It's a DIY Christmas

This Christmas I've decided to make a lot of presents. It's fun, inexpensive and special. Here's one of the gifts I've made. The original idea came from Martha Stewart and the instructions can be viewed here.( Instructions for tying a sqare knot are here.)

In Martha's version she uses 3 strands of bulky yarn in 4 bunches. You can also use skinny yarn, as I did. I cut 6 strands into 7 bunches. She suggests using yarn 1 1/2 times the length you want your finished scarf to be. I recommend cutting it at least twice as long as you want it, if not more. If you are using more than 4 strands cut it even longer. The inside bunches are used twice as often and end up a lot shorter than the outsides.

This scarf is perfect for all skill levels and should only take about an hour to make. It's worth trying!

XOXO
Colleen

Shopping Guide: Sequins

If you've been to the mall, opened a magazine or turned on your TV recently I'm sure you're aware of the sequin trend. I love it! I'm pretty sure I'm a drag queen trapped in a straight woman's body. However, a lot of people are intimidated by something so bold. Which is why I've picked out some of my favorite ways to do sequins. Seriously, there is something for everyone. Try a scarf or some jewelry if you're not ready for a sequin dress! And please, for the love of God, do not try head-to-toe sparkles! This trend works best when worn one piece at a time. Here are my top picks for all body types and budgets:

Tanks

Ribbon Cami from J. Crew ($98, sizes S-L)

Sequin tank from J. Crew ($69.50, sizes XXS-XL)

Sequin mesh tank from Newport News ($45, sizes XS-XL)

DKNY sequin tank sold at Nordstrom ($125, sizes P-L)

Striped sequin tank from Target ($12.58, sizes L-XL)

Sequin tank from Torrid ($14.99, sizes 0-5 plus)

Multicolor sequin tank from Torrid ($38, sizes 0-5 plus)

Striped sequin tank  from Lane Bryant ($19.99, sizes 14/16-26/28)

Shown: Cascade sequin tank from Lane Bryant ($34.50, sizes 14/16-26/28)

Tops

Drapey sequin tee from J.Crew ($79.50, sizes XXS-XS)

INC sequin tee sold at Macy's ($69, sizes XS-XL)

Shown:  Sequin tunic tee from Newport News ($49, sizes XS-XL)

Sequin pocket tee from Gap ($29.50, sizes XS-XXL) 

a.n.a. Sequin bow tee sold at JCPenny ($19.99, sizes M-L)

Haya sequin pullover from J.Crew ($150, sizes XS-XL)

Sequin stripe cardigan  from Old Navy ($34.50, sizes XS-XXL)

a.n.a. Sequin cardigan  sold at JCPenny ($19.99, sizes S-XL)

Sequin shrug from Torrid ($38, sizes 0-5 plus)

Mesh sequin shrug from Newport News ($49, sizes XS-XL)

Bottoms

Sequin mini from Newport News ($49, sizes 2-18)

Sequin bell skirt from J. Crew ($128, sizes 00-10)

Shown: Sequin skirt from Gap ($49.50, sizes 00-20)

Sequin skirt from Avenue ($39.90, sizes 14/16-26/28)

DKNY sequin mini sold at Bloomingdale's ($175, sizes P-L)
Sequin skirt from JCPenny ($48.99, sizes 6-16)

Sequin leggings from Newport News ($39, sizes XS-XL)

Sequin tuxedo leggings  from Lane Bryant ($39.50, sizes 14/16-26/28)

Sequin tuxedo leggings  from Target ($17.00, size XL)

Sequin stripe leggings from Bebe ($39, sizes P/S-M/L)

Dresses

Sequin shift dress  from J. Crew ($275, sizes 0-14)
Calvin Klein racerback dress  sold at Macy's ($37.29, sizes XS-L)

INC sequin dress in gold sold at Macy's ($99, sizes XS-XL)

INC sequin dress in silver sold at Macy's ($49.50, sizes XS-XL)
Shown: Speechless sequin dress sold at Macy's ($49.99, sizes S-L)

Sequin sheath dress from Avenue ($79.90, sizes 14/16-30/32)
Sequin sheath dress  from Catherine's ($98-$106, sizes 00X-5X)
Bisou Bisou sequin sleeve dress sold at JCPenny ($39.99, sizes 14-24)
Fish tail pattern sequin dress from JCPenny ($78.99, sizes 14-24)

Shoes 

SM Heaven glitter flat sold at DSW ($39.95, sizes 6-10)

Shown: Glitter ballet flats from Gap ($49.50, sizes 6-11) 

Kenneth Cole Reaction glass slipper sold at Zappos ($79, sizes 5-11)
"Honey Dont" glitter pump from Chinese Laundry ($89, sizes 6-10) Guess "Carielee4" sequin pumps sold at Macy's ($63, sizes 6-10)
INC "Beauty" pumps sold at Macy's ($59.98, sizes 5-11)
N.Y.L.A. "Karlie" pump sold at DSW ($39.94, sizes 5-12)

