Tone Up Tuesday: New Year, New Playlist

Hi ladies! I've noticed that nothing freshens up my cardio workout better than a new playlist. Here's what I'm listening to lately. What's on your playlist these days? Please feel free to leave your favorites in the comments, I'm always looking for awesome new music!

You can click the triangle play button to listen to each song

Winter Beauty Report Card

Hello friends, Happy Monday! Did you catch the Golden Globes last night? It seems like it would be a fun show to attend. I wasn't really blown away by any of the dresses so I'm eschewing my regular red carpet post. I'm just happy Claire Danes and Homeland won! Now, if Damian Lewis just wins that Emmy, I will be a happy camper.

My friends and family know me very well, so there was no shortage of Sephora gift cards in my Christmas and birthday cards. Love you guys! Here are my newest beauty purchases with some notes and first impressions:

*click the images to enlarge and see detail

- TooFaced California in a Compact-Beach Bunny bronzing powder

  * TooFaced does not conduct any animal testing

 * This bronzer imparts a natural glow, goes on quite sheer with no visible shimmer, and does not seem to oxidize on my skin over the course of the day. 

  * Interim Grade: A

- TooFaced Absolutely Invisible pressed powder

 * This powder contains seaweed extract, chamomile, Vitamins A, C and E and aloe vera to help increase the elasticity, moisture and firmness of the skin.

  * I love the natural yet solid coverage of this powder, great for setting make-up of any kind.

  * Interim Grade: A

TooFaced Beach Bunny bronzer and Absolutely Invisible powders

- Boscia Revitalizing Hydrating Gel

  * Boscia does not test on animals.

  * Their products are botanical-based and paraben-free.

  * This product contains artichoke leaf which helps improve elasticity, charcoal which absorbs excess oil and impurities and helps detoxification, and Vitamin C to help brighten skin tone and protect against free radicals.

  * I like the organic scent of this product, it's very spa-like to me, I also like the dispenser (push top). I really dig the black, liquid jelly type consistency of this product as well. After application, my skin tingles for about 10 minutes, which I have to say, is pretty rejuvenating.
  * I do tend to have oily skin, but this gel does a great job keeping dryness at bay for me--especially important in the Winter months. The overall appearance of my skin has definitely improved since I've started using it. 

  * Interim Grade: A, possible HG status

Boscia Revitalizing Hydrating Gel

- Chanel nail lacquer in May
  * I fell head over heels in love with this gorgeous pink shade, it's so perfect for Spring and Summer.

Chanel nail polish in May

- Hourglass Veil primer
  * Hourglass is a vegan/gluten-free/made in the USA cosmetics company. They do not test on animals.
  * The primer is waterproof and will make any make-up you apply over it waterproof as well.
  * This white, satin-y fluid goes on very light, it's not greasy at all. My make-up stays fresh all day and my pores definitely look more refined.
  * Interim Grade: A, possible HG status

- Hourglass Veil Fluid Foundation
  * This SPF 15 foundation contains Matrixyl, which supports the body's natural ability to produce collagen, which lessens the look of wrinkles.
  * Love it. My skin looks so fresh, clear and smooth and stays that way the entire day. It's also looking better without any make-up at all.
  * Interim Grade: A+, possible HG status

MUFE HD Kabuki brush

- MUFE HD Kabuki brush
  * My SA at Sephora recommended this brush to apply the Hourglass foundation with for a smooth, blended, really natural look.
  * Love this brush, it's perfect for all-over coverage, refining and buffing.
  * Interim Grade: A

Dior Lip Polish in Fresh Expert

- Dior Lip Polish in Fresh Expert
  * This is a really beautiful, universally-flattering color. It's very moisturizing and the consistency is great-not too thick, not too sticky. The staying power really needs work though.
  * Interim Grade: C, I like it, but the short staying power does not justify the price tag or a re-purchase

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Deauville

- Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Deauville
  * I am not much of a lipstick gal, I much prefer stains and glosses. Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine is an absolute perfect marriage of the two. It goes on nice and sheer, has a bit of shine to it and leaves a very subtle stain on the lips. Deauville is the perfect neutral berry color on my skin tone. I love that I don't even need a mirror to apply it.  It's so much less formal to me than lipstick, but a step above plain old gloss.
  * Interim Grade: A, possible HG status


Have you tried any of my new purchases? If so, what did you think? Have you had any product fails lately? What are your current favorites? Feel free to list them in the comments. Have a wonderful day!

Excursion: South Florida

Hi everyone, happy 2012! I hope the year is off to fantastic start for you. In December, my husband gave me the best gift possible--he took me back to my hometown so I could spend my birthday and the New Year with my family and friends. I have to admit that after spending our days in sunny South Florida zipping around turquoise waters, meeting up with great friends and enjoying my mom's healthy and delicious home cooking, it's been really hard for me to get back into the swing of things back here in the 'north.'

