Style Within Means

Friday, 20 January 2012

MU Crush- Kim K

I know it sounds so typical, but I have got to say that I am almost always in awe of Kim Kardashian's makeup. Lets first say that she is a make up artist's dream; amazing skin, large eyes with a prominent crease, naturally full brows, thick/long lashes, high cheekbones and full lips. She pretty much already has what many of us are trying to create with makeup! This can probably explain why she always looks quite nice in 'caught without makeup' pics...

She mainly works with makeup artists Mario Dedivanovic, Joyce Bonelli and occasionally, Jlo "glow" creator Scott Barnes. I'm constantly researching her makeup since many of my clients ask for her "look".

Here are some tips on products she likes, which are used on her in many of her make up looks:

Well known for her love of Nars "Turkish Delight" lipgloss, the girl loves nude lips. A fave lipstick is MAC Half n' Half since she suits more of a beige tone.
Uses Lancome mascaras or L'Oreal Voluminous in Carbon Black.
Her makeup artists usually use individual lashes instead of the strip type.
Loves MAC "Smolder" eye pencil for her more dramatic looks. Quite often she'll wear a winged up liquid liner, usually Dior (she wore Covergirl Eye Exact in "Very Black" on on her wedding day).
Eye shadows used on her are vast, but many shimmering bronze colours by MAC, Josie Maran, Motives, Lancome and Urban Decay.
Uses Bronzers like Nars "Laguna", Guerlain "Terracotta", or MAC "Refined Golden".
Loves soft, baby pink blush, like MAC "Well Dressed" or Lorac "Rose". Also wears peachy tones sometimes, like MAC "Fleur Power" or she wore Lancôme Blush Subtil in Rose Romantique on her wedding day.
Moisturizes with La Mer... of course. Sometimes uses the brand she is the face of (or at least they just say that) called Perfect Skin.
Always wearing different foundations, most by Makeup Forever, Smashbox, Laura Mercier, Hourglass and Dior. When you have great skin that isn't sensitive, you can do this.
Highlights with Giella Eye M Glam, MAC Naked Pigment or Lovedust by Benefit.
And last, but definitely not least, she wears LOTS of concealer like in the pic below (usually By Terry's Touche Veloutee, but it can vary) set with heavier powders by Chanel or Dior.

Thursday, 19 January 2012

inside-out

Back in October, I was getting ready to go to an event and it seemed to be taking me longer to dress, nothing was looking right. I've always been a curvier girl, but I realized I didn't feel 100% comfortable in my body. I don't own a scale, but when I saw a pic from that night, it showed me that I'd put on a few pounds and I knew I wasn't feeling myself.

Some bad habits had been getting worse, like chips at night, fast food for breakfast (incl Breakfast Biscuits :s) and pizza far too often. I'd decided it was time to make a change, but not go on a "diet" (just the word scares me from past experience). I focused on changing some habits, took it one step at a time, and didn't put a lot of pressure on myself. My Sister had recently gone on a strict eating program and many of my friends eat healthfully, so I looked to them for inspiration.

I thought I'd share some tips and recipes on here, as always, good for any budget. This isn't a plan that costs a lot of money, it's just normal stuff that we all know we should be doing.

Here's the general jist of info I've gathered and what I've been trying to stick to:

Eat more lean protein and less "refined" carbohydrates: For example eat egg whites, chicken breasts, turkey. Avoid meat that has a lot of fat. Avoid "white" carbs, like white rice, sugar, pasta, bread. Instead eat fibrous ones like brown rice, quinoa, whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta and large flake oatmeal. This will keep your blood sugar steady so you feel less hungry.

Change bad snacks to healthy ones: instead of chips have air-popped popcorn (I still put a little margarine), veggies w/ light dip, hummus, salsa, baked chips, raw almonds, yogurt with fruit, high fibre crackers with natural peanut butter, sugar free jello or pudding. I also like having protein bars or smoothies when I'm on-the-go (I put ice, yogurt, fruit and vanilla protein powder and blend).

Eat smaller meals, more often: (approx every 2-3 hrs), and try to include protein in every meal. A serving of protein (like chicken) should be about the size of your palm.

Eat salad: My favourite (which I copied from a restaurant) has lettuce, chicken breast, black beans, tomatoes and/or red peppers, with a little avocado & feta cheese. Then put olive oil, a bit of white vinegar and lime juice on top. So yummy!

Take multi-vitamins and omega oil: every day (I always forget :s).

Drink lots of water: currently working on this one.

Don't deny cravings: but just try to eat better most of the time. A book I just got says aim to eat healthy 80% of the time. For example, I am trying to eat mostly healthy food during the week but then have treats like burgers, pizza, chips or sweets on the weekend. It helps me since I know from the past I will go crazy if I don't eat "bad" foods sometimes.

I'll start by sharing recipes from last night's dinner. This salad is super healthy, my Aunt made it for us the other night and I loved it so much I've already made a big batch (it keeps well in the fridge):

Kale & Beet Salad

2 large or 3 small beets, peeled and grated

1 head of kale, thinly sliced

1-2 carrots, grated

Juice of 1 lemon

Sea salt to taste

That's it! I utilized my food processor for this and it was so fast (used the grater for the carrots and beets and the slicer side for the kale). I also added some dried dill to mine for some extra flavour.

Here is a pic of the salad, also shown:

Turkey meatballs: extra lean turkey, 1/2 an onion and 1/2 a yam I'd grated, 1 egg white and spices like garlic, fennel seeds and Mrs. Dash. Blend in food processor, roll into balls and bake at 375

Dill sauce: I made mine by using low fat ranch dressing, tons of dill and lemon juice. My sister recommends something called "Dilly Dip" which is low-cal as well.

Yams: wrap in foil and bake, cut open and serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Let me know if you have any tips or recipes you'd like to share. I will share more soon, including one for a fab soup I whipped up last week. To good health for 2012!

Tuesday, 17 January 2012

lucky-green

Not sure if it's the St.Patrick's Day garb I've seen while out and about, but I'm feeling the need for some green makeup looks! Back when I worked at MAC, so many girls would come in and be attracted to the green shadows, but would say it scared them because they had no idea how to wear it!

Here is one possible way to make it work, without looking super-tacky:

1. Start with dewy foundation for a fresh look, I love MAC Face & Body. Add concealer where needed.
2. Cover entire eye with a soft shadow (Ricepaper or Shroom from MAC are good), then apply a shimmering green shadow around the eye (like the Lancome Mermaid Blue-Green or Jest from MAC). Here is the key: don't bring the shadow too high, almost wear it around your eye like you would a smudgy eyeliner. Another option is actually a green liner smudged (try Covergirl Green Glow or Nars Celebrate Shadow stick).
3. Curl lashes and apply an extra-lengthening mascara, such as L'Oreal Voluminous. Add some long lashes if you'd like.
4. Finish off with a peachy pink blush and lips. Try Urban Decay Afterglow in Indecent (a cream blush will keep the look fresh and dewy) and Armani Lipstick in Pink 521

Love Jennifer's more subtle look, using soft shadows and sheering down the lips with gloss.

Leona goes bolder with green eyeliner and a heavier application of lip and cheek colours.

Urban Decay Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint Indecent
$24 - sephora.com

Lancôme: Personal Style- Metallic Light Mermaid Blue-Green
$18 - lancome-usa.com

Armani Beauty Rouge d'Armani Lipstick - Pink 521
$30 - barneys.com

Face and body mac
maccosmetics.com

Monday, 16 January 2012

'12 Golden Globes

Here are my picks from the 2012 Golden Globes. Just the looks that caught my eye and inspire me in some way, because really... who are we to judge ;). Everyone looked fab! How amazing it must feel to get the chance to go all out like that, even just once in your life?!

Fave overall:

Loved these more from the back:

Fave Hair & Make Up Looks:

Saturday, 14 January 2012

Winter-haul

So I talk the talk, but do I walk the walk? I started this blog to try to help people find clothing, accessories and beauty items that aren't too costly. I know so many people are in moderate to severe debt these days and some don't seem to realize that every penny does really count. I do work and I enjoy fashion, however, I don't want to rack up my credit cards and live in stress and worry to be able to shop. I want to live within my means, which in reality, aren't that high.

Admittedly, I do like a good variety and get bored quite easily. Lets call it fashion A.D.D., so I tend to go more towards quantity over quality. However, I do try to find items that are the highest quality I can find, at the lowest price (which is why I love a good sale!).

I have never been ashamed to tell people what great deals my items were. In fact, this is why I am excited to share what I find with you each week! Some of the outfits I've worn to special events have cost so little, it almost makes me want to laugh (I'll show you some examples soon ;). If I am not rich, why should I be dressing as if I am anyways?

Here is what I bought over the holidays:

To start, Forever 21 had a "Buy One, Get One Free" Sale, so I made sure to take advantage. I needed almost all new jeans since my size changed, so I loaded up! The fits are surprisingly good! I've also been eyeing up these boots which went on sale.

Paid the sale price of $27.99 for these boots,
and got the $23.99 jeans below for free!

Paid the sale price of $16.99 for these,
and got the jeans below for free.

Paid $18.99 for these and got the pair below for free.
So for $63.97 CDN, I purchased 5 pairs of useful jeans and a
pair of shoes! That is less than the average pair of jeans
and to me, they don't look cheap or ugly on LOL.

Also from F21 this $4.80 necklace, which I featured
in the "POP!" blog post. I love the neon colour and
think it will be quite useful.

Now onto Urban Outfitters. I've been looking for some leather
pumps as seen in my "Pump It" blog post. These were by far
the best deal. BDG suede pumps for only $24.99.

I loved the Isabel Marant fringe boots, as featured in my
"sweater-dress" post, so I grabbed these suede boots on
sale for only $34.99 at Urban Outfitters

In order to get free shipping (within the US) from Urban
Outfitters, I had to add a bit more to my order,
so I opted for this $9.99 floppy hat.

Another amazing sale at Forever 21, I got this coat
during a "1/2 off Outerwear" sale for just $32.98!

Loved and included in my "sweater-dress" post, got this when
it went on sale at Zara for only $29.99. In addition, I bought
a black version on sale for $19.99 from Joe Fresh (which I
got for free using PC Points at Superstore).

All these items for just $201.78!!!

That could easily be a single pair of jeans or boots, yet I feel more than set with a variety of clothes
and shoes to get me through this and even some of next season! I'm feeling pretty "done", so now

back to saving $ for a trip I am planning for April :)

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Native

There are many names these prints can fall under, some based on the art and handiwork they are inspired by. Native, Geo, Aztek or Navajo are what seem to be popping up online the most. I love the fun, modern take we are seeing on these prints these days with bright, neon or metallic colours.

Of course, if you can find something authentic, all the better. I have purchased a Guatemalan wrap skirt and a Mexican hand-stitched top at a Thrift Store, as well as some other items in my travels. Check out local Artisans as well! Some of their items are much more expensive, but those who can afford them are paying for their originality and high quality components, such as bone, leather, sinew and precious stones. My Aunt has an incredible line of authentic Native jewelry, check out www.artifaax.com.

These are all on sale for just $29.99 at Urban Outfitters: