White teeth in 2 hours!

The last few weeks I started noticing my teeth were not as white as they used to be and my whitening pre brush rinse and whitening toothpaste aren't doing the job anymore. It was time to use some whitestrips.
Our company's Holiday party is on Friday, so I didnt want it to take a bunch of sessions to achieve results.

Last night I went to Rite Aid, found the toothpaste aisle, and took about five seconds deciding that I wanted the Crest 3D White Whitestrips Dental Whitening Kit, 2 Hour Express

Did the Pouf go the way of the Dodo?

My mad Microsoft paint photo editing skills.  ;)

Halloween Nails

Today IS Halloween and if you were wanting to see this tutorial to do your nails for a party or for Halloween then I screwed up and I am sorry. I really wanted to get this done before today. :(

However if you wanted a year to practice doing your nails so you could have awesome nails for next year then this blog post is for you. ;)

First of all,

This is my first tutorial ever. If I leave anything out, Please ask me questions you have in the comments. I will answer them.

I didnt come up with the idea to do frankenstein monsters on my fingernails completely originally. I had the idea, but then I looked up some tutorials on Youtube.
Angie on the Goldiestarling channel has lots of great tutorials. Here are two that helped me out.

Halloween Nail Tutorial Lil' Frankies

Halloween Cartoon Dracula Nails

Ok. Here we go!

Frankenstein's Monster

First, Here is what I used for this design:

Base coat

Green

White

Black

Black Stripe Rite Striping polish (Can find these at Sally Beauty Supply)

Top Coat

I didnt use the blue polish for the Frankenstein.

I did use it for all the other nails except the ring fingers and thumbs 

Eyes make the face.

I've never been one to wear a ton of makeup. If my skin was clear enough consistently, I wouldn't wear any foundation or powder. I used to be able to do this in high school.
I really wish my skin was clear now tho because I am lazy.

My routine currently looks like this:


I wash my face in the shower
MAC Skin Brightening Serum
MAC Primer
Foundation of some kind.
Concealer on the uneven spots
MAC Powder all over
Little bit of blush
MAC Skin finish on my cheek bones.
then I curl my eyelashes. ( I know this is part of the eyes, but my curler stays home nowadays)
 then MAC fix + spray.


OK so that definitely seems like a lot but I hate that I  have to wear all this crap. so maybe my previous statement is incorrect.  It's more accurate to say, "I've never been one to WANT to wear a ton of makeup." I cannot stand the caked on feeling. It's just that age and mistreatment have taken natural beauty from me. HA HA I know I'm not exactly old and ugly now, but my skin has acquired blotchy, uneven parts over time that I have to cover up.

In high school and even a couple years after it.. I would have skipped all that and gone straight for the eyes.

The EYES make the face and always will.. I usually do my face routine at home, and then do my eyes at work to save time...I guess?

The eye routine honestly takes less than 5 minutes, probably about 90 seconds. So I'm not sure who I am kidding with that time saving crap.  *LAZY*

On days when I do NOT do my eyes at all, due to lack of time or forgetting or LAZINESS..whatever, I get comments like "WOW, you look really tired." or "Are you feeling okay?"

HA HA.

Eyes are really easy. So there is no excuse for me not doing it. Other than, I don't really care whether people find me attractive at work. in fact I would prefer if they thought I was plain Jane.
White eyeliner in the waterline. (MAC)
Black eyeliner on the lower lash line.. Or not (MAC)
Black mascara. (Benefit)

Nail Colors for a Rainy Day.

I love Oregon, it's beautiful. It's a great place to live. It's wet most of the year which is why it is so green and lush. but sometimes that much rain can get depressing

This year our summer was ridiculous. It didn't start until mid July, the weather was more like rainy February, or November right up until it became summer suddenly. Rainy. Rainy, rainy, grey and depressing. SO DEPRESSING. Drab and sad..
.. and then it was gone.
Since Summer came and went with a snap of the fingers, I've been making my fingernails bright and sunny to offset the greyness outside.

Colorful nail polish is a great way to liven myself up since my wardrobe consists of mainly blacks, greys, and blues. At about 8 dollars a bottle (well, that's the most I will pay) per bottle it's cheaper than jewelry.

