What's the Skinny?

Back-to-School time is all about the jeans (American Eagle even has a song about them)...I've never really understood why, as it's still 90 degrees out and the last thing I want to put on my body is a pair of jeans. Nor do I get dropping a ton of money on school clothes. My mom didn't do the whole "back-to-school-shopping" trip. We got a new back-to-school outfit and maybe new shoes (usually tennis shoes, which is hilarious now because I haven't bought tennis shoes since 1999! I just steal my sister's when she gets tired of them). We then got clothes all year long rather than in bulk at the beginning of the year. Which to me, is waaaayyy better! I still shop like that. Some people go months without shopping and buy a bunch new stuff  at once. I however would rather buy a few pieces here and there all the time.

I am stoaked to see something on the racks other than skinny (I had to rock my over the knee boots every day possible and that required skinny jeans/jeggings!). The reality of it is: Skinnies are not the most flattering jeans unless you are a 5'10" super model weighing in a 110lbs....I am loving the new skinny flare and the high waisted trouser's which are flattering on most people!

Here are my new fav's and a pair that I picked up at the Limited:

678 Flare Trouser Jean $69.50 

Express ReRock Flare Leg Extended Tab $118

Loft High Waist Flare $69.50

AE First Edition Trouser Wide Leg $49.50

Tips for wearing this look: This style jean looks best if worn with a heel or a wedge, especially if you are on the shorter side.It will make your legs look long and lean. If you are wearing the wide leg version, go with a fitted top (don't want to look frumpy), if they are high waisted a tucked in blouse looks awesome, it can even be a little blousey, and if they are skinny flares you can do a blousey top or a fitted one, tucked in or not.

Are you as excited to see something other than non-flattering skinny jeans debuting for this fall like me? What other fall trends are you loving?

What Not To Wear: Extreme High Waisted Jeans...if JS can't pull this off, no one can!

Cut-Off's

For the past week I have been taunted by these adorable jean roll-up shorts from J.Crew catalog...just sitting there on my desk staring at me and screaming "Buy me Mindy, buy me!!" They are however listed at a low, low price of $79.50 (please do note my sarcasm when I say low.)

Selvedge Denim Shorts (courtesy of J.Crew catalog July 2011)

The reality of it is... I cannot wear jean shorts to work so I cannot fathom paying that price for a pair of shorts that may get worn a handful of times this summer. With that being said...I have been looking everywhere for something similar for a better deal. While AE has their new "mini" shorts (that are about 4 inch inseams, which is what the J.Crew short measures when cuffed) and they are somewhat similar but are a little more snug in the leg. So if that is the closet I am going to get then why not make my own cut-off, roll up shorts?

So I did. Just now and it took me about 10 minutes max. I started with an old pair of jeans that I do not wear anymore (they were a little on the short side, so I don't wear them hardly ever!) and did the following steps:

1. Lay out your shorts, smooth flat and cut them off at a longer length than what you want the end product to be. I went with 10 inches.



2. Next, I put them on so I could get a better judgment of how short I wanted them, if you cut too much at first, you can't add more back on so less is more in the beginning. Then I cut them up to 7 inches. This way when I cuff them, they will be more at a 4 inch inseam.

3. Cut both legs to match. I also cut little slits on the sides of the shorts as these jeans were a little tighter in the thigh than I wanted, slitting them made them more comfortable when I rolled them. I haven't worn these jeans in at least a year, and I know they stretch out a lot. I know they will be perfect once I sit in them for 15 minutes or so. Roll them or let them fray (if you want more fray, pull some of the threads and then wash them).

Finished Product:

Now, while they are not the $79.50 denim shorts from J.Crew they will satisfy my need to have a roll up jean short and fit almost identical to the $39.50 Midi's from AE and they cost me nothing.

I have to get ready for work now, but I'll try a full outfit with my new roll-ups this weekend.

Have a great weekend!!





Dress Obsessed

I am obsessed with dresses. Literally. Obsessed. I can not seem to get enough and I am always on the hunt for a new one. It's hard living in a town with not a lot of clothing options, other than the mall brand stores, Limited, Express, Ann Taylor, Loft, etc. My B.F.F. (forever) and I always have the "where the heck did that cute dress come from! We know the inventory of every store in the mall!" conversation every time we see a cute dress on someone. My only guess is these girls budgets for clothing are a lot more than mine and are hitting up the local pricey boutiuqes and well...I can get so much more for $300 than one dress with my employee discount.

One of my new fav line of dresses comes from Jessica Simpson....she really has awesome dresses! If you haven't checked them out, you should! I was so lucky to score these two today, on sale, at Dillards:

I really wanted this in green last year and was so excited to see the style back in this adorable white eyelet.

Buy it here (not on sale...but probably on sale at your local Dillards)

And a version of this...same style dress but with navy and orange flowers.

Buy the black and yellow version (here)

I am really digging this Max and Cleo dress I came across while looking up JS dresses on Zappos:

Max and Celo Cotton Mandy Dress $138 (buy here)

From my fav mall store, The Limited, here are my picks from the new summer line of dresses. I am totally digging the whole red and blue, patriotic feel right now and will proudly wear my country's colors.

2 in 1 Shoulder Dress $89.90

Faux tie wrap dress $98.00

Sweetheart Dot Strapless $89.90



Can't leave out LOFT:

Blurred Leopard Print Drawstring Waist Dress $69.50

What is your favorite line of dresses? Are you obsessed too....or not so much?



All Night Long

Reader's get ready to brace yourself...this one is the miracle product that I can no longer live without! The make-up product I have been searching high and low for years. The product that amazes me every time I put it on. It's Urban Decay's "All Nighter" Setting Spray.

How does it work? Once you are finished putting on your entire face of make-up, in a circular motion, spray 2-4 pumps of this miracle product onto your face and wa-la it literally will keep your make-up on your face, looking as good as it did when you finished applying it, for the rest of the day. I used to always look in the mirror around 3 pm and wonder "where did my make-up had go?"...no longer do I have to ask myself that question because this little investment keeps it there till I take it off. It feels like a light mist of water going on your face, does not feel sticky or heavy and it claims to stay on for 16 hours...not sure I have had to have my make-up on for that long, but I do not doubt one bit that it would last that long.

Where can I buy it and how much? You can buy Urban Decay products at Macy's, Ulta, and Sephora. It runs at a pricey $29, but worth every penny if your make-up does a disappearing act like mine does. You can buy a 1oz. sample at Sephora for $11 if you wanna give it a test drive before jumping in $30 deep. It also comes in a dewy version called "Dew Me" and a oil control version called "De-slick."

Well Hello Again

It's been a while! I have missed you! A lot has changed over the past few months and it has been forever since I have gotten a free moment to blog. Life has been busy, busy, busy. I really want to get back to doing the things I love and blogging is one of those. I do wanna know what you like best about my blog? Do you like to see outfits, product reviews, here me ramble...etc? I wanna give you more of what you wanna see. Unfortunately, my outfits are going to be a little more bias towards one brand now that I am working in retail again, but I can try and show you ways to mix in new pieces with old pieces.

And now I have to share with you my new found love...Sofft Shoes. Working on my feet for 8+ hours a day on hard wood flooring has not been a joy ride and I was ready to shell out a ton of dough for a pair of shoes that wouldn't kill my feet. I headed to Dillard's to check out Sofft Shoes and Cole Hann Air Pumps. After an hour of trying on different shoes with an adorable little old man (If you know me, you know I have a special place in my heart for little old men) I left with these awesome new Sofft Shoes.

Sofft shoes is made by Born (which is not so trendy...but  oh-so-comfy) and these shoes are  did not let me down in the comfy department. They are listed around $100 online but I snagged a pair at Dillard's for $49.99! I get so many compliments on them from the young and the old. Plus I can wear them for 8 hours straight and not feel like I want to saw my feet off.

More to come! I promise. Maybe not daily, but hopefully I'll be able to give you something to read through 1-2 days a week.

Build your Ark, the flood is coming!

O.M.G....It is never going to stop raining here in good ol' Kentucky! I am pretty sure I should start looking for wood and collecting my animals because I may need to start building an Ark if this rain keeps on. I would love to see the sun shine, wear my fairly new RL sunglasses, and to not have to carry around my broken umbrella (thank you 30 mph wind for destroying my J.Crew umbrella...no really, I appreciated that!).

On a brighter, less rainy and miserable note, I have gotten some really cute pieces from The Limited over the past week and wanted to share! As I was pulling the pictures I had to stop and laugh-out-loud because majority of what I picked up is either white or cream. Oh could I be more boring? I just can't help it...I love neutrals!

First is this OBR (Outback Red, a casual Limited line) Blazer. I have already worn it three times over the past 8 days. Look awesome with my skinny 917 jeans and the cream lace tank (that you will see below), the white skirt, and with the cream lace skirt (all also seen below).

Puff Sleeve Jacket

  

This lace tank is so beautiful on! It's is great alternative to a plain tank...because well it is still plain but oh-so dainty and detailed with the lace flowers.

Corded Blossoms Tank

Now THE lace skirt! Va-va-Voom is how I feel when I have this on. It's a little shorter than a regular pencil, but I am okay with showing a little leg (wink, wink).

Eyelet Skirt

I really like to wear the cream lace tank tucked into the lace pencil skirt. It almost appears to be a cream lace dress when paired together. Would've made an awesome Keeneland outfit, but I didn't make it out there this spring. The perfect topper is this mauve colored cardi.

Shadow Stripe Cardigan

I have a new found obsession with pencil skirts...as if one light colored pencil skirt wasn't enough...I went and got this white sateen pencil skirt which can be worn with just about anything. I really hate wearing pants in the summer so I usually opt for a dress or a skirt. The heavy sateen is perfect for concealing your "delicates" but not to heavy for those warm 90 degree days that will (fingers crossed) be here before we know it.

Sateen Pencil Skirt

FYI: Macys is having their infamous friends and family right now (25% off everything! Eek! Run now and buy some stuff!) so I could not leave the store without these now could I?

Calvin Klein, Kail Pumps

I knew you would agree! Happy Easter Everyone! I hope you took advantage of some great holiday sales this weekend.





Hello There!

Wow what a crazy four weeks it has been! I have started a new job, turned 30 (eek! can't believe I just said that out loud....I kid, it really doesn't bother me all that much), spent my birthday on the beautiful beach of Fort Lauderdale and it all seems like a blur. Life is good, I cannot complain. Other than the fact that the weather has been a bit of a downer as it is so up and down. Can a girl just get some warm spring weather? I have cute new things I need to wear!

One of my favorite stores, The Limited ran an awesome 40% off the whole store sale this past weekend and I snatched up some great sales pieces! Including this Trench featured in their national ads for $29.99! Say What?!

And this incredible lace skirt for $17.99!

I am also slightly obsessed with shoes from Aldo at the moment. I have to say that in years past I have hated their shoes and sometimes I still really have a hard time fitting into their sizes (come on Aldo can we just get a half size...it can't be that difficult? All other brands out there do it) but now I could pick out at least 5 shoes that I think I cannot live without. These sandals I got a few weeks back started my addiction. They are AWESOME and worth every penny! I can stand 9 hours and my feet do not feel like they are going to fall off my body by the end of the day.

Awilda $70.00

I recently ordered these two new Aldo shoes and I am patiently awaiting the arrival of:

Maricruz

Roath

I really do love spring and spring shopping. Everything is light and airy, the fabrics are colorful and bright, it is just such a relief from the drag, blah winter blues. Keep a look out as it is Macy's friends and family starting next Wednesday! I hope to snatch up a new watch (like I did last year) with a little gold in it. You can also almost guarantee there will be awesome sales for Good Friday and Easter...then hold tight as Memorial Day is just around the corner. Ahhh Summer. How I can't wait for you to arrive!

Airbrushing Before and After Pics

                                                  Before                                          After

You can see I am a little splotchy (left picture) up around my arms and arm pits from where I did Versa on Saturday night...the picture on the left was taken on Wednesday morning. So you can see how fast the color faded with the Versa Spa Medium Spray (after three full days I was almost pasty white again). The airbrush tan (on the right) was taken today (Friday morning) and I did a treatment on Wednesday afternoon (so almost two full days and I'm not where near pasty white). The color is so natural looking and really does last a lot longer than my Versa Spa spray.

My airbrush is courtesy of No Lines Tanning. Located here in Lexington, on Pasadena Drive inside the Hair Cafe. Check them out here on Facebook to make an appointment, be sure to tell them Mindy sent you!

Airbrush Tanning 101

Hello all. I have truely missed you! Please accept my apologizes for abandoning you. I have been so, so busy. I recently wrapped up at my old job and went straight into my new job. Hopefully towards the end of April I get sometime to breath!