Here are some pictures from our outings, the weather was absolutely sensational during our visit--high 70s and low 80s during the day, then into the 60s at night. The day we left though, temps dipped into the 30s and 40s, so you can never really be sure what a Florida Winter will bring!

*you can click all images to enlarge

On New Year's Day, we went to the beach where I spent countless hours as a little person, as a teenager and as a 20-something to re-create this picture I saw on Pinterest.

We were lucky enough to have a super close encounter with a huge manatee and her baby. They swam right up to the back of our boat.

For Christmas, we adopted a manatee named Lilly for my nature-loving brother. He used to swim with them in our canal when we were growing up. You can adopt one of these gentle creatures too.

Mama's tail is all scarred up from boat props

We spotted this beautiful osprey in his nest

and a segull flying by one of the many little islands you can find in Martin and Palm Beach counties

And of course, a trip home for me wouldn't be complete without a stop by The Breakers. Here's a view of the gorgeous Royal Palms lining Breakers Row. We had a lovely lunch at the Seafood Bar.

the Christmas tree on Worth Avenue

the legendary Ta-boo

the beautiful bougainvillea, Mediterranean architecture and whimsical bronze statues in Via Flora off of Worth Avenue

enjoying the eye candy in the window displays

We checked out some of my favorite Palm Beach haunts, including Bice and the Brazilian Court, and also stopped by a couple of new spots--Cha Cha's and Buccan, both were fantastic.

Palm Beach County is also home to one of the best malls I've ever been to (and that's saying a lot, trust me), The Gardens Mall. My mom and I had a wonderful day of shopping here, as usual! We also had a lovely meal at Seasons 52 in Palm Beach Gardens, everything we ordered was so fresh and so delicious. A popular stop for us, whether coming by boat or car, is Guanabanas in Jupiter. The incredible tropical landscaping and tiki huts really enhance the laid-back, peaceful vibe. My husband and I also had a great meal at The Dive Bar, we ordered off of the sushi menu and it was all really outstanding. After that, it was over to the The Square Grouper for drinks on the water followed by a stop by Palm Beach Ice Cream. I have countless other dining recommendations for this area, I really need to put together another page!

Sunset on New Year's Day as seen from the beach in my hometown

It is so utterly relaxing and wonderful to be home; there's just something about going back to where you're from that feeds the soul. We're already planning our next trip back.

Where are you from? If you want to share, please feel free to leave a comment about what you love most about your hometown.

Happy New Year!

Pinterest image via stylemepretty.com

Hello ladies!

I want to wish everyone a wonderful, safe and joyous New Year. I hope 2012 brings great things for all of you. Today is also my birthday and I am so grateful to be celebrating it this year with my family and friends in a place that I love. I will definitely have many updates when I return to blogging next week! Whether you're staying in with close friends or hitting the town--I hope your night is spectacular.

Pin-tested: recipes

Hi friends, happy week before Christmas! I know this is an absolutely crazy time of year for most people--I hope yours is going as wonderfully as possible. Today I'm sharing some Pinterest recipes that I've made over the past few months.

1. Spicy Chicken Rigatoni - this was probably the biggest hit, my husband and kids both loved it and can't wait for me to make it again. 

2. Koren-style Shortribs in the crockpot - my husband absolutely loved this. I thought it was very good, but I will probably cut down the amount of rice oil when I make it again.

3. Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken - this was excellent, but a bit labor-intensive. I would definitely make it again, I just need to allot more time for prep.

4. Best Broccoli Ever - this is definitely the best broccoli I've ever had. I actually crave it and sometimes even make it for lunch. It's truly fantastic. I've lost track of how many times I've made this, but it's well over a dozen.

5. Garlic Rosemary Pork Tenderloin - Very, very good. Will definitely make again.

6. Cuban Beef - Ropa Vieja is one of my favorite dishes ever, but since moving away from South Florida, it's become a bit harder for me to find in restaurants. This recipe is a very solid start to an authentic dish. I still need to tinker with it a bit to perfect it though.

7. Chicken Enchilada Soup - This was just ok for me, it needed more seasoning for sure. If I was to make this again, I would definitely add more spices for a deeper flavor.

8. Parmesan Crusted Tilapia -  Two Words: Epic. Fail. So disgusting and mushy and just gross. I will never, ever make this again. I do think it may have been better if I had mixed the parm with panko for some texture, but this recipe was a huge disappointment.

9. Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes - I sent in these adorable ice cream cone cupcakes for my daughter's birthday celebration at school. There are long, involved recipes for making your own batter and frosting, but I just used the pre-made funfetti mix and a can of Wilton frosting, they turned out well.

