Guess Who's Back

So, I've been gone for a while.....a long while!I have been sooooo incredible busy. Here's what I've been up to:

Emotional Breakdowns

Can you believe I was in my office on a Friday night (8pm to be exact)crying?

Crazy Travel Schedule

I have been on the road since the day after Labor Day :(

Planning a Program

I'm so glad that my event is over, but it took everything I had to not slap Director into a seizure.

So, I have missed so much in beauty and blogging that I don't even know where to start, so please excuse me if this is a crazy jumbled mess!

My travels recently took me to Portland and Seattle. Whenever I go to a new city I try to go to stores that I have back at home, but while I was in Portland the MAC counter at Nordstrom/ Lloyd Center just called my name, and of course I responded.....silly, with the smashing new holiday collection I would be a fool not to :)





So I picked up the lip palette in Tan lips; and, let me just say WOWZER. I love it! My lips look perfect and even toned yet hold a nude look!

I also picked up some Moisturecover concealer....you can never have too much. I know MAC has had this concealer since the conception of MAC, but this is my first time using it and I'm amazed. My eyes look so bright, my zits stay covered, and I even use it on my lips to get my tone even.



Now, while I was visiting my sister I hit up the Arbor Place Mall in Douglasville, GA. Once again, I hate going to stores that I have back at home, but I was looking for a much belated birthday gift for a friend and had to run into Belk. While I was there the Lancome counter was calling. I finally purchased the Baume Baiser Hydrating Lip Pillow



I love it! It's a joy to just pulled this odd looking lip balm out of my handbag and put it on my lips. It actually feels like a pillow caressing your lips!

While at Lancome I also purchased the Definicils Mascara and Cils Booster. I know each and every day I announce my love and profound loyalty to a new mascara, but seriously, this mascara is my new best friend! My lashes have never looked longer.





My birthday also occurred during this madness and a friend of mine bought me Gwen Stefani's new fragrance L



I hate celebrity fragrances, but I love Gwen Stefani!

Well, that is all for right now. I really need to get in the swing of this blogging thing again.

Stay Fab

Pictures: MAC (maccosmetics.com); Lancome (lancome-usa.com); L (sephora.com)

The Budget Fashionista

You all already know that I am underpaid, overworked; so when Kathryn Finney at
thebudgetfashionista.com sent me her book of the same title I was all over it!




Let me just start out saying that Kathryn's website is filled with money saving options for the Fashionista on a budget....so imagine, her book!


So, I'm trying to find some common ground between being overly cheap and being frivolous with my shopping. The Budget Fashionista is teaching me how to do so! In the book, Katy gives plenty of awesome advice from budgeting (my weakness) to managing your closet (another weakness :))

Katy even lists websites that have great savings. I live for online shopping so getting to this chapter was a treat!

She also gives great beauty alternatives to help readers save (i.e. instead of the overpriced M.A.C makeup brushes, try the Sonia Kashuk brushes at Target).

Overall, Katy's book is AWESOME!!! With The Budget Fashionista I am learning how to balance my love of fashion and beauty with my underpaid and overworked status. Katy is definitely concerned with the plight of the fabulous chick who struggles between great fashion and paying the rent!



_______________________________________
Thank you so much to The Budget Fashionista ,Kathryn Finney, for allowing me to review her book. Hopefully, in the near future, I will also have a published book under my fashionable belt!

Whenever I watch the Fashionista Diaries, I get this insane itch to shop!




I love how young and struggling 20 somethings (ahem), have such great style. I'm torn though, how can an entry-level PR assistant afford Catherine Malandrino? Well,
whatev!





I've been searching for new websites for inexpensive, jazzy pieces and here is what I've found.

MangoShop at mangoshop.com



I really wish I can work the leggings! This dress was found at Mango Shop for $69

I even found this classic trench for only $71



This trench is one of those classic items that need to be in your closet (have you been watching Tim Gunn's Guide to Style on Bravo?)

Pictures: The Fashionista Diaries (soapnet.com); Catherine Malandrino top (net-a-porter.com); Green Patterened Dress (mangoshop.com); Trench (mangoshop.com);

A Story on Cheapness

I am so cheap! Sometimes I am so proud of this, other times it's annoying. In my very first week of travel I found this awesome outlet mall in Estero, Florida (exit 130 something off I-75). In the Off 5th, Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet I found these Yves Saint Laurent glasses. To be exact, they were these beautiful black rimmed faux reading glasses with the YSL acronymn delicately inscribed on the sides (typing this right now is making me want to kick myself!) And can you believe that my cheap, country behind didn't purchase the glasses?! Now, 3 weeks later I am still thinking about those suckers. And here's the kicker....they were only $80! Just a lesson on cheapness for you!

I am Soooooooo Stressed!

The title of this post is so funny to me. I definitely overuse this phrase in my life and my sister teases me about it. For me, I get stressed out if I apply my eyeliner crooked or if I have to wake up to go to work :)

But for real, I am sooooooo stressed...esp. this week. Here's a list of my stressors.

1)I'm in my third week of travel....ughhhhhh!
2)I'm planning a program that is going nowhere and for which I have no control
3) I'm sick. I'm sure it's just from the new germs I am in contact with (i.e. staying in hotels, meeting new people, etc.)
4)My boss sucks
5)I'm becoming concerned about my job

Okay, so I was in Tallahassee earlier this week. Now, a few months ago this alum or Trustee or something sent me an email about this Tallahassee fair. So I signed up for it and sent her an email saying something like, "I signed up for the fair Ms. Perkins.I can't wait to meet you, see you there,etc." Since my boss (Director) likes to micromanage she asked me to forward or CC her the message I sent to her (so I did). Fast forward to earlier this week. This alum, trustee, or whoever she is sends an email to VP saying that she hadn't heard back from me and just wanted to know if she should help, as if she never received an email from me (Since I never got a reply from her that should I tipped me off that she didn't get it, but whatev). Perhaps, the email didn't get to her...but ultimately I played my role in this process. So Director calls me later in the week to basically saying, her words exactly, "that we were gonna get blasted by this alum." Well, like I said I did my role....sorry she didn't get the email!

But what's funny is that at the Tallahassee fair, about 10 minutes before it ended, this woman came up to me and started asking questions about the graduate program (there are only 4 graduate programs). But she was such a Beatrice about it, as if my responses her wrong. Then she, "I'll have to check on that."

Then I didn't go to one of the fairs....that's another long story that I'm sure you don't want to read....but yeah, I'm slacking!

I think it's just because I am so dissatisfied with my position at work. I want to do something that interests me. I am so ready to be in a position of leadership as well! I really want to open a shoe store.....shoes make me happy! You can never be unhappy around beautiful footwear!

So, while I've been gone so much has happened in beauty.

M.A.C. has some new collections!Check it out here at maccosmetics.com. Since the eyes are my fave feature to play up....I'm excited about the lashes!There are a few more looks so go to the website and check it out!




Well, like my #2 point states...I'm hella sick. I sound like a man and feel 80, so I'm gonna head to bed.

But you know what, feeling sick has really helped me reevaluate some things....like my job and life in general.....I really need to live life to it's fullest. I'm at a job I kinda dislike. I'm at a point in my life that I kinda dislike. I have people in my life that I kinda dislike....it's funny how a simple cold can make you think! It really is time for me do what I want, which is write (or at least open that shoe store I mentioned)! And I'm letting this job take over my life and I'm around a boss, who herself is a fashion disaster, tell me that I am "ragged"....whew! It's frustrating as all hell!

Now, I'm all fired up!

Gone for the Week!

This week I will be in Tallahassee and Naples (if anyone knows of any great shopping, etc. in either city please let me know!), so I will not be in again this week. But I wanted to leave you with my favorite you tube video of Amy Winehouse singing "I Heard Love Is Blind." I do not understand why I love this chick. I mean, she's on drugs, she's too thin, and she's kind of a mess....but her music drives me crazy! The lyrics are on point...and as an aspiring writing, words capture me!

So enjoy this video and I will be back at the end of the week!

Amy WInehouse - I Heard Love is blind live BBC sessions

Nutty Face

I'm in my second week of travel. YAY! 2 weeks down 6 more to go!!! This week was Pensacola, Niceville, and Panama City. In Niceville, it was storming and the power went out in my hotel at about 9pm while I was watching The Real World (under normal circumstances I would not be watching this season, but I didn't have anything else to do!). So it was pitch black in my room. When I finally found the door to my room, I went in the lobby so I wouldn't be alone. Turns out there was chaos in the hallway because some poeple who just checked in got stuck in the elevator when the power went out. Ummmm, yeah, when they finally got out they demanded a full refund!

