On the Road Again, Part 2 - The Graduate

When I arrived in the city, it was pouring rain.  In fact, it rained off and on during the whole trip there.  My niece ran outside, her paisley rain boots loudly slapping the puddles underneath her feet, and greeted me with a kiss.  She grabbed the dog, I grabbed my gear and went inside.  The graduation was supposed to happen later that evening, so I made excellent time.  I had barely peeled out of my wet jacket when my sis informed me that the graduation was postponed until the next day because of the weather.  What?!  You mean I have to spend an extra day in "paradise"?  NOOOOOOO!  My dad, who had just arrived via plane, was none too pleased either.  He had planned on flying out the next day and couldn't change the flight without incurring a huge fee.  So after much grumbling, rolling of the eyes and other vivid displays of disappointment, we decided to make the best of the night.  We went out for a celebratory dinner at a restaurant of my niece's choosing.

We ended up at an Italian bistro called Bravo.  I had never been and neither had my niece, which is exactly why it appealed to her: it was some place new to experience.  And she's all about new experiences.

After much deliberation, the petite grad-to-be ordered grilled pork chops and mashed potatoes.

I settled on the grilled salmon topped with capers, roasted potatoes and steamed asparagus.  It wasn't bad.  In fact, it was pretty good.  However, I don't think it can lay a hand on a similar dish served at one of my fave Italian spots, Carrabbas.  O.M.G. - Y.U.M.!  But the Bravo's version was decent enough.

And then our waitress, the shameless temptress she was, came out with a varied display of sugary wares to woo and seduce us with.  But her lavish lure would not avail that night for we had a huge, sugary confection of our own waiting to be devoured back at the house.  So be gone, you mistress of mischief!  And take your deliciously evil vices with you!

I was praying that there would not be another rain delay... that despite the weather reports, there would not be one drop of dew from the sky to mar my niece's big day.  My dad had left earlier and I was as amped and determined as ever after traveling so long and so far to finally see this thing happen.  And guess what?  My prayers were answered.  The day was beautiful!  Not a gray cloud in sight as the gaggle of young grads patiently endured the last vestiges of high school life... and then ceremoniously embraced the new life that is to come with a toss of their tasseled caps high into the air.  My niece was now officially a high school graduate.  She IS a high school graduate.  And I could not be prouder.

I laughed and joked with some family members, gave my sister the proverbial pat on the back for a job well done and then bombarded my niece with praise and adulation.  I thanked her for being such a caring, loving person; for being a sweetheart of a niece; for being an accomplished student and a downright great kid.  I told her to reach for the sky and tried to impart some additional pearls of wisdom that may serve her well during the upcoming months as she heads into the "college years".  Such a big accomplishment for a little cupcake.  But she did it.  She did it.

And as I headed back and steadied myself for the long ride "home", I just kept thinking how this life thing is a trip and a half.  Literally.  There's just so much to see, so much to do, so much to be had... and only a finite amount of time to do it in.  And to be able to experience it all for the first time again through a young one's eyes is like, "WOW!".  How amazing. 

So proud.  So happy.  So excited for my little butterfly, the graduate.

On the Road Again, Part 1 - The Prep

Well, it's that time of year when all the little familial caterpillars we've invested time and love and effort in make their final transition to beautiful, smart butterflies... ready to fly headstrong into a wild, wild world.  It's graduation time.  And I have a cupcake of a niece who is graduating from high school.  So, I must make the sojourn - once again - to my good ol' hometown.  And since my dog is an anxious traveller, my mode of transport will be the four-wheel kind.

I will be staying with my sister and even though that affords me to travel pretty light, I will be bringing the majority of my own toiletries and such.  Must haves for me are my travel-sized Boscia facial cleanser and St. Ives Apricot Scrub.  I think my Laura Mercier TM will be tagging along, too.  I styled my hair the night before so in keeping with my heat-once-a-week hair rule, I'm bringing old school, hard plastic rollers.  Can't forget my MAC Pro Longwear Concealer and a couple of makeup brushes...

In addition to a few full-sized, I'm packing my travel-size brushes - complete with case - by Sonia Kashuk.

Ugh!  I'm really not sure about the makeup I wanna rock, but I'm leaning towards the look I used in my most recent Weekend Report post.  This go around, I'll be using all Inglot shadows.  I may change out the lipstick, though.  I'm thinking of something a tad bit bolder in color.  And NARS' Exhibit A is a strong contender for the cheeks.  Still trying to decide.

I'm definitely going dark on my hands and toes with a cherry cola color from OPI called Midnight In Moscow.

I had every intention of wearing a dress for the occasion, but opted for a pantsuit instead since it will likely travel better.

Jeweled denim wedges will complete the ensemble.

Even got the pup in on the action.  Although he will not be attending the actual ceremony, he'll be donning his crisp and clean cargo shirt in honor of the festivities.

