Outfit of the Day: Business Casual at a Conference

2014 was the year for business travel and if the beginning of 2015 is any indication, there will be a lot more business travel to come. I spent all of last week at my company’s global sales kickoff. It was just me and 3,000 other people, from all over the world, in Orlando for the week. Trips like these are really nice because not only do you learn a lot about the plans for the coming year but it’s a great opportunity for exposure to other cultures and languages. Fortunately, I love my job and the people I work with (even though we all work out of our homes, I see them A LOT!) because I end up spending plenty of time away from home. Believe me…coming home is really sweet!

Packing for business travel can be difficult due to climate, unpredictable weather and airlines (ugh!). I usually try to plan and cram everything into a carry on but since this trip was six days long, I decided to pack a larger bag and take many of my favorites. Most of the time, conference dressing means business casual (no suits) and since this one was an employees only affair, that meant I could take advantage of my very serious collection of clothing by Dobbin! In case this is your first time reading this blog, I must tell you that I absolute love this brand! Dobbin’s fashions are made in the USA, using amazing European fabrics (you will be amazed at the quality!) and priced just right! Just the fact that I, literally, purchase multiple items from every collection is a testimony in itself—I have NEVER fallen in love with a brand before! Not only is the fit just right but they have great sales (and they’re having one right now)!! Here’s a peek at one of the outfits from last week.

My outfit began with the gorgeous Luisa Silk Blouse from Dobbin. The beautiful black and ivory print ensures that this top works with a majority of the items in my closet. It’s comfortable and a great layering piece.

My pants were also from Dobbin: the New Stanton Slim Pant in Black Stretch Corduroy. Honestly, I thought these pants were like my velvet feel pants from Talbots---the corduroy is that soft! And just like the other New Stanton pants in my wardrobe, this fit is amazing! On my feet I wore a pair of LK Bennet burgundy colored suede booties from last year. Even though the heel was quite high, the platform inside ensured that these babies were really comfortable! (Here’s a pair that looks just like them but in black)

Because I am always cold (and temps in large ballrooms tend to be on the chilly side), I topped my outfit off with a Talbots Charming cardigan in black. I have these in many colors and they are great!

Outfits like this take me thru most conferences and even when it’s more of a prospect or customer facing event, these same pieces can be easily dressed up.

I’m getting back into the “regular blogging” groove so stay tuned for more this week!

Long Wearing Travel Makeup

As part of my travel series, I decided to document a makeup look that I wore on a recent trip. The test was all about how well this makeup wore as I navigated busy airports, crazy schedules and the dry air in a plane. Since my eyelids are oily but my skin is dry, this promised to be interesting! The fun thing about this is that I was able to make a video and improve my video making skills. The process of editing, adding music, titles, and a voiceover is really cool and I hope you like the video!

This particular trip, I traveled to Los Angeles for the week. By the time I arrived at my hotel, it had been fifteen hours in airplanes and airports. Amazingly enough, the makeup products I chose managed to still look fairly fresh, especially the eye makeup. I only really touched up my powder once that whole time so for me, this look (and products) performed really well. Check out the video, below.

Products I’m using include:
Korres Primer: http://tinyurl.com/m2apogh
Clinique CC Cream: http://tinyurl.com/l6jyzjx
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye: http://tinyurl.com/knwkb46
Nars Light Reflecting Loose Powder: http://tinyurl.com/mztcan2
Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel: http://tinyurl.com/kjtb2hz
Urban Decay Primer Potion: http://tinyurl.com/cnff78f
Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks: http://tinyurl.com/lbbrydw
Mac Eyeshadow: http://tinyurl.com/llythsv
Bobbi Brown Gel Ink: http://tinyurl.com/llwvext
Trish McEvoy Mascara: http://tinyurl.com/k3uj5v8
Illamasqua Cream Pigment: http://tinyurl.com/k6m6v3s
Chanel Blush: http://tinyurl.com/k4yzftt
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder: http://tinyurl.com/awojomg
Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick: http://tinyurl.com/msemwm8
Mac Pro Longwear Lip Glass: http://tinyurl.com/l7nmf4o

I loved how this looked and I received lots of compliments. The combination of cream and powder products work really well for a long day of travel!

