Top 10 Summer Must Haves

I have a love/hate relationship with the summer time.

Love: No school, more free time, popsicles, snow cones, swimming, and bright colors.

Hate: HEAT (I'm in Texas... It's an oven down here), the lack there of clothes all around, Make Up melt downs, sweating, frizzy hair, and the like.

Well here are some of my Top 10 Summer must haves!

1) Tan Legs- I am way to ADD to sit out and tan, plus my olive tone in my skin prevents me from tanning or burning... so I stay pale and green all year long folks. I know, attractive. I tried every tanning cream out there, and I haven't found anything I'm completely in love with. So instead, I use a non scented, plain lotion (you don't want to use something too thick, you want it to spread easily) and I mix it with a very dark liquid foundation. Voila! Tan legs! And it doesn't rub on my clothes. It will wash off in the shower.

2) Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder- This does WONDERS! And read a little further on what I mix it with and it literally keeps my make up on for so many hours. (PS: I have combo to oily skin)

3) NYX Creme Stick Blush- I used to think that because I had oily skin I couldn't do cream blushes and eye shadows. Not true. Actually this creme stick is non greasy and very light. Just dab your brush a little on the stick and sweep across your cheeks. It gives such a natural and fresh look.

4) Avon Creme Eye Shadows- Again... Another creme. This gives me the shimmer on my eye lids that I like but isn't over done and looks very natural and doesn't crease. It dries almost instantly, so blend quick!

5) Cheap Gold Eye Shadow.... For Bronzer- I have tend to notice that eye shadows have more pigment then a lot of the bronzers I buy. This eye shadow is perfect (I know they are at ULTA for like $3) for a bronze and shimmery look but not too over done. I use it almost every day. I'm not a fan of super matte skin.

6) Bronze Shades- I love these hater blockers :) I scooped them up at a vintage shop. I thought they said Ray Bans, but they say Robin. Fail.

7) Pastel Bracelets- I got these lovely bracelets at Charlotte Russe for $6. They look very quality and add the perfect amount of color to a neutral outfit. I love pastels in the summer. I'm not a neon kind of girl, but I do like brights and pastels.

8) Beaded Clutch- I found this, literally at a tea room, in the middle of no where Texas (on the day that the world was supposed to end... PHEW). The beading is gorgeous and it hold just the right amount of necessities where I don't feel like I have to sacrifice space.

9) Urban Decay De-Slick Make-up Setter- This product is amazing. It's a little pricey at $30, but if you want to just test it out, you can buy a sample size at ULTA for $12, that should last you about a month. Spray this on once before you put on your foundation or primer then finish off your make up by spraying again on your face, and then grab your Powder and brush it on while your face is still a little dewy from the spray. This thing keeps on my make up almost all day. A MUST HAVE for summer.

10) Fun Scarf's- I wish I could help you all with this one... Many have commented on how much they love this scarf. This was actually my moms that she bought in Mexico around my age. I am in love with this scarf, but I have seen a lot of great scarfs online and at various stores. These are great for when you want to put your hair up but you want to add an accessory, this will keep you cool and any bangs or frizzy's out the way. 

Stop And Smell The Roses

Hello lovely readers.... So we've reached the middle of the week. Woot!

I have been really buckling down with trying to get my room together for my first apartment before summer school starts in July. 

So, if you follow me on Pinterest, you'd see that I pinned this GORGEOUS Pottery Barn comforter that looks just like the photo below, but in plain white, with no pattern. I love the rouching... it gives it this "Bridal" look.

Well since the duvet is $160, which I don't mind, but I figured I'd look a little more before I spent that much and here's what I've looked at... admired.. and bought this past week.

So come a long and see what I've seen and done this past week.

Love these pillows 

 I totally creeped on this Asian couple... they were so chic and so cute!

 Mr. Bun Bun <3

 Lady Gaga bow on steroids 

Celebrated National Iced Tea Day!

 Bows

I'm loving bright lipsticks.

 I got to baby sit for the family I used to nanny for. They bought this new house that is the cutest. Relaxing with a drink by the pool... Not bad for a nanny.

Caramel Macchiatos are divine.

 My beauty drawer at work... 

