Holey Moley

Ripped Jeans, GlitterGirl

Many may say, “why in the world would you buy a pair of jeans with holes in them?!” My answer to you: fashion, duh!  How to wear ripped jeans with a little class?  Boyfriend style!   

The boyfriend style jean is a relaxed-fit jean that flatters most if the pant fits correctly.  You will want to make sure that the jean is snug enough around the waist, toosh and thigh to ensure that you don’t create a saggy-baggy-booty.  However, pay special attention that the jean doesn’t fit too tight—you want to appear relaxed!  You may also want to consider a boyfriend jean with a higher-rise; a higher rise jean is generally more flattering, anyway.  As color goes, you can get pretty creative with this.  I like both darker-hued blue jeans as well as light distressed blue jeans. 

Remember, the point of this style is to be relaxed; hence the tattered look.  However, make sure you don’t have gaping holes in (suspicious) places and pay special attention to making the outfit appear feminine.  A simple way to make ripped boyfriend jeans appear feminine is to pair with floral, pastel or stripes on top.  A flowy, long-sleeve blouse would be a complimentary option, too.   

Add a blazer and you are ready for weather elements.  Accessorize up or down but make sure you are wearing some fabulous footwear.  I would suggest a bootie or pump over a wedge—or flats if you feel most comfortable doing so.   

Remember, wearing ripped jeans shouldn’t be for the workplace but rather for social outings such as lunch with girlfriends, a day outing in public, a coffee date or running errands. However, if your work allows you to show up to work with holes in your jeans—more power to ya!

Before you “trash” this style, see if it is a style that works for you!  You may have just found a fancy substitute for your go-to weekend yoga pants. . .

(Bee)utiful

It is no surprise that Burt’s Bees products are fantastic. Browsing their website, I was amazed at the breadth of product variety.  Here's a few of my favorite products made by Burt’s Bees.  Drum roll, please. . .

1. Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm:  What a gemstone of a product!  I purchased this product for a recent vacation because I didn't want the hassle of putting on lipstick but I wanted a little bit of color on my lips while staying casual at the beach.  I had seen this product in the drugstore and figured I’d take a swing at it.  I am so glad I made the purchase!  This product is butter-soft, non-fragrant, comes in a fun storage tube and keeps my lips feeling healthy and nourished.  This product is 100% natural and contains ingredients such as: coconut, vegetable, beeswax, sunflower and soybean oils.  They offer a variety of different tint colors but I chose Red Dahlia and I think it could be a suitable color for all.
2. Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream:  Who doesn't like the fresh smell of sweet lemon? No one.  My point exactly!  My mom gave me a Burt’s Bees sampler pack a few months ago and this product was one of my favorites in the pack.  I absolutely love the scent and nourishing power of this product.  I like to smear a dash of it on my cuticles before bed and there is no better scent to fall asleep to.  This cuticle cream moisturizes the cuticles with sweet almond oil, cocoa seed butter, vitamin E and sunflower oil and nourishes brittle nails.  Oh, la la.
3. Mango and Orange Sugar Scrub:  You had me at sugar scrub.  I think adding a sugar scrub to your bathing routine is both beneficial and totally luxurious.  What more?  This product can be purchased at your local drugstore!  Slather a generous glob on your hand and begin to lather all over your body.  Make sure to pay special attention to your knees and elbows; you can even hit your feet to eliminate dry stubborn skin.  You will feel awakened by the refreshing scent and your skin will look and feel absolutely radiant after one application.  Power ingredients: natural sugar crystals and orange peel.

What are your Burt’s Bees must-haves?

Taxi, please!

Image Source

Now here’s a bright idea.  Employ the help of taxi drivers to identify and dispatch police support if criminal or suspicious activity is witnessed in and around the community.  The program is called Taxis on Patrol and has launched in the Denver Metropolitan area.  Local taxi drivers can volunteer to participate in this program which trains and certifies them on what suspicious behavior to look for and when it is appropriate to report.

A week into the programs inception, a Denver taxi driver assisted in the arrest of a suspect in a fatal hit-and-run.  Taxi drivers enrolled in the program, thus far, have reported assaults, domestic violence disputes, hit and runs, drunk driving incidents and other suspicious activity while on-duty.  Some taxi drivers enrolled in the program were initially skeptical displaying a sticker on the back of their vehicle reading, Taxis on Patrol, in fear they would be labeled a “snitch”.  Most take pride in the fact that they are providing a great civil service to their community and ignore ridicule. 

Kudos, Denver!  This is a brilliant concept.  I can’t honestly think of any reason why this program wouldn't work in any other community; so long as the taxi drivers weren't abusing their privileges.  But, should that even be considered an issue at all?

Programs similar to the Taxis on Patrol program have extended into international markets and could soon hit a city near you. 

Are you skeptical?  Do you see any underlying issues with these developing programs? 

Attitude, baby.

Attitude is everything and there is no greater test then a Wednesday afternoon.  I hope today was productive, successful and lovely for you.  And, I hope tomorrow brings you both joy and inspiration.

Minty Fresh

Trend alert.

Mint, duh!  Big shock, huh?   

If you even have the slightest bit of a pulse you know the intensity of the mint trend.  Truthfully, it is hard to ignore the color’s popularity and it’s even harder not to fall absolutely in love with.  Who could resist the temptation of such a nostalgic hue?  I immediately think of mint chocolate chip ice cream and it is a color that makes me feel happy, refreshed and youthful!

Whether the color be as household decoration, painted on fingernails or hanging in the closet; my hope is that this trendy color will take some time and stay a while.  If you haven’t yet acknowledged or been made aware of this growing trend, all you need to do is search “mint” in Pinterest and you will be exponentially inspired.  From mint housewares to mint colored macaroons . . . it’s all there! I’m astonished by all of the creative ways the color is being used and I look forward to finding a fun opportunity to incorporate the color mint into my life!

What spring colors inspire you?

Cosmetic Toss

LORAC, Unzipped; Sephora

Stila, Waterproof Eyeliner; Sephora

I had an epiphany early last week and realized my makeup bag needed a makeover, stat.  My eyeliner and eye shadow palette were looking a little . . . sad.  A sad appearance led me to believe that my makeup might be a potential bacterial hazard.  Yikes!  Let’s get real, bacteria happens and it is critical that you keep your makeup bag clear of any potential “bacteria-parties”. 

After a little research I found there are quite a few inconsistencies as to how frequently you should toss makeup to ensure your makeup bag stays healthy; but I think the following article provides a decent suggestion as to how frequently you should discard opened cosmetics:

Expiration dates: 
Beginning from the time you first open these products

Powders and shadows // 2 years

Cream shadows // 12 to 18 months

Foundation // 1 year

Lipstick & lipliner // 1 year

Mascara & eyeliners // 3 months

Makeup brushes // Clean weekly using a mild detergent

Makeup sponges // Replace weekly, or when sponge becomes soiled

Ha!  I am impressed to say that I actually “toss” out makeup more frequently then suggested.  Most of my makeup ends up running out before the expiration date comes due but it is important to toss out expired makeup when the time comes due.  It is even more important if you occasionally share makeup with friends and/or family.  Needless to say, always err on the side of caution.  If there is an odor, toss.  If you start breaking out, toss.  If the pigment in the makeup starts to discolor or deteriorate, toss.  Pretty simple stuff.

So, my makeup bag ended up being “clean” but I still treated myself to a new eye shadow pallet from LORAC and some new waterproof eyeliner from Stila.  I have been wearing less and less eye makeup recently but the LORAC palette comes with both 10 beautiful neutral-shade eye shadows and a bonus eye primer.  The two together are a match made in makeup heaven.  I am also really excited to try Stila’s waterproof liquid eyeliner (with a felt tip).  I have heard rave reviews of its mighty stay-power and ease of use. 

Moreover, don’t neglect the health of your precious makeup and if you ever need an excuse to buy more makeup; remind yourself of the potential health risks of ignoring the signs of spoiled cosmetics!

No-Bake: Peanut Butter Pie

Utter the word peanut butter and I’m there . . . and chocolate?  Sure, why not!  This no bake pie caught my attention for no other reason than the fact that peanut butter pies are delicious and no-bake recipes are easy-breezy.  

Mac and I will be doing dinner with friends this evening and I might just have enough time to prepare after work before people start to gather.  I am thinking I might modify this recipe just a hair and add a smear of peanut butter and/or chop up some Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and put them the bottom?  Who doesn't like a gooey, unexpected surprise when eating dessert?  

Plus, this pie is a reduced-fat version and so I’m allowed to eat at least a third of it myself without the assistance of others (and if no one is looking, I might just eat it straight out of the pan . . .)    

Alright, here’s the recipe:

Skinny No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 10 • Serving Size: 1/10 • Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 216.8 • Fat: 6.4 g • Protein: 2.9 g • Carb: 32.9 g • Fiber: 1.3 g • Sugar: 16.7g
Sodium: 94.6 mg
 
Ingredients

• 5 oz reduced fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/3 cup Better n Peanut Butter
• 8 oz fat free frozen whipped topping, thawed (or truwhip for healthier option*)
• reduced fat graham cracker pie crusts
• 3 tbsp Hershey's chocolate syrup

Directions

Beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar together in a medium bowl.  

Mix in Better 'n Peanut Butter and beat until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.

Spoon into graham cracker pie shell; cover, and refrigerate until firm, at least 2-3 hours. Drizzle with chocolate syrup before serving.

Tango Red: Calvin Klein Confession

Calvin Klein Jeans; $36

A fun and funky trend that will make springtime just that much more enjoyable this year—the ever-so-popular colored skinny jean craze.

In fact, after much debate and agony over what color to finally make a purchase (will it be mint, fuchsia, electric blue... tangerine), I selected a pair of Tango Red Calvin Klein skinny jeans.  If the color "Tango Red" doesn’t sell itself, I'm not sure what will.

Why did I choose the Calvin Klein Tango Red skinny jean? 

Fact: Calvin Klein makes a slamming skinny jean.  No exaggeration.  If I haven’t already confessed my eternal love for my current and first pair of Calvin Klein skinny jeans, I will right now.  I own the most fantastic pair of skinny jeans on the planet and I purchased them from Ross for $30.  Okay, I said it.  Best purchase of my life.  These jeans stand neck and neck with all the cupcakes and puppies in the world, combined. 

Benefits: Calvin Klein skinnies are figure flattering, they cover your rear, they keep their shape through-and-through and are the most versatile pant in my closet (alongside my 7 for All Mankind Ginger Jeans).  I wear my existing Calvin Klein skinnies at least two times a week and I make no excuse for the frequency they are worn. 

Rational: If I purchase the same style jean but in another color, I will be faced with no disappointment.  We’ll see!  I purchased these Tango Red’s from 6pm.com this afternoon and I can’t wait for their arrival.  Oh, did I also mention Calvin Klein jeans can usually always be found on sale and range from $30- $70 per pair, not too shabby, eh?

I am anticipating that these jeans will be too hot to handle and I'm ready to rock them with a little spicy attitude. 

Springtime, you will be my muse and Tango Red, I’m counting on you to deliver the goods!