My Christmas Southwest Road trip ****Photo Heavy***

Hello Lovelies,

As you know from my previous post that during the last half of December I spent Road tripping across the Southwest going to California at Texas and back! 

Here are some of the fun and crazy photos I took! 

Enjoy! 

-A

The La Posada Winslow in Winslow, AZ

Blurry a bit, before dinner - Earrings:Charlotte Russe,Necklace:Bebe  Top: Lace T Shirt from Victorias Secret --Sold out; Red Jeans: Genetic (on sale here) Watch: Juicy Couture - Sold Out (similar here)

Necklace: Charlotte Russe 

Necklace: Charlotte Russe, Sweater: Ralph Lauren Supply Co.,(Exact Match on E-Bay) Coat: H&M (Mine is an older version --Similar here)

Downtown Dallas on NYE

On the road to Amarillo 

A Texas Landscape Staple

Famous Cadillac Ranch outside Amarillo 

Best Mexican Food in Tucumcari, NM

Across the street from Del's 

Stilling in the window..... (On Me: Sunglasses: Ray Ban Wayfarers; Sweater: Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply Co. from earlier post - Similar here ) Black Jeans: Express
 Boots: Ugg Ultimate Tall in Black - Sold Out (Similar ones here on eBay)

Rare gem in the desert

Through the Door way and into the past....

This mountain looked like something out of a John Ford Western

At Chaco Culture NP

Classic Route 66 Hotel - Gallup, NM

This says it all.......

At the Grand Canyon.... (Parka: Holilster -Older Version ---Similar one here and here )

Hope you all had an excellent holiday! 

-A

Update!! 2014 -- Happy New Year!!!!

 Hello lovelies, 

I know I haven't posted in quite some time but I must say that I have experienced some personal events that have set me back sort-to-speak. In August of 2013 my mother passed away, unexpectedly I might add. Being so close to her it hit me like a ton of bricks. Needless to say the last 6 months have been trying and emotionally draining. Now that the holidays are behind us, and its a new year I am dedicating myself to moving forward. There is something about an immediate family member death that sorta takes over you. I literately feel like the last six months was yesterday. The pain is still there, it never quite goes away. Now that its a new year I am committed to a "new me". I know my mom would not want me to lose sight of my goals. 

Over the Christmas holiday (I just got back last night)  I spent 2.5 weeks road tripping through the southwest, and the beauty reminded me that life still goes on, its a journey and never know what is around the corner.....

Stay tuned for some photos from my trip, new product reviews and new fashion ideas/tips for 2014! 




Kisses,
-A

Manicure Monday: Budget Dupe For Chanel's Fall 2013 Nail Polish Look

Hello Lovelies!

Here is a look at my budget version of the two new Chanel Nail Polishes. I am using Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure in Sequin Scandal.

Personally I believe this shade is mixture of the two green based polishes. The Chanel polish in Mysterious is a dark cream that doesn't have the shine and the other polish Alchimie is much lighter but has the shine. So my look is more of a combo of what the two may look like if mixed!

Enjoy!!

-A

Manicure Monday - updated Nails! Vintage Red & Black

Hello Lovelies!!

Here is a look at my vintage nails, I did them on Monday 07.16.13, but I just now got around to posting pics.

It's a modern take on vintage nails. 

I used Revlon Red, with a matte black (from my previous look last week) with Sally Hansen's Hidden Treasure on top. It gave the nails a very unique fiery copper glaze that looks amazing in sunlight!! 

I tried to capture it indoors but the photos doesn't do it any justice!!

Enjoy!! 

-A 

Photos:

 

Vintage Blog --> 1920s look of the day!

Over on my vintage blog I have posted my take on the 1920s smokey "flapper" look.

Check it out ➡⬇

http://avintagedollinthedesert.blogspot.com/2013/07/vintage-1920s-look-of-day.html?m=1

Enjoy!

-A

Manicure Monday: Matte & Textured

Here is a look at my nails for this week! 

I used orly matte black (vinyl), Nicole by OPI Gumdrops in I Lilac (textured), Nicole by OPI clear coat, China Glaze in Something Sweet (baby Pink) & Sinful Colors in White. 

See Photos:

Enjoy!

-A

Summer 2013 Update! What I have been doing!!!!

Hello lovelies,

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to blogging regularly! Summer has been so busy so far! Here are some updates via my Instagram photo collage ;-)

Enjoy and happy summer!!

-A

Above photo June 30

Summer sunset look from last week.

My first Fourth of July Nails (I have since updated them a bit..I will post a pic along with my Fourth of July pics/outfit post)

My first stab at the claws! It was a gold and orange look that went with my MAC Neon orange Lipstick (see below photo)

 See above for info ;-)

One of my birthday presents and summer safari look, inspired by my favorite TOWIE doll, Ms Lucy Mecklenburg'a Marbella blue outfit  ;-) below is a close up photo of my look:

Manicure Monday: Tangerine Gumdrops

Hello Lovelies!

As requested on twitter... (Follow me over here <-----)

Here is a look at the polish I purchased Sunday!

Enjoy!

-A

Sephora & Rite Aid Haul

Hello Lovelies,

Today I wanted to share with you my Sephora and Rite Aid Haul from earlier today. 
First up from Sephora:
Fresh's Sugar Kisses Lip Duo
YSL Golden Gloss in #30 
NARS Creamy Concealer in Honey
Caudalie Premier Cru -- The Eye Cream Mini Size


Now for Rite Aid:
Revlon Photo Ready Eyeshadow Compact in #501 - Metropolitan
L'Oreal Visible Lift Repair Anti-Aging Foundation in #133 Natural Beige
Julie G Cosmetics -- Textured Polish ( from the Gumdrops Collection) in Tangerine Dream


Below are the shots of the haul:

Above Photos  the Nail polish first with flash and then without flash 

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Below: Is the comparison between the L'Oreal Foundation I just bought along with my MAC & MUEF foundations.

ABOVE PHOTO IS WITH FLASH
Left to right: MAC Matchmaster in 3.0, L'Oreal Visible Lift and Repair Foundation in Natural Beige,  L'Oreal True Match Lumi in N5, MUFE in 160 Golden.
ABOVE The New L'Oreal Foundation  is MAC Studio Fix in NW30 

THE ABOVE PHOTO IS WITHOUT FLASH
Left to right: MAC Matchmaster in 3.0, L'Oreal Visible Lift and Repair Foundation in Natural Beige,  L'Oreal True Match Lumi in N5, MUFE in 160 Golden.
ABOVE The New L'Oreal Foundation  is MAC Studio Fix in NW30 


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It appears that the  L'Oreal Visible Lift and Repair Foundation in Natural Beige and my MAC Studio Fix in NW30  look similar in normal indoor lighting.

Now I want to note that I never wear one foundation, I am always mixing them to get the right finish and coverage.



Enjoy!

-A

Manicure Monday! Brights, Pastels & Tribal Art

Hello lovelies

Today I am sharing my attempt at Nail art ;-) hope you all enjoy!

-A

Tutorial How To: My Voluminous Curls and My Signature Dark Smoky Eye

Hello Lovelies,

I though that I would share a how-to today. Here is one way to achieve my signature voluminous hair & my signature (favorite) smoky eye  ;-)

I get a lot of compliments  on my hair, especially on how I style it. Now I am sharing the three ways I get my signature style. 

Up first one way to achieve very voluminous hair with, and second without heat. 

I have VERY long, and thick hair. Although its layered, it is still very heavy. So getting volume without damaging my processed hair is tricky. 

To get this  curly look, a'la Gretchen Rossi from the RHOC. See below: 

I  typically I use a 1" Chi Iron or my Remington Velvet Hot Rollers with voluminous root spray on the roots. I typically use the CHI Volume Booster Liquid Bodifying Glaze Spray or the TIGI Catwalk Your Highness Root Spray.  Before using heat I always use a heat protectant spray since my hair is processed it is prone to burning easily (but I haven't had this happen yet thank goodness). My favorite to recommend is the CHI Heat Protect Spray or the CHI Thermal Shine Spray I have both which I alternate though.

Another technique I use is with the Velcro Rollers as it is heat free and less abrasive on my color-treated hair. The Velcro rollers come in handy especially when I am pressed for time in the morning. It allows me to get ready and then just spend a few minutes on my hair. 

In this look today I used Velcro rollers and I set them after I blow dried my hair. I sprayed each section with the 24/7 Curls By Curly sexy Hair. You can buy it on Amazon here, I purchased it at my local hair salon.

This stuff is amazing! I never curl my hair anymore without it!! 

I slept with the rollers in for about 6 hours, then I re-shaped them by brushing them out with a round brush. I then sprayed them with L'Oreal Elnet Hairspray for Colored Hair.  
And to give my hair weightless shine I use theSchwarzkopf Osis+ Sparkler Shine Spray which my stylist turned me onto.

See the photos and more after the jump!!

Manicure Monday: Shades of Sorbet inspired by TOWIE

Hello Lovelies,

Inspired by the pretty nails shades I saw on my  new favorite show "The Only Way is Essex". Now for those of you who don't know... Abbreviated as TOWIE, its a UK reality show that absolutely addictive! Since I live in the USA, I can't watch it on its current TV station ITV2, which only airs in the UK. So I went out and found all 7 seasons online and plowed through a really long marathon over my Christmas holiday.  Now the latest season started a few weeks ago and lucky for me I have found a site that airs the episodes about 10 hours after they air in the UK! 

So on the most recent episode  they were getting ready to celebrate St. Patrick's day. The Season 08, Episode 07, from last night had me inspired! 

I love the nails on Gemma Collins, Sam Faiers & Billie Faiers ..I wanted to do a fun, bright, colorful look this week that was inspired by their awesome nails.

Here is a screen shot of their nails: 

Top: Gemma's Nails
Bottom L to R:  Sam's Nails & Billie's Nails

See My results after the jump!!

Manicure Monday: Green nails for St. Patrick's Day

Hello lovelies!

Today I wanted to get a head start on the holiday, St. Patrick's Day. I am sharing my favorite inspired manicure.

I choose an alternate scheme, mint and emerald. I used China Glaze Emerald Sparkle & Jessie Cosmetics in Gelato in Venice!

About two days after I painted my nails, I thought they needed some "umph" so I added some geometric gold nail art to my minty nails! You can see that in my last two photos. For the gold I used Revlon's Gold Coin.

Enjoy!

-A

EOD: Emerald Isle

Hello lovelies,

I was inspired by the new "color of the year" EMERALD!! The Pantone + Sephora collection just came out on Friday & I am in heaven!!! I ordered the eyeliner set mainly because I already have toooo many green eyeshadows & nail polishes!

So I used the MAC from the Dare to Dare collection. It's MAC Sassy grass. I also used a medium brown in the crease with a dark green in between the two!

Enjoy!!

-A