Product Review: Zoya Nail Polish (Pandora)

I was first introduced to Zoya nail polish in my Birchbox (see My Favorite Things: July 2011 post) where I received a sample size of the polish in the color Pandora.  Zoya (Pandora) is a high quality polish that goes on opaque after one or two layers and has quite a bit of staying power.  I did a quick polish on my nails and the color lasted with very little nail prep and no top coat for about a week.  Impressive, for someone who washes their hands frequently!

My only qualm with the polish was that the color was not complimentary to my skintone.  I have an olive complexion and the nude/pink shade of the polish made my hands look dead because they were so similar in color.  Pandora would probably look best on lighter or darker complexions, but I highly recommend the brand.

Zoya nail polish can be purchased online, at Ulta, and other retailers.  Remember to use your points and coupons when purchasing at Ulta!

Freckled Face DIY Adventures: Cupcake Onesies

So, my closest friends know that I am a Martha Stewart wannabe.  I make pillows, baby blankets, reupholster chairs, repaint and repurpose items and have been known to make jewelry.  In this week’s episode of the Freckled Face DIY Adventures I take on creating my very own cupcake onesies for a baby shower I am scheduled to attend in a few weeks. 

I have never made this type of gift before and must say that I hate to toot my own horn, but this project came out way better than expected.  So, TOOT, TOOT and BEEP, BEEP!

Here is what I started with.


5 - Baby Onesies
3 - Baby Bibs
4 - Hair Barrettes

And this is the finished product. 

Tell me what you think?  Do you like this baby shower gift?

My Favorite Things (July 2011): Birchbox – Cynthia Rowley Edition

After seeing videos and hearing rave reviews on YouTube about Birchbox, I recently became a subscriber to the monthly subscription service.  According to their website “Birchbox delivers the best products and the best insider secrets, without any fuss. Every month Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products”.  Sounds interesting, huh!

I have always been a child at heart when it comes to getting things in the mail, and I’m not talking junk or unsolicited mail.  I’m talking an occasional care package from mom, or an unexpected “Thank You” card or gift from a friend.  Those things make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  My Birchbox subscription is no different and has me running to the mailbox daily to see if my package of pamper me goodness has arrived.  Very exciting!

The beauty of Birchbox is that you can purchase a box monthly at $10/month, or you can sign-up for a yearly subscription for $110/year), similar to a magazine subscription.

Each Birchbox is tailored to you and is based on a survey you complete when you register for the service.  This month’s Birchbox was a culmination of Cynthia Rowley favs.  Here is what my first package contained:

Redken Shine Flash 02 Glistening Mist
Philosophy® Purity Made Simple™ One-Step Facial Cleanser - 16 oz
YBF Beauty Automatic Universal Taupe Eyebrow Pencil
Zoya Touch Collection

You can subscribe to Birchbox at www.birchbox.com. 

My Favorite Things (June 2011): Hanging Beverage Tags



Image courtesy of Sur La Table



I am loving hanging beverage tags! 

These tags can easily spice up your beverage station with their modern and classy appeal.  They are much more than form, allowing you to elegantly display the names of your cocktails, infusions and potions, while cutting down on overwhelming questions of “what’s in the jar”.

Hanging beverage tags come in a variety of styles and shapes.  Below are some of my favorites.



Image courtesy of Crate and Barrel



Image courtesy of Crate and Barrel





Image courtesy of Sur La Table

Jazz up your summer celebrations with these cute, yet functional finds.


Websites (Sur La Table, Crate and Barrel )

What’s the Fascination with Fascinators?



Image courtesy of fashionshoppings.com

 



Kate Middleton has definitely brought plenty of attention to fascinators through her trendsetting wardrobe and royal wedding.  For those of you who have been living under a rock and haven’t a clue as to what a fascinator is, a fascinator is a headpiece that is commonly made with sinamay, feathers, flowers, veiling, grosgrain, Swarovski crystals and/or beads, to name a few.  The materials used to make fascinators are endless.  The hair accessory is typically affixed to the head with either a comb, clip or headband and are a trendy and very modern replacement for a hat. 

Since going natural, I have decided that fascinators were my headpiece of choice.  Most importantly, due to the bulkiness and thickness of my hair, which usually makes for a tug-of-war for me with most hats.  For someone with my dilemma (thick hair), fascinators are the perfect choice with their ease of use and one size fit all design. 

Most likely, many of us will not be attending any royal weddings anytime soon; at least not of Will and Kate proportions, so where can we common folk wear such fancy hat pieces?  My recommendations are to have fun with this trend, that I think will be around for a long time to come, and don them to church (at least a fascinator is more visual eye candy than those big bothersome church hats we all hate to sit behind), to brunches, weddings (but, try not to upstage the bride by bringing all the attention to the contraption on your head), the Kentucky Derby, Prom and many other events where headpieces would have proper place.  Some fascinators are toned down enough that they can even be worn to work.



Image courtesy of http://carolinepaige.tumblr.com/


Fascinators can be found all over the place these days and can get rather pricey, but don’t fret, there are economical options out there for you frugalistas!  Here are a few sites that offer these trendy pieces at affordable prices, or, you can  try making your own creation:

Hats by Cressida - Etsy

Fascinators NYC - Fascinators NYC

DIY: Fashion Indie

Image courtesy of media.onsugar.com





Fascinators are fun accent pieces that come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and styles and can be as conservative or outlandish as you prefer, so make a fashion statement, represent your personality and fascinate with your fascinator!

Product Review: Shea Moisture Hair Products

I am a huge fan of quite a few video bloggers on You Tube in an effort to try to understand, tame and maintain my natural hair.  I have been natural since December 31, 2009 after transitioning from relaxed to natural for about a year.  MsVaughn, who I follow on You Tube, advertised that Walgreens had a BOGO on their Shea Moisture products, so I thought I would try them all, since I was essentially getting them for half price, plus I am a self-professed hair product junkie.  Yes, I can admit it!

I purchased the Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus line and the Raw Shea Butter line.

I first tried the Coconut & Hibiscus line, which consists of the Brilliant Curl Shampoo, Curl & Style Milk, Hold & Shine Mist and Curl Enhancing Smoothie.  The shampoo was very thick and luxurious feeling and I liked the way it suds’d up, however, it left my hair feeling a bit dry, but not quite straw-like, just not moisturized.  The Curl & Style Milk didn’t give me the slip that I look for in my conditioners and I found it hard to detangle my hair, which usually detangles easily with other conditioners in my rotation.  No matter how much conditioner I used, my hair was still left with tangles that were difficult to tame.  I used the Curl Enhancing Smoothie as a moisturizer under my hair gel and found that my hair seemed to be moisturized and soft. 

The verdict: NOT impressed with the Coconut & Hibiscus line.  In fact, so unimpressed that I didn’t even try the Raw Shea Butter line and returned them all back to Walgreens.  I did keep the Curl Enhancing Smoothie because it does moisturize and I kept the Hold & Shine Mist, to use as a refresher. 

Remember that in this natural hair game, no one head of hair is created equal, so find what works for you.

Old Folks Say the End Time is Near!

North Carolina experienced one of the most catastrophic disasters in years on Saturday, April 16^th 2011 as several tornadoes touched down all over the state.  When people say that God protects babies and fools, I can attest to that!  That very day I was oblivious to the onslaught of a natural disaster in my very own back yard.  I started my day by going to the gym and should have known something bad was in the works when the skies were gray, clouds were moving fast against the sky and I almost broke my wrist opening the door to the gym from a strong gust of wind throwing the door open like a rag doll as I clutched the handle.  After my workout I then proceeded to perform my weekend chores of washing and folding clothes, washing my hair and I even decided to cook a meal; which I can’t recall the last time I had done.

Around 4ish I received a phone call asking if I was alright, still oblivious that tornados had advanced in the area, I replied “Fine” and didn’t think anymore of the question.  I then received another phone call and then another inquiring about my safety; it was then that I realized that I, and my neighbors, had been spared by the wrath of nature.  When I turned on the TV I was shocked by the devastation only a few miles away and tried to recall those near and dear to me who may have been in the monster’s path.  All of my close family, friends and co-workers were safe, though some experienced significant damage to their homes and other property.  Thank GOD they were alive!  Some weren’t so lucky and my heart and prayers go out to the victims and their loved ones.

Ya’ll these are “end times” as the old folks say, so it’s time to square up with the creator and get your soul right.  I’d rather do it now when I have a choice of kneeling on my own rather than being forced to my knees in desperation.  Will you heed the signs that are all around you?  End times are near!