MAHOGANY GLAM

L'oreal HIP Sculpted Eyeshadow

I stopped by my local drugstore and scored Sculpted by L'oreal HIP. It's my favorite cheapy cheap eyeshadow. Believe it or not, I actually found one of these that I didn't already own. The Sculpted eyeshadow duo really pops against my mocha skin and I think it'll complement various skin tones as well. The colors are actually more vibrant than the appear in the photo. The lighter color is pinkish lavender and the darker shade is egglant plant purple. It's cool cause you can actually do a smoky eye with it. I got mine for $6.49 on sale, nothing better than a great deal. The L'oreal HIP line of products is comparable to M.A.C cosmetics eyeshadows just half the price. The colors are just as intense and can last up to eight hours.

photo courtesy: drugstore.com

J CREW STYLE ON A BUDGET

Perusing the preppy cool store that is J.Crew always gives me a small rush to splurge. Everything is elegant and timeless, my favorite style combo. Just when I'm about to try something on, the price tag never fails to cause a Pavlov's dog OMG reaction! Then I casually saunter over to the sale section. I can usually find a couple of things in my $29.99 and under price range. I push my budget at $39.99 if it's something I can't live without, which is rare. I love J.Crew's dresses and cardigans, oh and they do a good job with their petite sizing. Our first lady Michelle Obama wears J. Crew all the time, and for a First Lady that can have couture designs at a moments notice, that's commendable. I think if you have a good job then J. Crew is a no brainer, but if you're working to be cute chic cheap then hit their sale section. Here's a few things that I've found.

$39.99 comes in orange too!

$29.99 organza skirt (too cute)

$39.99 beautiful color

$24.99 summer shorts (several colors)

photos courtesy: Jcrew.com & mythings.com

Glove Me Tender Restorative Hand Cream

I hate having desert dry hands, so I've fallen in love with Glove Me Tender restorative hand lotion by Bath & Body Works. Their True Blue Spa line of products is frakin' awesome, but I've always stuck to their wonderful hand creams. This one is my favorite because it fights visible signs of aging with shea butter and SPF 15. We all know our hands will tell our age before we can lie about it. I'd give up shopping for a year (never happen), not to have crept keeper hands and Glove Me Tender keeps them soft and beautiful. I love that it''s uber thick so you only need a dab to instantly moisturize your hands. The citrusey scent is sweet to smell and a bit of a pick me up as well. Glove Me Tender is usually $12, but I wait for Bath and Body Works annual sale where they're practically giving it away for $6. It's a small price to pay for beautiful hand model hands.

photos courtesy: bathandbodyworks.com

Summer Essentials 2009

Before you light up the grill or lounge by the pool make sure you have all the essentials for a fabulous holiday weekend. An exquisite swimsuit is a must of course, I've been been drooling over one piece swimsuits. I just think they're more sophisticated than a bikini. Don't forget sunglasses, it's the chicest way to look cool without trying. Colored aviators are the in thing like this pair by Marc Jacobs, but I'm sure Forever 21 or H&M has a great knockoff!

I think a pareo or a cover up adds an undisputed level of elegance while sipping on a mojito.

A nice pair of metallic flip flops completes the ensemble. Don't forget the sunscreen. Happy Memorial Day my fellow fashionista's!

photos courtesy: bloomingdales, nordstrom

MARIAH CAREY GLAMS IT UP IN CANNES

Are my eyes deceiving me, it seems the heavens have opened up and the angels are singing Hallelujah!! Mariah Carey is stunning and age appropriately dressed at the Cannes Film Festival. The diva left tongues wagging in a black Dolce and Gabbana gown at the premiere of her indie film "Precious." I'm floored cause I haven't seen Mariah look this good since...thinking...thinking...I give up. My fellow fashionista's we all know Mrs. Nick Cannon usually saunters around like a 21-year old who works at a cotton candy stand at the county fair, so this look is a Huge upgrade. I'm gonna frame this picture for the house. I hope the 40-year old continues to embrace this chic elegant style that she definitely wears well. Magnifique!

photos courtesy: theybf and mailonline.com

WET SEAL HAS HOT SUMMER WEDGES

I recently visited the Sherman Oaks Mall on official business over the weekend i.e. shopping. I walked past the Wet Seal store's Buy One get the second Half off sale! I don't usually frequent the teen queen haunt, but I couldn't resist the possibly of a great deal. I found the Metallic T-strap Cork Wedges for $24.50 by Blue Asphalt (never heard of it). Yep they're cheap, but cute! Of course, there isn't a thing about it that's real including the cork, but who cares they're comfy and they fit into my frugally fashionable budget.