Love these little "handle" looking popsicles at Target

 I love both lamp shades

 Obsessed with this Owl lamp! What do you all think? My mom and friend think it's evil looking :/

 Chili and Cornbread break from bedroom shopping with my mom at IKEA.

 I got my blanket that I pinned on Pinterest from Ikea and I LOVE it.

 Here is one of the comforters with some random pillows I had... But this isn't the comforter I chose. Stay tuned to see what my room will look like :)

Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday <3

Feed Your Pores

I don't do too many beauty posts however I am hoping to change that this season.

As the weather is getting warmer, skin care must change from the winter time. I am definitely not claiming to have perfect skin, however I have been using these products (most of them) for year now and find them to be excellent.

I have combination/oily skin which is important to remember when taking skin care advice.

Here are my Spring 2012 picks for Skin Care.

Spring 2012 Skin Care by gannabfamous featuring summer dresses

1) Aveeno Naturally Clear Foaming Face Wash-- I use this every morning. It is so gentle yet has enough skin meds to make sure my skin stays under control.

2) Aveeno SPF 30 Sunblock-- Yup, you read it right, Sunblock. For those of us who have combination/oily skin, sunblock is the way to go. Moisturizers are too greasy but I can't afford to not wear anything with SPF. This has been my "Go To" for the past 4 years now. It works wonderfully. Remember to moisturize your necks as well!

3) Proactice Sulfur Mask-- I love to spot treat with this mask. It is usually too harsh to wear all over my face. If I do, I may do it once a year, but this is gets an A+ for diminishing problem areas over night.

4) Olay Night Cream-- Prevention is key ladies. I will use any anti aging cream, and I know Olay is one of the best, so I use their creams. Our skin looses moisture at night, so it's important to moisturize your faces and necks. 

5) Neutrogena Hydrating Make Up Wipes- These are one of my fav beauty products. How many times have we been too tired to take off our make up? No worries, get one of these towelettes and you can pretty much lay in bed while wiping off your make-up. These do not irritate or burn AT ALL, my skin looks even better after using them, it takes ALL my make up off, and they stay very moist. 

6) St. Ives Green Tea Scrub-- I love this scrub. It is grainy, which is good, and smells amazing. Green tea is always great for your skin, so let it drink on up.

7) Ambi Face Scrub-- I have some dark spots and Ambi is a brand that is known to clear those up. The face scrub is moisturizing and non irritating at the same time. I only do face scrubs when I'm in the shower to let the steam really work with the scrub. 

8) Coconut Milk Radiance Mask-- I am a sucker for anything coconut. I just absolutely adore the smell and the taste. This mask makes me want to eat it (don't worry I don't). This just gives a glow and a refreshing rejuvenation to the skin. 

9) Black Tea with Coconut-- Told you I love coconut, I'm a tea feign too. I drink black tea everyday mixed with coconut and lemonade. What you put into your body really does effect how your skin looks. Black tea has great skin benefits and the lemons are great for helping with dark spots. It really has been helping with the clarity of my skin and I love it! Drink tea hot or iced and you will see the difference.

What are some of your favorite skin care products for Spring?

Guest Post: Top 10 Make Up Picks for 2012

Good Morning Lovelies! Well it has been a rough morning. I have had lots of technical difficulties working on this blog post this morning and that's why it is just now being posted. (I still have not figured out why my default font is working...please bear with me)

I am so excited and honored to have my first beauty post to be done by a friend of mine. Linda is a Make Up Guru and she is so lovely. She really is a master at her craft and is so amazing at making women look so beautiful.

Take it away Linda!

My Top Ten Picks for 2012!

Here are my top 10 picks for 2012 favorites! Share your favorites & thoughts!

1. Smashbox Contour Palette - All my clients know I cannot complete a look without this fantastic palette! Works for almost every skintone!

2. Bobbi Brown Black Gel Eyeliner - This has to be in my top 10 every year because I just cannot live (ok maybe just work) without this eyeliner. Best gel on the market guaranteed!

3. Smashbox Anti-Shine - New discovery in my kit & I praise it! I am super shiny in the t-zone. If this can help me...it can help anyone! Long lasting matte-finish face.

