Weekend Haul: Deals I Just Couldn't Resist

Hello my lovely readers! I've been posting like crazy today to catch up on some of the posts I should have posted last week. Before I begin my weekend haul, I wanted to post pics of the gorgeous beach bag I got on Black Friday from Zingara for our upcoming vacation.

Isn't it gorgeous? I absolutely fell for the pretty purple color and leather straps:

Last week, I ordered a dress from Lulu's for our vacation that I thought would be perfect for a tropical setting. Well, it came in on Friday, and it is so gorgeous, that I will probably wear it for my friend's wedding while we are there. I will more than likely cinch the waist with a belt. It is just so bright and tropical. I love it. I believe it was $49 which I thought was a great price.


Now onto my weekend haul. My husband bought me this gorgeous black sweater from White House, Black Market for Christmas. I usually don't buy much there because some items can be quite expensive, but this sweater was not one I could part with. It looks incredible on, and can be dressed up or down. The knit is an amazing texture and the little button details make it that much awesomer (yes, I'm aware that's not a word). Sigh. Here it is:


Because I am absolutelyandtotallyobsessed with sweaters, I also got this gorgeous pink Cardi from The Limited. Can I just make a confession here and admit that I've never shopped there before? They were having a 40% off sale, so I thought "why not take a peek?" I did a little more than peek, I fell in love. Yes ladies, this just might be the most adorable sweater ever. I got it in an extra small, which is rare for me because I'm so tall, but I just liked the way it fit over the small, which felt a little too big in the waist area. The detailing on the left side is what attracted me to the sweater, and the color is so flattering. Here is my pretty-in-pink cardi (it was less than 30$ with the discount)


Confession number two- I have never shopped at Ann Taylor Loft. That's right. I've walked by it, seen some things online etc...but never shopped there. Then, I noticed that many of Chole's outfits included ATL items, so I decided to check out the store. They were also having a 40% off of one item sale, so of course, I took advantage. The store has SO many beyond gorgeous items, many of which include bows, flowers, ruffles, pearls and girly accents galore!

The tee I got is so soft and feminine and just pretty. See for yourself:


Feeling lucky after finding some great deals, I made my way over to J. Crew, and beelined to the sale section where I found this purple top, in my size (and it happened to be the last one in the store- score!) The best part? It was $19.99 down from $89.50.


It looks a bit wrinkly in these pics, but I promise it looks wonderful on. I plan to wear it tucked into a pencil skirt with a cardi and possibly a belt at the waist (oh how I love belts.)

And, because a shopping trip is never quite complete without a product (or two) I headed over to Ulta to purchase a product that Elle (AllThatGlitters21 on YouTube) recently raved about in her haircare routine video.
It's the Joico Split End Mender. Now, I'm no fool, I realize nothing can really "fix" split ends (except for a brief encounter with some scissors) but, I took Elle's word for it, and decided to purchase it to see if it could at least mask them (that's one of the hard parts of growing out your hair, split-ends galore.)

Finally, while at Bath and Body Works, I was able to score some free products because of all of my coupons, so I impusively grabbed this lip blam. I had never really seen them there before or used them, but I've used other products by that brand (C.O. Bigelow) and enjoyed them. I tried it today for the first time, and it is a gorgeous pink color and shows up as a sheer wash of pink. I applied it lightly. It is definitely pigmented enough to make your lips have actual color. It's called "Poppy Pink Mint." The name alone sells it for me. Here is a photo:

That is all for this weekend's shopping haul. I find myself shopping more than I usually do because the deals are just so good right now, and I hate paying full price for anything.

Before I forget, I encourage you to use your Victoria's Secret coupons before they expire on December 24th. I had 3 of them, plus a 10$ off rewards card, so I was able to save 40$ on my purchases. I bought 5 pairs of VS PINK undies (LOVE EM'!), a VS PINK turquoise blue waffle henley shirt (it says "PINK MAKES ME HIGH" on the back hehe) and a VS black lacie nightie:

Thank you for reading, and I hope you all had a great weekend! If you went shopping this weekend, share your purchases in the comments below!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Gossip Girl Style: Here to Stay

Hello lovelies!

I won't write much tonight because I'm watching The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show...but I did want to share with you all a recent fashion article I wrote for Houston Culture Map.

You can read it here.

Did you watching the VS Fashion Show? If so, what did you think of it this year?


I am loving it so far! I actually took a pilates class tonight just so I wouldn't feel horribly lazy after seeing all of those toned and lean bodies strutting down the runway!

xoxo,

Veronika.

A Little Beauty Trick: Apply Airbrush Self-Tanner with a Makeup Sponge for a Flawless Face!

