The Day AFTER a Red Carpet.......

......everyone becomes a critic!

I am here today to only talk about the dresses I adored, though, and will leave out the ones I could have done without. WHAT is our fashion/celebrity world coming to when there was not a single dress I completely despised? Sure, I didn't love all of the looks, but I never once had to gag or spit out of my drink in shock of someone..........

unless you count Ryan Seacrest getting ashed by the Dictator. Yowza......

{More so than the Dictator, I couldn't stand the bitches next to him....

they looked like they had sticks up their asses and their makeup just

highlighted their botox and overtanned skin. YIKES!}

First and foremost, though, all ashes aside, here is my FAVORITE look of the night.......

Jessica Chastain

{She looked amazing. Her hair and jewelry and skintone matched the dress perfectly. I may be biased because it's an Alexander McQueen gown and it was custom-made by Sarah Burton (win-win-win-wiiiin), but no one can deny this look is flawless. If you don't agree, I really don't know if we can continue being friends in this way. Jessica killed it with edge in a sea of dresses that, while great, were not "wow" factors for me.}

My girl, as always, did a fantastic job. I loved her little stint on the stage while presenting more, though. COULD she be any cuter? I think not. Girl crush established. She is just too flipping cool.

Emma Stone

{I didn't love the dress at first but after a bit of time seeing it on her more and more, it grew on me fast. I think it helped that her hair looked great, too. Had she worn it down or even half-up, it would have killed the look for me. Thankfully, mah girl knows what's up and pulled out a show-stopppaahh!}

Other greats looks include some one-shoulder bizzznisss.....

Stacy Keibler, Milla Jovovich, Rose Byrne

Fiiinne, I'll admit this just once...Stacy is an attractive broad. Done. She doesn't need more compliments...she has Georgy freaking Clooney on her arm. 

Milla looks fabulous pairing her red lip to a white/cream gown...old Hollywood meets a bit of edge (simply because it is Mila!)

Rose Byrne's sleek hair with the sequined gown and open back just exuded class with sass...the best of both worlds! (Still not better than her jumpsuit, though, loved that look).

Who were some of your favorites? Did you have any that you completely hated? I really wanted to like Shailene Woodley's dress, but it just didn't work for me. Great dress....just not for her. HUGE, huge improvement from her SAG Awards disaster dress, though! 

Also, Angelina....just stop. You're making EVERYONE look bad. Seriously. Stop the madness.

All of the Bridemaids looked pretty darn good. I didn't love all of their looks, but I can't deny that they looked polished and put together and showed effort in their overall appearance. Kudos!

Until next time, I am sad to see awards season go, but at least it stops making the rest of us look that much worse in comparison to Hollywood Elite..........................................

Another Reason to Hate February!

Hello dear readers and friends, how are we doing today? Are you in the full swing of hating life all because of those dreaded winter blues? Well, let's talk about the mean reds, shall we? (Breakfast at Tiffany's  reference, anyone?!) I meeeean, what happens in February about, oh, half way through the month? A day where we're supposed to profess our love to whomever with cards and homemade mailboxes? Oh....we aren't 10 anymore? Well then, shit, this holiday sucks!

I am not the anti-Valentine's Day gal because I've never had one. In fact, I always have....which isn't bragging in the slightest if you've met half the guys I dated (SSB not included, relax). I just never understood the holiday because I show lah-ving 24/7, so long as the rest of the world isn't being a bag of douche and forcing me to turn into the bitch I usually am.

However, we (being me and the BF, duh) still celebrate the holiday, and SSB and I will be doing so by eating a ton of red meat and guzzling down plenty of red wine (I'll take one for the team here), so we're totes in the spirit to celebrate the mean reds during this oh-so festive holiday! WHAT TO WEAR then? Let's discuss........

