More Summer Reading...

I've finished my books and it was time to get more. I've already posted the others on www.half.com. These are the ones I've picked for the month of July.

Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin

Beauty Confidential by Nadine Haobsh

Shopaholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella

Style Icon: Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer usually wears neutral colors and manages to look clean and polished at all times. I love that her style isn't fussy and everything can mix and match well. My wardrobe is a bit more colorful that hers but I do wear a lot of neutrals and add my color through accessories. I love Jennifer Aniston, she is my favorite modern day style icon.

Jennifer Aniston by CarolinaBelle on Polyvore.com

Jennifer Aniston Interpretation by CarolinaBelle on Polyvore.com

Review: OPI Flashbulb Fuchsia

Normally I'd like to swatch a nail color and take a photo before I do a review but honestly I didn't want to paint my nails with this again after my last experience. Let me say this is a beautiful, bold iridescent dark pink and it looked gorgeous on my light skin. This would probably be a color that would look great on a variety of colors. I painted this on my nails the day I wore silver thong sandals and a turquoise dress and it really was striking. Now that I've put my pro's out there, it's time for the cons. I used my same base and top coat and this polish chipped like crazy. I painted my nails on a Sunday night and by Tuesday morning literally I didn't have a single nail that wasn't chipped. This polish came off in big amounts too, not just a little chipping on the tips. Now I might have considered this a fluke if I had a good experience on my toes. Even those chipped, which rarely ever happens in two days. It's such a shame but I've had problems with iridescent polishes chipping before (not necessarily OPI brand). I think this will probably be my last iridescent polish purchase, I have a much better experience with opaque cream polishes or sheer polishes. I might keep this one and use it for the toes (because I really like the color) and if it chips its okay because I usually wear closed toed shoes (for work). Or I might swap it, I haven't really decided.

Review: Boots No 7 Lash / Cils 360* Mascara in Black

This is the mascara I've been using for the past three months (and it's time to switch soon). It promises volume and separation but to tell you the truth it wasn't the best or the worst I've ever used. The formula tends to smudge if I don't use a lash primer first but it wasn't a problem since I use a primer every day. It gives definition and lift to the lashes and it doesn't weigh down the curl which is a nice plus. I'm not sure about the brush. The bristles rotate around the brush in varying lengths which make it hard for me to grabs the hairs that I missed in the first stroke. I prefer a traditional triangle shaped brush. Also I feel the brush causes more clumps than some others I've tried. To achieve the look I like usually I need about 3-4 coats on top and at least 2 on the bottom. The product did not irritate my sensitive eyes (I'm a contact lens wearer) and it was inexpensive, I think I paid $7.49 at Target but I'm pretty sure it was on sale. I probably will not repurchase only because there are so many mascaras out there I want to try but I certainly didn't hate this one, I used it my full 3 months and will continue to use it until I go out and get another.

Review: OPI Don't Think Just Pink

This is a beautiful muted lilac / pink color that is super wearable on the fingers or toes. I actually decided to wear this instead of the OPI Bubble Bath with my bridesmaid dress this weekend. The color is opaque but I definitely needed two coats and it's still a little sheer on my nail tips. This picture was taken about two days after I painted them with lots of typing and chores in between. It's been on my toes for a week without any chipping and the color still has some shine. It is really hard to take a picture of your own hand, there must be a trick to it because it took 7 attempts to get this photo.

Quick Update

I haven't posted in several days because I was out of town for a friends wedding. A friend and I rented a car (Dodge Avenger) for 4 days and drove to Missouri. Why drive? Because it was several hundred dollars cheaper for both of us, especially given the fact that I was going to rent a car anyway if we flew. It took about 12-13 hours and 4.5 tanks of gas total for the trip. As soon as we arrived my friend's fiance had glasses of wine waiting for us (he's a keeper)! The first full day we were there time was precious. As soon as we woke up we had to get ready for the bridal luncheon and as soon as we were back at her house it was time to get ready for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. The second day my friend had a limo (stretch range rover) pick us up at 8:30 am for hair and makeup. Several mimosas later the photographer arrived and we were in our dresses ready for our close-ups. The wedding began at 5 and was finished by 5:30. We took a full 45 minutes of pictures (in the Missouri heat) and were shuttled off to the reception by 6:30 ish. The ceremony was beautiful, I think the bride did an excellent job putting everything together. She looked amazing and the two of them together make a great pair. The food was really good, wine was flowing like a river, and everyone danced the night away. My only complaint of the night was that the weren't enough slow dances. I know she probably asked the DJ not to play any on purpose because several in attendance weren't matched up but I wish they could have had that kind of intimate moment together. Driving back was uneventful thank goodness and I'm glad to be home.

Candles By Victoria Review

Two weeks ago I watched the Candles by Victoria craze all over youtube. MakeupbyTiffanyD reviewed some products she received and I decided to place an order for three of the scents she suggested. I am not a huge candle lover but I like to have a few seasonal candles around the house for nights when I'm in the mood. I usually like bakery/sweet scents to burn in the kitchen and clean smells for the rest of the house. Ideally nothing too flowery but some of the scent descriptions on the CBV website sound so good I might break down and by a floral scented candle. For the kitchen I bought, Gingered Caramel Apple Crisp, this candle is from the comfort collection and it comes in an 18 oz jar with two wicks. This is a beautiful candle and it does smell like freshly baked apple crisp. I haven't burned it yet because I wanted it to stay pretty for the picture. There is actual spice in the wax. Honestly I think I'll probably save this for fall because I think I will enjoy it more then when I'm in the mood for apples and cinnamon. I'm thinking I'll place another order mid-summer and get either the Creme Brulee or the Cinnamon Roll scent for the kitchen as well. My summer scent is Pina Colada. I love this, I think I should get it in a larger size next time. This smells exactly like homemade pina coladas, the second you take the lid off the blender. Mine is in the 7 ounce container. I love clean scented candles and every one raves about the Honey I Washed the Young'uns scent at CVB. This is the dupe of the Honey I Washed the Kids soap from Lush. I have not ventured to Lush products yet so I wasn't sure if I was going to like the scent. The description on the website sounds a little strange to be labeled a "clean" scent, but really it's dead on. This is THE smell for a bathroom or bedroom. It's relaxing and not too overpowering. When I place my next order I'm getting a much bigger size that this one. Mine is the 8 oz mason jar. In my picture the candle looks lime green, it real life it's yellow. My package came with a free candle tart in Tangerine. I love the smell of ripe tangerines in the grocery store and this tart was very similar. I would probably not purchase a Tangerine candle for my personal taste but I would definitely buy some tarts if I was in the mood for something fruity and refreshing. Please visit her site http://www.candlesbyvictoria.com/ to purchase one of her many different size candles in one of her many different scents. Also please visit the youtube channel for MakeupbyTiffanyD to see her video review of Candles by Victoria. Candle scents I want to try: Summer - honey suckle, kiwi kicker, southern nights (maybe, this one might be too floral) Autumn - creme brulee, cinnamon buns Winter - old fashioned Christmas, Winter Snowflake