Saltwater Dreams

Valentine's Day Giveaway

2012-01-31T12:48:00.000-05:00

Hi Ladies, I hope everyone is doing well! I thought it would be fun to do a giveaway for Valentine's Day. Since Valentine's Day is all about love, I'm giving away a couple of things I'm really loving now.

Valentine's Day Giveaway = green dangle earrings by Asos + Stella rollerball

I'm always up for a good shot of green, and I'm especially loving green in earring form. Eva, Hilary and Reese all rock the green earring to perfection.

As does Taylor Swift

*image: JustJared

and Jessica Lowndes

and Charlize Theron

and Angelina Jolie

I really can't think of a prettier way to add some color and fun to your look!

Valentine's Day wouldn't be the same without roses, so I'm throwing in a rollerball of Stella. It's a gorgeous, soft floral fragrance that reminds me of a beautiful, sheer rose bouquet.

One reader will win both items, and the giveaway is open to everyone - including the fabulous international ladies!

All you have to do to enter is:

1) Leave a comment under this post stating your favorite cause or charity to work with. I want to get some great ideas about spreading the love!

2) Be a public follower of this blog.

That's it. No re-posting, linking, or tweeting necessary. The giveaway will close at midnight EST on February 13 and I will announce the winner on February 14. We have to take an unexpected trip unfortunately, but I will be back to blogging as soon as I can. Good luck everyone and thank you for reading!

Tone Up Tuesday: New Year, New Playlist

2012-01-24T10:33:00.001-05:00

Hi ladies! I've noticed that nothing freshens up my cardio workout better than a new playlist. Here's what I'm listening to lately. What's on your playlist these days? Please feel free to leave your favorites in the comments, I'm always looking for awesome new music!

You can click the triangle play button to listen to each song

Winter Beauty Report Card

2012-01-16T08:14:00.002-05:00

Hello friends, Happy Monday! Did you catch the Golden Globes last night? It seems like it would be a fun show to attend. I wasn't really blown away by any of the dresses so I'm eschewing my regular red carpet post. I'm just happy Claire Danes and Homeland won! Now, if Damian Lewis just wins that Emmy, I will be a happy camper.

My friends and family know me very well, so there was no shortage of Sephora gift cards in my Christmas and birthday cards. Love you guys! Here are my newest beauty purchases with some notes and first impressions:

*click the images to enlarge and see detail

- TooFaced California in a Compact-Beach Bunny bronzing powder

* TooFaced does not conduct any animal testing

* This bronzer imparts a natural glow, goes on quite sheer with no visible shimmer, and does not seem to oxidize on my skin over the course of the day.

* Interim Grade: A

- TooFaced Absolutely Invisible pressed powder

* This powder contains seaweed extract, chamomile, Vitamins A, C and E and aloe vera to help increase the elasticity, moisture and firmness of the skin.

* I love the natural yet solid coverage of this powder, great for setting make-up of any kind.

* Interim Grade: A

TooFaced Beach Bunny bronzer and Absolutely Invisible powders

- Boscia Revitalizing Hydrating Gel

* Boscia does not test on animals.

* Their products are botanical-based and paraben-free.

* This product contains artichoke leaf which helps improve elasticity, charcoal which absorbs excess oil and impurities and helps detoxification, and Vitamin C to help brighten skin tone and protect against free radicals.

* I like the organic scent of this product, it's very spa-like to me, I also like the dispenser (push top). I really dig the black, liquid jelly type consistency of this product as well. After application, my skin tingles for about 10 minutes, which I have to say, is pretty rejuvenating.
* I do tend to have oily skin, but this gel does a great job keeping dryness at bay for me--especially important in the Winter months. The overall appearance of my skin has definitely improved since I've started using it.

* Interim Grade: A, possible HG status

Boscia Revitalizing Hydrating Gel

- Chanel nail lacquer in May
* I fell head over heels in love with this gorgeous pink shade, it's so perfect for Spring and Summer.

Chanel nail polish in May

- Hourglass Veil primer
  * Hourglass is a vegan/gluten-free/made in the USA cosmetics company. They do not test on animals.
  * The primer is waterproof and will make any make-up you apply over it waterproof as well.
  * This white, satin-y fluid goes on very light, it's not greasy at all. My make-up stays fresh all day and my pores definitely look more refined.
  * Interim Grade: A, possible HG status

- Hourglass Veil Fluid Foundation
  * This SPF 15 foundation contains Matrixyl, which supports the body's natural ability to produce collagen, which lessens the look of wrinkles.
  * Love it. My skin looks so fresh, clear and smooth and stays that way the entire day. It's also looking better without any make-up at all.
  * Interim Grade: A+, possible HG status

MUFE HD Kabuki brush

- MUFE HD Kabuki brush
  * My SA at Sephora recommended this brush to apply the Hourglass foundation with for a smooth, blended, really natural look.
  * Love this brush, it's perfect for all-over coverage, refining and buffing.
  * Interim Grade: A

Dior Lip Polish in Fresh Expert

- Dior Lip Polish in Fresh Expert
* This is a really beautiful, universally-flattering color. It's very moisturizing and the consistency is great-not too thick, not too sticky. The staying power really needs work though.
* Interim Grade: C, I like it, but the short staying power does not justify the price tag or a re-purchase

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Deauville

- Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Deauville
* I am not much of a lipstick gal, I much prefer stains and glosses. Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine is an absolute perfect marriage of the two. It goes on nice and sheer, has a bit of shine to it and leaves a very subtle stain on the lips. Deauville is the perfect neutral berry color on my skin tone. I love that I don't even need a mirror to apply it. It's so much less formal to me than lipstick, but a step above plain old gloss.
* Interim Grade: A, possible HG status

Have you tried any of my new purchases? If so, what did you think? Have you had any product fails lately? What are your current favorites? Feel free to list them in the comments. Have a wonderful day!

Excursion: South Florida

2012-01-12T10:11:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone, happy 2012! I hope the year is off to fantastic start for you. In December, my husband gave me the best gift possible--he took me back to my hometown so I could spend my birthday and the New Year with my family and friends. I have to admit that after spending our days in sunny South Florida zipping around turquoise waters, meeting up with great friends and enjoying my mom's healthy and delicious home cooking, it's been really hard for me to get back into the swing of things back here in the 'north.'

Here are some pictures from our outings, the weather was absolutely sensational during our visit--high 70s and low 80s during the day, then into the 60s at night. The day we left though, temps dipped into the 30s and 40s, so you can never really be sure what a Florida Winter will bring!

*you can click all images to enlarge

On New Year's Day, we went to the beach where I spent countless hours as a little person, as a teenager and as a 20-something to re-create this picture I saw on Pinterest.

We were lucky enough to have a super close encounter with a huge manatee and her baby. They swam right up to the back of our boat.

For Christmas, we adopted a manatee named Lilly for my nature-loving brother. He used to swim with them in our canal when we were growing up. You can adopt one of these gentle creatures too.

Mama's tail is all scarred up from boat props

We spotted this beautiful osprey in his nest

and a segull flying by one of the many little islands you can find in Martin and Palm Beach counties

And of course, a trip home for me wouldn't be complete without a stop by The Breakers. Here's a view of the gorgeous Royal Palms lining Breakers Row. We had a lovely lunch at the Seafood Bar.

the Christmas tree on Worth Avenue

the legendary Ta-boo

the beautiful bougainvillea, Mediterranean architecture and whimsical bronze statues in Via Flora off of Worth Avenue

enjoying the eye candy in the window displays

We checked out some of my favorite Palm Beach haunts, including Bice and the Brazilian Court, and also stopped by a couple of new spots--Cha Cha's and Buccan, both were fantastic.

Palm Beach County is also home to one of the best malls I've ever been to (and that's saying a lot, trust me), The Gardens Mall. My mom and I had a wonderful day of shopping here, as usual! We also had a lovely meal at Seasons 52 in Palm Beach Gardens, everything we ordered was so fresh and so delicious. A popular stop for us, whether coming by boat or car, is Guanabanas in Jupiter. The incredible tropical landscaping and tiki huts really enhance the laid-back, peaceful vibe. My husband and I also had a great meal at The Dive Bar, we ordered off of the sushi menu and it was all really outstanding. After that, it was over to the The Square Grouper for drinks on the water followed by a stop by Palm Beach Ice Cream. I have countless other dining recommendations for this area, I really need to put together another page!

Sunset on New Year's Day as seen from the beach in my hometown

It is so utterly relaxing and wonderful to be home; there's just something about going back to where you're from that feeds the soul. We're already planning our next trip back.

Where are you from? If you want to share, please feel free to leave a comment about what you love most about your hometown.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T05:05:00.000-05:00

Pinterest image via stylemepretty.com

Hello ladies!

I want to wish everyone a wonderful, safe and joyous New Year. I hope 2012 brings great things for all of you. Today is also my birthday and I am so grateful to be celebrating it this year with my family and friends in a place that I love. I will definitely have many updates when I return to blogging next week! Whether you're staying in with close friends or hitting the town--I hope your night is spectacular.

Pin-tested: recipes

2011-12-19T09:56:00.000-05:00

Hi friends, happy week before Christmas! I know this is an absolutely crazy time of year for most people--I hope yours is going as wonderfully as possible. Today I'm sharing some Pinterest recipes that I've made over the past few months.

1. Spicy Chicken Rigatoni - this was probably the biggest hit, my husband and kids both loved it and can't wait for me to make it again.

2. Koren-style Shortribs in the crockpot - my husband absolutely loved this. I thought it was very good, but I will probably cut down the amount of rice oil when I make it again.

3. Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken - this was excellent, but a bit labor-intensive. I would definitely make it again, I just need to allot more time for prep.

4. Best Broccoli Ever - this is definitely the best broccoli I've ever had. I actually crave it and sometimes even make it for lunch. It's truly fantastic. I've lost track of how many times I've made this, but it's well over a dozen.

5. Garlic Rosemary Pork Tenderloin - Very, very good. Will definitely make again.

6. Cuban Beef - Ropa Vieja is one of my favorite dishes ever, but since moving away from South Florida, it's become a bit harder for me to find in restaurants. This recipe is a very solid start to an authentic dish. I still need to tinker with it a bit to perfect it though.

7. Chicken Enchilada Soup - This was just ok for me, it needed more seasoning for sure. If I was to make this again, I would definitely add more spices for a deeper flavor.

8. Parmesan Crusted Tilapia - Two Words: Epic. Fail. So disgusting and mushy and just gross. I will never, ever make this again. I do think it may have been better if I had mixed the parm with panko for some texture, but this recipe was a huge disappointment.

9. Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes - I sent in these adorable ice cream cone cupcakes for my daughter's birthday celebration at school. There are long, involved recipes for making your own batter and frosting, but I just used the pre-made funfetti mix and a can of Wilton frosting, they turned out well.

*recipes taken from my Taste, Crockpot and Sweet Tooth boards

For Christmas, I am making my tried and true herb crusted rib roast--so delicious.

What are your plans for Christmas meals this year? What is your favorite thing to cook or bake around this time of year? Do you have a favorite recipe from Pinterest or anywhere else that you'd like to share? Feel free to leave links in the comments!

My All-Star Beauty Products

2011-12-13T11:11:00.002-05:00

Hi ladies, I hope everyone's week is off to a great start!

Today I thought I would share my All-Star Beauty products--the products I've been using for 5 years or more. Like most industries, the beauty industry is always introducing exciting new and improved products and I, the consummate consumer, am usually among the first to try them out. The fact that I have stayed loyal to these products for a period of 5 years or more is truly saying a lot!

Clinique Deep Cleansing Emergency Mask - This is a 5-minute clay mask that helps refine, deep-clean pores and lift away impurities. When I have a breakout or my skin is looking particularly messy or oily, I slather this stuff on and wake up to noticeably improved skin. I've been using this since 2004.

St. Ives Apricot Scrub - This is truly an All-Star product for me, I've been using it since I was in college so... for about 13 years now. I love this as a gentle, yet effective all-over skin exfoliator. It leaves my epidermis soft and smooth and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin at all.

Opcon A - These eye drops put Visine to shame. They instantly clear up tired, red or bloodshot eyes, but I really love this product for removing the red from pimples and blemishes. It provides instant relief and results; Opcon A is definitely my Holy Grail product when it comes to eye drops/redness-reduction.

MAC 217 brush - If I had to choose just one brush to use for the rest of my life, it would definitely be MAC's 217. It's dual fiber, so it works equally well with powder shadows or creams/gels. It's the perfect density and shape for great blending and really works into the socket area nicely so it's perfect for smoky looks especially. I love this brush so much, I own two of them.

My 217s: my 2003 brush is on the left, my 2010 brush is much fluffier but I still love them both!

Caudalie Lip Conditioner - My mom first gave me this in 2005 and I've been using it ever since. It's really lightweight, made from all-natural ingredients and keeps my lips soft and unchapped. It's perfect alone or under lipstick or gloss.

L'Oreal Professional Vitamino Color Shampoo and Conditioner - This is definitely my Holy Grail shampoo and conditioner, I've been using it since 2006. I briefly strayed away from it for a bit and my hair pretty much dried up instantly (photographic evidence here). This stuff definitely works to not only keep my color from fading, but it keeps my hair moisturized, shiny and full of life. I've tried samples of other types of shampoo and conditioner over the years, but something would have to be simply amazing to get me to switch from the L'Oreal Professional line.