Ummmm, for some reason I thought Pensacola and Panama City was going to be all 'Girls Gone Wild," but the most exciting thing about the trip was the beach....I'm not complaining though!




So when I travel my skin starts tripping! I was broken out all week. Me and my sister jokingly call a face full of zits a nutty face....and if you were to have seen me last week you would have saw what we mean! It was that bad! I got so fed up that I hit the nearest drugstore to search for a remedy and found Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Eliminating Spot Gel



And let me say...this works!The product claims that it significantly reduces zits in 8 hours and it does! So, the next time you wake up to a nutty face you may want to try it!

Just A Little Shiny

I'm back for the weekend. This week of traveling was fun....but in a few weeks its gonna get so old....ughhh!

So, let me give everyone an update....ummmmm, nothing actually! Just doing my job!

But while I've been gone I have realized that I am such a heavy packer. I had 1 suitcase, 1 big tote bag, 1 medium bag, 2 makeup bags. This is in addition to the material I needed for work!

So while on the road I tried 2 products that have made a difference in my little life.

I don't think I mentioned this but I have hella oily skin. It's so embarrassing. My dad teases me about it all the time. I have tried so many mattifiers and oil reducing creams that it's crazy. I've tried Proactiv (whatev) and I'm not sure if my skin got use to the product but it stopped working after a week. I've also tried the home remedy of using egg whites to mattify.....don't ever do that!

But it wasn't until I ordered Benefits Dr. Feelgood that my skin actually did not shine at the end of the day.




I applied it in the morning under my makeup, traveled by car all day, re-applied a little makeup in my hotel, then went off to a college fair. Once I returned back to my hotel my skin still held that matte look! You can find Dr. Feelgood at Sephora or at the Benefits website at benefitcosmetics.com

I also ordered Urban Decay's Heavy Metal Glitter Liner in Mullet.



Now, I know what you're thinking...."this isn't professional." And it's not. I didn't wear this to anything work related, but I tested it out when I was helping my sister buy a new laptop and I saw many haters....so you know it's fly! This eye liner is just a fun way to brighten up your face. Apply it heavy or light and have fun!

Have a great weekend!

Pictures: Benefit Dr Feelgood (benefitcosmetics.com); Urban Decay Heavy Metal Eye Liner (sephora.com)

A Little Hiatus

I will be taking a little break from blogging this week. As I stated last week, I will begin traveling for my job and I will pretty much be gone until November (I'll be back most weekends though). This week is Bartow, Florida (near Tampa), Fort Myers, and Sebring.....I'm kinda excited.

But while I'm gone, I will be working on some new posts. Here's what to expect:

Book review: The Budget Fashionista
Upgrade Ya
Lust List
Week in Beauty (review of products I recently purchased)

Have a fab week!

Who's That Girl?

This edition of Who's That Girl is dedicated to Janelle Monae. Ever since the Outkast video for Morris Brown, I have been fascinated my this eclectic and natural beauty.

Janelle Monae



A native of Kansas, Janelle has always been, as she describes, different. Since the age of nine Janelle saw the world in a different color...."preferably purple."

After high school she moved to New York to attend the American Musical and Dramatics Academy. While at the academy she fell in love with classical music. Soon thereafter, Janelle moved to Atlanta to begin her music career. Only eight months after her arrival to the A she met up with some producers and began work on her debut album Metropolis.

"Metropolis is the place I’ve been dreaming about all these years. A city inside your head. It’s an adventure the music brings alive."

In the summer of 2005, Janelle performed for Big Boi of Outkast. Immediately blown away by her talent, Big Boi featured Janelle on 2 songs on the compliation CD Big Boi presents...Got Purp Vol. 2.







And the rest...is history!




"...but I was also on some different stuff…there was a lot of confusion and nonsense where I grew up so I reacted by creating my own little world…I began to see how music could change lives, and I began to dream about a world where every day was like anime and Broadway, where music fell from the sky and anything could happen…"

Below is video of Janelle Monae performing Violet Stars Happy Hunting


P.S. Visit Janelle at her website...it's nothing short of amazing!

Janelle Monae - live @ Criminal Records

I Need to Catch Up

M.A.C. done went and added two more collections to their ever growing Fall spread.

Blue Storm



I'm really liking the whole blue eye thing.




