What's on My Holiday Wishlist?! Top 10 Holiday Gift Ideas for the Glamazon in YOUR LIFE

Well, it's time to actually start really thinking about Christmas. With Thanksgiving and BLACK FRIDAY quickly approaching this week, I am starting to stockpile the things I want to get for well, myself, and maybz some other people...lol...maybe...

Of course, my list will most contain beauty products, but don't be too surprised, I may hit you with something that just might be a little out of the box!

1. The Night Before Christmas | Bath Bomb Gift box, $49.95, Lush.com
I love, love, love taking baths and have gotten similar boxes for Christmas before! It's wonderful to have a variety of 7 bombs to try and the packaging is just so cute!! No one I know can resist this sweet little gift (you could also break it up for smaller hostess gifts as well, so BONUS)

2. Escape To Morocco Holiday Hair & Body Beautifiers | Josie Maran Argan Oil, $39, Sephora.com
I have been secretly drooling over this holiday set from Sephora. I have heard such good things about Josie Maran's Argan Oil products for skin of all types and even for your hair, but I have had no way to justify purchasing them until now!! The kit is a $68 value and includes six of her best sellers, including body butter, hair treatment, and her original argan oil which is a holy grail for so many beauty guru's I know.

3. Naked3 Palette | Urban Decay, $52, Urbandecay.com
This is definitely for the glam girl that wants the latest and greatest. The follow up palette to the Naked 1 & 2, this eyeshadow must-have features all rose gold "girly" colors. It looks beautiful on every skin tone and well, if you want to be the envied girl on the block, this palette will do it.

4. COCO MADEMOISELLE Holiday Trio | Chanel, $135, Nordstrom.com

I have loved this fragrance since the first day I put it on. You all know what a perfume junky I am, and if you love fragrance the holidays are the perfect time to pick up or stock up on your favorites. This kit comes with the Eau de parfum, body gel, and body lotion so you can fully embrace the Chanel philosophy of literally BATHING yourself in fragrance. Coco herself would be proud and with it's notes of bergamot, patchouli, vanilla and vetiver you will definitely be bringing all the boys to the yard. 

5. The VIP Club, Showbox Market Seattle, $499, Showboxpresents.com

Yes, this is a little spendy, but a girl can dream can't she? This is for the glamazon who like me is absolutely obsessed with music and shows, and wants to get the total VIP package when going out to them. It includes guaranteed seating, first dibs on sold out tickets, and other fun things. I would say this is for that person you know has absolutely everything...even if it wasn't this VIP club, memberships to fun things like the Art Museums or even the Ballet are great out of the box gifts!!

6. Angelina Jolie Inspired Emerald Drop Earrings | ParisenneGirl, $23, Etsy.com

One of the popular pantone colors of the year, these earrings from local jewelry maker ParisenneGirl have had me drooling ever since I saw them at a show. These are such unique statement earrings and any glam girl could rock these!! Even if green isn't your jam, her spin on antique materials will have you trolling her site for hours!

7. Beautiful Coffee Table Books!! | $30 - $150

My love and obsession with beautiful books for the coffee table has only been amplified this year!! Fashion photography and anything 1920's, you know us glammies gotta have it. With my obsession for Diana Vreeland crowding my brain, I hope to get my hands on her Eye Has To Travel book at Amazon.com for $37 and hopefully a biography or two as well. I've also been researching Paris in the 20's and the cover of Paris in the 1920's ($135 at Amazon.com) caught my eye when I saw it featured Manray's photo's of Kiki de Montparnasse (another fabulous trailblazer!!) Finally, for the girl obsessed with recent fashion photography the new book, Amber, Guinevere, and Kate Photographed by Craig McDean: 1993-2005 ($65 at Amazon.com) will keep her flipping pages for hours!

8. Zodiac Compact | Estee Lauder, $49.50, Nordstrom.com

Of course I'm going to show you MY zodiac which is Aries, but the new compact's that Estee Lauder put out for Christmas are just so sleek and so retro that it makes you just need to have it! Each gold compact is filled with translucent powder and adorned with the zodiac sign of your choosing with crystal accents. Nothing says LUXE like pulling this beautiful baby out of your purse during the holiday season!!

9. Pink Velvet | Velvetines Lipgloss, $20, Limecrime.com

Sometimes you just need a bold lip that's going to last you all day and drop all your suitor's to their knees (not that you would care one way or the other you saucy minx!) My favorite quirky makeup boutique LimeCrime is releasing a new color for their Velvetine line called Pink Velvet on Black Friday and it's sure to be a sell-out hit! These matte lipgloss stains are where it's at for sassing up this Holiday season!

10. Sparkling Rose | Veuve Clicquot, $54, Grandwinecellar.com

If none of these seem like your personal glamazon, then this last gift may just do it!! Although it doesn't have to necessarily be a Rose or this particular brand of champagne. A nice bottle of sparkling something will light up any girl's day!! I particularly love this one because it has a light flavor and just makes the occasion! 

So go out and have a great time shopping this Black Friday!! I can't wait to hear all the wonderful things you guys picked up and if you have any suggestions for me!! Did I miss anything that you think is just a wonderful Christmas gift for the glamazon in your life?!

XO

~Devin

Makeup Monday - Get Gilded

The holidays are upon us!! With the changing of the radio stations to songs caroling "Silver and Gold" it's no surprise everyone wants to get in on the action. Metallics are hot, hot, hot again, and it's not just metallic sparkle, it's full on GOLD. Gold leaf, gold plated, it doesn't matter, as long as it gleams like Midas' hands!

So whatever your price range is, go get in on the trend! I think it makes such an impact, whether it's just nails or a fun gold clutch, this little accessory is a classic. I love finding new ways to wear gold, I think it's classic and wild at the same time!! So get out there and get a little touched...Midas style of course ;)

Love you guys!

XO

~D

Refresh My Soul | Part 2, Music

As I said on Monday, the weekend was spent giving myself a refresh. For me, the one thing I know that just makes me soar, is well, music. Everyone should know that by now. I'm obsessed with music, I'm obsessed with shows. Nothing makes me feel like myself then standing in between the speakers, feeling my bones rattling from the bass and drums, and staring up like a wide eyed teenager singing along to the songs I know.

A good concert can lift my spirits, can change my life, can turn around an entire week. I find concerts define relationships, time periods, and for me, music can be the best counselor in certain situations. So when I feel down or in need of a refresh I check out a concert, doesn't matter if it's a big name production or a local show my friends are playing. 

This past weekend I went out to support, dare I say it? My favorite local band, Buffalo Tongue? Yes, it takes A LOT for me to claim a favorite local band, and even more to do so when the members are my friends. I don't want anyone to say I'm biased that's for sure...but, honestly, every time I hear them play, it's just incredible. Watching them grow up from a side project that played in tea shops to now playing at key venues in Seattle, has been such a treat. 

Buffalo Tongue performing at Chop Suey

The band has this dreamy indie-rock sound. Definitely swoon worthy. The lyrics are driven forward by the drumming, while the bass provides the stability for the guitar to create the ethereal atmosphere that reminds me a lot of Luna at some points. Chris White, John Sommer, and Matt Staerk also create the perfect stage show, the banter is refreshing and upbeat. The make you want to get to know them without the pretension jam band shit that goes on with a lot of local bands who don't know how to say when or when to throw a smile to the audience. Overall, I have a great time, every time, which is rare thing in smaller venue shows in Seattle, where at some point, at song two or three, your patience starts to wain with the 5 minute guitar solos and the drippy bullshit lyrics. 

Buffalo Tongue is playing at Waid's on December 4th, if you were in need of a refresh. But if going to Seattle isn't your thing, or breaking into the concert scene is something that scares the jesus out of you, look up local shows in your neighborhood! Start small with a coffee shop, or find a more "adult" friendly venue like the Triple Door, where you can ease yourself into the shows with assigned tables and table service, before you jump into ones that will jostle and deafen you. 

Sometimes you'd be surprised what a little live music can do. But until then, here's a couple of the band's songs...and a link to their Facebook page should you want to be a groupie like me...

Find the boys here: https://www.facebook.com/buffalotongue

Have a happy humpday and love you glammies so much!!
XO
~D

Talk Tuesday | You Say Hello, I Say Goodbye

I don't know what it is about the past couple of weeks, but I feel the change that is happening, and I know a lot of my friends have to. What change? The ending of major relationships, the saying goodbye to long friendships, and the moving forward in a very calm more "adult" type way (mostly lol). Lately, this seems to be the conversation I have with everyone.

