Makeup Monday: Revlon Just Bitten Kissables - Style for a Steal

Darlings,
I found a new product that I've been dying to tell you about. :) Seriously, I bought one on a whim, and went back the next day to buy 2 more colors!

Check it out:

l to r:

romantic

rendez-vous

sweetheart

These lipstains/balms really live up to the "Kissable" name. They make your lips shiny and smooth, like a balm, but impart color for hours like a great stain. They also have a minty tingle when you first put them on - verrrry nice.

I'm especially in love with the Sweetheart color. I wore it to a wedding last weekend and it lasted all evening. It reminds me of the Tarte Lipsurgence, but without the hefty price tag. 

If you try these lovelies, let me know!

xoxo,

dash

Monday: Guest post

Hey lovelies!
Just a quick post today to tell you that I was a guest blogger over at Fabric Strips and Ruby Lips! Roxie is such a doll and I am so happy to have filled in for her.
Check out the post to see one of my favorite outfits this season!

xoxo,
dash

MakeupFREEMonday: Syrup and Honey Soapbox

Lovelies, 
If you've been following the blog for more than about 1 minute, you probably know how I feel about makeup. I LOVE IT. I think everyone needs a creative outlet. Since I'm not great at art/craft/sewing/etc, I do makeup. It fills that creative void in so many ways.

{image from here}

HOWEVER. I also believe that YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL just as you are. Makeup is not about covering up some "ugliness" but rather about taking joy in making art with your body.

Monday, Monday: Bizness in da front, lady-hawk in the back

Lovelies,
How was your weekend? Mine was lovely - got back from a working vacation in Tejas, where i got lots of sun and Tex-Mex. I had such a nice trip home. I got to play with some of my favorite people, including my sister and sister-in-law. We went shopping at Forever21, where my sister (right) got this AMAZING maxi skirt:

Srsly, how cute are these babes? They are two of the most amazing women. And they look this cute all the time - they both have fabulous fashion sense. I'm always inspired by them, in so many ways. They work so hard and love so hard and make me giggle and make me think. I lub them.


In other news - my hair faded rullly fast. It went from this at the beginning (february) to this 3 weeks ago:

Makeup Monday: Yellow means "Clear the Intersection"

Lovelies,
Have you heard about those crazy Sally Hansen stick-on nail strips? I've seen my friends wearing them for the last couple of seasons, but I'm such a committed nail polish girl {I do a mani every week, usually while watching Gilmore Girls} that I've never given them a shot. 
Last week, though, I saw some on sale.... in NEON YELLOW. Do you have any idea how impossible it is to find an awesome shade of yellow nail polish? Always too thin, too milky, too orange, too whatever. 
Did you know that yellow nails are a big trend for this summer? Yep. :)

{check out this article on Refinery 29 to see this and other sweet nail color trends}

I gave it a shot - here's how it turned out!

Thoughts:

1. It's not any easier to apply the strips than it is to apply polish. 

2. The strips don't last nearly as long/as well as a good manicure. Mine have only been on for about 4 days, and they already look like this:

All crackly... Not awesome.

3. I do like that they come in rad colors/patterns. 

I think I'd only try them again for a special event, where I wanted to have something crazy - fishnet nails, leopard nails... you know. :)

Have you tried the strips? What do you think?

xoxo,

dash

PS - Don't forget to enter my giveaway! Check it out here. enter by April 30. 

Monday: Link Love - 10 really good reads

Darlings,
One of my favorite aspects of blogging is the connections i get to make with other bloggers. I wanted to take a minute today to share some of my favorites with you! Take a second to check out these lovely links. 

1. Lovely Happenings

Megan from Lovely Happenings is actually someone I've met! She is also a Stella & Dot stylist, and we met at a training event. She gave me her business card, and once I checked out her blog, i was hooked. She has impeccable taste in all things from clothing to housewares, cosmetics to floral arrangements. It is a treasure to read her posts.


2. Oomph

I ADORE Oomph. She is the cutest little mama with a great sense of style and a really solid sense of humor. I find myself smiling reading her stuff, because she keeps it real. LOVE.


3. Elefantitas Alegres

I do NOT remember how I found this blog. I'm usually not much for baby-blogs {because I'm not much for babies - I wish them well, but please don't make me hold one}, but EA is SOOO GOOD. She tracked her pregnancy in the most adorable way, with humor and sarcasm. Now she has a little quesita, and the blog keeps being awesome. 

4. Delightfully Tacky

I've not met Elizabeth in person, but I emailed her a while back with a blog question, and she sent me the most gracious, helpful response. Her blog shows a consistency that is really admirable, and her sense of style is so fun. Lots of florals and hats. I love this blog, and so will you.

5. {this is glamorous}

This blog is like a really good magazine. Full of great, glossy photos and interesting articles to go along with them. It covers lots of topics, and it's always beautiful.

6.Karlas Closet 

Karla has one of my favorite blogs ever. She has the most fabulus collection of vintage goods, and looks like a goddess in anything. She also has short hair, so I'm naturally inspired by her. Her outfits range from elegant to fun to flirty, always with an aire of sophistication. Basically she's who I want to be when I grow up. ;)

7. Fashion Makeup Lifestyle

I've been following Fashion Makeup Lifestyle for a long time, and she has consistently fun outfits. They are usually on the bold+sexy side of fashion, which I appreciate. She's also just a really cool person - so kind, responds to comments quickly, and is just generally adorable. You'll like her. :)

8. Linton from London

These gals rock my world. They are 3 sisters from Aruba, and they have some of the best style I've seen. Ever. It's always edgy, fashion-forward, sassy, and a little wild. They inspire me to do crazy things with my hair, wear awesome clothes, and be a badass in general. 

