DIY Studded Clothing {Saturday Style w/ Kim}

Every girl has an inner "rocker chick" that she's dying to unleash, and thankfully this popular trend makes it ultra- easy to play up this look without over doing it. I unfortunately had this preconceived idea that the minute you wore studs you fell into that punk, spiky choker, motorcycle riding, Mohawk kinda gal (not that thats bad of course!!!) By keeping this "look" down to only one or two pieces that are "studded" you will still be able to remain YOU!

Keep it simple. The safest way to wear this look is jeans, a tshirt, and a studded vest or jacket .. but it's not such a bad thing trying studded shoes, belts, earrings, necklaces, headbands, or shirts :) There is no shortage of options right now at any price range!

I own a few studded things..but decided I wanted to try studding my own jacket. It was so easy and CHEAP!!! iIfound the studs at a local t-shirt store... (you can purchase individual studs all over the internet: etsy, ebay.. don't pay more then 15 cents per stud) I found the biggest size they carried and bought 3 bags of 50 studs at 5.99 per bag. here are a few pics :)

Before you get started you will need.. pyramid (keep in mind that there are tons of different types of studs out there use what best suits your taste ) studs (aleast 50), the item youll be "operating" on and a pair of pliers.

This is one of my old jackets that i decided needed a little sprucing up .. from target
you will want to do this on a soft surface (i found it easier to do it on my carpet .. ) When you decide where you want your studding (pocket, neck, arm, shoulder etc) start at the top or top corner just depending on where you are doing it.

push the prongs through to the other side, after both prongs are through take your pliers and close the prongs down TIGHT!!! (if they aren't tight the prong will slip right off! ) Continue until you feel like your look is complete ..

This is my jacket .. (yayaya i know there are 11 studs on one side and 12 on the other .... it was my first time people, learn from my mistakes :) I would like to do more on mine (but my midget woke up from his nap so this is all i had time for!)

Here are a few more ideas on "studded" things that I love:

STUDS by thejaxns featuring studded shoes

Light pink dress, $83
Not Rated black kitten heels, $85
Jeffrey Campbell flat shoes, $165
Marais studded shoes, $150
Zara shop handbag, $189
Lowlife Triple S 3 Row Studded Belt - Graphite Stripe Black/Raspberry, £14
Studded Peter Pan Necklace, $55

Enjoy :)

kim

How to Get a Flawless Face {Beauty Blog Back Track}

here's a beauty blog back track for you to enjoy. this is a makeup video i created over a year ago after attending my MAC Pro class. after watching this again i remembered a few tips i had even forgotten.

here's to a great weekend and getting your flawless face on!

xo,
kristie

Eye Makeup Tutorial {step by step}

here's another eye makeup tutorial i created for you using my Shu Uemura color atelier:

you may remember i used this same palette a few weeks ago on this eye makeup tutorial and i am back using it again because i LOVE it.

1. begin with your lightest shade on the inner corner of eye
2. follow with your medium shade directly on middle of eyelid
3. finish with the darkest shade on the outer corner of eye

simple as that. your easy, step by step, eye makeup tutorial. you'll look like a makeup pro, no matter what your skill level.

xo,
kristie

Enjoy Product Review {Hair Tutorial}

recently i was sent several products from Enjoy Hair Care. they were extremely generous in including a wide range of styling products for me to try. here is a glimpse of some of the products:

among the products, some of my favorites were the Enjoy Texture Spray and the Enjoy Thermal Spray. i love the texture spray because it is easy to apply (lovin' the spray bottle) and gives your hair just the right amount of texture without being too sticky or gritty. the Thermal Spray is designed for application before curling and after. this ensures that your hair is not only protected while being curled, it also helps the curls to hold.

while those are my two favorite products, the whole line is incredible. products ranging from gels, to antifrizz, Enjoy has you covered (in fact, Tman has been using the gel...and likes it!) if you are interested in purchasing any of the products, you can find them by visiting Enjoy's website.

here's a hair tutorial i put together using my new Enjoy products. enjoy! (pun intented)

and if you're interested in giving these amazing products a try, Enjoy is offering one blushing basics reader the chance to win Enjoy Shampoo and Conditioner. and did you know, the shampoo also doubles as a luxurious skin wash and the conditioner is great for shaving, bonus!

to enter:

1. "Like" Blushing Basics on Facebook
2. "Like" Enjoy Hair Care on Facebook (be sure to tell 'em blushing basics sent you!)
3. leave me a comment letting me know you did.

xo,

kristie

Benefit Cosmetics {Review + Giveaway}

recently i was sent some Benefit Cosmetics to try, and to share (yay!). included in the package were large sample sizes of Benefit's BADgal lash and the POREfessional, as well as a full size benetint.

Benefit Cosmetics is a brand that began as a boutique makeup shop in San Francisco, and has now expanded to worldwide domination! (okay, they haven't achieved domination but they HAVE expanded globally) known as the most "action-packed" brand in the business, famed for playful packaging, snappy monikers & a feel-good philosophy, Benefit Cosmetics are fun and effective.

i have been enjoying their Hervana blush, the Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow skin brightener, Speed Brow quickset gel, and the Big Beautiful Eyes contour kit. i packed these for my cross country trip from Florida to Washington and have been enjoying flawless makeup the entire way.

wouldn't you love to give some of their products a try? to win full size benetint and delux samples of the POREfessional and BADgal lash follow these steps:

1. "Like" me on Facebook
2. leave me a comment letting me know you did!

good luck!

xo
kristie

Everything Modcloth {Saturday Style w/ Kim}

Ever heard of Modcloth? no? well you are in for a treat!! I came across this website (clothing/home decor/accessories of course!!!) via my best friend.. AKA pinterest :) people had been "pinning" darling pieces of clothing from this website, and I've been obsessed ever since:) Susan the founder and owner started the company out of her college dorm and eventually it blew up into a huge success ! I "follow" Susan in Instagram .. and she has a quirky unique sense of style. You can definitely tell she appreciates all things vintage (just my kinda gal). She enjoys mixing old and new to create a fun ensemble. She also travels ALL OVER the world finding new and upcoming designers. It's super fun seeing her pictures of things she finds. She is definitely a source for inspiration. Here are a few of my favorites!

kim

all things modcloth by thejaxns featuring a retro swimwear

Eva Franco shift dress, $248
A line dress, $110
Stop Staring stop staring dress, $168
Sheer shirt, $58
Esther Williams retro swimwear, $90
A line skirt, $85
Vintage lace up boots, $130
Poetic Licence mary jane high heels, $98
Magnetic clutch, $43

modcloth by thejaxns featuring a polka dot mini skirt

Flower dress, $115
Dot dress, $55
Polka dot coat, $130
Polka dot mini skirt, $43
Flared jeans, $90
Cotton Candy metallic flat, $70
T strap pumps, $100
Zipper bag, $65
Retro jewelry, $9.99
Chain jewelry, $80
3dRender Pro-Viz Plants Vol. 07 3D Texture by 3dRender1, €19
Library Hearts Garland in Valentine's Day Shop by Category Cards &..., $10

Thrifty Makeup Look

here is a Beauty Blog Backtrack that i created for the holidays last year. it is one of my favorite "drugstore" tutorials as most makeup products used were makeup products found in drugstores, or mass retailers. the makeup cost was low but the results were beautiful.

enjoy!

xo,

kristie

MAC Winners

congratulations to the MAC Fluidline winners:

please contact me with your mailing address so that i can get your goodies on their way.

xo,
kristie

Eye Makeup Tutorial {Step by Step}

if you haven't noticed already, my daily basic shadow tends to be pretty subtle. i like to add hints of color here & there, but overall i like it wearable.

with this step by step eye makeup tutorial, i added a hint of blue to the corner of my eye. it's an easy way to coordinate your shadows with your clothes, or to add just a bit of in trend eyeshadow color.

1. apply a nude shimmer shadow to your entire eyelid.
2. follow with color of choice (i used blue) to the corner of your eye.
3. finish with a light brown contour color to your crease (this adds depth)

have fun with this, experiment with different shades, and enjoy!

xo,

kristie

for more makeup tutorials, click HERE

French Pedicure {Spring Brights}

here's a look at the French Pedicure i created with my China Glaze Electropop collection:

i chose two complimentary colors, as well as my base and topcoat polishes:

paint your base coat:

carefully apply polish to just the tip of your nail:

enjoy your French Pedi!

xo,

kristie

RoC Skincare Review

i shared some information about MyChelle skincare system with you, but i was also sent RoC's newest product you may have seen on aisle endcaps at your local Target. this is RoC's newest product, the RETINOL CORREXION Max Wrinkle Resurfacing System.

this new system is a two step kit that is clinically proven to be up to 4x more effective than a series of three dermatologist peels. sounds pretty good, right?

so how do you incorporate this into your regular routine? one thing i like to do is to occassionally mix up my products so that my skin doesn't settle. the RoC products would be a great option for an intense 4-6 week treatment, take a few weeks off, and then continue again. if the more expensive product lines aren't something you can afford, this duo for $26.99 is a reasonable (if not great) price to pay for an effective skincare program.

these products work well to stimulate your skin's natural process, leaving your face smoother. smoother skin also means less visible:

• crow's feet
• cheek wrinkles
• uneven skin tone
• overall skin appearance
• sun damage

looking for improvement in those areas? then go ahead and give these products a try.

xo,
kristie

Skirts {Saturday Style w/ Kim}

For me, wearing skirts to the knee isn't a trend, its a way of life. Which is why i am stoked that the "longer skirt" is coming back and here to STAY :) There are many bonuses to wearing a skirt to the knee or below.. for one you don't have to shave your whole leg (it's the small things in life that make me happy people!) Another is that a longer length skirt can be worn through the whole year, not just spring and summer! With fall and winter all you need to do is layer according to how cold it is.. such as a warm tight or leg warmers and a boot! (recylce, reuse, renew :)...)Here are a few of my current favs that I found and they are ALL super AFFORDABLE!

kim

skirts by thejaxns featuring lightweight skirts

Forever 21 knit skirt, $14
Jessica Simpson floor length skirt, $49
Jessica Simpson floor length skirt, $49
Old navy skirt
H M slit skirt, £25
H M flare skirt, £13
Forever 21 lightweight skirt, $20
Forever 21 lightweight skirt, $30
Forever 21 sheer skirt, $13
Forever 21 knit skirt, $7.80
Forever 21 sheer skirt, $12

skirts by thejaxns featuring a striped skirt

Joules a line skirt, £45
Moschino summer skirt, £198
Pleated skirt, £85
Jil Sander pleated skirt, $880
Striped skirt, £25
DAKS knee length skirt, £295
Hobbs a line skirt, £99
Floral print skirt, $68
Red pleated skirt, $41
Amazon.com: HEART YOU! WALL SAYINGS WORDS QUOTES LETTERING DESIGNS:..., $16

Rainbow Nail Tutorial

when i think about St. Patrick's Day i see four leaf clovers, leprechauns, and rainbows with pots of gold. how about a nail tutorial that embraces St. Patrick's Day and all its green glory?

i present, the rainbow accent nail:

green nails with the rainbow accent, is that luck 'o the Irish or what? to create your own rainbow accent nail you will need:

arrange your polish in rainbow order. beginning with your red (or pink in my case) apply a small strip. follow with each color of the rainbow until you have painted entire nail:

finish by painting the remaining nails your shade of green. enjoy your rainbow accent!

xo,

kristie

Spring Brights Trend {Studio 5}

i was on Studio 5 yesterday! it was such an honor to be asked back and i had a great time. if you're interested in watching the segment, check out below:



hope you enjoyed it!

xo,
kristie

"hello, beautiful" {MyChelle Dermaceuticals}

a few weeks ago i was invited to go and learn about MyChelle Dermaceuticals skin care and try the VISIA Complexion Analysis System at Whole Foods. exclusive to Whole Foods, and currently in limited stores, MyChelle is a skincare program that helps diagnose the needs of your skin, and a trained skincare professional can recommend a custom MyChelle Skincare System that works best for you.

Whole Foods has a reputation for carrying the highest quality, natural, organic, and fresh products. by incorporating the MyChelle brand, they are sticking with that reputation. the MyChelle products are effective dermaceuticals (a fancy word for nutrient dense ingredients for your skin) that treat your skin without harsh chemicals.

no harsh chemicals, all natural ingredients, and effective. that's a big claim. coming from a medically based background in skincare (yes, a LONG time ago i worked as an aesthetician for a Plastic Surgeon) i tend to be skeptical of products that claim to be effective without prescription strength ingredients. what i like about MyChelle is that their products come from the same vein as prescription products: Vitamin A a.k.a. Retinol, and Vitamin C a.k.a. L-Ascorbic Acid.

before i get in too deep with skincare vernacular, let's take a look at how it works. first, located in the health and beauty aisles of Whole Foods, is the MyChelle booth. within that booth is the VISIA imaging system:

after discussing a few things with your MyChelle Beauty Advisor, you simply take a seat, place your chin on the chin rest and get your picture taken.

now comes the scary part. the "Complexion Analysis" consists of an 8 point profile examining: visible spots, wrinkles, texture, pores, UV spots, brown spots, vascular areas, and porphryins (bacteria). i can assure you that NO ONE looks good with this imagining done. it can be downright frightening, but the great thing about it is that it ranks you among 100 people of similar demographic, which gives you a initial perspective on where you could improve. then, in six weeks, you can return and analyze the improvement your skin has seen from using the MyChelle products.

although i am bit embarrassed to be sharing my personal Complexion Analysis, here it is:

after looking at my results, the MyChelle Beauty Advisor was able to recommend a treatment plan and products to help me get find improvement in some of my problem areas (hello UV damage! didn't realize we were so well acquainted).

the products are color coded and easily marked so that you know exactly what products work for your skin type, as well as, what order to use them in.

as a mom, i was a little apprehensive about incorporating so many products into my skincare routine. however, after having used these for a few weeks, i found it was quite simple. plus, i have been dying to find a lash enhancing serum that wouldn't potentially turn my blue eyes brown, thank you MyChelle Lash & Brow Serum!

overall i love these products. they leave my skin feeling smooth, moisturized, and clean. are they effective in improving the overall condition of my skin? i'll let you know in a few weeks after i have my analysis re-done. for now, i'm enjoying the idea of using products that are good for my skin, and my health.

xo,
kristie

ps. if you don't have a Whole Foods near you, head to the MyChelle website where you can have a virtual consultation with a Skincare Advisor. interested in checking out their blog? head here.

COOK MAC {Collection Peek + Giveaway}

the COOK MAC collection was released alongside SHOP MAC. both collections are a blend of Spring toned hues that work. the thought behind the COOK MAC collection is this:

Cook M∙A∙C has spring’s no-carb, no-calorie recipe for kooky, kitschy, kitchen kouture in savoury shades for Eyes, Lips and Nails.

this collection corresponds well with the SHOP MAC collection. it provides nearly black Fluidlines (Wholesome, Added Goodness & Midnight Snack seen above) to compliment the bright shadow shades in the SHOP MAC collection. the COOK MAC collection also includes several Tendertone Lipbalms not found in the other collection (Tread Gently & Hush, Hush seen above). these neutral products work well to accentuate a bright eye, or highlight a bright lip. (all items pictured are $15 ea.)

MAC is a makeup brand most people trust and love; and their limited edition collections are a way to branch out into the season trends, while still keeping true to their traditional line. i can't imagine giving these products anything but a GRAIL. they work, they work well, and they last forever.

interested in getting your hands on some of this? while i am using my MAC products for the Studio 5 feature i am presenting tomorrow, i won't be using all of the Fluidlines. want one? two winners will be selected, here's how:

1. "Like" me on Facebook
2. leave me a comment letting me know you did!

happy COOKing and SHOPing.

xo,
kristie

Lipcolor Tutorial 1-2-3 {Spring Trend}

this spring, bright colors have hit the market. from clothing to makeup, adding bright accents is a must. one of the easiest ways to add a bright color is through lipstick because bright eyeshadow can be a bit intimidating.

i've created this simple step by step tutorial on how to achieve your own bright smile:



for this tutorial i am using my Vincent Longo cosmetics

start with your essential tools for lipcolor: a lipstain, a lipliner and a lipgloss.

1. begin with your (exfoliated!) bare lips.
2. apply lipstain. this ensures that your lips won't look wonky once your lipgloss or lipliner wear off. the stain will keep lips looking bright.
3. follow with a lipliner. apply lipliner along outer edge of your lips (for fuller lips) and lightly smudge with your finger tip so that there are no harsh lines.
4. finish with your bright lipgloss. break out your smile and enjoy!

 

xo,

kristie

My Week In Pictures

it's been a while since i've done a WIP and we had a particularly fun week that i thought i would share:

here's the fam at SeaWorld

getting ready to see Shamu. no show is complete without a giant bag of cotton candy.

waiting to see a stingray

the cutest little jailbirds

me and c-diddy enjoying a Legoland ride

he earned his license that day

thanks for checking it out!

xo,
kristie

Foiling Eyeshadow {Eye Makeup Tutorial}

"foiling" your eyeshadow is a really simple technique that allows you to get two colors from one eyeshadow. the foiling technique really concentrates your color so that it is more vibrant. i like to use the foiling technique with my shimmer shadows because they are less pigmented, and foiling helps make them more dramatic. here is a look i created using the foiling technique:

i used my BECCA cosmetic loose shimmer pigment and a fluffly eyeshadow brush.

run your brush under water for a brief second. using the lid of your shadow container, make a paste with the shadow.

here is what the shadow will look like before and after foiling:

for this makeup look, i foiled my shadow from the lash line to the crease. with a dry brush, i used the same shimmer powder and applied it over the entire eyelid, up to the brow bone:

for a more in depth tutorial, you can watch this video here:

xo,

kristie