Thursday, November 10, 2011

Creme of Nature Argan Oil Gloss & Shine Polisher

Happy Thursday! :)

On Monday, we talked about chic bobs and how to take care of that particular hairstyle.
Well, what about just hair in general, right?

When it comes to hair, I think the right texture is an important thing to have.

Here are some styling tips, products, and tools used by hair pros:

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Frizz Fighter - Suave Professionals Sleek Anti-Frizz Cream
Three-Barrel Waver - Gold 'n Hot Jumbo Ceramic Triple Barrel Waver
Soft-Hold Hair Spray - Byron Spirulina Hair Spray
Curling Rod - Paul Mitchell Express Ion Curl Clipless
Lightweight Oil - Moroccanoil Light Treatment
Thickening Mousse - Living Proof Full Thickening Mousse
Diffuser - T3 Featherweight Luxe Dryer

I have an anti-frizz cream, a soft-hold hair spray, a clipless curling wand, argan oil, and an amazing hair dryer.
What about you? Do you have any products similar to the ones mentioned above?

I've read tons of positive reviews about Morrocanoil, but they cost about $40 each -- and that is just a bit too pricey for me. Fortunately, there is a fantastic alternative for it!

Creme of Nature Argan Oil Gloss & Shine Polisher

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Instantly imparts radiant shine, seals in moisture and creates silky, smooth frizz-free hair. This light-weight formula adds brilliant shine to wet or dry hair and is perfect for daily use.

-Conditions, smoothes, and softens hair
-Infused with certified organic argan oil from Morocco

Directions:
Damp Hair - After shampooing and conditioning, apply a small amount to damp hair and work throughout. Style as usual.
Dry Hair - After styling, to control frizz and for protection, apply a small amount to hair as often as needed.

Price: $7.99 at Walgreens

This is the first argan oil product (besides Moroccanoil, of course) that really really worked well for me. I love it! It is a part of my daily routine -- I apply some to my hair after I shower.

It diminishes frizz and makes my hair soft, smooth, shiny, and healthy.

Even though it is oil, it does not feel greasy at all. It will not weigh your hair down.

A little goes a long way -- I've been using it for three weeks now, and it's still almost full.

I also like to use whatever is left on my hands to moisturize my skin.

It smells good -- the smell is not overpowering, it's just right.

I also find that the cap makes it so easy to use. I don't know what it's called exactly -- you just press one side and then it opens -- argh, what is it called? Aaahhh, I can't think of the right word/phrase to desribe it, but I'm hoping you get what I mean, haha! ;)

Anyways, not having to unscrew or flip open the cap makes it so much easier to use.

Another thing: I use it to get rid of tangles in my hair. My hair gets tangled a lot, and one time last week, I ran out of conditioner. So I had no choice but to shampoo my hair and not use conditioner. I just knew my hair was gonna be a mess -- luckily, I have this argan oil gloss!!! I applied some to my hair and it got rid of the tangles, it's amazing!

I think it's a great product to have on hand. It's very affordable and it will last you a long time.

Oh and by the way, this product won a beauty award!



That can only mean one thing, right? It means it's reeeeallllyyy good. ;)

Have you tried Creme of Nature Argan Oil Gloss & Shine Polisher? Is it a product you might want to try? What brand of argan oil do you use?

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Dress-Up: 5 Trends to Love!

Happy Wednesday! :D

Ever since I was a little girl, I've always loved dresses! I used to wear big dresses with tulle layers underneath everywhere -- to Church, to the mall, to parties -- everywhere (haha!).
One of the things I love the most about California is that we can wear dresses year-round!

Here are 5 dress trends that I am currently loving:

1. Sequined Striped Minis -

SEQUINED STRIPED MINIS photo | Camila Alves, Nicky Hilton, Paula Abdul

Winner: Camila Alves

I love the colors of Camila's dress, plus the different-sized stripes give the look a fun vibe. I also like her updo and minimal accessories -- they make the dress the focus of the whole ensemble!

Paul & Joe Mini Dress

2. Lacy Red Dresses -

LACY RED DRESSES photo | Jayma Mays, Kate Middleton, Rosario Dawson

Winner: HRH Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge

This is one of my favorite looks from Duchess Catherine. The dress fits her nicely and every piece of her look just go so well with each other.

Erdem Margot Lace Dress

3. Crocheted White Minis -

CROCHETED WHITE MINIS photo | Demi Lovato, Elle Fanning, Emma Roberts

Winner: Elle Fanning

Her whole look is fun, fresh, and young!

Odd Molly Dress

4. Marigold Gowns -

MARIGOLD GOWNS photo | Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain, Marisa Tomei

Winner: Marisa Tomei

This one was quite hard because yellow is my favorite color! While Bryce Dallas Howard and Jessica Chastain (plus their dresses) both look amazing, I think Marisa Tomei's skin tone makes all the difference.

from Elie Saab's Spring 2012 Collection

5. Big Bows -

BIG BOWS photo | Julianne Moore, Kourtney Kardashian, Olivia Wilde

Winner: Kourtney Kardashian

One of the main style guidelines I live by is balance -- if you're showing skin on top, cover up on the bottom and vice versa. I think Kourtney demonstrates that for us perfectly! And the bow on her dress is just the right size.

Fraulein Von Hast Mini Dress

***images from www.peoplestylewatch.com, www.looklet.com, and www.google.com***

Which of these 5 trends did you like the most?
Have you been sporting any of them lately?

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)

Monday, November 7, 2011

Hair: Hot Bobs

Hi, everyone! :D

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend!

I may have mentioned many times before that I have a fear of cutting my hair short -- primarily because my Mom had my hair cut reeeeeeaaaalllllyyy short when I was young = me being scared of haircuts since then. ;)

But now, I appreciate short hairstyles more and more -- specifically chic bobs.

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All About Bobs:

1. Which style is for you? -

Face shape determines length -- the smaller your face, the shorter you can go.

2. Layers make it modern -

A few layers can make a big difference, they give hair movement and keep the style looking natural and not too triangular on the bottom.

3. Play with shape -

Flat iron = sleekness
Curling iron = dressy curls

Here are some celebrity bobs for inspiration:








Hairstyles Bob

***images from Google***

Are you sporting a chic bob right now? Have you? Any tips on managing a bob?

I wish all of you a wonderful week ahead! :D

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Travel Destination: Top 5 Places for Snow

Hey, guys!

It finally feels like fall here in Los Angeles -- we had rain yesterday, and there's a definite chill in the air. Apparently, there's some snow coming in... not counting on that though (haha!), after all, this is California we're talking about. ;)

With that said, I am still definitely dreaming of experiencing snow -- and while researching the best places for snow, I came across www.worldinteresting.com and their list of top 5 places with the most beautiful snow:

5. Switzerland

Overhead of snow-covered roofs with the Grimmenturm (medival residential tower), Neumarkt.

Main street in montain village of Zermatt, Swiss Alps.

4. Canada

Lake Louise and surrounding mounatins in winter.

Forest in snow.

3. Japan

The pagoda of Chureito & Mount Fuji

An abandoned bicycle under snow, painted with a red glow from neon in the entertainment quarter in Susukino.

2. Alaska

Chairlift in the snow, Alyeska Ski Resort.

Hikers on Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau.

1. South Korea

Sledding at Muju ski resort in Togyu-san National Park.

Effects of the combination of wind and cold in winter, Taebaeksan Provincial Park.

***images from www.lonelyplanet.com***

Have you been to any of these 5 places? Do you agree with this list?
Which place has the most beautiful snow in your opinion?

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Wedding: Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries

Happy Wedding Wednesday... oh no, wait, it's Thursday! ;)

Okay, so this pair didn't exactly have a happy ending... as everyone knows, Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from Kris Humphries this week. And lots of rumors came out about how their marriage is a sham and stuff like that. I think we're never gonna know what the truth is, but it is definitely a sad thing as any divorce is. With that said, along with almost everyone, I didn't really think they were gonna last -- their divorce is not a shocker, but the fact that it came so soon after they tied the knot is.

But hey, it's the wedding we're gonna look at, not their marriage.
So, here we go:

Kim and Kris had a much-hyped and overly-lavish wedding in Montecito, California on August 20, 2011 -- 72 days before she filed for divorce.


Her first custom-made Vera Wang gown was a strapless one with a full tulle skirt, basque waist, and hand-pieced Chantilly lace applique on the train and the bodice. Under her dress, she wore Giusseppe Zanotti shoes.

Articles I've read said the dress was gorgeous, but I'm not really a fan -- I think it's, I really don't know how to describe it... too generic? It's like I've seen this kind of dress many times before. What do you guys think?

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Her sisters, Kourtney and Khloe served as her Maid and Matron of Honor.


All her sisters wore custom-made ivory Vera Wang dresses that featured flared tulle skirts. They all carried bouquets made up entirely of white roses.

I don't know... I think they took the "Pippa Middleton wore white to her sister's wedding" trend a bit too far.
Perhaps a little hint of color on her sisters' dresses would've been good?

kk_002

Besides little Mason, my other favorite member of their family is Bruce Jenner, haha!
He walked his step-daughter down the aisle.

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Aww, they all looked happy. It's sad that it wasn't exactly the fairytale that they said it was.

I am not a fan of the huge bow on Kris Jenner's dress. You?


I liked Kim's hair and makeup -- I think she looked beautiful and radiant.
Her earrings are undeniably gorgeous, but I'm not sure I like the headpiece.

***Diana and Marisa informed me that wearing a headpiece is an Armenian tradition. Thanks for the info, guys!***

How sad...

Kris Humphries wore an Ermenegildo Zegna white peak lapel tuxedo jacket, black tuxedo pants, white tuxedo shirt, and white bow tie.

Did you guys see Nick Lachey and Kelly Ripa dressed as Kim and Kris for Halloween?!


So funny, I couldn't stop laughing!

Anyway, back to the wedding...

Kim Kardashian Wedding

Their 440 guests were asked to wear either black or white.
I guess the majority went for black.

aisle-runner

The aisle was covered with a 196 feet runner adorned with 750 hand-applied Swarovski crystals, featuring the couple's double K monogram on each end and vintage flourishes on the sides. The runner was made by The Original Runner Company.

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They erected a grand marquee on the lawn for the reception.

Kim Kardashian Wedding

The marquee featured draped black and white curtains.
Large arrangements of white roses lined the walkway.

kim-decor-2

Inside, the Old Hollywood-style room was decorated with hydrangeas, orchids, mirrors, and crystal chandeliers.

I think it looks absolutely beautiful!
It must've been more beautiful at night.

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For the reception, Kim changed into her second Vera Wang dress -- an ivory Georgette mermaid style gown with hand-pieced Chantilly lace applique on the bodice and a skirt with hand-cut organza petals intermixed with organza sprig embroidery and Chantilly Lace motifs. Kris also changed into a second outfit -- a black peak lapel Ermenegildo Zegna tuxedo, white tuxedo shirt, and a black silk bow tie.

They danced their first dance to Robin Thicke's Angels.

Other details:


Rings: A black gold band with black diamonds for him and a diamond eternity band with more than 15 carats of emerald cut stones for her.

I think her wedding ring is way too over the top. :/

Other jewels: A $2.5 million diamond wraparound headpiece and $5 million diamond drop earrings. And of course, her 20.5 carat diamond engagement ring -- reportedly costing Kris $2 million, but now Kris Jenner is saying it's not actually that expensive, hmm...

Dresses: The first two dresses described above, the second dress also pictured here, and a third Vera Wang dress -- a bias-cut crepe back satin gown with a V-neck and circle skirt.

kim kardashian wedding invitations

Invitation: These came in their own boxes, decorated with hematite crystals and a series of interlocking Ks. They were made by Lehr & Black.

kim-menu-569

Food: The legendary Wolfgang Puck catered the event.
They served Santa Barbara heirloom tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella, tomato chips, basil and salad leaves followed by a choice of hand-formed agnolotti pasta with sweet corn mascarpone and summer truffles, or roasted chicken with Yukon Gold potato puree, caramelized brussels sprouts, summer truffles and rosemary.

Sounds delicious!

kim-cake

And last, but not the least, the cake:

Hansen Cakes made this impressive six-foot tall cake featuring eight octagonal tiers and alternating flavors of marble cake and chocolate butter creme. The tiers were studded with chocolate chips.
The cost? $10,000!

44o guests
3 custom-made Vera Wang dresses
A wedding that reportedly cost $10 million...
All for 72 days of marriage.

It was undeniably a beautiful wedding, and I know it's her money, but it makes me shudder to think of how many hungry people in the world that $10 million could've fed, how many students that could've sent to school, how many sick people it could've helped...

I hope Kim chooses to go with a simpler wedding next time, and I hope her next marriage works out.

What did you think of Kim and Kris' wedding?

***images and details from www.celebritybrideguide.com***
***other images from Google***

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

I can smell the Holidays in the air...

I seriously can, haha. ;)

Before it became super windy (it's the scary kind of windy, guys -- I can hear the wind howling!) here in Los Angeles, there was a calm chill at night and I can just feel the Holidays coming. Can you?

What better way to kick off November and the Holiday season than with a Freebeautyevents giveaway?!

For the month of November, www.freebeautyevents.com is going to pick ten lucky winners who will each win these amazing products:

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Bio-Oil Scar Treatment, CoverGirl Cheekers Blush, CoverGirl NatureLuxe Foundation, and CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion Mascara!

It runs from now until the 30th of November. Winners will be chosen on December 5th and notified by December 15th.

Visit www.freebeautyevents.com to join their giveaway and to check out if your local Walgreens is hosting a SaturDate with Beauty sponsored by Coty. Beauty Advisors will be on hand to assist customers with their shopping... plus, there will be seasonal gift sets available. On November 12th, they will also be demonstrating Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips and Crackle Overcoat, and they will be handing out coupons!

Do you have an event to promote? Post it on their site for free!
You can also read products reviews and get information on what makeover, spa open houses, gifts with purchase, and sampling events are happening near you.

Follow them on Facebook and Twitter for more news and updates! :)

Have a great week!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Music: Turning Tables -- Adele

Happy First Day of November!

Doesn't that sound crazy? -- It's November 1st!!! :O
I hope you all had a fabulous Halloween weekend!

I just wanted to share with you guys the song that is currently stuck in my head:

Turning Tables -- Adele


Which song is stuck in your head right now?

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)