5 Staple Items Every Girl Needs to Have in Her Closet: Go-To Outfit Ideas

1.      Statement necklace

2.      Blazer- any color you’d like (preferably white or black for ease in matching)

3.      Loose fitting fashion tee or shirt

4.      Back and Nude Pumps

5.      Black Skinnys 

Statement necklace

Every girl today needs a statement necklace.  The statement you are trying to make is entirely up to you, but if you want it to be a fashionable one- I suggest you invest in one. Beware though- they are like pringles. My statement necklaces quickly turned into a statement collection- which isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you can score deals on them. Why are they now a staple item?  You can pair them with almost ANYTHING! Go bold and bright to bring color to your all black ensemble or keep it clear to dress up a dressed down tee. Men have a tie to pull themselves together and ladies have these.

Blazer- any color you’d like (preferably white or black for ease in matching)

Blazers are no longer all business. Pair a Blazer with anything from skinny jeans to a dress to take an outfit to another level. They demand authority which is what you have ladies. Why so staple? As stated before- you can bring them from the office to out on the town while mixing and matching shirts and bottoms with ease.

Loose fitting fashion tee or shirt

Oversized is underrated. Gone are the days were the tighter the better- and personally I love it. Not only is it easier for everyone to enjoy the less form fitting and more forgiving ensample but it’s oh-so-comfortable and effortlessly chic.  Why is it a staple? A loose fitted tee can carry you through almost any occasion. Pair it with a blazer to dress it up or stick leggings and boots under it for a casual but fashionable ensemble. 

Back and Nude Pumps

Night out- no problem, pick up the pumps. Black is easy to match with almost any attire. Perfect for the office or out you can take business to casual with the right jeans or a casual dress to the next level with these guys. I’ve included nude in my round up because I’ve noticed I’ve started opting for them to break up the black. The heel will serve the same purposes and can be used with virtually any color pattern! Why a staple- read above ;).

Black Skinnys

Leggings are perfect for under the sweater weather but it you want a more polished look you have to go for the form fitted pants. I have both jeggings and a cuffed skinny dress pant that go with absolutely any look. If you have to opt for one over the other because sometimes we can’t have it all at once- go with the jeggings that will be office appropriate ( as long as they are fitted correctly) but will work for a night on the town, dinner date, concert or even a day of shopping. 

Eye Brow Product Review- Bodyography Essential Brow Trio

Eye Brow Product Review- Bodyography Essential Brow Trio

Frame that fabulous face girl  ;)

If you read my last post, you know I wanted to try more products for beautiful brows, and I got my wish thanks to Bodyography!  Their more than capable team filled my need by sending over their essential brow trio.  Before you read my through son the product, I wanted to share a little background on what really left a lasting impression— the actual company itself!

Essential Brow Trio

Typically, if a product is not Sephora or Ulta, I have limited knowledge of it. Although shopping in these stores with wall to wall treasures is something I more than enjoy to do— it’s important for us to remember life outside of the mall when selecting products for our beauty arsenal or closet collections (Yes, I refer to my clothing and accessories as a collection and whole-heartedly believe shopping is a hobby – planning to write a tangent post soon).

My personal and first favorite about the company is the fact it is Cruelty Free claiming they live by the saying ‘Beauty with a Conscience’.  They are listed as a Certified Cruelty Free Brand by PETA  ( that’s legit).  ECO friendly- Read more here on how the company develops products in a way to reduce trash in landfills and air pollution. And Made in the USA, ‘Merica!

Second favorite, OK, maybe it’s a tie for first, the products are infused with enriching vitamins and antioxidants to leave your skin looking and feeling its best. So knowing this…let’s take a look at the essential brow trio now…

Bodyography suggests that the trio can be used in three ways. Is this why it’s called the brow trio— I have no idea, but it works. There are three different shades of power in the pack, that not only function as a brow filler, but can also be used as a liner,  eye shadow and/or blush depending on your skin tone. The three different colors are present to provide ladies who color their hair either seasonally or spontaneously, an option to go for a lighter or darker shade to match. Hello Options!

So, the whole concept overall looks great on paper. Now how does it function in real life use? So glad you asked!

$10 Small Angled Brush

When I first went to test out the product I realized I wasn’t provided with a tool for application.  The company offers a Brow/Lash brush which they recommend to use the product with, but note that any angled brush would work. Using an old one I had lying around I was able to play around with the colors and found that the darkest power looked best with my brows and filled them in naturally. I tested the powder out as a liner even though I only use black, and it worked just as promised. So for those who opt for a brown there are two nice color pallets here you can line your eyes with and count on the color not to smudge.  

In my opinion, $19 is a little steep for an eye brow product. But you aren’t getting just a little eye brow pencil with this kit.  You are getting three, really 6, products that are made up of quality ingredients,animal cruelty free and eco- friendly! Oh and, the icing on this already beautiful cake? The entire company is family owned and operated by beauty industry professionals who have over 25 years’ experience  and own professional salons across the nation.

Ah, I love a good company and a good product!  

Eye Brow Beauty Review - Perfect Brow Wand from Ramy.com

Eye Brow Beauty Review

Frame that  fabulous face girl

Often forgotten and regretfully so- are the eye brows during a daily beauty routine. It is often said in the beauty world, that the eye brows frame the face- and if we stop and think for a moment, it’s true. It is similar to the way the beauty of a painting can either be intensified or depreciated by the frame that surrounds it.  The frame doesn't change the painting itself or the fact that its breathtaking- yes lovely you are-but it changes the perception of it at the first look.

And in a world full of quick first takes, let’s make our overall canvas easy on the eyes by finishing off the masterpiece with the right frame.

Sure, you can go out and hunt down 20 different products to find the right one for you… but my blog is here to save you the trip to the store and buyer’s remorse of purchasing multiple items you won’t like, use or need. All affordable for the everyday work life that 90% of us you professionals are living.

For this review I was provided products from the Miracle Brow to test out.

The first product I tried was Miracle Brow ($28 at Ramy.com). The compact contains brow colors in a mirrored compact with double ended brush. I used the brown compact to best match my eyebrows. 

The sheet provided lists the product as light weight and waterproof, which are both true. I was also provided the tip below: 

RamyTip: First apply Miracle Brow with the angled brush tip, and then brush through with the other end for natural looking results

The second product I tried was the Perfect Brow Wand ($28 at Ramy.com). This one was my favorite from the two. However, I actually wish that I had the brush that came in the first compact to work the color through. The highlighter is a nice added touch and it’s also self-sharpening which I love.

I was provided the tip below by the vendor; however I wound up with my own.

·        Ramy Tip:  Trace a highlighter under the brow and blend with fingers for a more visual lift

·        My Tip: Place the highlighter in the corners of your eyes to bring light in to those dark corners

I’m hoping to continue to review best products for brows to provide more options so stay tuned!

* update- I got my wish, check on my next review here! 

Part of a well-balanced beauty routine

Must-Have Beauty Bag 

First Up: New Dove Advanced Care Deodorant with NutriumMoisture.

It's highly important to have a healthy beauty routine and having the basics in the bag first make all the difference. The first item on our bathroom counter and beauty bags: New Dove Advanced Care Deodorant with NutriumMoisture. 

With out sugar coating we all sweat. I've heard ladies glisten, so if that makes the concept a little easier to read- we can go with that. Keep you "glisten" down with Dove.. see what I did there? ;p  There's more reasons to select Dove than just a fancy alliteration. The brand promises softer, smoother underarms in just three days and offers 48-hours in addition to providing odor and wetness protection. Still need a warm and fuzzy reason to side with the brand? Ask and you will receive: 

Not only is Dove a brand well known for effective and quality products at affordable prices ( Our favorite trifecta), but the brand supports real beauty  that can only come who a person is and not what they cover up with. Check out this feel good  “Real Beauty Campaign” for more detail.

Dove was kind enough to provide samples of their New Dove Advanced Care Deodorant with NutriumMoisture, to create this review. 

You can find Dove at your local grocery and drug stores available in a variety of scents and ranging from $4.99 - $6.49. 

Stay Beautiful My Friends and follow us on twitter for a chance to win something beautiful!

Pop Sugar Must-Have Review

I would say the value of the box was worth the try- especially after finding a $5 coupon ( REFER5) from digging around online. The box itself $39.95 without the coupon I used. Items inside ranged from $48- $3, so I feel it’s a fair gamble. However, I do not think I will be trying this again until perhaps closer to winter- and here’s why:

Michael Stars Sea Grass Crusher Hat ($48)

 My hat did NOT look like the one in the photo. It was much darker brown and the holes were bigger. It reminded me almost of fishnet and not the fine and chic look in the product card they provide.

