blushing basics

Valentine Ombre Nail

2012-02-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

here's a Beauty Blog Backtrack i wrote recently. it seems i can't get enough of the nail tutorials these days. maybe it's because even as a mom, you can do trendy, creative designs without looking cra-cra?

for this tutorial you will need three shades of red:

the design is fairly simple. just apply polish to one third of nail, take second polish and apply to the next portion followed by third polish to the last third of nail. just make sure to do one nail at a time. if polish is wet it will "bleed" into the next color.

happy V-Day!

xo,

kristie

Giveaway Winners

2012-02-13T13:17:00.002-07:00

if you are a winner, please contact me so that i can get you your winnings!

krispie2009 (at) hotmail (dot) com

xo,

kristie

Valentine Smoky Eye Tutorial

2012-02-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

here is take 2 of my Destination Beauty "Be The Next Beauty Guru" tutorial. the first one had A LOT of little errors. this new formatting style took some getting used to. this second attempt was much easier and i am pretty happy with the result.

here is a tutorial that not only works for the Red Carpet, but also for your Valentine Smoky Eye. why not try something new this Valentine's Day? spice things up a bit.

hope you have somewhere fun to go, and something fun to do, with someone you love.

xo,

kristie

{Saturday Style} Introducing Kim

2012-02-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

my sister has this hairstylist who she loves. this hairstylist has a love for fashion. i love to bring all these loves together and introduce you to Kim, who will be providing us with with some styling guest posts every Saturday

Hi…

I’m Kim

I'm a wife, mother of two, part time hairstylist, crafter, and I’m a big time SHOPPER! Kristie asked me to join her once a week to give my two cents about what’s new in the fashion world. I wanted to start this week off by talking about one of my least favorite words …organization . If you are anything like me, whenever I’m stressed or have a bad day I tend to hit the shops to cool down.. and manage to leave with a few bags full of things :/(hubs hates that) I don’t believe that I need to change my method of how I “cool down” but I have tried to take a different approach .. for the year 2011 (last year) I made a goal to become more organized throughout my home(I am still not even close to being as organized as I wish I was).. my closet was the last on my list.. as I began to “attack “ my closet I noticed I had A LOT of doubles of things … two mustard yellow tights, two pairs of light pink flats (different brands, but almost identical), two striped blue cardigans.. etc. I then knew that it was a MUST that I organize my closet to be able to see what I have.. and to help separate my wants from my needs when I do go out shopping… I began to think of how I could utilize the space that I have .. I am lucky (until we move in April) to have a HUGE closet.. actually it’s a bedroom:

My husband was fed up with there being NO room for his things in our closet, correction no room to even walk. So while I was at work one day, he knocked a large hole in the wall

to the bedroom next to the master closet and grabbed a few shelves from IKEA and whaalaa.. my closet. (I know I know he rocks!) but knowing that this dream of a closet won’t last forever I knew I needed to organize accordingly… while out garage selling one day I ran across a pots and pans holder (originally silver) for $7 so I bought it.. with a little spray paint and a hook for the ceiling from Home Depot, it now holds all my scarves . This helps me to be able to see what I have while I’m dressing for the day.. and I know what I have for when I’m out getting my “fix”(shopping) so I don’t double up.. Another thing I found to be helpful are these amazing little things:

I have found these all over the valley (Arizona) from garage sales to thrift shops.. for as little as 13 cents a piece! I have a SMALL obsession with tights (BECAUSE I HATE SHAVING MY LEGS) I lost track of what and how many I had so now I hang my tights… by color..i also use these hangers to hold all my skirts (organized by “style” pencil, short, long, vintage etc.) again this helps for dressing and for future shopping.. here are a couple other things I have to help keep me organized:

Hopefully I was able to inspire you to keep an open mind while you’re out and about, you never know what you can do the someone else’s “junk” ..

kim

thank you Kim for your great organizational tips! i can't wait to see what you have in store for us in the future.

if you want to connect with Kim, you can find her here on Facebook. on her wall she posts pictures of her OOTD (outfit of the day) and lists where she bought each item. i love these posts because her style is so unique and fun.

xo,

kristie

Liplicious, How to Get Pouty Lips

2012-02-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

who doesn't want gorgeous lips for Valentine's Day? i thought this would make the perfect Beauty Blog Backtrack. enjoy!

xo,

kristie

{Makeup Tip} Keep Your Makeup Looking Fresh

2012-02-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

thank you to reader Ashley for asking this question and being so patient for my response.

