Summer Beauty Favorites

Summer Beauty Favorites by keepinmomsclassy featuring essie nail polish

The latest beauty breakthru in makeup is the BB cream.  (BB stands for Beauty Balm for inquiring minds) I have tried two of the drugstore brands, although there are more high-end, expensive creams out there. 

The first one I tried is by Garnier  - Miracle Skin Protector .  I found it to go on nice and smooth and high imperfections like a foundation but not as heavy as a foundation - yet a different texture and slightly more coverage than a tinted moisturizer.  Speaking of moisture, I found this one to be heavy on the moisture - which, if you have dry skin like I do, is a good thing.  It has an SPF 15 so to me it would be good for every day use and may get more use out of this one in the fall and winter months.  It comes in two shades - light/medium and Med/Deep. I had a hard time deciding on the color as I am light in winter and medium in summer so I went with the lighter shade.  The color match was not as precise as I would prefer.  Hence my reason for trying out the next BB cream....

The second and favorite of the two that I have tried is by Maybelline. Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector SPF 30  It comes in several shades and blends in a lot better than the previous cream.  I like that it has SPF 30 and wore it on my recent beach trip.  It is better for those with oily or combo skin as it does not feel as greasy as the Garnier.  However I still found it hydrating, just not greasy feeling.  This cream also comes in 5 different shades, which allows for better match to your skin tone.  It is the perfect makeup "base" for summer.

Smiths Rosebud Salve - I have loved this product for a long time.  It's addictive scent keep me coming back for more!
For a more sparkly fun lip I like Revlon's Superlustrous Lipgloss in Glossy Rose.

Summer is the perfect time to wear a bright polish - I love the Essie  - Summer "Off the Shoulder" Collection. (Click on the link for a mini-collection of 4 bottles)  So fun!!!

Hope everyone is having a beautiful summer!

Off to the beach this weekend!!

Weekend Beach Getaway by keepinmomsclassy featuring Mango sunglasses

It's that time of year again...

spring!  Love the change of seasons....it is exciting to see what my yard is sprouting up (daffodils and some other pretty purple and white and pink buds that I have no clue what they are but pretty!) .  With the spring color blooming I find that my wardrobe is springing forth with color as well! 

Brights are "in" this year and I seem to gravitate towards pinks...I have been wanting a gingham shirt for quite awhile but just could not see forking out the $60-80 required for the JCrew ones.  SO, in my latest trip to the mall I popped into H&M and found a REALLY cute one for only$20.....it is very similar to the one in the set below but with a cute striped lining so that when you roll the sleeves you have the contrast in print. So cute!

Here's a set I made on Polyvore with some flower inspired accessories that I love...

Spring has Sprung by keepinmomsclassy featuring belted dresses

Product review : Bobbi Brown Palette

Every once in awhile I splurge and veer from my norm of buying drugstore/Target makeup and go for a new item from Bobbi Brown.  I have a lip palette that I wanted to replace but unfortunately is no longer available....however in my search I found this new Palette that is not only cute and tiny enough to fit in a small evening bag (great for a stocking stuffer too!) but also not too pricey ($25) for what you get.  The "Party To Go Palette" rocks!

The eye shades are perfect for that smoky eye that I like to do for evening.  In addition to the two universally flattering lip colors the "high Shimmer" lip gloss is the perfect shade for night time/holiday dressy and fits right into a slot in the Palette! Genius!

Happy Makeup Shopping!

break out the scarves and boots!

It's my favorite time of year....FALL!
Love the change of seasons from Summer to Fall and with the turning of the leaves comes the turning over of my closet from fun flats and riding boots....to layered sweaters and scarves. 
I have to say that dressing in the summer is much easier - throw on a sundress and your done!
With fall it is more complicated for me and adds a bit more prep time to coordinate all of the accessories.
I find that I have my go-to camis and tops and I change up the shoe/scarf/blazer/jacket/sweater that I pair it with.
When going to a fall fest this past weekend I would say that 85% of the women were sporting the skinny jean and boot look.  And I have to say it looks good on every body type.
Here was my look last weekend.

Leather Jacket (Esprit), Scarf (Fossil), Jeans (Levi's CurveID), Aviator Sunglasses (Francesca's), Earrings (Francesca's)

Happy Shopping and Happy Fall! :)

Shades of Coral.....and cute gingham tops!

That is what I saw when shopping with a friend this week...at nearly every store we went into!
Orange, coral, salmon....whatever you want to call it - it was EVERYWHERE!
We both managed to purchase an item (or two) in this apparently, on-trend color.
  The Set below consists of some examples of the things we saw on our shopping adventure....(pictured together here but pick ONE and wear it as a pop of color - not all together ;). I purchased the flats seen below at Talbots (for a steal!) in a similar shade of coral but mine are suede and a bit lighter than the ones pictured.

Shades of coral by keepinmomsclassy featuring talbots shoes

On to Gingham "camp" tops or blouses!  I fell in LOVE with the ones at JCREW....

but did not fall in love with the price ($72 for a cotton shirt?  No, thank you!) But the next day...what to my wandering eyes should appear (as I was clothes shopping for my boys at Old Navy) but, a very cute gingham blouse - very much the same just a bigger check....

For waaaaay less..... (on sale for $19.50!)
Sorry JCrew - I love you but...your are way overpriced in my opinion. (I am not sure what was up with the one we visited either... they did not even have a SALE rack to be found...dissapointing.)

Happy end-of-summer shopping!!

J Crew boatneck t shirt
$45 - jcrew.com

Old Navy asymmetrical top
$22 - oldnavy.gap.com

Talbots shoes
$24 - talbots.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors satchel bag
$348 - nordstrom.com

Coral jewelry
$58 - simplysoles.com

Keep those kids classy too....H&M style

Nearly time to get those kids ready for "back to school" clothing and what better place to do that than H&M?! (They have affordable and trendy looks for mom too!)

 Back to school shopping makes me want to have a girl to shop for....look at this cute coat [above] (available in sizes 12mos-8yrs) and these adorable dresses!!

I am so buying this cute preppy plaid shirt for my boys!

H&M launched a special back-to-school campaign for kids yesterday. The campaign runs until the 14th of August and enables 20% off an entire purchase from the H&M kids collection using this coupon.

See ,pve of the collection at  the H&M website!

Find a store new you!

Classy.....Koozie!

In a slight departure from wearable fashion I have found an item that can boost your "classiness" when you are drinking your beer/soda/canned summer beverages! 

 
My friend gifted us this cute hot-pink Lilly Pulitzer Koozie while we were away on our girls weekend.  LOVE it!  Not only is it cute and classy but also portable - it flattens out so you can put it in your purse!  I carried mine with me all weekend in my clutch bag.
I love summer! :)

Thanks BFF's!!!

 (pictured above from left to right....Spring - BFF and Koozie gifter, Kim - BFF, Me!)

Can you pull off this look....?

Jorts (jean/denim shorts)......
Recently on Facebook there have been questions amongst "friends" whether grown men/women can/should be sporting jorts.  I have two sons and they had several pairs of jorts as babies.  Elastic waist, soft material, goes with any top.....  Like jeans, in the summer the jort was an easy go-to.  When boys get older though, it becomes less-cute and more....shall we say "out".  In other words....I'm pretty sure grown men should not be sporting the jort. 

Not even a celebrity male can pull off this look.

(That's hottie Mark Wahlberg....looking much less than hot.)

So I did some research to see if I could find some "classy" examples of jorts-wearing men.

Although these guys are pretty cute.....still not pulling it off..

Funny though! (Wouldn't a "Jorts party" be a riot!?!)

Closest thing to "classy" jean short for men are these chambray shorts from JCrew.

 (although my husband, for reasons I will refrain from mentioning, would not ever wear these either)

On to the ladies.....can you pull them off??

My answer is.....yes....BUT it depends on the fit, wash and length.

Some ladies can sport these ultra short ones (I wish I could). 

 But you have to have the legs/tush to do it right. 

In other words if you have cellulite and flab, skip the skimpy ones.

A more figure-friendly pair like these bemuda's from Old Navy may be better for someone who is over 35 and doesn't have model-perfect legs/body.

Another option is something in a "trouser" style and darker wash (from GAP shown below on top) or a chambray lighter material (also from the GAP shown below on bottom) that you can pair with some cute leg-lengthing wedges can be more age-appropriate and a classy alternative.

Or if you are really not wanting to show much leg...go for these cute cropped jeans...I like to call japri's! (I love the sash for a belt and would't these be cute with espadrilles and a white T?

Happy Summer!  Happy Jorts Shopping!

Coming soon....

I have been away from my blog for way too long (in a nutshell we are moving this summer so have been preoccupied with that).....my next post will be something around the topic of


JORTS!!!!
(for those who aren't aware - that's jeans/denim shorts)

Stay tuned

"Affordable luxury".....

In an effort to promote moms looking hot as well as promote a local friends' business I am featuring "Stella and Dot" today!!  I am helping to host an upcoming party where I will bring fashion advice to the table in addition to Sue's jewelry styling.  It's going to be so much fun!  If you haven't heard of Stella and Dot jewelry check out their site and become a fan of their facebook page. There is an interview link on their facebook page by the founder and CEO, Jessican Herrin (who describe's their jewelry as "affordable luxury").  Very inspiring!! Oh and enter their sweepstakes!
Here are a few ideas of how to take a simple black flowy tank, jeans and heels and add different pieces of jewelry for a day or night out  Cute huh!?

New looks from your old closet...

since making my Lenten promise to not buy anything for myself I have to say I have done really well and not bought a THING.

 Because the weather is getting warmer here *thank you God!* I have been able to pull "old" things from my closet and make them new by pairing them up in new ways.  One of the things I like to do the day before I am going somewhere is to "style" an outfit on the hanger and put it out with all the accessories that I will wear with it.  This does take some time, however, I have found that I am much less rushed after I put the kids to bed and I can spend some time mixing and matching things then rather than in the morning when I am rushing to get out the door.  Sometimes I even have two options because the weather here can be so unpredictable and also I may just end up being more in the mood for one look over another.

Yesterday I rocked my skinny Levi's with a turqoise tank from Eddie Bauer, Steve Madden flats and a locket from Charlotte Russe (thanks "T" for the recommendation on that store!)

Here is a similar look I set up on Polyvore (different brands/items all except for the Levi's and the locket)

Friday at the Salon by keepinmomsclassy featuring a drape front cardigan

All Saints drape front cardigan, $165

Threads 4 Thought top, $38

Levi's skinny ankle jeans, $70

Melie Bianco turquoise handbag, $79

Charlotte Russe - Butterfly Watch Pendant Necklace, $8.50

Might as well face it I'm addicted to....

buying clothes....makeup....shoes...etc.
So during this time of Lent I am challenging myself to not buy anything new for myself.
It's not going to be easy - I am tempted every day.
But I know I can do it.
I am actually excited about how many outfits I can recreate with what I already have in my closet!!!

A lot of the trends and looks that are "in" right now I already own, it's just a matter of pulling it out and putting it together....

Like a colorful trench for spring! (I have green and yellow).... And/or cute denim or cotton jacket to thow on for chilly spring mornings....Some darling flats are a must for spring when it is too cold (where I live) for sandals but you are done with the boots...And don't forget the SCARF!!

Spring Beginnings by keepinmomsclassy featuring a trench coat

Star by Julien Macdonald trench coat, 70 GBP
American Eagle Outfitters denim jacket, $50
Printed scarve, 17 EUR
Restricted Animated Ballet Flats, $43