4. Bobbi Brown Beige Shimmer Brick - I have used many different shimmer highlighters & I keep going back to this one. It has just the right amount of shimmer. Also, it’s beautiful used as an eyeshadow.

5. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer - I've gone through so many different types of primers in the past few years. THIS, tops it. Long lasting flawless face! :)

6 .Laura Mercier Eye Basics in "Wheat" - This is more for personal use although I use it on clients sometimes for the brow bone n such. Forget the days of using concealer on our eyelids to even out your skin tone. Behold the amazing "concealer" for your eyelid, without the creasing. The no make up, make up. It comes in various colors for your skintone.

7 .Illamasqua Blushes – Watch out Nars! Illamasqua has kicked you off the shelf. The consistencies, the textures, the COLORS! Amazing. I have an obsession with this line, starting with the phenomenal blushes. Check out their lip glosses too!

8. Laura Mercier Oil Free foundation -  A highly pigmented foundation that can be applied lightly for a sheer finish, or layered for fuller coverage.  I have super sensitive skin, that is oily and dry at times.  Out of the zillions of foundations I have tried on myself and clients this seems to win every time.  I also love Armani’s line, but if I had to choose between the two, it would be Laura Mercier!

9. Urban Decay Naked Palette - My obsession & everyone else's too I am sure! This was a hot palette consistently sold out throughout the year until Naked 2 came in. I don't know which one I love more.

10. Smashbox Brow Tech To Go: Last, but not least! I love the angel of the liner and the finishing gel that the double-ended wand comes with.  The formula lasts all day, especially if you apply it over your finishing powder.  You can’t go wrong with the color selections.  I use ‘Taupe’ on a daily basis, and for a more dramatic/night look ‘Brunette’ is the way to go.

If you all want to check out more of Linda's work or are interested in her make up artistry, be sure to visit her website.

http://www.beautybylindachiriac.com/

Recession-Proof Nails

Just because we're in a recession doesn't mean we can't have the same things, we just have to go about getting them in a different way.

Exhibit A: Mani/Pedi's

I was never one to go to the nail salons. I always thought it was more fun to do my own nails with my mom. I've been a proud nail polish wear-er since the young age of 3. So I've had lots of practice :) 

However if you're low on cash.... and time. Here is a quick manicure you can do to liven up those nails, which let's face it, we look at those suckers probably more than any other body part, so why not keep them pretty?

First file your nails to a square shape or whatever your natural nail shape is.

(PS I have the most kiddish nails... I wish I hand long, thin, feminine nail's with an amazing nail bed but unfortunately my nails look like that of a 7 your old boy)

Put a dab of cuticle oil on your cuticles to pamper yourself and your cuticles a bit (if you have time go ahead and soak your hands in warm water before this step)

Invest in a 4 nail buffer. This has all 4 steps for nail basic care; file, buff, shine, polish. 

You can get one for $5 at Sephora

(Don't fall for the kiosk salesman at the mall like I did, I paid $30 for something just like this... Two weeks later I came across the same $5 one. It was a definite "Shake My Head" moment)

Add a base coat. It really helps keep the color on longer. I use this Sally Hansen one. It helps lengthen and strengthen my "7-Year-Old-Boy-Nails" and it also doubles as a top coat for the last step (savin' money... savin' money)

Now pick out a color from your nail collection, or for me, from your village where your nail polishes live and continue to reproduce. (Sadly many villagers were thrown out this summer... It was getting crowded in there)

I chose my Sally Hansen 10 Day Nail Color. This stuff does not budge and looks exactly like the color of blood (yummy...)

We don't color in the lines... If you have little kid nails, then stick with the theme....

 JOKING. Take a Q Tip and put some in nail polish remover and remove any polish along the edges, whatever doesn't come off, don't worry about it, it will come off when you wash your hands.)

I forgot to take a picture of this step and the product. I got this nail pen below from Forever 21 for $2 in Gold. Make any design you want. I chose a simple line/dot on one nail and a heart on my thumb.

Last step is to spray a nail enamel dryer on your nails. They will dry pretty much instantly, so you don't have to waste time just sitting around for an hour and then more than likely (if you're me) you try and do something and end up messing it all up... and then become depressed. 

Finished in 30 minutes!