CONTEST: 100 Followers! Yay!

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED! THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED!

Happy Halloween to all of my wonderful blog followers!

I have been out all day trying to get inspired, but I am just not feeling totally into Halloween this year because I didn't plan in advance like I should have. I have a box of Halloween accessories from years past that I plan to tap into for tonight. I'll let you all know what I come up with (and post some pics, of course).

I just want you all to know how much I appreciate everyone who reads and contributes to this blog. I wouldn't be able to write it without all of you. I picked up a small treat while I was out shopping today to give away as my first blog contest prize to celebrate my first 100 subscribers.

The prize is a 4-piece mini OPI polish set from the Espagna Collection (it has "Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees, No Spain No Gain, Pink Flamenco and the RapiDry Top Coat). I also have the new Essie "Mint Candy Apple" nail polish to include in that prize, since it is such a fun holiday color, and a great dupe for Chanel's "Jade" polish (I got one for myself too, of course!)

These are the contest Rules:

1. You must be a follower/subscriber at the time you entered the contest (if you are not, you can go to the top of the blog and click "follow blog" and you can become a subscriber.

2. One entry per person. Please leave a comment saying "enter me" in the comments below. I will use random.org to select the winning comment.

3. You must be a resident of the USA or Canada.

4. If you are selected as the winner, you must email me (I will provide the email address when I announce the winner) and provide me with your preferred mailing address.

5. You must use a name or Google user ID to post your comment (no anonymous comments will be considered, for obvious reasons).

6. You must submit your entry on this blog post only by Friday, November the 6, 2009 by midnight CST.

7. I will announce the winner on Saturday, November 7, 2009. I will ship out the prize when I recieve the winner's information.

I hope everyone enjoys these prizes. I wasn't sure what to get, but I thought nail polish was a good idea because it pretty much works for everyone, whereas makeup colors can be trickier depending on skin tone.

Before I go...tell me what you plan to wear or did wear for Halloween? You can include comments about your costume or halloween makeup along with your entry, but make sure you type the words "enter me" so I'll know you'd like to be included.

Thank you everyone!!!

xoxo,

Veronika.

If you have any questions about this contest, please post them in the comments below.

OOTD: A Friday Full of Meetings

Typically, I am able to dress down on Fridays for work, but I had an early AM meeting and also a filming to attend in the afternoon, so I was in full on Monday to Thursday mode.

Here's what I wore:
The skirt is the same as the one I wore in my last Outfit of the Day post (from Express). The top is from Costa Blanca (a Canadian store) and the cardigan is from New York & Co. I've actually never purchased anything from that store prior to this sweater, but I couldn't resist the sweater's floral applique and the vintage-inspired buttons:


Here's another look at the buttons. They are metal buttons with tiny vintage-esque crystals. (click to enlarge)
The top has some detailing at the neck and on the straps. It is kind of like a folded/pleated texture. (Did I mention I LOVE to mix textures!?)

But the most fun part of this top, has to be the back of it!

Isn't is wonderful? The back has a criss-cross design, so it makes for a good "going out" top as well (though, I almost never wear tops w/pants for going out, I almost always go with a dress). Excuse my frazzled hair- I had a super long day!

My love for texture was evident in my tights of choice: lace tights from Target (I think I paid $9). Now, before you get too excited- I did have to change their look. You see, when I wear them over bare legs, I look like I have a skin disease. I just can't pull it off.

So I layered them over regular black tights, and I loved the subtle texture it gave. It toned them down and made them more wearable.

It is difficult to tell in photos, but in person, the texture is very obvious and striking. It just adds a little something to the outfit without being too crazy to wear in a more corporate setting.

and...just for fun, here is me failing at taking a photo of the back of my shirt!

What do you wear to work on Fridays? Can you wear jeans or do you dress up throughout the week?

I'll try to post several updates this weekend, so please look out for those. I am delighted to have 99 followers- which means that I am going to go do a tiny bit of shopping tomorrow where I'll pick out a little prize for my 100th subscriber contest. I appreciate every person who takes the time to read this blog, and I want to give (a little) something back :)

xoxo,

Veronika.

Tressy Thursday: An Interview with my Hair Guru

Ladies, I am SO excited about this post, I can't even begin to write the words! This interview speaks for itself. My wonderful hair stylist and colorist agreed to share his best tips and tricks with us, and I am so thrilled that he did! He works at Cutloose Hair Salon in Houston, TX. If you live in this area, he is definitely worth a visit. He is the only colorist ever in my life that was able to color my naturally light/medium brown locks into a color that was so blended and natural, that I only have to get my roots done every 4-6 months! You can call 713.520.7401 to make an appointment.

David, my bestie Candice and I at Hotel Zaza

I hope you ladies enjoy this interview as much as I did!

Name, Age, Occupation:
David Tran, 30, stylist/colorist and extension specialist

You've been a stylist and colorist for more than 10 years, what service do you like to do better, and why?
I've been doing hair for almost ten and a half years which is hard to believe. I honestly can't say I prefer one service over the other because I enjoy creating the total package from head to toe-- which is why I like to be involved in every aspect. Control freak? Maybe, but I think it's important that the cut, color (and extensions) go hand in hand because you want all the pieces of the puzzle to fit seamlessly.

What are the best ways a client can communicate to you what they want in a color or style?
Pictures work very well because sometimes clients can have a hard time articulating what it is they want. "Colored" Red heads for instance can vary greatly depending on the tone whether it's a true copper tone , a rich mahogony red brown, a bright punk influenced candy apple red, or just a warm brown with red undertones. Pertaining to up dos for an event, pictures work awesomely to get an idea of whether the style should be sleek and formal or loose and romantic.

Have you ever had a client who demanded a color or style you totally didn't think would work for her? what did you do?
Yes! Recently I had to turn away a potentially new client and told her that I didn't think i was the stylist for her. We were going through our consultation and I could sense her hesitation as she requested that I cut her hair with a #4 guard and clippers. She didn't understand how I could cut hair with cutting shears as she was used to a "pro cuts" style haircut. Now I'm not knocking pro cuts. They are skilled hairdressers but just because they are doesn't mean they will be the best for you. Same with me. I am trained by various schools but if we aren't communicating on the same level--I may not be the hairdresser for you.

It's always a good idea to set up a consultation with a stylist if you're doing an overhaul to communicate any fears you have. Another tip--never make a dramatic change before your wedding, switch stylists before your wedding, or cut off your hair while you're pregnant. But in the end, your stylist knows you best and can adapt your style based on what you want. That's why its important to find a stylist who you can connect with and knows technically and creatively how to create your own unique style.

You work with Bumble & Bumble products. Which products from the line do you think are essentials for a woman who likes to have healthy, bouncy hair?
The Damage Therapy line works wonders for color treated hair. It will keep it soft, silky, and luxurious. As far as styling products--the trinity is as follow: Prep or Tonic first, Thickening Spray, with a bit of Styling Balm on the ends. Of course the products will change based on the look that you're trying to achieve and the season but those are my go to products day in and day out.

What trends are you seeing in color right now that you love?
ROOTS and slightly lighter ends. diffusion of colors, reflective brunettes. Anything shiny and not too matte and one dimensional.

What trends in cuts/style techniques are you loving right now?
I love a strong fringe or what Texans call "bangs" (although not everyone can pull it off) and I am loving messy up-dos and I always love retro/period dos as well

Name 5 celebrities who you think have the best hair, and tell us why.
Charlize Theron because of her simple and elegant red carpet style, Drew Barrymore for her willingness to try different colors, styles and textures. I hate to say her because I was sick of doing her bob, but Victoria Beckham because of her chopping her hair off to a pixie then growing it out so gracefully. Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs because only she can pull off that black mop hair do. My last pick would probably be Julianne Moore because of her beautiful copper hair. It's stunning.
What is the craziest hair request you have ever gotten?
A mullet!

What are your favorite magazines for hair inspiration?
W, In Style, Hairdressers Journal

What is the biggest mistake women make when it comes to caring for their hair?
Heat styling without any products or heat protectors. Pulling your hair back in a tight pony tail while it's wet.

How can a woman achieve the best blowout ever? What tools, products and techniques do you recommend?
I love ionic dryers, and it's always best to use the nozzle of the dryer if you have one. It helps to direct the air to eliminate any frizz. I think a good ceramic flat iron is always good for touch ups on second day hair if applicable and a good ceramic 1" to 1 1/2" curling iron is wonderful if you have mid length to longer hair to create some loose waves and texture. Oh--and headbands are great too for hiding roots, dirty hair, or to double as the perfect accessory!

What are the most damaging things a woman can do to her hair?
Wash, dry and flat iron EVERY DAY and not getting it trimmed regularly.

What do you like best about your job?
Seeing the smirk on a client's face when they love their hair. I love making people look and feel better about themselves!

Thanks so much for answering my questions for everyone, David! <3 you! Ladies, if you have any questions for David, please leave them in the comments below, and I will ask David to answer them for you! He is the expert!

Thank you SO much for reading...I noticed I am at 93 followers, wow, I feel so excited and amazed at that. I wanted to do a contest when I reached 100 followers, so please watch out for that. Thank you for all that you contribute!

xoxo,
Veronika.

Festivus is early this year!

It's not even December, but it's already Festivus for the rest of us!



How else can I explain this Airing of Grievances? Get out the aluminum pole and limber up for the Feats of Strength, people, 'cause here it comes.

First of all, Gmail is spying on me.

Stop looking at me like that! I know it sounds paranoid, but Gmail is freaking me out lately. You know how they have those keyword generated ads along the right column of the page? I find them so intrusive, don't you? Just now, for instance, I was tapping out an email in which I called something or someone a pain in the neck. Next time I glanced over Gmail had helpfully suggested several cures for neck pain and a few chiropractors in and around my city. On occasion I've been known to pen a dirty email or ten (shut up) and you would not believe the smut Gmail slams me with during those instances. Buncha pervs! Gmail needs to mind their beeswax, I say.

My kid got sent home sick today. Again.

Yet he doesn't act sick at all. In fact, he's quite energetic and annoying. He doesn't lie around, glassy-eyed with fever, quietly sipping juice and calling me "Mother Dear," he bounces around touching everything and making constant, irritating, grate-on-your-nerves noise! He's not one of these kids who loses his appetite either; nope, he's asking me for things to eat every 5 minutes only to eat two bites of it and say he's full. For this, I keep missing work! Not that I'm missing it, but that's beside the point. I'm bored at home, simple as that.

I still don't know what I'm allergic to.

Sure, the rash is gone, and I'm reallyreallyreally glad about that. But why must my left eye keep swelling?! It's like all of the mystery whatever-it-was has all landed there in one eye. This morning I woke up feeling pretty darn good; after all, I was home with my kid all day yesterday and managed to sneak in a 2 hour nap while he played Wii! It wasn't until I glanced at myself in the bathroom mirror and saw that I resembled Rocky Balboa after going a few rounds with Apollo Creed that my spirits took a nosedive. Also, I think I'm developing some sort of dependency on Benedryl and Zyrtec.

On a related note, the Google image search results for "swollen eye" are terrifying.

Daycare centers suck.

There's this woman at the daycare whom we privately refer to as the Chicken Lady. She has yellow hair and bulgy, bloodshot eyes, she's skinny and has a prominent Adam's Apple and a beak-like nose. She clearly earned the nickname by virtue of her looks alone, but we'd never have started calling her that had she not also been a raging biotch as well. She's one of these drill Sargent types who takes no guff and has the children marching in little lines. Our oldest son toughed out a year under her reign last year for Kindergarten and we thought that would be the extent of it now that he goes to the public elementary school. As it turns out, he still has to deal with her in the after school program.

