Sun and the sunless

{Review}
Sun Labs makes my favorite sunless tanner.  I found out about the product while watching a YouTube video from Kandee, a fantastic makeup artist and blogger. 

I've had many issues with self-tanners, the biggest of which would be smell and color.  Sun's Overnight Self-Tanning Lotion in medium is what I've been using for about a year now.  The best part about this product is it smells like almonds when first applied and pretty much fades in a few hours.

noooooo orange Lindsay.

The color is realistic if you don't overuse.  A few times a week will give you a nice color without looking like an orange Lindsay Lohan (I know...bitchy right). 

I've applied at night after a shower, but also sometimes before an event or going out for the evening.  Since the product is tinted, it gives me a nice color without the wait.

I suggest using a glove like this one to apply to the body.  Makes it so much easier and the product goes on much smoother. Happy Tanning! 

Here's a pic of me and my husband, as you can see, the self tanner isn't too orange.

Spookie ~ Picture Post

Don't you just love my spooktaular decorations. I adore Halloween, it's my favorite holiday, the costumes, the parties, and ohhhhh the candy.  Too bad I started a new diet a few weeks ago...no candy corn for me. 

I'm a sweet girl

{Review} I've been searching for a new fragrance that's as sweet as Pink Sugar by Aquolina without being so teenybopper. Let me tell you, it took awhile to find. 

I first gave Mariah Carey's new line "Lollipop Bling" a try.  Aside from the ridiculous name (epic fail marketing department) the three different fragrances are pretty enjoyable.  I went back for several smells and tries but overall none really grabbed my attention and said "buy me"!

I tried Pink Sugar Sensual thinking it would be a bit more mature.  It's nice but still reminded me too much of the original Pink Sugar...so I move on.

Then I came across "So Hooked on Carmella" by Benefits.  Perfect.  I have purchased other Benefits fragrances for friends as birthday gifts ("something about Sofia..." is sooo lovely) but have not found a scent for me until now.   "So Hooked on Carmella"is sweet, like mixing vanilla bean and caramel in a giant milkshake.  YUM!  I love it and get compliments all the time.

I'm also obsessed with Benefits attention to packaging design.  The box opens to reveal the fragrance sitting in a "sex in the city" inspired tiny urban apartment. I want to be Carmella's roommate!

 

 

The Facts:

• Manufactured by: Benefit Cosmetics
• top notes: lemon, grapefruit, rhubarb
• middle notes: cyclamen, peony, tiare flower
• bottom notes: vanilla, sandalwood, amber
• definitely for a sweet girl...like me :)

how to apply

Are you a Marilyn or a Jackie?

Allure Magazine has an article this month listing some differences between Marilyn and Jackie. They call these two women "polar opposites", highlighting everything from their diets to quotes from JFK. Gazing at the images of these women really made me ask the question, "am I a Marilyn or a Jackie?" Is the question "are you smart, ambitious, well educated and respected?" or "are you sexy, powerful, playful, and desired?".  Is it that simple? Can you be both? I found this quiz

Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else?

And I'm...drum roll please

You Are a Bette!

You are a Bette -- "I must be strong"
Bettes are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Stand up for yourself... and me.   
• * Be confident, strong, and direct.   
• * Don't gossip about me or betray my trust.    
• * Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side.   
• * Give me space to be alone.   
• * Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don't flatter me.   
• * I often speak in an assertive way. Don't automatically assume it's a personal attack.   
• * When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that's just the way I am.

What I Like About Being a Bette   

• * being independent and self-reliant   
• * being able to take charge and meet challenges head on   
• * being courageous, straightforward, and honest   
• * getting all the enjoyment I can out of life   
• * supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me   
• * upholding just causes

What's Hard About Being a Bette   

• * overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don't intend to   
• * being restless and impatient with others' incompetence   
• * sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it   
• * never forgetting injuries or injustices   
• * putting too much pressure on myself   
• * getting high blood pressure when people don't obey the rules or when things don't go right

Bettes as Children Often   

• * are independent; have an inner strength and a fighting spirit   
• * are sometimes loners   
• * seize control so they won't be controlled   
• * figure out others' weaknesses   
• * attack verbally or physically when provoked   
• * take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the strongest, or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings

Bettes as Parents   

• * are often loyal, caring, involved, and devoted   
• * are sometimes overprotective   
• * can be demanding, controlling, and rigid

To be honest, this quiz is pretty right on..a little scary actually.

So I guess I'm not a Marilyn or  a Jackie...but I'll take a Bette anyday!

ello gorgeous: Makeup I'm using right now~ The Base

Coverup: Benefit Erase Paste

Big fan of this product, it has a peach undertone that covers darker circles pretty well. It stays put for the entire day and doesn't cake.

Foundation: Makeup Forever: HD Invisible Cover Foundation

Tried this foundation a few months ago, and I must say, it is fabulous. There are so many color options they make it easy to find your perfect match. I have never had a foundation match my skintone so well, cover and not wear out after a few hours. I highly recommend this foundation.


Bronzer: Benefit Hoola: a natural bronzing powder.

Hoola rock! It's a nice, matte bronzer with a great tan color. I would suggest using another blush color with it or a cheek stain just to add some dimension. I love Lush Flush Lip & Cheek Stain from Sephora.

OPI - Katy Perry, Serena Williams & Black Shatter

Perfect Steelers Nails! Can't wait to try the Shatter.

Some Girls like it Dirty: TRESemme Dry Shampoo

For those of us who have been blessed with a lion's mane for a head of hair, TRESemme has introduced a dry shampoo line. My hair routine should shock most men and some women for that matter. Special shampoos and products, having to wash my hair at night due to the length of time needed for drying and processing. An hour after showering with my head in a towel soaking up excess water, the Chi Heat Protection serum (good stuff by the way), the special brushes needed to smooth my hair and finally the hot iron or curling iron, depending on my mood. WTF! But overall I love my hair, in all it's time sucking glory.



Needless to say, there are many days that I don't feel like going through all this trouble and I skip washing my hair (Target needs to sell some cute shower caps like this one). I actually don't think it would be good for my hair to wash it everyday since I have enough issues keeping it healthy. I can't wait to try this dry shampoo...just to see if it makes those skip days less hat prone. Will let you know if it's love.

UPDATE:

hmmmmmm...I'm still a bit on the fence about this product. I love the smell, but it leaves my hair a bit dull. I didn't buy the refreshing mist, but have a shine spray I used after, which worked pretty well. I'm gonna give it a few more tries before I decide for sure :)

Halloween Fun: needle felted ghost

Felted Ghost

These are so cute.

I found this tutorial online..think I'll make a few this weekend.

Chunky Chocolate Caramel

A friend of ours gave Steve some popcorn for his birthday a few months ago. I took it upon myself to eat most of the Chunky Chocolate Caramel which was like heaven in a brown paper bag. I <3 Pittsburgh Popcorn Company...check them out.

fall things

In my cup: Earl Gray Tea



L.A.M.B.: Gwen Stefani's fragrance



Makeup: A year round fav ~ Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes Eyeshadow Palette



High Socks rock!



On my nails: Chanel Paradoxal

GAP LISTENS..our new logo is crap anyway

GAP LISTENS TO CUSTOMERS AND WILL KEEP CLASSIC BLUE BOX LOGO
STATEMENT FROM MARKA HANSEN PRESIDENT OF GAP BRAND NORTH AMERICA

“Since we rolled out an updated version of our logo last week on our website, we’ve seen an outpouring of comments from customers and the online community in support of the iconic blue box logo.

“Last week, we moved to address the feedback and began exploring how we could tap into all of the passion. Ultimately, we’ve learned just how much energy there is around our brand. All roads were leading us back to the blue box, so we’ve made the decision not to use the new logo on gap.com any further.

This is an interesting example of how new isn't always better. Coke learned this concept many years ago with "New Coke". There is something to be said for a classic brand.

Ready for Zombie Fest!

I'm ready for Pittsburgh Zombie Fest! Got my liquid latex at the costume store on Saturday. Now I just need a zomberific outfit.

And for the final look:



PS we also broke the zombie record with 4,590 undead! YAY