In my continuing topic of shoes...

Scouring the internet to find good deals on shoes I find myself "googling" like my life depended on it.  I have come across so many other blogs obsessing about their love of shoes.  While I am admittedly am one of those women who has a constant love affair with footwear and an unhealthy (albeit controlled) addiction to expensive footwear, I still can't help but wonder.  Are we all that crazy?

Crazy over something that adorns our feet? Where does the obsession come from? Undoubtedly, I would think some fault lies with mainstream media...I would love to meet a woman who had not heard or likened herself to the antics and shopping addictions of Carrie Bradshaw.  We all swooned over the Manolo Blahnik "Something Blue" heel from the movie. (I am still swooning..and obsessing...and saving my pennies...and scouring for maybe a consigned pair somewhere...*ahem* but I digress).  Are we misplacing feelings that should maybe go elsewhere...into shoes? I mean Carrie had love problems for the entire series of Sex and the City but rest assured the one constant in her life was her shoes (and probably her credit card debt)...

I am not casting judgement on us shoe obsessed gals, because I will defend, as Carrie Bradshaw so gracefully put it, "a woman's right to shoes".  What else can we count on, but the beautiful shoes on our feet.  Do you think the media plays on our vulnerability of shoe love?  I mean...when the SATC movie came out, the "Something Blue" shoes were stated as being $525...but when they hit stores, they went to $925...and still all these years later are still that high in price... and we flocked to purchase them...Are we that easy?

I have done some research and read some articles and have now learned that the love of shoes actually has some historical and even scientific justification...I will not bore you with the history or science details, but I encourage you to research it.   It might help with any guilt feelings lingering after purchasing that last pair of shoes... But it is a true love story with women and shoes and it usually has a happy ending.  We find excitement and joy with a new pair of shoes...the smell of leather and the feeling of almost power with those stilettos on your feet...and the branding geniuses behind the footwear companies know this...They know the "high" that is achieved when we buy shoes...and why not bank on that right? 

I will continue to buy and obsess over shoes and whenever my bank account can afford it, will give into the temptations of designer footwear...

COLORFUL SHOES

Keeping on the same topic of shoes, I have been holding on to these beautiful sandals by Zara and have yet to break them out.  Well I finally did!  I paired with a pair of silk-ish skinny leg pants I found on clearance at GAP and a white sleeveless blouse and a skinny leopard print belt I thrifted. 

Shoes make me happy! lol! :)

Sunglassess

I find the choice of sunglasses to be a bit overwhelming.  So many choices and options and colors and lenses...

But my absolute favorite that I think everyone should have are the aviator!

Many brands make the aviator in different sizes to fit different face shapes.  I am partial to the classic Ray Ban aviator...But you should play around with the brands to find the perfect fit for your face!








Celebrities rock them all the time! They can be casual or glam, but look effortlessly chic! I just love them!

Then there is me...lol! Just being silly in my aviators! 

 What is your sunglass style? :)

What my foot wants...

So my mind has been filled with shoes lately...so I have now tried to narrow down my shoe wants!

While my lust (borderline unhealthy obsession) over the Carrie Bradshaw Something Blue shoe contniues, some realistic options I am considering:

Loving this DV by Dolce Vita Peep Toe Booties-makes for a good season transition shoe.

 

I am a bit on the fence about these, but considering them enough to post them.  I really love a good cage/gladiator shoe and for the price (they are from F21) I think this would be a good option!  

Really hope these land on my feet sometime soon!  :) 

Alex and Ani

The more I read over my past posts, the more I realize that I actually have a lot of obsessions! haha!

Another one to add to the list that I would like to share is my love affair with Alex and Ani bracelets.  If you have not heard of them or purchased any, I implore you to do so because they are amazing and tell such a great story.  I love that each bracelet has meaning and can be personalized to your style.  They come in so many colors, varieties, patterns, textures, etc. etc.

Admittedly my collection keeps growing because everytime I step into a store I walk out with at least three bracelets.  And the best part is that they are VERY reasonably priced! They start at $28!!!

They can be stacked and layered with an over sized watch!

Check them out, but I cannot be held responsible for inevitable addiction to these bracelets.

Beauty Picks

I told a little lie...I had said in a previous post that I only splurge on shoes...well, I also splurge on some beauty...mostly foundations and powders.  My go-to make-up brands are:

• Make-up Forever
• Chanel
• Bobbi Brown
• Benefit

Here are some of the staples that live in my make-up bag and some of the items I might recommend:

CONCEALER

I rarely go anywhere without it and I am really loving the Chanel concealer:

However, I also really like the Bobbi Brown concealer, especially that this has a setting powder, which is great for oily skin.

MASCARA

I admittedly have an obsession with mascara and finding the perfect mascara.  I have landed on a few that really love (for the time being at least..lol) One is even an over the counter brand that I actually have been very loyal to for awhile.

Maybelline is a great OTC mascara brand!

Chanel Le Volume:

Benefit They're Real!

FOUNDATION:

This is my recommendation for a foundation if you tend to be oily.  I use this foundation especially in the summer and then put a few dabs of powder over it.  It is a very matte foundation and can appear a bit dry during winter months.  So during winter months I will mix the foundation with my moisturizer and then dab some powder over it!

Make-up Forever

POWDER

Powder along with concealer I cannot live with out. Again, I have a few that I go between

Make-up Forever HD Powder.  This is loose, sheer powder that I use for setting when I know I don't need any additional color...good when I mix my foundation with my moisturizer to then set and matte a bit.

Chanel Double Perfection Powder.  I like this powder because it actually has enough pigment to use as a foundation.  You can wet your brush, dip into the powder and it becomes a great foundation,but then you can use for touch-up throughout the day with the included sponge in the compact.

Below is Chanel's newest launch called Les Beiges.  It is a sheer, finely milled compact powder that has a hint of color.  It is supposed to give a subtle (not sparkly) glow.  I was given a sample and I really liked it and am now contemplating pulling the trigger and purchasing it.

Hope this helps! :)

A Beautiful Walk

I like to think I can stretch a dollar when I buy or put together an outfit.  I thrift like its my job and I bargain hunt like I am a predator after her prey! HOWEVER, if anyone knows me,  I suffer from a condition known as the "Carrie Bradshaw Syndome" (and yes, I just made that up as I was writing this)....but it is a real condition to me...I will spend money on shoes!

I have obsessed over these shoes for many years...and now I want to pull the trigger on them! But as what happened with my last pair of designer shoes I bought, the buyers remorse is already setting in (and I haven't even purchased these yet!!!)

My frugal habits kick in and I will first comb through ebay and other second hand websites to see if there are any used pairs in my size out there for sale, but if that doesn't work, I might starve, freelance, sell clothing items, etc to get these shoes.  A good pair of shoes are totally worth it (at least that is what I tell myself!)

Stripes

I don't know if it's an "official" trend, but I certainly am seeing a lot of stripes just about everywhere!  For the faint at heart when it comes to patterns (I am one of those people), stripes are a safe option.  They are not over the top or obnoxious or too LOUD.  It is a classic pattern...and they are so much fun to pair with fun colors....

But look so great with classic black (or denim!)...

As with all fashion, this trend comes in all shapes, styles, and price....below are a few great (in-expensive) options! Click on the image to to be directed to site...

Lashes Part 2

I have posted about lashes before, but I would like to make an addendum as my eyes have recently been opened (no pun intended...well maybe pun intended..lol) to my new obsession regarding lashes.

Let me preface by saying that I am not typically a false lash kind of gal.  I think most look false and that is not the look I am going for...All I want it to my eyelashes to look full(er).  In comes the Ardell accent lashes..specifically the Ardell 318.  I have used other Ardell accent lashes, but these are the most natural looking as the lahes sort of cross cross over each other.  I must also state that while I sweat by the DUO dark tone lash glue (since I have dark lashes), the clear glue works just as well!

Please excuse my unkempt eyebrows, but below is what the accent lashes end up looking like. You have a slight winged out effect and lashes look much fuller.  This is just my everyday look, but I have paired this with a dramatic smokey eye (which I learned from this great you tube video...) and it really looked amazing!!! 

The only problem I have found, however, is that these are sometimes hard to find.  I can only imagine that Sally will end up carrying them, but to date, I have not seen them at Sally's. Where I have found them (of all places) is in the beauty aisles at Bed Bath and Beyond.  However, where I get them at a really good price is online here.  I would recommend buying more than one pair and this site is always offering coupon codes.  Furthermore, since I am frugal gal, I have re-use my lashes.  With proper care and cleaning, they can last awhile.  Check out You Tube for some tutorials on cleaning false lashes! Hope you enjoy them as much as I do! :)

Sunday Funday at the Farmers Market

So I have been spending most of my time in Florida lately (the only good thing that has come from being unemployed) as this is where my boyfriend lives during the winter months.  This particular Sunday, I wanted to be productive and made my way to the local Farmers market....and I was very pleasantly surprised!  It was such a beautiful day here that I could not have picked a better Sunday Funday for me! :)  Just look at that bright blue sky...

 

I really like to cook and love finding new and interesting spices to make marinades, dressing, etc. Check these unique blends! Cant wait to try them! And how can you leave a Farmers Market without some fresh local produce...and so cheap too! mmmmm...can't wait to make some homemade guacamole with those Avocados! 

One of my favorite condiments is honey....I love it in tea, to use to make glazes, to caramelize, etc. But I am kind of a snob, because ever since I tried raw honey, store bought honey....just tastes...well...store bought!  But, in my honey snobiness, I also have come to love raw honeycomb!  Beware how sweet it is though...and how addicting it is! I really love to spread on a green granny smith apple and the tart of the apple really compliments the sweetness of the honeycomb.  Great snacking!!! 

Looking forward to my next visit to the Farmers Market! :)