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Monday, March 5, 2012

A Natural State of Mind (aka A Curly Girl's Story)



I have naturally curly hair. When I was young(er), all I wanted was to have straight hair. When I was a little girl, my mother would wash and condition my hair, divide it into sections and then let it air dry at least overnight. The next day, we’d spend the afternoon in the kitchen, while she hot combed my hair. I’m talking old fashioned, put the comb on the stove to heat it up, hot comb. Then when I turned 11 or 12, I started to do the whole routine on my own, so that I could do it more often and so that I could get it STRAIGHTER.

 I never even thought to wear my hair in its natural state until I was in high school and I became good friends with another curly girl. She gave me the courage to finally wear my hair in curls too. I’ve been experimenting with different combinations and brands of products to achieve the perfect head of curls since then.

However, unlike my friend who always wore her hair in curls, I still preferred to wrestle with and tame my tresses until they were bone straight. I felt more “me” with straight hair. Curly was simply an alternative when I wanted to do something different, or felt too lazy to tackle the daunting task of washing, conditioning, detangling, braiding, treating, waiting to dry and the hour to hour and a half it took to actually straighten It (and it took that long even after I discovered the wonders of Frizz Ease and a flat iron). Yes, there were the several months during my senior year of high school when I was on the swim team and my hair was in a perpetual state of curls (it was plain unrealistic and just a waste of time to do all that work for it to be straight for half a day). But still, I felt most confident, pretty, and myself when my hair was long and straight.

Fast forward to having my first child-let’s just say it’s hard to find the time to regularly (and painlessly) wield extremely hot objects when you have a little one knocking you in the knees every five minutes. Curly finally became my regular state of being, but only by default. I still longed for and preferred my straight hair. Until now…

A few things have changed my opinion of my natural state. First and foremost was my hubby. He was the first (and I suppose, the last) man I was with that actually liked my hair curly. I knew he was special because he preferred me just the way that I was. Then there was the discovery that our first daughter was a curly girl too. To see the time and effort he (yes, HE does our daughter’s hair) spends on making sure her hair looks its best, from researching new products and washing and taming those tangles; the two of them have really helped me to embrace the texture I was born with.

And now I have yet another reason to be curly and proud! I truly have no idea how, but fairly recently I stumbled upon NaturallyCurly.com and I am hooked. They are an invaluable resource as far as the care, maintenance, and overall empowerment of curly and textured hair. I have learned more about how to make the absolute best of my tresses in the couple of weeks I have been making daily visits to the site than I have in my ENTIRE LIFE! Really, it’s that informative.

So I guess I’m saying, prepare yourselves for a lot of curly girl love and attention, including tips, techniques and product reviews galore. No, this won’t be a hair blog, and I’m not saying that you won’t catch me with straight hair every now and again. But for the first time ever in my life, I’m excited about the wild thing that is my hair, and I want to share it with you all. So stay tuned.
















Me, Curly


                                                                            
Me , Straight (and 8 months pregnant)




Until next time…

Ciao, XxO

Q

PS- The moral of the story is, although it’s great to experiment with new and different looks and forever strive to attain the best version of yourself, it is most important to EMBRACE and not be afraid to BE exactly who you ARE! 





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Friday, March 2, 2012

Introducing London (and a little bit of DIY)


Happy Friday All! I'm gearing up for a visit from my parents and finally persuaded London (my 3 year old daughter) to take off her satin cap. We bought it last weekend for her to wear when she sleeps, to protect her lovely curls and to make the daunting task of detangling her hair a bit easier. Anyway, she calls it her "bed hat" and wears it all the time now! I guess it could be worse; she could refuse to wear it, and I'd have to continue to deal with dry hair and nasty tangles (and London's wails that rival a banshee's).

She's wearing such a cute little shirt (my mother got it for her from Old Navy) and I wanted to add a little something something to her hair to finish her look. I found a stray piece of ribbon and attempted to tie it around her hair as a headband, but alas, it was too short. Then I had an idea...




Take a piece of ribbon and an elastic ponytail holder...




Tie one end of the ribbon to the ponytail holder...




Then the other end...




Now you have a headband!






I think she likes it!



And voila! We have a new hair accessory! It was so insanely easy to do, now I'm totally going to make more for all 3 of my girls. It's amazing what you can create with a little imagination and ingenuity. I hope this inspires you to get crafty! Look around you and see what you can put together. Take some pictures and post them on my Facebook page! I'll make a photo album with all of our DIY projects!

Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

































Thursday, March 1, 2012

This Is Why Mail Excites Me...

Curse you BIRCHBOX! Lol! In my January box I received a deluxe sample of FIX Malibu's Immaculate Complexion Advanced Antioxidant Serum and I am HOOKED! I have never used a product that has made such a dramatic difference in my skin almost immediately (well, overnight to be exact)! Problem is, everywhere I search for it, it is either sold out or $125! But it's so good! Sigh... 




I'm trying to be more conscientious of my skin care routine as I get older, and services like Birchbox help me make great new discoveries in order to fine tune my regimen. After all, they introduced me to the lovely little gem above. What are your skin concerns? What products do you splurge on? What do you use on your skin that you just can't live without? My inquiring mind wants to know! 

Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q




Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Let the Stars Align


I’ve been obsessed with makeup since I earned my first bit of allowance and used it to buy Lee Press On Nails, Lip Smackers, and clear mascara (the only cosmetics my mom would let me wear). As I’ve matured, my fascination has as well, progressing from the staples I still get at my local drugstores (Maybelline Great Lash, Burt’s Bees Lip Balm, Rimmel Eyeliners, etc.), to more sophisticated new favorites (Bobbi Brown’s Skin Foundation Mineral Makeup with SPF 15 and her Ink Liner, UrbanDecay’s Naked Palette and Eyeshadow Primer Potion, and The Illuminator and The Multiple from Nars). 


My obsession has me frequenting everywhere from Walgreens, CVS, and Target, Nordstroms, Macy’s, and Dillards. And then there are my ultimate favorites-the grown up girl’s wonderlands that are Ulta and Sephora. Every time I step into Sephora, it feels like the mother ship calling me home! Maybe some online classes in cosmetology are next, but, hey, YouTube is free!

Now to further encourage my passion (and to make good use of all the products I hoard), I am on YouTube daily, watching product reviews and application tutorials. My little girls sit in the bathroom and watch as I try to recreate all the different looks. My husband comes home to a new face every day. It’s so much fun! When I “play” with makeup, I feel immersed in a world of color, creativity, and beauty. In short, anything makeup related makes me happy J

So imagine my elation when I heard about BeautyBar.com! Catering to sophisticated women with high standards and no time to waste, Beauty Bar carefully curates selections from the world’s finest brands to deliver beauty-savvy customers exactly what they desire: the latest products from the most exclusive, chic domestic and international brands.

Beauty Bar is the destination for can’t-live-without-it essentials and insider tips on of-the-moment trends. To satisfy every sophisticate’s unique beauty routine, the experts at Beauty Bar highlight upcoming looks for each season, from romantic red lips to shimmering metallic eyes. Experiment with upcoming trends with the help of Beauty Bar’s high-tech interactive tools: Color Compare and the Makeover Studio (to be launched in March). These features allow you to try out looks and experiment with bold new shades and exotic brands before having to buy, so you can guarantee that you’ve made the right choice before making the commitment of a purchase.

It is really the ultimate online beauty boutique to find tried-and-true essentials and discover new favorites. Whether you are looking to pick up a few of your beauty must-haves or lusting to try products from hard-to-find brands, you’ll find it all on Beauty Bar. And it is the perfect location to find all of the products you need to recreate some of the spectacular looks sported on the red carpet at Sunday’s Oscars!

Red Haute


Rooney Mara, Milla Jovovich, and the always-impeccable Angelina sported red lips at the Oscars. Capture their classically sexy look with By Terry Rouge Terrybly Age Defense Lipstick in Terrific Rouge.


(Click image to purchase)





Buns Make a Comeback

Between J. Lo and Emma Stone, buns were back in a big way last night. For a sleek, full-blown updo, try Rahua Voluminous Hair Spray – an ingenious spritz that holds your style and boosts volume, too.

(Click image to purchase)




 Shimmer and Stun

 What's the one must-have accessory for a strapless gown? Flawless décolletage. Sweep Jouer Cosmetics Highlighter (in Champagne) across clavicles and chest for luminous, show-stopping shimmer.


