:Scenes from My Coffee Table:

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:

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

:Beautylicious Mondays:

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!

1. 

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.

 2.

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

and wet the actual brush fibers.

3.

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

 4.

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.

5.

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:

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:

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:

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?