Shoe-gasm

2.16.2010

Bags are my weakness but every once in a while I come across a shoe that causes my heart rate to speed up a little and I relish in a moment of sheer enjoyment... A shoe-gasm.

MICHAEL Michael Kors Gansevoort Platform Sandal (shown above in Pumice) just sent me over the edge. It's a little plain in style but I love the color and the platform heel. I'm only 5'3" so I need a little additional height. I was on Nordstrom's website looking for something to spend my birthday gift card on when I came across these shoes. I think I'll stalk them for a while to see if they go on sale.

I have a couple of cute shirtdresses that would look great with these sandals. Add a fresh pedicure with a couple of coats of Essie Mint Candy Apple and I'll be walking down the Chicago streets as if I have my own theme music playing.






picture courtesy of Nordstrom.com

My New (Simple) Skin Care Regimen

Nothing annoys me more than the fact that I am well past my teen years and still suffer from the occasional breakout. I have tried to maintain my stress as best as I can but it hasn't been easy. Unfortunately, whatever I am going through acts out on my face. The past few months the breakouts have been crazy. Nothing I have tried has worked so I had to schedule an appointment with my dermatologist. I took all the products I had been using on my face and subjected myself to her gentle scolding.

My derm informed me that I was using way too much on my face and was probably making the situation worse. She suggested that I stop using all the cleansers and of course told me Cetaphil was the only cleanser I needed. Honestly, Cetaphil just doesn't cut it for my skin anymore. She prescribed Tretinoin Cream and a 60 day oral antibiotic, Doxycycline.
I tweaked the regimen a little, I know, I know, I should follow doctor's orders but I know that Cetaphil does nothing for my skin. It doesn't clean particularly well. While looking for a gentle cleanser with zero bells, whistles, and empty promises, I decided on Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash. I've been on this regimen for almost two weeks. I'll let you guys know how its working for me in a few weeks.

What's your current skin care routine? I'd love to know so please leave a comment!






Farewell Mr. McQueen...

2.11.2010














I'm a Bag Balm Believer Baby

2.10.2010

Bag. Balm. Not exactly words that would have you anxious to grab the huge green tin off the drugstore shelf. I've seen Bag Balm for years at various stores and always turned my nose up at it, as I reached for some other heavy duty moisturizer.

For whatever reason the heavy duty moisturizers I normally use on my heels have all turned against my tootsies.

After a week of use, I'm a Bag Balm believer! This ointment is amazing!! My heels have never been smoother (not that they were rough to begin with, can't have the world thinking I have gross feet, lol). Wearing thick wool socks and heavy boots during the winter takes all the moisture out of your feet, but Bag Balm is some kind of wonderful. I slather it on after showering and slip into white socks and wake up to perfectly smooth soft heels. I've even started wearing a light layer of the balm during the day. It really has helped a lot.

I won't lie, the pungent medicinal scent didn't exactly woo me, but now I hardly notice the smell. Bag Balm will be a staple in my winter skin care kit going forward.


Haute Vintage Fab

2.09.2010


My fellow blogger, ChiTown Fashionista, posted this picture on her blog yesterday. The picture of six African American women (Howard University students) was taken by famed photographer, Addison Scurlock. I just had to share this with you guys.

EVERYTHING about this picture is talking to me. In a past life, I imagine I lived during this period of time because I've always loved cloche hats, pearls, broaches, dainty gloves, and having a fox (faux) stole has been my lifelong dream. Everyone looks so elegant and they're at a college football game! I wish dressing up like this was still in style. I wonder what the ladies were gabbing about as they intently watched the game... Cute players? Debating on what to wear to the dance later that evening?

This picture has given me some much needed style inspiration because I love to dress up but I rarely do anymore. Its okay to get a little jazzy with your attire even if the occasion really doesn't warrant such fancy threads. Stand out among the rest and own that style moment.

What do you think of the picture?