(Click image to purchase)




With convenient 1-2 day shipping (same day in Manhattan), free samples with every order, and a no-questions-asked, year-round return policy that encourages the exploration of new brands, Beauty Bar merges luxury, premium selections with customer care in the convenience of a virtual boutique. So you can try out your favorite new look from the Oscars or that product you’ve been coveting from the beauty magazines (or YouTube) risk free! This is great news for me; my 3 year old daughter told me I looked like a clown when I experimented with a new red lip gloss pencil the other day (wish I could take it back).


So what are some of your favorite beauty finds?  What are must have splurges? Where do you look to find new looks and techniques? My inquiring mind wants to know!

Until next time…

Ciao, XxO,

Q


PS- Stay tuned for details on a premium sampling subscription service made possible from a collaboration between Allure Magazine and BeautyBar.com!



Friday, February 24, 2012

Is Argan Oil Good for Stretch Marks (It's good for everything else)?


Argan oil is one of the latest popular ingredients in numerous cosmetic, skin, and hair care products, and for good reason!  It’s rich in vitamin E, fatty acids, antioxidants, and carotene among many other good for you components. 

The first time I heard about argan oil as a cosmetic and skin care ingredient was when I learned about Josie Maran Cosmetics. I recognized her name from her days as a model, and was drawn to her products not only for their quality and benefits, but also because of her company's policy of giving back globally and its motto of "Luxury with a Conscience."








I also respected the fact that Josie was not only a beautiful woman that branched out from her modeling career to starting her own business, she is also a mommy. And now her daughter, Rumi Joon (LOVE that name), is going to be a big sister!



Josie and her beautiful daughter, Rumi Joon




Well, congratulations are in order, as Josie Maran is now pregnant with baby number 2! It will be interesting to see how she will balance the demands of her burgeoning brand with the joys of a growing family.  Here is a special note from Josie:

 “Motherhood has been a truly inspiring experience. As you might know, during my first pregnancy, I became even more aware of what I was putting inside my body and on my skin, and that motivated me to create my all-natural cosmetics line. I’ve learned a lot about myself by watching Rumi Joon grow up.  Just seeing her smile makes me realize that being happy is the ultimate beauty secret, and I can’t wait to welcome this new addition to my family. I’ve already gotten back into pre-natal yoga, and I’m just bracing myself for the weird food cravings to kick in. As all you moms and moms-to-be know, this is an amazing time in a woman’s life, and I’m looking forward to sharing this experience with you.” 

I can so relate to those sentiments!

Motherhood is such an ever evolving responsibility; it seems that as soon as you become accustomed to one stage, life is swiftly propelling you in to the next stage. Dealing with pregnancy is different from adjusting to life with a newborn, having a newborn is totally different from dealing with a toddler, and let's not even talk about the tween and teen years! When you take on the additional tasks that accompany having multiple children-the responsibility can (at times) appear crushing! 

How do you handle the balancing act of motherhood and family life, with having a satisfying social life, AND a successful professional life? Do you have any tips for making it all work? And how do you do it all AND maintain your sense of self and style? Inquiring minds want to know!

Until next time…

Ciao, XxO



Q




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Thursday, February 23, 2012

Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself...




I believe that one of the best ways to get to know WHO a person is (especially if it’s some abstract cyber person that you’ll only truly know through words and pictures on a computer screen) to know WHAT they are. So here goes:

I’M
…a Woman (well, I prefer to think of myself as a lady, and there truly is a distinction between the two)
…a Writer (I almost put this first, but being a chick kind of influences how and what I write about so…)
…a Wife (getting and being married has been one of the most wonderfully life altering things that has ever happened to me, and I mean that in the best way possible)
…a Mommy (another life changing event, even the 3rd time around, and the fact that they’re all girls actually enhances the first 3 things)
…Southern (this may not seem like an important fact, but I honestly feel that being born and raised in the south has had as much of an influence on me as anything else)

Obviously, I am much more than the five things listed above, but I think those are the most important things to know in order to LOVE me! Ha! No, really, I see this blog as a journey, where my readers can get to know about me and my life, and hopefully you’ll allow me to get know you too.
I suppose in my next post, I’ll discuss some of the things that I love and/or am obsessed with (because that is what I’ll be writing about).

Ciao, until we meet again…

XxO,
Q
















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