And since the drive ahead of me will be long, I've gotta stay hydrated and keep awake.  Some of my favorite cookies and a bottle of water should do the trick.

So, here I go again.  Packing up my car and putting rubber to road to return back to where it all started for me.  But I'm motivated and with very good reason.  I've got a date with a beautiful little butterfly who has gone beyond what was required of her and, in turn, earned her colorful wings of flight.  I'm so immensely proud of her and can't wait to see her beam with pride as she makes that walk to the podium.

*Next up: On the Road Again, Part 2.

Hair Love: Infusium 23

Ok, here's a quick one for ya.  I know that most of you guys have heard of this one.  Not sure if you've ever used it or not, but I'm here to tell you that it is the real deal as far as doing exactly what it says it will do and producing great results.  At least that's been my experience.  Revisiting this product this past weekend has rekindled my love and appreciation for this leave-in conditioner - Infusium 23.

Infusium 23 is a leave-in conditioner that I was introduced to after the hair burning debacle I referred to in my "Feeling the Heat..." post.  I was just starting to learn how to really take good care of my hair since I didn't trust hairdressers anymore and needed something to start my journey off on the right foot.  Starving for info and guidance, I attended a hair show with my mother and was given a small sample to try.  I had never used, let alone heard of a leave-in conditioner, but was anxious to give it/anything a try and was hooked when I saw immediate results.  I couldn't believe it.

My hair was severely damaged by heat (burned off, basically) and extremely dry.  My strands also felt rough and what I call "pixelated", where the hair looks like it has ridges up and down the shaft (upset cuticles).   I needed help and Infusium did just that.  It allowed the cuticles to lay flatter, thus causing my hair to look shinier and feel better.  And this particular leave-in is a thin, clear liquid (as opposed to a thick, nourishing cream) so I really didn't expect too much from it.  But was so surprised when it more than delivered on its promise.  Within weeks my hair more bounce and shine, which left me encouraged to revamp and deepen my regimen's lineup with additional stellar performing products.

So, if you you're in need of a good leave-in and haven't yet found your HG (holy grail), you may want to give this a try.  It's readily available at most drugstores and the price won't burn a hole in your pocket.  It was a vital aid in the healing of my hair and perhaps may be a help to you as well.

The Unsung Heroes of Skin Care

You know, there are a lot of potions and lotions and serums and such vying for attention from all who desire beautiful, healthy skin.  It would behoove both men and women to invest in great skin care, but I would argue that that investment need not cost a fortune.  Sometimes it's the simplest things that do the most for the very least.  I know of three tried and true items that are sure to give your skin care regimen a boost... and all are easily accessed for around one dollar each.

Let's say you have a breakout or perhaps maybe just one pimple that's giving you angst.  Dousing a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol) and wiping it over the irritated area or simply placing the wet ball on it for a minute or two will help to soak up the offending oils that are trapped in the pores causing the bump and dry it out.  I sometimes like to perform a preemptive strike and wipe my face down as soon as I see the beginnings of a bump, pimple or breakout.  I do this as part of my nighttime regimen and usually by morning, the bump has flattened and dried out.  If not, I do it again.  Also, the higher the percentage listed on the bottle, the stronger it is.  You need not go the maximum; seventy percent is all that's needed.

Witch hazel is my absolute love when it come to skin care.  Many use it as a toner (which rids the skin of residue from soap or anything else left behind after washing), but I love to use it to help soothe my skin from irritation/redness that may occur doing a break out.  Not only that, it flattens out pimples and bumps just like the alcohol, but is less drying.  It exfoliates and leaves my skin feeling soft after washing, too.  It is a skin care super power - it does it all!

Now the previous two items are to help dry out pimples before they settle on your face and possibly leave their mark.  But let's say you have a break out/pimple that's full grown... perhaps even with an ugly whitehead peeking out from the engorged pore.  In your mind, you can't walk around with this monstrosity planted on your face.  Gross!  In your mind, you feel that you have no choice but to get rid of it and, yes, pop it.  Well, although I normally would not advocate popping it because that WILL cause scarring on its own, desperate times call for desperate measures.  And that's where hydrogen peroxide comes in for the rescue.

If you pop your pimple (sorry, guys), first make sure to get all of the whitehead/puss/gunk out.  Leaving these behind will cause the bump to remain and worse - discolor and SCAR.  There may be traces of blood left so try your best to squeeze as much of that out, too.  And when you're done, put some hydrogen peroxide on your finger (or cotton ball) and dab it on the spot and leave it there.  It may bubble up slightly to a white foam, but don't be alarmed - it's doing its work.  This skin care dynamo is cleaning out the scar and sucking up the last bit of blood left behind like a vampire.  In the morning, if the pimple was small, IT WILL BE FLAT AND GONE.  If it was big, it may have a small scab on it.  DO NOT PICK IT.  When it falls off naturally within a day or so, THERE WILL BE NO TRACE OF THE PIMPLE WHATSOEVER.  I am not even joking.  I have done this several times and all with the same result; pimple-free, scar-free skin.  It is amazing.

