Sex and the City: The Makeup

I'm going to refrain from weighing in on the SATC critics versus fans battle and officially abstain from offering my opinion on the content.

I will, however, comment on the makeup.  

It was pretty spectacular.

Googling ensued, and I found a makeup magazine that gives the beauty breakdowns for Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte.  Unfortunately, the only one I could read was SJP. 

Here is is!

Artist: Judy Chin

Foundation
Tarte Smooth Operator mixed with TheBalm Tinted Moisturizer

Concealer
Laura Mercier Secret Camoflauge; The Body Shop Lightening Touch; Lancome Maquicomplet

Powder
La Mer The Loose Powder; MAC Blot Powder; Clinique Stay-Matte Pressed Powder in Stay Buff

Cheeks
Paula Dorf Cheek Color Cream in Playmate; Benefit in [Dandelion]

Eye Shadow
Paula Dorf Eye Color in Slinky; Armani Eye Shadow #4

Eyeliner
MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved

Brows
Shu Uemura H9 Formula Eyebrow Pencil in Seal Brown

Mascara
Nars in Black Orchid

Lips
Face Stockholm Lip Pencil in Barbro; Tarte Cheek Stain dabbed in the center; Elizabeth Arden Crystal Clear Lip Gloss

An eclectic mix.  I'm particularly intrigued by the eye color.  I thought her lids looked great! 

So did the lighting.

Ooops!  Ok, I'll shut my opinions up.

Waaaaannnntttt

There is just nothing worse than finding a great makeup item and not being able to possess it right then and there.

I like instant gratification.  Can you tell?

When I stopped by MAC for the Friends and Family sale concealer that I desperately needed, and found a Paint Pot that I desperately wanted.

Bare Study.

It's a pale shimmery white cream shadow and it gives your eyes that little bit of brightening that just lights up your face.  I smeared a little on after a walk in some nasty afternoon heat and instantly looked a little less bedraggled.  That takes some magic, let me tell you.

But they were out of it!!

It leaves a little eyeshadow shaped hole in my heart.

The Closet Chronicles

So, just in case I didn't have enough changes in my life (switching jobs, merging my financial future with another human being, etc.) we're moving!

Yeah, we are a "we" now.

Ok, it's only like three blocks away, but I'm hoping to build myself a little blogging office closet!

But before I can think about future closets, I need to clean out my overstuffed current closet.

Now, if you aren't Carrie Bradshaw, and don't have access to multiple bottles and champagne and friends for a clothing montage, this might be kind of brutal.  So I offer you my rules for closet blitzkrieg.

First.  Put something on the TV, play music or something to distract your subconscious.  Do not attempt to do this with booze!  You will get sentimental and no progress will be made.

Second, pull out clothing in stacks.  Really get in there, take a big chunk, sort, and then go back for more.

Third, be RUTHLESS.  Like Atilla the Hun or Tom DeLay or something.  If you haven't worn it in a year and it's not something that appears on those "Classics Forever" articles, chuck it.

Fourth, when you get sentimental about something that you bought, but then only wore a few times, think about someone less fortunate than you wearing it.  

Fifth, do not...under any circumstances...try to donate things that are hole filled, stinky, or underwear.  No one wants that.

Sixth, if you get discouraged, flip through Domino Magazine or peruse Apartmenttherapy.com and drool over the glorious clutter free-ness.

Seventh, if you bought something from a relatively upscale retailer but it just didn't look great on you (BCBG seersucker bermuda shorts, I'm looking at you) - keep in a separate pile and bring to a consignment shop or other such place.  My fave is Mustard Seed in Bethesda.

Eighth, use some Force Flex garbage bags to bundle your giveaways and throwaways.  Those babies do not tear.

Ninth, once things are bagged, get rid of them!

Tenth, now that everything is neat and you have trimmed the closet fat, treat yourself!  Now is time to booze it up.

I'm doing my best to practice what I preach, but this is not easy...godspeed, all!

Breaking Sale News!

As noticed on All About the Pretty...

MAC Friends and Family Sale!!!

Ahhh, just in time for a much deserved end of the week present! 

hello?  Surviving the insane heat wave?  I deserve a MEDAL.

I'm planning on stocking up on a badly needed new concealer and picking up a new Shadestick or two...

Scoot on over!

image via allaboutthepretty.net

Botkier for Target

Big news!

Botkier for Target is debuting July 20th!

I happen to love Botkier to death.  I bought one of her "Trigger" bags years ago and wore it to DEATH.  I find her bags edgy without being weird, with a soupcon of sophistication.

Check out the pictures below, but as with all Target designs, I think it's really important to see the bags in person.  I've been really impressed with some lines (I get constant compliments on my Rafe bag) but not so much with others (some of the metallics are particularly bad).

I'm eyeing the chain-link handle white bag above.

Up soon for Target?  Anya Hindmarch, who is positively my mother's favorite handbag designer. (happy face!)

But not until holiday 2008...(sad face)

photos courtesy of target.com via The Cut on nymag.com

Ooops!

I swear to all that is holy (Chanel) that I did not read this Guy Trebay article before I wrote the last post!

Yes We Can! (Dress Better!)

Quite a buzzy week here in DC.

Political wonks going beserk with so much to talk about and Hill folk salivating over the prospects of new jobs everywhere.

But me?

Well, I couldn't stop looking up pictures of Michelle Obama from Tuesday night's victory speech.

I was frankly stunned at the look.  I've always admired her style of simple, clean, elegant looks that bridge the gap between politician wife-mom and professional woman, but this one blew me away.

A simple sheath dress in a deep purple hue that looked great against her skin tone and paired with a classic strand of pearls.  While this might have looked great on its own, she toughened up the look with a studded black leather belt.

Yeah, so I've guess I've got a girl crush on Obama.

I get the feeling this chick does too.

photos courtesy of nytimes.com