I get up at 5 am to get to work by 6am. I have a full day of work and being a mom and running errands. What are some tips for keeping my make up looking fresh and more importantly, making me look like I didn't get up at 5am?!?

Ashley, i have put together a few ideas for how you can keep your make up looking fresh all day long.

first is to invest in some facial blotters. i love these things! they are great at absorbing any oils that may have accumulated during the day, leaving your makeup looking fresh and matte.

i like to carry these with me when Tman and i go out on the town. mid-date i will sneak into the bathroom and blot with these to keep my face looking oh so fresh. (the bad news is that he reads this, now my secret is out)

second suggestion, powder up a fluffy brush (preferably travel size) and carry it with you in a ZipLoc bag. when you need a touch up, just give your face a once over and the freshly applied powder will make your face continue to look flawless.

third, carry an extra eyeliner and lipstick with you. lipstick can take you from dull to glamourous in a matter of seconds, and freshly applied lipstick leaves us feeling a little more "put together". eyeliner has a tendency to smudge/smear/fade, so carrying a spare will keep your eyes looking well defined.

i appreciate any and all questions, so please don't hesitate to e-mail me.

kristie

Valentine's Gift Idea for {HIM}

2012-02-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and you are probably wondering what to get for the main squeeze in your life. if it's a man, i can assure you he wants something for you (lacy, preferably from Victoria's Secret). perhaps you've already got that taken care of and want something more, or maybe your relationship isn't in a place for [Romance Only] type gifts, this might be an idea.

a few weeks ago i received some beauty products in the mail to test, sample, and review to my hearts content. included were some products from a men's line called Woody's (stop snickering, or rolling your eyes). i promptly handed the products over to my Tman and kind of forgot about it. a few days later he came out of the bathroom, post getting ready, and looked good but smelled even better. i was suprised to see that not only was he using the products, but he liked them. in fact, i liked them. i really like this scent, his hair looked well styled and his typically razor burned neck had finally found a little relief.

according to the company website "Woody’s is directed at the man who is looking for a simple, comfortable daily regimen that offers basic, no-frill products that smell good and get the job done." i don't know about your man, but that fits Tman to a T.

so why not invest in some quality grooming products for your guy? it is something they don't often do for themselves, but actually appreciate.

kristie

ps. these products can be found at professional salon and barbershops nationwide.

My Yellow Sandbox {Hairstyle ebook Giveaway}

2012-02-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

Abby Smith is the creator of My Yellow Sandbox, a blog filled with all things beauty, crafty, fun, and cute. she also happens to be the sister of Tman's BFFL (seriously, they've been friends for 30 years). when i found out that Abby had a blog, i immediately checked it out. all i can say is, you should too.

My Yellow Sandbox not only has fun DIY tutorials, both beauty and craft related, it is also the place where you can purchase her amazing ebook:

The Ultimate Hairstyle Handbook. she has eliminated the time spent scouring the internet for new hairstyle ideas and condensed it all into one, easy to follow book, teaching you step by step how to achieve new and creative hairstyles. here is a glimpse of one of the tutorials:

Abby has graciously offered to sponsor a giveaway offering three Blushing Basics readers a copy of her ebook. i know you're all thinking, i want that, so here's how to enter:

1. "Like" Blushing Basics on Facebook

2. "Like" My Yellow Sandbox on Facebook

(make sure to leave me a comment letting me know you did this!)

easy peasy. the links are right there so entering is a cinch! giveaway ends February 13th.

as always, additional entries are as follows:

3. become a "Follower" of Blushing Basics (click Support Me By Joining on the right sidebar)

4. tweet, blog, facebook this giveaway. (be sure to leave the link in your comments)

xo,

kristie

Makeup For Small Eyes {Eye Makeup Tutorial 1-2-3}

2012-02-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

thanks to reader Bonnie for requesting this tutorial. i have had a lot of readers ask how to apply makeup for small eyes, or how to make small eyes look bigger? here is a tutorial showing you step by step how to achieve it.

step 1: apply nude shimmer eyeshadow over entire lid:

step 2: apply your dark shade ONLY to outside corner of eye. applying too much dark shadow can make eyes appear smaller. by applying a small amount, you still achieve a smokier look, without compromising your eyeshape.

step 3: apply highlighter shade to brow bone, center of eyelid, and inner corner of eye. highlighting these areas will make eyes appear larger and brighter.

