Wednesday, June 26, 2013

NARs-ly!

Anyone who has ever peeked in my makeup drawer knows that I have sworn my allegiance to MAC Cosmetics for years.  Yes, I mean years.  I started wearing MAC my junior year of college. You do the math from there.  I am already well aware of how old I am.  With that being said, it has been my cousin’s mission to broaden my cosmetic and skincare horizons over the past year.  Whether it is for my own benefit or because she knows I will give her lots of opinions on the products she gives me to test out (and possibly blog about) is yet to be determined.

For my birthday, my cousin gave me a new NARS eye shadow duo, Vent Glace.  I liked it. It was pretty.  It was neutral enough for me to wear daily but I could still jazz it up for going out at night.  I wanted more.

ventglace

Vent Glace 

So when Cuz got her hands on the newest colors for spring and summer, I was psyched.  I think we all know that I am not afraid of color and playing with makeup.  So as a favor to my cuz (anyone buying that one?), I tried them out.  Guess what?!  I was loving up on them.  Problem with that?  I had all kinds of new eye shadows to blog about but it was not available in stores yet!  (Know what else?  My diamond shoes were too tight and my tiara kept falling off!  Oh poor me.)  Finally, months later, here are my new favorite NARS shadows for summer. 

 

southpacific

South Pacific

I do not recommend this with teal liner.  Not that I have tried that….  Very beachy and fun though!

 

cleo Cleo

This is much more shimmery when you put it on.  You may have seen this in a profile picture on the SJ&YP Facebook page.

 

jolie

Jolie Poupee

Seriously.  That is the name.  It makes me giggle too.  This is one of Biggest’s favorites.  She is a lover of all things purple.

 

strada Strada

I wore this one yesterday.  Paired it with Shadowy Lady from MAC.  Loved it.

 

hulaHula Hula

This one has become my absolute FAVORITE eye shadow.  I wear it all the time.  It is a great neutral and I love to swap out which color I am putting in the crease versus on the lid.  Plus, there are glitter flecks in the shadow, and we all know how I love me some sparkle!  This shadow is one of my must-haves (if I had a list of must haves).   I am wearing it in a lot of the pics you see on the blog.

So there you have it, the SJ&YP eye shadow loves of the summer.  Find your favorite NARS retailer (like Sephora????)  and check them out.  While you are there, try their liquid liners too, another SJ&YP favorite.  Just sayin’.

 

 

poupee  *giggles*

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Options.

ellamoss  I like options.  Who doesn’t?  When I get something new in my closet, I like to see how many different ways I can wear it, especially since Hubby is still keeping my spending at bay (boo!).  So when this sweet little striped Ella Moss sundress dress appeared at the store, I immediately fell in love.  Once I tried it on, I had to buy it.  I actually mean, I HAD to buy it.  As in, cut the tags off, this dress is not coming off of me (yes, Hubby was cool with it).  That picture on the right is actually a picture of me when I first tried it on and refused to take it off. (SJ&YP note:  Please excuse the lack of a head in the photo, but it was more flattering that way.  Trust me.)

A few days later, I was wearing the dress at work (again).  The other stylists and I were experiencing some downtime and thought it would be fun to find as many different ways as we could to style the dress, making different outfits.  So here are some of the looks we came up with! 

 

Option #1

som3 Adding a mixed media cardy was a fun way to mix prints and add a punch of color.  Besides, I love the idea of combining two of my favorite designers, Ella Moss and Charlotte Tarantola.  Throwing on a great statement necklace brought more color in and added some sophistication to the outfit.

Cardigan by Charlotte Tarantola

Necklace by Blush and Blue

 

Option #2

som4

This kimono cardy was so soft and comfortable.  Again, I love the mixed prints and splash of color.  I felt like I should be going to a bridal or wedding shower on a hot summer night.  Very easy, breezy.

Kimono Cardy by Honey Punch

Necklaces by Linden Hills and Mia Berkley

 

Option #3

som5

I am absolutely in love with this jacket.  It brings a more casual feel to the dress, and does a nice job of giving me a waist where I lack one.  Of course, I needed a touch of sparkle, hence, the bold, blingy necklace.    I could see wearing this out for date night with Hubby.  Maybe I can convince him I need the jacket too….

Jacket by Billabong

Necklaces by  Blush and Blue and Adorn

 

Option #4

som7Ok, this was what I actually wore in to work, minus the sunglasses.  I love the soft, vintage (by vintage I mean 80’s acid washed) look to the jacket.  I was comfy and casual.  This would be perfect for having drinks with my girlfriends or hitting up an event where I want to look effortlessly amazing (yes, we all have those events, like class reunions, family reunions, first dates, running in to exes….).

Denim Jacket by Kut

Palamino Necklace by Stella & Dot

Sunglasses by Ray Ban

 

Option #5

som6

Since I love this dress, I wanted to make it last as long as possible.  One of my favorite tricks is to add a pair of skinny jeans under a summer dress.  Could I do leggings?  Sure, but I love my skinny jeans more.  It is a more evolved look.  Throw on a Prairie Underground hoodie, which lets be honest, goes with anything, and I have a great outfit for running around this fall!  (SJ&YP note:  Please ignore the odd look on my face.  It was 90 degrees out , the sun was really bright and I am squeezed into a pair of jeans that were one size too small for me and my big belly.  We had to take this photo fast.)

Long Cloak Hoodie by Prairie Underground

Legging Jean by AG

Necklace by Blush and Blue

 

 

Wondering about the rest of my outfit’s accessories in each picture?

 Bardot Spiral Bangle and Devi Bangles  by Stella & Dot

Wooden Bangle via Sundar Imports

Glint Flower Earrings by Stella & Dot

Shoes by Dolce Vita

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Comic Con: Part 2 – The Sick Addiction

OK, now that we have explored what Comic Con is (see Comic Con:  Part 1- Welcome to the Nerdy Side), let’s look at what makes it so fun and turns it into a sick addiction.  This will be me and Bestie’s third year in attendance.  Our plan for greatness seems to evolve each year.  Let’s take a look back at the past two years. 

Year One – The Addiction Begins

bestie 

Look how cute and innocent we are.

So our first year at Comic Con, Bestie and I had no clue what we were in for.  We quickly learned.  We were in lines.  Lots and lots of lines.  Long lines.  Seemingly never ending lines.   Sounds fun right?  It actually was!  We made friends during our time at Comic Con, some of which we still talk to and meet up with when we go.

linesThis is the line for Hall H, where most of the major movie panels are held.  This was full of Twi-hards. 

We also learned we will run into celebrities.  Everywhere.  Often if you sleep outside in a line to wait for a panel, celebs will come by to visit you.  Sometimes they even hand out swag and breakfast.  esme Bestie with Elizabeth Reaser (best known as Esme Cullen from the Twilight Saga)

For the celebrities you don’t see walking down the street, you can sit front row for some of Hollywood’s biggest names and upcoming shows or movies.  We were fourth row or better for movie or TV show panels like “Twilight Saga:  Breaking Dawn Part 1,” “True Blood,” “Snow White and the Huntsman,” and “Prometheus.”  You name it and Hollywood probably has a panel with major celebrities attending to represent it.

jt amanda Why yes, that IS Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried, promoting the movie “In Time.” 

chrisHello Chris Hemsworth.  Oh, I guess Charlize Theron is in the picture too….

Even if you don’t see celebrities, you will see people dressed up.  Everywhere.  Seriously.  Everywhere.  And dressed like anything you could ever imagine.  We kept seeing a seven foot tall Grim Reaper walking around the Gas Lamp District.  Not even in the convention center.  Just walking around.  We tried to avoid him, just in case.

costumes Just caught this walking past the Convention Center.

Nightlife can be extremely fun.  You never know when you might end up having drinks with Navy Seals and then pay $30 for a 2 block pedal cab ride.  No, I am not posting a picture of that night, not am I giving more details than that. 

Year Two – The Addiction Worsens

Year Two at Comic Con, we had a better handle on what we wanted to do and what we were willing to do.  We learned that lines happen.  This year was no different except that we figured out to bring stuff to do in line.  Books on an eReader are helpful.  Card games, like Cards Against Humanity, or a regular deck of cards help too.  Also, make friends with the people around you so you can take turns waiting in line and showering (showering is key at Comic Con.  The rest of the attendees will thank you for it.).

lines2 Line for Hall H again.  This is where you are when you don’t sleep outside for it.

lines3Seriously.  The things you see in line. 

After year one, we realized, the cool kids go in cosplay (costume play).  Now you can’t just phone in your costume, you need to do it up right.  So for months we stressed and sweated what we would do, coming up with two costumes each.  It is even more fun when people ask to take your picture or pose with you.  I was even interviewed by a Los Angeles reporter for their morning segment.

jareth

Bestie as Jareth (from Labyrinth)

waldo

Can you find me?

silk spectre Bestie as Silk Spectre (Watchmen) with her boyfriend, Nathan Fillion

trekkie My girl, Mel, of Studiothreesixty5, as a Trekkie at her first Comic Con experience 

jem Me as Jem from Jem and the Holograms.  Truly outrageous.  Truly, truly, truly outrageous.

The nightlife was just as fun this year.   Thankfully, after year one, we learned to live on a few hours sleep and 5 Hour Energy drinks.  I do not recommend it long term but it got us by for the four days we were at Comic Con.  We also learned to hydrate whenever possible.  No Navy Seals but we still made it a great time. Look, I even have a photo to show you from this year!

nightlife Good times had by all.

And what would Comic Con be without gratuitous celebrity sightings on the street? 

colin Colin Ferguson from Eureeka, just walking down the street…

And if you are REALLY lucky, you can share your Sponge Bob Squarepants sleeping bag with Joss Whedon himself…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah.  Like I was going to post that picture?  Please.  I have more respect for Mr. Whedon than that.  But it did happen to Mel.  I don’t think Bestie will ever wash that sleeping bag again.

Since this post was so heavily laden with pictures, I am going to bring it to a close.  Either your nerdy side has been awakened and intrigued by reading/looking at this or it hasn’t.  But either way, just know this, no matter who you are, no matter what you are into, Comic Con is a good time for everyone.  I look forward to seeing what 2013 has to bring.

day3

 

Special thank you to Mel and Bestie for letting me use some of their Comic Con pictures for this post.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Comic Con: Part 1 – Come to the Nerdy Side.

reality Since almost all of you blog readers know about my nerdy-geeky side, I am feeling comfortable sharing my excitement over the rapidly approaching Comic Con 2013.  I imagine some of you are thinking, “She goes to that?  How cool!” To which I respond, “I know, right?!” I imagine others are thinking, “What the hell is that?”  To which I respond, “Don’t worry I will fill you in.”  While the remainder of you are thinking, “Oh crap.  I gotta stop following this blog.”  My response?  “Well, if you want to miss out on all this nerdy awesomeness, go ahead."  I dare you!  But you will find yourself laying awake at nights wondering, what the hell is Comic Con and what makes it so awesome?  Is it all pasty faced young boys who rarely venture from their parents basements?  Is it all comic books?  Why would a fun loving fashionista like SJ&YP spend so much time preparing for and freaking out over this seemingly dorky event?  Read on and you will find out!  However, to keep from overwhelming you with awesomeness, I will break this into two post.  First, what is Comic Con.  This will help you understand the initial awesomeness.  Second, I will reminisce about our first two trips to Comic Con, to help you understand why I am so addicted.  Plus, there will be photos.

So what IS Comic Con? 

sdccAccording to Wikipedia“San Diego Comic-Con International is a multigenre convention held annually in San Diego, California, United States. It was founded as the "Golden State Comic Book Convention" in 1970 by a group of San Diegans, which included Shel Dorf, Richard Alf, Ken Krueger and Mike Towry; later, it was called the "San Diego Comic Book Convention". The name, as given on its website, is Comic-Con International: San Diego; but it is commonly known as Comic-Con or the San Diego Comic-Con or "SDCC".[2][3][4][5] It is a four-day event (Thursday-Sunday) held during the summer in San Diego, in southern California, United States. On Wednesday evening, there is a preview for professionals, exhibitors, and some guests pre-registered for all four days.  Originally showcasing comic books, science fiction/fantasy and film/television, and related popular arts, the convention now includes a larger range of pop culture elements, such as horror, animation, anime, manga, toys, collectible card games, video games, webcomics, and fantasy novels. The convention is the largest convention held in San Diego [6] In 2010, it filled the San Diego Convention Center to capacity with over 130,000 attendees.”

According to SJ&YP:  It is like visiting another planet.  This pop culture extravaganza takes over the entire Gaslamp district in San Diego for 4 days of chaos, comics, and generally good times.  You can walk down the street next to a guy dressed like a Storm Trooper (from Star Wars for those not in the know), brush shoulders with celebs like Dominique Monahan (from Lost, Lord of the Rings, the Eminem/Rhianna “Love the Way You Lie” video….), and score tons of free swag.  You can dress up like almost movie/book/comic/television character in the world and people will stop you everywhere to take your picture.  People from all walks of life, all corners of the globe are in attendance. 

I had wanted to attend Comic Con for years.  It took me a long time to find someone willing to brave the rush for tickets and hotels, wait in long lines outside and generally willing to act like a total idiot in public with me.  Hubby was definitely not willing.  Then I met my Bestie.  That girl was up for the adventure and now this year marks our third year in attendance at Comic Con.  If you had any idea how hard it is to get tickets or hotel, you would know this is no small feat. 

So why is Comic Con so amazing?

Until you experience it, you won’t completely get it. Imagine a place, where most people are in costume, celebrities are walking down the street like everybody else, you make new friends after sleeping overnight in a line to see the cast of Firefly.  People give you freebies constantly, some good, some bad.  People yell your name and take your picture when you are in costume.  People will talk to you everywhere, asking questions, sharing advice, and generally bonding over the most random of things.  It is four days of absolutely fantastical, amazing activities which can lead you anywhere and everywhere, that you are sharing with over 130,000 other people who share your nerdy passions.  So why wouldn’t Comic Con be amazing?

sdcc2012

Stay tuned for Comic Con - Part 2.  There will be pictures…..

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Go Commando.

Get your mind out of the gutter.  I am not taking about going sans-undies.  I am talking about my love of camo, one of the world’s best neutrals.  First of all, I think we all need to show appreciation to camouflage.  It keeps our soldiers safe and makes them look pretty damned hot.  Sorry, but as the daughter of an Air Force major, daughter in law of a career Reservist, and just being a good old fashioned red blooded American woman,  this girl loves men (and women, but in a very different way) who defends his (or her) country.    camo

Ok, getting back on track.  Being the “edgy” girl I am, it should not be any surprise that camo is on my list of loves.  What may surprise you is how darn easy it is to wear!  You know why?  Because camo is a neutral.  Yes, you read that right.  it is a neutral.  Think about it.  The point of camouflage is to blend in.  What do neutrals do?  Go with everything.  It just makes sense.

I have spent countless hours trying to get Biggest to rock her adorable camo shorts, but to no avail.  Cleaerly her mother, who works with style for a living, knows nothing about fashion.  For those of you with more faith in me, here are a few tips on how to rock the camo trend:

  • Treat it as a neutral. I cannot stress this enough. You can pair camo with patterns, like stripes, for example. Add color! Add sparkle! Have fun with your camo.
  • Limit it to one piece at a time. Unless you actually are a soldier (or a hunter like Hubby), you need not wear head to toe camo. Pick one piece and stick with it.
  • Add feminine pieces, like a lacy top or dress to add a girly twist to your camo.

This spring we had a ton of camo jackets and a tank which found their way into the store.  Now we have camo shorts and a skirt from Sanctuary.  *sigh* I am in camo heaven.  Now the fun is showing people how to wear the pieces.  To help out, I enlisted the help of the lovely MC, a partner in style at Hot Mama.  She and I have two very different body types but found fun ways to rock the camo trend.  Since the shorts and skirt were brand new, that is what we picked to rock, showing it two different ways. (Please don’t judge our lack of self tanner.  We know we are fair skinned.)

camo2

Camo Level:  Beginner – Keeping It Neutral.

On MC all via Hot Mama:

Shorts by Sanctuary

T-shirt by Alternative Apparel

Necklace by Zad

Shoes by GC (in stores only)

Bracelets by (I don't know.  I didn’t get a good picture but they were all via Hot Mama)

 

camo1

Camo Level:  Advanced – Adding Color and Pattern

On me via Hot Mama:

Skirt by Sanctuary

Tank by Red Haute

Shirt by James Perse (in stores only)

Necklace by Zad

Shoes by Dolce Vita (in stores only)

 

I must admit, I couldn’t wait to own this skirt.  Hubby didn’t even say a word when I brought it home, although I thought I saw tears of joy in his eyes.  Maybe it was the shorter length.  Maybe it was the fact that my tushie looked hot in it.  I think it was most likely the idea that his wife finally had something to wear should she ever decide to go hunting with him. 

Thursday, June 6, 2013

I Don’t Know if I Am Ready For This.

Almost six years ago, an impatient little girl decided to break my water and bring joy into the lives of me and Hubby.  Biggest was born.  She couldn’t wait until her due date, opting instead to arrive four weeks early.  Biggest has always been eager to grow up, much to my chagrin. 

Yesterday, Biggest lost her first tooth.  I have been torn between excitement at seeing her grow older, sadness because she is growing older, and generally grossed out because she has a gaping hole in her gums.  She kind of looks like a redneck.  We may rename her Cletus. 

readyornot2

Today, Biggest had kindergarten recognition.  As I watched her file in to the gym with her classmates, laughing, hugging, playing thumb wars, I was struck by how fast she is continuing to grow.  My little baby is not so little any more.  I don’t know if I am ready for this.  Is any parent ever ready for this?

Biggest has friends who she shares secrets with.  She has conversations I am not privy to.  She has her own sense of style, her own way of talking, her own catch phrases.  Biggest has really developed into a person, not just my child.  I don’t know if I am ready for this.

So what does all these changes mean for me and Hubby?  I have always been one of her best friends.  She has always come to me (and Hubby) to tell secrets, to snuggle, to play games.  When did it all change?  I don’t know if I am ready for this.  I just don’t think I have a choice in the matter.  It is going to happen, whether I want it to or not.  Hopefully, she won’t lose all her like and love of mom as she grows.

readyornot

At least I still have Littlest…..until she starts 4-K next fall…..

 

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