You know what I've realized, I think I'm more into the fun names of makeup. The Blue Storm collection has fun shadow names:

Bluestorm
Stormwatch
Thunder
Cumulus
Cloudburst

Fun!

Next up is

Smoke Signals





This collection is exactly what I need. I am obsessed with a strong smoky eye and this collection delivers!It has 2 eyeshadow quads that I'm so feeling



Gentle Fume



Smoking Eyes

An added bonus, on the MAC website under the Smoke Signals link is a short promo video for the collection featuring Eartha Kitt!

I really need to get on it with these awesome M.A.C. Collections....I haven't even started buying anything from Flashtronic, Painterly, and Rushmetal yet!

One Crazy Week

This week has been kinda hellish for me and my self-esteem :(

1. My boss is an idiot. Director has really begun to irritate me now.....it's on snitches! All of the Admission Counselors have weekly meetings with her to discuss what's going on (i.e. this program thingy I have going on in October). So we discussed and I was getting ready to leave her office....then she loses her mind! She tells me that she thinks the staff as a whole dresses "ragged." At first, I was thinking, "whatev...I know I'm cute." Then she fixed her mouth and said that I was looking "ragged." She even decided to use an outfit that I was wearing as an example. This particular outfit consists of gray dress Capri's, a coral top, and black pumps. Then to make it worse, she told me that my shoes "saved the outfit".....as if she was a stylist. I could not take a picture of myself wearing the outfit (it's in the wash) but here is what I basically wore.



This is the exact top!




Now, I know what some of you all are thinking....."yeah, that's a ragged outfit." But no no keep in mind that it's over 100 degrees everyday in Georgia and I work at a college where the students brag about wearing pajamas to class. Also, keep in mind that Director can't dress! That's the gotcha!

So I was a little depressed about this. Whenever someone makes comment about something you pride yourself in, it's gonna sting a little bit.

2. So, I worked through the whole "ragged" outfit comment. I had a dentist appointment the next day. I haven't been in awhile.....okay 5 years. Everything was going well, when the dentist asked, "Do you have kids?" I said no.Then she says, "I think you should consider braces and straighten that out." Then she just walks out! Everyone thinks my grill is beautifully white and straight (I deceptively smile a certain way to hide the crooked ones :)




After her comment, my mind was just racing with thoughts: "I'm too old for braces." "How am I gonna get play with braces?" "Who is gonna want to kiss me with braces?" Then I snapped out of it and realized that without the braces I don't get play or kisses so not much would actually change :)

So, I'm gonna get them. My teeth have always bothered me, so I might as well get them straight now, while I'm (kinda)young and can pull the wire look off. Also, Gwen Stefani, Tom Cruise, and dude from Boys to Men all had braces in their adult lives....this will be a piece of cake for me!

O, and Invisalign in not an option for me :(

3. Work is Bananas! Our travel season is coming up and I'm stressed!On top of planning my travel arrangements and dealing with Director, I have to perform my other duties, go to ridiculous meetings, and deal with Director. For the next 2 months and 1 week I will be in and out of the office.....living out of a suitcase....driving hours to different cities....all the while planning this big event for October. WOW!It didn't just hit me until now that I'm gonna be hella busy!

Who Dat?

I got my September issue of Allure this morning and wondered who the hell this was on the cover! It says Britney Spears but I don't see it.....Photoshop is no joke!

Have a fab Saturday!

P.S. I'm feeling kinda sick today so my Saturday is going to be spent in the house :(

Signature Look

Lately, I have been rocking the smoky eye like crazy! Ever since I bought the Beth Bender Eye Kit the smoky eye has been my BFF! So it got me to thinking about celebrity Signature (Beauty) Looks

Gwen Stefani and Christina Aguilera , Dita Von Teese (Red Lips)

























Women with pale skin look so striking with bright red lips....Gwen, Christina, and Dita were smart to acquire such a dynamic signature look!

Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce (Fabulous Skin)

Most celebs have fantastic skin; however, J.Lo and Beyonce seem to always have that St. Tropez Bronzed Glow about them!











Kim Kardashian(Smoky,Bold, Dramatic Eye)







Kim K. has a lot of things which can be her "signature" (i.e. dating black men, wearing spandex dresses), but her bold and smoky and absolutely dynamic eye defintely works for her!

Amy Winehouse (Cat Eye)