Effortless Hair

As a mom or expectant mommy, you may sometimes always be short on me-time.  Instead of pulling your hair into a pony tail once again, try one of these inspired yet easy do's courtesy of A Cup of Jo.

Joanna's stable of simple styles has inspired me several times lately.  She includes pictures and very easy step-by-step instructions for each style.

I wore this for Valentine's Day dinner with my hubby.

And twisted my hair into this one while sitting at a stop light last week!

I keep a full card of bobby pins in my handbag at all times now that I have long-ish hair. 

Beauty Quickie

I am (sadly) one of those ladies who (almost) never leaves the house without something on my face. I will dab on concealer to disguise my undereye circles even for a quick Sunday morning dash to the market. So, in an effort to pare down my weekend beauty routine I've compiled a list of absolute neccessities.

A quick dab of tinted moisturizer will equalize skin tone without feeling heavy. I swear by Laura Mercier's classic version in regular or oil free for warm weather.

Now that bargain beauty brand, elf is available at Target, you can experiment to your heart's content with their fun range of products.  I am especially enjoying the All Over Color Stick which retails for $1.  It imparts a rosy glow on cheeks and lips, leaving you with a healthy, natural look.

Hard Candy was my go-to nailpolish addiction in high school, now they are stocking a variety of sweet deals exclusively at Wal-Mart.  This Ginormous Lash brown mascara will add just enough definition for more subtle weekend lashes.

Big Hair

This weekend I experienced big hair thanks to the DryBar in Dallas.  My friend Jenn surprised me with an impromptu birthday trip to this chic little salon on Cedar Springs.  From the white laquer interior with bright yellow accents, to Dirty Dancing playing on the HD TV the visit was a sweet treat.  Great way to prepare for a special occasion or just when you are desperate for a good hair day! 

I asked for lots of volume and waves as opposed to curls.  Very pleased with the result!

Origins Plantscription

I purchased this serum (my first serum btw) about 2 weeks ago.  I admit, I was a serum sceptic.  I mean;  cleanse, exfoliate, tone, moisturize and oh, wait add one more step to your already tedious skincare routine?!? 

Plantscription $55

..but, I've been swayed.  In two weeks this has all but erased my smile lines and the little ones around my eyes.  Amazing!

From the Origins site:

"Although it's not a prescription, in just 4 weeks nature's next generation power plant noticeably reduces wrinkle length & depth. Without the irritation. Visibly helps repair the vertical fret lines between your eyes, the stubborn furrows across your forehead and the deepening frownies that frame your mouth. Youthful "bounce" is revived. Skin is clinically firmer, smoother and more lifted-looking. And with continued use, results improve. What will nature think of next!"

Health & Beauty

Looking back through all of my "Health and Beauty" posts, I realized that most of them are related to nail polish.  I admit, nail color is a small obsession to me.  So I can spot an OPI shade from 4 years ago on a stranger and comment on it, why do they seem so weirded out by that? 

My belated New Year's resolution is to do my best to get jazzed up about other beauty products and begin posting about them. 

Images via Refinery29

This should get nails off my mind for at least a few days!

OPI Ya'll

As a Texan, I am stoked about OPI's latest collection featuring Lone Star inspired names.  But as a resident of Big D (Texas' fashion capital) I am a little surprised not to see a Dallas themed polish.  Tsk, tsk, OPI! 

...although the Fort Worth It is kinda calling my name...and the San Tan Tonio is an amazing nude...okay forget it, I don't need a Dallas polish, I'm sold!


Read more about the OPI Texas collection here

Nailed It!

A couple of nail-art inspiration pics from the spring runways.  I think this elegant "moon mani" would be pretty simple to pull off at home provided one has the proper tools...

I'll be adding this to my fall beauty shopping list:


Sally Hansen black nail art pen $7

and this:

OPI "Going nude, eh?" $9

P.S. I love the numbers scrawled on her ring finger, it's like a secret code!

photo via  Refinery29

Hair Envy

While I am completely smitten with Alexa Chung's recently released collection for Madewell ...

(hello, Margot Skirt)

...it is her hair style in the ads that has me mesmerized.  It seems so effortlessly 70's autumn glam, all tousled and perfect looking.  I'm still lacking a few inches of length to pull it off properly, but it is definitely my hair inspiration this season!

Sassy Summer Nails

Pretty nails are always a must, and something you can indulge in even at the peak of pregnancy.  Whether you do it yourself or can't reach your toes and need a pedi, here are a few shades to inspire you.

My friend chose this one to wear on her toes on her wedding day; what a beautifully unexpected bridal hue!

Chanel Particuliere $23

Nothing flaunts a tan like a bright red/orange hue!  This one will get you noticed!

Loreal Ragin Cajun $5

Earn some street cred with the playground set with this youthful blue shade featuring a heavy dose of glitter!

Nubar Sour Candy $8

Scent Envy

When I'm pregnant, my sense of smell tends to get all wonky.  My Hermes Eau des Merveilles scent (usually a favorite) absolutely turns my stomach these days.  During my last pregnancy, the scent of gardenias made me sick.  In perusing my fragrance collection today, nothing inspired me... until I passed by my Capri Blue Volcano candle.  I was seized with the urge to rub it all over my body.  I refrained, but it leaves me pining for a bottle of perfume in Capri Blue Volcano fragrance.  I may have to start toting it around with me, my bag would smell great!

Aspen Bay Capri Blue Candle 24oz - Volcano

Do you have any pregnancy scent aversions or addictions?  Please share!

Baby, It's HOT Outside!

As the temps climb quickly this summer (over 100 in Dallas already) I am looking for ways to stay cool.  A maternal glow is desirable, but flat out perspiration isn't pretty.  To beat the heat throughout the day, I use this Evian Mineral Mist.  The travel size packs easily in my purse or diaper bag and it always comes out cool!  My little one loves the cool mist as well and makes the cutest squinchy face when she's about to be misted.  At about $6.00 for the travel size, this defines affordable luxury!

Evian Mineral Water Facial Spray 5.0 oz.

Miracle Hair

My hair is naturally straight, limp and lacking volume.  In addition, it tends to get oily and stringy when I don't wash it every other day.  I for one do not have time to wash so frequently, especially in the summer when it is too hot to blow dry! 

That's where this Miracle hair product comes in.

David Babaii For Wild Aid Bohemian Beach Spray, 6.6-Ounce Bottle

 A few spritzes on damp hair add volume and thickness for days.  I spray it on dry hair to give it a pick-me-up any time.  It also extends time between shampoos to 3-4 days, amazing for a mommy with no time to spare!  I have dabbled in dry shampoos, but this stuff is far superior.  The Amazon reviews say it works for gals with curly locks as well, making them beachy and tousled a la' Kate Hudson.   (She collaborated on this line of products).

As if being a great product weren't enough:

 With an exclusive blend of exotic natural ingredients, DAVID BABAII FOR WILDAID products are free of sulfates, parabens, animal products and animal testing. For Hudson and Babaii, DAVID BABAII FOR WILDAID celebrates "The nature in beauty and the beauty in nature."

And a percentage of the revenue from the line benefits the global wildlife conservation organization WildAid.

Buh bye, stretch marks!

My Mom brought me a bottle of this during my first pregnancy.  The retro 70's nude woman on the bottle is now a familiar friend.  I slathered my bump with this after every bath or shower and did not get a single stretch mark for baby number one.  Now, 5 months into baby number two, I still end my showers with Mother's Special Blend.  It has a very faint, pleasant nutty scent.  I recommend lubing up immediately after your shower or bath and then patting dry.  The price is in the $10 range and one bottle will get you through your entire pregnancy! 

Mother's Special Blend 8 Ounces

Sunscreen - the low down

Every body, whether expecting or not, should take a peek at this 2010 Sunscreen Guide.  This debunks fact from manufacturer claims and gives you choices that actually protect you from the sun without hormone altering chemicals.  Any product touting an SPF of more than 50 is all hype and not a good choice.

I'll be buying  this one from Jason to slather on the bump and the family this summer!