My Beauty Essentials

So I wanted to try something new for today’s blog. I wanted to give vlogs a try again and run through my daily beauty routine. Unfortunately, the sound decided to disappear from my video footage rendering it all useless. Fun, right? Thank goodness it was shot during the tropical storm so it’s not like I had a lot to do regardless. So here is my second attempt. I’ve put together a list of all my daily beauty essentials to share with you. Since I don’t consider myself a “beauty queen” per say, feel free to chime in with recommendations and tips.

This is my daily face.
Approve? ;)

& these are the products I use to achieve it:

1. Estee Lauder’s Violet Underground eyeshadow palette
2. Revlon Color Stay Foundation
3. NYC Cover Stick
4. Bobbi Brown Loose Powder
5. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
6. NYC Big Bold Mascara
7. Bobbi Brown Blush (pink rose)
8. Bobbi Brown Lipstick (uber suede)
9. Bobbi Brown Lip Shimmer (uber suede)

I like to mix up high-end products with drugstore to create a flawless, natural face. I think it’s honestly what every girl should try to achieve, not only with makeup but also with wardrobe/accessories. A few key designer items mixed with affordable pieces. Your face should be no different! So do you have anything to add? What can you not do without in your makeup bag?

What I Wore: Polka Dots & Hurricanes

Unfortunately, this weekend consisted of a whole lot of rain, wind and boredom thanks to Tropical Storm Isaac. That means there was basically zero opportunities for an outfit post. Luckily, the hubs and I took two last week so I had one in “storage.” Perfect! Plus, it’s a good one. I’m already a fan of polka dots, stripes and basically any girly pattern, so I am beside myself that dots are making a huge statement this Fall! I love going shopping and seeing a bunch of polkies everywhere – it’s just so fun and whimsical. And you know I love those two adjectives when choosing pieces to add to my wardrobe. Pair it with sparkles, and you might as well put a fork in me: I’m done.

Blouse; Forever 21 {similar}
Jeans; J. Brand via Plato’s Closet
Sparkle loafers; Report via Marshall’s
[Read more…]

Ten.

Tomorrow marks 10 years since my husband first turned to me and said, “I guess we are dating now?” It’s hard to fathom that our relationship has been going strong for a decade. People reacted so negatively when we first began dating, saying that we were too young to talk about a future together and that we would eventually grow apart. Granted, our relationship has not been all unicorns and rainbows. There were a lot of bumps along the way that would have definitely pushed apart most, but we soldiered on and I have a feeling we always will. Relationships are not easy, they are not smooth and effortless despite what Pinterest quotes may lead you to believe.

I think the movie, Crazy Stupid Love (which made me cry like an asshole), summed it up best:

I should have fought for you. Because you fight for your soul mates.

I will never stop fighting for you, Agustin Lovio Sanchez.
Happy anniversary baby. To our past, present and very bright future together.
I love you.

.10 year slideshow.

Winner of Estee Lauder Giveaway!

First off, thanks to everyone who participated in the giveaway and shared the love on Twitter! I appreciate any exposure my little blog can get! I’m glad all of you were excited about it, and I wish I had enough to send to everyone, but unfortunately, there can only be one winner.

And that winner is:

Congratulations, Tracy!!! I’ll be contacting you shortly to get your mailing address so I can send you your prize as soon as possible! Look out for another fun beauty review coming soon!

Happy Hump Day {Role Reversal}: Gwen Stefani

The other half of my favorite celebrity couple. Once upon a time, when I was 15, I discovered that Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale were dating while listening to the radio. On that day, I decided I hated Gwen Stefani and would make it my life mission to destroy her (but still listen to her music nonstop, duh). Obviously, Gavin was going to marry me – is that so hard to understand??? Last year Eventually, I realized maybe that wasn’t going to happen, so I decided it was easier to love them together. It wasn’t exactly the hardest thing to do – they are so adorable. And let’s face it, during all those anti-Gwen years, I secretly idolized her and her amazing style, energy and confidence. And that really hasn’t changed since. I still admire her for being such a style icon, an entrepreneur & an overall fierce bitch.

