The Lucky Guide to FALL SHOES!

Happy Saturday!

It's cold outside and it finally feels like November!

To celebrate Los Angeles finally saying goodbye to Summer, here is Lucky magazine's guide to Fall shoes:

***click to enlarge***

Satisfy that back-to-school craving for shiny new pairs with our roundup of the season's best.

1. HIGH-HEELED LOAFERS - Slip them on and you'll look equal parts CEO and sexy secretary.

2. HIGH-HEELED LACE-UP BOOTS - So cutting-edge, you won't care that they're not the least bit practical.

3. HIGH-HEELED MARY JANES - Add a few inches and the schoolgirl staple loses its naïveté.

4. FLAT KNEE-HIGH BOOTS - They do exist: comfortable weekend shoes that make you look super-polished.

5. EVENING T-STRAPS - With sky-high heels and festive accents, this retro style is primed to party.

6. LOW-HEELED ANKLE BOOTS - Polished, but not so polished you can't rock them at a music festival.

7. CAP-TOE OXFORDS - Super-comfy, but dapper enough to make the most casual outfit razor-sharp.

8. ANKLE-STRAP PUMPS - It's amazing how crazy-flattering a little line across your ankle can be.

9. KNEE-HIGH BOOTS - The '70s staple keeps coming back -- and, somehow, keeps getting sleeker.

Right now, all I want on my feet are my fuzzy socks (haha!), but looking at all these shoes is certainly making me happy!

I really love the high-heeled lace-up boots, low-heeled ankle boots, and cap-toe oxfords! :)

What about you guys -- which of these shoes caught your eye the most? 

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend! :D

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P.S. I have two giveaways for you guys right now! Please do enter if you haven't already. :)

Salt City Bakery: Win an order of biscotti in the flavor of your choice!

Open to United States residents only. Ends 11/18.

Shopbop Giveaway: Win a $100 gift card!

Open internationally. Ends 11/25.

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

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)

Anastasia of Beverly Hills: Want You To Want Me Kit

Happy Thursday!!!

A couple of weeks ago, I shared with you guys my mini-haul from Anastasia of Beverly Hills and I was also able to review the Kisses On My List set... and for today's post, I just wanted to feature and review Anastasia's Want You To Want Me kit. :)

(To see my "haul"/ makeup charts/ PR Kit, please click here. To read about the Kisses On My List set, please click here.)

Want You To Want Me Kit:

The Want You To Want Me is a kit within a clutch…a nod to the glam and decadence of the 1970s. 

This set includes a deluxe eye shadow palette featuring an array of 70s rock inspired shades for a beautiful holiday look.

I love how luxurious the velvet design is! :D

FEATURES & BENEFITS: 

 - Velvety smooth matte and hydrating Illumin8 shimmer shades keep eyes looking glam and crease-free. 

 - High-pigment shadows can be worn dry for a sheer wash of color.

Wear wet to transform shadow into liner or for a bold metallic finish. 

 - Dual-sided eye shadow brush included. 

 - Jet black liquid eye liner creates the perfect thin line for a dramatic eye.

 - Mini Clear Brow Gel sets brows in place all day and night.

 

The mirrored compact with brush features nine matte and pearlized nude and plum shadows, Liquid Eye Liner, and Mini Clear Brow Gel to turn your eyes into a velvet goldmine.

With shadow tints like Power Ballad, Jellies, Platform Wedge, and Ziggy…how can you go wrong! 
Toss this gorgeous palette in your clutch for touch-ups wherever your night takes you.

Cool vinyl record-inspired PR Kit featuring the names of the eye shadow colors... :)

I really think Anastasia of Beverly Hills' PR Kits are the best! :D

A close up look at the eye shadow colors:

Top Row (L-R): Platform Wedge, Front Row Center, Ziggy

Middle Row (L-R): Members Only, Power Ballad, Jellies

Bottom Row (L-R): Graphic T's, Brass In Pocket, Iron On

As usual, this eye shadow is really, really excellent!

The colors are beautiful, but not too out there, so this is totally gonna be perfect for makeup newbies and makeup junkies alike.

I also love how versatile these shades are.

It's great that this palette has both light and dark shades = perfect for whatever mood you're in -- neutral, dramatic, or smokey! ;)

This kit comes with a Mini Clear Brow Gel and a Jet Black Liquid Eye Liner.

I think these two products are a really nice addition to the kit! :)

They also provide a dual-sided eye shadow brush.

I don't really use this because I much prefer using my eye shadow brushes, but I think it's good to have a backup brush just in case you are without your regular brushes. :)

This will make such an awesome Christmas gift -- as I mentioned above, I'm sure both makeup newbies and makeup experts will be ecstatic to receive this kit!

The Want You To Want Me kit retails for $34 -- I think that's a really good price, especially considering you get four items in one kit. :)

This kit and all other Anastasia of Beverly Hills products are available at all Sephora stores and online at www.anastasia.net.

What do you guys think? Is this something you might want to buy?

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

I wish you all a fantastic Friday!

Yay for the weekend! :D

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P.S. I have two giveaways for you guys right now! Please do enter if you haven't already. :)

Salt City Bakery: Win an order of biscotti in the flavor of your choice!

Open to United States residents only. Ends 11/18.

Shopbop Giveaway: Win a $100 gift card!

Open internationally. Ends 11/25.

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

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)

Take Care Of Your Hair! :D

Happy Wednesday!

I know it's already cold in some parts of the world (except here, grrrrr!), so it's really perfect timing that Cherrie sent me this post to share with you guys: it's all about taking care of our hair during the winter season! :)

Take care of your hair this winter

Have you ever noticed that your locks lose a little of their lustre in the winter months? That’s because when the temperatures start to drop, your hair is exposed to some pretty harsh elements—blistering temperatures, gushing winds, and freezing precipitation. Keep your hair healthy this winter by following these haircare tips:

1) Make conditioning a priority.

Conditioning is always recommended, but it takes on a special sense of importance during the winter months, when moisture is sucked from your hair. Use a creamy, water-based conditioner packed with plenty of protein twice weekly to help replenish your hair with essential nutrients. Use leave-in conditioner in-between conditionings for an added boost.

2) Do hot oil treatments regularly.

If your hair is especially damaged and dull during the winter months, try performing regular hot oil treatments on it. These treatments help to repair damages by loading up your locks with essential oils. The easiest way is to buy a do-it-yourself kit, heat up the tube of oil for about a minute, and then massage the oil into wet hair. Leave the oil in for a few minutes to work its magic before proceeding with your normal shower routine.

3) Cut back on the colour.

Colour fanatics beware: winter is the worst season for dying your hair—or really having any chemical process done, for that matter. Chemical processes strip your hair of its moisture, causing your locks to look limp. If you’re really set on changing up your colour, opt for a semi-permanent dye and use special conditioner and shampoo for colour-treated hair to help remoisturise your locks.

4) Hold off on the heat.

As much as we all love the convenience of blow dryers and straightening and curling irons, it’s best to keep them shelved in winter: the added heat is a nightmare for your hair. Try to let your hair air dry as much as possible, using a good Frizz Ease serum to cut down on frizz. If you must turn on your hair care appliances, apply a heat conditioner to your hair before styling to help protect your tresses.

5) Protect yourself from the elements.

One of the worst mistakes you can make in the winter months is to go outside with wet hair. Your locks are more likely to damage and break when exposed to the blistery air—and you’ll increase your risk of falling ill! For these reasons, make sure your hair is completely dry before heading outside.

Another thing you can do to protect against the elements is to cover your locks. Wear a loose fitting cap or tie a silk scarf around your head to keep your hair healthy.

I hope you guys enjoyed reading this post! Thanks again to Cherrie for sharing these really useful tips with us! :)

Do you guys have any more hair care tips to add to this list?
Which of these tips most particularly apply to you?

I hope you are all having a fantastic week! :)

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P.S. I have two giveaways for you guys right now! Please do enter if you haven't already. :)

Salt City Bakery: Win an order of biscotti in the flavor of your choice!

Open to United States residents only. Ends 11/18.

Shopbop Giveaway: Win a $100 gift card!

Open internationally. Ends 11/25.

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

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)

What's New: Dorfman Pacific DPC Authentic Wool Beret

Happy Tuesday!!!

It's still incredibly warm here in California (Seriously though, it's not funny... I need cold weather!), but that won't stop me from talking about everything and anything Fall/Winter-related! :)

For today's post, I want to feature a beret I received from Dorfman Pacific... first off though, here is a little something about them:

Dorfman Pacific offers the most comprehensive collection of hat brands in the country. The company's research, development, and design departments are busy searching the world for the best trends and materials so that retailers have the best looks when they need them in a quality and price point that is the best and most fairly priced. The Fall 2012 collections offer many silhouettes, colors, patterns, designs, and trims in a huge range of materials... wool, blends, acrylic, leather, and suede are just a few.

They sent me a beret -- perfect for Fall!

The runways for Fall were accessorized with hats. The beret which is never out of fashion... but some years, becomes a key fashion look... was back in the limelight.

I love berets, but for some reason, I didn't use to own one... that's why I was so excited to receive this! :D

Now I have my very own classic beret!

Dorfman Pacific's DPC AUTHENTIC brand presents style 50 for the new season in 19 colors. It is 10 and 1/2 inches and made from soft wool. It is a one size fits all which makes it the ideal self or gift purchase and its $25 retail is affordable, too.

Price: $25

A snap of me wearing my beret...

Berets can be worn both indoors and outdoors.

And I think it is the perfect item to wear if you want to add a little Parisian flair to an outfit!

This beret is flattering, it's a one size fits all, and it's affordable = this is totally the perfect gift idea! ;)

Color choices: Black, Maroon, Off-White, Chocolate, Charcoal, Camel, Olive, Cobalt, Forest Green, Light Blue, Pink, and Red

To buy your very own beret, please click here.

***Berets with rosette trims, animal prints, and studs are also featured in other Dorfman Pacific brands, Scala and Callanan.***

You can keep up to date with Dorfman Pacific by visiting their website, following them on Twitter, and liking them on Facebook.

Have you ever bought anything from Dorfman Pacific before?

What do you think of this beret? Which color would you choose?

I hope you are all having a wonderful week so far! :D

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P.S. I have two giveaways for you guys right now! Please do enter if you haven't already. :)

Salt City Bakery: Win an order of biscotti in the flavor of your choice!

Open to United States residents only. Ends 11/18.

Shopbop Giveaway: Win a $100 gift card!

Open internationally. Ends 11/25.

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

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)

Happy Sunday + My Halloween Costume

Happy Sunday!!!

Even though I still have a bunch of Halloween candies left, Halloween is done and over (Sadly!), but before I officially start looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas (I'm so excited!), I just wanted to share with you guys my Halloween costume...

I shared this on Twitter, but I thought I'd share it here on my blog as well, so here it is:

I am a huge Pretty Little Liars fan, so I decided to dress up as A! :D

It was a really easy costume to put together -- black leggings, black hoodie, black boots, black gloves, an A note, a cellphone = done! :)

What do you guys think?

What was your Halloween costume this year?

I hope you all have a happy week ahead!

And yay for an extra hour of sleep! ;)

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P.S. I have two giveaways for you guys right now! Please do enter if you haven't already. :)

Salt City Bakery: Win an order of biscotti in the flavor of your choice!

Open to United States residents only. Ends 11/18.

Shopbop Giveaway: Win a $100 gift card!

Open internationally. Ends 11/25.

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

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)

IMATS Spotlight: Sigma

Happy Friday!

Over the summer, I started sharing with you guys the products and freebies I got from IMATS Los Angeles 2012, but for some reason, I've been slacking on that department... but, worry not, I'm picking up where we left off. ;)

One of the booths at IMATS was Sigma -- Sigma is a well-known brand (especially among bloggers), that's why I don't think it needs any elaborate introduction... but, in any case, here's a little something about Sigma:

Sigma was founded in 2008 by Brazilian natives Rene, a civil engineer with a Master's degree in Business Administration, and his wife Simone, a researcher with a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology. After discovering the strong need for worldwide availability of affordable and high-quality beauty products, the couple combined their knowledge of engineering and scientific research to create a company that met these needs in the cosmetic industry. Today, Sigma is one of the fastest-growing and top-rated companies in the beauty industry as a result of its ingenious and high-quality products, all of which are tested for performance, resistance, and durability to fit the specific needs and wants of every consumer.

