My essentials for Gemma’s 15th birthday (and her cancer treatment)


(more…)
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My essentials for Gemma’s 15th birthday (and her cancer treatment)

4 (super easy!) things you can do to help the planet


Because we all need to help save our planet, and these are four easy (and also fun) ways to do
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4 (super easy!) things you can do to help the planet

Two Lip Products That You Need in Your Life


You guys know I’m picky about lip gloss, but I recently tried two new (to me) products and had to
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Two Lip Products That You Need in Your Life

5 Souvenirs Actually Worth Bringing Back From Ireland


Because I know you want to shop (but not for touristy junk)... (more…)
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5 Souvenirs Actually Worth Bringing Back From Ireland

04.13.2012
Beauty Rebellions! (and why I’ll never bleach my eyebrows, hate eyelash curlers and why I wear makeup to the gym)

Everyone has them…they’re your dark little beauty secrets that you don’t share with anyone.  There are certain things that a woman has to stick to, even when society (or a highly acclaimed stylist/makeup artist) tells you differently, and guys, I’ve somehow convinced some of the top beauty and style bloggers to share their dark secrets right here on my blog.

As for me?  Well, I absolutely REFUSE to bleach my eyebrows or use an eyelash curler…oh, and I wear makeup to the gym.  Yeah, I said it.  Let’s start with eyebrow bleaching.  I’m not a natural blonde (and it is NO SECRET) but, for some reason, certain colorists become obsessed with trying to convince me that my brows need to match my hair color.  NO, just no.  Back in my formative blonde years, I let myself get convinced once or twice and every time, you know what I got?  Orange eyebrows.  So now, whenever some celeb colorist tried to change my mind I just simply ask “have you ever heard of a little rock star/fashion icon named Gwen Stefani?  Thank you and, yes, I’ll take another glass of champagne.”  Eyelash curlers – I consider them modern day torture devices.  I always thought that I just didn’t really know how to use one or the one I had wasn’t good quality — NO.  I bought the Shu Uemura version that everyone raves about and you know…I still hate curling my eyelashes.  Granted, I am blessed with naturally long, dark lashes (poor me, I know) so perhaps I would deem it necessary to curl them if I was in a different sitch BUT, for now, I’m down on eyelash curling.  Lastly, I look my derm straight in the face when I tell him that I wear makeup to the gym.  Countless derms and beauty editors will tell you not to do it.  “It will clog your pores!”  “You will break out!”  Well you know what?  I have rosacea and post-acne marks (aka hyperpigmentation) and there are hot dudes at the gym.  So what if I wear a little mineral foundation or a tiny bit of tinted moisturizer (with SPF!)?  Last night’s eyeliner is only included by default, mind you.  In the famous words of Deena from Jersey Shore, “Get off me.”

Aly Walansky, MyGloss.com:

I have a million cleansers I could/should use, but two or three nights a week, I come home tired/drunk/lazy and don’t wash my face before going to bed. (Shameful, I know!)

Amber Katz, BeautyBloggingJunkie.com:

I RARELY wear body lotion. Only when I know I’m making out or on the weekends when I have time to let it fully absorb before putting on clothes. Jeans over damp lotion makes me want to DIE.

Andrea Arterbery, GlamazonsBlog.com:

I refuse to wear blush. I hate it. I will highlight the shit out of my cheeks with bronzer and illuminating powder but that’s about it. I feel like that’s all I need in life anyways. Blush just makes me look clownish. Ew.

Andrea Lavinthal, UsMagazine.com:

I wash off everything but my eye makeup when I have a sleepover with my (newish) boyfriend. I don’t know if seeing me without my eyelashes curled and whatnot is a dealbreaker for him, but I’m not taking any chances. #freshandsexy

Anne Fritz, TheJetSetGirls.com:

I hate conditioner. My hair is fine and without a little texture and damage, it can’t hold a style. I have relented a bit and use it on my ends, but woe to the person who comes near me with a hair mask.

Annie Tomlin, BellaSugar.com:

I get manicures only when I really have to. I just don’t have the time or inclination. L-A-Z-Y, I ain’t got no alibi.

Dina Fierro, Eye4Style.com:

I’m admittedly blessed with hair that just sort of does what it does, if you know what I mean. That said, I DO use a flat iron on my bangs daily, and god forbid I ever a) use a heat protectant or hey, b) wait for them to dry. Patience is not a virtue in my world.

Jeannine Morris, BeautySweetSpot.com:

I rarely ever wash my makeup brushes (ew, I know).

Kaitlyn Dreyling, BeautyBlitz.com:

I never use hand cream. I’ve self-diagnosed myself with hyperhidrosis, so I fear adding any hydration to my already clammy palms, thus my cuticles suffer, but acetone is the best.

Kristen Turner, GlitterNGlue.com:

Sometimes I get lazy and instead of removing my nail polish, I just paint over it. By the time I get to the salon the manicurist is shooting me major side-eye as she’s removing layer upon layer upon layer of different nail polish colors.

Kristin Booker, FashionStyleBeauty.com:

I will never get laser hair removal on anything but my face – Someone told me that Kim Kardashian gets her whole body lasered. YIKES. No, the chin and jaw line are enough for me, thanks. I cannot image the pain. You’d have to dip me in aloe vera from my armpits afterwards. NO THANKS.

Nadine Jolie, NadineJolie.com:

I haven’t used shaving cream since college. Back when I was younger and more precious about my skin, I’d run a hot shower, let the steam and water do its thing, use a fresh razor every 2 or 3 shaves… Now, I swipe the razor (inevitably a month and, like, 20 uses past its prime) all over in about 8 seconds and then call it a day. My thighs, meanwhile, have not been shaved since I was 16 (thank God for blonde hair). I haven’t downgraded to shaving in the sink yet, but it’s probably the ghost of Christmas future.

Rachel Adler, BeautyHigh.com:

Even though it’s a major faux paus, I always leave my apartment with my hair wet. Hardly ever sopping, but always a tiny bit wet. I have curly hair and spending time diffusing it in the morning is just time I don’t want to waste.

Sydne Summer, SydneStyle.com:

I refuse to use eye makeup remover. I don’t even own any! I secretly love waking up with night-before-makeup. I just wipe the smudges under my eyes away and bam! It’s a Kate Moss smoky eye without trying.

Tell me and the girls, what are YOUR beauty rebellions?

04.12.2012
bareMinerals takes to the skies with Virgin Atlantic’s “Upper Class Red”

I love a good brand collaboration and, of course, a good red lip.  BareMinerals just announced that they partnered with Virgin Atlantic to give passengers a “taste of the high life” with the release of their signature Pretty Amazing lipcolor in “Upper Class Red.”  According to the press release, the new shade is a spin on the iconic Virgin Atlantic red, which gives passengers the chance to experience the jet-set glamour and style synonymous with the airline’s distincitive cabin crew, known for their signature red lips, suits and shoes.

Passengers who want to purchase Upper Class Red can do so on board any Virgin Atlantic flight, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Spa at Heathrow, Gatwick and New York’s JFK International Airport.

Tres chic.

 

 

 

04.09.2012
Fashion Star: pure marketing genius

Say what you want, NBC’s Fashion Star is pure marketing GENIUS.  Seriously, there are just oh so many (too many) fashion reality shows these days but the fact that you can actually purchase the winning clothing ONE DAY AFTER the episode airs…well, it’s one of those “I wish I had thought of this” moments for me.  I’m also obsessed with Nicole Richie…but I digress.

Suave Professionals is the official hair sponsor for the show  (LOOK AT THOSE COOKIES) and the fabulous Theodore Leaf is the head stylist.  I was lucky enough to meet Theodore at an Emmy’s party back in 2010 and he is absoulutely lovely – I LOVE it when nice people achieve success!

Theodore doing my hair, circa 2010

Anywho, I watched the first episode and fell in love with Sarah’s blue dress, as did the rest of the country…selling out in 45 minutes online.  I had hopes that I would find some time to stop by the actual H&M store (ugh, I hate actually having to go to a store) but yeah, it never happened.  My girl Kristen pulled an amazing and ended up finding me the last size 4 and gave it to me for my birthday BUT, being that H&M sizing is as wonky as a lazy eye, the dress didn’t fit.  H&M- get your shit together and use ONE FIT MODEL.  GOD. (breathing heavy).

OK.  I searched eBay to go up a size and ended up finding a bigger size…for an extra $40, of course.  Not to worry, I sold the size 4 for $42 (a $22 bonus!) so I really only had to pay an extra $20 for the dress.  Whatever. I LOVE IT. (full disclosure: I bought it in black too.  UGH. I have problems).

sexy back.

04.05.2012
Kiehl’s honors Earth Day with celebrity-designed packaging

If you read my tweets, then you know I have a major brand crush on Kiehl’s.  What’s not to love? Their products WORK and they’re very serious about several philanthropy projects, including Earth Day.  Who designed the gorgeous Deep Pore Cleansing Masque this year?  While it was hard to top last year’s designers (you can see here), Kiehl’s tapped Florence Welch, Rosario Dawson, Mark Ruffalo and Spike Lee to create limited-edition versions of the product, available online at Kiehls.com and in stores now – just in time for Earth Day.  Just an FYI, ALL PROCEEDS benefit Recylce Across America.  Pretty rad.

Check out InStyle.com to see all four designs.

04.04.2012
Happy 6th Blogaversary, QotQLC!

It’s kinda strange in a “wow, fate is actually real” kinda way that today I randomly decided to find out what day/year (yes, I honestly had no idea) I started my blog.  When I clicked to the “last” page at the bottom of my blog, I was actually shocked to see that, whoa, TODAY is my blogaverasary…and SIX years at that.

Strange again, it’s also Amber’s.  Weird, I know.

I don’t even know what to say because my blog means so much to me, as do all of my readers.  Back in 2006 it was still very risque to blog, especially when you work in PR and I actually got in trouble when my old company found out that I was writing for CollegeCandy.com.   I didn’t care.  Damn the man!  I do what I want.  My first post ever was about my quarter life crisis – hence, WHY I started this blog in the first place but guys, that was SIX years ago and you know what, I still have moments just like the moment I wrote about so many years ago.  And that’s OK.  I still don’t have tons of money or take fabulous vacations (or an “amazing” boyfriend, for that matter) but what I DO have is A LOT and I’m very greatful for all of it.  When I started this blog at 23 I was absolutely freaking out and even though I still consider myself to be going through my own version of the quarter life crisis, I can say that I’ve learned a lot over the past six years and this blog was a big part of that learning.  Over the past six years I’ve accomplished some amazing things that I’m just so proud of and I’ve managed to partner with brands that I truly believe in (Degree, Refine Mixers, Ralph Lauren Pink Pony, SoleSociety.com, Shape.com, etc.) – I wouldn’t have it any other way.

my first blog post EVER

 

So thank you for reading.  Thank you for being a part of my journey with me.

Xo,

Jamie