I'm not in love with them.

When I am trying to decide if I want to buy something, I usually will think to myself, or say to whomever I am shopping with,  "I love them, but I'm not in love with them" or alternatively, "I'm in love with them" and of course, there is always "ew no"

But when I come out of the dressing room to meet my boyfriend empty handed (and this is boyfriend who has been patiently waiting for 20 minutes for me to try on arm loads of clothes) and he says "wha? nothing?!" my response has been reduced to simply "I was not in love with them". and he rolls his eyes and nods his head. and then we go to the sportsy store.  <3 ;)

Do any of you have silly sayings like this that you use when trying to determine if you really "NEED" something?

or just sayings when you are shopping?

I'm Still Here!!!

Hello there!
I am sorry I haven't really been around lately, I haven't been feeling terribly inspired to finish anything. I have about 5 half completed posts.  Some of them are irrelevant now that it's September 30th and summer is basically over, but I think I still may rework them and post them in October.

You can even expect a hair post or two soon! =)

<3

Giant Purse Syndrome

Time to whine..

I have been carrying HUGE purses since high school.. No, since middle school. My school bags were always one shoulder messenger bags weighing around 25 lbs. Always filled with books and makeup and magic. Pretty much everything excluding the kitchen sink.. So,

WHY AM I JUST NOW HAVING EXCRUCIATING SHOULDER PAIN FROM THIS?!?

I weighed my purse from the What's in Whitney's purse? installment. While empty, my favorite bag weighs under 5 lbs. With much much less junk than I had shown in that post, the barest essentials (my wallet, my phone, and my ipod) it weighs around 6 lbs.  Even with the reduced contents it's been KILLING my right shoulder. I stopped carrying such a large bag about three weeks ago. I downgraded to a really old bag that I don't particularly care for, in order to give my shoulder muscles/joint/?? a break for a while. Well, that really didn't help. Over this past weekend it became much worse. it started aching when I wasn't even moving. so today I started taking ibuprofen and I am using a.. wait for it.. freebie bag that I got for buying a MAC brush set during the  'A Tartan Tale Collection for Holiday 2010'.. Its a cross body clutch sized thing..It is the most neutral colored, cross body style, and smallest thing that will hold what I need to survive.. I am carrying, lip moisturizer, my phone, my debit card, my bus pass and my ID. It weighs a whopping 10 ounces.

M.A.C Tartan clutch with a pen for size reference.

I should change this blog to "SHOES this SHOES that..." because seriously?... well..

In the last five days I have purchased seven pairs of shoes..

five pairs (in one day) from Beyond the Rack. and two more from DSW.

I think I have a problem..
I have been justifying the crazy shoe buying as "just getting ready for Vegas" A trip that I am taking in August with my boyfriend for my birthday

Then I had some reasonable thoughts on why I shouldn't buy a billion things (shoes) "for Vegas"

first of all.. we haven't even purchased the trip yet. I should be saving my money for that..
second.. I have zero outfits picked out, so I might be going about this the wrong way.. shoes should match the outfit not match the outfit to the shoes..
third.. I should be SAVING money for Vegas. main thing there is the gambling.
fourth.. we are only going for like five days.. I dont need seven pairs of shoes.
fifth.. I cant even walk in heels...
          ...but this barely counts as a reason.

But then more justifications kick in to cancel the reason out..

Hello!? Beyond the Rack has the most amazing deals of all time and how can I NOT buy 5 pairs of shoes that are like 75% off, PLUS, they are limited time deals! like as in just hours limited!
and $19.99 for a pair of shoes that was originally like $95? yes. I CAN'T! I JUST WANT TO HUG THEM ALL! (kind of like Debbie and all the cats)

Also, I had a ten dollar Rewards Certificate and a Triple Points coupon from DSW burning a hole in my purse. The triple points coupon was about to expire, and I wanted those points to get my next ten dollar rewards certificate. come on! because I NEED MORE SHOES!
Ok, maybe not need.. but hey.. I really did need some strappy shoes.. I only have pumps, which would be way too hot in the 109 degree plus heat that August in Las Vegas Nevada is sure to deliver.
but anyway..

Here is my haul from Beyond the Rack

Maxi Dresses

When maxi dresses first became popular three or four summers ago, I was NOT a fan. at that time they were loose, ankle length tubes that made even twig figured women look like tree trunks.

but now.. Though, I am 51 percent sure that I will not be caught wearing a Maxi anytime soon...I love a few of the styles that now exist out there.
If only I weren't already a tree trunk.. But if I were... say,  Nicole Richie I would wear my own design, obviously.. and that would be awesome. Winter Kate is Nicole Richie's brand.. and I am IN LOVE with her collection which is for sale here.

My favorite style is this one:

So pretty! the Harlequin dress in red floral

and the same dress in the other color,

 If I had 570 dollars to spend on these two dresses ($285 each) I would absolutely have snatched them up by now and held them in my closet for the day when I lose like 40+ lbs and am able to look good in these gorgeous dresses...

for now, I will just keep my eyes open for imitations or similar styles.

If you know of any pretty maxi's that are less than or equal to $100 and resemble the above, please please let me know, I would love to have a dress like this for my Vegas vacation in August which I hope to be about 20 lbs thinner for.. :)

What's in Whitney's purse?

Wow, this title makes me think of the game "What's in grandma's purse" where you take turns going from A to Z making up things that are in "grandma's purse". It's fun because it involves more than just naming off items alphabetically, and you have to memorize all the items in order from A to Z and repeat it before you get to the next letter... I've played it while drinking and floating on intertubes on a lake with some friends, so that might have been why it was so fun. It's silly and mindless and something you can do when you are relaxing..

I will not be alphabetizing the contents of my purse. haha. but I have photos so this wont be totally boring,. hopefully...

YouTube is full of vlogs where people show you the contents of their purse, but I'm a little(lot) video camera shy..  so a photo blog is what you get today

Here is my purse. I LOVE IT. I got it from Nordstrom Rack, I had never heard of the brand, but I saw it and I picked it up and I had to own it.  OR by orYANY
They had it in a muted brownish red color that I debated getting instead, but as I believe I have said before, black is the go to color when I can't choose.

this purse is huge, and has expandable zipper panels. So it's just perfect for me. =)

So here is what I have in my purse, with the expandable zipper panels zipped up...

LOTS of stuff.

Here is a break down.

Beauty Products

1. My paddle brush, and a grandpa comb... For days when I don't bring my huge brush.

2. a black claw clippy. I only really use these for drying my hair so I'm not really sure why or how this got in my purse.

3. 15 hair pins for brown hair. why 15? That seems like so many you say? I have no idea. I probably keep stashing them, but i will NOT have fly away hair any time soon =) It's nice to have them, since my hair is too short to really put up.  

4. three nail polishes. OPI in Manicurist of Seville, OPI Top Coat, and Nicole by OPI in Make a Comet-ment

5. I got this really cool nail file with a plastic holder specifically for my purse so that my phone, sunglasses and ipod wont get scratched up and ruined

6. two pairs of tweezers. to be fair, they were in different pockets, so I didn't know they were in there.

7. two types of mascara, one is the Maybelline Turbo Volume Express waterproof mascara, and the other one is the Badgal plum mascara by Benefit.

8. My M.A.C Eye Kohl in Prunella

9. a M.A.C pencil sharpener.

10. Nivea A Kiss of Rejuvenation Q10 Anti-Aging lip care with SPF4 =)

11. Two M.A.C Compacts, one is the remnants of my old iridescent pressed powder in Belightful, and the other is the remnants of my Select sheer pressed powder in NW15.



12. OPI Avoplex cuticle oil to go
13. Bath & Body works Fresh Picked Hand Sanitizer. This stuff smells delicious, (like cherry pie) and I love hand sanitizer. When I dumped out my purse, I was surprised that I didn't have at least three of these in it.

And on to the next grouping, the next two are much smaller I promise.

14. Rite aid Face Sunscreen in SPF 100+ hehe.

15. Blink for contacts lubricating eye drops

16. Floss. I keep meaning to start flossing daily... but you know...

17. Midol!

 

18. my wallet. it's from cost plus I think, my mom got it for me for my birthday last year. it has zebras on it. I like zebras :D
19. two pens, one green ink and one purple.
20. my phone, Samsung Memoir, its a camera! no it's a phonera.
21. old tickets to movies, the ticket to Adam Carolla at the Aladdin theater that my boyfriend got me for my birthday, the auto show, and Portland Beavers Baseball tickets.
22. Keys to my work.
23. two shopping lists.
24. a lighter, just in case I need to light something on fire... honestly, I don't smoke or anything I just carry a lighter.
25. some recipes I printed out for the future bakitude.
26. Sookie Stackhouse novel, Dead in the Family, by Charlaine Harris. This is what I read when I take the bus to work sometimes.
27. my ipod. and no headphones.. because I always forget them at work..

I think that's all I had in my purse. perhaps some day I will show you the inside of my wallet, but not tonight..

I got a manicure and pedicure done today, for my birthday which was last August.. but the gift certificate was good for a year.. =)

See? awkward pic, but you get the idea..

I have OPI Manicurist of Seville on my toes.

and a french mani on my fingers.

What kind of stuff do you carry in your purse?

Ok, That's all for now!

<3 Whitney

Makeup Maturation

If you asked 16 year old me what ONE item is the staple of my makeup collection...
My 16-year-old self would most definitely would answer eyeliner with no hesitation. I used black Prestige Cosmetics Waterproof Automatic Eyeliner  on my waterline, with some mascara and I wore almost no other makeup. That stuff is truely waterproof. and at only four dollars it's a great deal. I still use it if I am going swimming and feel like I need some makeup. 

Now that I am in my 20's my makeup tastes have evolved pretty significantly so I rarely use any black makeup other than mascara anymore. Nothing against it for sure, I actually have a M.A.C. Graphblack technakol eye-liner in my desk at work for emergencies...

I started using concealer and then foundation then blush and highlighters .
Moisturizer and primer were a pretty recent revelation for me though..
Closely following those, I dyed my hair red and got some reddish eyebrow pencil to fill in my brows.

These days I could not pick just one thing as a staple of my routine, but I can narrow it down to a few.

1. BADgal Lash mascara by Benefit Cosmetics :
My best friend Katie told me about this and it is INCREDIBLE. I hate the unnatural clumpy, sticky goopy mascara. this stuff is great, it comes in black and plum, and this is the best I've found. I bought my second tube of black and my first tube of plum yesterday. I used the plum today for the first time, and honestly I really dont notice a difference in color on my eyes, but it works the same as the black and costs the same so it's ok. I will probably use the plum for summer, since it is theoretically a lighter shade than the black. ;)

2. Iridescent pressed powder by M.A.C in Belightful :
This stuff is really pretty, it's sparkly and slightly tinted. I use it daily, sometimes in place of blush. Problem is, it was discontinued this year. so I went to the MAC store last week and asked for help finding an alternative to the irridescent pressed powder, because the color I use was discontinued, Consultant says, "BELIGHTFUL?" Turns out she was just getting ready to send the three they still had in stock back to the manfacturer, so I bought two. I guess I will have to deal with finding a replacement in two compacts.

3. Fix + by M.A.C :
This is a spray that makes my makeup last a lot longer than it normally does. I spray it on after I put my whole face of makeup on and it works as a setting spray. But apparently, this has a multitude of uses..
for foiling pigments, and eyeshadows:  I haven't tried this yet, but I saw a demo on youtube and its pretty awesome looking. you just spray some on your eyeshadow brush, pick up some pigment and swipe it over your eyelid, and it creates an extra vibrant metallic look.  You can also use it as a refresher, when it's hot out or you are feeling shiny.

4. Eye Kohl in Prunella by M.A.C :
This is my favorite eyeliner, mainly because of the color. I used to use a brown Prestige lip liner  as eyeliner, (I thought it was eyeliner and it seemed to work ok) but the color wasn't exactly what I wanted. and I found this color online, and I love it. its a brownish purple. Very pretty.

I just bought a new type of foundation, as I ran out of the one Ive been using for a couple years. It proved too heavy for summer last year, so I decided to get something lighter for this summer (if it ever comes to Oregon). It's Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15 by M.A.C. Today is my first day using it, and it seems ok so far. I like that it has sun protection. even though it's just a little.

About a month ago I came across this video called "Dear 16-year-old Me" and I am now serious about using high SPF sunscreen and trying to get the people I love to quit frying themselves in the sun..

When I was sixteen, I wore black eyeliner and crazy kneesocks, vans shoes, mini skirts and studded belts..
As the years have gone by I definitely look back at "high school Whitney" and think about what a complete dork I was then..  I don't regret that, and luckily I was never REALLY big on tanning but this video made me cry.. So I wear lots of SPF now.

Anyway, cancer sucks big time. but changing the subject...

I think I might be doing another post very soon (I KNOW more than one post a month, say whaaaaat?!) on the contents of my purse. Not super exciting, but I think it might be fun.


That's all I have for now!

<3 Whitney

Shoes here, Shoes there...

Hi!

Hair this, hair that is kind of turning out to be a monthly posting blog
Honestly it's not on purpose; it’s just the way it goes sometimes.
I will try to post more frequently, as the summer approaches I hope to feel more inspired by fashion.

Anyway, I have been buying many shoes lately... as in 4 pairs within the past 6 days. And I want to share my purchases with you. =)

We got a new DSW store in town, and I really don't need much of an excuse to go shoe shopping, but I did need something to do while hanging out with a friend, so off we went to the Designer Shoe Warehouse. It's not really a warehouse, but it is a HUGE room full of shoes, and DISCOUNTED shoes.

I freaking LOVE IT THERE because I LOVE SHOES. If I were wealthy I would have an entire room designated to storing my shoes. I already buy shoes constantly, so I should have a vault of shoes if I am a millionaire :D
My DSW purchases!

I was looking at some lace-up black and cream saddle shoe style, and I was thinking, I love these, but I don’t think I can pull this look off and then I saw these...

Steve Madden Lainz Flat

YUMMY, they look delicious.

and remind me of this...

                                                    

Dulce De Leche

I have been eyeing the next pair for over a year,

and they still had them in my size store!! 

Steve Madden Swirly Flat

JELLIES!!!! And Steve Madden Jellies no less.

The MOMENT I saw them it was a done deal.

I would have purchased them even if they hurt like hell. 

and of course...

There are these black not quite flats. They are really cute and simple.

Rocket Dog Tonic Wedge Pump

I had to choose between these and some Steve Madden black leather flats

...Honestly, I think I might need to go get the SM pair as well.

But the heel height is what sold me on these.

I wore the above shoes to work the other day, half a mile from my house to bus, and a mile from bus to office and I realized..... OWie. So they will be worn on the days I get rides to work. I was NOT looking forward to the bus ride and walk home, and I recall a store in town that sells TOMS "one for one". When you buy a pair, TOMS gives a pair to needy children.

TOMS Black Canvas Classics

When I can't decide what color to get.. Black is the go to...

plus they only had black and navy in my size..

In other news, I am trying to inventory all my shoes with photos and blurbs about why I love them to send in to one of my favorite blogs, Fashionable People Questionable Things where they do something called Monday Shoe Porn.. I think it's fun to check out other peoples shoe collections. =)

Monday will be my first paid day off from work, SO exciting!

Happy Memorial Day!

Online Shopping is hard.

There is something incredibly exciting about anxiously awaiting a purchase made online to be processed and shipped and arrive on your doorstep…
And it’s devastating to open the box and pull out your prize and then realize that it doesn’t fit right, it’s a weird shade that might be related to the picture online, but it is not what you expected (cue sad trombone).
 Here are some tools that help me avoid the distress and disappointment that follows making misguided online purchases.


1. Read the reviews
Other consumers can often be extremely useful resources as they are usually pretty honest what they like and dislike about the things they’ve purchased. But keep in mind that people are more likely to complain when they feel like they got duped or tricked or are frustrated. Don't automatically dismiss an item because the bad outweigh the good. When reviewers have consistent complaints on some particular topic, For example; "The material feels cheap" or "it accentuates my love handles instead of hiding them" or "The color is more brown than the purple that was shown in the photo online"… these can be very helpful in determining if it is worth while to add that piece of clothing to your shopping bag.
Keep in mind that one thing may not fit every body type, so be aware of the commenter’s notes to help you make an informed judgment on the wearability of a certain piece.

