The Right Track

This past week I was out of town for a mini break before starting my new job and got to indulge in some photography. Since I have been pretty busy with learning everything for the new job, I don't have time to put together a really thought out post. So, here are some pictures I took on my break.

Year of the Tiger

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Lunar New Year! Hubs and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day, but this year we didn't even have time to if we wanted to. Today is the Lunar New Year. Many Asian cultures base their calendar on the lunar calendar so the new year changes from year to year. This year it happened to fall on Valentine's Day.

Lunar New Year is a time when you visit and spend lots of time with family and praying to your ancestors. Oh and lots of eating is involved :). There are lots of superstitions involved with preparing for the new year and what you can and can't do for the first two weeks. There is also lots of praying for good fortune for the upcoming year and looking at your horoscope.

This year is the year of the Tiger and for me, I should be cautious this year. If you would like to know what your Chinese Astrology for this year is, go to this site.

A few weeks ago I wrote this post about having an agent. Well, my agent pushed me to get a new job. It wasn't that I didn't like my current job, it was just that a new opportunity came up in something totally different and i was a little nervous because I had NO experience in this field what so ever. And I was afraid about being confident. But my agent pushed me and made me see that I could do this and that I deserve this.

So next week I start my new job! And this week I will be off for a mini break with my friends and indulge in my hobby. So there will be no posting this week. But when I get back I should be able to post more and make comments on everyone's blogs which were blocked at my previous job.

Have a wonderful week!

The Socialite

So I have to admit, I really don't know who Olivia Palermo is. Other than the fact she was a socialite and then appeared on Whitney Port's show "The City". But I have seen more and more pictures of her recently and her style and hair really catch my eye.

Image from whowhatwear.com

I was excited to read in my of my magazines the other day that she was going to tell everyone the products she actually uses. Last month I did a post on Gwen Stefani's beauty regime and was surprised to find that she used some pretty attainable products (unlike Kim Kardashian's $80 concealer). I think its comforting to know that "celebs" who have all this money actually buy products that we can afford.

1. Vaseline - She uses Vaseline to remove her makeup. I have never tried this myself but it does make sense. I may have to invest in a jar because there are so many uses for Vaseline including making your own lipgloss.

Image from vaseline.com

2. Baby Powder - Olivia uses baby powder on her face instead of using blotting paper and on her roots instead of dry shampoo. I have heard of baby powder being used as dry shampoo but never in place of blotting powder. That is a great tip for anyone who has lots of baby powder left over from making their DIY dry shampoo.

Image from johnsonsbaby.com

3. Revlon eyelash curler - "My favorite drugstore find is my Revlon eyelash curler" (direct quote). I find this one pretty interesting, because I am a die hard Shu Uemura eyelash curler fan (I have been using this since high school!). I can't bash the Revlon one because I have never used it, but I wonder if it would work for my Asian eyes. I find that Shu Uemura works great on Asian eyes.

Image from bellasugar.com

4. Essie nail polish - Well "Pouf Daddy" in particular. Olivia prefers classic red shades that are cheery and don't fade. I like reds too because I find them eternally classic, you can never go wrong with red.

Image from hfbny.com

5. L'oreal Professional Serie Expert Liss Ultime Nuit - Apparently Olivia conditions her hair a lot and uses this after a shower. This product is a polymer-packed leave in treatment to lock in moisture. (Its the bottle on the far right.)

Image from talkingmakeup.com

6. Guerlain Lipstick - Olivia prefers to have a pink or nude Guerlain lipstick. I have never tried this brand, but then again I am not much of a lipstick girl, only for going out and special occasions.

Image from whowhatwear.com

What do you think of the products Olivia really uses? Have you tried any of them? If so, did you like or dislike them?

What do you think about this post and the one about Gwen's beauty must haves? I am thinking about making it a regular post, maybe once or twice a month. I just have to see if I can easily find this information. Would you like to see these types of posts regularly?

Its the Little Things

Yes all the little things about your outfit can really make a difference. For the most part I tend to dress pretty simple with some detail that will stand out. That way I can avoid buying things that are super trendy and focus on clothing items I can wear for several seasons. Here are some little details I have been recently sporting.

This is the color I am currently wearing. Its this perfect pinkish brown color I like. It really reminds me of my fave lip liner. I originally purchased this to fill my current crave for mannequin hands, buts its a little darker than that. But that's OK because I really like this color on me. It is OPI "Barefoot in Barcelona".



I am currently in love with this panther ring I recently purchased from Forever 21. Its silver with a bunch of rhinestones all around. I think the edgy ring adds a little bit of toughness to the plain black and white shirt and jeans I was wearing on casual Friday at work.

