Barack Obama WINS!!!!!

I'm sooooooooooo overwhelmed with happiness and excitement! Words can not express how great this feeling is! I'm proud to be a witness of such a day in history I and many others thought we'd NEVER see! CONGRATS to the USA!!!!
Courtesy of http://www.patrickmoberg.com/

Celebrity Makeup: YES or A HOT MESS??

Running out of ideas as to how to do your makeup? No worries! Get a few ideas from your favorite celebrity. With a lil mascara, eyeliner, and a lipstick that compliments your look, you'll be celebrity ready. The following looks are definitely achievable at home. Take your pick:Ciara is wearing purple shadow rimmed over the top and bottom eyelids, with mascara and a black eyeliner.Beyonce is sporting the infamous brown smokey eye and she plays it down with a neutral lip.

Kim Kardashian has been toning it down lately. With an ultimate mascara to lengthen your lashes to the fullest, a pale pink blush, and a matte lipstick (Angel by MAC is her fave), you'll be well on your way.

Jada has a frosty eyelid going with chocolate brown eyeshadow outlined in her crease followed by a soft pink blush and berry lipgloss.

Now go get pretty for your nite on the town! xx

Butter Me Up

As we count down to the last three months of the year, it's going to get even colder! With that said, we'll need to butter up our temples like never before. Here are a few body butter options I've come across that will assist you in remaining soft, subtle, and moisturized during the winter months.

Thai Lemongrass by Pacifica, $15.95

SweetHoneyDipChocolateBrownSugah by Carol's Daughter, $18

Glistening Winterberry by Mary Kay, $26 (Pictured: Body Butter, Mist, & Wash)

Tangerine Grapefruit, Citrus Sage, Tropical Jasmine by Sephora, $4-$16 (*Recommended: Asian Ginger Body Butter, $4)

Daisy by Marc Jacobs, $92

Papaya Body Butter by Black Opal, $8.95

Cake Eating & Little Darlings

Happy Birthday to MEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Today is a milestone. I'm emotional, excited, and anxious all at the same time...ooooooweeeeeee! Enough about me...on to the MAC Holiday Gift Collections that will be gracing the public in 2 short days! Little Darlings: 5 Coral Lipglass/Lustreglass
Lipglass: Underage, Ola Mango!, Pink Grapefruit
Lustreglass: Wonderstruck, Budding

Little Darlings: 5 Pink
Lipglass: Fleur Delight, Song And Dance, Magnetique
Lustreglass: Flashmode, Little VI

Little Darlings: 5 Neutral Lipglass/Lustreglass
Lipglass: C-Thru, Mouthwatering, Languish
Lustreglass: Love Nectar, Beaux

Little Darlings: 5 Softsparkle/Eye Pencils
Black Funk, Fab Orchid; Peacocked, Mint & Olive, Chocolight

This collection will also feature collections of:
Warm & Cool Pigment/Glitters
Lip Palettes
Eyeshadow Palettes
3 Brush Sets

Exciting, Right!?!?!

Color Me Nails

Dazzling collections of nail colors are in effect this year:

Yoga-Ta Get This Blue..by the one and only-OPI

Lady Godiva...by Essie $8

Teal (left) & No More War (below)...by Rescue Beauty Lounge $18 each

Also HAVE to mention as I'm screaming excited that I was quoted on All Women's Talk blog about brand name Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish!! Go ahead...see for yourself!!

You Light Up My Life!

It doesn't matter if you're sitting at your desk working up a storm, cooking it up in the kitchen, cleaning the house from top to bottom, or soaking up the suds and relaxing your day away in your garden tub! Candles will always set the mood and help you relax no matter what.

Lets look at a few selections below:

Soy candles by Ergo. These candles last forever and smell so delicious (ergo.com)

Altru Harmony Aromatic Soy Blend Candle ($55, gamillahboutique.com)

Henri Bendal Collection..the Pomegranate is my fave (bathandbodyworks.com)

Diffuser's..it seems like these scented firecrackers are becoming the new phenomenon. ($24, westelm.com)

Luscious

While I was in the bookstore reading a magazine, I kept smelling this feminine fragrance that was soft and almost smelled similar to baby powder but a bit better. I flipped a couple pages forward, and voila! What I come to is Mariah Carey's Luscious Pink that came out a few months ago. While I'm not big on celebrity launches in perfume, I think this may just be the one that gets me into the mall to buy. I'm heading over to Macy's today!

The Fall of Beauty Books

Fall is officially here and it's been forever since I've updated this blog. I seriously need to do better!

I've been in the bookstore catching up on some must reads that are perfect for curling up on the couch by the fireplace with a cozy blanket and a hot cup of blackberry tea! Here's my list:

Effortless Style....by June Ambrose

The One Hundred...by Nina Garcia

Daily Candy AtoZ


Before You Put That On....by Lloyd Boston

One Fifth Avenue.....by Candace Bushnell

The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style

Practically Posh: The Smart Girls Guide to a Glam Life....by Robyn Moreno

Fabulousity...by Kimora Lee Simmons

Happy Reading!

The Beauty of Savannah

Had the pleasure of visiting one of my favorite cities in the nation...Savannah! It's been a few years since my last visit-so as soon as I arrived, I immediately remembered that there's so much beauty here in this best kept secret of the south!! When I was done with the makeup gig, I headed out to catch up on the latest and greatest of this historic town!

Took this pic in the car when I first got off the highway..so excited!

Dinner at Corleone's! Shrimp & Scallop Kabob over Garlic Penne Pasta...so yummy!

Bay St. which has restaurants, hotels, shopping...the infamous bridge that leads into South Carolina, and Broughton Street for shopping, eats, and theatre!
No matter where I'm visiting, I can never get away from my hometown, Chicago!

Who knew I would stumble across the #1 Marc Jacobs Boutique in the nation! Talk about lovely everything in this place! I was in shock & awwwe feeling like I had just stepped into a handbag museum..ha!

The best pralines EVER are found at River Street Sweets!

Oh Savannah!

Yes We Are!

Congrats are in order as Barack Obama has made history. As I'm sure you know, he is the first African-American to claim a major party ticket in a presidential nomination. And Michelle..love that dress! Let the games begin...

My homegirl in Ohio called me this evening raving about a new hair care product. Kinky Curly Curling Custard is a rinse out conditioner or leave in gel for thicker curlier hair types. She mentioned that frizz is non-existent when she uses it and you don't have to use it everyday because it lingers on & is flexible on styling. I was instantly sold! I sport a huge, curly fro yet sometimes I want to change it up. Will definitely be hitting up the salon this weekend to pick up what seems to be the answer to taking my tresses to yet another level!

The New Mary Kay

Mary Kay Cosmetics has revamped their line. Not only have they come out with a line of mineral powder foundations, eyeshadows, blushes, and bronzers-they have completely changed their image. That's right, no more pink or platinum compacts. It's all black and offers a sleek, comfortable fit for your pocketbook. See for yourself...

What I like most about the new colors is that they are bold and yet suttle and natural. Weather you're looking for a classic day or night look, MK holds no bars. Shop here.