Summer Face

During college, I had a very loud RA (resident assistant?).  She would always walk by my room and say "that's my jam!" no matter what song was playing on iTunes.  Some of her best moments were calling my pre-Snooki poof a "biscuit" and saying I was "gonna get unraveled" if I went to a party.  She was great.  However, her best line by far was "Give me a face!"  After a few strange glances at each other, my roommate and I figured out that she wanted us to do her makeup.  So today I'm going to give all of you a face!

First step, prime!

DHC Velvet Skin Coat

This stuff is amazing! It's similar to Smashbox PhotoFinish, but it feels even softer, which is strangely possible.  I love this company.  My mom introduced me to it.  It's a Japanese online and catalog company and they always send you a million samples with your orders.

Next, Even Out (These are technique terms, folks!):

Makeup Forever Duo Mat Powder

This gives you an airbrushed look with a complete even surface.  It's great if your skin is sensitive or you have any redness.  This is honestly a savior.  It's perfect for every day (and simple to apply), but it's very buildable for evening if you really want to look like you have porcelain skin.

Next, BLUSH IT!

Nars Cream Blush in Cactus Flower

This is great for the summer.  It's very lightweight and just gives you a slight shimmer with a smidge of color.  Yes, smidge is a word.  You can also use your fingers, just like you were a kid again!

Lastly, Bat those eyes!

Maybelline BIG Mascara

Maybe she's born with it? Nope, sure is Maybelline. I use two coats and it's "Hello Twiggy!"  I used to buy only designer mascara, ie-Dior Blackout, Benefit Bad Gal, but I get better results and spend less than half what I used to. Hooray!

So now you have the signature Lindsay summertime face.  Are you loving it yet? Do you have a makeup routine or summer favorites?

JAHVOIHDBAWLKNEG'VDOIJ

I'm getting married!!!  Boyfriend, now fiance, proposed after I got home from work!! You'll have to forgive me for the utter sappiness that is about to be exposed.  Also excuse my lax look, but it was a long, hot, and humid day.

The most perfect ring in the world.

Love of my life.

My version of American Beauty.

If you want to hear the story, let me know.  Otherwise, I'll save it for wedding blogs.  I am so happy!

Family Fun.

It seems like everyone has enjoyed the wedding post, so I figured I would give you some more!  I'm so blessed for my boyfriend to have such a wonderful family.  They're adventurous, hilarious, and very entertaining. (Triple that once some alcohol is involved!)  Here are some photo booth pics from the big day:

The BF and I. And a glow stick bracelet. That's where it's at.

It was just hysteria, and very hysterical.

I swear I don't have behavioral issues.

Scary neck!

Down the Aisle

This Sunday I had the pleasure of attending my boyfriend's brother's wedding.  It was located in a mansion in Long Island with vast land and traditionally decorated rooms with giant ceilings.  It was quite the occasion.

Me and the bf.

Super bad lighting. Ignore the overly bronzed face.

Me, in all my glory.

I'm more than ready for my close up.

Jalda clutch

Shoesies.

   Wearing: Jean Paul Gaultier dress, Judith Ripka ring, Nine West heels, Unknown wrap and necklace

Addicted to Love

There are a few stories my family likes to tell about when I was younger.  I've always had strong opinions and strong actions to go along with that.  My mother has a video (that's right, a VCR tape!) of me using our hallway as a runway and proceeding to dance to a music video.  I had on a brunette wig (since I was blonde), my mother's black pantyhose, and a black leopard (for tap dance, no less!).  My video of choice? Robert Palmer, Addicted to Love.

Robert Palmer and his girls.

I have since been drawn to this look repeated through my life.  I think it was my first real taste of the LBD.  I love the idea of simple dress with a full blown made-up face.  Although the blush is a little much (it was the 80s after all!), I love the look as a whole.

Love those lips.

So where am I going with this? I am proposing a modern day version of this, a la Tom Ford beauty modeled by the luscious Lara Stone.

Lara at her best.

What do you think of this for an evening look?

For the Blondes

Are you a blonde? This post is for you!  As a lifetime blonde, born naturally and then highlighting later on, I always dealt with brassiness no matter how good the colorist was.  Even with my mom being a cosmetologist, there was always something missing.  Luckily I found it!



Shimmering lights, my friend.  It has a toner built in, so you lose the brassiness and keep the lightness.  I actually find that my hair continues to get lighter (YAY!) each time I use it.  I will warn, it isn't as conditioning as it states, but it keeps your hair from getting any unwanted tints.  However, I also have a solution for conditioning!



Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment is amazing.  It's kind of gooey, but melts into an oil once rolled into your palm.  You apply it in unwashed dry hair and let it set for at least 5 minutes. (I use mine overnight.)  I swear by this stuff!  Anyone with chemically damaged hair will agree.  As a frequent swimmer and doing way too many processes to my hair, I would know.  You will notice immediate results.  When I was blowing out my hair the next day, it just went straight, no brush needed!  There was no frizz or flyaways.  It was soft, silky, and dare I say, commercial worthy!  This only thing with this product is the smell.  It's an acquired smell.  It reminds me of an old cowboy: musky, deep, smoky, and rustic.  I personally love it, but I've heard it's too strong for some.

What are your hair product secrets?

Under the Sea

For anyone that knows me, I love anything to do with water.  Little Mermaid is my favorite childhood movie. I swam during middle and high school.  Last year I obtained my Open Water Scuba certificate.  Oh yeah, I'm also a cancer crab and water sign.  If I could, I would have a little hut on the beach, any beach really.

At my previous job, I was able to work with this great jewelry designer, Catherine Weitzman.  All of her pieces are casted by hand and have such strong quality.  They have a subtle elegance, but are perfect for everyday wear as well. Below are a few of my favorite pieces.

Kissing Seahorse Necklace

Octopus Necklace

Conch Earrings

Urchin Cuff

Are you in love yet?

Sparkles + Shine

Something you all should know: I used to primarily wear black, sometimes gray, rarely white.  It was an extended phase and it's almost over, but black will always be my first love.  Most recently, I have begun to flirt with sparkles.  Call it a rebound if you must, but man, is it fun!

Do you see my excitement?

Sparkles!

Top bun love.

I won't even pretend to know what I was doing.

Sneaky Pete, I am.

The post is over? Boo.

Wearing: Elizabeth & James scuba pants, Silence + Noise sequin top, Black mesh shawl, Jessica Simpson patent flats

It's Me!

Cheers to my first outfit post!  This is a classic look for me: Fitted scuba pants, oversized button-up, and loads of accessories.

I was very excited and *this* close to doing jazz hands!

I've calmed just a tad bit.

Accessories galore.

Necklace with my boyfriend's initials. Cue the "Aww!"

Yay for outfit posts!

 Wearing: ASOS scuba pants, 80s purple oversized button-up, Nine West snake pumps, Initial Necklace, Random costume jewelry generously donated via Sarah

Materialism

I never really had a problem with materialism until I got older. My first very uncomfortable moment was when I reached college, a private one at that.  All of the girls had Louis Vuitton purses, Dior sunglasses, and other high-end accessories.  I felt completely out of place.

I'm a strong believer in fashion not having to be designer driven, although at times it helps.  Without coming off too cliche, your personal style should come from within, not from a label.  I wanted to make this post because it's an issue we can get easily sucked into, especially if a sale is involved.  Sometimes I feel like people will just eat up anything a logo on it, pun intended.  Hence today's featured editorial via FashionMag.

Sometimes I'm just too clever for my own good.

Style Evolution 2011

I am a woman on a mission, a style mission.  Everyone tells you that your 20s is when you figure out who you are.  I think I knew who Lindsay was a while ago, but how Lindsay should be dressed, that's another question.  I've kind of done it all; the vintage, the bohemian, the preppy classic, the eccentric, you name it. I've decided that on the eve (almost!) of my 25th birthday extravaganza that I should solve this dilemma.  My friend has graciously loaned me I Love Your Style: How to Define and Refine Your Personal Style by Amanda Brooks.  It gives helpful perspectives, definitions, attributes, and practical closet advice for a multitude of styles.

Amanda Brooks

I then decided I should document this project, as I denoted "Style Evolution 2011."  It's more dramatic that way.

My uber-dramatic goal sheet.

You probably can't read that, but essentially it is a list of my goals to reshape my wardrobe.  I would like to do the following:

• Add more classic pieces
• Add more textural diversity
• Adhere to minimalist designs/style
• Invest in wardrobe staples
• Allow 1 splurge per season
• Build a lifetime wardrobe

As you see, I snuck in my style results in there.  Yes, the results are in and I am a minimalist. I don't know how I didn't figure this out earlier in life!  I have always enjoyed uniforms, tailored pieces, eccentric silhouettes, and I abhor patterns. 

I am a minimalist.

So I will go forth on this journey to become a minimalist, reshape my wardrobe, and build a closet full of classic, quality pieces.  Are you with me?