Green with Envy

I mentioned a few posts ago about the new nail color Twilight that I love. Well, the day I bought Twilight I also bought Green with Envy (part of Ulta's Professional line new fall colors). The color is like an emerald green that I couldn't seem to capture very well with my old (circa 2004) point and shoot, which captured Twilight easily. I took so many pictures and just couldn't get a good one, and I was too lazy to pull out my big Canon. I hope you can see the pretty green in this craptastic photo :P

You like?

Speaking of being envious, I am super jealous of my friend who has lost probably about 10 lbs. in 2.5 weeks. We both have been watching what we eat, counting calories, and some physical activity here and there and well...I only lost about 1/3 of what she lost. I haven't been super strict on what I eat and allow myself a little bit of my cravings (all these left over Halloween candy in the office can't be good).

At this rate I have a long way to go to reach my goal. I don't know how I can reach it when I randomly had a craving for a powdered donut. A POWDERED DONUT....I NEVER eat those and one day driving home from work, I wanted one. I was so tempted to pull over at the gas station and have one, but I came to my senses. The oatmeal I am eating as I type this just doesn't compare to a Panera dutch apple bagel with cream cheese alllll over it!!!

I know losing weight is all about a lifestyle change, I get it, but sometimes its just difficult to get out of the routine you have been used to. As much as I hate to run, I think I need to give it another try, maybe invest in some real running shoes instead of the ones I just buy from the mall. Hubs just bought himself a pair of running shoes that were custom fitted to his feet. Apparently he runs a little weird, so they cushioned his shoes to help him out and not put pressure on his back.

Anyone else hate running? Or am I the only one? I hated running in school too and always dreaded when we had to do those fitness tests in elementary school when the mile run came up.

Lean on my shoulder

We have seen lots of strong shoulder blazers from designers for their fall collections. I don't have any of those, but I desperately want a strong shoulder dress. French Connection has several right now that I am loving. I love how structured these pieces are and how clean the lines are.

Then ASOS has these fun dresses with embellishments on the shoulder to add some drama.

How do you feel about the emphasis on shoulders these days? Do you own any strong shoulder pieces? If so, which ones?

Just a Few More

OK I promise not to overload you guys with my pictures, but I couldn't help but post a few more pictures from the shoot I did over the weekend. I am dying to get out and shoot again this week with the gorgeous weather, but it has been getting dark so early that it is hard for me to make some time. I really want to take a few shots of a couple this Friday around sunset, now my problem is FINDING that couple.

...and because I always save the best for last, my fave.

Black&White

Something about the simplicity of a black and white photo just draws me to it. Here is one I took over the weekend.

I love the nice weather we have been having in Texas because that means I can go outdoors and shoot! Hopefully I can find sometime after work this week to do some more. And find some time to learn how to use Photoshop :)

The Compromise

Everyone says the hardest thing about being in a relationship is the compromise, having to stray from exactly what you want to give your partner a little bit of what they want. We have had our fair share of compromises in the almost 7 years we have been together, but there is one thing I have not given in on. I have my reasons and he has his and we both feel that each of our reasons are good ones for wanting or not wanting to give in, so for now its been pushed to the side.

It is just this one thing that I have a hard time compromising because its not like "what's for dinner?" or "who is taking out the trash?", its personal. We have talked about different options and well we just haven't come up with one that works for both of us. Anyone ever had something they couldn't come to a compromise about? Would you just give in because you don't want to create an argument?

On a lighter note, I never posted this outfit I wore to a friend's wedding ceremony. Too bad I forgot to take a picture of what I wore to the reception because we were running late and it was a complete thunderstorm that evening.

Dress: Unknown, Belt: Target, Shoes, Jessica Simpson

This is one of my favorite dresses because it is so comfortable and is a great alternative to my little black dress.

Twilight Glow

After two weeks of searching for Twilight, the new Ulta Professional Nail line color, I found it this past weekend thanks to Laurel from A Good Build. There were only 2 bottles of this left when I got there and I snatched up one along with Green with Envy, an emerald green.

Twilight actually looks very similar to OPI's Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees from the new Suede Collection. Twilight was actually on sale for $4.99 when I got it, but I think that deal is over now.

What do you think of the color? I actually REALLY like it. But I may be biased because I have been really into gray lately.

I was also able to pick up Queen Helene's Mint Julep mask at Ulta as well. I went to 2 Walgreen's and 1 CVS on Friday looking for this mask and couldn't find it. I have read great reviews on this mask and how it helps with acne and blackheads. I have only used it once so far and I will say that it left my face super soft and smooth. I will give a review of it after a few more uses.

I normally don't buy drugstore cosmetics. I remember the high school days when the foundation you bought rarely matched your face and the eye shadow never was as bold as it appeared in the packaging. Well, after reading some great reviews online of some products, I decided to give it a try.

First I bought L'oreal True Match liquid foundation. Let me start by saying I normally do not wear liquid foundation because it always felt too thick to me. True Match is not thick and is actually pretty light. There is a little "chart" that is on the display that helps you choose which color will best work for you. I think the "chart" got my color spot on. It lasted me all day and did not rub off after 6 hours. I have combination skin and usually get slightly oily after about 5 hours around my t-zone. The foundation didn't make me more oily at all which is one thing I was afraid of. I would highly suggest anyone looking for a good inexpensive foundation to try L'oreal True Match, I think you will be nicely surprised.

Sorry no pics of the foundation because I could never post pictures of my face without any makeup because right now its not in the best shape it has been. Maybe once my skin clears up a little I will.

Winter Kate & Jimmy Choo

I love Nicole Richie's style, she is always so effortlessly chic. I am so glad that she has changed her life around from those early partying days of hers. I love how much of a family woman she has become, but also has time for herself and her career. We all know that she created the accessories line House of Harlow 1960 and a maternity line named Nicole.

Nicole just announced that she has launched a contemporary women's line named Winter Kate (her daughter Harlow's middle names). We can expect her Bohemian style to be reflected in her designs that will be sold at stores such as Neiman Marcus starting February. I could only find one image from the line, but will post more if I come across them.

Image via frillr.com

I can't wait to see what the rest of the 37 piece collection will look like. I am not too crazy about the above vest/shirt, but I am sure she will have some very cute dresses in the collection.

Speaking of new collections, I wish we had an H&M here in Houston so that I could buy something from the new Jimmy Choo Collection for H&M. Just in case you haven't seen the pieces, here they are.

Image via chicintuition.com

I want the gray dress, blue dress, faux fur vest, and pretty much all of the shoes! I am jealous of all you ladies with an H&M around the corner. If you have an H&M near you, are you going to go the first day the collection hits? What items are you trying to get?