Four.Twenty.Eight

Operation: CONCEALMENT, N1 & N2

I really thought this would be a great thing to buy.  I have had one before, exact same brand, exact same top-quality fabric, similar price point.  I know this item well, I've owned my current product since 2004, and it still looks great.  I was headed back to the same company for more.

Until I got the wise idea stylish and fashion-forward thought to order a new one in white unlike my current item that is pink-and-white polka dot.  It truly did not cross my mind that this top-quality fabric at such a price point would ever, ever cause... problems.  White is so summer!  White looks great with a tan!  White is so simple and attractive!  Screeeeeecccchhhh... put on the brakes.  White can be moderately sheer when wet??

Okay, okay. I know what you're thinking.  How could I not know that this was a possibility?  I did.  Believe me, I knew that I'd have to "test" the item before use around other human beings besides a spouse.  I tested.  It failed.  I was given undeniable spouse confirmation that the test failed.  I was highly disappointed.  I was sure that something at that level of quality and that price was never, ever going to... reveal... things.  Even so, N1 & N2 were quite pronounced when drenched.  Yep.  By now, I'm quite certain you've gotten the gist.  I have now gone into full attack mode to overhaul my item and MAKE IT WORK.  I am going to wear this item on my upcoming trip come hell or high water. (Pun?  Yes, I intended it.)

I'll leave you with the following photos of my reconnaissance mission known as Operation: CONCEALMENT, N1 and Operation: CONCEALMENT, N2.

EXHIBIT A: Four products purchased in attempt to procure a working solution to the setback of N1 & N2.



EXHIBIT B: Acceptable product has been chosen.



EXHIBIT C:  First attempt insufficient.  Project manager secured more than enough product to allow for initial failure.



EXHIBIT D:  Preliminary success.  Product must be tested before project manager can declare Mission: Accomplished.  Possibility of the project's full success is, however, promising.

A List About Makeup

Needless to say, this post isn't for the guys.

I am a list geek.  I know it.  I accept it for what it is.  I am now going to bore you with share everything that goes into my morning makeup routine.  I don't necessarily do the whole range of products daily, sometimes I just do moisturizer and powder with a little mascara.  But when I go all out, this is it.

• My face wash - morning and evening.  I sometimes mix it with a little baking soda to exfoliate.  I love this wash and I love that it comes in a big bottle.
• Moisturizer #1, Moisturizer #2 - I mix a little of both in my hands.  I know, high maintenance, but it works for me!  If my face is really dry I just use the treatment cream.
• Foundation - The best foundation I've found that provides a mineral-based sunscreen (titanium dioxide).  I apparently have some a lot of sensitivity issues and chemical-based sunscreens (avobenzone, oxybenzone) are not preferred.
• Powder - The Paula's Choice brand stopped making their powder, which makes no sense at all.  If you make foundation, you should make powder, correct?  One would think so, but Clinique's has been good to me thus far.
• Eyeliner - I have a collection of them, including some Clinique and Hard Candy pencils, but this one is a standout.  My favorite color is "Ice Carob" and it is easy to apply - even the liquid.  It has been a favorite for a long time.  I'm also interested in trying this one, though.  I've read good things about it.
• Eyeshadow - Like most women, I have a collection of these, too.  I've never been a big fan of the "quads" or having to do all the eyeshadow layering.  I don't have a knack for it, so I tend to be a "one color all over" gal.  The one I've linked to in the shade "filigree" is an all-time favorite.
• Mascara - I've never been one to buy expensive mascara.  There are great drugstore mascaras out there that are often better than department store brands.
• Lips #1, Lips #2 - I have a small collection of these, too.  I rotate through a few favorite colors, specifically Clinique's "Creamy Nude" or Aveda's "Guarana."  Clinique discontinued my all-time favorite, "Champagne Fizz."  I tend to use something as a "base" and then put color over it.  The base helps tone down the lipstick and keeps it looking sheer and with a bit of shine.  I either use the Chap Stick I linked to or even some Aquaphor if my lips are feeling really dry.

Other beauty products I can't live without:

• Leave-In Conditioner - I don't use conditioner in the shower.  I've yet to find one that doesn't make my fine hair too soft.  I mostly want to do away with static electricity, and this product does it well.
• Cuticle and Nail Treatment - This is such a convenient way to keep your nails looking nice.  Just twist, brush on, and rub in.  I will admit, though, that I am guilty of forgetting that I have it in my purse.
• Brush #1, Brush #2 - You can't live without a brush, right?  These two are the best.  I have had the MAC brush for years.  I have gotten my money's worth!  Just clean it periodically (I clean mine with my face wash) and keep it in a brush bag.
• Hairspray - I will never buy another brand.  This is a staple!
• My hairbrush - I have had this for years, too.  I keep it clean and it cannot be beat.

I also just noticed for the first time that the Aveda lipstick I have has mineral-based sunscreen with Titanium Dioxide AND Zinc Oxide!  Awesome for me!  However, it appears they might have changed the lipstick since I bought mine.  That figures.  I'm actually e-mailing the company's customer care to get an ingredient list for the newest lipstick product.

So, what's your beauty routine?  What's your favorite product that gets used every day like clockwork?

Wild Olive Tees

I just stumbled upon Wild Olive Tees.  Oh my.  Cuteness.  I love some of these!!  I had to share.

Check them out here.

Scoring Some Style Points in the Gym

I know what you're thinking! Workout and fashion in the same sentence? You're thinking, "Girl, I'm just trying to not pass out from exhaustion when I'm at the gym... I don't have time to worry about lookin' good!"

But, if you've taken a moment to check out my "I Love..." section over there ------->
on my sidebar, then you know that I love to be stylish at all times.  Hey, whatever keeps you motivated to exercise, right?!

My criteria:

• Don't crawl into places I don't want you.
• Don't stick to my skin like a leech in the Amazon Rain Forest.
• Keep me locked and loaded (i.e. make my girls proud).
• Look decent while you're at it, unlike that old beaten down Crush Party t-shirt from college.

So, I thought I'd share my favorite finds as of late that have me fully outfitted for exercise.

The awesome UnderArmour Heat Gear shirt.  Not too tight, not too big, and I swear this thing keeps me cooler than any other shirt!

The best shorts ever!  They are very lightweight, a nice soft, stretchy material, and the best part: built-in compression shorts.  They have a boy-style short built in underneath that are great for keeping the whole gym from seeing everything you've got.

This, ladies, is the best shirt yet. It has a little do-dad (scientific term) on the back that I had no idea what it was for at first. Here's a picture of said do-dad:

Then, I realized this particular shirt was a Nike Plus shirt (like the Nike Plus shoes that have the iPod do-dad built in). An "aha" moment crept up - it must be for your music gear.  Sammy and I put our heads together and realized the appropriate use for this little plastic item:

A totally awesome earphone clip, i.e. a do-dad. It keeps that darned cord from swinging in front of me the whole time I'm on the elliptical. Love, love, love it!!

I know, I know.  I'm a nerd.  But what can I say?  I love my clothes!  It's like another hobby!

Calling all Ladies

No, I didn't say laddies.  I need some womanly advice and here's my question:

What kind of shampoo do you use?  Do you use conditioner?  If so, what?  Do you use any kind of product besides hairspray?  Do you love it?

I know - that was a questionnaire, not a question.  My hair is fine, but not thin.  When it is humid, it tends to get flat, not frizzy.  It is stick straight and shoulder length.  It tends to develop static electricity easily.  It also has a tendency to get build-up from some shampoos.  I have bleached highlights.  I can't use any products that are overly fragranced because it breaks my face out from touching it.  So no Aveda - I tried it and loved the smell, but can't do it with my face.  Let's just say my hair is complicated.  Take a look at me, you'd probably never guess that, but it is picky.

Therefore, please Oh Wise Ones, tell me your favorite shampoo and/or conditioner.  I need something great - I've been underimpressed with many I've tried and I just want something I love that makes my hair feel soft and manageable (easy to comb through after washing), gives it a little body, and gives it a little shine.  If you use a leave-in or volumizing product that is also superfabulousamazing, let me in on that secret, too.

I thank you for your advice very much!

Fashion Wednesday

A couple of fashion comments for this day, the hump-day of the week.  First, I'd like to pay homage to the (some say not-so-fashionable) Croc shoe.  They have grown by leaps and bounds and no longer only have the hole-ridden clog-style shoe.  No, my friends, they have many new styles, but I still love, love, love my Athens.  I have the black/red, but am hankering for a new pair in some pretty color.  The Athens: Also, I feel as though my fashion is in a rut.  Not the common rut, but just a lazy one.  I have been lazy lately about the way I dress.  If it needs to be ironed or takes a lot of effort to put an outfit together, I just don't bother!  In turn, this apathy causes me to wear the same things over and over instead of going through the diversity of my wardrobe.  I really need to step it up.  I have considered "planning" my outfits (I know - sounds uber-nerdy organized).  But I could take all my clothes in "outfits" and take photos.  File them in a cardfile or a binder, and have them in my closet so I can pick out an outfit in the morning quickly and easily.  It could work, but it might be too extensive.  Hmm... if you have any ideas how you keep from being "clothing-impaired", please share!

The true solution to life's fashion imparement, however, is just to campaign for the right to wear shorts and Crocs every day to work.  Yea, that's it!  Wouldn't that be magnificent?

Fashion Thoughts...

Well, if you've ever seen me you probably know that I'm into clothes.  I love being fashionable and even branching out into being trendy sometimes.  With that said, I am very frustrated with the shoe styles they are releasing for spring.  I guess the plain fact is that I don't like them.  An example of the predominate style:

Every style for spring is chunky with wide, heavy straps.  Everything I learned about fashion says that someone as petite as me should never wear such a thick, chunky shoe - it makes you look heavy, "weighed down".  Note:  I am a "What Not To Wear" junkie.  And personally, I don't think these styles are very pretty!  I'd much rather see things like this:

These would look fine on me and are cute.  I feel like the chunky shoes look just like something I gave to Goodwill a couple of years ago!  Therefore, in the words of the Mythbuster guy, "I reject your reality and substitute my own!"

Otherwise, I love all of the bright, pretty colors stores are putting out - I am sick of black, brown, and grey.  Bring on spring yellows, greens, pinks, and blues.  Now, about donations to my shopping fund...

Clothes are always easy to love and to find something to suit me, but shoes.... ah, well, I'll just have to look harder for shoes I like... *sigh*

Keds on a Slow Day

It is one slow day today.  I've got three managers out of the office and the calls are slow.  I should really be thankful for the quiet hum of the computers and clicking of keys, but what fun would that be?  It's much more fun to complain when things are crazy and the phone is ringing off the hook!

I am looking forward to a nice evening - maybe we will get to play tennis, I won't have to cook (yippee leftovers!), and we can catch up on our t.v. watching.  I really hope no one is playing tennis at the high school today - the closest free courts to our home are at a high school and there are only 2 courts.  I always thought schools would have more courts than that - my school was in a town of 400 people and had 6.  We are still looking for a place to play close to home that will have more availability.

I did get a package today, though - I love getting packages.  I ordered some of the cutest little sneakers - who would've thought Keds would have made some of the cutest styles!  Check out the Nanette Lepore, Eleanor Grosch, and the Kedette Skimmers.  Another plus - comfort!  I will be wearing these all summer with capris, city shorts, and tees.  My uniform, I guess!  In addition, who knew Keds have been around since 1916?  I had no idea.