Lately she has been nitpicking every little thing the kid does and making a federal case out of it when my husband goes in to pick him up in the afternoons. Jim started to dread pick-ups because it was always something: D stood up before the bus came to a complete stop and angered the driver! D and his friends licked their hands and laughed about it! D and his little friend were talking about *gasp* their weiners! Sounds like typical 6 year-old-boy stuff, right? That's what we thought too! But no, everything is a huuuuuuge deal to the Chicken Lady.

Well, yesterday the shit hit the fan and she managed to anger my mild mannered professor/hey-man-it's-cool hippy of a husband so much that he actually yelled back at her. Yeah, The Jim yelled back! Definitely a first. So now we have to go have a conference with the owner of the daycare and the Chicken Lady, but the long & the short of it is that Jim told her to stop treating him like a child and she told him to stop blowing her off when she tells him all about what is "wrong" with our kid. Really productive. The good news is she kissed my ass thoroughly this morning, so now I get to be the sensible, reasonable parent in the equation instead of the one who is usually overly-sensitive to the fall-out caused by their banal little microcosmic existence.

So there they are, my grievances. You'd think I would feel better, but not so much. Maybe after the Feats of Strength? Come on, who's gonna try to pin me first? I'm all kinds of irritated right now, so I'm pretty sure I can take all y'all! ;)

A Bright Idea: I Saw the Light

We have a windowless bathroom in our master bedroom. It has a nice big shower and we each have our own sinks...but what has always been lacking in that room is light. Achieving a good makeup application requires great lighting- and if you have natural sunlight, that's even better.

Every makeup artist who has ever done my makeup has sat me in front of a window with lots of natural sunlight coming in. Sure, it shows every flaw and imperfection- but for a flawless makeup application, those are exactly the things you need to see!

I never noticed just how dark it was in there until we came home from walking our dog one day, and I turned on the lights in our bathroom and it felt...really really dim in there. It was literally so dark that I wondered how I ever did my makeup in there at all (and more importantly, how it's possible that my makeup didn't look absolutely treacherous).

We have recessed lighting, so it can be tough to get brighter lights, but I was on a mission! I told my husband to get the brightest bulbs they make and he did (and they are energy efficient to boot!).

This morning, I applied my makeup for the first time in the fabulous new lighting, and it was so shockingly bright I actually had to turn one of them off (there are 3). I am slowly getting used to seeing more imperfections than ever before, but seeing the light definitely feels great.


In more exciting news: my Sigma brush set arrived today, and I absolutely cannot wait to use the brushes. I will review them after I've had a little time to "play" with them more.

Where do you apply your makeup in the mornings? What is your lighting like? Please let me know in the comments below!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Blog's 1st Anniversary & Giveaway

To celebrate our first anniversary, we would like to introduce Juliette! The Juliette collection is a romantic journey of patterns to inspire your loveliest thoughts. The glitter and pearly accents are perfect for highlighting the love of your life and reminding you of sweet memories.



We have enjoyed creating projects and coming up with fun ideas for you this year. We really love all of your comments and appreciate the creative guest bloggers who have shared their inspiration with us. Thank you for your support! To show you just how much we love you, we are giving away some exclusive Juliette products. Our shipment doesn't come in until the end of next week. So, the winner will be the first to taste this sweet and lovely line!

All you need to do to enter is leave a comment on this post by Sunday, November 1 at midnight telling us what you would like to see happen with the blog in the next year. We will announce the winner on Monday. Last time we asked for this kind of feedback, Dorthea wrote everything down and checked it off for us as we fulfilled each request. The point is WE LISTEN, so leave us a comment!

Thanks again, Everyone!
sei art team

Outfit of the Day: Going to Work

Some of my lovely readers requested this and I thought it would be fun, so here goes my first "outfit of the day" or "look of the day" post.

I had an after-work function to go to, so I chose all black- a simple black tulip skirt, silk top with flutter sleeves with black tights and pumps.

I work for a PR firm, and my look changes based on what my day looks like. If I have meetings and/or an event that day, I will usually dress up more (I typically wear skirts or dresses, very rarely pants) and on days where I know I'll just be in the office all day, I'll wear something more casual, but still nice.

