Impromptu Dinner Out - What to Wear?

 

Last Friday was a crazy day! I worked from home in the morning, so I could meet a plumber for the second time that week, and I took a half day off to get some stuff done around the house. All the while I had McKinley with me and I much preferred playing on the floor than the things I had to do! Joel got home from work early to mow the lawn, and thankfully my dad had come over to assist with photographs and could watch McKinley while Joel mowed and I ran an errand with my mom. See, CRAZY!

 

So by the time I got home, it was too late to start dinner so Joel suggested dinner out. Nothing fancy, just Red Robin. We love going because we love their burgers and McKinley is a huge fan of the macaroni and cheese. (Actually, he's a fan of anyone's macaroni and cheese!) So what does one wear to dinner when they haven't had a shower and been working around the house all day?

 

Here is my recipe for an impromptu dinner look. I am always in my favorite boyfriend jeans. And, I almost always have a striped shirt on hand. I added a scarf for texture, black/clear beaded bracelets in altnernating colors, flip flops because I had them on and my largest pair of sunnies to hide the fact I only had on mascara!

 

The Shirt and Scarf: Before and After

 

 

 What is your go-to look in a pinch? I was super happy with the way it all turned out. This is a classic look that can truly take you from homeward bound to a night out with the fam!



Rain, the 60s and My Hunter's

Trench: Ann Taylor; Dress: Ann Taylor; Boots: Hunter via Nordstrom; Umberella: Target;

Bracelets: Silpada/DIY; Earrings: Silpada; Watch: Gucci (old)

The minute my hubby saw me in this dress he told me it looked like something straight out of Mad Men. I'll take it! I love a good shift dress and always think of the 60s when I wear one! This one is an oldie but goodie! I can't even remember when I purchased it, but it came from Ann Taylor at least five years ago or more. Gotta love a piece that stands the test of time. Same goes with a style that's been around for decades!

 

I've taken note of several bloggers I follow and how they pair their Hunter's with both dresses and skirts. I love the look but wasn't sure I could pull it off. It was a monsoon last Thursday and I wanted to be prepared. It was also muggy and I wanted the coolness of a dress. Throw on a modern take of the classic trench and I was ready to fight the elements!

 

 

I absolutely love this umbrella! The style is so vintage and I love that it's see-thru! Goes with everything!

 

 



My Favorite Things

Top: Anthropologie; Pants: Ann Taylor; Pumps: Nicole Miller; Handbag: Kate Spade;

Bangles: Mix of Places; Sunnies: Prada; Watch: Gucci (20 yrs old);

Ring: Great Grandmother's Wedding Band

 

Leave it to Anthropologie to create a shirt combining two things I love: stripes and birds! And, combined with my favorite pants from last season, I would say this is a winning look! I was wide awake early last Tuesday morning when this outfit came to me, however I couldn't figure out the shoe. I thought about my silver pumps, but just thought it needed something more. Voila! My yellow pump. Talk about a zing of color!

 

I decided to play up the use of yellow by adding a bright yellow bangle to my arm party. I just love the unexpected use of color!

 

The Pants: Before and After (paired with birds!)

 

 

 

 

 What do you think of the use of yellow? A great pop or a total ensemble dud? GO!

 

Happy Monday!



A Day Out

Jacket: Banana Republic; Sweater: Ann Taylor; Scarf: LOFT; Jeans: LOFT;

Flats: Target; Belt Bag: MICHAEL Michael Kors (gift); Sunnies: MARC by Marc Jacobs;

Earring: Silpada; Lip Color: MAC Girl About Town

I thought I would conclude the week with an outfit post! Last Sunday afternoon we headed to Baldwin City, KS for the annual Day Out with Thomas train ride! This was our second year for the train ride and we had such a great time. McKinley was in heaven! He loves Thomas, trains in general, and pointed out everything as we road down the tracks. 

It was a chilly Sunday afternoon so layers were in order! And I could have used more during the ride itself. I froze! What started out with just this pink stripe sweater, an outfit was created! I added my colorful LOFT scarf and a military jacket for added warmth! Oh, and do you see my belt bag? A gift from my aunt, I finally had the chance to wear it and I've decided I may never carry a handbag again! Get a closer look below!

 

The bag really held more than I anticipated! I had my license, CC, money, phone and tube of hot pink lipstick! Perfect for a hands-free afternoon!

 

Makeup 101 in a Box



This seems to be beauty week on Style My Way so let's keep this party going with a little Makeup 101 in a Box. While preparing to put on makeup this morning, I opened up my makeup case to find these darling stila compacts starting at me. Literally! Look at the eye. It's staring at you now too!

 



 

What I love about this compact cover is that the eye is a hologram so you can see what the end result will look like.

 



This little compact is genius! It comes complete with a tutorial that walks you through how to apply each color all at the push of a button. That's right! Push that little "Press Here" button and she will walk you through the application!

 
In case she ever runs out of batteries (I'm not sure if that will happen), the shadow cover also tells you what color to apply where! Seriously, Makeup 101 in a Box!

 

After applying the quad this morning, this is the end result! I haven't used this in a long time and I love it!! I'm not normally a line on the bottom lash line kind of girl, but I felt like the look called for it. Not sure if this is true, but I think my eyes look wider!

 

This second stila compact comes complete with a cheek and lip color which happen to be the same color! That is an age old technique. Ever feel that your cheek color has completely evaporated at the end of a long day? Take your lip color, apply to the cheek and dab. My grandmother has done this for years!

