Jason Wu for Target Long Sleeve Sheer Blouse in White with Black Ribbon

Jason Wu for Target Long Sleeve Sheer Blouse in Blush

Jason Wu for Target Straw Clutch

These are the few items that I picked up for myself from the Jason Wu for Target Collection. I think the quality of these particular blouses are very nice. They are sheer and flowy, and I think they will be a nice addition to my wardrobe. I am aware that some people buy out these collections before the average girl can get in to grab what she wants. So I have some advice for you before you head to Ebay and Craigslist.

Tips for getting what you want at retail price:

1. Do Not Buy From Ebay. Just don’t. The resellers WILL be returning the majority of their purchases. People who bought hundreds of dollars of this collection on impulse will also be returning their finds. Keep checking your local Target store over the next 3 months. (Target has a 90 day return policy) I GUARANTEE you will see the pieces come back over the next 90 days. Some will even end up on the Clearance racks.

2. Keep stalking Target.com Twitter.com/TargetStyle and Target Style’s Facebook page. They are restocking select pieces online throughout the week. Good Luck!

Nothing working to clear up that sudden breakout? After trying practically every treatment and cream in the book, I’ve found that less is more. Sometimes harsh acne treatments only aggravate your skin more, stripping skin’s natural moisture, causing more oil production. Try taking a more gentle, natural approach. Here’s what has been working for me…

The first thing you need is a pack of premium cotton pads. They won’t leave cotton lint on your skin. I spray the lined side of the cotton pad several times with rose water. Then I put two or three drops of tea tree oil onto the saturated cotton pad. (That’s two or three drops, NOT dropper-fuls) Tea tree oil is very strong and should never be used full strength on the face.  You may be able to find a tea tree oil that comes with a dropper, otherwise you should purchase a dropper bottle separately. If you don’t have rose water, you can spray the cotton pad with plain water. Next, wipe the cotton pad over clean skin. (You would remove any makeup beforehand.) The rose water and tea tree oil work as a gentle toner, and both have natural astringent properties.  This will help unclog pores and treat any breakouts you might have. You can feel the gentle tingling sensation. If your skin seems like it’s getting dry, lessen the amount of tea tree oil you are using. If nothing seems to be working for your skin, give this a try and let me know what you think!

Products I use:

• Home Health Rose Water available at Sprouts
• Premium Cotton Oval Pads available at Walmart
• Desert Essence 100% Australian Tea Tree Oil available at Sprouts

Urban Decay Book of Shadows IV

Urban Decay Book of Shadows IV is the first to contain how-to videos for five new looks. Sixteen captivating colors of eyeshadow (10 of them NEW), primer, mascara and liquid liner complete this kit.

16 Eyeshadows, 24/7 Liquid Eyeliner in Zero, Supercurl Mascara (my FAVE) and Primer Potion

Just scan the QR codes with your smart phone to explore the colors and combinations.

My favorites are Smoke Out and Naked. Miss.Summer recommends her own favorite combination which she calls her “Angel Stoner Eyes” because of the eerie glassy effect. The look entails using Sin all over the lid, Midnight Rodeo on the inner corners and in the crease, and Lost blended into the outer v. She then uses the 24/7 eyeliner in Demolition on upper and lower lash lines, lining the lower lash line only half way on the outer corners then smudged downward, and blended to connect the upper and lower lines. I for one will be trying this look for sure!

Check out the little slot to hold your smart phone, conveniently close to the mirror.

Attach the portable speaker to your phone with the included wire attachment for more crystalline sound.

I am incredibly impressed with the technology involved in this Book of Shadows. Urban Decay continues to be at the forefront of modern cosmetics. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Urban Decay’s Book of Shadows IV is available for purchase at Sephora, ULTA and UrbanDecay.com

I saw this great modern twist on the french manicure, and decided to give it a try myself. Traditional french manicures have been such a “DON’T” in recent years, so when I saw the nude base with a navy tip (two nail colors I am very fond of) I fell in love. The difference with this “New French” is that the tip is much thinner. Even on long nails, you aren’t going to do the entire length of your tip navy. The thin stripe of navy adds so much chic.

All you need is a nude base, warm or cool depending on your skintone. I used OPI Tickle My Francey, mostly because my Samoan Sand is down to the last drop *tear*.

For the Navy tips I used a thin nail art brush from a beauty supply store and OPI Sapphire in the Snow. I love using Sapphire in the Snow on my toes in Fall and Winter months. I will probably soon be running low on that gem too.

• crushed ice
• lemonade
• sliced strawberry
• slices of key lime
• fresh chopped mint leaf

How are you staying cool?

With the Fourth of July just up ahead, I thought I’d post a Patriotic Polish look.

I recently received these two ORLY polishes in the mail and they were perfect for the look. I added a few white stars with a Hot Topic Nail Art Kit that I have from 2009. Look for the Konad Nail Art stands in the mall for similar stamp kits.

Here’s a closer look at the individual colors, both available at ULTA.

ORLY Royal Navy

A bold royal blue jelly with teal micro-glitter.

ORLY Star Spangled

A bold red jelly with red micro-glitter.

