Post Labor Day White

Well, actually they're off-white... but it's all the same.  With a rebel yell, you-know-who has decided to rock 'n' roll with a pair of white, tie-up you-know-whats and indulge in a little post Labor Day mischief.  I mean, does anyone really follow all that no-white-after-Labor-Day stuff?  Is it still a "thing" in the modern fashion world or just a stodgy, ol' remnant of days gone by?  Not that it matters much because you-know-who loves breaking the rules... and this one is no exception!  So, without further ado, let me show you the set of lovely sandals I recently procured called Shanna from Pour La Victoire.

Shanna is a strappy stunner from NYC-based handbag/shoe maker Pour La Victoire.  This 4.5" high-heeled sandal boasts a python embossed, leather upper with scalloped trim; genuine python bodice; shoestring, lace-up closure; metal/gold plated heel accents; and an embedded metal/gold logo under the bridge of its sole.  The shoe fits true to size and feels comfortable on.  However, due to the incline of the shoe and the slick surface of its bed, my feet slide around while wearing them so I will be equipping them with proper insoles in order to gain the traction needed to keep my feet stationed while strutting.

I really do adore these shoes, guys.  They're super cute and trés sex kitten, no?  Well, I happen to think so.  And I can't wait to wear them out while the weather still permits.  I just gotta assemble the right ensemble to complement them, that's all.

Yep, so I am slowly but surely rebuilding my wardrobe just like I promised, step-by-step... piece-by-piece.  It's all a labor of love that will take a bit of time... but, eventually, I'll get there.  And I have to admit - with an ever so sly grin stitched across my face - that I'm thoroughly enjoying the process!

Pour La Victoire Shanna is available via their website pourlavictoire.com and Neiman Marcus, and retails for $245.

Drugstore Fare

Hey, guys!  Can I get a double high-five and a hardy "Hallelujah!" for it being the start of the weekend?  Woo-hoo!  Do y'all have any plans?  I have a few, but nothing too deep.  I'm thinking about revisiting some things I saw in various drugstores over the past week(s) or so for possible purchase... or not.  Of course, these would be things of the makeup variety.  But you already knew that, right?  So, without further delay, let me show you some of items that caught my eye, but haven't quite made the trip home with me yet.

First off, Black Radiance has some new eyeshadow palettes that look quite promising.  For those that aren't familiar, Black Radiance is a cosmetic line produced under the Markwins banner - the same company that also produces drugstore fave Wet 'n' Wild.  I'm very tempted to give two of their shadow trios a try, but just haven't pulled the trigger yet since even some of the newest Wet 'n' Wild palettes have been questionable and less than par.  Plus, although pretty, the color combos aren't all that unique enough to me to warrant a purchase.

 
Now, my eyes fix on this highlighter every time I pass by a Revlon display and I'll admit, yes, partly because it's pink.  However, part of its allure can also be found in the name itself - Rose Glow.  I think this would be a decent highlighter for a wide variety of skin tones, but just haven't rolled the dice yet on it.  This one's a strong "perhaps", though...

And then there's the Revlon cream blushes that I absolutely was floored to see when I saw them.  Unapologetically bright in retina bursting shades of fuchsia (Flushed) and orange (Coral Reef), these babies are definitely high on my "must-try", "must-have" and just about every other "must-" list I've composed.  I honestly can't answer why I haven't copped them yet.  Nope, I have no logical answer at all.  But I have a strong feeling that I will be correcting that wrong very soon...

Finally, there's the Flawless Eyeshadow quads from e.l.f.  Now, you guys already know that I'm not a true fan of e.l.f. products, but these looked interesting enough to at least take a gander through the menu of palettes being offered under the Flawless shadow line.  And they didn't look too shabby, either.

So, there you have it - some of the drugstore fare I've been eyeballin' as of late.  I really haven't been excited by a whole lot recently as far as new makeup products go, but these have piqued my curiosity a bit.  If any of you guys have tried any of the products listed, please feel free to let me know your take on them and how you fared.  As for me, I'll be mulling over this list to see what (if anything) makes the cut.

Anywho, here's to everyone having a splendiferous weekend!  Please be safe and enjoy!

Lavender On Ice

Hey, guys!  How was your Labor Day weekend?  Mine was pretty chill.  My summer overall has been good, but I think I'm ready for the weather change and the cooler color palette that traditionally comes with it.  I'm pulling out my taupes and putting my grays and silvers on standby, including this nuanced number from Inglot that I've barely put a dent in.  I'm thinking of composing a slightly avant-garde look with it to rock this weekend, but we shall see.  In the meantime, I'd love to shoot the breeze with you a bit and chat about the shadow that's currently garnered my attention: Inglot's #420.

#420 is an unmistakable purply-silver that hails from Inglot's Freedom System lineup of single eyeshadows.  Much like its shadowy cohorts, it is buttery soft to the touch and potently pigmented - yielding ample color in every swatch with hardly any effort.  It performs well on the eye, lasting all day on me with a primer underneath, and has a pearl finish.

OK, so did I mention that I was gonna try and concoct something "interesting" as far as a look goes with this shadow?  I dunno; I think I'm just in one of my moods, you know?  But we shall see.  I've been inspired composition-wise by a few looks that I've seen online, however, some of them look like they require quite a bit of time and I'm not ready to devote all that right now.  But like I said, we shall see.

I mean, who knows?  I may come in here on my next post and eye-strut like a newly crowned peacock bedecked in purply-silver and whatever other color tickles my fancy.  Eh, but I don't know.  I'm not quite sure yet. 

But, hey... We.  Shall.  See.

Inglot #420 is available at Inglot boutique stores and select Macy's, and retails for $7.

Dangerous Lady

Summer is quickly reaching its sunset, I know.  But seeing that I do not subscribe to seasonal dictates when it comes to a lot of things, especially makeup, I just could not resist taking a walk on the wild side and copping this beauty during my last trip to MAC.  She's bold, she's beautiful and definitely a shade to be reckoned with.  She's MAC's Lady Danger and -  if you have a moment to spare - I'd love to tell you a little bit about her.

Lady Danger is described as a "vivid, bright coral-red" and is part of MAC's permanent lineup of lipsticks.  It is a glorious orange-red that glides on the lips during application and feels comfortably soft and non-drying in spite of it being a matte.  Lady is laced with a light vanilla scent, which is signature to all of MAC's lipsticks, and wore well all day on me without budging or much fading even after eating.  #LOVE!

 

So, there you have it -  the latest addition to my orange/red collection of lippies.  I really do find wearing lively shades such as this so much fun and an instant mood booster to boot.  It's a sure-fire ticket to getting noticed while shaking off the doldrums of "everyday" makeup.   And I'll be rockin' this summer-worthy shade all throughout the fall and well into winter.  But you already knew that, right?  Right.

Yep, there's no need in me playing it safe with Lady Danger.  It's an ab fab lipstick that can solidly saunter through a myriad of seasons and I'm simply thrilled to have finally gotten my mitts on this lovely lass.

MAC Lady Danger is available at Macy's, Nordstrom and MAC boutique stores, and retails for $16.

Fancy Pants

Stepping up my undergarment game has been the sheer pursuit of pretty from the inside out.  Having already upgraded the top half, I decided to give the bottom half the same attention and treat myself to a pair of pretty pants.  Oh, I have plenty of panties of the cotton variety and other fabric persuasions, but nothing that would qualify as lingerie.  And so I decided to indulge.  (Hey, I was long overdue!)  I only bought two, though.  No big whoop.  But I still wanted to share.  So if you care to hear about the unmentionables I bought, I'd love to show 'n' tell you a little bit about the Rive Gauche Bikini by Chantelle.

Lavished in a delicate lace that fully adorns the front as well as a peek-a-boo panel in the back, the Rive Gauche Bikini is a gorgeous underpinning that adeptly serves up a well-balanced mix of both sexy and sweet.  In addition to its feminine frills, it also dons a petite bow with contrasting stitching on the waistband and a modesty pane underneath the lace to keep everything "undercover".  I found the fit to be very comfortable with no ride-ups or bunching to report.  In fact, I found the pair of panties so nice, I did it twice and bought one in the color Cappuccino and one in Deep Blue!  #WINNING!

So, there you have it - my brand new undercover cover-ups.  They're lacy, they're lovely... they're a bit of luxury for your bum.  And I'm lovin' them!  There's just something about the purchasing and wearing of new undies that makes you feel like a revamped woman.  I feel incredible.  New garments, new outlook, a new ME.  

Yep.  Just call me Ms. Fancy Pants.  Go ahead.  You have my permission...

Chantelle Intimates Rive Gauche Bikini is available at Nordstrom and retails for $32.

A New Search

A new city, a new search... fueled by a renewed motivation.  I've been a little more than preoccupied with finding a new residence so I continued my search and took a viewing of a townhouse, which was somewhat of a departure space-wise from the other units I had seen thus far due to the two-car garage affixed to the rear of the home.

The entrance/exit to the garage was right off the kitchen, which was filled with black appliances and tile flooring that was independent of the laminated wood that covered the rest of the downstairs living space.

Adjacent to the kitchen - and under the stairs - was a small, unadorned cubby that could be used as extra storage.

Upstairs, separated by the guest bathroom and a laundry nook in the hallway, was the master and second bedroom.  Both were nicely sized, had carpet flooring and both were equipped with walk-in closets with the master laying claim to the more generously sized of the two.

(Second bedroom)

(Second bedroom's closet)

(Master bedroom)

(Master bedroom's closet)

And so what's my verdict, you ask?  Well, the jury's still out on this one.  It's an overall nice size, has great closet space and the garage is a sure fire bonus... but something's missing.  I'm not quite sure what it is...  Perhaps it's the elusive "IT" factor I've been on the hunt for ever since the beginning of my search?  Maybe.  I mean, this unit was decent, but I dunno.  I'm not quite sure this is the "one", you know?

I feel encouraged, though, which is quite a 180 from my last apartment hunt post.  Some other things that I've been waiting on have finally settled in so I'm riding that wave of momentum all the way through the rest of my search, which I know is ending soon.

A new city, a new search... fueled by a renewed motivation.  I can see the finish line just on the horizon.   Things are coming together, y'all.  Slowly, but surely... things are finally coming together.