Easy, Breezy Over-the-Shoulder!

What do you think of draping your coats and jackets over your shoulders?  I saw a lot of grandmothers doing this while sitting in the pews at church when I was younger, but I guess it's a total DO for women of all ages. I would probably look really silly picking up my jacket off the floor constantly.  How do you prevent it from falling off?  Plus, it would accentuate my already broad shoulders.

Despite my reservations, many women are embracing the trend and looking cute doing it.

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Review: Avon Moisture Effective Eye Makeup Remover Lotion

There is a cute little granny who sells Avon products near our subway station.  At least 3 times a week, I'd see her armed with her small wicker basket of supplies.  Having been a Mark rep in the past, I could relate to her entrepreneurial spirit.  So I bought a hand lotion and eye makeup remover.  The lotion just seemed like Johnson & Johnson baby lotion (it even smelled like it).  It was meh, but only $1.  

The eye makeup remover was $3.  And AMAZING!

Would you....Novelty Sweaters?

Novelty knits are in!

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2013 Emmy Awards Red Carpet Fashion

I thought these were some fashion choices that stood out from TV's biggest night.

Sheer dresses were a trend.

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Lena Heady is normally covered up in "Game of Thrones", but last night, she wow'd us in this sexy black Alessandra Rich number.  Do you think it's just right or a little too much?

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Whoo hoo!  Leslie Mann, go on with your bad self!  I thought she rocked this J. Mendel dress.

Week in Pics

I love any opportunity to be in the West Village.  Even if it's to work.  I totally do the dramatic hand-to-heart gasp when I look at all the cute cafes and restaurants in the area.  

I was on set doing some background work for an upcoming TV show called Broad City on Comedy Central. 

Here is what I love about the show.  The leads are two women who started off doing a web series on their YouTube channel.  These 2-minute-or-less clips got the attention of several important people, including Amy Poehler!  Mrs. (Ms?) Poehler then decided to help produce their show on Comedy Central.  Broad City will air in 2014! That's so exciting and very inspiring.  

I don't know how to travel light around the city.  This is the usual baggage, except the bowling bag is interchangeable with a really cool-looking backpack from Target that is ripping apart. 

Return of the Vamp

I did some hand double work on a TV show, and the makeup artist used LSI's "Dark Matter" on my nails. 

I loved the color, but the polish was super thick and clumpy.  The makeup artists taught me a new trick: I didn't know it helped to add a couple drops of nail polish remover to revive old polish.  It will thin out the polish and return it to its initial consistency! 

Dry Shampoo Saves the Day(s)

It sounds gross, but I don't remember the last time I washed my hair.  

It was one of those weeks where I was in a rush so I opted for a body shower.  Then I would curl my hair for an audition, and it just seemed like a waste of good waves to wash my hair.  So that cycle would continue, and being able to pinpoint the last time my hair got wet became difficult. I must reiterate that I don't allow myself to waltz around in the fumes of ripe body odor. Keeping some natural oils in your roots and not washing your hair every day is actually healthy for you.  However, not washing your body on a regular basis is NOT that great for you. Or for others around you. 

Batiste dry shampoo came to the rescue for freshening up my locks. In the first "before" pic, oily roots weighed me down! What a difference in the 2 "after" pics.

My review of some top dry shampoos and how to make your own: http://bit.ly/16FujA2

Good Guide

Do you ever wonder what's actually in the products that you purchase?

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With all of these health articles urging us to avoid toxic ingredients such as phthalates and parabens, I tend to stick to containers that boldly state that they don't contain those toxins.  But sometimes it's not easy to find all that information. And even if you do, it can be difficult to figure out which ingredient is unhealthy. Wouldn't it be great to have a guide that shows how good a product really is for you?

That's where GoodGuide comes in!  You can use the website or download the app.  You can search for a specific product or scan its barcode.  A rating system will pop up that informs you of how healthy, green, and socially responsible it is. Not only will you be provided a list of ingredients, but you get a recommendation of better product options!

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  It's not just for beauty products!  Products range from food, personal care, apparel, and more!

My experience:

I downloaded the app onto my Android Samsung Galaxy 3.  Smooth process!

It did not have my JellyBelly's via barcode, but it had them listed via search online. It had data on the environment and social aspect, but nothing on health. Don't worry. I think I can figure out on my own that they aren't that great for my health.

