modern day grace..

Well I am tired from staying up ALL night but it was well worth watching THE ROYAL WEDDING! It was a beautiful historic event with lots of tradition, hats and obvious true love in that church! William was looking daper in his uniform, but Kate truly stole the Show! She looked Royal, Sophisticated, Timeless, Elegant, and best of all: Her Self in the Alexander MacQueen stunner (designed by Sarah Burton of the MacQueen Hause). She did not try to be Diana or show her up, she went with her natural style and even did her own makeup! Congrats to the royal Couple! It was beautiful, best of luck on your journey ahead. 

God save the Queen. xo

MODERN DAY GRACE KELLY

love this look...

I am not a huge Hilary fan but I got to give it to her I love this look. One thing let it be said, instead of tight jeans she should have opted for a knee length flowy satin skirt to make it a little more springy and even it out. Tight jacket and tight jeans with heels ( although I love me a nude pump ) does not wok for me but what I am crazy about is her emerald earrings, its on trend right now and I am digging the flashes of this colour!

The earrings are by Kendra Scott "Wren" earrings, which are sold for around $70. 

let kids be kids!

In a new interview with US Magazine.com Kim Kardashian was asked about her Hair Removal secrets and she reveals that since age 12 she has had a bikini wax every month! Now I know girlfriend is Armenian and it is a lot to take care of but 12 YEARS OLD! that just seems Cray Cray to me... What do you think, is 12 to young or is it Ok? (click the link to watch the interview)

you mean most 12 year olds don't do that?

http://www.usmagazine.com/stylebeauty/#ooid=s2bGNyOjXgMOYEE__MoytYeixFA_nXwB,NqODllMjoSw8KTVzhFYT54v0Mno0nGwt

doe-eyed...

I have almond shaped eyes, apparently thats a "Good" thing but it also makes my eyes really small and my lack of eyelashes doesn't help my case either! I want those big doe-eyed-doll-eyes that the models have and here are some helpful hints to achieve that bright-big-doll-eyed look!

Now I wouldn'tt say to follow twiggys look exactly but a toned down version is great!

First you want to start with a fresh canvas, make sure to prime your eyes, or use a matte concealer and then use a natural powder, and make sure to curl your eyelashes pre-mascara. Then its line time!

Using a white eye liner pencil (my favorite is by NYX, in white pearl #918) and line the inner lid on your bottom lash line ( see photo ).

By doing this you are adding to the whites of your eyes, in return making your eyes themselves appear larger, you can line from tear duct to tear duct.  Make sure you have dried up the lid first with a tissue or cotton swab so that the liner adheres to the lid.

Next you want to use a white shadow, I prefer matte but you can use shimmery as well. ( I use Body Shop #13 eye colour matte)

With a eye-shadow brush, brush the inner corner of your eye, spreading up to your upper lid and also blending into the bottom. With a cotton swab you can clean surrounding areas of blend it in, should be just enough for the light to catch but not too much where is looks like costume makeup.

The last thing to do now is line your eye (for night use a liquid liner for more drama) but please remember to go thin with black liner because too much will make your eyes appear smaller and whatever you do DO NOT add black line to lower lashes. For this look and lots of others it just closes up your eye, if you want more colour or definition use a shadow that you can blend instead.

and of course add mascara to both top and bottom lashes, sparingly on the bottom and try clumping the lashes on the bottom a little together to really create that "Dolly" look.

Try it for yourself and let me know what you think! xo

the beauty department...

Well Lauren Conrad's highly anticipated website is up and running! There is hair, makeup and this and that! With input from her and some others you will be looking fashionably fabulous in no time! Here is a little insert from a recent post about which hair styling tools to use, enjoy :

                                          photos: life.com, gettyimages.com, style.com

Maybe you’ve never been backstage at a New York Fashion Week runway show. Maybe you haven’t been in the “glam room” at your favorite starlet’s house hours before she walks down a red carpet. So then maybe you’ve never seen the “other” tools we use to make their pretty little locks look the way they do. Turns out there’s much more to it than a curling iron and a blow dryer. We’re going to start with these three slightly less famous beauty gadgets:

The Wand. This is literally like a curling iron with the clamp side removed. It’s just a stick, and it usually comes with a glove. Wearing this heat protective glove, you take a lock of hair at a time and wrap it around the barrell spiraling down (I recommend wrapping backwards, away from the face). Hold the ends while the hair heats up and then slide the wand out.  No unwanted crease to worry about because there is no clamp.

Root Control. We use the root control during fashion week a lot. Every girl from every country with every type of hair is rushing around backstage and when you have to make sure all of their hair looks exactly the same, this can come in very handy. Ethnic can get frizzy/poofy at the root where it’s not relaxed. This is a very hot iron with a protective comb shell and it’s a wonderful, quick alternative to the pressing comb. You can lay it directly on the root and it will not burn the scalp. Watch the video on this page to see how it works! It’s IN-CRED-IBLE. It also works really well for those with super thick stubborn curly hair when you just can’t quite get the roots tame with a blowdryer and/or flat iron. I love this thing.

Waving Iron. Some waving irons come with a clamp, but I feel like clamp flattens the wave and makes your hair look crimped. Typically I turn to the version above without the clamp to create wave with more body. This is my favorite for refining naturally curly hair! I do a “circle 8″ by weaving hair between the prongs which creates a more natural curl pattern than what you get with a regular curling iron. I also use this when I want a more modern, loose version of a Veronica Lake wave. To do that, you put the hair between the two prongs and give it a twist.

xxkristin

[property of thebeautydepartment.com]

www.thebeautydepartment.com

new obsession...

My new obsession! http://wheredtheygetthat.blogspot.com  is a great blog to get some inspiration from your favorite celebrities, and where they get their great pieces from! check it out!

Quick Tip

Who knew that the powder stuff that makes delicious Jello (mmmm jello). Gelatin has a high quantity of protein, which will strengthen your locks leaving them looking healthy and lustrous. Heres what to do for your Hairs own Atkins mask :

Dissolve a package of clear Gelatin into hot water, then taking the substance when its warm massage into your hair, concentrating on your ends. The protein helps strengthen the hair shaft, preventing breakage and damage. Leave hair mask on for 30 min the rinse.

Roxy 2011...

Getting back to their roots and living the beach bum life, take a peak at the model "Roxy Girls" and their shoot for this years collection ( with one of my favorite surfers and Roxy Girl Kelia Moniz )! cute gear and what looks like a super fun shoot!

Beach boys will be stuck in my head all day..

hey surfer sister...

MAC has come out with a whole new line of products inspired by surf and sea! and I am in LOVE!

These great colours and tones are amazing for summer and will match any tan!

Turqoise, blue, bronze and Gold, so many summery colours, it will make any day a day at the beach!

something bought, something blue...

With summer quickly approaching, so is wedding season! Last year I experienced the world of planning the biggest day of your life, and let me tell ya, I am looking forward to just planning out what to wear to one this year! 

Now there is no outdoing the bride but here are some looks to get you inspired ( or at least with an idea to take shopping ) for any special occasion you have this summer!

first things first! what kind of wedding will you be attending? black tie? dressy casual? Beach?

Have no fear I have suggestions for all!

Black Tie Affair: Usually in the evening, generally church ceremonies, and held in doors (although everyone has different taste)

I love the Ballerina look, and with such a romantic occasion a toulle skirt adds a very romantic touch! With the details of a corset top and some fab jewelry you would be couture chic in no time!Stick with light colours for the full ballerina feel, avoid a long skirt though, as it may start to resemble a wedding gown. Keeping your hair down or a chic ponytail will give it a fresh twist compared to a Bun, and will help keep you from competing with the Bride, if you want something a little more classic go for a satin dress with a a waist cinching touch, this wrap bow dress is a great example and the colour is phenomenal!

Tan Toulle Dress - Forever 21 - $34.80
Satin Bow Dress - Forever 21 - $32.80


Garden Party: for a dressy casual wedding, outside or daytime ceremony.

The style for this type of wedding this year has been greatly influenced by Kate Middleton. Its Preppy and Pretty, much more structured dresses then the flowy florals of last year. Nautical Preppy is one way to amp it up, or pick a waist defining print dress with thicker straps and a scoop neckline. If you really want to stand out you can pick a headpiece or a netting hat for a retro or British feel.

Nautical Preppy Dress - Forever 21 - $24.80
Floral Print Dress - Forever 21 - $24.80

Lifes a Beach: Destination or Beach weddings

For a beach wedding anything flowy and a little more showy is what you need! A Maxi dress is a great pick for these weddings, there isn't many places you can wear a Maxi (where it doesn't look a little out of place), but a beach wedding isn't one of em! Opt for a solid colour, rich Salmons, or Dark patterns to avoid looking like you are wearing a tent! Flowy Florals but in Bold contrast, such as this yellow and black dress will make you fit in but also stand out!, avoid heels at all costs, if you need height opt for a wedge but it not gladiator sandles are oh so chic and a better option then flip flops.

Maxi Dress - American Eagle Outfitters - $49.50
Black & Yellow  Roxy Dress - The Boathouse - $39.99

rant and rave...

You can search day and night to find a light weight foundation that matches skin, leaving it flawless but touchable. In my makeup bag there are  all different types of shapes and sizes and brands... and then I found this...

COVERGIRL Natureluxe foundation with 10 SPF

I don`t know how Covergirl did it but they managed to put out a great product that works just as good, maybe even better then some $50 products I have tried (tried, not bought!). In most stores they have a transparent swatch that allows you to stick your hand under to find the exact shade for you and mine is pretty much spot on. Not only does it give you that amazing light coverage but it has sunscreen right in it (which you should be wearing on your face everyday anyways!). The price is $11.99 depending where you shop but it is worth it! I`m a believer... are you?

fashionista ispirazione.....

On the days where I feel like I want to make a statement or just look cute I have this website open on my makeup table to surf through for inspiration, to bring out the Fashionista within! check it out   . xo

http://lookbook.nu/

and the rest is still unwritten...

I dont`t know about anyone else but I have the guilty pleasure of watching the Hills on MTV. Now I know they have moved on to bigger and better things (thats what seasons on DVD are for!) and Lauren Conrad has done quite a bit from starting her own Fashion Line (Paper Crown) and becoming an Author. Now she has something new : her own Website. Lauren is taking over Allure Magazines Facebook this week, and she tells a little bit about it in a post

 ``‎Lauren Conrad: You know Allure is the beauty expert, and I'm obsessed with beauty too. My new beauty website is launching right now! Check out www.thebeautydepartment.com for beauty tips and video tutorials, like how to do the hottest runway tricks and do beachy curls.``


So keep your eyes peeled ladies! should be good!   www.thebeautydepartment.com

full summer ahead and straight until august...

With Summer drawing closer ( don`t tell me you haven`t pulled out your flip flops to look at them dreamily or even wear them around the house! ) Well Down in old Indio, CA the Music Festival of the year brought out the stars and fans and the boho summer fashion we love! Here are some of my fave picks for inspiration for the sunnny days to come!

                              

Here are some similar options:

$13.80 - Forever 21

$49.50 - American Eagle Outfitters  &  $29.95 - GAP

$12.00 - Aldo  &  $18.00 - Aldo

Welcome Back!

Hello Blogworld! I have taken quite the month Hiatus!

Well Life has been different and busy and changing! I am back to writing and I'm excited!

Just to give you a little insight into my world, well my job has been slowing down, as some, but not all of you might know for the past year I have been a Nanny to three boys, and now it has been cut down to three days a week and 2 boys so this leaves room open for me to go back to school. And I am!

I will be attending a Hair Design program starting May 2nd and I am overwhelmed with nerves and excitement. To some it may seem like a drop out kind of thing to do ( a-la-Grease ) but for me its something fun and an outlet for my Artistic abilities ( I threw up a little in my mouth right then too) but its true!

Also a bonus I will have a whole bunch more professional tips to share with all of you! So definitely keep looking out for those!

Well thats enough from me, but I will try to get as many posts up a week as possible, my fingers are tingling to get writing!  Thanks for your support I cant believe I'm at over 3000 views! very unexpected :)

xo