Chattering Gem

The Great Lash Search

2012-02-15T12:28:00.000-05:00

Ladies, what is your favorite brand of mascara?

Do you stick to one brand in particular or do you venture out occasionally?

I'm interested in knowing because i've struggle with finding just the right brand of mascara for years and this without having to put a small dent in my pocket. By a small dent i mean, anything above $12. Now don't be mistaken, i do believe in spending money on good lasting cosmetics, i just think mascara should be the exception.

Here's a little back story for you: for years i used anything Cover Girl but i was never fully satisfied. I then moved on to VOLUMINOUS by Loreal but was left longing for more. Next was Maybelline Great Lash Mascara and it was miraculous! I've never seen my lashes so full and thick. I was sold... until it also gave me the biggest eyelid allergy ever. It was as if a bee had stung me. This was almost 7 years ago and since then i've been afraid of using it again. More convincing was when a friend admitted to having similar problems. Scary.

I soon moved on too ALMAY for its hypoallergenic features but as far as giving my lashes length and volume, well, it was a fail. Finally on to Max Factor i went, a brand i stuck with for a while but soon grew tired of. Truth is i missed the effect i was getting from Maybelline and so i decided to give it another go. Afterall seven years is a long time non.

So here i am again a fan of Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - three months in use and not one single allergy. I think we have a winner here. But still, i would love to know if there's another product out there i should also give the benefit of the doubt. I would love to get some feedback on this. I did try a sample stick of LANCOME and let me tell you i used it only on special occasions because it was heavenly. Should i give it a full go?

Is it Hump Day already lovers?

It sure is. Make it good one.

xJah

LOVE ONE ANOTHER....

2012-02-14T12:40:00.002-05:00

EVERYDAY.

Happy Valentines Day Lovers!

xJah

via pinterest

There's a First Time for Everything

2012-02-13T13:20:00.001-05:00

Meet my new love! My very first Louis Vuitton. A bit of a frivolous buy yes, i know - and please, this is in no way intended as a boast but rather as an acknowledgment to my many accomplishment and a well deserved self-gift.

I've wanted a Louis Vuitton bag for as long as i can remember but the necessary circumstances never aligned; and let's just say they have yet to align. But i felt the present was just as good-a-time for making a purchase of this caliber and finally owning something i've coveted for so long. YAY!!!

I was practical in my decision. I told myself that whatever i chose had to be sturdy to fit my everyday bustling lifestyle. I'm constantly on the go and this bag will have to keep up with me. This is not a purchase that will rest prettily in my closet, no! I needed something versatile and multipurpose -- and it came in shape of this now beloved tote bag. I am so excited with my purchase i had to share with you. And why not? I work hard for this and i'm in love. Do you love?

Happy Monday Lovers!

Let's do it right.

xJah

Saving All My Love For You ~ Whitney Houston

2012-02-12T19:12:00.000-05:00

"a few stolen moments is all that we share"

What inspiring singer was not influenced by Whitney Houston? She was the epitome of the perfect artist: with a voice that spanned several octaves, a control that was enviable, her poise and subtle runs... she made everything seem effortless. From belting out a classic gospel tune to soothing you with a melodic pop song. She sang the soundtracks of our lives. How could she leave us so soon? It all just so surreal and tragic. A loss that came all too soon especially on the heels of loosing Mr. Don Cornelius and Miss Etta James. All Musical Icons.

I hope we all choose to remember and retain the joy Whitney brought to us with her songs; lyrics that spoke to us in some way or the other. I wish for us to look pass her demons that she struggled to overcome and see a woman that was trying to regain control of her life.

You left us too soon Whitney and you will forever be missed. Heaven is joyful to have you.

** Rest In Peace Whitney Houston **

** UPDATE **

Here's is an AMAZING and for what most are saying, UNBELIEVABLE tribute to Whitney Houston done by none other than Miss Sasha Allen.

PS. I have been a friend of Sasha for many years and know for a fact that her two main idols and inspiration are Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin. I'm kinda loving that people are in such awe of her vocals that they actually believe she's lip-synching this song. No, dear people, this is a genuine tribute done from the heart. This is a true fan morning the lost of her musical hero.

Brandi Carlile ~ The Story

2012-02-10T10:56:00.000-05:00

I've been on a full month obsession with Brandi Carlile. I can't help it... she's magnificent. Here's one of my favorite songs of hers. I sorta wanna pick up the guitar again. Ha! Well, ya'll know how that story goes. Happy Friday Lovers!!!!

Living With Arthritis

2012-02-09T13:16:00.000-05:00

What comes to mind when you think of the word Arthritis? If you're like me you will likely associate it as a "senior" condition. I was raised by my grandparents so i'm quite familiar with the word although i struggled to understand what kind of discomfort they were feeling. In all honesty i often found it fascinating because my grandmother would predict the weather with her aching ankle. There were also some funny moments: for example when my then 4 year old cousin Amy would be utterly perplexed by our grandmother because she would often say, "my ankle is biting me". Poor Amy would stare at Grams ankle till she couldn't take it anymore and say, "Abuela, but your ankle doesn't have teeth". We still laugh about this to this day. Amy is now 26. Grams still has manageable arthritis.

Until then I never knew or met someone of my age to have suffered from this condition...til just recently. Now this post is far different from my standard but i figured, why not bring awareness to a condition that could very well be affecting me as well, right?

A couple of weeks back i was invited to the launch of Arthriving.com, a new site designed to educate you and provide you with products that can help make living with arthritis more manageable. At the event was TV chef Danny Boome resident correspondent on “The Chew”, and host of “Rescue Chef” on The Food Network. I had the opportunity to chat with him and learned that he has been suffering from this condition since the age of 23. Incredible.

Quite the charmer, Danny took time to answer questions and explain that although having arthritis is a nuisance, there are so many things available in the market that can helps facilitate daily task - task that normally you and i would take for granted. Each person is different, he explains, so you have to do what works best for your body.

It was a really informative and enlightening Q&A. Since then i've learned that a few of my close friends have mild arthritis. Wow! I quickly referred them to the Arthriving.com site where i'm sure they can find some relieve.

Here's a quick footage of the exchange i had with Chef Danny Boom.

Happy Thursday Lovers!

Make it a great one.

Fantasy

2012-02-08T14:05:00.002-05:00

via pinterest

Birkram Yoga 30 Day Challenge

2012-02-07T10:31:00.000-05:00

Running has been my thing for quite some time now. If i may boast, i'm a pretty excellent treadmill runner. I emphasize on treadmill because well, the New York City streets and i haven't quite met eye to eye. We have trouble... i am working on it. But, like anything else running can become quite boring and redundant. The challenge factor soon looses its appeal and you find yourself inventing and reinventing running intervals... although these can always be fun.

By the end of last year i wanted to include something else in my exercise routine and since a few friends have been hinting at their shared love for Bikram Yoga, i decided to give it a try. Now yoga, how bad can it possibly be, right? A few awkward poses here and there under a minute... I GOT THIS!

AY DIOS MIO! I survived the month of January by some grace. I was going, i calculated, an average of 4 times a week. That's pretty damn brave and impressive for a newbie don't you think? Yes, you agree. Thanks!

26 poses repeated twice in 105 degree heat. Have you fainted? Come back to me! Yes, it's true and you know what, its not all that terrible. It really is all about control and listening. The weight lost benefit i have yet to see, but i'm not so eagerly searching for this as i would have imagined. No, the benefit is feeling a sense instant purification. Ridding myself of all toxins and yes, seeing my body starting to take a positive shape... and of course there's the flexibility benefit. ;-)

With an impending trip to Italy in April (more on that later) i have now committed myself to the 30 day challenge. That is, 30 straight days of Bikram. If i complete this challenge the following month is free. So what's my motivation? I have a few: a FREE month of class, a banging body for Italy, and the satisfaction of knowing i completed something (i'm gemini, completing something is often very difficult).

