A Bad Day & Bronzing Products I Love

Well ladies, I have some sad news to share. I got my first ticket today. Ever. The police officers were right at my street corner pulling people over. I am not sure how I was "speeding" since I was slowing down to make a right turn, but I guess they needed to make their end of month budget. Ugh. So upset.

I cried for like an entire hour after it happened (a little dramatic, I know...but the tears are on and off.) I think most people can just get a ticket and brush it off...but not me.

This is from Google Images...I did NOT take this pic! hehe!

It's because I'm pretty obsessed with being a cautious and responsible driver...to the point where it is almost a bit extreme. Everyone who knows me knows I am completely and totally concerned about issues to do with safe driving such as drunk driving, wreckless driving etc.

I won't even drive if I had a glass of wine in the last hour or even several hours! I'm just super cautious about anyone getting into a car when they are potentially buzzed or drunk. A lot of people here in Texas do that on a regular basis and it's just not something I am OK with (and really, no one should be "OK" with it.)

I guess I just fell victim to a speed trap, but to me, it feels like so much more. I just constantly witness irresponsible drivers and drunk drivers (especially in the area we live in which is night-club heavy) and I see these people continue to do it week after week and then I get pulled over. People literally stumble out of clubs wasted, and get into their cars and drive away as door people, security, etc look on (and sometimes even police officers!) It amazes me.

I know I am totally being "woe is me" right now and I know that police officers have to reach their quota...but speed traps just feel like such a nasty was of doing it. I wish they were really out there pulling people over at night and doing breathalyzer tests and getting THOSE dangerous drivers off of our streets. I don't remember the last time I've encountered a random pull over to check for drinking (can you tell I'm passionate about this issue!???)

Anyways, please forgive me for this rant/vent. I know that no one is perfect and I certainly don't think I shouldn't have gotten a ticket...I guess I just feel horrible about the way it happened. I feel horrible because I truly try to drive in a responsible and safe manner. I would never think my driving today was an example of driving that could potentially endanger someone. Plus, it was my first offense ever in my life. I thought you usually get a warning for that? Maybe I should have tried to charm my way out of it, but my lip began to quiver and I burst into tears while trying to speak through my sobs about how this has never happened to me...and I pride myself on being a super responsible driver...blah blah blah...the officer just said "nobody's perfect." Well yeah, obviously...

After this happened and my husband got home, we took our dog for a walk and we saw someone RUN a STOP SIGN in front of the police, and that person didn't get pulled over. My jaw just dropped to the floor. I see people run that stop sign ALL of the time...I know, I know...I'm just mad because it was ME that got the ticket.

Anyways, sorry you had to read that...back to regularly scheduled programming! (and no, I'm not crying anymore...writing seems to have calmed me down!)
Let's talk: Bronze.

Typically the only time I use bronze is in self-tanning products and powder face bronzers...but then, I saw this photo of the gorgeous Charlize Theron, and I may have to reconsider my limited use of bronze:

I love that look! It is kind of intense but I think it's so pretty and really makes a statement.

Do you ever use coppery/bronze-ish eyeshadow?

Speaking of bronzers, though I do have an HG (NARS Laguna), I have been eyeing Guerlain's Terracotta Light Summer Bronzing Powder.

I saw it in one of my magazines recently (it looks lighter than it does in the pic on Sephora's website) and I knew immediatelly I wanted to try it. Guerlain is pretty popular for its spray-on bronzer product , which my best friend Candice swears by, but I prefer powders and I like that this one is matte for summer. I love shimmer too, but sometimes when my face gets more oily in the summer, it's nice to have a matte formula. The price is steep though- $50. I am definitely going to have to swatch it in the store before I commit to something like that!

Other "bronze" products I love?

1. NARS Laguna Bronzer (my daily bronzer)
2. Benefit "hoola" Bronzer (a pretty matte bronzer)
3. MAC Eyeshadow in "Honesty"
4. Clarins SPF 6 Tanning Milk (I use this mixed with moisturizer on my face for color)
5. Airbrush Self-Tanners- brands I love include Neutrogena, L'Oreal, Victoria's Secret

What are your favorite bronzing products? Please let me know in the comments below!

Have you ever been pulled over? Did you cry like me? LOL. I am such a dork. Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Jersey Shore's "Snooki" says Eyeliner, Bronzer, are Most Prized Possessions

Last night, they Jersey Shore's "Snooki" was on Jay Leno, and when he asked her what her most prized possession was she said "bronzer and eyeliner."

You can watch the video here (warning: it's bad, as in "I sincerely hope this is all a hoax and she's acting" kind of bad.)

Though "Jersey Shore" is the trashiest train-wreck on television and her interview on Leno was embarrassingly awful, I must say when she said "bronzer and eyeliner" I was nodding in agreement.

Those are definitely in my top 3 products (with the third being MAC Studio Fix powder.) I seriously can't even imagine leaving my house without a little eyeliner and bronzer. As pathetic as some people may think that is, I really just don't feel secure and put together without it. I follow the same makeup routine each morning (I alternate blush and eyeliner colors) and my routine makes me feel confident and ready to take on the day, so I don't see the harm in it.

Some of you may have heard me mention this before, but I think I look so young and unfinished without eyeliner. I am literally addicted to it. I don't remember the last time I didn't wear it in some capacity.

Over the years I've switched from pencils to gel liners. I currently use MAC's fluidline gel liners in "dipdown" (a dark warm brown) and "blacktrack" (black.) They are both incredible and have amazing staying power.

