Diva Style

:Finding the Perfect Accessory(ies):

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

Still perusing design elements for the bachelor. He alerted me yesterday that the bench I decided on for his foyer arrived, and the pillows are being delivered today! I'll be finishing up this particular section of his home on Thursday (for now, anyway, since he's decided to wait on painting and a chandelier for the entry way. *sad face*) I think once the wall is covered in whatever material/medium we decide on and a new chande makes its way to the ceiling, the space will look much warmer. I took a little trip to Home Goods yesterday and found an array of items that we could use in his space based on his affinity for earth tones, Buddha, wooden elements and actual dark wood furniture. I playfully refer to him as "the Zen master".

I was a fan of the top part of this table, but the bottom looked a little cheap to me.

WOMP!

I suggested some sort of metal art for the wall that accompanies the bachelor's staircase.

I don't think this is it, though.

This piece had the multi-dimensional factor I was seeking for the art,

but wasn't necessarily the right style.

This Buddha complements nothing in the bachelor's home.

Moving right along...

When I forwarded him this picture, he commented that this Buddha was "pimped".

I concur. :-)

This one made me chuckle.

How can you say no to a rotund-belly Buddha?

In unrelated Operation Bachelor news, I liked this chair...found it interesting and such...

but the tone/material gave me the willies. It has an eerie aspect about it

that makes it seem as though it belongs at the Cryptkeeper's house.

Or in Morticia Adams' budoir at the vanity table...

Live Glamourously.

:Designing Woman:

2012-01-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

My weekend consisted of additional shopping for this client's home on Sunday. WHEEEE!!

Some of the furniture had arrived when I visited his abode, as well.

Here are a few items I considered for him on the shopping trip...

I had mentioned metal wall art to him, and though this is for housing votive candles,

it's somewhat along the lines of what I was thinking, but I want more color.

Interesting, I do say. I likey.

Art for the stairwell wall? Love the multi-dimensionality.

Went to Bo Concept to pick up an objet for the entry console in the bachelor's foyer.

This spread awaited me on their table and though I didn't indulge...

I must concur...THIS is the way you treat a customer!

:Current Design Project:

2012-01-24T17:31:00.000-08:00

Before shots from one of my current design projects... I'm currently working on the foyer, but waiting for some larger furniture items to arrive. The owner doesn't want to paint right now, but once he does, it's going down! Basement. I'm also trying to encourage him to look into fabric wallcoverings. I think they'd be a lovely touch for the entryway.
Go big or go home, right!?

Needs items for door-flanking. ASAP.

Perfect little corner for a seating/utility bench.

I love the sheen on the wooden floors, lol. Pretty!

Door from a cabinet we chose. It's divinely delicious!

Another area I'll be adding more of the Exquisite Interiors touch to soon...

Can't wait to pick out new chandeliers for the space! Stay Tuned.

Ikat print pillow I picked out at Z Gallerie. Sale find! I originally chose for the foyer,

but I liked the look of it on this chair in my client's living room...another area I'll

be working on shortly.

Remember to Always...

Live Glamourously.

:BAM:

2012-01-21T19:49:00.000-08:00

My polishes are finally here from Zoya, and I must say, that was one hell of a promotion Refinery29 staged!! A couple weeks back, they posted about how to get thy digits on some free nail candy. I couldn't wait to cop my free swag...and please believe, I made sure my family and friends got a piece of the action, too! :-) I sampled the polish earlier today, and I gotta give it up...it's delicious--the color, the consistency. We'll see about the staying power. Peep the colors I splurged on below...all mine for a whopping $6.95 total...paid shipping only!

From left: Petra, Edyta

Sidebar: {Icing on Cake} On top of all this, I'm blogging this post from my brand new computer gifted to me from my Mama for my birthday (it's an early gift) and much-needed! I was about to chuck my old one out the window...grrr!!

Remember to Always...

Live Glamourously.

:Door of the Day:

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

Found here.

:Bejewel Me:

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

Baubles I'm Lovin' from Furbish Studio:

Remember to Always...

Live Glamourously.

:Door of the Day:

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Transportation to Paradise.

:Scenes from Last Night:

2012-01-13T14:01:00.000-08:00

You guys know I love food. And what better way to enjoy it than with a friend! So go ahead~have at these photos from my dinner last night at Pacci's Neapolitan Pizzeria. And what the hell...let's learn a little Italian while we're at it! Oh, PS~The service was AMAZING! Our waiter was totally awse, as in awesome!

the antipasto (starter/appetizer):

Bruschetta

the piatto principale (main course/entrée):

Margherita Pizza

And what's a meal without a little dolce (dessert/sweet):

Espresso Gelato....MMMMM.

Remember to Always...

Live Glamourously.

:Door of the Day:

2012-01-10T13:00:00.000-08:00

Isn't it just magical? ...Looks like it could transport you to all sorts of places...

From here. Read about my trip there right here.

:Scenes from Last Night:

2012-01-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

It's Restaurant Week in my city! And you know I LOOOOOVE to eat! One of my favorite style bloggers, Vivi of Heart, Print & Style, and I had dinner at Sax last night, a 9700-square foot restaurant/lounge with a 20-foot enclosed infinity stage directly above the 1st floor bar.

It was our first time there (we had previously been talking about planning our excursion, though) and eat we did! We had a three course meal--1st course for me: American Wagyu beef sliders, 2nd course: a succulent salmon dish , 3rd course: Saxual Chocolate cake (the vanilla ice cream was the business!); oh, and this was all washed down with a very tasty cocktail, concocted with Grey Goose pear vodka, St.Germain and lemon juice, the Le Deux.

--The second course should be here, but I forgot to

photograph before I started to eat it. Sorry, guys!--

Moving right along to dessert...

On Monday nights, this intimate space has a Burlesque show every 15 minutes--think Eyes Wide Shut meets Do You Think You Can Dance?--so we got the opportunity to take advantage of seeing it. I mean, who can say no to dinner theatre?

The decor here is very heavily influenced by the Baroque period--lots of gold leaf, ornate mouldings, tufted damask banquettes, red velvet and over the top chandeliers.

Mmmm Hmmm.

This chandelier was so gorgeous! It was in the entry way, and I thought

the lighting in this particular space was sooo sublime. Absolutely perfect!

And lastly...

I wouldn't be me if I didn't include some photos of my eye makeup for the evening.

I used MAC's Outre (inner eyelid), Brun (outer lid/crease) and Flip (highlight):

Remember to Always...

Live Glamourously.

:Door of the Day:

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

From previous posts, you guys kinda know I have a thing for doors. And I've decided to do something about it in 2012. New Feature. Door of the Day. Will highlight the flamingos of all doors. Because after all, doors are a very important part of our lives. We enter and exit through them. Literally and figuratively. So for all you sultry door loving addicts out there, game on.

Remember to Always...

Live Glamourously.

:Beautylicious Mondays:

2012-01-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, All!!

For my first post of 2012, I want to introduce you all to a product that I'm sure has been around for a while, but I just discovered and started using:

This stuff is GREAT! Beauty guru, KeetaRay would second that, and that's an opinion worth taking into account! The crystals contained in the product are very fine, but they do a bang-up job of exfoliating the epidermis. The product feels really good as you massage it into your skin. I would venture to say that it's probably gentle enough to use every day, but if you're not into that, I'd recommend at least twice a week. However, as with any exfoliating rinse, try to keep your eyes closed as you're using. I got some crystals in my eyes one day, and, as you can imagine, it was not cute, LOL.

Additionally, this product is very easy on the pockets, as I believe the one I purchased retailed at around $4.29, though you may be able to get it for cheaper in some places. I bought mine at an actual Sally's beauty supply store, but I'm sure you can get it at other retailers in-store or online. Below are the ingredients contained in this Queen Helene product:

Happy Exfoliating, darlings!

Remember to Always...

Live Glamourously.

:Happy Holidays:

2011-12-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

...from the Kardashians

(click to enlarge)

Behind the scenes beauty shots

Very saucy lip color.

You can't hate on this look...it's just sickening. Too fierce.

Khloe gets the award for most romantically pretty look.

Merely more inspiration to get glam.

Kourt's outfit was my all-time fave. Hands down.

She killed.

Remember to Always...

Live Glamourously.

:!Beautylicious Giveaway!:

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

*THIS GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED*
CALLING ALL MAKEUP LOVERS AND BIBLIOPHILES!!

...

Christmas is near, and it's giveaway time! I just want to express my gratitude to all my faithful, beloved followers this holiday season by giving you a chance to win this book:

It's full of stunning photos, makeup tips and advice on how to put

your best face forward and dazzle with unexpected looks, if you dare!

the fine print:

To enter this giveaway, you must be a follower of my actual blog, Diva Style and a continuous follower of @DivaStyleBlog on twitter. You must also leave a comment on this post about
what makes you feel uberglam and how you get all dolled/spiffed up for a night out!
Be sure to include your twitter handle in your comment so that I can identify you.

Entry ends on 12/24...

Good Luck & Happy Holidays!

Live Glamourously.

:Souled Out Fridays:

2011-12-16T14:00:00.000-08:00

This song makes me want to do my own private rave every time I hear it.

I'm off to get my party on (partying starts midday today, blame it on the holidays, lol)...

Cheers to the weekend!

Remember to Always...

Live Glamourously.

:DC Bloggers' Night Out:

2011-12-15T16:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday evening the DC edition of Bloggers' Night Out debuted at the beautiful Bloomingdale's store in Chevy Chase, Maryland...to rousing applause, might I add. It was certainly a hit! The night was sprinkled with sartorially-savvy divas, functional and fun furnishings and delectable hors d'oeuvres (oh and these cupcakes to die for), not to mention swag bags and raffles!! But don't believe me...see for yourself!

The merchandising displays were GORGE!

These were sooo delicious! You would pop one in your mouth, and there was this unexpected burst of flavor...fruit & cheese & just....MMMM!

Honestly, how can you say no to Tory?

One of my favorite things..makeup!

Charming lil' DVF clutches

The beautifully-frocked Brea of What I Wore: Tip to Toe

Meg from Mimi and Meg

Sitting area for divas wanting to rest the weary feets...The shoe game in this room was on a hundred...thousand...trillion--TRUST!

Stylist du Jour, Alison Beshai

Three words: Simply fabulous, Goodwill. (Goodwill stores are treasure troves to boot!)

Shahidah of A Social Butterfly and Stephie of Thrift and Style

Sequins, sequins EVERYWHERE! ...I was rockin' em, too.

Pink and brown color combo? Yes, please!

Bling, bling! I thought these chandeliers were radiantly dazzling!

Sugar and Spicy Candy...Now, THAT'S giving face!

Jen and Emore'J ...They ain't fierce...they're straight SICKENING!

The kind of couch I want in my corner office...

Ms. Star Styles WERKED, honey!

Simple, yet elegant seating

Don't laugh at me, but I loved this mannequin's makeup! :-)

Bloomie's powder room vanity area

Style by Naseya of The Seventh District

Color wheel o' denim

Serving it up...The Daileigh Way

My blogger boos, Vivi of Heart, Print and Style and Jen

My bonding buddy from BNO, Ms. Chell Bellz, herself--well, her loverly be-bangled arm...

Bracelets, bracelets, everywhere

The lovely Jen of Comme-Coco...fashionista and photographer, extraordinaire

Just me...

(photo courtesy of Brea at What I Wore: Tip to Toe)

Remember to Always...

Live Glamourously.

:Knock Knock:

2011-12-08T09:15:00.000-08:00

Who's there you ask?

...Why, this door, and it's absolutely lust-worthy. And it just so happens to belong to one of my favorite ateliers of handbags, Cole Haan. Just drink in the braided door handle and the orange spice-laquer. How can you not swoon?
~
...And while we're on the topic of handbags, have your eyes had the opportunity to feast on any of these luxury leather goods from Cole...

Saucy, saucy, saucy...I do say.

~

Remember to Always...

Live Glamourously.

:Well, Well, Well...What Do We Have Here?:

2011-12-06T20:23:00.000-08:00

Sooooo, I'm no Picasso, buuuut.....I've been working with this design firm and I've been tasked with dressing the windows. A Black female Simon Doonan if you will. :-) This is a lil' sketch I completed the other day for our Winter/Holiday-themed window...

And this is the aftermath...

(I never have my real camera when I need it!)

If you fancy that...here's one from the Fall...

Showcasing the fabrics custom-made in-house.

Wanna dress you up...

...for a little inspiration!

Remember to Always...

Live Glamourously.

:Beautylicious Mondays:

2011-12-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

These are a few of my favorite things...for keeping my skin looking flawless!

...And I gotta be honest--I stay getting carded!...Aaaah the simple joys in life... :-D

This first product has been around for a while, but I just

recently started using it, and I must say...I'm VERY impressed!

This cleanser does EVERYTHING it claims. It's one-step indeed, and it leaves your skin absolutely radiant and residue-free with zero traces of makeup if you actually wear m/u. I usually apply moisturizer after using this, but if I decided not to, my skin would still feel really good--not tight or itchy or severely dry, which is AWESIE! Purchase at Sephora.

Next up, two items from MAC....

The Studio Sculpt Concealer...this bad boy works wonders for covering blemishes immaculately. It has a mousse-like semi-whipped texture, and it only takes a little bit. I don't even bother putting on foundation when I wear this, because you simply don't need it. I reiterate--the coverage is fabulous, and when used with...

...the unmatched 109 small contour brush--the holy grail of brushes--BAM!--you'll be feeling yourself so much you'll walk around singing this.

So, there ya go. If you're in the market for a new facial cleanser

or concealer/foundation, I hope this helps you out!

Remember to Always...

Live Glamourously.

:How Do YOU Dress Up Down?:

2011-11-14T10:44:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks back, you read about about how I styled Kelsey and Tyler at the Eddie Bauer Blogger Event. Well...it's time for Part Deux. The official photos are in, and they rock! Here are my final looks...guess I'll be adding stylista to my resume! :-)

The accessorization of Kelsey

Winterized AND chic

Smiling for the paparazzi with the gorgeous Kelsey

Rugged yet practical

Posing with handsome Tyler post-styling sess.

Once again, many thanks to Lola and Luis for making this event a HUGE success

and for allowing me the opportunity to sharpen my styling acumen!

...eagerly awaiting the next event!!

:Swoon:

2011-10-28T19:26:00.000-07:00

Look at this dress.

Badgley Mischka available at Neiman Marcus

That's all.

:Souled Out Fridays:

2011-10-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

The first time I heard this song, I was so moved. A lot of unfortunate things have happened in my life this year, but I'm still rising from the ground...like a skyscraper. PRAISE JESUS! God is so good and GRACIOUS, and I truly have HIM to thank for my resiliency and finding my way through every trial and tribulation. I hope this song can inspire someone who's listening today...

:Eddie Bauer Blogger Day~Part Un:

2011-10-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Eddie Bauer Blogger Day, so myself and some of my favorite metro area bloggers took to the Tysons Corner store for madness, mayhem and models--all good!! Honestly great times! I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked, but I did snap some. It was such an honor to be in the house! S/O to Lola and Luis for their OUTSTANDING organization and management of the event!

These first few are from random artful displays in the store...

Sadé from 9 to Fly

Jen from Comme-Coco

Vivi from Heart, Print & Style

Sadé in action--pulling her looks!

from left: Moi,Vivi, Jen, Michelle, & Sadé

...The last pic though...Seriously?? LOL.

Clearly, there were several shots being taken at once! :-)

Stay tuned next week for Part Deux, where you can peep

the looks I styled for our wonderful models, Tyler and Kelsey!

:A Little Afternoon Snack:

2011-10-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

Because after all, the weekend IS upon us...

ENJOY!

:Not Just for Kids...Anymore:

2011-10-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

Bunk beds, that is...

I was recently introduced to this website, and I was honestly kind of mystified by what they had to offer. When I was a kid, bunk beds had a somewhat ethereal quality for me. Though I never actually had one, whenever I saw one, I was transported to some sort of magical, whimsical place in my mind. And I always imagined myself sleeping on the top bunk--because it seemed so snug and cozy--and additionally, top bunks seemed to provide more solace and safety from whatever night creatures crawled underneath the medicocre beds that simply rested on the same floor that I knew I walked on. And honestly...what's so special about a regular old bed? :-)

Even as I've gotten older, I still love a bed that's a bit more elevated than usual--an obsession if you will? Makes me feel more regal and esteemed, I suppose...so imagine my amazement when I realized the variety of individuals these bunks were suited for. I literally found options for any combination of people, which makes the concept of customized bunk beds all the more appealing in my opinion. I could see myself using one of these for a kid's room, but also in a guest room, or even an office. I sure wish I had known about full-size bunks during my dormitory days!

The array of customized finishes and recession-proof pricing makes any choice a steal!...

Not to mention the multi-functionality of futon bunks for lounging, loft bunks for workstation set-up, as well as bunks that hide drawers or trundle-style beds (perfect for unexpected company!)...and let's not forget the fact that bunk beds really do offer organic fun for anyone lucky enough to sleep in one.

...I mean, honestly...how could this set-up be anything but fun?

:Souled Out Fridays:

2011-10-14T10:49:00.000-07:00

Countdown complete...weekend finally launched!

~ENJOY IT, LOVES!~

:Beautylicious Mondays:

2011-09-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

Today's featured September Skincare Series product(s) keep my skin oh so supple and soft: Ole Henriksen's Nurture Me and Express the Truth. Real talk...these products are seriously the truth! They do exactly what they say they will.

Nurture Me is an intensely hydrating crème that contains oils like primrose and wheat germ that help recondition the skin. It also contains vitamins A, C & K, which smooth out the skin's surface. This moisturizer is awesome for dry skin, and I know because unfortunately, I suffer from excruciatingly moisture-deficient skin. I've also noticed that after slathering my face in Nurture Me or Express the Truth before going to sleep, they help me get rid of dry, flaky Eczema patches on my face once I do my AM cleanse.

Express the Truth is a deeply nourishing uber-moisturizer containing antioxidants such as ester C and African red tea that help soothe the skin. It also contains polylysine, an all-natural peptide that vastly improves skins elasticity and muscle tone and helps keep deep wrinkles at bay! This crème protects, lifts and quintessentially assists in the repair of skin overnight. It's really the TRUTH!

I've used both of these, and I must say, each product improves the overall look, tone and actual texture of my skin. I'm so glad I gave them a shot! I think you can really see the results if you use them before bedtime. I can honestly say...when I wake up in the morning after using either one, my skin looks and feels divinely renewed.

The downside is the price tag...$40 for the Nurture Me and $65 for the Express the Truth, and you only get 1.7 oz per jar. If you head on over to Skinstore right now though, they are offering 20% off of each order with the promo code SEP20. If you want to purchase, maybe that will help cushion the blow a bit! :-) Additionally, the site also offers cosmetics and other products from companies we all know and love like Too Faced and Philosophy.

:Beautylicious Mondays:

2011-09-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

This week's September Skincare Series featured product is my beloved Stone Crop Serum, created by Eminence Organics of Hungary.

I first learned about Eminence when I worked part-time at a salon and spa a few years back. My aesthetician then--and now--would work wonders on my skin with products from this skincare line every time she touched my face. Still does! One of the most important things about these products is that they are all derived from only organic, naturally occurring, botanically potent healing ingredients. So your skin can glow without the application of anything that's radioactive. :-)

Stone Crop Serum is a high potency hydration and lightening serum. It can be applied morning or night on a completely dry face post-cleansing and prior to moisturizing. I have problems with hyperpigmentation (overproduction of melanin) whenever I get a pimple, and this serum minimizes it rapidly--you will probably notice a difference after 1-3 uses. The product also soothes irritation and makes your skin extremely soft and supple. Not to mention it smooths your complexion and assists in restoring clarity. I LOVE IT!!

You can purchase it here and here. Additionally, if you do purchase Stone Crop Serum or any of the other Eminence products from either of the linked sites, prepare yourself for WORLD CLASS customer service. These folks thrive off of giving excellent attention and care to their patrons! They also give samples, which is a HUGE bonus!

:Missoni for Target:

2011-09-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Again, Target has partnered with a legend in the world of design: Missoni. The collaboration--consisting of clothing, shoes, furniture, decorative accessories and then some--debuts in stores today and boasts an impressive 435 pieces, any of which I'm sure will delight your design senses in one way or another. As you can see from the commercial, the Italian design house has something for everyone and everything, from your toddler to your shower! The items in this collection will be sold in stores until October 22, or while supplies last. My advice to you: Get some. And enjoy!

:Beautylicious Mondays:

2011-09-12T10:05:00.000-07:00

Last week in the Beautylicious series, I talked to you about Tend Skin. This week, I wanted to continue the September Skincare Series with a rave about Aquaphor Healing Ointment.

This product is the business! As an individual who has developed Eczema (on my face around my nasolabial folds, nonetheless ) during the last two years, this is a fabulous find!

You can use this on any part of the body, but I wouldn't recommend using it on your face during the day if you're actually planning to leave the house and unless, of course, you're into that greasy skin look ;-)...but there are a couple different ways that I use it. After a thorough cleansing at bedtime and application of any serums, moisturizers and any acne fighting products/medications if necessary, I slather a pretty thick layer of this all over my face, and I sleep in it. Yep. You heard me. Sleep in it. :-D Your skin will thank you in the morning! It's a great supplemental exfoliation product as well, which leads me to my next little informational gem. When rinsing it off, I often moisten this face brush, available from Sephora, and add some of my preferred cleansing agent. Additionally, I also use it with St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub when prepping for a night out for an added glow or extra radiance underneath my makeup. Been using St. Ives since I was a teen. It's def an OBG (oldie but goodie)! I mix the Aquaphor and the St. Ives together and create a mask that I keep on for an hour or so, then rinse off in the shower.

The downside to Aquaphor is that it might clog your pores, but if you suffer from extremely dry skin, or perhaps want to take a stab at giving your skin that creaseless look, trying it is worth it just to see if it works for you. It's pretty gentle, so it shouldn't irritate your skin harshly.

There are a couple famous faces you might recognize that use it, including Beyoncé and Kourtney Kardashian, and we see how gorgeous their skin always looks!

I sincerely hope someone out there can benefit from this post! Extemely dry skin can be a total downer. Stay tuned for next week's post...I have another product that will surely knock your socks off and have you clamoring to wash the makeup off your beautiful faces and go au naturale!

:Closet Envy:

2011-09-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Kardashian girls know a thing or two about glamour, and their closets are unprecedented proof of that. I was drooling when perusing these pics.

Kim's...

Lovin' the fur. PETA would hate me. Oh welp.

Khloe's....(my personal fave!)

Shoe game on point...

Glammed out vanity area? Check! Def my bag. Clearly, the girl stays glossy.

Adore the light fixture and the styling here...

Kourtney's...

Love the jewelry display on the wall, and my handbags are organized in a similar manner, though not yet in a closet that I'm able to walk into, lol.

Indulge with the rest here...

:Beautylicious Mondays (Tuesday Edition):

2011-09-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

I promise Beautylicious Mondays will soon return to its regularly scheduled day...but for now, work with me and the Tuesday editions! That being said, I HAVE to share this awesome product with you!

I had learned about it before via one of my estheticians, but I really didn't take her recommendation to heart. It wasn't until my friend KeetaRay mentioned it, then gifted me with an exfoliation cloth from The Body Shop and the roll-on version of Tend Skin that I understood what all the hype was about!

I have extrememly sensitive skin (a problem many suffer from, but specifically Black and Brown people when it comes to hair removal), and often after waxing or shaving or using hair removal creams on my bikini area and underarms, it would be a total freakin' nightmare to deal with. I would get crazy discoloration and bumps from ingrown hairs and overall irritation from hair removal. WELP. Tend Skin to the rescue!

I began following two simple steps every day upon the advice of Keeta and voila!: I'm ready for my Sports Illustrated spread: swimsuit edition. Heeeeey! Simply exfoliate your bikini and underarm areas using something like this and the body wash of your choice in the shower. Do it for approximately one minute. I moisturize after bathing, then apply the Tend Skin to both of the aforementioned areas. Both started clearing up in less than a month, and well...now, I think I'm ready for an Agent Provocateur ad. :-) I'm no longer embarrassed by my bikini line and I just want to strut around in lingerie all day, lol. Though I don't. I imagine this also works well for men who shave their facial hair.

Tend Skin can be found at Sephora, and there's only one down-side, if you even care. Obviously, after shaving or other hair removal methods, whatever area you are applying the Tend Skin to will most likely burn because the product does contain alcohol. You can muffle the sound of your screams with a pillow, or just let it all out. Pretend you're an extra in the Paranormal series. Just try not to frighten your neighbors because it is possible that they will think someone is being murdered. This wasn't a deterrent for me though because having a pretty bikini line and smooth underarms is way more important than the temporary sting. Alcohol Schmalcohol.

I hope my review of this product has helped you saucy ladies and gents!

:Hotel Lust:

2011-09-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Fortunately, the weekend Hurricane Irene arrived, I had previously scheduled a staycation in the lap of luxury at DC's Topaz Hotel. I cannot say ENOUGH great things about the quality of service given by the staff, and the wonderful staff members themselves. They really rolled out the red carpet for ya girl.

*Free wine reception, not to mention a bottle replete with two glasses in-room when I came back from the reception: CHECK!

*Free internet service: CHECK!

*Free premium channel cable: CHECK!

*Free gift card to raid the mini-bar: CHECK!

*Whatever I needed whenever I called: CHECK!

YEP! These folks know how to ~~treat~~ exalt their guests...and are incomparable to any hotel staff I've ever encountered--and that's an extremely good thing. Oh, and did I mention the hotel is walking-distance from a multitude of terrific restaurants, nightlife, prime shopping, etc....that is, if you even actually decide to venture away from the property, which also has an uber hip bar/lounge/restaurant on the premises. I'm sooo looking forward to my next stay. And I seriously wanted to move into my hotel room. It was my very own pied-à-terre for the weekend--even had a vanity, and well...you know how I feel about those, seen here, here and here. See where I was luxuriating last weekend for yourself...

I had my very own couch, y'all! : )

Oh, and this chair...self-explanatory. High-glamour and ultra chic.

See that laptop? It was a showpiece on the desk for most of the weekend. I had a great view though!

Love this mirror from Z Gallerie. Wanted to pack it up in my suitcase when preparing to check out.

I cozied all up in this after my in-room massage. It was the perfect antidote to Irene.

:Beautylicious Mondays (Tuesday Edition):

2011-08-30T18:42:00.000-07:00

Forgive my tardiness, but I did wanna at least present you lovely folks with a look I did today...sorry if the photos leave a little to be desired~took them with my droid...

All prods/brushes are MAC unless otherwise stated~

Face: NW45 Studio Sculpt Concealer applied with Sephora Professionnel Airbrush Precision Foundation Brush, MSF in Deep Dark applied with 150 Large Powder Brush

Brows: Spiked pencil

Blush: Serenity

Bridge of Nose: Style Blush

Eyes: Double Feature #3~Matte teal color on lid (applied with the 213) and brown color in crease (applied with the LE 226 beloved crease brush :-) ), Vex as highlight and in inner corner applied with the 217)

Top lashline~Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink applied with the 212 Flat Definer Brush, Waterline: Pop Beauty Cat Eyes in Black Onyx

Mascara: YSL Volume Effect Faux Cils in Noir Radical (LOVE this mascara!)

Lips: Liner in BBQ, lustre lipstick in Oh, Oh, Oh, and lipglass in Social Light

Whew! That's a lot of damn products...all in a day's work, though. ;-)

:Baby Love!:

2011-08-28T23:15:00.000-07:00

This was such exciting news, I just couldn't help posting about it.
I could feel the couple's elation! Congrats to the happy pair!

What a tasteful, classy way to announce your pregnancy

your way as a celebrity who's constantly in the limelight.

Watch last night's VMA performance here:

Get More:

2011 VMA, Music, Beyoncé

:Souled Out Fridays:

2011-07-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

For those of us that dodged that bullet...

"So sad...you're hurt....BOO HOO..." (LOL)

Moral of the Story:

Don't show your ass and hit records...

...(and NY Times Bestsellers)... won't be written about you...

...I bet it sucks to be you riiight noooow..... :-)

Happy Weekending, Darlings!

:Souled Out Fridays:

2011-07-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Because sometimes...the wait is just...over.

(This woman understands how to effectively

sing every emotion I have the capacity to feel.)

Happy Weekending! Enjoy the extended weekend!!

:Accessories R Us:

2011-06-30T20:17:00.000-07:00

Recently, I've had two friends inform me that they know how "serious" I am about my accessories. This made me laugh because I really don't think they're that big of a deal. But maybe this picture disproves my thoughts on the matter? *shrugs* (I do, however, enjoy the fact that they do double-duty as actual wearable and decorative art.)

Disclaimer: This photo contains hidden accessories. :-)

:Glamour Shots:

2011-06-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Lovin' these prints from Home Goods.

...Really chic and would bring a nice touch to any bed/bathroom or office.

:Beautylicious Mondays:

2011-06-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I told you about my friend KeetaRay's blog and her makep artistry. Not only did I receive a makeover, but I also got a chance to do one on her. We had a fun night of makeupping and trading tips! I wanted to give her a look that incorporated brighter colors and really brought out her features more...this is what I came up with...

The Look

Products/tools used:

*Foundation: Black Radiance Color Perfect Oil-Free Liquid Makeup in Rum Spice (or 8413)

*Eye Shadow: MAC Pink Venus on lid; MAC Poste Haste in crease (applied with my Ulta professional tapered crease eyeshadow brush for a little bit of a cat eye); MAC Vanilla as a highlight

*Blush: MAC Breezy (lovely pink for us brown girls!)

*Highlighter: Nars Orgasm Blush (down center/bridge of nose) and MAC Style (my absolute FAVE highlighter right now--also in center of nose and under eyes, as well as applied in center of forehead and chin)

*Lip: Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense in No. 48 and Victoria's Secret lipgloss in Honey Do (applied to center of lip and blended out across lips overall)

Close-up/No Flash...see how natural it looks? I LOVE the beautiful glow Style gives!

It is a FANTASTIC highlighter!

Keeta loved the look; what are your thoughts?

:Souled Out Fridays:

2011-06-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

If you are not familiar with this woman and dynamic songstress...
...familiarize yourself. ASAP.

I'm dedicating this song to myself and the rest of the ladies
out there going through a period of transition!
~
WE ARE MIGHTY!
~

Happy Weekending! Make it count!

:Floral Friday:

2011-06-17T12:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday!

Have a fantabulous weekend!!

:OPP (or Other People's Projects):

2011-06-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Alas, what I've deemed The Trish Project continues, and it is shaping up quite nicely if I do say so myself! I am totally freakin' LOVING what my girl Trish is doing with her budoir.

Trish wanted to make her tie-backs more fancy,

so she spray-painted an earring of hers and hot glued it in.

Trish's accessories...LOVE the shoes as a main focal point!

...Aaaand she finished the half-canopy! Next up~retrieving instruction

from her on how to do this for my own bed. :-)

...That's what friends are for.....

DO WE LOVE IT?!?! MY VOTE IS YESSSS!!!

2011-06-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

It's ma gallery wall....completed edition. *TING*

Do you love it? I do. :-)

...But how do we feel about this hanging in place of the center mirror? ...Or from the ceiling in my bedroom or living room, mayhaps? Found here.

:Beautylicious Mondays:

2011-06-13T14:41:00.000-07:00

Hello Diva Style dahhhlings! In today's Beautylicious Mondays post, I want to feature my friend Keeta's blog! We are both beauty enthusiasts and lust over makeup! She probably doesn't realize it, but as of late, she has been a real inspiration (and social media tutor, LOL) in my quest to work on business development for my interior design company, Exquisite Interiors. Keeta is a professional makeup artist (who's doing my makeup today, as a matter of fact--WHEEEE!) and she also has a totally fantaaaabulous blog, KeetaRay where she offers encouragement, motivation and inspiration for all, as well as natural hair and beauty tips! Click here to read more, and in the meantime, feast your eyes on this awesome post she did on Newspaper Nails last week! It will cost you less than $6 and have you looking like a million!!

Keeta's Nails

:Keep Calm:

2011-06-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

...and carry on...

...What else can we do?

Happy Over the Hump Day!

:Some Wednesday Eye Candy:

2011-06-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

Some of Jonathan Adler's happy, chic interiors....

...Hope these add a bit of sunny inspiration to your day!

:Have You Seen This:

2011-06-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Last week, Million Dollar Decorators--my now favorite design show--debuted on Bravo. When I saw the previews, I thought to myself, who is this absurd chick claiming she can easily spend $5 million smackers decorating a house?... I don't know why I thought that was absurd, knowing that I absolutely could and would do the same. Once I tuned in, I soon found it was my beloved designer extraordinaire Mary McDonald. She is my glamour doppelganger, y'all. Seriously. The show airs Tuesday nights at 10PM on Bravo.

With that said, here's why you need to peep this show. ASAP:

1. Mary McDonald's fabulous office and scenes from her house, which is too deliciously deco'ed out for words.

2. Mary McDonald's fabulous outfits and accessories. The chick is bad. Bad meaning good.What can I say--all the single girls are. *shrugs*

3. The one-liners. With people saying things like "Sometimes I think my job is more important than the President of the United States", "If I get really wound up, I manage to raise my heavily botoxed eyebrows and scare everybody", and "Mary is the pied piper of the gays because she's fabulous!" (for anyone who doesn't know me, I can sooo relate. The gays love me and I love them; gay men flock to me) how can you go wrong? Honestly.

4. Martyn Lawrence Bullard, my diva, self-important doppelganger. He actually says in the pilot, "I try not to be too much of a diva, although there is a diva side to me". Martyn, quityalyin'. LOL.

5. Via the previews, I saw that they end up in Jimmy Choo empress' Tamara Mellon's home on some episode. Her house is the business.

6. Jacqueline. She has a terrifically hysterical French accent and chews gum with her mouth open.

Tide yourself over with this clip until tonight's episode...

...and get back to me with your thoughts if/when you watch!

:Beautylicious Mondays:

2011-06-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

For today's post, I'm doing reviews on two products... MAC's Surf, Baby! Skinsheen Bronzer Stick and Dr. Brandt Flaws No More r3p cream.

MAC recently debuted its Surf, Baby! collection, and though I was underwhelmed by the product offering, I decided to give one of the bronzers a whirl.

Surf, Baby! Skinsheen Bronzer Stick

The bronzer comes in three colors--Gilty Bronze, Tan-Tint and Billionaire Bronze, and it feels pretty good when applied--kind of creamy. However, if you are going to use the stick directly on your face, use it sparingly--if you don't you might look a little cray cray aka crazy. Streaky makeup is never a good look. Quite frankly, I'm not sure that these bronzers will necessarily work well for some brown/darker skinned ladies. I'm an NC50 in the MAC world, and I purchased the Gilty Bronze. Though I was hoping to use it as a highlighter due to the shimmer factor (though it is bronzer), I soon realized it was too dark for such utilization, and it actually blended into my skin as though it were foundation when I used it. Once I had applied, I checked to see how it looked in various places under different types of light (in my house, at the mall...), and I couldn't really tell any difference between the product and my actual skin. I returned it the next day. Myself and one of my favorite MAC store associates joked that the Billionaire Bronze could actually double as a foundation stick for us NC50 girls. I've posted a pic of the trio of colors below, but MAC's online colors are often not comparable to the actual colors in person, so if you want to look into this product, it might be best to get yourself to a store. :-) This product is packaged in a twist-up container and retails for $29.50.

from left to right:

Gilty Bronze, Tan-Tint, Billionaire Bronze

Hope this review helps anyone looking to purchase this product!

For my next trick, I'll be reviewing the Dr. Brandt facial moisturizer referenced above.

This cream, rich in peptides and other hydrating nutrients, alleges to diminish deep lines and improve the skin's texture.

A full size of this product is a bit pricey, retailing at $125 for 1.7 oz (I had a sample), but I have to tell you--after one use, I was wowed! I put it on before going to bed Saturday night (ok, ok--Sunday morning, lol) but when I woke up, it was as if the skincare gods had rained down refinement! :-) You know how your face looks all crunchy when you first wake up...because you slept so good/hard OR b/c you did something else so good/hard (teehee)--well, THIS may be your answer to obtaining that non-crunchy look. When I woke up on Sunday and looked in the mirror, it didn't even look like I needed to wash my face. I mean, it looked that good. I was really impressed, for my skin's texture did appear to be improved. One thing to watch out for is that there may be a slight stinging when you apply it. Now, I don't know if I had this problem due to other things I had used on my face prior, (cleansers/exfoliating products and a very mild, non-irritating toner--Mario Badescu Seaweed Cleansing Lotion) but the stinging only lasted for a few seconds. The second time I used, I experienced no stinging or tingling sensation at all. All in all, I liked the product. Oh, and I almost forgot to add--it has a pretty pleasant smell, so that shouldn't be an issue.

If you're willing to spend this much on a product, give it a try--but definitely stop by your local Sephora first to obtain a sample!

:OPP (or Other People's Projects):

2011-06-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

My lovely friend Trish from California, also an interior designer and responsible for picking out gems such as the one seen here, is currently in the midst of decorating her bedroom. It's a work in progress, but she was gracious enough to send me some photos of where she is currrently with the project.

She told me the theme of her room was "cultured beauty". Thus far, she has gathered a collage of picture frames of all sizes, finishes and colors capturing "the beauty of Europe, the inner traveler and beautiful side of being a woman."

How Trish displays her jewelry...

She also plans on adding some wall panels and doing a half-canopy over her bed to "make it feel very Grecian." I can't wait to see the end-result!

PS--Don't you just love that ottoman beneath the silver vanity?!

:Today's PSA:

2011-05-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

courtesy of Minky Betancourt and All Things Posh

:Scenes from My Coffee Table:

2011-05-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

I recently changed my coffee table vignette. Summer is fast approaching, so I went for a crisp, beachy look. Streamlined, yet it livens up the room! Wheeeeee!

:Images that Inspire:

2011-05-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Soul Pretty. This image is absolutely dreamy.

:Beautylicious Mondays:

2011-05-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

I wanted to do a post about how to properly clean makeup brushes.

I've used a lot of different cleaning agents over the years, including actual brush cleanser, anti-bacterial handsoap, Johnson's baby shampoo...but I think I finally found the perfect cleaning combo!

Pour a quarter size of antibacterial dishwashing detergent

and about the same amount of olive oil onto a plate...

from what I observed, the olive oil actually helps alleviate smells

from the brushes,which made me oh so ecstatic. *major thumbs up for that!*

This combo also softens brushes and assists in preserving the fibers.

Gather your brushes in small groups (depending on how many you have)

and wet the actual brush fibers.

Gently swirl the brushes in the cleansing solution you've prepared.

Swirl the brush(es) in the palm of your hand

under running water as you press out the dirt.

Repeat this process until you see no further traces of residue.

Press out excess water and dry using your preferred method.

I normally lay mine on their sides on a flat surface,

but this can potentially allow water to seep into the handles--

loosening the brush fibers from the actual handle.

There are a few ways that you can prevent this.

See the following video for one option:

Using brush guards will allow you to place your brushes into a glass, cup or mug

brush side down so that the water does not seep into the handle.

Using these covers will also assist in keeping the

original shape of the brush when in storage.

I hope this helps someone out there who's been

looking for the perfect brush cleaning method!

HAPPY MAKE-UPPING! :-)

:Art is Life:

2011-05-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

Anyone that knows me knows that I will create art out of absolutely ANYTHING.

Exhibit A: Birthday card & gifts from my friend, Livvie.

Exhibit B: Instant Art!

:Makeup Mondays:

2011-05-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

Mmmkay...so I wanted to do a FOTD (face of the day) for this post (MY 300th btw...YAAAY!!); BUT after uploading the photos, I realized that they weren't the best for actually showcasing my look or the colors I used. WOMP. I clearly need to become more acquainted with the alternative camera settings on my Android. However, I must spread the news! I found the most fabulous beauty accessory EVERRR last week-a lash applicator from Sephora; As everyone's favorite celebrity apprentice, NeNe Leakes would say:

BAM! ;-)

The minute I used this to apply my falsies yesterday, I was walking on sunshine! I normally just use a pair of tweezers, but these joints are the bee's knees. The tip of this apparatus makes it extremely easy to meld your two sets of lashes together (your natural set and the fakes). Two words: Utterly seamless.

Don't believe me? Lookie!

Can you see 'em?

Here's a close-up. Clearly, those are totally fake.

Looks like I overdosed on Latisse. ;-)

The applicator was $8. I think the lashes ran me about $5.

I give this applicator a perfect 10. ...Will you be picking up one?!

:Monday Deals:

2011-04-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

One of my absolute favorite stores is White House Black Market. The chain became exceptionally popular when this particular Mrs. wore one of their dresses for her appearance on The View.

Alas, I loved them WAAAAAY before that! :-) As a matter of fact, they have always been my go-to retailer of choice when it comes to sleek work attire, cocktail parties/evening events, and LBDs. And though I adore color in decorating, (as well as dressing myself), their monochromatic themes totally resonate with me, especially when it comes to my professional attire. A close friend of mine once described my style as "updated classic" (I totally loved him for that, lol), and WHBM is the champ when it comes to that sartorial aesthetic overall. That being said, take a look at what I got today!

I paid a whopping $39.88 for this blazer (total) - Originally priced at $148.

Love the neck line detailing.

Courtesy of some finagling and an offer code, I received 10% off this dress.

Paid $80.79 total. Originally priced around $158.

I'll just say this in closing. Every time I wear one of WHBM's dresses, I always turn heads. It's important to add that when I purchase from them most of the time, I usually wait for a sale. I'm a Black Book member, so I get 5% off of all purchases and free shipping whenever I order online. I'm FAR from frugal, but I don't like paying, saaaay, $160, for a piece of clothing that I know has been manufactured in excess and will cost half that price or less in a couple months or so. I practice the same mentality when purchasing my beloved Cole Haan bags. There will always be leftovers! :-)

How do you guys feel about WHBM's clothing?

:WE HAVE A GIVEAWAY WINNER!:

2011-04-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

I've emailed Ashley so she can claim her prize courtesy of this post! A big THANK YOU to all who follow and those who entered!

:Diva Style at Home:

2011-04-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Sooo....I'm thinking the vignette pictured below looks WAY better than the one posted here.

Also...check out my new art work, copped from this AB+L event. I hope to have my work featured at the next one in DC--which I'm very excited about!--so stay tuned! Will keep you posted!

The piece done at the top entitled "Skin 1" was done by artist Aniekan Udofia. Read more on him here. He is amazingly talented!! The bottom collage of one of my favorite musicians, Erykah Badu, was created by Peter Chang.

...'chu liiike?....

:I Love Hue:

2011-04-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

You all know that I'm a BIG advocate of lots of color, so these brash & sassy Elle Decor interior spaces had me at "Hello!"...

Major eye candy, right!?

:Giveaway Time!:

2011-04-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

*THIS GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED*

It's the beginning of the spring season, and what better way to kick it off than with an interior MAKEOVER!! Even if you can't afford to do an entire room or your entire house (be that your desire), you can always find that perfect, new statement piece to spice things up a bit in the decorum arena. Whether you're looking for an eye-catching piece of furniture for the budoir, bathroom fixtures that bring an extra dose of pizzazz to your morning ablutions or a piece of modern office furniture for your workspace, CSN has offered to assist in your search! To enter to win a $20 gift certficate from CSN stores--offering everything from furniture, home decor, lighting, rugs...the list goes on--you must be a follower of Diva Style, and you must leave a comment telling me what type of change you'd like to make in your space and how you would use the gift certficate from CSN. Look forward to reading your responses!

:Makeup Mondays:

2011-02-14T17:21:00.000-08:00

So, for Makeup Monday, I'm just giving a quick and dirty rundown of a mini-project I completed today. I have major issues with makeup/brush storage, and I'm always looking for the next best thing. I've found it for storing my brushes! I made a quick trip to Michael's and picked up some sand. I already had the containers I needed on hand courtesy of The Container Store. You may recognize them from this post on what else--storage...anywho, before and after below.

Before:

After:

I like the fact that it's functional, but also kind of functions as an actual decorative accessory.

Thoughts?

:V Day:

2011-02-12T11:42:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

...and now for one of my favorite songs, commemorating and dissing this commercial holiday all at once. Enjoy!

:The Aftermath:

2011-02-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Remember these kitchen shenanigans? Well, I'm happy to report that things no longer rapidly tumble out of random cabinets before I have to slam the doors shut as not to be attacked by mismatched tupperware. And I'm truly grateful for that. My friend Naki and I transformed them into these sparkling gems...

and this....

and this...

Not a total Betty, but a vast improvement...

:Diva Style at Home:

2011-02-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

As in referenced in this post, I attended a Pottery Barn decorating class on Sunday.

~ ~ ~

See that miniature glass vase and those pink and white flowers? I got them at a 10% discount for attending the class. The moment the instructor pulled them out for one of her table vignettes, I was obsessing over them. I am totally in love with the color combo of turquoise and pink right now. *cue "pink and turquoise" to the tune of Wiz Khalifa's "black and yellow" LOL*

Here are some more rooms consisting of my new favorite color couplet

from the luxurious blog House of Turquoise:

Aren't these interiors from House of Turquoise absolutely swoon worthy?

I'm in LOVE!

:Makeup Mondays:

2011-02-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

As I relayed in this post, I did a lil' shopping this weekend. Retail therapy...it's my thing. *shrugs*

~ ~ ~

Some of the items pictured here (though not pictured is this smangin' tweezer set I purchased at CVS, along with a couple of other items) were included in my cosmetics purchases at a variety of retailers, including the cult favorite, MAC. Others were purchased online at NYX and Milani Cosmetics, after visiting one of my absolute favorite beauty bloggers, Erin over at Scandalous Beauty. I didn't have the opportunity to swatch these yet, but stay tuned--I'll try to get to it soon!

:My Weekend:

2011-02-06T18:34:00.001-08:00

I had a fantastic weekend! Celebrated the 30th birthday of a divar-rific friend (I'm up next! YAY! for us February babies!), went to a Pottery Barn decorating class Sunday morning, shopped a little, re-watched Lipstick Jungle (was actually a great show that got dumped by NBC:-( ) and chillaxed. It was sublimely awesie. While "watching" the Superbowl--I was actually supposed to be at a football soiree, but promptly collapsed on my sofa when I got home from being out that morning/afternoon--I cooked dinner (turkey burger) and randomly (not unlike me) began working on a kitchen cabinet organization project. Scenes from my weekend below...

Sunday Brunch--Barbecued salmon with wasabi mashed potatoes,
onion strings and asparagus cooked to perfection at The Cheesecake Factory

...Beginnings of my weekend kitchen org project. One of my fabulous friends is coming over on Tuesday to help me complete this endeavor:

Yes. All of this came out of my KITCHEN cabinets
(not the vacuum). What the hell?

My dining room table after my kitchen cabinets threw up all over it.
#le sigh

The beginning of order....my bottom cabinets are a hot ass mess, though.

Disclaimer: If any of the photos seen in this post
are slightly crooked, blame it on the al-al-a-al-a-alcohol. :-)
I was sippin' on some syzzurp. #dontjudgeme
FYI, though--this is DAMN good syzzurp!
Drink responsibly!

:Interiors I Love:

2011-02-02T20:25:00.000-08:00

Paloma Contreras, founder of La Dolce Vita, recently debuted her new online publication High Gloss.

It's such a gem, so head on over to get your read on IMMEDIATELY!

...In it, one of my favorite bloggers, Jamie Meares of I Suwannee, is interviewed and several vibrant photos of her home can also be seen in the spread. Below is one of my faves--her bathroom--so I'm dedicating my "Photo of the Day" honor to it! It is awesome, and I could see myself just chillin' in it. It's just so bright and bubbly! Don't you agree?? You can also see some photos of her loverly kitchen...

:Makeup Mondays:

2011-01-31T10:47:00.000-08:00

This weekend, I was feeling inspired to get very creative with my eye looks and pulled an array of them out of my magician's bag. I call this look 'Envy', and though I have no step by step instructions for it, I have listed the products used, as well as a short summary of placement in creating the look at the bottom of this post.

Please ignore my caterpillar eyebrows.
I'm going to get them threaded today. :-)

*Too Faced Shadow Insurance eye shadow primer

*MAC Fiction eyeshadow (e/s) on browbone/crease

*MAC Humid e/s on lid

*MAC Gorgeous Gold e/s on inner corner of lid

and inner corner of lower lashline

*MAC Spiked eyebrow pencil

*Maybelline Lash Stiletto in Very Black

(This mascara works extremely well when

applied with the utmost care and precision!)

*Cover Girl Point Plus Eyeliner in Onyx

HAPPY MAKE-UPPING!

:Scenes from Last Night:

2011-01-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Diva went grocery shopping for the first time in like three years...

(I kid, I kid--more like three months)...aaaand she decided to do a little cooking last night--~~sabotaging~~ subsituting ingredients for a saucy little enchilada recipe found over at $5 Dollar Dinners (thanks, Erin!)...and it was DEE-LISH! I was really pleased with the way it turned out!

Here's what I would imagine this meal to

look like were it transformed into a room...

Isn't this a wonderfully jovial kitchen?

The colors remind me of Mexican flavors

....tangy and lively with a little bit of a kick!

:Makeshift Art Gallery:

2011-01-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

Because I'm running out of places to hang art. But it's snazzaay.

:Weekly Blooms:

2011-01-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

That's all.

:Well Looky Looky!:

2011-01-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

This month's Elle Decor boasts a very inspirational interior from Brazilian designer Sig Bergamin. Located in Manhattan's West Village, the pied-á-terre is filled with lush colors, prints and an array of styles that are are all extremely well married. I was in love from the moment I laid eyes on the glossy photos. See for yourself:

Here are some photos of the work Bergamin has done on commercial, residential and beach properties:

Perfection, no?

:Makeup Mondays:

2011-01-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

HAPPY MAKEUP MONDAYS, DIVA STYLE READERS!

It's TUTORIAL TIME!! As a freelance makeup artist, I make a lot of trips to the MAC store. As a part of the pro community, I often get on the good side of a lot of the associates, and get the inside scoop on tips and tricks they use. For some time, I had been trying to determine how to depot all of my single shadows for use in palettes. Palettes are just more convenient to use when creating a look, as opposed to digging around searching for individual shadows. They also assist in easily accessing alternative color schemes when beating your face. After trying one suggestion from an associate, one of my shadows was nearly destroyed, so I swore off attempting to depot that way. BUT more recently, after talking to a different associate who happened to be more briefed in these efforts, the code's been CRIZZACKED!

Here's what you will need:

Shadows to depot

A flattening iron

Aluminum foil

Butter knife

Optional materials: Label-maker, Goo Gone

1. To begin, heat up your flattening iron. Use a surface that is heat-resistant and be extremely careful not to burn yourself during this process!

2. Carefully, pop the metal compartment of eye shadow completely out of the plastic MAC pot. At this point, it will still be enshrouded in a smaller piece of plastic. There is a tiny crevice at the front of the pot that will allow you to pop it out with relative ease, circled in the picture below:

3. Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil slightly larger than your MAC container and place underneath it. You can tear off a big enough sheet to double over in size to provide extra protection against the heat, if necessary. The foil is used as a barrier between the plastic shadow pot and the flattening iron, as not to melt the plastic. Carefully place onto your heated flat iron.

4. Press down with the knife for 20-30 seconds to saturate the bottom of the foil with heat from the iron.

5. Gently lift from iron (BE CAREFUL: IT'S HOT!) and push through the aluminum foil with the butter knife to pop out the shadow tin.

6. (Optional Tip) :

Once removed, the bottom part of the metal tin will be quite sticky (from the glue that holds it in the plastic pot). I decided to just live with this and placed in my palette anyway, as trying to get the glue off seemed like it would be a big headache and could potentially damage the shadow.

Important note: Leaving the glue will make it more difficult to remove your eye shadow tin from the palette once all of the product is depleted, but I recommend using some Goo Gone to help with the stickiness.

7. Once you depot your shadow, you can place it in the palette like so:

8. (Optional Tip) :

Use your label-maker to create nametags for the shadows in their order of appearance in your palette, since they will no longer have labels on the bottom once depotted.

The labels are barely visible here, as I used clear ones,
but they definitely help with remembering names
and replenishing shadows once depleted.

End Result:

Lots of empty MAC pots...Can you say makeup for FREE.99!?!?!

Shadows depotted in one sitting

VOILA!!:

Final Product

9. Take to your nearest MAC store and redeem 6 empty containers for a free lipstick, lipglass or eyeshadow!

HAPPY MAKE-UPPING!

:Design Party of Two ~ Diva Style Interviews Erinn Valencich:

2011-01-14T10:05:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, Diva Style Readers! I hope that your 2011 is off to a FABULOUS start! Mine is, as I recently had the opportunity to interview one of my design idols, Erinn Valencich. It was a dream and a real pleasure! Read on to discover more about her extraordinary talents and a few of her favorite things!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

DS: Where do you get your inspiration from when working on design projects or any other type of creative endeavor?

~
Erinn: I find inspiration from many sources- but mostly I have a large binder of magazine images that I've collected over the years. I start going through that with my clients to see what they respond to, what they like, what they don't like. Even small details like nail heads, animal print, stripes, etc....things that they are into or not make it easier to start the process. I'm constantly adding and removing images from that 4" binder....and it's a big hodge-podge of styles.

~~~

DS: How did you get your start in this field?

Erinn: I decorated my first apartment on the cheap. Mostly flea market finds, something old, something new, something borrowed, something....wait. Haha. After that friends were coming over, saying "you should be a designer- your place is great!" Then I got my first client as a referral from a friend, and then the rest is history. That was 6 years ago.

~~~

DS: You're definitely a renaissance woman in the field of design because you encompass so many niches from entertaining to prop styling to actual interior design...Is this something that you always dreamed of doing and pursued academically or did you just find that you had a natural talent for it and and fall into it?

Erinn: I always loved homes and real estate. Grew up the granddaughter of a contractor, and the daughter of a renaissance woman! my mother owned a painting company for 30 years, we always lived in fixer-uppers. She was "flipping" apartment buildings before that was even a term.

~~~

DS: Will you be hosting any upcoming design specials for the holiday season? Do you have any tips for Diva Style readers when it comes to making their homes more festive!?

Erinn: I think HGTV is re-running a few of my shows, which they often do. I haven't shot anything new for them, but I am partnering with a new site that will be launching in about a week, called ThePeppermintReindeer.com. It's a resource for all things holiday. A place to get inspiration, shop for decorations, and get tips from your favorite designers on the top holiday looks.

As far as tips for the season, yes! Keep your decorations pared down to just two or three colors per room. Remember, just because it happens once a year, doesn't mean you have to use everything you own!

Coordinate your gift wrap with the color in your tree, that makes for a much more cohesive look.

Think about scent- although a fresh tree smells great, if you use an artificial one, as many people do, you may want to supplement with a great scent that pairs well with your design. After all, scent is the first thing people notice when they enter your home. Glade Sense & Spray is a favorite of mine. Try the Apple Cinnamon for holiday. The subtle design hides away into any design scheme which is nice.

As far as other holiday tips- I love to re-use christmas cards and make them into ornaments. Check out ThePeppermintReindeer.com for my tips on ways to re-use cards.

~~~

DS: As far as your work goes, what has been your dream job thus far?

Erinn: I would have to say that I just completed a home in the Venice canals area- and the client was a dream. We had a nice budget, which always helps, and she was very adventurous. She wanted something fun and different! It's really more about the 'Dream Client' than it is about the dream job. The client can make the job awesome or a nightmare, regardless of the end result of the home.

~~~

DS: What general design advice can you offer the readers of Diva Style?

Erinn: Have fun with your designs! Your home should reflect you, and that personality may change through the years. Pick your colors and have a few rooms to start with as your inspiration. This will help narrow down the choices. And remember- if you love the look of a room, really spend the time to pick it apart. Design is in the details.

~~~

DS: Do you have a favorite place to shop for design accessories, etc., when working on projects?

Erinn: I shop all over the place! I love Home Goods, Jonathan Adler, Pottery Barn, West Elm and Z Gallerie. For local shops I stop into Barclay Butera. I shop a lot through my wholesale catalogs, which is why I will be launching a home decor website as part of ErinnV.com early next year.

~~~

DS: Now for a few non-design related questions....What is your favorite beauty product--one that you just can't live without?

Erinn: Nars eyeshadows. Amazing. And I love their stick coverup.

~~~

DS: What's your favorite retailer in general?

Erinn: Bloomingdales is pretty great. Especially the one in New York. Or the Macy's in San Francisco.

~~~

DS: What's your favorite food/type of cuisine?

Erinn: I love all food! But, ummmm....probably Italian. I'm dying to go back to Italy this coming year.

~~~

DS: What is the one thing (or things) that you absolutely cannot live without?!

Erinn: My SUV. I love it. I'm always happy to return home from a trip and hop inside. I pack that thing with so much for work it's insane.

Some images of Ms. Valencich's absolutely stunning work...

Isn't Erinn's design style just the bee's knees?!?!

:More Happiness for My Home:

2010-12-06T13:15:00.000-08:00

Sadly, one of my friends is going, going, back, back to Cali, Cali.

That's bad.

Happily, she decided to put some of the wares that wouldn't fit in her car during the roadtrip up for sale (insert happy dance here) ! The ottoman* in the picture above was one of them, and I snatched it up quickfast. I wasn't sure how I'd like it in my living room, but it adds a very fresh and very vibrant punch of color. It's gotten rave reviews thus far from visitors! I think Jamie would approve.

*This photo was taken on my new Samsung Epic 4G phone, which makes me so happy I might marry it. Saucy, huh?!

:Giveaway Revisited:

2010-12-06T12:53:00.000-08:00

There was only one commentor for this giveaway, but I have been unable to contact this individual, so if you're interested in receiving this product and are a follower, leave a comment telling me what your favorite perfume/body spray is and you'll have a chance to win it!

:Giveaway Time!:

2010-11-23T12:36:00.000-08:00

*This Giveaway Now Closed*
I recently was contacted by a rep from a PR company offering one of my fantastic readers a Glade Sense & Spray automatic freshener:

They sent me one to try out first. This device certainly does have its perks--giving the room a burst of freshness when least expected, but on the flipside, it also has a tendency to scare the living daylights out of me after I walk by it, forgetting that it's there. It makes this swishy noise when it sprays (though neither annoying nor loud). I do think it's better to use in smaller spaces where the scent is more concentrated throughout as opposed to larger rooms {definitely a good look for bathrooms!}.

One lucky reader will get one! Just leave a comment telling me what your favorite scent/perfume is!

...In other Diva Style news, stay tuned for an interview from one of THE MOST inspirational designers out there soon: Erinn Valencich of Omniarte Design. I've blogged about her work before, and I have been given the fantastic opportunity to interview her. What an HONOR to be able to pick her brain and see where she gets her design inspiration from, amongst other things! If I don't talk to you before the Thanksgiving holiday, have a great one!! See you soon!

:New Around the House:

2010-10-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

I have amazing brain power. Right before I saw these, I was around the corner thinking...."Why can't I ever find any glamourous, vogue-esque art of Black women here...Today's the day." And BAM! There it was, lol. I was awe-struck, and they were implanted into my cart immediately. Don't you just love?!?!? Two words: Home Goods.

These beautiful turquoise urns cost $7.99 each at Home Goods. So elegant and chic! Love!

It's raining beads on Buddha...I tried not to buy him, but the third time's a charm. Couldn't leave him--he was meant for me. :-)

See the fish? I decided this was symbolic since I'm a Pisces...we are dreamers.

New Masks...

Got a third horn...following the "things are better in odd numbers" rule of thumb...

My very own little milk glass project....poured paint into these clear receptacles, and VOILA!...instant art project, though the black one didn't turn out as planned. Up next: a bright yellow one! I plan on going to Lowe's or Home Depot and looking for some of the cheap returned paint to finish a few of my other containers. Hope to find a shade of hot pink! Thanks for this idea, Get It Girl!

:Weekend Design Project:

2010-10-18T06:31:00.000-07:00

Some Before and After Pics from a weekend project I completed. By the way....we got a little carried away, and almost forgot to take the "befores", which is why the space looks extremely disheveled.

We were enjoying a "Real Housewives" marathon as we worked...lol.

And after the transformation...well, no words are really needed except for...Baby, I'm magic, TA-DA! :-)

Needless to say, the homeowner was really happy. It's no secret when someone is "feeling" their new space, and she was totally prancing around her house like a reindeer. :-)

We did a good thing here.

:Things I've Got My Eye On:

2010-10-06T20:21:00.000-07:00

Because I want to do a few living room updates.

Z Gallerie

Pier 1

Because I just think these stemless wine glasses are so chic and sophisto.

Fishs Eddy

:Tamara Mellon~Interior Design Muse:

2010-08-13T10:47:00.000-07:00

When these images dropped, my mouth was agape. Tamara Mellon's (Jimmy Choo's founding empress) London pad was featured in this book, one of my favorite go-to sources for design inspiration, and when I saw her spread in the most recent issue of the scented glossy, Harper's, I almost lost all my design marbles. Her interior decorum is BANANAS!
(click to enlarge)

I love the photographs of the snakes.

See the rest here.

:Dorm Room Design Day:

2010-07-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

Parisian Style...

I discovered via I Suwannee that a lot of design bloggers are participating in designing a virtual dorm room today....here's my interpretation.

:Weekly Blooms:

2010-07-30T08:17:00.000-07:00

The smallest things are so delightful. I fashioned this little bouquet from some peach and pink canations I found at Shopper's Food warehouse during a recent grocery shopping trip.

:Hotel Amour:

2010-07-19T17:03:00.000-07:00

Hello my lovelies! Forgive my absence (I had been vacationing in Miami) and had corresponded with the magical Tam Styles prior to leaving to ask her to be my guest blogger, then all hell broke loose with my Blackberry while in Florida, and well...POOF! A dream deferred. No more gmail until I returned meaning no way to contact Tam. Maybe next time. At any rate, my girls and I resided at the art-deco inspired and gracious employee-riddled Loews Miami Beach Hotel. I swear you literally only had to snap your fingers and whatever you wanted damn near appeared out of thin air. We were left waiting too long for nothing. However, some friends of ours booked a penthouse suite at the new W in Miami. And let me tell you...that is one sexy-ass, saucy hotel!! I couldn't resist taking a few shots of the penthouse interior.

Calgon...take me away? Yes please.

Artwork and accessories...whimsical.

Views...well...they just speak for themselves.

And then around the corner at the Gansevoort:

...rooftop oasis. Check! ...Now I can't show you anymore, but rest assured--we behaved. Very well or badly? I'll never telllll.....;-)

:And the Winner Is......:

2010-07-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

Hell Notes for Beauty

I want to thank EVERYONE who participated and left a comment for the Scott Barnes book giveaway! I encourage you to keep reading and playing...more giveaways coming soon!!

:Makeup Mondays-Diva Style Giveaway:

2010-07-05T17:10:00.000-07:00

*This Giveaway Now Closed*
Hello darlings! I know it's been a while since I've posted, but I haven't forgotten about you...more on my absence later. For now, I've decided to do a giveaway for today's posting. For all of you beauty buffs out there, here are the rules to enter:

1. Be a follower of my blog.
2. Leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite makeup product is and why!
Easy enough, right?

The prize is a brand spankin' new copy of this fantastic little tome:

:This Week In Home Goods News:

2010-06-17T13:37:00.000-07:00

I peeked into one of my favorite stores yesterday searching for more monogrammed mugs to display makeup brushes on my vanity, and I found this awesome cookware:

How could you not love it?! ...I see the yellow and black patterned set in my imminent future. Pardon the photos, taken with my trusty BlackBerry, but a girl's gotta work with what she's given to bring you what you love--more decor!

:More Set Design:

2010-06-16T15:30:00.000-07:00

In the meantime, here's more Sex and the City 2 set design. Not for everyone, but I liked it. Love Carrie and Big's bookshelves, pictured above.

:Office Spaces:

2010-06-16T13:01:00.000-07:00

A few of my favorites...

images by Tam Styles of Get It Girl Style

images by Jen Ramos of Made By Girl

images by Sherry and John (and little Clara) at Young House Love

These office spaces make work look very inviting!...Glamour, functionality and style--what better three elements could you combine for a first-rate workspace?!

:Artist Spotlight--Brandon Hodges:

2010-06-15T06:45:00.000-07:00

I met today's artist, Brandon Hodges of White Collar Blues, through a really good friend of mine. Of course I took it upon myself to commission a piece from him for the Dress for Success fundraiser that took place last Thursday in collaboration with the Art Registry of Washington, DC. Part of the mission of WCB is to provide tailored art consulting services for small to mid-size businesses and private clients. One word describes the work of this artist: amaaaaazing!

Billie Holiday

Between Friends

Untitled

Black Woman

In Her Shoes
(...which I now own--a fantastic friend purchased it for me at the DFS Art Registry silent auction!)

:Makeup Mondays:

2010-06-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

Normally, on Makeup Mondays, I highlight an actual makeup look, but today I want to discuss a fantastic find! I found these awesome brush rolls over at etsy as a way to store makeup brushes. I fell head over heels in love with them, so I purchased one (pictured above). It was totally worth it, and it's a really savvy and stylish way for you makeup lovers to tote your brushes around! They come in a variety of patterns and different sizes, too! The etsy artisan asoftblackstar also makes cosmetic bags. Make sure to take a look for yourself, but in the meantime, here are a few of the other patterns available:

:Artsy in the City:

2010-06-13T13:28:00.000-07:00

The following photos are a by-product of what happens when you decide to get artsy...or when you're testing out a new camera. :-) I took all of these from my car...

:Artist Spotlight--Amber N. Wiley:

2010-06-13T13:06:00.000-07:00

I met Amber a few months back at my friend's birthday celebration, where I learned that she was engaged in the arts. I just so happened to be in the process of working on an event for Dress for Success and was looking for silent auction items in order to raise money for the non-profit. It was the perfect opportunity to approach her to see if she was interested in donating her work, and luckily for DFS and myself, she was! She paints, as well as photographs cityscapes, landscapes, and almost anything you can imagine really. Her work is absolutely incredible and has been featured on the websites of CNN and National Geographic Traveler. See more of it here and here. If you are interested in purchasing a piece of her work, be sure to contact her using the info listed on her website. I ended up purchasing the piece pictured above from her, and I absolutely adore it!

:Giveaway at Work:

2010-06-10T12:08:00.000-07:00

Stephanie of Le Sigh of a Fashionista was gracious enough to send me this photo of the item she won in Diva Style's first giveaway. Tres chic!