Queen of the Quarter Life Crisis

Sample Sale Alert: Rebecca Minkoff in LA!

QLCJamie — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:47:34 PDT

Attention LA ladies, get super excited about this. I saw a TON of Instagram photos from the New York sample sale and I can only imagine what the LA sale will bring. My eye is on the Moonstruck bag in blue/grey so keep your fingers crossed for me.

Heidi Klum Announced As the Spokesperson for CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY

QLCJamie — Thu, 10 May 2012 06:09:38 PDT

A few weeks ago I got a really fun package in the mail. I opened it up and it played music and told me that I was going to have the best night ever. That's a bold statement for me these days. Bold statement aside, I'm always up for a good hair challenge! As all of my loyal readers know, I'm very into hair and scalp health which is what, naturally, peaked my interest in the brand spanking new hair care line, CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY.

After trying out the product, which I loved, I found out that superfreak (this is what I call women who look 20 years younger than they actually are) Heidi Klum is their first spokesperson! I LOVE, love, love Heidi Klum. Not only is she amazingly gorgeous but she's also an amazing business woman. Heidi agrees with me as she mentions that she appreciates the fact that this product "feeds" the scalp, not just the ends, and gives women stronger, more beautiful hair in just seven days. Seven days is a BOLD claim, guys...and believe me, I'm still putting it to the honest test. If you think about it, it makes total sense - the same way that the best way to get the perfect makeup look is by having GOOD SKIN. The base of anything is what's most important and, according to the brand studies, 99% of hair's natural strength and beauty comes from the scalp, the foundation for strong, beautiful hair. LOVE THAT.

Exclusive Invite for LA Readers!

QLCJamie — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:12:45 PDT

If you're in the LA area this Saturday, make sure to RSVP to the 4th Annual On The Go Beauty event. I'll be there and I'm excited for all that they're offering...especially since my mom is all the way in New York and I won't get to see her! There will be a kid's area where they can be entertained while you get pampered with hairstylings from Joico and makeup by NYX Cosmetics. And, naturally, what party would be without cocktails? Voil Light Vodka will be serving bloody mary's paired with brunch apps. See you Saturday.

The Beauty Products I'm Trying This Week

QLCJamie — Tue, 08 May 2012 06:44:50 PDT

Here's what I'm trying out this week:

Winks by Georgie Style No. 1: I always love the way my eyes pop when I wear faux lashes and the packaging for these is just so cute, I can't help myself. I'm gonna give these a whirl on Saturday night.

Dr. Hauschka Rosemary Leg & Arm Toner: I love, love, love Dr. Hauschka products and I've actually had this in my beauty arsenal for quite some time. Right in time for summer bikini season, I'm curious to see if it truly does give my skin a "more youthful appearance." And, if it tones my arms and legs, well...even better.

Jane Iredale Magic Mitt: This facial towel claims to cleanse the skin with absolutely no cleanser- JUST the mitt. I'm so curious on this one...especially since my skin airs on the dry, sensitive side.

Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Eye Cream: There are so many anti-aging products on the market that it's practically impossible to figure out what you really need in a skincare regimen. I immediately grabbed up this product at the Lucky FABB conference last week once I saw the phrase "7-in-1." I mean, how can that be bad? This product claims to fight dark circles, fine lines, puffy eyes, loss of firmess, uneven texture, uneven tone and dryness (yes, that's 7 problems) in just one brush applicator. Bring it on.

The Monday Rundown

QLCJamie — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:53:47 PDT

Right now I'm really into the leopard, gold and tangerine combo. Here are my favorites of the moment:

1. Equipment Slim Signature Blonde

2. J Brand Cut-Off Short

3. Asos Spike Link Bracelet

4. Rebecca Minkoff Moonstruck bag (also mentioned here)

5. Ija Designs Double Fingered Ring

6. Steve Madden Eternnal flats

7. Kate Spade Elina flats

Hawaiian Tropic Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami (vote for me!)

QLCJamie — Wed, 02 May 2012 00:17:42 PDT

If there's one thing I'm vehemently passionate about, it's SPF and safe sun. I was featured on BellaSugar.com last May for Skin Cancer Awareness Month and was honestly SHOCKED at how many people commented on my story, saying that "vitamin D is good for you" and that you don't really need to wear sunblock. With that shocking fact said, I've partnered with Hawaiian Tropic (yes, the sunscreen that smells like coconut!) in a contest with two other beauty bloggers - I could win the chance to go with them to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami this summer!

Vote for me HERE. You just have to "like" the page (I promise they won't spam you) and then scroll down to vote for me. Oh, and you can vote more than once, btw!

BONUS:

To make things a little more interesting, if I do win, I'll do a week's worth of beauty and fashion giveaways as soon as the winner is announced, and guys, they will be GOOD prize packages, I promise. You help me, I help you.

The Monday Rundown

QLCJamie — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:40:39 PDT

Ashley Duncan Black & White Heart Bangle: I'm always a fan of the black and white combo. This bangle, currently available for pre-order, is such a cute addition to my jewelry collection.

NARS Thakoon nailpolish in "Amchoor": Yellow is "so hot right now," as I'm currently always saying. I'm loving this whole collection, available May 1st.

Cinco de Mayo Pinata Cookies: When I saw these on Pinterest, I nearly fell out of my chair. Read the directions and see if you're up to the challenge...I'm currently begging my baking-friendly friends to make them for me.

Lee Industries Linen X Bench: I've been eyeing this bench for a few weeks and was reminded of it tonight while watching Girls. The hilarious virgin cousin had two white versions lined up as her coffee table. LOVE that idea.

On Trend: A Strong Shoulder

QLCJamie — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:55:20 PDT

You all know how I go through my fashion phases and right now, I'm obsessed with a strong shoulder, which you can clearly see from the three recent dress purchases that I've made above. (Left to right: ANGL black woven dress, Tulle red dress, bebe black shoulder dress)

Besides making a fun, bold statement, they're actually super flattering...cause hey, they balance out wide hips with small shoulders, which I just so happen to have. Guys, I'm not lying when I tell you that I get THE MOST COMPLIMENTS when I wear one of these dresses. Check out the celebrity examples below, if you don't believe me. Who didn't talk about that Anne Hathaway dress?

One Bag & Three Beauty Obsessions

QLCJamie — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:33:38 PDT

I haven't done One Bag & Three Beauty Obsessions in awhile, BUT it's back.

Bag:

Rebecca Minkoff Moonstruck Silver Hardware Shoulder Bag: I attended a Crest event the other night with Whitney Port and when I saw her amazing studded greyish bag, I had to ask her - WHO designed that. The answer, duh, Rebecca Minkoff. Here's Whit wearing the bag at Coachella this past weekend.

Beauty:

Narciso Rodriguez for Her: My perfume staple since college, this fragrance is a winner EVERY time. The men love it. Trust.
Kate Somerville Exofilate Body Intensive Exofoliating Treatment: An intensive exfoliating treatment on my face? Absolutely not. On my body? Yes, it's a different ball game. I love a good body slough and this stuff does it's job.
Bumble & Bumble Prep: Lately I've been all about the prep. I've been using a makeup primer and now, I'm also into the hair styling prep. Bumble & Bumble's products are fantastic so I wasn't surprised when I started using and loving this prep product.

Chinplants: my thoughts

QLCJamie — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:36:32 PDT

Truth be told, my neck has always been a one of those body parts that I loathe. I blame my Nana because really, she started this shit. She had the "turkey neck" and so did my Aunts (my dad's older sisters- he's the youngest of 5) and now, my 65 year old father even has it, what I also refer to as, "the curse." It's one of those weird Wasp problems, I know, (and I'm so not a Wasp) but I notice it in EVERY PHOTOGRAPH of myself. We all have these insecurities so don't judge, k? I've basically just learned how to LOOK DOWN in photos (see photo above)...

I am 100% honest when I admit that living in Los Angeles has absolutely given me a body compex that I never had while growing up in New York...and, while it's upsetting, it's hard to stop. I have a very close family member that struggles with a severe eating disorder and listening to her/trying to understand her while growing up was one of the most painful things I've ever had to experience. Someone who hasn't been close to someone with an eating disorder can't even fathom what it's like; as an FYI, it's NOT about the weight...it's about the control and, as a bonafide control freak, I can attest to the fact that letting go ain't easy. While I've never technically had an eating disorder, being "body obsessed" has taken a toll on me that I've been trying to deal with and thankfully, I've manage to remind myself on the daily that I will never look like a runway model OR a size 2 celebrity but I CAN be healthy and fit. With that said, of course, I still have my insecurities - my stomach, my knees (weird, I know) and my chin. After I saw this story on Allure.com, I was honestly surprised to read that there's a 71% increase in "chinplants" since last year. And guys, I've always wanted a real chin, so no judgement...I'm just surprised that the motive behind the surgery increase is the fact that "people subconsciously associate a stronger chin with more authority, self-confidence and trustworthiness," accoring to the Allure.com story. My take on plastic surgery is: if it will make you feel better, go for it...but it's NOT a band-aid (I can speak from experience).

While I admit that I will probably end up getting a nip and neck tuck (hi, I'm vain), for now, I'm just using over-the-counter preventative measures: Kate Somerville Neck Tissue Repair with K8. I've been using this for awhile, which proves absolutely nothing at age 29, BUT I believe in everything that IS Kate Somerville so when I'm 55 and don't see the signs of "the curse," I will send Kate a very personal thank you note (before calling the chief of surgery at St. Vincent's).

photo: me looking DOWN.