I'm Still Here...

I've been working like a crazy person lately as it is my busy season and I work 60+ hours a week.  Usually Sunday is my only day off.  I'm really trying to stay on top of blogging but when I get home, I'm simply tired.  Please bare with me with the sporadic posts. Only 4 more weeks until my busy season is over!

Swap Haul #2 With BeautyByJJ

Products I Regret Purchasing

Another Swap With BeautybyJJ

I recently did another swap with BeautybyJJ.  Check out what I sent her!  I'll do a video on the products I receive once I get my package.

Nail Polish-Out 2012

I hinted to this on Twitter and Facebook. You may have heard of other bloggers doing something similar, i.e. Gloss-Out 20XX, etc. I have decided that with over 150 nail polishes (pictured above), many untried, that I would not be purchasing any new polish in 2012.  However, I have given myself 5 freebies, meaning if there is some super unique color that I just have to have, I can get only 5 total for 2012.  I still have more than enough untrieds to continue my Manicure Monday posts for all of 2012.  Each time I purchase one of the 5 allowed freebies, I'll do a post on it letting you guys know.  This is going to be soooo hard as I consider nail polish a cheap quick beauty treat.  I sure hope I can do this!  How many polishes do you own?

Hiatus Until The New Year

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to ALL!  Blushing For Beauty will be on a hiatus until the New Year.  Regular posts and Manicure Mondays will resume on January 2nd!   See you then!!!

My Nail Care (Requested)

October/November 2011 Favorites

Here is a video of the products that I've been reaching for lately for October and November.  Enjoy!

Ins & Outs-Vol 2

Here are some things that I am digging and some that I am not...

In:
-Oversized sweaters
-Leggings/tights
-Dark colors
-Bordeaux nail polish
-Smoky eyes
-Comfort food
-Sexy boots
-Christmas music

Out:
-Sleeveless tops
-Shorts
-Bare legs
-Coral lips
-Sandals
-Warm weather

What are some of your ins and outs?

What's In My Travel Makeup Bag

Get Ready With Me

Products Used In Order:

NARS Sheer Matte foundation in Syracuse
NARS Smudge Proof eyeshadow primer
Tarina Tarantino Sparklicity Bronze palette
MAC MSF Natural in Med Dark
Milani Liquif'eye eye pencil in Brown
Physician's Formula Jumbo Lash mascara
Bobbi Brown Corrector in Med/Dark Bisque
MAC Pro Longwear concealer in NC 35
MAC Prep + Prime Translucent Finishing Powder
Clinique Bottom Lash mascara
NARS Casino bronzer
NARS Taj Mahal blush
MAC Thrills lipstick
MAC Brun eyeshadow (for my brows)

My Top Ten Nail Polishes For Fall 2011

I Found My Nude Pumps!

Well, I should say my mother found them.  I had vented my frustrations to her about not being able to find the style, color, etc that I wanted.  While out shopping for herself, she came across these...and they were exactly what I was looking for.  Conservative enough for the office, high enough for the weekend...and most importantly...the right shade of nude.

They are the Antonio Melani Cleo pump from Dillard's and they were only $31 (marked down from $90)!  And this was the only pair left and they happened to be in my size.  Talk about fate!

They are made of very soft vintage nappa Mestico leather (??).  It has a leather insole and outsole with a 4 inch heel, small platform, and almond shaped toe.  They are very comfortable also.

I'm so glad my mother stumbled across these.  Talk about a diamond in the rough!

August/September Favorites

Here are the items that I was loving throughout the month of August and September!

A Message To My Readers...

If you are a regular reader of my blog or you enjoy it, please show your support by hitting the "Join This Site" button on the left side of the blog.  I promise that I won't spam your email or do anything like that.  It just allows me to keep track of who is "following" my blog.  You don't have to have a blogger account, you may follow with your gmail, google, and even Twitter I.D.'s.  I thank you so much for the support and for reading my blog!

Did I Just Buy The Same Color In A Different Brand?

China Glaze Ingrid, Dior Exquis #611

As soon as I saw the Dior Holiday 2011 promo pictures, I gravitated to the nail polish shade Exquis #611 (because I am a nail polish whore).  I purchased it today.  When I got home, I looked at the my stash and it looked similar to something I already had.  Behold, China Glaze Ingrid.  They look identical in the bottle, except for one thing, the golden shimmer.  The golden shimmer is more apparent with Exquis than Ingrid.  Since I have a fresh manicure, I can't swatch them on the nail.  I'm going to go ahead and keep the Dior color simply because I like that the shimmer is more pronounced.  Now that may change once I swatch them.  If they're identical on the nail, then I will be returning the $22 Dior color!  What do you think?


P.S.  Sorry about the camera phone photo, the Nikon's batteries are dead and I haven't gotten to the store to get some new ones.

Newest Handbag Acquisition

In addition to beauty products, clothes, and shoes, I also love handbags (what girl doesn't).  I normally get two new bags a year due to my expensive taste in bags.  This is bag #2, ordered yesterday, shipped today.  I can't wait to hold her!

She's by Kate Spade, the color is French Grey, and it is a lizard embossed leather.  What I like most about it, is the classic look of it.  Similar to the Chanel Quilted tote that costs a bajillion dollars.  She may not be for everyone, but I like her :)  This should curb my appetite for the aforementioned Chanel bag.  I just can't see myself paying $3,000 for a handbag!  Maybe in 20 years and another zero added to my salary!

Zara Now Has US Online Shopping!

Zara, a personal favorite of mine, has now opened their online shopping to the US!  I am over the moon about this!  The Zara in Houston is only in one location that is not the closest to me.  It's not far, however, it is not convenient either.   Between studying for the CPA exam and work, I just haven't had the time to get over there.  Now I can shop at the convenience of my laptop (much to my husbands chagrin)!

Makeup Inspiration::Rihanna

I love Rihanna's makeup in this photo!  I love the softness of her bronzed smokey eye, the peachy/bronze cheeks, and the natural looking lips.  This look is still glamorous and soft but not over the top (like how Kim Kardashian's makeup can sometimes be).  I am going to try to recreate this look the next time I go out.  What do you think?  Do you like the look?

The Hunt For Nude Pumps

I have been looking for a pair of nude pumps for months now.  But not just nude, MY nude.  As a woman of color, I find that the mainstream color of nude is not MY nude.  It is more like a beige or a taupe.  I have searched high and low in stores and on the web and can't seem to find a suitable pair.  They are either the wrong color or the shoe style is, shall I say, stripper-ish!  I work in a professional setting and I don't think my company would appreciate a shoe with a 2 inch platform and a 6 inch stiletto!  I would prefer a closed toe shoe but would not be opposed to a peep toe.  So after months of searching, I am turning to my lovely readers.  Do you have any ideas on where I can find this ever allusive nude pump?