Winter obsession

 

Right now, CO is cold. Not “oh let’s snuggle” cold, but “Sweet giblets of fire, I need a hot shower right now and don’t anyone touch me!” When the weather gets like this, it’s time for me to bust out my winter clothes and pull out my trusty cardigan.

This thing is so warm and cozy; you don’t need to snuggle with anyone…unless you want to. It’s a bit big; a holdover from when I was heavier, but it still works for me. I like to layer it over tanks, turtlenecks, and dresses. It’s a nice causal look that’s not to slouchy. This to me…is the equivalent of sweatpants and t-shirts. I love this thing and it saddens me every season when I have to put it away. I have yet to find anything that comes close and I probably won’t for a long time.

Closet Organization

 

Closet organization:

I have to preface this by saying I’m not in my dream closet. Not even close, but I make it work for me. I’m just awesome like that.

Let me start by saying that I’m a bit neurotic with my organizing. I start by putting everything in a category. Tops are broken into Sleeveless…short sleeved…3/4 sleeved…long sleeved

Pants are a bit more complicated: dress pants then casual, further broken into lengths, then into colors

Dresses go from short to long. I wear blazers and such, so those go in the same order. Vests to long sleeve blazers.

Once that is set up, we break it into colors. I use the ROYGBIV method, which works for me. Since black, white and brown are not in that, I put them first. So that means: white—> gray —> brown—> black—> red—> orange—> yellow—> green—> blue—> indigo—> violet

(Does the shelf look like it’s bowing? Maybe I should invest in a closet system…)

I always know when someone is in my closet and I get extremely pissed if someone messes it up in any way. I refuse anyone’s help with laundry…

Don’t judge…it works for me.

The clothes all go to the right, since I’m right handed. There are clothes that get folded and I have specific drawers for that as well. All bras in one, socks in another, sexy lingerie in one, lounge clothes in a different one. Having worked for several clothing stores, I have developed a particular way to fold my clothes as well. Again, don’t help me if you can’t pick it up. I won’t be upset.

Don’t judge…it works for me.

If I can, I put my heavy coats in a different place all-together, esp. if they are winter coats.

I put my shoes on a bookshelf, which I plan to upgrade to something bigger in my next place. Once that happens, I’ll organize them according to style and color. I also put my purses on a bookshelf. I need to organize them better though. I have plans when I have the space, but for now, this is working for me.

Looking at the pictures I’m not impressed with my closet. I mean…it’s functional, but not what I’m really looking for. Pictures…they tell a story your eyes don’t want to see.

So my question to you ladies is: What do your closet’s look like?

 

 

SOTD=Shoe of the day

I bought these shoes a few days ago from www.shoedazzle.com to complete an outfit and I have to say…I’m in love. I tried them on because I have to admit, I’ve been disappointed when ordering from them and www.justfab.com with the shoes and how they fit. These…make up for that…mostly.

A very nice height with a platform that cushions the feet. They make my feet look so cute and small…Yay! My only gripe is the part by the ankle which is loose, but I figure I can fix that with a pair of skinny jeans so it’s not a big deal.

Skin care routine

 

My skin care routine is pretty simple. My skin as I have aged, has gotten sensitive to changes in products and I tend to break out if it’s too drastic. For the longest time, I had oily skin. I didn’t really break out a lot since I kept my skin clean, but I did break out and I never changed my routine. About six month ago, I went into Ulta looking for the face brightener that Clinique sells. They didn’t have it, but the salesperson steered me towards a different question. She asked me a few questions and to my surprise, my skin was COMBINATION. Who knew? So, based on this new information I bought some new things to better care for my skin.

First step is this facial wash that I found. The clerk recommended that I use just a bit of water, work it into my face, then one I rubbed it around a bit, and then lather up. She was saying that if you lather up first, you tend to wash away about 50 of the facial wash. A little does go a long way

I use this astringent when my face is feeling kind dirty or I’m in the middle of a breakout.

After I rinse off, I use this facial lightener. I have a few scars on my face from chicken pox and acne breakouts that I just couldn’t keep my fingers away from. I also have a darkening of the skin that is common in women of color and this helps even things out. I let this sit in for about 5 min…enough time to pick out an outfit. I sometimes use an under eye roller from Oil of Olay, but lately I have just been using the skin brightener. I think I may go back to the under eye treatment though. Winters here in CO are tough on the skin.

I finish with Oil of Olay moisturizer. I used to use a gel one from H2O, but they stopped carrying it a long time ago. Oil of Olay has done me well so I stay with them. I may have to use something a bit heavier though this winter…actually every winter. My skin dries out like a paper bag in the cold and I do not find flaky skin sexy.

After all this, I’m ready to go. About once a month, I will use a nice clay mask to draw out impurities and the occasional facial scrub.

Tell me ladies…what do you use to keep you skin radiant and healthy?