I get numerous questions about airbrush tanning and I would like to think of myself as an expert on this since most people try it a handful of times and give up since it can be a little high maintence to commit to "spray/fake" tan. As many of you know, I am turining the big 3-0 (eek!) next week and with age comes wrinkles, age spots, saggy skin, etc and I decided last March that I had put my skin through enough the previous 29 years and vowed to forever stay out of the tanning beds and to always lather myself up with SPF 30 anytime I am going to be out in the sun for long periods of time (for example when I am sun bathing on the beautiful Miami Beach for my 30th Birthday!). Being a natural red (auburn) head, tanning is not something that comes natural or easy to me. I have to work really, really hard to get a beautiful-bronzed-beach body....that was until I came across airbrush tanning.

Now when I first started "spraying" last March, I began with Sun Tan City's Versa Spa.What is Versa Spa you ask? Versa Spa is like the Cadillac version of Mystic Tanning (a spray tanning booth many of you may be familiar with that tends to leave people looking a little on the orange side). Versa Spa has nozzels that spray you as they move up and down the front of the booth. You will stand in four different positions to ensure even coverage (from what I remember of Mystic you only get sprayed front and back). You can opt for different colors: Clear Light, Medium, and Dark and Bronze Light, Medium, and Dark. If you go this option I have found the best results with Clear Medium (and nice touch of color) and Clear Dark (looks like you spent a week on the beach). I was a HUGE fan of the Versa Spa (photo below)...until I discovered airbrush tanning.

Airbrush Tanning is much more customized and is done by an Airbrush Tech. Soooo....someone sprays your entire body while you stand their in a swimsuit, underwear, or nude (completely your preference...I choose to do undies only as I didn't like having the bathing suit top lines). I have been going to No Lines Tanning here in Lexington (located over on Pasenda Drive, inside the Hair Cafe) so I can't speak to all airbrush tanning places here in town but NLT is incredible! The color is a beautiful, natural golden bronze color and the spray they use is made of natural ingredients. In less than 10 minutes I can have a color I could never achieve by laying out in the sun. NLT offer's an array of "colors": Medium- a light sunkissed color (rarely used...but I assume it's close to the Clear Light/Medium at Sun Tan City, Dark- my color of choice (and I get two coats "painted on" as my husband refer's to it), and then Extra Dark- think Jersey Shore Snooki tan... I cannot speak highly enough of NLT! I always get tons of compliments on my color (when people find out it's fake) and the team there makes you feel super comfortable when you standing there in nothing but your skeevies.

note: This is not me...(I wish my stomach was that flat)...just some random picture I found on google to giev you an idea of what happens during an airbrush tanning session.

Spray tanning can be a little high maintence until you get used to doing it but to me it's totally worth it to not expose my skin to the hard UVA/UVB rays in a tanning bed that cause not only pre-mature aging (can I get some botox please?) but also skin cancer. So here are tips to help you get the most out of your spray tan!

1. Do any Grooming that you may need to do a day or so in advance. These are things like getting your mani/pedi (acetone will take the tan off), get your eyebrows/lip/bikini area waxed probably two days in advance. If it's too close the spray will stick to the areas with wax...if it's done after then it can rip off the color.

2. Exfoliate and moisturize you skin well, everyday, all the time. Your hands and feet will always be the driest parts of your body. The extreme dry areas will suck in the most color, making them look darker or possibly even "orange". I usually shower, using a loofa to exfoliate my skin, shave all needed areas, and then moisturize my whole body after my shower. You will want to wait at least an hour after showering before you go spray. I will usually spray at night then do a next morning shower. You will be given barrier cream pre-spray to lather up your hands and feet. Don't be scared of barrier cream, more is more!

3. Take off your make up before you spray. This way you can wait till the next morning to wash your face...which will give you a better color. If you wash too early then you will have a tan body and a white face (fail!).

4. Wear loose clothing home from the salon. Anything tight can rub the color off as it is drying. I usually pack pajama pants, t-shirt (long sleeves if it's raining), and flip flops to wear home. Also pack an umbrella if it's looking a little grey outside. You do not want to get wet as your color is setting and rain can leave you splotchy.

