Make-up Must Have Mondays

As a make-up artist, it is my duty to stay up on trends-yes? That's what i tell myself every time I get sucked into Sephora! Black & brown eyeliners are the equivalent to the little black dress in a woman's wardrobe, a must! These 24/7 liners from Urban Decay are rich and creamy & stay put.

Looking over the fall launches, I was again drawn to Urban Decay due to their packaging. I scooped up Eye Ink in black in a sleek container complete with peacock feathers & their new lipstick complete with a dagger in Apocalypse. The cream liner was a little drier than I normally work with, so it didn't give me as clean of a line as I like for my signature cat eye. It's fine for smudging into the lash line. Urban Decay's Fall Lipsticks included a deep purple, deep wine & black colors. Yes-a little warning my beauties that black lips are on fall's fashion forecast...just say no! Though the wine & purple look intimidating- they're actually very wearable. Plus, the packaging is to die for! Few can pull black off however, unless it's Halloween!

These try me kits from Sephora are genius! They're a great way to sample several lines' best sellers at a great price. Suffering through the sweltering August heat has led me to use shadow primers more than usual to keep things in place. This kit had Too Faced & Urban Decay Shadow Primers, as well as goodies from Stila, Smashbox, Cosmedicine & many more! I set aside products that I know I won't use for the holidays when I give my mom & sisters Beauty Bonanza Boxes full of products. They love them & it's never too early to get a start on the holidays!

Peace. Love. Make-up. M

Feature Friday

I have a huge movie buff my beauties. I'm also a creature of habit. Most weekends Movie Girl & I enjoy our Sunday Matinee, then head to California Pizza Kitchen for salads & wine. I always say 2 hours outside of my head is priceless! We have Regal Crown Cards, we're that big of movie goers & we're not ashamed to use them! This past month has been a blur- NYC for work, vacation & birthdays have denied us of our fix. What oh what to see this weekend? I haven't read Time Traveler's Wife, but I love Rachel McAdams. (Eric Bana isn't too shabby, either!)

I have loved Bradley Cooper since his days on Alias (pre Renee & Jennifer drama.) All About Steve looks hysterical with Sandra Bullock. I love that at 44 she's never looked better & that she has no problems making a fool of herself. There are very few female physical comedians left and she rocks it out.

I love the Deschanel sisters, Emily and Zoe- talk about talented DNA! Zoe is also an amazingly gifted singer, whose band She & Him is featured on 500 Days of Summer's soundtrack. It has been hailed as the indie film of the summer and looks to be a slightly neurotic love story(my fave.)

Last but not least, Alexis Bledel from my beloved Gilmore Girls. That series brought me so much joy, I want to live in fictional Sleepy Hollow. I'm not kidding, I almost loved it as much as Felicity. Sure Post Grad looks a bit fluffy, but who didn't have a midlife crisis after graduating college? I'm sure we can all relate. It also features Zach Gilford from Friday Night Lights, another show I'm obsessed with! So what's a girl to do? Which to choose? What are your favorites? Do tell my beauties. Happy Friday!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Lovely Louboutins

Hello luvah. The new Fall '09 Louboutin line was unveiled at Bergdorf Goodman's this week. I have fallen in love....

I wouldn't even be able to walk in these with my back, mind you, but they are so hot! I meant style wise, but I'm sure they'd also keep you quite toasty in the winter, too.

I have coveted the nude leather version of the Prive, suede is shown here, for ages. I love a little black dress with nude pumps- it's a great trick to elongate the legs.

I was at a wedding the other weekend, and a friend of mine had on a quite simple outfit paired with an amazing pair of leopard heels. I love outfits that make you do a double take. As for me, I'll take all four pairs!
Peace. Love. Louboutin. M

Design Star

Has anyone been watching Design Star? Though it still doesn't top my favorite Top Design, it's satisfying my cravings in the interim. I'm addicted. This year one of the judges is my beloved Candice Olsen from Divine Design. She is truly a magician! So now I daydream about interior design. Elle Decor might be nudging out Us Weekly as my favorite magazine- I said maybe! I decorate my imaginary beach house in all white starting with this very glam headboard from Pottery Barn.