I also bought the Black T-strap version at half off. Sweet! The wedges are also super light, so it doesn't feel like your walking around with weights on your feet. I've gotten soooo many compliments on my faux Michael Kors wedges that I almost felt like an A-lister. My summer style is finally complete! (for now)

photos courtesy: wetseal.com

Slashed Leggings The Latest Trend I Gotta Have

Christine Teigen aka John Legend's girlfriend was rocking these slashed but sexy sleek leggings. I think they look ultra cool and I want them, like really really want them. I know the eighties is back but these leggings are like 21st century eighties redux. Apparently, she got hers from American Apparel but I checked them out and they only had the ones that I wouldn't be caught dead in.

They look Santa Monica Blvd. sketchy and trashy. My quest continues to find the modestly slashed yet bad to bone leggings like Christine's. Hmmm, they're probably designer and overpriced but gladly purchased by her hot BF. My fellow fashionista's if you guys find out where I can find them, please let me know!

photos courtesy: theybf & americanapparel.com

MAKE UP FOR EVER UV PRIME--GET IT

 
My fellow fashionista's you must stop by Sephora and at least get a sample of Make Up For Ever UV Prime. It's their newest primer with SPF 50. Yep, 50! That's crazy right. Most primers or mattifiers usually don't have such a high SPF, if at all. It minimizes pores and fine lines and protects your precious skin against UVA & UVB rays, but best of all it keeps you looking cool when temperatures rise. It's my new favorite thing because it actually works. Although it's $30 bucks I think it's totally worth it cause it's two heavenly products in one! I wear it under makeup and it's fabulous. Make Up Forever makes amazing products and UV Prime is no different. This is a must have for the summer ladies!

 photo courtesy: sephora.com

A-LISTERS AT ANNUAL COSTUME GALA IN NY

The biggest celebrities in the world donned their favorite designers couture trappings and sashayed down the red carpet at the annual Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This is like the Oscars of fashion! The theme of the night--"Model Muse: Embodying Fashion" meant everyone went all edgy glam rock to wow discerning eyes. Jessica Alba was bold in Jason Wu beaded bodice cobalt blue mini-dress. Yep, the same Jason Wu who designed First Lady Michelle Obama's inauguration gown. He's so scored!

Eva the diva Longoria Parker was elegantly understated in Diane von Furstenberg, I think her best accessory is her dapper hubby Tony Parker. Yummy!

There is a God and he created Eva Mendes! Hot! Hot! Hot! in a metallic Calvin Klein gown. She could show up in a K-Mart Jacyln Smith collection dress and still be the best looking woman on the red carpet!

Tyra got the memo and ran with the night's theme! A ruffled mermaid concoction by Badgley Mischka. Hmmm, her braided updo was puzzling but probably was an homage' to the early nineties. Girl you better work!

My girl Rihanna was avant garde in a Dolce and Gabbana puff sleeved mens suit. Not my favorite look for Rih Rih, but the edgy design was just the thing to get people talking about something other than the obvious. Plus, it's the Costume Institute Gala dahlings!! everyone is trying to outdo everyone else to land on Page Six and Mahogany Glam!

photos courtesy: people.com

I Crave Phillip Lim 3.1 Summer 2009

OMG I'm completely enamored with Phillip Lim 3.1 Summer 2009 collection!! Everything is super fem and chic. I totally need every last piece of this collection in my closet. Unfortunately, I can't afford a stitch of Philip Lim 3.1 clothing. When will Nordstrom have a ninety percent off sale? Aarrrggghhh, why have the fashion gods forsaken me!! I love that girlie girl cardigan and that little Lynchee Print Oversize T-shirt dress is to die for. How exquisite is this embellished silk top in lava orange...if I only had $450 dollars, dineros, pesos, or francs to spend. Does anyone know where to find Phillip Lim 3.1 knock-offs? I'm fiending over here. Forever 21 has nothing close to these silhouettes, I checked! photos courtesy: nordstrom.com