I am rocking a fitted black dress from H&M that does way too good of a job of giving me a curvy top half and a whittled waist (but nowhere near as disgusting as that gal with the 20" waist.....gag). I plan on wearing a cream cropped jacket with black trim that gives a bit of a Chanel feel but at an H&M price. Fun Fact: For any "big" date SSB and I have had, I have worn an H&M dress. How about them apples?! Anywho, find a dress that is sexy but still classy, because you want your man (or your flavor of the moment) to see you as a force to be reckoned with......and you just look sleazy and cheesy (and too downright easy) in a dress too short or in a too-bold print. Stick to neutrals, solids, and polished shoes. You're dressing for your date, not the rest of the world, and it is best to keep it demure and subtle if you're going to a nicer place.

If there was ever a time to invest in a fabulous apron, now would be the time! Wear a classic v-neck or cardigan,  throw on some dark skinnies, great flats, and find the cutest damn apron out there! Buy him one, too, to make the night that much more fun. Cooking together is a great way to commemorate the holiday; buy the heart-shaped cookie cutters, make food that is red or pink (spaghetti?!) and go all out in the cheesiest way possible. Finish the night with cute satin PJs (Victoria's Secret has the best) and watch the cheesiest love movie you can find! (SSB would never let that last part slide....and confession: I loathe The Notebook. I know....but it's just too sad!)

Some girls try to play the "it's about you" card and do something fun for their man.....even if they'd rather let their pup eat their favorite pair of heels than go to a hockey game on Valentine's Day. Regardless, if you are one of these gals, best to dress cute so you can at least look good while being miserable. Check out my post HERE on some great sporting event outfits. As for the ice skating bullshit (kidding), it's a great idea so long as you don't mind freezing. Wear a great winter coat and a bright scarf that brings out, I don't know, the color of your eyes...or the rosiness of your frozen cheeks (on your face, dolls.....) It's February after all, and if you're located in the north or east this month, the most important part is to stay warm...but still look gaw-ghus doing it!

"Forget men, let's just put our pocketbooks on the floor and just dance, screw guys, I just wanna dance!" Dane Cook had it right when he made this joke years ago. Some gals prefer to just hit up the town all-BFF-style over the holiday weekend and rightfully so! Wear the hottest jeans you have with that great blouse/top....you knowwww, the one that makes the girls look good but not like you're suffocating them....just the perfect balance to create that comment from your BFF that is something like....."Woah, when did she become so hot? I'm jealous.....she's going to dance with so many more guys than me. Bitch....." Add a blazer or leather jacket to offset the fact your girls will be freezing and top (or bottom?!) it off with the tallest black heels or wedges you own. OR the red heels that everyone else thinks are questionable but somehow become totally appropriate for this specific night!
(Funny Side Story.....one of the classes at my school had Mock Trials. The girls were told to look professional, like something their mother or grandmother would wear. One girl came in wearing the most offensively tight, short black skirt with HOT PINK 5-inch heels. It's a shame when your shift at the local 18&under club runs into, oh, 7:30am! Yikes.....)


What are you planning for your holiday/holiday weekend? Fill me in, I'd love to hear it. I leave you with some last-minute tips on keeping your hair and makeup just as festive as the rest of you this holiday ;)


HAIR AND MAKEUP TIPS
**Bring out the red lips if you're out with the girls....stick with a soft stain if you'll be smooching the man.
**A great pink cheek against a nice winter face is always in style. Use a bit of creme blush under a powder to help it set and last all night!
**Try putting hot rollers in your hair while doing your makeup or choosing your outfit. Flowing hair with a bit of bend and curl is perfect for the occasion. Not too stuffy but still romantic and fun! Be sure to hairspray the hell out of it with flexible hairspray, too!

Alright, put cupid's arrow in my ass, I'm done talking about this holiday!


Until next time, farewell love bugs and blogger valentines.................................

Fav-tober Time!

NOVEMBER BEMBER WEMBER!
Is it me or did that just make me sound like I was talking in a baby voice? Maybe? Sorry, not my intention, not trying to pull a Khloe Kardashian Odom moment here!

Hi friends! Happy first day of November, or as I like to see it, "54 days until Christmas" or even "54 days to figure out what the hell to buy everyone without going broke!" (My pal, The Procrastinator titled her blog posts for her favorites as this, futher proving we are long-lost friends -- also proving I wrote this as a draft....blast, I've been caught. This is me.............not caring, though. At least I came back to update it with something fun at the end!....maybe?)

Anywhoooo, I am very lazy this week (hello, wrote this as a draft, after all!) and have created a somewhat lackluster list of what I lusted after (see what I did there?!) this month.
On the whole lazy kick, too, I totes stole these photos from Google....I mean, I just wasn't into taking creative photos for four favorites......my bad, bloggers, my bad. At least I put them into a nice collage for you?!

OCTOBER FAVORITES

1. Fit Me! Blush in Deep Rose- Great buildable color, goes well with my new hair hue! NARS Orgasm took a backseat this month.
2. Salted Carmel White Mocha Latte - I don't even need to explain why this is a favorite....just read the freaking name. (It's orginally just mocha, but I despise that bitter flavor, so I opt in for the sweeter white mocha instead!) I get it without the whip, though, seeing as how I cannot stomach whipped cream from Starbucks. SSB is the one who told me to swap out the mocha for the white mocha....he just gets me, that boy.
3. Toasted & Hustle from NAKED - I wore these colors for most of the month, easy to swipe on, good colors for late fall.
4. Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster - Lifesaver, period. End of story. Damn you colder temps! I recommend this for anyone having less-than-wonderful dry skin issues. (Totes stole the bottle from my sis after using the sample packet...whatevs.)

BONUS! (not photographed)
5. My New "Vanity" - I got a bigger desk to act as a vanity and it has so much more space for all things girly. I love it. I actually will be doing a post on said vanity and random organization tips, so look for that this week!

I'll leave you with a photo of my new 'do that I just got done today! -- this is my (or my stylist's) third attempt at a new color ...I went about 5 or 6 weeks since the last one (and I really did love the last color choice) but decided I wanted to do more brown than red this time around....more "espresso" than "red velvet" (I don't know, what other food is red?!)........aaaand this is the result!

 {old hair photo is my previous color faded about six weeks, my bad!}
{sorry for the bad photos, using the ol' iPhone....}

Happy November everyone. I look forward to the next four and a half fantabulous weeks, so bring it on eleventh month of the year!

Until next time, farewell lovahs.......



Five Favorites + Month Nine = Still Five Favorites

Clearly, math is my strong subject, as an English teacher and all........

First of all, let me take this time to thank Antiqued Gold (one of mah main bloggin' bitches, yo) for awarding me the Liebster Blog Award! She may reconsider being blogger buds now that I just tried--and failed!--at speaking all ghetto fab in the last sentence, though! hah Go check out her blog, it's quite awesome.

ALSO: I added a new "page" to the top - there under "Stalk S.S" (clever, slightly creepy?!) you'll find my Twitter, Pinterest page, and Bloglovin' site (that I haven't used since the day I signed up for it)...awesome. Feel free to follow any or all for full SS updates!

Now....onto the REAL post...

Yay - October is HERE! September was all well & good but it came with enough bumps in the road to rock my happy boat (what? you don't have one of those, too?!), so I'm welcoming October with open arms!

Out with September, in with Favorites!

1. Aldo Boots - I randomly pulled these out during a mild September day and wore them almost religiously afterwards. With skinny jeans or my favorite pair of shorts on warmer days, this pair of fancy footwear never dissapointed! Love the built-in wedge effect, too.

2. Ulta Toast Lip Balm - Bought this in the middle of the month and had to wear it everyday - no exceptions! It's the perfect amount of tint without looking too harsh or done up, which is great for daytime or a full day of teaching. Easy application, soft and simple - perfect in every way!

3. Hair Color - Obviously I made my first leap into this during August, but I really became enraptured in my new hair color during the first fall-ish month and ended the month with an even warmer hue. I took this month to learn what I liked, loved, and absolutely loathed. This new tone is here to stay -- for now ;)

4. Rimmel Face Powder - Sometimes when my bronzer turned too dark or my face just didn't look put together, this powder came to the rescue. I went through the summer using Bare Minerals for this task, but screw that -- this powder does the job 10x better and is only $4 -- and usually is buy one, get one for that same $4 price....I mean, no brainer here, beauty ladies! Why I ever left it for BM is beyond me, but I'll never make that mistake again!

BONUS. Solo Dance Parties - Yep, not fashion or beauty related, deal with it. Like I mentioned before, September did not pass without stressful situations, so solo dance parties were needed to release my stress and anxiety. If you have never done this, you should probably stop reading right now and dance for a solid 5-10 minutes before finishing this post. Really, you'll thank me. I thank Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger" and Cobra Starship's "You Make Me Feel..." for keeping my dance parties energetic.

....Now that we have the "favorites" out of the way, let's just note one very important thing....

SSB & I are still costume-less! We have taken the comments and emails into consideration and have narrowed it down to, oh wait, NOTHING....we're planners, clearly. Hopefully it all comes together soon enough because let's just note another important thing.....

Halloween Countdown = 30 days!
Halloween Party = 27 days!
....so many options, so little time!

We went for 2.5 hours the other night to the Halloween store....and all we left with was this:

{let's just say he didn't like my "Kung Fu Panda" idea of him

being a ninja/kung fu artist and me being a panda....so I just 

bought it because, let's face it, it's a panda hat/scarf, so badass!}

.....and it wouldn't be a true fall day unless I wrote this in a coffee shop (ok, or just Starbucks) with a hot coffee (ok, or a Salted Carmel White Mocha Latte that's just "warm" now), listening to Florence + The Machine, and rocking a scarf and boots but still being chilly because of the fall air, which describes my current state exactly. Oh yes, my loves, fall is here.



Until next time, farewell to all and I look forward to reading your favorites......

Fallin' for You

Little play on words action for you there ;)

If you're currently dating someone, perhaps you, too, have those items in your wardrobe that are not-so-loved by your significant other. For example, take the conversation SSB (Superficial Sanctuary Boyfriend, for new readers!) & I shared just the other day.....

Me : Wait, you actually do like everything I wear? Really?
SSB: Well, yeah. Well, except for that one wing top.
Me: [in a rushed, frantic tone] Don't tell me it's the cream winged top, I love that top. Or the floral one, is it that one? OH WAIT, could it be the other patterned one I have? WHICH ONE IS IT DAMNIT!
SSB: I regret ever mentioning this.
......and scene.

I know for a fact there are items in my closet that SSB does not enjoy, and even though I have yet to determine which winged top is the guilty party, I will wear all of them with or without his approval..........

So let's just get to today's topic.....mixing your "non-boyfriend" items with some of his favorites to complete a couple (hah, word play again!) of perfect  date outfits/items for this cooler season.

#1 - Sure, it's all covered up, but the tight jeans and leather jacket give it a sexy feel still...SSB loves a pair of tight jeans, but what boy doesn't?! For more of a boyfriend-approved feel, scrap the scarf and avoid buttoning to shirt to the neck ;)
#2 - I love the classic fall look to this outfit and bootcut jeans and a fitted blazer show all the right curves. The boots add a fun, trendy effect to finish a look that is girl AND boy approved!
#3 - So SSB may think sequins are just "round, shiny things" and that feathers are just for birds, but combining them in this sophisticated way makes this an outfit all the girls will love, and the color and shape of the dress is certainly eye-catching for your significant other, so he won't give a shit whether or not your clutch is "fuzzy." Definitely a great outfit for an extra-special evening out, whether it is an anniversary dinner or just an occasion where you need to amp it up a bit - who doesn't love those nights?!
#4 - Edgy and cool, trendy enough but still a classic look that any male can appreciate. The boots and sweater are tough, but the color of the scarf and fit of the skirt balance it out to create an overall homerun for any fun date night!


There you have it, outfits for your dates this season that girls will want to steal and your man will still love - best of both worlds! Be sure to have fun and experiment, but always feel comfortable...no date is very enjoyable when you constantly have to fix your too-short skirt!

Do you have any outfit go-to items for dates or nights out? Any pieces that you love to wear out? Fill me in, I'd love to know!


I'll leave you with photos of my NEWER color -- in case you haven't read about my first/second hair coloring experience, feel free to do so here. Today, I just decided it needed to have a bit more of a richer feel with a lot less blonde. What I got was a full head of awesome...or awesome in my opinion ;)

{depending on the light and lens, the color is more brown or more red...

but for the most part, it's more red...and still more awesome!}

Until next time, farewell & have fun on those upcoming dates ;).................

Fall Favorites : Trends to Try

So today's "favorites" are a bit all over, but they all deal with "changing it up" in honor of the season. If you've hit a rut in your beauty/makeup/hair/girl routine, this post is for you!

I puruse many-a sites on a daily basis aside from stalking all your blogs (yes, yours too!) and I have come across so many different sites claiming to have THE beauty/fashion trends to try. They always show great photos of great (or not so great....looking at you lo-lohan!) celebrities to show you how the look should be done. Well, I'm here to break down all of these articles & posts and bring you what I think are some note-worthy trends to try.....all SS-approved!

1. Monotone Hair Color

(c/o people)

Says the girl whose hair is not a monotone shade, I may not be one to trust.....but you cannot deny the vibrancy of Barrymore's hair. It is a cheaper alternative to all those highlights and/or lowlights, too, so your wallet will thank you!
Monotone Colors to Try : Auburn, Espresso, Carmel

2. Bold Eyeliner (aka Cat-Eyes)

(c/o people)

I may be biased because I find Miss Kruger to be gawwww-ghus, but this look has appeal on many celebs, including Lauren Conrad and Mila Kunis. As long as you don't go to extreme lengths and end up looking like Amy Winehouse (may she rest in peace), this look should be a simple yet stunning addition to amp up your makeup routine.

3. Bold Blush

(c/o pinterest)

I love myself a good blush. It may have been the blonde in me needing a bit of color on my pale-ass face, but regardless, this is an awesome look for day or night, which is another reason to love it!
Bold Hues to Try: Plums, Mauves, and Redder Corals (yeah, I said redder....don't judge.)

4. Undone 'dos

 (c/o pinterest)

There has been plenty of talk in past season about the undone UP-do, but what about your entire 'do just being, well, completely undone when it's down? Have you ever noticed how awesome your hair falls into a perfectly rumpled mess after you've, um, rumpled in the sheets? They don't call it bedhead for nothing, girlfriend! That look has an effortless appeal that attracts men and makes women jealous. Both? Bring it on, one less day of shampooing needed ;) hah


With these looks, you should have no problem pulling plenty of Charlie Sheen's #winning in the fashion/beauty department. Cheesy? Totes. Worth the joke? Totes again. (That's "totally" for you non-abbreviated folks!) Which look is your favorite? Any other fall trends I must try out to update my look? Let me know!



Until next time, you stay classy SS readers......

Welcome to the "Dark Side"....

Getting used to the dark side is a bit daunting. I still go into the mirror and half (or fully) expect to see my face with blonde locks framing it....so not the case anymore! Yowza! Read THIS if you have yet to catch on to what I'm talking about....

Aside from the light to dark change, I've noticed I have needed to tweak my makeup routine a bit, as well, to keep up with the change. Has anyone else noticed this when darkening up their hair?

Enter: Blonde to Brunette Makeup Changes....

First thing....I have normally been a gal who can just add a bit of balm and be on my way, if not entirely ignore my pucker. I notice now with my darker hue that my lips looks severely washed out or like I somehow forgot I had lips and just slathered foundation all over...not a good look. Anyone know of any good lip stains or balms that look simple and not like I'm wearing a ton of heavy lipstick or product? That is one of my biggest beauty pet peeves! For now I'll settle with my Stila Lipgoss that's a nice berry color, but I'm looking for something to give me a bit more color than the gloss but not too much, we can't overdo it here, ladies!

Secondly, I notice I don't need as much blush, yay! I mean, I still love my Orgasm and I still am craving the Deep Throat (so classy, NARS, so classy...) but I can get away with using less because of the richer tones in my hair, which makes my makeup routine just a smidgen simpler! I also notice I can just use a little extra sweep of bronzer in place of blush just as well. I always tried that look with my blonde hair but it never looked the way I wanted it to. Win for the dark side!

Third and lastly, darker eye makeup! Before I felt it looks so harsh again my paler skin and hair, but now with the richness of reds and browns in mah 'do, I feel like I can rock a smoky eye and not look like a street walker....hell to the yes! I look forward to exploring the darker shades in my Naked palette and experimenting endlessly with my other eye options! Perhaps a mini Ulta haul is in store for me?


Do you have any other tips/advice for a blonde turned brunette? Who knew my makeup look could get an overhaul, too? Excited to try out new looks and show them to you all! Just in time for the crispness of fall, too!

Some BEFORE and AFTER shots again....

BEFORE....pre-catastrophe last Thursday....

 AFTER....note: minimal makeup and dirty hair @ work....

In between the massive amount of laundry I have to do and the 9+ more hours I have to work of this 13.5 hour day (yes, you read that right, hellooooo 10pm cocktails tonight!!), I had to sneak in a blog post to restore my sanity. I'm sure you all understand!

Hope your Monday back at work or school is much much more wonderful than mine! I'd give anything to be back in school, walking to class with my headphones playing cool tunes, coffee in hand, and watching the leaves change around campus. Last part is pre-mature on this August day, of course, but you get the idea ;)

Until next time, farewell my blondes, brunettes, and everything in-between!

Like a Virgin (Hair!) Touched for the Very First Time!

Did anyone get that joke? Doesn't the all-mighty Madonna say "hey" where I said "hair".....doesn't she?! If not, my joke has failed, but let's just move on.....

I did it, once and for all. Well, I didn't....I put my never-been-kissed locks into the hands of someone else to change it up for me......and it needed to be done twice! Imagine my horror when I was going for THIS

 and got something like THIS

Now the photo doesn't truly do it justice, but I was mortified-horrified-terrified when I left the salon's unnatural lighting and stepped out in the sun to see I had nearly chunked lowlights mixed in with my blonde hair. The red/brown was placed on the top front portion of my hair and somehow the rest of my hair just decided to stay blonde. It's not like I walked into a random salon or crap one where it costs $10 for a cut....so I paid a pretty penny with my usual stylist to get this mop-top on my head. Ouch, to say the least!

Did I hate it? YES.
Did I cry? DEFINITELY.
Did I call to schedule a fix? YOU BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR!

So we went from these.....(excuse the no-makeup-face!)

 to these.....

(excuse the car photos, but I wanted to capture it as soon as I had finished with the appointment!)

....so it still isn't exactly like the photo, but hey, it is fixed and I am thrilled with the end result...I don't need to look exactly like an Olsen anyways ;) I still feel a bit odd playing for the darkside after being on the bright side for all 23 years of life, but it's a nice change for fall and it was something "drastic" to do without chopping off my hair. Of course my first experience with hair coloring had to be an adventure....through the tears, constant photo-taking to examine the results, and everyone around me consulting me on what I should (and shouldn't) do, I am pleased to now have a changed leaf just in time for seasons to change. Cheesy? Totally. Sort of perfect? Obviously ;) No worries, my stylist is still alive and I will continue to go to him for cuts and (perhaps) more coloring. We'll chalk up this horrific time in my life to a severe miscommunication and my severe lack of knowledge on the world of hair coloring!



Tomorrow I have a THIRTEEN hour nanny day so I plan on relaxing today in order to prepare myself for the horror of tomorrow. Thankfully I only have two full days left with them (hello back-to-school time!), so my sanity shall be restored before the week is through!

Wishing you all a pleasant rest of the weekend and a productive week! If you look below at the phone case photos, I'm still in the market for a new one, so let me know your thoughts on the ones I picked :) Crazy to think I went almost an entire week with no blogging....hope that changes soon enough!

Until next time, farewell you beautiful people....