I'm inspired everywhere I turn these days. This lighting fixture was in the Nordstrom intimates department. Feathers & crystals? Yes please!

Walking by XIV, a division of Forever 21, I had to enter due to its fabulousness! The lucite candelabras, sparkly chandeliers, and intricate moldings took my breath away. It's as if they took a castle's interior and dipped it in crisp white paint. This is what heaven looks like to me! What are your most favorite design looks?

Peace. Love. Design. M

St.Michaels.Calm

There is something about when I drive over the Bay Bridge to go to St. Michaels ... a sense of peace that immediately comes over me.

It's a small town with a slower pace that makes me stop and take a breath. Something I forget to do in my normal frantic pace of owning a business. Bailey was so at home in his element on the Chesapeake Bay, he made me smile everyday in how he was enjoying the simple things in life.

Things become clearer when you're near the water. I swear it has more healing properties than any medication could ever have.

Now back at work, it's so easy to fall right back into a frenzy when trying to get caught up on the paperwork, phone calls, etc...I just need to remember this state of mind.

Peace. Love. Calm. M

Summer Nemesis

Cellulite? Unsightly hair? Those of you who know that I'm an esthetician would probably think that those would be my answers. But no my beauties, what is my biggest nemesis at the moment? Horseflies. While frolicking in the pool during my vacation, these brazen beasts continuously dive bombed moi & my guests. When I got bitten by one, I surely assumed it was a wasp. My foot swelled & it was so painful, I felt like I must be a wuss if it was just a horsefly bite. Favorite cousin T assured me that I wasn't a wimp & that she had felt like she had been shot the last time she was bitten. And yes that is there actual size, though when flying at you I swear they have a 6" wingspan & sound like a helicopter!

After hearing the stories, Partner in Crime came prepared for her visit gifting me with the Moskito Finito from Restoration Hardware. Those strings are electric my friends! I started to fear after spastically swinging the racquet that I would accidentally electrocute myself...

Though slightly bitter about my constant uninvited guests, looking back they provided me with some of my funniest memories of the vacation. Being mocked for doing my frantic 'get away/shoo' dance & then seeing my friends do their very own interpretation...By accident dousing Kristen of All Things Lovely with one of my many weapons from my chemical arsenal in the pool. Being so relieved when she got her eyesight back (I jest!) Reflecting on the week it brings a smile to my face, that is now safely back in the suburbs. Ah, there's no place like home.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Going for Broke in St. Michael's

It's a girl's prerogative to change her mind- yes? Though I have long loved Coco & Company, I stumbled upon my new favorite store in St. Michaels- "Take Me Home."

Adorable owner Regina has stocked her fabulously shabby chic boutique to the brim with all things girly! Candles, stationary, linens- oh my! Many adorned with my beloved crown motifs!

The atmosphere is of the most perfect beach cottage. You'll never want to leave! Tell her I sent you!

Peace. Love. Shopping. M

Going for Broke in St. Michael's

Are my beauties sensing a theme here? Yes, I admit it. I'm addicted to shopping. The thrill of the discovery, the swipe of the credit card, the resulting giddiness. St. Michael's offers a bevy of one of a kind shops which always serve as inspiration for my own.

My favorite store in town is called Coco & Company. It's one of those stores that you just want to move into because it feels so 'homey.' It's a mish mash of housewares & apothecary products- yet somehow it just works.

Patient One picked up a pair of vintage earrings for a gift & I scooped up some of their much adored goat's milk and honey soap. The soap which is a cult favorite comes complete with embossed bee. Every girl is a Queen Bee in her own mind!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Bring on the Pampering!

Patient One & I treated ourselves to Enzyme facials at the Linden Spa within the historic Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michael's.

I was eager to try their services A) since I'm usually the pamperer, not the pamperee B) They use Epicuren Skincare which is based of the enzyme within the lining of a human mouth. Fascinating to me, it might be disgusting to you beauties, but research shows that the lining of the mouth heals the quickest on the body when injured....What does this mean? Incredibly rapid cell turn over & rejuvenation! Noreen, my esthetician, was fabulous! Such a treat!

Peace. Love. Pamper. M

Hostess Extraordinaire!

I'm really pulling this hostess thing off! I truly am fooling my beauty team into thinking I'm the hostess with the mostess! I've been obssessed with these Oatmeal Jam Bars, since my neighbor whipped them up & got me addicted. I'm not a fruit dessert loving kind of girl, but these are amazing & so simple to make! Perfect as a dessert or breakfast treat.

Ingredients:

-1 package yellow cake mix

-2 1/2 cups quick cooking oats

-3/4 cup of butter

-12 ounce favorite jam or preserves

- 1 Tablespoon water

Directions:

*Combine cake mix & oats, then add melted butter

*Press 3/4 of this crumbly mixture into a greased 13x9x2 pan

*Mix jam & water & pour over crumb mixture in pan

*Top with remaining crumb mixture

*Bake 20-25 mins at 375 degrees or until brown

Enjoy!

Peace. Love. Devour! M

I'm No Martha

I've said this before. I'm no Martha Stewart. My sister is a hybrid of Martha Stewart & Bob Villa- she very well could be their secret love child. She's seriously just as handy with a power tool as she is with a KitchenAid Mixer. While I'm no domestic Goddess, I had no problems whipping up this delicious & super easy crab appetizer that my Mom had at a family dinner. I wanted to be alone with it, it was so good! This yummy hor d'ouerve & chilled white wine was waiting for my beauty team upon their arrival.

Ingredients:

-1 pound lump crabmeat

-1 container whipped cream cheese

-Store bought cocktail sauce or homemade to taste

Directions
* Gently mix crabmeat with softened cream cheese
* push mixture into a bowl & chill in fridge

* Invert bowl onto platter & top with cocktail sauce

*Serve with sturdy crackers of you choice

Yes my beauties, it really is that easy! So while not always confident in my homemaker capabilities, I can fake it with recipes like this. Besides we all have our own calling & I can rest assured being confident in my title of Glambassador!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Paul & Joe Beaute Fall 2009

Hello luvah. Girls, it's days like these that I love my job. We lovingly unpacked Paul & Joe's Fall 2009 Limited Edition Colection at the boutique today to the sounds of ohhhss & ahhhss!

Paul & Joe Beaute is relatively unknown in the United States, but it's a true gem. I scour the globe for little known treasures like this line. As an esthetician, it's so important that any make-up line we carry have amazing benefits to the skin & this line doesn't disappoint.

063 Breathless Eyeshadow Duo $24

Lipsticks like this sheer wearable plum are infused with extracts like olive oil, white lily & orange blossom water. 065 Cruising Lipstick $20

Did I mention the packaging is to die for?! Paul & Joe Beaute is created by fashion designer Sophie Albou whose clothing line shares the same moniker...What does that mean for little old moi & her beauties? That with each new season, we're treated to a new limited edition collection!

062 The Wild One Shadow Duo $24

Here kitty, kitty! Though it's hard to pick a favorite, this pinky, beige nude lipstick is mine! It's good to be a girl! 064 RPM lipstick $20. All items available at Peace Love Lipgloss
Peace. Love. Paul & Joe. M

Going for Broke in NYC

So Partner in Crime has opened my eyes to a whole new world- hair accessories! They have been a huge help while I'm in the midst of growing out my Posh Spice haircut. We found these gorgeous Chanel inspired patent flower headbands at the show. Both black & this soft neutral taupe are on their way to to the store. I can throw my hair in a simple ponytail, add this, and be out the door in a jiffy looking chic & polished.

Feathers are huge for this fall in terms of hair accessories. These feather clips look a little like spiders in this photo, but when placed in a simple ponytail or sleek bun give off the perfect vintage vibe. Trust me! When the shipment comes in at the boutique, I will post picks of them in my hair so you'll believe me!

Peace. Love. Feathers. M

Going for Broke in NYC

Yes the spending in NYC continued my sweets! I was eager to bring in this couture line of bold jewelry from Lauren G. Adams after personally buying one of their rings a year ago. I am in love with it. Though their pieces are substantial & garner attention, it's not in an obnoxious way- just pure fabulousity!

Here I am doing my 'represent' pose with some of the magnificent selections offered in the line. You can see my personal ring on the left ring finger. Whenever I wear it, people want to buy it off my hand!

I loved these simple, yet striking mother of pearl flower rings. They're reminiscent to me of a modern interpretation of Van Cleef & Arpels' version. These pieces, as well as necklaces & earrings are being packed to ship as we speak! Oh Happy Day!

Peace. Love. Accessories. M

Going for Broke in NYC

Look at these adorable whimsical little flasks that we discovered up in New York. I thought they would make great little gifts, so we had to scoop some up for the boutique! Check out the Mommy Time Out version- I'm sure all the new moms in my life can relate!

Here's Dawn, aka Partner in Crime, modeling one of the flasks. After such an exhausting day we needed a cocktail & some great italian food. We headed to Convivio at the suggestion of my fabulous friend Jen of PrepSchool101. It was divine!

With our full content tummies, we headed back to the hotel to get some shut eye & prepare to do it all over again the next day. Hey, someone's got to do it! It's my job(& pleasure) to have the latest and greatest accessories for my beauties.

Peace. Love. Cheers. M

Going for Broke in NYC

My lips are super sensitive, but as obvious by my moniker- lipgloss is my passion! I am a glossaholic. I'm addicted. I cannot say new to the promise of a shiny, nude lip. These non sticky Cosmoholic glosses contain a nourishing “repair kit” for your lips (crafted by a chemist; a nerdy one!) that feeds the skin, forming a barrier to keep nasty irritants out, so your lips don’t look older than the rest of your beautiful face!

Created by a fellow make-up artist, Cosmoholic lipgloss doesn’t contain fragrances (those are for perfume!), but vanilla flavors and macademia nut oil for moisturizing. It's also chock full of vitamin E (nature’s miracle vitamin), vitamin C, and antioxidants. Cosmoholic comes in 7 highly pigmented shades - my favorite was the perfect pinky, nude shade called Prudish Pink. All the girls at the spa are longingly keeping an eye out for the UPS delivery guy in eager anticipation of their arrival!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

The Magic of Matt

Hello Mr. Nathanson! I'm counting down the hours till I hear your sweet voice. Movie Girl & I are headed to Merriweather Post Pavillion tonight to see the uber talented Matt Nathanson. He's amazing live. Seriously awesome.

This was from a small gig (I love the intimate venues) a couple of months ago at RamsHead Live in Baltimore. I'm curious as to how he'll be in a huge concert arena, just due to the fact that he has a potty mouth. He's hysterically entertaining.

Matt will be opening for O.A.R., though he should be headlining in my opinion. Does that make me a bad person, especially since O.A.R. is a local act? Who knows, maybe another love affair will begin. Regardless a smile will be on my face from the moment he takes the stage. Happy Friday!

Peace. Love. Music. M

Going for Broke in NYC

Walk towards the light, or rather walk towards the sparkle! These amazing fabric bib necklaces are encrusted with jewels. This photo doesn't do their dazzle justice. Though weary and slightly delirious at the end of the day, when these necklaces caught our eye- we knew we had to have them! They tie at the back so they are completely adjustable from choker to 20" in length. From a basic T shirt to a little black dress, this necklace will make your outfit unforgettable!

Peace. Love. Accessory. M

Going for Broke in NYC

So Partner in Crime & I just got back from the Accessories Show in NYC. What is this? It is heaven, or rather a convention for jewelry & accessory vendors to display their wares for boutiques like mine to pick & choose what to carry in their stores. Overwhelming? Yes. Enough to make a girl giddy? Yes!

I was snapping away to give my beauties sneak peaks at what will be arriving in store and online for the fall & winter seasons. You'll see a lot of my picks for the store over the next few days...I hope you think they're as amazing as I do! First off(& I literally mean the 1st booth we saw) were these amazing resin & bead cuffs from the fabulous Jacob at Zirconmania. I love turquoise- it just makes everything pop. We got the 2 versions shown above as well as an amazing black cuff with red beadwork. They'll be a steal at $28 & will be in by early Septmember since Jacob is getting right to work on our order!

Peace. Love. Accessory. M