts all week long, and can even be paired with a maxi dress for a wedding or social affair. Due to their versatility, look for a pair that is well-made, low on additional adornment (the metallic fabric and a few o-rings to connect the straps is all that is necessary) and comfortable. If you have large ankles, look for styles that don't have straps that come all the way to the actual ankle; a lower-rise of sandal will be more comfortable and elongate the leg.

Some options:Lands End Casual Flat SandalIsaac Mizrahi for Target Gladiator SandalReport Gladiator Thong Sandal

The Flat - the flat isn't going anywhere. Each season we seem to acquire more options in flat shoes. A classic ballet flat is a popular choice, but not the best for those with short or heavy legs. A style with a peep-toe, a slight wedge heel (even 1/4"), or a pointed toe will elongate the silhouette. Instead of opting for a safe pair in brown, tan or black, consider a bright color to add pop to your outfits. You will be amazed how a Kelly green, orange, or magenta color will work with the majority of your wardrobe. The shoe is so small and so far away from your summer dresses and shorter pants, colorful flats will be a great unexpected accent.

The Skimmer - skimmers usually have the tread and even sidewalls of tennis shoes, but a low profile. They offer more support than a classic flat, and can come in casual canvas, or even a more polished look of leather and microfiber. Be careful, in a neutral color and style skimmers can often look matronly (if in leather), or cheap (if in canvas or with sneaker-details). However with some knotted fabric detail, a buckle or variation on fabric a skimmer can be a great alternative not just to the flip flop but also the walking shoe.

The Leather Thong - If you must get flip flops, get them of a substantial fabric and with a bit more heft to the style. Every store seems to be selling a jazzed-up version of the flip flop out of leather, and often with hardware. Many leather thongs are just as comfy as your favorite foamies, but are chic enough to pair with trousers or skirts for work.

Some options:Indigo by Clarks Leather ThongAerosoles Winky Toe ThongsFrye's Dani Thong

The Hoodie Alternative
Many times I see women wearing the cutest little outfits and then cover it with a hooded zip-up sweatshirt. Shrunken to fit, baggy, a color coordinating the outfit, a fun pattern... it is still a hoodie. Hoodies are for rainy Sundays on the couch, to ward off chill after a yoga class, to bundle in on a camping trip, to pair with jeans and sneaks for a day at Home Depot or 8am college classes. A hoodie is not appropriate wear for work, and it is not a go-to coverup for lightweight tops and sun dresses. This weekend I attended a wedding where I saw a girl in the cutest cotton floral sun dress, peeptoe heels, flowing hair... and a navy blue shrunken hoodie with a graphic on the back. Heading to work, I often see women in tailored shirts, pencil skirts and hoodies - it's an afterthought.

Head out the door, find it's not as warm as you thought so you grab an extra layer... we all do this. Well here are some hoodie alternatives that may prove to be more versatile and work with, instead of against your style:

The Pashmina - a pashmina is an easy way to ward off chill but maintain your style. Pashminas are great for weddings and more formal events for they compliment dresses and feminine silhouettes and can be tossed over a chair when you want to dance or move around. They are great for travel for they pack up to almost nothing and can be a nice alternative to a scratchy airplane blanket. Nothing makes an outfit seem more chic than tossing a pashmina over your shoulders (especially in your favorite cheery color!).

The Cardigan - cardigans come in various necklines and with a variety of closure methods. The classic crewneck cardigan with buttons is a great choice to throw over a tee, sun dress or tank. A v-neck style is great with collared shirts or even a simple ribbed tank peeking out. Choosing a one-button or style tat ties at the neck adds femininity to the look. There are also many styles that are drapey and even tie in front or wrap around like a pashmina - good choice for chilly offices or road trips. Do stay away from the sweater coats and long belted cardigans - these usually bunch up at the rear and add bulk, not style to your look. If you desire warmth in a longer style, choose a heavier knit or a boiled wool style so it skims along your body.

