A Twin Spectacle.

They've done it again. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are never far away from fashion, and a cup of Starbucks. The year2010, they will usher in shades.Mean dark ones.And oversized. Just like I like them. Prices range from $325-$390.

*picture credited to WWD

Feliz Navidad!

I do realize this is a day late. I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday.I spent mine resting, as I'm sure many people who work in service/retail industries did.This time of the year is very taxing on us! I don't spend it with my family because I am so far away. Don't feel sorry for me...it's a personal choice to live where I live :)
My mother always sends me a box loaded with snacks unique to my home town, and she  included other trinkets and cash! ;) Weather and my sleep schedule permitting I will be headed here tomorrow. I will treat myself to a few things....not a shopping spree in the least bit, am I practicing extreme restraint these days with shopping.Most everything is a planned purchase.

I stepped out of the house last night and drove around downtown New Haven. I managed to find an open Dunkin Doughnuts, grabbed a coffee, and tipped the guy an extra dollar.It was the least I could for him having to work. A song came on the radio and made me all warm and fuzzy....Definitely one of my fave holiday songs....here is the video!

LFM

Still Standing...with gloss,of course.

So do any of you ladies watch Monica- Still Standing on BET? A few people have asked me what gloss did I think Monica was wearing on her show.Specifically during her narratives.The gloss some what reminds me of Laura Mercier's Bare Beige gloss. At any rate,one of the beautiful ladies on youtube did a tuturial on the look. Her video is below.Subscribe to her! Enjoy!



LFM

Hair Envy

I just wanted to share some pictures of natural hair that I love...Their make up looks nice also ;) These pictures are credited to Miss Jessies, these woman have beautiful heads of hair and style! Their salon is located in Brooklyn,NY.The  annual buy one get one free is alive and well until 12.31.09. I personally use the baby buttercreme,quick curls and creme de la creme. I have tried the curly pudding and the curly meringue.But over time I just stick with what works best for my hair.

Please note that none of these products can chemically alter your hair.They can not "make' your hair curly, wavy and change the texture.Tito (head stylist and Co founder) does offer a service called, a "silkener". I have not personally experienced this, but from pictures it looks like many people love it.Read more about it here

LFM

P.S. Click the label to see a previous review of Miss Jessies

Note to Self....and you

I don't know what was going on in my life and why exactly I missed The Model as Muse:Embodying Fashion.I made it a point to put these kinds of things in my blackberry,and have it alert me of its start.So I'm putting this one in now, American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity. Exhibits like these are great for those who study, love and perhaps work in the fashion industry.Plus the Metropolitan Museum of Art is an inexpensive way to spend a day exploring everything from fashion to Egyptian Art

Browse the Met store while you're there!


Cultured ;)

LFM

Red Sole Searchin' -Barbie Style

Many have copied but there is only one red sole!!! The infamous Christian Louboutin has created a line of limited edition Barbie dolls! They are available at Net-a-porter.com, currently sold out, but you can sign up to be notified when they are back in stock.


*picture credited to net-a-porter.com

A must for collectors of barbie!


LFM

THE Eve Pearl.

You may know her as the woman behind the beautiful faces on the Today show...She has even waved her wand and created a glam look for Susan Boyle.She is based out of New York city and travels frequently all over the world. I met her back in late July at her studio/boutique. One word to describe her? Humble. She came out to introduce herself,and was very "normal"-lol. And her staff was just as personable.If I had known that I would have introduced myself at the Make Up Show earlier this year.At any rate, she is celebrating the first anniversary of her boutique.Beginning December 4Th, at midnight, and until 11:59pm everything on www.evepearl.com will be 50% off with the promo code :BPF120409 www.evepearl.com On December 15, Eve will host an event in store only, all products 50% off. You can also get help with make up application. And trust, nothing about the boutique is intimidating.
I use the HD duak foundation in dark,salmon concealer in tan and the mattifying gel.Actually in my profile picture here on blogger, I'm wearing her foundation.
Here is a picture of Eve and I, and her Emmy! Excuse the sweat,it was a hot New York City day!
Check her out if you are in the New York City area.





Happy Shopping!
LFM

Fresh out of Kim K's kitchen!

It's no sceret that Kim Kardashians makeup is always flawless...Here is an older video with her make up artisit doing a make up application.There are using the MAC 180, a brush I should have bought a long time ago, *hint,hint. This is a easy to do look. Please see youtube for the second part. Note, they are using one of my favorite foundations! Make Up Forever HD! Enjoy!



P.S.Nice kitchen Kimmie!


LFM

Oui Oui!

Just wanted to share of couple products I have been using recently. They are both by curl expert Ouidad. The first is the balancing rinse,I use it in the same manner as I would a shampoo.It's what many would call a conditioner wash (co-wash).My hair would be extremely dry if I washed it several times a week.However, I can only comb it wet.I use this in the shower about 2-3 times a week, leaving a small amount of product on my ends.Next I use the Botanical Boost as a leave in.It helps my hair retain moisture. Because it has glycerin as one of the main ingredients, it attracts moisture to my hair. Dryness is something that many naturals battle.

Ouidad can be purchased at participating salons,and Sephora.


LFM

From Poland with love: Inglot Cosmetics

So obviously I didn't get the memo about this back in the summer.Polish brand, Inglot has arrived on U.S. soil. This brand is huge in the U.K., Australia and Dubai. Boasting with over 250 stores,the concept is actually quite innovative.They carry everything that a normal cosmetic retailer would carry,except, you can build your own palette!
It is called the 'freedom system". This table contains and extensive color range of eye shadows, blushes, lip color,concealers and brow powders/waxes.From there you decide how you want to arrange palettes. You can get as few as 3, for $16.I did not try any foundations, but managed put together a palette of 5 colors. 3 being eye shadows,two lip colors. This particular palette was $22. How reasonable is that? It was tough for me because I would pick a color, tell the MUA, then go back to my mental rolodex and realize I had the exact same thing from another brand.
The store is located in Times Square, 48th and Broadway- directly across the street from the M&M store. Next week I will show you a look with the things I purchased.


LFM

Style Icon

THE Giovanna Battaglia.

Wait....let me fix my hair!

I was recently asked by one of my good friends how did I style my hair while growing out my relaxer.It was kind of difficult to explain in 140 characters on twitter...So I thought it would be fitting to blog about it.Let me just start off by saying, I am not anti relaxer...I wore a relaxer for years.But one day I decided that I didn't want my hair bone straight any more.

That began a 10 month long transition.I would most often shampoo my hair once a week.Followed by a deep conditioner.After which I would 2-strand twists my hair back in about 10 twists. I then would sleep with a satin bonnet, the next day take down the twists.I pretty much did this the entire time.Occasionally I would pull it back on ponytail/bun.I never straightened it with heat, as you have to pretty much train your new growth to not be straight.
Several months in I needed a change, and decided to get hair sewn in. I wore this for a little over a month.

And a night before an interview in NYC I decided to take it out.Bad idea.After I removed all of the tracks I proceeded to wash my hair.Only to realize it was one HUGE dread lock.My bad for not combing and detangling before washing. With a 6am train to catch the following morning, I didn't have time to fight with my hair...I found scissors and I've been nappy every since!


LFM

Forever Young

YES.It's true. I am approaching thirty....and I don't look a day over 17.Then I woke up.For those that may not know,the environment is the single biggest cause of aging.This includes pollutants in the air,and the worst of them all the SUN! You can do many things to prevent free radical damage , such as wearing SPF, staying away from tanning beds,smoking, and a healthy diet.And after all of those things, you still need to repair and prevent with great skin care.One of my areas of concern is the eye area.I do not have extreme signs of aging, but this area is usually where you see it first.So recently I have had the opportunity to try Sheseido Benefiance anti-wrinkle eye cream .I am hooked.It hydrates so well that I only use it at night.Dehydrated skin more often shows signs of aging.I also suffer from constant under eye puffiness (Thanks Dad!) and this has helped. In comparison to many other brands the price tag is moderate. You can find out more information at Sephora and other major retailers.


LFM

Radiance you want. Radiance you get.

My latest obsession.Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser ,with moisture rich soy extract, you can't go wrong.I have used more cleansers than you can imagine,and I rank this higher than most department store lines.It removes make up, and is hardly stripping.Soy extract also helps with hyperpigmentation.Additionally, I use the positively radiant cleansing pads every few days. One side of the pad cleanses and the other exfoliates, dreamy!Check your local drug store for availability and of course sales on the brand!Let me know what things you have tried from Aveeno and what your thoughts are.



LFM

Clickworthy!

I'm baccckkkk. I just wanted to share with you a blog I've been following. This woman's sense of style is,well,kind of hard to put into words,amazing is an understatement.She mixes high and low from Anthropologie
to Forever 21
If you appreciate fashion and art.....look no further.

The Hidden Seed


P.S. Her photo backdrops are reason #2467 why I love this blog.

Eluxurious

Remember when I spoke about eluxury ceasing to exist as we know it? Well that time came. As of June 26, 2009 the site no longer functions as a retail organization.
Patrons who repeatedly entered their Amex numbers buy LV may still want to take a peek. It now talks about everything from art,fashion, to food and wine. I think it's definitely click worthy.

Check it out here.

LFM

Faux Love

I admit, I have an obsession with mascara. I have tried more than the law should allow. Some are exceptional, and many are just ok. But this one that I have been using recently is magnificent. Let me first say that if a mascara can last on me at least 5 hours, it has my vote (my face/eyes are EXTREMELY oily.)

Yves Saint Laurent Faux Cils is the most luxurious mascara I have tried yet.It is nice and creamy,it lengthens, curls and gives volume.This the non waterproof, which means it does not need an atomic bomb to take it off.But at the same time it lasts almost a whole shift at work, which is often very warm and I'm under a lot of light.
This mascara also comes in various colors, from burgundy to green. Yet all these colors still remain sophisticated, no teenie bopper looks with YSL.

Run don't walk for this one.