Who else is beside themselves about the new No Doubt record coming out next month?
I can barely contain myself!

[Read more…]

Nanodots Taste Bad

For those of you that don’t know what Nanodots are, they are super fun magnetic dots that you can play with as just stress relief or use to create some pretty neat stuff. I got to know a lot about them when I visited their booth at Comic Con’s Wired Cafe, and they are a really great product. Unfortunately, looks like their safety has recently been scrutinized due to some questionable activity by competitors. Namely, these competitors decided to sell their version of this product in baby/nursery stores. I honestly have no idea why anyone would think that would be a good idea, considering they are very small balls that could easily be ingested by a baby or small child, but I digress.

Needless to say, Nanodots weren’t too happy about this, and to ensure that their product would be safe, even if someone made the poor judgement to share them with their infant or small child, they added a protective coating to the product making it taste very…undesirable. And that’s an understatement. I figured just writing it wouldn’t really have an impact, so I brought a case of the dots to a recent party and had my friends taste test them, after all, who is more honest than your best friends? I’m pretty sure I’ll never be invited anywhere again.

 

I think that proves their point (boy, were those expletives difficult to edit out). No one would want those anywhere near their mouth (even our hands had the residue for quite some time after), so A+ to you all over at Nanodots!

What I Wore: Green & Yellow

Sorry, that is a pretty terrible Black and Yellow reference.

I should stick to clothes. And that I will! Remember when I used to be scared to color block and incorporate too many colors at once? Long gone are those days. I now love grabbing multiple colors and trying to figure out how I can make them work together. Case in point: green and yellow. This combo literally made me want to grab my car keys and go to the beach. Doesn’t it look like I need a mojito in my hand?

[Read more…]

Lovable Friday

1. Heart wall decal

I can’t get over this ADORABLE wall decal. I know the hubs will absolutely kill me if I buy it for our home, but I’m severely tempted. Like, I may have the checkout screen staring back at me as we speak. Like, I may have hit the submit button. Oh well, he’ll get over it, right?

[Read more…]

Estee Lauder Giveaway!

So I know I don’t post too much about beauty here on the blog, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a beauty addict! I absolutely live for high end (& low end) makeup products. From a very young age, I started my makeup collection and I haven’t looked back since. Unfortunately for me, it has one pitfall: I don’t know how to apply any of it correctly. For this reason, I often feel like I’ve used a bunch of product, but no one can tell I’m wearing makeup. That’s why I can never go wrong with lipstick – now that I can apply!

That’s why I am totally digging Estee Lauder’s new punchy Pure Color Collection for Fall 2012. Among my favorites were their Violet Underground eyeshadow palette, which is one of my beauty staples now, and the beautiful lipsticks featured above. What I love the most is that each shade contains silver and gold sparkle pearls which neutralize lips, making them look beautiful on all skin tones for a faceted, sequined shine that sparkles. And you know I love sparkles!

But I don’t want to be greedy and keep them all for myself, which is why I’m hosting a giveaway (!!!) featuring some pretty sweet swag from the collection! Up for grabs is a lipstick in Violet Crush, lipgloss in Rebellious Violet and a powder eyeshadow in Cyber Ruby. I chose these 3 because I think they would make such a fun, punk statement for the edgy girl in all of us!

All you have to do to enter is:
(1) Add @somelificent on Twitter
(2) Tweet out the following: “I just entered to win makeup from Estee Lauder thx to @somelificent! You can enter too: http://melificent.com/?p=8627″
(3) Comment to this post letting me know that you did steps 1 & 2, along with your twitter handle for verification

Easy right? The winner will be announced a week from today, 8/23.
Good luck lady loves!

Happy Hump Day: David Beckham

I’m pretty sure I’m the only female that does not become a drooling, blubbering piece of goo when I see pictures of David Beckham. In fact, I always tell the hubs that he reminds me of a pirate. Maybe it’s his squinty little eyes? Maybe it’s the fact that I have heard his speaking voice? Maybe the problem is that I am looking at his face. Yep. That must be it.

[Read more…]