Showing posts with label Glamor. Show all posts

Summer Rompers Under $25

The summer days are blazing here in Florida and rompers are perfect if you're looking for a light and breathable outfit. I've found so many cute yet affordable styles under $25 for those shopping on a budget, cause I know I'm always looking for great deals on clothing.

Rompers can also be dressed down with flats for casual day or dressed up with fancy accessories and heels for a night out.

I'm loving these comfy looks for summer days.


Beauty & Skincare Wishlist







I've had my eye on the Naked 3 palette for a while now but only recently ran across most of the other products and would love to take them for a whirl. Butter London's at-home gel nails to save money instead of going to the salon, Batiste's plumping hair powder for more hair volume and Benefit's zero shine agent to prevent a shiny face all sound pretty amazing!

Also, having recently hit 30, I think it's time to try out a good nighttime face moisturizer to start firming and avoiding wrinkles from now. Lastly, bright lips, tanned legs and sweet smelling scents are a must for the summer.

Have you tried any of these products and would you recommend any of them?


Summer Dresses & Accessories

Oh, hey looks who's blogging about summer again! This time I'm sharing some of my recent fashion finds and pretty summer dresses.

I've been to a ton of weddings and different events recently which means I've had to shop for new outfits & matching accessories at an affordable price. Admittedly, I'm no model and I really don't like posing for photos but these are some of my favorites for the year.

 Lily Rose Geometric Maxi Dress: similar, similar
 Patterned Stretch Long Skirt: similar, similar, similar

Hi-Lo Summer Dress: similar, similar
Blue Avenue Swing Dancer Dress: here

Trixxi Strapless Dress: similar, similar 
Target Printed Strapless Dress: similar, similar, similar


Accessories:



Celebrating 4th of July in Style

I'm excited USA's Independence day falls on a Friday this year so we have a short work week.

I plan to celebrate the holiday at a pool party with friends, festive cocktails and good old fashioned BBQ-ing. Just as we did last year as seen here although somehow I showed up to the party wearing pink instead of red, white or blue. Party foul!

Everyone loves being patriotic and supporting their country in style whether it's for 4th of July or a World Cup game so here's some festive "stars and stripes" outfits and accessories.


Enjoy your 4th of July festivities tomorrow and be safe!

Blue Avenue Boutique by Jordon

Hope everyone had a great weekend!
I have the lovely lady behind the blog Love Always, Nancy J guest posting for me today! Seriously, Jordon is one of nicest bloggers I've come across and I love her new online boutique. I'm excited to wear my new coral dress while I'm in Punta Cana for a friend's wedding.

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Hey y'all!
My name is Jordon and ramble over at Love Always, Nancy J.
Emily is gallivanting around the Dominican and I am sitting here dreaming of day drinking on the beach. Can you tell I am a little bitter?
Anways,
I am a newlywed that hails from Nashville, TN and a firm believer that hair poofing should be considered an artform.
My husband is the man referred to as T and being married is the funnest adventure I have ever been on..

I recently opened an online women's boutique called, Blue Avenue.
This has been my labor of love and baby for a few months now. 
The store has been an absolute dream and I love seeing all my girls in their fabulous new Blue Avenue pieces!

Today only all Martinis & Bikini's followers will recieve 15% OFF their Blue Avenue purchase!
Use the code BIKINI at checkout and shop away my loves!
 Head over to my blog and say hello!


Vegas Style: Daytime to Nighttime Outifts

I visited Vegas earlier this year in January when the weather was a bit chilly but now that it's warming up, I'd love to go back. Although I spent two full days site-seeing (and the rest working a convention), there's still so much I didn't get to do. I didn't get to experience any of those "legendary" pool parties or see any shows at night.

Comfort is key and since Vegas requires A LOT of walking, a good pair of shoes and a sundress, romper or pair of shorts is ideal for me during the day. Or a pretty coverup if you plan to lounge by the pool. Especially in the summer, the weather is blazing hot.
Photo via Aria Resort



Whether you're going out for a dinner date, to see a show or clubbing at a popular club such as Aria's Haze, people dress to impress at night in Vegas.
Photo via Aria Resort

I think the biggest challenge for me is finding comfortable shoes for nighttime wear. I simply cannot walk for miles in high heels or stilettos.

What shoes do you find work best for nighttime in Vegas or large cities?


Get The Look: Eyeliner Tips


I typically go for the soft or precise looks but I've really wanted to master the winged look without looking too cray cray. I have to admit I have a pretty shaky hand so I tend to keep things simple but these tips are a big help.

Sigma Beauty has every type of makeup brush for the face, eyes, brows, lips, etc. I love their eye brush collection and the E75 angled brow brush to experiment with different looks.

Happy hump day everyone!

Purple Makes Me Happy

It's a color that I used for my wedding, my blog is designed with purple, and if I could afford a dark purple convertible, well that would have been done a long time ago!  But, purple can also be a bit gaudy if overdone or used too much for decorating.

Luckily it's is a pretty color to accessorize with and I would definitely rock some purple skinny jeans if I found the perfect pair:

Glam Series: Benefit Cosmetics

Benefit has become one of my favorite cosmetic brands. I was always more a MAC & Clinique girl but I'm beginning to love more brands sold at Sephora & Ulta. Benefit offers a few unique (and great quality) products such as the POREfessional and High Beam Highlighter that help create that celebrity look every girl wants to achieve.
How do you BENEFIT?



 POREfessional Pore Minimizer:
Works great to minimize your pores and prime your skin before applying foundation. It's an oil-free formula that has vitamin E so it also helps to add another layer of protection. This is a fairly new product to me (that I was convinced to buy after reading great reviews from other bloggers) but I'm really loving how it works because I have bigger pores on my cheeks and forehead.

High Beam Complexion Enhancer:
This is a shimmery pink liquid highlighter that helps to create a nice glow. It's often called "supermodel in a bottle" and great for all skin tones. I use my fingers to lightly dab and blend it onto my cheekbones to contour and create a shimmery glow.

I got 2 sample size Benefit products: the Watt's Up Highlighter and They're Real Mascara free for my birthday for being a Sephora Beauty Insider so I've been using these two since December.
  
Watt's Up Highlighter:
This a cream-to-powder highlighter that helps create a champagne glow. I mainly use it on my browbones but you can also use it on your cheekbones to get that "wow" factor.

They're Real! Mascara:
This silky mascara lengthens, curls, and volumizes your lashes and lasts all throughout the day. I love the brush head which has staggered bristles to boost volume and separate lashes which helps to prevent clumping.

Hoola Bronzing Powder:
This is a great contouring powder bronzer that can also be used to highlight features on your face. I use a light amount on my cheeks, chin and forehead and it helps give you a natural-looking tan. I hate looking pasty white in the colder months.

Joining Jordan today for the Glam Series. 
The Glam Series

Fashion Friday: Statement Necklaces

Happy Friday lovelies! 

Any big plans for the weekend? I have a charity event tonight for work and hoping to get started on my master bedroom redecorating that I posted about yesterday. 

Other than purses and shoes, one of my favorite accessories are statement necklaces. They help to dress up any outfit and make a statement like the name implies. My collection has been growing recently but these are the top 5 that made it out the house recently.

One: White Faux stone necklace from a local boutique (similar)
Two: Lavender necklace from Forever 21 (similar)
Three: Pink bubble necklace from Macy's (similar)
Four: Black & silver necklace from Charlotte Russe
Five: Turquoise stone necklace from the KOJewelry shop

Where do you shop for fashion jewelery and pretty statement necklaces?

Joining Lauren for H54F and Darcie for Five on Friday. 

Have a great weekend!

Style Elixir

The Glam Series: Hair

Current hair color: blonde highlights and low-lights
Natural hair color: dirty blonde/light brown 
Hair type: thick/wavy
Preferred hair style: blow-dried straight

My blow-drying process typically looks like this: I clip my hair up and blow-dry in sections. It gets quite frizzy at first and slowly the heat tames the frizz and waves. It takes me about 15-20 minutes to go from wet & wavy to dry & straight.

I can usually get my hair about 95% straight from blow-drying and then use the flat-iron to straighten out any extra frizz which takes a minute or two. 

Hair secret: Keratin treatments approx every 6 months to tame frizz and waves.

Since I started getting Keratin treatments about 2 years ago, I use Keratin products to prolong it's effects. Most Keratin products can be a bit pricey but you can find the Organix product line at any drug store for half the price. I use both Keratin Complex by Coppola and Organix Keratin Therapy shampoo and conditioners. (Organix smells better and is cheaper).


Keratin Replenishing Treatment: I use this as a
blow-drying treatment. I rub a penny size amount throughout my wet hair before blow-drying. It's supposed to open cuticles and infuse keratin proteins and emollients into the hair

Ionic blow dryer: I recommend any Ionic or Tourmaline blow dryer. Mine works great and has cut blow-drying time in half since I upgraded from a cheap hair dryer.

Chi Hair straightener: This is my baby and wouldn't recommend a better flat iron. They are also becoming more reasonable in price from places like Ulta & Sephora.

Hair serum: I own a number of different brand hair serums. These are the perfect final touch after styling/flat-ironing to calm any fly-aways or frizzies.

I've got straightening my hair down pat but still totally suck at curling my hair. I just bought a new curling iron and really need advice on how to get some nice, loose curls.

Joining Jordan today for The Glam Series.
The Glam Series 
 
What's your hair secrets?

What I'm Loving Now: Accessories

I've been on a serious kick browsing online for cute accessories. I really need a new wallet and there's so many things I'm drooling over like that gorgeous Marc Jacobs watch & the Kate Spade thong sandals. If only money wasn't a thing :-/

The good news is I've convinced K to go to the mall with me this weekend as part of my Valentine's gift (not for him to buy me anything, but just to actually go with me which is a huge "chore" for him).

Any steals of the week on your wishlist?

Happy hump day everyone!