LFM

The Make Up Show NYC 2009

Before you say anything..I know these pictures and recap are late.....Life has been crazy and extremely busy.
The Make up Show was held back in May in Manhattan.From the moment I walked I was speechless.The artistry, the networking and the products.If you can go in 2010, get there, and start saving some cash now.
So this event is held for 2 days.My schedule was jammed packed with the AIDS walk that Sunday in Central Park, and in between all the festivities I came down with a NASTY cold.
I met Erin of Scandalous Beauty.
I saw Dany Sanz, creator of Make up Forever, she was celebrating her 25th anniversary. I also saw many youtube Makeup Gurus.Every major makeup brand in the industry was represented there, prices were bananas.40% off at Make up forever, Eve Pearl,really, I could go on forever.They were also seminars, and all types of instructionals and demos that were at no additional cost.

A few pictures are below. For more info on the show Click Here.
Hope to see you all next year!

LFM

Are you ready for the transition?

So we've heard about this transition for as long as I can remember. And yes, it is finally here. You know, digital T.V. We know that picture quality is better now than ever before.In fact, cameras an now see 6x greater than we can imagine. For me, this means nothing.I don't plan on being on TV any time soon.
Except there is one thing, that has me pumped about this whole digital movement.High Definition Foundation , every news anchor and even Oprah is using it! Why you ask? If you can get a flawless face, a soft focus finish with makeup, the question is, why not?! There are of course countless options. Make up Forever Hi Definition foundation is available in 26 shades. It is oil free (oily skin like mine appreciates), because it is made for HD TV it is virtually undetectable. No more harsh lines were it is obvious you are wearing foundation.Perfect for brides and anyone doing print/film work.

For those curious to know, right now, I am wearing 173 and 177 mixed, I am between shades at the moment.
Make up Forever is sold exclusively at Sephora, and at the Make up forever boutique, NYC.


Click,click FLASH!

LFM

Beauty Crunching.

A you tubers channel that I regulary visit has found amazing deals here.They have tons of Stila ,and a few other brands. The prices are excellent. Stila does work for NY and LA fashion week, and of course they are featured in many editorials. Oh and the shipping is not astronomical. Check it out!
Beauty Crunch


TGIF!

LFM

Click Worthy!

Yes this has nothing to do with fashion, or glosses but I'm on this site daily. Check it out, perhaps it will inspire you. When it does please invite me to your MTV cribs episode! No but seriously, it also gives great tips and ideas, especially for those that live in areas where what we pay for rent/mortgages could by us a huge home in other places.


Click here!

In my Element.

Please don't even ask why I am up at this hour. I have no clue. But at any rate, I want to share with you all a drugstore find. I have been using it for a month now, so it's safe to say it has my seal of approval,lol.
Meet St.Ives Elements Cleanser, I am so loving this! Sure I have my arsenal of cleansers, but talk about beauty on a budget!I keep it in my shower and it feels so good and it some what calms me.It is safe for all skin types. I am combination, for the record. The only caveat is that you need to remove eye make up before hand, it does not remove that to my standards. One more thing is that it is a cleanser, not a cleansing oil (love those also-deets later).
You can find it at your local drugstore or Tar-jay.



LFM

Follow me..........

On twitter that is. A day in the life of.......... ok ok not so much, but anyway yes follow me. By the way, I have a extra bed room of things that I have especially for you all...........How do I know if you read if you don't comment? ha? So comment and let me know your thoughts........give aways soon. Carol's Daughter anyone?

Thats all (in the voice of Miranda Priestly).

Carm's on Twitter!

Feline Frenzy!

That's right! Seven days..........and you may empty your wallets! The past two days have been fun filled across the country for those who have attended Hello Kitty pre-release events. Check out a you tubers channel I constantly stalk. Oh and grab and pen and paper. You will be making a list. Enjoy! And don't forget to let me know next week what you snag! She has several vids,watch them, as she will show you what she got! Way to go Fafinettex3!

Sad luxurious occassion.

So if you have ever purchased Louis Vuitton, you must know about eLUXURY.com
It is,after all, the ONLY ,authorized AUTHENTIC etailer of Louis Vuitton. You can also find Pucci, Dior and a host of other leaders of the "luxury" pack. In June,they will close their retail operations.Eluxury is a part of LVMH, an umbrella that also includes Marc Jacobs, and The Beauty Authority: Sephora. Not that my paychecks could keep the site afloat, I still love surfing it. And if you aren't a train ride away from Manhattan, dot com maybe the most accessible for your fashion fix. Click the link below to get further deets:

Eluxury's Exit




LFM

M.A.C. sale

I am a little under the weather today. But I just wanted to share that MAC is having 25% off until Thursday at midnight. This is ONLINE only, so please do not harass your local artist at her counter. Thanks. Definetly check out The Dame Edna collection it's quite quirky, and of course I'm obsessed the with packaging because it is my fave, the color PURPLE. I picked up the hightlighting powder in specktacle, lipstick in gladiola, and gloss in splendid.Meanwhile I am anxiously awaiting the Brunette Blonde Redhead, which is being released Thursday! Let me know if you ladies pick up anything!

Back to my pillow,

LFM