I'm a bit nervous but at the same time excited. After all it's only a month right? So there, wish me luck guys. I will need it.

It's Tuesday Lovers and i smell shenanigans in my near future.

xJah

All in a Days Work ~ A Play by Play

2012-02-06T11:54:00.001-05:00

***UP at 7:30AM***

Jason Wu for Target Collection in store at 8AM

(i'm on two hours of sleep from the night before. was home by 5am)

So how was your Jason Wu for Target experience? Did you fare well? Dee and I did surprisingly well and we were quite the troopers - me more so considering i was on a couple hours of sleep.

8AM our local Target opened and as you can see from photo below there was already a line forming. Once inside we quickly learned how vicious and down right mean women can be. There was actual pushing and elbowing. Gross! Although i shouldn't be surprised as i did also experience some of this during the MISSONI collection. Did i mention i was a trooper? Ha!

BUT, there was also a lot of comradely and bartering amongst the civil few. Some of us made friends and fiercely guarded each others cart whenever one had to try the fitting room. It was good shopping and I was a happy gal...very sleepy and tired but, nonetheless, happy.

Here's a glimpse of all that we had in our cart. We sifted and selected our top pics. This does not include all that Dee bought online the night/morning earlier in a bottle of wine induced drunk stupor. Yup, we are yet to asses that damage.

Here's what i left with included a plain Cat T-shirt.

***BACK IN BED 10AM***

FEBRUARY PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE

10am

(time to catch up on some much needed sleep... till 2pm)

*** UP and at em ~ 3pm***

Baby Shower Flow

(A celebration for Susan and soon to arrive, baby Valentina)

We are all excited to meet you baby Valentina! Get here soon and safely. LOVE!!

*** Super Bowl Flow~ 6pm***

Congratulations New York GIANTS!!!

We watched the Super Bowl at the friends apartment in Brooklyn. Good company. Great food. The only drawback was that it was all live streamed so we did not experience Advertising or halftime with the rest of the world. But, thanks to technology and a few google searches, we caught up just nicely.

It's Monday Lovers, let's start the week on the right note.

Happy Monday!!

xJah

Spring 2012 Ad Campaign ~ Alexander McQueen

2012-02-01T13:54:00.000-05:00

Breathtaking. This is the word that comes to mind when viewing the new Alexander McQueen Ad Campaign. Was there ever any doubt? It's surreal and majestic. Out-of-this-world Brilliant. I. Am. In. Love.

Source Via: Fashionologie

Sponsor Love

2012-02-01T10:37:00.000-05:00

I would like to welcome a few new sponsors to the Chattering Gem world - these proudly displayed on the left of your screen. I am very pleased to be working with this wonderful group of Latinas entrepreneurs whom have turned the love of a hobby into a nifty little business. Pa Lante!

Shirley Rodriguez - Photographer
Partial to portraiture, she has shot a wide array of diverse personalities, ranging from the famous to the unknown. Shirley states that she's drawn to capturing the beauty and pain of passionate people, and aims to show her subjects a mirror of her perspective.

N&K Designs - Hand-Made Jewelry Designs
Created by sisters Adriana (Nani) and Katerina (Kaki) Lopez in 2010, N&K Designs is based out of Miami, Florida and offers hand-made jewelry with a diverse range of original designs. N&K Designs combines chic sophistication & intricate design into all their products, and incorporates only the finest materials such as freshwater pearls, jade, black onyx and faceted turquoise, among other precious stones and metals.

Cabecitas Lindas - No-Tugs Hair Ties

Cabecitas Lindas means Pretty Little Heads in Spanish. This is a collection of high quality handmade hair accessories for girls of all ages.

*** If you're interested in ad space i am currently offering very low monthly flat rates. Simply email me for more details or for any questions you may have. I look forward to working with some of you amazing creative folks out there.

7 Steps to Happiness***

2012-01-31T19:20:00.004-05:00

via

Sunday Funday II

2012-01-30T13:16:00.000-05:00

Hello Lovers! I'm nursing a tremendous hangover and it's all the bartenders fault - he just would't stop pouring us wine! (thanks mike) Ouch!

The weekend was uneventful aside from yesterday. Yesterday was a perfect museum day and so a visit to the MOMA was in order. We caught the Diego Rivera exhibit which was nice but i expected a bit more. Still, i recommend you make your way there if you can. It gave me the urge to watch Freda... which i've never seeing. Yeah yeah i know.

Anyway guys, i'm still way too hungover for a proper post so here are some pics from our visit - the iPhone edition. This was a Sunday Funday for sure. Enjoy!

Happy Monday!

xJah

Too many

2012-01-30T10:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday Lovers!!

I've had too many of these last night so expect a proper post on in the afternoon instead... after the hangover subsides.

Today you are YOU...

2012-01-27T12:16:00.001-05:00

Have a Great Weekend Lovers!

xJah

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Finding Real Joy

2012-01-25T13:34:00.003-05:00

You all recall my SOYJOY Daycation adventure this past summer right? And the awesome giveaway soon after? Yes, that was a good day (shout out to Kristen!). Well, it seems we have more adventures to look forward too. The fortunate gal that i am, i was again approached by SOYJOY and chosen as one of five bloggers to be a 'JOYTESTER' - a campaign designed to encourage ways to help find real joy in YOUR everyday life. Needles to say i was thrilled and accepted without hesitation. This is such a big deal for my little blog. Uh-Mazing! This year SOYJOY will challenge us all and I can't wait to see what they've got up their sleeve.

I cannot express how excited i am to work with this bran again; from the very start they have been nothing but exceptional. Plus working alongside such an inspiring group of people is such a treat, AND to be the only Latina Lifestyle Blogger of the group. WEPA!!!

My first challenge (one of three), is scheduled for sometime in March. So stay tuned to see what new SOYJOY adventure i'll be up too next. You know its gonna be good. In the mean time i invite you to take advantage and enjoy this GIVE & GET SOYJOY coupon. This is a winning situation all around, lovers.

* My JOYTESTERS Blogger Partners in Crime *

Ryan - Pausethemoment.com

Courtney - SweetToothSweetLife.com

Jennifer - ShesAFitChick.com

Janae - HungryRunnerGirl.com

It's hump day. Do it up!

xJah

A New Purpose

2012-01-23T22:55:00.001-05:00

I got this beautifully woven plum colored clutch two years ago in a little Parisian Boutique. I spent €40 on it with no real purpose of what to wear it with. I just wanted it. Total impulse buy. Since then i've only used it perhaps three times. Today its going to serve as a temporary carrying case for my new and beloved Kindle Fire.

It's a bit large but it will serve the purpose until i am able to get a proper protective case. Plus, it gives me a great excuse to use it. What do you think?

xJah

PS: are you like me who names most of my electronics? i name my electronics. i do. my new kindle is now dubbed KiKi-Fuego. :)

A Late Christmas

2012-01-23T10:30:00.000-05:00

Please divert your eyes from the unflattering sweater and instead look at the box i am holding. YES, my family paid attention and gifted me a brand new Kindle Touch!!!! A late but perfect Christmas present. (Happy Dance)

*UPDATE*

While enthusiastically setting up my brand new and beloved Kindle Touch, conveniently the commercial promoting the even newer Kindle Fire aired. I was now torn. That damn Ad got to me. The Kindle Fire came in color with web-browsing capabilities for shopping online, blogging and of course, fulfilling its purpose as a convenient electronic book reading devise! I now longed for the Fire. What to do? Well, easy - i shamelessly asked the fam if they would be ok with me returning the Touch in exchange for the Fire aaaaand Vuala!

YES, I'm now the proud owner of the brand new Kindle Fire!!!!

I've wanted a Kindle for so long. My daily commute as i hustle into the city is easily 45 minutes to an hour. This will certainly make those days more bearable. And although at heart is still enjoy a good hardcover - its pages, the touch, the smell - with the Kindle i know i will be encouraged to read more books. I will continue to purchase my hardcover copies but will reserve these only for the classics - as it should be.

THANK YOU FAMILY. I LOVE YOU DEARLY!

Happy Monday Lovers!

xJah

Simply Etta James

2012-01-20T13:00:00.004-05:00

I sing the songs that people need to hear.

Rest In Peace, Etta James.

Slow Dancing in a Burning Room

2012-01-19T11:16:00.001-05:00

Although I shared this video earlier on twitter a proper blog post was most definitely in order. This is singer/songwriter Ginette Claudette, and i just recently discovered her and her wicked cover of John Mayer's 'Slow Dancing in a Burning Room' on youtube. Her raspy breathy voice pulls this off so perfectly and effortlessly, i was hooked. I am right now going through the remainder of her vids and so far i approve.... and i think you will too. I have a feeling we will be hearing a lot more from Ginette. Enjoy!

In my eye I spy....

2012-01-18T10:00:00.000-05:00

Just some random images taken over the course of the last three days...

{54th & 6th}

{MOMA in French}

{Baby Shower Berries}

{No Smoking New York - Christopher St. #1 Train}

It's Hump Day Lovers.

Rock on!

xJah

A Late Golden Globe Fashion Recap

2012-01-17T10:00:00.000-05:00

No, i did not watch the Golden Globes. No, i still don't have cable television. Yes, i know i am late with this post. Yes, i understand you might not care but... here, still are my favorite looks of the evening. These are in no particular order. Do we agree?

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

Despite the fact that she's simply stunning, i am so much more impressed with her choice of color. Away with the morbid black. The color combination of this gown is rich and exquisite.

Claire Danes in J. Mendel

I feel like i have seen her in this cut before but it fits her well. Plus i really like the details of shoulder and waistline.

Emma Stone in Lanvin

I love everything about this dress. The colors, the cut, the pronounced shoulder... almost arial. (it makes sense in my head)

Jessica Alba in Gucci

Bella! Just beautiful. I wish i could make out more of the details.

Salma Hayek in Gucci

Simply gorgeous. I am in love with the draped vertical lines of the skirt.

Jessica Biel in Elie Saab.

Like a fairytale...and the makeup was magnificent.

And HOT Leo for good measures ;-)

Until the Oscars lovers

xJah

Photo credit via Fashionologie & Lainey's Gossip

Happy MLK Day

2012-01-16T12:00:00.003-05:00

Behind the Scene

2012-01-13T11:25:00.000-05:00

Back in mid December i was fortunate enough to shadow my friend Lilliana (Cheap Chicas), as she prepared for yet another one of her fabulous segment for The Nate Berkus Show. This one called for achieving 30 days worth of winter looks for LESS!

Now i've seen Lilliana in action many a times so I was never doubtful of her achieving this fete....and although i knew it was in the bag (it is Lilliana after all) i could not help but just sit back and be in complete awe of the situation. 30 models. 30 looks. All in one room changing, having their makeup done and styled; it was the most organized madness i've seen ever.

It was fun to see the run-through prior to the taping; seeing how easy of a rappor Lilliana and Nate had with each other and how well the entire crew got along. It was a fun day and great learning experience. You never quite know what goes on behind the scene of a great show - it takes great people to achieve this. I wish had taken more photos. I was afraid of being to eager so i have nothing to share, however, the show does air this afternoon. Check your local listings and watch. You will be amazed at how simple these pieces are and how much use you can get out of them. I for one was lucky enough to walk away with the leather vest Lilliana is wearing and have already paired it with a few great pieces i own. It's perfection.

Thanks again Lil for having me tag along. It was a super experience!

It's the weekend lover's. What are your plans?

xJah

Somebody That I Used to Know

2012-01-12T13:09:00.000-05:00

Alright, so i know this video has made its round on facebook but i just had to share here. This rendition of Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" is so addictive i can't stop listening... and the video is super wicked and clever. Walk of the Earth can now count me as one of their many fans. AWESOME work here.

ps. i know i've posted a few mored vids than normal but i've just been on this music kick. Rock on!