Freakin' Fabulous Friday

Happy Friday, everyone! Hope you all have a great Memorial weekend planned!

How about a little fabulous to get your weekend started off right?

First up, Ms. Angelina Jolie in a *stunning* Jenny Packham dress...

Photo via: Sara De Boer/Startraks

Um, hello gorgeous color?! I'm always delighted to see when Angie sports a bright shade and the cut of this dress is so perfect and fluid. Love it.

And how about T Swifty at the Billboard Music Awards this past Sunday?

Photo via: Jordan Strauss/WireImage

While I think she was definitely overdressed for the occasion, I adore the blush Elie Saab gown and at the vintage cut of the dress. Diggin' the red lips, too!

And last but most certainly not least, Ms. Halle Berry at part one of Oprah's farewell show...

Photo via: George Burns/Harpo Studios

Comon' now. Shut the front door. This woman always looks so flawless. Halle rocks that soft makeup and neutral (blush) dress and exudes an incredible ease. Brava!

That about wraps it up for today's Fabulous Friday! Have a great weekend!

Recent Aquisitions: It's My Birthday Month, Yo

As mentioned last week...my birthday is coming up. If you're sick of hearing about my birthday, or May birthdays or Geminis...my apologies. In the past few weeks I've made a few purchases that are worth sharing with y'all...

Foam Roller
Yes. Due to intense amounts of CrossFit, a foam roller has turned into a necessity. Roll out those sore hammies, that achy back, those tight calves, whatever. It's pretty amazing for all of you who hit the gym or have sore muscles!

















BB Dakota Azure Dress
It's killing me that I can't find a photo of this dress online because it's so damn cute. I paid about $75 at a local Charlotte boutique, Boris & Natasha, and have never gotten so many compliments on the color of a dress. Such a pretty bright blue! Here's a fairly crappy picture of the bodice...

Consignment shopping: DVF scores
There must be a few women in Charlotte tire of their Diane Von Furstenberg dresses faster than I tire of drama on the CW. However, their castaways are my gain and I've scored two DVF dresses in the past two months (from Monarch and J.T. Posh, if you're ever in Charlotte!). One is an adorable silk blend cowl neck and the other a classic short sleeved wrap dress. While I'm sure they aren't from this season (or even last season), they still fit beautifully and the cut is classic. What did we learn today? Check your consignment shops, ladies.

DVF Lush Flip Flops
Speaking of consignment shopping, I picked up these brand new DVF Lush rubber flip flops from J.T. Posh, too! While the flips were $32, I had a credit from some goods I had sold here so they were, essentially, free! Damn it feels good to be a gangsta.

BTW - these run a teeny bit small, normally I wear a 7.5-8 and the 8 fits just fine albeit more like a 7.5. 


What about you? Any recent acquisitions?

Product Review: Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel, B-

Happy Tuesday, folks! Product review time...shall we?

Per my April Birchbox, I had the pleasure of trying out Juice Beauty's Green Apple Peel. Now, I love face products and my skin is pretty tolerant of many a masque and moisturizer so I happy applied this peel and gave it a go.

Details from Birchbox (and Juice Beauty):

We know, we know, we should use more organic and natural skincare. But sometimes healthy products don’t feel very effective. Not so with this Green Apple Peel, which smells like apples, looks like apple butter, and manages to truly even out skin. After just one use, you'll have completely flake-free skin — plus we love the zesty tingle. Major bonus: the antioxidant-rich formula has been shown to reduce skin cell damage.

How To Use: Apply a thin layer to clean face and neck once a week. It will tingle a little bit at first. Leave for 8-10 minutes for sensitive skin; up to 15 minutes for more resistant skin types. Rinse thoroughly and follow with toner or serum.

How It Works: A hydroxy acid complex composed of apple, lemon, grape juices, raw cane sugar, and white willow bark exfoliates skin for a smooth surface. Antioxidants, including vitamin C, protect skin from environmental damage.

Price: $45 for 2 oz. 