5. Do not shower for 8+ hours. I find that my color does best if I go spray around 5 pm then shower then next morning at 7 am, which is more than 12 hours. Do not use a loofa in the shower or an exfoliating scrub as it will make your color fade away faster. The color sticks to you top layer of skin and fades away as your dead skin cells come off. Exfoliating removes that dead skin, which removes your color faster. Pat yourself dry with your towel. DO NOT RUB! Also steer clear of white towels, sheets, and clothes as the first day you will notice color rub off. If you do get it on your whites, don't worry, it will come out...but it's gross to look at until you do.

6. I tend to use hand sanitzier over soap during this period as your hands and feet seem to fade the fastest. We all need to wash our hands to stay germ free, but it will fade your color to wash them a million times a day.

7. I also try to sleep in long pants and a long sleeved shirt so that the color doesn't rub off on my white sheets. But you do not want to sweat either...sweating after your spray can leave you splothy too. I have noticed if I get too hot at night then my sheets will be stained with big brown tan spots (ewe, gross, I know!) but it will wash out. So don't put brand new clean sheets on the night of your spray cause you are more than likely going to want to wash them in the next day or so.

Last but not least, go out into the world and be a bronzed bombshell! Once you get the hang of all the things mentioned above you will be hooked on "Spraying." You will notice how much more beautiful, healthy, and clear you skin will be versus when you tan in a tanning bed. Tomorrow I will post pictures of my before and after pics of my airbrush tan. Today's color is a little skewed since I just sprayed this afternoon and the spray comes out bronze (the tech has to see where they put the color). The color will be a little different and even more beautiful tomorrow after I shower.

No Lines Tanning offer's some great packages including: $50 unlimited for a month (same as Sun Tan City's Versa spa, minus the 6 month contract), student discounts, and $10 Tuesdays. Now I opt for the prep spray which is an additional on top of $10 Tuesday for $5 and helps eliminate any dry areas and makes your spray more even. Tell them Mindy sent you if you drop in to get airbrushed!! 859-277-1545 or visit them on Facebook.

Disclaimer: All information above is strickly my opinion. I was in no way compenstated for or asked to write about either product mentioned above. All the above are my opinions and I only wished to share my knowledge of "spraying" as I am very passionate about spray tanning and preventing skin cancer (and being bronze!).

Shellac Me!

I'm sure you have heard all the fuss about this new, amazing nail polish called Shellac, by CND. It's is a revolutionary break through in the Manicure world. A polish that claims to last 14 fulls days without any chips dullness, and you are dries almost instantly. Say what?! Now, back in January I had a similar polish applied called Gelish. It claims all the same things, but I found it was a lot thicker of a polish and looked more like a "fake" polish acrylic nail. None the less it lasted 10 days and then I began picking at it....

Here is my first Shellac manicure:

Shellac Fedora-Day 1

So how does it work? The process begins with a normal manicure: clipping, shaping, buffing, cutical remover, and arm massage (ah, relaxing). The nail tech will remove your cuticles a little more than normal as you do not want this polish to stick to them or your skin. It is not easy to get back off. Next, the nail bed is cleaned one more time with nail polish remover to ensure the base coats attaches itself nicely. First, the base coat of Shellac is applied and then is cured with a UV light. Second, the nail tech will apply two color coats (there are not a lot of colors to chose from...only down fall), again cured under a UV light between each coat. Lastly, the Shellac top coat is applied and then again cured under a UV light for a bit longer than the previous applications. Finally the nail tech will clean the top coat with alcohol...it's very odd, because the nail comes out of the UV light sticky and then wa-la it is smooth and shiny once rubbed with alcohol.

To remove...I do not recommend peeling it off like I did last time as it will rip off the top layer of your nail. The nail salon should remove it. They apply these cotton balls soaked in polish remover and cover them with nail tips. 10 minutes later you are Shellac free and ready for a new color. Here in Lexington this can run you anywhere from $23-$35ish. It can also be used for a pedicure as long as the salon has the UV foot machine.

Hold tight and we'll see if Shellac holds up to the 14 day challenge!

UPDATE: How's the Shellac holding up? See for yourself:

Day 4 Shellac Fedora

Looks exactly the same as day 1! Minus my pale crusty skin.

UPDATE DAY #10: Still looking shiny and in tact (no chips). The growth is starting to show...but who really can keep any polish on for 10 days! and it still look this good. I will say the grow out of the Shellac is way better than the grow out of the Gelish as it was so thick I wanted to pick at it (and I did...picked every nail off which ruined my nails.)

Day 10 Shellac Fedora