Fashion Jargon - Commuter Version

Bus Blog (Aurora Ave and Mercer)...

One of my favorite fashion sayings ever was by Ken Downing when he presented the Fall trends a few years back, and although I don't remember the designer, the trend, or even the complete sentence, I will never forget the phrase that I've now heard numerous times in my crazy retail fashion and beauty life: "...a classic aesthetic juxtaposed with chic modernity." What a yummy mix of high-scoring scrabble words!

So my commuter version today is my Gucci shoes in a Marni handbag (scored at a sample sale right around the time of aforementioned Ken presentation), wearing my Merona flats from Target, as I sit on the icky 358 bus home. I like to think I'm juxtaposing fashion sense and sensibility with unparalleled public transit odor.

The Beauty of Organization

Who knew my little ole' (re)organized beauty drawer would inspire a Nordstrom blog post and over 470 Repins & 167 Likes on Pinterest??  (My uber-organized sister would be so proud!). One of the best things about moving is having to reassess all your beauty products, toss the junk (when did I ever think bright green eye shadow would be flattering?), clean the brushes, and get it all organized.  Beauty Spring Cleaning

Needless to say, I also have four Kosta Boda glass jars on my bathroom counter top holding more brushes, mascaras, eyeliners, and lip glosses.  So take the chance to do a little of your own spring cleaning because a pretty drawer makes for a beautiful face!

 

I'm Cheating.

(Bus Blog Posting...46th & Phinney Ave.)

I admit it. I'm cheating on my beloved Cle de Peau Concealer. (Pause for gasp). Don't get me wrong, I haven't ended it completely with Cle, and I don't plan to, but I've discovered Napolean Perdis concealer, and he, well...fulfills different needs.  He's very effective without a base/under eye cream, provides great coverage, and comes in one kooky color that's slightly intimidating but super easy to use (no surprise it's called "The One").  A little goes a long way so tap it in lightly, and the coverage is amazing. 

I've decided he's my weekend man, so it's really more of a fling vs an affair. And since it's all about concealing, no one will ever know...

Napolean Perdis "The One" Concealer 

I'm Still Here!

Once again, I've neglected my little blog more than my hair length (which is dangerously close to growing "Carol Bradys" in back). So I hope you won't mind my new approach - bus blogging. Now that we're in a house, I have at least 20 min on the bus each way. So I'll keep these short (and thankfully you can't enjoy the various odors I'm exposed to on public transit).

I just made a quick (okay, not so quick) shoe purchase with my new shoe guy, Mark, and he enlightened me further about designer shoes and who's actually worth the investment. According to my new guru, if you're laying down the coin, go for Gucci, YSL, Prada, Celine, or Valentino. They're all well-made, reliable fashion houses, and wear well over time. Needless to say, I went in to try on Alexander Wang (pretty but not so much on me - curse of a flat foot), and I came out with Gucci.  Beautiful black pumps with a hint of sexy platform and (gasp!) a rounded toe - not typical for me, but I'm loving the change!

Bus stop is approaching so must dash, but til next time, put a lip balm in a pocket of every coat (Dad's tip that's saved me countless times), and step up to a designer shoe in 2013 - investment "peace" indeed.

Invisible Jet? I Prefer Prada

While helping prep our stores for the last 10 days before Christmas, we were in the beauty stockroom cleaning up (the Clinique shelves look awesome, if I do say so myself) and came across this awesome MAC visual for the Wonder Woman collection a few years back. I insisted on matching the pose (and inadvertently the expression), only I'm sporting my newest investment piece (Prada bag) instead of a gold lasso. And as my sister commented, "way better boots" (my fave Fryes, of course). Who needs a fancy jet or metal bracelets when you have good leather accessories?

Soap, Chocolate, & the Perfect Pout

If you've been following me on FB lately, you'll see my current obsession with tiny beauty products (see my "Sammi Sized" series...she'd love her own blog, but she's trying Instagram and her own Pin Board first since she's more photogenic than she is well-written). Here are a few more of my current finds, loves, and time-wasters....


Kiehl's Rosa Acrtica Lightweight Cream 

I'm too lazy to research all the benefits of what Rosa Artica does, but I can tell you this cream is great at night because it has a light texture (translation: absorbs well), and it smells of lavender! (Great for drifting off to sleepy time).

Kihel's Rosa Arctica Lightweight Cream 


 Flying Noir Chocolates
I attended the Northwest Chocolate Festival, and while I loved seeing all the local chocolate makers, I discovered this truly artistic new one based in California. The owner is a former artist who hand-paints each chocolate and package! And even better...they truly taste wonderful (without being over-the-top snobby, snooty, tastes-like-baking-chocolate-but-you're-supposed-to-love).
 
 


Soap Smash App
It's basically an untimedTetris with really cute soap bars since its sponsored by L'Occitane (how adorable is that??).  Watch out - its addictive!

 

 Red Lips
Yep, they're still hot. If you're still a little gun-shy, I recommend Kevyn Aucoin's glosses - more sheer than in the tube but layer well if you want more intensity.
If you're bolder, try Shiseido's Lacquer Rouge like I'm wearing in this pic (any of their colors would be worth a try since the formula is so great).
 


Kevyn Aucoin Lip Gloss 

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge 

Feeling Moved...Sort Of

Sorry for the recent hiatus, but moving your entire life to another state takes a lot of time, unbelievable patience, and the ability to summon your sense of humor in an instant. That, and a huge amount of carbs, wine, and concealer (in no particular order).  Needless to say, I'm thrilled that Eddie and the Weiners are all here with me now, and the weather is truly amazing in Seattle, but I fear my waistline has seriously suffered (even now as I take a long overdue day off, I've chosen to watch a Gossip Girl marathon vs oh, I dunno, DOING ANYTHING REMOTELY PHYSICAL). That said, here's a quick summary of some recent discoveries, learnings, and general musings...enjoy!

• Boxed wine can be quite good. Bagged wine, however...not so great.
• Puppy breath can sometimes be more comforting than fresh cookies. 
• Reverting back to Jr High and making friendship bracelets is a really good way to keep hands busy and out of the cookie jar (for those of us who've tried knitting and still don't get it).
• Seeing really fit people can be really motivating. Or make you feel really fat. 
• Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector is like using La Mer - you have no idea if it's really working, but it feels really nice and pamper-y and works really well under concealer (without the hefty price tag).
• The Seattle housing market currently stinks. Thank God Ed and I have traded in high standards for convenience until we find a house, townhouse, condo...RV...tent (nothing like two adults and three dogs in 550 sq ft on rented furniture - from The Mole Hole to Motel 5).
• Having only 1/4 of my wardrobe has inspired many new outfits. And caused no less than four missed buses in the morning. 
• Living without a DVR has made me appreciate time management, good commercials (there actually are some!), and allowed me to drop a LOT of crap shows ("Hart of Dixie" isn't one of them - Rachel Bilson is just so darn cute AND stylish! Damn her).
• Seeing the sun set on the lake only 3 blocks away is truly beautiful. 
• Having a coffee shop only one block away is truly beautiful. 
• "Gossip Girl" really was a good show in the earlier seasons. 

Happy school-supplies-season and stay tuned on my FB for fun updates from NY market trips over the next two weeks, including The Dream Ball (yes, it's real, and yes, a new dress is in order don't ya think?).