My next test was scanning the bar code for my Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour foundation.  All the information immediately popped up on my phone.  I was shocked to see how poor the ratings were for the health, environment and social aspects.  With the brand taking pride in its natural ingredients, I didn't expect to see ingredients of "medium concern" in it.  I absolutely LOVE that they provide alternatives for it.

Have you tried this app?

No Curling Iron? Try socks.

On my recent trip to Portland for a wedding, I forgot my curling iron.  After throwing my fists up in the air, I saw that Hotel Monaco had a list of complimentary items it can provide their guests. Of course they would!  And of course, a curling iron was on the list.  Hotel Monaco is awesome.

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Anyway, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to explore how to put some Oomph to your hair when you are curling iron-less.  It made me think back to my junior high school days when I would roll socks into my wet hair and wake up with dry waves.

In those hot iron deprived days, I would use long tube (!) socks, roll my hair up, and tie the sock ends together to secure them.  On this trip, I had only brought footsie socks.  But I did have some additional resources.

Rubber bands!

Rolled up those suckers

My Northern CA Trip in Pics

I did a terrible job documenting anything last week so in lieu of the usual "Week in Pics" installment, I shall share some photos from Northern California (technically, that would be "Two Weeks Ago in Pics").

San Francisco

"Everywhere You Look":  You can't help but hear this song in your head when you're standing in Alamo Square.  Did anyone else hate Kimmy Gibler?  She seems like she'd be a horrific first date.

Bye bye, San Francisco. More happened in this city, but the highlight was my husband telling me not to order more food at a restaurant.  That didn't go over so well.  And it'll never happen again. ;)

By the way, you can never have too many plates of Vietnamese garlic noodles.   

Our next stop was Napa.

We stayed at Chateau de Vie.  This has been our third time here, and we love it!  

Besides the complimentary wine and cheese service, the breakfast here is BANGING!

Who doesn't love the refreshing taste of watermelon and mint in the morning?

Corn griddles!!  Actually, I may be wrong on that name.  But they tasted like cornbread waffles.  Yup, like heaven!

PRESS:  It was AMAZING.  I still dream about their kobe steak.  Get the mixed grill! 

Date night!

Hellooooo, Mendocino.  It was my first time there.  It was so beautiful. And for 48 hours, I did not see a non-white person.  It was a little bizarre.

I don't know what I'm doing here.  It resembles the aggressive move you make before you fight.

Doesn't this look like an ad for eHarmony?  I guess if you didn't notice the couple down there, it wouldn't.

The most epic bubble bath.  Even Mr. Bubbles couldn't touch this.

Here are some leftover photos from Oregon.

Yes, I always hike while doing Vanna White poses.

We did a corn maze. We sneezed a lot afterward.

Peek a boo!

Have a great week!

How to Keep Necklaces Untangled

I hate spending time unraveling these messes.

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I loved this idea I saw from Real Simple Magazine.

image via Real Simple

This is ideal for keeping chain necklaces untangled as you travel.  However, I find that my necklaces magically get tangled even just sitting in my jewelry box.  What a cool way to reuse straws!  You can also cut the straws for anklets and bracelets.

For Some, Double iPhones = Double Rainbows

Hi.  I don't use an iPhone.  I think they are ridiculously priced. 

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This is not a cute case.  It illustrates what an iPhone actually does --eats all of your money.
And then you get robbed because you are walking around with a $650+  device in your hand.  $850 for a 64GB phone?  Will my future children expect to have such pricey phones?  Kill me now.

Despite my iPrice contempt, many people are excited that Apple officially unveiled their two iPhone products, the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c.

Travel Fashion

I took the challenge to pack only enough for a carry-on for this trip.  After successfully doing so, I arrived in Portland only to realize that I totally didn't have enough outfits.  As the days went by, this did not become an issue.  I kept gravitating toward spandex and elastic waistbands.  The same two workout-ish outfits.  It's impressive how cute women look while traveling.  These fashionable females wear heels, jingly accessories, body-clinging materials, and belts.  I just keep in mind whether I will be active or sitting down for long periods of time.  If I'm sitting while flying or riding in the car, you better believe I'll be wearing a loose dress or forgiving lower body encasements.  Who likes those angry red lines in your flesh at the waist and behind the knees??  

I am hoping on arriving toward the perfect balance.  Having comfy clothes and nice you-will-look-so-fabulous-in-destination-pictures clothes.  Because what is the point of getting a beautiful scenic background when your loose, comfortable shirt gives you major mom body?  No offense, moms.