Accessories 

Mini sequin purse from Gap ($39.50)
Sequin bow bag from Hot Topic ($24.99)
Shown: Coach sequin "Poppy" tote sold at Macy's ($398)
Murval Yves glitter clutch sold at Shop NBC ($26.26)
Sequin scarf in pink and black from Target ($10)
Sequin scarf from J.Crew ($29.50)
Candie's bib necklace sold at Kohl's ($14.40)
Betsey Johnson sequin bracelet sold at Piperlime ($35)



Happy Shopping!! Who's going out on black Friday? I'll be out at 3 am.

 
XOXO

Colleen

All I want for Christmas

How amazing is this palette from Sephora?! Trust me, the colors are stunning. This picture doesn't do it justice at all. Best part: This whole kit is only $48!! True story.

Today's Inspiration - "A Rainbow Of Color" by SergeBabs

A Rainbow Of Color, originally uploaded by SergeBabs.

I hope everyone has a happy, colorful weekend!

xoxo
Colleen

Today's Inspiration - by MelbaShoppe

A crocheted bracelet - Jeannie, originally uploaded by MelbaShoppe.

I'm trying to finish a scarf I've been working on for a while and this beautiful bracelet is my inspiration to get it done! Maybe someone will have the patience to teach me how to crochet someday.

Enjoy your day!

xoxo
Colleen

Get the look

Gabourey Sidibe attended the Happy Potter NYC premiere looking fabulous in a dress from Torrid. I bought this dress a few weeks ago and love it! Actually, I even wore it with similar boots. Anyway, Gabourey is fabulous and looking beautiful!

You can buy the dress here.

xoxo
Colleen

Today's Inspiration - "Green" by b r o o k l y n t w e e d

Green, originally uploaded by b r o o k l y n t w e e d.

Lately I've been doing a lot of redecorating, organizing and crafting for the upcoming holiday. When I stumbled across this picture on Flickr it just made me want to create.

Ch-ch-ch-changes....

Hello! It's been a very long time since I've written anything here. I thought I'd given up on this blog. I was unmotivated and felt like I'd backed myself into a corner. There are plenty of things I find interesting and inspiring. Plenty of things I'm passionate about and could talk about for days. However, I'd started this blog just to write about makeup.

Well, fuck that. Time to make changes. From here on out this blog is whatever I want it to be. I'm looking forward to finding new inspiration in the form of beautiful clothes, beautiful pictures, beautiful stories and beautiful people. I hope you're ready too. Sit back and enjoy the ride :)

XOXO
Colleen

Mascara Favorites

It will be best if I just put this out there... I am constantly on a search for the best mascara. It is impossible for me to stay loyal to just one brand. I have favorites that I go back to, but it seems like I'm always looking for something more. The other day I asked my Twitter followers for their favorite mascara and got a lot of different results. I plan on trying all of them. Here are my followers suggestions:

Too Faced Lash Injection -  I have tried it before, and don't love it. However, I know many people that do like it that would disagree with me. Amy likes it a lot.

Covergirl Lash Exact

Maybelline Lash Stiletto - Tried recently and it's ok. Gives great length, but not much volume. Review coming soon.

MAC Pro Longlash - I may not get to try this one, as it is a pro product and the closest MAC pro store is NYC.

Covergirl Exact Eyelights

Clinique Long Pretty Lashes - Not available anymore. I'm assuming it was replaced by High Lengths Mascara

Benefit Bad Gal Lash - One of my top favorites. Gives tons of length and volume. The brush is great!

L'Oreal Telescopic

Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash

Publish Post

DiorShow

Maybelline Pulse Perfection

So tell me... what's your favorite? Have you tried any of these?

XOXO
Colleen

Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss

I'm addicted to lip gloss. Shiny, juicy lips look both sexy and soft at the same time... how can I resist? The new Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss was my latest victim. I really wanted 'Glamorous Guava', which is out of stock every where I looked, because it is the color used in all of their advertisements. I ended up settling on 'Peach Sorbet'. The color is pretty, but comes out nude compared to the color it looks in the tube. Of course, peach is a light shade and I don't really expect it to pop on my lips. Surprisingly the gloss isn't sticky! And it stays on for pretty long, considering it's a gloss. I liked it, and I really want the guava color. I am going to keep stalking the stores. Added bonus: It smells great.

Packaging: ***
Effect: ****
Color: **
Staying Power: ***
Cost: $5.99 at Ulta
Total Grade: ***

Have you tried it? Tell me what you think!

XOXO
Colleen

To Prime, Or Not To Prime

Hello kittens! Last night I was hanging out with one of my best friends and the subject of eye shadow primer came up. I prime every time I use my eye shadow and think it makes a world of difference.  But also, I love lots of bright, vibrant colors and it helps to increase the pigmentation of the eye shadows.

My all time favorite primer is M.A.C. Prep + Prime Eye. It's creamy and wonderful, plus they offer 3 neutral shades. I use the medium and it looks fantastic under light colors. Because the coloring is so close to my natural skin tone you can't see the primer at all. My eyelids are darker than the rest of my face and everything looks so much better if your coloring is even. M.A.C. products are all cruelty free. One major bonus to using M.A.C. products is their Back to MAC program. More info on that at the bottom. The cost is $16.50, but it lasts a while and is worth every penny.

Another good option is  Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. They offer 2 different shades: nude (purple bottle) and champagne shimmer (bronze bottle).  I have not tried the new bent wand, but I think it's a great idea. My main complaint  about the old one was the flat applicator because it made the application hard and sometimes it went on too thick. Since I have not tried the new wand I can't say for sure that it will be any different. The champagne shimmer is not your typical primer color, as it adds shine to your plain shadows. I love the idea! Maybe it's not the best for every day use but fun for spicing up boring eye shadow colors. All in all these are both great choices. Urban Decay's products are all vegan friendly and cruelty free. Also, they list all of their ingredients on their website. Cost: $18.00 each and worth it!

M.A.C. and Urban Decay are two of my favorite companies. Along with their great primers they offer tons of other products. My wish lists from both companies include tons eye shadows. I LOVE high pigmentation and they have it! Their shadows are seriously amazing and if you haven't tried them I reccomend you do ASAP. Besides, you will need something to put over your new primer!

Here is some information on the Back to MAC program if you are interested. Basicly, you return 6 empty M.A.C. product containers to a M.A.C. counter or send them to M.A.C. online and you get to select a free lipstick. If you go to a M.A.C. store and give them your information you can choose a free item from one of 3 product categories: lipsticks, clear or tinted gloss and small eye shadow(excluding all Viva Glam products).  Click here to find a location near you.

So what is your favorite primer? Or do you skip the primer all together?

XOXO
Colleen

Friday, finally!

TGIF! I have a busy weekend ahead. Wedding dress shopping with my bff tomorrow and either the Philly flower show or crabs at the beach on Sunday. Obviously the Oscars are on Sunday night too! I'm debating on having an Oscars party with all kinds of lame things like prizes and themed snacks. I know, I'm nuts. Anything to get me through the last few days of winter. Since I will be busy the next few days I will try to get a few posts up today.

So are you planning an Oscars party or attending one? Play Oscars bingo? Couldn't care less? Tell me about it!

XOXO
Colleen

L'Oreal Go 360° Clean Review

I have to admit, I'm a sucker for clever marketing. As soon as I saw the ad for this facial cleaner I knew I had to get it. Afterall, who doesn't want a cleanser with a pop-out scrubber?!

Here is what L'Oreal's website says about it:

"Go 360° Clean Deep Facial Cleansers bring you the very first Scrublet™. This super-soft, flexible cleansing disc applies the cleanser with 500 extra-supple touch points that gently glide across the skin. The cleanser formulas activate on contact to create a hi-foaming lather, which goes deep into pores, unclogging them and gently removing traces of dirt, oil and makeup in every last pore, crease and crevice."(read more here)

Pure genius.  I purchased the deep cream cleanser (pink/white bottle.) My skin tends to be dry this time of year, so I need a creamy cleanser. The scrubber works great!It is soft and gentle on your skin, but also very effective. The cleanser tingles on your skin and feels fantastic! This product makes washing your face fun. I don't use it daily because it still does dry out my skin, but it's nothing a little moisturizer won't fix. All in all I really like this product and will probably buy it again. 

Packaging: ***** 

Result: ****

Cost: $6.99 at Ulta

Total grade: ****

XOXO
Colleen

The Journey Begins Here

I've always had an immense desire to look and feel good just the way I am. It sparked my interest in experimenting with makeup when I was in 6th grade. I remember hanging out with my friends and doing each others makeup, wiping it all off, and starting over again. I used to do my makeup in the bathroom at school because my mom said I was too young to wear it. She should have told me I looked like an idiot, because I wore purple lipstick and blue eyeshadow. That was a long time ago... you live and learn.  Now I'm 23 and that desire still hasn't faded. The only difference is that now I know what I'm doing.

I decided to start this blog to help other women feel as good as I do. I'll be offering advice, answering questions, reviewing products, and sharing things I love. Hopefully some of you will find this blog helpful. Since I've never done this before I would love to hear from my readers with suggestions, questions and comments. Email me anytime at blushxoxo@gmail.com.

Welcome.

XOXO
Colleen