Do you have any favorite travel beauty tips? Please share!!

Travel Tips from a Road Warrior Part 2

In Part 1 of this series (see it here), I extolled the virtues of wardrobe planning. It really does make a difference when you take the time to decide what you’re going to take with you on a trip (choosing items that are comfortable, don’t require a lot of upkeep while traveling and also coordinate with everything else you’re packing), when and how you’re going to wear it and what’s going to look good throughout the entire trip. When traveling, I’m always challenged for time. Not that I don’t plan well, but rather the airlines rarely plan well! So that means that I’m often rushing through an airport, due to a late arriving flight and about to miss a connection. As a result, I usually have no time to eat, go to the bathroom or touch up my makeup. That requires some thinking on my part, so I try to do some things before getting on a plane that makes it a bit easier. Here’s my go to list for air travel preparation:

Prior to Your Airplane Trip

• If you are a member of a frequent flyer program (and you should be) and haven’t done so, sign up for the TSA Pre Check service. It can take a couple of weeks but it’s worth getting approved to bypass the main security line.
• If you’re not a FF member, my understanding is that sometime this fall there will be an application where travelers can sign up for TSA Pre Check. You can check up on this (and if it’s offered in your area) by going to the TSA website here.

Photo via

Before Leaving Your Home

• Pack a couple of individually wrapped snacks that you can eat in a pinch (no liquids).
• Pack a re usable water bottle to fill with water in the fountains at the airport (I like these from S’Well. I also reviewed this product here). Don’t fill it until you get to the airport!
• If you use an Ipad, Kindle or other reading device, download any books or magazines you’re going to read prior to leaving the house. Airport WiFi is sometimes iffy and in some airports, it’s not cheap.
• If you have a mobile MIFI device (sometimes called a hotspot, jetpack, etc) from your cell carrier, charge it up and pack it, along with the charger.
• Make sure you’ve packed all of your chargers. If you can, consolidate by getting a device like this. If you’re going to a foreign country, make sure you take a converter (like this).
• Make sure you have some dollar bills for tips (you never know when you will need an extra service that will save you time and add convenience).
• Keep your travel documents (identification and boarding passes) in a safe but easily accessible (for you) place.
• If you have a Smart Phone, download the app for your airline and check in using the app. An electronic boarding pass is great because you will also receive gate changes and flight updates via the app. If you happen to change your seat, you’ll also receive the updated boarding pass automatically.
• Pack any medication in a separate pouch that you can slip into your carry on bag. I use bags that I get with cosmetics purchases (right now I’m using a cloth Clinique bag that I got as a “gift with purchase”).
• Make sure ALL of your liquids and gels are packed in containers that are less than 3 ounces and fit in a quart size ziplock bag. Don’t wait to do this at the airport and don’t pack any full sized products in your carryon. If you’re checking a bag, great, but believe me, your life will be much easier (and the people behind you in line will thank you) if you take care of this before you leave home.
• Wear comfortable, easy to remove shoes. No boots that are a struggle to take off. You’ll thank me for this warning when you have to go thru security and the line is long and you’re going to be late for your flight due to said long lines.
• As part of the bullet above, wear socks (or trouser socks, tights, hose, whatever). If you have to remove your shoes (you really do need to sign up for TSA Pre Check), this will prevent your bare feet from walking on dirty airport floors. I’m not usually squeemish but yuck!
• Pack a sweater/jacket/shawl in your carryon bag even if it’s summer. Airplanes (and some airports) are notoriously cold.
• Make sure to pack ear plugs, even if you don’t use them at home. You never know when your hotel room sits above a busy street or the rooms have thin walls.
• Carry on whatever facial moisturizer works for your skin as well as a lip balm and hand/nail cream. I never fly without these three things as I’ve learned, though experience, that the skin takes a beating in the dry, stale airplane air.
• If you’re driving to the airport, make sure that you have enough gas in the car to drive home when you return. This is especially important if you are arriving late at night (or, more likely, your flights home are delayed and you end up getting home far later than you planned).
• Make sure your bag is properly marked with your last name and phone number. It’s also a good idea to place your business card in your bag in case the outside identification comes off.
• If your travel bag is black (like everyone else’s), tie a colored ribbon or a unique bag tag onto the handle so that you can easily recognize it in the sea of black bags coming down the baggage carousel. Better yet, use a different colored bag (mine is a deep, muted red).
• If you’re not checking your main bag, PLEASE make sure that you only pack what you can lift. The flight attendants are not there to lift your bag into the overhead bins; that is your responsibility. It goes without saying that if you are injured or incapacitated in some way, you should check your bag. Same goes if you pack a lot and can’t lift it.
• If you’re not checking a bag, make sure that you only have a carryon bag and ONE personal item, for a total of TWO bags. If you’re carrying a purse, a tote bag and a roll aboard suitcase, make sure that the purse fits into the tote bag. Just because the airline let you get on the plane with 3 bags at the first airport doesn’t mean the same airline will let you get on the plane at your connecting airport. Been there, done that.
• If you like to watch movies on a plane, pack your own headset.
• To “remain fresh,” wear a mini pad or panty shield and remove it when you get to your destination. Trust me---this will change your life. Pack one for your return trip and use it (I got this awesome tip from a flight attendant).
• Figure out the best long wearing makeup routine for you. This will be the subject of Part 3, which should post next week (with a video).
  Apply these products, pack them in a separate pouch and then put the pouch in your travel bag.

At the Airport

• First and foremost, give yourself plenty of time before your flight. Depending in your airport that will mean arriving 1 1/2 to 2 hours prior to your flight’s departure.
• If you’re driving, write down the parking space (and the floor of the garage) on the parking ticket. Put said ticket in your wallet in a place where you won’t miss it. DO NOT leave it in the car. You will thank me when you arrive back home at 2 in the morning, have forgotten where you parked and then notice the ticket exactly where you left it. (Been there, done that as well)
• If you’ve got back problems (or are just trying to preserve your back due to injury or you’ve noticed that traveling is taking its toll on your body), check your main bag. Being part of a frequent flyer program usually means you get at least one bag free or pay a reduced fee. Heck, even if you do have to pay to check a bag, the $25 it usually costs is worth it in the long run.
• When you check your bag, place the bag check receipt (the thing with the bar code) somewhere in your carryon or purse where you can find it. You may need it later (let’s hope not but it’s likely that at some point in your travel life, your bag will need to be tracked).
• When you get to Security and have successfully made it past the “greeter,” quickly grab two bins, placing your laptop in one and your shoes, sweater/jacket, belt jewelry, and your plastic bag with liquids and gels in the second one. Take everything out of your pockets and place items into the second bin. Quickly place your carry ons onto the belt and stay with them until they are on the automated part of the machine and you see them “go.” Then walk into the reader, put your hands above your head and then go out the other end after the machine has “read” you. Don’t wait around for directions. Just get in and go.
• Once you’ve been cleared, go to the conveyor belt and pick up all of your items and take them to a bench. Don’t try to re pack and re dress at the conveyor belt. You’ll hold everyone up.
• After security, either go to the gift shop and purchase a bottle of water and snacks or fill the disposable water bottle that you packed by finding a water fountain. Don’t get on the plane without water (or something to drink). You never know when either 1. the flight is so short that there will be no beverage service; 2. there is too much turbulence for a beverage service or 3. Beverage service can’t happen because the vendor couldn’t re-stock the galley (yes this has happened to me).
• Find out what size plane you’re on by asking the gate agent. If you’re on a plane with small overhead bins, get a bag tag so that your bag can be checked at the gate (and then you’ll pick it up on the jetway when you land). Believe the gate agent that your bag will not fit (unless you’ve been on this size plane many times before with the exact bag you’re carrying and you know it fits) and gate check it. Do not wait to get on the plane, find out it doesn’t fit and then hold everyone up. You will hate it if people do this on one of your flights (and they will). Karma is a bitch.