Another alternative is adding white stripes to an accent nail with a stripe polish in white, available at Sally Beauty. Don’t overdo it though, red and white stripes can get candy cane real quick

The JLo Glow never goes out of style. Every summer, girls around the world try to achieve the bronzed glow. I get asked for “Jennifer Lopez” recommendations all the time. Here are my most recent finds…

glominerals gloBronze in Sunlight and gloDust 24K in Gold

glominerals gloBronze is a bronzer for face and body. gloBronze in Sunlight is a bronze color with just the right amount of shimmer. The shimmer is finely milled so it shows up as a glow, rather than glitter. Lightly dust the face with a large fluffy powder brush. Concentrate on areas where the sun normally hits the face: the forehead, cheekbones, down the nose, and

even the shoulders.

glominerals gloDust 24K in Gold

gloDust 24K highlight in Gold is a finely milled gold shimmer powder. Highlight the high cheekbones, the inner corners of the eyes, down the nose, and decolletage. gloDust provides just the right amount of highlight without looking like a glitter bomb.

I’ve been using glominerals makeup for a couple of months now. I mentioned glominerals glopressed base in my May Beauty Faves and I finally found the perfect color match for me: Honey Light. I love how quick and easy it is to use. It’s pressed so it doesn’t make a huge mess like loose mineral makeup can. I use a flocked sponge or a kabuki brush and the coverage is impressive, while still looking like natural skin. All it needs is a spritz of rosewater to set. I’m loving the effect and I can’t wait to try more from this cosmetics line.

gloprofessional.com

It’s no secret that I’m an animal rescue advocate. Living in Phoenix (where temperatures reach over 120 degrees), you can go from compassionate to crazed crusader with just ONE incident. That was me yesterday (the latter), when La called me to see what she could do about a dog that had been left in a car, unattended, on a day that reached 92 degrees. Because cars trap heat sort of like a greenhouse, the dog was actually enduring 113 degrees of sweltering heat and direct sunlight. Thankfully the owner got to the car in time, but I’m sure it’ll happen again. And again. I have no clue why people in our communities are still so oblivious when it comes to caring for their pets. Whether it be ignorance or indifference, we continue to hear the same stories every year. Luckily, there are people out there willing to be the voice. The United Animal Nation’s My Dog Is Cool Campaign urges people to be aware of how deadly a hot car can be. The website provides information on keeping pets safe and also allows you to print fliers to share with your community. NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG IN A CAR! Not even on a day with a high of 70. Here are a few other things to keep in mind this summer:

• It only takes 10 minutes for a dog to overheat in a vehicle. This is because the only way a dog can cool down is by panting and through the pads of the feet. Pay attention to heat advisory warnings and leave your dog at home on those days. If you’re taking your dog to a vet appointment, road trip, etc., make sure to thoroughly cool the car down prior to your trip. Carry a travel water dish with you like the Road Refresher and fill it with ice and cold water. If you use a crate for travel, make sure there is plenty of air flow and no direct sunlight hitting the crate.
• Walk your dog before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. in a grassy area. Avoid walking on asphalt or concrete.  During summer, I carry both of my dogs from my condo to the dog run in back of the building, so their feet won’t touch the ground. Don’t let anyone convince you that a dog’s foot pads were “made” to endure rough or hot surfaces. Remember, AZ is on a whole other level of “hot”.
• People with Brachycephalic dogs (Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers) should take extra precaution. Walks/exercise should only be during early a.m. or late at night-and in MY opinion, limited to only 5-7 minutes. Don’t let them sunbathe either. Even without movement, they’re still likely to overheat. These dogs have a hard time breathing as is, let alone in extreme temperatures.
• If you keep your dog outside, you should really reconsider being a pet owner in the first place. In the meantime, BE KIND. Allow the dog to come inside during the hottest time of the year (June through September). There are no laws in Arizona protecting dogs from extreme weather. Technically, the animal must be provided with adequate shade and water, but that’s it. Someone forgot that it’s over 100 degrees IN THE SHADE, so it’s up to YOU to do the right thing.
• Recognize the signs of heat stroke: Heavy panting, dark red and dry gums, thick saliva, vomiting, dizziness/disorientation.

What To Do In Case Of Heat Stroke

Before taking your dog to see a vet, there’s a few things to do that are crucial in saving his life.

• Remove the dog from the hot area and begin to wet him down with cool water. You can use cold compresses, immerse him in a tub, or use a garden hose. Pay extra attention to cooling the feet and chest. Once his temperature has reached 103 degrees (use a rectal thermometer if possible), STOP COOLING. Hypothermia may occur if over cooled.
• DO NOT USE ICE OR ICE COLD WATER. A dramatic change in temperature may cause shock and other life threatening conditions.
• Offer the dog water to drink, but do not force it into his mouth.
• Even if your dog seems fine after cooling, veterinary assistance is MANDATORY to ensure no damage has been done to internal organs.

If you see a dog trapped in a car, don’t wait-DO SOMETHING.

Write down the make, model, and license plate of the vehicle and call police. It’s a good idea to have the owner paged if you’re in a shopping center, but remember every second matters. Per PETA:  If police are unresponsive or too slow and the dog’s life appears to be in imminent danger, find a witness (or several) who will back your assessment, take steps to remove the suffering animal, and then wait for authorities to arrive. That means you’re going to have to put your big girl panties on, bust out some windows, and illegally break into someone’s car… DO IT. You’re saving a life.

*Animal Cruelty Hotline: 602-876-1681

I was grateful enough to come across the owner and creator of Camp Spin-Off, Tina T. Who has graciously offered this opportunity for you or someone you know to go to Camp Spin Off! This is such an amazing camp, if I was eligible I’d go! PLEASE don’t miss out on a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn to DJ with some of the industry’s BEST!

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Tinted Moisturizer evens out the skin without the mask-like appearance that full-coverage foundation can sometimes give. Tinted Moisturizer is perfect for spring and summer. Glowy skin is IN and here is how you can achieve the look without the trial and error of finding a decent tinted moisturizer on the market… Read the rest of this entry »