Thank Heavens for good friends

September 30, 2019 in


Hi there:
My poor Bandit isn't doing so well. He's got cancer, so unfair.
My friend and neighbor Colleen came over and took a few great pictures for us. It was very last minute and she has a bunch of tough stuff going on in her life. Yet, there she was coming through for us.
Even though I'm going through a very rough time right now, still I know that I'm blessed beyond words.


Kisses for my precious boy.



Mr Crazy Pants


Just chillaxing




                                                             My little scamp & me  <3 p="">


When I posted these pictures on Instagram, I had a few of you ask about my sweater and/or booties.
Both are new this year and are available now.
The Sweater is by Free People and is called "My only Sunshine" Buy it here

The booties are by L'Artiste and are called "Luxatti Bootie"  Buy them here

That is all for today.



XO,
SheShe

Hello, Hydration

September 27, 2019 in


I have dry skin, like REALLY dry skin. My face is especially hard hit. In the harsh winter months, its not uncommon for the skin on my face to crack.  It looks awful and can be down right painful.
I've tried so many different moisturizers. Sadly, 85% of them have not been able to help. There are a few gems that have really come through for me. 
If like me, you have dry skin, keep reading. This one is for you.







Sunday Riley Tidal Cream                        Buy it here
This one is new to my repertoire, but I already cannot live without it. 
You know how that first drink of water after an intense workout feels? That's exactly like what this was for my skin. My skin actually looked dewy after I put this on. I know that many moisturizers feel great initially, but then you are back to square one after a half hour or so. 
I could still feel this in full affect the next morning. #impressed




IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream                  Buy it here

i know that this is marketed as a wrinkle cream. I've said before though, where it is or isn't a wrinkle fighter is in consequential to me. This provides serious hydration. I like to wear this during the day under my makeup.



Olay Micro Sculpting Cream                         Buy it here


My mom would always tell me "Sheila, you are an advertiser's dream." She is correct, I really am.
I kept seeing the ads saying how this has been tested against all of these other high end creams and beat them out.  A few weeks ago, while doing my weekly Target run, I decided to grab one. It really is an effective moisturizer. Also, it comes in under $30. That's a win.



Dr. Brandt's Hydro Biotic Sleep Mask                                         Buy it here


Don't let the work "mask" fool you. This isn't something you peel off, scrub off or anything of that sort.
Its a super powered hydrator that replenishes even the roughest of face skin. It's fragrance free and just makes your skin feel overall more "comfortable".


Well that's it. Out of all of the moisturizers that I have tried, these are the 4 that I find actually work.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. I can't believe that next week is October. Can you?



XO,
SheShe





Everything old is new, or so they say.

For the past year or so, I've been seeing a lot of 90's styles reemerging. Overalls, chokers, velvet. By and large, its been mid-later 90's trends that have been popping up.
Now, suddenly, I'm seeing early 90's fads becoming a thing again. In the early 90's, I was in elementary school trying so desperately to be a "big kid" like the girls my brother was friends with.
For the most part, I've stayed away from most of the later 90's tends. I always remember my aunt Gini saying "If you lived through it the first time around, you are too old for it the 2nd time around." That stuck with me. Don't roast me if you disagree, different strokes for different folks.
Maybe that's why this early 90's feel is kid of speaking to me. In the early 90's, I was 10-14 years old. By and large, my clothing then came from the children's stores. 

Here are some early 90's water, that I'm dipping my toe into ( or considering doing so).




Classic penny loafers. These scream "early 90's" to me. I bought this exact pair. I haven't worn them yet, but plan to soon.  Eastland Penny Loafer

The padded headband. Oh, the memories. In 1992, I was in 6th grade. I had SO many headbands. I had a headband for every outfit and then some.  While I especially love This One , please don't ever spend $150 on a headband. I'm sure there is an exact replica on ETSY.


All cotton jeans. All cotton jeans are NOT for the faint of heart. I'm intrigued and am considering trying a pair. I do remember jeans from my high school days not being as comfortable as jeans are now with a bit of lycra added in. However, I don't want to be stuck in a begone era fashion wise. Here is an interesting read on the topic. 



Okay, so this one I did wear back then.  The Original Ked Champion. I still remember the ads with Demo Moore doing the voice over "Keds, they feel good." I also remember my mom griping " I can't believe that these cost $19.99! When I was a kid, they were $5.00!"

There you go. As for the picture at the top of the post... You know why I choose that photo?
Because I had that exact same shirt as "Rachel". It was from the now defunct "Learners". In the summer of 1994, I had just turned 14 and was pushing to get my clothes from "adult" stores (Always was in a rush to grow up). I had used some of my baby-sitting money and bought this myself one night when my friend Kathleen and I were doing out Friday night "mall walk". Ahhh, happy early 90's memories.




XO,
SheShe





What's in my makeup bag

September 23, 2019 in


Welcome to Monday, kids. How is everyone today?
From time to time, I'll get asked what my go to products are.
I fully admit, I have a makeup addiction and have an absurd amount of cosmetics. 
Yet, there are my tried and true products which I find myself coming back to time after time.
I will also say, with everything going on with Bandit, makeup and beauty has taken a serious back seat. Right now , I look like crap more often than I don't. So please excuse my recent use of recycled photos.
Also, let me tell you another thing that "gets my goat"... when bloggers or really anyone tries to pass off their makeup look as #nomakeup or #lipbalmanddone.
Honey, this isn't my first rodeo. I can see your lash extensions and contouring. Why lie? Why not share when someone asks you what lip stick it is that you are wearing?
I know natural beauty exists and is all around us. However, I've never seen anyone look worse with a little makeup than without.
Anyhow, I admit that I'm far more crotchety than normal right now, so no dwelling on that stuff. Let's talk fun stuff....MAKEUP!


This primer. I LOVE this primer. Its funny, I noticed some days that my skin would get lots of compliments. It took me awhile to piece together that those days that I got complimented were the days that I had used this primer.


Benefit's Pore Professional  Buy it here



I have a new favorite foundation. I can't imagine what any other foundation could do that would usurp this as my favorite? Maybe, if there was a foundation that could parallel park my car for me? Other that that, this is my forever number 1!


Charlotte Tilbery's Airbrush Flawless Foundation  Buy it here


Back to Benefit for my favorite blush. This is the perfect shade for me. Being as pale as I am, I have to take care to make sure my blush does not come off looking clownish. This one fits the bill PERFECTLY for me. They perfect shade and just a touch of twinkle. Its perfect.


Benefit's Dandelion Blush Buy it here



This eyeliner is one that I will ALWAYS have a brand new, un-opened one ready to go. It can bu used for a natural day look , or a dramatic night out smokey eye. It glides on with ease, insuring that you have a smooth continuous line.

Mac Technakol Liner    Buy it here



When it comes to eye shadow, I mostly stay with taupe and plum tones as those are what plays well with my green eyes.
 Not too long ago, I picked up this palette by MAC. (Art Library in Nude) I LOVE it. Most days, I only apply one or two shades. 
MAC Art Library Nude                                                            Buy it here


Lastly for today... brows. I've spoken before how as a teenager I STUPIDLY waxed away my eye brows into oblivion.  I have to fill them in, or they just are barely there.
Also though, I DESPISE the whole "Instagram brow" look. So, I teeter a fine line of filling my brows in, but still keeping them as natural looking as possible.


ABH Brow Powder Duo               Buy it here


And as they say,"That is that".
What are the products that you come back to time and time again?




XO,
SheShe




Getting the "Deva Cut"

September 20, 2019 in


Happy Friday my loves.
I hope that this past week was kind to you.
I've said before, I'm not turning this blog into a "curly hair blog". There are enough of those out there. Besides, there are far more topics in regards to beauty that I want to talk to you folks about.
However, there are two topics I get asked about quite a bit. One is the "Curly girl Method" and the other is the "Deva cut". I figured doing a post on each of those topics wouldn't be a bad thing. Specifically, the curly girl method. That will help anyone who has damaged, dry or over processed hair, regardless of what their hair's texture might be. So, stay tuned for that.

Today, I'm going to share my experience getting my first "Deva cut" with you.
For those of you who don't know, the Deva Curl line  is an entire array of products made specifically for curly (and wavy) hair. They were created by Lorraine Massey. She also happens to be the founder of the Curly Girl method.
Almost every curly girl I know has a horror story about getting their hair cut. (I do, I was 12. I remember it like it was yesterday.)
Curly hair is not like straight hair. Cutting curly hair with a straight hair cutting technique is a recipe for disaster.
This, in my opinion is not the fault of the stylist. Most beauty schools barely touch on how to cut curly hair. If anything, they are told "cut it into an angled bob." Sadly, most beauty schools  want to teach their students to straighten out curly hair than proceed with the cut and style. Well, not all of us WANT to straighten our curls. Some of us, actually embrace our natural hair. Before I go off on a soapbox...


When I bought a copy of "The Curly Girl Method" , I saw how there are several Devachan salons in NYC. At the Devachan salon, they train and certify stylists all over the country. For grins and giggles, I tried searching out stylists in my area. I thought "Maybe there will be someone in Boston?". I darn near died with excitement when I saw that there was a Deva certified stylist.
With the blessing of my friend and hair maven, I made an appointment for my very first Deva cut.

Here in Plymouth, The Charles David Salon is where you can go for a Deva cut.

How the Deva Cut is different, is they cut you while your hair is dry. They go in and cut each individual curl.
Laura was my stylist. She pulled up a chair behind me, sat down and went to work. She was back there for a full hour,cutting each curl with precision. 
When she was done, she washed me, put in a deep conditioner and let it sit for a good 30 minutes.
Once I was rinsed, she put in an alcohol free, strong hold gel. She "clipped" the crown of my head for definition. (Google "Curly hair clipping) Then, she set me under a heat only dryer. I sat there for almost another hour while my hair dried 100%.
When I was done, my hair was so crispy , crunch. 1992 circa style. I did not panic though, I knew this was part of the process. 
She applied a bit of pomade to her hands and began to "Scrunch out the crunch" or "break the cast" on the curls.
When this part of the process was done, I was "wowed'. My curls were more defined and frizz free than they have been since I started the CG method.



If you have curly or wavy hair, I STRONGLY suggest getting a Deva cut.  You can find a certified Deva Cut stylist Here


Okay, that;s it from me. Have a lovely weekend. <3 font="">


XO,
SheShe


How to wear leather leggings

September 18, 2019 in

(Nope, not straightening my hair again, this was last October)

We are mid-week and now firmly in mid-September as well. By this time next week, it will be autumn.
Awhile ago, I learned that stepping out of my  fashion comfort zone and wearing something that I always said I'd never wear can have a big payoff.
Up until a few years ago, leather pants fell into this category. While I thought they loved great on rock stars like Mick Jagger, I thought they would look crazy on an office working suburbanite such as myself.
I don't know what or why made me bring a pair of them into the fitting room at Nordstrom, but I was glad I did!


I soon realized that these leggings did not have to equate to "rocker chic". However, if that's what you are going for, that's awesome.

When I first wore these out, I was a tad nervous. However, I got so many compliments and more than one "I wish that i could pull those off" ....hint, you CAN.

A few things that I did to make myself feel more comfortable in these (not so) daring pants:


  • Pair them with an oversized, conservative top - I felt far less "exopsed" wearing a bum covering sweater.




  •  For a sleek, sophisticated look, don't be afraid to go for black on black.


  • Don't feel that your legs are "too thick" for this trend. These pants can actually be very slimming!



  • Conversely, now is not the time to "size down". Go with your actually size and go with it proudly.

  • Keep jewelry simple. Leather leggings are bold. One bold piece looks best when paired with understated elegance.

  • Skip the leather jacket.  Kind of like how jeans paired with a denim jacket get the moniker "denim tuxedo", you don't want the same effect happening with leather. 


Here is the link to the Spanx faux leather leggings. These are the ones I'm wearing in the top two photos.
I LOVE them. They have held up very well and still look new.





Would you wear leather pants? Why or why not?


XO,
SheShe











 


Monday, here you are again.
Hopefully, this weekend was very nice for everyone.
I thought that this would be a good time to go to another closet staple.  
Today's pick is a total work horse, the ballet flat.

In the late 1950's , Audrey Hepburn proved to the world that the ballet flat could be just as sexy as any stiletto. While the stiletto breathes overtly with sexuality ,the ballet flat plays it coy with a "who? lil 'ol me? attitude.

Also, they *can* be so comfortable. I say can, because something so flat can also cause discomfort.

Fashion maven Nina Garcia calls ballet flats "The go to shoe for times when heels are out of the question."


The ballet flat looks perfect with jeans and a cardigan. You can get sparkly ballet flats for fancier occasions.

My personal favorite is by Tory Burch. Her Minni travler flat has just a tiny heel. The shoe maintains the  profile of a ballet flat with a little extra comfort for your heel.

                                                   Minnie Traveler $228

I have these in three colors. I'm wearing my black ones right now.  They are as comfortable as wearing a sneaker, but look a whole lot more polished.


I seriously get so much wear out of these babies.


Another ballet flat that I'm crazy about is by Amazon. Yes, Amazon. They are so well made and super comfy.
I always get asked where I got them. Of course, I can't answer and leave it at that. I also have to make sure that everyone knows that they are between $17.00- $19.00.




The pair of ballet flats I'd most like to acquire one day are these gorgeous, Chanel classics.

They are stunning. They are timeless.
However, for the foreseeable future, my discretionary income will be going to cancer treatment for our dog. He's worth more than all of the Chanel in the world <3 .="" font="">

Do you love ballet flats? Are you rocking them now that we are in post sandal / pre-boot weather?


XO,
SheShe






The Friday Five

September 13, 2019 in



This has been one hell of a week. I'll go into more details later, but my goodness, the past 7 days have been rough.

I figured a little "Friday Five" would be a nice, light hearted thing to focus for a bit.




1. Do you have the urge to do a Fall cleaning as soon as the weather turns?

Yes, without a doubt. I like to use the end of the passing season as a time to asses what I used and did not use. If something didn't get its use, it gets tossed or donated. The stuff that did get a fair amount of use gets boxed up for next spring/summer.

2.What tells you that the season (a certain smell, a certain taste, that sort of thing) has changed?

A lack of humidity in the air, later sunrises and earlier sunsets, the leaves as they start to change color.



3.What do you look forward to the most with the change of seasons?

Cooking. I like cold weather cooking better. Nice comfort foods that fill the house with delightful aromas.
Also, I love doing "fall colors" for my nails. I know it souns silly, but I always love that first  "Lincoln Park after dark" mani of the year.


4. What is something that you probably should accomplish but won’t this season?

Ahh, if there is something that I need to accomplish, I make sure it happens. I have no patience for the "Ahhh, I should get around to it..." mentality. That stuff drives me nuts.


5. What is the most enjoyable part of the oncoming season for you?

All over New England, from Boston's Beacon Hill to Cape Cod, all through the Green & White Mountains, mother nature puts on the most spectacular foliage show here.
The leaves all over turn to flaming reds, oranges and yellows. I never tire of it.


Now, what say you? What are your answers to these same questions?


XO,
SheShe
 

Time for transitions

September 11, 2019 in


Howdy.
We are in the time of year where its chilly in the morning and evenings, but it still gets pretty warm during the day. Well, at least here in New England that's how it is. While autumn is no doubt lovely, the premature swings throughout the day can make getting dressed a bit of a predicament. If you dress for the morning temps, you'll be burning up by lunch. If you dress for the mid-day temps, you'll look like you are unaware that its no longer July.
I've rounded up a few things that I utilize to help transition into the cooler weather .



1) A dark wash denim skirt
NYDJ denim skirt

The darker wash of this skirt looks markedly more fall than its light wash summer counter parts.
While we are still in September, I'll wear this with bare legs. 


2) Long Sleeve T-shirts

When its still too warm for sweaters , but too cool for short sleeves, the long sleeve tshirt comes in for the win. 

3) A light weight Scarf
Sole society Scarf

A scarf screams "cool weather". However, its still far too early for cashmere and wool. The light scarf saves the day. As I type this, i'm wearing the very scarf that is linked above.


4) Open Toe Shoes & Booties
Alana Bootie

Its sadly too cold for sandals now. However, you might not be ready for full out boots. The peep toe is the perfect middle ground. It really is the best of both worlds


5) Deeper colors
JCrew factory Blazer

Sometimes, something as simple as opting for more rich fall colors is all you need. while pastels and bright shades scream "warm weather", burgandy, carmel, hunter green and browns shout "fall".


There you have it. What are your favorite transitional pieces?




XO,
SheShe

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