On the Plane

• Get on quickly, store your bags and sit down. If you’re on the aisle, don’t buckle your seatbelt until everyone is in your row or the door closes.
• Now that the rules have changed, you can use small electronics during takeoff, landing and below 10,000 feet. Make sure you have those readily available at your seat.
• If it’s a long flight and there’s food on board (usually that you purchase), have your credit card handy. I usually don’t purchase any of the pre-made snack boxes because they are generally full of salt, fat and processed foods. This is where your already purchased or brought from home snacks come in. Sometimes, though, they have a decent selection of healthier food (like fruit and cheese plates, wraps, etc) that are worth checking out.
• Drink water as much as possible.You’ll feel better if you do.
• Moisturize your facial skin with whatever moisturizer you packed in your carryon.  Apply lip balm to your lips. If your hands and cuticles are dry, apply the lip balm to your cuticles or apply a super moisturizing hand cream.
• Have a book, magazine or the electronic reader at your disposal, particularly if you’ve got a really chatty (or unpleasant) seatmate and you don’t feel like talking. I’m a talker but pulling a book out is the universal symbol of “I’ve got better things to do than talk to you” and is usually respected.
• Don’t infringe on your seat mate’s space, either by invading his/her seat space or the storage area under the seat in front.
• If your airline offers WIFI, go ahead and pay for its use. This is another “you’ll thank me” moment. It’s worth the money, particularly if you’re behind on email, projects, etc.
• If you need to move someone’s bag around in the overhead bin, please ask them if it’s OK and NEVER move a bag to another bin without finding its owner and getting permission. Not doing so is rude and can cause problems (I’ve seen people almost come to blows over this).

Picture via

At Your Destination

• Rental cars—if you’re getting one, sign up for the free “clubs” that the rental car companies have---Hertz Gold, National’s Emerald Club, etc. You can accumulate points but the best part is that you go right to your car (or pick which ever one you want) without having to go inside, register, etc. This saves time.
• If your trip involves a lot of driving, take the “gas option” as it’s usually less expensive than the gas stations surrounding the airport AND not having to fill the tank when you’re in a hurry to get to the airport is a big plus!
• Tip everyone who does something for you (Sky Cap, shuttle driver, concierge at hotel, bellman, room attendant, etc). Not only is it a nice thing to do, they will remember you and you’ll get better service. A couple of dollars goes a long way.
• As part of the point above, if you see someone getting verbally abusive with a service person, do what you can to diffuse the situation. Ninety-nine percent of the time, the issue isn’t the “fault” of the service person but rather a policy of the company they work for or a situation beyond their control (like a flight delay or a weather problem, etc). Also, some people are just jerks and need to be taken down a notch (whatever you do or say, though, please do it carefully!).
• Stay away from the mini bar. It’s always overpriced (and seriously so). If you can, go to a grocery store or even the hotel gift shop for snacks.
• If you’re not getting a rental car, are in a major city and have a smart phone, sign up for Uber (get the app in the app store. Click here to read more about it). This app lets you connect with a driver at the touch of a button. It’s not only cool but it works great! This is my latest find and it’s so awesome!
• In your hotel room, NEVER put your bags or clothes on any upholstered furniture including the bed, chair or couch. This is due to the prevalence of bedbugs. No matter how “good” a hotel you book into, they have all experienced a bed bug infestation at one time or another. I always place my bag on the baggage rack (it’s usually found in the closet) far away from the bed.
• Before unpacking, inspect the bed (or both beds if there is more than one). Take the bedding apart around the headboard and look for any signs of bedbugs. What you’re looking for is either live bugs (they’re really small) or their remnants, which will be tiny red or brown spots. If you see anything like that, do not unpack and do not pass go. Call the front desk and tell them you want another room. Twice I have stayed in rooms that had bedbugs and it is VERY unpleasant to wake up the next morning covered in itchy sores. Not something you forget!
• Once you’ve determined that the bed is OK, unpack immediately, hanging clothing in the closet and placing items in the dresser.
• As you wear your clothes, place dirty clothes in a separate drawer of the dresser, in a plastic bag or in your suitcase. When re-pack to go home, I will either place the plastic bag with dirty clothes in my suitcase or if I don’t have a plastic bag (you can usually find them in the closet of the hotel room), I put my dirty clothes in the suitcase first and then place some sort of barrier (could be multiple small bags or a sweater) between the clean and dirty clothes so I’ll know what’s what when I get home. It makes it that much easier to unpack and do laundry once home.
• Try to carve out some time for yourself, even if you’re traveling on business. Don’t underestimate the impact that traveling across time zones can have on your body, your mind and your spirit!
• Above all, have the mindset that “things happen” and don’t get worked up if everything doesn’t go exactly as planned. Seasoned travelers know that no trip is ever perfect and it’s more about how your handle yourself or a situation than whether it’s done exactly on schedule or how it “should” be. Life is not fair and neither is travel!

Do you have any favorite travel tips? Please share!!

Travel Tips From A Road Warrior: Part 1

I’ve been traveling a lot lately  and on last week’s trip, I started thinking about all the things I do to make travel easier for me. After years of doing this, so many of these things are automatic, which is good, because even when traveling for pleasure, the act of traveling can actually be a huge pain in the posterior. I’ll add segments to this post as I go but for now, let’s talk about travel clothing.

I absolutely hate wearing a suit on an airplane. In fact, most people I know who travel a lot feel the same way. The only time I wear a suit on an airplane is when I’m going directly from the airport to a meeting. Even after meetings, my coworkers and I change into travel clothing as soon as we get to the airport. Not only is it more comfortable to change out of suits, it saves the life of your suits as well. So what to wear on the plane? I default to comfortable pants, a comfortable top and a jacket or sweater of some kind. What I don’t wear on a plane (besides a suit) is anything revealing, cheap looking, or tight. I also almost never wear heels, preferring flat or low heeled shoes so that I can easily walk thru an airport while dragging my bags behind me. There’s nothing more ridiculous than seeing a woman in tight clothing with sky high heels, trying to walk quickly on slippery airport floors. Ridiculous!

The pictures, above, show what I wore on my trip to Denver as well as on the return trip. In each outfit, I’m put together enough that I could get by with these outfits in a pinch (like if my luggage didn’t arrive on time). Both are comfortable and warm enough for the flight (I’m always cold).

Here’s the list:

• Dark colored denim jacket
• LL Bean French Sailor shirt in picture on the left (here’s a similar one)
• Dobbin New Stanton Slim Pant in olive (here) on the left
• Black trouser socks
• Corso Como Ballasox in black (here) on the left
• Dobbin Alexa Stretch Ponte Pant in black (here) on the right
• Dobbin Maya Stretch Nylon Camisole in white (here) on the right
• Gentle Soles Osaki Mia booties in black (here) on the right

Everything I wore in the pictures, above, could also have been worn during the business trip. This time I was at an industry conference where my company was exhibiting. My job was to meet with prospects, host a dinner and just, generally, be around to meet with people as needed. Although our customers and prospects are in a conservative field, this conference was fairly “business casual” and didn’t require a full-on suit. I did, however, dress fairly well but could have matched the denim jacket to any one of my outfits. In general, when traveling, I try to make sure every piece I pack works with at least two others. Since I hate over packing. I try to plan it out as much as possible.

I packed clothing primarily in the gray/black/cream color palette. The dress above was one I purchased from Gwynnie Bee and over that I wore the new Dobbin Natasha Stretch Wool Blazer (here) which I LOVE!! My personal philosophy is that if I’m wearing anything on my legs, it’s an opaque tight. The reason is that sheer hose tend to run constantly and just are not reliable while traveling (learned that lesson many times!); opaque tights are much more reliable. I believe the ones I’m wearing are from Spanx. Click here to see what they offer. On my feet, I’m wearing the Gentle Souls booties I mentioned above. These are soooo comfortable and were great while walking in the huge conference center.

The next day, everything I wore was just as comfortable and all of it (except the tights and shoes) are from Dobbin. Pictured here are the Natalie Stretch Ponte Pencil Skirt (here), the Sophie Silk Blouse in the Snake Print (here) and a jacket that was available last spring (you can find a similar jacket here). Then I added some tights and the booties.

As you can see from the pictures above, I could have worn these pieces in just about any combination and they would have worked for this trip. I tend to take little to no jewelry (just my wedding band, a bracelet and a couple of pairs of earrings) and several pair of shoes (the two I have above and then a pair of traditional heels). These outfits worked well for me this week and by planning carefully planning, I did not over pack! When traveling, I also ALWAYS carry a pair of “fold up” flats (usually the Corso Como Ballasox) in my bag when wearing heels. You never know when your feet need a break!

So how about you? Do you have any travel dressing tips you’d like to share?

St. Thomas Frenchmen’s Reef

Last week, my husband and I attended a wonderful event in St. Thomas. One of the perks of my job is an incentive trip, which is earned by exceeding a certain percentage of quota. Our fiscal year ends in July and my team did very well, so I was fortunate to take part. We stayed at the Marriott at Frenchmen’s Reef and the picture above was taken right out my window. It was a lot of fun and I probably spent too much time in the sun (wearing St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse and SPF 70 thank you very much!) but it was a blast and I can’t wait for next year!

The flora and fauna in the Virgin Islands was amazing! Besides many species of flowers and trees, there were also tons of iguana at our hotel. This guy, above, was part of a trio that wandered onto one of the patios last Saturday afternoon. Every day, the local iguana community is apparently fed from one of the sidewalks and that day, I rounded a corner and met eight of them, waiting expectantly for a snack. We were warned that their tails could sting when whipped about so I cautiously passed by them, my eyes tracking their every move. Once I got used to them, they were actually pretty cute and quite docile.

Trunk Bay, St. John

St. John

We were able to take a day trip to St. John and got to spend the afternoon swimming at Trunk Bay. This gorgeous spot was so wonderful and I would absolutely love to go back there!

I spent most of the days in either a bathing suit or shorts but in the evenings, I usually wore a dress to dinner. For that reason, I stocked my “closet” at Gwynnie Bee with as many tropical dresses as I could (I’ve written about them before here, here, here and here). One day I wore the skirt above and on Saturday night, I wore the maxi dress to our awards dinner. My Gwynnie Bee finds were perfect for this trip!

We had a great time on the trip and and I have to say. i recommend the Virgin Islands to everyone!!!

Travel Tip: Makeup Sticks and Pencils

As you’re reading this post, I’m on the beach in St. Thomas, taking advantage of an incentive trip that I earned for my team’s performance this past fiscal year. While I was preparing for the trip, I started thinking about what makeup products I normally travel with and thought that I would try to create a makeup look that was made up of nothing but cosmetics in a solid form (with the exception of mascara), which would make traveling so easy!. I also wanted to just use products that I already had in my collection. Here’s what I came up with.

It turns out I had loads of options! First of all, I chose the Maybelline Fit Me Shine Free stick foundation in 120 (slightly too light for me but see here for my review). Not only does it glide onto the skin, but it doesn’t spill or break apart while traveling (unlike some of my liquids or powders). Then I used L’Oreal’s True Match Concealer Sticks in N 1-2-3 and N 6-7-8 for concealer and contouring. After that, it was on to Bobbi Brown’s Sheer Color Cheek Tint (review here). Finally, I used the Nars The Multiple in Copacabana to highlight the cheekbones and my cupid’s bow. So far so good! They took me almost no time to apply!

L’Oreal True Match concelaer sticks in N 1-2-3 and N 6-7-8, Maybelline Fit Me Shine Free Foundation Stick in 120, Bobbi Brown Sheer Cheek Tint in Sheer Cherry and Nars The Multiple Copacabana

The eyes were even easier! I used three different Sephora Jumbo Shadow Sticks in Khaki, Matte Dark Brown and Beige. Matte Dark Brown was applied all over my lid and into the crease, then blended out with a brush. Then I added Khaki into the crease and out towards the edges, forming a “V” (this was also blended with a brush) and then beige on the brow bone and on the tear duct! Super simple! Then I used my Urban Decay Eye Pencil in Perversion on the upper lash line and the IT Cosmetics Brow Power to fill in my eyebrows for a bold brow look.

