Fashion Hack: What's Your Style of Sexy?

Fashion Hack: What's Your Style of Sexy? 

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

 

With Valentines Day two weeks away, it's either now or never.  The time has come to purchase that one piece of lingerie that will make February 14th - or any other day - a special occasion. 

Instead of giving you a long list of  lingerie recommendations (don't worry, there will be a future article on that coming soon) this time I want to not only make it fun, but super simple and stress-free.  I say "stress free" because with so many different lingerie options to select from , it can get a little over whelming. 

Not this time, though. 

Just in time for Valentine's Day you can take the "What's Your Style of Sexy" quiz featured at True&Co., to find the perfect lingerie to go with your alter ego.  All you have to do is answer a few fun questions and  True&Co. will show you suggested styles based on your quiz results.

Hey..I mentioned this was fun, simple and stress free, right?   I took the quiz and guess who my alter ego is?   Check it out:

Yaaasss! I love this character - she's ballsy, her demeanor oozes confidence and intelligence.

To go along with my new alter ego, Mrs. Smith, these are the style recommendations provided by True&Co:


Gramercy Plus


Tribeca


Christy


Honestly, I cannot pick which style of sexy is my favorite. I love all three styles - I'm purchasing all three this weekend. 

Now, it's your turn.  

Fashion Hack: What's Your Style of Sexy?  

Are you a Katniss, Carrie or Mrs. Smith?  To find out who your alter ego is head on over to True&Co. and take the quiz. 

After you get your quiz results (and after you've purchased your favorite lingerie** ;) ) take a minute to head over to the True&Co. blog - there's a chance for you to win a $2500 shopping spree just in time for Valentine's Day! 

**Shipping deadlines for Valentine's Day are as follows:

Regular Shipping Deadline: 02/04
Two Day Shipping Deadline: 02/10
Overnight Shipping Deadline: 02/14




PS.  Please don't forget to come back to this post and share with me who your sexy alter ego is...I'm dying to know!


photo credit: ohsarahrose via photopin cc

Supercharge Your "Me Moment" With #MullerMoment

SUPERCHARGE YOUR "ME MOMENT" WITH #MULLERMOMENT

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions stated in this article are 100% my very own. #MullerMoment #CollectiveBias

Whether you're a freelancer, student, stay at home mom, career woman or someone who runs their own business, there is no doubting the fact that you work hard - all day - everyday. So, what does every hard-working woman (or man) need on a daily basis? 
 
A "Me.Moment".

As someone who runs their own online business while suffering from anxiety, I can tell you first hand that making a conscious effort to having a "me moment" throughout the day has made a huge difference, not only in my demeanor, but in the way I choose to handle any situation that arises.

For years, my "me moment" consisted of taking a walk or lying down for a nap. These did help me out, but as time moved forward, I have found new ways to supercharge my "me time".

The following are my top three ways I like to supercharge my daily "Me Moments":

1. GRAB A BOOK  

As a child, I would go to the library only to come home with both arms filled with books to read. I can recall staying up until the early hours of the morning reading...and reading. 


But, as I transitioned into adulthood working in the corporate world, reading for pleasure became practically non-existent. This was the case for years - up until now. 


I have made it a personal goal to read for at least 30-45 min every day. Some days it's a struggle, not because I don't have the time, but because I don't want to put the book down!

2. BE ARTISTIC

Every year around school time, I tend to purchase extra boxes of colored pencils, crayons, and markers. My excuse is always the same, "these are the backups..you know..just in case". Not true! The extras are for me. I keep them hidden in our "studio" {aka storage room} along with my favorite coloring books.

On those days when I feel myself over thinking, over analyzing or just in a mental frenzy, I immediately stop what I'm doing, walk downstairs to the studio sit down at the table and color. There's something extremely calming about stroking a colored pencil or crayon onto white paper. Within half an hour or so, my mind has completely slowed down allowing me to regain my focus.

3. SWEET TREAT

One of my favorite sweet treats to indulge in is yogurt. Yogurt is EVERYTHING. There are so many flavors and varieties to choose from, I never get tired of eating it! 

Recently, on a quick shopping trip to Walmart I went to the dairy section looking to purchase some yogurt, I came across the Müller® Ice Cream Inspired Yogurt. 

I picked up three: Raspberry Chocolate Chip, Mint Chocolate Chip and Vanilla Bean. 

*If you are interested in seeing a demo for Müller® Ice Cream Inspired Yogurt , a few select Walmart Supercenters will have one during Feb.5 - 8th.

All three flavors are quite delicious - they taste similar to ice cream but without the guilt.

The thing I appreciate the most is that the yogurt itself is easy to travel with. I've been known to walk around the office/house eating my yogurt for a mid-morning snack or take one with me when working outside of the office.

Sometimes, you can find me sitting on the back deck with my feet up on the bench with a cup of Raspberry Chocolate Chip
Müller® Ice Cream Inspired Yogurt  indulging ..... and loving every second of it.

 

I truly hope that after reading the three simple ways to supercharge your "me moment", you feel inspired to take a little more time off for yourself. I realize at first it can be hard to do however, just like everyone else, you are a person with needs - one of them is dedicating some "me time" to yourself to de-stress, gather your thoughts and just relax.

YOU.DESERVE.IT.

I've shared my favorite "me moment" activities; I would love to hear about yours! Leave a comment below sharing how you like to spend your "me time".

Men’s Shirts: Which Styles Should Be In your Man’s Wardrobe?

Men’s Shirts: Which Styles Should Be In your Man’s Wardrobe?

*This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Earlier this week we shared an article on the LFD LookBook centered on the five button down shirt must have styles every woman should have in their wardrobe. You can read all about it HERE.   As essential as a button down shirt is for us women, when it comes to men’s fashion, a shirt is the one key piece of clothing that can either make a man look polished or completely disheveled.  

Shirts are a foolproof way for a man to reflect his personal style. A quality shirt should be comfortable and can be as basic as a t-shirt or fashionable, elegant and stylish as a button down shirt.  
 

Men’s Shirts: Which Styles Should Be In your Man’s Wardrobe?

1 - DRESS SHIRT  

Whether you (or your man) works in an office or not, there will come a time when a dress shirt is required. There are several types of dress shirts to choose from , but having a few classic white and pinstripe dress shirts is really all your wardrobe needs a classic white dress shirt can be worn to the office, out to dinner or to a special event. 

A white dress shirt can be dressed up when paired with trousers or a suit; or with jeans for a more casual look. Lastly, a white dress shirt can be paired with any colored pants or suits.  

A pinstripe dress shirt is just as versatile as a white shirt and can be matched with several different patterned ties for a trendier look or with a pair of jeans for a more formal / casual look.

Shop: Americano Von End-On-End Stripe 

2 – ALL PURPOSE SHIRT 

 

An all-purpose shirt can be worn to dressy work related events or semi casual affairs. The two shirts that make this category are checkered shirts and linen shirts.  During the last few months the fashion scene has been covered in gingham and plaid patterns.  

A checkered shirt can be worn with a suit and tie outfit meanwhile a checkered flannel shirt is more casual, however either shirt can be toned down or turned up, it all depends on personal style preference.

Shop: Daily Grind Check

For the warmer months, a linen shirt is a man’s BFF. Linen shirts are made of ultra-thin fabric ideal for keeping your body cool from the heat without appearing sloppy or disheveled.

3 – THE ULTIMATE CASUAL SHIRT  

These shirts are not meant to be worn to the office or formal events which is probably why they tend to be among the most popular in any man’s wardrobe. 

At the top of the list for this category is the all famous basic t-shirt. Nothing beats a plain t-shirt for a casual comfortable look. (Let’s revisit the eye candy in the main photo, shall we? Just one more time?) 

Next up is a “fun t-shirt”, or a tee that is covered in a bold pattern or graphic lettering. These are a great way to show others that you (or your man) don’t take yourself that seriously – hence the name “fun t-shirt”.

For the cooler months, a sweatshirt always comes in handy. The warm thick fabric will keep you comfortable and relaxed. 

Shop: Crewman Sweatshirt 

Lastly, every man should have at least one sports jersey in their closet, even if you are not a huge sports fan. A sports jersey is the perfect shirt to wear when you are out with your boys, or when you go to see your favorite sports team play. 

SHOP NOW

Now that you have seen our list of chosen must have men’s shirts, we also wanted to help you find a men’s fashion retailer with high quality clothing options. Unfortunately, our online Boutique (LatinFlava Designs) only carries women’s clothing, but we do work with Bonobos. 

 

Bonobos is a fashion retailer dedicated to helping men look their finest. Both my Husband and I adore their clothing – the quality is just amazing – not to mention they have a wide selection of clothing style options to select from. That’s important because not everyone has the same taste in clothing, right?  

More importantly,  Bonobos has allowed us to share an exclusive special discounted offer just for You, our loyal readers:  

Beginning today, 1/15, take an extra 40%OFF on your online order using code WINTER40 - This exclusive offer expires 1/18/15 at 11:59 PT.  Valid on sale items only. {Yes, you read that right:  you can ONLY use this code on SALE items!}  Offer not valid in-store. Cannot be combined with other offers.

 

So you have the entire weekend to browse bonobos.com and shop this exclusive offer. While you’re there, don’t limit yourself to just shirts – Bonobos has a great selection of accessories, warm jackets, and pants.  

In conclusion, I hope this article dedicated to men’s fashion was helpful to you. As always, if you have a few must have men’s shirt recommendations of your own, leave them in the comments below. I’d love to see them!

18 Best Marsala Eye-Shadows You Need For 2015

18 Best Marsala Eye-Shadows You Need For 2015

Marsala! Marsala! 

A few months ago, Pantone revealed the Color for 2015: Pantone shade Marsala 18-1438, which is a gorgeous earthy wine color. Marsala is definitely a richer color than last year’s Radiant Orchid, however, its wide range of color hues makes it “universally appealing and translates easily to fashion and beauty….." 

According to Pantone, “Marsala is an appealing and sophisticated shade that’s flattering against many skin tones. Marsala pairs exquisitely with monochromatic mixes of peachy pinks, and sparkles against antiqued gold metallics, offering an assortment of lipstick and blush options. Marsala illuminates a range of smoky-neutral color combinations, making it a captivating eye shadow color that can be worn from morning until night. Add an overlay of bronze for a dramatic look that suits any eye color, or use Marsala as a go-to finishing touch on nails.” 

Taking this information into account, there are several different ways to begin incorporating this color into your beauty routine – starting from lipsticks, blushes, eye shadows and of course, nails. 

In today’s article, I have rounded up 18 Marsala hued eye shadows (both single + palettes) as my personal favorites for this year’s color trend. If some of these eye shadow recommendations are missing from your personal makeup stash, just click on the specific eye shadow name to find out where you can purchase it.

Ready to see which eye shadows made the cut? Let’s Go!

18 Best Marsala Eye-Shadows You Need For 2015

 

Box 1. – NYX Hot Single Shadow in “Flustered” + NYX Hot Single Shadow in “Addiction” 

Box 2. – Sephora + Pantone Universe: Facets of Marsala Multi-Finish Eye Palette* + Urban Decay Naked3 

*According to Sephora.com, their Facets palette is “out of stock”, but if you type in your zip code, you’ll have a better chance at finding it in stock at your local Sephora store. (I was able to find it in stock at three different locations in the Columbus area). 

Box 3. – Maybelline Color Tattoo in “Pomegranate Punk 30” 

Box 4. – NARS Matte Eye Shadow in “New York”

Box 5. – LORAC “Unzipped” Palette + MakeupGeek Shadows in “Showtime” {Foiled eye shadow}, “Bitten” and “Burlesque” 

Box 6. – Sigma Eye Shadow Palette in “Warm Neutrals” + Jane Eye Shadow in “Calla Lilly Shimmer” + Stila Eyeshadow Compact in “Twig” 

Box 7. – Make Up Forever Artist Shadow in “D826 – Fig”* + Make Up Forever Artist Shadow in “M846 - Morello Cherry”* 

*According to Sephora.com, both of these Artist shadows are “out of stock”, try looking up your local Sephora store by typing in your zip code. In the event that the local store are out of stock, check amazon or eBay instead. 

Box 7. (cont.) MAKE Matte Finish Eye Shadow in “Claret” + MAC Eye Shadow in “Folie” and “Sketch”


Of course this is a tiny fraction of all the different Marsala hued eye shadows floating around makeup land, but I hope this article was able to give you a few affordable options. Next week I will share my favorite blush and lipsticks that fall into this color trend. 

Are there any other eye shadows you’d like to add? 

Share it in the comments and we’ll add it to the article!

Article Source: Pantone.com 

FTC: Some of the links posted in this article are affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase, I will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!  

Top Hair Trend Predictions for the Red Carpet 2015 by CHI Hair Care

photo credit: salerie via photopin

Top Hair Trend Predictions for the Red Carpet 2015 by Chi Hair Care

As we anxiously wait for the upcoming 2015 Golden Globe Awards this Sunday (Jan.11), waiting to see what the red carpet looks will bring us - from fashion to hair, our curiosity is peaked! Each year, these trends dictate what we will see for the remaining red carpet season. 

With Farouk Systems being one of the leaders in hair care and with a talented team of hair artists creating trends year round, two top educators share their predictions.

#1 - Romantic Soft Waves

Tammy Mixon, Farouk Systems Global Board Artist and lead Hair Artist for Miss Universe, predicts the upcoming award season will showcase soft tousled hair. According to Tammy, “We will see romantic, soft waves with side parts for long and short hair. Also, loosely swept backs coiffures. These looks will help to embellish lace adorned gowns, romantic prints and soft fabrics.”
 

To help achieve these looks, her favorite products to prep a set with are BioSilk Silk Therapy - applied lightly to the mid-shaft and ends. She also uses BioSilk Natural Hold Hairspray, sprayed from the roots to the ends, on each section as its being set. During the comb outs, Tammy recommends to lightly tap BioSilk Volumizing Therapy Texturizing Powder into the roots and mid-shaft to add volume and texture. What about hair color? Tammy sees beautiful blondes, copper reds and pretty pinks making a big statement for hair color.

#2 - Braids

Lorena Garcia, Farouk Systems Creative Artist forecasts braids will be incorporated into many red carpet styles. These will include all types of braided looks -- tight, loose or messy, enlivened by adding an accessory. Along with braids Lorena states, “waves will also dominate the award ceremonies-but will be sleek waves -- nothing messy, as well as straight sleek looks, combed straight back or with a down the center part.”

To achieve these looks, Lorena recommends prepping the hair with CHI Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray as it helps protect the hair against thermal styling heat. To style, she uses CHI Magnified Firm Hold Hairspray and finishes the look with CHI Shine Spray for a polished look that will catch the spotlight. 

Interested in trying out any of the hair care products mentioned in this article?  Shop these items below:

BioSilk Silk Therapy

BioSilk Natural Hold Hairspray

BioSilk Volumizing Therapy Texturizing Powder

CHI Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray

CHI Magnified Firm Hold Hairspray

CHI Shine Spray

Which hair trend prediction are You looking forward to seeing this Red Carpet season?