Style icon

For about as long as I can remember, Jennifer Aniston has been THE ONE for me. Her basic yet glamorous style has been attainable. While I may not be able to afford the same brands that she can I can definitely get the same vibe. 

This afternoon, I snuck away and ran to TJ Maxx. I wanted to look at home things and found myself inexplicable drawn to the clothes. what can I say? I finally feel comfortable in my skin for the most part and shopping for clothes is fun. For the first time in my life. 

Anyway, I stumbled upon a dress and it's not exactly my style but I decided to try it on anyway. Boy, am I glad that I did. 

It's a mix between Jen and Sarah Jessica Parker. Plain + glam. Mom + Christia. It was perfection. 

So who is your style icon? The one you wait to see at awards shows, press junkets or premiers?  

New Year-New Me-New Goals

Resolutions-scmezolutions. For me they don't work. By like January 15 I've fallen off the wagon and feel worse then ever. Instead I do goals. They're not finite but open ended. They're positive and encouraging. 

I busted out my 2015 erin Condren life planner and got to work. 

I have a couple of important words and phrases for the year. 

First- sunshine. ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

The sun is warm, it is light, and happy. It's literally the bright side. I want to be as the sun. Warm, exuberant, me. 

Next, live simply. We are moving. It's not fun to move but it's even less fun when you have four kids, and are a recovering hoarder. (Seriously someone save me). I want to pare down to the basics. I could never be a true minimalist but I want to try. 

Goal #2- get fit and be healthy. That one is pretty self explanatory. 

#3- complete a w30. 

#4- live simply. Don't fill our lives with stuff

#5- pay off debt and don't use credit

#6- make florida our home. 

#7- learn something new. A skill, craft or hobby. 

#8-read at least one book a month by a person of color.

#9- use the library. It's such a great resource that's available. I need to use it. 

#10- be present. 

#11- run (another) half marathon

#12- be authentic. Fake is boring. 

#13- no new clothes. Gasp. This one will be hard but seriously I have a lot. Lol

#14- just the basics at sephora. No makeup/month. No allowance. Just what I absolutely need to survive. 

So there you have it. My goals for 205. Do you have any? Want to share? 

Beach Vacay Essentials

We leave on Wednesday, as a family (as in with my four kids 😁😁😁😁) for Florida! The forecast isn't exactly swimming weather for the locals but I have no doubt my children will spend countless hours in the surf. 

Talk to me about your essential beach items. SPF is a definite must. What should I bring with me? Lipsticks or no?

Are there any products I must have? I'm sure my thirsty-Midwestern-frozeb-tundra skin will be thankful for the humidity. I'm getting my packing list ready! Hit me with your best beachy products!

Winner Winner Lipstick Winner!

I'm so happy that so many of my friends have decided to try this wonderful lipstick!

We have a winner!

I don't know about you but every time I am the first commenter I get a little bummed. #1 is NEVER chosen! But today it was!

Sarah!
Please email me at ccandjdo@gmail.com

Mustard Cords

I have mustard on the brain. It's my color. You know, the color you're drawn to. The one you wear even though it's not supposed to be worn by you. It clashes with your hair, or whatever. That's mustard and yellow in general for me. It. Is. My. Favorite.

I'm obsesssssed right now. I can't stop thinking about mustard corduroy skinnies. For days I've been coordinating outfits. However, I'm unable to locate the dream pair of mustard cords.

I've found a few that I *like* but I'm not sure they're THE ONES.

First, because they're a staple item, I checked ever faithful GAP.
Gap Cords

 

I mean they're skinny and cords. But no mustard to be found. I like the camel, I love the wine color but it's just not MY color.

So, I continued my quest.

Madewell was next. 

 Not cords. Not Mustard. So, why am I tempted?
 Next Anthroplogie. Certainly they'll have mustard cords. Is mustard not even a color anymore? Why can't I find any mustard cords.

These were perfect. Except. They're wine. But I was so tempted. They look so incredibly comfortable and cozy and not mustard.

I was getting desperate at this point. No mustard cords anywhere.
eBay?

These are SO close. I would have hit BIN if not for one small thing. I have no idea what size I wear at Ann Taylor. I mean seriously I have some skirts that are 4s some 8s and I think a couple dresses that are 10s. All fit. I would hate to get my unicorn pants only to be disappointed. Know that I am one of the two watchers.

My last and final attempt at finding these elusive mustard cords brought me to J. Crew.

Why didn't I look there first or second you ask? Well, I did. I looked there yesterday and they had ZERO mustard cords. This morning? They do!!! I'm so excited I'm going to go to J. Crew with all of my kids (because teacher workshop day?) and try them on to figure out which size works best for me!!! And better than that? They have a tall inseam length! I feel like these might be my elusive mustard unicorn cord.

Which one is your favorite? What is your fall unicorn? That elusive item you just can't find or are constantly on the hunt for?]

xoxo,
CP

Tutorial Request?

So the holidays are fast approaching.  Carly did a fabulous post last year for a holiday eye. 

I'm thinking we need a smokey eye tutorial? Or something else entirely? Natural looking eye? Bold/crazy colors.

What do you want to see peeps of the blogosphere? More lipstick? I mean come on there's always room for lipstick, right?

Help me figure out what you want to see!

xoxo
CP

Budget Beauty Find

So, you know I big puffy heart love lipstick. As in I spend all of my monthly makeup allowance on lipstick. I am usually pretty loyal to those brands found at Sephora for a couple of reasons.
1. I'm lazy. I like to be able to apply my lipstick once during the day and not really need to reapply.
2. Better colors. I'm just saying. There are so many options and you're able to actually SEE the lipstick and not that little plastic thing with a not-even-close-to-accurate-swatch.
However, a friend of mine on instagram posted a picture of Maybelline #660 matte lipstick. It was glorious. I was determined to find it. I was not disappointed.

I now have at least 4 of the Maybelline matte lipsticks. There are a few more shades I 'need'.

These lipsticks have great staying power and a KILLER price tag at $5.49 at Target!

Here's what I want you to do....head on over to Maybelline and check out the matte line.  Comment here and let me know what color is your favorite!

One lucky commenter will get a FREE lipcolor!

 #660- Touch of Spice!

 # 670-Ravishing Rose (Reminds me of NARS Audrey)

 #695-Divine Wine

PS this giveaway is sponsored by me! and my love of a great product! Winner will be contacted by email and must provide a mailing address for the lipstick! Good luck! Contest will end on Tuesday-October 28 at 9:00 pm CST!

xoxo,
C

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED :) Thank you so much to all that entered! I'm super excited to be sharing my favorite new product with you all!