Style Spotlight: Leighton Meester

Happy Thursday!!!

The first episode of Gossip Girl's last season aired this week -- even though I think it's definitely time to end the show and its story, it's still very sad to think that this is it! I feel like another part of my childhood/teenage years is over (this is like Harry Potter all over again, haha!) because I started watching this show when I was a junior in high school and now I'm 22 years old -- I guess it's really time to grow up. ;)

Anyways, I know we just had a Style Spotlight post last week and it might be too soon to have another one, but I'll make an exception because this post is going to be all about everyone's favorite Queen Bee: Leighton Meester (a.k.a. Blair Waldorf). :)

***click to enlarge***

"Waldorf's influence hasn't turned her into a fashionista by any stretch -- off-hours, Meester is the low-key, comfort-first type who does most of her shopping online or when traveling, and she only uses a stylist for red-carpet events."

"an anti-heroine of the first rank: bad-tempered, mean-spirited, bulimic, acquisitive, endlessly scheming and, of course, dark-haired..."

"I don't know how she does it! Blair was always my favorite character in the books, and Leighton embodies her perfectly. It would be so easy to make her a stereotypical bitch, but instead Leighton gives her a softness and intelligence and almost a physical comedy, too." -- Cecily von Ziegesar on Leighton's portrayal of Blair Waldorf

I definitely agree! :)

"...being famous or rich or making a certain kind of movie -- none of that means 'success' to me. Success to me is being happy and fulfilled, truly fulfilled, and being proud of myself and doing different things all the time." 

-- Leighton Meester

***from Lucky magazine***

Doesn't she sound amazing?! I'd love to be friends with Leighton!

And I would also love to raid her closet! ;)

Now, let's take a look at Leighton's style...

Sunnies:

Scarves-Coat-Boots Combo:

Dresses:

All Dolled Up:

Gossip Girl:

Aaaahhh, it's so difficult to stop, haha! I just realized that Blair Waldorf's style alone deserves its very own post... maybe next time. ;)

Gossip Girl fans, we only have 9 more episodes left... are you ready to say goodbye to our favorite Upper East-Siders, their drama, and their gorgeous clothes? I don't think I am, haha. *Sobs*

What do you think of Leighton Meester's style?

Are you a Gossip Girl fan? Do you have a favorite Blair Waldorf outfit?

I hope you are all having a lovely week! :D

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Open internationally. Two winners! Ends on October 27th at 11:59pm PST.

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Not Your Mother's Hair Care: Girl Powder™ Volumizing Hair Powder

Happy Monday!

We talked all about hair last week, so I thought it makes perfect sense to share this product with you guys:

Not Your Mother's GIRL POWDER™ VOLUMIZING HAIR POWDER

Stand up against flat, limp hair everywhere! Fight back with Girl Powder™. 

This powerful powder is the fastest way to maximize volume and add texture directly to dry hair. 

Say buh-bye! to your ho-hum hair because this salon formula will have you and your hair large and in charge.

Application: Shake a small amount of powder onto dry hair and roots. Lift and fluff through with hands for instant volume. Use as needed and if you're falling flat, just re-fluff!

Gives you:

- Volume

- Texture

- Fullness

Price: $6

***from www.nymbrands.com***

I don't have much volume in my hair, so I always reach for this when I need some "oomph" in my hairstyle.

It is easy to use, it has good value, it is effective, and it smells good.

It is also light as air, so don't worry if it feels empty. ;)

It is a bit messy (because it's powder) and it can be a bit sticky, but other than that, it's a really good product.

Also, you gotta be careful when opening it because the powder might spill and puff everywhere -- I learned the hard way, haha!

Not Your Mother's hair care products are available at mass retailers and at over 100 college & university bookstores. Click here to see a full list of stores that carry NYM products.

Have you tried NYM products before?

What do you think of NYM's Girl Powder™ Volumizing Hair Powder?

I hope you are all having a wonderful start to the week!

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To win a pair of circle lenses and one animal case from LensVillage, please click here.

Open internationally. Two winners! Ends on October 27th at 11:59pm PST.

Like What Mimi Writes on Facebook and be friends with Mimi! :)

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)

October: FreeBeautyEvents Giveaway! :D

Happy Monday!

I just wanted to share with you guys this month's giveaway/contest from www.freebeautyevents.com. :)

For the month of October, FreeBeautyEvents is giving away the following to ten lucky winners:

CoverGirl and OLAY Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush, CoverGirl Blast Flipstick Lipcolor, Liquiline Blast Eyeliner, and CoverGirl and Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation Base.

What an amazing selection, huh?!

This contest will end on October 31st. Winners will be chosen on November 1st and will be notified by November 15th.

To enter, please click here.

Good luck! :)

On select dates in October and November, Ulta stores will be hosting Yes To events. Demonstrators will be giving information and letting customers try Yes to Cucumbers Facial Cleansing Towelettes, Yes to Blueberries Eye Firming Treatment, Yes to Tomatoes Pore Scrub, and Yes to Carrots Facial Moisturizer. Also in November, Ulta will be hosting their Mustela event at select Ulta stores around the country where customers can get free samples. To find out if this event will be near you, just enter your zip code in the upper right hand corner of this page. Information like this is available on the FreeBeautyEvents website where spas and retailers can promote their events. Anyone who would like their site visitors to know about their beauty event can make a posting for free at www.freebeautyevents.com/submit.

You can also enter your zip code to find out what makeover, gift with purchase, spa open houses, and sampling events are happening near your home.

Check out their beauty reviews and join their weekly contests.
Keep up to date with FreeBeautyEvents through Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter.

:D

The Lucky Guide to [SUMMER] HAIR!

Happy Friday! :)

I have these magazine scans left over from summer... I know, I know, it's already fall, but these hairstyles are just too good to pass up... and besides, a lot of our other blog friends are fast approaching summer. I also gotta add that the good thing about hairstyles is that they will still be perfect no matter the season, right?! ;)

So, here we go...

The Lucky Guide to [SUMMER] HAIR

Healthy, shiny, not too perfect and super sexy -- these are the looks that truly go anywhere, no matter what the weather, no matter what your hair type.

***click to enlarge***

1. THE UNDONE UPDO - Offhandedly rumpled and wispy, this look is super-sultry -- and practical -- especially if it's humid or windy. We love combing in a little hair oil or a bit of pomade through the ends for the perfect laid-back texture, not to mention an extra dose of conditioning moisture.

2. SUPREME SHINE - Shiny hair is healthy hair, whether slicked back and pulled into a braid -- or in a free-flowing blowout. Shine enhancers now come built into every step, from shampoo to style.

3. THE SOFTEST, SEXIEST CURL - Fighting frizz is the challenge here. The solution is to lock in moisture for softness, creating a barrier between the hair cuticle and the air outside. Coat wet hair with conditioners and stylers designed to repel humidity, the result will be gorgeous shine and texture.

4. KEEP YOUR COLOR SAFE - Summer is incredibly rough on haircolor. Sun and chlorine are particularly powerful enemies. Use formulas designed to protect color every step of the way -- they really make a difference.

5. THE BOUNCY PONYTAIL - The most flattering ponytail is one that balances volume with smoothness. Use volumizing shampoos, conditioners, and stylers before blow-drying, then finish with a bit of shine-enhancing serum for a clean, fresh look.

6. THE HAIR-PERFECTING SHOWER - Just wetting your hair before you get into a pool fills the cuticle with water, so that much less chlorine gets into your hair. Bolster the effect by slicking on conditioner before going in, and use chlorine-eliminating formulas once you're out.

7. THE ULTIMATE BEACHY WAVES - Salty beach sprays and hydrating texture lotions enhance your natural waves -- or help create new ones. Dry naturally or blow-dry with a diffuser.

I love beachy waves and bouncy ponytails!

And I wish I knew about the "hair-perfecting shower" trick months ago... hmmm, well, there's always next summer. ;)

Have you guys tried any of the products named above?

Which of these hair styles/ hair concerns caught your interest the most?

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!

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To win a pair of circle lenses and one animal case from LensVillage, please click here.

Open internationally. Two winners! Ends on October 27th at 11:59pm PST.

Like What Mimi Writes on Facebook and be friends with Mimi! :)

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Anastasia of Beverly Hills: Kisses On My List and Want You To Want Me

Happy Wednesday!

"On October 3rd, he asked me what day it was... it's October 3rd."

Besides it being October 3rd, it's also a Wednesday... are you guys wearing pink?

No? Then "you can't sit with us!". Haha, just kidding, Happy National Mean Girls Day!!! ;)

Anyways, for today's post, I just wanted to share with you guys this mini-"haul" of new products I received from Anastasia of Beverly Hills... ready? :D

Here's what I got:

-70s inspired promotional items

-Kisses On My List Volume 2 lip gloss set

-Want You To Want Me kit

Kisses On My List Volume 2 ($30) -

A set of six high-shine glosses in matte and shimmer shades that wear all-day.

Shades are Jolene, Lola, Maggie May, Roxanne, Sharona, and Moi.

Want You To Want Me ($34; $90 value) -

A kit within a clutch. A nod to the glam and decadence of the 1970’s. 
 Kit styled like a clutch and features a removable eye shadow palette for a takeaway touch-up wherever your night takes you. Nine long-wearing eye shadows create a range of looks from neutral to dramatic to smokey.

I will definitely write a review on both Kisses On My List and Want You To Want Me, so please stay tuned for that! :D

In the meantime, I just wanted to put a spotlight on Anastasia of Beverly Hills' excellent campaign/ promotional team -- they seriously have the best and the coolest ideas ever!!!

I don't remember a time when I wasn't impressed with their packaging and promotional items.

Besides excellent quality, Anastasia of Beverly Hills also makes sure that the aesthetic of their products is outstanding.

The Want You To Want Me kit and the Kisses On My List set came with this 70s inspired promotional item -- it's like a record album cover and inside you'll find two cardboard records listing the names of the shades found in both kits -- really clever stuff! :)

They also sent over some face charts to help us make the most out of the Want You To Want Me kit and the Kisses On My List set, just like they did for the She Wears It Well palette.

1. Cherry Bomb: A Garage Band Smokey Eye

Eyes: Platform Wedge and Graphic T's

Lips: Jolene

2. Dancing Queen: A One Brush Rush Look

Eyes: Front Row Center, Brass In Pocket, and Graphic T's

Lips: Maggie May

3. Heartbreaker: A Pop-Rock Cut Crease

Eyes: Platform Wedge and Graphic T's

Lips: Sharona

4. Heart of Glass: A New Wave Winged Eye

Eyes: Brass In Pocket and Members Only

Lips: Lola

When I review both sets, I will link back to this post so you guys can see these face charts again. :)

Have you ever bought anything from Anastasia of Beverly Hills before?

What do you think of the Want You To Want Me kit and the Kisses On My List set?

I hope you are all having a wonderful first week of October! :D

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To win a pair of circle lenses and one animal case from LensVillage, please click here.

Open internationally. Two winners! Ends on October 27th at 11:59pm PST.

Like What Mimi Writes on Facebook and be friends with Mimi! :)

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)

Style Spotlight: Emily VanCamp

Happy Monday!!!

First off, I would like to thank everyone who participated in my recently concluded Too Much Soul giveaway -- thank you!!! And I would also like to announce the winners... Congratulations to Taylor and Anastasia!!! 

Too Much Soul and I will email you guys with the details! :)

And now, I think it's time for another Style Spotlight post -- in honor of Revenge's return last night, let's take a look at Emily VanCamp's style! :)

Here is an article on our favorite Revenge star from Lucky magazine:

***click to enlarge***

"With a dress this flowy and pretty you wouldn't think to pair it with a jean jacket, but it was fun and unexpected and totally worked."

"I routinely add a leather jacket to any outfit, and this vest is a nice new twist on that."

"I love a man's shirt, and this whole look is comfortable, so laid-back yet classy."

She seems so down-to-earth and so nice -- I love that! :D

Now, let's look at Emily's style...

Blazer-Jeans-Heels Combo:

Comfy Casual:

Leather Jacket:

Dresses:

Awards Shows:

Revenge:

Okay, I shall stop right there because if I don't, this post is never going to end, haha! ;)

If you'd like to see more fabulous outfits from Ms. Emily Thorne and her fellow Hamptonites, tune in to Revenge -- you will love it! :D

What do you think of Emily VanCamp's style?

Are you a Revenge fan? Do you have a favorite Emily Thorne outfit?

I hope the first day of October went well for you guys! :D

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To win a pair of circle lenses and one animal case from LensVillage, please click here.

Open internationally. Two winners! Ends on October 27th at 11:59pm PST.

Like What Mimi Writes on Facebook and be friends with Mimi! :)

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)