For more information:

http://www.blackhistoryalbum.com/

Addison Scurlock Exhibit

Addison Scurlock Article







picture courtesy of Black History Album

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week

2.07.2010


True confession, I have been lusting after the Marc by Marc Jacobs Dr. Q Lil' Riz hobo for a nice long time. Its pictured above in dark portobello (gorgeous color), which I think is a pretty versatile neutral that can go with many outfits. I'm so over the basic leather bags in black and brown. I'm always on the hunt for other neutral options.

Marc Jacobs has created several versions of the Dr. Q Lil' Riz. Its availabe in nylon, has pleats, a twisted handle, and there are several colors including a vibrant purple, bold orange, kelly green, pale pink, ivory and the list goes on.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Dr. Q Lil' Riz hobo is a great bag to add to your collection if you have an extra $400+ laying around ;)


Alek Wek & Diptyque (RED)




Chic supermodel and author, Alek Wek joined in the (RED) campaign awareness in support of the new (diptyque) RED Special Edition candle. The limited edition candle is a unique blend of rose-scented African Rooibos Tea and Madagascar Vanilla. I can just imagine how heavenly it smells.

Ten percent of the sale of each candle will go to support Africans living with HIV.

Click here to purchase Diptyque (RED)

Join (RED) Blog

Go Red For Women

2.05.2010


Today (February 5th) is National Wear Red Day. In support of my Twitter buddy, www.twitter.com/raijean I'll be wearing a cute red tee underneath a gray cardi later today.

Let's not only 'go red' in support of the cause, let's get educated about heart disease and learn how to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.


For more information:

Go Red For Women

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week

1.25.2010

This week's Haute Bag Lady pick is the Louis Vuitton NeverFull PM in Damier Ebene Canvas.

Isn't she gorgeous! I love, love, love, Louis Vuitton. Lately I'm more partial to the Damier Ebene print. The NeverFull is the ideal luxury tote, perfect for work, travel, and weekend errands. Its a classic style in a classic print that would work with a variety of outfits.

This haute bag is $700.00. A great investment to make if the price is within your budget because you'll have the bag forever.


Check out the world of Louis Vuitton



Press Play: Corinne Bailey Rae - Like A Star

1.24.2010

After a three year abscence, the eclectic and uber talented Corinne Bailey Rae is back.

"Like A Star" was the song that came on and everything around me had to stop. The lyrics, the melody. There was just nothing like it on the radio.

I can't wait to to get Corinne's new cd, "The Sea" this Tuesday.

Welcome back Corinne. You were missed!

A Life of Style: Hair Care Boot Camp 2010

Happy Sunday! I've been feeling some kind of way about my hair so I decided to blog about it. I'm long overdue for a Hair Care Boot Camp update so I'm bringing this series back in a big way for Twenty-10.

My last Hair Care Boot Camp post was ahem, quite some time ago and so much has changed. Back then I was growing my hair out and really wanted to achieve a certain length. Well I made an impulsive decision on December 5th, 2009 and got my hair cut short. Fast forward to today and I am so over my hair cut. I'm so over my hair cut, I need a new word for over. I loved my hair cut for about three weeks but now I regret going short. So I'm back on my healthy hair regimen...again.

Throughout my recent hair journey, I have discovered that when I am stressed out, my hair suffers. Last summer was a particularly stressful time in my life and by September my hair was not doing well at all. My stress level has reached an all time high and the damage is done. I cut my hair because I needed a change. I was hoping to feel more sassy and chic. You know channeling my inner Mary J. Blige or something. Well the feeling of sassy and chic hung around for three, four days at the most. Perhaps I really wasn't ready to go short.


If I can just get my bob (pictured at right) back by June, I'll be very happy.

Wish me luck!!!!

Hair Care Boot Camp rides again...

Lip Balm Love: C.O. Bigelow

1.21.2010

Hello fabulous world! It's Thursday and we have made it this far. As P. Diddy says via Twitter: "Let's go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Yes, he uses that many exclamation points and sometimes more, lol!

After reading Latoicha of Luxe Tips™ review of C.O. Bigelow's My Favorite Lip Balm, I headed to the C.O. Bigelow store in the Water Tower to make my purchase. There was a special offer of 3 lip balms for $15, so I chose the Mentha Lip Buffer and Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint in Plum. Both products normally retail for $7.50 so I lucked up on a sweet deal, saving about $7.00. Ca-Ching!

The Mentha Lip Buffer is a mixture of peppermint oil, shea and cocoa butter with sugar crystals. I've used this twice a week since purchasing and love the results. This is a gentle lip exfoliant. I follow up with My Favorite Lip Balm and I'm good to go.

I'm a longtime fan of the Mentha Lip Tints and the plum shade is a pretty neutral color. I use my MAC Cork lip liner and fill in slightly with MAC Oak lip liner and apply the tint on top.

The buffer and lip balm are must haves especially for this time of the year. These products are A Life of Style approved!

For more information:

My Favorite Lip Balm


Mentha Lip Buffer


Mentha Lip Tints

A Life of Style Meets Dr. Miracle's

1.20.2010

Today was a really good day. Everything flowed according to plan (that rarely happens). I was on time for all my appointments. My hairstylist got me in and out of the salon in record time. I ate four mini cupcakes from Sugar Bliss (ignore that). And the icing on the cake was meeting the fabulous ladies behind the Dr. Miracle's brand.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Brand Educator, Kathleen Johnson and Marketing Director, Joelle Joseph, who visited the Windy City for television appearances and meeting local bloggers.

We chatted about hair care, Dr. Miracle's extensive product line, transitioning from relaxed to natural hair, and the importance of getting and keeping your hair healthy.

I must admit, before today I was not familiar with Dr. Miracle's products at all. I've never used them. Luckily I was given the opportunity to test some products before today's meeting.

As many of you know, my hair is relaxed and the bulk of my hair care takes place within a salon. Today I got my usual shampoo, conditioning treatment, and wrap. I took Dr. Miracle's 2 in 1 Tingling Shampoo & Conditioner, and the Healing Leave in Treatment & Conditioner. I always apply organic coconut oil to my hair as a pre-shampoo treatment one or two days before having my hair washed. As an extra treat, I applied the Intensive Healing Oil Hair & Scalp Treatment as well.


While I applied the oil to my scalp, the slightly sweet yet medicinal scent took me back to a wonderful childhood memory. My great-grandmother used some sort of hair dressing that had a similar aroma. I used to help her brush her hair when I was about three years old. The power of scent is a very real thing.
My scalp tingled a little which I liked. I wrapped my hair with a silk scarf like always and this morning my hair was so soft and my scalp did not itch.

During the harsh Chicago winters, my scalp is especially dry and itchy. The healing scalp oil calmed all the itching.

My stylist's assistant used the shampoo and she liked the fragrance. I liked the tingle. Tingling means its working! Even though the shampoo has conditioner already mixed in, she insisted on a deep conditioning treatment under the hair dryer. After my hair was rinsed, she applied the usual wrapping foam. I asked her to mix the foam with the healing leave in treatment and conditioner. I went back under the dryer for an hour.

Once my hair was dry, my stylist began his job of styling me pretty. My hair had a lot of shine; I was amazed at how great my hair looked and felt. Trying new hair products always makes me nervous. I'm never sure if the product (s) will make my hair feel like a Brillo pad. That was not the case today. I'm excited to try more Dr. Miracle's products now and tell you all about them in the weeks to come.

While speaking with Joelle and Kathleen, I learned so much about Dr. Miracle's products and company. Each product heals an issue plaguing African-American hair - heat styling, chemical over processing, dryness, and breakage. Heal the hair, then nurture it and it will grow.

If you've used Dr. Miracle's products, I'd love to know how well they worked for you. Please leave a comment or send me an email. Over the next few days, I'll be posting more about Dr. Miracle's products and there may even be a giveaway. So stay tuned to A Life of Style!

For more information:




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