2014 Favorites
2014 was a fabulous year for my blog aka the little blog that could. I got great shout outs, goodies and love from some of my favorite companies, such as: Tanus Designs, Cate and Chloe, Be A Bombshell, Borghese, L'oreal, Shiseido and Benefit, just to name a few.
Like last year, I'm pretty late in posting my faves, but unfortunately I don't have a magic butt that I can pull a time machine out of and change things. Here you go: The Hit's of 2014!
Home Scents
I'm a huge fan of Bath and Body Works. So much so that I go ape poopy whenever the 2 for $22 special pops up and I have an extra coupon. Hey, I'm a broke, fabulous, single mom and also I'm not stupid!
My M.O. when it comes to anything scented (my house, laundry or body) is to layer fragrances. I like to have the same scent in wallflower plug ins, candles, warming oil and room spray so that my house smells comfy and lovely.
Evergreen is my top favorite home scent from BBW. It literally smells like a crisp Oregon late fall morning walk. I was half expecting for it to smell like the dude in Seven with the tree fresheners, but it was extremely pleasant. This is one that translates well for any season, it's not specific to fall or winter, but unfortunately, that's the only time it is available.
Sweater Weather is my other absolute favorite home fragrance. It is, like the name suggests, a cozy, warm fragrance that is clean, not cloying. Sometimes man scented candles aka Mandles, make me ill because they never smell like a man you want to smell, rather they smell like the bathroom cologne Carrie Underwood sang of. Yech!
Sweater Weather does have the crisp masculine base that's in a lot of men's cologne, but there are some other notes, notes of juniper berries & eucalyptus that give it more dimension. Next fall I'm going to be better prepared and will snaggle a good 6 or 7 candles of Sweater Weather.
Although my apartment could smell like fall or winter year round, I did find a favorite scent that I would of bought more of had they had more scent options: Poolside. I love the memories of slathering on Coppertone before hopping into the Walker Middle School pool and that scent of sunscreen that lingered long after a post swim shower. Poolside smells exactly like its name. Just one whiff of this candle made me long for summer. I unfortunately didn't buy it while it was still in the early phases of catching on otherwise my entire house would have smelled like my middle school pool. Lesson learned. If you happen to catch this when it comes out again, snatch it up and send it to me!!! My email is mo9191976@aol.com , we'll be in touch ;)
Jewelry
This was the year that I was in jewelry heaven! For so long, I was known for my large, gaudy rings, but as I get longer in the tooth, I like simple pieces.
Gorjana and Griffin has two pieces that became everyday accents. Their gold beaded, pink thread Bali Bracelet was a piece that I have worn into the ground. I just love it and how universal is it, it truly goes with everything.
G&G's gold pressed G necklace was featured in a Popsugar box. Sadly, I am not a subscriber and got green with envy seeing all these YouTube braggers wearing their necklaces and looking smug. I wanted to look smug too! So I bought it. That's right. I bought it. This is another piece that goes with everything. It makes me look less homeless when I shop for groceries in my sweats and makes me look glam when I'm in my fancy dresses.
Every time I stalk their website, I see a new piece I want. Right now my main love is their gorgeous Superstar necklace and the unique Honeycomb necklace.
Check out their website! http://www.gorjana-griffin.com/gorjana/jewelry/necklaces.html?p=5
Cate & Chloe is another special line that makes me drool. If you are looking for simplicity and bling, look no further!
I initially was attracted to these gorgeous Silver Knot posts that was on a special Living Social deal. These are my go to, everyday earrings. Again, if you are looking for something pretty and simple, they have it in spades and it won't cost you your inheritance from Conway Twitty. I couldn't resist, I'm watching The Will on Investigation Discovery.
My Cate & Chloe collection began with the silver knot earrings and soon I added the Malena and Julie youthful necklaces.
The Malena reminds me of a snowflake, a cluster of crystals, delicately hanging from silver chain.
The Julie is one of my favorite necklaces I've ever owned. The wrapped silver strands with beads strung through, accent the clavicle in such a sexy way. Every woman should own this! Here, I'll help http://www.cateandchloe.com/mobile/Category.aspx?id=1827
While posting some blog pics on Instagram, I noticed that a company called Tanus Designs had "liked" a bunch of pictures. Out of curiosity, I checked out their page. Damnit Tanus Designs!!!! It's not one of those companies that will make you want a handful of pieces, no, you'll want pretty much everything. Trust me, I know.
Their hot pink Passion Shine bracelet was really what made me fall in love. The gorgeous Swarovski crystals imbedded in a sideways heart, tethered by a fuchsia jelly fabric band, is not only comfortable, but will become a staple in your jewelry.
The Love Foolosophy ring is another signature piece of mine. Long gone are the days when pinky rings were only for mafia types with an axe to grind. Mama wears this baby on her right pinky and it is the perfect place for it, given it's delicate interlocking hearts. The band is adjustable, so although it fits my ring finger, I think it looked so chic on my pinky.
Tanus does bling too! I currently have my eye on the silver Fashion Spikes necklace, the Anne Statement necklace and basically all their necklaces. Sigh. Tears. Drool. http://www.tanusdesigns.com/necklaces/page/3/
Skincare
Aside from my regular Holy Grails, there are always a couple bright spots in my search for new skincare favorites.
Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser is definitely cracking my Holy Grail category. With the soothing scent of eucalyptus and other essential oils, the first moment it hit ma face, I was in love. The fact that it cleans so well without stripping my skin or leaving a creepy ass residue (I'm looking in your general direction Noxema!), speaks volumes! Just the ritual of using the muslin cloth makes me feel like I'm doing something good for myself and my skin.
Check it out!! http://us.lizearle.com/cleanse-tone-moisturise/cleanse-and-polish-hot-cloth-cleanser.html
Makeup
I must say, drugstore foundations have come a long way. Maybelline Fit Me is probably the only foundation I've liked from the get go. I didn't need a week or even a day for it to prove itself. The coverage is buildable but even applied sheer, you can get a very finished look without looking cakey. I've used Maybelline Fit Me on all of my models and they all look flawless and photograph like a dream on the runway. Even the hard to match will like this foundation and at under $10, it is head and shoulders above is couturier sisters!
http://www.maybelline.com
Best Lipstick
Revlon's Colorburst Lip Butter in Lollipop was my most worn lip color. The rich fuchsia color brightens up my face without looking clownish and looks stunning with a sheer shadow and eponymous cat eye. The texture alone is a dream and the pigment is heaven. You truly get a non greasy lip treatment with the color payoff you'd expect from high end brands like Dior or Chanel.
The whole Lip Butter line is phenomenal and I'm definitely going to be investing in some of their new spring color collection!
http://www.revlon.com/Revlon-Home/Products/Lips/Lipcolor/Revlon-ColorBurst-Lip-Butter.aspx
Best of Brand
There are really two brands that fell into this category this year. Both defy descriptors and really are the best in terms of each product being the best of the best.
Chella is a new brand I was introduced to at the end of last year that was of of my go to's this year.
If you are looking for the best brow blueprint, Chella's Brow Kit has it. You will never have another excuse for having ratchet brows again. The tools are top notch and the brow pencil will not only define your brows but can actually create a brow from nothing. I used this brow pencil along with the Ivory Lace highlighter at each fashion show this year and made strong brows the signature of the Fall show at Territorial Vineyards.
Their Master 7 Protocol Serum has done wonders for my skins texture, tone and firmness. It reminds me of a blend of serums I used to use from Shiseido and Clarins, but to get all the benefits plus the texture and low maintenance fragrance that Chella delivers, that's huge. My skin gets so sapped of moisture that I usually need to not only bump up my serum usage, but also moisturizer. I have, at times, used two serums before my moisturizer at a time, but it only takes three pumps of the Master 7 for face and neck, applied before my moisturizer to get the hydration I want but also doesn't get that greasy sheen nor does it oxidize under makeup.
The better your skin looks, the less you have to cover! Learn it and learn it well!
http://chella.com/products/line/brow_full-fillment
What were your favorites this past year? Email me at mo9191976@aol.com
Xoxo
Miss Lady Mo
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