As I got out of the shower tonight after my workout, I noticed how pale my skin was. I hadn't self-tanned in a couple of weeks, and I was starting to look...sickly (at least that's how I feel when I don't have a least a hint of color to my skin.)

When I'm working out regularly, I like to self-tan, even through the fall and winter. It makes me feel like my results are more obvious when I have a little color to my skin, because a tan gives the illusion that you've dropped at least 5 lbs from your frame.

Though I hate the smell, waiting for it to dry and feeling sticky...I caved and broke out my Ulta Airbrush self tanner, which I followed by using L'oreal Sublime Bronze Gel (I like to layer formulas.)

Tomorrow, I'll wake up to lightly bronzed skin (yay!)

Marisa Miller's pretty bronzed skin at the VS Fashion Show 2009 after party

Now, what I really want to focus on in this post is self-tanning the face. The face can be tricky...go too dark, and it will be horribly obvious...go too light, and you won't notice a wash of color at all.

One more pic from this year's show...don't want to show too many spoilers- the ones in a previous post were from last year's show.

Tonight, I tried a new technique. Instead of using my Clarins SPF 6 tanning milk on my face like usual, I sprayed the Ulta Airbrush self tanner onto a round makeup sponge (the one that comes with MAC's Studio Fix) and then I applied it to my face using the sponge.

I was able to blend right into my hairline, ears and neck with ease and it distributed the color evenly. I just thought I'd share this technique because it really makes using an airbrush product easier (I hate spraying it directly onto my face- I never feel like it gives an even application because my eyes are closed, and breathing the fumes in is quite awful.)

So yeah, that's what I did tonight. I'm sitting here on my laptop, on our couch, and I can still smell it! It's like the self-tanning smell never dies. UGH!

Do you self tan in the fall and winter, or is it part of your summer routine only? I guess because I live in Texas, I like to have a light tan even through the winter.

Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Countdown to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

I read the Glamour Magazine Girls in the Beauty Department Blog on the daily, and today they had some backstage pics from the VS fashion show (it's being taped tonight, and will air Dec. 1st).
I know I've said it before, but this is my favorite fashion show of the year. I don't know if they can technically call it a fashion show, but they do, and that is OK with me!

Where do I start? I love the creative accessories, jewels and other costume-ish adornments they add to the lingerie. I love the angel wings and how they change every year to go with the themes in the show. I love the super-toned bodies, full voluminous hair, bronzed skin and shimmery eyes.

Please tell me that there are some of you out there who are as excited as I am every year for this show!?

Also- have you been following the VS model search? Who do you think will win? You can check out their boot camp videos here. It is actually quite amusing. Celeb personal trainer David Kirsch asks each of the girls to strip down to their bikinis prior to their workouts, and then asks them what they think they need to improve upon. One of the girls appeared to be fairly perplexed and I could totally see her saying"I don't really know, my body is pretty perfect," but she somehow managed to keep in her head. You can watch the boot camp videos here.

Yesterday evening, I took a Power Pilates class at Your Body Center and it was incredible and very challenging. I definitely plan to supplement my regular workouts with at least one tough class like that a week.

Tonight, I tried Hot Yoga at the same sutdio, and I will say this- it is extremely difficult. It is also very rewarding and cleansing. It is literally like detox. The room is 105 degrees and you do 90 minutes of yoga during the class. I believe there are 40 positions you go through.

Hot Yoga is the kind of class you just have to try once. I plan to continue to do it once in awhile. It is best described as grueling, but the more you do it, the better (and easier) it gets.

If you work out regularly at a gym, I 100% recommend taking supplemental classes either at your own gym (good) or at a studio that specializes in the type of workout you are after (even better!)

I find that the pilates classes offered at my gym are not as intense as the ones at the studio. They are good, but the ones at the studio focus on doing a full body workout and feature a larger variety of moves, IMO.

I also want to try the pilates classes that use the machines like the reformer and the proformer, but they are very pricey, so those will have to wait.

I hope you all had a great week, and HAPPY FRIDAY!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Victoria's Secret Looking for New Runway Angel and Marisa Thanks our Veterans

Everyone knows I am kind of obsessed with Victoria's Secret- from their bras, bathing suits and PINK workout clothes to their gorgeous supermodels...*sigh*

Never am I more excited about the VS brand then when this time of year rolls around. That's right ladies, the VS fashion show is just a few weeks away- it airs December 1st at 10/9 central on CBS.

I must admit, last year's fashion show was a huge disappointment. The music was awful (Usher, and some Latin band), and the show just wasn't as fun and upbeat as usual (the models and lingerie were gorgeous though). I am really hoping they step it up this year, which I think is possible since the Black Eyed Peas are performing, and they tend to bring it.

In addition to the improved musical guest selection, VS has decided to spice up their runway show this year by hosting a model search for the next VS angel. They held castings in about 4 major cities, and also accepted video entries. I've been following the auditions on the Victoria's Secret YouTube Channel. I thought a lot of the girls that auditioned were great. I'm not so sure about the "Top 10" (I saw some girls in the auditions that I felt were better VS material) but hey, I'm not a judge for the contest.

What intrigued me is that Alicia Hall is one of the finalists. You may remember her as the winner of NBC's 2005 reality TV show Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search.

Alicia Hall

I'm having a hard time understanding why out of all of the gorgeous girls that entered, they would choose someone who has already appeared on, and won, a major reality show, and has posed in Sports Illustrated Magazine (the swimsuit issue, of course.)

I think she is a gorgeous girl, but I thought this competition was about finding NEW faces and new talent, not recycling from 2005 reality shows.

I do look forward to seeing who wins, and plan to follow the contest. You can vote for your favorite finalist here and watch their photo shoot videos here (the other girl's videos are in the right side bar.)

What do you think of this contest to find the next VS angel? They did something similar either last year or the year before where the VS PINK team scoured college campuses to find a girl to walk in the VS fashion show. The picked a leggy blonde with medium length hair and a great smile. I always like it when they include a "regular person" in the fashion show.

Oh what I would do to just attend the actual show! I buy so much stuff from them, I feel like a complimentary ticket should magically find its way to my mailbox (Victoria's Secret- if you're listening, please email me for my address!)

Speaking of VS models, one of my faves, Marisa Miller recently appeared in a campagin thanking our veterans, sponsored by Harley Davidson. Check out the video here. I love the pin-up girl hair, outfits and makeup. It is a very different look for her, but she pulls it off flawlessly!

...and just because shes gorgeous, here are some pics of her:

The gorgeous Marisa- how does she get her hair away from her face like that? I can never seem to make mine get that look!

Marisa in a previous Harley ad.

Who are your favorite VS Angel Model Search contestants? Do you like the fact that they are including an aspiring model in the mix, or would you prefer they stick with their regulars? Leave me a comment below!

xoxo,

Veronika.

A Cardio Tip and my Love for Marisa Miller

Today is a good day. I've finally discovered a way in which I can power-through more than 20 minutes of cardio. E! News. I was on the elliptical today working away when I noticed the TV several machines down was about to air E! News. I looked for an opportunity to take over a "prime real estate" elliptical machine near that TV and as soon as someone got off of that machine I made a bee-line over to it, and it was smooth (cardio) sailing for the duration of my workout (which, I proudly want to say was about 45 mins of cardio, which is very rare for me.)

I literally am able to almost completely tune-out the fact that I am doing cardio when I am watching E! News. I plug my headphones in, and I'm just taken away to the world of tabloids for a sweet 30 minutes (a whole hour if I watch "The Daily 10" too!). From Nicole Richie's new baby, to Britney finding love, there is always a bountiful amount of juicy celeb buzz on E!

Anyways, to get to the point of this post, while I listened intently to the lastest Hollywood gossip, I saw a segment for the new $3 Million Victoria's Secret Holiday Fantasy bra...modeled by Marisa Miller. Sigh. It was like a commercial for an abdominal workout system. Double sigh.

Those who know me, know that I absolutely adore her. The long beachy hair, the perfectly toned body...her signature sultry smokey eyes, nude lips and glow-y skin...and those legs, those incredibly long, toned and tan legs. Clearly, I have a girl-crush.

Gorgeous, glowing skin
The long, bouncy, volume-tastic hair

Among the many reasons I love her is the fact that she is upfront about her workout and eating habits. She admits she works hard for her body, and that she ocassionaly has a sweet treat or slice of pizza. I think some celebrities' publicists must tell them to tell every reporter they "eat clean, all of the time," because I am always pleasantly surprised to find a celebrity who says "I EAT CARBS AND CANDY!" out loud.

Marisa Miller has the exact body I want. I mean literally, if I could choose a body I would want hers (there may be a few others in the running, but hers is so much more realistic). If I could have her muscle tone and still have a nice bum and boobs, and some curves here and there I would be one happy lady!


I think Marisa is one of the less super skinny VS models, which makes her appealing to a wider audience (though, I have to say it, I think most of those models appeal to a wide audience). I just think she has this natural, California sunshine kindof beauty with a little hint of Southern Belle. I am almost certain her hair isn't all natural (as in, she wears extensions at times- who doesn't!?) but it is gorgeous nevertheless.

For anyone interested, click here for a summary of her workout plan.


Do you love Marisa Miller? Do you get as excited as I do for the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, or is it just me?

Who is your favorite model (VS or otherwise) and why? Leave me a comment below!

xoxo,
Veronika.