The Azalea Trails

This past weekend, the River Oaks Garden Club presented the Azalea Trails event that was hosted by two MFAH house museums, Rienzi and Bayou Bend, as well as five other locations.

Though I am a native of Houston, I had never been to the Azalea Trails or even Bayou Bend before this past weekend. I am glad, though, that I finally went and checked this event out over the weekend, otherwise I may had never known how beautiful the grounds at Bayou Bend truly are.

Needless to say, I will definitely be make more trips to Bayou Bend now that Spring has come and enjoy the nice weather while I can.

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Current Hair Pin-spiration

 

Over the past five or so years, I have tried (and failed) to grow out my pixie. However, after my last haircut in mid December, I decided that I (again) want to grow my hair out and preferably to a short bob. I just really hope that my sometimes lack of patience won’t get me again because I really would love to change up my ‘do. Eeek!

Luckily for me, I know how to manage a bob-like hairstyle as I have had one before. The unfortunate part of it is that it has been seven years (see the above photo) since I have last had this hairstyle. Needless to say, I may need to invest in a small straightener and a nice hair dryer again!

Also, I am hearing a variety of things on how best to treat your hair when trying to grow it out. So if y’all have any tips and/or tricks for this, please let me know!

Y’all have a great weekend!

-Christen

 

Psst… Be sure to check out these images and more on my Hairspiration board on Pinterest!

Lovin’ Right Now: Smashbox Cover Shot Eye Palettes

 

Fate came in for me recently as right around the moment my favorite it! Cosmetics trio of eyeshadows started to become non-existent, Smashbox came out with their new Cover Shot eye palettes.

I LOVE the soft light and matte palettes. They’re perfect for my more minimalistic makeup approach and can easily be intensified with some fitting eyeliner. I also just prefer a softer eye during this time of year, as Houston weather never knows what it wants to do and ends up just driving my sinuses mad. And no one likes a smoky eye look ruined by watery eyes.

Happy Friday!

-C  

 

(Image via Smashbox website)

Style to Admire: Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle has been in the limelight for a while now, with playing the role of Amy Jessup in Fringe and Rachel Zane in Suits. Like her character Rachel Zane–this lady has got some style!

With her newfound status as the significant other of Prince Harry, I’m sure we will be seeing more and more of her. Also, I always knew she had good acting chops and amazing style, but I recently found out about her humanitarian efforts in Africa (i.e. providing clean water, building new latrines for school aged children, and more).

Needless to say, I not only admire her style but also her work ethic and big heart. Definitely a woman that many could look up to.

-C

 

(Find more style inspiration here)

$50 and Under for Her Gift Guide

I honestly cannot believe Christmas is this week!

I’ve yet to wrap my gifts and I need to figure out what I’m going to wear for Midnight Mass and for the big day. In actuality, I just have been putting off a-lot of Christmas related things as it had not felt like that time of the year down here until this past weekend (yay for cooler temps!).

Here’s to the most wonderful and stressful time of the year!

-C

 

(From left–> Marc Jacobs Lipstick Set: Sephora; Earrings: Bauble Bar; Cashmere Fingerless Gloves: Nordstrom; Minted Daisy iPad Case: Anthropologie; Purse: Nordstrom; The Beatles 1 Album: Urban Outfitters; PJ Short Set: Topshop; “The Southerner’s Cookbook”: Barnes & Noble; Biker Jacket: H&M; Scarf: Urban Outfitters)

$25 and Under Gift Guide for Her

 

As much as we all love the holiday season, it can honestly be a really be a stressful time, especially when you are shopping for others. Don’t worry y’all, no matter if they’re a a music lover, planner, bibliophile, beauty junkie, cat lover, or a wannabe chef, you’ll find something for everyone who is on your list.

And for those who are struggling to find that perfect gift, I have cultivated a few lists of some of my personal favorites (starting with this one) to help you out. I personally love to go with more quirky gifts, hence the cat coloring book for the cat lover in your life (seriously though…they probably have enough stuffed cats as it is) or a sassy mug for the bibliophile.

Just remember that they’ll be happy just with knowing you thought of them this holiday season.

Happy holiday shopping y’all! 

-C

 

(From left–> Bon Iver “22, A Million” LP: $25,98; Adorn Essential Oils Set: $24; Jot What It Takes Pencil Set: $19.99; Bonheur 2016/2017 Planner: $22; “A Million Cats” Coloring Book: $9.95; “Milk and Honey”: $15.19; Sephora Favorites Travel Perfume Set: $25; “Cool Story, Poe.” Mug: $16; “One Pan, Two Plates”: $24.95; Y’s and Wherefores Necklace: $19.99)

Top 5 Things in My Fall Makeup Bag

1.Butter London Nail Polish in British Racing Green– I love this color for when I want to step away from my tried and true shades (aka neutrals and red). It’s perfect for fall as the color is a nice hunter green and it has great staying power.

2. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella–Scarlet red in color, this lip pencil and lipstick in one crayon has a great matte finish and doesn’t dry out your lips. I also love that this color in particular can be worn by a variety of people with different skin tones and still look amazing on. Also, the size of it is wonderful as it can easily travel with you no matter the size of your purse.

3. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Whiskey–This eye pencil is a lovely, rich brown matte color that really makes my hazel eyes pop. I also love how long it lasts, as well as how easy it is to apply. I’ve never done that well with liquid eyeliner due to the application of it, so an eyeliner like this one is exactly what I need.

4. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette–This palette is a-ma-zing! I honestly love the shades that come in this smaller palette and how often I can use them. It also is great for daytime wear/work, as the shades are both matte and neutral. I love pairing a few of the shades with my Urban Decay pencil for a more natural look and then adding some oomph with a bold lip.

5. Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara–A while back I got the O!Mega Lash Volumizing Mascara by Marc Jacobs as a sample from Sephora (and loved it), but I wanted to opt for something a little more toned down, which led me to purchasing this particular mascara. I love how it adds volume to my long lashes without making them look too grand. It also is really long lasting and even though it’s not water proof, I have been able to walk through a bit of rain with it on and didn’t end up looking like a raccoon (success!).

Wednesday Want: OPI’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s Collection

 

What is more perfect than combining one of my favorite movies and books of all time with nail polish? Nothing much–that’s for sure!

All in all, come the holiday season, this collection will be mine.

 

Who else is excited to be able to wear Tiffany blue on their nails?

-C

(Photo via The Beauty News)

Lovin’ Right Now: Deborah Lippmans’s Shades of Berry Nail Set

One of the easiest ways to transform your look for Fall, even when it’s still warm out, is through your nail polish.

Though I do love a good neutral nail, I’m also a big fan of berry and wine shades for f/w as there’s just something so rich and warm about them. Also, these shades will definitely complement a variety of items that you have in your closet and maybe even that Pumpkin Spice Latte you may have already gotten. 😉

Have a good long weekend y’all! 

-C

(Deborah Lippmann Shades of Berry Nail set: $36 at Sephora)

The Evolution of Hair

From a lob to a buzz cut pixie to having my hair an array of different colors (yay for home color kits that don’t always work) to an undercut to a buzz cut to the current pixie with my semi natural hair coloring (red still likes to peek out every now and then)–my hair has been through a lot.

Recently, I’ve decided to grow out my pixie to a little bit longer length. I’m thinking something around the middle left picture or a little bit shorter. It’s not that I don’t like having a short pixie anymore, I honestly am just wondering what I now would look like with a bit longer hair as it’s been a few years now since it’s been that long.

Luckily the heat down here has been helping with the growth process so let’s hope by Fall i’ll have it at that length again!

-C

P.S. Isn’t it funny seeing how much you’ve changed and matured (even just over a 5 year span) by looking at pictures of your past self?