9. The Wonder Forest

I discovered the Wonder Forest recently, and can't stop exploring. So many glorious diy's and beautiful photography. Also this post. :) Get ready for awesomeness.

10. Adored Austin

Surely you've heard of Indiana at Adored Austin - she's a giant in the fashion blogging world. She organized the Texas Style Council {which sadly i missed}. She always looks awesome. AND OH YEAH SHE'S ALSO FROM AUSTIN! I'm so glad she is reppin' my hometown in my absence.

I hope you take a few minutes to check out these lovelies. Let me know your thoughts! Do you have any blogs i need to know about? Link up in the comments!

xoxo,

dash

Makeup Monday: False Lashes Tutorial

Darlings,
Remember how I had that fancy photoshoot last week? And how I mentioned the makeup I would use? Well, today I wanted to show how I got those big, fabulous eyes and looked much better than usual. The key? Individual false eyelashes. I like them better that strip lashes for photography because the look is somehow both more dramatic AND more natural. It's just so glamorous, and you can't see the strip, so it really tricks the eye.

Here's a little step-by-step:

Makeup Monday: Purple Hair+Hunger Games

Darlings,
You know how much I love my hair stylist, Emily.She just rocks so hard. :)
Well, last week I was overdue for a trim and color. At this point, I trust her so much that I don't feel the need to bring photos or anything unless we are doing a huge change. Her judgement is good enough for me. 
So, I sat down in the chair and we started discussing what we would do with my hair. In have been lusting after brightly colored hair for a while, especially after my trip to NY in September, where I saw girls with pink and pastel hair everywhere. 
I mentioned in passing that I wish I could have purple hair, and Emily kind of looked at me and said "Well, why not...?"
We hopped in the car and went to the beauty supply, and picked up the dye. AND NOW I HAVE PURPLE HAIR! 

Makeup Monday: Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain

Lovelies,

I hope your week is off to a great start! I was MIA last week due to sickness. Blegh. But I'm better now. ;)

As you know, i look to Ginnifer Goodwin for style A LOT. Makeup is no different. Today, this is my inspiration:

And this is how I interpreted the look...

Makeup Monday: Musings

Lovelies,


I was thinking today about how your makeup can really tie together a whole outfit. I decided to muse on the effect of red nail polish on a couple ensemble:

dressy couple - red accents by dashspersonalstyling featuring cat eye sunglasses

Isn't it funny how choosing a single cosmetic element can lead to a whole visual creation? I did this board for my friend Kayla {you may recognize her from this and this}. She's putting together some ideas for her clients to use as they prepare for photoshoots.Although, with her talent, they could pretty much wear a paper sack and look good. ;)

What do you do to anchor your look? Or are you more of a free-wheeling person?

xoxo,
dash

Makeup Monday: Candy Nails

Hello Lovelies!


It's monday. Dreary, dreaded, drab monday. My solution?
CANDY NAILS! I fully believe in the power of great colors to lift your mood.
Last week was a whirlwind - I had 4 interviews (3 with the same company), and was offered a position. Thankfully, the hiring manager was an incredibly patient and thoughtful man, and told me to take the weekend to consider whether this opportunity was right for me. 
{ps - I'll post my interview outfits on Wednesday}
I spent the weekend trying to assess my feelings, praying, and chatting with good friends. I finally concluded that while I'd enjoy the job, I really feel that now is the best time to focus on my entrepreneurial endeavors.
Basically, I'm amping up my game. ;) And I needed awesome nails to go with...

Makeup Monday: Tribal Inspirations

Hello, Lovelies!

Today I am excited because my Boo is coming back from his 2-week shift in Alaska. Every time he comes home, I'm just overwhelmed with happiness. :) He is my best friend, my lover, my sweet husband, and my equal. He challenges me, and tells me I'm fancy. rocks.
As a result of my excitement, I went a little crazy with the makeup. :) Plus, I got some rad new earrings from Claires, so the whole look is very "Mysterious African Princess from some Vaguely Insensitive Movie from the 1930's." 


Here ya go:

Makeup Monday: What look should I try?

Darlings,
I am getting a massage today to work out the knots from 3 twelve-hr days I just had at "America's Largest Christmas Bazaar," so I'm not putting on makeup today.


I am also running out of fun things to do with the makeup I have. When we moved, I got rid of a LOT of my cosmetics, and I haven't replaced much yet.
So, I thought it might be fun to show you some looks I've been wanting to try, and you guys can tell me what you want to see:

Makeup Monday: Turquoise and Gold

Lovelies,

Today has been a hugely busy day - took Boo the the airport, went to look at apartments, worked for a while at the office, found an apartment, filled out papers, and I'm about to deliver those papers so that we have a home come January. LONG day. And on top of that, I'm frantically trying to prepare for a HUGE Christmas Bazaar. Like, 30,000 people huge. {If you are in Portland, come see me! Here 'tis.} Here's the show I was at last weekend:

So today I needed to put on some makeup that made me feel happy. Turquoise and gold, with black liner:

Makeup Monday: Lips

Lovelies,
It's Makeup Monday! Today I decided to go BOLD on the lips and classic on the eyes: