Make-up Looks that 'Inspire' Me

I wanted to post a few pictures of makeup looks that I love and that Inspire me to be elegant everyday.  It is sometimes so easy to get in a rut, especially when you don't feel your best and you're just going to the corner store.  However, one thing my grandmother taught me (as she was a very classy, beautiful and elegant woman) is to never leave the house looking unkept, even and especially if you're just going to the store, because you never know who you may run into.  My philosophy on makeup has changed radically over the years - I used to buy every trendy colour on the market and wear bold, crazy colours.  Within the last 5 years as my look has evolved from trendy to more modern classic and preppy, so has my makeup look.  I now look at makeup as something to be used to enhance my features.  Makeup, in my opinion, should be soft, natural looking with neutral colours that suit your skin tone.  Here are some looks I LOVE:

10 Accessories and Style Essentials Every Woman Needs

In my opinion, every woman who wants to add beauty and elegance into her life, needs to add these essentials into her wardrobe and jewelery box.  These essentials are timeless, classic, elegant and will never go out of style.  I think adding a touch of trendy can really add a modern flair to a woman's look, but in the end, you can never go wrong with these: 1) PEARLS - I love pearls so much!  Every woman needs a beautiful pearl necklace and pearl earings (nothing says classy better than a pair of pearl stud or drop earings).  The best thing about pearls is that they make an evening look uber-elegant,  while adding sophistication to a very casual, comfortable look! 2) DIAMONDS - Diamonds are a girls best friend!!! I think that the rule of thumb for diamonds  is to keep it simple.  For everyday, a pair of diamond stud earings or a white-gold and diamond pendant is the hallmark of class! 3) SCARFS and PASHMINA's: French women know the power and  appeal of a beautiful scarf!  The great thing about scarfs is that you can make them work for any outfit. Every woman dreams of one day owning a Hermes!!!! 4) The Trench There is something about putting on a trench coat that makes you feel like you own the world - this is one coat will be forever be timeless and classic: 5) EXPENSIVE WATCH: Every time I see a woman with a beautiful watch, she always seems to look so sophisticated!!! A woman who wears a watch is put together, elegant and exudes power and charisma!!!   6) THE 'WHITE' SHIRT If a woman can only afford to have one signature staple in her wardrobe, I would suggest that  it be the classic white shirt!!!  Worn with black dress pants, a pencil skirt or even tucked into an elegant, flowing, long evening skirt,nothing says CLASSIC more that this one essential  item of clothing - paired with the other essentials (pearls or diamonds, a scarf, a watch), the white shirt IS what being elegant is all about.  THe key is to make sure its a simple white shirt and not full of ruffles or over-done details, this takes the class right out of the shirt: 7) BASIC BLACK PUMP SHOE This should be a staple in every woman's wardrobe - it goes with 'everything' and it is always in style and always classy - it goes with a pair of jeans and a classic white shirt, the little black dress and is 'essential' for a pencil skirt! 8) THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS: Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's - the little black dress has, is and always will be classy, timeless and sophisticated.  You can be in Paris, New York, Milan and you will always be seen as fashionable and stylish: 9) THE KNEE LENGTH BOOT In those cold winter months, why should a woman give up on style? There is something very sexy and appealing about a woman who wears kneee length boots - anything above the knee and you're getting into that 'pretty woman'/prostitute look, but the knee length boot add just enough sexiness while still being elegant and lady-like: 10) AN ELEGANT PURSE: To complete every outfit, my grandmother used to say that a woman needs 2 things - one, a good pair of shoes and  two - an elegant, expensive purse.  I think that if you're going to 'splurge' on a purse, make it worth it - make it timeless, classic, sophisticated and elegant.  For me, it would have to be the 'Kelly' :

What's in my makeup bag???

What's in my makeup bag: Here are some of my favourite products and colours:   FACE:   1) Loreal True Match in N4   2) Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in 'Nude'   3) Bobbi Brown Powder Blush in Tawny   4) MAC's Mineralize Blush in Gentle     EYES - my eyes are a grey-green, hazel mix - I find that these colours work the best with my skintone and eye colour:   1) MAC Shroom eyeshadow as base 2) MAC Satin Taupe eyeshadow:   ' 3) Laura Mercier Sable eyeshadow       4) Laura Mercier 'Pewter' eyeshadow   5) MAC Shale eyeshadow:   6) MAC's Teddy eyeliner (my all time favourite) 7) MAC's Prunelle eyeliner:     8) MAC's Embark eyeshadow (that I use to smudge into my liner on the top lashline):     LIPS - I  love lipstick!!!!!  Here are my favourite and signature shades - I will love these timeless colours forever:   1) Laura Mercier lipstick in 'CInnamon'     2) Chanel lipstick in Baroque:         3) Maybelline in 'Crazy for Coffee':     Here are my favourite EVENING/GLAM shades:   4) MAC's Rebel lipstick:   5) MAC's Russian Red:   Lipliners:   6) Annabelle lipliner in spice:     7) Laura Mercier 'Rosewood' liner:   8) MAC 'Beet' Liner (for Rocker and Russian Red - the glam/evening look):

How I Like a Man to Dress

Every well dressed woman should be with a well dressed man. When I think of classy men, I usually think of the late John F Kennedy Jr, Cary Grant, Richard Gere and George Clooney- I've posted some examples of how I like a man to dress! I love the look of a 'Brooks Brothers' Suit - there is something so appealing about a business or power suit!!! I walked past Banana Republic a few days ago and loved what I saw in the window - It was a beige blazer that was layered on-top of a stipped white and blue shirt, a navy tie and paired with jeans, a belt and these very preppy, loafer like shoes. I remember thinking - "wow, talk about a modern yet classy casual look for day - this is how every man needs to dress!" I wish that more men understood how appealing it is to a woman when they dress well - just look at George Clooney - there are women waiting to take a number!

RED Lipstick

Every classy, sophisticated, elegant and regal woman owns her perfect shade of red lipstick. Red lipstick epitomizes 'class' and only a classy woman wears red the right way and for the right occassion! For example, the little black dress with a string of pearls is the perfect outfit for red lips. I also think red looks very elegant during the day if you wear it with the right outfit - possibly a crisp white shirt, black dress pants, a white gold diamond pendant, white gold or silver watch and diamond stud earings. Every woman should get to the place in her life where she can say with pride: "I don't just wear red lipstick - I 'OWN' red lipstick"!!!!!!

Nautical-Preppy Elegance

Lately I've been drawn to everything preppy and nautical - going back to the old money New England type style - There is something so mystical and beautiful about a women who carries herself with this type of style. Jackie O always comes to mind when I think about this type of style! Here are a few pictures that I think really capture this elegant look: