September 14, 2012

Vacation, all I ever wanted.

 

Well, we returned from Vieux Fort, St. Lucia a few weeks ago and have been slowly settling back into reality. We had an absolutely FABULOUS time!!! 6 nights and 7 days of pure bliss.

The resort was all-inclusive and our package deal came with a $400 spa credit we more than happily used at the spa for an oceanfront couples massage (divine!!!) and facials. Our days were spent lounging by the pools and beach, sipped on cocktails and lots of champagne, played in the water park, got dressed up for romantic dinners in the evenings… it was simply a week of pure perfection.

I’m already planning our next rendezvous. :) Somewhere exotic is a requirement.

xxoo.

 

June 13, 2012

No dream is too big.

No dream is too big.

June 12, 2012

Resort Style.

Resort Style.

Victoria s Secret underwire bathing suit
$42 - victoriassecret.com

Victoria s secret
$40 - victoriassecret.com

Victoria s Secret beach bikini
$9.99 - victoriassecret.com

Victoria’s Secret wedge shoes
$29 - victoriassecret.com

Robindira Unsworth feather shawl
$60 - robindira.com

Dolce Gabbana beauty product
$89 - sephora.com

June 8, 2012

My resort style.

So, I’m going on vacation in August to St. Lucia and I’m SO excited. I just placed the final order to complete my resort style. Here are the pieces. And the best part, all but the floppy hat are from Victoria’s Secret, which started their semi-annual sale online already (in-store begins Tuesday). Enjoy!

Calvin Klein hat

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June 8, 2012

Cannes Film Festival 65th Anniversary Poster

AFF-22x30.indd

Marilyn Monroe on the official 65th Anniversary poster of the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.

January 4, 2012

The t-strap heel.

Hi, my name is Jessica and I’m addicted to shoes. But every wise girl knows that “the right shoe can change your life.” Just ask Cinderella.

The fact is, sometimes it’s really hard to walk in a single woman’s shoes. That’s why we need really special ones now and then to make the walk a little more fun. ~ Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

The Who What Wear Accessory Report today featured a classic: t-strap heels. Swoon! There is something so girl-next-door sexy about t-strap heels so I’m happy to see them making a come back. Click on the image to read the full story.

Do you own t-strap heels? I only own one pair and I absolutely love them. I think Cinderella would approve.

Sincerely,

A shoe-a-holic

xxoo.

January 3, 2012

Vinyasa Flow.

Last night I treated myself to a Vinyasa Flow class at planBreathe in the NoDa area of Charlotte. It’s a small, intimate yoga (and more) studio. I like that because the instructor has the ability to focus on you personally. They check your form, realign, help you with the pose so you get a deeper stretch. It’s fantastic.

Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured. ~ B.K.S. Iyengar

The purpose of the class was to be open and present in the New Year. Not only to be open and present in your mind, body, and soul during practice but also to be open to new possibilities in your daily life. Taking whatever comes your way and remaining centered so that you can deal cool, calm, and collected.

Basically, remembering how you feel while practicing and returning to that feeling when needed. Letting go of all the worries, quieting the mind, and focusing solely in the moment.

The beauty is that people often come here for the stretch, and leave with a lot more. ~ Liza Ciano

Tonight I plan to attend a Power Yoga class. It’s a little more intense than vinyasa flow but that’s OK. You burn more calories and that’s just fine by me. Especially since it’s freezing, literally, in Charlotte today.

Namaste [nuhm-uh-stey]: The spirit in me respects the spirit in you.

Live beautifully. xxoo.

January 2, 2012

Drink your fruits and veggies.

My boyfriend bought me a juicer from The Sharper Image for Christmas. I was SO excited! I had been wanting one for a while. A green juice was on the top of my list of juices to make. First things first, this is the juicer he got me:

The Sharper Image Super Juicer

We were traveling during the holidays and I didn’t find the time in between trips to try it out, but I was finally able to make juice last night. YAY! I did the Master Cleanse about a year ago for three days and used Gwyneth Paltrow’s 7-day detox meal plan to switch back to normal foods. She includes a few juices as part of the detox so I decided to make her Super Greens Juice. It was delicious!

Super Greens Juice Recipe

My juicer did not juice the kale. I was pretty bummed out. Plan B: I put the kale in a small food processor and then added it to the juice. Pro: this method retains the fiber in the kale. Con: there will be tiny bits of kale in your juice. Most shredding juicers like this one have a hard time actually juicing leafy greens. I love my veggies and didn’t mind the bits.

There are many reasons to make your own juice that may include:

  1. Juice fasting
  2. Detoxing and cleansing the body
  3. Cleansing of the digestive system
  4. Weight loss
  5. Increasing your fiber intake
  6. Increasing your fruit and veggie intake
  7. Increasing your vitamin and mineral intake
  8. Healthy skin

I decided to make juice for the health benefits of increasing my vitamin and mineral intake. I am not fasting nor am I using juice as a meal replacement for weight loss. The nutrients are what I love the most about it. It’s also easier for your body to absorb the nutrients from fruits and veggies in juice form. Bonus!

Another benefit of the added vitamins and minerals in your diet is that the antioxidants found in fruits and veggies will naturally give you healthy, glowing skin. Double bonus!

I also bought the fruits and veggies needed to make Gwyneth Paltrow’s Cucumber Lime and Basil Juice next. I love cucumber water so I can only assume this will taste just as crisp and refreshing.

Gwyneth Paltrow Cucumber Lime and Basil Juice

If your New Year’s Resolution involved eating healthier for whatever reason, consider adding homemade juices to your diet. There are tons of recipes to be found on blogs and more. Here are a couple that I follow:

  1. Lunchbox Bunch
  2. Crazy Sexy Life

Eat beautifully. xxoo.

 
Disclaimer: I have no professional background in nutrition or meal planning so please consult your doctor before beginning a new dietary plan.
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December 29, 2011

Pre-Fall 2012.

Pre-fall fashions were once low-key affairs, shown by private appointment—if the collections were shown at all. ~ Fashion’s Other Season Takes the Spotlight, The Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal featured an article today about the change and increasing importance of pre-fall collections, which inspired my post today.

Designers have been releasing their collections sporadically throughout the month. There will even be more notable designers debuting their pre-fall 2012 collections following the new year. How fabulous!

Here are a few faves from the pre-fall 2012 collections that have shown so far. Enjoy!

December 28, 2011

PMS 17-1463 Tangerine Tango.

Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it. Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.

~ Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®

Tangerine Tango Color Palette

Tangerine Tango was named the 2012 Pantone Color of the Year. It’s a vibrant reddish-orange color. I’m a huge fan of all things red (not so much orange) so this color MAY just work in my color wheel. It’s eye-catching but not too loud. It’s exotic in a girl-next-door way. This is the kind of color that will brighten your mood no matter what. Just look at it! It radiates warmth and happiness.

Next time you’re out shopping try to find something with THE color of the year: tangerine tango. I dare you not to smile. And don’t limit yourself to clothing and accessories alone. You can add a hint of tangerine tango brightness with your eyeshadow, blush, lipstick, and even nail polish!

Here’s a little inspiration:

Pantone Tangerine Tango And The Fashion And Beauty Trends That Match // stylelist.com

And in Spring 2012, coming to a Sephora store near you: the  first-ever Pantone Color of the Year beauty collection: Sephora + PANTONE UNIVERSE™! You can even sign up to be notified when the collection has arrived in stores.

Tango!

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