GIRL CRUSH – ANINE BING

Anine Bing

I guess it should come as no surprise that I have an addictive personality being a Scorpio – another Scorpio trait is loyalty.  Those of you following my blog know my love (i.e. addiction) of jeans and t-shirts.  Past obsessions & addictions include IRO t-shirts (these still hold the #1 slot in my heart/closet), Monrow & Whetherly.  Current/Elliott jeans held the key to my heart for many many years & counting… Goldsign moved into first place about a year ago…  I buy (have bought) these items in bulk and advocate for them as if I were running for political office.

THEN, I discovered Anine (pronounced Ah-nee-na) Bing and I am totes in love and addicted again.  Here is a chic who shares a very similar haircut as mine (but somehow cooler), a love of Diptyque candles, peonies, nail polish and a love of jeans and t-shirts so intense she created her own label.  Seriously, is this is my sista from anotha motha?  

I now own a drapey linen tee, a white ribbed tank, and a pair of charcoal zippered jeans from her line.  Bing’s style is perfection/easy breezy/edgy/gorgeous and revolves around tees of amaze material and perfectly cut jeans which she pairs with booties (also of her own label), killer sunglasses (hers), perfect leather jackets or blazers (hers), Chanel bags and lovely jewelry.  Another adorable accessory?  Her precious children.  I love a stylish mom with a plump cherub on her hip.  

I plan to heavily rotate these pieces into my wardrobe:

Check out her site for more inspiration & to steal her signature look with her line’s fabulous & effortless staples:

http://aninesworld.com/

eyelash extensions

The Word on Lash Extensions

First (and obvi), I have them.  Second, I LOVE how they look.  Third, they are more high maintenance than someone with jet black hair going platinum and requiring roots that never surface.  Numerous issues starting with… Apparently I sleep flat on my face (so odd) and/or on my side so, my lashes take a beating while I sleep – this is a big prob in the world of lash extensions.  You cannot just lean over your sink or into your shower stream anymore and lather up your whole face with cleanser morning or night, which sucks.  One must use a makeup remover towelette to clean the eye area very carefully and then a cloth to clean the rest of face avoiding the delicate fringe new to your eye area.  In this last month I have come to rely heavily on q-tips soaked in Bioderma which I have become obsessed with & now cannot live without (topic for a later post).   This new facial cleansing routine takes time and is quite an adjustment.

http://www.cosmeticsnow.com/iteminfo/bioderma-sensibio-h2o-micelle-solution-for-sensitive-skin-500ml?ad_type=pla&target_id=60050825631&ad_id=38594202231&gclid=CN7L1YOi_LwCFa47OgodMAkAzQ

On the flip side, it is super nice to wake up with perfectly curled, super dark, super long lashes that require zero mascara, curling, etc.  This saves time in the morning when I need it most due to my 14.5 month old son.  You can easily get by with barely any eye makeup at all and still look glamorous and polished.  Daily I’m now barely penciling in my brows, taking all of 30 seconds to line my top and bottom lids with a black smudged pencil & applying Bobbi Brown’s cream shadow in matte slate to my crease to add a bit of depth (I use Bobbi’s cream shadow brush for the application) – to glam it up a notch on the weekend I’ll add a touch of shimmer shadow, highlight my brow bones, and add mascara to my bottom lashes.  The overall look feels minimal, simple, and fresh.  Perfect for Spring.    

http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/product/2330/8195/Makeup/Eyes/Eye-Shadows/index.tmpl?cm_mmc=GoogleProductAds-_-Null-_-Null-_-Null&cm_mmc=google-_-BobbiBrown-PLAs-_-Eye+Shadow-_-PLA

http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/product/2281/7574/Brushes-etc/Brushes-and-Tools/Eyes/Cream-Shadow-Brush/index.tmpl

Bottom line: Lash extensions are expensive – they typically run about $200 a set.  They say you need every 4 week “refills” or touch ups which run you about $65 a piece.  I got mine on Feb. 8^th and have had to go in for a touch up (albeit a small one ($30)) twice already.  Now I’m just trying to keep them up until my BFF’s engagement party in NYC at the end of the month -- or maybe her shower in May -- though I'd love to get to her actual wedding in July with them (highly doubtful).  After that, I think I’ll just try dying them.  I never knew how blonde they were until they had black mink hair woven into them.  If you have a trip (honeymoon perhaps?) or series of special occasions these guys are ideal and if you have unlimited time/money – they are also ideal.  Since I don’t really require color on my hair but 2-3 times a year I could prob afford to keep this up BUT, while I adore the way they look, they really are a pain in the ass. 

weekly obsessions...high to low

Giorgio Armani Primer

I’m currently hooked on this great gel-like primer from Armani.  It really keeps my skin looking fresh.  Unlike most primers it’s not super matte.  Lately I’m ok with a little sheen (glow) to my face as I feel like it makes my 30+ year old skin look healthier and more youthful.  That being said, I’m totes not into looking like an oil slick by 1 pm.  This primer does a terrific job of minimizing pores – they look tight & tiny – just the way you want them (& your ass).  Ha!  I also love that this primer fills in fine lines seamlessly. If you’re in Nash, go see my friends at Woo on Bandywood. 

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446204631&CAWELAID=1353904022&cagpspn=pla&site_refer=GGLPRADS001

Klorane Dry Shampoo

Forget everything I’ve said about dry shampoo leading up to this post.  There are good ones out there, even great ones but, they are no match for this guy.  Seriously, it is a knock out.  TKO!!!!  It is also (gasp!) super inexpensive.  For some reason, it is just perfect.  You spray it in areas that need life or oil absorption, wait like 60+ seconds, comb through with your hands and, hello 2, 3 or even 4 day old post blowout gorgeousness!!!!  Also available at Woo on Bandywood.

http://www.soap.com/p/klorane-dry-shampoo-with-nettle-922255?site=CA&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc_S&utm_term=APF-147&utm_campaign=GoogleAW&CAWELAID=500001850000072597&utm_content=pla&adtype=pla&cagpspn=pla&noappbanner=true

perfectly imperfect

Last night I washed my hair with these two products:

Towel dried it and applied this product:

Then when it was partially air dried applied this product:

*photo credit: YESSTYLE

While twisting random sections with my fingers… You’ll note, I did not at any time use a brush, I crashed and woke up this morning with the most perfectly imperfect light waves and smooth, glossy, 100% frizz free strands with the ideal amount of volume.   

http://www.sephora.com/perfect-hair-day-shampoo-P384533?SKUID=1585546&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=1585546&om_mmc=ppc-gg-pla&om_mmc=ppc-GG&mkwid=pla00002&pcrid=24106520417&pdv=c&site=us_search&country_switch=us&lang=en

http://www.sephora.com/restore-conditioner-P296440?icid2=LivingProof_Restore_Carousel_P296440_link

http://www.sleekhair.com/lor06-4-2-oz.html?gdftrk=gdfV25188_a_7c1551_a_7c6249_a_7clor06_d_4_d_2_d_oz

http://www.shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com/Touch-of-Gloss/SUGA0000,default,pd.html

Too bad for you – I DO NOT take selfies so, you’ll have to take my word for it!!  This is the lazy girl’s guide to mastering sexy - (ps I’m totes not a “sexy” person but this hair totes is) just rolled out of bed tresses!  Seriously, made my Monday morning.  XOXO