Some options:Lands End Fine Gauge Cotton CardiganTalbots Woman Textured Cardigan
Ann Taylor One-button Swing Jacket

The Casual Jacket - I have a collarless jacket with bracelet sleeves of Ponte de Roma knit. On a cool day, I toss it over my top or dress to stay warm but still stylish. My mom has a denim jacket that nips in at the waist, zips up and has a flattering dark hue. It's the perfect spring-season coat that matches her style of bright colors and bold silver jewelry. Having a jacket with a bit of structure will keep your shape as well as your style on cooler days. If the jacket is low on adornments, it will be easily paired with most of your wardrobe. Consider a collarless jacket, a lightweight blazer with stretch, a denim jacket with shape, or a solid-colored heavy knit for something that is just as comfy as your favorite hoodie.

The Crop Pant Alternative
It's too hot for long pants, and you would rather die than walk around in shorts (I agree, most styles are so unflattering). What's a woman to do? If you visit stores like J. Jill you would think the only alternative is cropped pants or capris. Those wide-legged pants that hit between the calf and the ankle bone, often made of a wrinkled linen or stiff chino. Well ladies, these pants do not look good on ANYONE. But what is available for a woman who wants something other than Daisy Dukes?

City Shorts - the past couple of seasons have brought shorts to more flattering lengths. City shorts are a tailored, crisp look that can be paired with jackets and blouses for a work-worthy look (check with HR before you attempt this in your office). They hit at the knee, and usually have the same details as your favorite work pants (cuffs, creases, belt loops, even lining). Worn with a blazer and sandals it is a great alternative for a casual work environment (or even a trip to the mall); with a simple sleeveless top it is a nice look for the weekend or running errands.

Some options:Ann Taylor Loft Sateen City Shorts
IGIGI Plus-size Cuffed Shorts
Eddie Bauer Tab-front Denim Shorts

Bermudas - similar to city shorts, Bermudas are usually cut a bit more narrow in the leg and are without the cuff. Sold in almost every fabric imaginable, these are a flattering style for a woman with medium to slim thighs who likes her knees. They can be worn with tanks, tailored shirts and floaty peasant-style tops alike.

Some options:Old Navy Women's Plus Sateen Bermudas
Gap Clean Bermuda Shorts
Mossimo for Target Bermuda shorts

Culottes - these are not the candy-colored poly-blend divided skirts of the 70s and 80s. Culottes have gotten a hip makeover. Often described as shorts or gauchos, these garments hit anywhere from just at the knee to right above the large part of the calf. In stiffer fabrics (twill, denim), they have a slight a-line to each leg that is as flattering as a skirt of the same cut. Culottes look best with a tailored top so that the excess width doesn't drown you in fabric or lose your shape. Fabrics with more flow (jersey, ponte, matte jersey) will often have a fuller leg. This fabrication of culottes is a bit trickier to wear; look for tops in similar fabrication for a dressy lounge look and be sure your shoes compliment (flats and delicate sandals are good choices).

You Look Fab wrote an amazing post on this exact subject. She explains the difference between walk shorts and capris and offers some images to show how a shorter or slimmer pant is actually more flattering on a woman's body.

The Messy/Gelled Ponytail Alternative
For many years I lived with an elastic on my wrist at all times. Work, dates, nights out, the gym, even as a bridesmaid in a wedding... that elastic was there as my safety blanket. I had long layered hair that never wanted to behave. It parted int he middle, feathered, would never be straight, my curls were frizzy and frustrating and most days my hair was piled into a messy topknot by lunch. I recognize you sisters with frustrating hair - you have it gelled into a very tight ponytail because nothing seems to handle the curls. Messy topknots cover grown out layers, roots, and split ends. A butterfly clip holds back those bangs you are growing out as you tend to your computer, your meal preparation or your children. There are just not enough hours in the day as it is, who wants to spend a lot of time with their hair?

The thing is, your hair is one of the first things people see. You wear it more often than any garment in your wardrobe and are judged by it faster than with a muffin top or tapered jeans. Yes, it can be a pain and time consuming, but there are ways to make your hair manageable, attractive, and still fit into your busy schedule.

Haircut/Color - first things first, hair that is not maintained looks like crap. No matter how many products or what accessories you put on it, hair that is overgrown, washed out and grown out looks messy and has people think you don't care about yourself. If it has been a few months, at least go in for a quick trim. If you are living in a ponytail 24/7... stop and wonder what the point of a long mane is if it is always pinned up. Your life may be easier and your morning routine faster with a shorter 'do.

If your hair is unmanageable even when straight from the hairdresser... you may need a new hairdresser. Before hitting up every salon in town, do a bit of homework. Google your hair texture and more often than not you will find many message boards, blogs and Web sites dedicated to your hair, full of fellow women with the same plight. You may be able to find resources on products to use, stylists who specialize in your hair, and cuts that work best for your texture. Jen at Mythbuster Beauty often reviews products for curly hair and discusses her specific hair type. She and many of her readers have recently taken on The Curly Hair Challenge, a new spin on how to manage curly hair.

Accessories - butterfly clips are great for holding sections of your hair when blowing it dry, they aren't great for day (and never good for evening) wear. Snagging your daughter's colorful baubles to hold back your mane isn't going to improve your style either. Your best bet are simple, hair-colored accessories. Ouchless elastics in tan, brown and black are great - take a piece of your hair from underneath, wrap it around the elastic and hold in place with a Bobby pin and you have made a boring ponytail quite chic. Slim tortoise-shell and black plastic headbands with teeth are a great way to deal with bangs that are growing out; skinny elastic bands are excellent for the gym and casual looks, and headbands in fun colors and prints will add femininity and style to a simple outfit. Barrettes should be used in moderation - a small one to hold back a section of hair at the top of the head can work on some, but large barettes that hold all your hair or a bedazzled or decked out with bows are dated and should be disposed of immediately.

The Yoga Pant Alternative
It's that time of the month, your nursing a cold or possibly a hangover. The last thing you want to do is suck yourself into a pair of rigid jeans or lined trousers. However heading out of the house in yoga pants or sweatpants isn't going to make you feel or lookk much better. Gym wear is NOT streetwear, no matter how many tacky fake-baked women sport it at the local mall. This means velour loungesuits, yoga pants with matching hoodies, terry sweatsuits, bulky hooded sweatshirts supporting your favorite sports team, or athletic shorts. They don't hide your bumps, they don't help you blend into the woodwork, and they don't boost your self-esteem. No matter your budget or figure, there are garments out there that are both flattering and comfortable.

Linen Drawstring Pants - I love my linen drawstring pants! I get them for a great price at places like Victoria's Secret and Old Navy and wear the heck out of them. Paired with a tank and flops, I can sip my morning coffee on my back deck. With a cotton peasant top, long necklace and sandals, I am dressed for a casual day at work. With a coordinating linen tank and heels, it becomes an elegant look for a dinner date with my husband or a bridal shower. Do recognize that white and light colors are often quite sheer and require skin-colored (NOT WHITE) smooth undergarments. Black tends to fade, so wash them on the gentle cycle and invest in a colorfast clothing wash. Most companies have linen drawstring pants in basics like black, white, brown aand beige and in a laarge range of sizes and lengths. They are the chic equivalent to scrubs or yoga pants, and jsut as comfy.

Some options:Victoria's Secret Linen Drawstring Pant
Old Navy Wide-Leg Linen Pants
Charter Club Drawstring Waist Linen Pant

Jeans with Lycra - denim may be the fabric of choice for Americans, but thyat doesn't means its comfortable. Lack of stretch, bunching at the crotch, digging into the tummy, gaping at the waist, and the dreaded muffin top... jeans can be downtright horrible to a woman's frame and torture to wear. Many companies offer jeans of a lighter-weight denim that have Lycra infused into them which makes them more forgiving to a woman's curves and also far more comfortable.

Ponte Trousers - ah Ponte De Roma, my favorite fabric. This fabric was in every collection that Express carried when I started working there in 1997 - the District Manager who interviewed me was wearing a belted safari jacket and pencil skirt out of the fabric, and when I started I was encouraged to purchase a pair of the boot-cut, elastic-waist ponte pants in black "because they go with everything." A couple years later, us employees would giggle when customers would come in the store asking where we kept our ponte pants for they had quickly become passe and the attire of the wanna-be hip grandmother and the mom-to-be. Too bad, as that ponte fabric is a densly-woven heavyweight knit that holds its shape, hides lumps and bumps and works in almost every season.

Well Ponte de Roma has returned and I couldn't be more thrilled. No elastic-waist boot-cut leggings this go-round, ponte is being used for Jackie-O inspired jackets, shift dresses, suits and trousers. The fabric is refined and appropriate for work, yet is as comfortable as a pair of your favorite yoga pants. Even with a zipper and waistband, ponte fabric has enough give that a structured pair of trousers will not cut or dig into you. If dry cleaned or washed gently and left to line or flat dry, ponte fabric will maintain its shape and color for years.

Some options:Alfani Woman Ponte Pant
Sutton Studio Petite Ponte Pants

Tee Shirt Dress - when all else fails, through on a tee shirt. The tee shirt dress is usually a lightly heavier weight than your favorite top and hits at or slightly above the knee. If it is a straight or slightly a-line style, it will be forgiving even on the most bloated of days. Paired with a scarf or necklace and a sassy pair of sandals, a tee shirt dress will work for most daytime affairs. In a saturated color, people will notice the hue before they notice that it's made of jersey, and if the quality of cotton is good, it will look totally appropriate at the office as well as at Target or book club.

Some options:Old Navy Cap Sleeve Knit Dress
Banana Republic Long-sleeved Geo Print Dress
C&C California Classic Tee Shirt Dress

This Weekend and Monday

Friday night we just stayed in and watched a movie because we had a very early Saturday. We had to be up and out the door before 8am to shoot a wedding.

Hair washed and conditioned and then dried with the Croc wet-to-dry flat iron.

Makeup is philosophy The Present, L'Oreal True Match foundation in C3, philosophy The Supernatural concealer in Light, Cargo Matte BeachBlush in Tenerife, Clinique long-wear lipstick in Beauty, Clinique shadow duo in Like Mink, Two coats of Cover Girl LashBlast in black and Maybelline UltraLiner in black on top lash line.

Black matte jersey wrap dress from Old Navy, black leather "Creston" flats from Naturalizer.

My husband went to shoot the guys getting ready, his father and I went to the house where the bride was prepping with her maids. This dress was perfect because it's black (I fade into the background), stretchy (so I can crawl and climb around to coordinate shots) and comfortable. And these shoes are so comfortable - we didn't get home until 7pm and my feet diodn't hurt a bit!

Sunday was horrible out; the husband and I went to our favorite Greek diner for breakfast and then came home to edit photos and just chill.


Another rainy day today. Navy pique dress from Isaac Mizrahi for Target, tan "Bern" boots from Duo, silver cuff and hoops, silver pocketwatch necklace from Ann Taylor Loft and silver chain from a Ren Fest.

Hair was washed the night before, a touch of Jonathan Silky Dirt added while damp and let air dry while I slept. This morning I gently finger combed and then hit the frizzy parts with a curling iron.

Makeup was exactly the same as Saturday, but instead of the lipstick I wore Benefit's Her Glossiness in Next Question Please and isntead of the liquid liner, I used the darker shade from Like Mink along the lash lines.

Friday

What a glorious, glorious day! Woke up to sunshine, the dog was happily prancing around the yard sniffing all the new plants and grass and no need for a coat or even pashmina! Love it!

Olive linen puff-sleeved shift from Old Navy 2007, orange crinkle silk scarf from Banana Republic, tan "Bern" boots from Duo, black coral necklace from Mexico, silver hoops and cuff.

Hair washed, conditioned and dried with the Croc wet-to-dry flat iron.

Makeup is philosophy's The Present (which I love more and more each time I use it), L'Oreal True MAtch foundation in C3, philosophy The Supernatural concealer trio in Light, Cargo Matte BeachBlush in Tenerife, Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Glossy Rose, Revlon ColorStay shadow quad in Neutral Khakis - olive on lid and along lash lines, lashes curled and two coats of Cover Girl LashBlast in black.

Tomorrow my husband is shooting a wedding and I will be his assistant. Sunday he is teaching a yoga class at a nearby park and I will of course attend. Since some friends may be coming to the class, we may end up having a cookout or group lunch together. The rest of the weekend is pretty open... hope everyone has a good one!

Product Reviews - Clinique

When I was in Middle School, I was invited to the birthday slumber party of a girl who I had become new friends with. I didn't know her circle of friends but was thrilled to be invited to her party.

As soon as I entered the house I knew I wouldn’t fit in. These girls were wearing full faces of makeup, had clothes I had only seen on the pages of Teen magazine and just looked so… sophisticated. Gosh, they even wore silk nightshirts! We were told we would be doing makeovers on one another and to bring our beauty products. I had a couple Revlon lipsticks my mom had discarded, a tube of Almay One-Coat mascara and a gray Cover Girl eye pencil, these girls has Kaboodles full of products from Clinique and Estee Lauder.

After the initial shock of these “adult” girls, I ended up having a great time with them and a couple I am still friends with to this day. However there was one girl there who was a total jerk and snob. She was very mean to most of us, and decided I would be her target for the whole evening. She teased me about my “baby clothes,” my “tacky makeup,” my “ghetto school” that I attended. I went to the bathroom and her Kaboodle was in there. I opened it up and it was overflowing with fancy cosmetics, perfumes and nail polishes. I grabbed a little green pot of lip gloss and stuck it in my pocket. I knew it was wrong, but I felt as though I was getting back at her in some way for doing that.

I felt so bad about what I did; I never used that lip gloss. I also never threw it away until I was packing up for college five years later. I held on to it, a totem representing how I let jealousy and one person affect who I was as a human being.

And, I never could use Clinique.

A couple years ago, Mr. Allie and I registered at Macy’s for our upcoming wedding. They gave me a goodie bag in thanks. Most of the bag was full of ads and stupid tips on how to register (ladies do NOT put where you are registering in your wedding invitations! Taaaa-cky!) but there were a few samples at the bottom. One was a tiny shimmery white shadow in that well-known green marble case. Clinique. I was almost afraid to open it. It took me over a week to even try it on my face and it ended up being the highlighter shadow I used on my wedding day and it finally got me to realize that Clinique is brand just like the rest, and that I am no longer the little girl at that slumber party.

So after that long spiel, here's some products I have tried out lately:

Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey - Well I just HAD to try this; people rave about this product as being the "must-have lipstick for all skin tones!" I am such a sucker for beauty products that gain cult-like status. As with many other "must-have" beauty products I ended up a bit disappointed with this product.

Yes, this is a color that could work the fairest or darkest of complexions. In the tube it is a dark plummy black color that looks almost like purple-tinted dried molasses. On the lips it is very sheer dark berry hue - think tinted lip balm level of color. However unlike a tinted balm, the more you apply of this product, the more saturated of color you get. Though it gets darker, it never looks cakey, dark or extreme. You could easily have a swipe or two for day, and add a few more swipes before going out to make the look more appropriate for evening. It maintains its soft, sheer balmy consistency no matter how many times you apply it.

The color is pretty and flattering. The formula is soft and sheer. It lasts about as long as a classic lipstick. That being said, no angels started singing when I put this on my lips. I found the formula to be almost exactly like Body Shop's Sheer Lip Shine, which even has a slightly similar packaging (and has a slightly lower price). So if you are looking for a sheer plum lipcolor that feels as nice as it looks, this is a good choice. Does it have to be in your cosmetic bag or else you are unchic, uncool and without the very prettiest lips possible? Notsomuch.

Clinique Colour Surge Eyeshadow Duo in Like Mink - This duo came within a palette from the bonus that Macy's was offering recently. I had read glowing reviews about this color duo and was thrilled to have it in the bonus as that it has been discontinued. One shade is a champagne-tinted sheer off-white and the other is a sparkly bronzey chocolate color.

(wow realized somehow the rest of the review for this product disappeared... here you go...)
The colors are extremely flattering; though they are sparkly they are perfect for day wear.

The light color is very tightly pressed which makes it hard to get product on the brush, or even the stiff sponge applicator that came in the palette. I had to actually scrape the top of the shadow to get pigment. However once I applied the powder, I found it to be very sheer, flattering and a great highlighter that wouldn't turn silver in sunlight or flash photography.

The darker color is far more metallic and didn't have the pigment issue - in fact it is almost too soft and I would end up with quite a lot on my brush and face even with a gentle pat to the block of color. Slightly messy, but I could deal as that this color could go from a subtle sparkly tan to a deep bronze-chocolate dependant on how much you applied. Neither creased, faded or got weird through the day, and seemed to last the normal amount of time for a traditional shadow. The darker of the two worked well when wetted; I used a slant brush to apply as liner and it didn't irritate and lasted through the day. It is unfortunate that this duo has been discontinued: though the formula is strange (maybe that's why they were in a palette and discontinued), the colors and level of shimmer/sparkle are perfect basics for most women's cosmetic collections.

Clinique Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick in Beauty - Again, this is an item that came in the bonus from Macy's.

Beauty is a mauvey browny pink color - one of those colors that Allure magazine would claim would look amazing on every skintone. Reminds me of a slightly darker and glossier version of Nars' Dolce Vita. It's one of those shades you can apply without a mirror and know you won't end up looking like The Joker. On my pale, cool skin it is quite flattering and a great day shade, but it may be too cool or pink for a warm or much darker skintone.

It feels creamy on the lips and does seem to last longer than a traditional lipstick, but isn't one of those super-long wearing formulas. This is the middle ground I enjoy - my lips feel soft and natural, the color lasts through a cup of coffee, and when it does actually wear away it does it in a natural way so weird spots of color aren't left in the wrinkles and around the rim of the lips. It doesn't feather or stain, and my lips don't get dried out from wearing it. As for the soft shine, it is very soft to the point that it just seems creamy, and not at all shiny or glossy. If you are looking for a glossy lipstick, this isn't it. However, it is an excellent lipstick to have in your purse for day wear that will compliment most makeup looks and colors of clothing.

Clinique Liquid Face Soap (Mild) - This came with a bonus from Macy's. Not the type of cleanser I would usually purchase for my sensitive skin. It is a clear, thin gel that has a very mild fragrance. It foams up a lot - something I usually steer clear from due to my skin. It does a great job of removing all makeup and dirt from the skin. It claims it is mild and for dry to combination skin; I found it not as drying as most foaming washes, but still a bit too drying and harsh for dry skin. Also, it tastes terrible! Oh gosh, I don't mean to eat my face wash, but some residue ended up on my lips and it tasted like the stuff you put on your nails to discourage biting them.

Really, this stuff is... fine. I think there are far better products in your local drug store, and much better products in practically every skin care line on the planet for dry or combination skin. I used it for a week and it caused slight irritation and tightness through the day... I don't get that with Dove, Olay or Cetaphil. However the small bottle will be great for travel so I'll toss it in my linen closet to take on my next vacation.

Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula - From InStyle's Best Best Beauty Buys: A perennial favorite of doctors, this ultrafine scrub “won’t irritate skin and washes off cleanly without any residue,” N.Y.C. dermatologist Jules Abadi says. It has just the right amount of granules to provide a gentle but thorough pore cleansing, says L.A. dermatologist Ronald Moy.

This product is a white cream with small grains that feel a bit like sugar. It's like a gentle version of the Neutrogena Advanced Solutions At-Home Microdermabrasion System. It spreads well, scrubs without scratching or hurting my sensitive skin (even under my nose), and rinses so easily and completely. It is a decent product and my skin doesn't react to it in a negative manner. My skin is happy to have a slightly coarser exfoliant than what I had been previously using - my skin feels soft and seems to have a glow.

Again... no angels sang when I have used it. It's nice, it's good, but to me it's like Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara - a Godsend for some, whatever for a few others, and ick for the rest. I recommend you get a sample from your nearby counter before you purchase to see if it's worth your fundage.

Clinique Acne Solutions Emergency Gel-Lotion - This stuff doesn't work. It isn't a good replacement for my Clean & Clear gel that caused my hives. In fact, I wonder if it makes my zits worse. I got a little bump on my jawline and put the product on before I went to bed. Woke up and it was bigger and turning white. Put more on it and kept makeup away. By lunchtime it was poppable. Came home, did some steaming and manipulating and added more of the gel-lotion. By time I was getting ready for bed it had turned into a blackhead that felt deep like a wart and hurt like the dickens. The next morning, I had bumps all over the area, pretty much where I had applied the product. I used tea tree on the bumps and the redness dissipated but it didn't help with shrinking of the zits. However, they all came to heads and popped on their own without any irritation.

I know many of you suggested tea tree - I know tea tree, my husband is an organic natural guy and I worked for the Body Shop for years. I know that tea tree helps with irritation and redness for me, but it doesn't help little bumps shrink. Neither Clinique nor tea tree do what the Clean & Clear used to do. Le sigh. Will keep searching...