I know that most of you have heard of these items and some may already use them successfully.  But for those who haven't and don't, you may want to check them out.  They are easily accessible, can work wonders on your skin and have no problem fitting into whatever regimen you currently have.  And on top of all that, they're cheap!  

So there you have it.  The ultimate triad of skin care heroes.  And to think, you get all that awesomeness for only a dollar each?  Yes, please and thank you!

Dark Steely Gray

Silver-gray eyeshadows.  I like that they're the perfect substitute for the usual black smoky eye.  I'm really attracted to the shade and all its variations.  But who needs fifty shades of gray when you can have your pick of a stellar few?  Well, from the gunmetal family, I have two favorites: Gunmetal from Urban Decay and the lovely Inglot 451.

#451 is a deep steel-gray with a pearl finish.  If you've read any of my previous Inglot eyeshadow posts then you pretty much know what I'm going to say next: this shadow is über soft, potently pigmented and opaque coverage is easily achieved in one swipe. 

You know, I really need to put this shade to work... and put it to work ASAP.  It's just too pretty to keep hidden away in my palette.  I need to find somewhere to go - some nighttime spot, a late night rendezvous... heck, a quick midnight run to the grocery store - just so I can show it off.  Yes, it's that lovely.

So, if you have a steely resolve to find a gorgeous, steely gray then you may want to check this one out.
  
Inglot 451 can be found at Inglot boutiques and their online site, and retails for $6.   

A Jammin' Pigment

Ooh, have I got a plush purple for you guys!  I wish I had gotten into makeup sooner so that I could have purchased this pigment back when MAC offered it in bigger vials - it's so pretty.  But judging from how often I wear makeup versus how much I have, I'm fairly certain this will be more than enough.  But it's so pretty! 

If you're into purples, I'd like for you to feast your eyes on Grape pigment from MAC.

Grape is a deep, robust purple with strong red undertones.  It is finely milled and extremely soft to the touch.  Like all of MAC's loose pigments, it comes in a narrow vial with a stopper and rubberized, screw on lid.  This beauty is packed with color and has a pearl finish.

I really can't wait to pair this with the sample of Fuchsia pigment I have stashed away.  OMG, it's going to look SO good.  And remember - pigments are not just for use on the eyes.  You could easily mix this into a lip gloss, apply it on top of a lipstick or mix this with a little bit of a beeswax or petroleum based product and create an awesome purple pout.  Cool, huh?  Totally.

Funny enough, I could no longer find Grape pigment on MAC's website, but was able to purchase it from the MAC store.  It is also available at Nordstrom, both the store and online site.  So if you're the least bit interested in this, by all means, please check it out.

MAC Grape pigment retails for $21.

Barbie: Uptown Chic

She can bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan.  She's a businesswoman, savvy fashionista and all around "girl about town".  She's the perfect combination of smarts, sass and sophistication.  In lieu of a cape, she dons a multicolored shawl around her neck.  She is the ultimate "superwoman" of the 90s... She is Uptown Chic Barbie.

Dressed in a sharp, double-breasted, purple pantsuit and draped in brightly hued accessories, Uptown Chic Barbie perfectly embodies the zeitgeist of that time.

With gold being the preferred "bling" in the 90s, this renaissance beauty definitely stays on trend with her gold-chained, exotic-skinned handbag and gold rimmed glasses.

No smartphone or fancy gadgets here!  Clutched at the ready in her right hand is the predecessor to the iPhone - a good old-fashioned cell phone, complete with cumbersome push buttons for dialing and a huge antenna protruding from the side.

Five- or six-inch heels?  Ain't nobody got time for that!  On her feet are a pair of practical, black loafers with a medium heel; just right for hopping on and off subways or in and out of cabs without missing a step... or rolling an ankle.

Simple, gold studded earrings adorn her ears...

And once you remove her yellow, large brimmed hat, you can see how her hair is styled and cut.  It's cut extremely short and blown out straight.  And do you see her eyelashes?  Her lashes are long and pronounced, much like those of the Diahann Carroll doll.

No shrinking violet when it comes to painting her face, Uptown's makeup is fabulous as she showcases a pale purple lid with a magenta crease and tops it off with a fierce, wine colored lip.

So you see, Uptown Chic Barbie is just a 90s girl living in her 90s world.  She thrives on flaunting her business acumen in the boardroom and revels in kicking up her heels after hours with her girlfriends.  And judging from her smile, she's found the perfect balance between the two and is determined to live life to the fullest.  Very cool doll, indeed.