Here I am wearing the Ann Taylor Loft waterfall tee that I got at a great discount during the holiday season. It ended up only costing me about $8 for the shirt. It was so cute I had to buy it in a bright pink as well. I love the ruffles on the shirt. I can never have too many ruffles :) Here I paired it with black Express slacks, light pink Forever 21 cardigan, and a black skinny Target belt.

I also wanted to take a moment to mention these two lovely ladies who gave me an award on their blog. Its this little acknowledgements that make my day and make me want to keep blogging.

This Kreativ Blogger award was given to me by Rebecca from Mustangs and High Heels. She asked me to share some random facts about myself, but I did that not too long ago which you can read here.

I also received the "Easy on the Eyes" award from the lovely Andi at Saltwater Dreams. Andi always has great fashion and beauty advice.

What are your favorite little details to add to your outfits? Do you like to accessorize?

I finally found a great gift for my giveaway, now I just have to get to 100 posts and think of what type of contest I will have for it.

Currently Listening to: Soundtrack to my Broken Heart - Mario

Snap Snap Snap

I've been doing some shoots lately trying to improve my skills. And since my computer got updated I decided to get a nice new monitor that makes editing soooo much easier. I had like a small I don't know 15 inch monitor? Small I know but I rarely used the PC for anything. Now that I have been shooting more that ancient monitor was not cutting it.

I just wanted to show you a few photos from some recent shoots. I am still learning how to do everything, but I think I have improved a bunch!

I've been throwing the idea around in my head to do an anniversary shoot with my wedding photographer since our one year anniversary is coming up. While I think it would be fun to do, it means I would have to think fast of what kind of mood/feel I want the shoot to be. Decisions, decisions.

Anyway I am 10 posts away from 100 posts. I know it has taken me a long time, but I am thinking about doing a giveaway for it, so stay tuned!

Best Face Foward

I've been meaning to write up this post for some time now, but just never got the chance. Well back in November I posted that I purchased a Clarisonic Mia and hoped that it would give me this awesome skin. Part of the reason it took me so long to write this post is that I didn't get the results I wanted right away. It didn't make my skin worse when I started using it, but it didn't make my acne any better.

Well I stuck with it and after using it for about 2 months things started to change. I noticed less blackheads and white heads, less clogged pores, and less breakouts. I am still having a few pimples and clogged pores pop up here and there, but I am still trying to figure out the best routine for my skin. One of the immediate results of the Clarisonic is your super soft skin. I noticed that after my first use.

Image from Sephora.com

Right now I am using my Clarisonic with my Murad acne face wash. I am just trying to finish this face wash up and start using a new face wash I purchased, Neaclear Liquid Oxygen Acne Wash with Saliclyic Acid. I used the Neaclear was a few times already and I love how clean it makes my face feel without being over drying, which the Murad one can be for me at times. I am really trying to focus on using "simpler" products for my skin because I think I have overdone it in the past.

Image from CVS.com

I have also been using the Oil Cleansing Method (also known as OCM). I always thought that I had extremely oily skin, but in reality it was just that my skin was overproducing all the oil I was constantly stripping from my face. In the beginning the thought of lathering my face with oil made me cringe. But I thought what the heck I might as well try it. Well, I am soooo glad I did. This method really helps unclog pores and it makes your skin super soft. I am using a mix of Castor Oil and Jojoba oil right now and I think I will stick to this combo.

The combination of these two in my beauty routine has really helped clear my skin up. I think with a few more tweaks to the routine I will have clear skin in no time.

Do any of you also struggle with acne after your teen years? What has helped you with your skin the most?

Talk to my agent.

You didn't know I had an agent did ya? Well I do and every one of you should too. You don't have to be some superstar athlete to need an agent, because I am definitely not one. OK the truth is my husband in my agent. Yes I realize that sounds completely cheesy, but hear me out.

All of us need an agent to help us realize what we are capable of. I will tell you from my own experience that sometimes I am timid when it comes to change. Not nervous because I don't want the change, but nervous because I might fail. My hubs (from here on out will be referred to as "agent" haha) helps me with this all the time. While I can't tell you the exact situation at this time, I will say that my agent made me realize that I am good enough, that I could do this, and that I shouldn't be nervous because I don't have anything to lose.

We need an agent to push us to our fullest potential and help us become who we want to be. Someone who believes in us when we aren't sure ourselves, someone who tells us that when its bad its going to get better, and someone who negotiates our contracts. Your agent can be anyone, your parents, siblings, boyfriend, husband, best friend. As long as that person helps you achieve what you want to achieve in life, I say you have yourself an agent.

That's my agent watching after me :)

I have my reasons

...for being absent. My computer was off to get updated (which is running much faster these days) and I have had a few things going on that have kept me busy. 2010 already seems to be an interesting year for me.

