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