Mani(c) Monday - February 10, 2014 (Late Post)

Hey all!  It is already February, and this is the first nail post I am putting up.  Needless to say, I have beyond neglected to post these on a regular basis.  I am so bad at being a blogger that posts consistently, especially since I devised an actual schedule that I aimed to stick to.  Honestly, I feel bad that I haven't been posting, even though I have loads of content just sitting in folders on my desktop, just waiting to be edited and seen by the world.

Anyways, this time around I'm wearing My Private Jet by OPI, a deep cocoa brown shade with holographic glitter running through it.  This shade has been available for a while now, and has been a favorite to many, although I have seen posts on other blogs showing how the formulation of it has changed.  Regardless, I find it to be a very flattering shade on my nails, and I'm glad I got it.  Being that spring is nearing, I'm gonna attempt to bring out my more colorful polishes, even though I'm not hugely fond of them.  I'd like to know what shades of nail polish you all are loving at the moment, so let me know down in the comments.  All photos taken by me.  =]

My Private Jet by OPI

Golden Globes Red Carpet Recap + My Best & Worst Dressed Picks

As some of you may know, it's that time of year again, and by that I mean award season.  Personally, I highly anticipate seeing the celebs get all glammed up to walk down the red carpet decked out in some of the most amazing designers.  That being said, award (red carpet) season has officially begun with the Golden Globe awards that were held this past Sunday (January 12th).  As expected, the red carpet at the Golden Globes included a selection of amazingly dressed individuals, some that were generally pleasing, and some that had too much wrong going on.  Below are my picks for the best and worst dressed attendees, as well as some that were just perfectly "nice," or as I like to call them "notable mentions."  I do NOT own or take credit for ANY of the photos shown (taken from varied news sources).  =]

Walking in New Shoes

I think it's safe to say that we all make it a point to set goals and areas for improvement as we embark on a new year...and consequently 99.9% of the time our plans and good intentions fall through the cracks.  Now I know it's a bit presumptuous for me to mention, but I'm gonna try damn hard to ensure that none, and I sincerely mean NONE of the goals I set for the year go unnoticed or pushed aside.  That being said, I wanted to take some time to revamp this blog.  I'll be changing things up a bit in terms of general appearance, and referring back to the posting schedule I had devised (which can be seen here), to be consistent in putting out a variety of content that I am passionate about expressing.  It pains me that putting posts up on this blog has been something that I have failed to accomplish on a frequent basis, especially when I thoroughly enjoy writing and putting together these posts.  I want to be more actively engaged in taking my ideas, and putting them out there for you all to see, rather than have them remain in my thoughts.  This blog, as I mentioned once or twice before, is an outlet of my expression, and I wish to be as expressive as I can with what I put out there.

On another note, there a few posts that I intended to post a while back, though somehow ended up on the back burner and are pretty irrelevant at this point in time, since they refer to things either no longer available, or just out of season.  Even though they may no longer be prevalent in things on a current scale, I will start the year off by sharing those with you all.  These posts include photos of the looks from the FirstLady The Movement fashion show I helped to produce and style, which took place during their 4th annual expo in July.  Another post consists of the items I picked up from the 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target collection, that launched in September.  Finally, I wanted to share with you all my review of the Alexander Wang Rocco bag, to which I also filmed a corresponding video to accompany it on my YouTube channel that will be uploaded at the same time I get that post up.  Expect to see these much belated posts go up, along with other aesthetic changes to this blog over the course of the next week or so...I promise.

Oh, and if you're wondering about the title of this post, I based it off the song "New Shoes (Postcard)" by Beyonce (that I have embedded at the bottom of this post).  It's kind of an older song, and let's just say it was one of the stand out songs that graced my MySpace page back in the day.  Looking at it generally, it's a break up song...not to say it's any representation as to how my relationship with my boyfriend is going.  We're doing just fine, if anyone cares to know.  Anyway, the message I take away from the song is that you shouldn't let people restrict you from accomplishing anything in life, and that you're far better off ridding your life of toxic people who ultimately cause you to be unhappy.  I find it fitting that starting off a new year is like slipping on a pair of new shoes, ones that can take you anywhere you want to go, depending on whether or not you decide to take the right path.  The shoes I'm wearing in the picture above are new by the way...they're by Cole Haan, and I scored a great deal on them at the Saks 5th Avenue Outlet (Off 5th) after Christmas sale.  Now that I've gone on rambling long enough, I'll shut up and get to work on all those posts I mentioned.  Hope you all have had a spectacular holiday season, and are starting off the new year on the right foot.