I love dresses and skirts because they make me feel really feminine. Dresses in particular are super easy too- just slip it on and go! I am currently looking for knee-length 3/4 sleeve dresses to add to my winter collection. I just add tights and a cardigan in the winter, and rock dresses through all seasons (though, to be fair, we really only have two seasons in Houston...summer and fall).

Ok so here goes:
I swear that sweater coat is black. It photographed navy for some reason. I got this sweater wrap at Zara for about $39.50. I wear it to the office over my tops when it is a bit cooler outside. It actually looks much cuter in person, but you get the idea. I use this sweater as a jacket, and it also looks great on casual days over skinny jeans or even with yoga pants! It is very versatile.

The rest of the outfit consists of a black tulip skirt from Express ($59.50) and a black ruffle/flutter-sleeve silk blouse from Forever 21 (about $22). My shoes are patent leather black pumps by Jessica Simpson.

Here is another shot of the ensemble. Please ignore my unmade bed and messy bathroom (hey, I said I organized my makeup collection, not the entire bathroom!)

The key necklace was about $4.50 at Forever 21. I love it! I wear it almost daily, it just seems to go with everything!

I hope you all enjoyed this post, and I will definitely do more in the future! I think it is so fun to see what other people wear on the daily. Feel free to let me know what YOU wore today, and even post a pic if you have one!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Party Time!

One of the wonderful things about this time of year is PARTIES! We love parties here at SEI and Friday we had our annual club SEI open-house. It was a huge hit and we just wanted to thank everyone who participated. As you can see from these pictures, it is a lot of fun and includes make-n-takes, giveaways, snacks, sales and lot's of great holiday ideas. If you are feeling bad that you couldn't make it this time, don't worry, we have more holiday ideas in store for our blog!

Hey Kids

Just a little friendly reminder from your ol' pal Bev:

Drink in moderation, do drugs rarely if ever and never hard ones, and above all, sunblock, sunblock, sunblock!



What in fucking fuckerson has happened to Lindsay Lohan?! I know, I know, I've asked this question before. But lately every time I see her picture she looks like she just blew a homeless guy in an alley in exchange for a half-eaten ham sandwich and a ride home. Well, assuming homeless guys have cars, which I'm not exactly sure about. I guess it depends on the homeless guy.



Whatever, my point is that she looks like Tara Reid if Tara Reid had been deep fried in bacon grease and left baking in the Arizona desert for a several days. Heck, I'd even venture to say that Tara Reid never looked this bad in all her alcoholic stupor Franken-tit glory days! When you are being unfavorably compared to a washed-up "coulda-shoulda-been" like Tara, it's time make some tough life decisions, LiLo. And for god's sake, exfoliate & moisturize that shit!


She is only 23 years old. TWENTY-THREE. When I was 23 I did not have a single line on my face. Not one! I have photographic evidence to prove it, too!

Remember, just a few short years ago, Lindsay looked like this.
--------------->


Alrighty then, now that I've gotten my little PSA off my chest, let's get on wit' it, shall we? I know you're all DYING for an update on my rash, and who am I to leave you hanging? When last we saw our heroine (settle down, Lindsay, not that kind of heroin) she was moping and strung out on Benedryl. Well, this morning my rash had all but disappeared, but my left eye was swollen almost shut when I woke up. WOOHOO! So I popped some more antihistimines and went to see a doctor, and wouldn't ya know it? By the time I got there everything was gone. HAHAAHAHAHAHA! My life totally rules.

Needless to say, he didn't have much advice for me. I'm a mystery wrapped in a puzzle with a side dish of enigma. Delicious! The good news is that I've decided not to give a fuck anymore. If it happens again I'll just take the dang Benedryl or Zyrtec or whatever and wait for it to pass. Life's too short and I hatehatehate having something wrong with me, so I'm taking the Ostrich approach from now on. Denial, hurray!

Aside: While searching for that Ostrich image, I came across this little gem:



AAAAAAAACK! I know it's fake (right?!), but... wow. It is fake, right?

