A Noisy Spring

Those of you not where I am in Central Virginia may not know that our area has become inundated with the 17 year cicadas. For the past three weeks, my back yard sounds like a flying saucer is going to land at any minute! Even when inside my home, with all of the doors and windows closed, I can hear the constant hum. My friends and family know that insects, particularly flying insects, really creep me out. Cicadas are no exception!



For that reason, I’d rather show you pictures of my beautiful peonies rather than those fat, ugly bugs! LOL! Peonies are one of my favorite flowers anyway so it’s good that they were so beautiful this year. My husband has been working hard outside (while I avoid the cicadas by staying inside) and our place looks great!



I’m glad it’s going to be another 17 years before this group comes back. I’ve really had enough!



Have a great day!

Smart Stripes

Happy Monday! Hope you had a great weekend and are ready to start the new week. We had a nice couple of days off to get work done around the house, relax and catch up on some hockey games (my husband) and watch “The Finder” on Netflix (me).

On Friday evening, we made a last minute decision to go out to dinner. Luckily, I had just received an order from Dobbin and a box from Gwynnie Bee. I decided to wear my Chase Stretch Ponte Cropped Pants (not cropped on me!) and Maya Stretch Camisole from Dobbin and a striped blazer by Eloquii, which was one of my picks at Gwynnie Bee. Finished off with cute, red flats, I was set!

This outfit was sooooo comfortable and I got a few compliments at dinner. I will be wearing this combo again!

So how did you spend your weekend? Please share!

Spring Trend: Statement Sunglasses

One really fun Spring trend is big, bold sunglasses! All over the web and in fashion magazines you’ll find all kinds of sunglasses that will take you near and far this Spring and Summer. I’ve compiled a selection on Pinterest that ranges in price from $16 to $300 so there’s something at every price point. Click here to see my board.
As for me. I did get a new pair of sunglasses this Spring. Mine came in my PopSugar Summer Fun Box (see my post on this fun idea). The box cost $100 for quite a few great items but the sunglasses retail for $148 separately.


Mine are the House of Harlow 1960 Lynn sunglasses in Fog. You can find them here on the House of Harlow website.


These babies are BIG but I love them!


What do you think? Are you into the statement sunglasses trend?

Spring Trend: Bright Lips!!!

One of my favorite trends for spring is bright lips. After a long, cold winter, there’s nothing better than a bright lipstick to light up my face and my mood!


From vivid opaque formulas to colored lip balms, there’s something for everyone. I tend to like pinks and corals rather than the bright yellows and purples I’ve seen in the stores. Here are some of my favorites:




From left: OCC Cosmetics Pageant; Revlon Lip Butter in Sorbet; Maybelline Vivids in Pink Pop; OCC Cosmetics in Narcissus; Make Up Forever Rouge Artist Natural in N31; Maybelline Vivids in Vivid Rose; L’Oreal Colour Caresse in Velvety Fuchsia



From left: OCC Trollop; OCC Queen; Mac Impassioned; Maybelline Vivids in Shocking Coral; Revlon Lip butter in Wild Watermelon

When wearing brighter shades, I like to use a lip pencil, either one that matches the lipstick (line your lips and fill in the entire lip with the lip pencil and THEN put on the lipstick) or one of the newer “clear” ones from Make Up For Ever or Sally Hansen that keeps the lipstick from feathering. If using the clear lip pencils, just outline the lips with the pencil and then fill in with the lipstick.

How about you? Are you wearing bright lip colors this Spring?

Spring 2013 Trends: Stripes!

Picture via

What are your thoughts on stripes? Well, like it or not, stripes are all over the place for Spring 2013.  As you know, stripes are tricky for many of us. I've got some ideas on how to incorporate them into your wardrobe in non threatening ways. Click below for more!

Product Review: Bobbi Brown Lilac Rose Sparkle Eye Shadow in Lilac

Okay, I have to admit, I was scared to death when I first purchased Bobbi Brown's Sparkle Eye Shadow in Lilac. Not being a fan of glitter on anyone, nor am I in favor of sparkle eye makeup for women over thirty, this one was not an easy pick for me. But I decided to take a walk on the wild side and try this one out. 

Click below for my thoughts.

A Spring Day in Virginia

We all know that Mother Nature can be fickle and here in Central Virginia, on the fifth day of Spring, we received three inches of snow (with more to come later today).

Product Review: Bobbi Brown Roza Nail Polish

As I wrote on my intro post for Bobbi Brown's Lilac Rose Collection, Bobbi released a beautiful nail polish that looked like a soft and pretty addition for Spring. I purchased it, along with the eyeshadow palette, the sparkle eyeshadow and several lipglosses (reviews are coming!). What did I think of Bobbi's new nail polish? Click below to find out!

Product Review: Bobbi Brown Sheer Color Cheek Tint

Scary in the tube, beautiful on the skin!

As part of the "Pink and Red Collection" for Spring 2013, Bobbi Brown has released its Sheer Color Cheek Tint in Sheer Cherry and Sheer Pink ($26.00). I purchased the Sheer Cherry and have been testing it out for the last couple of days.

Sheer Cherry may be crazy bright in the tube but on the skin, it provides a beautiful, sheer wash of color that looks natural and glowing. It glides onto your cheeks like silk and blends easily into the skin. This formula, I think, works particularly well on more mature skin as it leaves a moist, luminescent finish.

See more pictures after the jump!

Introducing: Bobbi Brown "Pink and Red" Collection

Bobbi Brown recently released her "Pink and Red" Collection for Spring 2013. Bobbi's line is one of my favorites as it is particularly kind to aging skin. About the Pink and Red Collection, she says, 

"The Pink & Red Collection isn't about matching lips, cheeks and nails. It's about deliberately mismatching. Color blocking and unexpected combinations - a very modern mix."

All products are available at Nordstrom and include:

Creamy Matte Lip Color ($24.00)

• Heart (Red)
• Hot  (Pink)

Lip Gloss ($24.00)

• Cherry (Red)
• Pretty in Pink  (Pink)

Sheer Color Cheek Tint ($26.00)

• Sheer Cherry (Red)
• Sheer Pink (Pink)

Nail Polish ($18.00)

• Valentine Red (Red)
• Pink Valentine (Pink)

I have ordered a few pieces from this collection and will have a review shortly!