=]

Christmas 2013 Haul

Hope you all have been having an exceptionally stellar holiday season.  For the few years that I've had my YouTube channel, I've always told myself that I would stray away from filming and/or posting things I got for Christmas.  However, I somehow felt inclined to do so this year, so I did.  Along with this post, there is a video I filmed on my YouTube Channel (click here to view) where I generally go over the things I got.  There may be more in depth reviews to come on specific things in the future.  As I get older, the more grateful I am for the fact that I still get gifts at Christmastime from people, although I'm convinced I'm far too old to still be getting them.  Please don't feel offended or think that I'm bragging by sharing these things with you all.  I would be very delighted if you all shared some things you got for Christmas down in the comments, or something you particularly enjoyed this holiday season.  Also, let me know if you're interested in me doing a review on any of the items I got.  All photos taken by me.  =]

Le Pliage Large Tote in Slate by Longchamp

 Silver Stainless Steel Watch by Emporio Armani

 Bracelet by Isabel Marant pour H&M

 Fragrances I got for Christmas: Fame Black Fluid by Lady Gaga, Our Moment by One Direction, The Beat by Burberry

 Nintendo 3DS XL in Blue + Games: Pokemon X, Super Mario 3D Land

Sigmax Face Brushes by Sigma

Sephora VIB Sale Haul 2013

It's that time of year again!  I can honestly say that I've taken part in the Sephora "holiday" type of sale for the past 4 years, and did not stray away from doing so again this year.  However, for the past 2 years I have been classified as what is known as a "VIB", which means "Very Important Beauty Insider"...which I think is pretty cool.  Although, that means that I've been spending increasing amounts at Sephora as the years have progressed (don't tell my boyfriend).  For those of you who don't know, the Beauty Insider program at Sephora is a point-based rewards system that gives you 1 point for every dollar you spend there, which can accumulate and later be redeemed for "Point Perks," which are deluxe samples and sets of products that are offered in the store.  Being that I have been part of this rewards program for some time, I have been promoted to the classification VIB, that enables me to participate in cool events, get notified of new product releases, and most importantly getting 20% off all merchandise during the VIB (holiday) sale.

In past years, Sephora had the holiday sale open to pretty much everyone, and offered higher discounts to those who were regular Beauty Insider members as well as VIBs (who I believe had a greater discount).  Though in the past few years, the sale has been almost exclusively set for Beauty Insiders and VIBs, to which coupons were sent out to those people along with another one to be given to the person of their choice (who doesn't have to be a Beauty Insider member).  This year, I was glad to get my 20% off coupon in the mail that was able to be redeemed as many times as I wanted from November 7th through the 11th, along with an additional one that I was able offer to those I decided to share it with.  However, this year's coupon for the person of your choice had to be redeemed with the VIB present, which in turn meant that I made multiple trips to Sephora over the past few days in order for all my loved ones to get the discount.

I had a general game plan for the sale this year, as I typically do for shopping types of endeavors, so I made it a point to make a list of items I would like, so I was able to devise how much it was I intended to spend.  Despite my clever planning, however, I ended up getting loads of other things much different from what I originally planned, mostly because the things I originally wanted had already sold out.  Nonetheless, I seemingly ended up picking up lots more than I intended to just because I had a few gifts to purchase for others, even though the bulk of it was for me.  If you participated in this sale, I would love to know in the comments what you picked up.  Also, be sure to watch my haul video that I'll try to have up soon, where I'll go over each of the items I picked up (I'll embed the video in this post as soon as I get that video out).  Below I took some photos of my purchases from this sale...I did my best to number them, so that all the items can be identified.  I linked off as many as possible of the items in the photo key located below the last photo (the one with the numbers).  All photos taken by me.  =]

1.) VIB Lips Totes

2.) Fresh Soy Face Exfoliant

3.) Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover

4.) Shiseido Ibuki Ready For Anything Skin Set

5.) Bite Beauty Best Bite Set

6.) BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector

7.) BECCA Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation in Amber

8.) Sephora Collection Technicolor Tinsel Eyelash Curler

9.) Skincare Samples by Amore Pacific

10.) Anna Sui Flight of Fancy Rollerball

11.) Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15

12.) Urban Decay Urban Essentials Deluxe Sample Set (Beauty Insider Point Perk)

13.) VIB Savings Cards & Lookbook of Gift Ideas

Mani(c) Monday - November 4, 2013 (Late Post)

Hey everyone! It's been a while since I've posted anything here...and I really shouldn't have an excuse for not posting my nail posts at the very least since I have been consistent in taking them as I've changed out my polish.  I feel like I'm always having to start my posts with an explanation or a rant of excuses, which is largely my own causing in the first place, due to my lack of involvement in actively posting.  All I can do is say that I will post when I am good and ready to do so...not gonna make any more promises regarding that.

Anyway, back to the post...

What I have on my nails this time around is a combo of Blank Slate by Sonia Kashuk as the base color, and Clearly Spotted by Maybelline over as a sort of glitter top coat.  I am infectiously in love with this nail combination, mostly because it looks as though I have taken the time to do a splatter effect nail art detail to my nails, even though it is just glitter.  I love the cool undertone of the grey in the Black Slate shade by Sonia Kashuk, that beautifully compliments the multi sized and faceted glitter in the Clearly Spotted glitter top coat by Maybelline to create a stunning monochromatic look.  I think I will definitely be experimenting with this glitter top coat with other shades and finishes as the base color to be worn though the fall and winter season.  All photos taken by me.  =]

Blank Slate by Sonia Kashuk + Clearly Spotted by Maybelline

HFM - Outfit: Hawaii Fashion Designers Market

As some of you may know, Hawaii Fashion Month is a week under way, and several festivities have already taken place as far as events associated with it are concerned.  I was able to both assist with and attend Outfit: Hawaii Fashion Designers Market on behalf of the First Lady The Movement street team.  The event was held on both the 2nd and 3rd of October in the bottom warehouse space of TJ Maxx in Ward (Kakaako).  This event posed an amazing opportunity for up & coming and established local designers, to showcase their creations to the fashion community and bring exposure to the public.  There were an abundance of local creative talent that displayed pieces they have crafted, ranging from clothing, to swimwear, jewelry & accessories, and artwork.

Aside from the vendor type of booths that were being exhibited, there were also displayed installations of established local businesses such as Hilo Hattie, Reyn Spooner, and Goodwill Hawaii, that really exemplify who they are in a way that was visually stunning.  Other visual installations that were displayed were features of local fashion designers, some of which are recent graduates of the University of Hawaii system of programs.  Along with the stationary visual displays, there were also fashion shows that went on during the course of the event, as well as do-it-yourself activities held in the Hifi (Hawaii Fashion Incubator) Lounge run by Art & Flea Hawaii.  All in all, I found this event to be successful, and a great culmination of creativity in the local community.  I'll be attending a few more events for Hawaii Fashion Month, so be sure to check out my posts on those sometime soon.  Below are pictures from the Outfit Hawaii event, most of which were taken by me (except the one I'm in, of course).  =]

For more information about the event, check out:

http://outfithawaii.com/

View from outside of Outfit Hawaii Fashion Designers Market.

Maryrose a.k.a. "Maryberry" and I at the registration table outside, volunteering for First Lady The Movement.

The stage/runway in the center of the event.

Side view of the stage/runway.

End of the runway, where the models posed during the fashion show.

The Hifi (Hawaii Fashion Incubator) Lounge, where DIY projects run by Art & Flea Hawaii were happening.

 At the Hifi Lounge, you could decorate canvas tote bags, and make bracelets.

Local fashion designer Allison Isu's booth.

Local jewelry designer Panacea Designs booth.

Local jewelry designer Mango Luxe's booth.

Installation of garments by up & coming local fashion designers.

Installation of garments by up & coming local fashion designers.

Display by Hilo Hattie, with the HUGE aloha shirt in the background (I think it was sized as 400 XL).

Display by Reyn Spooner and Goodwill Hawaii.