This weekend, I was at Neiman Marcus and became seduced by Bobbi Brown's shimmering gel liners. I bought one called "black mauve," and I love it. The shimmer/metallic-ness is hard to detect, and it goes on as a very dark brown with a purple/greyish tinge to it. I love it. It's a nice change from my day to day dark brown ("dipdown.") I only use "blacktrack" for the evening, as black can look a little harsh during the day if you line the top and bottom like I do.

I should mention that I use a flat brush to apply MAC's "brun" eyeshadow on my bottom lash line. I used to use the gel liner, but it started to feel too severe for the day. I am trying to get over my eyeliner addiction, so softening up the lines made me a little more comfortable with less.

Now, onto bronzer. Oh the sweet warmth it brings to my skin. I use NARS Laguna which I have raved about so many times you guys are probably over it. In the past, I used Benefit's Hoola bronzer and I loved that one as well (if you are looking for a matte bronzer, this is the one for you.)

I think bronzer does what other products can't. Sure foundation evens out your skin, blush adds color to your cheeks and eyeshadow defines your eyes...but bronzer gives skin a marvelous warmth and energy. I also don't remember the last day I didn't wear bronzer. It is such an essential for me.

So if agreeing with Snooki is wrong, I don't wanna be right ladies. Bronzer and eyeliner are certainly not my most prized possessions in life, but they are my most prized makeup possessions. What are yours? Please share in the comments below.

Five Things...

Ladies, I am so excited about so many things right now that I wanted to share them all in one post!

1. There is a new website here in Houston called Culture Map. It is an online "mapazine" featuring all things Houston- the best places to eat and shop, along with society and events coverage, fashion and beauty, etc. The sleek new site just went up today, and I was lucky enough to contribute to a fashion column/blog on the site. Click here to read my first article. I am just so honored to be a part of such an amazing new venture. If you live in Houston, I encourage you to visit this incredible new site (oh, and you won't want to miss Shelby Hodge's coverage on Culture Map!)

2. I recieved my Sigma brush set last week (I got all 12 brushes) and I do plan to review them in full later on...but I do have to absolutely rave about two of the brushes (OK, maybe three) right this very second! I'll start with the foundation brush. OMG. I never knew a large foundation brush could create such flawless skin- but here's the kicker- I use it to apply my concealer on larger areas of my face. Instead of using the smaller brush that's actually meant for concealer, I use the foundation brush to lightly apply MAC Studio Finish concealer (the kind that comes in the pot) over spots like my forhead, sides of the nose, under eyes and my chin, if my skin is uneven there. Hello Holy Grail brush. I just can't stop singing its praises!

Next, the concealer brush. Soft, perfect for smaller areas of coverage (like a blemish, for example). I love love love this brush. I actually LOVE concealer because of both of these brushes. They smooth the product out so wonderfully, it really creates a flawless finish.

Finally the powder brush, the SS150, is what I use to apply my MAC Studio Fix powder (C3, for anyone who would like to know). I am almost at the bottom of my powder right now, so I want to write more about how the brush applies the product- but I'm going to wait until I've been able to use it with a full powder compact before I comment. What I can say in my preliminary use of it, is that is applies a perfect light coat of powder and it is soft soft soft. It makes my old powder brush feel like a brillo pad in comparison.

3. My Outfit of the Day! We had a potential new client meeting so I wanted to wear something nice but not stuffy. I went to my wonderful, tried and true Club Monaco dress. I'll admit it...it cost more than I'd usually spend on a dress (about 189$...and I have it in white too *gasp!*) however, this dress is so timeless and will be worn for years (and years and years). The sweater in the outfit is the same as my last OOTD- from New York & Co.

Here it is with the sweater:
and without:

Tights: Hue (2/$20 at Macy's); Shoes: Jessica Simpson (about $59 at DSW); Belt: Club Monaco (about $89).

4. I had one of my lovely readers recently ask me to post about bronzers. I can't even imagine my life (or my skin) without bronzer. Thank goodness someone invented it and created a whole new way for us paler girls to achieve glowing, bronzed skin, year-round! (without the icky repreccussions of tanning beds, ew!) So, here is my advice about bronzers. The only two bronzers I have ever considered to be Holy Grail worth are NARS Laguna Bronzer and Benefit's Hoola Bronzer. Though I no longer use the Hoola, our love affair was postively glowing while it lasted. I use my Sigma SS150 large, fluffy powder brush to apply my NARS bronzer. I start on my nose, then sweep the color near my forhead/hairline area, then on my cheeks, and finally on my chin and jawbone (I know that seems like a lot, but it is such a light wash of color and when you apply it strategically over points where the sun would naturally hit your face, I promise it looks natural and pretty).

5. I couldn't end this post without discussing VB's new hair-DO! Love, love love it! It is so soft and pretty...maybe Kate Gosselin took a nod from Posh's new do, because in her interview last night on TLC, famous mommy Kate had a much softer look to her popular coiff, and I quite liked it.

Here are some photos of the beautiful VB showing off her new hair. I won't even get into her outfit, because I could go on and on about her style...she takes risks, but she knows how to dress down too. I have her book "That Extra Half an Inch" and I recommend it to anyone who wants a glimpse into her thoughts and advice on fashion and beauty.


Look at that stare...so fierce! and the shoes...oh the shoes (*sigh*)

I realize this entry was completely and totally all over the place, so if you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below. I also want to take a moment to thank everyone for entering the 100 subscribers contest! I can't wait to give the prize away, and I am crossing my fingers for all of you!

Hope you all have a wonderful evening (or day, whenever you read this!)

xoxo,

Veronika.