your finished product:

to add extra eye-opening oomph, use a white eyeliner and line the inside waterline of your eye. this will give the illusion of extra large eyes. avoid using any eyeliner on your bottom lid.

xo,

kristie

My Week In Pictures

2012-02-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

it has been a good week for the blushing basics household. a visit to Keystone, Breckenridge and Glenwood Springs. best yet in 2012.

dinner at Luigi's

gondola ride

larger than life snow fort

international ice carving competition, first place

cutest couple in Breckenridge

xo,
kristie

How To Wax Your Legs

2012-02-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

here is a beauty blog backtrack written for kiki creates. i recently wrote a post on How To Wax Your Eyebrows. waxing your eyebrows vs. your legs are like comparing apples to oranges.

you might be thinking "uggghhh" but winter is the perfect time to begin your waxing routine. waxing your legs requires you to grow out your leg hair to approximately 1/4 inch so that the wax will have something to grip to. who wants to grow out their leg hair during the summer?

growing your hair out now will be a cinch since we're wearing pants (or trousers if you're British) constantly. beginning this routine helps slow the growth of your leg hair, and over time the maintenance becomes easier and easier. doing this yourself is simple, easy, and relatively inexpensive. trust me, i have owned my own waxer for 8 years and it is so EASY to do this yourself!

here's how:

gather your supplies. for this you will need muslin fabric or waxing paper strips cut to desired size, a popsicle stick applicator, and wax. i have a professional wax warmer, but this is not a necessity for at home waxing. i do prefer using GiGi wax. it is the wax used by professionals and it works great.

once your wax is warmed and your legs are clean (don't forget that hair needs to be at least 1/4 inch) you can apply wax. using a 45 degree angle, apply a thin layer of wax in the direction of hair growth. the area of wax should be equal to 2/3 of your muslin wax strip.

lay muslin strip over wax and press firmly, again in same the direction of hair growth.

hold skin taught and pull wax strip off with one quick motion in the opposite direction of hair growth.

immediately apply pressure to the waxed area with the palm of your hand to sooth the skin. NEVER reapply wax to newly waxed areas. finish with GiGi's After Wax Cooling Gel, Aloe Vera, or Baby Oil.

enjoy your smooth, newly waxed legs. i am sure your significant other will appreciate it come Valentine's Day.

xo,
kristie

LightStim Giveaway

2012-02-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

you might be thinking, what the heck is a LightStim? basically a magic wand that helps reduce and eliminate fine lines and wrinkles, stimulate collagen and elastin while restoring your skin's youthful radiance and appearance.

yeah, it is awesome.

this LED lighting device is an FDA approved treatment recommended by Estheticians, Dermatologists, and Plastic Surgeons. it is painless, but effective. retailing for $299, it can now be yours!

i have one LightStim device to share with one very lucky Blushing Basics reader. here's how to enter:

1. you MUST be a "follower" of Blushing Basics. (just click the Support Me By Joining tab ------>)

2. you MUST "like" me on Facebook.

make sure to leave me a comment letting me know you did this.

additional entries may be earned by:

3. blog, tweet, facebook, pin, stumble, or google + your favorite post! basically, share this blog.

giveaway ends February 16th. good luck!

xo,
kristie

All Day Curls

2012-02-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

want to know how to get curls that last all day? interested in adding a little lift to your tresses? yes, it can be tedious, but sometimes looking good is just worth it. simply follow these steps:

- spray entire hair with hairspray

- section hair so only bottom third remains down.

- curl hair

- release hair from curling iron

- roll hair up and pin in place (i used bobby pins)

- repeat with remaining hair in section. let down another portion of hair and repeat.

- continue until entire hair is rolled.

- after approx. 30 minutes, unroll and gently tousle with fingertips.

here's the final product, full of volume, with loose curls that lasted all day.

xo,

kristie

Destination Beauty Red Carpet Challenge

2012-01-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

confession, i am that nerdy blogger who enters contests. yes, i enter because 1) i want to win 2) it's actually pretty fun and 3) it gives me a chance to try something new.

when i saw that YouTube was collaborating with L'Oreal's Destination Beauty Channel in the search for the next Beauty Guru i thought, why not?

this contest challenged me in many ways. you are only allowed 4 minutes of airtime, for a full face makeup look, 4 minutes is NOTHING! i also had to learn how to do voice over (excuse my monotonous tone, it was really awkward trying to talk into the microphone on my computer screen). plus, i had an excuse to do a photo shoot with Kellie Anderson (we laughed a lot and are still laughing about it).