My review:

The Good: The smell is subtle and lovely! You only have to leave the peel on for 10 minutes and wash it right off. The product did tingle a bit and I saw a moderate "glow" after washing off the peel. And hey, it has loads of good-for-you ingredients packed in!

The Bad: For the retail price, the afterglow and effects aren't substantial enough to justify to price. $45 for 2 oz. is steep, y'all. Not that I expect to wash off the peel and look like Marisa Miller, but I do expect my skin to look and feel much better.

The Verdict: B- from me. It's a nice peel, but I wasn't in love with it - especially not with the higher price point.

Currently Craving: Birthday Wishes

I love birthdays. Especially when it's my birthday. Go ahead and judge me, but it's a great excuse to put on a fun frock, consume excessive amounts of cake and bask in the glow of goodies. Plus, people are generally much, much nicer to you on your birthday.

With my bday less than two weeks away my lovely mother (per usual) asked for some ideas...so here's what I'm currently craving. And, mom, I made a few changes just to keep you on your toes :)

What are you currently craving?

Day Dresses by Tolani
Sandals by Dolce Vita

Product Review: Stila Coconut Crush Lip & Cheek Stain, A

Happy Monday, friends!

It's product review time, y'all...and on tap for today is Stila's Coconut Crush Lip & Cheek stain. This sweet little beauty retails for $24 at Stilacosmetics.com, Sephora, Macy's, Beauty.com and Ulta. I'm a big, big fan of Stila's products (especially their eye shadows), so I was all giddy to try out this stunning new spring product!


Details from Stila:

Stila's newest crush creates a beautiful bronzey, rose gold shade for your lips and cheeks! Plus - this gorgeous crush is infused with coconut extract!

This revolutionary stain creates a personalized blush and pout with one click. The nourishing formula contains potent antioxidants, vitamins A, C and E to moisturize and coconut extracts, which is known to slow the degeneration of collagen - thus supporting the skin's natural structure and slowing premature aging. Also, coconut is celebrated for its high levels of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

A must-have, long-wearing lip & cheek stain for a naturally beautiful, bronzey glow.

My review:
 
The Good: This shade is *stunning*. It's the perfect shimmery, rosy shade with the right amount of brown undertones that makes it so wearable. Oh and it smells fab.

The Bad: You better blend, girl! Like all lip and cheek stains, if you get lazy and forget to blend properly (lips OR cheeks), this will look a bit streaky.

The Verdict: A all the way. While there are many products that claim to wear well on both cheeks and lips, this stain actually delivers. I love the shade and it looks gorgeous alone or with a gloss topper.

PSA: 40% off Spring Shoes at Nine West

Hey ladies! Quick post & PSA for today....40% off Spring shoes at Nine West (in store and online)!

I dropped by one of our local B&M stores and scoped out the goods. There are some fab deals and great spring (and summer) shoes w/40% off. I scooped up a new pair of beige wedges to replace my very worn out Banana Republic wedges from last summer. They were beyond repair...!

The shoes below, entitled Quicken, are adorable with genuine leather straps and a cute zip in the back. Be aware that they run at least 1 size LARGE. I actually took a size 6.5 and I typically wear a size 7.5 or 8. 


Here are some other super cute spring shoes I spied at Nine West...these are 40% off today! Happy shopping!

Pumps by Nine West
Sandals by Nine West

Getting Along Swimmingly...

Guess what, ladies? It's May. That's right - summer is well on its way. Gone are the days of chunky ribbed sweaters, leggings, riding boots and cords. And what is critical for summer? Swim suits.

Whether you delight or despise swimwear, you can't very well wear a trashbag to da beach. I have a few vacations coming up in the next few months, so I was recently on the prowl for a few swimwear options. For those of you seeking new swimwear, check out many of the sample sale sites (look to the right) or even check out 6pm.com - I scored some fab options from L*Space on sale!

Because I'm not exactly, ahem, proportional...I typically purchase separates and mix and match. Thus, that's why I dig L*Space so much. I have a whole matrix of options now!

What kind of swimsuit are you searching for?

Two-Piece Swimwear by L-Space
One-Piece Swimwear by L-Space