*recipes taken from my Taste, Crockpot and Sweet Tooth boards

For Christmas, I am making my tried and true herb crusted rib roast--so delicious.

What are your plans for Christmas meals this year? What is your favorite thing to cook or bake around this time of year? Do you have a favorite recipe from Pinterest or anywhere else that you'd like to share? Feel free to leave links in the comments!

My All-Star Beauty Products

Hi ladies, I hope everyone's week is off to a great start!

Today I thought I would share my All-Star Beauty products--the products I've been using for 5 years or more. Like most industries, the beauty industry is always introducing exciting new and improved products and I, the consummate consumer, am usually among the first to try them out. The fact that I have stayed loyal to these products for a period of 5 years or more is truly saying a lot! 

Clinique Deep Cleansing Emergency Mask - This is a 5-minute clay mask that helps refine, deep-clean pores and lift away impurities. When I have a breakout or my skin is looking particularly messy or oily, I slather this stuff on and wake up to noticeably improved skin. I've been using this since 2004.

St. Ives Apricot Scrub - This is truly an All-Star product for me, I've been using it since I was in college so... for about 13 years now. I love this as a gentle, yet effective all-over skin exfoliator. It leaves my epidermis soft and smooth and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin at all.

Opcon A  - These eye drops put Visine to shame. They instantly clear up tired, red or bloodshot eyes, but I really love this product for removing the red from pimples and blemishes. It provides instant relief and results; Opcon A is definitely my Holy Grail product when it comes to eye drops/redness-reduction.

MAC 217 brush - If I had to choose just one brush to use for the rest of my life, it would definitely be MAC's 217. It's dual fiber, so it works equally well with powder shadows or creams/gels. It's the perfect density and shape for great blending and really works into the socket area nicely so it's perfect for smoky looks especially. I love this brush so much, I own two of them.

My 217s: my 2003 brush is on the left, my 2010 brush is much fluffier but I still love them both!

Caudalie Lip Conditioner - My mom first gave me this in 2005 and I've been using it ever since. It's really lightweight, made from all-natural ingredients and keeps my lips soft and unchapped. It's perfect alone or under lipstick or gloss.

L'Oreal Professional Vitamino Color Shampoo and Conditioner - This is definitely my Holy Grail shampoo and conditioner, I've been using it since 2006. I briefly strayed away from it for a bit and my hair pretty much dried up instantly (photographic evidence here). This stuff definitely works to not only keep my color from fading, but it keeps my hair moisturized, shiny and full of life. I've tried samples of other types of shampoo and conditioner over the years, but something would have to be simply amazing to get me to switch from the L'Oreal Professional line.

I would love to hear about your All-Star products! What have you been using for a 5+ year period? What products do you keep coming back to?

OOTD: Mix-up

Hello friends! How is December treating you? I did not intend to take such a long break from blogging, but the holidays are smoking me this year. We've had a wonderful, but busy holiday season so far--hosting visits from family and friends, hosting Thanksgiving and celebrating our daughter's 5th birthday, all fun stuff. I hope you all are enjoying this season!

Rachel Bilson demonstrating the versatility of the military-inspired jacket

I've been on the lookout for a military inspired parka, but I never really found the perfect one. J. Crew's option was nice, but I didn't care for the stiff consistency of the fabric. I liked the version from the Gap, but thought that at $168, it was way overpriced. I was so happy to finally find a great version of this the other day at Forever 21! It's such a great piece to throw over basically anything. I really like the juxtaposition of it with a preppier look, it adds so much character I think!

blouse: J. Crew (here), jeans: 7FAM, heels: Nine West (here), bag: Marc Jacobs large single (here)

jacket: Forever 21 (here)

I was inspired by Noelle's hot pink heels and Lilly's turquoise heels, I have to say-I am really enjoying the fun, bright heel!

my go-to, goes with everything necklace from J. Crew

I've been really trying to mix up my style lately, I feel like I wear the same sort of uniform every day and it's getting boring. The addition of the military jacket and hot pink heels have added just enough oomph for me to breathe new life into my looks. What items do you like for an instant infusion of style? 

I hope you're enjoying a beautiful holiday season!

Fall Fragrance

My favorite fragrances for Fall:

1) Burberry Brit Sheer - a nice and light bright, fruity floral

2) Gucci Rush 2 - this is my go-to scent for special occasions, the lasting power is incredible

3) Prada Candy-Very sweet and warm, but some nice spice makes it more sophisticated (thanks to my beautiful friend Racquel for sending it to me!) 

4) Givenchy Play - very elegant and versatile

5) BCBGirls Sexy - I've been wearing this for 10 years and it never gets old to me. It has a perfect blend of warmth and pepper to keep things interesting. It's not easily found anymore so bonus points for uniqueness.

6) Burberry The Beat - perfect balance of fresh and warm

7) Viva La Juicy - fruity and fun

8) Boyfriend - this deep, woody fragrance is straight out addicting. I love that the rollerball is an oil, there's something so comforting and soothing about that. I find myself reapplying it throughout the day before I even realize what I'm doing.

9) Burberry Brit - the classic Fall fragrance, in my opinion. Full of caramel and vanilla, it definitely hits the spot on a crisp day.

And my standard, everyday, year-round "clean" scents:

Issey Miyake L'eau d'Issey and Thierry Mugler's Innocent

I was browsing in Sephora the other day and ran across this incredible men's cologne. I literally took one sniff and my knees went weak. I'm pretty sure my eyes also rolled back in my head-if that's not a sign of a good cologne, I don't know what is. The EDT is much softer than the EDP, which is much woodier. I prefer the softer scent. My husband has worn cologne probably 4 times total this year, but he's getting this for Christmas. And he will wear it, haha.

What are you loving fragrance-wise for Fall? Do you switch up your scents or stick to one fragrance year-round? What are your favorite colognes?

Tone Up Tuesday: The 4 Minute Workout

Hi all! Geez, November has a way of really kicking my butt. Between events at the kids' school, hosting Thanksgiving, planning my daughter's birthday party, NaNo and Christmas shopping-I'm spread extremely thin around this time of year. Sadly, my fitness routine is one of the first places from which I borrow time.  This is not ideal or recommended, but sometimes it just can't be helped. I ran across this 4 minute workout on Pinterest and thought I would post it here. Everyone is busy during the holiday season, everyone has commitments and time restraints and holiday-related stress. But everyone also has four minutes a day to sneak in some exercise and maintain health. 

This workout was invented by a  Japanese scientist and claims to burn as many calories as a 40 minute run. Another great benefit is that this workout is supposed to keep metabolic rates increased for 36 hours after performing it. I am not sure if these claims are 100% accurate but I do know that I feel stronger after doing it. I also feel a hell of a lot better about at least doing something rather than just skipping exercise all together. I feel like this is a perfect alternative for those with little free time who can't commit to an hour in the gym or don't have the time to fit in even a 30 minute workout session at home. It's a great option especially around this time of year when events, invitations and commitments just have a way of popping up. Wake up--take 4 minutes to do this routine. Then you're done and you can get on with your day. Easy peasy. You can click here to watch the full workout/tutorial. 

Do your workouts go by the wayside during the holiday season or are you even more of a warrior? What's your favorite fast and effective workout, series or fitness routine? Have a happy Tuesday!

Fall Fashion Inspiration

Hi ladies--happy Friday! 

Here are some of my favorite looks for Fall, there's nothing like some beautiful inspiration to get the creativity pumping. I hope you enjoy a swell weekend!

Sydney from The Daybook ingeniously mixes stripes with a faux fur trim vest

This is one of my favorite RZ looks of all time--Chanel tweed, suede thigh high boots and an olive Birkin

I absolutely adore yellow for Fall, it's so cheerful

A brilliant mix of navy, orange and cognac

I love this modern prepster look

Demi Lovato and Kate Beckinsale demonstrate my preferred Fall uniform--blazer, scarf and sunglasses

I love the dash of leopard of course!

Speaking of leopard--Kendi mixes her with gorgeous cobalt blue

Carrie Underwood also adds some glamour to her look with some fierce leopard print heels

Totally in love with this stripes-on-stripes ensemble by Marissa Webb

Also keeping it in the blue family--Gwyneth shows a lovely mix of prints. I love the addition of the field jacket

cozy knit? check. leather pants? check. suede crossbody? check. Sheer perfection

I love purposeful slouch!

love this dusky palette and mix of textures

Krystal from This Time Tomorrow models J. Crew's cape coat

I'm obsessed with the ladylike polish of tie blouses, Katie Holmes wears hers to perfection.

messy ponytail, fitted jacked, oversized envelope clutch and sunnies = great combo 

Lauren Santo Domingo is the epitome of tailored excellence--skinny pants, strappy heels, cashmere sweater and a classic bag

Red pants are everywhere at the moment, I especially love them paired with subdued neutrals

Will my love of studs ever fade? Methinks not

This lovely look has inspired me to layer my necklaces on top of my coat

Christina Holm-Sandok's relaxed dressy look would be perfect for Thanksgiving Day

 

Still loving the faux fur vest, especially when paired with strands of pretty necklaces and studded cuffs

Olivia Palermo proves that jeans and a white tee-shirt provide the perfect canvas for any occasion 

Tweed, scarves, fur (faux), leather, ladylike blouses=quintessential Fall

*all images from my Fashion/Style board on Pinterest

What are you loving for Fall? Do you have a favorite look or trend for Fall 2011?