Last but not least, I used the Nars Velvet Gloss Pencil in Baroque on my lips. The whole thing took eight minutes, making it both travel friendly and schedule friendly!

What are your favorite products for travel?

Conference Dressing with Dobbin

When I travel for business, I have a couple of pre-requisites for my clothing. First, it has to look good. Second, it absolutely must be comfortable and third, it must “travel” well. This week I flew to Phoenix for a conference so I needed several different outfits that met all criteria. Normally, I wear suits but this occasion allowed for some flexibility so separates were the way to go. Fortunately for me, I’ve been working on building my wardrobe with some of the beautiful, high quality pieces from Dobbin Clothing.

I the picture above, I’m wearing the Carson Stretch Ponte Faux Wrap Dress in Midnight. It’s still available on their website (for now) here for $148 (on sale from $188). The fabric and the cut is absolutely beautiful and it is soooo comfortable. I received many compliments today for good reason---this is one good looking dress!

Although I’m in the desert, I still get cold in conference rooms so I made sure to layer my Dobbin jacket over the dress. This particular jacket is from their lineup from last year but you can find a similar jacket here. Just like every piece of Dobbin clothing that I own, the quality and tailoring of this jacket are absolutely perfect! I have gotten quite a bit of mileage from this jacket and I’m sure I’ll be wearing it for years to come!

Traveling and the Makeup Obsessed

Sometimes I can’t even believe how ridiculous I am. This morning, I left home for a business trip that took me three quarters of the way across the country to Phoenix. Usually, I’m a very savvy packer and manage to efficiently pack the fewest products possible. This trip, not so much. In my zeal to have the proper amount and types of clothing (I actually did pretty well in this area and didn’t over pack at all), I forgot how obsessive I can get when it comes to eye shadows…and makeup brushes…and foundations…and…and…and…

The result was a pile of makeup that consisted of: many makeup brushes (that’s them at the top), two small (ish) Z palettes with individual Mac eyeshadows (about 30 in all---who knows what I’ll feel like wearing!!!), two blushes, six Bobbi Brown cream eye shadows (really? six???), two Mac concealers (I blend these), two foundations (Nars cream foundation and Nars Tinted Moisturizer), two Bobbi Brown gel inks, four lip pencils, one lip gloss, four Mac lipsticks, eyebtow gel, mascara, one white NYX chubby eye pencil in white, Illamasqua Hollow for contouring, Hourglass powder, Make Up for Ever Dermablend Powder, eye primer, eyelash curler, tweezers, Hourglass Primer, setting spray, eye makeup remover, etc, etc

That’s just the makeup. Then there’s perfume (two in the picture above), stuff for my scary white legs, deodorant, a sharpener…

Sunscreen, the skincare products I’m testing this week, cleanser, retin A, hydroquonone, cleansing balm…

Of course I need two similar colors of Butter London polish (I’m tough on my nails when I travel!)…

And sulfate –free shampoo and conditioner for my hair (plus dry shampoo)…the list goes on and on.
I think I actually brought more beauty products than clothing or shoes…for this FOUR day trip.
REALLY NOW?????
(someone please save me from myself!!!)

The “Joys” of Air Travel: What I’m Doing About It

I travel quite a bit on business and it never ceases to amaze me how inconvenient and stressful air travel can be. To combat that inconvenience and stress (and to keep my sanity), I’ve started taking the train whenever I can and I highly recommend it to you. It’s a lifesaver!

In the past two years, my town’s air service has gone from decent to awful. We’ve seen Jet Blue cancel all direct routes to NYC, leaving Delta as the only choice. Since the United/Continental merger, I’ve seen my normal United routes whither away to nothing, making it difficult to match my scheduling needs to the airlines’ schedules. According to a story this week in our local newspaper, because Delta has emerged as the “winner” on some routes, they now have what amounts to a monopoly and we’ve seen rates go up 700% since November 2010. Let’s just hope that the US Airways/American merger doesn’t happen and that Southwest has a positive impact on this market when they join us this Fall.