I wanted to show you all an fairly simple outfit I wore out to dinner with friends one night.

Tee and Skirt: Forever 21, Necklace NY&Co., Tights: H&M

This past month I have realized that my "go to" outfits seem to be a skirt with a long sleeve tee and a statement necklace (and if its cold I will add on a cardigan). I don't know what it is but I keep coming back to this type of outfit. Even when it rains, I substitute my heels for some boots because I don't like wearing pants and getting them wet.

I picked up this fun nail polish from Ulta last week when I went on a mini shopping spree. It is from Essie's spring line called Lilacism, a fun pastel-y purple.

The real color is little more "purple-y" than the picture. I am really feeling pastel colors and nude "mannequin nails" this spring.

Image from alllacqueredup.com

I am really loving the OPI color featured in the above image which is "Tickle My France-y".

Do you have a "go-to ensemble" or item? If so, what is it and how often to you put it together? What do you think about "mannequin hands"?

Just a Girl

One of my favorite magazines to read is Instyle. I was looking through the December issue and it featured so many goodies, great new pieces and some great ideas for party hair. What really caught my attention was the Beauty Talk with Gwen Stefani.

Image from justjared.com

When I think of Gwen, two things come to mind: platinum blonde hair and bright red lips. While I will never try to duplicate Gwen's hair color, I have tried to get those famous red lips. I was glad to see that she shared some of her favorite beauty must haves, including her red lipstick.

Russian Red from MAC. Image from maccosmetics.com

Gwen also uses MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation. I used to use this in college but then felt that it was making my skin oily. Well now that I realized that I was putting way to much on my skin (as far as cleansers and toner), I think I am going to try Studio Fix again soon. Gwen thinks that it still gives her a natural look.

Image from maccosmetics.com

So there are lots of ladies who are still on the search for a great mascara. What works for one girl might not work for another, but I am so glad I found this mascara a few months ago. It really adds volume to my lashes and its inexpensive. Gwen said her sister-in-law introduced her to this and it makes her lashes really thick and full.

Image from drugstore.com

I am sure that Gwen's hair needs some serious deep conditioning because she dyes it so much. But I was really surprised when she said that she uses Pantene Restoratives Time Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner, apparently her hairdresser gave it to her. Lots of people don't like to use drugstore shampoo brands because they feel that it doesn't do anything for your hair. I wonder if this particular shampoo and conditioner is an exception.

Image from drugstore.com

Are you surprised that Gwen's must have products are items everyday people use? Are any of her favorites your favorites or products you despise?

These boots were made for dancing...

Sorry for the lack of posts ladies, but I have been under the weather. Its been freezing cold (to me at least) in Texas and I caught this horrible cough. Two bottles of nasty cough medicine later and I am almost 100% better.

So today was a big day for lots of Houstonians, the lineup for the Houston Rodeo was released!!! OK I know many of you probably don't care for country music or seeing kids chase after some calves, but its just something hubs and I look forward to every year. The Rodeo lasts about the whole month of March and kicks off the the BBQ cookoff. Texans don't play when it comes to BBQ so they throw a big party for the cookoff to start things off right. The rodeo season is then followed by a month of awesome concerts! There is also the carnival that is fun for kids and "older kids", but if you don't care for the games you have to have the food.

Ever try fried oreos? How about a fried snicker? I know you guys are probably reading this in disgust, but seriously you need to try some fried oreos.

Image from wikihow.com

Rodeo time is also the time you see people dusting their cowboy boots. There was a time when cowboy boots were the trend and everybody was trying to get their hands on a pair, but here in Texas they are always fashionable :).

I wanted to show you ladies some pictures of some cute looks in cowboy boots.

Image from instyle.com

Image from splendicity.com

Image from hollyscoop.com

How do you feel about cowboy boots? Did you fall for the trend? Is it more than just a trend to you?

I Wanted to Love You

That is exactly how I felt about the Rodarte for Target line. I fell in love with a few pieces when I saw the pictures online so I bought 2 dresses not too long ago, but then after trying them on, I wasn't impressed. I purchased these the week before Christmas and the store was so hectic I decided to just purchase them and try them on at home.

I REALLY wanted to love this dress because it had bows and lace, but it really did nothing for my body type. Now I am not well endowed in the chest area, but it made me look really flat chested.

Now this next one worked better for me. I think it looks really cute with the lace pattern and the chiffon edging, but I really wish it were an actual lace overlay instead of just a pattern on the polyester fabric.

I don't think I will be keeping the lace patterned dress because I just don't feel that the material is worth the price.

What did you think about the Rodarte for Target line? Did you like and purchase any items? Or did you feel like me that it was all hype with nothing much to back it up?