here are the criteria:

§ Quality of Instruction (are the instructions easy to understand & follow) (40%)
§ Quality of Production (quality of the video, lighting, etc.) (20%)
§ Quality of the End Result (hair, make-up, and total appearance) (40%)

let me know what you think! i will happily take any and all criticisms. aaaggghhh, this is really embarrassing!

xo,
kristie

Jamberry Nails {tutorial + giveaway}

2012-01-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

when Kori from Jamberry Nails contacted me about doing a review/giveaway for her products, i jumped at the chance. i have been wanting to do a tutorial for nail appliques but just haven't gotten around to it.

when the product arrived in the mail i was surprised to see that they were different from your typical "rub-on" nail art. they were much thicker, sturdier, and had a nice glossy finish. the application for these nail shields requires a little bit of effort, but definitely worth it in the long run. these nail shields do not chip and last up to 2 weeks on fingers and 6 weeks on toes.

begin with clean, trimmed nails. go over nail bed once with polish remover to "prime" the area.
next, take a nail buffer and rough up the nail bed slightly.
determine which nail shield fits your nail size best.
peel off nail shield and heat with a hair dryer for 10-15 seconds. once warm, apply to nail and heat for an addition 10 seconds while applying pressure to the shield ensuring shield is sealed to the nail.
trim the nail shield with scissors.
file off any remaining excess (i found this a little difficult, i would advise trimming the nail shield as best you can with scissors)
enjoy your Jamberry Nails!

i only used 1.5 nail shields for my entire pedicure! one strip of nail shields could last me up to 6 pedicures.

Kori has graciously offered one Blushing Basics reader the chance to win their own set of Jamberry Nails.

to enter:

"Like" Blushing Basics on Facebook
leave me a comment letting me know which design is your favorite

for additional entries:

"Like" Kori on Facebook
be sure to let her know Blushing Basics sent you
leave me a comment letting me know you did it!

good luck! winner will be chosen Monday, February 6th.

xo,
kristie

UPDATE: i couldn't help but post a picture of my nails 1 week after applying. they still look great, even after scrubbing my house from top to bottom:

My Week In Pictures

2012-01-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

i have about a million projects going on this week with another million pictures to edit. here's a sneak peek at what i've been doing...

working on an entry for a YouTube Beauty Guru contest. Kellie Anderson was sweet enough to do a photoshoot with me for my "Red Carpet Look". tutorial will be posted later this week.

remember that giveaway i mentioned? well, due to the USPS being a little slow, it has been postponed to Monday. above is a preview of what you could win (the nail shields, not my feet).

my sissy boo and c-diddy have been lucky enough to have TWO birthday parties at Monkey Bizness this week. for a child, that is jackpot. i just love the look of joy of their faces, presh.

hope your week was as fun as theirs!

kristie

Links Post

2012-01-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

what do you do when your main squeeze is gone for the night? blog hop/stalk of course! i spent the evening browsing some gorgeous fashion blogs looking for some style inspiration. i definitely received a hefty dose.

check out cupcakes and cashmere for some pastel tinted ideas.

an adorable (and incredibly easy) cake design can be found here at Heart of Light.

mint has a great post titled oufitted in florals. seems spring is just around the corner.

oh, hello friend has an incredible recap of a blogging summit she recently attended. if you are a blogger, this is a must read.

happy Saturday.

xo,
kristie

How To Look Your Best in a Photograph

2012-01-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

here's a post i wrote for a photographer friend of mine. having just had my photograph taken recently, these were good reminders.

How to Look Your Best in a Photograph

be conscious of what you are wearing. certain clothing can be flattering or unflattering in a photograph, i.e. tank tops. you also don't want to wear anything that doesn't make you feel comfortable. if you don't feel comfortable in your outfit, that will be evident in the photograph. try to dress like yourself, don't use this as an opportunity to dress like someone else, otherwise you may not like the end result.

practice smiling. i know this sounds silly but practicing your expressions in a mirror helps you know what you will look like in the photo. practice smiling, serious, playful, etc.

wear makeup. even adding a bit of lip gloss and mascara can make a difference. if you are comfortable with makeup, wear a little heavier foundation, blush, and eyeshadow. be careful, it is easy to go from cute to clownish.

style your hair. just brushing through your hair quickly can give it body and shine. Be conscious of the weather. if it is particularly windy that day, curling your hair may not be a good idea. if it is humid, try a hair style that won't look too frizzy, like a braid or pony tail.

practice posing. again, this sounds a little ridiculous but becoming comfortable with posing will help you present the most flattering look. most people get in front of a camera and feel clumsy and awkward. practicing beforehand will help with your comfort and confidence level.

be yourself. the best you is YOU. know that you are beautiful, fun, smart, and confident.

xo,

Kristie

Clarisonic Winner

2012-01-25T07:16:00.000-07:00

congratulations Camie! you are the lucky winner of the Clarisonic cleansing system.

please e-mail me your mailing address so that i might get this in the mail to you ASAP.

if you didn't win this time, be sure to check in tomorrow. i have a fun giveaway to offer that i have been itching to try. also, some more big ticket items are in store for February so keep those fingers crossed and keep entering to win.

xo,
kristie

Corset Nails

2012-01-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

here's a fun nail tutorial with a Valentine boudior vibe. to make your own Corset nails, just follow the tutorial below.

gather your polish. if you don't have a nail art polish, a toothpick works well for the fine details.
paint nails corset color.
apply stripe down center of nail.
using toothpick, add 4 dots (or more depending on size of nail) to each side of stripe.
using nail art polish, "lace" your dots together.
enjoy your corset!

xo,
kristie

eye makeup tutorial 1-2-3

2012-01-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

here is a basic makeup tutorial using three shades of eyeshadow:

i haven't worked out all the kinks in photographing eyeshadow. these colors show up much more vibrant in person...

step 1: apply your purple shadow started from the outside of your lid brushing inward to the center of your eyelid.

step 2: take your gold shimmer and apply from inner corner of your eye, out towards the center of your eye. slightly overlap the two shades to blend.

step 3: use your neutral skin tone shade to highlight browbone and blend any lines from the purple shadow.

the final product:

xo,

kristie

Poshe Nail Care {Grail or Fail}

2012-01-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

you may remember these bottles from this post here, a DIY manicure tutorial using my Poshe basecoat and Poshe topcoat. since these are new products, i thought i would share a review.

there are several things i liked about these products.

the basecoat is extremely fast drying. no waiting around just to apply your polish.
the basecoat does provide a smooth foundation for your polish by eliminating ridges from nailbeds.
the topcoat is also extremely fast drying. i don't have time to sit around waiting for my polish to dry. i have diapers to change, kids to entertain, and blogging to do! you know the saying "like watching paint dry", i have neither the patience or the time.
the topcoat doesn't smudge my polish. i know i RAVE about Seche Vite, but the one downside is that halfway through the bottle it becomes so thick it is virtually unusable and smudges your fresh polish. this topcoat is thick enough to cover, but thin enough not to smudge.

do i like it better than my Seche Vite? it's sixes. Seche Vite makes my mani last for days (my BIL thinks you look homeless with chipped polish) but the thick formula can be difficult to work with towards the end of the bottle. the Poshe topcoat is thinner, making it easier to work with, but i don't think it makes the mani last quite as long as the Seche Vite. maybe only one day less, but a day less nonetheless. (okay, enough with the lesses)

if you are in the market for a basecoat or topcoat, i would recommend them. they can be purchased at any Sally's Beauty. (p.s. i have also been using Essie topcoat, which i do not recommend)

exhibit A: split fingertip

ever since we moved to the Rocky Mountains i have been having some major problems with my cuticles and fingertips splitting. ouch! i can usually get it under control with Vaseline but then i fall off the wagon and forget to use that miracle cream.

introducing Poshe cuticle care. a lotion with AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) that exfoliates and hydrates your cuticles. why has it taken so long to figure out that cuticles need AHA for exfoliation?! all that AHA we've been slapping on our face would go a LONG way on those cuticles. exfoliation basically solves any problem in skincare. it seems that our cuticles would be softer, less prone to splitting and cracking, if they were properly exfoliated. THANK YOU Poshe for figuring this out.

a small dab goes a long way. plus, it looks like jewels on my fingers. i think i just had a new idea for a nail design...gotta run.

xo,
kristie

Links Post

2012-01-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

thanks to the ladies who signed up for this week's Beauty Blogger Chain Link. seeing as how Dolce Vanity has completed her makeup course, i will no longer be subbing in.

interested in winning some free beauty product? check out Everything's Rosie to enter her first giveaway. congrats on the followers Rosie!

looking for some ideas in new Spring clothing? head over to Blush for her review on Next's upcoming line.

speaking of giveaways, my girl Candypop at Candypop L'Amour is giving away some rockin' accessories.

last, but not least, A Thing of Beauty has some tips for achieving that Marilyn Monroe look.

xo,
kristie

COVERGIRL Product Review {Grail or Fail}

2012-01-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

here is a BBB (Beauty Blog Backtrack) of the guest post written for kiki creates. enjoy!

want to know my favorite thing about my job? when products like this show up in the mail for me to review. i am a self-confessed beauty product junkie and will try anything and everything (at least once). before blogging, i would spend a lot of time browsing the cosmetic aisles looking for the latest product releases and trying to decide whether our budget could afford yet another lipstick/gloss/mascara/blush/liner. a big thanks to COVERGIRL for sending me these awesome samples of newly released products to review for you guys!

included in the shipment were COVERGIRL's 2-in-1 Foundation and Simply Ageless Foundation, LashBlast 24HR Mascara, and BlastFlipstick. since the foundations have unique formulations that help improve skin tone over time, i will review them for you once i have used them for the recommended time period. however, the mascara and lipstick were ready to be used and reviewed immediately so here is what i thought:

the LashBlast 24 HR Mascara is designed to be a long lasting formula that will eliminate the need for reapplication. although it is long lasting, this formula removes easily without tearing out your lashes. my biggest pet peeve of mascara is how easily it will remove from your lashes and this one passes with flying colors. the price point ($8) is right on target making this affordable and accessible.

initially, i was a little thrown off by the applicator. the picture above shows the thick core as well as short bristles. once i used it, i was a fan. the shorter bristles coat your lashes well and don't catch. this is especially important when trying to apply mascara to the tops of your lashes right at the lash base. a notoriously difficult spot to reach without rubbing mascara all over your freshly shadowed lids, the short bristles reach it wonderfully with no mascara out of place.

the formulation does last the claimed 24HRs, although i wouldn't recommend wearing mascara any longer than that. i didn't notice any rub off or smearing on my undereye which is also an added bonus. the picture below was taken late afternoon (mascara was applied early morning) and you can see the color still looks good.

in this picture i am also wearing my new BlastFlipstick. the BlastFlipstick has two lipstick colors allowing you to blend and create your own unique shade. the application of this lipstick is very smooth and i love that the colors give you an easy natural look. oftentimes lipsticks can be TOO pigmented making your every day makeup look forced. but isn't that the COVERGIRL logo? easy breezy beautiful COVERGIRL. this lipstick is definitely all of the above.

the pricepoint for this little gem is also $8 which makes it a great companion for your purse, car, diaper bag, etc. having one of these BlastFliptsticks close by lets you quickly create your unique look while on the go.

both products receive the GRAIL review. they work well, their pricepoint is accurate, and the colors work for everyone. just like COVERGIRL says, "easy breezy beautiful COVERGIRL."

for more information on these products or to receive customized product recommendations, be sure to check out the COVERGIRL website.

xo,
kristie

Nordstrom Winter/Spring Recommendations

2012-01-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

just received my Nordstrom catalog in the mail this week, did you? i can't help but get absorbed into those glossy pages. the catalog highlighted four trends to take you from winter to spring.

the first is denim and denim, a.k.a. the Texas Tuxedo (no offense to Texas, one of my favorite states). the denim trend is in full force and mixing denims is no longer taboo. i picked my denim shirt up from my local Target clearance rack for $4.99. i liked this look with my fur vest (you know i love that thing) or without. Tman says i'm so happy because those boots added 5 inches to my height.

the second trend is colored denim. i know, that is so 80's, but it is also so mood boosting. slipping on a pair of raspberry jeans just makes a person smile (however, Tman says i'm sad in that photo because i'm wearing flats, ha!). i love my colored denim and can't wait to purchase more. this particular brand is Rich + Skinny. they have great stretch, their price is mid range, and they wash really well.

accessories are rife with feathers. i love the feather trend for jewelry, hair extensions, even clothing (have you seen those feather skirts?!). i found these earrings about a year and half ago at Forever21 for $2.80. i had to search for those puppies, but fortunately they are now a lot easier to find.

last but not least are Sperry Topsider's. you can purchase those adorable flats in just about any color or fabric. the Nordstrom catalog was spilling over with these things. if you have the money to invest in some cute casual shoes, those would be the ones.

xo,
kristie