I would love to hear about your All-Star products! What have you been using for a 5+ year period? What products do you keep coming back to?

OOTD: Mix-up

2011-12-08T08:47:00.002-05:00

Hello friends! How is December treating you? I did not intend to take such a long break from blogging, but the holidays are smoking me this year. We've had a wonderful, but busy holiday season so far--hosting visits from family and friends, hosting Thanksgiving and celebrating our daughter's 5th birthday, all fun stuff. I hope you all are enjoying this season!

Rachel Bilson demonstrating the versatility of the military-inspired jacket

I've been on the lookout for a military inspired parka, but I never really found the perfect one. J. Crew's option was nice, but I didn't care for the stiff consistency of the fabric. I liked the version from the Gap, but thought that at $168, it was way overpriced. I was so happy to finally find a great version of this the other day at Forever 21! It's such a great piece to throw over basically anything. I really like the juxtaposition of it with a preppier look, it adds so much character I think!

blouse: J. Crew (here), jeans: 7FAM, heels: Nine West (here), bag: Marc Jacobs large single (here)

jacket: Forever 21 (here)

I was inspired by Noelle's hot pink heels and Lilly's turquoise heels, I have to say-I am really enjoying the fun, bright heel!

my go-to, goes with everything necklace from J. Crew

I've been really trying to mix up my style lately, I feel like I wear the same sort of uniform every day and it's getting boring. The addition of the military jacket and hot pink heels have added just enough oomph for me to breathe new life into my looks. What items do you like for an instant infusion of style?

I hope you're enjoying a beautiful holiday season!

Fall Fragrance

2011-11-17T10:10:00.017-05:00

My favorite fragrances for Fall:

1) Burberry Brit Sheer - a nice and light bright, fruity floral

2) Gucci Rush 2 - this is my go-to scent for special occasions, the lasting power is incredible

3) Prada Candy-Very sweet and warm, but some nice spice makes it more sophisticated (thanks to my beautiful friend Racquel for sending it to me!)

4) Givenchy Play - very elegant and versatile

5) BCBGirls Sexy - I've been wearing this for 10 years and it never gets old to me. It has a perfect blend of warmth and pepper to keep things interesting. It's not easily found anymore so bonus points for uniqueness.

6) Burberry The Beat - perfect balance of fresh and warm

7) Viva La Juicy - fruity and fun

8) Boyfriend - this deep, woody fragrance is straight out addicting. I love that the rollerball is an oil, there's something so comforting and soothing about that. I find myself reapplying it throughout the day before I even realize what I'm doing.

9) Burberry Brit - the classic Fall fragrance, in my opinion. Full of caramel and vanilla, it definitely hits the spot on a crisp day.

And my standard, everyday, year-round "clean" scents:

Issey Miyake L'eau d'Issey and Thierry Mugler's Innocent

I was browsing in Sephora the other day and ran across this incredible men's cologne. I literally took one sniff and my knees went weak. I'm pretty sure my eyes also rolled back in my head-if that's not a sign of a good cologne, I don't know what is. The EDT is much softer than the EDP, which is much woodier. I prefer the softer scent. My husband has worn cologne probably 4 times total this year, but he's getting this for Christmas. And he will wear it, haha.

What are you loving fragrance-wise for Fall? Do you switch up your scents or stick to one fragrance year-round? What are your favorite colognes?

Tone Up Tuesday: The 4 Minute Workout

2011-11-15T09:23:00.000-05:00

Hi all! Geez, November has a way of really kicking my butt. Between events at the kids' school, hosting Thanksgiving, planning my daughter's birthday party, NaNo and Christmas shopping-I'm spread extremely thin around this time of year. Sadly, my fitness routine is one of the first places from which I borrow time. This is not ideal or recommended, but sometimes it just can't be helped. I ran across this 4 minute workout on Pinterest and thought I would post it here. Everyone is busy during the holiday season, everyone has commitments and time restraints and holiday-related stress. But everyone also has four minutes a day to sneak in some exercise and maintain health.

This workout was invented by a Japanese scientist and claims to burn as many calories as a 40 minute run. Another great benefit is that this workout is supposed to keep metabolic rates increased for 36 hours after performing it. I am not sure if these claims are 100% accurate but I do know that I feel stronger after doing it. I also feel a hell of a lot better about at least doing something rather than just skipping exercise all together. I feel like this is a perfect alternative for those with little free time who can't commit to an hour in the gym or don't have the time to fit in even a 30 minute workout session at home. It's a great option especially around this time of year when events, invitations and commitments just have a way of popping up. Wake up--take 4 minutes to do this routine. Then you're done and you can get on with your day. Easy peasy. You can click here to watch the full workout/tutorial.

Do your workouts go by the wayside during the holiday season or are you even more of a warrior? What's your favorite fast and effective workout, series or fitness routine? Have a happy Tuesday!

Fall Fashion Inspiration

2011-11-04T10:28:00.002-04:00

Hi ladies--happy Friday!

Here are some of my favorite looks for Fall, there's nothing like some beautiful inspiration to get the creativity pumping. I hope you enjoy a swell weekend!

Sydney from The Daybook ingeniously mixes stripes with a faux fur trim vest

This is one of my favorite RZ looks of all time--Chanel tweed, suede thigh high boots and an olive Birkin

I absolutely adore yellow for Fall, it's so cheerful

A brilliant mix of navy, orange and cognac

I love this modern prepster look

Demi Lovato and Kate Beckinsale demonstrate my preferred Fall uniform--blazer, scarf and sunglasses

I love the dash of leopard of course!

Speaking of leopard--Kendi mixes her with gorgeous cobalt blue

Carrie Underwood also adds some glamour to her look with some fierce leopard print heels

Totally in love with this stripes-on-stripes ensemble by Marissa Webb

Also keeping it in the blue family--Gwyneth shows a lovely mix of prints. I love the addition of the field jacket

cozy knit? check. leather pants? check. suede crossbody? check. Sheer perfection

I love purposeful slouch!

love this dusky palette and mix of textures

Krystal from This Time Tomorrow models J. Crew's cape coat

I'm obsessed with the ladylike polish of tie blouses, Katie Holmes wears hers to perfection.

messy ponytail, fitted jacked, oversized envelope clutch and sunnies = great combo

Lauren Santo Domingo is the epitome of tailored excellence--skinny pants, strappy heels, cashmere sweater and a classic bag

Red pants are everywhere at the moment, I especially love them paired with subdued neutrals

Will my love of studs ever fade? Methinks not

This lovely look has inspired me to layer my necklaces on top of my coat

Christina Holm-Sandok's relaxed dressy look would be perfect for Thanksgiving Day

Still loving the faux fur vest, especially when paired with strands of pretty necklaces and studded cuffs

Olivia Palermo proves that jeans and a white tee-shirt provide the perfect canvas for any occasion

Tweed, scarves, fur (faux), leather, ladylike blouses=quintessential Fall

*all images from my Fashion/Style board on Pinterest

What are you loving for Fall? Do you have a favorite look or trend for Fall 2011?

My Sephora and Ulta F&F Hauls

2011-11-01T11:40:00.000-04:00

I hope you all enjoyed a happy and safe Halloween yesterday and are doing well. Since Sephora's friends & family sale ends tomorrow, I thought I would share my purchases today.

some of my Sephora haul

Here are my make-up purchases from Sephora:

Dior Addict Lip Maximizer, Illamasqua Bronzer, They're Real mascara, Dr. Jart BB cream

I purchased the Dior Addict Lip Maximizer in Sheer Pink on the recommendation of the gorgeous Jenny. I used it for the first time this morning and have to admit I'm feeling pretty Jolie-ish right now. The bronzer (in Glint and Burnish) from Illamasqua is a repurchase for me--it's my favorite bronzer I've used to date. I've heard so many good things about Benefit's They're Real mascara, I can't wait to try it! I've been using this BB cream by Dr. Jart for about a week now and am pretty much in love with it, I will do a full review after I've used it longer, but so far--I'm smitten.

nail products from Sephora

I've been hearing a lot of excellent reviews about nails inc. products. The base and top coats are supposed to be super long-lasting, so I'm hoping they live up to the hype. I also picked up a really pretty shimmery red polish--New Year's Redsolution and a light purple--Make the First Mauve.

Sephora skincare purchases

I finally bought the Fresh sugar lip treatment that everyone raves about. I'm hoping it keeps nasty chapping at bay during the colder months. And I pulled the trigger on Lancome's Visionnaire based on Shan's glowing reviews. Again, I've only been using it for about a week, but all signs point to it becoming a HG product for me. More even skin tone? Check. Reduction in sun and aging spots? Check. Soft, glowing skin? Check. Yeah, I pretty much love this stuff.

For fragrance, I purchased Burberry's The Beat to add to my growing collection of Burberry fragrances. I really love pretty much all of them. The Beat is a nice blend of fruity, soft and fresh. I've been wearing it like crazy lately.

Ulta purchases

Nothing too exciting here--just repurchases of some of my HG products: L'Oreal Superior Preference hair color to cover my grays, Kinerase Ultimate Night Moisturizer, Paul Mitchell Quick Slip, Revlon Just Bitten lipstain in Forbidden and the Basically U super blender elliptical sponge (a super steal at $4.99!)

What did you buy during Sephora and Ulta's F&F sales? Do you have any input about any of my buys? Loved it/hated it? What's still on your wish list?

Pin-tested: Halloween Edition

2011-10-30T14:00:00.002-04:00

Yes Pinterest is a magical place of incredible ideas and inspiration. If you're like me though, you've probably also wondered if the menagerie of amazing recipes, craft ideas and beauty tips are all they're cracked up to be. So I've decided to start a feature called Pintested where I break down my reviews of all things Pinterest.

Today, I'll be reviewing pins from my Halloween board--let's get started with the sweet treats. I ran across these adorable spiderweb cookies here and here and decided to re-create them for my daughter's school party.

Here's how mine turned out. Getting the frosting to the right consistency was by far my biggest challenge with this. I added water, added heat and still couldn't get it to cooperate. Finally, a light bulb went off and I asked my local bakery if I could purchase some black royal frosting from them. It made all the difference. As you can see, my attempts at the white web with regular Wilton frosting doesn't look half as good as the liquidy marble effect the black royal icing produces. You can visit this blog and this blog for step by step instructions on how to create these at home.

spooky effects by picnik

These RIP graveyard puddings are popular and tasty. I first made them a couple of years ago (here's my original post), they are fairly simple to create. Again, the only real problem I had was with the frosting--getting it to the right consistency to be able to write was challenging. And then there's the pesky problem of having to eat the messed up Milanos=not great for the waistline! If you want to do these at home, make sure you pound up your oreos into teeny tiny pieces--that really makes it look more dirt-like and realistic.

I originally created these creepy candles a couple of years ago after seeing them in Martha Stewart's magazine (see that post here). Getting a bright, vibrant red was the challenge here. The small, filled candle on the left worked infinitely better than the cheaper wax candle for producing a more realistic red. I've also heard that a red crayon produces good results as well. This is a very easy and simple craft to up the fright factor for your Halloween get together.

Amazingly gorgeous gourds from Alisa Burke

I've been pretty much obsessed with these stunning pumpkins since I ran across them. Alisa is an amazing artist and mine don't hold a candle to hers, but it was nice to step outside of the box for some pumpkin decoration this year. I'm hoping my skills improve next year.

My kids loved creating these as well so it was a fun project for us to do together. We painted the pumpkin white with acrylic paint, then we painted it lavender, then I spray painted it gold, scraped in some designs and added glitter glue. Not an artistic masterpiece, but pretty fun to do!

scarf: Missoni for Target, jeans: GAP, cardigan: J. Crew (recent), watch: La Mer, bag: Elliott Lucca, wedges: J. Crew MacAllister

Here's my pumpkin patch outfit--I know it's really similar to the other outfit I recently posted, but I needed something easy, warm and dirt-proof.

images: people.com

I saw these pictures of Gwen Stefani as Cinderella and Kim Kardashian as Poison Ivy and wanted to share them with you--I think they both look great.

Check out Nicole Richie as J. Lo!!

images: people.com

Heidi Klum always goes all-out for her annual Halloween party--this costume is epic

I want to hear about your Halloween traditions--do you do any special projects? Bake anything in particular? Do you have a pumpkin patch ritual? Are you dressing up this year? If so, what will you be? I hope you have a happy and safe Halloween!!

Oh, and don't forget tomorrow is the last day for the 20% off code at La Mer Collections. Code: LAMERSALTWATER.

Tone Up Tuesday: Tracy Anderson's 30 Day Method

2011-10-25T14:49:00.003-04:00

Hey all, hope your weeks are off to a great start! For today's Tone Up Tuesday, I wanted to share some progress pics and my review of Tracy Anderson's 30 Day Method. Before we left for Vegas, I kicked up my fitness routine a notch and really decided to dig in with TA's 30 Day Method. Thank you so much to my TA guru--Shannon, for guiding me and answering all of my neurotic menu questions. It was Shan who convinced me to do the dance cardio instead of my usual elliptical routine, and wouldn't you know it, that is the component that made the most noticeable difference.

First and foremost, let me add a disclaimer here that I did not follow the 30 Day Method to a T. I don't have the willpower or desire to follow the diet line by line. There were days I didn't do my dance cardio or muscular structure work. I had bites of pizza, cookies, cereal, mac and cheese. I would say that I averaged 4 times/week for dance cardio and about 5 times/week for the muscular structure work. This was in addition to my usual 4 times/week yoga practice.

I really like a lot of things about this program. The main thing I love is that the menu uses 100% fresh ingredients. No chemicals, no weird supplements. Just fresh, real food. Yes, the menu is pretty restrictive, but TA states in her book that it's not meant to be a lifetime menu, just a 30-day bootcamp plan. That said, I found about 4-5 recipes that I really enjoyed and just put them on repeat.

I really love the homemade blueberry applesauce, and make it pretty regularly still. I'm in my kitchen every other day, steaming my apples, then I blend them with fresh, organic blueberries. I add plenty of cinnamon for some great flavor. That's a really nice snacking option to have on hand and my kids love it too.

-I added fresh strawberries to the kiwi basil puree and that was another light, refreshing, easy snack to reach for throughout the day.

-Instead of the gazpacho puree, I took Shan's advice, and diced up cucumbers, carrots, red peppers and added avocado and Italian dressing for a nice, light salad option.

-The homemade minestrone soup was delicious and I ate that for lunch many days in a row. And of course...

-the homemade chocolate pudding was amazing. I added orange zest and raspberries to my versions for some variety. I also went off-menu a few days and used white chocolate for the pudding instead. To that, I added unsweetened coconut flakes and lime zest and enjoyed an amazingly rich dessert. By the time we went to Vegas, I was on such a pure path eating-wise that I didn't even want a lot of the treats I usually enjoy--fried foods, cheeseburgers, pizza, fruity alcoholic drinks etc...

Here's a shot of my tummy after Day 5 of the program. There's an oval-shaped pooch of pudge that I've had since delivering my second child and it won't budge no matter what.

This program is best suited for those who don't have a ton of weight to lose, but really want to tone and tighten. I know people have lost 20-25 pounds on this program, but that wasn't the case for me, because as I stated, I didn't follow it exactly.

Day 12: I started noticing that my subcutaneous belly fat was finally starting to melt off--this was a direct result of the dance cardio

Day 17: less belly fat, more muscle definition

Day 26: ab muscles starting to show through

All in all, I really enjoyed this program and I really enjoyed the fast results it produced. It definitely improved my tone and muscle definition and the combination of muscular structure work, cleaner diet, and dance cardio finally made a difference in my stubborn tummy pooch and also in my saddlebag areas (which I will never post online, lol). I love her ab and arm sequences so much that I still try to do them 3-4 times a week. I know Tracy Anderson isn't for everyone, but I tailored her program to my needs and I'm happy with the success I experienced with it.

Where are my other TAM girls? How are you all doing with your personal journeys/goals? If you're not a TAM-er, what's your preferred method of staying in shape/losing the pudge? I would love to hear from you!

Fall Haul: Accessories

2011-10-20T09:51:00.001-04:00

I don't need much in the way of clothes, so this season I indulged in accessories. I am completely smitten with jewel tones, and of course--a pinch of leopard print thrown in for good measure.

Rebecca Minkoff Swing Bag in eggplant

I am in love with this deep eggplant shade. Depending on the light it looks bordeaux, deep brown or even black. It's proven to be a perfect neutral for Fall's darker palate.

Here it is on me (I'm 5'5 for reference). I love that the design of the chains also make this bag a cross-body option. I like the size of it - it's much smaller than some of my other bags, but still holds everything I need--wallet, make-up pouch, phone etc.

wine-colored earrings from Francesca's

I haven't been much of an earring-wearer in the past, but now that the kids are at ages where they've stopped using my face and hair as their personal jungle gym, I'm loving earrings a lot more. I've added many more pairs to my rotation this season.

faux Tiger Eye drops from Target

I'm pretty in love with these art deco Lulu Frost-designed earrings from J. Crew. I think they'll be the perfect addition to a LBD for holiday parties especially.

I picked these up from the Urban Outfitters in the Shops at Mandalay while we were in Vegas.

The white provides a nice contrast to my coloring and also with the darker palate of Fall and Winter clothing.

I finally bought some real sunglasses as opposed to my H&M cheapies. These are Michael Kors Sicily--last seen in this post.

La Mer Egyptian Chain watch in royal blue.

I also added another La Mer watch to my collection. I'm a navy lover so I figured this one would get lots of action. The leather is so soft and supple--this watch is truly a pleasure to wear.

Of course Fall would not be complete with some leopard print!

I bought the Nine West Escher peep toes from Piperlime. They're the perfect addition of fun to a LBD or other neutral outfit.

J. Crew MacAlister wedge boots

The boots are so comfortable. I can't say enough good about them. The wedge is wonderfully cushioned and it feels like I'm walking on air. I wore these to a fair a couple of weeks ago and my feet stayed surprisingly comfy the whole night. Love these!

So those are my new additions. What are you loving for Fall? Are you investing in a certain item or area? What's your favorite Fall trend? Have you used the La Mer code (LAMERSALTWATER for 20% until 10/31) to purchase a watch too? If so--I want to see it!

Sephora Friends & Family: I need your recs please!

2011-10-18T09:44:00.002-04:00

With Sephora's annual Friends & Family sale rumored to begin on Thursday, I'm getting my recon on. I would like to try out some new skincare products and I would love your advice!

I would like to try a new eye cream, I'm currently using Kiehl's Abyssine Eye Cream and Kinerase Restructure Firming Eye Cream. While I like them both, I don't consider either to be Holy Grail status. Do you have a favorite must-have eye cream? I'm mainly looking for it to help decrease fine lines and add moisture. I currently have Dior Capture in my shopping basket. Have you tried it? If so, what did you think? What's your HG eye cream?

I also wouldn't mind trying a new moisturizer. I think Kiehl's Abyssine Cream (SPF 23) is just fine and I've also been happy with Lancome's Bienfait Multi-Vital, but again--I'm open to suggestions in this arena. I have normal to oily skin and I would prefer it to have an SPF. Any good suggestions for me? I'm considering options from Laura Mercier and Peter Thomas Roth. Any input you have would be greatly appreciated. I try to stay away from Dr. Perricone products as they seem to irritate my skin, I'm open to anything else.

I'm pretty intrigued by BB creams and want to use this 20% off opportunity to try one. Sephora has BB creams from Dr. Jart+, Boscia and Clinique available. Have your used any of these? Do you like or use BB creams? If so, which brand is your favorite?

You know me and my fragrance obsession--I saw these therapeutic essential oils on Sephora's website and was fascinated. Have you heard about or tried any of these?

Just because I don't need any make-up doesn't mean I won't buy any! My husband just loves that about me. What are your must-haves from Sephora make-up-wise?

What products, if any, are you planning to purchase during Sephora's Friends & Family sale?

'tis the season for Friends & Family everywhere it seems! Shopbop's f&f sale ends tomorrow at midnight, use code : INTHEFAMILY20 for 20% off site-wide. Also Saks' online f&f sale begins today. Code: FRIEND9.
Hope you have a wonderful day!

La Mer Watch Giveaway Winner

2011-10-15T11:23:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to the winner of my La Mer watch giveaway~lucky number 19, illy. Please email your full name and address to me at saltwaterdreamsblog at gmail dot com. I will forward your information to La Mer right away and they should be sending the watch out to you sometime this week.

Thank you everyone for entering and enjoy a beautiful weekend!

OOTD: Momwear

2011-10-14T09:49:00.002-04:00

Hi ladies, happy Friday! Today I'm posting a typical everyday 'mom' outfit for me--comfortable, functional but still somewhat stylish (I hope). I'm always impressed by the power accessories have to liven up a look.

linen top: Forever 21, jeans: GAP Long & Lean, nude wedges: Franco Sarto

watch: La Mer St. Germain (last seen here), bag: Elliott Lucca

This Elliott Lucca bag is getting more and more play in my rotation. It's perfect for toting the kids' extra Fall layers, and I love that I can still sling it over my shoulder for hands-free chasing.

aviators: Michael Kors Sicily via Nordstrom, earrings: Rachel Roy, necklace: J. Crew

Have you entered my La Mer watch giveaway yet? The contest ends at midnight so there's still time. It's been so fun to read your comments about your favorite times of the day/night. A lot of you are very poetic :) If you want to enter, you can do so here. Good luck to everyone and have a wonderful weekend!

Vegas Days 3 and 4

2011-10-11T12:18:00.001-04:00

Hi ladies-I hope everyone's week is off to a great start. I'm home with two under-the-weather toddlers today, but we had a big weekend that included our first visit from the Tooth Fairy! Talk about excitement--it was pretty awesome all-around.

my daughter's goodies from the Tooth Fairy

So now I'll recap some of the excitement we had during our last couple of days in Vegas. After walking around and seeing pretty much everything on the Strip on Day 2, we used Day 3 as our relaxation day. We started off with an amazing lunch at Hubert Keller's Fleur. I could probably eat every meal there and be happy.

Cuban panini at Fleur, complete with pre-dipped fries

Our view poolside at Mandalay Bay

My husband is a stay-by-the-pool-all-day kind of guy so we splurged and rented chaise lounges and an umbrella in the beach area. There was no way I was staying out in the Vegas sun all day without some kind of cover. It was a lovely, relaxing day. The cocktail and pool staff were friendly and super helpful and made the day extra wonderful.

wispy rainbow cloud

While we were lounging, we were lucky enough to see the coolest rainbow cloud. I have never seen something like this before--pretty cool, right? In the late afternoon, my husband decided to get a nap in by the pool and I went up to the Robert Cromeans walk-in salon to get my hair blown out. Sarah did an excellent job and I would definitely recommend this as a great place to get your hair done before going out for the night.

miX Lounge at THEhotel

the view from our table at miX

For dinner, we ordered off of the tapas menu at miX lounge. Everything was amazing and the view was incredible. We enjoyed an outstanding, quiet meal there before heading out to see O at the Bellagio.

I first saw O back in 2004 and thought it was incredible, I've been recommending it as my favorite Cirque show ever since. I was so excited for my husband to see it since I remembered it being so good. Unfortunately, we were both a little underwhelmed by it this time around. I think I actually nodded off at one point. I don't know if my tastes have changed so dramatically or if after seeing LOVE and Absinthe, O just paled in comparison. But we were both surprised by how underwhelming we found it--I mean, it's still good, but it was definitely the least favorite of the shows we saw on this trip.

After O, we walked over to The Cosmopolitan to have a drink. I have to say, I loved the vibe at this hotel--it was definitely my favorite of the 'newer' additions to The Strip. It was very vibrant and seemed to draw a good crowd. The Chandelier Bar is a great place to have a drink, an awesome scene.

Chandelier Bar at The Cosmopolitan

The Bar at NYNY

We ended our night with pizza and the piano bar at New York New York. The pianists there are just incredible, they played Metallica's Enter Sandman and it about blew our minds!

best dessert of my life: Almond Panna Cotta at Fleur

Our lunch at Fleur was so good that we went back for seconds the next day. The almond panna cotta was probably the best dessert I've ever tasted. My husband doesn't even like sweets and he loved this as well. It was so light and refreshing but had amazing texture. In a word, yummmmm. We also ordered the famous lobster macaroni and cheese two days in a row. I don't even typically like lobster, but this dish was quite outstanding. Then we hit the tables for the some blackjack and I'll spare you that sob story, lol.

All in all, it was a fantastic trip--the restaurants and shows were amazing and we were even able to get some relaxation in while we were there. I love that Vegas is what you make of it. We were shocked by the number of kids we saw there, it's definitely become a destination for any and all--not just Sin City anymore.

Tell me your favorite things about Vegas!

Flirting With Fall

2011-10-07T10:57:00.000-04:00

The weather here was absolutely gorgeous this past week, lots of sunshine with temps around 74 or 75--which is just about as perfect as you can get, in my opinion. It's cool enough for an extra layer, but not so cold that you actually need one. We've been picnicking and playgrounding and pumpkin pie-ing it up all week.

This is what I wore to lunch with a friend--just a simple black dress from Target (last seen in the Spring), but Fall'ed up a bit with my Candence boots.

I added a J. Crew bracelet (far left) to my St. Germain watch from La Mer

BCBG necklace, Target dress, Steve Madden boots and La Mer watch

I also ordered the Noon & Night dress from Anthropologie. It reminded me of a darling look I saw on Kim K.

image: people.com

In my opinion, this dress runs a bit big--I'm wearing a small.

Anthro Noon and Night Dress, Nine West heels, J. Crew necklace

close-up of fabric, it was much thicker and stretchier than I expected

I ended up returning this dress because I wasn't completely in love with it. I didn't think the fabric did much for my figure so I decided to wait and buy something I really love (I'm eyeing this now). If I still worked in an office though, I definitely would have kept it. I think it's really versatile and would be appropriate for many different events.

How has your weather been lately? I hope you're enjoying beautiful days too. Have a wonderful weekend!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Cutting Edge Breakthroughs in Prevention and Treatment

2011-10-03T10:05:00.000-04:00

As we all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's great that the awareness for this disease is so strong, but many women still don't do a monthly self-exam. Early detection saves lives! So many of you commented and wrote about the importance of early detection and self-advocacy in my Ovarian Cancer posts. It's so important to be proactive and be your own advocate for any health-related issue.

Self exam info from bebrightpink.org

click images to enlarge or visit bebrightpink.org here

My friend Amy is an amazing wife and mother of three who took those ideals a few steps further and opted to have a preventative mastectomy and breast reconstruction done all at once. This particular surgery is considered cutting edge, and it's such a wonderful alternative for women who now don't have to experience the trauma of living a single day without breasts.

Amy (top left) with her beautiful mom, sister, children and nieces at Race for the Cure

Unfortunately breast cancer is extremely prevalent in Amy's family. Her great-grandma passed away from this disease, her four second cousins have all had it and have survived and her mom has had it twice and is a survivor. Amy herself started finding lumps at age 27. After experiencing the emotional pain and uncertainty that accompanied her mom's first diagnosis, Amy was bound and determined to not have her children and husband go through that as well. At age 33, after she was sure she was finished having children (this surgery does remove a woman's milk ducts), she elected to have the surgery. This surgery differs from a regular mastectomy because you literally go into the doctor's office with breasts, and you leave with breasts. They don't leave any tissue for reconstruction at a later time, it's all done in one procedure. Amy's doctors did find pre-cancerous cells behind her breasts so she's confident she absolutely made the right decision, "the peace of mind I have now knowing that I can never get breast cancer is priceless." I think that says it all right there.

To learn more about this cutting edge procedure, you can click this link and this link to watch interviews with Amy and her doctors.

Amy wants to reiterate the importance of doing a self exam every month. Her mom's cancer was transparent, meaning that they could feel her lumps, but they didn't show up in the mammogram.

*Here's another link to the steps for doing a self breast exam.

A big thanks to Amy and her family for sharing their story and getting this information out there, we can spread the word and beat it before it beats us!

Excursion: Vegas Day 2

2011-09-26T10:05:00.001-04:00

We spent our second day in Vegas walking the entire strip. It was my husband's first time there so I wanted him to see everything. We started our day off at Hubert Keller's Burger Bar in Mandalay Bay. I actually ordered the chopped salad (who does that?!?) so I could also sample the Nutella milkshake, which was incredibly delicious and totally worth the trade-off. I did have a bit of my husband's slider sampler and I thought that the homemade mustard aioli really elevated the taste to the next level. That was my favorite condiment, haha. For amazing pictures and more in-depth reviews of Burger Bar, check out Weezermonkey's blog here.

Cafe Nikki at the new Tropicana

I definitely wanted to check out the renovation at the Tropicana. My husband and I both thought it looked great--very clean. Lots of sleek white furniture, it was very Miami. We loved the coconut scent and thought the casino was very clean and looked new. We went out to the pool area and there was definitely a nice vibe out there--good music, lots of cocktail waitresses. We didn't make it to Club Nikki or Nikki Beach, but I've heard it's great party.

white party at Nikki Beach

From there, we hopped the escalator over to the MGM Grand and were lucky enough to see some of the lions in the habitat. It was wild to see their huge paws resting up on the trainers' feet. Evidently, the trainers have been accepted into the pride and are treated like the other lions--they were just hanging out talking to each other while the lions were sleeping on them, it was pretty awesome.

lions and trainers chillaxing together at MGM Grand

From there, we just hoofed it up and down the Strip, seeing everything we possibly could. We walked through Aria, Vdara, the Cosmopolitan, Caeser's, the Wynn, Encore, Palazzo, The Venetian and Paris. The hotel that has the best 'vibe' to me and is a must-see in my opinion is still the Bellagio. My best friends and I stayed at the Bellagio on our last trip to Vegas and I still prefer THEhotel's service and accommodations, but the Bellagio is hard to beat beauty-wise.

love the whimsical elegance at the Bellagio

the Chihuly glass exhibit is a must-see of course

the atrium in the Bellagio

Jean-Philippe is a must-visit (there's an outpost in Aria as well). We had the most delectable and creamy gelato here, it was fantastic. The crepes are also outstanding.

chocolate fountains in the front of the shoppe--Heaven on Earth

Back at Mandalay Bay, we had a quick sushi dinner at Mizuya before heading out to Caeser's to see Absinthe. Dinner was decent, nothing mind blowing, but it was nice and light--what we wanted after a day filled with Jean-Philippe treats.

We had no idea what to expect from Absinthe. They billed it as "Cirque's hip, punk little brother," so we thought that had potential. We arrived early and hung out in the Beer Garden. It was really fun--an eclectic mix of fun oddities. They had a bar and shuffleboard and cornhole to play while you waited, a pretty cool idea. It's much more relaxed and hip than Cirque.

The VIP Entrance at Absinthe. This was pretty cool-you walk into the phone booth, pick up the phone and say the secret password to gain access to the VIP lounge--like an old school speakeasy.

the tent at Absinthe

I have to say, we were pleasantly blown away by how good this show was. At one point, I was crying from laughing so hard and my husband was having a hard time breathing. It's quite raunchy--lots of sexual innuendo, lots of cussing, lots of political incorrectness--we loved it. The acts were absolutely incredible--I think my favorite may have been the roller skating couple. The bodyguards were also absolutely mesmerizing. They pretty much blew my mind.

Absinthe's roller skating couple

I was complaining to my husband about not sitting in the front row, which we totally could have (it's open seating--first come, first serve) and he very astutely replied "If you sit in the front, they eff with you." Boy was he right!!! So glad I listened to him on that one. Do NOT sit in the front if you have thin skin, I can't stress this enough. We were grouped into the "boring white people" section and that was just fine with us, lol. This show had a bit of everything--comedy, incredible feats of athleticism, a sexy songstress--it was such a cool throwback to the days of traveling circus, but it felt very modern. It was fabulous. It's my second favorite show that I've ever seen in Vegas (after LOVE). I highly recommend it, they're starting a second run on October 21st so if you're in town, I really suggest checking it out.

We ended our night at VooDoo Lounge on the rooftop of the Rio. You know how sometimes the cheesiest places are the most fun? That was our feeling about VooDoo. They played music you can actually dance to (hip hop), not funky house and techno like some of the 'cooler' clubs. The inside looks like a rundown skating rink with surly bartenders and chipped paint, but the views from outside are incredible. The weather was perfect and we ended up having a blast there.

So that is all from Day 2. Have you seen Absinthe? If so, what did you think of it? Have you been to VooDoo lounge? If so, did you like it? What are you favorite clubs and shows in Vegas?

I hope your Monday is great!

La Mer Watch Giveaway and Discount Code!!!

2011-09-23T10:29:00.000-04:00

What better way to celebrate the first day of Fall than with an amazing giveaway!

The generous people at La Mer Collections have offered to give this chic and sleek black multi-chain watch to one of my readers! This watch is a go-with-everything piece that features soft, supple black leather, a silver square face, and mixed hardware that will make it easy to pair with any other existing jewelry. This watch is valued at $110.

Black Multichain watch

To sweeten the deal, they've also created a discount code for my readers good for 20% off of anything on their site! And the best news is that the code can be used until October 31st. Pretty awesome.

To enter to win, all you have to do is:

1) Be a public follower of this blog

2) Leave a comment in this post stating your favorite time of day. Some people are morning people, others are night owls--I thought it would be fun to hear the different answers.

You can also 'like' La Mer on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for additional deals, discounts and specials.

This contest will close on Friday, October 14th at midnight EST. I will announce the winner that following Saturday and La Mer Collections will then mail the watch directly to the winner. This giveaway is worldwide and is open to all of my readers.

20% off Discount Code: LAMERSALTWATER

Have an excellent weekend!

*Disclosure: I purchased the La Mer watch that I reviewed earlier this month. It was not provided to me. As always, all opinions and thoughts on that product are my own.

Are you Pinteresting? Sock Curls

2011-09-22T11:05:00.003-04:00

Hello friends! I hope everyone is having a good week. Today, I wanted to do a quick post about another amazing hair trick. I posted awhile ago about No Heat Waves--an easy technique to curl your hair without heat. That worked out really well for me so when I ran across this tutorial on Pinterest, I decided to give it a try. I used this 3 minute tutorial, except I did not spritz my hair or use any product. I just rolled the socks down on completely dry and clean hair. I love it! It's so simple. You just roll your hair down on socks, then tie the sock up, sleep on it and you wake up with nice, full, luscious curls. You may resemble Goofy when going to bed, but hey--at least you wake up looking good.

the result of my sock curls

I do think the wave and curl lasts longer with elastic method, but the sock method just seems easier to me. It takes about a minute to put the socks in right before bed. I love not having to mess with a curling iron in the morning.

Are you on Pinterest? I've found so many neat tricks and ideas there -- from party and school craft ideas for my kids to great recipes to beautiful home design to fashion and beauty. If you have a Pinterest account and you want to share the link, feel free to do so in the comments. Here's the link to my Pinterest account if you want to follow me.

Have a wonderful Thursday!

Eye Candy from the Emmys

2011-09-19T08:26:00.004-04:00

I thought there were so many gorgeous looks on last night's Red Carpet.
Here are my favorites: (click the images to enlarge)

Cobie Smulders was smoldering in Alberta Ferretti. I just love her modernized vintage look.

image: instyle.com

I thought Christine Baranski was striking in Zac Posen.

image: Red Carpet Fashion Awards

Sofia Vergara showed off her gorgeous figure in Vera Wang

image: InStyle.com

Jennifer Carpenter (of my favorite show Dexter!!) evoked a beachy goddess look in Tony Ward Couture

image: InStyle.com

Julia Stiles, nominated for her guest role on Dexter, was lovely in Georges Hobeika Couture

image: JustJared.com

Katie Holmes looked quite sleek and fresh in Calvin Klein

image: InStyle.com

Nina Dobrev was stunning in Donna Karan

image: InStyle.com

Naya Rivera in a sleek black dress with origami detail

image: InStyle.com

Maria Bello in Kaufmanfranco

image: InStyle.com

Kristen Wiig was outstanding in Zac Posen

image: JustJared.com

Evan Rachel Wood in Elie Saab

image: Red Carpet Fashion Awards

Wow- I thought Minka Kelly was really ravishing in Dior. I love this somewhat unexpected choice.

image: eonline.com

Jayma Mays looked pitch perfect in Zuhair Murad

image: JustJared.com

This is probably a love it or hate it look for most people, but I'm really digging Gwyneth in Pucci. I love that it's outside the box.

image: Red Carpet Fashion Awards

I just adore Rashida Jones and thought she looked amazing in Alberta Ferretti. This pinky lavender is definitely her color!

image: JustJared.com

Cat Deely looked fabulous in Monique Lhuillier (I didn't like her hair though--too disheveled)

image: InStyle.com

Julie Bowen definitely has the body type for this daring Oscar De La Renta

image: eonline.com

Claire Danes also sparkled in Oscar De La Renta

image: Red Carpet Fashion Awards

Lea Michelle in a showstopping Marchesa

image: JustJared.com

Emily Blunt looked incredible in Elie Saab

image: Red Carpet Fashion Awards

Christina Hendricks was dazzling in Johanna Johnson

image: Red Carpet Fashion Awards

I thought Hostess with the Mostess Jane Lynch's David Meister red carpet look was fantastic

image: JustJared.com

The nominess for Lead Female in a Comedy did a really cute pageant-esque schtick on stage. It was adorable. I can't find any info on Edie Falco's dress (second from right) but it was amazing. She looked ravishing.

I did not love a couple of looks...

I felt like this Christian Siriano dress did absolutely nothing for Heidi Klum

image: JustJared.com

I also did not love Julianne Hough's Carolina Herrera gown. I think it could be fabulous, but something here is just off.

image: InStyle.com

Julianna Marguiles is a beautiful woman and still looks great, but this Armani Prive gown is a miss, in my opinion. This is a bit too futuristic-body cast-with mice holes-in the top for my liking.

image: InStyle.com

What did you think of last night's Emmys? Any favorite moments? Who are your choices for best and worst dressed?

Fashion Fixation: La Mer Watches

2011-09-17T13:43:00.002-04:00

I confess, I'm not a watch person. I haven't owned one in 15 years and really had next to zero interest in them until I saw this watch on Pinterest.

Arizona Tobacco Mulitchain

I was like what?! A bracelet/leather wrap/cuff/watch all in one? Sign me up. You know how much I love cuffs, so I was all over this. La Mer was offering a 20% off discount code last weekend so I decided to make my move.

St. Germain Crystal Chain

After scouring the site, I decided the St. Germain Crystal Chain would be the best fit for me as I wear earthy or neutral colors and gold toned jewelry almost exclusively. I really like this watch--the leather is very soft and supple and molds perfectly to my arm.

I love the rose gold metal

and the studs of course

you can intertwine the chains or position them to the outside like I did in the first picture

the flipside

This watch is surprisingly light and comfortable and the metal hasn't irritated me at all. I've also been very happy with La Mer's customer service. I placed my order last Saturday morning and received the watch yesterday afternoon from across the country in California.

They definitely have a great variety of colors and styles from which to choose.

Here are some of my favorites:

teal washed triple wrap

white studded layer wrap

Orange single gold chain

Sage washed Jasper Stones wrap

Silver Multi Chain Wrap

I'm obsessed with these things!

I also found some other great La Mer options at Nordstrom, Shopbop and Revolve Clothing.

Do you own any La Mer watches? Which of these styles do you like best? Do you wear an everyday watch? Who makes it?

I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Disclaimer: I selected and purchased this watch; it was not provided to me. As always, my opinions and thoughts on this product are my own.

Missoni for Target

2011-09-13T14:09:00.002-04:00

For months, I've had exactly two dates in my phone: October 2nd~the Season 6 premiere of Dexter and today, September 13, the debut of Missoni for Target. I arrived at my Target today around 8:30 a.m.. To my surprise, a good deal of the stock was picked through already. Throughout the store, I saw boatloads of older women pushing carts full of Missoni items. Now I know why--they're trying to resell it on Ebay at an obscene markup. A $12.99 candle I was holding in my hand today is now going for $49.99 on Ebay. They want $125 for a baby onesie, lol. While I appreciate their entrepreneurial spirit, I do find it rather obnoxious. People who have been looking forward to actually wearing these items, but couldn't get to the store due to work or school commitments now have to pay a ridiculously inflated price if they really want to own one of these pieces? Not cool. The home goods and stationery selection at my store were already gone, so I ended up going to two Targets today. This is what the second one looked like at 10:30 a.m.

picked clean by 10:30 a.m.

I was lucky enough to get everything (and more!) that was on my list. I really loved a lot of what I saw. Here's what came home with me. I apologize for not linking these pieces directly to Target's site, but their site has been down for hours now, presumably due to Missoni-crazed web traffic. You can click each image to enlarge it and see details/colors.

I was surprised by how much I liked the suede pumps in person

I think they're TTS, my usual 7.5 fits perfectly.

I am really in love with this shell, I love the earthy palette the subtle shimmer

with the matching cardigan

all together...

close-up detail of the suede pumps

I also fell hard for the infinity scarf

flats for my daughter, these are so adorable! I also purchased these in a Size 5 for myself. They are just a bit snug on my 7.5 foot.

also for my daughter, she claims they are really comfortable

my daughter wasn't too interested in the clothes, but she loved this sweater blanket! She is currently wearing it around the house as a shawl, haha

I was so happy to find this toss pillow, it's divine. It's so soft and the neutral colors fit in perfectly with my home.

I got two. I love the nice sheen. These would also look great as accents on chairs in a sitting or living room.

I was gaga over the stationery selection. The make-up bags are lovely as well.

inside of make-up bag

I had to get the cocktail shaker--it's so sharp looking, in my opinion. I've had my old shaker since I was a bartender 12 years ago so it was definitely time for an upgrade.

L to R: comp book, journal, make-up bag, cocktail shaker, note cards, sticky notes

more comp books and another journal

I loved this set of 3 smaller journals--I'm definitely all stocked up on stationery now!

My daughter and I both loved the bobby pins, they also had a great black and white version of these

So clearly, I loved the collection. What did you think? Were you able to find anything in your local store? I've heard of stores around the country selling out within minutes. Did you have a favorite item in this collection? What was it?

I hope your Tuesday is terrific!

It exists!

2011-09-10T17:56:00.001-04:00

my beloved Burberry Brit--in a rollerball finally!

I had the beauty equivalent of a Sasquatch sighting in Ulta the other day. I about broke my neck trying to get to the Burberry fragrance display. What caused me to put life and limb in danger to sneak a peak? The Burberry Brit rollerball. I have loved this fragrance since it was launched in 2003 and have long been wishing for a rollerball version. To my knowledge, this is a fairly new development--I've been keeping my eyes peeled for it for at least a year and this was the first time I've seen it. And trust, I am no stranger to the fragrance counters in my area, lol.

photographic evidence

I do believe Bloomingdale's carries this rollerball as well, but I don't have a Bloomie's in the state in which I currently live. The Burberry Brit Sheer rollerball has been available at Sephora for awhile, but no original Brit. Anyways, I was beyond stoked to finally see this and snapped up the last two they had. A glimpse at Ulta's website tells me they carry it online, along with a rollerball version of Vera Wang's Lovestruck, which is lovely and not easily found as well. Just thought I'd pass this info along in case you're a Brit-o-phile too. I hope you all enjoy the weekend!

Product Rave: Dior's Creme Abricot

2011-09-09T13:58:00.001-04:00

Today I'm writing about a product that has really impressed me, Dior's Creme Abricot. After a few months of sporting the Shellac gel manicure, I noticed my nails were a bit thinner and weaker than usual. I'm not blaming the gel for this because my nails weren't in spectacular shape to begin with--but after removing the gel polish, it became clear that they definitely needed extra help.

I remembered that I had this beauty cult favorite sitting in my stockpile and decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did! After using this for about three weeks, my nails are noticeably stronger and harder and my cuticles and the surrounding skin are also in much better condition.

Dior's Creme Abricot

This creme is definitely not your average hand and nail lotion. The consistency is quite tacky and sticky. It goes on nice and thick and goopy and it does absorb rather quickly. I apply a dab to each nail and massage it in before I go to bed. I know that some people worry about it staining bed sheets, but I haven't had a problem with that at all. We have ivory/white linen and I haven't spotted any kind of discoloration on them.

All in all, I'm quite happy with this product and I will repurchase it in the future. A little bit goes a long way so I think the cost per use is a good value. If you're a nervous nail chewer/picker or just wish for harder, stronger nails-I definitely recommend this as an effective product.

Grade: A

Have you used Creme Abricot before? If so, what did you think? What are your favorite hand and nail products?

You can also check out my guest blog post on Lyndsy's super fab Yellow Brick Blog. Her Summer Essentials posts are so much fun to read. I hope you enjoy a fantastic weekend!

Hi, my name is Andi and I'm an addict

2011-09-06T08:43:00.000-04:00

Hi there-I hope you enjoyed a nice, extra long weekend. I can't believe that Summer is unofficially over already-it really seemed to fly by at supersonic speed this year.

While re-organizing my jewelry this weekend, it was abundantly clear that I favor a certain type of accessory over any other--the cuff. I've written about my love of cuffs before, and it's safe to say that this affinity of mine isn't going anywhere any time soon.

Here are some of my favorites:

white and yellow leather cuff wraps: H&M, beaded cuff: Banana Republic

brown, black and cream leather cuffs: all Target

silver mesh cuff: vintage, silver cuff: Banana Republic, turquoise cuff: vintage from New Mexico

Hermes-inspired CDC navy and white cuffs: Target, brown cuff: gift from my amazing friend Danielle

studded faux snakeskin cuff: Asos, brass cuff: gift from the Middle East, dark brass cuff: Madewell

The only thing that comes close to rivaling my cuff collection is my scarf collection, I do love a great scarf. But I only have like 4 pairs of earrings and wear those on special occasions, not everyday.

I'm curious~what is your favorite way to accessorize? Do you prefer smaller, more delicate, everyday jewelry, bold statement earrings or necklaces, stacks of bangles? Are you a cuff-a-holic like me?

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

2011-08-31T22:24:00.000-04:00

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that the fight against Ovarian Cancer is a cause that's very near and dear to my heart. My aunt passed away from this disease in 2004 after being misdiagnosed for three years. I cannot stress enough how important it is to take charge of your own health, particularly when it comes to this disease. The symptoms of Ovarian Cancer are quite vague and as a result, it's known as the "disease that whispers." I know it's a challenge in our busy lives to check in and listen to our bodies, especially when we have other littler, louder, more fragile bodies to look after.

In September, a great way to honor yourselves and the ladies who have lost their battle with this disease is to pay a bit more attention to your body in this capacity. Maybe schedule that dreaded GYN appointment that you've been putting off for over a year now. Maybe you have a friend who casually mentions that she's been inexplicably losing or gaining weight, or has been really constipated. Not to be an alarmist about it of course, but maybe just suggest that she go in for her annual exam a bit early this year.

Our health is ultimately in our hands, I cannot stress enough how important it is to be proactive when it comes to Ovarian Cancer. Unfortunately, most cases aren't caught until the late stages because of the subtle symptoms.

Please see your doctor if you've experienced any of these symptoms (taken from ovationsforthecure.org)

The most common symptoms include:

Bloating
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
Urinary urgency or frequency

Although these symptoms can also be indicative of benign conditions, they can suggest the presence of cancers in other organs. Symptoms that are out of the ordinary for you and that persist almost daily for 2 weeks or more should be brought to the immediate attention of your gynecologist.

Additional symptoms of ovarian cancer, which can also be symptoms of other conditions, include:

Upset stomach
Back pain
Pain during sex
Constipation
Menstrual changes
Unexplained changes in bowel habits
Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
Ongoing unusual fatigue

You can check out the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition's websites for some good information and support.

Friday, September 2nd is National Wear Teal Day to support Ovarian Cancer Awareness. Paint your toenails teal and/or throw on your favorite teal shirt, scarf or necklace on Friday, September 2nd to show your support.

Excursion: Las Vegas - Day 1

2011-08-30T09:35:00.003-04:00

For our first trip without our kids, my husband and I flew out to Vegas for a few days. We had a wonderful time--had some incredible meals, saw some fantastic shows and got in some nice relaxation by the pool. I will break our trip down by days since there's so much to cover in Vegas.

Here's Day 1:

for the flight~black maxi: Express, grey tank: BCBG, scarf: Target, wedges: Franco Sarto, cuff: gift from my friend Danielle

I found this great oversized bag at Francesca's. I was able to store all of my make-up, skin care, accessories and purses in it for the flight.

I won the bet with my husband! He was shocked that I fit everything into 2 bags.

Oversized bag: Francesca's, Marc Jacobs Large Single in beige and Louis Vuitton Keepall

Grand Canyon

We arrived at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay around 4 p.m. and checked right in, there was no line, no hassle, no wait whatsoever. It was fantastic. We dropped off our bags in the room, then went downstairs to grab a bite. One of the reasons we chose THEhotel is because of Mandalay Bay's incredible dining options. I stayed there once before in 2004 when THEhotel first opened and I was very impressed then. I was glad to see that the property was still as impressive--even more so-- seven years later. They keep it spotlessly clean, someone is literally polishing the floors no matter the time of day. We witnessed this at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. 8 p.m., 3 a.m. - it was crazy! It kind of became a running joke with us and when we got home to our dull wood, we had serious floor envy.

I 'liked' Mandalay Bay on Facebook and ended up with a sweet rate of $90/night for this amazing room. Properties will often release amazing special promo offers to their FB fans, so keep that in mind if you want to score a good deal!

view from our room: Business in the front

We had a gorgeous room, a V-suite, which offered panoramic views, so we had a mountain view from the living room side and a strip view from the bedroom. Best of both worlds. Much like one of the world's most iconic hairstyles--it was business in the front, party in the back.

Party in the back

So my husband and I headed downstairs to check out Border Grill and our way down, we passed Hubert Keller in the casino. I was slow on my roll after the 5 hour flight and realized who it was just as we were walking by. I wish I would have been a bit quicker because I would have totally asked for a picture--he was my favorite chef from Top Chef Masters and he just seems so cool. So that was a great way to start our stay.

On to the Border Grill. It was just what the doctor ordered after that killer flight and 3-hour time difference. The guacamole was delicious. Everything was great, but the real standout dish was the grilled Portabello mushroom mulitas. Oh my gosh. Even my meat-and-potatoes, Georgia-bred husband was enamored with it. His words "I'd go vegetarian for this." lol. I think that says it all. It was absolutely huge--we ended up splitting it and it kept us both full the entire night. Thank you so much to Colette for recommending this dish specifically!

Here's a pic I snapped with my phone. If you want gorgeous food pics and tremendous reviews on other Las Vegas restaurants, check out the incomparable Weeermonkey.

For LOVE~necklace: J. Crew, dress: TJ Maxx, heels: Trouve at Nordstrom

After dinner, we went upstairs to get ready for our show of the night--Beatles LOVE. This is what I wore to that. Long story short, I pre-ordered monorail tickets because I thought it would make our lives easier. Boy was I wrong about that. We spent the better part of an hour walking to, then around MGM Grand trying to find the gd monorail station. The signage for it is absolutely atrocious. You'll see a sign for the monorail, then follow the arrow, then there won't be any more signs and the ones you do see have an arrow pointing in the exact opposite direction. It was hilarious but it had me pissed off royally at the time. Anyways. The monorail is on the back of the casinos on the MGM side of the road. By the time you walk through MGM, then walk through another 5 mile wide hotel to get to The Strip-you're better off just skipping it all together. We cabbed it from then on, haha.

LOVE was absolutely amazing. My husband and I both thoroughly enjoyed it. I laughed, I cried, I was grinning ear to ear like a complete goon. If you haven't seen it-you can watch the trailer here. Neither of us are huge Beatles fans--we like and respect their music, but we're not fanatics by any means. I have to say, out of the 6 Cirque shows I've seen--LOVE is at the top of my list as my favorite. The music selection was fantastic, they tied in a lot of historical events as well which was really cool and the energy of the show was just wonderful and warm.

view from my poolside perch at XS

After LOVE, we decided to check out XS nightclub at the Encore. If you've ever wondered what strippers do on their nights off--the answer is they go to XS on Industry Night. Lol. I don't consider myself a prudish person at all, but the bathroom conversations between those girls would make Andrew Dice Clay blush. The club is beautiful and the staff was surprisingly nice and accommodating. I was expecting the cooler-than-thou attitude, but there was none of that. It was refreshing. I loved the indoor/outdoor space. It was a gorgeous night so we parked outside on one of the poolside lounges. It was nice and low-key for us old folks. Yes, the Vegas heat during the day was 105, but it's not the dripping wet with sweat heat/humidity combo we have on the East Coast. So the heat didn't bother us at all, and we thought the nights were especially perfect weather-wise. It was nice to just chill and sit outside and listen to music.

That concludes Day 1. If you're planning a trip to Vegas in the near future-let me know and I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Have you seen LOVE? If so-what did you think? What's your favorite Cirque du Soleil show?

August is National SMA Awareness Month

2011-08-26T17:17:00.003-04:00

Today's post is a departure from my usual subject matter. I wanted to take the opportunity to share with you some information about SMA, or Spinal Muscular Atrophy. SMA is the leading genetic killer of children under two, but most people have never heard of it. SMA is a motor neuron disease. Motor nuerons affect the voluntary muscles that are used for activities such as crawling, walking, head and neck control and swallowing. It is a relatively common "rare disorder," about 1 in 60,000 babies are diagnosed and 1 in 40 people are carriers.

Unfortunately, my childhood friend and her husband lost their precious son Grayson to SMA last year when he was just 80 days old. Alana was sweet enough to answer some questions I had about Grayson's condition. She hopes that this information can help people avoid the unspeakable pain of losing a child to this disease.

1) Did you know that SMA was a risk when you were pregnant with Grayson? We had never heard of Spinal Muscular Atrophy before Grayson got diagnosed.

2) Do you or Justin have any family history of SMA? Not at all.

3) When did you find out that Grayson had SMA? When Grayson was born, he had low tone (ability to move his arms and legs). They thought it was odd but figured it would get better in a day. It didn’t. That’s when they started the dozens of tests- CAT scans, MRIs, tons of blood tests. No answer. They decided to transfer us to Duke. Grayson's first ambulance ride. At Duke, days later they suspected SMA. We still had no idea what this was. They took the blood test and sent us home, no questions answered. Grayson returned home with a machine that measures his oxygen levels, a cough assist machine, and an oxygen tank. We were so scared. Several weeks later, we went to talk to the doctor and found out that Grayson had SMA type 1. That our sweet, innocent baby would most likely never see his first birthday.

4) What was the treatment when you found out? There is no cure for SMA at this time. There are several treatment options that can prolong a child’s life- from pulseox and cough assist machines to feeding tubes and respirators. It is difficult to decide what treatment is best for your child and your family.

5) What benefits would SMA screening provide? One in 40 people are carriers of SMA. If both parents are carriers, there is a 1/4 chance of having a child with SMA. By finding out if you are a carrier- you can stop this deadly disease and save lives of innocent, beautiful children. All you have to do is ask your doctor about getting a SMA carrier test. A simple blood test.

6) Is there a way to successfully treat it? Hopefully in the future!

7) Any personal anecdotes about Grayson you want to include?
Our little angel loved attention, dancing, music, playing peek-a-boo with mommy and daddy, kisses and hugs, getting his picture taken, his pet fish, bath time, eating, and being called the silliest. Not only was he an incredibly strong little boy, he was happy, fun, and extremely cute with an amazing smile. With only 2 1/2 months on earth, he inspired everyone that knew him to live life to the fullest. Grayson was our best friend and we miss him each and every day. We can’t wait until the day that we get to see our sweetheart again in Heaven.

Grayson was born June 16, 2010 and passed away on September 4. He was just 80 days old.

There is no cure, so if we had kids naturally we would have a 1/4 chance of having another child with SMA. Justin and I are not willing to chance having another baby suffer due to this terrible disease, so we will not be getting pregnant naturally. There is another way though- invitro and PGD. PGD stands for preimplantation genetic diagnosis. So basically, they do the invitro process and when they make and grow the embryos for 3 or 5 days, they biopsy the embryo and check the biopsy for SMA. They then will get rid of the embryos that are affected by SMA. They will save the embryos that are normal and the embryos that are carriers. Finally, they will implant the normal embryos or the carriers if you choose. Although there is no cure, there is a way to prevent having a child with SMA. I hope that makes sense.

So, here is what I want you to do- GET TESTED! Visit fsma.org, educate yourself, educate others.

Most obgyns and pediatricians don’t know about SMA. That is why it is so important to spread the word. There are 4 types of SMA. Many children are diagnosed later, Grayson's was diagnosed very early. Some statistics show SMA to be TWICE as common as ALS/Lou Gehrigs.

I want to thank Alana so much for sharing her story. I just can't even imagine having to go through this and I think her strength is incredible. I hope that the information in this interview can help prevent even just one more child from being born with this terrible disease.

Summer Favorites

2011-08-24T11:09:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone, how are you? We're back from our trip and I'm just catching up on things now. We came home to much cooler temperatures, an earthquake and a possible hurricane. What is going on?! Were you affected by the earthquake at all? I was at the pool with the kids and didn't feel a thing. I ran into my neighbor on the way home and she said her house was shaking so hard she thought the second story was going to collapse. Crazy. I came home and everything was just how we left it-not even a skewed picture frame. I hope Hurricane Irene misses us all on the Eastern Seaboard. Growing up in South Florida, I've had my fill of hurricanes--2005 definitely did me in on that. I'm praying that she veers back out to sea and goes on her merry way.

I saw on Facebook that my beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks will be available in stores within two weeks. If that doesn't signify the arrival of Fall, I don't know what does. So today I thought I would share some of my favorite 2011 Summer staples.

image: Scrangie

I finally found the perfect bold pink for my skin tone--OPI's Ate Berries in the Canaries. This was my go-to color for Summer pedicures. It has a perfect blend of pink and purple and isn't too warm. I absolutely love this fun, vibrant color and was so happy that my salon had an extra one for me to purchase.

Unfortunately, my hands are starting to show real signs of aging. Bleck. I really like the Essie Smoothies lotion, it contains Aloe and Vitamin E for healing and moisturizing, plus the smell is fantastic. This Summer, I was pretty much addicted to the pineapple coconut scent. The fragrance is pleasant and tropical, but it's light--not cloying, like a lot of fruit-scented products can be.

I slather my skin with sunscreen and always wear a hat, but no matter what I always manage to see sun spots on my face. I have been very reliant on Lancome's Bright Expert this Summer to help fade and correct those spots. This is the best non-rx product I've tried to date for the correction of sun spots.

I fell head over heels in love with Tarte's entire Amazonian Clay line. I love it all. For a pretty Summer glow, I especially love the Smooth Operator illuminator. The hint of glimmer is quite subtle, but it definitely perks my complexion right up. Love this stuff.

My fragrance of choice was Jennifer Aniston's beachy scent. This is a love/hate fragrance for a lot of people--I happen to like it a lot. It has a lot of jasmine in it so I can see how it could dry down very 'old ladyish' on certain body chemistries. With my chemistry, it smells just like sunscreen and was the perfect Summer staple.

I especially like the JA scent paired with Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B lotion which is much lighter and more fresh than the L.A.M.B fragrance.

I made the divine mistake of ordering a Mocha Coconut frappucino from Starbucks. Wow. This may be the perfect Summer drink, it's totally delicious. I try to stay away from most coffee drinks as a general rule, but for me, this is definitely worth the splurge.

What items were you loving this Summer? I want to hear all about them.

(No)Heat Waves

2011-08-11T12:39:00.000-04:00

Today's post is about something that's pretty much changed my world, cosmetically-speaking: No Heat Curls. That's right ladies, lugging around my curling iron is now a thing of the past. This easy and painless method produces beautiful curls or waves that last, for me, at least two days.

Day 2 of my no-heat waves, after a 90 minute yoga class

Thank you so much to the lovely Veronica who originally turned me on to this. You can find the video detailing how to do this at the bottom of this post. All you need is a stretchy headband and a few hours. You can thread thinner pieces of hair under the headband for a curlier look or do thicker chunks like I do for some easy, beachy Summer waves. You can leave them in overnight, but I can get a nice wave going on slightly damp hair in just about two hours. This is an ingenious little trick and anything that stops heat damage, I'm all for!

I've been really busy getting ready for our trip and my camera's been in the shop, but I'm hoping to do at least one more post before we leave. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Hair and Nails

2011-08-02T13:16:00.000-04:00

Hi ladies! Just wanted to post a quick update on hair and nails today since I've been experimenting with mine lately.

I'm working on my second Shellac manicure now and I must say that I love it. The durability and longevity of it are huge selling points for me.

This is first day of the gel manicure - I'm wearing Rendezvous from Harmony Gelish

I did notice that the integrity of the gel seemed to decrease rapidly after a day at the beach, at least with this Harmony Gelish brand. It was looking and staying strong as could be until our beach day, then things seemed to go downhill pretty quickly.

Here it is on Day 10 (after the beach). Please excuse the band-aid, my poor middle finger was the victim of an unfortunate mojito making incident.

Day 10 of the Gel manicure - you can see the new nail growth is starting to get pretty noticeable

Here's my right hand on Day 11

On Day 12, the gel on my thumb started to peel right off and the day after that, they all started to peel up. So this Gelish manicure for me lasted a solid 11 days.

On my hands currently is CND Shellac in a gorgeous pinky opaque nude, Romantique. It will be interesting to see how it compares to the Harmony Gelish.

I also got some highlights put in for the first time in 2.5 years. I was just feeling kind of blah and wanted to brighten myself up a bit. I'm really happy with the results, it's brighter and warmer, but still pretty natural looking.

So here's the difference in my hair before and after.

Have you tried the gel manicure? If so, what brand and color are your favorites? Did you lighten up a bit for Summer as well? How often do you get highlights?

I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday!

OOTD: Something New

2011-07-27T10:10:00.000-04:00

Hi ladies, I hope everyone's doing well!

When planning for an upcoming trip, I realized that my 'going-out' options were slim-to-none. My partying days are long behind me, as is my once fabulous and extensive going out wardrobe. A good night out for us now means no wait at the restaurant and a movie we've been looking forward to seeing OnDemand waiting for us at home, along with our pj's. BUT...we will be going out on this upcoming trip so I had make a few purchases, oh darn.

I ran across this adorable Halogen skirt and it happened to be part of Nordstrom's huge sale so I picked it up in three colors, this moss green color is my favorite. You know I've been craving green lately!

I added a necklace from J. Crew with it just to see if it would work...jury's out on that.

I love the high neckline of this cut-away tank from Asos. It produces a flattering silhouette and helps minimize my bust.

I am digging these Trouve sandals, they're neutral but add some funk which I like

I like that I can wear my Michael Kors purse with this outfit, it's so easy to just sling over my shoulder

This studded cuff is also from Asos, but it's no longer available on their site.

The rundown:

- The Halogen skirt runs a bit big, I'm wearing a size 6 here and it fits me like a glove. I'm usually an 8 in most skirts.

-Asos customer service and shipping was amazing. I placed my order on a Wednesday and received it the following Thursday--in perfect condition and with no problems whatsoever. I'm wearing a US 6 in the black tank. I also ordered it in white and the white in quite sheer.

-The sandals from Trouve are a bit on the small and narrow side. I'm consistently a 7.5 in shoes, these are 7.5 but they're a little tight.

Are you taking advantage of Nordstrom's big next season sale? If so, what have you ordered? Have you ever ordered from Asos? I have to say I'm very impressed with them.

I hope you're enjoying your Summer and staying cool--our temps have been crazy lately!

Giveaway Winner!

2011-07-22T16:59:00.000-04:00

Hi ladies! The winner of the Summer giveaway is lucky number 2, Allison! Allison, please email your name and address to me at saltwaterdreamsblog@gmail.com and I will get your gift in the mail asap. I hope you all are enjoying your Summer, I loved reading all of the wonderful Summer plans--a lot of fun trips in your futures :) I will see you again next week!

Summer Giveaway!!

2011-07-07T08:28:00.003-04:00

Hi ladies, I'm taking a couple of weeks off so I figured this would be a perfect time for my Summer Giveaway.

I am giving one of my lovely readers a beautiful bracelet from J. Crew, Essie nailpolish in Tangerine and Ole Henricksen Truth To Go wipes.

All you have to do to enter to win is:

1. Leave a comment under this post (one comment per person please) stating what you're most looking forward to this Summer

2. Be a public follower of this blog

click the images for a larger view

The contest will close on Friday, July 22 at noon EST. I will announce the winner later that day. Thank you all for reading, I will see you back here soon. I hope everyone is enjoying their Summer so far!

Max it Out

2011-06-30T10:58:00.000-04:00

I am so smitten with this maxi skirt! I thought it would be a smart purchase, for its comfort and ease alone, but I had no idea how versatile it would be. Our upcoming vacation has us changing planes at least once, maybe twice. I am so not down with the idea of having to deal with lost luggage on vacation, so fitting everything into my carry-on is a must. I need items that are versatile and will travel well (minimal wrinkling) and this jersey piece fits the bill in spades. The length is great, I'm 5'5 and it works great for me when I'm wearing wedges. And the best part, it's currently on sale for under $15!

easy and simple paired with a soft T-shirt (T: BCBG, bracelet: J. Crew)

glammed up a bit with a silky tank and sparkly clutch (tank: F21, last seen here)

pendant: Target, turquoise ring and clutch: vintage

I switched in a simple tank and glam belt (tank: Nordstrom, bag: Old Navy)

Belt: Express (last seen here), cream cuff: Target

I love these squishy, slouchy bags because they can fold up easily in my carry-all

Another squishy Old Navy bag!

belt and cuff: J. Crew, bangle: Express

The possibilities are really endless, I'm thinking about pairing mine with a scarf for the plane--something like this. So elegant, but easy and cozy as well.

image courtesy of J at The Look 4 Less

I hope you have a wonderful and safe weekend. For my American friends, enjoy the extra long holiday!

Tone Up Tuesday: My Cardio Playlist

2011-06-28T13:04:00.004-04:00

Hi ladies-I hope everyone is doing well. I am gearing up for a swimsuit-heavy vacation so I've committed to stepping up my cardio routine. Cardio is a drag for me. I don't enjoy it. My last memory of enjoying cardio is from when I was 4 years old dancing on the couches to Soul Train on Saturday mornings. Hey, that's actually a great idea. All of my TA Meta girls--take a tip from the toddler set and do your cardio dance routine on the couch! Let me know how that works and please make a video of it, we could really be on to something here.

Unfortunately, right now my typical cardio routine is decidedly more ~~boring~~ grown-up. I usually do 20 minutes on the elliptical 3/week (after my 75 minute yoga class) and an hour long RPM Spin class 2-3/times a week. I'm going to work on upping my elliptical minutes and maybe adding some jump rope sessions in. If there's one thing I do know, it's that music makes everything better and makes the time pass much more quickly. Here's what's been on my playlist lately. I also really like Maroon 5's new song, Moves Like Jagger, but I couldn't get it to upload on playlist (I downloaded it from itunes). What is your favorite way to get cardio in? What's currently on your playlist? I always need new song ideas. Have a terrific Tuesday!
*(to listen to these songs, just click the PLAY button in the purple box below)

Excursion: Jekyll Island, GA

2011-06-22T14:51:00.000-04:00

A couple of months ago, we headed down to Southeastern Georgia for a wedding. My husband grew up here, so we are no strangers to the charms of Georgia's Golden Isles--the beautiful marshlands, the shrimp boats, the gorgeous live oak trees. When we visit, we usually eat/shop/hang out on the more populated neighboring St. Simon's Island. SSI is fantastic and wonderful in its own rite, but Jekyll is so peaceful and calm. Even my husband, who grew up here, was impressed with our Jekyll Island getaway. If you're looking for a relaxing, quiet, lovely beach destination, I highly recommend it!

The kids contemplating their next shot on the croquet lawn at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel

We had a wonderful experience at the Jekyll Island Club--the service was great, the food was wonderful, the weather was perfect and the scenery was out of a dream. There's just something about those huge mossy oaks that's so picturesque and romantic.

The pool at the JIC, I love the palm trees and oaks right next to each other. The pool food here is some of the best I've ever had, cooked made to order on an outdoor grill.

The beautiful Gardens at Crane's Cottage

We had lunch at Courtyard at the Crane and the food was superb. I really enjoyed the Mediterranean Spring Rolls, the Monte Cristo sandwich and the chicken salad.

The intracoastal runs parallel to the grounds of JIC and the kids were pretty excited by all of the boat traffic--so many shrimp boats, pleasure boats and even big yachts. There are numerous old mansions on Jekyll Island, most of which are available to tour, and some have even been turned into museums depicting their own histories. At night, scores of deer just hang out on the lawns of these old estates, the kids were enamored with them and we were able to get so close-really cool.

Jekyll Books at the Old Infirmary

A must stop for a bookworm like me was Jeykll Books. This quaint bookstore is located in the Old Infirmary-what a cool building. They have a great mix of used paperbacks starting from $1/apiece as well as books rich with the history of Georgia and its barrier islands, Southern cookbooks and great gifts and souvenirs.

Also within walking distance of the Jekyll Island Club is the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. We happened upon the sea turtle center and ended up spending quite a bit of time here, the kids loved learning about all things turtle!

Across the island is the beach and the shopping area. Now the shopping area isn't too fancy-it's comprised of a bunch of trailers (portables). But you know what? We found everything we needed there! My husband forgot his board shorts and was able to buy some at one of these shops, we also were able to buy pool noodles, beer, apples, snacks and hit the ATM and ice cream shop while we were there.

At the north end of the island is the incredible and absolutely breathtaking driftwood beach, simply gorgeous!

The sand on GA beaches is not the fine sugar sand you find on the West Coast of Florida, it's compact and hard, but really easy and nice to walk or run on. Google Jekyll Island Driftwood Beach for more gorgeous images.

Georgia Sunset from the outside deck of Latitude 31

If you want lots of dining options, Jeykll Island is not really the place to find them (St. Simon's Island next door would be a great alternative for this though). I think there's a Dairy Queen on the island and that about does it in the way of fast food. Latitude 31 is a great little restaurant/bar just steps away from the Jekyll Island Club. We enjoyed the great band and the beautiful sunset and only had to walk about 300 feet to be back at the hotel, talk about perfect location!

If you won't have access to a car, you can easily rent bikes, golf carts or electric cars to get around the island. There are plenty of activities if you like some variety in your vacation--dolphin boat tours, horseback riding on the beach, horse-drawn carriages, even a water park. It's also a perfect spot to just sit and enjoy the beautiful, peaceful surroundings. I can't recommend Jekyll Island enough as a low-key but diverse, peaceful and lovely beach vacation destination.

Have you ever been to Jekyll or St. Simon's Island? If so, what are your favorite things to do and places to go here?

Rest in Peace Clarence

2011-06-19T11:22:00.003-04:00

Clarence and I at a Charity Gala in 2003

I was so saddened to hear yesterday about the passing of Clarence Clemons. What a guy. I first met Clarence when I interviewed him for the magazine I used to write for. He was polite, professional, down-to-Earth and warm. Fast forward a year later and he was there, ready and willing to help support a charity for the disabled I was working with. He was always all smiles, lighting up the room with his laughter and his immensely strong, wonderful presence.

The article I wrote on Clarence, circa 2002

He was passionate about helping others and giving back, often mentoring underprivileged children and teenagers, and he worked closely with a community outreach ministry in Palm Beach County. Professionally, the terms legendary and prolific probably describe him best. Apart from his groundbreaking work with the E-Street Band, he worked with artists such as Aretha Franklin and Jackson Browne to The Grateful Dead and most recently, Lady Gaga.

Clarence was a truly exceptional person. He brought light and joy to millions of people through his beautiful music and he positively affected thousands of others through his charity work. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by so many.

Loving Lately

2011-06-17T16:07:00.004-04:00

Being on lockdown since last Saturday because of my daughter's highly contagious eye infection, my dreams of leaving the house this week were shattered when my son woke up with it on Wednesday morning.

Grand totals for this week:

- viral rashes, 2

- cases of allergy-related hives, 2

- fever, 1

- cases of pink eye, 2

I'm hoping this at least means we've gotten our Summer illnesses out of the way. Since my best outfit this week consisted of wearing my good sweatpants (aka, not bleach-stained), here's a list of some things I'm loving lately.

green flash

Jenna Lyons at the CFDA Fashion Awards

image: Zimbio

Emmy Rossum

image: people.com

Olivia Palermo at a Veuve Cliquot Polo Event

image: Zimbio

I love how these vibrant, fresh splashes of green play up any neutral outfit. As a die-hard green lover, I'm definitely on the lookout for the perfect green piece, preferably a skirt.

beauty and fragrance

Lancome's Bright Expert and Genifique Serum, Thiery Mugler's Innocent

Not having to wear make-up every day has at least allowed my skin to breathe. Taking advantage of my bare skin, I thought I would play around with some Lancome samples I received a few weeks ago and I have been really impressed so far. The Genifique serum may replace my Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Complex, that's how much I'm loving it. I've found that the Bright Expert has actually worked to fade my sun spots, which are so much worse and more noticeable in the Summer, I much prefer it to Clinique's 'Even Better' Spot Corrector.

I also picked up Innocent by Thierry Mugler a few weeks ago. I always think of Mugler's fragrances as a bit heavy and best suited for colder weather, but Innocent is so clean--almost soapy, but sophisticated at the same time. I'm loving it, it's not cloying and doesn't compete with the heat at all. It's a great year-round scent.

make-up

Hayden Panettiere

Jennifer Lawrence

I think the make-up looks seen above on Hayden and Jennifer are absolutely gorgeous! I love the mauve-y pink shadow with the defined eye and neutral, fresh face. So pretty!!

Of course, I also took advantage of the conveniences of online shopping and am ridiculously excited to receive this adorable backpack and lunch box set for my daughter.

What things are you loving lately?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Tone Up Tuesday: Strawberry Delight

2011-06-14T11:04:00.001-04:00

Today is National Strawberry Shortcake Day! Who knew there was such a divine holiday? In honor of the fabulous fruit, here's a post all about strawberries.

Most of us can't deny the pure deliciousness of fresh strawberries, especially in June at the height of their season. We've been eating them like crazy around our house lately, they're quite a versatile ingredient. Yumminess aside, they're chock full of nutritional benefits and are renown for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have also shown that the polyphenols found in strawberries can help regulate blood sugar and can reduce the risk for Type 2 diabetes.

50/50 Spring Spinach Mix with fresh asparagus, pecans, feta cheese and fresh sliced strawberries in a basil balsamic vinaigrette

This is one of my favorite Summer dishes, I love how the components pretty much cover all the bases-cheese, nuts, greens, veggies and fruit--can't beat that! Making your own strawberry dressing is quite easy, but I cut time by using my favorite Balsamic & Basil dressing from Wishbone--I just add it to my fresh sliced strawberries, then pour it on.

Strawberry drink options are pretty much endless. It's really a mix and match free for all. I make my kids a fresh strawberry/blueberry/banana smoothie almost every day. Lately they've been asking for a strawberry pina colada. I throw in some fresh pineapple chunks and unsweetened coconut flakes to the strawberry mix and add some Vanilla-flavored Almond Milk to make it creamy. Easy, delicious and a heck of a lot better for them than the strawberry-flavored treats from the Dairy Queen down the road.

I combine strawberries and grapefruit with a bit of mint and water for a more mature treat. Incidentally, that base is also fantastic to add to liquor-vodka and tequila especially. Strawberries (and blueberries) also go surprisingly well with fresh basil. A favorite among our friends is the strawberry basil mojito and martini. Of course, these recipes work well as non-alcoholic beverages as well and can add a sophisticated flare to a party or BBQ.

Depending on the flavors I'm working with, for a creamier consistency, I add almond milk, half a banana, half an avocado or Greek yogurt to the mix

To up the nutrient quotient, I sometimes add fresh kale to my sweet strawberry smoothies

One of my all-time favorite desserts is Grand Marnier-marinated fresh berries. I found a good recipe for that here. I'm also trying this sorbet recipe out as we speak. And of course, National Strawberry Shortcake Day wouldn't be complete without a fabulous recipe for it! The possibilities and potential for creative and gratifying strawberry recipes are pretty much endless. I know I haven't even covered a sliver of the options yet.

So of course I want to know-what are your favorite ways to eat or drink this remarkable fruit?

Summer Remix

2011-06-09T09:21:00.000-04:00

I thought it would be fun to start a little feature illustrating how I wear different pieces for different seasons. Today, I revised a Fall look and a Spring look. Our temperatures have recently shot into the high 90s, so the fewer layers now, the better. I'm all about stretching my wardrobe and maximizing the wear of my clothes, it's always a good feeling to know you're getting your money's worth.

tank: Express, maxi-skirt: Forever 21, nude wedges: Franco Sarto, necklace, J. Crew

This random canvas TJ Maxx purse is perfect for Summer outfits

Here was my Spring outfit featuring this skirt (see that post here)

Here was a Fall look featuring one of my favorite BCBG dresses (see the original post here)

Here's the Summer version: dress and heels: BCBG, cuff: Target, necklace: J. Crew

I love this Hermes-inspired cuff by Target. I bought it back in February, but it fell off somewhere and I lost it. I was so excited to find it in my store again last week.

And here's a pic of my nails, I'm wearing Don't Feed the Hand Models

I thought it would be a good neutral--interesting but a little unique, but the color falls flat for me. It's too mauve-grey-pink, not good on my skin tone. And the application left much to be desired, it was quite streaky. Not a fan of this one!

Do you like to re-use your favorite clothes? I would love to hear about it in the comments or see your blog posts about it. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Tarte Has My Heart

2011-06-06T17:07:00.002-04:00

Ok, ridiculously cheesy titles aside, I could not be more impressed with the Tarte products I've been using lately. I've posted before about the amazing Amazonian Clay line, all of which I love even more now. My newest Tarte purchase may be my favorite, however, since it's the hardest category for me to find something I truly love: foundation. I've tried everything, from Revlon Colorstay to Laura Mercier to Lancome to Chanel to Dior. This Tarte Re-Create Anti-Aging Foundation is my new Holy Grail. It disappears into my skin so beautifully, stays put forever and offers wonderful yet natural coverage. Whatever specialized anti-aging formulation they've added to this stuff is amazing because I've noticed an overall improvement in my skin's texture and appearance since using it.

I mix the foundation with the Smooth Operator Illuminating Serum for a nice, subtle Summer glow

*you can click all the images to enlarge

Here's the illuminating serum on its own, it's flesh colored

here it is sheered out -it evens out skin tone, acts as a primer and produces such a lovely, subtle sheen

I love the pump on this bottle, it's possible to get as little or as much as I need

here's the foundation sheered out, layered over the illuminating serum

Here I am wearing the combination of these two products, I took this picture after running errands all day in the rain-it holds up amazingly well (you can see my hair's kind of a mess though :)

a closer view, I'm wearing Beige 08.

Have you tried any of Tarte's new Amazonian Clay product line? If so, what do you think? What's your favorite foundation? I hope everyone is having a good Monday!

Loving now: Blazers with Maxi Dresses

2011-06-02T18:36:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! Well, I did not intend to take the week off from blogging, but I came down with some funky funk on Sunday night, then on Tuesday my sweet little son got it. But we're all on the mend now thankfully.

image of Rachel Bilson: The Vogue Diaries

Just a quick post this evening about a combo I've been digging hard lately--maxi dresses topped with blazers. This is an A++ combination in my book, I love maxi dresses and blazers both so putting them together is a dream come true. It's a great look when you want to be comfortable yet polished. I also like this look for Summer when it's so hot outside, but freezing cold inside the restaurant--gah, I hate that. But this is a great and fashionable solution.

image of Vanessa Hudgens: JustJared.com

Here are some of maxi dress/jacket combos I've worn recently:

blazer and dress: Gap, shoes: H&M, necklaces: vintage and J. Crew

blazer last seen here, dress last seen here

jacket: Trouve via Nordstrom, black maxi and heels: H&M, necklace: J. Crew

black dress last seen here

blazer: Forever 21, ombre dress: Kristin Davis for Belk

necklace: vintage, mesh bracelet: J. Crew

Have you been wearing this combo at all lately? I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Bright, Shiny Things

2011-05-26T11:12:00.001-04:00

Hi friends! I hope everyone is doing well. Today I wanted to share some of my recent jewelry purchases, I've been somewhat obsessed with accessories lately, necklaces especially. I definitely go through phases of obsession. In 2009 it was make-up, in 2010 it was clothes, so far this year has been all about skin care and accessories.

First, here is an outfit with one of my favorite Spring purchases, this flower pendant from J. Crew. I don't have many pendant-length pieces, but I love this and wear it a lot, it's a lot more versatile than I thought it would be.

tank: TJ Maxx, cargos: GAP (last seen here), wedges: Franco Sarto via Piperlime

necklace: J. Crew (last seen here and here), Bag: Marc Jacobs Large Single (seen here)

Since seeing Zoe Saldana's incredible vintage necklace at this year's MET Gala, I've been fixated on dagger-like designs. Strangely enough, it turns out that spike and dagger-inspired jewelry is everywhere right now (some options here, here, here, here and here).

image: JustJared (click to enlarge)

For my dagger fix, I chose a couple of J. Crew's more wearable (and affordable) styles:

I am so in love with the Crystal Rays necklace from J. Crew, it dresses up even the most basic white tee and is the perfect complement to most dresses

Also from J. Crew is the mini crystal wildfire necklace, this piece adds the perfect edgy punch to any outfit

I scored this unique piece at a vintage store for $12!! I absolutely love when that happens, don't you? This necklace seems very Egyptian to me for some reason, do you see that too?

This pretty Gorjana necklace was my Mother's Day present, a definite departure from the heavier pieces above, it's the perfect delicate everyday accessory.

I'm not much of an earring-wearer, but I really like these by Rachel Rachel Roy. They're light and the geometric shape is more interesting than just a traditional hoop.

image: Stockholmstreetstyle

click to enlarge

I have been obsessed with the above picture for months now. I bought an Arty ring back in February, but wasn't crazy about the color I chose (pink) so I returned it. But not before I purchased this spiral wrap ring to go with it. It's unbelievably light and so easy to wear, I forget it's there.

Spiral Ring from Etsy seller Fallingleaf Jewelry

So those are my most recent accessory additions. Do you have any fun recent accessory purchases? What fashion and beauty item or items are you currently fixated on?

I hope you all enjoy and wonderful and long Holiday weekend!

My Favorites From Cannes

2011-05-23T10:39:00.000-04:00

The Cannes Film Festival is quite possibly the most glamorous event on the celebrity calendar. I love browsing through the images from Cannes because they really evoke the old glamour of Hollywood. The weather always looks perfect--like the sunlight there just casts a magical glow that makes these beautiful people even more so. As if the French Riviera needed any help in the glamour or beauty department, every May thousands of movie stars, supermodels, producers, fashion designers, billionaires and the rest of the jet set descend upon this magnificent area.

The celebrities always look so chic and polished, in Cannes especially--here are my favorite looks from the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival which ended on Sunday, May 22.

Gwen Stefani is stunning in L.A.M.B at the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS Gala

image: JustJared

Karolina Kurkova in Armani Prive

image: Zimbio.com

Uma Thurman looked unbelievable in Versace

check out the back!! holy smokes.

image: zimbio.com

Kirsten Dunst was radiant in Chloe at a photo call for her new movie Melancholia

image: Red Carpet Fashion Awards

Bar Rafaeli looks so simply sexy and fresh in skinny jeans and a white silky top on the way to a party on Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen's yacht

image: JustJared

Loving Tilda Swinton's sleek photo call look

image: zimbio.com

I about died over Rachel McAdams' incredible Monique Lhullier jumpsuit

image: people.com

Salma Hayak is stunning in Gucci Premiere

image: People.com

Sarah Jessica Parker stole the show in Elie Saab Couture

Getty Images via FabSugar

I love how we can see all the photogs behind her, a classic movie star scene!

Linda Cardellini wowed in Alberta Ferretti

image: people.com

Loving Gwen's red carpet look, rocking a Stella McCartney jumpsuit

image: JustJared

Alessandra Ambrosio looked like a gorgeous mermaid in Roberto Cavalli at the amfAR Gala

Image: zimbio.com

Bar Rafaeli in a jaw-dropping Roberto Cavalli

I love the back!!

image: JustJared

Diane Kruger looked lovely in Calvin Klein

image: JustJared

I am obsessed with Karolina Kurkova's Chanel Couture amfAR look, wow!

image: zimbio.com

Aishwarya Rai looks so chic in Armani Prive

image: Red Carpet Fashion Awards

I absolutely love Uma Thurman's sleek, flowing cobalt blue gown-gorgeous!

image: JustJared

I think my overall favorite favorite was Chinese actress Fan Bing Bing in Elie Saab Couture, I'm speechless over this gown, it's just incredible.

Who were your favorites from Cannes? I hope everyone enjoyed a lovely weekend!

LBD: Long Black Dress

2011-05-19T14:29:00.001-04:00

Well, this black maxi dress from H&M is officially the best $15 I've ever spent. It's so versatile and so easy to dress up or wear casually. I wore it basically non-stop on our vacation.

To the Rehearsal Dinner:

dress and heels: H&M, pendant: J. Crew, cuff: gift, belt: GAP, purse: Michael Kors (seen in this post)

Out to dinner:

scarf worn as asymmetric shawl and leather cuff: Target

BCBG leather clutch

Lunch by the pool:

sandals: Mossimo for Target, bracelet: J.Crew

Forever 21 fedora

I am loving this dress to death, you will definitely see a lot more outfits to come featuring this piece. I still can't believe I scored it for $15! The versatility of this reminds me a lot of last year's Little Black Sundress (how random-just saw that I published that post on this exact day last year! weird)

Do you have a go-to piece that you're loving this season? Are you wearing maxi-dresses? Have you found one you're really loving-where did you get it?

I hope you all enjoy a fantastic weekend!

Tone Up Tuesday: Cooking Light

2011-05-17T15:31:00.001-04:00

It was so fun to read the comments on last week's Tone Up Tuesday post, I am glad that post was helpful for some of you, thank you for your suggestions as well. A few days ago I picked up the newest recipe magazine from Cooking Light and I've been so impressed with the dishes! They are all really simple and quick to make.

Here are a couple that we've tried already:

edamame and steak stir fry

This edamame and steak stir fry has definitely been my favorite recipe thus far. It was so easy to prep and cook and it was delicious.

- I heated some olive oil and wok oil in a fry pan on the stove

-added strips of steak (the recipe calls for sirloin, but I used some skirt steak we had already in the freezer) and cooked for about 5 minutes. Removed the meat from the pan

-then I added the frozen (already shelled) edamame and 3 TB water to the pan per the recipe, stir-fry for 2 minutes, then added the tri-bell pepper mixture and stir-fry for 3 additional minutes.

-added one tsp minced garlic to the veggie mix and stir-fry for an additional minute

-stirred in 3 TB teriyaki basting sauce (my husband likes it saucier so I added more)

-return meat to veggie mix and toss together

-serve over brown rice

Easy peasy and so good!

Chicken and bean-filled lettuce wrap with tex-mex sour cream

We also really enjoyed this dish. The recipe calls for black beans, but I unknowingly gave all my cans of black beans away for Stamp Out Hunger. Whoops. I did find one lowly leftover can of refried beans in the back of my pantry so I had to make a last-minute substitution, not ideal-but I had to work with what I had.

This recipe calls for 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken, which would make prep time a LOT quicker. I had frozen chicken breasts I wanted to use, so I used that instead. I marinated them in a chipotle lime sauce first for a bit more flavor, the cooked them and shredded them myself.

Directions:

-cook the brown rice, then put it in a large bowl

-to the rice, added shredded chicken, one can of rinsed and drained beans, 1/3 cup chopped scallions and 3/4 cup fresh salsa. Mix together.

-spoon the mixture into freshly washed iceberg lettuce leaves.

-serve with tex-mex sour cream

Tex-Mex Sour Cream

-1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream

-1 TB chopped fresh cilantro

-1 TB fresh lime juice

-1/2 tsp ground cumin

-1/4 tsp chili powder

Combine all ingredients together in a small bowl, stir well.

This was really nice and light and flavorful and fresh. And super fast to make.

And to switch things up a bit, I made this low Glycemic Index egg casserole from Kalyn's Kitchen. This is so convenient to just have ready and wrap up in foil for my husband to take to work. Loved it!

In conclusion, I am loving this new Cooking Light recipe magazine, it's so inspiring to see how easy and delicious making healthy dishes can be. I highly recommend picking it up if you see it at the store. I have several other recipes bookmarked so I'll be posting updates as we go through them.

Hope you have a great day!

Spring Fragrances: Talking Scents

2011-05-16T15:26:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone, I hope you enjoyed a wonderful weekend!

As most of you know, I'm a bit of a fragrance freak and I'm interested in hearing what everyone is liking/wearing/wanting for Spring. And if you're not a commitment-phobe like me, what is your everyday signature scent? Here's what's in my Spring lineup-- a lot of clean, fruity and soft floral scents.

my Spring fragrances: click the images to enlarge

My full size bottles: Burberry Summer, Fresh Sugar & Lychee, Burberry Brit Sheer, D&G Light Blue, Dior Addict 2, Gucci Rush 2

These are all definitely on the fruity side--I love clean scents, but with a bit of sparkle and something interesting going on, so the fruity notes in these are right up my alley. I linked to all of these so you can read the descriptions--Sephora can explain their notes better than I ever could.

Burberry Summer, Burberry Brit Sheer, Dior Addict 2 and Gucci Rush 2 are some of my all-time favorite scents. I really adore all of them, they're all soft and fruity, but have the warm notes that create a sexy, more sophisticated scent.

These are my travel size/rollerballs. I love the rollerballs-they're so easy to travel with, stick in my purse or layer with each other and I like the fact that I don't have a ton of bottles laying around. I keep all of these in a little glass by my sink.

Viva La Juicy, Boyfriend, Eternal Grace, Issey Miyake, Clinique Happy, Lavanilla Vanilla Coconut, Bulgari Omnia Crystalline and Stella.

I like to layer Eternal Grace with Issey Miyake for a really soft, clean combo. Bulgari Omnia Crystalline is such a nice, sophisticated soft floral if you're looking for that type of thing. Boyfriend is a bit heavier than my other Spring fragrances, but there is something so addicting about it! I find myself reaching for it a lot, despite the warmer weather.

If I had to pick an all-time favorite fragrance ever, it would probably be Gucci Rush 2. This isn't as easy to find as it used to be, but Amazon, Ebay and fragrancenet.com, among others, still carry it. I think I read somewhere that Gucci Rush 2 is Eva Longoria's favorite scent as well. Welcome to the useless knowledge that occupies my mind.

Other perfumes I'm liking for Spring are Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh and Lacoste's Joy of Pink (thanks to my beautiful friend Racquel for recommending that).

I am always, and I mean - always, on the lookout for amazing new scents. What are some of your favorites?

Hope you have a happy Monday!