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Okay dokey, I've confused you all enough for one day, I'm sure. I'm gonna go ahead and blame this entire post on the Benedryl. Well, and the Meth. Mmmm, delicious Meth.

Gotta go!

Lip gloss

Lip gloss is a cosmetic product used primarily to give lips a mildly glossy lustre and sometimes subtle color. It is distributed as a liquid or a soft solid (not to be confused with lip balm, which generally has medicinal purposes). It can be completely clear, translucent, or various shades of opacity, including frosted, glittered, and metallic looks.
The first commercially available lip gloss was Max Factor's X-Rated, launched in 1932. The original formula was sold up until 2003, when Procter and Gamble retired the product.
Lip gloss in a tube and wand applicator format
Like lipstick, lip gloss comes in a variety of forms and may be applied in different ways. It can be contained in a small cylindrical bottle and applied with a rounded or sloped applicator wand (known as a doefoot applicator), be applied with a built in lip brush, or a small tube designed for application with the fingertip. Solid glosses come in boxes and tubes, sometimes blurring the distinction between lip gloss and lip balm.
New types of 'plumping' lip gloss contain ingredients which make the lips appear softer and plumper. These are a cheap, easy, and harmless alternatives to collagen, Restylane, Juvederm, and/or fat injections, but are often not as effective. The effects are temporary and short-lasting.

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NOTD: OPI's "Sapphire in the Snow" & Ivanka Trump Ties the Knot

I was browsing around at Beauty First on Saturday hoping for an early release of Essie's Holiday collection (I am eager to get my hands on "Mint Candy Apple" to soothe my sorrows of not being able to get the Chanel Jade nail polish), and just as I was about to make my way out of the store, I stumbled upon the most gorgeous color...possibly ever. It is from OPI's Holiday Wishes collection, and it is called "Sapphire in the Snow." I can best describe it by saying it is a dark almost indigo purple. If you love dark polishes, you will LOVE this one. It brings a little something unexpected to the table. It has that indigo quality to it, without being harsh. In person, it is dark and glossy and you can really see the indigo undertones in the light. I love it so. Here are some pics:

without flash
with flash

with flash

I just love this color. I would say it looks more true to the non-flash image (dark) but as I said before, in the light, you can see those gorgeous indigo/sapphire tones. It is just a very rich and gorgeous color. I definitely plan to purchase a second bottle if it doesn't become a part of the permanent collection. I have seen it on other blogs and it photographs more blue there, but I definitely see it as more purple-blue, and less of a true blue. It even looks more purple in the bottle (to me).

....and because I can never seem to write about just one topic at a time, Ivanka Trump got married this past weekend, and the few wedding photos I saw absolutely took my breath away. Is she gorgeous or what? She is so classic and polished and elegant. I just loved her entire look- from the hair, makeup, jewels and dress (Vera Wang).

Star Magazine said Ivanka was going for the "Grace Kelly" look, and I think she nailed it. I think her makeup was just flawless- the soft, brown smokey eye and nude makeup elsewhere enhanced her features in a soft, beautiful way.

I think she was simple radiant and glowing (like every bride should be on her big day!) She obviously takes care of herself. I have seen a lot of photos of her at various events, and she is always so refined and put-together. I recently read a piece about her in In Style Magazine where she talked all about her love for jewelry (she has her own line). You can get a peek at her wedding day jewels here.

You know how sometimes you see a bride, and her wedding and you think to yourself "she just did everything right,..." that is how I felt when I saw these photos. I have always thought she was gorgeous, but on her wedding day especially, she was perfection. What do you think? Did you love her wedding day look or was it too traditional for you? I can't wait to see the rest of the photo set. I'll be sure to post them when I find them.

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Moravia Monday

Happy Monday, Everyone! We hope you had a wonderful weekend. We decided to get into the fall mood today with some Moravia project ideas. Handmade cards are a great way to show people you care. This little box would make a lovely gift box for someone special's birthday. Speaking of birthdays, Happy Birthday to anyone lucky enough to share a birthday with Hillary Clinton today.