To Shellac or Not to Shellac

Shellac Nails vs. Normal Manicure. Last weekend I had a normal manicure and pedicure. Today I had a shellac manicure done with a similar color to match my pedicure. I am a fan of a normal manicure, mostly because I absolutely love essie nail polishes. I love all the collections and all the super adorable names they give each color "damsel in a dress" "french affair" "a-list" "fun in the gondola" "ballet slippers" "island hoping" "bachelorette bash" and "midnight cami" are just some of my favorites. It’s just very discouraging when two days after I have a  manicure done most of my nails have little chips that only continue to get worse as the week progresses. Then someone invented Shellac Nails, gel nail polish that uses ultra violet light to instantly dry. This manicure last for about a week and a half to two weeks with no chipping. I do my nails every week and most times I do a normal manicure, but when I am traveling I like to do a shellac manicure. This is because packing, airports, lugging luggage around, being in and out of pools and sunbathing plus many other aspects of traveling cause my normal manicure to chip even faster than usual. So do you think you can tell the difference between the shellac manicure and the normal manicure?

Shellac Manicure from Today

Normal Manicure from last week

Day In Day Out

This weekend I will be traveling to New York with one of my closest girlfriends. I love visiting New York! The feeling that you get in this city is unlike any feeling in any other place. Though packing for New York or any other trip, thats a different story. Packing is something that I have never been able to master. Once I was old enough to start traveling by myself, I quickly learned that I am an extreme over packer. I'm the type of person that needs to pack an outfit for every single type of occasion that "might" happen. A picnic outfit just in case, a black tie outfit, just in case I get invited to a gala. Ludicrous right? This results in my suitcases always being overweight, or lugging around two huge bags for let’s say a 5 day trip. Well this had to change and fast. I read manuals from various magazines and online websites such as this (http://www.dailycandy.com/miami/article/102926/How-to-Pack-for-Vacation-Made-Easy) on how to pack efficiently for any trip. That didn’t really work for me. The only solution that I found was making a list. Every time I  travel somewhere I write down exactly what I am going to wear. Friday day time outfit, Friday night time outfit. Then when the time comes to pack up my suitcase I take my list out and start. I try on all the outfits that I put together on my list to make sure I like how everything goes together and just in case I have to make any edits, then I pack it up. This is the only thing that I have found helps me to stay on track and edit my choices.

I’ve been mentally working on my list for this upcoming weekend, but don't have anything written down yet. I plan on packing Thursday night and I already know its going to be a long night! I've saved some of these lists on my computer and came across the one I'm sharing with you today. This list is from when I went to New York last year in October. If you are an over packer like me, maybe a strategy like this can help you.

NYC October 2010 – Columbus Day Weekend

Flight: Gap Jeans & James Perse top, sweater, cashmere pashmina, brown Ralph Lauren riding boots.

Thursday Day: Beige JBrand Jeans with Patterson Top, black booties(?) or brown RL boots
Thursday Night: Pleasure doing business bright blue skirt, Black Top, Prada Heels

Friday Day: “Gwenevere” 7 for all Mankind Dark Blue Jeans with Flower Top and Blue Sweater, black over the knee dolce vita flat boot

Friday Night: Black Dress with Prada Heels, and maybe tights

Saturday Day: Flower Dress with tights, jacket, and black booties

Saturday Night: Franchesca gray low v-neck wrap Dress with Tights, Prada Heels

Food Festival / Flight

Sunday Day: Beige JBrand Jeans with Gypsy 05 Tie-Dye Sweater, laceless slip on keds or brown RL boots

Extras: leggings, juicy outfit, beige button down loose top, two casual day dresses, gray sweater, ivory racer back top, cotton shirts

Target List:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Face wash
Soap
Covergirl eyeliners
(these are my favorite eyeliners, as i shared here: http://verythoughtofyou.blogspot.com/2010/03/where-do-you-go.html)
Contact water

I Love New York

Glee is going to New York City Tonight, I'm going to New York City on Friday is this a weird coincidence? Yea, probably not. Season Finale of Glee is on Tonight. I will awfully miss Glee over the summer, and the only thing that can cheer me up is if Glee wins Nationals tonight. These kids have been through enough disappointment already its time to take home the title of National Champs.



