Sex and the City The Movie - Auld Lang Syne

My summer 2008 was ALL about Sex and The City The Movie. Love this version of Auld Lang Syne. Happy New Year!!!

A Life of Style: Happy New Year!!!!

How to Rock Your New Makeup

Take this quiz to find your best colors and the right way to wear them

Did your presents this year include some fun new makeup? Lucky! Find out how to wear all those new shades with this quiz. Take the quiz

A Life of Style: Revlon Touch of Mauve Mani

Today's n.o.t.d. is brought to you by Revlon Touch of Mauve, lol.

I decided on a lighter polish for this week's manicure because the weather in Chicago today was a sunny, 46 degrees. Besides the weather, I've been wearing dark polishes for over a month and wanted to switch it up a little. Before my manicure, I had to soak my nails at home for thirty minutes in a mixture of non-acetone remover and peroxide to get rid of all traces of the Jumpin' Jade.

This color looks more dusty pink and from what I know of mauve this isn't anywhere near it. Oh well, maybe Revlon got a little confused, lol.

Next week's mani: OPI You Don't Know Jacques

A Life of Style: Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara

Mascara is my drug and I swear I try nearly everyone that comes out. Currently, there are three mascara tubes taking up residence inside my makeup bag. Next to lip gloss, mascara is my favorite beauty product. My lashes are okay in the length department although I wouldn't be upset if they grew longer. My main issue is the volume my lashes lack. If a mascara promises volume I'm all over it.

Rimmel Sexy Curves boasts up to 70% curlier lashes with voluptuous volume, 16 hour curl hold, and a triple plump brush. Now, the 70% is a bit of a stretch, in my case I noticed significant curl and increased volume which I was very pleased with. I've only worn the mascara for about 7 to 8 hours at a time so I can't comment on the 16 hour claim.

When I pulled the brush out I was a little unsure about the triple plump brush and made a mess of my lashes because I was applying it too fast. I removed my first botched attempt, recurled my lashes and reapplied. My second attempt came out so much better. I was able to navigate the brush between my lashes and those three plumps help boost lashes to a fuller potential.

After a week of wearing Rimmel Sexy Curves and loving the results, I had to add it to my makeup bag and retire one of my other mascara MVPs, lol. This is a great drugstore mascara that retails for under $8. Let me know if you try it. I'd love to know what you think.

P.S. No clumps and no flakes...SCORE!!!!

Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara

Hand Cream Showdown

Find out which top hand hydrators our testers found desk drawer-worthy

Dry winter air making your hands all chapped and gross-looking? Join the club. Battle the dryness with one of these proven hand creams, your fingers will thank you. View creams

A Life of Style: Christmas Gift Haul

Hey Beautiful People!!!! How was your holiday? I hope you all had a great time time celebrating with family and friends.

Did you get everything you wanted? Any gifts leave you scratching your head in confusion? LOL!

My Christmas joy was cut short because of an evil headache that took hold of me. As the day wore on, the headache became worse. I was at my mom's house and not in the best of moods. I suffer from headaches quite a bit and the last thing anyone wants on a holiday is a freaking headache from hell. But, I digress. My gifts were greatly appreciated and that's what I enjoy most. I love giving gifts. I was very pleased by what I received, there were some surprises and I do enjoy a good surprise.

So here's my 2008 Christmas Gift Haul:

• 450 thread count sheet set in pale gray (but the color looks more silver to me)
  
• 600 thread count sheet set in pale lilac
  
• Jensen iPod Docking Digital Music System (LOVING this!!!!!!)


• Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker


• 2 cookbooks
  
• Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual


• Style A to Zoe (I already have this so I may exchange it or do a giveaway here.)


• * Marilyn Monroe tote bag (cute, huh?)
  
  * The Fashion Book
  
• * Candles from Yankee Candle Company


• * Nordstrom gift cards (2)

* Victoria's Secret gift card

Your Makeup Horoscope

Find out your best beauty look for 2009

Try a new makeup look and improve your life at the same time by choosing makeup colors that mesh with your zodiac sign. See what you should be wearing in the new year. See eyeshadows

A Life of Style: A Fabulous & Affordable Skinny Jean

I've been boycotting the skinny jean trend from day one but when I happened upon the Lindsey Skinny Jean on Forever21.com, I decided to throw caution to the wind and order a pair. Priced at a very low $12.50, my wallet won't take a hard hit if the jeans look horrible on me (please fashion Goddess make me look fabulous in them ;~)

Hopefully in a few days I can share with you guys that the jeans fit and look as good as they do in the picture. Stay tuned...

Does Your Makeup Need a New Year Makeover?

It may be time to give your product stash the update it needs

Is your cosmetics bag overflowing with dried-out mascaras, cracked eye shadows and a tube of lipstick from 2002? If so, it may be in need of an overhaul. Take this quiz to find out how much TLC it needs. Take the quiz

A Life of Style: Kiss My Face SOS

For years eco-friendly glamour girls have been sending an SOS for beautiful yet natural lip products that offer sparkle and shine. Finally, a lip product that comes to the rescue! Introducing Kiss My Face’s SOS Sheer Organic Shimmers and Sheer Organic Shines – mineral based, 91% organic and 100% natural, these lip treats are sure to please every green goddess.

Sheer Organic Shines (top pic) ($6.95) deliver high wattage shine and fresh flavor with Beeswax, Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter, while Stevia makes these glosses naturally sweet.

Sheer Organic Shimmers (bottom pic) ($4.95) offer sheer tint, silky shine and luscious Vanilla Mint flavor while conditioning and moisturizing lips with Beeswax, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter and Vitamin E.

Available in six beautiful gem tones:

*Garnet: warm berry shade perfect for adding a touch of drama to a natural look

*Amethyst: edgy blend of mauve and lilac for rock star shine

*Topaz: gorgeous bronze with a hint of pink

*Ruby: sweet and subtle medium pink to brighten any skin tone

*Opal: soft lilac ideal for a natural look

*Pearl: ethereal pale pink that can be worn alone or layered for an icy sheen

For more information: www.kissmyface.com

A Life of Style: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Jumpin' Jade Christmas Eve Mani

It's Christmas Eve ya'll!!!! Are you guys excited? Baking cookies? Doing anything festive tonight??? Let's talk manicures.

I was uber excited when I happened upon the latest collection of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri polishes at Walgreens last week. I grabbed two bottles of Jumpin' Jade (one for me and one for my blogging buddy, Jamie)

The color is GORGEOUS!!!! The polish dried in an instant which was a plus because the nail salon was crowded and sometimes I have no patience to wait for my nails to dry. My nails are going to be a hit at tomorrow's Christmas gathering. I have a really cute cocktail ring to rock too ;)

These polishes aren't on Sally Hansen's website yet. I should've taken a picture while I was at the store :(

It annoys me to no end when products are in the stores but not on their company's website. What's that all about???

Merry Christmas!!!!!

A Life of Style: Sally Hansen, I have a question for you...

Am I supposed to polish my nails with this brush or paint a wall??? This brush is way too big and awkward. The manicurist had the darndest time polishing my nails today. I love the polish but the brush? Not so much. Here's hoping the insta-dri brushes will be replaced.

A Life of Style: Hair Care Boot Camp - My Hair Story Pt. 1

In this segment of Hair Care Boot Camp, I'm going to discuss my hair again. I'm the first to admit that I'm very lazy with my hair and that's why the majority of my hair care takes place within the salon.

My hair is thick and relaxed so I really have to nurture it. Earlier this year I decided to grow my hair long. I was tired of my bob, and didn't want to go back to the short tapered cuts that I wore a few years ago. Starting a growth plan is essential to achieving the desired length. I took three months to really get to know my hair. During the get to know my hair phase, I discovered what products worked best in my hair, invested in more natural oils, and paid close attention to my shedding problem.

My hair was growing quite nicely until I hit a bump in the road in May. I had surgery and was hospitalized for three days. A week before going into the hospital, I got a touch up and a deep conditioning steam treatment. Thanks to my overprotective mother, I wasn't able to get my hair done again until the third week in June. The anesthesia dried my hair out and caused some breakage. My stylist cut the damaged ends and I started taking two 500mg biotin tablets along with my daily multivitamin. I began researching vitamins more extensively in August and seeking advice from friends who were also growing their hair long. I'm telling you guys vitamins are the key. I noticed a change in my hair within a couple of months. Some days I do slack and forget to take my vits and on those days I try to at least take my GNC program. I really need to come up with a better way to take all those pills in one day. Any suggestions????

The latest hair challenge I'm facing is Chicago winter. The ridiculously cold and below freezing tempertaures cause major hair trauma so I use two Carol's Daughter products religiously, Hair Balm and Khoret Amen Hair Oil. I take both products to the salon so my stylist can use them before he curls or flat irons my hair. If I opt for a roller set, he applies the hair balm and a tiny drop of the oil after he removes the rollers. Protecting my hair during the winter is my main concern so I wrap my hair in a silk scarf before wearing any kind of winter hat.

My hair loves avocado oil, pure silk amino acids, Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-in Conditioner, and organic coconut oil. I apply a pea sized amount of avocado oil to my hair when it feels dry. The silk amino acids are added to my moisture spray, thermal protectant, and leave in conditioner. I apply organic coconut oil directly to my scalp twice a week and my hair has been shiny, full of body, and, dare I say growing a little faster? I'll keep you guys posted, I've been using coconut oil for two months and the results have been pretty amazing.

My next Hair Care Boot Camp will focus on finding a salon and stylist. Stay tuned!

Oh, before I forget! My blogger bff wrote a great article entitled "Make the Most of Your Salon Time". Check it out!!!!