I guess in the end it shouldn't matter as long as you have enough underwear. 

Hey, wanna see what I tried on at Target? I'm obsessed with French Bulldogs, so this shirt made me so happy.  I didn't buy it because a) I need to stop buying shit, and b) it made me look like a box.

This is my view right now.  Doing the West Coast wind down.  I just saw some of my old teacher friends (as in back-in-the-day friends with whom I taught, not elderly teachers).  And about to meet up with a college friend.  I love meeting up with buddies around the country.  It totally stresses out my husband to travel because he feels super obligated to meet every single friend that lives in the city we visit.  Then he feels horribly guilty for not reaching out to these people.  If they have kids, my husband has irrational thoughts about his friends thinking that he must loathe their offspring because why would he NOT want to meet their children????!! 

I don't know.  I just figure true friends understand if you guys can't meet up.  Shit happens.

Bump Up Your Eyeshadow Color with White Eye Pencil

Have you ever been disappointed when the beautifully bright eye shadow you bought results in a DULL color on your eyelid?  

Pop those colors, girl!
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An easy trick to use is to color your entire eyelid with a white pencil to provide a nice, light canvas for your eyeshadow.  A popular one is the NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk.

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What I Haven't Been Doing to Protect Myself on a Flight

I've been traveling.  I'm aware that plane environments suck.  The cabin air just zaps all the moisture out of your skin.  So I've been pretty smug about my relatively new habit of smearing on layers of hydrating lotion and lip balm.  I was even considering bringing a spray bottle and misting myself during the flight.  Isn't that what celebrities do? Except with Evian water.

The voice in my head: "Oh, look! My skin is so happy! And I'm so good at drinking water. Pat on MY back."  Then I read some horrifying article about how you are subjected to more intense UV radiation in planes as you are in high altitudes where a thinner ozone layer is present.  The standard plate glass doesn't entirely filter out the UV rays.  So you should be wearing at least SPF 30 while you fly. 

That's GREAT to know.  Since my face is usually right HERE throughout the flight.  Pressed up against that no-good window.  With NO SPF protection whatsoever.

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I've been saving my SPF-loaded moisturizers for being outside, not for when I was in what I thought was the protected womb of an airplane!  Silly me.  Also, it's psychological, but I would feel more "dirty" when I wore lotion with SPF on long flights.  So I just...wouldn't. Armed with this fear-inducing information, I am changing my ways.  SPF, all the way for me!  And just to be on the safe side, I'll be closing those shades.  A peek now and then will suffice!

What about you?  Have you been a lot smarter than me in protecting your skin on flights? 

I hope so!

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Venice Film Festival

Diane Kruger is hitting some "Best Dressed" lists in this purple velvet Alberta Ferretti gown.  

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The dress is reminiscent of royalty.  But it looks heavy, hot (as in VERY warm), and oppressive.  It makes me miss her ethereal look from last year's Cannes Film Festival.  What do you think?  

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Is it just me or can Sandra Bullock do no wrong?  

Here she is in a vibrant 3-toned Alex Perry frock with the lime green color blocking cinching her waist oh-so-nicely!

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Let's not forget that entrance to the Venice Film Festival Opening Ceremony + Gravity Premiere!

Sandra was a ruby stunner in a J Mendel Resort 2014 dress and Roger Vivier ankle-strap heels.  Can we say perfection?

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Pajama Chic

Ah, the day after Labor Day. Waking up can be tough after a 3-day weekend of relaxing. You may not have been able to sleep in today, but with the current sleep wear fashion trend, feel free to roll right out of bed and into the streets rocking your pajamas.

Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter 2013 Runway Looks

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Louis Vuitton Fashion Show

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Happy Labor Day! Week in Pics.

One way to fight stress is to pamper oneself.  I convinced my friend to join me in shoving pasta into our faces after a terrible day, and she convinced me to run to Central Park with her.  A bonus was that I got to accompany her on one of her errands...a trip to the nail salon.  I didn't mind partaking in the activities. Here are my nails in Essie's My Fair Lady.

I always wondered why some people are so adamant about closing the lid when a toilet is not in use.  I get it now. 

And I totally would have still used this, but I didn't want to get E.coli in my eyes.  If it were face cream, it would have been a different story.