Just last night I stepped off of the train after a business trip north. I love the train because it’s convenient, comfortable, and I can be productive 100% of time (if I want). Depending on where I’m going, I can choose the Acela (the express train from Washington to points north), the regular passenger train (Business Class and Coach) or a “sleeper” train which offers coach seating and two different types of private rooms which are for overnight passengers or business travelers like me who want to spread out and work. Unlike traveling by air, there’s literally nothing I can’t do on the train that I can’t do in my home office. I answer email, participate on conference calls, etc. It’s amazing that when I get to my destination, I’m relaxed and ready to go. There’s no tired, drained feeling like I have when I leave the airport. I love it!

Normally, I book a business class ticket, which is hundreds of dollars less than any plane ticket I could purchase to my final destination. I do this because there’s more room than coach, multiple electrical plugs per seat and it is generally more quiet. On this week’s trip, I had a business class seat on the departure but on the return trip, I was booked on a “sleeper” train, which does not have business class.  I had never been on a sleeper train but booked the smaller of the two rooms available. My room consisted of 2 seats facing each other (which convert to one bed), an upper bed (a “bunk) which pulls down from the ceiling, a sink, toilet, lighting, electrical outlets, privacy curtains, storage and air temperature control. By closing the curtains to the aisle, I had a nice, private little space. My fare also included a really good dinner, with more than enough entree options (when’s the last time you had a full meal on a plane???), and there was an attendant who made sure everyone was well taken care of. See below for pictures of my “room:”

One of the seats with reading lamp above

The second seat where I stored my stuff---there is storage available but I didn’t use it

The sink folds down and there is a toilet right below

Relaxing as I work!!

It’s a compact space but so much better than a seat on a plane! There is a another room option that includes more room and it may even include a table or “couch.” While the space I had is meant for up to 2 people, I would probably get the bigger room if I was traveling with my husband. The cost for this trip was so much less than an airline flight and I wasn’t exhausted when I returned home last night.

If you’re tired of the hassle of flying and your schedule permits, check out Amtrak as an option. You won’t be sorry!!

Product Review: The Balm’s Balm Jovi Rockstar Palette

The Balm’s Balm Jovi palette has been out for awhile and I’m finally getting around to using and reviewing it. This cute palette really packs a punch with all the eyeshadows, blushers and lip colors you’ll need while traveling. I’ve been using it for the past two weeks and I have been pleasantly surprised at its versatility. I’m not usually one to love palettes but this one is great! Let me show you how you can release your inner rock star!



Balm Jovi contains twelve highly pigmented eyeshadows, one powder blush, a powder highlighter/luminizer and two dual use lip colors/cream blushes. The eyeshadows are split into three categories: “Heavy Metals,” “Classical”  and “Alternative.”



The Heavy Metals have a slight sheen to them while the Classicals are matte. Alternative shades have a satin finish. Each pan contains a fair amount of highly pigmented eyeshadow. Some of the shades are a little bit powdery but there does not seem to be a lot of fallout with any of the shades. These shadows wear at least 8 hours for me without fading, adding to the value of the palette.



Also included is a subtle gold luminizer and a pretty peach/pink powder blush. The two work really well together or alone, depending on the look you’re going for. I find that the blush is very pigmented and has excellent staying power. A light touch will give you a very natural, flushed look  but it is easily buildable into something much more dramatic.



Milly and Vanilly, the two cream lip and cheek colors are also lovely and very versatile. As cheek colors, they are very vibrant and long lasting. On the lips, I’ve worn them with lip pencils and without. They can be applied with fingers but I find that the best results are seen with a lip brush. When worn as lip colors, I find that their longevity is average (which isn’t very long for me) but that improves when they are worn over a lip pencil.





Balm Jovi comes with a handy (and very cute) mirror and a guide to some combinations that work well together. In the pictures below, I’m wearing a variation of the first combo.

Wearing “Third Eye Blinded” on lids, “Alice Copper” in crease, “Adagio” on browbone and “Metal-ica” on tear duct area

“Don’t You Want Me” on cheeks

“Milly” on lips

Balm Jovi is available at The Balm here for $39.50. I think it’s an excellent value for traveling or even if you want to add a little bit of fun to your everyday makeup life. Check it out!

Ages of Beauty rating: ****