2. How does the model look in the clothing?

Models are paid to sell clothes and they of all people should be able to make clothes look good. Models are often extra skinny, so if you notice that they are looking a little wider in a certain frock but not in others, then chances are it’s an optical illusion caused by what they are wearing.  I know that if a model looks larger in something , I will look GIGANTIC in it.




Something that works on a stick figure most likely wont look good on me..

  
  3. Check size charts
Sizes vary not only from person to person, but from clothing brand to clothing brand. Buying garments through the internet obviously means you cannot try stuff on, so sizes like Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large can be a little ambiguous. Many times I wear different sizes depending on how I feel it should fit, but since I cant tell by testing it for myself, size charts that translate what XS, S, M, L, XL size corresponds with what numerical dress size, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and occasionally you may come across one that includes the actual bust, waist, and hip, measurements as well. Like this:




 INC International Concepts Size Chart from Macys.com    

 

I love shopping online and in stores, and I have gotten pretty good at doing it.  I know what my sizes are, and I know what shapes will look most flattering on me. But obviously these tips are not 100 percent fool proof. itcan be hit and miss on these tips as sometimes there may only be faith at your disposal.. no reviews or size charts and the model looks flattering? is the price right? is there free shipping and the return policy is fantastical? Go for it. It's a magical world that internet. But if you learn your way around it's as easy as ...1...2...3... ! (har dee har har, get it? because there are three tips)

Enjoy your shopping!

If you have any tips of your own or experiences related to online shopping feel free to share them in the comments =)

hair this, hair that...

My boyfriend inadvertently named my blog. He made a comment about how much I change my hair and talk about what I want to do with it or what I potentially might want to do someday.

I am a little hair obsessed, I LOVE to reinvent myself, and a big part of that has to do with my hair. I have had short, long and layered styles; had bangs or fringe or all one length; been blonde, brunette, redhead; I've had highlights and lowlights, etc.

I have been dating Keith for a little over 9 months, and when I met him I had chin-length black hair, I had just gotten my long hair cut into a Posh bob to preserve the 10 inches of un-bleach-fried "new growth".

Now I am trying to grow it long again, and constantly trying to improve it

I have stripped the black out, deep conditioned it, gotten highlights; I've dyed it red, which is pretty ridiculous to maintain, so I’ve been looking for the perfect color/shampoo/conditioner/product to compliment my eyes/clean but not strip/nourish and preserve/mend my ends but not weigh it down.. and so on and so on,

In my quest for better products I rattle on about hair colors and products and styles non stop..

Right now, I need a trim, and while shopping online the other day, I found a model with a really cute haircut. I posted a picture of it on my Facebook page (which is something I frequently do) to see if my peers had any insight for me.

     The only response to it was from Keith, "hair this, hair that..." 

Granted this guy has had the same hair style for almost his whole life and it works great for him, it's his trademark look. =)

That’s where I had the idea for this blog. It's place for me to reach people who get that changing your hair color, cut and style, trying new makeup products and techniques and finding new inspiration, is and it's exciting,

My hair is my expression, other people get tattoos. I change my hair color.

So it’s hair this, hair that… 

<3 Whitney

Hi and Why..

First of all, welcome to my blog! This is new to me! The only place I've ever blogged before was on a certain outdated social networking site back when it was still cool.. ;)

I decided to start this blog for a few reasons:

 One: I LOVE reading other fashion blogs and researching techniques, tips, tricks and tutorials related to fashion on the internet.

 Two: I love to talk about myself, and my personal experiences with beauty products, accessories, shopping, etc. I think my wonderful boyfriend is getting tired of listening me excitedly babble on and on about how I want my hair this color or how awesome a deal my favorite jeans were, or about how I could not live without these red pumps or that black purse..

 Three: I read lots of blogs that talk about very, very high end clothes, shoes and accessories that I would love to be able to own, but definitely cannot afford, but I can share what I can afford..

 Four: Why not?

I am not a writer or an expert in any way shape or form. I am just an amateur enthusiast interested in sharing my opinions and thoughts on fashion and personal experiences.

<3 Whitney