***from www.sigmabeauty.com***

Everyone loves Sigma -- just look at that line! ;)

Some more photos from the Sigma booth at IMATS Los Angeles 2012:

Such cute brushes!

Sadly, I didn't walk away with the sought-after Sigma brushes (next time, I swear!), but I did go home with a goodie bag from Sigma:

Pretty bag!

A Summer 2012 pamphlet and a gift from Sigma!

THE RIGHT TOOLS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

I got an Eyeliner Brush from Sigma:

Unique Feature: Thin and precise tip

Function: Precise application of liner

Recommended Use: Use with gel or liquid liners

Thanks to our friends over at Sigma!

I'm excited to spend more time at their booth at next year's IMATS! :)

To keep up to date with Sigma, you can follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook.

You can also check out their website.

Have you bought anything from Sigma before?

Which of their products would you recommend I buy?

Yay for the weekend!

Have a wonderful one, guys! :D

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P.S. I have two giveaways for you guys right now! Please do enter if you haven't already. :)

Salt City Bakery: Win an order of biscotti in the flavor of your choice!

Open to United States residents only. Ends 11/18.

Shopbop Giveaway: Win a $100 gift card!

Open internationally. Ends 11/25.

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

Twitter? WhatMimiWrites :)

Salt City Bakery Giveaway: Win an order of biscotti! :) ***CLOSED***

Happy Thursday and Happy November!!!

To celebrate the start of a new month, Andrea from Salt City Bakery and I are giving away yummy goodies!
You might remember from my review that Andrea makes really delicious biscotti -- her biscottis are totally perfect for the Holiday season! Hey, it's November, that means we can now officially think about Thanksgiving and Christmas! ;)

Now, let's talk about the giveaway...

What's up for grabs?

An order of biscotti in the flavor of your choice!

Biscotti, biscotti, and more biscotti! ;)

Organic Pumpkin and Walnut Biscotti

Organic Gingerbread Biscotti

Organic Hazelnut and Chocolate Biscotti

All Natural Scharfen Berger Dark Chocolate and Walnut Biscotti

Don't they look absolutely delicious?!

The flavors to choose from are:

- Pumpkin Walnut

- Chocolate Walnut

- Hazelnut

- Pistachio

- Gingerbread

- Vanilla Bean

And now, let's get on with the giveaway...

To enter:

Mandatory entries -

1. Follow What Mimi Writes via GFC -- let me know you follow in a comment, tell me which flavor you would like to receive, and include your email address. (+1)

2. Follow @WhatMimiWrites on Twitter. (+1)

3. Like Salt City Bakery on Facebook. (+1)

Extra entries -

4. Visit Salt City Bakery on Etsy and tell me which baked goodie is your favorite. (+2)

5. Tweet about the giveaway, mention @WhatMimiWrites -- let me know/ leave me a link.

You can use this tweet: #Giveaway: #Win an order of biscotti (your choice!) from Salt City Bakery over @WhatMimiWrites! Ends 11/18! Join: http://tinyurl.com/acpyow5. :) (+2)

6. Visit Andrea's blog, www.saltcitybaker.blogspot.com, and leave a comment on any of her posts -- let me know which post you commented on. (+3)

7. Like What Mimi Writes on Facebook -- leave your Facebook name in the comments. (+3)

8. Say Hello! to Salt City Bakery on Facebook and let Andrea know What Mimi Writes sent you there -- leave me a link to your wall post. (+3)

9. Mention this giveaway on your blog, either on a post or on your sidebar -- let me know/ leave me a link. (+4)

A total of 20 possible entries!

Please leave one comment per entry or if you choose to put them all in one comment, please clearly list how many entries you have -- either way would be easier for me, thanks! :)

This giveaway is open to United States residents only.

It will end on Sunday, November 18th at 11:59pm PST.

The winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via email.

Good luck!!! :D