I remember when I had such a hard time saying goodbye to people. When I was little I clung to my mom's leg everyday when she would try to drop me off at daycare. In school, I always wanted to be the first one to get to a place and the last one to leave...never wanting to miss anything. I also always wanted to be liked by everyone who met me and friends, always friends. I even made it a point to try and stay friends with all my exes and fling-type things.

Until I realized, only very recently, that that isn't the case, that's not how life works. We change, we grow, we outgrow each other and the relationships we created with people. We do fucked up things to each other and sometimes those things don't fully ever get forgotten. Not everyone is going to like you, and you in turn, aren't going to like everybody. That's just how life is!!!

PHEW did that take the pressure off you like it did me? Last year I finally embraced that and grasped the concept. It was like a huge relief off my shoulders. So many years trying to be congenial finally ended, and with that, the year of saying my goodbyes to relationship's and friendship's that no longer served me, or the people I was in them with either.

Don't get me wrong, when I started on this journey of goodbyes, it was literally like ripping limbs off. I cried. I stressed out. I would argue with myself to just give it one more chance before I opened my mouth and made a mistake. But you know, every time I got through the shock, I felt better. Freer.

It opened me up to start relationships with other people who wanted to be around me, who I was better suited for. Funny how the flow of energy works.

I won't lie, the last person I had to say goodbye to, was the absolute hardest. Maybe that's why I put it off so long, well until this week that is. I mean, it's hard to say goodbye to someone that you've told every secret to and shared great joys and greater sorrows with. But at the same time, it's hard to stay in a relationship where when you met said person you were the furthest from your authentic self that you could be and the box they think of you in, is no longer the box you yourself inhabit.

Sometimes it's in the reaffirmation of one's authentic self, that we have to let go of the idea's and the past stories that no longer serve us to say hello to new experiences and happiness.

That's what this last relationship represented to me, not that there wasn't and isn't great love there, but I held on to it, even though every interaction ended in fights or frustration at the end, because what would I have if I didn't have the edgy stories and memories that we had created together? Who would I be if I weren't that girl?

There is a relief though, that comes, for me it's the relief of allowing myself to fully embrace the life I have set out in front of me. It's allowed me to finally take ownership and personal stock of the ideas that no longer serve me now that they aren't connected in my brain with people, or relationships. That's an entirely different blog post though lol.

I love you all, and if you are having a hard time, you know I always have an ear for you dear glammies! Goodbyes are a hard part of life, but in the pain of that, the Hello's seem even that much sweeter.

XO
~D

The Eye Will Travel

Did you have a good weekend? Oh man I did!! Lately, the posts have been sparse I know, but sometimes you gotta just get out and live your life a little bit, and that's basically what I've been doing. I also had a terrible cold. Have you guys been getting tons of weird head colds? Or is it just a PNW thing? Oh man the changing of the seasons...

So yes, I went out and kind of did a little maintenance on my soul. You know you gotta keep refreshing that thing to really have an enjoyable life haha...plus it always helps to put everything back into perspective.

One of my "maintenance" days involved watching some of the most beautiful movies I've seen in awhile (and the subject of this post). Yes, I am an avid movie watcher, but not how you would think. I hate going to movie theaters, it's pretty much the worst. But, I do watch movies on my baby (my beautiful, beautiful laptop) every day. I'm guilty of downloading, but it's because I have voraciously ripped through my netflix accounts and any other online streaming database.

So, any who, I watched some of my favorite old movies to begin with, White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney (which invokes in me such sentimentality). The Man Who Came to Dinner...The Blue Angel...My Man Godfrey....Out Of The Past...you know, the black and white 40's flicks that make you swoon because of the costume design and how well people acted in those days. I think I told you all that given the chance as a kid I wanted to "grow up" to be a 40's Starlet...haha man if that was a real job I would have been made in the shade haha.

So after I exhausted myself on old black and white's I moved back to Netflix and finally watched what Netflix had been suggesting to me for months, Diana Vreeland: The Eye Will Travel. Not only did I watch it once, I watched it on repeat for DAYS, stopping only to watch some documentaries on the 30's to give my poor neighbors a break. That woman is absolutely amazing!! I instantly became obsessed with her. For those of you who don't know, Diana Vreeland was an Art Director at Harper's Bazaar and then later on went on to be the Editor in Chief at Vogue waaaaaayyyyy before Anna Wintour took it over. She made Vogue VOGUE when it was still a fledgeling magazine. She was eccentric and obsessed with fashion and insanely over the top  in the most approachable way.

Diana Vreeland in all her signature looks

She wore rouge on her ears because she liked how it looked on geisha's...and honestly, for some reason watching that movie with all the beautiful fashion and her excitement for it, I just remembered all the reasons why I had been so obsessed with clothes for so long. Sometimes, I get bogged down in what is in NOW, what looks good on me NOW, you know and forget that the most iconic fashion persona's created their own signature, timeless looks and have rocked it since the day of creation.

Which moves me into my next soul refreshing movie...and also the movie that's about to spawn my wardrobe revamp, Coco Before Chanel or Coco Avant Chanel depending on if you are going to watch it in it's original french of not.

I had downloaded this movie quite some time ago and had never gotten around to watching it because, well, in all honesty I didn't want to take the time to sit down with it and read the subtitles. It's not that I don't like movies with subtitles, quite the opposite, it's just typically I put a movie on while I'm doing something else, so I only half pay attention to what's going on. And with this one, there was no way that my 2 years of poorly learned French was going to help me keep up with the story line. But, it finally called to me, and so I sat down and really watched it.

THANK GOD I DID!

That movie was absolutely inspiring. I really had no inkling of the life Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel lived before she started her fashion house. In fact, I had more interest in the fact that Karl Lagerfeld was her designer, then the history of the line. Yes, yes I've already "Tsked" myself to death at this point. But, I digress, like always...lol.

To put it frankly, I can't believe she did so much with how disadvantaged she was. She was stubborn and fiery (I won't ruin the movie) but she made it. She was such a pioneer, wearing men's clothes and simplifying her look when it was still Le Belle Epoque this over the top lavish era for women's fashion. Which brings me to my clothing revamp...

Lol that's all I will say for now, that one picture...but once it's underway I will reveal more...

Watch It Wednesdays - All Adventurous Women Do.

So I hurt my eye after Halloween, too much glitter + contacts = one jacked up eye. Instead of doing makeup tutorials and taking pictures, because I didn't want to freak you guys out with my weeping pirate eye, I've been working on blogs and watching my "shows". After I got through all the ones that are still actually on weekly t.v. like Sons of Anarchy and Masters of Sex, I busted out my tried and true series' first starting with Sex and the City.

I almost did a whole blog post on Sex and the City, and the re-evaluation of my dating life and the lack of clothing in my closet after watching all 6 seasons. THAT show, no matter who you are, will do that to you!! But then I started re-watching GIRLS, and the depression of my lackluster dating life was shot out of the water, and I was catapulted back into reality. Although I'm not as over the top as the character's in the show, the weird awkwardness that the girl's go through  is way more realistic to my life then the fabulousness of SATC (SHOCKER I KNOW).

I'm not going to lie, GIRLS hold's a sweet spot in my heart. My favorite memory is watching it holed up in my friend Laura's cabin for 2 days drinking whiskey and watching both seasons non-stop, and talking...always talking!! This show definitely brought our neurosis and terrible dating choices into full view and made it funny!


Okay so I guess I should explain the premise of the show, it's the anti-thesis of SATC. It revolves around 4 twenty-somethings in New York, trying to pretty much get their shit together. The main character is Hannah Horvath played by Lena Dunham the show's writer and director, she's a neurotic "writer" who in the first episode finds out her parent's will no longer be supporting her financially anymore. She's sleeping with this guy Adam, who treats her derogatorily which she loves lol. She lives with her best friend Marnie in the first  season. Marnie works for a gallery and she seems like the one that has everything together, until you realize she thinks her boyfriend Charlie's touch is reminiscent of a creepy uncle and gets fired from her gallery job due to "downsizing". You meet the other two girls at a welcome home party she gives for her friend Jessa who's moved back to NYC after having travelled through Thailand. She's definitely the "free-spirit" of the group and starts living with her cousin Shoshanna who is the total opposite, and also youngest of the group. "Shosh" is super naive and absolutely has the best lingo of the group. She's obsessed with Sex and the City and everything girlie but in the most uptight neurotic way. You find out straight away that she's also a 22 year old virgin and not thrilled about it.

But! I won't ruin the whole show you should definitely watch it! It puts your life into perspective especially if you are single, living in a major city, and you feel like you haven't hit the mark in life just yet, but not in the fabulous way you see on Sex and the City. Also, if you love Lena Dunham her movie Tiny Furniture is on Netflix. You definitely get a feel for her style in it and you see reoccurring characters and actors that you see in GIRLS.

So excited for the new season to start in January!! You will most likely hear more about this show.

Happy Humpday Glammies!
~D

Talk Tuesdays - Time Just Flies By...

It's Tuesday and I don't believe every one of our chat's has to be intense and thought provoking. But, I do love telling you guys about what I'm up to and little tidbits about my life, it's kind of fun! Hopefully these little chats will one day make it so I won't have to explain my quirkiness ALL the time lol. Yea, we'll see about how that pans out...hahaha.

So are we all thinking, where did October go? Or is it just me? I know the older I get the more I keep thinking, where has the time gone? I also am in this weird holding pattern...like I KNOW it's November but my brain is trying to skip it completely. Like it's either September or December. No in-between...the story of my life.

I will say though, that October was such a wonderful month for the split second I mentally can place myself back into it, that I look back at it with glowing smiles and fond memories. And for definitely sure the last two weeks-ish have taken the cake. With weddings and makeup shows kicking it all off and then ending with houseguests, 21st birthdays, Halloween, and the concert that changed my life Rufus Wainwright.

I don't even know where to begin...

This month I made a pact with myself and a friend that we would spend more time with the people we love and not travel as much. I'm not sure if I completely cut down on craziness but I do know that I spent more time at home. Which was wonderful, considering I hadn't spent more then a couple days in my apartment since I would say about June. Needless to say it was nice to put away the suitcase for awhile. I actually got things done at my place!! Like moving furniture, setting up a makeup station for filming, and doing things like putting up curtains! Almost 2 years here and I hadn't changed a thing since I moved in. It was wonderful and made me want to have houseguests FINALLY.

Tami came to stay!! Graffiti Garages & DDR

And houseguests I had!! My lovely friend Tami came to stay with me, it was the most wonderful way to break in my "new" place. We toured around Tacoma and most nights/days had long conversations involving wonderful libations hahaha then the finale was taking our other younger great friend Julia out for her 21st birthday. Can I say we had so much fun?! Though I will side note: Thug bar on a Monday night at 1:30am sober in Capitol Hill = no good...nooooo good, but you gotta learn I guess, right?

After everyone left, I then got to go to one of the top concerts of my life, and most of you know, I've been to a ridiculous amount of concerts, so saying this means it's serious. My lovely friend Gini got tickets to see Rufus Wainwright at the Pantages theater. The crowd was small and the concert so intimate. His sister Lucy Wainwright Roche opened for him, and you guys as soon as she opened her mouth I was hooked. My jaw dropped! Then Rufus came on, and I swooned with his dynamic voice and literally sat there in awe listening to his songs.

Frida Kahlo inspired outfit for Rufus Wainwright with Gini

It was beautiful how his songs show everything he's thinking and feeling. Now, I've been listening to the two of them non-stop...mooning over their voices and lyrics, I have a feeling I will be listening to them through the winter that's how obsessed I've become. If you want to check them out my favorites are: Call Your Girlfriend (Robyn Cover) from Lucy and this week for Rufus its Montauk and also Martha (it changes weekly though).

Call Your Girlfriend by Lucy Wainwright Roche

Montauk by Rufus Wainwright

Halloween came in with a bang the next day, I was excited, but tired. This year most of the family chose to dress up in themed Alice in Wonderland costumes. I was of course, the White Rabbit, as I had just made the costume for a party I went to/did some work at earlier this fall. My older sister was the Queen of Hearts, her kids (besides my nephew who went as Batman) were The Mad Hatter, The White Queen, and Baby White Rabbit *adorable*! My brother's daughter went as Alice, which was just again, can I say adorable anymore in one paragraph?! We had a blast! I even convinced my mom to let me do her makeup, she went as a Raven so we did a really cool mask in makeup. Lol it was fun to spend time with my entire family, both of my brother's came, my aunt as well. We put on the Monster Mash, did the Time Warp, and Trick-or-Treated around my childhood neighborhood.

Halloween, Makeup, Wonderland, and a beautiful Raven

Who knew Halloween would be the holiday that brought us all together in full force? Lol I surely did not, but I'm insanely grateful that it did!!!

So yea, that was the craziness, I sit here typing it and still can't believe that that all happened in 2 weeks. Life has returned to normal for the most part, putting my apartment back together, drinking tea and getting back to a normal schedule. Starting to get excited for the holidays but mostly just enjoying the normalcy for a bit hahaha who'd have thought?

How is everyone else's fall going? Do you feel crazy busy? Looking forward to the Holidays?

Alrighty, have a wonderful Tuesday glammies!!

XO
~D

Makeup Monday - Tis The Season?

Happy Monday glammies!! The sun is shining and it's just a beautiful fall day!! I decided to take a walk this morning and really take in the scenery but also in an attempt to clear up some of the writing block's that are going on in brain. Well, it definitely helped!! I know some of you aren't going to want to hear it, but now that Halloween is over it's time to jump into the "season". I hear a couple of you groan, and I know the questions like "What about Thanksgiving?" "Why jump the gun?" are arising.

HOOOLLLDDDD ON! Some of us are on a budget and take a couple months to get presents and some of us are looking for better value makeup kits. Well, you guys, this is the time to go looking before everything is picked over. The last few weeks all of the big makeup companies have started to unveil their makeup sets and deluxe palettes right now, and boy oh boy are they gorgeous!

For me, there were a couple that really stood out as being a lot of bang for your buck. This one from Tarte I feel like is such a great deal and so portable that for someone wanting to start their collection, this would be amazing for you. You get 4 full palettes with 4 shadows in each and a blush. You get the little travel palette to take with you in your purse, and you also 3 full size lip glosses. The other wonderful thing about Tarte is that they are known to be cruelty-free and eco friendly. For $48 you are getting such a great deal with this palette as well!! I mean you are getting SO much. I think this set would be so wonderful for mom's or women who want a lot of options without the guess work of pairing shadows together.

Tarte's Gorgeous Getaways Portable Palette, $48 @ ulta.com

If you love beauty stuff and like to try new products, this next "value set" is for you. Sephora just came out with this for the holidays and it's absolutely amazing! It comes with 13 different products and most of them are full sizes. It is a little more pricey, it's $75 but you are getting really nice high-end brands and they say it's a $280 value.  This one your's truly has really been drooling over. This would be wonderful for someone who loves Sephora and brand names.

Super Stars, $75 @ Sephora.com

For someone who's looking for one palette to throw into your travel bag, then the other one I'm really lusting after that came out earlier this fall, but would make a wonderful gift, is the Lorac Pro to Go Palette that's only at Sephora.com or on Lorac's website. You get 6 beautiful eyeshadows, 2 blushes, a bronzer, and 2 brushes. It folds up and is tiny, easy to take with you. It's cheaper then the pro palette at $38 and if you love neutrals, these buttery shadows are right up your alley. It's so sleek and beautiful I think this would be wonderful for someone who likes lots of smokier looks but also wants to keep it simple.

Lorac Pro to Go Eye/Cheek Palette, $38 @ Sephora.com

For something that's a smaller present or stocking stuffer, and if you own an IPhone5 this little on the go palette is perfect! It's part of the new Too Faced "Joy to the Girl's" line that came out for the holidays. You get 11 shadows, a bronzer, and a blush PLUS an IPhone5 case which is adorable. It, like the Tarte one, is cruelty-free and highly pigmented and for $25 it can't be beat! I mean you can barely find a cellphone case for under $20 anymore. There are some mattes and a lot of sparkles, perfect for the holidays! I think this would be great for everyone, but especially a teenager/college student because you get so much in such a small sparkly package.

Jingle All The Way, $25 @ Too Faced.com

I hope this gets you to thinking about new makeup to try out this winter!! There will definitely be more coming along that I will be sharing with you!! Like we all know, this is the best time to pick up makeup during the year (besides the Nordstrom's sale). I've already got my list going for all the new things I want to try!!

XO
~Devin