Prime It – Diorshow Maximizer

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I received a sample of Diorshow Maximizer as a gift with purchase from Sephora, Ulta (or maybe it was even in my Birchbox…). Geez…well, I can’t remember. Anywho – I didn’t go out looking for this product – it found me!

Back in college, I worked at Sephora and remember loving this one mascara that came with a lash primer dior-show-lash-primer(double-sided). Over the years, I began to experiment with other products and left the world of lash primers all together. Having been sneakily reintroduced…I might be back for good.

“Linda, why do you even need a lash primer? That seems pointless.” (Don’t lie, you just asked your computer / phone screen that question.)

The simple answer is:  you might not need it…but you might like it.

For me, Diorshow Maximizer helps my mascara be it’s best. It preps my lashes for the black goo that we, as women, diligently and strategically apply every day. My mascara glides on extra smooth with few to no clumps. It just enhances what my mascara is already doing and allows it to achieve maximum results.

It’s like they are a dynamic duo — Batman & Robin (no explanation needed), Bert & Ernie (Sesame Street) , Serena & Blair (Gossip Girl).

More about Diorshow Maximizer:
The newest addition to the family of legendary Diorshow Mascaras, Diorshow Maximizer Lash Primer Serum instantly primes, plumps, and lengthens lashes with an ultra-light and quick-drying formula. The first “active serum” mascara primer also contains a unique cell-conditioning complex made up of hydrolyzed soy proteins that promote long-term lash growth, strength, and vitality.

Red Hot

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1 / 2  / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11

I have never really been a ‘red’ person. I tend to gravitate towards cooler tones, or traditional neutrals. Perhaps red seemed to scream ‘look at me’ and I preferred to fly a little more under the radar.

I have found myself loving red more these days. I don’t know if it is that I enjoy red’s preppy / classic side, or if I just am appreciating the bold nature of this primary color.

Do you rock the red? If you are like me and are just warming up to this color staple (no pun intended), perhaps one of my finds shown above can help you down the path to redville.

Rock the red people…we all deserve to stand out once in a while!

Happy Father’s Day

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Dad“There’s something like a line of gold thread running through a man’s
words when he talks to his daughter, and gradually over the years it gets
to be long enough for you to pick up in your hands and weave
into a cloth that feels like love itself.”
— John Gregory Brown, Decorations in a Ruined Cemetery, 1994

Summer Silks

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I am a self-proclaimed “scarf-aholic” (there isn’t a support group for us, by the way). If there is a chill in the air, it is safe to bet that I will be accessorizing with a scarf. In summer, this fashion go-to is a little bit trickier due to temperature, but there is a way people…silk scarves!

Silk scarves can be worn a few ways:
(1) – loosely around your neck
(2) – attached to your handbag or summer tote
(3) – as a head wrap or headband

You can be as creative as you like. Bonus = they do travel well and are versatile. So if you are in need of a fun multifunctional accessory, a beautiful silk scarf might be your new best friend.

Here are a few gorgeous finds:

Fav Recipes a la Pinterest

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Pinterest. It is this magical world of ‘awesome things.’ But…it can be overwhelming, too, especially when it comes to the amazing recipes that people put out there. My friend, Lindsey Bliss, is back just in time with some of her favorite Pinterest recipe finds that she has taken the time to create on her own! As the Digital Communications Manager for Residential and Hospitality Services at Michigan State University, Lindsey spends her days tweeting about food trucks, chefs, and lots of great recipes. Check out Lindsey’s Pinterest board (link below) and check out a few of her top recipe picks! Maybe it’s time you skimmed through your own food boards and experimented this summer!

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LINDSEY’S PINTEREST PICKS
This month I want to share a few of my favorite recipes found on Pinterest. I haven’t yet tried everything I pinned (I have 200+ recipes on my board), but I am working on it! These four recipes are truly some of my favorite finds so far!

my fav

Orzo with Caramelized Fall Vegetables and Ginger
This dish is warm and comforting! Perfect for a weeknight dinner, and it holds up awesomely for lunch the next day. I prefer chard over kale in the recipe, but I think you could use any hardy leafy greens you wanted. Be sure to use a good quality Parmesan cheese, too. It really helps to make the dish!

Sweet and Spicy Chicken
I was searching for something that would come close my favorite dish at a local Thai restaurant. This comes close enough, and is a healthier version. I omit the fish sauce and swap the sambal oelek for about two teaspoons of Sriracha. If you are weary of spice, start with a teaspoon and add more as needed. I am a moderate weakling and do just fine with two teaspoons of the Sriracha in the sauce. I like my chicken over white rice. 

Chakra Fruit Salad
The Chakras are the seven main energy centers in the body, starting at the base of your spine and going up to the top of your head. Each Chakra has a corresponding color, and this beautiful fruit salad brings them all together into an edible work of art. I have even made this without the tahini sauce, and it is just as wonderful.

Cheesy Bacon Bombs
So, um, these are insane. It is pretty hard to go wrong with cheese and bacon. The bombs are fun party food, and the perfect accompaniment to your favorite beer! 

What are your favorite Pinterest foodie finds? 

Say It

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Why not say it…on your shirt?

I am enjoying this trend of simple and cool t-shirts, tanks and boyfriend sweatshirts featuring a word or short phrase that can be chic-afied.

There is something so laid back and easy about throwing on one of these tops with a pair of skinnies, heels and a little leather crop jacket. Instant ‘cool’ outfit.

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no source

On Campus: Trends of the Moment (June ’13)

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So, school’s out. Therefore, the title of this post is deceiving…however, I wanted to keep the posts from our three ‘on campus trend’ reporters organized. So, while they might not be ON CAMPUS, Alex, Melissa and Danielle are back with some summer trends for you!

MELISSA’S PICK
J.CREW – 3″ Chino Shorts
Last summer, I purchased a pair of the 3” J.Crew Chino shorts for the first time. Before this purchase I lived in similar shorts from Forever 21. The material of the Forever 21 shorts was much thinner and the quality was incomparable to the J.Crew pair. I lived in the “sea glass” Chino shorts and loved how versatile they were, going from casual to dressy (simply by adding a jacket).

IMG_2469The awesome thing about these shorts is that they are not too expensive. In fact, most solid colors in the Chino Style are usually on sale! I recently returned to J.Crew and purchased a pair in “shocking pink”.  I love mixing preppy with trendy, and these shorts make it super easy. In addition, they are a fun pop of color, which is always a good thing in the summer! I would recommend these classic shorts to any age, since they can be styled in many different ways. J.Crew Chino shorts are my go-to summer short and I do not see that changing.

DANIELLE’S PICK
Summer Hair Trends
It’s not true you know, the saying, “once you go black you never go back”. This time last year I decided I wanted to dye my hair the darkest brown it could be before being named ‘black’. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this black look for a while. But now, I can’t imagine doing it again. I always wished my hair would lighten in the sun, get some natural highlights from spending time outside – but it never did. I decided to take matters into my own hands – or, my stylists’ hands.

ImageThis summer I decided to go down a much different route. Over the past year I’ve gone from black to ombre, to highlights.  As this year of experimenting with hair color would have it – this month I came out of the hair salon much blonder than I went in. Though it took a couple days of ‘shock’ when looking in the mirror and not even recognizing myself, I now love my new blonde-er look – especially for summer. So since I’ve already proven that “once you go black, you never go back” is false – it’s time to decide if “blondes have more fun”.

So whether you’re lucky enough to get something out of adding lemon juice to your hair or if you have to make a trip to the salon; try something new this summer! It’s fun!

ALEX’S PICK
Summer Stripes
This summer, one look I have been sporting is “statement stripes.”  For a while, I steered clear of the stripes in fear they created a more “wide” look.  I’ve quickly learned that simply is not true. Now, I find myself turning to striped tops, dresses, pants, bags and even bracelets.  rwwwtThe stripes add a little extra touch to a simple outfit. And for anyone who knows me, I am a fan of putting together the most basic pieces to form one great outfit. My style is never too flashy and over-the-top, so I find striped pattern pieces as the perfect upgrade to my daily simple outfits.

The best part about stripes is that they are so versatile. This pattern can be worn as the main focus of the outfit. In my picture, I am wearing a striped dress.  Clearly, the stripes have dominated the look.   On the other hand, the stripes can be in a small accessory, such as a handbag, adding small flavor to a more basic look. Overall, statement stripes have taken over my summer wardrobe.  So if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to spice up your summer look, get on the statement stripe bandwagon!

Beach Bags

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So you are ready for the beach / pool…right? Cute bathing suit and cover-up. Sunglasses. Sunscreen. Fav magazine / eReader. Super soft towel (maybe two…one for your head). Summer playlist on your iPod. Icy cold beverage. Flip flops. Chapstick with SPF. Snack (that won’t melt). Hair tie or headband. Etc…

That is a ton of stuff!

Next question – how are you going to get it there?
Really cute beach tote / bag to the rescue!

cn6374331

GAP
$44.95

Hairtastrophe: A True Story

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Hairtastrophe.3964-Swirly-Curls-Bad-Hair-Day

No, it isn’t a “word,” but trust me…it is quite real and extremely traumatic.

This…is the true story of my own…hairtastrophe.

Over a month ago, I started to notice a drastic change in my hair — which, at the time, I swore was some kind of evil karma because I specifically remember feeling rather pleased with the way my hair had been styling as of recent. I must have (terribly) wronged someone or seriously upset the hair gods or something.

IT. WAS. BAD.

The symptoms:
- I wasn’t able to get my hair to lather or fully rinse in the shower
- my hair would take FOREVER to ‘dry’ (and even when it was ‘dry’…it wasn’t)
- felt as if it were coated with lotion or something equally as wrong for your hair
- it would be disgusting to the touch – aka: almost sticky / filmy / gross
- it wouldn’t fully straighten or fully curl (so, yes…I was beautiful)

I immediately contacted my fabulous hair stylist, Anika, and (practically in tears) explained my problem. She immediately instructed me to purchase a clarifying treatment and shampoo. Without seeing my hair, she thought it just might be product build-up from over time. That seemed like a logical explanation…and at this point, I was ready to try anything.

So I did the treatment.
Result: slight improvement but not the miracle that I was hoping for.

I then followed up with the shampoo.
Result: nothing.

Panicked that my hair was forever going to look disgusting, I went to the salon with a hope and a prayer that Anika and Shilo (another fab hair stylist at Salon Domani) would have some genius solution. Shilo probably washed my hair about seven times (God bless her), including the application of a treatment and final wash with a peppermint shampoo (that smelled lovely).

Result: SUCCESS! My hair was cured – and had probably never been cleaner in my entire life.

At this point, we were all convinced that I just needed a SERIOUS clarifying (thanks, Shilo!) and that I would be back to normal.

FALSE.

After a returning from a business trip immediately after that miracle visit to the salon, I took at shower at home and my worst nightmare returned…the disgusting hairtastrophe part 2 happened.

Yes, there were tears. Yes, there was anger thrown at both my husband and dog (because there were around…causalities of proximity and nothing more). Yes, there was utter despair and hopelessness.

Now what?

My last logical explanation was this: It had to be the water.

We live in a normal suburban area where one wouldn’t think that our water would be an issue. Something in the back of my head, however, kept telling me that the water had to be the problem. There was no other option at this point.

So, my wonderful husband (after recovering from my nervous breakdown), dutifully ordered this product saved my hair, and basically my life.

Culligan Filtered Showerhead.c26-B0006VVN1S-1-s

Reduces Chlorine and Scale Buildup for a Softer Shower
The Culligan Level 2 Wall-Mount Showerhead offers a refreshing shower experience by reducing harsh chlorine levels and damaging scale buildup. The filtration system removes up to 99 percent of chlorine, as well as the impurities within water that can damage hair follicles and result in dry, itchy scalp. Additionally, by reducing the amount of scale (a hard, filmy residue created by minerals in water), the showerhead is able to give you more of the hydrating nourishment your skin and scalp need.

That was it. My hair wasn’t immediately back to normal after the first shower, but it was about 70% better than it was prior to the new showerhead. Now that it has been a few hair washes, I am happy to say that my hair is back to normal!

This has been my Hairtastrophe: A True Story.

If you ever find yourself living this horrible reality, don’t foolishly waste your time in panic mode. Question the water. Solve the problem. Save your hair.