Like the compact above, there is a little "Press Here" button and she walks you through the application. And, it too has the process in writing!

 

 
 As you can see, this compact has seen many applications!

Now, here is a tiny tutorial from me. Notice how there is a base and a lid color for both compacts? Well, if you are wondering how to apply with your new brushes, use your fluffy or flat allover brush to cover the entire eye with the base. Next, use your lid brush for just the lid, lash line to crease. The first quad has a crease color so apply using the crease brush. Since the liner is a shadow, this is where the angle liner brush comes in. And lastly, the cheek color above is a cream so use the flat blush brush for the cheek color.

Now, where to shop? I found my stila compacts at Sephora, but you can also get them at Nordstrom. This is a purchase that speaks to me....literally! 

Caring for Your Brushes - A Beauty Post

 

So, you now have your collection of brushes and you've become well acquainted! You've experimented with them and can now apply your makeup like the pros. And, just like anything else, you need to care of them. Maybelline tweeted about brush care a couple of weeks ago which was a timely reminder! Especially for me! 

Because your brushes come in constant contact with your skin, you're not only picking up oil off of your skin, you are also filling those brushes with dirt, debris, dead skin cells, and bacteria. GROSS! Who needs another reason to clean your brushes? With that, let's get cleaning!!

As you can see from my ad above, I am a big fan of MACs brush cleanser. This pale pink cleanser will clean and disinfect your brushes, while condition the brush fibers, therefore extending the life of your brush. Need more reasons? This bottle is $14.00 and lasts a long time!

So here's what I do? I simply wet my brush. I pour a tiny amount of cleanser into the palm of my hand and roll the brush around in a circular motion.

 

See all that dirt and grim? These brushes were in serious need of cleaning! And, you can see the tiny bit I applied. It goes a very long way! Do this same thing with every brush. You may find a technique that works better for you.

Once all of your brushes are clean, lay them out on a fluffy towel to air dry. And that's it! It is so easy to do and truly doesn't take all that much time out of your daily grind.

How often should you clean your brushes you ask? Well, according to the MAC reps, everyday. I know, I know. Who has time to clean your brushes everyday? Considering the amount of time that had lapsed since I last cleaned mine, I'm not one to judge. Below is a good gauge:

Once a week – Foundation, Powder and Blush Brushes

Every 2-3 Days – Eyeshadow Brushes

Every Day – Eyeliner Brushes

There you have it! My guide to the essential brush collection and how to care for them! Hopefully, we can all make a solemn vow to keep our brushes clean from here on out! After hearing all that stuff that's been building up in mine, I know I'm going to make a more concerted effort! You?

My Guide to Makeup Brushes - A Beauty Post

I love makeup and everything that goes along with it. I love to test new products, play around with color and I'm always trying different techniques. One of my favorite things to do is set up an appointment at the MAC counter and let the makeup artists play! They are the ones to learn from because they know all the tricks of the trade. Plus, they tell you what colors work best with your complexion, how to apply it based on your features and you walk away with a little diagram of how they did what they did! That is honestly how I've learned to do things with my makeup over the years. That, and a lot of practice!

 From the experts, I've also learned about brushes and the best way to utilize them. I have quite the collection, as you can see, and I truly do use them all. However, I do have what I consider essential brushes and that's what I'm going to share with you today! As you can see, I have a hodgepodge of brushes from different brands. I don't believe you have to invest in all the same manufacturers. I have mostly MAC products, but the white brushes are from the Sonia Kashuk line for Target. And, I literally use this little set of brushes everyday! Everyday!

Listed left to right, you can see what their specific uses are, but I'll give you a little more detail. I generally use the flat allover brush as my highlighter under the brow, but when I'm lazy, I will use it for all over color. Same with the fluff brush on the far end. They both work well, but I don't use the fluff brush for highlight. It grabs too much color.

The brow brush does exactly what it sounds like it does, but I also use it to spread out lashes if they're clumpy. My lid brush is used only on the lid. It grabs a ton of color and I apply from the lash line to the crease. Stop there! I love this blush brush! It's simply the perfect size and adds just the right amount of color.  The crease brush, slightly hidden in the photo is used for the crease only. Just add color and blend throughout the crease. That simple! The concealer brush is multi-functional. I rarely use it for concealer, although it does a great job. I mostly use it to spread on my MAC eye paint. It adds just the right amount of coverage.

Just like any good jewelry box full of accessories, your brushes shouldn't be complete without some of these additional ones below.

 

The flat blush brush is a great tool for cream blushes. And cream blushes are the best thing to use during the summer months. It adds a little reinforcement in your cheek color as the powder will fade with oil. However, the flat brush is great for applying foundation. The experts say you should never use your hands to apply makeup because it adds dirt and oil to your face. I, however don't follow that rule and simply use this brush for blush (I'm such a rebel!) The feather brush is a great highlighting tool. Use this when contouring blush underneath your cheekbones. Or, use it to brush away any access makeup that may have fallen off your eye shadow brushes. 

I used to use black shadow every morning as my eyeliner and I would apply it using the angle tip brush. I have since moved to actual liner, it's richer in tone, but when I want a subtle liner I still reach for the shadow. Lastly, everyone should have a large powder brush. Great for all over the face or applying bronzer.

And you need a darling way to display your brushes, right? I've always had some version of a cup as my container and I love this new addition! I feel so lady like, and a little luxe, when I reach for a brush in this little piece of Paris on my counter!!

Now that you have your brushes, we need to talk about caring for them! Check back tomorrow...