Target May Beauty Box

I ordered my very first beauty box from Target. Everyone is always freaking out about what a great deal it is and how fast the boxes usually sell out within hours of becoming available.

Cost $7 (including free shipping)

Estimated retail value $32

I was pleasantly suprised by the variety of samples that were included and one full size product (Wet n Wild matte lipstick). Needless to say I haven't tried any of the products yet, but i'm excited for the body scrub, the bath bombs, the face mask and the lipstick. Will post updates soon!

Halloween Goals 2015

My favorite couple's Halloween costume this year is of Karl Lagerfeld and his beloved Choupette. 

Inspiration:

Results:

Fergie and Josh Duhamel

Ashley Madekwe

Kendall Jenner 

Dermot O'Leary and Dee

If you are not a couple, this costume is still awesome

Alessandra Ambrosio

Roberto Cavalli 

I believe this is a "civilian" and not a celeb but his Karl is impeccable 

Reading Right Now

Had I Known: A Memoir of Survival by Joan Lunden
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Joan Lunden was a host on GMA before I started watching it, so I don't have a strong connection with her as some of the other viewers or readers. Since I didn't know who she was I read her book without any underlying expectations. She shares a great deal of intimate details about her diagnosis, treatment, and decision making process. It was reiterated many times that each person should approach their treatment carefully and with great consideration and what works for one person may not work for someone else. She was very open about her fears, struggles, and procedures. I was glad that a lot of medical information was provided for her specific type of cancer, and it was especially helpful to read the rationalizations for certain treatment approaches and why she or her doctors chose them. Yet, I still didn't feel in tuned with her on this journey. I have no doubt that her recollections of the events are as upbeat and as positive as she tried to convey. Perhaps when she recalls her struggles she only chooses to remember the positives, but I know with certainty her journey must have been harder. I just hope that she hasn't set the bar too high, so when other women read the book and compare their treatment with Joan's they are not discouraged because it does get a lot harder, getting appointments with well known doctors, the time spent in waiting rooms to be seen can seem endless, the actual treatments and especially the aftermath of the treatments. I believe the book will help a lot of women or men and it will allow for conversation to happen, but I was longing to get more out of it and it just didn't happen for me with this book.

View all my reviews

A Grand Remodel

Everyone loves a makeover, whether it's a DIY project for a reupholstered couch or an entire apartment, you can't help but flip back and forth and admire how the "new" version is so much better, sleeker and very modern. The makeover I'm featuring in today's post has that same sentiment times a thousand. It is the makeover on steroids with unlimited resources and professional help.

The challenge was to renovate a grand mansion of tremendous proportions with a very distinct Victorian style and make it a comfortable home for a new family, while preserving the beauty of the past gilded age.

Where: New Jersey
Architect: Annabelle Selldorf
Interior Designer: Matthew Frederick

 

Read the full story here

GRAMMYS 2015 Best Beauty

Best beauty looks of 2015...golden glow, smokey eye and lots of sparkle...

 Beyonce

 Rita Ora

 T-Swizzle aka Taylor Swift

 Anna Kendrick

My fav sun goddess Chrissy Teigen

2015 Travel Bucket List

The ball dropped, the champs bottle was emptied, the year kicked of with a bang! The only planning I like to do now is the travel kind, everything else I leave up to the universe...

1. Machu Picchu, Peru - built by the Incas around 1450 and abandoned a century later during the time of the Spanish Conquest.

2. Great Barrier Reef, Australia - world's largest coral reef system and snorkeling for days.

3. Venice, Italy - canals, architecture, artwork.

4. Alaska, United States - breathtaking landscapes, hot chocolate and brown bears

5. Oahu, Hawaii - sometimes sandy toes are enough of a reason...

Happy Travels!

Reading Right Now

29 by Mary Sojourner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book for my honest review. At first, I really disliked Nell's character. She was weak, selfish, indecisive, and extremely annoying, but as she started gaining her strength and discovering who she was, my feelings changed dramatically. Even though she had less material things I felt she became more in-tuned with herself. She made connections with other people and developed friendships throughout. I was really impressed with her final transformation at the end.

At times I felt somewhat alienated from Nell and Monkey's banter and email exchanges. There were a lot of music references that were unfamiliar to me and it was hard to follow. Although I didn't understand it at times, it felt as though they had a real connection despite the dysfunctional nature of their relationship. I really liked the concept of the Salt Song Trail and the mysticism associated with it, but I had many unanswered questions by the end that were left open. It would have been rewarding to see the characters "win" a small battle against the solar company. Who was responsible for Keno's "situation"? Why was Monkey's wife so forgiving of his relationship with Nell? Why were the people attacked in the dessert? Why was Monkey going into trances? Why was the Leafy talking to Nell?

Aside from the million questions I have, I would recommend this book to others, as it has a different perspective on human relationships, our relationship with nature and the desert.

View all my reviews

Home Sweet Home: Decorating Your Space in White

I'm obsessed with the beautifully decorated all white houses you see so frequently in all the design magazines. But it can be tricky to make it look cozy and inviting instead of sterile and hospital-ish. Domaine has compiled a drool worthy slideshow and several suggestions: 

• vary the intensity of the whites you use
• balance with warm neutrals
• sprinkle in gold elements throughout
• introduce different textures and fabrics

Check out my favorites below.

Flower Crown: Street Style

Trade in your tiara for a crown of flowers...

source

Chanel Resort 2015

Sun, Moon, Stars, Chanel...

 

The rest of the runway looks here