"blame it on the alcohol" photo - one of my favorites from this season
http://truejdee.blogspot.com/2011/02/glee-blame-it-on-alcohol.html

Must Watch Video Sneak Peak for Tonight:
Mash up of "New York New York" "On the Town" & "I Love New York"
http://www.fox.com/glee/videos/952668745001/i-love-new-york







After The Rose - Bachelorette Season 7 Episode 1



photo: http://www.startofrealitytv.com/



Excuse me for being a zombie today! 4 bottles of red, 2 bottles of white, brownies, profiteroles, and six ladies that are some of the bestest friends a girl could ask for all leads to an “amazing” night of bachelorette viewing. What a great night! Watching the bachelorette with your friends is much better and much more fun than watching the bachelorette alone. Wow! The guys! Those are some hotties that abc hooked Ashley up with! There were some duds such as drunken Tim, mask wearing Jeff, and guitar throwing Michael. I must say my selections from yesterday were all hits except for Michael. Ben, both Ryan's, and William all made it past the first round of eliminations and judging from the previews looks like some might go far. Ryan P. even got the first impression rose, which saddened me. I don’t want Ryan P. to end up with Ashley. I was hoping to have a chance to find Ryan P. for myself. William is such a cutie but I can’t get over his job. A cellular phone salesman? Really? The two guys that surprised me the most were JP and West. These guys’ bio pictures are not doing them any justice! JP is beyond HOT, but any guy that is that good looking is only one thing...trouble! West is surprisingly dashing, but his story of finding his girlfriend dead in a bathtub is a little too eerie for me, a little scary I have to say.

Let's get to Bentley! Oh Bentley what is wrong with you? Why would Ashley keep this guy? She already knows he is there with ulterior motives (promoting his company). Girls do love a bad guy, so Ashley keeps Bentley. I'm sure abc is happy about this because Bentley = Drama = Ratings. All of us couldn't help but hear from the previews when later on in the season Bentley tells Ashley "I came on the bachelorette because I thought she was going to be Emily". WOW! this guy is a class act I tell you. I'm sure he's going to have all the girls lining up to date him once the show is over...NOT!

The Fable of the Rose

It’s Finally Here!!! The wait for The Bachelorette is over and today starts a brand spanking new season!!! Yay Yay Yay! The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, & now Bachelor Pad, is my favorite reality TV franchise of all time!!! Yes more than the housewives! The very lucky bachelorette this season is Ashley Herbert. We met the 26 year old dentist from Madawaska, ME when she tried to win over the heart of Bachelor Brad Womack. She lost that battle to the stunningly beautiful and perfect Emily Maynard (can you tell I'm an Emily fan? No one can compete with Em that girl is in a league all of her own). Though Ashley seemed heart broken over her and Brad's last very awkward dates, I am sure the heartbreak didn’t last very long. Especially since shortly after ABC decided they wanted her to be new Bachelorette. Ashley was not one of my favorite girls from the Bachelor, I actually found her to be very annoying like a little fly that won’t stop buzzing around you. I would have much preferred to see any other girl from the Bachelor season be the Bachelorette, even Michelle Money, now that would have been drama filled reality TV. Regardless Ashley got the title and of course I will still watch every single minute.

I especially love The Bachelorette because us girls get to watch a plain jane girl from Madawaska date 25 men. Seriously who gets to do that?!?! In real life maybe a girl will date around 1, 2 tops 3 guys at one time, but Ashley gets 25...all to herself!!! I also love trying to figure out which one of the guys will be left in the 2nd or 3rd to last spot and asked to be the next bachelor. I've gone over the bios and have chosen a couple of favorites for the season. Now, these favorites are being decided by only one picture and three bio questions, so please don’t judge me too harshly.


Ben C. 28yr old Attorney


Michael - 29yr old Technology Salesman


Ryan M. - 27yr old Construction Estimator


Ryan P. - 31yr old Solar Energy Executive


William - 30yr old Cellular Phone Salesman


For complete Bios of all the men competing for Ashely's heart check out abc.com
http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelorette/

More Than You Know

I use to be that girl that spent her Saturdays jumping from mall to mall and boutique to boutique all around town on the hunt for special new pretty shinny things. Somewhere along the line that all changed. Almost to the point that I now experience high anxiety and find it almost unbearable to step foot into a mall. Of course in emergency cases I will run into ONE store get what I need and run out, but for the most part I have completely stopped buying anything at stores. Almost everything I purchase is made through online shopping. I normally keep wish lists on my sites (as I've mentioned before many times I love a good wish list) and once they email a promo code for a sale, I cave and do some serious shopping. Almost always I can find anything that I want at a discounted price online. ALWAYS! I've seen shoes at a store then gone home done a full search online and found the same exact shoes for less money than at the store. That's a Win Win! I've decided to go ahead and share some of my favorites with you today. Sign up for the newsletters, weekly emails, and sale alerts on the sites its the best way to never miss a deal. First are my absolute favorites, then some others I always make sure to visit. Enjoy!

www.shopbop.com - this should come as no surprise as I'm constantly raving about them. I almost always get my orders the next day or day after, the new arrivals go on at least 30% sale very quickly, and the look books are just too much for any fashion lover to handle.

www.forever21.com - especially the love21 and accessories sections. Perfect place for any season essentials that you don't want to splurge on. The accessories section has the cutest trendy jewelry for a price that can’t be beat and the best summer hats.

www.zappos.com - when I started shopping at zappos they carried basic shoes, now they have everything from sneakers to zappos couture that carries high end designer shoes, outdoor necessities, luggage, purses, and clothing. Free shipping and Free return shipping, and the order almost always arrives the next day.

www.endless.com - a great place to also go for shoes, free overnight shipping, free return shipping, and 100% price guarantee.

www.piperlime.com - obsessed with the Rachel Zoe picks section.

www.shopstyle.com - the find it all perfect site. Enter any brand, for example: Marc Jacob lady V bag, and this site will then show you every website online that carries the bag and lets you compare prices, you will be surprised which sties have the best prices. You can also set sale alerts, that email you when your selected items go on sale.

www.nkdesginsonline.com
www.nicdelmar.com
www.revolveclothing.com
www.netaporter.com
www.bluefly.com
www.victoriasecret.com
www.lorisshoes.com
www.intermixonline.com
www.anthropologie.com
www.80spurple.com
www.southmoonunder.com
www.winknyc.com
www.singer22.com
www.bergdorfgoodman.com
www.barneys.com (co-op)
www.shopplanetblue.com

Isn't She Lovely

The 2011 Cannes Film Festival is the most glamorous film festivals of them all. Cannes is the place to be fabulous, luxurious, and classy, it is in France after all. It has been going on for the last week, and i just have to share some of my favorite looks thus far. 

  

I have not been able to get the image of Rachel McAdams in this beautifully elegant Maxine Simoens dress out of my head. So classic and beautiful, as a big Rachel fan I'm very happy to see her back on the scene.

 

Elizabeth Olsen (mary kate & ashley sister) is 1930s perfection in her The Row dress. She is in Cannes debuting her new dark film Martha Marcy May Marlene. Check out the trailer here:

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1493409049/

 

Always the style icon Gwen Stefani looks effortlessly chic in this sparkle catsuit designed by Stella McCartney.

If you told me Penelope Cruz just had a baby there is no way i would believe you, especially after seeing her in this Armani Prive Column dress. This dress might look familiar to you, and that is because it was one of Anne Hathaway's Oscar dresses (minus the sleeves, and in blue).

Uma Thurman is pure elegance in her Versace dress, and right on trend with green emerald chandelier earrings.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

In the next two weeks I will be traveling to New York, I realize that this will be either my fourth or fifth trip this year. I guess I do travel often. Though my mom has been telling me this for years, I guess now is when I really realize it. As usual before any trip I started to think about what I am going to pack, which then lead to thinking about luggage. Ugh luggage! My luggage is so ugly. I have about four mismatched pieces of luggage that I rotate, and I hate all of them. Two large wheeled Kipling duffels that were purchased after college graduation for a trip all around Greece. One medium size (I think that’s 25") Atlantic wheeled upright, and one small Heys 20" carry on upright. It’s kind of embarrassing that none of these match, and yes this does really bother me. It’s about due time to purchase a set of matching, beautiful, grown-up luggage. If you were to ask me what my dream luggage is it’s simple, I've known the answer for years, I just have never been able to spend that amount of money of luggage. Its either Brics or Hartmann two piece luggage set. The perfect combination, one large upright trolley style suitcase that gets checked in size 25" or larger (but no larger than 30"), and a matching duffel with wheels. The matching duffel with wheels is essential because I never ever check in expensive purses, shoes, or jewelry, basically the accessories must all go in the carry on. The larger suitcase is for the essentials such as clothes, a lot of toiletries and makeup, blow dryer, iron, other shoes, and etc. Sadly ill probably have to wait until I can put a Brics or Hartmann set on my wedding registry, but until then I have found an affordable and beautiful compromise. The only question left is... will it sustain my travels? 

Hartmann:
 
Expandable Mobile Traveler $650.00
Mobile Traveler Duffer $475.00
http://www.hartmann.com/default.asp

Brics:

Milano Suitcase $500
Milano Rolling Duffel $400
http://www.macys.com/
http://www.brics.it/index.asp?l=usa&c=usa

London Fog (Most Economical):


Oxford Collection, Expandable Upright $159.99
Oxford Collection, Rolling Club Duffel $109.99
http://www.macys.com/

Midnight in Paris

Regardless of the fact that I can not go to the Cannes Film Festival, i try to keep myself informed with the movies that are debuting and being screened. This particular movie caught my eye for a number of reasons. It's in Paris, It's a Woody Allen Film, and it stars Rachel McAdams (whom I've been in love with since The Notebook). Paris is my favorite city in the world, and i can absolutely relate with the Owen Wilson character loosing himself in the city night after night. Paris is beautiful, charming, enchanting, and magical, you cant help but loose yourself. I truly hope this movie makes it way to the US sooner than later.

Trailer:
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi853581081/

Cast of Midnight in Paris at the Cannes Film Festival

www.popsugar.com

Three Terrific Things

1. A couple of years ago i was enthralled in the Emily Griffin novels Something Borrowed, and and Something Blue. Today is the long awaited release day of the novel turned movie Something Borrowed. Very much looking forward to watching the movie and really hoping it lives up to amazing-ness of the book.

2. Any event that is a Food, Wine & Music Festival is pretty much a good event to me! Saturday My 7 from 4-9:30pm is the Coconut Grove Food, Wine & Music Festival at St Stephen’s Episcopal Church right in the heart of the grove.

http://www.coconutgrovefoodwinemusicfestival.com/index.html

3. Lastly, of course is Mothers Day. Looking forward to spending the day with my mom, doing girl stuff, having a nice lunch together. Making sure she knows how much i love her, appreciate her, and that I wouldn't be the lady i am today if it wasn't because of her <3

Love looks so well on you

Jeans! There is nothing sexier that a girl in a pair of jeans that fits her just perfectly, because of this and many other reasons I simply love Jeans. But my god why is it so hard to find the perfect pair? I am the worst when it comes to buying jeans and being 100% convinced that I love how they look on me, because of this I often get stuck in a jean rut. A jeans rut is when someone finds that perfect brand and that perfect size that fits them so good, they want to buy the jean in every color and style that its made in. Leading to buying the same pair of jean over and over again because you just can’t find anything better. I swear in the last five years I must have bought around 10 pairs of Jbrand Skinny Jeans, if not more. I promise you I am not exaggerating. Last year alone I bought at least 3 that I can think of right now, the classic dark denim, a pair of really soft taupe ones, and a pair of shinny black skinnies, that are perfect for a night out. I have a love affair with Jbrands and I could probably wear just Jbrands, but I wanted to try new styles and new brands. The 70s seem to be everywhere right now, making the wide leg/flair jean the jean to have right now.  I wanted to accomplish this look, but at the same time staying true to my individual style which is ladylike, classic, and preppy. So I began on the quest for the perfect flare jean (but not too bell bottom-ish). I opted to go for white, because there’s something so classic, timeless, and sexy about a perfect pair of white fitting jeans. Initially I really wanted the Jbrand Love Stories, but I had to push myself not to buy another pair of Jbrands. So after trying on many many pairs (isn’t trying on 20 pairs of jeans the most fun!!! yea, right) the winner was a pair of Paige Lou Lou Tulips. Be warned this brand stretches out tremendously so buy the smallest size that you can fit into. At the end of the day, I am really happy with my purchase, and I can’t wait to wear my jeans for the rest of spring and well into summer and fall. I am even considering getting them again in the light denim wash color Paige sells. (oh oh I smell another jean rut coming!)

Paige Lou Lou Tulip

Jbrand Love Story

Next on my list:

Lou Lou Tulip In light denim wash.

http://www.shopbop.com/

http://www.beso.com/

Dream Away - Met Gala

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala a/k/a the met gala was held last night in NYC. The Met Gala is always a favorite event of mine to see who will come wearing what. Known as the event where attendees will take the most risks and love to stand out. There are always those who push the envelope in their fashion choices, and then there are the ones that play it safe, beautiful but safe. I would likely be one of the ones playing it safe, but then again I have never been invited to the Met Gala, maybe one day. The red carpet at this event is bigger than the Oscars, the Golden Globes, and the SAG awards all put together. I for one was glued to my laptop on various sites (mostly popsugar.com) for minute to minute coverage of what everyone was wearing. I highly suggest that next year E! Or Style network or any other channel covers this event live, I am not sure why this has not already happened? If anyone knows the answer please share. Anyways I'm highly anticipating the day I can view the Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty exhibition myself. I am traveling to NYC for Memorial Day weekend and you can pretty much guarantee I will stop by to check it out. Here are some of my favorites from last night, its no surprise to me that three of the five dresses below are strapless. I am a sucker for a princess strapless dress, especially if it has sparkles. Some other trends I saw were long sleeves, bare backs, and bright colors.

Ashley Greene in one of a kind Donna Karen - Perfection!

Diane Kruger & Joshua Jackson - Oh! so Sexy. Diane in Jason Wu

Dakota Fanning out of a fairy tale in Valentino

Sarah Jessica Parker looking effortlessly chic in the man of the hour Alenander McQueen

Liv Tyler in Givency - the pop of yellow is my faovrite part

http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/

Lovely Dressing

(parker dress.miu miu sandals.bebe earrings.forever21 bracelets)



George's

My co-workers plus some friends, and myself headed over to George's restaurant on Sunset for a little bit of a celebration. George's has always been a personal favorite Miami go to restaurant. Starting with his first location in the Grove and then expanding with his second location now on Sunset (also closer to where I live). Besides the delicious french food, the ambiance at George's is really what makes this restaurant stand out amongst the rest.The place to go when you want a Birthday Celebration dinner because through out your dinning experience the lights will be turned down, the disco ball will spin, and the happy birthday sparkler candle will be delivered all around you. Some personal recommendations are the mussels and truffle fries, the duck pizza, and beef carpaccio. Our celebration was a success due to the perfect chilled bottle of french Bordeaux and the great company. Oh! and how could i almost forget, George's personal touch of offering a free glass of champagne to get the party rolling!

charcuterie and aged cheese platter - mixed cold meat and cheese platter
i love how the cutting board is shaped like a little piggy. oink oink
the prosciutto and pate were favorites

http://www.georgesrestaurants.com/