OOTD

OOTD

Coming back from a business trip in WY

Hair products

Some of you may not know, but I am natural. A long time ago, I used to relax my hair and I did it for a while. When I made the move to CO, I knew that it was time for a change, that I did not want the maintenance in this dry climate, so I took the plunge. No big chop, but instead just let the hair grow out with no chemicals and no heat. Throughout the process, I read up and experimented with different products to achieve the results that I wanted. It’s been a fun struggle since My hair type is what they call 4c…very curly or what some would say nappy. I just say hard to comb and move on. In my travels, I have come across a a few products that I like. They are all by Crème of Nature, which I must say is hard to find in CO.

I love, love, Love this stuff. It’s a spray leave in conditioner and it leaves my hair silky, moisturized and smooth. It used to come in a smaller bottle that was red. I also like to use this when I’m styling my hair and it’s dry.

this is the shampoo. The smell on this is amazing. Once the warm water hits it…ahhh. It has a detangling element to it that I love and helps with my comb out. still a bit of a struggle, but better than not using it.


this is the conditioner, different than the leave-in that I talked about earlier. Again, makes the hair soft and smooth and hydrated.

This product is something I have seen other women rave about on YouTube and Facebook and I wanted to try it out. I will have to let you know how I like it.

Favorite blog of the month

Have you ever found something that just…caught your attention and wouldn’t let go? Something so fierce and beautiful that you thought of it morning…noon…and night? That you dreamed of it? Have you ever thought of something so much that when people talk to you, you blurt it out, then wonder why everyone is staring at you so hard?

I think I’ve found mine something…at least for this month

So…I’m a bit obsessed with http://www.vivadivaglam.com/blog/.

It is the quintessential blog of glamor and decadence and just being a diva. I love it. Every time I go to the site or watch one of her videos, I just get inspired all over again. watching her, I feel that it’s okay to dress up to go to dinner and that buying nice things is not a big deal. It does make sense to spend the money on investment pieces, items that will last the long haul. Following trends is nice, but being classic never goes out of style. I just…I have girl crush. What can I say?

Untitled #41

Untitled #41 by stylishafter30 featuring pointed toe flat shoes

Dolce Gabbana sleeve less shirt
farfetch.com

Minimum white jacket
$110 - zalando.co.uk

Cheap monday jeans
$50 - zalando.co.uk

ASOS pointed toe flat shoes
asos.com

STELLA McCARTNEY faux handbag
barneys.com

Blue Nile 14k white gold earrings
bluenile.com

Chanel jewelry
1stdibs.com

Edp perfume
macys.com

Ready

Ready by stylishafter30 featuring Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

Short dress
glitzyangel.co.uk

Antik Batik jacket
25park.com

Christian Louboutin high heel pumps
christianlouboutin.com

Alexander McQueen black skull purse
shopsavannahs.com

14k white gold jewelry
zales.com

NARS Cosmetics eyebrow makeup
$27 - asos.com

Marc Jacobs fragrance
marcjacobs.com

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics nail polish
barneys.com

Fall wish list

Fall wish list:

With fall fast approaching, my mind turns as it always does, to the cooler weather and what I’m going to wear. Never one to really follow the trends, I like to gravitate to the classics. Those pieces that you know you can put away for the season and when you pull them out, they will still be as fresh as they were when you put them away. This year, I’ve got my eyes for a few things that always seem to escape my grasp

Cute heeled boots. I tend to buy lots of flats in boots, but this year, I’m making a promise to myself. I will buy some boots that are well heeled and I WILL wear the hell out of them.

Sweaters. Having lost a lot of weight, I still have a hard time regulating my body temp. I am perpetually cold and there will always be a sweater in my car or bag. That’s just how it works.

Gloves. Gotta have gloves like I have purses and shoes. Something to match my every mood.

Tights. Did I just hear a gasp? There is nothing wrong with a grown woman wearing tights. There is a problem when you try to turn them into pants, but that is a rant I shall save for another time. Some nice tights with a cute tunic, or a sweater dress or a chunky skirt…gold my friend. Gold.

Sweater dress. I have one and I want another one…or two. Isn’t the red one so sexy!

 

I think I’d like some biker boots. Some call them moto boots, but the idea is the same. I know, I just said I buy too many flat boots, but I’ve been seeing these a lot and they will probably be around a while, so this is a bandwagon I’m not afraid to jump on. They would look good with some patterned jeans…right?

What are you lovely ladies looking for this fall season? Do share!

Desert island

I was watching naked and afraid on T.V. the other day and it got me thinking about survival and what I would do. I was also watching The Walking Dead, but that is completely different.

If I were to ever be stranded on a desert island, there are just a few beauty items that I would need to hold me over. Not sure how long I would last with them, but it would be a better day with them.

Chapstick. It’s a desert island…there is sun…lips get chapped.

 

Lotion. I’m a woman of color and I do not do ashy. At any time. No matter what.

 

Sunscreen. I have a very low tolerance for UV rays, breaking out at the first hint of them and so sunscreen is a must. I’ll toss out the chapstick in place of this.

Toothbrush and toothpaste…no explanation needed on this one

I have to say my list is short and uncomplicated.

So let me put this out there for all you lovely readers…What would your list be and why?