French Bull Ziggy Salad Servers ($12)

I love the pattern but I hate to cook. If the box knew more about it, they would never send over a kitchen related item. However for those who do enjoy some time in the kitchen and can actually make a salad- unlike myself- I think they’re a great little item to add a little pizazz to an ordinary white serving bowl.

Sun Bum Suncreen and Lotion ($20)

These were awesome- they smelled great and totally a must-have summer item.  I took them with me to the beach and the pool.  I loved them so much that I will actually be including them in the late summer product round-up that is coming soon- This stuff smells like summer in a bottle!

ACME Party Box Company Chevron Straws $7

I say “YAY” for these! You are never going to pay $7 for a pack of straws, especially paper ones. But when you factor in your hat was $48 and that you paid $40 for your box- you technically got these little guys for free right? That’s my logic anyway.

TKO Jump Rope $10

HUGE FAIL- Once again the box not knowing me makes the difference. We’ll put aside the fact that I hate to work out- but I’m 4’9 and this rope is LONG. I couldn’t use it and had to hand it over to my boyfriend. It’s a great touch for someone who works out at home, but if you are so into healthy you are excited about a jump rope- aren’t you more likely to be at the gym? I guess BYOR might work ?

Dang Foods Tossed Coconut Chips $3

They reminded me of a topping you would put on something….my suggestion is to throw them in your desk drawer. They were a good quick snack when I found myself hungry in between meetings.

 Revlon Bold Lacquer Length & Volume Mascara ($8)

At first I was a little annoyed- I mean I could have picked this up at Walmart. But I wouldn’t have- and that’s the point of the box, to try new things that are approved by someone with credibility. The verdict- I really liked it- honestly. As soon as I run out I’m going to purchase this again as one of my daily make up items.

Overview: The winning part of the box is that it picks out the latest and greatest. You get to try new things that you would not normally have heard of or picked up for yourself. The fail part is without any type of personalization, the box only had a few items that I enjoyed or would use. So, after paying basically $35, I only really used $28 worth of items out of it. I would give this box a try it…but only with a coupon and  a back-up plan to re-gift the items to someone who might better enjoy them, hence my “winter” reference- think holiday gifts.  I don’t fully consider this re-gifting…. I mean I did pay for it after all.

Honest Stitch Fix Review- Fourth Times the Charm?

I have to be honest- my relationship with Stitch Fix has been an emotional roller coaster...

My first box was so fabulous I almost kept all of the items, but restrained myself since I wasn’t sure what the next fix would bring…which was a shame because it only brought one item I would like.

They say the third times the charm, -no, really, Stich Fix says that by the third box your “buyer” will know more of your taste and style. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for me. The third box was so bad that my boyfriend even commented on how terrible the choices were. This is coming from a man who owns four shirts, one belt and could care less that his socks have holes in them, and even HE thought the choices were ridiculous. They did not fit my personal style or my size for that matter.

Not hitting the nail on the head in the style department is one thing, but if my buyer just looked at my provided height description- I doubt she would have sent a dress for 6-foot women to a 4-foot-9 one ( yes, I’m tiny). However, I remained so impressed by the first box from the choices of clothing to the convenience that I continue to come back for more. I want to get back to that first win!

I am now on my fourth stitch fix and the company is on their last chance at keeping me as a customer. I wrote an honest review, much like the one above, after my third box and hope that they will take the notes into consideration when sending over the box this week! That’s right- only a few days away and you will have the final verdict and some tips on how to get the most out of your stitch fix box!

Stay Tuned....

Subscription Boxes- Are They Worth the Money?

As a PR professional I can promise you time management is going to be your best friend, but one whichyou will have to learn and earn through plenty of trial and error.

I won’t pretend that I completely have this down. I’m still handing over gifts without cards because I didn’t have time to sign or grab one.  My recent favorite time management fail is taking the time out to detail all my appointments and events in a planner and then losing said planner two days later.

My point is- it seems that when my work is at its best, my personal life is at its worst. This often results in me giving 100% to deadlines and clients and having nothing left for myself.  No, this isn't a rant but more of a preface to why subscriptions like the ones I have tried below ,are beneficial-  if done right-,for people who don’t have the time to stop, shop and roll with the punches.

The first subscription I tired was Stitch Fix. 

 Read my personal review here

After this I tried Pop Sugar’s Must- Have Box

Read my review here

Check out other subscription opportunities below that attempt to make life as a busy fashionista, wino, snacker, or whatever you are, a little easier:

Click me!

Now if there was just a way to get my hair done...