The Life of A Ladybug

End of summer fashion round-up!

Well, the unofficial end of summer has come and gone and all our thoughts are turning toward cooler weather and what we'll wear and what makeup we'll sport.  But before we move on entirely, I'd like to know: What were you rocking on the regular this summer?  What clothes/shoes/accessories did you find yourself reaching for over and over again?

For me, this summer was the "summer of strapless."  I found myself loving strapless tops and dresses.  They are wonderful in the blazing heat; you don't get tan lines from your bra straps/sleeves; and they're unassumingly sexy.  I find the shoulders and collarbone really sexy parts of hte body to bare without looking hoochified.  For shoes, I always found myself turning to a pair of open-toed gold high-heeled sandals.  They were the perfect neutral to go with any color (BTW - my favorite colors this summer were yellow, green, red, orange and brown - quite autumnal-sounding, but in bright and vibrant shades) and very, very comfortable.  And, for accessories, nothing beats large hoop earrings and a cuff bracelet.

So, what were you in love with stylewise this summer?  Share in the comments!

Bronze and Red

Last night's skincare:

• Cetaphil Daily Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin
• Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner
• Berwick Beauty Coming Up Roses Night Cream (under eyes)
• Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Treatment
• Avon Anew Ultimage Age Repair Night Cream

This morning's skincare:

• Cetaphil Daily Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin
• i.d. bareEscentuals skin rev-er upper
• Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Treatment
• Berwick Beauty Coming Up Roses Day Cream (around nose)
• MAC Moisturelush Eye Cream

Today's makeup:

• Bobbi Brown Luminous Foundation in Golden (applied with Beautyblender Sponge)
• Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Bisque (MAC 242SE brush)
• Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit in Golden (MAC 242 SE brush, MAC 224 SE brush for powder)
• tarte emphasEyes in Black (to line inner lower rim of lashes)
• Bourjois Metallic Eyeliner in Brun Inoxydable (lining upper and lower lashes)
• L'Oreal Voluminous Naturale in Blackest Black (two coats on upper lashes)
• Smashbox Fusion Eye & Cheek Color in Heatwave (as shadow and over blush)
• Sally Hansen (with Carmindy) Natural Beauty Bronzer in Summer (used darker end as contour color, lighter end as highlighter on cheekbones and under brow)
• NARS blush in Exhibit A (on apples of cheeks)
• Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15
• pop beauty lip smoothie in Salmon

Today's fragrance:

Philosophy Falling in Love

Today's outfit:

• red and white printed long-sleeve top from New York & Company
• brown double button pants from New York & Company
• gold printed leather pumps by BCBGirls
• gold hammered hoops from Claire's
• wedding set
• gold and pearl ring I bought on a cruise
• stretch bracelet with cowry shell and seashell dangles (a Mother's Day gift from Sarai)
• camel purse from Baghaus.com

Peachy browns and greens

Today's makeup:

• MAC Moisturelush Eye Cream
• YSL Touche Eclat in 3 (under eyes and under brows)
• Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder in 2 (under eyes)
• MAC Paint Pot in Indianwood (applied with my finger, all over my eye lid)
• Guerlain Ombré Eclat 4 Shades Eye Palette in Bronze Doré (light peachy nude as highlighter under brows, bronzy shade on lid, light celadon green on inner lid, dark green in crease and on outer v)
• Tarte EmphasEyes in Black (tightline)
• Bourjois Metallic Eyeliner in Brun inoxydable (to line upper and lower lashes)
• L'Oreal HIP Mascara in Ultimate Black (two coats on top lashes only)
• MAC Sculpt and Shape in Warm Light/Definitive
• mark. kiss theraphy lip balm in Shimmering Coral
• MAC lipliner in Cork
• Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine in BG 941S
• Dior Creme de Gloss in Beige Elixir

Today's fragrance:

Fresh Sugar Lychee

Today's outfit:

• brown s/s tee with bronze sequin placket on the neckline from Old Navy
• brown tweed cropped pants from New York and Company
• brown mock croc pointy-toed high-heeled mary janes from Isaac Mizrahi for Target
• bronze chandelier earrings (I don't remember where I got these)
• wedding set

Dude - I'm wearing more makeup than I am clothes!  HA!

Passionate about purple and Paint Pots

Seriously ... have I told y'all how much I love MAC Paint Pots?  Have I???  Because I do.  I love 'em, y'all.  They are the best.  Swipe it on with your finger, add liner and mascara and go.  A polished, slightly shimmery eye in seconds.  Yummylicious!

Today's skincare:

• Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
• Paula's Choice Blemish Control Liquid (or whatever it's called)
• MAC Moisturelush Eye Cream
• Elizabeth Ardene Intervene Moisturizer

Today's makeup:

• YSL Touche Eclat in 3 (under brows and under eyes)
• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Deep (all over with BE Handy Buki brush and used as concealer with BE Max Coverage Concealer brush)
• MAC Paint Pot in Nice Vice (applied over lid and into crease with finger)
• tarte emphasEyes in Black (used to line upper and lower inner eye)
• MAC Dual-Edge Eye Pencil in Fab Orchid (upper lashline)/Dash Lily (lower lashline)
• Cover Girl Lash Blast in Very Black (two coats on top lashes)
• tarte cheekstain in blushing bride (applied to apples of my cheeks and blended with fingers)
• Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF15
• NYX Round Lipstick in B52
• MAC Lipgelée in Mega

Today's outfit:

• purple drape cowl neck top from Torrid
• brown tweed pants from New York & Company
• cream lace kitten-heels pumps by Isaac Mizrahi for Target
• silver dramatic crescent/rhinestone earrings from New York & Company
• wedding set
• camel large tote from baghaus.com

Today's fragrance: Fresh Sugar Lychee eau de parfum

Today's hair: sprayed with my homemade leave-in (water, leave-in conditioner, pomegranate seed oil, olive oil) and pulled up in a Tomoka's Twist with silver beads

It's not easy being green ... but it sure is pretty!

ETA: I'm adding a couple pics that I managed to get on my cell phone.  Admittedly, they're not the greatest, but I guess they're better than nothing!

This morning's skincare:

• Clean & Clear Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin
• Clean & Clear Acne Advantage Treatment
• MAC Moisturelush Cream
• Elizabeth Arden Intervene Cream

Today's make-up:

• Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit in Golden
• Jane Iredale PurePressed Base in Butternut, applied with the BE Handy Buki brush
• MAC Paint Pot in Cash Flow, as eyeshadow base
• MAC Eyeshadow in Bitter, over whole lid and up past the crease
• MAC Eyeshadow in Swimming, on outer half of the lid and blended up into the crease
• MAC Eyeshadow in Mulch, blended into the crease
• MAC Eyeshadow in All That Glitters, above the crease
• Bourjois Duochrome Liner in Noir Emeraude, used to line top and bottom third of lash line
• Tarte EmphasEyes, used on waterline
• Prescriptives False Lashes mascara, two coats on top lashes
• Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Waikiki Strip, used to highlight brow bones and cheekbones
• CARGO blush in Rome, on apples of cheeks
• Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15
• NYX Round Lipstick in Galaxy
• Bobbi Brown Glitter Lip Gloss in Buff

Today's fragrance: Fresh Hesperides eau de parfum

Today's outfit:

• black, white, gray and yellow-green printed top by Mossimo for Target
• black double-button pants from New York & Company
• black mock croc pointy-toed mary janes by Isaac Mizrahi for Target
• silver cuffs bought from a fellow tribal bellydancer
• silver bamboo earrings from The Icing
• camel "leather" tote from www.baghaus.com

Tomoka's Twists

I heard about Tomoka's Twists on Afrobella.  After seeing the Bella herself rocking a hot Tomoka's Twist, I decided I had to have one, too.  Well, I wound up getting three!  If you look at the picture, you can see that I have already been sporting them and loving them!  I love that, for the first time, I can wear my Sisterlocks in an up style without worrying about popping an elastic band and that I can do it with style!  I bought the silver beaded one I'm wearing in the picture, one with pink beads and one with beads that say "Foxy Brown!"  That's my favorite one, of course.

The creator of Tomoka's Twists was inspired when looking for a band that would keep her natural hair in the high puff she desired.  She is now a Sisterlocked sister like myself - yay!  I can't wait to get some more - I really like the beaded designs.  Many of the designs also come in earrings - tres chic!  Most of the Twists range from $12 - $14.  You can purchase at www.tomokastwists.com.

I'm a peachy bronze beauty!

Last night's skincare:

• Purity Made Simple
• Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner
• Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Treatment
• Avon Anew Ultimate Repair Overnight Cream

This morning's skincare:

• Clean & Clear Sensitive Skin Foaming Cleanser
• Paula's Choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Liquid
• MAC Moisturelush Eye Cream

Today's make-up:

• Laura Geller Spackle
• MAC Select Cover-up in NC42 under eyes and NC45 to cover redness
• Monave Mineral Foundation in Beverly
• Benefit That Gal primer, patted under my eyes and used as highlight on my cheekbones and bridge of my nose
• Monave Face Illuminizer in Radiant, used as highlight under my brows and on my tear ducts and on my cheekbones
• Monave Mineral Bronzer
• Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in P Orange 53
• Tarte EmphasEyes used to line my upper and lower inner rims
• MAC Eye Kohl in Orpheus
• MAX Factor 2000 Calories mascara in Rich Black, two coats on my top lashes
• Rosebud Salve
• MAC lip liner in BBQ
• Guerlain Terracotta Lip Gloss in 20 (peachy-bronze)

Today's outfit:

• peach v-neck shell from New York & Company
• peach cardigan from New York & Company
• black and peach glen plaid pants from New York & Company
• black ankle boots by Nine West
• silver thumb rings
• silver filigree ring
• wedding set
• silver bamboo earrings
• white purse with gold hardware from www.baghaus.com

Today's fragrance:

The Body Shop Peach Body Butter, Fresh Fig Apricot eau de parfum

Widewidths.com

Attention, all big-legged girls!

If you're like me and love the high, sexy boots, but never can seem to find any that perfectly fit your powerful size, this site is for you (and me) - www.widewidths.com.  I ordered a pair of black boots from there on 2/4 and they were here yesterday (2/6).  I've been wearing them all day today and let me tell you - they are fly, fabulous and fit like a glove.  They zipped right up over my calves with no problem - no stretching or tugging required.  And they are comfortable as all get out!  Head over there - NOW!!!

I feel Dazzling today!

This morning's skincare:

• Clean & Clear Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin
• Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner
• Paula's Choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Liquid
• Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Treatment
• MAC Moisturelush Eye Cream

Today's make-up:

• Laura Geller Spackle
• MAC Select Cover-Up in NC42 (under eyes), NC45 (on dark spots and to cover the redness of that one zit that just popped up on my forehead - argh!)
• Monave Mineral Foundation in Beverly, applied with the BareEscentuals Handy Buki brush
• Monave Face Illuminizer in Radiance, under brows and on tear ducts
• tarte emphaseyes, to line upper and lower inner rims
• MAC Eyeliner in Coffee, used to line top lashline
• MAC eyeshadow in Orange, used to line bottom lashline
• MAC Zoom Lash in Zoomblack, two coats on top lashes only
• MAC Shade and Sculpt in Warm Light/Definitive
• NARS blush in Mounia
• Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF15
• MAC Dazzleglass in Money, Honey

Today's fragrance: Fresh Fig Apricot

Today's outfit:

• brown sweater with silver thread from Target
• brown tweed pants from New York & Company
• brown stretch ankle boots from Payless
• silver thumb rings
• wedding set
• silver filigree ring
• silver bamboo earrings
• turquoise purse w/silver hardware from Cents of Style

Bangalore beauty

Last night's skincare:

• Philosophy Purity Made Simple
• Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner
• Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Treatment
• Bobbi Brown Overnight Cream (as eye cream)
• Dove Pro Age Night Cream

This morning's skincare:

• Clean & Clear Sensitive Skin Cleanser
• Paula's Choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Liquid
• Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Treatment
• MAC Moisturelush Eye Cream
• Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture SPF15

Today's make-up:

• L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Concealer in Warm Medium/Deep
• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Deep, applied with the BE Handy Buki brush
• Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil in Bangalore
• Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Sunset Strip - used as highlighter under brows and on cheekbones
• MAX Factor 2000 Calories Mascara in Rich Black - two coats on top lashes only
• NARS blush in Taj Mahal
• Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment
• Scott Barnes Flossy Glossy in Juicey

Today's outfit:

• black, white and lime green printed top from Target
• black double-button pants from New York & Company
• black pointy-toed mock croc mary janes by Isaac Mizrahi for Target
• silver "tribal" cuffs from Urban Outfitters
• silver bamboo earrings
• wedding set
• black slouchy purse

Today's fragrance:

L for L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani